Chapter 19: Captain Meredith of the 23rd Company

Back in the trading post, the time had come for people to return to their work. Yet, the tavern was still packed with customers. Were they trying to skip work like Mikey or were they all wanted to hear the end of this tale. The young man noticed most of the patrons were people he did not recognize. It seemed like today was an especially busy day for the trading post.

The nomad took a gulp from his drink, still keeping half of his face shrouded in darkness. Putting down the glass, he continued his story.

“What happened next is the beginning of the end for the damned 23rd and so I our tale. This is the end of the esteemed Captain Meredith.”

___

The damage that the 23rd Company had suffered was now akin to that of a great war. And many more would not live to see the end. Captain Meredith sat in meditation, gritting his teeth. These knights did not deserve this fate.

The 23rd was more than just a military outfit, they were a symbol. That was due to its esteemed Captain Meredith, a story of rags to riches, from a nobody to a renowned commander. No matter what, the 23rd must always be ready with their shinning armors. Always on a campaign, the news of their combat gave hope to the people at home.

But the endless battle had finally took its toll. In its latest battle with a tribe of underground settler, the 23rd suffered a pyrrhic victory. They had won, bringing the land under Atlas’s protection, but at a great cost. Most of the ranks were wiped down to a very few. Only a most skeleton crew remained.

But that could not continue, the 23rd must always be a present force, serving as a constant reminder of what to aspire to.

It meant mass recruitments and rushed training. Wide bright eyes, barely be able to hold a spear properly was inducted into the Company. The 23rd would ride again no matter the cost. This new force made of barely trained recruits could never fight a war, however. Even the headquarter was aware of that.

Wait, the East Aigola trading company was complaining of raider attack were they not? It was the work a clan once thought wipe out, their force would not amount to much. A perfect campaign for this fresh crew. Over time, they would grow into a capable force.

It was supposed to be an easy victory, a mere group of raider to be wiped out by superior numbers and equipment. And it would serve to bolster the troops’ confidence.

That was not meant to be.

These were not soldiers or knights. They were mere teenagers, bright young souls who could barely carry the weight of their armors. Their enthusiasm for greatness could not offer any protection against this meat grinder.

It reminded him of his promotion to be the leader of the 23rd. It was supposed to be moment of glory. But all he could remember was his disgusted and disillusionment with the Order.

He would have resigned if not for meeting that man.

Captain Meredith exited his meditation and picked up his sword. He left the building, leaving behind the armor and spear, essentials for a knight. The guards were puzzled but they did not question their superiors. The more veteran members were already informed of what next to come. All they could do now was to wait.

Taking a leisure stroll through the abandoned, the Captain called out.

“Come out, I know you are watching me.”

Standing still, he waited for a while, until a shadow jumped out in front of him. It was the surviving Doll, crackling but still very much functional and deadly.

“So you can find me, bravo, human.”

“That’s an ability still eluding me.” The Captain replied.

“But you called for me, did you not?” The Doll wondered.

The answer was one she did not expected. “I know you want my head. So all I need to do is wandering by myself, calling out for you every so often. Sooner or later, you would surface.”

“Is this supposed to be a joke?” The Doll asked, amused. “What if I decided to observe?”

“I am sure that would not be the case and alas, it was not.”

After all, he was a mere human, weak and only good for being thrown around by power greater than them. One such power would be the Doll, who would never expect a human to have anything that could surprise her. To her, there was no reason to observe, there was only a sure kill.

And it was not a wrong assumption.

“So all the death and suffering had gone to your head!” The Doll concluded. “If you want to die that badly, I shall comply with the great Captain’s wish.”

Instead of a quick dash, the Doll leisurely paced toward her opponent. What of the Captain? He simply stood and wait, holding his sword with its sheath still on. The man had no intention to draw his blade. He was not any swordsman, his skill stood among the top of the entire Order. However, in face of a being such as the Doll, it was simply for naught.

This was an entity that had slaughter acolytes and Blind hunters alike. There was no way Meredith’s blade could even graze her skin. Not out a lack of trying, but because he was a mere human.

The Doll stood in front of the Captain and drew a knife with her right hand.

“Even I have heard of yours reputation, of your prowess with the blade. It would be a shame not to witness it with my own eyes.”

“What purpose would that serve, but giving you a satisfaction of besting me.”

It was a reply of defiance. The Captain was not here just to die, he must have had something up his sleeve.

Smirking, the Doll put up her left arm slightly. From it, a blade shot out only to be block by the Captain’s sword. It cut through the sheath, going halfway into the steel before breaking.

It was a read since the speed of the blade was not one human could react to. Knowing that, the Doll intentionally delayed shooting it out after raising her arm. Yet, for the Captain to make that kind of read, his skill and experience were certainly to be admired. And he was ready to follow it up as his other hand was already holding a small shiv.

But that only served to delay the inevitable by a moment. The Doll plunged her knife in between the Captain’s ribcage. A simple attack executed with immense strength and speed, even a read could not save the man from sheer superiority. Even if he had worn the armor, the knife would simply be thrust into the visor.

The stab was already lethal, but the Doll still made a sadistic cut.

Hunching over, the Captain could feel his life flashing in front of his eyes. He had many to be ashamed of, including his rise to this position. His final moment was filled with regrets, of not being able to see this campaign through. But the Captain took solace in knowing that he had left the rest to someone most capable.

“Time… to die.” He muttered.

Mustering what was left of his strength, Meredith hugged his opponent, a final act of defiance? The Doll could catch a glimpse of something behind his ripped shirt. A wound still new, shoddily stitched.

An explosion engulfed the two, shaking the ground and lighting up the night.

‘What happened?’ The Doll could not feel her body anymore. She tried to open her mouth but no sound could be heard but the crackling flame. ‘How could this be!’ Her last thought was of regret. She could not help in restoring her Father to his prime. The Doll passed away, passing that baton to the Ghost.

It was now clear, the Captain must have asked for explosive from the Doctor. He then proceeded to stuff himself with the thing, ready to die. But there was more to this suicide bombing than at first glance.

With her reflex, the Doll could have react to the explosion. But Captain Meredith knew of her sense of superiority. She would feel no threat coming from him. But if so, he could have sent another soldier for the job, his veteran could keep their nerve alright?

No. They would be too unimportant and likely to be disposed of quickly and without them ever noticing. It must be him, whose position was enough to intrigue the Doll. And only he could stop the blade attack. A suspect not being able to put up a fight at all, suddenly jumping into certain death would reek of a trap.

This was a battle, one that Meredith, a mere human, had prevailed but at a great cost.

The knights flocked to the explosion, wondering what had happened. All they could identify were the shards of the Doll, now lifeless. There was nothing left of Meredith to bury, he would never return to his home ever again.

At the back the remaining few veterans stood, saluting their Captain. Among them was the deformed medic, holding a small writ.

Within it were the final letters written by Captain Meredith. The medic was to assumed commanding duty of the 23rd Company. A new order was also given. Their mission was no longer to hunt down the raider, but to rescue the capture and evacuated this meadow.

The medic saluted, his inside swirling with emotions. He was among the recruits joining the 23rd, he was one of those who was in awe of Captain Meredith’s glory. Why was this responsibility thrust upon him? It was a question the medic could not answer, but he would honor this final mission, no matter what.

___

The Doll sat in the dark of oblivion. She was not an acolyte nor a human, where would someone like her go. Or had she already reached the destination. So this was what awaiting her, an endless void like the dessert of her home.

Suddenly, someone embraced the Doll from behind. It was a pair of arms identical to her, without any sign of artificial joints. Then the young woman noticed, her own limbs were also missing such a design. She turned around and the sisters held each other tight.

Was this truly the afterlife or a dream of a dying being, it did not matter.

The twin was now together and they would never be apart ever again.