Lyo, Irene, and Tigris sat around the campfire eating.

“So for how long have you two known each other?” Asked Irene.

“Three years. We met at Tofar and afterwards they lumped the five of us into the same team.” Answered Lyo.

“Who are the other three?”

“There’s Onyx.”

“Girly boy.” Added Tigris.

“He’s our squad leader. There is also Tykal who’s our marksman and sapper.”

“Sapper?” Asked Irene.

“Explosives expert.”

“Her pastimes include torture, execution, and long walks in the beach. Topless from what I hear.”

“That last part isn’t true Tigris.”

“The topless or walking along the beach?”

“Both smart ass. Then there’s Embry our medic.”

“She has the finest ass and legs that I have seen all over Eris. If the laws of nature would allow it I would have her children.”

“She and our leader are also an item.”

“Or you could just be a fucking cunt and ruin the fun.”

“You do realize that they’ve most likely slept together by now right?”

“Not even as a joke Lyo.”

“I still find it surprising that they would lump a Sovereignist along with an animalist and Gaist in the same unit. How have you two not killed each other?”

“We’ve tried, but I’m stronger.” Said Tigris while flexing showing off her muscles.

“And yet Onyx stole Embry’s heart.” Responded Lyo with a coy smile.

“Fuck. You.”

“In any case Albion’s just a few days away. If we take the Nezarine Pass we should be able to avoid most patrols.”

“That our safest bet?” Asked Lyo.

“There is another, but it would take longer. Plus we’d have to go through the Inarin Hills and there are plenty of beasts there that would attack you if you just look at them wrong.”

“Nezarine Pass it is then. You two go to sleep I’ll take the first watch.” Said Lyo.

Lyo pulled out her Sovereign idol of Apollyon and examined it. To think that it was still in one piece was truly a miracle and a good sign of things to come. Lyo looked at the crackling flames and remembered when she became truly devoted to Sovereignism.

The sun was high up in the sky as the soldiers surrounded the city of Kaulmer. Kaulmer was part of the Kaulkan States and one of the many that rebelled against the Karashian Empire. Karash in response sent ten cohorts to end the insurrection. Each cohort was made up of five legions and each legion was made up of a thousand soldiers. Lyo herself was part of the 927th cohort’s 3rd legion under the direct command of Sovereign Knight Apollyon during the duration of this campaign. The army had surrounded the city and had laid siege for several days bombarding it with cannons, catapults, and trebuchets. There was no attempt at escape from any of the city’s residents. Not like they could break the encirclement anyways.

“Today we march into the city and kill everyone! No exceptions. The men, women, children, sick, and elderly. If they want to die for their beliefs then let them.” Said Apollyon as she signaled the attack with her sword.

Lyo rushed through open field carrying a siege ladder along with several other legionnaires. She was surprised that the enemy had not fired at them, but they were most likely waiting for them up top. They raised the ladder as they neared the wall. Lyo maintained a firm grip on her spear. This was her first assignment since becoming a legionnaire, and she would be damned if it would be her last. She climbed the ladder hurriedly to allow for the next person to climb up. When she reached the top she noticed the city in ruins. Buildings that were raised at several hundred feet were nothing more than a pile of rock and embers.

“Secure the wall and open the gates to let our troops enter. Move it!” Ordered the commander.

Lyo joined the rest of the legionnaires in opening the gates to allow the main force through. She found it odd that there were no rebels, fortifications, or barricades blocking their way. Even as she gazed upon the city she saw nothing. Not a single soul. Lyo heard a heavy metal clanking approaching her. She turned and saw Sovereign Knight Apollyon approach her.

“Legionnaires you’re with me. The rest of you fan out and find the rebels. Once you do take them all to the main square.”

Lyo and a small contingent of ten legionnaires searched the city for anybody that was still around. They dug through the rubble searching caved in basements for any signs of life but found nothing.

“Looks like they left ma’am.” Said Lyo.

“Search the bedrooms.” Ordered Apollyon.

“Ma’am?”

“Call it woman’s intuition. Now do it.”

“Right away.” Lyo scurried out of the basement to the top of the house searching for any bodies.

She approached the door to the master bedroom slowly. She used her spear to open the door and peek inside. She saw four bodies. Three of them laid on the bed and another in an armchair holding a flintlock revolver. Lyo checked the corners of the room and the closet for anybody else, but there was no one. She stepped closer to the bodies and saw the mother cradling her dead children in her arms with her eyes closed, and a clean shot to the head. The children were clinging to their mother for dear life. They looked so peaceful. Lyo walked to the dead man and pried the pistol from his cold dead hands. She pulled out the cylinder and emptied the bullets onto her palm. Only two rounds left. She loaded the pistol with the last two, holstered it to her belt, and walked back to report to Apollyon.

Apollyon was in conversation with several other squad leaders and commanders. “Every house?”

“It looks like it ma’am. Guess they knew they didn’t stand a chance.”

“Weapons?” She asked.

“So far just the standard stuff flintlock revolvers, scatterguns, hunting crossbows. None of the stuff a military would use. If the rebels were here they’re long gone.”

“Leave no stone unturned. Commander I want you to take several dozen of our cavalry and organize hunting parties search for tracks. If they slipped from under our noses I want to know how they did it, and where they’re going.”

“Right away ma’am.”

“As for the rest of you collect the bodies and pile them up in the main square. We’ll burn them.”

“And the city?”

“Leave it be. Eventually someone will take up residence here again. No reason to destroy it.”

Apollyon saw Lyo emerge from the house with the pistol tied to her belt.

“Dead?” Asked Apollyon.

“Yes ma’am. Mercy kills.”

“Cowards if you ask me.”

“Ma’am?”

“So eager they were to raise the flag of rebellion. To raise their fists against those that protect them and die for them. But when the time came to test their convictions they chose cowardice.”

“Wouldn’t the end result be the same anyways? They would have died by our hands.”

“True, but at least then they would have remained true to themselves. To embrace death knowing that if they died it was doing what they believed. Instead they chose to surround themselves with their families, huddle together like scared animals, whisper lies into their ears about death, and end it. At least if we would have killed them we would have lined them up against the wall with their families and shot them ourselves. Although I suppose I’ll give credit where credit is due. They would have been a waste of ammo.”

“That makes sense.” Answered Lyo.

“Never forget legionnaire everything we work for is for the survival of our country. To ensure that it outlives all the rest.”

“Like Spyre?”

“No. Unlike Spyre we will wipe out all the other nations. Cleanse them of all of their denizens. In their place we shall install an empire stronger than that of Spyre. A single kingdom...” Apollyon trailed off and immediately stopped talking.

Lyo thought it was strange and unusual, “Ma’am are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Apollyon sighed. “Just tired.”

Suddenly the sounds of gunfire and screaming could be heard not too far from their position. Both of them rushed to find a squad of soldiers shooting a house.

“Status!?” Yelled Apollyon as she took cover behind one of the corner buildings.

“Three down! Sniper is ugh...” The soldier fell to the ground as his head was struck with an arrow.

“Building with caved in roof! Two blocks away. Your side ma’am.” Yelled the remaining soldier as he returned fire.

“Legionnaire I’m going to rush over there and provide him with fire support. You are going straight in and are going to take him out. We’ll cover you. Grab that large piece of wood over there and use it as a shield. Ready?”

Lyo nodded holding onto the makeshift shield tightly.

“GO!”

Lyo waited until Apollyon made her way to the makeshift barricade and grabbed one of the rifles to cover her approach. Lyo held up the piece of wood and ran to the next block as Apollyon and the last soldier covered her. She saw an arrow penetrate the wooden board part of the way through. She took cover behind the corner of the building and peeked her head. As soon as she did an arrow grazed her cheek.

“Shit!” She cursed feeling the blood trickling down her cheek.

She looked at Apollyon, who was currently reloading, emerge from her cover to fire at the sniper. However, the sniper managed to shoot an arrow at Apollyon’s head. As soon as Apollyon fell down Lyo rushed the sniper’s nest. She pulled out the flintlock revolver and made her way up the crumbling building. She took cover by the door as she readied her gun. Lyo took aim and shot the sniper in the back of the head. She heard a baby crying nearby. She followed the sounds until she found it tucked inside a basket. She picked up the basket and exited the building. She noticed Apollyon walking in her direction.

“Ma’am!? I thought...” Lyo began.

Apollyon knocked on her helmet. “Sovereign armor. Old, but effective. Takes more than just normal arrows to pierce through.”

Lyo saw a scratch and a dent where the arrow hit its mark. “I see. I found a baby inside.”

“I see. So maybe they’re not all cowards. Kill it.”

“Ma’am? Shouldn’t we send it to one of the legionnaire training facilities?”

“No.”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s simple really. A message.”

“Message?”

“To the rebels, and anyone else that tries to raise their sword against Karash. Acts of rebellion will not be tolerated.”

Lyo began to understand. By killing this child and all the others no one would have the nerve to rebel. She would no longer see more of her comrades die. Apollyon was right the child had to die.

“Ma’am!” Yelled one of the soldiers from afar.

“What is it?”

“We’ve gathered several survivors and a few rebels. They were hiding out in the basement of one of the buildings.” Reported the soldier.

“How many?”

“About fifty.”

Apollyon hummed and looked at the child. “Very well then. Let’s go. Follow me.”

As they trekked through the destroyed city several moans could be heard coming from one of the buildings.

“Shit! This bitch’s asshole is tight like a vice!” Exclaimed a voice from one of the burned out buildings.

Apollyon stopped dead in her tracks. Apollyon walked inside the building. Lyo followed her and saw four soldiers gang raping a woman. They turned to see Apollyon and had a look of shock in their faces.

“Ma’am...” Began one of the soldiers.

“I believe I had very clear orders. Did I not?”

“We were going to kill her anyways after we were done. So what’s the difference anyways?” Asked another soldier.

“What were my orders legionnaire?” Asked Apollyon as she glanced back at Lyo.

“To kill them all ma’am. The men, women, children, elderly... Not a single one was to survive.”

“Correct... And yet here before me I see four soldiers disobeying said orders.”

“But...” One of the soldiers began, but was stopped when Apollyon raised her hand.

“Do you know why we rape the soldiers and people of other nations?”

Not a single one answered.

“It is because this affects their morale. Because when we attack one of their cities rape the women, men, even children and let them go they will carry that memory with them forever. When women are forced to carry the bastards of our soldiers into their societies they are ostracized, and more often than not are hanged. Men for instance bottle up the emotions and the scars so much so that it consumes them. It is a sign of our strength. That we are powerful enough to protect our own, and avoid such things happening to our people. That’s why we rape them to demonstrate our power. Countries that would rape and kill their own people are not countries. They are nothing more than an orgy of animals fucking and eating each other. With that being said I see four animals that need to be put down before me, and one... traitor.”

“Why you... Agh!” One of the soldiers charged at her with his knife. Apollyon grabbed his arm as she dodged his attack. She then grabbed his neck. She snapped it almost instantly.

The woman crawled away with her back against the wall as Apollyon drew her sword ready to kill the last three men. Apollyon charged in and killed two of the three that were scrambling to get their weapons with one swing of her sword. The last one reached for his rifle, but was stabbed in the abdomen by her sword. Lyo had never seen such speed. To be able to move so quickly with such heavy armor. She truly was worthy of the title of Sovereign Knight.

“Just accept your death.” Said Apollyon as she stirred the sword torturing the soldier.

“Sovereigns forgive me I...” He pleaded.

“No Sovereign can save you from me.” She said as she pulled out her sword and cut his head off.

Apollyon looked at the woman cowering in fear as she approached her. Apollyon towered over the woman menacingly her sword in one hand dripping with blood. The woman gulped in fear as Apollyon raised her sword. Apollyon swung her sword and the woman closed her eyes waiting for the blow. However, no such thing happened as Apollyon mere just swung her sword to clean the excess blood off of it. Apollyon sheathed her sword and walked towards Lyo.

“Thank you.” The woman muttered weakly.

“Don’t thank me yet. Legionnaire how many rounds do you have in that pistol?”

“One.”

“Do it.”

Lyo aimed her flintlock revolver at the woman’s head and pulled the trigger. The woman slumped against the wall as she slowly fell to the floor, and the blood smeared itself on the wall.

“It’s good to know that some soldiers can follow orders.” She said as she put her hand on Lyo’s shoulder.

Lyo felt a sense of pride in that, and smiled at Apollyon. “Thank you ma’am.”

After several minutes they reached the town square where the prisoners were rounded up. There were a few children there as well. The prisoners were surrounded on all sides by legionnaires aiming their automatic crossbows at them. The parents stood in front of the children ready to protect them from the volley of arrows.

“By order of Emperor Kyvar, by the will of Karash you all shall be executed where you stand. You can all plea to the Sovereigns for mercy, but don’t bother as they will not be listening.”

One of the rebel soldiers stepped forward. “Assholes like you are why I fought the empire.” He then spat in Apollyon’s direction.

“Hmm...” Apollyon looked at Lyo who was still holding the child in the basket. “Grab the child by the leg and bash its skull against the pavement.”

“Yes ma’am.” Lyo lifted the child by her leg and began to bash its skull against the pavement. At first the child cried as she was swung around and her head smashed the pavement, and after the third strike its cries stopped.

The people were horrified by the sight and some grabbed hold of their children as tightly as possible.

The rebel soldier grit his teeth. “Fucker!”

“Had none of you rebelled this child, and many others would still be alive... But because you chose to rise against us, fight, and take refuge amongst these people who gave you refuge knowing full well of the consequences this child... And many more people died. And now...” Apollyon raised her arm and brought it down signaling her men to open fire.

It took two volleys to kill them. One volley to take down the ones that stood before the children. The second volley to kill the children, and finally Apollyon crushed the skulls of the infants with her foot.

“Don’t bother burning these. Let them be as a message for those that would follow in their footsteps.”

Apollyon walked towards Lyo and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“You did good legionnaire.”

Lyo smiled. “Just following orders ma’am.”

Lyo traced her thumb on the idol. The people they killed that day saved countless more as the rest of the Kaulkan states gave up the locations of the rebels. She did not expect that Dol-Sur would have a hand in it though.

“Hey Lyo.” Whispered Tigris.

“Yeah?”

“It’s my turn to take watch.”

“Yeah okay.”

Lyo laid down on the makeshift bedding looking at her small idol trying to catch some sleep. She kissed her idol and whispered to herself, “Good soldiers follow orders.” Before she finally fell asleep.