Book 5 - Chapter 66 - No Winners (1/2)

A once towering fortress had become a half-ruined battlefield. It was the site of incredible devastation, but undoubtedly the most striking aspect was the enormous mountain that had appeared from nowhere. It’s suddenly descent from on high obliterated the fortress, to the point where repair was impossible.

A meteor like this was beyond their ability to move. It would remain there forever, a testament. In a thousand years when Sanctuary was no longer there, the meteor would remain. For future generations it will have marked the beginning of a legend. But to those who lived through the historical event it was unimaginable.

By the time darkness fell the battle was over. Darkness descended like the curtain at the end of an act.

Hammont was busy counting what remained of his Drake Corps. The war had lasted half a day perhaps, but the losses were staggering. So many bright young people – new recruits who could count their days as soldier on one hand – conveyed to the arms of the god of death.

It was terrible, repulsive! Why did this have to happen?

His headcount was interrupted by foul news.

The expeditionary force, led by Commander General Frost, had failed to wipe out the wasteland remnants. It meant this conflict wasn’t over. These barbarians – savage by nature and willing to perform any manner of despicable deed – would eventually return. To Hammont it was a crushing realization.

One of his soldiers stepped forward. “Commander!”

Hammont frowned at him. “What is it?”

“I’m sorry to disturb you so late, sir. The captain of the fifth brigade wishes to speak with you. He… he’s been wounded badly.”

Hammont paused. He remembered this captain, a man he’d promoted personally to his post. He was a fellow of good potential and all reports claimed he led his troops capably during the fight. Word was his force of a hundred or so single-handedly warded off a sneak attack from the rear.

It’d cost them terribly. Five remained of the hundred-man unit, and those five were fading away in the field hospital.

“I can go back and tell them you’re busy, commander...”

Hammont cut him off with a wave then motioned for him to lead the way. The young soldier gave him a look of appreciation then did as instructed.

They picked their way across Sanctuary, passing exhausted soldiers retrieving the dead and dying. Eventually they arrived at a huge makeshift site that served as a field hospital. It was also one place where they housed the fallen for the time being.

When he stepped inside, Hammont was greeted by the sight of countless dead. These soldiers had died in the line of duty and laid here, awaiting a final resting place. They were covered by white sheets that together stretched on like a grim sea. Nearby was where the living were being treated, marked by a chorus of sobs, groans and screams. A steady stream of the newly deceased went to join the ranks of their fallen brethren.

The cloying scent of blood and illness filled the air. Hundreds of doctors hurriedly rushed back and forth, their white coats soaked crimson. It was a small army of physicians, but by the way they ran about and through the number of bodies being brought away, it wasn’t nearly enough. As they walked the lane Hammont watched soldiers slip into darkness because they were left untreated.

This area were all wounded soldiers from the expeditionary force. Hammont pushed passed them to where men from his own corps were being treated. When they saw their commander appear the groaning stopped, and their eyes lit up.

Hammont approached a man wrapped from head to toe in bandages. This was the captain, or what was left of him.

When he saw Hammont approach the captain’s eyes looked grateful and relieved. “Com… commander. Commander!”

“Relax now, soldier. You need to recover.”

“No, I… I won’t be getting better. You don’t need to comfort me.” The captain looked at Hammont with moist, eager eyes. “Did we win?”

“Yes, we won. The enemy is in full retreat and the one who planned this war – the demon elder – has been badly wounded by your Governor. It will be decades before he dares show his face again. Commander General Frost pursues the fleeing wastelanders and will make sure they’re eliminated, once and for all.”

Hammont couldn’t bring himself to tell this dying man the truth. He couldn’t bear to let him die in regret.

“Good… that’s good. May our people no longer live under the threat of evil. Speaking of which… I miss my wife and kids. No regrets, though. They will be proud that I didn’t dishonor our family. I fought for them, I f-….” The captain’s faded vision suddenly hardened. “Commander. You told me your dream is to be a General. You’re going to be a General, right?”

It took Hammont by surprise. He hesitated for a moment before nodding his head.

“You’re different from the other commanders. You will be a great leader, we all look up to you. You have to become a great general...”

The captain extended his hand but could only reach half the distance between them before his strength gave out.

Another heroic spirit taken from the world of man and sent to Mount Sumeru. If Mount Sumeru was a real place…

Doctors clustered around. After a brief check it was confirmed the captain was no more. They covered him in a sheet and took him away.

Hammont left in silence, forcing himself to walk through the unbearable aftermath of this war once again.