Chapter 447: Real intent (1/2)
”Commander, commander,” the radio communication of the Jei Lo's first unit reached home after great atrocities. ”The ambush has been compromised; we've been wiped out – please call back the second wave. Elendor has called upon a demon of war…”
”And is that the last message?”
”Yes sir,” replied the bowing messenger of the support unit. A large circular tent stretched on forth from the middle. The night was young and news of the failed assault reached in due haste.
”You may leave,” said a gentleman dressed in uniform. The coat was very much decorated with badges, a shimmering piece of metal showed, *Commander Zu Lo*. Jet-black short hair gathered before the brows, neither was it parted nor combed. It stood straight and still before the wind and forces of nature. A sharp short mustache curled upwards gently. Each time he spoke or took a breath, the larger round nose would move subtly.
”What is the meaning of this?” he wondered with a large-scale map up in the center. ”How can 2000 men up and disappear on a siege. Have the castle sent forth part of their troupes to take the fight to us?” As if a chessboard, he used little figurines to mark where the men were. ”Peculiar,” arms crossed with one hand stroking the less than visible goatee, the feet unwilling turned to face a painting. An older man who with whom he bore a striking resemblance. 'Tell me, grandfather,' he paused.
”Message from the General,” ran a messenger.
”Enter,” he voiced loudly.
”Commander Zu Lo, General Jei Lo has ordered for thy force to separate into three units and lay in wait for two days.”
”Understood,” he returned as the other bowed out the camp.
'Splitting into three units. 13,000 per Captain and 1000 as a reserve. I wonder what sort of strategy the general has in mind.' Zu remained in the dark of the plan the General formulated. Thus, the decorated military man could but think and ponder upon the map.
Later that night, three Captains from the main-army arrived to provide support. They were assigned 13,000 men each and tasked to guard the left, right, and center of sloped flat-land.
”Commander,” voiced one of the captains, ”-are we only to guard or can we go on the offensive?”
”Depends on the situation,” returned he with narrowed eyes. 'The strange aura coming off these men, how troublesome.' Present and not, the darkened mist emanating from their imaginary silhouette was tantamount to a battle-hardened beast.
Meanwhile, further up towards the main-camp, a strange figure stood outside the general's quarters. Long grey hair illuminated against the moonlit sky. ”Holiness, please, do come inside,” said a rough voice.
”Do give a moment,” returned it with an angelic voice. The words rolled off the tongue as if one stealing a spoonful of honey. 'This is the place where my lord foresaw the disturbance.' The coat swam across as he returned; a blade caught the man's reflection. A disfigured and blurry crest flashed across said weapon.
The 7th arrived in stride. The scorching heat of the nine o'clock sun wasn't something to laugh at. The journey across the forest was long and harsh. Seemingly tiny on the map, the actuality of the range was far beyond the mind's imagination. Each step was met by a branch breaking or worst. Uneven ground meant slow pace, and so, he kept on walking despite the harshness.
'The defeat of their forces must have made it back. I haven't heard anything from Éclair, meaning, they might be using an analog way of communication.' The never-ending path stretched without end.
”Hey, brother, are you ok?”
”What's this all of a sudden?” returned he with neither hate nor concern.
”You've made new allies. I saw the power of the Goddesses earlier, can't believe the Goddess of Destruction, Goddess of Flame, and the Guardian of the Dominion of Time. It's a strong-line up, I'm worried about Queen Cleopatra.”
”Why do you say so?”
”It's a feeling. Don't forget, I'm the sword of Lord Death. Her alliance with God Lixbin isn't one that shallow. There most certainly something else in the making.”
”Don't you think I know that?” he grinned, ”-she's acted more or less normal with inconsistencies. Her allegiance lays someplace else, I know it all too well. However, her power is truly great – I'll use her as long as she allows so.”
”It's not just that,” her pace slowed, ”-it's you,” said she, ”-I feel thy power dwindling with each day.”
”Oh…” he paused, ”-tis the Shadow Realm. Most of my powers are redirected to aid in support of that world. Since my power keeps on increasing there was no other option to prevent the destruction. Suppose the realm is more of a task to handle.”
”Do the rest know of it?”
”No, obviously not. I kept it a secret – if the mana runs out, the place will break, and tis something I can't afford.”
”Brother,” said she halting, ”-I need you to hear something.”
”What is it?”
”I had the vision of the Curse of the Death Reapers. It's coming, I can feel it, the curse will strike home soon.”
”So, it happened to you too.”
”Yeah, a white-haired girl stood beside another god. The message is clear and cut, something big is to happen and we'll be at the receiving end, that much is assured.”
”I know,” he sighed, ”-I've had the bad feeling for quite a while now.”
”What then?” she asked holding his shoulders, ”-going to give up?”
”Might as well,” he smiled, ”-the curse will forever haunt us. I don't know what to do, the only thing there I see is moving forward.”
”Moving forward you say,” she smiled, ”-I, Daemonum Gladio, am forever grateful for the life thee have granted. I vow to answer thy call if ever the time arises.”
”What happened to the sister who always teases me?” he chuckled; ”-I know you will. Thank you, Courtney, but I don't see thee as a sword any longer. You're a part of my family – I rather have you in flesh and blood than metal. If the day comes where I have to relinquish the mantle Lord Death so graciously bestowed; then promise me to grant thy strength to the next heir as a guide.”
”Stop,” her fist ended beside the face, ”-why are you talking as if thee are to die?”
”Time stops for none,” he smiled, ”-had to tell you what I felt and what I wish for the future to bring.” Thus, they continued towards the coming battlefield.