It has been 2 months since the start of the war between the empire and the Arkens, soldiers on the front lines were gradually falling on both sides as they are consumed by fatigue. Morale was at an all-time low, and the long war didn’t show a sign of ending. The reason for all that was apparent.

  “Fort Serina” said the unit commander, Fort Serina, one of the old forts owned by the empire that was lost in the st war with the Arkens 100 years ago. The solid white walls of the fort were known all over the nd to be nearly impregnable once guarded by the right tactics. However, once humanity protector, now infested by hordes of those scaly Arkens, whole communities of them, and their st line of defense on the great continent. Once it is recaptured by the empire, those lizards will have no choice but to return to their cursed nds.

  “Those scaly monsters has finally made a great mistake, the main force report that half of the forces on the fort walls has joined the lizards’ main unit” said the commander clearing his throat, Gerald Franz, the third son of baron Franz and the commander of the 7th support unit of the empire. His unit was ckluster compared to other units, made mainly from nameless nobodies and ordinary mercenaries, no heroes, no trained soldiers, just disposable lives, which stood between him and achieving great honor. However, luck seems to be on his side today. “We have been ordered to unch a sneak attack through the valley east of battlefield and occupy the fort. Once inside” he clears his throat again emphasizing how important his orders are. “don’t leave any of those lizards alive. We deploy by dawn; the leading band will be led by Ray” said the commander finishing his speech as the soldiers shout yes sir at the top of their lungs.

  It was already dawn, the rays of the sun sneaking between the rocks at the roof of the narrow valley while bands of soldiers passed by. The pce was cold, moldy and wet all over, crawling will all kinds of small fish and critters. It was more of a dry gorge than a valley, which made it unsuitable for the march of soldiers, granting the unit the element of secrecy they needed so dearly to finally have a chance at occupying the fort.

  “Watch out for where you step, those shallow waters might have some pits of mud underneath, one wrong step and you are falling down in an instance” said a short fully armored man at the lead of the band. This man was known as Ray between the soldiers, although he had no st name, or any honorable history to him, he was appointed as a band leader in the unit. He was just as ckluster as the unit itself, although he is not the rgest, strongest, fastest or even the smartest among them, he had the ability to stay calm under tension and perfectly lead bands. He will always make sure to achieve the mission goals, even if it may cost the lives of some of his men sometimes, which gave him a bad reputation among the soldiers.

  “Do you think this is possible?” whispered one of the many unnamed soldiers to his friend.

  “I don’t think we can, you aint telling me a small force like ours can occupy the oh so great fort Serina” replied his friend in another whisper, it was apparent they weren’t happy with the orders. But they had to follow it, or they won’t take any of the gold they were promised by the empire for the job.

  “But what are we doing then? Isn’t this Ray guy going to abandon us to die just like the others?” said the first soldier, clearly distressed about the whole suitation, he seemed to be one of the youngest in the band and one of the least experienced.

  “Listen kid, we are not leaving for God’s grace. If push comes to shove, we are abandoning them first. We won’t even get past the fort walls, so there will be plenty of room to run away unnoticed among the crowd” said the older soldier tabbing his friend shoulder with a sinister expression. “We can just say, we are the survivors, and the mission failed when we are back” continued, while the younger soldier gulped down his throat, nodding slowly.

  Many other such talks were rambling wild between the soldiers. Ray noticed it yet he knew he could do nothing about it. He was no hero, or even honorable to try and increase their morale. He just had to see this through and most importantly live.

  The bands finally made it to the rock formations outside of the valley in front of the pins surrounding the great fort. They location was open with no obstructions. When the fort was built, the whole area was defrosted to avoid sneak attacks, any enemies will be spotted early, no matter how sneaky you are.

  “Captain what is our orders, we will die just crossing straight there” said a tall muscur axe man, he was known as Devon, Ray’s chosen second in command.

  “Everyone, wear the cloaks provided by the base camp, wrap the sword sheaths around your back, none of them shall show through the cloaks. Hunch your back, hide your faces, and never talk, attack, or run unless instructed” The cloaks were originally requested by Ray, before the start of the mission. The most torn, old, and moldy cloaks out there, and under his orders the unit hesitantly made its through the pins, silent and obvious to everyone. However, no matter how far they walked, no arrows were shot at all, the soldiers were now more confused than scared, it was all going according to pn.

  The confused Arkens above the fort walls were debating whatever the approaching hordes were soldiers or refugees. It has been 2 months since the start of the war, seeing refugees was rather expected. Furthermore, for Arkens’s humans were known as stupidly honorable and valiant warriors, who never used such tactics before, and the valley they came from was not suitable for the march of soldiers to begin with. However, suspicion was rising by every passing moment, and both parties kept silent until they finally reached the fort gates, in front of the Moat surrounding fort Serina. No screams, no attacks, not a single movement. Up-close, the fort seemed dead, its old white shine was now gone due to a century of ck of maintenance. Arkens was known as efficient people; they could not care less for artistic value or beauty and prioritize efficiency above all. Finally, the creaking sound of lowering the bridge could be heard, which was interrupted by shouts at the back of the unit. Some soldiers were fleeing, throwing away their disguise, accompanied by shouts at the Arkens side. The gate was ascending again, the mission was failing.

  “DEVON, TARGET THE PULLEY ROPE BEFORE IT’S GONE” shouted Ray at Devon, instructing him to throw his axe at the ropes holding the gate, while it is still in a vulnerable position. “ROGER!” said Devon having no doubt in the captain orders, throwing his main weapon. Luckily for all of them the ropes were cut, and the gate fell ft with great force, barely holding on, finally opening the white fort.

  What small forces stationed back in the fort now were totally at the mercy of Ray’s band, and needless to say this day was covered in red.

  “Captain, do you think this is right” said Devon to Ray in a doubtful tone, there was no reply from Ray for a while, only the night breeze carrying the scent of burnt dead corpses filled the pce.

  “It was an order, it was either us or them” replied Ray with his clear voice under his helmet, he never took it off, even after such a Massacre.

  “But sir, we have always fought soldiers to soldiers. They other side always could have killed us if we didn’t move. THIS IS DIFFERENT, we killed everyone, innocent people, women and even children” said Devon in panic of realization, he was not informed that the Arkens changed the fort into a city during those 100 years. “YOU KNEW ABOUT THIS, SAY SOMETHING!” shouted Devon again at Ray clearly full of anger about what they just did.

  “They would have grown up and sought to take revenge on your children” replied Ray in a cold voice almost as if he was reading it from a book.

  “YOU ARE A MONSTER I AM NOT STAYING HERE ANY LONGER” shouted Devon storming away in anger, he clearly felt betrayed, he knew Ray was cold and calcuted. But this was straight up cruelty, he didn’t know who Ray is anymore.

  “a monster… I wonder if that’s what the old me would have said” said Ray to himself almost murmuring, remembering the days of his childhood.

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  abu_nur