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(POV: Unknown)
A lone figure stood on a pile of dead bodies.
The ground.. No, there was no ground.
Where the figure stood had already been flooded with colors of green and red.
The green was the color of the corpses of the countless Orcan soldiers, and the red was the color of their blood splattered on all the dead bodies.
The foul stench of death had taken over the destroyed land that was once lush with greenery.
The lone figure stood there. On his shoulder was a long, blue, blood stained cape that went over his back— fluttering in the wind that carried that foul stench of death he so hated.
He was happy, yes. He had killed a lot of Orcs, but he couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of unease. He didn’t know why.
’Maybe it’s because I couldn’t get their captain? He was quite the quick fella.’ He thought to himself.
The sun shone directly on top of his brown hair, and he raised his head— closing his eyes as he embraced the rays of sunlight that shone on his blood stained face.
He took it out; His tobacco, and he lit it with a lighter.
He puffed out the smoke, "well, it’s too early in the day for killing captains."
He walked— moving slowly atop the pile of corpses. He had killed them all, now he was to go to his tent to rest.
Gallop! Gallop!
"General! General!" A young man yelled out, riding his black steed with great speed.
The lone figure paused, and he turned his neck— gazing at the incoming lieutenant.
"What is it, soldier?" He asked. His tone dripped with barely concealed disdain. He hated that noble kid who had graduated from the Jalozian imperial academy just a few years ago and was already a lieutenant thanks to his noble father.
Nobles were the second existence he hated. The way they acted like they were superior humans, the way they always smuggled their way to the top. It was a constant reminder to a man like him— one who had crawled to the rank of a General despite being a commoner— the world was not a fair place, and he hated it.
Just like how he hated the Orcs. The first existence he hated.
As the horse and the lieutenant approached him, the lieutenant began to speak, "General, we have news from the ssenger pigeon. Gislow and his S-ranks.. the five S-rank rcenaries, they’re on their way.. they’re returning to the battlefield!" The lieutenant scread, his tone layered with excitent.
As the general heard this, his face lit up with a satisfied smile, and he whispered, "about ti." Then he took another inhale from his tobacco, "Is K among them? I know that the madman tends to act feral. But we need him in the battle against the Third Orcan general." As the general spoke, smoke flew from his mouth, and he held the tobacco in his mouth with his teeth.
The lieutenant kept staring at the general’s insignias and the many badges and crests that designed his uniform, before snapping out of his lust, and speaking, "Ah, yes sir! K is confird to be among the incoming S-ranks!"
The General nodded, and turned to leave.
"I look forward to eting you again, K." He whispered, holding his tobacco to take another puff.
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(Charles POV)
I’m standing in front of the mirror in the living room— staring at my reflection.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
I’m no longer looking thin and unfed. I look like a proper human being now. It’s all thanks to Jennette. During the one week since I returned, she never let skip als. Not even once, and didn’t allow to go to the rcenary guild, she just kept at ho and fed .
She unbraided my hair, washed it, and braided it again. Now I look cleaner.
The weight braces are still on my wrists and ankles.
K said he’d add the weight braces to my biceps and thighs. It seems he forgot though, and I’m thankful to whoever or whatever made him forget.
"Hooo. It’s today" I whisper as I clench my black, blank mask tightly in my hands.
I’m wearing my red, flowy robe, and my Chakram is hanging on the strap on my back that Jennette knitted for .
A sweet smile widens on my lips as I slowly bring my mask to my face.
"Now, I’m blank." I whisper.
It’s Early morning. It ans the sun isn’t yet up. It ans Jennette is still sleeping, or not.
We talked about this yesterday. And I’ve already said my good-byes.
I may or may not return from this alive.
I take my leave from the house.
***
As I walk past the wide courtyard of the rcenary building, the eyes of the rcenaries sharpening their weapons and the ones polishing their armors never leave .
"It’s Blank. The Nightmare."
"He’s back."
A smile forms on my lips.
Yes, I’m back.
I open the door leading to the lobby, and I walk inside.
The sll trickles into my nose.
It’s just as foul as I rember; sweat and body odor.
I swear these people never take baths.
"Hey, isn’t that The Nightmare? "
"That’s one of the five rising stars.."
"It’s Blank.."
"Shh, don’t stare at him for too long."
Indeed, it’s been a while, heh.
I walk past the rcenaries stealing glances at in the lobby.
As I’m about to walk past Mira’s desk, I take a glance at her.
She has her usual curt smile.
I smile under my mask, and I nod. She nods back at , and I continue making my way into the guild building— heading to the room where the S-ranks are gathered.
I walk through the hallway. My steps are ordered. My back is straight, and as usual, the air in places apart from the lobby slls great.
They should try to paint these walls though. The milk coloured paint is already peeling off.
As I reach the large wooden door, I waste no ti opening it. And I walk in.
I whistle.
"Isn’t this a sight." I speak, my tone dripping with pungent sarcasm.
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