Arc 1: Epilogue

We followed the prince as he lead us to the source of the resonance. I can only hope that the cursed blade hasn’t claimed any innocent lives. As I worry for the well being of the troops I hear the prince up ahead.

“Captain! I’ve found it, the fort is up ahead!”

“You have, nicely done pledge!”

I rode my horse next to the prince’s and took in the view, there it was Fort Lenora. A base created long ago during a civil war, its clearly suffered from decay over the years. However, with some hard work and materials, that can all be remedied. The sight of the fort gave vigor to the troops behind me, I could hear their cheers. It was like reclaiming a family heirloom, yet there’s still some things that can’t be ignored. An immediate example being the blood and corpses littering the walls. If I can see this damage from all the way down here, then what does the inside of the fort look like? As I pondered about the situation inside and what became of the group we sent, the prince began to hold his head.

“Pr-Pledge! Are you alright?”

“I don’t know why, but my head is starting to ache. Something is wrong here.”

“What do you mea-”

Before I could finish my question, my horse began to panic. Not just mine, but the prince’s as well. Even some of the horses of the men closest to us began to enter a frenzy, only the steeds of those in the far back were spared. What could be causing these horses to go mad like this? They’re trained to handle any situation, so to enter a frenzy like this? Could it be their animal instincts? That’s when I remembered what the prince said, something bad was about to happen. Animals sense danger better than man, so for them to act like this means!

“ALL TROOPS FALL BACK AT ONCE, THAT’S AN ORDER!”

All the men looked puzzled, but they followed suit nonetheless. Soon enough we entered the radius the horses deemed safe, and that’s when we heard the reason why they entered a frenzy.

*BOOM*

We looked back to see explosions erupting from the fort, we also noticed three men jumping from the second floor using dead bodies as cushions. The men hit the ground, and began to stand trembling from the after shock. However the explosions continued and soon the first floor blew as well, causing the fort to collapse. The shockwave sent the men flying forward and back onto their stomachs. All we could do was stand and watch the carnage unfold. Soon enough a dust cloud came our way, I could barely react in time. Luckily most of the soldiers wore helmets, so I don’t need to worry about them getting hit in the head by flying debris. I could feel the heat from the blast on my gauntlet, any men inside the fort after that are either cooked or buried alive. If they are even alive, can anyone even survive this?

With the collapse over, we all moved forward. It was a scene from Hell itself, three severely burned bodies trembling due to their injuries and the soft breeze blowing on them. Soldiers ran to the fort, trying to see if anyone survived. Calling out to friends and brothers alike, but no one responded. Some cried, some digged, some vomited, some were just speechless. Why? What did we come here to accomplish? This was the work of those thieves, and we can’t even identify their bodies. We can’t even reclaim Fort Lenora, we’ve lost. I hear the ghastly wails of soldiers, realizing the same thing I did. I failed again, because of my stupidity I’ve sent fifty one men to their graves. Along with my men, that makes sixty lives. The blood on my hands today can never be cleaned. As I myself began to wallow in despair, I heard the prince speak.

“It’s dying…”

“What?”

“Over there, something died. I don’t know what though.”

I looked over, and regained some hope. Three men survived, barely but they still breathe. I rush over as soldiers checked in on them, each praying one of the survivors was one of their friends. That’s when I heard some of the soldiers speak.

“Dear god, this guy is awake! He’s not unconscious like the others.”

I look over to the group of soldiers, examining one of the men. That when the prince walked up to me, and tapped my shoulder. He then pointed at an object, a burnt and broken piece of metal.

“There it is, that’s what I felt.”

I realized at that moment what the prince meant, and immediately rushed over.

“GET AWAY FROM HIM!”

The soldiers back away immediately, he might look like charcoal now but he’s still a threat. I get on my knees, and place him in my arms.

“Conrad…”

He was burned black and his breathing was heavy, but it was him. I looked beside him, and saw the broken Forecianna sitting next to him. What the prince sensed was the death of a sacred sword, a sword that Conrad’s selfishness destroyed. No, I can’t blame him completely. It was then that something strange happened, a peculiar glow shone from Conrad’s body. Soon his once burnt black body was now simply a body with severely burnt skin. He began to cough and move, even if it was just a little. The soldiers couldn’t help but notice.

“This guy, his body just recovered out of nowhere!”

“What the hell!?!”

“What’s going on?”

I was puzzled, Conrad, just what did you do? That when I heard him, his raspy voice in a hushed tone.

“T…Th…Thief..”

I looked at him, as he could barely open his left eye. He continued burning the last of his strength, to swear his oath.

“I swear...this isn’t over...Thief...I will kill you someday...you better live until then…”

ARC 1 EPILOUGE END