《We Who Aren't They》 To Die Once The Ruined Township of Lycoa - Aftermath 3rd Reconnaissance squadron The battlefield... An ungodly sight. Ruin and destruction. Death and decay. I''ll bet what once stood here was glorious. Now, in its stead, we have- "Sends a shiver down your spine, doesn''t it?" "Lieutenant?" "Incredible..." The lieutenant was taking in the sights. Him and I both. In truth, regardless of experience, war is never something that you can get accustomed to. It can take so much from you, and give you very little in return...if anything at all. So, I wondered : "Is this your first deployment?" I asked the lieutenant. "It is." He says disappointedly. "It''s best if you get started. We wouldn''t want to drag this until nightfall..." "Understood." The lieutenant was pulling aside debris, inspecting a body. He noted to himself: "Not here, either..." And continued surveying his surroundings. One cadaver, after another, he would look them over; searching.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Piles of bodies yet remained uninspected. So many of them more: uninspectable. I noticed the sky taking on a grayish hue - was it about to rain? Do the heavens also weep for what they look down on? Would they ever even care? Suddenly, Central Command came through via the radio - the receiver clicked, followed by: "This is Overwatch..." "..." I should''ve responded immediately, but in all honesty, I was lost in thought, and wasn''t able to confirm reception in time. "Captain? I think it''s about time you get to it. Kindly haul ass! Don''t think I can''t see you staring at the sky doing absolutely nothing!" The passive-aggressiveness was palpable...even from way out here. "Wilco, Overwatch" I replied resentfully. My response was curt. The lieutenant snickered. Having picked up on my being the object of his entertainment, I darted my eyes in his direction. He immediately went back to surveying. If nothing else, I have a perceptive subordinate. How nice. I dropped from the rooftop of a nearly-collapsed house, and began parading the empty streets as well. The lieutenant was none too pleased with how things were proceeding: "Nothing so far..." "We keep searching." My unit was tasked with retrieving dog-tags. Honest work, if not a little dangerous considering how recent the battle had been fought. Still, it''s pretty odd how most of the casualties are charred to a crisp: This not only complicates our work, but makes you wonder some... The buildings around us were summarily destroyed, but none of the debris show the markings of wide-spread fire. What''s more- "It''s strange. The way these bodies are positioned, seemingly suggesting that-" The lieutenant opined. To which I followed: "-The corpses were inordinately placed across the entire avenue for some reason" "Why do such a thing?" The lieutenant was pondering what this could imply: another way of saying he was getting distracting from his actual work. "-Fewer questions, lieutenant, continue retrieval operations, if you will." "Oh r-right." "Overwatch." I opened up my channel. "Overwatch here." "Have you scouted the township and its surroundings, prior to our infiltration?" "Affirmative. Not a soul in sight. Like I said before, this should be a simple retr-" The channel was cut-off. High-frequencies shorted the ear-piece. Damn thing fizzled into a few sparks before impairing my left ear. My head was ringing. I began hearing cries...screams of agony. They''re here. They Who Eat Flesh The voices of the damned were filling my head. "Lieutenant. Do you hear that?" I wondered. "Mm? No ma''am. I don''t hear anything." "I see." "Is something wrong?" "A pack of ghouls, due west from here." "Ghouls, huh?" "Let''s take a look." With little time to spare, we re-positioned ourselves atop a building that had the overlay of the town''s commercial district. All-the-while this unnatural fog began setting in - hampering visibility. "A marketplace..." I observed past the horizon. "Piles of em'', captain...meters high too." The lieutenant observed, through his binoculars. The township''s population, now decaying cadavers, were piled on top of one another in endless rows of carrion.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. The ghouls came to collect their daily stipend from the looks of things. Voracious creatures...some far to eager to sink their fangs into human flesh. They seemingly were euphoric at the selection presented before them. You could tell this was a feast they don''t typically have the luxury of partaking in: so they were making the most of it. Energetically biting into severed limbs. Dipping their crimsoned beaks in shattered thoracic cages. Plucking out an eye-ball or two, and meticulously swallowing them whole while appreciating the taste it left in their gullets. Some played around with the remains: bones neatly picked clean became play things - the skulls, in particular, made for great sport amongst the young. Others still, far more hedonistic, would fight off their cohorts in an effort to hoard as much as they could. Or perhaps they were competing over the choice cuts? And then there was- "That one..." The lieutenant, too, was quick to notice. Though vile to witness, most of the creatures here perform on instinct, and instinct alone. They who eat flesh, do so, for survival. It''s to fill one of the baser needs. In other words, however primitive and barbaric, I see no cruelty in what they''re doing. It''s in their nature. But that one... Worlds apart from the rest, this particular fiend was syphoning blood from the cadavers. Vials were adorning his belt: Some filled, others empty, yet. This one was voracious but in a far different sense. It did not partake in flesh, instead, likened themselves a craftsmen in the way they went about skinning the cadavers, pulling braids of hair from the cadavers, and cutting off fingers and toes from the cadavers. "An abnormal..." The lieutenant remarked. "We found our mark." Cruelty "How do we proceed, captain?" "We follow. Maintain distance." "..." "I''m hoping the creature leads us to a gate." "Have you ever closed one before?" He asked. "Me?" I turned to him. Stupidly surprised at such an obvious question. "..." He nodded in my direction. "...yeah." I turned back towards the town center. "Sorry to ask." He replied. I imagine he must''ve sensed my dread for answering these inquiries of his. "Perceptive, but you do like your distractions, lieutenant." I aired out my grievance. "Gotta keep myself sane, somehow. Not exactly a fan of what I''m seeing down there." "Yeah well...you sure do like prying, is all." "D''eh! It''s a force of habit. Pay me no mind."The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. A force of habit... If I had to guess, the lieutenant is what we in Recon would call a "White Knight" or a "Captain Gold"-type: that''s certainly what the adventurers at the guild would call him... oh! For sure...yeah. Mister Captain Gold here is fine with seeing piles of cadavers, so long as they''re un-breathing. Just look at him. The idiot''s steadfast in believing a set of virtues or principles: He listens to his superiors well enough, but only when our hands aren''t directly being sullied. If the orders are fine-cut, and to the service of an obvious objective that he deems righteous: all''s well in the pits of hell. Or so it goes... The lieutenant doesn''t deal well with moral ambiguity. I''m sure of it. Huh! In a way, traditional reconnaissance would suit him just fine. But... I''d like to test something out. If only this damned Ghoul could actually find one... "Lieutenant..." I couldn''t finish my sentence in one go. Hesitation? That''s unlike me. "Mm?" "What if-" What is this... "They''re on the move, Captain." he interrupted. Many of the adults in the tribe immediately started running, as quick as they possibly could, towards a ruined building: adjacent to the town-square. Ghouls have sharp noses. And they certainly aren''t hard of earing. They must''ve picked something up. If you''re going to hide. Hide well. The fog wafting over all of us further intensified. The murk was extra thick. It''s...turning red. The creatures began howling. The abnormal was quickly walking in their direction. Of course you would. "Move, follow the abnormal." I ordered the lieutenant - following him a few steps behind. I couldn''t help myself...If you could only turn around for one second Lieutenant. The grin on my face, would probably scare the living shit out of you. A soldier needs to face the cruelties of this world. Let''s see how you do. Stare Into The Abyss From the sound of things. There was a clear struggle inside of the building. The lieutenant kept his eyes on the entrance, apparently on hair-pins with the amount of anxiety he began exhuming. I simply closed my eyes. And stood still trying to make sense of what was happening inside. I listened: Wooden chairs being flung around. Glass shattering. Walls being struck with blunt objects. Pots asunder. Metallic rattling. A barricade? The ghouls were absolutely restless. Doubtful even a fortress could stop their blood-lust. Piece-by-piece something was definitely being picked apart.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! The howling kept on. So I ask: What comes next? When the only means of protecting yourself against the abyss... is slowly crumbling before you. All alone in a room. Nowhere to go. No where to run. You hid...but they found. In no time at all, you know they''ll barge right in. You try so hard to keep calm even when everything is going to shit! Don''t make a move. Be quiet and silent - you tell yourself. Maybe they''ll chalk it up to the wind! Maybe they''ll overlook your presence for something else! Maybe! Maybe! Just maybe! A valiant hero will step in: slaying the foul beasts with one fell-swoop! This wishful thinking, just like the makeshift barrier, is totally dismantled when you finally see them. When you meet the gaze of a demon, and they meet yours. That''s when- "Captain!" The lieutenant immediately turned to me, flustered in what he just heard. Added to the cacophony of howls, with vivid sharpness, were now screams. Those of a woman''s. And... A child''s crying? Fortune smiles. Defiance "Hold your position." I sternly said. "What?" "Need I remind you that this isn''t a rescue operation. We want the gate''s coordinates. That''s all." "..." The lieutenant went silent. Continuing to survey the building''s main entrance. He can''t argue against logic, but that expression on his face... Oh boy! Are you an insubordinate, Lieutenant? Are you really? His body was ready to spring itself into action. I wonder what''s even tethering him at this point. After much anticipation, the ghouls made their exit, dragging the woman by her long hair. The baby was being aggressively tossed around by the adults like a bouncing ball. She was putting up quite the resistance; struggling furtively to reach for the infant: flailing her arms, feet, and desperately making as much noise as humanly possible in the process - Even so, for every ounce of unruliness she showed them, a healthy helping of jabs and kicks were gleefully dished out: momentarily shutting her up some. Battered and bruised...the both of them. The rags they had on completely tattered. The baby was naked at this point, she, in turn, barely had on anything as well. Frankly I''d expect them to dispose of the little one immediately. What gives?Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Woman make for good incubators, but children? A new toy for the youngins'' perhaps? "Captain, what if I merely secured the two of them, and let the mark live. Can''t we track it afterwards?" He tried so desperately to retain some level of composure in speaking those words. What''s more: he''s trying to negotiate, adorable. "Lieutenant Forneus, We are not having this discussion right now. I mean it." "..." "Hold. Your. Position." "You''re!-" "Heartless? Maybe so. The mission comes first and that''s the end of it." The child was finally thrown aside. One of the adults signaling the youngins'' over. All of them dashed forward utterly curious as to what new toy their parents offered them. Naturally. They started hitting the child, bashing him against the stone-cold ground. The discovery process for how to enjoy a new toy can be grueling - I know that all too well with this one. Now for the woman- The lieutenant tensed up even more. His gaze fixating on her. She who was no longer being dragged. He knew all too well where this was going... The abnormal finally caught up with the rest, who were now encircling their prey. They towered over her; waiting for the elder''s approval before digging in. After a brief once-over: The adults were given free-reign to do as they wanted. The ghouls were ready to take turns... From what I could gather the creature was specifically looking around the woman''s groin and thighs. Was it expecting to find something engraved on her skin? Now I''m curious...why the inspection? What are you looking for? I inadvertently clenched my fist; wondering about the possibilities to such a question. Why would she bear one, you idiot! My momentary lapse made me unaware of what just suddenly happened. "Huh?" I exclaimed. The lieutenant was no longer where I last saw him. A new found commotion ensued down below. I turned to look. Oil And Water I leapt from the rooftop - leaving the Captain behind - I''m not about to let these monsters have their way. The rifle won''t do, too much noise. I flung it back. The blade was the weapon of choice here. I un-sheath quickly. My landing was flawless. The abnormal tried warning his compatriots of my arrival. Too late With my footing on stable ground, I got started. Took a mere instant for 14 heads to cleanly be lobbed from their bodies. One by one. They bounced once, twice, and then began rolling on the ground. The beheaded bodies still standing upright, took a while longer before tumbling harshly on the floor in succession.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. I immediately dropped the blade - and picked up the child - the bodies around me were beginning to decay into ash. I need to start applying restorative measures. The child is barely breathing. Meanwhile I overheard a large thud and the earth gently trembling beneath me. Someone was giving me the death glare a few steps away. Even through this thick fog, I could feel two sharpened daggers precisely locked onto to me. I know... "The mark has escaped." The Captain told me with a harsh tone. I know... "The red fog made for perfect cover. I can''t see past the tip of my nose. So I can''t give chase." She explained coldly. "I''m sorry." "I don''t need an apology, Lieutenant. I just find this sort of insubordination selfish." "...." "I''ll take this one." She was referring to the woman, who had collapsed. "Is she?-" I needed to know. "She''s still alive, so you can relax." The Captain replied swiftly, reassuring me so. "Thank goodness..." I was relieved. "Yes...thank goodness." she said mockingly. The Domination Spell "...We had to fall back." The Captain said coldly. "Oh? Were they too much for you, Captain?" The Vice-Captain pounced. "You weren''t there. So you don''t know what you''re talking about." "Is that what you''re going to write in your briefing to the Colonel?" "Can you just drop it already?!" "I get that you don''t like hearing me say this, but a failure is a failure. It''s not like we''re on good standings with the brass as it is."The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "I know that." "...Worse yet, it''s all this rookie''s fault. What a lousy first impression, Lieutenant!" This wasn''t the first time someone gave me a death glare, so I felt better prepared to receive it. "H-hey, give the guy some slack, it was his first deployment, and-" Unexpectedly, Niles came to my defense. "No one asked you." Though, the Vice-Captain''s viciousness knew no end, and shot him down near instantly. "R-right..." Niles gave me this defeated look seemingly trying to say: I tried, bro! I gave him a smile in return; thanking him for the support. "And just what are you smiling about, Lieutenant?" The Captain caught me red-handed. "Oh! It''s nothing." I looked elsewhere, avoiding her gaze entirely. She went on: "I an effort to prevent a repeat of what just transpired. We''re going to have to inscribe a domination spell on you. Do you object?" The Captain approached me, as I was kneeling down. "...none..." "Good. This won''t take long. Just bare with it." Cant Leave Empty-Handed The Ruined Township of Lycoa - After - Aftermath My neck was sore. The engraving took a lot out of me. Feels like a huge splinter is now deeply lodged into me. So, We made it back for round two. It''s the same as we had left it. The fog has since expanded though- "I totally do not need this!" The Vice-Captain kept bemoaning her circumstance - as the four of us kept forward on one of the township''s main arteries. "We know Mila, you''ve made yourself perfectly clear-" The Captain tried consoling her. While continually inspecting our surroundings. Felt as though she was waiting for something to happen. On edge. The Vice-Captain went, unbothered: "This is totally on you Rookie! You so owe me!" She exclaimed; pointing away with that accusatory finger of hers. I''m not really good at dealing with her type. Way too flamboyant for my taste. Begrudging. Never letting you live down a mistake or a shortcoming. Unforgiving, sure, but she places this expectance on people: a grossly unreasonable one. I''m mostly just left speechless at her unwarranted jabs. If at all possible I''d rather ignore her entirely. But If I do that- "Are you ignoring me!?" She kept looking my way with even more fervor as though insulted by something that I didn''t do nor say; she finally broke rank, and darted towards me: Yeah...I''m screwed either way. Niles saw the meteor that was hurdling my way, and tried for a: "Vice-Captain, please!" in an effort to placate as best he could the raging storm that is our Deputy-Lead.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. As his pleas fell on deaf ears, the Warrant Officer selflessly placed himself in her trajectory. The Vice-Captain shoved Niles aside effortlessly. It was all so dramatic. With nothing stopping her war path now, she roughly grabbed my collar, and kept on with her ranting: "You''re going to regret this big time! Do you hear me?" So close... "Mhhmmm." That was the best response I could muster, while slightly tilting my head backwards. People invading my personal space always made me feel uncomfortable. I felt a severe case of nausea too. The engravings on my neck were beginning to violently throb. "You little shit! I swear-" The Vice-Captain was just about ready to start pummeling me wholesale. I was sort of readying myself for it, by wincing in anticipation. "Mila." The Captain interjected We both looked her way simultaneously. "Just look at him, Ela! He doesn''t care!-" I do care! Also, Ela? "...for all the crap we''re going through, I say we make him grovel." The Vice-Captain was arguing her case. "What did you have in mind?" The Captain, halted; turning towards us. Is she seriously entertaining this?!? "I don''t know, I''m sure we can think of something embarrassing. We''d force him into it with the spell." The Vice-Captain insisted. "Something, embarrassing?" The Captain kept probing the idea with this deviant expression etched on her face. "Yeah..." The Vice-Captain unexpectedly sprinkled herself with a hint of hesitation, I felt it, by the slight loosening of her grip : it''s as though she didn''t expect the Captain to actually follow-through with the idea. "Like what?" The Captain asked. "Well...uh!" She was thinking it over way too deeply. Though the answer eluded her completely. Oh thank god! This one''s rude, but not quite as conniving as- "I take full responsibility for what I''ve done!" I confidently stated. "Though I don''t regret my actions in the slightest, I do plan on making amends by performing as expected from a member of 3rd Recon." "Oh? How stubborn..." "You think I''m buying that?" The Vice-Captain replied incredulously. "Let me go." I demanded in all seriousness. The Vice-Captain was on the retreat from my brazen ask. At least she can read the room well enough...though saying that when we''re outdoors is- "Let him go, Mila." The Captain repeated. "Right..." She complied, with unnatural docility, and went back to the Captain''s side while giving me a threatening side-glance. I was straightening my collar. This...is exhausting. "Suppose we''ll just have to take your word for it." The Captain capitulated. "..." She then told her second-in-command: "He is strong, you know? We could use him." "If you say so..." The Vice-Captain, acquiesced reluctantly. "After all...I''m not about to leave here empty-handed." Controlled Chaos I hate this... I hate this... The same thought on repeat. It never stops. Over and over. I hate him!- It''s all that bastard''s fault...it is! If he hadn''t flubbed the mission, I- "We''re close." Mila announced. Fuck him! And how dare he look at me like that. With those eyes of his... I swear! I''m going to clobber him for good this time, honest! "I''ll!" I looked behind me only to find an empty street coated with fog: He was nowhere to be seen. Did he run? "Where is he?" Where did he go? "Ela!" I tried warning her. Though- She was gone too. Niles. Gone. They''re all gone.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "Damnit. got distracted. This is all his fault. Again! Again and again and again! It''s always him. It''s his fault!" "..." "I''m going to pull my hair out! Just thinking about that mongrel, makes me! It makes me! IIIIIIIIIII''m! G-going to! I''ll do it! I will!" Couldn''t stand upright anymore. I fell. I don''t know why, but in a bout of anger, I began bashing my head against the cobblestones. My vision had a on reddish filter. Fore-head was so warm. Blood. My thoughts were all mumbled. It''s like I''m no longer my own person. What am I even doing? I remembered, Ela kept telling me, just before the mission: "When things start eating away at your sanity, make sure to take these." She said that; reminding me of something. What was it? Didn''t quite know what she meant, but she did hand me a pouch. A few of the vials inside had a bunch of red pills. Medication? I reached for my back pocket. Right here. Here they are. Do I take them? Felt like my mouth was being filled with drool - couldn''t swallow correctly, so I spat it all out. It wasn''t drool. Blood. A big puddle of it had formed on the ground. I bit off half of my tongue. Spat that out as well. Nearly choked on a broken tooth as I kept on angrily grinding my teeth. Spat that out too. I could no longer close my mouth, felt like my fangs were growing larger; protruding way past my lower lip. Heavy-breathing. Heart pounding. My throat was sore. The pills. I tried saying something, but only managed to let off a devilish growl. I couldn''t recognize my voice. That wasn''t me. This isn''t me. I just felt like sinking my teeth into something. Anything. The pills. If I could just find the Rookie, I''d happily kill him, to show him how welcoming I could be to new-comers. Wait. No. That doesn''t make any sense. I''ve never even met the Lieutenant, have I? Where even am I? What am I doing? All I have is this pouch. What''s in here? "Make sure to take them." Who was that? I gobbled one of the vials whole - glass and all, started crunching - the pain was nothing, I was just chomping off instinct. But it wasn''t what I was craving. I wanted- I Had A Dream Once Ever since I could remember, people always made it a point to keep a healthy distance from me. I never understood why. At first, it didn''t matter. I figured: if I was polite, well-meaning, and a pleasure to be around, they would accept me regardless. So I tried. Went through great lengths in an effort to ingratiate myself towards others; especially my classmates. If I could only make them see, that: I''m no monster. All would be well. The world made up it''s mind long ago: They saw me as a plague, a monstrosity that ought to be put down. Even so, if I had people to support me, if I could only find people who would care. Then I wouldn''t mind all of this adversity: I''d push through it. My dream could then finally come true: making friends was all I ever wanted. I planned things out meticulously too. My first vector of attack: Academics. If I could be brilliant academically - people would be in awe of my intellect.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. You ace a test. Score perfect 100s on an exam, and voila! People would look up to me. I always fantasized about this one moment where: minding my own, I would be staring through a window: hopelessly pensive about the future. Recess just started, and out of the blue, a group of classmates would faun over me all-of-a-sudden. Hesitantly, one of the girls would extend their arms; showing me the cover of their notebook. In typical Rom-Com fashion, the most vocal of the bunch would exclaim: "M-Mila! Hey! So! Um! C-can...C-could we copy your Notes!" The sheer embarrassment from her ask, made it all the more endearing. That''s all it would''ve taken. I can see it now, One thing leading to another, us hitting things off - me becoming a part of the group. Felt like such a fool-proof plan...at the time. In truth, none of the teacher would score my school-work. The Colonel was mostly in charge of grading my performance. So whenever they''d hand back the exams and rank how each student did on the board: I''d be excluded completely. I''d have nothing to show for any of it. I would just sit there, head-hung low over my desk. Everyone was looking over their exams - clamoring on and on about how they did, what they got wrong, what they got right. Desk neighbors, in front of me, behind me, would give anecdotes about how grueling it was for them to study, or how much of a ''pain'' exams were in general. They were sharing answers, exchanging papers, and most importantly: making plans for what they should do to celebrate their passing marks. I kept staring at my desk. I must not be smart enough. I thought The Colonel kept insisting that my work was flawless, and he even went out of his way to give me complimentary comments and stickers; peppering them all over my written exam. I''m not smart enough. The Law Of Equivalent Trespassings "Huh?" I perked up my head. Trying to remember what I did last. I got up. Inspecting myself. No injuries to note. Must''ve passed out. Why? It''s all just one big blur. Regardless. I do remember the mission. And if I''m not mistaken. That... Is a gate. "Good. Saves me the trouble. Besides, someone has to get shit done around here." With more questions, than answers. I fell into this melancholic state. And well, wiping my face clean, I could''ve sworn tears fell from my eyes.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Was I...crying? I wanted to get back to HQ as quickly as possible. I''m sick and tired of these stupid missions. "And there''s my ticket out of this dump." I was alluding to what stood before me. With nary a bit of doubt, I proceeded to enter. "No holding back." I crossed the gate. The skies of hell always had this reddish tincture about them. It consistently managed to depress the living shit out of me. It''s also the atmospherically pressure here that''s quite troublesome. It''s much stronger than what we''re accustomed to on Earth; something like four times that planet''s gravity. Shoulders stiffened from the sudden change of it. Humans have an extremely hard time merely walking the planes. understandable, I guess. I remember this one military scholar thinking hell was beneath them, so naturally; being closer to the planetary core of their homeland, the gravity''s pull would too be stronger. "Hah! I remember that! Old codger thought hell was below them! The fool!" I took a moment to look around. "Where is it?." The number inscribed upon the runes encircling the gate demarked the number 15 in Demon Speak. "Good. It''s just the ghouls, then. 15 heads in all." They Who We Seek The temperature''s arid. Dry. Basically: a pain in the ass to deal with. Every breath taken carries with it an invitation to burn my lungs with how heated the air is. Sand all around as far as the eye can see. "Great..." I said unenthusiastically. I stomped my foot against the gate''s altar. "Just...Great!! D''Argh! Fuck!" I shouted. After a few deep breaths, and having successfully calmed myself, I was reminded: "Well, last gate shipped me off into the middle of a volcano''s crater. I guess this is an improvement?" I took my first step on the loose sediment. It reminded me of how important it is to balance my weight properly for fear of losing my balance on the unsteady and inconsistent surface that is:This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it "This goddamn sand! Yeah! No! No improvements here!" I kept trudging along. All-the-while, I made sure to activate my tracker. In truth I was directionless, the only thing I had to go on was this river of footsteps. "Human footsteps, from the looks of it." I noticed. "So many..." Easily a few hundred. Military? It''s gotta be. Who else? Wind hadn''t covered their tracks yet, these are fairly recent. I kept on my current path, luckily a grouping of sand-worms were lying lifeless; spreading their carcasses over a wide distance. They made for a perfect change in topography. It''s easier to tread on their giant corpses than that miserable dune below. "Anything to get out of this sand, my ankles are killing me already." With just enough force, I leapt on the one that was nearest. Easily standing at around 20 meters in width and 500 to 700 meters in length these things were truly massive. They also offered my quite the view. It was easier to pin down my destination. Saw a few cavernous mountains up ahead. I should start there. The fighting here seemed intense enough. After all, the monsters weren''t the only things that stood lifeless, some of their human counterparts were also strewn about. Yup! Soldiers. I guess ya can''t take down sand-worms without paying a heft toll in the process. I took no time to scavenge their corpses. I took no time to care, really. Only have one goal in mind. One Short I finally reached the foot of the mountain. The trail of death was obviously leading me here. So where''s the entrance to this thing? Nightfall had arrived, and from the distance one could easily make out a sand-storm approaching at break-neck speed. This plane''s three moons shun brightly so visibility was even clearer than when day struck. Took a bit of searching, but I finally managed to locate an opening nearby. I approached. Someone lit a campfire, as light could scarcely be seen flickering from afar. The opening lead to a rather large chamber inside, as expected, more of the wounded were doting the innards of the cavern No. I walked toward the fire, realizing that all of them had perished, some time ago. Safe for- "Are you the only one left from your regiment?" I asked. A gravely wounded man, seemingly a soldier, was leaning against the stone wall, his head hung low. He was unresponsive to my questioning. I crouched next to him, in an effort to prop him up so that I could see his visage more clearly. "Erhm!" Moving him like this, probably caused him more pain. He looked me in the eyes, and said, with difficulty: "I am..." "Tell me." I spoke slowly and softly. "Did you happen to come across a pack of ghouls?"Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. "..." The man tried saying something, while struggling to remain conscious. With a mouth as dry as his, paired with his many wounds, discourse was cumbersome. "Easy..." I said; speaking to him calmly and gently. "H-hey..." "What is it?" "Got any water on ya''?" "No. I''m sorry, I didn''t come prepared." "D''ahh! It''s alright. Wouldn''t..." The man tried re-adjusting his posture. He went on: "...wouldn''t matter anyway." "It would have." "Well..." He gave off a brief chuckle, and grinned. Do I? I hesitated in my reply, but ultimately resigned myself: "I''ll heal your wounds." "Oh? So you''re a healer..." He was shocked, though mostly relieved in finally hearing some good news. "Not exactly." "I thank you, miss." "It''s nothing." I began applying restorative measures to the survivor. It''s not a mercy. I just need answers. "I feel better already." The man was incredulous to my magic, as though he had never been healed before. "Please, I need to know if your regiment took out-" "Ghouls. Was it?" He must''ve heard me ask earlier. "Yes." I nodded. "I take it this cave was their home of sorts, the bodies-" He pointed somewhere behind me - towards the other side of the chamber we were in. "I see." Corpses - belonging to ghouls, no less. "...Yeah." "I need to inspect their corpses." I informed the injured soldier. I stopped applying my magic on him, enough had been done to remedy some of his failing organs, and the most urgent of his lacerations. Lacerations? Indicative of what? A blade? The sand-worms are too large for this level of precision. The ghouls have a tendency to use clubs or other bludgeoning weapons. "Go right ahead." "This won''t take long." 14 bodies. I don''t see a fifteenth. The demonic rune highlighted 15. I''m short... "No way this could''ve just been a simple job!" I lamented with a lowered tone. Upon further scrutiny. Clubs were seen near each of the 14 corpses - no sharp weapons to account for. I''m...short... "Were there any of them that might''ve escaped?" I shouted back at the man. "Not sure." He started coughing. His conditioned stabilized but he''s still not out of it yet. Further inquiring about this to him is pointless. We need to leave now. The winds outside have since picked up. Storm''s approaching. We can''t just wait it out here. "Can you stand?" I said as I finished my inspection. "I''ll try." "Good. Here I''ll help, we need to go." I swung his arm around my neck and we proceeded towards the gate. He''s surprisingly light for a human. Neat Trick The Planes of Hell - Gate''s Altar "You''re back." I remarked. "Well hello there Captain! It''s nice to see you''ve finally made it." Mila replied patronizingly. "Nothing nice about it. Just look at this place." I lamented. "Yeah, I''m dying!" Mila concurred disparagingly in the shared hatred that we have for desserts in general. "You me both, and I just got it here. So who''s he?" I asked. "A survivor." "A pleasure, ma''am. Seems I owe you and your squad-mate here my life!" "It can speak our language?" I surprisingly said. "What!?" The man exclaimed. "They''re quick learners." Mila Immediately let go of the man she had in toe - shoving him violently aside. He fell to the sandy ground: back to the sky. With very little time to react, the soldier found themselves pinned down: Mila subdued them; having planted her boot against their back. Our little friend was vexed by the sudden turn of events. Trying to worm his way out of this predicament might''ve been one- "Too many helpings of slop in a single go. Is that how the saying goes?" I wondered. "Oopsie-daisy..." Mila hunched over, grabbing the soldier''s left arm. Slightly levering his member up and down for a few moments: "1...2..." she counted to herself. The motion then changed to "...left..." and then- Crack With force, Mila pressed the man''s arm to his back. She managed to pop the ball of the upper arm out of its socket. A sharp cry of pain, the soldier let out. Perking up both Mila''s and my own ears. At that point I couldn''t help myself: "Wonderful."This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. "Quite the lungs on this one." "Yes." I agreed whole-heartedly. "You sadistic bitch!" The soldier decried, trying desperately to regain their composure, though seemingly failing miserably at it. "Hold on a sec." Mila replied to his taunts calmly and matter-of-factly. "What are you!-" The soldier wasn''t willing to fathom what would happen next. He began fumbling his words, constantly pleading: "H-hey! Wait! Stop it!". "It goes..." As though reciting some memorized poem. Or putting into praxis, a neat new trick she had just recently learned, Mila was setting into motion a series of slight tugs and pulls as she kept holding on to the soldier''s dislodged arm. She re-positioning her boot to his left shoulder this time. "Do I yank it?" Mila asked me. The soldier wised-up to what she was attempting to do: "W-wait! Please!" I shook my head in objection. I took this opportunity to crouch next to him. Observing his facial features. They look identical to a normal human being. Half of his face was still somewhat buried in the sand. I took out a dagger and began searing its blade with fire that was emanating from within the palm of my hand. "Say..." Mila stood still: awaiting further instructions. "That''s a neat trick." I complimenting our detainee sincerely. "..." Our captive was sweating rather profusely. It even emulates sweat. I can''t imagine a lesser demon having concocted this... "So how exactly does it work?" I asked. "What are you talking about!?" Is he feigning ignorance? Or has his memories been altered? Mila moved her boot - this time, crushing the soldier''s head: further plunging it into the sand. Blood started flowing from all of his facial orifices from the sheer force of her batter. "Don''t play dumb." Mila answered. "I can''t imagine Ghouls coming up with this level of magic themselves." is it even magic? Runes perhaps? A conjuration? Or is the little cretin quite literally adorning a skin coat? "We''re running out of time." Mila reminded me, as she kept track of the sandstorm''s rolling clouds; bouldering their way towards us. I kept observing the facial features of the agonizing soldier. "The attention to detail really is impressive." I remarked. If nothing else I''d like to further experiment on him. But- "Captain." Mila kept insisting. "Right!" I got up. "Here!". I threw Mila the dagger I was searing. A demonic rune was inscribed upon its laminated steel. "This is-" Mila looked the weapon over. "Do me the honors." "You want me to do it?" "Yes." "You can''t be serious! This thing?!?" "Go." "Tsk! Fine!" At this point, Mila clutched firmly on the dagger''s handle; readying herself. The soldier, anticipating the worst, tried to struggle his way out of Mila''s grasp once again. All in vain, of course. Putting an end to all of this rather swiftly, Mila plunged the dagger into the man''s nape. After a slight death rattle on his part, the soldier lay motionless. To confirm the kill, Mila swayed the blade left and right to sever the spinal cord. She then pulled out the dagger, and was reading the dagger''s new inscription. "Even after death. So it doesn''t just go away..." I pondered to myself. "So help me god Ela! You''re not seriously thinking I puncture myself with this, are you? What if I can''t turn back?" "Hey. What does it say." "...Doppel.." Digressions Capital City of Lidan - Central Command I knocked on his door. A slight moment of silence, followed by: "Come in." The Colonel wanted me to bring to whole team for a debrief. "So...here we are." I lowered my officer''s hat, pressed it against my belly. I wasn''t really looking, but the others behind me were probably saluting. The Colonel felt the need to say: "At ease." at the sight of it. "A skeleton crew..." He remarked by looking us over, before continuing intently on reading the report he held. "We''ve tried being careful...casualties haven''t been too crazy lately" I noted in a soft-spoken tone. I''m not normally like this. Then again, we don''t normally get called in like this. By him no less. How long as it been? "It''s been a while, Captain." The Colonel broke my train of thought. "It has." "You''re well, I hope?" He shifted his attention away from the papers he was rustling. "I am." "Niles. Mila. This, of course, applies to the both of you as well. How goes?" "The Captain''s a pain as always." Mila was unabashed in saying so, always pouncing on the opportunity when it presents itself. "It''s been good, sir." Niles said right after: mellow as always. The Colonel immediately chuckled to both of their responses. They were awfully on brand. I suspect he found comfort in that. The Colonel then shifted his gaze towards the lieutenant: "And who do we have here? I presume this is-" "Second Lieutenant Nazeran Forneus, it''s an honour sir!" Nazeran jumped the gun, inadvertently interrupting his superior officer. His introduction felt so stiff. And just like the others: it felt totally on brand. We''re so lame. "..." I sighed at such a sad state of affairs. "A pleasure, son." He smiled. The papers he held were quickly discarded and instantly cindered. The Colonel always liked it when I brought home someone fresh-faced. He''s as fresh-faced as they come, so... "Now then. To business." The colonel shifted his weight back. "With the gate now closed off in Lycoa, I''d have the four of you perform some reconnaissance here, at home, in the Capital." "The Capital?!" Niles was the first to react. "Bout damn time! Could use a change in scenery." Mila felt relieved in saying. "..." In truth my mind was blank. The thought of going back there was. Well...it felt meaningless. I noticed the lieutenant was unresponsive too. Him not reacting like the others felt bothersome to me. And he had on this punchable face that just made me want to- "I need you four to surveil a noble''s comings and goings." "..." We all stood silent waiting for the Colonel to finish. "Reports state that many of the servants working the nearby commercial and industrial districts have been severely mistreated. Eye-witness accounts by the dozens: missing eyes, teeth, hair, and even limbs. A sad state of affairs." "Why does that need to involve us?" I asked. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Obviously I know the answer, I just don''t want to go back there. "It''s business as usual, see if they''re up to anything nefarious. A brief will be sent to your villa, Captain; containing additional details on the matter. "..." I got totally ignored. My villa, he says... "We not just kill the noble?" Mila was clearly opting for the easy way out. With this naive look of anticipation on her face, as if the Colonnel would actually agree, and compliment her on such an initiative, that only she could cook up." "No, Vice-Captain. None of that. Keep a watchful eye on them. That is all. He is a noble after all..." "Well I thought-" Her expectation was met with dejection. "...no." "Ok..." Mila with her doom and gloom after outright proposing murder. "Keep the peace, yeah? No funny business." The Colonel insisted. "No funny business..." Like a whimpering pup, she was crest-fallen, but as I turned towards her, she gave me this heated look. What''s that about? My guess is, when the person causing her some sort of grief is too important for her to lash out on. She finds me. So that I can be her emotional punching bag. Great... She''s such an annoying younger sister. "Now then, before you all leave. I do have some qualms about your last gate-closing mission. Mainly directed at your Captain..." "What is it, Colonel?" I was being singled-out. Uh-Oh "I didn''t quite like how you handled your confrontation with the Ghouls." "Pardon?" "Why exactly did you slay them in the town square, prior to uncovering the exact location of the gate?" Ah yes... In the moment I felt my heart racing. I answered shortly: "I had to take them out. They were about to rape one of the surviving town folk. She also had an infant in tow-" The Colonel interrupted me: "Just who are you covering for, and why?" Your dear Captain is getting grilled in front of the whole team, Lieutenant. What say you? Now let''s think: Would he be wholly indifferent to it? Due to how insensitive I was towards the surviving townsfolk, he must think of me as monstrous, or at the very least, cold and callous, yes? Or perhaps his heart holds out hope for me yet; envisioning a future where I could blossom into a better person down the line. Would a white knight wish that of their commander? A world where I could learn to acknowledge the cruelty of my actions, and seek to make amends for all of the wrongs I''ve since committed? Huh, it all sounds so romantic, really. The former would most likely bring about some tinge of intrigue, no? I can picture it now, the good Lieutenant, wondering: "why would such a cold, and callous person stick their neck out for me?" Ahh! I can just picture it now! Yes! They stand idly by, implicitly relishing every moment in watching me get brutally and mercilessly held to account for the many transgressions I''ve lecherously committed...well, maybe not in such an erotic way, but still... The latter, however, is also an enticing proposition. If he truly believes me capable of personal growth, then he''d feel guilt for putting me in such a rough spot. Would he not? Why do I even do this? Digressions taken to the extreme! I guess, I''m just- "Captain!" The Colonel raised his voice, not appreciating my aloofness. I must''ve missed my cue to respond in a timely fashion. Just like before...with Overwatch- "It''s not like that! I swear!" I said with a broken voice, as if caught red-handed doing something untoward. I couldn''t maintain eye-contact with the commander. I looked elsewhere, with a bashful biting of my lower lip, momentarily shutting my eyes as if expecting a beating. Feign surprise, feign guilt. Make it seem like I''m helpless. Feel threatened by an empowering presence. Play the weakling. Like that woman and her child. Playing these roles... "There you go again, Captain." The Colonel, added. "You always do this. I wish you''d understand that this is far from a mere game!" "I do, Colonel." I said with a blanked expression; looking at my feet. Huh? What is she doing now? Mila was holding my hand, and squeezing it tightly. "..." His disappointment was palatable. He remained silent for a few spells. Which further added to the surmounting pressure that I felt in the moment. All-the-while, I''m sure he was staring me down. Mila kept a tight hold of me. What the fuck is she even doing? "I don''t like it when you venture into gates carelessly like that. Surveillance is scarce if non-existent in that realm, so I can''t always get a clear handle on what you''re doing. If you''re in danger, and in need of back-up - I can''t support you within the far reaches of hell." There was exasperation in his tone. "I know." "You don''t know! Because you and the Vice-Captain are as stubborn as they come!" He began raising his voice again... "..." Mila felt her inclusion in the scolding to be unwarranted and gave off a slight whimper while further tightening my hand. Ok so, Mila dear: you''re grip is starting to freaking hurt. This girl forgets her own strength sometimes. Shit! "Oh please! Am I wrong?" The Commander continued, remarking Mila''s apparent reaction to his remark. "I, ehm!-" She capitulated in an instant, slightly shifting her frame behind me. I''m you''re cover now?!? "You, just like your Captain here, both went in knowing full well!-" "Please." I slightly bowed, with apparent confidence, as my emotions were being reigned in. I think she''s had enough of this. It''s time I stop this. The Colonel halted. "We''ll all be more cautious next time. You have my word, Colonnel." I spoke with strength this time. A remarkable contrast from what I was doing just moments ago. Even the Colonnel isn''t foolish en ough to press me when- "Be more mindful next time, I beg you." The Colonel calmed himself some, though still maintaining his weary look. "Understood." I said sharply. "Understood." Mila replied arduously right after. "Dismissed." And so it was.