Sweat blurred my vision, yet I charged on like a lion amidst flailing limbs and sprays of rich blood. Shouts, screams, and shrieks blared all around me as I hacked and slashed through the men wearing white clothes under their armour. The ethereal glow from white linen had quickly become snuffed out by being stained with their owners' sticky blood and perspiration. 

Trumpets blared, drums rolled and horse hooves clopped around in wet soil. I could barely see the battle although I knew I was at its heart. Sharp elbows jabbed my waist, hands scratched my calves and I kicked metal faces with my sandal-clad feet. 

I thrust my heavy shield into chests and legs, throwing my enemies onto their own people. I then roared over the loud music of war, freezing the white boys closest to where I stood, raging. I have been fighting for hours, growing more energetic with every second gone.

"It's him, Marik Valerius! Aharon, tell Prince Karim we found their leader. The target is found!" A young man clothed in white and silver pushed his friend away from one of my men and charged towards me, leaving his comrade to fend off a dozen of my red boys. The battle continued blind to time, the man started to advance towards me.

I assumed Aharon was his friend's name. Even after hearing his friend fall behind him, the brave man wiped sweat and tears away from his tanned face and pointed his big sword at me. He screamed with such force that big drops of bloody spit flew from his mouth. "I will kill you for my family's grievances!"

"Karim, I killed that arrogant man hours ago! I wonder how bad your army's communication could be that you think your fallen prince is still fighting alongside you. Your king has always been a bit dull, making his men fight losing wars." I smirked, seeing the young man had a strong reaction to my taunts. "What, do you think you can kill me? Our Vales Empire brought one hundred thousand men to fight your ten thousand from Cithen."

"I do not have time to speak to the Devil, come fight me if-" The soldier from Cithen grunted and his sword sunk into red goop at his feet. The sunny haired man groped the dark sword embedded in his abdomen. He could barely breathe as his own blood fought to be let out of the wound but was kept in by the stagnant sword. 

"Who are you?" He asked the most stupid question I have ever heard.

"You said my name just moments ago," I leaned into his fair face while twisting my ridged sword to inflict more pain on the brave soldier who dared to charge at me. He winced, making my heart race. I could see the life in him drain as his eyes started to glaze over with the look of death. 

Before he took his last breath, I pulled my sword out of his body. It was normal to see pieces of flesh slide down my weapon. I smiled, amused by how the chunk of skin looked like cake sliding off a knife. I have seen this exact picture many times, it always seemed to make me grin in satisfaction. I will truthfully admit that I am a sadistic man, I enjoy all forms of pain and torture. 

"My name is Marik Valerius, I am the General of Vales' Elite Army, and my people know me as God of War." I saw his foggy eyes widen, and I wondered why he looked so shocked. If he was calling his leader to report my presence, why would he think I would hide my identity from him?

"Impossible! My prince will come to exact his revenge on you, for all of Cithen! You may be the God of War, but Karim is our god. He will not die by your filthy hands in this ugly place." The man dressed in white dropped to the ground, almost kneeling in front of me. As the last piece of his soul died, his corpse slumped forward. 

I kicked his body aside, sneering at him. I nodded, replaying his words in my head knowing his warnings were only futile attempts to frighten me. I looked around to see my men have stopped slashing because there were no more Cithen soldiers available to fight. "Right, he died, but not by these filthy hands. I killed him with my feet."

"Victory for Vales! Victory for Vales! Hail Emperor Utar of Vales! Hail Marik Valerius of Vales! Victory for Vales! Victory for Vales!" Men who proudly wore red clothes and black armour pumped their fists into the air, praising our kingdom and the gods guiding us through this small battle. My comrades wore large smiles on their bloody faces.

I knew the victory was not a big or important win, but the battle was the last battle against Cithen, our neighbour. The war had raged for the past eight months and throughout the whole campaign, I was fighting with Vales' Elite Army. Three generals have perished until I took their positions and since then, my men and I would only win.

Cithen had started strong, sending at least one hundred fifty thousand men before half of the war was over. In four months, their big army killed my predecessors and my friends. I started fighting harder after my brother was slain by their lovely Prince Karim. I was glad to meet the man today.

As I spun around, I saw my subordinates lean on each other as they started to tread through blood and bodies to enter Cithen's capital, Krasea. Above us, our dragons have finished their work in killing our enemies' archers and catapult soldiers. With a wave of my hand, they turned to fly off towards Vales.

I felt a hand slap my shoulder, awakening my instincts almost immediately. I have been distracted by my men's merry laughter and cheering. I turn to face a young man, shocked to see fiery hair in front of my eyes. "Sebastian, how do you keep your hair so beautiful?"

"Well, I am naturally a beauty. My mother worried my looks would be disregarded during wars." My closest friend stroked his long red hair that was tied up by golden rings. He wore a red shawl over his bare shoulders and I had to ask where his shoulder guards were. 

"Oh, many Cithen men are men lovers. I gave them candy so I can do them quickly." What he meant by 'do' was kill. I chuckled uneasily, but my friend smiled proudly. He seems to love being beautiful. "Being beautiful is such hard work. Look at the blood on my arms!"

I pat his back and guided him through stone gates opening our path into Krasea. I shouted for the last soldiers to walk faster because the more eager men were already waiting and talking with Krasea's timid citizens. I heard conversations about their king, learning the old geezer had abandoned his people upon hearing Prince Karim died. 

Prince Karim was the king's only son and his only hope. I understood when I had to face the fierce warrior, but I played him easily. I have been crowned a God of War for obvious reasons. Sadly, my opponents do not care for their lives and rush to kill me like moths waiting in line to die in a flame.

"He escaped, promising to come back to us and save us from Vales." A woman holding her young child explained to a group of my men. She had just learned her husband died during the battle, and fat tears rolled down her dark cheeks. She avoided one of my men who reached out to offer her a handkerchief. 

"I hate your kingdom!" The widow used her child's tunic to wipe her drenched face. Her head lifted to reveal hard, cold eyes. She shook her fist at the dark sky. "Because of your people I lost my parents and husband! My child will not remember his father's face!" 

"Well, if you wish to join them, I will help you." Julius, a prideful man drew his blade and before he could kill the child and his mother, I held out my hands to call his sword to me. My comrade looked for me, scowling once his eyes land on me. "Marik, what are you doing? Let me kill this pest or she would come back to bite your behind!" 

"If anyone's butt is to be bitten, it is yours." In a matter of seconds, I am standing behind Julius, sinking his blade into the back of his thighs. The man endured, dropping to his knees after a few hearty twists. "Rule two, do not kill women unless she can fight. Rule three, do not touch a woman if she has not touched you. Rule five, do not kill a child! Augustus, come here!" 

"Yes, General, how may I be of service to you?" Our top healer trembles, clearly understanding the reason for his summon. He mutters a prayer as he touched his jadeite amulet. Augustus nodded slowly and helped pull poor Julius off the ground. "Julius, why are you, my dumb cousin? Come, I have run out of medical supplies, but I know a great doctor of Krasea. Ignore the woman, she is grieving her losses." 

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The two men hobbled down the road and finally, I felt like I could rest my feet for a moment. I removed my heavy helmet, suddenly feeling a stinging sensation on my cheek. With wide eyes, I stared at the woman I saved from death. 

The woman stared back, her child giggling in her arms, oblivious to the situation. Her hand was still raised in the air as if she was deliberating whether she should slap me again or not. She opted for complete silence and a shocked expression. 

"Did you slap me?" I held the helmet between the pit of my elbow and my waist. One hand slowly reached up to rub my numb cheek. It has been forever since someone last slapped me. Now, no one who knew my identity would dare to hit me directly. 

The fierce lady glared at me, shrugging to answer my question. She covered her son with a fabric that blocked the sun from his delicate skin. "And if I did slap you? I do not need to know who you are to know you are a member of Vales' Elite Army. If I find Marik, their general, I will personally kill him!" 

"I suggest you keep your voice down," Sebastian piped up behind me. I will admit that his sudden yelling did make me jump. My friend held a finger to his lips and wrapped an arm around my neck. "If you talk too loud, you will really grab Marik's attention. Oh, look, you have already met the man!" 

"Impossible, he is Marik?" Stunned, the woman pointed a slender finger at my chest. She had lost her confidence, realizing she could never touch me even if she planned her whole life. She studied my face for a moment. "You are not ugly like they said. I thought you would be rougher around the edges. Most generals are old and unpleasant to see." 

"Ah, you must have heard stories about Romero, my predecessor. He was insanely ugly that even his comrades had to cover their eyes." I chuckled at my weak attempt to distract the livid woman. She still threw sharp glares towards me. "Hate me or love me, I will be me. Even if your emperor returns, we have already seized his last piece of land. Where is his power?" 

"Our king is a god, he will bring justice to you on a silver platter!" Fuming, the widow started to abandon her friends gathered at the city's entrance. Her child rested his chin on her shoulder, glaring at me from behind the cloth. 

Five men prepared to follow the woman, but I held up my left hand to stop them. They looked eager to pursue her, grudgingly returning to my side. I could see them stare after the lady, like dogs watching a bone being taken away. I knew they were only looking for sex to celebrate another victory. 

"Krasea is known for their brothels, go have fun and be ready to meet Prince Fabio tomorrow morning. He and Princess Florentia will be the new rulers of Krasea." I hear a collective groan rise from my subordinates, understanding their unholy sounds.

Prince Fabio is the Dionysus of our kingdom, spending large amounts of people's taxes to host extravagant parties. Every time the emperor's third son visits our camps, he reeks of wine and ale. We only tolerate the immature man because of the other man he calls his father. 

His sister, Princess Florentia is less of a party animal but she is arrogant. Her father named her 'most beautiful woman of Vales', and although I am not attracted to anyone, I've seen plenty of prettier women. Somehow, this title inflated her head so much that she always has her nose turned up at the sky. To balance the weight, I assume. 

"Marik, are you really letting the boys explore Krasea before the royals arrive? What would we do when they destroy the city as they did with Denopolis?" Sabastian tugged at his red hair, shaking his head as he recalled our men accidentally burning the previous town we conquered. "You were thrown with the lions for four days!" 

"I can go back, but I will not let anything happen this time. If I should wind up back in the arena, I will not be Vales' God of War!" I stand to face a new city, marvelling in its architecture. After defeating Cithen's small villages, I can understand why Krasea is the big apple. As it was the capital city, its beauty rivalled that of Orotica, Vales's big city. 

Golden domes sat on white buildings flanked by patrol towers in which glowing stones were embedded in swirling patterns. I assumed those specific buildings are places of worship because strange symbols were etched in the towers and painted gold. Under the scorching sun, the city seemed to glow as if the city had been dropped from the heavens. 

I looked up, shielding my eyes with one calloused hand. I saw white banners flap as a hot wind rushed through the city, comparing them to flags signalling surrender. From the beginning, I have expected nothing but victory resulting from Vales' war against Cithen. Many citizens have lost faith in us, but Emperor Utar pushed us forward. He knew we would return to his empire as conquerers. 

In his long letters to us, he promised his elite army would be able to share Cithen's wealth once we plunder the kingdom. I knew the old geezer was lying. How could we share a small kingdom's wealth among one hundred thousand greedy men providing for large families? Besides not being able to split a kingdom's wealth, I knew Cithen would become Prince Fabio's land. 

I would expect to see this beautiful city transformed into a bazaar for pleasure and merrymaking. White temples where Krasea's natives sit to read and pray will become party houses. Speaking of temples, Sebastian pulled me towards a house donning the largest dome but unlike other houses, the dome looked crystalline. 

Sebastian pointed at the house like an excited child. I knew my friend liked pretty sights, so it was not a wonder he felt the urge to explore this particular house. "Marik, look at that dome bending rays of light! Oh, look at the rainbows temporarily painting the opposite house's white walls!"

"Yes, it looks quite pretty." If I was to be truthful, I do not have eyes for beautiful things as my friend does. I always admired Sebastian's ability to find beauty in architecture. However, I look at these white buildings and acknowledge their intriguing design. Blinding white walls, gold domes, and symbols rolled into one building. 

"Excuse me, what do you call this place?" Sebastian tapped a girl's shoulder, stooping low to receive her timid words. After pausing for a moment to repeat her, he nodded and thanked her by placing two phoenix feathers into her small palms. He chuckled when she asked him if he was a god. "No, I am not a supreme being. I am just like you."

"But, people like me do not have the ability to see the fiery bird. I do not think I recognize you, are you new to the temple?" Shyly, the girl combed her dark hair with slender fingers. As she looked up at my friend, her long eyelashes fluttered like a bird's wing. "I can show you around."

"Will you show me around?" Sebastian put his palms together, his eyes shining brighter than the sun. The handsome man ruffled the girl's hair with a smile. "I would be happy to pay my respects to-"

Sebastian scratched his neck, finding himself in an awkward situation where he did not know to which deity the crystal domed temple was dedicated. He smiled sheepishly, "I am interested to learn more about the goddess residing in this house."

"Her name is engraved on a plaque nailed to her feet." The girl turned to point at a large statue, focusing on its colossal feet. She rose from her seat on the temple's steps and beckoned my friend to follow her. When she saw me step forward, a small hand shoots up. "You are violating our goddess' rules. You cannot wear armour in her presence. Remove it or leave!"

I whipped my head to look at my friend who was equally baffled. Sebastian does not wear armour, even on battlefields, so he would not be violating the temple's rules. My friend shrugged although his eyes urged me to stay calm. 

As a general who had just conquered her kingdom, it felt wrong to walk into the temple. Even if I took off my armour and discard my weapon, I have a conscience. I must respect the culture and deities of different people if I were to pave my emperor's path into the city. 

I stayed rooted to the road while Sebastian was already halfway up the flight of stairs. My friend urged me to remove my armour, but I shook my head and waved him off. I watched as he disappeared into the temple with his female guide. 

"Step away from Ithys, our sacred goddess of order!" An old lady stepped onto the stairs and moved to quickly stand before me, holding her arms out as if to bar me from the temple. Her silver hair billowed behind her as a fierce wind blew into her ancient face. "How dare you show your face here!"

"I do not know what you think I will do, but I do not mean to harm Ithys." I see her study my bloody armour, the cause of her anger. I apologized to her nonetheless. "I am only waiting for my friend."

"Then, I suggest you wait over there! If you think a brute such as yourself can stand in her presence, the world is ending." Not happy with my presence, the old woman poked my chest with a cane. Elderly people are brave no matter where I am. 

I have had grandfathers throw rotten food into my face, old widows threw spices into my eyes, and dying generals spat in my face. I happily turn to see where her fingers pointed, having to squint against the bright sun to see a dark area. Flies loitered around brown chunks and I was to wait there for Sebastian?

My lower jaw must be hanging and when I turned around to protest, the old woman had already disappeared. Not wishing to cut Sebastian's tour short, I dragged my feet to the pile of feces and garbage. I had to act civilized off battlefields, even when a dozen eyes glared at me. I narrowed my eyes at passing natives who had stopped to gawk at my miserable state.

"What are you looking at?" I snapped, humiliated as I stand beside the pile of trash. 

"Stop looking at the soldier, he will eat you if you stare for too long. Come, we need to buy you new shoes from the cobbler." A man dressed in white robes glared at me as he guided his daughter away from me. 

A small boy stopped galloping to come to a full halt in front of me. A stubby finger pointed at my face. Like a wand, it rotated in the air to create invisible circles.

"Look at his bloodshot eyes! Mother, why does he look handsome even when he is like that?" Like what? I wanted to ask the small boy what he meant, but his mother pulled him along by the arm. Like every adult citizen of Cithen, she hated me because I serve Emperor Utar of Vales. 

I am Vales' God of War.