Chapter 18: What Dads Feel
Nate sits in a chair at the new building they call the headquarters. With him is Will, Westcut, Autumn, and a man named Joseph. He was the captain of the black cloaks.
“Will, where is the captain of the gray cloaks?” asked Nate.
“I don’t know. She’s never this late,” said Will.
“Well we are at war s-”
Nate was cut off by a woman coming through the door. She’s in full armor just like Joseph, but gray rather than black.
“Sorry I’m late, my wife forgot to set the alarm this morning but I’m here now,” said the woman.
“It’s ok, Lisa. Take a seat, we have a lot to talk about.”
“Yes lord Ward,” said Lisa.
“Joseph, what is your report on the enemy?” asked Westcut.
“They have 1200 fighters. From what I can tell, most of them won’t be a problem for the cloaks,” said Joseph.
“So they don’t have any information on us, because if they did, they would know we outnumbered them,” said Will.
“You’re right. We have 1500 grays and 50 blacks but that doesn’t mean we won’t lose people,” said Nate.
“Sir, this is war. We have no choice but to fight. We are going to lose men but those who fight already know that they may not make it home.”
“I know, West, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“I know, lord Ward, but you are the turning point. You are the one who can change the soon to come battle,” Westcut said.
“Westcut is right, lord Nate, you already killed the strongest. From what we can tell there is no one else on your level on the enemy side,” said Joseph.
Nate stands up from his seat and walks to a window.
“How many days do we have, Joseph?”
“Two days, not counting today.”
“I think I know what to do, but it may not work.”
Nate looks at a map in the middle of the table.
“Here they will be close to the town. We’ll have the grays ready to meet them and the blacks going around their flank. Will, you will lead the black. Autumn, the gray. It’s simple, but if we do it right, we win.”
“Yes, I see what you mean, lord Ward.”
At the time Nate was explaining the plan, he was also making it on the map.
“I’ll come in where I’m needed. We have two days to prepare for this, it needs to be perfect,” said Nate.
“Yes sir,” said everyone.
“And remember, if they surrender, do not kill them,” said Nate.
Everyone got up from their seats and left the headquarters to find their units. Nate walked home to find his dad and brother. He first found his brother Tommy practicing in the backyard with a sword and shield.
“Hello brother,” said Nate.
“Oh hey Nate, come have a go with me.”
“Look at you big guy, you’ve been training with West and Will so you think you can take me on now,” said Nate.
“Nate, I’m your big brother, I’ve always kicked your ass.”
“Not anymore.”
“Then prove it to me.”
Nate picks up a wooden stick made to be a practice sword, so does his brother.
“First to 3.”
Nate walks to his brother and gets in a fighting position. His brother does the same. Nate reads his brother’s movements, looking for an opening. His brother attacks, Nate blocks all hits. Nate attacks back, his brother blocks 3 of Nate’s hits, but the 4th makes it through.
“1 me, 0 you,” said Nate.
Nate’s bro attacks again. Tommy is hitting harder. but still not landing a blow. Tommy goes down with the sword. Nate side steps and hits him in the stomach.
“2 me, 0 you.”
Nate looks at his brother before going in for the kill. He hits Tommy’s sword to the ground and then jumps, flipping himself over Tommy and hitting him in the back. As he lands, Tommy turns around to meet Nate’s eyes.
“What was that?” said Tommy.
“It was something new that I’ve been practicing,” said Nate.
“Well, that was a good match brother,” said Tommy.
“Well, we have to be prepared for the worst.”
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“Nate, you are more than prepared. Don’t worry too much about everything.”
“I have to worry, this is the future of my people. Not just that, but the world.”
“Brother, you don’t carry the burden alone. You have me, ash, dad, Will, and Autumn. We’ll be there for you.”
“I know Tommy, but I’m scared to put you all in harm’s way. I wish I could stop this, but I didn’t even start it.”
“You will stop it. If I know anything in life, it’s that you are the best person to do what needs to be done. Stop letting fear get to you.”
“How, Tommy? Everything I love is on the line.”
“By knowing you are the superior person in this battle that is to come.”
Nate takes a moment to think to himself. For months he was carrying the world on his shoulders, but for the first time in a long time, he feels lighter. He understands he can’t let fear take over his mind.
“I needed that pep talk,” said Nate.
“I know, now let’s go again.”
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The time before the battle felt long, but the day is now here. Nate can see the enemy. He can also see his people in full armor with gray cloaks and spears. His men are ready for this. The black cloaks are nowhere to be seen, but that’s a good thing. Nate sees Autumn on the front lines. He’s proud of the woman she’s become, going from a damaged girl to being the most powerful woman in his army. Nate turns to Westcut.
“Do you think this is what dads feel like?” asked Nate.
“What do you mean, Lord Ward?” asked Westcut.
“Well, when I look at Autumn I feel like a proud dad, or at least that’s the only way to describe it.”
“You should ask your dad, sir. I know he is proud of you.”
“I think I’m going to ask Autumn and Levey to take my last name and join my family.”
“That would make Levey heir to your kingdom, lord Ward.”
“I would be ok with that, West.”
“I know sir, just reminding you.”
“They’re about to meet.”
The two armies were meeting on the road. Two men step forward from the back of the enemy ranks. Nate noticed the two men were very similar to Michael, but no wings. One of the men started to speak.
“I am an archangel Raphael, and next to me is Gabriel. We were sent to destroy the evil cancer that has spread across our world, and you are apart of that cancer,” said the tallest of the two.
“Piss off,” said autumn.
“Such anger comes from you, child” said Gabriel.
“Well let’s see why, oh yeah, your guy attacked my home and my king.”
“You talk of brother Michael, what has come of him?” asked Raphael.
“He’s dead. Got his wings ripped off by the man he tried to kill.”
“Poor Michael, may he rest in peace with our lord,” said Raphael.
“Enough of this nonsense, we must continue our mission, Raphael,” said Gabriel.
“I agree,” said Nate.
Nate was behind Raphael. In the time it took them to talk, Nate was able to go so fast that he landed behind the man with no one noticing.
“You are not God’s angels, because if that were true you would have seen me coming,” said Nate.
Raphael turned to meet Nate’s eyes, who had a sword in his hands. Raphael realized it was his friend’s sword.
“This was your friend’s sword, wasn’t it?”
“Yes it was,” said an angry Raphael.”
“Enough of this talking,” said Gabriel.
Gabriel took Nate in a bear hug, dragging him into a field. Nate was able to fight out of the man’s arms and find footing. Raphael joined Gabriel. Nate took out his sword and was now holding both swords in his hands. Gabriel made an ax out of light, and Raphael took a long sword from his back.
Nate was standing there, waiting. He knew he had the better chance at winning. The last time he fought against someone like them, he wasn’t ready. He figured it was due to his body not being used to his new armor, but now he was, and he also has his enemy's sword.
System message
Sword of hope
When you make contact with an enemy, you hit them with extra force damage.
Nate was able to get practice with his new sword and learned it did something called force damage. Damage that negates all armor, including magic armor. Using that, Nate attacks Raphael first. He was blocked. Nate used that to his advantage to turn onto Gabriel to land an attack with his new sword, making Gabriel drop his ax. Then Nate laid into the man, not killing him, but leaving him unconscious.
Nate was attacked from behind by Raphael, now angry by seeing his friend on the ground. Nate blocked, but not fast enough, leaving a wound in his arm. They went back and forth, attack after attack. Nate brought his 2 swords in for another attack, but at the last second, he lowered his black sword to the man’s knee, making him drop.
“Look at your army,” said Nate.
Raphael looked at his men to see most of them killed and the rest on their knees.
“You lead them to their deaths.”
“What demon are you?” asked Raphael.
Nate looked at the man and laughed.
“I am no demon. I AM THE HAND OF DEATH. But you are very lucky, as you will go back home and tell your people that I will be there in 3 weeks time to meet your leader and kill him myself. And don’t worry, your men will be well taken care of,” said Nate.
“You are letting me go?”
“Yes. I want a world of peace, but to have my dreams come true, I must kill the one who will try to stop it. Now go, you may only take food. And if I see you again, you will be seeing your god.”
Nate walked over to the men on their knees.
“You there, get up,” Nate says, pointing to one of the men.
“Yes, sir.”
“Why do you give up so easily?” asked Nate.
“Well, I’m extremely exhausted. We haven’t eaten a good meal in weeks, and that was before we came here.”
“That’s it?”
“Well, no. Those monsters, the ones you did away with, they will hurt us if we don’t follow them. Maybe even kill our families.”
“If I were to free you from all that, would you fight for me?”
“Oh yes sir, give me a full belly and a bed and I would do anything for you.”
“Good. Autumn, help them to the town, get them food and sleep, then get them trained. In 3 weeks, we will free their people, am I clear?”
“Yes, lord Ward. Right away.”
“And Autumn, good job. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks sir.”
Nate goes to sit on a nearby rock to watch as some of his people move the bodies and make graves for the dead.
“Death, they didn’t know what to do, so please let the enemy of today live in peace.”
Nate felt a cold yet nice feeling wash over him, like an old forgotten friend came to visit.
“Thanks, Lord Death.”