Chapter 5 Escape and Army:
Kane ran with everything he had, fleeing from the scene of the battle. He didn't stop until he was sure he had lost the Modem soldiers.
Tears streamed down his face as he thought of his father, lying wounded and alone. Kane knew he had to find help, he had to inform someone of the attack.
As he ran, Kane's mind raced with thoughts of what he would say when he arrived wherever he was going. Would they believe him? Would they send help? Kane knew he had to try.
Kane stumbled through the forest, his legs tired and shaking, but he pushed on. He couldn't give up now, not after everything that had happened. After what felt like hours, Kane finally stumbled out of the forest and found himself on a small dirt road.
In the distance, he could see the outline of a small town, which he hoped would offer him sanctuary and a chance to inform someone about the Modem soldiers.
Kane rushed towards the town, the adrenaline pumping through his veins as he imagined what he would say to the people there.
As he got closer, he saw a group of people gathered near the entrance of the town. They looked wary and on edge like they were expecting an attack at any moment.
Kane approached them, panting and gasping for breath. "Please, you have to help us! The Modem soldiers attacked our village and my father is still up there, injured and alone. We need to get help!"
The people looked at Kane warily. Everyone had heard the reports of attacks occurring all over the area, and here was this strange kid claiming to have been attacked. Who's to say he wasn't a spy sent from the Modem to scout out their location?
Kane could see the doubt in their faces, but he refused to give up. He knew his story was true and that they had no other choice but to trust him if they were going to make it through this alive. "Please," Kane begged once more, "my father needs help!"
Kane stumbled through the forest, his legs tired and shaking, but he pushed on. He couldn't give up now, not after everything that had happened. After what felt like hours, Kane finally stumbled out of the forest and found himself on a small dirt road.
In the distance, he could see the outline of a small town, which he hoped would offer him sanctuary and a chance to inform someone about the Modem soldiers.
Kane rushed towards the town, the adrenaline pumping through his veins as he imagined what he would say to the people there.
As he got closer, he saw a group of people gathered near the entrance of the town. They looked wary and on edge like they were expecting an attack at any moment.
Kane approached them, panting and gasping for breath. "Please, you have to help us! The Modem soldiers attacked our village and my father is still up there, injured and alone. We need to get help!"
The people looked at Kane warily. Everyone had heard the reports of attacks occurring all over the area, and here was this strange kid claiming to have been attacked. Who's to say he wasn't a spy sent from the Modem to scout out their location?
Kane could see the doubt in their faces, but he refused to give up. He knew his story was true and that they had no other choice but to trust him if they were going to make it through this alive. "Please," Kane begged once more, "my father needs help!"
Just as Kane was about to give up, a cloaked figure stepped forward from the crowd. The figure pulled back their hood and revealed an old man with kind eyes. He had a stern look on his face, but there was something comforting in his gaze that made Kane feel a bit more at ease.
The old man cleared his throat and spoke in a booming voice. "I will help you," he said, "but we must be stealthy."
Kane's heart skipped a beat as hope flooded through him. He wanted to thank the old man for his generosity.
But before he could, the old man held up a hand to silence him. "We have to be quick," he said. "I know this area well and I'm sure the Modem soldiers will be coming here soon. We must hurry."
Kane nodded in agreement and followed the old man as they set out on the road. As they walked, Kane noticed that the old man kept glancing back at him with a strange look in his eyes.
He wasn't sure what it meant, but he felt as if something was off.
The old man stopped suddenly and turned to look at Kane directly in the eye. "Do you think your father is still alive?" he asked, his voice soft yet weighted with worry.
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Kane's breath caught in his throat as he considered what might have happened to his father while they were away from home.
He had no idea of what could have happened, but there was a sinking feeling inside of him that told him his dad was with goddess Andrea now.
He had to say it, but the words were hard to get out. "I don't know," he replied in a whisper.
The old man placed a comforting hand on Kane's shoulder and said, "We'll keep looking. He might still be alive."
Kane held onto that hope as they continued their journey, but deep down he knew the truth.
Kane nodded slowly and the old man sighed, his shoulders sagging in defeat. He muttered something under his breath before heading off again.
Kane followed him, his heart heavy with worry and sadness. After what felt like hours, the old man stopped once more, this time in a clearing at the edge of the forest.
Kane looked around, confused as to why they had stopped here until he noticed the dozens of lifeless bodies strewn across the ground.
His eyes widened in horror as he realized that these were all Modem soldiers- and among them was his father's body with arrows and swords still stuck in him.
Kane collapsed to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he reached out for his father's cold hand.
The old man stood by silently, allowing Kane to grieve in peace before offering him a comforting pat on the shoulder.
Kane wiped his tears and rose to his feet, determination filling him as he vowed to take revenge on the Modem soldiers for what they had done.
He would make sure they paid for killing so many innocent people, including his father.
The old man smiled sadly and nodded his head. "No one deserves to die like this," he said, gesturing to the bodies around them.
"But we must honor your father's memory by living on and fighting for what is right."
He paused and looked Kane in the eye before continuing. "Your father held back the enemy so that you could live, and that is a great deed to be proud of. Honor him by coming back with me to town so that you may one day make amends and find peace."
With a heavy heart, Kane followed the old man back into town with a newfound determination in his heart.
Meeting no trouble they make it back to town where some more cloaked individuals come out swiftly to greet the old man addressing him as Captain Charlie Edwin. Kane looked around in confusion wondering who these people were and what was going on.
The old man, Charlie Edwin turns to Kane introducing himself as the captain of a scout troop for their kingdom's army. He explains that he had been sent out to patrol the area for Modem soldiers and see if they might be a threat.
He apologizes to Kane that their military reacted too late to the Modem invasion and his troops apologize too.
Kane was still confused, but he could tell that this group of people meant no harm and were there to help. He thanked them for their kindness and asked what he could do to help in this dire situation.
Charlie Edwin smiled at him warmly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We may not be able to bring your father back," he said sadly. "But we can make sure that his death does not go in vain. We need brave souls like yours to join us in our quest to defend our kingdom from the Modem threat as well as any others who set their sights on our lands."
Kane stood there in shock; he had no idea what to say. Did he mean he should join the army? "Wouldn't that mean I'd have to leave and go to training? By the time I'm ready, it could all be over! I can help now."
Charlie Edwin nodded in understanding. "I understand your eagerness to help, but training is necessary before you can fully join our ranks. Without the proper training, you won't mesh well and could be more of a nuisance than a help. It could get people killed, you are a little on the younger side by the looks of you, but that won't be a problem. Kyle, come here and bring um, what's your name son?"
"My name is Kane and I still think I could help now. If I left now I'd just be running away again."
"Listen here kid, the captain is looking out for you alright, if you really want to help go through the proper procedures. If you really want to get back here to help, make sure you excel in training and earn your place here. Now come on follow me to get you registered."
Kane reluctantly followed Kyle and the captain, still unsure about what he should do. He couldn't just sit back and do nothing, but he also didn't want to put anyone in danger because of his lack of training. As they walked, Kane couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt wash over him. If only he had been there to help his father instead of running away, maybe he could have saved him.
As they arrived at a small tent, Kyle opened the door and ushered Kane inside. The captain followed, the tent flapping behind him. The tent was small, but it was filled with maps and weapons scattered about on the tables and walls. A single lantern flickered in the corner, casting shadows around the room.
Charlie Edwin sat down at the table and gestured for Kane to sit across from him. "Kane, I understand that you're eager to help," he began. "But it's important that you understand the dangers of war and the importance of proper training."
Kane nodded, understanding the captain's point. "I know," he said. "But I just want to make sure that no one else has to suffer like my father did."
The captain sighed, a sad look on his face. "I understand that, Kane. But we can't just rush into battle without proper preparation. We need to make sure that our soldiers are trained and ready for whatever comes their way."
He then pointed to another person at the table and introduced them as Mark. "Mark here will be in charge of registration for you before the next batch of trainees head out to boot. He'll make sure that everything is in order so that your training can go smoothly."
Kane got up and thanked the Captain before the Captain and Kyle left the tent to return to their duties.
"I know the Captain already introduced me, but once again I'm Mark! It's nice to meet you." Mark reached his hand out and Kane grasped it. "I'm Kane, so what all do we need to do?"
"Just some basic information so we can verify who you are and send you to the appropriate place. So tell me when you feel you are ready and we'll officially get started okay?" - Mark
"I'm ready, ask away?" - Kane
"Alright let's get to it, Name and Age?" - Mark
"My name is Kane and I'm eleven years old." - Kane
"Cultivation Technique and progress?" - Mark
"Tempered Sun Art, Almost level one." - Kane
"Almost as in a few days, or almost as in within the year?" - Mark
"Should only take a few more days, I probably would've already broken through if the stuff on the mountain didn't happen." - Kane
"Alright, I'll go ahead and mark you down as level one in the Tempered Sun Art since the next batch of trainees will be sent to boot in a week. Don't slack off and make sure to reach it before you get to camp." - Mark
"I'll do my best, are there any other questions?" - Kane
"Just one, what are your skills?" - Mark
"I can use a dagger and bow, make traps, follow and cover tracks, make medicine paste, climb rocks and trees, and make myself a basic meal." - Kane
"Alright, that's all good stuff to already know, some parts of the training will probably be easier for you. All the paperwork is done, follow me and I'll introduce you to the rest of the trainees who you'll be traveling with." - Mark