Isabella says "Would you really just run away?"

"Of course, I have a war to fight. I can't waste time managing lands and people."

Hawk says "What war? We are talking about after we win this war."

"This is more like a battle before the real war."

Ricken says "Who will you be fighting in this war?"

"The demons."

Isabella says "What?!"

"In the near future an army of demons will come across the land bridge. The goddesses have tasked me with fighting and defeating that army."

Hawk says "Goddesses and demons? Are you insane?"

"Haha, maybe!"

A lot of the soldiers start laughing, even Hawk and Ricken, the only one not laughing is Isabella, she is staring at her little white bird in shock. Then everyone goes quiet as they notice a light in the sky, I am preparing for an attack but even I am surprised when the light takes forms. Seronia and Krenocia are now standing on thin air and staring down at the group.

Seronia says "Do not dare to ridicule our chosen champion!"

Krenocia says "Ash is the one and only hope for the people of this continent!"

After saying that the goddesses disappear in a blinding flash of light, leaving all the soldiers speechless. From the smell of it quite a few of them wet themselves, but what surprises me is that they are now powerful enough to manifest physically. I just don't understand why they would bother with something like this.

Unless for some reason they think my credibility is going to be important soon. Ricken is the first to wake up from his dazed state, he dismounts and kneels down facing me. As soon as the soldiers see that they all quickly do the same, soon the only one still mounted is Isabella.

Ricken says "Lord Ash, I swear my life and my honor in service of you!"

As the rest of the soldiers shout the same thing I can't help but be embarrassed. Is this what the goddesses wanted? Wait, they want me to lead armies against the demon invasion, soldiers talk, news of this will spread across the continent.

"Ricken, are you sure about this? I have not yet joined the rebellion, what if your leaders and I don't get along?"

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Ricken says "The goddess said you are the only hope for us, that trumps the rebellion in my eyes."

"Fine, I guess I will accept your fealty. Now remount, we have ground to cover!"

The soldiers cheer as they hurriedly remount and resume the march. I don't know why this makes them so happy, maybe they think following me will lead to glory or something. Chances are not one of them will survive what is to come.

We ride hard for the next day and a half, along the way we pick up another group of cavalry and five more scouts. We have only stopped when we needed to rest the horses and have covered a decent amount of ground. It still has taken way too long, the battle is long over and I have no idea if any of my friends are even still alive.

Scout says "Reporting! I found the site of a battle a mile ahead of us, sir."

"How long ago was the battle? Could you identify the bodies?"

Scout says "Two to three days ago, and the bodies are church soldiers, sir!"

"Alright, lead us to the site! But why would church soldiers be out here?"

Hawk says "This entire area of the plains is under the control of the church."

Isabella says "Why would the church control land, isn't that unusual?"

Ricken says "Yes, technically it is illegal. But the king doesn't care about the law, he gave the church this land in return for their support of him becoming king."

"So the church is corrupt and allowed to do whatever they want in this area?"

Hawk says "Yes, they have absolute authority here. Rumors are that they are worse than the most corrupt nobles, but information is hard to get."

"Well, looks like we will find out soon. Let's pick up the pace!"

We ride hard for the next mile until the scout signals that we are close. I signal the troops to stop and rest and continue on with Ricken, Isabella, Hawk, and the other scouts. We smell the bodies before we see them, they have already started to rot.

'Drog, are these the guys that you were fighting?'

Drog 'Yes, master.'

"Scouts, circle the area and find any tracks leading away from this battle."

Scouts "Yes, sir!"

"Ricken, once we have taken a look at the bodies I want them all gathered and burned."

Ricken says "Yes, my lord!"

Looking around there are a little over fifty bodies, all but two wearing armor. The armor is low quality and more gaudy than useful, over half the dead died from arrow wounds, it seems Myria did very well. The last two bodies are wearing robes and have a lot of expensive jewelry so I am guessing they were priests.

So obviously it was the church that attacked my people, the question is why. I need to find my friends first but now I am seriously considering paying the church a visit as well. After all, I did promise the goddesses to wipe out any false priests I find.

Hawk says "We found tracks of two groups leaving this area, one retreated south and the other headed west."

"Alright, we deal with the bodies then we head west, that group should be my people."

Ricken says "Yes, my lord!"

Once the bodies are piled up and burning we ride hard for the next four hours. On my orders the scouts stop us before we reach the group, after all I don't want Myria to kill any of them. I leave my troops behind and walk alone into the clearing where they have made camp.

Myria yells "Master!!!"

As soon as she sees me she cries out, drops her bow, and flies into my arms. Everyone else is standing still in shock and staring at me, but even now I can see something is very wrong. Numerous people are injured and wearing bandages, the whole group looks fairly worn down, and there are not enough people here.

"Myria, what happened? Where are the others?"

Myria says "Leyla and several others were captured by those church dogs!"