The conflict between the nations of Mohan and Pollux was swift and merciless. Pollux, a small and peaceful country, was blindsided by Mohan's sudden assault. By the time Pollux's leader managed to rally their forces, it was already too late. Mohan's soldiers had surrounded them, and they killed everyone leaving no one alive. Men, women, even children it didn't matter. They slaughtered everyone and set the homes ablaze, taking whatever valuables and weapons they could find before disappearing.

Hours later, two soldiers from a neighboring nation arrived, hoping to scavenge anything of value from the ruins.

"Men, this place is a mess," one soldier muttered, shaking his head at the devastation.

"Eric, come look at this," another soldier called out. "These people were tied together and burned."

Eric joined him, his face darkening with anger. "These bastards were cruel. They even killed the children."

"This is what war looks like," , Sam, said bitterly. "I hate it."

Eric sighed. "I'm going to look around for something valuable to sell."

"Me too," Sam replied.

As Sam walked through the carnage, he noticed a woman lying on the ground, her body positioned as if she were shielding something. Sam, approached and gently turned her over, revealing a small child beneath her.

"It's a child!" Sam exclaimed.

"What?" Eric rushed over.

"I found a child," Sam repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Is he still alive?"Eric asked.

"Let me check," Sam said, placing his fingers on the child's neck. "He's alive, just covered in blood. (So that's who she was protecting. This must be his mother.)"

Eric's eyes softened. "She died protecting her child. She must have been a great mother."

"May she rest in peace," Sam murmured.

"So he's just unconscious?" Eric asked.

"yah I think so," Sam replied.

Eric suddenly tensed. "Do you sense it?"

"Yes," Sam said quietly. "Someone's watching us."

They scanned the area, their eyes landing on a man dressed all in black, wearing a mask, standing at the corner of a building. They rushed towards him, but the man conjured a cloud of black smoke. Eric threw his sword, but when the smoke cleared, the figure was gone, and Eric's sword was embedded in the ground.

"Where did he go?" Sam asked, he looked puzzled.

"I don't sense him anymore," Eric said, frustration evident in his voice.

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"How did he escape? No one is that fast," Sam wondered aloud.

"Maybe he used the smoke as cover and teleported away," Eric replied.

"Teleportation? Not many people can use that kind of power," Sam said, shaking his head.

"You're right. This must have been a very powerful person. (Then why did he run away?)" Eric Wondered.

"I have a bad feeling about this. Let's leave. Maybe that guy went to get backup," Sam suggested.

"You're right. We should go," Eric agreed.

Sam gently lifted the child onto his back.

"Wait, wait, why are you taking the kid?" Eric asked.

"We can't just leave him here. He's the only survivor. We can't let him die alone," Sam insisted.

"Okay, but what are we going to do with him?" Eric asked, he looked concerned

"We'll figure something out. Let's go," Sam said resolutely.

They set off towards their homeland at a brisk pace. After nearly four hours, they arrived near the border.

"Man, can you carry him for a sec? My back is killing me," Sam said, stretching.

"You said you'd carry him. You were the one who decided to take him," Eric protested.

"Come on, just give me a hand man," Sam pleaded.

Eric sighed. "Fine. Is he still unconscious?"

"Yes," Sam confirmed.

Eric took the child and continued walking.

"What are we going to do about the kid?" Sam asked.

"I don't know, but first, let's take him to see a doctor," Eric suggested.

"There's a new doctor at our base. We should take him there," Sam said.

"A new doctor? When did she arrive?" Eric asked, surprised.

"A couple of days ago, I think," Sam replied.

"I'm not sure when exactly," he added.

"Then We'll take him there," Eric decided.

As they walked, they spotted a lookout tower. The guard on duty descended from the tower to speak to them.

"Hey, guys," the guard greeted.

"Hey, Kevin ," Sam replied.

"Who's the kid? Are you babysitting now or something ?" Kevin joked.

"No," Eric said.

"We found him," Sam explained.

"Where?" Kevin asked, puzzled.

"In that nation... what was it again?" Sam turned to Eric.

"Pollux," Eric replied.

"Wasn't there a war there?" Kevin asked.

"Yes," Eric confirmed.

"So what were you doing there? You know if the captain finds out, you going to be in a lot of trouble," Kevin warned.

"Nah, he won't find out less you sell us out," Sam said.

"don't worry I am not that kind of guy anyway, have you seen the new doctor? She's hot," Kevin said, changing the subject.

"No, I haven't. Is she that hot?" Sam asked, intrigued.

"Yes, the guys at the base are going crazy over her," Kevin said with a grin.

"Me? No girl is going to drive me crazy," Eric said firmly.

"I can't wait to see her. Eric, let's go. See you later, Kevin," Sam said.

They picked up their pace, heading towards the base. The base was massive, about the size of a football field, with numerous rooms, a training ground, and a small clinic. Eric and Sam took the child to the clinic. They Sam koncks on the door.

"come in" said the unknown woman.

"Hello there, my name is Michelle. How can I help you?" she asked with a warm smile.

"We found this child unconscious and covered in blood," Eric explained.

Sam, distracted by her beauty, added, "We don't know what's wrong with him."

"Okay, let me take a look at him. You can wait outside while I examine him," Michelle instructed.

"Okay," Eric agreed.

They waited in the hallway for some few minutes until Michelle called them back in.

"You can come in now," she said.

"Is he okay?" Sam asked with a worried look on face.

"Yes, he's okay," Michelle reassured them.

"But he was covered in a lot of blood and unconscious," Eric said, confused.

"I know, but it wasn't his blood. I couldn't find any cuts on his body. However, he has a bruise on his forehead, which explain why he is unconsciousness. I gave him a shot; he should wake up soon. There's something I don't understand, though," Michelle said thoughtfully.

"What?" Eric asked.

"There's a hole in his shirt, as if he was stabbed, but he has no wound or scar on his body," Michelle explained.

"Maybe he healed himself," Sam suggested.

"That kind of healing power at his age? Hmm," Michelle doubting.

"The important thing is that he's all right, right, doc?" Sam said.

"Yes, he's fine. So, what is he to you?" Michelle asked, curious.

Eric quickly thought of a plausible story. "He's not related to us. We found him in the forest, covered in blood and unconscious. We think he was attacked by bandits."

Sam thoughts . (Nice save.)

"Guys, he's waking up," Sam said as the child began to open his eyes.