Fire was all he knew. Even now as he gazed out into the ruined city the flames smoldered what was left of the settlement. Marcus felt no fear, he felt nothing after all. He was part of the kill squad to bring order for the dominion. To take lives and to do as ordered. He had been taken from his home at a young age after his home was similarly burnt. His family as well as the rest of his village were deemed a stain. He vaguely remembered tears filling his eyes then but they seemed so foreign to him now. As if the memory was being pushed away. M! A man’s voice called. He turned to see rank Second Class Dualn looking at him. His face was lined with scars and he had a massive build. A tower of a man really with steely silver eyes, short spiky blond hair and a goofy grin on his face.  He was considered a cruel man. Marcus felt nothing at the burning and pillaging of towns but Dualn he felt joy. He would do what Marcus thought was a rather silly laugh then go running around as if some kind of fair was going on. It felt very unprofessional to Marcus. M, come on, stop staring like that dude. Dualn liked calling Marcus M for short. It wasn’t uncommon to use a shortened version of your name in the militia. So people began taking it up. Dualn got closer and began waving his hand in front of Marcus’s face. Marcus liked to pretend he didn’t notice because he knew it would bother Dualn so he kept staring. A pouty face formed on Dualn’s face, one he used when he liked to pretend to be offended. M I know you can see me. Marcus shook his head pretending to come out of a trance. Oh Dualn I didn’t see you there, he gave his best practiced smile. Marcus did not enjoy much but he did like seeing the big man put on his act. It had become somewhat of a tradition now. Dualn would catch Marcus off in his thoughts and he would pretend Dualn didn’t exist for a little while. A smile lifted Dualn’s face and he slapped Marcus on the back a little too hard. M my man we can’t have you spacing out like that on the battlefield. Marcus scoffed, the battle is already over, he pointed out towards the crumbling town. They both knew this could hardly be called a battle. It was more of a massacre. What little resistance the town had crumbled shortly after the town guards were dismantled. It had been a chaotic siege. Marcus didn’t remember most of what happened during it but he knew he was stained in blood. He would blank out entirely during battles. Then find himself staring into the fire when it was all over. There was always fire. That was all he knew. The siege had been announced in advance so the casualties where only of those too stubborn or to stupid to flee. But still many had remained. People often did not like the idea of losing their homes. Regardless of how hopeless the situation was for them. Marcus didn’t pity them, he felt empty. Even when he was killing nothing seemed to bother him. He was good at it though, killing. He was raised learning about all the vital points of the body. The arteries on the legs, arms and neck. His master would always say that it is one thing to kill it is another to understand why it kills. Any man could pick up a weapon and swing at another person. It takes understanding to know where to strike. Marcus and the other students would practice trading blows with training knives. He shook his head, there I go again spacing out, he thought. Dualn seemed to notice as well and just gave a smile. Don’t make me carry you back to camp, Dualn laughed. Marcus shivered, no I can walk myself thank you... Dualn made a lunging motion as if to grab Marcus before he could finish his protest. Marcus sidestepped the attempt and turned to run towards the temporary encampment. You’ll have to catch me first, he mumbled. Then took off towards the camp. Hey wait up, Dualn jeered as he started a jog of his own. Marcus made it to camp and turned to see Dualn closing in behind he hadn’t expected to be grabbed at this point so his guard was down. Dualn grabbed Marcus and lifted him in the air while spinning him around. Put me down Marcus shouted in protest. He was getting dizzy now and had to stabilize himself once he was finally let go. Just as Marcus was getting his bearings a short man in a dress shirt hobbled over to him. Are you two done causing a commotion? It was Alerom he was an all business sort of guy. Marus straightened up then ticked his thumb toward Dualn. We can’t shake sense into Dualn so hes trying to shake it out of me now. Dualn pouty face returned. Hey don’t be like that I think a good shaking will help get rid of those day dreams of yours. Will you two stop, Alerom fumed. Yes sir, they both recited. Now if we are done with uh whatever that was… We have another mobilization request to start preparing for. Dualn’s face scrunched into a frown. What? We just finished this one. Whats the deal? Alerom began tapping his foot. A tick of his when he was starting to get frustrated. Marcus stepped in before Dualn could say anything else. It does seem rather soon. It must be an important missions then? Precisely, Alerom pointed at Marcus as if to empathize. We have to take out another town much like this one, however, Alerom paused. He began to pace a bit as if thinking. This one will be unguarded and all we need to do is level the town, no killing. Dualn face somehow managed to go from frowning to disgust. Marcus could feel the groan about to come out of Dualns mouth. Marcus cleared his throat and subtly bumped him to hopefully get his message across. Don’t say anything stupid. That was the message he hoped Dualn would get. Sounds like a walk in the park then, Marcus said with his practiced smile. Yes yes, nothing to dangerous. Alerom agreed. He had began to presperate and he reached into his pocket for his handkerchief. Dualn seemed to break from his silence because he began to growl. This is ridiculous you want our squad to go into and empty town and just light it on fire then? Whats the fun in that? Alerom cleared his throat, he seemed on edge which was weird for the normally collected man. Yes that about sums it up. Now go rest because tomorrow we head to Elderburn. He turned his back to them and began to limp away. Marcus noticed he was moving a bit faster then normal but didn’t really think much of it. The two turned as well heading towards the sleeping quarters. Dualn’s steps felt heavy and he finally let out a long suffering sigh. I can’t believe this can you? He asked in outrage. Marcus just shrugged and shook his head. We do what we are assigned nothing more nothing less. Dualn seemed to stiffen and his face screwed into an ugly frown. You know, he began. What if we split. Just me and you huh? Go and kill who we want, do what we want. I smiled, this time it was a real smile. You know thats a ridiculous idea. Anyone who betrays the squad just get hunted by those who stayed. It never ends well. Dualn threw his hands up frustration etched on his face. He knew all of this of course but hearing it seemed to frustrate him regardless. We could make M, everyone knows we are badder then blame. Badder then blame had become Dualn favorite catch fraze right after “where the hell’s the food”.  Marcus just shook his head. There was no helping it. 

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