The battlefield smoldered in the dim light of dawn, littered with the remnants of the brutal confrontation. Smoke rose from charred craters, and the groans of the wounded echoed across the plains. Coalition soldiers moved cautiously among the debris, tending to their fallen comrades and rounding up the retreating stragglers of the Shadow Lords’ forces.
Billy sat on a makeshift bench near the command tent, his head bowed and his armor in tatters. The chaos energy within him had subsided, leaving him drained and unsteady.
Aelric approached, a canteen in hand. “Here. You look like you need this more than I do.”
Billy accepted the drink with a faint nod, taking a long sip. “How bad is it?”
“Could be worse,” Aelric replied, glancing at the camp. “We lost a lot of good people, but most of the army is intact. The Shadow Lords’ forces are in disarray. For now, at least, we’ve bought ourselves some time.”
Billy set the canteen down and sighed. “Time to do what? Lick our wounds and wait for them to regroup? They won’t stop coming.”
“That’s war,” Aelric said, their tone somber. “Victory doesn’t mean peace—it just means survival.”
---
The Cost of Survival
Inside the command tent, Soria and Kaelin were assessing the aftermath. Maps and casualty reports covered the table, the grim reality of their situation laid bare.
“We’ve lost nearly a third of our forces,” Soria said, her voice tight with frustration. “We’re not equipped to face another assault like that.”
Kaelin frowned, tracing a finger along the map. “We need to consolidate our position. Reinforce our defenses and fortify the Vale of Shadows. If they try to push through again, we can make it a death trap.”
Soria shook her head. “And what happens when they stop using brute force? The Shadow Lords aren’t fools—they’ll adapt. We need more than defenses. We need a way to take the fight to them.”
Billy entered the tent, his presence commanding immediate attention. “We will,” he said firmly. “But first, we need to regroup. Kaelin, focus on fortifying the Vale. Soria, start training the new recruits. We’ll need every soldier ready for what’s coming.”
Soria hesitated, then nodded. “Understood.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Kaelin’s gaze lingered on Billy. “And what about you? You’ve been pushing yourself harder than anyone else. If you burn out, this whole coalition falls apart.”
Billy’s expression hardened. “I’ll manage. Right now, my problems don’t matter. Winning does.”
---
Whispers of Chaos
That night, as the camp settled into an uneasy silence, Billy retreated to his quarters. The chaos energy within him stirred, faint whispers echoing in his mind.
You’re stronger than they are. Why rely on them? Why hold back? Let us show you what you can truly become.
Billy clenched his fists, forcing the voices into the background. He knew the dangers of chaos energy all too well, but every time he tapped into it, the line between control and surrender grew thinner.
A soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Aelric entered, their expression unreadable.
“You’re hearing them, aren’t you?”
Billy looked up sharply. “What are you talking about?”
Aelric closed the door and leaned against it. “The whispers. The chaos. I’ve seen it before, in others who’ve wielded powers like yours. They all think they can control it. Most of them fail.”
Billy’s jaw tightened. “I’m not like them.”
“Maybe not,” Aelric said quietly. “But you’re not invincible, either. If you lose yourself to the chaos, who’s going to stop you?”
Billy didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on the floor.
---
A Glimmer of Hope
The following morning, a scout arrived with news that sent ripples through the camp.
“My lord,” the scout said, kneeling before Billy. “We’ve intercepted a Shadow Lord courier. They were carrying maps and documents—intel on their troop movements and supply lines.”
Billy’s eyes narrowed. “Where is this courier?”
“In the holding tent, under guard,” the scout replied. “They’re alive, but barely.”
Billy rose immediately, Aelric following close behind. The holding tent was a grim scene—the captured courier, a gaunt humanoid creature with shadowy veins coursing through its pale skin, was bound and barely conscious.
Kaelin stood nearby, his expression grim. “We’ve tried questioning it, but so far, it hasn’t said anything useful. It’s likely bound by some kind of magical compulsion.”
Billy studied the creature, his mind racing. If the courier had valuable information, it could shift the tide of the war. But extracting that information would require unconventional methods—methods he wasn’t sure he was ready to use.
Aelric leaned closer. “You’re not seriously considering...”
“I’ll do what I have to,” Billy said quietly, his chaos energy flickering faintly.
---
A Dangerous Decision
As the day wore on, Billy wrestled with the weight of his choices. Using chaos energy to break the courier’s compulsion would be risky—not just for the prisoner, but for himself. The power was unpredictable, and every use brought him closer to the edge.
“Billy,” Soria said, catching him outside the holding tent. “I don’t know what you’re planning, but remember who you are. Don’t let this war turn you into something you’re not.”
Billy met her gaze, his expression unreadable. “I know who I am. That’s why I have to do this.”
As night fell, Billy entered the tent alone. The courier’s dull eyes flickered with faint recognition, but they said nothing.
Billy knelt before them, his chaos energy flaring around him. “You’re going to tell me everything,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “And if you don’t, I’ll make sure you regret it.”
The whispers in his mind grew louder, urging him on.
---
End of Chapter 37