Chapter 43 – A Time to Rest the Veil of Bravado

The battle for the City was not over. The stronghold was pinned down and only through the fall of the giant vanguard ship of the Bali and Cagan air forces that the defenders of Avilla started to gain six major positions that made them able to circle a line of defense around the stronghold

Outside the outskirts of the City of Avilla, the Thorn Legion made their moves. Lock in combat they made use of their four-legged dragon artillery to disrupt the airspace around the Cagan airships, rattling their ships, preventing them from approaching a firing range that’ll allow them to bombard the City of Avilla again.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Thorn Legion suppressed the fallen Bali Soldiers who survived the landing of the armada ship through the use of their parachutes. Most of them were shot without question.

The Warlord Mia governed the defense. She had been informed of the presence of the Knight Templar Legion through their messenger eagles. The message made her click her tongue in. She didn’t want to owe the Thorn Legion and not to mention the bearer of the warning had made it clear that she’ll be watching from the distance until the situation stabilizes.

As for the Lord Enforcer of the Warlord, Shig of the Red Garb, he’s unable to battle. Instead, he laid orders to the troops and made use of the remaining blue district survivors to organize strike teams that will disable points of interest such as mortar points and artillery batteries set up by the enemies.

Their strikes were precise and by the end of the night when the moon came out. The strike team that was hastily organized from a few stragglers was able to capture small defensive positions. Of course, the enemies didn’t falter either after being gunned down. They started making use of the environment and engaged in guerrilla tactics.

It was a constant battle for each side. The fatigued ridden soldiers were unable to catch a glimpse of sleep due to the constant eruption of artillery and gunfire. And although the sky has already turned dark, the constant fiery blooms of fire that appears out of the sky made them unable to sleep.

It was obvious enough that the supplies around the City were in disarray. Some of the civilians started to take supplies from warehouses, forcing the soldiers to guard against their own people. So it was now a battle soldiers and looters and invaders.

The Warlord of the City, Mia has headaches thinking how to manage through this. Her city was destroyed, and it would take months to regain its glory back. Not to mention that there was also a chance that she might need to abandon the city totally and let another faction acquire the rights to rule it. Avilla City was now vulnerable to various warlords that wanted to take advantage of its location. It was a piece of a pie that was ready to be taken a bite.

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As for the ones that took down the warship. They were welcomed with salutes. Archie and Cassia especially were greeted by the Warlord in thanks for their service. Leiko, the right hand of the Lord Enforcer was given praises as well as for the pilot of the balloon, Joshua.

Joshua only steered the air balloon. He didn’t fight in the deck of the ship so he wasn’t praised as much as Archie or Cassia. But Archie himself tells the story of a comrade who sacrificed his life in order to save them from the airship. He was also tired and basking in glory was not something he could do. He wanted to rest. Cassia was injured. So she took her rest.

As for Joshua, he went to his own destroyed quarter. He made sure that no one was around him before collapsing to the floor with all of his limbs shaking. His heart pounded madly. His eyes dilated as he pants heavily. He tried to calm himself down but the thought of what he did made him weak in his knees.

What was I thinking! Damn it! Whoa, me!

He could not believe what he had done. To think that he was able to do all of those astonished him. It wasn’t because he was brave. He was just caught along with the waves that instead of turning back. He went along with and surf with the waves.

From running around the city to flying an air balloon, dodging bullet fire and cannon fire. It was something that he’d expect to do. And now that he was alone from anybody eyes. He was able to take that false bravado off and now acted like a human scared witless.

It was not pure bravery. Just pure instinct and shock that made him act in a flight or fight pattern. But Joshua knows that the only reason he was able to keep his focus on and not fear was because of the QuickTime event and the ability to see only red when hurt. If it wasn’t for those two factors then he would have long died.

But still, it didn’t mean that he had truly no courage or bravery. Joshua was battered and bruised. He did what he needs to do and now he thinks that it should be fine to act weak when he’s alone. He didn’t have to wear a brave mask of bravado that allows him to act through what he was doing with a single-minded determination.

So in this moment, Joshua was just himself. Shaking and scared witless, panting and terrified. Joshua hugged his knees while trying to motivate himself to keep on going. He had a done a lot. He had done something that he himself doesn’t believe.

If Archie or Cassia could see him now, they would wonder where that stoic Joshua went. But who could blame Joshua for hiding his fear under a veil of bravado? Could he have done all of that without others help? No, he couldn’t. He was able to spend this time alone because of the factors around him. But in honesty, Joshua only wanted to be alone so he can face the dangers again.

He had to rest. He had the right to do so now that was he alone. Just so that he could face the next trials again with a brave face. He didn't want to break.