Geon Leventen: My head spun, my ears rang, my vision was blurry, and my body felt like it weighed more than a mountain. I looked down. Huh, my legs are still there. There’s a bit of blood on my knees and my arms look—oh shit. Where the fuck is my right arm? I looked down and my entire shirt was torn up and soaked with blood. Everything around us was reduced down to ashes and craters. Smoke filled the air, fire danced along the soil, and blackness settled into the sky as the cold air seeped into my body. The stars started to shine in the sky as the darkness spread an eerie silence around us. I looked to my right and saw Savian—or what looked to be like Savian—laying down besides me. His entire face was unrecognizable as it was charred black. All of his hair was burned off and his right eye was entirely gone. His legs and arms were chopped off and the giant hole in the middle of his body had gotten bigger as almost none of his torso was left. I shuffled towards him and fought through the pain as I knelt down beside him, “Are—are you okay?” I coughed up blood and it splattered onto the ground besides Savian. He didn’t say anything nor did he move a muscle, “Sa—Savian. You—you fucker. Answer me.” He didn’t move a muscle as moved closer to him, “ANS—ANSWER!” I grabbed his head but he didn’t flinch. “We still have a lot to talk about so don’t die on me you piece of burnt shit! Savian!” I shook him but he didn’t say anything. I heard a giant woosh behind me and Captain Lock touched down onto the soil. He looked at me with impassive eyes and stood beside me. I tried to stand up to greet him but my legs didn’t work. He held his hand up at me,

“Don’t try to get up.” I relaxed and he kept observing Savian’s body, “Is he dead?” I tried my best to answer clearly,

“N—no sir. He’s not. He’s an annoying fucker that doesn’t die.” Capitan Lock didn’t say anything until about five minutes had passed, “What I said about the attack on our camp along the sea—the one which occurred before you went off on your mission?” I nodded, “Those were Praga soldiers who had set up camp in our territory. They intercepted our scouting warriors for some reason. We’re questioning the ground scaler who was caught up in the ambush but we’re thinking that this deliberate ambush is a bait. They’re baiting us to come attack and obliterate their camp in order to distract us from the coast. That’s just a theory—but a good one.” I nodded as Captain Lock lightly kicked Savian in the head, “The warriors caught up in the ambush were all able to get out of it alive. Even the intelligence warrior who was kidnapped. I think this one did it,” he pointed at Savian, “she was found knocked out along one of his running trails.” Savian still didn’t make a move as he remained charred and lifeless on the ground. Captain Lock continued speaking, “I’m aware that you know one of the warriors—Evay Maver?” My heart dropped,

“Evay? He was in the fight?” The captain nodded,

“He was badly injured but he killed an enemy centurion. A very impressive feat. I’m aware he was one of your training partners? I see he’s worthy of that title.” I sighed as relief flooded over me. So he’s okay….

I nodded and stood up with difficulty. “Sir, I believe that Savain has a lot to say. He has intel about very important information regarding the war and Raga. I think we should keep him alive sir—can you explain to the empire?” He shook his head,

“A governmental order is final. Deliver the final blow Leventen.” I hesitated. The captain suddenly grabbed me by the collar, “Do it now, Leventen. That is an order.” I steeled my nerves,

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Sir I—“ a blast of purple energy rang out as my blood ran cold and my heart nearly stopped. He looked at me with emotionless eyes,

“What? Do you think you can defy orders because of your name, boy? I’ve seen many warriors so coddled and praised like you. Those types of warriors need to understand one thing—that they aren’t special. You’re a soldier, boy. A soldier follows orders and you’re no exception. I know this isn’t about the information—or at least that’s not the main reason you wish to spare him. You simply do not want to kill him. Why? Because he was your friend.” I tried to talk back but my voice wouldn’t work. Also, I knew he was right. I didn’t want to kill Savian…. Captain Lock gripped my collar tighter, “Kill him.” I didn’t move. His eyes narrowed with anger and he raised his voice, “If I have a ground scaler who can not execute enemies right when the opportunity presents itself then you are useless in battle. I will demote you to the lowest depths of this military if I have to—show me your worth. Kill him. Now!” I looked into his eyes and steeled my nerves as I didn’t move a muscle.

“Sir—I will not let your squad down. But in this instance I can not kill him right away sir. I need to ask him something first. It’s about the war sir—please.” Captain Lock looked at me for what seemed like an eternity and finally spoke,

“Go on.”

I nodded and knelt down. I looked at Savian’s burnt skull and spoke, “What you said about the real cause of this war—about us pushing it onto you being fake—is that true? Do you know who caused this war? Do you know who was responsible for the attacks on Evian at the tournament?” Savian’s eyes shifted towards me. “Was it you?” I listened closely as a faint, raspy whisper, so quiet that it was barely audible in the dead of night fell upon my ears,

“No. There’s a traitor among you.” He looked at me with one final stare, “Another one besides me.” Savian’s eyes stopped moving as they seemed to freeze within time. I stood up and lifted up my hand. Suddenly, Captain Lock grabbed my wrist—stopping me from delivering the final strike,

“He’s dead now. You took too long.” I nodded,

“I apologize sir. But I believe that this information he gave us is valuable.” Captain Lock didn’t move,

“Was what he said related to the incident which sparked all of this international trouble? The Youth tournament?” I nodded. The captain remained still for a while, “I infer that he believes someone from our side—whether it be our own military or someone in your team that day was involved in the stadium bombing?” I nodded. “I see. I will consider these words. For this information your insubordination will not be fully punished. Go.” I nodded and started to walk away when the captain suddenly spoke,

“Leventen.” I turned around quickly.

“Yes sir?” He didn’t turn around to face me,

“You knew he had died right? You were waiting for him to die so you didn’t have to do it.” I didn’t speak. He spoke after a long pause, “I am aware you shared many battles with this warrior.” I nodded and he somehow noticed without looking at me. “Let me speak to you as a man and not a soldier or captain.” He turned around to face me, “I know the pain of losing someone you trust and love in battle. It doesn’t even have to be someone you love and trust. An inseparable bond is built with the people you face death with and while tournaments are not the same as real battle, you still risk everything with your teammates.” I nodded. Black tendrils started to circle around his feet as swooshing sounds rose up into the air, “Even if he’s an enemy of the Taegan empire, a spy, a traitor, and a great threat I am aware that he was your friend.” The captain started to disappear as only his face was visible through the spiraling tendrils of black energy, “And for the death of your friend, Leventen, I am very sorry.” A huge swoosh rang into the night as the captain suddenly vanished into the night. I looked at Savian and knelt down next to him. A blank expression of emotionless shock adorned my face as I looked upon Savian’s lifeless body.

“I always thought your hair was really cool. I never got to say that.” I waved my hand over his body and the soil slowly covered his corpse. A somber feeling dawned on my heart as I slowly floated into the sky. “There were a lot of things I wanted to say to you—a lot of things I wanted to talk about. A lot of things a lot of people wanted to say to you.” I ascended into the sky and looked upon Savian’s resting place for one last time. “Maybe I’ll get to talk about all of that with you again—someday way in the future... Until then goodbye,”

“My friend.”