(i submitted this original in wattpad here is the link https://www.wattpad.com/user/BucketShoe if you want to see it,)
Blood of monsters envelop me as I drag my body through blood stained snow. The hellish sight of their mutilated corpses would have had me paralyzed. If not the wind carrying the screams of the damned and cracks of rifle fire. That pushes me. I find cover from their sight behind old ruins.
"HOLD THE FRONTLINE!" is all I hear cutting through the chaos in the back but it gets drowned out by the sounds of exploding grenades all around me as they cover the air with snow and shrapnel. Gasping for breath, I crawl myself to the edge of the ruins. I call out "commareds" but I am only met with another explosion that slams me against the wall.
My left eye gets foggy as I attempt to refocus. Few seconds go by. As I hear in front of me a faint but approaching crunch of boots on snow, a march of the seventh brigade. Hope is sparked in me but the screams return, this time closer and growing louder towards me.
In my dire moments I clench my shaking hands together as I shatter the gem and pray in its name "guide me in the dark, may you lend me your eyes so I can see the flame of the soul, Liora". It was answered. As the world grows slightly dim with hollow flames flaring-up throughout the taiga. Feeling of pride overwhelms as I grip my rifle tightly as I move into the open using the falling snow and debris to mask me, I scan the enemies zone for the hollow flames.
I pull up my rifle as I spot a batch of the damned, illuminated by the hollow flames. I hold my breath and look through my iron sight and squeeze the trigger, it fires, the air cracks as smoke emerges from the muzzle, and the closest flame flickers and fades away.
I grab the bolt. *Up, Pull, Push, Down* and fire to the next, it drops but is still lit. As I grab the bolt and cycle it back, breath, trigger, finish it. Again I aim to the next, grabbing the bolt and racking it, fire, hit. As a smirk comes through my face I think to myself down with the damned down with the-----.
A blinding flash burns my eyes and brings me down, as tears fall through my bloodshot eyes as I curse them, heresy, daring to blind me with holy magic daring to use holy magic against The Divine Order!? The church?! I roll over, crawling to a tree with spite, I shuffle around trying to keep my rifle head still at the enemy's side as I grip the bolt and cycle through it, I try to take aim.
*bang as enemy gunfire crakes the wind*
I jolt and misfire, I take a lungful of air to regain focus, as i grab my bolt and *Up, Pull, Push, Down*,
Blank
I instantly go for my pouch turning it inside out yet no bullets fall.
"Why, why now of all times" I mutter, fingers digging in the snow.
I struggle as I look around, searching to get back to my approaching comrades, as I glance to my right I see the silhouette of a figure limping from the falling snow.
"Mercy" is what it whimpers out.
"Over here!!" I scream out as I wave my hands frantically.
As the battered figure stumbles towards me.
I lay the man down next to me as i go through my pockets trying to find a bandage,
"Stay low, you don't want stray bullets to hit you" I say
He says nothing, only making groaning sounds as bullets fly over us.
"Hey, stay focused, I'll get you patched up, uhh, remember your.... OATH to the church, your... faith, stay strong for that." I say as I find the bandage.
He remains silent, as I slowly patch him up.
His uniform is weird uhh nevermind that we need to get back to the brigade, i thought to myself,
Then he spoke "what's your name child? Mine is Hostis"
"Uhh no point in getting to know each other if we end up dead, just pass me the GUN you're too injured to make use of it" i said.
He spoke again "I said WHAT'S your name CHILD?"
"CARWIN!" I blurted out.
As I turn around trying to gauge how far the brigade is,
Then I feel cold iron to the back of my head.
He says "He ha, Sorry Carwin but you and the rest of your intemari men are-----"
*BANG*
As I threw myself to the snow floor, I felt Hostis, No, a heretic that was disguised as a man of faith. On my back. I look up and see Elara, Captain of the Vanguard in the Seventh Brigade, my captain holding a rifle facing right above me.
"Uhh, Thank you, captain" I mumble.
"Lucky, lucky bastard, Carwin, that's what you are." Elara said.
"My apologies, Captain" is my response.
Elara chuckled "No need, i need more bastards willing to lead charges but don't do it blindly our brigade is small enough.... But hey look we won this little skirmish."
*Elara looks down at me*
"Well don't stay down in the snow you'll get a cold or frostbite make your way back to the rest of the vanguard" Elara barked.
"Yes, captain," I said quickly.
As I go through the blood-stained taiga with soldiers on stretchers, then I see one with his legs gone, the agony in his face. I can't help but to think to myself: Is this what father looked like? Dam it if not for---.
"Stop staring and help me!" shouted Heiler, the battle priest.
"Uhh,YES! Sir "I blurted out.
As I grabbed the back of the stretcher and moved it back to camp, as we approached we could already smell the stench of blood and the sound of flowing river, as we walked by the ruins of statues of an older time, poking out for the water, a time of knights and chivalry washed away.
"Ahh, one can only wonder of whom these statues images were made after, knights of the old, child did you ever dream of being a knight?" said Heiler
I smile and say "No, thought of my self to be more of a Lord but Rowan on the other hand as kids he would run around with a stick saying he----"
I blurt out "Is Rowan safe!"
"Yes, child. Rowan is safe. He was at the back of the march. If anything, he's probably more worried about you."Heiler said
*Silence*
"But Carwin I mean Carwin Hartswell, you and I are men with greater faith in the divine than most men but that does not mean following it blindly. Definitely not when running straight towards the enemy, not even the divines can perform miracles all the time."
"Uhh ha he ha, That's why I have a rifle" I snap back.
Heiler "sigh well.... Help me pray for the fallen"
As I knelt next to him he gave me a list.
----------------------------------------
Names of the fallen
Eberhard - age of 20
Baldwin - age of 18
Ceolmund - age of 22
Geirmundur - age of 16
Germund - age of 20
----------------------------------------
He says "Let's pray in their name and faith for their souls,"
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As he placed five glowing gem shards down on the ground dripping his blood onto them.
He started to chant "Divine order hear our plea, Seraphiel of Healing, Mirael the Ward, Helkron of Smite, Astraea the Mystic, Liora of grace, grant these souls safe travel to heaven from earth may their old homes find fortune."
"Now repeat after me" said Heiler
As we repeat the chants 5 times to finish the prayers the gems now a dim and hollow form of their once beautiful color.
As rushing soldiers step on top of the hollow gems crushing them and running by us.
Then Heiler told me " It seems Captain Elara is making a speech, we should follow suit,"
"Yes, you're most likely right," I reply.
As me and Heiler find ourselves moving through the crowd and trees to see Elara. She stands on an old statue.
Elara proclaimed "Soldiers, do not let this small victory dull you, we are still five soldiers down from this skirmish. If we are to make a difference in this war we must not let our brother and sister fall, we are now down to 923 soldiers at this current moment."
The crowd started to mumble between themselves.
"But do not let this discourage you, keep strength in your nation, faith in the divine and hope for the future.
Now look at the blood-soaked ground benthen you for this is on our soil our land our homes, does this not anger you. We must defend our lands. Soldiers fight for your home and become heroes of 'The Dawn of Unity'. For our next restoration is the city of Theotiros"
And the crowd cheered "The Dawn of Unity!" "The Dawn of Unity" and "Restore Theotiros" "Restore Theotiros".
As the crowd continues to cheer, i start to look in the back thinking to myself, he's probably got himself pushed all the way to the ba--,
"Carwin!"
Or not.
I turn around to find Rowan as he pushes himself through the crowd. He blends in with the rest of the men even though he's just a boy. I think to myself it's probably just because Rowan has plain features, brown eyes and hair but he sure is tall.
"Carwin!, Carwin hartswell!, are you okay! Why were you in the front of the charge, HU! is that blood on you" frantically said Rowan.
"Uhh Yes I am okay, and no more questions please " I say as I try to use a coat to cover the blood.
Rowan narrows his eyes at me. Though I know he is wise enough to not oppose me. He just sighs and waits for my word.
"Carwin and ROWAN! start moving, we will not wait for you." barked Elara as she led us marching to the city of Theotiros using the river as a guide back.
"See you got us in trouble because of you Carwin!! and did she scream my name louder?" mumbled Rowan as he slouched himself .
"Sure, sure Rowan anyways let us not anger her more" as I start to follow the brigade.
"But did she scream my name louder? Carwin" said Rowan.
"Uhh, No must just be your imagination like with the nun back home" I replied
"Hu, yoouuu nobles and your special privilege" muttered Rowan under his breath, staring at the back of my head.
"Hehe, You do know, I heard that correct?" as I smirk.
"Oooooohhhh so your small ears can hear that but not when I shout my lungs out for you to slow down in the skirmish huuu???" growled Rowan as he ran next to me.
I avoid his gaze and remain silent with a slight smirk. Moments like these I can't help but remember Intemari and how we used to be so carefree.
As the dull repetitive sounds of the soldiers' boots, and running water fade in the back of my mind, it brings back a core memory.
_________________
I remember the sounds of escaping steam from the automobile, the chatter of the latest films or the opening of an art exhibit. The smell of fresh bread and desserts feeling the air complemented with the gentle perfume of the ladies. As I walked with Rowan following behind.
"We're almost there, but this time I do hope you don't get lost Rowan"
"Yes Carwin, i won't get lost this time" whisper Rowan
"He he, there is no need to be so tense. I was simply joking "I replied, as kids ran by us with red posters in hand.
"Nonetheless we must make haste to the church before sunset."
As me and Rowan ran through the market into the alleyways filled with red posters, going between guards by the statues of heroes and patrolling soldiers. In the distance we heard chants.
Then we stopped at the statue of Corvia since the soldiers blocked the street.
"Uhh the soldiers are blocking the street. Can you believe this? How can I get to my father at this rate?" I barked
"OH yeah he's coming back from his service today, right? Carwin hartwall," said Rowan
"Yea, but the bigger issue is the soldiers guarding the street. For heaven sakes I can't even see anything from down here. And drop the hartswell, you can't even pronounce it right." i replied
"Hu, pronOUnCe? Umm well hey, look this is the statue of king Corvia" Rowan mumbled out.
"Hmm, Corvia, Conqueror of the Sea. You see, Rowan, only a man like him could I be named after-YES! Remember the tale of how Corvia escaped from the monster's den to the safety of his ship? This is just like that! We need to push through the soldiers and make it to the church!" I declared.
"HUH!? How does that possibly make sense," shouted Rowan.
"Breath, and calm down Rowan. I already have a plan and what's the worst the soldiers are gonna do is just give us a private escort to my father, and maybe a little speech." I replied with. As I looked into the streets.
"Okay if you have a plan i will follow so what is it?" Rowan sheepishly said.
"We are just going to run in and have faith we won't get caught" as i got ready to run.
"That is not a plan!!?" said Rowan
"Okay i just go first and be a decoy for you to just slip by" i replied
Rowan tried to say "No we shou----"
"RUN!" i shouted
I hit the ground running as I had my eyes straight forward, getting past the first soldier was easy enough. Then one of them shouted in a sharp stern voice "ONES RUNNING!"
The chase starts now i thought, as two soldier narrow into me, i hold my breath and see in front of me a worn down bench as they get closer i slide under the bench, having them clash and ragdoll themselves, i get up and gaze at my surroundings as i see more soldier approaching me
I take a turn into the alleyway filled with red, and the smell of charcoal and iron in the air as the chase continues "divines my cause just help me here" is all I could think as my heart starts to beat faster as the sounds of boots get closer.
I voted over wooden boxes just skimming it by the skin as I landed. I kicked them down to block the soldiers buying me time. But I still heard their boots stomping on the ground.
After a few turns to end up back at the main street but closer to the church, then I look to my right to see Rowan as he goes behind the market stall sneaking his way.
As I hear trumpets in the distance I continue my run. This time closing in to the other side of the street where the sounds of automobiles are as loud as a banquet.
As the cars move through I close my eyes and run right through them every step. I only thought of the order divines guide me in the dark Liora. As I felt the wind of automobiles flying through me, the sounds of angry voices appeared out of nowhere.
*Hit*
As I fall and look to my sides as angles walking up the stairs. I thought to myself What am i dea-----.
"Where's the BOY!!"
I turn around to see the soldier arguing on the other side of the road behind the automobiles. I look at the front to see not angles but nuns.
"Uhh, sorry sisters may i go by"
They only laughed and said yes as I ran up the stairs to the church. I could see in the distance the amber sky as the sun started to fall. I made haste up the stairs. When i made it to the church i saw the towering statues of the holy pantheon,
Statue of Seraphiel holding their hand out with blood marks in their eyes,
Statue of Mirael with walls and light surrounding them ,
Statue of Helkron and anger written in their face with their hands clenched in fire,
Statue of Astraea as they hold a vase with spirits falling from it,
And of course Liora, their head tilted slightly to the right with closed eyes as the held up a ball of light that guides us,
As nuns around me chanted "The divine order" I made my way through the halls to meet with my father.
I heard the echoes of a young child crying. As I made it to my destination I saw my mother holding my younger sister who was crying. As the nuns pushed me through
"Wait wait that my sister she's crying i need to talk to---"
*bang*
The doors close and in front of it lights the room a window as I see my father upright in the church bed, smell of blood fills the room, as I walk closer to him my eyes get ever wider and my heart beating faster I see his face pale frozen still in despair, looking lower he still has his general uniform on the medals shining from the sunset. And across the bed I see his legs are gone, only remaining are stumps wrapped in white bandage.
I remember
As I sat next to him and placed my hands on his hands which were cold like ice, he came closer to my face and whispered the names of the ones who had done this.
As doors creaked and the faint sounds of sobs entered the room I was escorted out by the nuns. Then I walked outside the church. Rowan had emerged from the stairs,
"Heyy carr------"
He stopped his sentence, he probably saw my face of sorrow, as i looked into the dimly lit sky the sun half way down. A red poster flew by me as I snatched it out of the air and I looked down at it.
-----------------------------------
The Dawn of Unity!
Your land that was once lush with green grass, flowers through the meadow and trees that stood
before the might of time, your blue rivers that cut the stone and ground that dared face its wrath,
your clear skies that once let down your light to us.
Have been mutilated by the touch of the devil and their demons.
Bring your name to your nation and faith.
Restore our land and unite the world
Against the evil
For even when the light sets and they sky is engulfed by shadows
The light will return tomorrow
At
DAWN
~~/~~~/~~ ~ by~~~~~holy order~~
-----------------------------------
I thought to myself Yes, there will always be a new tomorrow no matter how dark the sky gets, dawn will bring light.
And as the summer went and snow started to fall, throughout that time the streets grew louder, banners of the divine order hung high, hollow whispers replaced by proud declarations, and for the Hartswell estate,once full of life like fire suffocated by snow and quiet.
Father a quieter man, only ever staring at shining medals in his uniform now more of a symbol of what once was rather than pride. The house, once prideful and deserving of it now no more than a facade,
I glance down at the crunched up poster in my pocket, Dawn is upon us, it is now my duty to be a pillar of light to my people, to my faith, to my house————.
"Halt!"
As the soldier boots stopped suddenly, the sound brought me back to reality.
I look up to see in the distance the tall towers of Theotiros, in the amber sky, the sight of the wetlands unique.
"Men, it has been three days, now it's time for rest by tomorrow at dawn we will make our first strike to restore Theotiros be ready for it will be a terrible battle!" shouted Elara
This is my chance to make a difference, this is my chance to get revenge.
"YES, MAM" I roared.
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Author's note
Hello and thank you for reading this far,
This is my first novel I have written outside of school, so if some parts felt weird, that is why. I am just here asking for advice and what you liked about the story.
The advice is more about the added inline media. Would it make the story better if I added that, or should I just leave it be? Also, this is my first time using Wattpad, so if there is something I should know, I would really appreciate you telling me.
And again, thank you for reading. (also should i have the Graphic violence?)