Prologue

Clashing of swords, explosions of magic, and the yelling of soldiers could be heard all over the battlefield, although it was starting to die out.

Eventually the fighting died out but alas there was little cheering to be had, the battle had taken a huge toll in lives and though the soldiers had survived a heavy sadness and a feeling of melancholy settled on everyone.

Thus, the Battle of Yosuoshi came to an end.

A ranger looked around and sighed at the carnage around him. Even though it was deep in the night the surroundings where dimly lit by the fires burning the houses to ruin.

All he could see were houses in ruin, craters and corpses littered around the area. Some of the corpses he knew, fought alongside them for years and some he had barely even spoken a word to.

‘His squad…’ he thought with a heavy and sad sigh. He looked at the corpses of his now former squad members on the ground and mumbled a small prayed for their wellbeing in the afterlife.

He suddenly felt a heavy weight on his left shoulder knocking him out of his thoughts and prayers. Glancing over he saw that one of his remaining companions had laid a hand on his shoulder in a show of comfort.

“I know Ghor, we all knew.” he said sadly.

They all knew of the dangers that comes with the job of any mercenary company, especially when they are hired to aid a war. He did not think that anybody could have foreseen this though. Two armies fighting almost to decimation.

All he got in return was a grunt filled with such stoicism that he thought it hadn’t affected the half giant at all, but he knew all to well that that was not the truth at all.

Ghor might be a half giant man of few words but the ranger knew that he was as loyal as he was large, and the deaths of his squad members must have hit him hard as well.

Light sobbing made him turn to look to his right and to his other surviving companion. She was kneeling by a corpse a few feet away trying to keep from making too much sound.

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The ranger strode over while keeping an eye out for any enemies around them. He knelt next to the woman and saw there on the ground one of his best friends.

“I’m sorry Tinder.” he whispered and put a hand on her back as reassurance.

The corpse had been her twin brother. Timber and Tinder, twin half fairies, he had heard that they had been inseparable ever since birth.

“Timber was great friend.” he said and paused.

“But a better brother. I’m going to miss him.” he spoke with a quiver in his voice as he made a prayer for Timbers peaceful passage to the afterlife.

“Brother for life.” behind him he heard Ghors’ deep voice.

“Brother for life.” Tinder whispered as she wiped her tears with the sleeves of her robe.

“Thank you, Irving.” she said as she turned to look at him with a small, strained smile.

The solemn mood was broken by the sudden sound of stumbling footsteps coming from an alley not far from them.

Irving rose and brought his bow forward from his back notched an arrow and drew it back aiming at the opening of the alley. Ghor stepped forward shrouding his companions behind him and readied his warhammer. Tinder rose and stood next to Irving, hand lighting up with swirling runes.

As the noise drew near, Irving readied himself to fire. He was often the first one to attack because of his superior reflexes and reaction.

What came out of the alley was not a stray enemy soldier as they had expected. What stumbled out was one of their own. Their rouge, Lexi.

They all relaxed at seeing that it was not an enemy although Irving immediately noticed the stumbling walk and the dripping blood from her side, covered by her hand. He rushed to her as she was about to collapse and caught her mid fall. His exhausted body could not keep her up for too long though, so he laid her down on the ground.

“Heya boss.” she said through ragged breaths but a grateful smile.

Irving did not immediately answer instead he turned his head to call for Tinder, but the words died in his throat as she was only a few steps away from them already readying a healing spell.

Ghor behind her surveying the area in case anything else were to pop up out of nowhere.

Irving turned his head down to Lexi as she started speaking again.

“Shh, save your strength Lexi” he interrupted her with a stern voice that brokered no argument.

She closed her mouth and the group fell into silence as Tinder worked her magic to heal Lexi. Ghor and Irving keeping an eye and ear out for any enemies.

It took only a few minutes for Lexi to heal as the wound had not been that bad, but she had lost a lot of blood. Irving let go of the tension in his body as he leaned her up against the wall next to the alleyway as she was still weak and sat down next to her.

“Thank you for surviving, how are things looking?” He said in a tired voice as he looked up at the night sky.

“We won. Hodel is retreating.” She said with a weak smile.

“But at a great cost.” Irving answered back with a heavy sigh.

Lexi gave Irving a weak smile as she said, “You tried your best boss.”

The group lapsed into silence for a few minutes mourning their fallen comrades.

The silence was broken by several screams of victory even though they were far and few between.

Irving closed his eyes as he said, “I think it’s time to retire.”

“Aye.” Is all that could be heard as Ghor replied.