Clouds of snow were left hanging in the air after every one of Edward’s rushed steps. Master Tarquin took a quick glance behind him and pursed his lips.

“I’ll go on ahead. I don’t know what the situation at Tiberius is going to be. If I’m unable to give orders, you may act freely.”

He suddenly sped up, distancing himself before Ed could answer. The young warrior looked behind him at the two friends traveling after him with a somber expression.

“I’ll go too. You need to save your strength for the battle and I can get there faster.”

“No you don’t. You’ll be outnumbered Ed.” Marcus pushed off harder from the ground, catching up with Edward.

“He’s right. You shouldn’t do this.” Layla shook her head.

“I need to risk it. Kat is there… Tarquin doesn’t have any support either.” Ed stopped holding back his pace.

“Tarquin is a Legend, you’re not.” Marcus grabbed his friend by the shoulder.

“I’m going. You know me well enough to understand that my mind won’t change.” He shook off the hand grabbing his shoulder.

“Fuck!” Layla started falling behind, unable to match their tempo. “Don’t even think about it!”

“You’re an idiot… Don’t die until we catch up at least…. Or else, Layla will definitely kill you.” The brown haired youth looked back, and with clenched teeth, slowed down staying behind with Layla.

‘Sorry guys… I know.’ Edward’s eyes narrowed.

Whether it was his sense of duty, the stubbornness inherited from his father or the worry gripping his heart, he simply couldn’t let himself stay behind. If something happened, he wouldn’t be able to live with the thought that he might’ve been able to change the outcome.

WIth every step and every breath, the tension gripping his heart was replaced with determination. He ignored the branches and bushes in his way, smashing through them with his body. Once the sounds of gunfire and explosions reached his ears, he knew was getting close to the fortress.

“Command? What’s the situation? Do you have any orders?” He spoke to his earpiece.

No response.

‘Not good…’ Finally he pushed through the thicket on the forest’s edge and was struck by the view spreading out before him.

“Holy shit…” The fortress wall had a large chunk taken out of it, and smoke was coming out from several structures in the first two districts. Edward noticed two figures fighting on the roofs of the buildings. Their outlines blurred when they moved. Their surroundings were swept up in a raging hurricane.

‘That’s Atlas… So the figure in black robes must be Tarquin…’

Suddenly the man, Ed assumed to be his Master, smashed into his opponent making him fly straight into the empty field in the north of the fortress. The old man dashed after the other Legend, disappearing in a small snowstorm where their fight continued.

*Edward? Are you still there?*

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“Adam?” Ed blocked his other ear with his hand, hoping to hear the voice clearer.

*Yes, it’s me. Look, Atlas fucked up many of our facilities and enemy troops are about to attack from the east. I’m sending in the first battalion, but we’re having trouble mobilizing the forces. Please support the vanguard.*

“That was my plan, don’t worry.” The young man looked towards the small hill on the east. He started hearing a rumbling sound approaching closer and the ground shaking.

*Don’t die Edward. Just hold on as long as you can…* Loud commands could be heard in the background of the call.

“Oh, I’m difficult to kill… I got this.” Edward cracked his neck, and moved his joints, his head fixated towards the approaching enemy.

‘Or maybe I don’t…’

The first line of enemy forces reached over the hill. Tanks, humvees, armored trucks and even some vehicles Ed couldn’t identify… All kinds of machines of war neared Tiberius, leaving deep trenches in the carpet of snow.

As soon as they got in range they opened fire on the fortress wall. But despite how imposing the enemies’ weaponry looked, Edward knew they weren’t the real players in this battle.

“Where are you assholes…” He looked between their ranks, searching for something.

‘Only regular soldiers… Where are the warriors hiding…?’

On his left side, friendly forces finally started pouring out from the north and south gates of the base. Their arrival was covered by a barrage of bullets coming from behind the armored wall. The heavy artillery shells tore through the enemy vehicles, but their army didn’t stop advancing.

Edward kept waiting at the forest’s edge. The veins on his forearm were bulging from how tightly he gripped the hilt of his sword.

‘Come on… Show yourselves…’

The world must’ve answered his prayers, since as the two armies neared each other, the young warrior noticed unusual movement in the enemy lines. Several figures dashed with unnatural speed in between the heavy machines. Some held spears, others axes, but most of them wielded a sword.

“There you are,” Ed whispered. He tensed his calves, launching himself right where the two sides were about to clash.

“Now… Which one are the Marked…” His eyes jumped from one person to another. He picked out three people who traveled much faster than the others.

‘Oh there is this guy again!’ His gaze stuck to a burly old warrior, carrying a golden axe on his shoulder.

“This doesn’t look well for me…” Edward checked the situation of his allies. He noticed a small squad of warriors drawing their weapons. Their posture held strong, but they clearly didn’t dare approach, taking a defensive position instead.

‘Seems like they too, understand the issue…’ Ed clenched his teeth. ‘If I can’t hold back all of the three Marked… It’s just going to turn into a slaughter.’

That was the thing about war in the world of Legends. Sometimes the fate of an entire battle depended on just a couple crossed blades. The young warrior ran with all the strength in his legs lifting his blade above his left shoulder.

‘Just a moment… Now!’ He sent out the golden arc right as his three opponents took a step further than their army.

One of the Marked must’ve caught a glimpse of the golden aura. “Hey! On our left!” A lanky man shouted, tilting his body out of the way.

The other two pushed their heels into the ground, stopping just as Edward’s technique sliced through the air in front of them.

“Oh? How interesting… It’s this kid again. Remember me?” The Marked with an axe caressed his white beard. “Hmm… Because of you I have to grow back my beautiful beard. How fortunate we get to see each other again.” The man grinned, as the bullets flew in from both sides. Held back by a golden aura, they didn’t even reach his skin.

“Well… I wouldn’t be happy to see me if I were in your shoes.” He pointed the sword at the large man and his two allies.

“Show me then you little wimp!” The man jumped towards Ed, dragging his heavy axe behind him. The other two followed after him.

“It’s your funeral.” Edward readied his stance, while all hell broke out around him. He stood in the very center of the fierce battlefield. No trace of fear visible in his eyes.