Hey all. Sorry for the late release, as I'm managing my own business. On saturday and sundays we have more work than the rest of the week so most probably on saturday and sundays I'll release a chapter a day.

Chapter 22 – Two horns.

On 12th of Kali, late night, I was called in academy’s registration office. There were more than 50 students present. Most of them were junior and senior year students. I was the only sophomore year student in the office. Zara was there as well. She didn’t have any idea why we were here but she seemed happy to be in my company. In less than an hour we were taken to the main hall and headmaster was there with two Ministry of Defense officials.

[Headmaster]:  Few hours ago I was notified by these two gentleman who represent Ministry of Defense that King Dar has decided on a proposal by His Excellency general Halim of Kali tribe to move forward to south lands and liberate them of demons by taking over the 2nd bridge. First phase is to take over the control of the 2nd bridge and 2nd phase is to secure it so that fortress could be build on the other side of the bridge.

Students began to clap and applause. Everyone was in high spirits. Zara grabbed my right hand. I looked at her and our eyes met. I squeezed her hand. She was a smart girl. Zara knew that this announcement meant we were going to be sent to 2nd bridge. Headmaster moved his right arm a bit up and everything quieted down.

[Headmaster]: Accordingly, general Halim would be leading the forces. Magi Vallis will be sending support forces to 2nd bridge as medical and magical back up. They will arrive there in a month time. Moreover general Halim has requested more than 50 students from our academy to support him to write a new page in history. You are the ones who have been selected to represent our academy and honor yourself and your families in this crusade against the pawns of evil. In an hour, all of you should be ready in tournament arena to depart to 2nd bridge. Balloon ships are already there waiting for you.

Total silence fell to the hall. I could see the students standing in front of me trembling out of fear.

[Headmaster]: Anyone who is not present at arena in an hour will be executed and their families will be joining them shortly afterwards. I wish you all good luck!

I was in the arena, half and hour after the announcement by the headmaster.

Balloons left the academy around 11 o’clock at night. It would take about two weeks to reach the 2nd bridge. Most of the travel time I slept and when I was awake I was chatting with Zara and few others.

I was asleep and was woken up by Zara. Everyone was asleep, and 12 hours or so were left till we reached the second bridge. I could see the fear and worry in her eyes. I hugged her and whispered to her left ear.

[Me]: I will protect you. Now sleep.

She closed her eyes and slept well. Zara in my arms, I couldn’t sleep.

There were another 10 days until Magi Vallis reached 2nd bridge. We were left to train on our own and prepare mentally for the coming battle. I met Nuve and Igdes at the camp just beside the 2nd bridge. We talked about new things, which had happened to all of us in the last year and half.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

We were given wine at nights. I could tell that these come from Hunter Valley and had great taste. Our group, informally Bands of Brats, was drinking wine by fire at the last night before Magi Vallis arrival. I stood up and went close to fire. Drums were beating. I began to dance. Our tribal dances were more like war dances and took form after different animals. I raised both of my arms to air and began to raise my legs to knee level by making slow steps to front, left and right. I was imitating and eagle. A mountain eagle that was about to fly. I began to increase my pace to sync with beats of drums. Fellow students began to whistle and clap. Most of them saw a Kali tribe dance for the first time and I hoped it wouldn’t be their last. We enjoyed that night to the best we could.

Next morning the balloons bringing Magi Vallis came. They had supplies of herbs, potions and medicine with them. Rahul went to general Halim’s headquarter and came back later on. I was talking to Elana when he arrived. I was happy to see him again.

There were more than 5000 thousand warriors and magicians in the camp. Same night we marched forward. We were on the left front. I was selected as the leader of the band as I had more experience than most of them and Rahul, Nuve and Igdes had recommended me as the potential leader for Band of Brats.

We marched for two days and we didn’t meet any kind of resistance. During those two days, once in a while 10-15 demons were seen and eliminated. Another 5 days passed and southern lands could be seen with bare eyes. Fellow students were in high morale but I couldn’t believe that demons would let us pass as easy as this.

All the forces combined together into one. General Halim was still in command. He was planning to put all the forces close together and focus one by one on different parts of the bridge to build the fortress walls first. Warriors were on front wings of the army. After them mages and archers were placed. Cavalry was stationed behind on behind them. On 10-hour schedule behind the army there was fleet of balloons, which were carrying stones, metals and any other material needed for the completion of the wall.

After balloons reached and first part of the wall finished, they went back for more supplies of materials. On maximum speed it would take another two days for them to come back. Though now we had, even though very small, wall that gave us a feeling of protection.

Southlands seemed like they were composed of deserts only. Nobody had gone here and mapped it. The last group that went into demon lands was Kali and his companions. Thus we were making history. Now the question in my mind was, what was history going to make of us. It did not take long.

Next day afternoon, a knight appeared on the sand hill a kilometer or a bit more away from us. I took out binoculars and checked the demon. It was on a dark horse. Fire was coming out of horse's iron tips and covering the its legs up to its tip. The knight had a big sword on him. It was wearing full armor and red mana was flowing out of its eyelets and mouth. Though one of them half broken, it had two horns.

Next: Chapter 23 - Dust.