???'s POV

***

"Captain, it's been hours since they left. We should provide backup. They could be in trouble," a soldier urged, his concern evident in his voice.

"Right. Ready the troops," I responded, my eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation.

"What? Are you serious, Captain? Without the commander's permission?" one soldier questioned, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Everyone, prepare for battle," I commanded, my tone unwavering.

"Roger!" they responded in unison, the urgency palpable in their voices.

What's happening out there? I sighed inwardly, observing the rookies' inexperience. "Rescuing them is our mission's priority. Once that's done, retreat immediately!"

"Understood!" they acknowledged, determination seeping into their voices.

"Open the gates!" I ordered, my voice cutting through the tension.

Tsk, another mission. They should've done better. "Everyone, move out!" I commanded, my voice laced with a mix of frustration and determination.

"Attack," I uttered, my voice firm as we ventured outside the walls.

After a twenty-minute journey, our group arrived. Huge trees scattered left and right, the place is horrible. There's no sign of them anywhere and the fog makes it hard to see, a clear disadvantage.

"Captain, the fog is too thick to see anything," a soldier reported, his voice tinged with frustration.

"Stay close and watch each other's backs. Be ready for hand-to-hand combat," I instructed, my voice steady despite the challenging circumstances.

I sighed as I noticed one soldier straying too far. He should've paid attention. "Hey, you-" I began, but before I could finish, he suddenly picked up speed, running faster, a look of panic on his face...

"Watch out!" I shouted, my voice filled with urgency, looking at a wolf-like figure inside the fog.

"What?" confusion filled my mind as I registered the sight before me-a Heian charging at the soldier.

"To your right!" I warned, but it was too late. The Heian caught the soldier and finished him off.

"Help!" the soldier's desperate cry echoed through the air.

In an instant, the soldier was gone. "Tsk, it's too late. He's gone," I muttered, my voice heavy with regret.

Blood splattered everywhere, turning the battlefield into a gruesome slaughterhouse. Kill or be killed, killing is the only option. There is no alternative.

I sighed.

"Retreat!" a voice carrying the weight of the chaos. Their voices reached my ears; they were not far from here. Such a chaotic situation showed just how desperate they were.

"Everyone, follow me! They're up ahead," I urged.

"But..." one soldier hesitated.

"No buts! He's dead, and there's nothing we can do. There are a lot of soldiers waiting for us up ahead," I reminded them, my voice resolute.

"Charge!" we shouted in unison, pushing forward despite the odds.

It seemed that the Heian ignored us, focusing instead on devouring the fallen soldier. It was a strange sight, as if it had deliberately spared us.

***

"We're here!" I announced, relief evident in my voice.

We all advance to the frontline, protecting the soldiers who are retreating from the battlefield.

"Captain, we should fall back!" one soldier suggested, his voice filled with urgency.

I looked back to see the retreating soldiers were close to reaching the gates.

"Our priority is to save as many as we can. It's better to bug out," I decided, my voice carrying a hint of resignation.

"All troops retreat! Defend the wounded soldiers!" I commanded, my voice firm.

"Roger!" they acknowledged, determination lacing their voices.

Sheira's POV

We had lost so many soldiers, and I couldn't help but feel responsible. I should've devised a better strategy. Fortunately, some soldiers were saved, but the strength and resilience of those creatures puzzled us. They seemed impervious to our blades, their power unmatched.

As we made our way back into the kingdom, the enormous gate swung open, granting us entry. Some soldiers were reunited with their families, while others mourned the loss of their loved ones. As for me, there was no one there to welcome me. I didn't even know my parents. It always led me to wonder, "Where are they?" even though the question felt futile.

There was much to do as we tended to the wounded soldiers. We couldn't afford to lose another warrior, not now, not ever. They required extensive treatment after the temporary aid provided on the battlefield. We could only hope they would recover, their well-being our primary concern. Reflecting on it, I couldn't help but feel that I should've made better decisions. The burden of responsibility weighed heavily on my shoulders.

"Sheira!" a voice calling my name. I quickly turn my gaze to the source.

"Big brother Yuri!" I exclaimed, relief washing over me as I spotted him among the crowd.

Yuri rushed to my side, concern etched on his face. "Are you alright? Are you injured?"

"I'm fine, don't worry," I reassured him, grateful for his presence.

"Thank God you're safe. You were out there for hours, and I was really worried," Yuri admitted, his voice filled with genuine relief.

"Thanks, Yuri, and thanks for the backup," I expressed my gratitude.

"You should thank Eamon for that," He added.

"Eamon? Who's tha-?" I began, but before I could finish, Yuri interrupted.

"You're here, Eamon!" Yuri called out, his voice filled with admiration.

Eamon, the swift and powerful soldier! The man in black! The Black Panther! Those were the names the soldiers had given him.

"I'll go check on the wounded soldiers. I'll leave you two," Yuri announced, excusing himself.

"What are you staring at?" Eamon's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I quickly averted my gaze.

"Uh... S-sorry, I'm Sheira Zane. Nice to meet you," I stammered, feeling a bit flustered.

"Eamon Levisay," he introduced himself, his voice steady.

Levisay? I had heard that name before, if I wasn't mistaken. It sounded quite familiar.

"So you're the one who failed to lead the troops?" Eamon remarked, his tone laced with a hint of skepticism.

I opened my mouth to respond, but his sigh cut me off. "Learn more," he advised, his voice urging me to improve.

Learn. The word felt foreign to me. Right! It was because I had never truly learned anything from my parents. Why did they have to leave and embark on a journey without me? If I had been with them, maybe I could have helped when they were in trouble. But dwelling on the past was futile. I hadn't even had the chance to see them, not even once. I wondered what they looked like.

"Again," Eamon's voice broke through my thoughts, and I realized I had zoned out once more. Maybe I was a daydreamer after all.

I look around seeing that most of the soldiers are chatting with their family, but not for Eamon. "By the way, where are your parents, Eamon?" I asked, filled with curiosity.

Eamon's response was a heavy sigh. "Dead."

I was taken aback, his answers made me speechless. I empathetically asked, "I'm sorry. Can you share what happened?"

"It's none of your business," Eamon retorted before walking away. I couldn't help but think how cold he seemed, perhaps explaining why he was distant from others. There was an air of isolation surrounding him. He's taller than me but seems to be shorter than the other soldiers...

Inside the secure walls, life was peaceful, thanks to the king's wise rule. The towering walls kept the Heians at bay, ensuring the safety of the kingdom's inhabitants.

"Zane!"

Panicking, I responded, "Yes, Commander!"

The Commander sternly inquired, "Can you explain what happened on the battlefield?"

"I failed the mission, Commander. I'll accept the punishment I deserve," I admitted, realizing the gravity of my negligence.

The Commander's response was firm. "Don't apologize to me. Apologize to the comrades who died because of your negligence. Run fifty laps as your punishment."

"I will, Commander. Thank you," I accepted my fate, understanding the weight of my actions.

Eamon's POV

I reflected on the losses humanity faced. My promise to someday lead them to victory lingered in my mind. Memories of my parents' untimely deaths resurfaced, leaving me grappling with the void they left behind.

Mom, Dad...why the both of you depart so soon, leaving me to face the world alone? This name...

Sheira Zane... huh?

To be continued...

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