Its been a year since that day in the village that I became a member of the Hawks. I've been with them through it all being arguments, battles, and times of peace. The people of the Hawks here come to have a great deal of respect in me, say I remind them of Griffith. How I lead them in battle and settle their quarrels with eachother. Griffith agreed with them too, offered me the position of commander. I did accept, however I felt more at ease being his advisor of sorts. I've been sending reports about Griffith and his gang to the Gods Hand, they requested I stayed with them until further orders tell me otherwise. But other than that, life couldn't be better for me

~ 1 week later ~

I've been tasked by Griffith to help the kings forces ( the guys with red armor, I don't know their names ) to take a castle. I'm being sent early while Griffith and the rest of the Hawks get here. I was currently casually waking towards the Castle, while hundreds of soldiers rush past me. The smell of fire and death, the sound of catapults and arrows piercing their targets. The sight of bodies falling to the ground and our forces climbing ladders up the walls, only to get impaled and sent falling to their deaths. While walking, I'm reading a book Griffith gave me. Romeo and Juliet and it's not bad actually, my eyes waver from my book to another man who's also casually walking towards the Castle. My thoughts are interrupted when my companion dust lands on my shoulder

Ivan: What's the situation

I said, bookmarking my spot and putting my book in my satchel

Dust: Master, getting into the Castle will be difficult. The battering rams will take too long and going up the ladders is suicide. Your best choice is to get in through the siege towers

I look at the siege towers, men pushing it forward while others with ropes keep it from falling

Ivan: Good idea dust, I'll take the siege towers. Now go and find a good place for our masters to watch and enjoy the battle

Dust: Yes master

With a caw, dust flew into the sky and past the walls to observe the fight. I climb my way up the siege towers till I'm at the top with other soldiers who are either anxious or nervous.

Ivan: Excuse me gentlemen

The soldiers look behind to see me standing there, they nod slowly and part ways for me to pass and i wait in the front. I can hear their whispers

: He's a member of the Hawks

: Yeah, he's Ivan! The man who's strength and skill rivals that of Griffith

: They say liberated and entire village from bandits single handedly

: His skill with those swords are legendary throughout the land

I can't help but chuckle at the rumors I'm hearing, catching their attention

Ivan: All true men, all true. But save your words for after the battle, prepare yourselves!

I said taking out my duel swords. The men mirror my action and took out their swords too, I feel the tower begin to shake

: Ready yourselves men! Our time approaches

I Hear an officer shout from behind us

: A great honor to fight by a commander of the band of the Hawks

Ivan: Heh, an honor to fight by worthy soldiers

The tower shakes one last time, and the ramp lowers on the Castle walls. The men give a loud battle cry before we charged forward and attacked. One soldier ran up to me and swung his blade, I blocked it with one of my blades and with the other I stabbed him through the stomach and he fell dead. I blocked another incoming blade to by right, he swung again but I parried it and cut off his hand. He screamed in pain, cluching his arm till I silenced him by driving my blade strait into his mouth and he too fell dead. The rest of my ally soldiers have done their part, killing off the rest of them. We lost 2 soldiers but more soon joined us from the siege towers. I sheathed my blades and adressed the men

Ivan: All right men, split up and assist nearby soldiers on the walls! When that's finished we'll move in to securing the entire castle!

: Yes Sir!

They all responded and split up, moving along the walls. Assisting ally soldiers and killing enemies that still man the walls. I walk to the edge of the wall and observe the scene below, the battle going on in the Castle grounds was immense. Many soldiers form either side falling dead, but our side having an advantage in sheer numbers. They were beginning to gain some ground till a large man with a big battle axe came in and killed some of our soldiers, cutting one man clean in two. The fighting ceased and some of the men took steps back with feared looks of being killed

: Ivan

I look behind me to see Griffith approaching in his white armor and helmet, followed by casca, corkus, and judeau. Along with some men from my personal squad, " Demons Hand " ironic right?

Ivan: Hello everyone, so...... whats your excuse?

They all lined up next to me, overlooking the Castle grounds

Corkus: No, no excuse. Just late is what it is

Griffith: What's the situation Ivan?

I looked at him

Ivan: The battle is guaranteed a win, it'll just take a bit longer

Casca stepped up to me by my right

Casca: Why?

I pointed to the big guy

Ivan: Him

Judeau: Who's he?

But before I could respond, dust landed on my shoulder

Ivan: Ah dust. Perfect timing, what do you know about that man?

Dust hopped closer to my ear

Dust: Well master, his name is bazuso. Apparently he killed 30 men at one and also killed a bear

Ivan: Really? Wow. I guess looks can be deceiving, thank you dust. You can stay with me for now

Dust nodded and i looked back at the stale mate, no one daring to step closer

Corkus: Hey Ivan

I looked at him

Ivan: What?

Corkus: You understand what he says?

Ivan: Of course, I told your already that he serves as my spy and scout

Casca: Well what did he say?

I turned my head to face Griffith

Ivan: Well, from what dust has told me. His name is bazuso, he killed 30 men at once and also killed a bear

Griffith: Impressive, that your raven friend is so reliable

I turned my attention back and i see the same man from before but he had a giant grearsword

Ivan: Griffith, look

We turned out attention to the man who challenged bazuso for a fight

Ivan: Dust, see what you can find or learn about him

Dust: Yes master

He flew off into the sky and then down below, just above the soldiers heads

Judeau: How can you understand him? I just hear him crow

I didn't take my eyes off the match

Ivan: I raised him, I can't really explain how though

I didn't hear a response as we saw bazuso aimed his axe at him but he blocked it and a crack appeared on bazuso's axe. The man aimed his sword to cut bazuso's waist but bazuso aimed his axe to his head

Griffith: You noticed it Ivan?

I didn't break contact with the fight

Ivan: Yes, the crack in his battle axe

Bazuso tried to cut off his head but his axe cracked and broke when it came into contact with the man's helmet. His helmet was knocked off and he has a perfect opportunity and plunged his sword deep into bazuso's waist. He fell on one knee, the man took out his blade, I saw bazuso beg for mercy but the man plunged his blade into his head, cutting it in two. And bazuso fell dead, everyone was shocked. It was quiet for a moment till they all cheered

Officer: Now their moral is broken! Charge!

They attacked with new found courage while the rest stuttered to run and fell. The man picked up his helmet and walked away

Judeau: That man's really something. I wonder what mercenary band he's with

I heard him speak and corkus joined in

Corkus: Give me a break. He's not so impressive. We got here late is all

: Blame the stupid general, it's not our fault

One of my men said, Griffith and i stayed quiet as we saw him walk away

Corkus: Hey there Griffith, Ivan. I wonder which one of you is stronger

I ignored him

Casca: Don't be rude corkus. No one can't match Griffith or Ivan' s strength. Not even each other

I just chuckled and dust landed on casca's shoulder

Casca: Oh dust, you startled me

He hopped off her shoulder and into mine

Dust: His name is guts, and he has no allegiance to any mercenary bands

Ivan: Thank you dust

Griffith: What did he say?

He immediately said. It startled everyone, including me

Ivan: His name is guts and he has no allegiance to any mercenary bands

Griffith looked back at guts

Ivan: I know that look Griffith

I chuckle and he does too before looking back at me

Griffith: One year and you know me so well

I walked passed him, patting his shoulder while my squad followed me

Ivan: Yup, let's go get a new member

He nodded and everyone follow me and we left the Castle