Hello everyone, this is the first of this week's chapters and there will be one more posted today.

Please enjoy! :goal4:

-October 22nd of 1312

It had been two months since Lena was promoted to General. Immediately following her official promotion, Lena promptly promoted Lieutenant Darrell to the position of Captain, Staff Sergeant Jones to that of Lieutenant and Private Ace to that of Corporal.

Immediately after in-stating Darrell as Captain, Lena made sure to privately explain that Chief Officer Gauthier served directly under her and had his own set of separate orders. Captain Darrell clearly understood what Chief Officer Gauthier position was and did not oppose the command. Captain Darrell understood the value of an officer who is capable of acting outside of the official chain of commands.

More importantly while categorizing the inventory with the aid of Holly and Dolly, Lena discovered magical night vision goggles. They were much like eye glasses only with leather ties at the end of them to keep them from falling off your head.

Lena was full of glee and happily made the announcement to her four trusted officers. To her dismay, Captain Darrell was already of aware of their existence. With cold fury, Lena demanded to know why she had not been informed.

It had not occurred to Captain Darrell, that such items would be of use. After carefully educating her officers with tender love and care, Lena explained their incredible use.

Immediately after officers came forward with information other items. There was an item called hover boards or DB, (Drifting Boards). They were large board like items that once charged could carry a person for an hour. They had no fighting or defending capabilities other than evading and therefore were of no use to the military.

There also was a communication system set up at every fort and city. However, the lack of it’s use was because of security purposes. Anyone had access to said system and could listen on if they wished too. The only times the system was used was for an emergency.

The only reason such items were not destroyed in the first place, because they were created by fallen heroes in the last Demon King uprising. To honor the fallen heroes the items were stowed away as historic relics.

With that in mind Lena created a new list of regiment protocol. First off, the creation of magical dog tags, but instead of Dog tag’s they would be more like tattoos being imprinted onto the skin by mages, which would only be visible to their eyes and not to the enemies.

Which would allow for identification of the dead and prevent enemy infiltration. The dog tags were equipped to have a unique recognizable signature that could easily be verified by those aware of said mark. The master key would solely belong to Lena, allowing her to remove or alter said marks as a curtsey from Gadrin, Dolly’s father.

(Dolly’s father, Gadrin, happily accepted Lena’s offer and was immediately transported the Bartholomew family home. Gadrin promptly began to work on projects commissioned by the army and Lena. But primarily was focused on managing the communication system.)

Another change was that Scouts were to carry small packs at all times much like military personnel out in the field. Lena couldn’t do anything about camouflage, but she certainly could equip them better than the ragged backs they were equipped to go out into the field.

The packs contained their usual rations and first aid kit, but a much-needed addition of night goggles. Plus, small mirrors which to signal or gain better visualization, a small whistle when having to signal commands over enemy fire and other such useful trinkets.

The King was informed of Lena’s new implantation and had it immediately applied in the military. But the military was a traditionalist and it was difficult to change the institution. Whether they accepted the changes, one could only wait and see.

As autumn set in and the days began to grow colder as the fort became busy with repairs and overseeing new recruit training. After Holly and Dolly promoted my recruitment, a large variety of talented group arrived of slightly over 2,000 new recruits, who were of other races.

Not only were there more soldiers, but healers, mages, archers, and so many more much needed positions were finally filled. With most of the positions finally full, Lena could delegate most of the running of the fort to Captain Darrell even though there was a new army camped outside of the fort, they had not once moved to attack except for the occasional skirmishes among our scouts.

In the meanwhile, Lena received whispers from the beloved spy, that the Cypress army was not to move until spring. That order was only confirmed when King Fulbright died unexpectedly and his son was suddenly crowned.

It didn’t come as a shock to Lend, but she it irked her how King Fulbright’s death was too timely. Was it their side or someone else lurking in the shadows? Or maybe the answer was staring Lena her in the face, greed. After all, the root of man’s misfortune had always been coveting what which one does not possess. And a throne is a very large motive, Lena would hazard to say.

It did not help Lena, that she was trying to pin point the storyline the kingdom was in route of. Lena had ruled out option A leaving options B and C as the most likely scenarios. Either way, both options end with the Kingdom being destroyed.

Lena messages her temples as an excited Chief Officer Gauthier rushes in with a child’s doll in hand. Chief Officer Gauthier proudly places what should be a fluffy, yellow duck doll on the desk. Lena instinctively darts away from what should have been a cute duck face, but instead was vastly creepy considering all things.

Chief Officer Gauthier excitedly says, “General, I’ve at last managed and perfected the art of placing or should I say transferring a spirit into an object.”

Lena quietly asks, “Why a tattered duck doll?” As Lena keeps her gaze firmly fixed on the doll, almost expecting the doll to move of its own accord. Lena had never found the movie of the killer doll particularly frightening until now.

Chief Officer Gauthier guiltily glances down and replies, “It is my younger sister’s doll. On such a short notice, it was the only doll I could find.”

Lena made a personal note to avoid visiting Chief Officer Gauthier family. If this was a child’s doll, what was his home like? Was it something akin to a well-known family dressed all in black?

Lena reflexively shudders as she firmly says, “I see, may I make a request, Chief Officer Gauthier?” Chief Officer Gauthier of course nods in reply as Lena steadily continues, “Next time use something less disturbing.”

Chief Officer Gauthier hastily responds, “Of course, General, sir, it will be as you request.”

Lena lightly nods and asks, “Very well, then just who did you place in the doll?”

Chief Officer Gauthier proudly smiles and says, “Please allow for my new spirit to speak for itself and introduce oneself.”

Chief Officer Gauthier mumbles something and the doll suddenly opens its mouth to speak, “You wench, how dare you kill my noble self. Do you think the God’s will forgive you for this abominable travesty? Why if I were still alive, I would turn you into my crying w-.”

The duck’s angry voice is suddenly shut off as it still struggles to shout its indignation through the clamped hands on its beak. Chief Officer Gauthier tightly holds the duck’s mouth closed in hand as he nervously smiles at me. Lena sighs in annoyance as her memories forcefully transport her back to the day of the battle.

*

Having finished beheading the general, Lena tied the pouch to her waist and glanced around at the battlefield. The scene is almost surreal as men fought to the death under a sky full of vivid bright colors. Their movements look almost hypnotic as though in a club with lights switching on and off.

Lena closed her eyes for a moment as she breathed in the homely scent of mud, death, and that oh most familiar smell of metal as a sense of comfort overwhelms her as the musical sounds of the battle lull in her ears. Yes, this was always where Lena felt most alive, now and in the past.

Lena opened her eyes as she adjusted her blades in hands, before dashing forward and merrily dancing her way through the field towards her objective, the Second Prince of Cypress, Prince Icarus.

Prince Icarus had rallied his men and was once more leading a rather valiant and if not reckless charge against the Lieutenant Darrell’s forces. Ordinarily Lena would not have been worried now that the general was dead, but the problem was that there was another compelling leader to lead the desperate enemy forces.

If a rat is willing gnaw off its own limp to escape a trap and survive, what more is a human capable of in the same state?

And though the Prince was terrible at strategy, he was rather charismatic and a shining hero in his men’s eyes. And men will always follow such a leader into hell itself if need be. Besides that, that kind of moral is damaging to the enemy, their forces. Which is enough to change the tides in the prince’s favor.

Lena understood the power of desperation far too well. Sometimes the only thing that kept the human army fighting before the face of the Demon King’s army was exactly that faith in their leader, Lena. And did she not against impossible odds change the tides of war?

Seeing the Second Prince lead another heart pounding charge, Lena stopped in her tracks and reached for a fallen bow and arrow. With a fluid movement Lena fitted a bow and arrow and aimed the arrow at her target. Lena loosened the taut bow string and sent the arrow flying towards Prince Icarus.

The speeding arrow pierced through the Second Prince’s lighter upper armor and caused him to tumble of his steed and to the ground below. Some of the men saw tried to halt and aid the second prince, but they were unable due to the speed of the charge. And to their misfortune, the rest of the cavalry remained unaware that their prince had fallen wounded to the ground.

Without much hindrance, Lena made her way to the fallen Second Prince. To her astonishment, Lena found the prince on his feet having broken the arrow shaft off, but had not removed the arrowhead. Which was rather wise of him, because as soon as he removed the arrowhead, he would have rapidly bleed out from the open wound.

Lena smiled faintly at the prince and said, “there is a no need for introductions.”

Prince Icarus scoffed at the bright-eyed woman’s words and sneered back, “Yes, I know who you are. The wench who slept her way up the ranks until she was given a military post. A woman like that doesn’t belong here, but in a bedroom.

Your very presence dishonors the battlefield and all those that dare stand upon it. Have you no shame? No honor?”

Lena sighed at this child’s ignorance, but alas it was much too late to fix him nor did she have the time nor the inclination to do so.

Prince Icarus eyes narrowed in anger at the gaze full of pity. Though wounded he roared with all his might as he charged wildly at the blasted woman. Lena easily raised a blade to defend as she casually sheathed the other. There was no need to humiliate this child more than he would be.

The swords clashed as tiny sparks flew as the Prince dug his feet into the ground and tried to push back. Lena easily parried as she detangled her blade from his and sent him back a step.

With bitterness and hatred in his eyes the Second Prince firmly raised his blade anew in and charged forward. However, the Second Prince pulled away at the last second and sidestepped the woman’s blade as he brought his swinging blade down at her open side.

Lena easily raised caught the blade in her palm as the blade barely made a cut into her palm. The second prince’s eyes widened in confusion at not understanding as Lena swung her blade down at full strength. Although choppy and somewhat messy, her blade cleaved through the Second Prince’s neck.

Lena cringed as she was struck with splatter as she dislodged her blade and the corpse tumbled backwards. Somewhat crossly, Lena wiped her face clean as she glanced down at the corpse.

There was such fear and confusion in that face, that Lena reflexively bent down and tenderly closed his eyes. With care, Lena gently collected the head, and though she would not pray for him, she would hope the best for him.

A cough brings Lena back as she studies the squirming duck before her. Well, seeing as Lena hope was not in vain, should ensure to properly educate him as an undead member of society.

Lena coolly smiles at the duck causing it to stop flapping its wings and freeze. Lena flatly states, “You are entitled to hate me for being the cause of your death nor will I ask for forgiveness either. But once one steps forth onto the battlefield, all men become equal as Death treats a prince and a peasant a like.”

The duck gazes back hatefully as Lena pointedly eyes Chief Officer Gauthier. Chief Officer Gauthier reluctantly releases the brooding duck as the furious duck remains stiff.

Lena nods with pleasure at the duck’s actions. “I shan’t call you, Prince Icarus seeing as ye are a spirit possessing a stuffed duck,” Lena said as she pauses for a moment before adding, “Coconut. I will call you Coco for short.”

Chief Officer Gauthier smirks as the duck sputters with indignation. Before it can protest Lena coldly reprimands the duck, “Coco can mean crazy. After all, you were the ones to begin this war.”

Lena pauses as the duck flinches at her gaze. “Two options stand before you Coco. One aid us and live or return to the great beyond. And I can say with absolute certainty I don’t believe you will fare very well be it at judgment or rebirth.” Lena matter-of-factly stated.

The duck bitterly speaks, “Agreed, I am now Coco. But that doesn’t mean I will stop hating you, you wench!”

Lena pointedly answers, “That’s fine. But remember your status and should you act otherwise, I will show you what this wench can do with her hands. Is that understood?”

Coco reluctantly nods in understanding as Chief Officer Gauthier finally stops smirking and stands up straight. “Then shall we proceed? Coco, who was behind the attack on Alyssum?” Lena firmly asked.

Coco frowns and rather baffled replies, “What are you talking about?”

Lena eyes the duck as Chief Officer Gauthier hastily motions that Coco is telling the truth. Then who in Cypress is behind the attack if not the royal family?

“Forget my question, instead answer who is or was your father’s most trusted aide or confidante?” Lena curiously asked.

Coco frowns and flaps his doll wings for a moment before answering, “That would be my older brother or Minister LaCroix.”

Lena glances at Chief Officer Gauthier, who knows what to do with the information as Chief Officer Gauthier firmly gathers Coco under his arm, before swiftly exiting out the door.

Lena furrows her brows with worry. She was fishing for answers, but she had the feeling she was fishing for sharks. And when fishing for sharks, one must be careful to not become bait in the end.

~ POV of Coco aka Coconut (Former Prince Icarus) ~

As usual the only human female swordsmen named Lucy hugs Coco to her chest. For no apparent reason this former mercenary is very fond of the stuffed duck. At one point, Coco would have hated such actions from an ugly woman. But now he found sweet solace in that soft chest.

To Coco’s dismay his much-anticipated solace ended much too quickly as his master returns. Lucy, slightly pouting hands the duck over, before scurrying off after her commanding officer.

Coco sigh sadly as he is carried away, but comforts himself cursing that that wretched woman in his mind. The gaunt thin figure of a man cheerfully descends into the dungeons. Coco snorts under his breath about necromancers being devil incarnations.

His master hums as he places the duck onto the ground and begins to draw a spell on the ground. Coco waddles over to his usual perch on the plie of open and scattered books. How the mighty have fallen! Once a mighty prince, now merely a stuffed duck!

Before Coco can finish his laments the spell begins to flow and a small spirit emerges. In the language of the dead, his master speaks to the spirit in the disgruntling language that sounds like moans and dark whispers.

Coco shivers in understanding. No wonder they lost, it was because that woman was employing the dark forces.

Coco shivers at the thought of returning to the afterlife. Though he held no memories, the mere thought filled his soul with utter terror. Coco unhappily remembers the woman’s haunting words, “I can say with absolute certainty, I don’t believe you are going to fare very well be it judgment or rebirth.”

Coco fluffs out his wings as his master disperses the spirit and makes his way over to the desk. Master murmurs under his breath, “Interesting, the General will be most pleased.”

Coco snorts under his breath as he fluffs out his feathers and even though he was now a stuffed duck, the least he could to be presentable. Sudden his Master grabs him by the scruff of the neck and drags him over to the large metal suit.

Coco had a bad feeling ever since the giant suit had arrived. His master looked positively thrilled at the arrival and he did not understand why. No human could possibly fit into that suit nor move it. But that didn’t stop his Master as he spent his days tinkering with it in delight.

His master finishes chanting a spell and suddenly places Coco right under the suit. Coco shivers as his master takes a knife and slices open his hand and mutters something about offering his blood up as payment. Before Coco can waddle away, a strange gut wrenching feeling takes hold as he feels himself ripped out of his current body into that of the suit.

Coco struggle to move his heavy body until finally he manages to take a step forward without falling. His new body feels rather clumsy as he awkwardly begins to move around and gain my bearings.

His master claps his hands in delight as he proudly proclaims, “It worked!”

Coco crossly glare at his master, what does he mean by that? You mean to tell him, that he wasn’t sure along? Then why was he putting Coco’s precious soul in danger!

Suddenly the soul wrenching feeling returns as Coco finds himself in his duck body to his vast relief and to his master’s vast disappointment.

“I see, so there’s a time limit. Hmm….it looks like I need to create a renewable source of energy and a better conductor,” his master murmurs under his breath.

Coco huffs in displeasure but freeze at the glance his master gave him. Coco sighs to myself as he waddles over to the open book and begins to read a spell out loud. Perhaps, Coco was better taking his chances with that woman, then with his current master.