Anise stood, looking at the big tent standing in front of her. Anise would be lying if she said she wasn’t nervous. That whole war thing… it bugged her. Yet she shook her head as she steeled her resolve and entered the tent. Inside the tent, a man sat in the center. He looked to be in his 50s, he wore a thick coat covering his entire body, on his right eye he had a patch. He sighed before standing up.

Anise bowed slightly as she spoke. “First officer, sir. I am second officer Anise, I was told to report to you.”

The officer sighed again as he pointed at a chair as he spoke softly. “Sit.”

Anise walked towards the chair the officer pointed at, as they both sat at opposing sides. They both stared at each other in silence as the officer started speaking. “Why?”

Why? Anise looked in confusion. Why what? She wondered as she heard the question. She looked at the officer, waiting for him to continue, yet he remained silent as he stared at her in the eye, waiting for her answer.

It didn’t take her long to figure out what he meant, it was clear that she was not from the free cities, whether by her clothings or her demeanor, regardless of her light brown skin which was close to that of the free cities citizens. She started thinking about that question, as the officer waited patiently, seemingly not in a hurry to hear her answer.

All her arguments and discussions with Dyce and Jorish went through her mind, she couldn’t deny their logic or their thoughts, but she couldn’t quite agree that they were her reasons. She sat in silence for a few more minutes, still trying to figure out her reasons. Finally, she figured out one thing. She looked at the officer as she spoke, simply.

“I don’t know.”

She didn’t know. In a sense, she was dragged into it. She could’ve done her own thing and avoided that entire mess, but she felt bad. After watching both Dyce and Jorish’s motivations, as much as she had made fun of Jorish before, she admired their determination and their decisions. She wished to have the same bravery. But for now… she was just here, along for the ride for no reason she can think of.

The officer stood, as he looked at Anise. He moved his left hand, opening up the right side of his coat as Anise’s eyes widened. “War is terrible. Often without a goal, without a reason. Yet, it happens nonetheless. I fought for my country, for the freedom of my city. If you don’t find a reason for yourself to fight, then you shouldn’t.”

Anise’s eyes moved along the officer’s body as it went towards where his arm, No, where his shoulder itself was supposed to be. Instead, she could see as black ashes and cuts covered his entire chest and his missing shoulder. The officer then spoke. “I forgot to introduce myself, I am first officer Brandon, but you can call me Bran. Think about what I told you, you are at ease, second officer.”

Anise nodded as she moved towards the spot where her squad should be. The short road felt endless as she kept thinking about Brandon’s words. Indeed, why do I fight? The question bugged her now, more than ever.

As she got into the camp, Anise’s eyes widened as she saw the scene. She saw men and women just sitting around, their faces showing no hope. She could see as many shuddered and stumbled around, almost as if they were dead. What is going on here? She stood in shock.

As she stood completely shocked, a man in his twenties walked up to her as he whispered. “Were you assigned to be the officer in charge of this squad?”

Anise nodded as the young man pointed to the side, telling her to follow him. She followed the young man until they got to the edges of the camp. At that moment, Anise asked. “I am second officer Anise, ya can call me Anise. And you?”

The man bowed lightly as he spoke. “I would be your capral, Elroy.”

Wanting to get her answers immediately, Anise asked. “So, what is going on here?”

Elroy let out a breath as he spoke. “Those people, many of them lost someone in the war. Others were forced into the war, or volunteered to take the place of someone they loved. Almost none of them wants to participate or take part, yet they have to.” Elroy lifted his face up as he continued. “Our squad was perhaps unlucky, but as you saw, those were the people we have.”

Anise stood, frustrated as she had conflicted thoughts. Those people not only lacked their reason to fight, but they lacked the conviction. As they were, they were headed towards one destination. Death. She could try to ask for them to be exempted, but she knew that was a vain dream. They weren’t the only ones, and if people didn’t go into this war everything will be worse.

Suddenly, it all clicked. She finally understood what she had to do, she understood why she would fight this war. Anise stepped forward with renewed determination burning in her eyes.

- - - - -

Dyce walked calmly, heading towards the camp for his squad after he met with his battalion’s officer. He walked, gripping his spear tightly in his hands. He would never show emotions, for it wouldn’t ever help him. He would only walk forward, to achieve his goals, to achieve his justice.

Flashbacks of flames and destructions flashed in his mind, yet he didn’t let darkness take over him. Instead he fueled his resolve as he moved forward. He could remember that day, how he swore.

He won’t be weak again. He will be the light to cover the darkness.

Perhaps it was childish, he had no doubt it could be. Yet that will, that intent was what got him there. He expelled all anger as he walked forward. Focus. Anger won’t help me. Before, my will was weak! Now, it is not.

Finally arriving at the camp, Dyce’s steps slowed down, his calm replaced with slowly rising anger. In the midst of this war, the war that could turn everything around for better or worse. In the middle of this clash, all he saw was carelessness. People just there, eyes carry not motivation, no fear, no action. They just existed because they had to.

Thinking logically, it wasn’t surprising. In a battle of that scale, most of them would be nothing more than cannon fodder, just there to pad the number, to give the people who matter even a moment longer. Yet, it was this line of thinking that Dyce hated.

As his anger piled up, a man walked towards him as he spoke. “Second officer Dyce?”

Dyce sealed his anger, as he nodded. Waiting for the man to introduce himself.

“Sir, I am Royce. Capral Royce”

Dyce nodded as he asked. “Can you guide me to the commanding tent? I have things we need to discuss.”

Royce nodded, as he guided Dyce through the camp. Walking around, Dyce noted how almost everyone barely gave them a glance, not even caring who their commanding officer is. He felt his fist tighten with fury, Why, why is it always like that?

Feeling something off, Royce turned towards Dyce. “Second officer?”

Dyce shook his head, as he answered. “Nothing, lets go.”

A few moments later, they found themselves in a big tent in the center. Royce explained. “This is the main commanding tent, your personal tent is just next to it. I recall you wanted to discuss something with me Sir?”

“Indeed.” Replied Dyce as he looked Royce in the eyes. “What is going on with our unit, capral?”

Royce replied. “Sir, most of the people in our unit are war veterans.”

Dyce looked in confusion, wouldn’t they be the ones with the most experience? Knowing the battlefield, its pain and glory? He couldn’t understand, and almost as if Royce could see that, he explained. “Sir, those men saw the truth of war, they saw how pointless their lives were. They saw how their brothers and sisters in arms died, achieving nothing but to be there to fill the ranks.”

Dyce understood, it was no wonder. Indeed, this is what I hate.

Yet, he wouldn’t let things stay as they are. For he was justice.

- - - - -

Jorish walked towards the area his guide had told him about. He didn’t understand his guide’s insistence on not going with him, but he didn’t think much of it at first. Now, the closer he got to the camp, the more he felt something was off. Finally, he reached a huge tent.

Jorish noted the eerie quiet, before deciding to enter the tent. As he stepped inside, he felt something was off as he instantly grabbed his spear from his back, swinging it forward. A moment later, Jorish heard a loud crash as he was forced backwards. He looked in surprise at his staff, which was almost snapped at half. He didn’t waste much time thinking about it, as he focused forward at his opponent. What Jorish saw could only be described as a mass of muscles of scars.

His opponent had his fist extended, smoke rising from it. Seeing Jorish, the man relaxed his stance as he went in laughter. His laughter was rough as it echoed through the tent for a few seconds until the man spoke. “Welcome to hell, second officer. I am not sure how you pissed the captain, but to be put in this battalion, in that squad. I hope you are prepared.”

Jorish looked in confusion at the man, unsure of what was happening, until the man interrupted him. “Heh, it seems you are still muddled. Well, no matter. You will figure it all out soon enough. I am Tyran. You may go to your unit.”

Jorish turned, intending to leave and go as he was told, before he was called again. “Ah right. Grab this.” He turned, as Tyran threw him a spear. Jorish caught it as he looked at Tyran in confusion. “I will not let it be said that an officer under me uses a broken stick as a weapon. You may leave.”

Jorish walked out of that tent in confusion. What have I gotten myself into? He wondered for a moment with a slight smile on his face as he walked towards his squad. He strolled as he fiddled with his new spear.

As he entered the area, Jorish felt his senses being pushed to their extremes as he felt a sensation he hadn’t felt in months. The sensation of danger he felt whenever he had crossed the slums back in Zeltol. Walking through the camp, he had felt eyes looking at him from every corner. The few people he saw were glaring at him, almost waiting for a mistake from him.

Jorish walked ahead, alert without appearing distressed. The sound of his footsteps echoed as he took one step after another, creating a rhythm that casted complete confidence. Indeed, I am no longer the same man. Since that day, I have been reborn.

Jorish stopped his steps as a woman approached him. He looked in surprise as he saw a cut from the side of her lip all the way back to her chin. He looked at the weapon she held in her hand, it looked like a weird mixture of a sword and a spear, as a blade extended from the handle, twisting across its whole length. Must hurt to be hit with that, thought Jorish as he sensed her power. A practitioner huh. He thought in surprise.

The woman growled at him. “You are not welcome here! Second officer or whatever it is. Go back, or you will be killed.”

Jorish stood, looking at the woman as he felt his muscles tense up from excitement.

Indeed, this will be fun.

- - - - -

Yanna sat, cursing her luck for the hundredth, or perhaps the thousandth time. Her brother was supposed to be conscripted, yet she knew more than anyone what that would mean for him, he was not fit to fight. She had sacrificed everything to replace him, making her doubt her own decisions the longer she spent in that squad.

Some would say it was a blessing to be surrounded by kindred souls, people who share your situation. Yanna couldn’t agree less. The atmosphere of the squad has driven whatever little determination she held into dust, as she sat, waiting for their inevitable end.

Lost in her own self-loathing, she almost missed a new face moving in the center of the camp. A woman was walking alongside Elroy. Yanna ran quickly through her memories as she remembered that they were supposed to get a new commanding officer for their squad. Well, why would it matter? A single man or woman won’t change anything.

Yanna stole a glance at the newcomer, noting her unusual robes. She didn’t think much of it, the newcomer looked normal, definitely not someone who would turn the scales. Yanna finally turned back as she sunk back into her own pool of self doubt.

Suddenly, Yanna felt a sensation that caused her to turn her head towards the newcomer as she started talking, her voice reverberated throughout the camp.

“Soldiers of the 4th squad. I am second officer Anise. From this day, I shall be your commanding officer. Together, we shall brave this storm and go out with victory!”

Yanna shook her head. Their new commanding officers had the heart, but how would she do it? They had nothing. It was not possible.

“I am sure you are wondering, how would I be able to do so? What would a single woman do?”

Yanna felt her heart shake at Anise’s words. She looked at her more intently, as her eyes widened as she saw a sight she wouldn’t forget in her life. Anise’s skin turned gray, with lines appearing all across it. Moments later her skin turned into scales, her fingers into claws. Yanna looked at Anise’s face, watching her vertical irises and terrifying, yet stunning face as she spoke.

“Well, I can do it” Anise paused before she finished, a dangerous gleam in her eyes.

“…because I am a dragon!”

- - - - -

Audric sat in the corner of the camp, enjoying the quiet. Those moments before a war begins were priceless, the last moments of peace he would get for a while, and possibly forever.

He didn’t feel anger, nor resentment. He had fought time and time again, to protect his country. Yet, the more he fought the more he understood, the way he protected his country was to exist, to die if it was needed. Like how his countless brothers and sisters at arms once did, the same way he will do. Will it be today? Tomorrow? Or much later? None knew, but that didn’t matter.

He noted as their new commanding officer walked with Royce. Another young kid who has not tasted the darkness of the world, the reality of war. Audric remembered the countless rich punks who cheated their way or got lucky as they were assigned high positions in the army. They were always the first to turn back, and the first to die.

Audric got his attention back as he closed his eyes, enjoying the quiet yet again. Suddenly, his brows were furrowed as noise broke his concentration. He looked at the newcomer before his eyes went wide for a moment as he felt a wave of Energy push towards him. Others might not recognize Energy, and would think that something caught they attention, yet Audric was a single step away from becoming a practitioner. It was the only reason he had outlived his companions.

He looked at their new squad leader as he stepped forward and started talking, a silver gleam in his eyes. “My men and women, I am Dyce.”

He took another step forward, another wave of energy emitting as the glow in his eyes got brighter. Audric could feel as a silky white phantom appeared behind Dyce. He didn’t feel that it was Energy, nor was it real. He couldn’t understand what it was, yet it was there all the same. Dyce spoke again. “You have fought, over and over. Yet you wonder, why do we do so? What is the point?”

Dyce took another step. “Indeed, with that mindset, you shall forever be insignificant!”

Audric felt bitterness hearing Dyce’s words, he almost wanted to interject, what would a kid like you know? Yet he felt a weird confidence and determination from those silver shining eyes. He waited as he listened to Dyce’s words. “But no longer! Our freedom was taken from us. They threaten our families and lands, and even those won’t satisfy them. Our enemy threatens everything.”

“We will put our lives to stop them, if we die, then our dead bodies will be another obstacle to slow them down!”

Audric felt his body shake, Dyce’s words hitting him deep inside, almost touching his soul.

“And if our bodies rot and break, then we will burn our very souls to achieve victory! For to defeat evil, the blood of heroes will be the fuel!”

Audric stood up, a sensation he hadn't felt in years rising up. He felt the blood rush he once had in his youth, he felt his dreams and inspirations rising through his body. As he heard the last line.

“Join me, brothers and sisters. Living or dead, we will bring justice. Together, we will change fate itself!”

“Rogh!” Shouted Audric as similar battle cries sounded all around him. Perhaps, a hero had arrived!

- - - - -

Sayaka stood in frustration, facing another one of those kids who were sent here to “take control” of her squad. It seemed a common enough occurrence, she knew that the higher ups of the city wouldn’t let people from the slums like her take the lead. It didn’t matter if she was strong enough, or better than anyone they would send. They kept sending those useless runts who haven’t experienced life.

She looked at the cloaked figure, unsure what to think. Less flashy than the other ones, and less noisy. She thought, almost deciding if maybe she could make use of him. She was tired of this entire play going on every time. As she was about to speak the cloaked figure moved.

He took a single step forward, as Sayaka felt every cell in her being call out to her. She clutched her weapon as she place in front of her. This guy’s trouble. To survive the slums, one didn’t just need strength and luck, but they also needed perception. To know what fights you could take, and which you could not.

The cloaked figure took off his cloak, letting it fall to his back without touching the floor. Sayaka stared in shock at his body, almost spotless, as if he had never faced an injury in his life. Yet his muscles and the marking gave him another feeling, it made him feel divine.

Sayaka prepared her weapon, she knew that if she didn’t take action now, she might die. Before she could take action, the man took another step forward. This time however, it was different. The moment his foot contacted the floor, Sayaka felt as if the entire world shook. Many of the weaker soldiers in the squads were blown back from the shockwave. She felt her wits escape her as the man spoke.

“I am second officer Jorish. However, you do not need to know my name.”

He took another step forward. Sayaka looked, motionless as the sun shone behind Jorish. Reflecting from the golden markings on skin. Power, absolute power, that was the only thing she felt from that man.

“To all of you, I will be your commanding officer.” Jorish paused before taking his spear, slamming to the ground as another shockwave forced Sayaka to her knees.

“And you shall call me, Son of the Sun!”