Jorish, Dyce and Anise walked, their eyes quickly wandering around as they witnessed the sea of sands that turned red. They moved steadily, as their visions went over many familiar faces in the fallen between the amber glow of the setting sun.

Jorish observed as Anise kept glancing at him and Dyce, he snickered internally as he thought of his riddled body and the huge cut on Dyce’s face. Well, we sure look a bit under the weather. Dyce refused care for his injury, preferring that anyone who had more critical injuries be looked at instead. Both Jorish and Dyce, and perhaps even Anise, knew that his eye was likely lost.

They kept moving, shifting across people. Jorish saw as some wept, while others stood motionlessly over the bodies of their friends and teammates. Others, just wandered aimlessly, just like them.

Anise’s body shook as she saw many of the members of her squad, now lifeless husks on the ground. Her mouth opened as her steps slowed down, stopping near one of the bodies, her body shuddering as words left her mouth.

“This girl…. S.. She wanted to be a doctor. Her father was killed years past, yet she was here all the same, talking about how it was her duty to defend her city.”

Jorish heard as Anise’s voice cracked, her body shaking. He didn’t interrupt her as they moved on. Walking around, Jorish saw the body of the youth he trained, the one he saw die in front of him. He felt his chest tighten, yet he kept his composure. He had to be strong, for all the men and women here who gave their lives, and the ones who have yet to give it.

Every so often, they stopped as Anise either recounted stories of members of her squad, Dyce stood in silence, respect and longing in his eyes as he looked at one of the fallen. Jorish almost felt heartless, yet he had to sacrifice his blood, to give life back to everyone around him. No matter the costs.

Going on, suddenly, Anise shuddered even more, her eyes glued to one of the bodies. Jorish saw her lips shiver, muttering.

“Yanna…”

So, this is war, Jorish thought, his grip tightening as he saw tears fall from Anise’s face, Dyce’s grim look, and the darkness in the faces of everyone around them. Finally, he relaxed his hand. Indeed, this is war.

Jorish took a deep breath, stepping forward as Anise stood, motionless. He quickly glanced around before he tightened his grip on his spear again. Not from anger or frustration, but with determination. He slammed its back against the floor as the loud crash shattered the web of grief and sorrow, causing all eyes to move towards him.

Jorish lifted his head, roaring as he gathered all energy he could muster, standing tall with lines of blood still leaking from his countless wounds.

“Today, we fought for freedom.”

He paused for a moment before slamming his spear again, causing another bang before he spoke again.

“Tonight, we honor our heroes!”

He stomped on the ground, slamming his spear once more, hearing a few joining him, as the weary silence turned into a symphony of rage and courage, more and more people joined as the fields turned into a rhythm of determination. Slowly, in the midst of the sounds, a cheer was heard as a person shouted something. One, became two, two became ten, and ten… became a flood.

Jorish stood, as life came back to the soldiers all around him, he glanced as many familiar and unfamiliar soldiers shouting the same words.

“Son of the Sun!”

“Son of the Sun!”

“Son of the Sun!”

Finally, in a few minutes peace returned as everyone returned to their duties. Things were different however, as looks of grief and misery were replaced with looks of courage and rage, a will to fight against the very world itself if they had to.

Jorish sat, as Dyce and Anise followed. Staring at the amber glow, watching the sun disappear into the horizon as the darkness blessed the world with its quiet.

- - - - -

Jorish stood, embracing the sunlight as it enveloped his tired muscles. He stayed, motionlessly, enjoying the feeling of sunshine penetrating deep into his very bones, healing the injuries he sustained from last day’s battle.

He frowned as he opened his eyes, noticing a messenger waiting for him. He stared at him silently, waiting for him to speak.

“Second Officer Jorish, Captain Isar requires your presence.”

Jorish looked at the messenger intently, noticing the sweat on his face and his trembling, before finally nodding as the latter sighed in relief before bowing and walking away.

Jorish turned, looking at his cloak as he considered wearing it before shaking the thought. He had to recover as fast as possible, if that meant not being presentable at that time, so be it.

Jorish breathed out, grabbing his spear out of habit as he walked towards the central camp. Minutes later, Jorish stepped inside the tent, pushing the flap aside as he frowned, feeling the sunlight drain from his body. Finally inside, he quickly scanned the tent, walking towards where Anise and Dyce were standing. His eyes shifted in surprise as he saw Sayaka as well there, having recovered enough from her injuries. He looked over at Dyce, noticing the cloth covering half his face.

In the center of the tent, Captain Isar stood, waiting until Jorish stopped before continuing.

“Moving on, second officer Dyce.”

“Sir.”

“You have directly disobeyed direct orders, almost got the entire operation into jeopardy and involved an entire squad in your maneuver. Anything here you disagree with?” Jorish heard whispers all around the room until Dyce replied.

“No, sir.” Dyce stood, his face carrying no emotions nor regret. Watching his expression, Captain Isar sighed before continuing.

“Yet, your actions might’ve saved this entire war. I will neither reward nor punish you. You are at ease.”

“Capral Sayaka.”

Jorish watched as Sayaka stepped forward, bowing down.

“You have assisted in holding the lines, taking down one of the enemy's practitioners. Thus, you are to be promoted to be a Second Officer.”

Sayaka bowed motionlessly, going even lower before moving back.

“Second officer Jorish.”

Hearing his name, Jorish stepped forward, holding his spear out of pure habit as he waited for Captain Isar to speak.

“You have been paramount in holding the line against enemy practitioners, successfully defending against multiple practitioners while assisting fellow soldiers. I have received multiple recommendations regarding your performance. Thus, you are to be promoted to first officer. After the last battle, we have lost a significant amount of soldiers, so we will reorganize our battalions, and you will take care of one of them.”

Jorish bowed down, before stepping back and looking around. As his eyes crossed Nao’s, she turned away as Jorish felt his face twitch. Recommendations huh.

Isar kept talking, as he discussed some future plans and precautions after the last battle, Jorish felt his focus slip as he thought about the last war.

I need to get even stronger, he thought, his hand clenching in a fist.