Consecutive reports sounded as messengers advanced and retreated to and from the gilded banners. They delivered their own entries and disappeared with another order in hand, with some returning to the distant cries of soldiers, the clash of swords, and the crackle of gunfire that toiled in the backdrop of the headquarters. The charge of the cavalry thundered across the field, together with the footmen whose march bellowed. Great horns sounded and the battle drums beat under the flags and golden standards that marched away. Yet, nature could not forsake them and sent their clouds to give chase. As the great shadow was washed out from the canopy, for a moment, the sun seemed brighter and warmed the freshened breeze. The light was hot on the skin and his flesh seemed to steam under what felt like an oven from his armor. But the Summer Lion only did enjoy it as it was ever his natural habitat. Laid back on a wooden chair, his legs were kicked up on a short stool. His eyes turned to the sky and he did not blink once, lest he missed an omen or an inspiration for an art piece. He read the craters of the faded moon that was half blended into the blues and was falling, nearly setting. Even when his troops troubled themselves to deliver their reports, not one voice entered his ears, blocked by the music of battle that he wished he could partake in. However, there was nothing that day that could satisfy his lust for a fight when all that his enemy did was take flight. Soon, the sunlight broke again and the star rode to hide behind the skirts of the clouds. The air suddenly cooled and a chill ran down his spine. The sweat that he had evaporated dry had begun to pour from his paled face. Sensing the return of a cloud’s shadow, his five senses returned to the voices of his subordinates.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86aeVsYPWk
“It appears the battle is done.” Speaking flamboyantly, a third general stood on the saddle of his warhorse and peered down his binoculars.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0GQ2SdZx8
A lieutenant colonel, stood beside him, crossed his arms and remained doubtful however, “That should never be said for certain unless we have their heads displayed on pikes.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY80x9sGfN5
The hooves of a white steed, twice as large as the regular mount, galloped down a corridor between the treeline and a row of artillery batteries in line. Their gun barrels were cold and their troops sat around waiting at the ready, though bored. The rider on the magnificent creature pulled on his reins and the horse skidded along the ground to a halt. Leaping off elegantly, without a miss in his step, the colonel marched towards his comrades and commander who paid no heed to his arrival. Clad in shining armor with a scarlet red tint, most could not deter their eyes away from him.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCNz21vaxV
Removing his helmet, letting his silver hair run, he let himself be known to be present which only then did his comrades give him their attention, “Come now, Rzhev, Serov,” He took a swig of water from his flask made of an exotic hide, injecting his fatigue with a dose of life. “Let us not mock our adversaries.” Speaking to keep their senses about, the colonel suggested.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz83PjT1Nv
As he came by, the horseman patted the shoulder of the lieutenant colonel who dipped his head in respect. Lowering his helmet onto a crate, he leaned against the body of a howitzer. Behind them, the general blinked, woken by his aide-de-camp’s distinct voices. He turned his eyes down, away from the graying sky and caught them lazing off duty. The creaking of the chair righted the posture of the three and as the lion lowered his feet from the stool, his subordinates looked back, seeing their commander sitting up. Holding his hands into fists, the general stared at the slouching colors of the Aelon atop the hill a league and a few paces away.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVyteBmI3j
“Let them choose their fate.” Having found a calm in the peace, Vasilevsky stood and stretched, burdened by his own armor. “If they so wish to think themselves potent, let them think it.” The lion arrogantly joined in the fray of mocking.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fAnULijaf
The minor reports from the corporals slowed as less and less happenings were deemed eventful enough for the commander to hear. Strolling on further away, the battle advanced wherever the bulk of the Confederate army took it, moving forward without an end except for total victory. Where the headquarters once was, the frontlines had shifted quickly, that gave the officers of the Rus a lack of need to worry. The boredom of waiting was felt amidst the men who all drooled on the thought of battle. When a messenger approached the colonel directly, many felt that there was finally something to care for after hours of patience. Reporting quietly, away from everyone’s ears, it was a sergeant who spoke. A long winded report took just under a minute, but whatever it was, it did not change the colonel’s demeanor. Dismissing him who returned a salute, the colonel marched up to the general to deliver the message in full. However, beside his commander, he hesitated, believing that the report was otherwise, not the truth.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXACYT9Vv5d
Nevertheless, by duty, for what he had heard, the colonel was obliged to repeat, “There has been reports of an incursion by the enemy.” It did not gather the attention of the general yet, and so he continued, “Rather, they do not appear to be trapped or the sort.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTgLDc3iwU
Rzhev, the third general, leapt off his horse’s saddle and brushed his mustache as he approached to listen. Faced away from his superiors’ conversation, Serov kept a staunch expression, but his curiosity soon broke him.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepuFRs229g
“Their objective?” Vasilevsky asked for details but the answer that he would receive would write a frown across his face.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9InR0Pw4fD
“Unknown,” The colonel swiftly replied. “As we’ve come to a stalemate, according to the reports.” Still dubious of the account, he spoke with a half-empty voice.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaN96ERYlsW
Upon the anomaly, the colonel general sighed as he fitted his helmet and straightened his sore, hunched back. Fixing his sword to his waist, he stretched his arms and back before intending to set off to meet this cancerous adversary that had become a tumor in his ranks, lest it turn into a fatal delay that could cost his army’s planned attack. But before he took another step, there was another thing that he needed to clarify.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD42pjGXLDd
“Their numbers?” Asking for confirmation, his eyes were pinned on the frontlines, itching for action.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3lMK1Wx5y
The colonel squinted under the brightness of the sun returning out of its break from work. “Seven.” He noted.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWYUFzqWRA
“Seven centuries? Seven regiments?” It was clear that Vasilevsky had grown impatient from his riddles, and unknowing the report, he demanded a straightforward answer. “Seven what?” The lion growled.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWktadVAkAg
Rzhev and Serov drew themselves into the heating chatter, naturally, holding an inclination to know what had annoyed the general so. Only the four officers of the headquarters knew of the situation then, ignoring the messenger who had delivered the report, but to anyone on that day that had summited the peak of boredom, no one could believe such a thing. Not even the colonel who placed his strongest trust in his troops. But it was no normal case. The attack was unusual, and they were certain that it was not decided nor did it come from their so predictable foe. It was something other.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqCOhdI1vR
“Just seven.” The colonel reiterated.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JkyxSLnhi
Vasilevsky turned his head, slowly, and relaxed his frown from that of confusion. Facing the colonel, the general attempted to read the light in his eyes, but there he stood clearly, sure of what he had said.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cDsXUAvnl
The punches of a titan ruptured guts and snapped blades, tossing his prey like pillows and swinging them like batons. As one thrusted his sword, he was soundly defeated by bloodied knuckles. He stumbled around with his jaw dangling when he felt the pressure of two hands take hold of his head. The giant’s thumbs dug into his eye sockets and the man screamed. His face was ripped apart from within his skull, and with a roar, the demon paralyzed an army who did not dare face him anymore. For the fear that ran blood cold, they realized that he could not be felled without a change in tactics. They slowly backed away from the monster and let, out of their ranks, javelineers to emerge. Pointing their blades at Miklós, they aimed and launched their missiles at will which hurtled through the air, but the lagging nature of the javelins only allowed Miklós to step aside and dodge the volley. From behind, two soldiers caught the javelins, targetless in the air, though one was surprised even by his own ability, and turned it against their enemies. Driving its steel heads into the Rus who were suddenly faced with a new weapon, Colt and Lev dove into a dance of battle. However, the currents of change continued to sweep and the river of troops would not relent. Their advance had been snapped and had been reduced into an encirclement. Taken to barbaric tactics to break out of their stalemate, a youth charged at a soldier and threw themselves into the mud. Their bodies were hugged together and their arms were locked, wrestling on the ground. The Rus lost his traction and rolled around and was trapped beneath the brute who had clasped him still by his legs. Gin’s eyes were fierce and merciless, glaring at his enemy with animalistic intent as he tried to break free. Priming his saber above, he brought it down like a guillotine with the pommel crushing the face of the man. Bashed inward, over and over, it was only when his brain leaked from his nostrils, blanketing his face, that Gin calmed, panting heavily. Out of the army, a comrade of the dead charged at him, but unseeing the sword caught in Gin’s hand suddenly, the Confederate ran into the momentum of the blade that pierced him by his stomach. Looking back, there was Arber, knelt in the watery earth, fatigued and disarmed. Gin nodded as way of thanks and ripped the sword through the enemy’s stomach, letting his intestines slither out. As blood cascaded down his arm, his foe dropped and the brute rose. His legs were barely holding onto its joints and his hands were trembling from aches.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdviOZazJw
On his hundredth kill, Gin cried, “Fuck, it’s endless!” The enraged creature had forced his enemies into steady withdrawal from the wrath in his voice.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D8yaXTGBa
“What’s this glorious plan you have now, Sekiya?” Colt grew more agitated, but the swinging of his sword did not slow.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplCgi0Ip2d
The squad narrowed their perimeter but their commander, the instigator of this disaster, Arminius, paid no heed to his comrades. His eyes flicked back and forth between the enemy before him and the enemy awaiting him in the distancing headquarters. He knew that their attack had been blunted and had to forfeit the prospect of advancing. The Confederates regained their ground lost and even the most reserved was forced to take up his arms and deal in death. All that he required was to remember his training as a challenger chose him as the weakest of the litter. A sword plunged against his’ and Julien was unable to withstand the strike. His feet slowly slipped when the ring of a blade and the shine of a steel sliced through the neck of his enemy. Whose throat was split awide and his mouth was agape, the head toppled from its shoulders and struck Julien’s face as it rolled onto the smothered grass. The body slumped over which the boy could only watch as blood bathed him. A hand took him by his arm and stood him up to be guarded behind the backs of his comrades. They pointed their blades against the thickening wall of troops, giving no way for them to escape. It was then, perhaps, that those who were born with the blessing of the gods considered to unleash their eifers, but it could kill those that they sought to protect. In its unfortunate stead, they had to make ready their last stand.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeyTRgf2PY
“Halt, men!” A voice boomed out of the ranks, and at long last, it saved the seven for a moment. “Make way for the colonel general!” He commanded.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2DcCFPIzj
Turned towards their saving grace, the squad watched defensively as the Confederates retreated and formed a corridor. Both forces were given time to regain their strength as a pathway opened up. Their backs were nearly hunched and exhaustion was at a high. They had restlessly tried their martial prowess against the seven but all they had gained were fallen comrades and stolen breaths. Forced to right themselves, standing tall even when their bodies refused to, they lowered their heads in shame before the lamellar plates of gold reflecting the might of the sun. A general marched down the lane of saluting soldiers with an imposing demeanor and an aura that quickly straightened his troops’ faces. With three trusted aides flanking him from behind, he came about the brawl’s arena where a square had formed as his army gave way for the man. In the middle stood seven young soldiers, surprising even the general’s subordinates, but that was the least of their concerns. How they had survived was a greater matter.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfVRMPlppt
Rzhev’s eyebrows were raised and his shoulders loosened after seeing the renowned squad that had caused their army exaggerated trouble, “Seven, that cannot be…”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9rvvnCcWy
But finding the heaps of corpses surrounding them, that was probably a regiment’s worth of losses, Serov muttered, holding tightly onto the hilt of his sword, “Yet, it is.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxufKvVgADy
Vasilevsky ordered his men to retreat except for himself. He daringly approached the squad with curiosity in his assuming eyes but he was not the only who had noticed the value of their catch. A colonel among the general’s staff had sensed an eifer that was oddly familiar to his own. It came from a lancer among the seven. And though he looked nothing like him, the scent that he carried was almost identical, almost provoking. Unconsciously, his hand had moved onto his knife on his belt,276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZByeLkgXz
Judging by the uniforms of the squad, Vasilevsky presumed with confidence, “Colors of the Alber, but slaves of the Bohemer.” The lion stepped forward and lugged his shadow with him, taunting.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW4qn7RzT3
As the colonel general marched nearer, the squad turned their blades towards him and kept light on their feet and heavy on their guard. Their joints stiffened, sored from battle, but knowing that they needed to regather themselves before attempting an attack, they stayed put. But even then, together as seven, victory was a slim chance against the lion before them.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPjPYfXwFl
Searching for the commander, his eyes glanced at each when Vasilevsky noticed one that was who he sought for without a doubt in his mind, “I take it that you are the captain of this merry little warband, boy.” His rigid sights turned at him and reeled him out of his squad.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0qjDwhTYg
Each soldier pinned their eyes on the Summer Lion but when Julien looked back to find that his comrade had disappeared, he was almost thrown into a panic. Weaving past his friends and exposing himself from of the ranks of the seven, Arminius boldly marched towards the man who he knew was ten times greater than any he had known or had met in the Aelon.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1SRN9ldxQ
The boy halted himself in front of the general and gave a light-hearted salute with his sword held by his non-dominant hand and with its blade turned away, “Arminius Reichner, Lancer of the One Hundred and Thirty-Sixth Austschralesachsonner Century.” Lowering his hand, Arminius stayed his ground.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLTvehCzux
“Leonid Vasilevsky, Colonel General of the Fourth Army.” The general returned with a quick salute. “You know your etiquette.” Impressed, he added.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwXM6asGXQ
Drawing closer, as if threatening, yet both parties knew he was not, Arminius replied, “Everyone should.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZozvLZAyAm
“Then you would be no one.” Vasilevsky wittily returned.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMod5RWsg3
The general moved his hand, and the squad, alerted by the slightest movement, braced themselves. All the man ever did was tighten the straps around the shield on his arm yet a single limb was enough of a menace to have spooked the Aelon.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbh2R3g5I2
Knowing that he had inadvertently put the six behind the lancer on edge, Vasilevsky lowered his hand and uttered, “A shame.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomTsjXUuQw
Staring at the lion, without a blink, Arminius maintained his neutral demeanor that refused to change. Upon seeing a challenge placed before him, he was keen to take it. It was this quality that the general seemed to have admired, returning a glare that pressed on his adversary.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4hP8QOW2n
“You knew that there was a chance of victory.” The general assumed, eyeing each one of the seven. “You took it.” It was said with a hiss.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy45YsqbV40
For he had guessed right, the squad flinched and the tips of their blades wavered. Their hearts raced without reason, but it was not out of fear, but the shock of how he knew without asking.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFMuZaGHBd
The lion felt the tensing air and said to alleviate the strain, “Alas,” Placing a hand on his chest, he pronounced before his troops, whether it was as a compliment or a word of respect, “That is a virtue of the Rus.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXIb1mpnlL
“What is he getting at?” Serov frowned, stood in the dark unknowing of his commander’s plan for he had never behaved in such a way before.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68SM3meR38
Understanding their thoughts that troubled them so, the general lowered his head in silent contemplation as his army awaited his orders. But the colonel among his staff was most concerned in the audience, as if he knew what his commander desired to ask, albeit indirectly. His fists were clenched and his lips tightened. He felt his body grow rigid standing there, listening and praying that it would not be what he feared most. However, for him, most times, he was right.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiomA9XJRqJ
Vasilevsky turned his eyes towards the Aelon again and told them, “All you have earnt yourself now is a friendly blade on your neck.” Seeming sure of it, it was but of no surprise that any army would take poorly of insubordination.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKx3C7AzX6
“Are you asking for us to defect?” Arminius asked, almost rhetorically and sarcastically.276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF48CKsrLZZ
“Never.” The lion responded nevertheless.
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