Our Legacy - Episode 9

The night had come and all that illuminated the camp were torches placed systematically between tents and command posts.

"They're here!" Maha whispered to her partner. They both hurried to watch the newly arrived General storm down the main section of the temporary base. Arcadeus was now clean shaven and had his hair tied back in a knot. He looked more in control than his usual self, his eyes wide open and jaw tensed up. The ladies stopped as they came closer.

"You feel that?" Keyla asked. Maha nodded.

"I had heard rumours about this feeling, but to actually feel it."

"I'm scared. It's an unnatural feeling." Keyla immediately held Maha's hand and they resumed walking towards the General. They could feel his power, an aura surrounding him that emitted pure signals of sheer strength. Arcadeus was one of very few who had bonded with multiple God Particles. At this point, no one really knew how many he had bonded with, but everyone knew he was the most powerful of them all.

His most recent clash, with the Elder Vampire Cain, showed the world what he was capable of. It was a frightening moment for everyone who felt the tremors. No one dared defy him. Fortunately, he was on their side and he was fighting for them. So when the time came and Arcadeus Mara finally halted with his arms crossed behind his back, everyone wondered what they would witness. Would he march into the Necromancer's castle alone and face him? Or would he order an attack?

Otho was behind him, whispering into his ear. Officer Ulyssa was summoned before them and was given orders of some kind. Maha and Keyla were watching intently as events beyond them took place, trying to figure out what was going on. There was a disturbing seriousness watching an army gather to take down one Demigod. The night sky and the light emitting from the torches only made it moodier, casting shadows upon people's faces. Ulyssa finally saluted and began walking towards a blond man sitting next to a huge giant.

"Lieutenant Wauter, you're up." She stated clearly. He immediately stared at his younger brother and then back at her.

"To do what, ma'am?"

"Leading the attack on the fort."

The group of thirty huddled up one last time in front of their team leader. He had given them the bad news and waited for his troops to digest it.

"It's a fucking suicide mission!" The Nigerian exclaimed. "What!? He brings a small army here just to watch?" She threw her arms wildly about and gave a look that demanded better news.

"He won't let us die. He wants to see how the Necromancer behaves. We have no idea exactly what his powers are at this moment, how he intends to use them and what his strategies are."

"It's madness!"

"We last ten minutes in there with him and the cavalry will come later," Klaus said, trying to sound reassuring.

"You alone can't even last one minute in there with him!" The Nigerian shouted.

"I had my back to him," he said defensively. "I wasn't expecting to get hit like that."

"What's the plan?" Keyla asked. She briefly locked eyes with Lieutenant Wauter who placed his hands on his hips before answering.

"Shielders take the front row. We'll divide you lot into pairs. We have to assume the Necromancer will use at least some ranged attacks and judging by his power, our shields won't hold forever. The plan is to use shields one pair at a time to deflect. Each pair goes up to deflect shots and recharges. We only need to do this until we get to the fort." The lieutenant began to scratch to his forehead.

He kept scratching for almost a minute without saying anything. Everyone patiently waited for instructions but they soon began to see that he was masking his head from shaking. He was scared just like the rest of them.

"Wauter..." his younger brother patted his shoulder. "It's ok to be afraid."

"It's not that." He looked up and studied the soldiers, his teammates. "I was voted to lead this group since I'm the most experienced but..." he gulped. "this is a suicide mission. If anyone dies, it'll be under my command. I hope you guys are ok with that." The soldiers protested, raising their voice over another. "I might die as well, who knows." he continued to speak through the ruckus. "But I need to know that you guys are all with me."

There was silence. They all looked at each other.

"This is our mission," Maha spoke up. "We're here because we're better at what we do. We have the will to fight. This Necromancer is our responsibility. We shouldn't be angry that we were chosen to lead the attack on the fort. That was the plan anyway."

"It... is...a...fucking... suicide mission." The Nigerian repeated.

"Yes it is... but this is war." Maha walked up to the lieutenant and saluted. "I'm with you to the death, sir." She turned around to face the rest of her comrades. "The Necromancer is our kill."

Arcadeus watched with pride as the team roared in unity. They had smiles on their faces. The team had finally set aside all their differences and accepted death. They were now the best soldiers he had in his arsenal, the type that would fight until they gave their last breath for the cause.

"They will die..." Otho whispered.

"They will... but through their deaths, we will have learned how this Demigod likes to play. The cost of their lives will grant us victory."

"Why don't we just rain down hellfire on that fort?"

"I don't want to use more power than I have to on a single man."

"You want to test him..." Arcadeus turned around to face his advisor.

"Yes, I want to test him."

"Why?"

"Because we already know what I'd do with a lot of power, but I'm curious to see what others would do. What's his endgame? What does he fight for?"

"Does it matter, Arcadeus? The man is a threat!" Arcadeus ignored him and watched the team continue to chant.

"Look at them. They have hope."

"They're soldiers who have accepted death, not victory."

"But they choose to fight to lead the way."

"Arcadeus..."

"Otho..." The General's advisor opened his mouth but slowly closed it again. "Good call."

Arcadeus raised his fist and levitated high enough for everyone to see him.

"Demigods! Let yourselves be heard!" His army began to chant and roar. "Let yourselves be felt!" They started to stomp their feet. "Empower your comrades!" They roared once more. "Who are we!?"

"DEMIGODS!" they shouted in unison.

"WHO!?"

"DEMIGODS!"

A flash of green shot up into the sky, in the shape of a ball. It suddenly grew wings but kept spinning, a tail of green light following it, sparkling in the sky. It was bright enough to illuminate the entire area like daylight. The ball suddenly began to descend towards Arcadeus and his army. They were ready for it but the ball crashed a kilometre in front of them. The green energy flowed into the earth and quaked. Everyone trembled, stumbling to the ground.

And then they all heard a cry only some had heard before...

"UUUUURRRRRAAAAAAHHHHH!"