Chapter 54: New Orders

Charon frowned, unable to think of a good response to that. ’That is true, the mages just tried to make us do horrible things. We don’t even know if that was a crime. This place may have technology, but to assume it’s as modern as the living realms is a risky thing.’ He also disliked the conversation for another reason; Emerius was touching on a topic Charon had been worrying about. ’Have I been heartless about taking the lives of the Claytons?’ He had always wanted to emulate the heroes in the legends he read, the knights in shining armor who would come down to smite the vile enemies of mankind. Though they might kill, sometimes in awful ways, they always did so with the best intentions for humanity at heart. It wasn’t something they enjoyed; it was something that had to be done. Charon’s brow furrowed as he met his companion’s gaze. "No, they aren’t, but the Fort itself is different." Groaning in frustration, Emerius spread his arms to bring attention to the town itself. "How do you know that? The only Claytons you have spoken to were your enemies. Warriors sent here knowing you would be coming to kill them. Would you act differently in their shoes?" Charon wanted to respond by saying that he would, that he would be more aware of what was going on, but paused. ’I don’t know the Fort much better than I know the Claytons, yet I’m still here killing on their behalf.’ It was a contradiction, a hypocrisy of his own opinions. "What about you, then? You are here, killing them with me! How are you any better?" Emerius laughed while shaking his head. "Because I did think it through. I saw the facts, the provided data. From that, I built a response. I know the Claytons are evil because I can see how they act. This does not mean that I enjoy killing them. I do that to save innocent people." Charon grinned, excited to find a hole in Emerius’s argument. "That’s exactly what I’m doing! Fighting them to save the innocent people of the Fort, people like Annie and Darius!" Emerius gave him a sad look, a strange melancholy resting just behind his eyes. "I am not your lord, Charon, I only seek to see you be a good person. If not for my sake, then for the sake of the people back home. It did not matter before, but now you wield a Colossus in your very soul. If you lack compassion, even when it comes to your enemies, then I fear for what destruction you may bring." Over the course of the conversation, a formality returned to his tone that Charon had forgotten existed, the same formality he used when they had just met. It was a lonely tone, a barrier that made his friend feel more standoffish. Believing that it was not an argument worth burning a bridge for, Charon wiped the frown off his face and instead gave a small smile. "I understand, I do want to be good. I may not be a hero in your sense of the word, but I will be in mine. I’ve read more of their stories than anyone I know, you’ll just have to wait and see me apply their lessons." ’He will learn in time.’ Releasing a tense breath, Emerius spun his swords and sheathed them in the same motion before pointing down the street. "We should find an officer. If someone finds the bodies, they will assume that the Claytons were responsible. If they find us with them, however, they will have more cause to be suspicious." Holding up a hand to pause before they continued, Charon closed his eyes and ordered his skeletons to approach. One by one, they vanished in a wave of sparks, returning to his core until he needed them again. He also spared a glance at his Soul Summon ability to see his collected souls. [Ability Name: Soul Summon] [Ability Element: Soul] [Ability Description: Using the most precious item to all living things, reach beyond this world and cross the River Acheron. Upon its cursed banks lie creatures banished from all other realms, waiting for a new purpose. The greater the offering, the further back you may go, unleashing powers long thought destroyed. Heed the warning of Death himself: The chains that bind are not made without purpose.] [Current Souls] [Novice: 0] [Acolyte: 7] [Apprentice: 0] [Journeyman: 0] [Mage: 0] [High Mage: 0] [Master Mage: 0] [Archmage: 0] He whistled approvingly in his mind, taking care not to make the noise aloud. ’Seven Acolyte souls? I can summon some better soldiers with those! I didn’t expect to kill all these mages, but it sure will help.’ A small part of him considered if that might have been the detachment Emerius had been complaining about, how he cared very little for the lives that were lost to fuel his growing army. Charon ignored it, deciding that it would be better dealt with when he was alone. ’And when I’m not in a town covered in artillery craters, dead bodies, and possible enemies.’ Nodding to Emerius to show he was finished, Charon set off down the same road they had entered when the battle began. The buildings grew more damaged as they grew closer to the main street. Windows were shattered, doors torn off their hinges, and gaping holes were left in the stone walls. Bodies also grew more common, strewn about like red ornaments. Laser marks and melee wounds vied for dominance as the cause of death, some unlucky individuals being covered in a plethora of both. Charon did his best not to look, disturbed by the sight. ’I will see plenty more in the next battles. I doubt a single loss will make the Claytons willingly give up a ton of land. I’ll just need to keep going until we have the Fortress of Souls, then I’m getting out of here.’ Reaching the main road, they froze as they saw columns of armored men marching in an organized fashion. They held laser rifles over their shoulders with one hand, their other swinging like a pendulum to the side. For every couple of dozen infantry, a sergeant joined them on the side, carrying a far more advanced rifle covered in modifications. They also sported a helmet and thicker armor, their rank emblazoned on their chestpiece. After the infantry came the vehicles, tanks and APCs driving in rows over the cracked cobbles, their wheels undaunted by the uneven terrain. As the convey moved up the street, Charon caught sight of something opposite them. In an alley stood Clayton men shackled together with chains, their heads hung in defeat as mages stood around them as guards, their weapons held at the ready to strike down any would-be deserters. ’Serves them right. Anyone who chooses to fight for villainy deserves to be imprisoned.’ Feeling pride at helping deliver victory into the hands of the Fort, Charon held his chin up high while searching for the familiar sight of the blue-robed mage, the man in charge of the magi. It wasn’t long before they spotted him talking with the same officers he had before the fight, their ranks noticeably thinner than before. ’I guess not all of them made it.’ Waiting until the parade of men had a gap, Charon and Emerius darted across, taking care not to draw too much attention until they reached their target. The man finished up his orders before turning to them, giving an assessing look. "You both survived. Color me impressed, most Novice mages that make it through a battle run off once it begins." His eyes roamed over their forms, taking in the dirt covering their skin and the holes in Emerius’s robes. The red stains on their weapons must’ve heavily contributed as the mage stared at them for a second longer than the rest before smiling widely. "I even heard word that one of our scouts sensed two Novice magi entering the palace not long before the explosion occurred." He paused while placing a hand on his hip, his head tilting ever so slightly to the side. "Whomever accomplished such a feat will be greatly rewarded by the High Elders. I have already assigned some of our best diviners to identify them, but it would save me some time if they came forth of their own volition." The opening hung in the air, prompting the two of them to fill in the details then and there, but neither Charon nor Emerius spoke. Raising a single eyebrow, the mage’s grin quivered at the edges. "The officer directly in charge of such... entrepreneurs would also be rewarded so long as the actions undertaken were done under specific orders." Still not responding, the officer sighed and shook his head. "If you learn anything regarding this event, please don’t hesitate to find me. I would love to personally congratulate those responsible. Until then, you two are to report back to the rally point. We have word that the High Elders wish to see you." Nodding, they simply offered a "yes sir" before turning and walking away, leaving the officer disappointed. ’Serves him right for putting us in the worthless group!’