Chapter 9: Why I fight
“well? What happened next?”
Monkey had been listening to every word Wolf has been saying with anticipation.
Wolf smirked.
“tell ya later, if I end up surviving this.”
“Seriously? You cant be serious. What happened to Amyah!? To Aiden? Did your mother kill them? What was it like being an assassin for the king? The way you made it sound...Wolf. You were a completely different person.”
Wolf smile faded.
“Yeah....I hated it. I understood my duty. My obligation to the crown. But that way of killing. Sticking to the shadows. It... it changes you. Make you colder. I didn’t like the person I was becoming.”
Monkey was confused.
“then why did you become an assassin?”
Wolf looked in his mother direction as she was finished speaking with her generals.
“because Carmilla placed me there. She wanted me to get close to the king.... to kill him”
Monkey mouth hung open in disbelief.
“but you never did?”
“no, I couldn’t"
He turned his head towards Monkey
I’ve met someone in there. Serving the king who changed my mind.
“what happened since then that you would side with your mother now?”
“his king betrayed him”
Carmilla had returned
“which is why it surprised me to see him defending someone who ordered his death. Anyway,”
She turned to Monkey,
“one of my men will escort you out to the border, it's time for you to leave”
Monkey looked towards Wolf. Did his brother want him to leave?
Wolf and Carmilla stared at each other
“its, for the best. You could die in this battle Monkey”
It was clear, though family They weren’t on good terms but still it hurt to hear that from him
“They’re treating me like a child, I made it this far alone. Almost died plenty of times, how different could this be from another night out in the wild?”
Monkey finally spoke.
“I appreciate the concern but I survived my share of battles traveling here, I came a long way and I’m not going to just leave while you fight a war alone”
He turned towards Carmilla.
“No need to worry about me, if I die I die. What would it hurt having one more pair of hands on your side?”
She let out a sigh as wolf looked unconvinced. Then turned to face Monkey.
“have you ever been in a war?"
“wha-”
“have you ever killed before?”
“of course,”
Carmilla leaned in closer.
“I’m not talking about monsters. I mean your fellow brethren. Other demi-humans.”
Monkey tried to look away but she forced him to look her in the eye.
Wolf started to get up but was held down by two of Carmilla Warriors.
“Carmilla”
“This is not a game. You are a wild card. True, you’re skilled, but an unpolished warrior. Reckless, You'd mindlessly wondered into our camp without thinking for a second that you could die. That kind of idiotic thinking WILL get you killed. You got lucky. But luck will only take you so far.”
What the hell was going on? Monkey was getting angry. Just who the hell did this woman think she is?
Monkey struggled to get the words out. Everything all of a sudden gotten tense. He felt like his life was on the line.
“what the hell is your problem?”
Wolf was thrown to the ground. Struggling against the two.
“Carmilla. I’m warning you”
Carmilla Ignored Wolf, Keeping her focus on Monkey
“haven't you realized it yet?”
It was at this moment Monkey felt a blade to his throat.
“When did y-”
She pressed the blade closer.
“you became too relaxed the moment you found Wolf, the actual circumstance that you’ve found yourself in didn’t register clearly it seemed. So, let me teach you properly. WE. ARE. AT. WAR. Yet here you are like you’re on a camping trip drinking a warm cup of tea.”
Monkey could tell. This woman would kill him without batting an eye right in this moment.
“this woman crazy.”
His mind went back to his time in the rooster kingdom. The village. Vulcan. Once again, he let his guard down.
His gem began to glow. In that instant Carmilla gripped tighten, pressing the blade deeper drawing blood.
“Calm. Down. Do anything rash and you’ll die. Then Wolf will die.”
What the hell? Would this woman really kill her own son?
“Y-you’re l-lying.”
“do you really want to test that theory?”
“Honestly no, I don’t know why I just said that... calm down, calm down, calm down”
Monkey closed his eyes. Taking deep breath, calming himself.
Once Carmilla saw that Monkey wouldn’t try anything she released her grip, Sheathing her sword.
“good. It seems you don’t act completely on impulse.”
She signaled for her two guards to let Wolf up.
“look around you. Now that the Kutta are gone. What do you see? Warriors? Savages? Let me tell you what I see... Fathers, Sons, Mothers and Daughters. People who are fighting for their beliefs. The ruler Ti shin..is no king. He hasn’t been one in a long time. Being easily swayed by those in his court. Did you know, that it was one of his courts officials that suggested that my people be put out to live on the border. They tried to pass it off as an honorary position. That we would be protectors. But it was nothing more than blatant exile.”
Monkey noticed that all the Bhediya stopped what they were doing and were watching them now.
“when you entered our border. What did you think?”
Monkey thought about it.
“it was cold...freezing. I thought my blood would freeze if I stayed there too long.”
Carmilla nodded.
“The Bhediya are more Resistance to the cold than the Kutta are. But our borders are the coldest points in our entire region. It's our first line of defense. but even still...the council suggested to the king for us to live inside that blizzard. ‘Imagine trying to fight in that snowstorm’ they told him.”
Monkey didn’t want to imagine it. If it wasn’t for his fire gem. He might’ve frozen to death before he made it through.
“The king...agreed with their proposal. With little to no concern over our own well-being. We weren't even seen as his people anymore. Just savages.”
She couldn’t hide the anger in her voice anymore.
“years we’ve put up with this abuse. Years! No longer will I have my people suffer this injustice.”
She stared at Monkey.
“Even if this kingdom’s god decides to finally reappear, I will cut him down, Even if we face the fang of Akita I will cut him down. I’ll encase Ti Shin whole kingdom in eternal ice before I allow him or his council to subjugate our people again. This is why I fight!”
The Bhediya howled around their leader. Monkey looked at this woman, at Wolf’s mother in amazement.
“you would even... Fight against the gods?
The words just came out. Before they disappeared, the gods became ruthless to any that challenge them.
“I would. I don’t want to see my people suffer anymore. And for change to happen one must overcome many obstacles and hardship.”
Wolf turned his head. As if he wasn’t believing a single word from his mother. But Monkey didn’t notice. He was captivated.
“so, Monkey, if you’re going to fight in this war, my question is...why?”
silence lingered
Monkey thought about it, before giving his answer.
“As much as I hate it, you were right. I didn’t think I would be killed, espically once I found Wolf. This is the second time this has happened to me. But as you said. This battle is important to your people. It's not my fight. I just came to see my brother.”
Carmilla looked towards Wolf who stared at Monkey. Surprised.
“and now that you’ve seen him again. What will you do now?”
“well...I’m going to fight beside him of course.”
Monkey revealed a huge grin
“I cant leave, wont leave knowing his about to take part in a battle like this. You’re asking me why? The answer simple, I’m staying here to fight for my brother.”
Carmillla turned around.
She now addressed the rest of her Warriors.
“all of you. Finish preparing and get some rest. We march onto the Kutta Captial at sunrise!”
“yes ma’am!!”
They all went back to their duties.
~
Wolf couldn’t stop laughing. Him and Monkey were given a small house to rest in. From the contents inside one would guess a small family lived here.
“I’ll be fighting for my brother”
Wolf imitated Monkey
Then went back to laughing.
“hey, hey. I couldn’t really think of something cooler to say after she held a blade to my throat. Your mother crazy.”
Monkey rubbed his throat. Remembering the cold steel that was once there.
“yeah, she is. Glad to see you didn’t fall for her words like everyone else.”
“Wolf...I don’t think your mother was lying. She does care for her people”
Wolf sat down on his bed.
“it's not...Carmilla only respects power monkey. If you’re weak, if you show any weakness. She will leave you behind. In a pack. The weakest is always left to fend for itself.”
They sat there in silence before Wolf continued.
“I know she cares for her people, it's the whole reason she started this war. Regardless of the consequences, it's just... she lives by a strong belief, that those who are strong, those who can take strength. Are meant to rule. Those who can’t, are destined to serve. And I... I didn’t just betray my mother, I betrayed the clan. I was too weak to kill lord Ti Shin.”
Monkey was surprised, to him Wolf was one the strongest person he’d known. He was always there for him, whenever Monkey needed him. And his brother thought himself... no, believed himself to be weak.
“hey, Wolf... I... I don’t know everything you been through, but from what I can tell you made a hard decision. You had hope for a better life without bloodshed, not just for you but for your people. You had hope and having hope doesn’t make you weak.”
Wolf couldn’t help but smile, thought he still looked sad.
“On another note, can you finish telling me the rest of your story? I got to know what happened next?”
Wolf let out a small chuckle.
“well what happened next became the reason I’m here.... revenge. It's like Carmilla said. My king betrayed me.”
~
Wolf came between Carmilla and Amyah. Using his sword to block her attack.
“it’s over mother! You won. We're no match for you”
Carmilla face twisted into disgust.
“Wolf....such a disappointment. All this could’ve been avoided if you had just done your job from the start. But what do you do instead? You decided to betray me. Your own mother.”
Wolf had to look away.
Carmillia face sowed with rage.
“did the pampered life of royalty get to you? Or did you become so timid that your mind can be easily swayed just like that foolish lord of yours!!!!”
Carmilla gem glowed as her power erupted. Wolf looked down and saw ice was forming at the base of his feet. Slowly its was rising, freezing over the rest of his body.
“Mother...stop!!! Please!”
They heard a howl in the distance. The battle around them was drawing to a close as cheers could be heard.
“it sounds like your men are retreating. This battle is over”
Carmilla quickly turned around to block an attack from Aiden. Then with one hand a spear of ice launch through Aiden’s Gut.
“must say I’m disapp-”
Carmilla was cut short as she felt a blade pierce into her side from behind.
She turned to see that Wolf was completely frozen. The blade went through him as well. On the other end was Amyah.
“you’re dead Carmilla. You let your guard down...This sword is coated in poison. This end of your bloody revolt.”
Carmilla face remained calm. Paying no mind to Amyah she rushed over to Aiden fallen body. Quickly searching him, finding a vial similar to what Amyah had taken.
Aiden eyes shot open as he reached out grabbing Carmilla arm.
“did you think it would be that easy?”
Lightning started to envelope his entire body.
Carmilla attempted to kill him but Amyah interfered attacking her from behind. Forcing her to defend from his attacks.
“after we killed you...our next mission was to completely eradicate the Bhediya race”
Aiden gathered more enegry as Amyah continued his assault.
Whenever Carmilla used magic Amyah would put some distance between them, throwing more knives. Then quickly rush her down so she couldn't focus on Aiden.
The Poison was working quickly. It was becoming hard to defend herself.
“bastards...you really think I’ll die here?”
More howls could be heard as Carmilla troops were returning. It seemed they could sense something was wrong and was rushing towards her.
“Carmilla!?”
One of her soldiers yelled. As he exited the forest.
“I refuse to die here!!!” she turned to strike Aiden as Amyah lunge forward his blade aiming straight for her.
Aiden body erupted. Lightning struck out towards the sky. As if striking the heavens themselves. The light from the seemed to illuminate the entire forest.
But as she said. Carmilla would not die here. A snowstorm appeared to collide with the lightning the force of the impact knocked Amyah back. Even Wolf who was frozen solid was knocked back by the collision of lightning and ice.
~
The area behind where Carmilla was now completely covered by ice. A light snowfall, envelope in electricity, in front of her was Aiden charred body.
Carmilla stood up. She lifted her left hand where she held the vial. Both was missing.
“My lady”
A young soldier appeared and kneeled before her. “We managed to force the kutta back. They're in full retreat.”
“Good.” Carmilla looked around. “it seems the last assassin also left”
“Do you want us to give pursuit?”
The soldier asked.
“No, also search the bodies for a small vial. I’ve been poisoned and the one I had got destroyed in the blast...along with my hand it seems”
Carmilla looked annoyed as she continued to stare at her arm.
“I’m so sorry. More of us should’ve stayed here to protect you. Then this wouldn’t of happen”
“save your apologies. Fine that vial, quickly”
She focused her magic. Creating a makeshift ice hand.
“my lady. Is this the one you need?”
The soldier returned to her side revealing a vial similar to what Amyah had taken and what was destroyed in the recent blast.
“yes. Good job”
She took the. Using her mouth to open it she quickly drank it contents.
“ma’am. What do you want us to do with the one you sealed in ice?”
Carmilla turned towards Wolf who was imbedded into the mountain side.
She stared at the spot where Amyah blade had penetrated to reach her.
“gather the troops. We're leaving”
“Yes, milady”
The soldier left immediately
Carmilla placed a hand on icy prison.
“Funny isn't it. You betrayed me. For a king that betrayed you and now. More lives are lost because of it. But I should thank you...cause now I know the king had plan to end our entire race and for that. I shall end his entire bloodline”
Her magic flowed within the prison. Wolf then fell in a deep sleep as the world around him went dark.
~
“Next thing I knew. I wake up to see Eddie C. tending to me. She told me she had cured me of the poison. Explained how she found me frozen solid. The ice completely stopped the poison from spreading in my body.”
Wolf face shown with regret and confusion.
“i just don’t get it. I betrayed her. I betrayed my mother, my people. And she still saved me. Why?”
Wolf looked up to see Monkey with a smile that spread wide across his face.
“what?”
“you got frozen in a block of ice and was tossed around like a ragdoll”
Monkey started laughing
“it not like I could exactly stop it!! I wielded no magic back then!!”
Wolf said in his defense but Monkey couldn’t stop laughing
“but there something I don’t understand. Why didn’t you return back home after your wounds healed?”
“Beside not wanting to get my ass kicked again? I needed to get stronger. And I needed magic. Eddie C. offered me both.”
Wolf’s face broke into a grin as he pointed a finger at Monkey
“I don’t regret staying either because not long after I met a hard headed primate who sulked in his room for months”
“psssssh sulking? I think you’re confused I just didn’t want to be annoyed by people”
“un huh so sulking then”
“can we go back to where your mother froze you in ice”
They both laugh
“I don’t want you to be in this Monkey. It too dangerous”
Wolf grew more serious but Monkey was unfazed as he lied down on his bed
“yeah well too bad. I came by to visit you. I can't leave knowing you’re about to enter a huge war without me? Think I’ll let you have all the fun for yourself?”
“fun?” Wolf raised an eyebrow
“I’m not leaving you to fight this alone. I got your back”
Monkey let out a yawn.
“I suppose we have to get up early won’t we?”
“yeah. Carmilla would want to march upon the Castle as soon as possible and to meet up with her remaining forces.”
“alright then. See you in the morning brother”
Monkey fell asleep
“some things never change”
Wolf smiled to himself
“night little brother”
~
Monkey let out a long yawn. They had been marching for two days. With little time to rest. Monkey doesn’t understand how Wolf could do it. Like the rest of the Bhedyia he seemed fine. And..
One of the Bhedyia shoved past him moving forward
“either keep up or go home monkey”
The warriors treated him like he was a nuisance. He stepped on the Bhedyia’s tail. Causing him to trip, falling into the snow.
“oh, I’m sorry. It's so hard to watch where I’m going with this snowfall”
The soldier let out a growl as he quickly got up to attack Monkey
“easy now.”
Wolf stepped in between them
“We’re nearing the capital. No need to start a fight now.”
The soldier and Monkey stared at each other before he decided to walk past
“A traitor and his pet chimp. I don’t know why Carmilla waste her time letting you both into this battle”
A snowball flew right into the back of the soldier head.
He turned around furious
Monkey and Wolf acted like they didn’t know what just happen and kept walking
“what's wrong buddy?” Monkey asked
“yeah, keep up or go home right?”
Wolf followed up as they walked pass him.
The soldier was about to say more till they heard a howl from up ahead.
Monkey was told about this from Wolf. The Howl indicated that allies from the other armies are approaching.
True enough. Two Warriors appeared to meet with Carmilla.
One was a pale woman with silk white hair, her eyes though seem to lead you into depths of darkness. She carried twin Scimitar swords on her back. She wore a long dress that was almost as white as the snow. It cut, revealing her long legs.
“how is she not freezing?”
The other was a man. He had a crazy look to him. He wore a red and golden-brown armor. He Carried a blade and chain on his hip. Like the woman it like the cold barely affected him. Wearing a open shirt, sleeves looked as if they were torn off. Monkey noticed the feather ontop of his head as well.
They kneeled as soon as they approached Carmilla
“My Queen” they both said in unison
“report”
“The army to the west is ready to seize the capital. We were able to stay hidden from thanks to the snow. And made it here without losing a single soldier”
Carmilla looked impressed.
“well done Li chi”
She looked at her other general.
“Unlike dear chi here. We were unable to approach with stealth. From the East we’ve conquered fort Ba sin. Like you ordered. me and my men only killed the enemy troops. The elderly, women and children we let go. We did lose some troops but was able to keep casualties to a minimum for the upcoming siege”
Carmilla nodded as if she expected as much
“so, they’re aware of us from the South and the East. Far as they know our troops from the West haven't appeared yet. Hmmm, lets keep it that way for now. Skoll inform your troops. I’m done waiting. We strike immediately.”
“yes your highness”
The one called Skoll turned around and ran back to his troops.
Carmilla then turned to Li chi and whispered something to her. Monkey couldn’t hear. But once she was done Li chi seemingly disappeared into the snow.
“wow. She is good”
“pfft, no she isn't. She just taking advantage of the weather. In this blanket of snow anyone could blend in. If you completely covered yourself in that fur coat even you could sneak up on someone in this snow-covered field.”
Wolf replied.
“Everyone. Listen up!”
Monkey, Wolf and the rest of the Bhediya looked up to Carmilla. The woman who was going to lead them to their final battle. Or to a new future.
~
Carmilla... took a deep breath, she stared up to the sky as the snow continued to fall. Years of fighting, years of hiding. It all lead to this moment. If everything went accordingly. She’ll know how it ends. But nothing is certain in war.
“Years ago. Before the twelve disappeared. We were created by the Dog god to serve and protect the kutta. Back then. I thought becoming a general for the Kutta was one of the highest honors ever. But in reality. I was living in fear. Fear because we all know how ruthless the twelve can be when they are displeased.”
Carmilla looked pass the people who gathered before her. Recalling a memory that seemed liked a nightmare.
“But then, something more terrifying appeared.”
Low Murmurs in agreement could be heard. Many seem to recall that battle.
“That right... I’m talking about the Black Beast. It appeared out of nowhere slaughtering everyone without discrimination. Our prayers to the Twelve went unheard. We were left on our own. And then a miracle happened. To fight this beast the Twelve kingdoms decided to come together. United. I never thought I would see that day”
She laughed.
“United? What a joke. When the Kutta was called to arms who did they send to frontline instead!?”
Her people spoke in unison.
“Bhediya!!”
“Even after our bloodshed, our sacrifice. Were we Welcome back into our homelands with opens arms?”
“NO!!”
Carmilla voice rose with anger. And her raged seemed to spread out through her army.
“Instead. Our king. Lord Ti shin feared us even more. Called us savages. Exiled us to the borders. The coldest part in our Region. Spreading us thin. He tried to divide us. But did we let him?”
“NOO!!”
“instead because of his fear he surrounded himself. Over the years I went from clan to clan gathering allies. And know what. Not ONE BHEDIYA TURNED DOWN THE CALL FOR ARMS!!”
They howled. The howl echoed through the forest. She was sure they could hear it inside the kingdom too. Good. That what she wanted.
“WE’VE ENDURED, WE’VE BLED, AND NOW WE ARE HERE!! THE LIVES THAT WERE LOST WAS NOT LOST IN VAIN!! IT BROUGHT US TO THIS VERY MOMENT!!”
The troops howled again! Louder!!
“THE DOG SHOULD’VE NEVER ASCENDED INTO GODHOOD, INSTEAD IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF OUR KIND. A WOLF!! ONE OF THE BHEDIYA!! BROTHERS, SISTERS! TODAY IS THE DAY. WE’LL GAIN OUR FREEDOM HERE OR HISTORY WILL KNOW WE DIED FIGHTING AN INJUSTICE RULER!!”
The troops cheered. Rallying under one cause shouting
“BHEDIYA!! BHEDIYA!! BHEDIYA!!”
Carmilla rose her sword
“He calls us savages. Let this battle show him how SAVAGE WE CAN BE!!”
Carmilla lead the charge!
The Bhediya howled as they followed her into battle. Into a war that meant either their extinction or their salvation.