Death, Unforgiving

War is a cruel affair.

"Break!' An anguished roar echoed through the heavens as a giant palm smashed through the grand formation, successfully breaking it.

Blinding white light flashed as the grand formation crumbled and in the midst of the chaos stood two forms, a black robed man holding a blood colored saber and a white robed man armed with a curious-looking black spear.

The battlefield was eerily silent. Hundreds of thousands have perished on the spot but aside from the howling wind no other sound could be heard.

The white robed man spat out a mouthful of blood as he leaned heavily on his spear. The front of his once pristine white robes was now dyed crimson. The black robed man looked on dispassionately as the man straightened his back.

"Why?" The white robed man was furious but beneath his enraged tone were grief and heartache.

"They promised to bring her back..."

The white robed man paled and was dazed for a moment but quickly recovered. Pain and torment were evident in his eyes as he stared at the black robed man.

Without another thought, the black robed man launched another frenzied attack.

They were sworn brothers. The bravest and strongest generals within the alliance and entrusted as keepers of the gate.

But after a tragic incident, the seemingly perfect relationship fractured. Irreparably. The two men who once swore in unity and trudged on the same path suddenly diverged.

One was determined to fulfill his oath and perform his duty while the other wanted to challenge fate.

No one could judge whose path was right or wrong but this gave their enemy a weakness to exploit.

Human hearts are fragile, easily affected, easily beguiled. Demons are masters of seduction. A little thought, a bit of coercion and a seed of doubt could be sowed within one's heart. Such thoughts would fester and could make even the most virtuous fall.

Because of his choice, the black robed man condemned hundreds of thousands to death. He trapped the army in a grand formation that was meant to wipe them out in one clean swoop. If the white robed man had not used his secret art he, too, would have perished and the black robed man would have succeeded.

The white robed man was the only person standing between the black robed man and the gateway. If he falls, the demon army waiting on the other side of the gateway would invade the mortal realm and commence an endless slaughter.

The white robed man looked at the man he once called 'brother' and felt a stabbing pain in his heart. He remembered the day they met, the first time he was called 'big brother' and the numerous adventures they had together.

As the blood-colored saber descended and struck a deadly blow, a beautiful face flashed within his memories.

He cannot be soft-hearted. He cannot fall…

With a simple thrust of his black spear, the white robed man parried the incoming attack. Another thrust and slash blocked and attacked the flashing saber light. By the fourth move the black robed man was grievously overpowered.

The black spear struck for the final time and impaled the black robed man's chest. When the white robed man pulled out his weapon, only a gaping hole was left where the black robed man's heart once was.

The white robed man slowly raised his head towards the heavens, tears mixed with blood slowly rolled down his pale cheeks.

"You're so silly little brother," He whispered in agony. "No one can bring back the dead..."

With the keeper still standing the gateway remained tightly shut. The hoard of demons gathered on the other side have no way to invade.

That day, despite the odds, the realm of men won. Still, they might have won the battle but the war had just begun…

The end… or is it?