Wasteful Death

The cold wind whistled as it pierced the air. It blew so powerfully it carried off away anything not tied down. The wind only made the freezing temperatures of the surrounding arctic environment even worse. The only relief Kronos had from the blistering cold was the tent he was currently in. All he had for bedding was a worn blanket that had plenty of holes. Calypso wasn't about to provide her prisoners any decent protection for the frigid environment.

Kronos, Acacius, Thora, and Arai had been selected along with two dozen other prisoners to accompany Calypso and her troops on a mission. This was a common strategy for many Abnormal tribes, gather prisoners, usually sentenced to die, put them in squads, then send them into situations where death was all but guaranteed.

“ Fodder Corps!” The tribes gleefully called them. There would be no rewards for exceptional service shown in battle awaiting them, should any one of them survive. In a way, I hope I'm one of the many who won't live to see tonight’s moon. I grow weary of senseless killing.

Kronos sat in his tent shivering, listening to the wind. The prisoners were not permitted to have a fire to warm themselves and were only given broth and water to sustain them. Meanwhile the troops that mattered would be having a feast to prematurely celebrate their victory. Escape wasn't an option either. Calypso had notified the bands around the necks of the prisoners so they wouldn’t choke them due to the prisoners being so far from the prison.

Dying in service to Calypso. I’m amazed I can suppress the urge to vomit Kronos thought as he meditated in order to prepare himself mentally. All he knew of the mission was they were pursuing a feudal lord who had dared offend the Ishtar royal family. In a panicked rush, he had gathered his warriors and family before fleeing for the Northern Ice Fields. Many fugitives of Ocrad did this in the hopes of finding one of the Augar Giant Tribes. Being the most merciful Abnormal tribe by far, they routinely took in those being pursued. However, the ice fields were vast and treacherous; most who sought their salvation this way met their maker instead.

He awoke some hours later as a faint sun’s ray hit his eyes. With a yawn, he sat up and exited his tent. The fierce wind immediately caused him to shiver violently. He saw he was among the last to wake; the others were milling around, waiting to receive their orders. His stomach rumbled with hunger and he longed for even a crust of bread. Thora was crouched in front of her tent, muttering. Kronos was just nearby enough to where he could catch what she was singing

“ Hear my words O’ morning of date

Sense my resolve O’ gods fate

My heart is heavy, such a wrongful death

But I do not begrudge Lady Aramir for choosing to be the cause of my last breath

Hear my words O’ those who have died before me

Behold my feats on the field of battle and hear my decree

The will of Augar forever be the guide of my kin

As I enter the halls of Mohven. Great and eternal Mohven.”

Judging by the slow, deliberate pace Thora was singing, Kronos could tell she was singing her War Ballad. He quickly moved away so she could continue to privacy. War Ballads were sacred to those from the Giant tribes. Their warriors would sing them before they faced certain death. It was seen as highly disrespectful for giants of the same tribe to listen to another’s War Ballad. If an outsider had a death wish, an excellent way to fulfill it was to linger and listen to a War Ballad. While Kronos had no love for Thora, he held respect for the traditions of the Augar Giant Tribe.

Kronos awaited for Calypso to arrive to deliver orders. The Sintar Dragon Tribe had their pre-war traditions to honor their gods as well, but Kronos had never been taught them. The Lorekeepers decreed that because Half-Breeds were not full dragons, the gods would become angry if they were taught and practiced these rituals. Kronos had seen others perform them before, often the night before a battle. All he had ever been able to discern was there was a massive feast. Despite his love for education, there were things he had never been able to learn.

“ Listen up!” A voice demanded. The two dozen prisoners looked up to see Calypso had walked up to their small encampment. “ I hope you all slept well,” she told them with false sincerity laced with venom. “ You’ll be headed out shortly.” She pointed to a mountain peak to the east. “ The target is currently trying to escape through a glacier system and has left his army behind to slow us down. As I understand it, he is headed for one of the rivers around here.”

“ Azvar most likely,” Thora said, standing up. “ They’re half a day’s journey from here. The only way to get there is by navigating a series of glaciers and caverns. But it’s a maze. Unless you had a guide, you likely wouldn’t make it. Calypso gave her a look sharper than flint which Thora returned.

“ Anyway,” Calypso said, obviously annoyed Thora had spoken without permission. “ Me and the soldiers who matter will be going around and intercept the target. You Fodder Corps will be taking care of the soldiersour target has left to guard his trail” she said, brandishing her lance. “ And if any of you get an illusion of running away, you’ll die tired.” Her eyes met Kronos’s for a moment before looking at another prisoner.

“ Delta Yijun will be in charge of your unit.” Kronos didn’t bother hiding his surprise and dismay. It should be Arai or someone like that! It’s usually someone of Beta rank or higher that leads the charge. Can this Yijun even lead us properly? How much leadership experience can a Delta have?

“ And before I forget, I’ll be giving you some help. A regiment of brand new soldiers from Her High Majesty Lady Ishtar’s army. They’re going with you to make sure none of you try anything foolish such as try to escape. Now I suggest you get moving. Good luck,” Calypso said before stalking off. Kronos looked at the Abnormal who was to be his superior officer. He was among the older of the prisoners. He had dark brown skin that was slightly wrinkled, his black hair turning gray, and dark green eyes. He had a long narrow face with a round chin and was clean-shaven.

He wore a black armored robe with gold and red trim. On both the front and back of the robe was a Phoenix sleeping in the midst of a storm made entirely of sapphires. The shoulders were studded gold, as were the armored plates that covered the sides, back, and chest of the robe. He also wore black armored gauntlets and boots. From the scent of him, he was from one of the Eterna Phoenix Tribe. And from his worried demeanor, Kronos guessed it had been a while since he had seen battle.

“ Alright, I guess we should move out,” he said, not at all looking as a commanding officer should. The prisoners grouped up and began to leave the camp, followed closely by the regiment of soldiers that had never seen battle as they were loudly bragging about the number of enemies they would slay. Kronos figured not one of them would make it home alive. Have any of these fools ever fought in skirmishes before or are they complete whelps?

In stark contrast to the soldier’s boisterous behavior, the prisoners trekked towards the mountain Calypso had pointed to them in sullen silence.

“ Yijun, what in blazes are you doing?!“ he demanded as they made their trek to their destination.

“ What?” He asked, tilting his head.

“ You have us marching in a straight line, not even bothering trying to group us in a defensive formation! What if we’re ambushed?!” Kronos snarled, his fist sparking in anger.

“‘ That won’t happen, we’re not at the destination,” Yijun replied. Kronos wanted to strike this buffoon. This one was a great dealer older than him, old enough to have seen notable conflicts in Abnormal history.

“ Shut up and keep moving!” Came the harsh Copland from one of the Ishtar soldiers. Kronos gritted his teeth and kept moving. Don’t tell me we’ve had a incompetent moron appointed over us! Damn it Calypso. The patrol arrived at the destination a couple of hours later. Leading to a cave entrance was a steep sloop covered in ice and snow. Kronos wished the battle would take place on the open ice field instead; he hated combat in close quarters.

I don’t like this. I feel like I’m being watched. A lookout could have seen us coming across the open terrain and warned the rest of the enemy. With loud frenzied yells, the inexperienced soldiers pushed past the Abnormals and charged up the slope.

“ Call them back!” Kronos yelled at Yijun. The Phoenix just stared back at him helplessly. Kronos snarled and turned his attention away from the fool. The charging Ishtar soldiers didn’t manage to make the entrance before arrows rained down upon them. Their yells of excitement turned to fear and pain as the soldiers halted and tried to turn around and run back down the slope as arrows felled more and more of them by the second. Yijun took a couple of steps back, terror on his face as he watched the would-be heroes die before his eyes. Before the prisoners could assess their options, a heavy fog fell upon them.

This isn’t a natural fog! Don’t tell me they have Abnormals on their side too! Kronos thought. Yijun took a few steps backward.

“ I… I can’t stay here!” He exclaimed.

“ What are you talking about?! For the love of the gods, man, give us orders!” Kronos demanded.

“ Like what?! I don’t know what I’m doing! I’m not a soldier, damn it!” Yijun shouted. Acacius stepped in front of him as Yijun tried to run away. Without saying a word, Acacius’s right hand began engulfed in green fire. Before Yijun could react, Acacius punched him so hard in the chest his fist entered Yijun’s body. The Phoenix coughed, his eyes bulging as blood flowed from his body. Acacius withdrew his fist and stepped back, watching the body fall with a look of disgust.

“ Was that necessary?” Kronos asked his brother. “ You should have just let him run off.”

“ Any leader who would desert their troops to try and save their own skin deserves to die,” Acacius replied. Kronos was forced to admit his brother was right. His ears perked up as he heard more screams of pain. Due to the fog, he couldn’t see further than a foot in front of him. However, the scent of blood and the cries of agony told him they were under attack.

“ Group up!” He heard Arai yell at the top of her lungs, taking charge of the situation. “ Back to back! Four to a group at the twelve, three, six, and nine positions!” Kronos took the twelfth position, Thora at the third position, Acacius at the sixth position, and Arai at the ninth position. The four of them stood in place as the sounds of people being slain without even seeing their killers filled the air. I hope the rest of them did as Arai instructed. Thank the gods she’s here.

Kronos tensed as he heard footsteps coming from his right. Not taking any chances, he fired a white lightning bolt from the palm of his hand. He heard someone scream in agony then the sound of a body collapsing on the ground. The smell of fresh blood invaded his nostrils. He hoped that was an enemy, it would torture him if it proved to be one of his comrades. He could tell the others were also firing attacks into the fog whenever they heard approaching footsteps.

Kronos stood and listened, and the sounds of men and women dying gradually died down. He has no idea how much time has passed. He was too scared to take a step out of formation, worried it would give away his position. He fired a lightning bolt in front of him, hearing another body drop after a wail of agony. He heard more footsteps approaching him and fired white lightning bolts in corresponding directions. He was beginning to notice footsteps heading in their direction more frequently.

We’re giving ourselves away! Kronos thought. “ Arai, can you take us up?!” He shouted. His outburst earned him a dirty look from Acacius and Thora. What are you doing?! Do you want to give us away?! Their glares said. Arai however, nodded and placed her hand on the slope, causing four stone pillars to erupt from under their feet and carry them ten feet in the sky.

“ Acacius, any chance you can melt all the snow on the slope?” Kronos asked.

“ What are you planning?” His brother asked with a quizzical expression.

“ Just trust me,” Kronos replied. His brother said nothing; he just conjured two balls of green fire in the palms of his hands and hurled them at the slope. The mountain rumbled and shook, the fire working fast to turn the snow into rushing water. Kronos heard multiple cries of shock rise in the air from the battlefield. Kronos raised a hand in the air, palm facing upward. If there are any of our allies still alive down there, then I’m sorry. Kronos conjured a burst of white lightning into the sky then directed it to the slope. In the blink of an eye, the white lightning bolt slammed into the slope.

Wails of agony split the air as the water conducted the lightning, causing anyone down there to be affected by the attack. The sound of the water rushing down the slope did nothing to block out their cries.

“ Now I see! Well done!” Acacius said, clapping him on the shoulder.

“ That was very clever of you, Kronos,” Arai praised. Thora said nothing but Kronos caught her eye. He was surprised to see her staring at him with a guarded expression then gave him a slight nod of respect. Kronos turned from her and clenched his fists. I take no joy in this! He had fought in battles before, sure, but those had served a purpose. The deaths suffered in previous conflicts weren’t so wasteful as the deaths on this day were. Kronos didn’t even know how many of his allies he had killed.

“ So what’s next?“ he heard Acacius ask. He opened his mouth to answer but stopped once he realized he hadn’t thought that far ahead. Damn! The four of them were essentially stuck up there due to his actions. Granted, if Kronos tried walking up the slope, he wouldn’t be affected as lightning didn’t affect him. But Arai, Thora, and Acacius wouldn’t be able to do so.

“ Don’t worry, I’ll take it from here,” Arai said. She extended her arms, palms facing the pillars. The stone perches suddenly moved for the cave entrance on their own accord, almost as if the four of them were riding upon the heads of serpents. In just mere moments, they jumped off the pillars and looked down the slope to study the carnage the now dissipated fog had been concealing. Bodies of friend and foe alike littered the foot of the slope, the water stained by the blood that had stained the snow. Burnt flesh and blood invaded the nostrils of Kronos, causing him to gag.

“ Looks like we’re all that’s left,” Thora said. “ We better head inside the cavern and take out the others.”

“ I suppose taking this chance to run away is out of the question,” Acacius suggested. Arai shook her head.

“ There isn’t a tribe that would help us, meaning we’d have to find our way out of here on our own. Even with Thora, who lived in the area all her life, we’d be lucky to make it. It wouldn’t take Calypso long to hunt us down.”

“ What do you mean the tribes wouldn’t help us? We have one of their own in our company; surely they would!” Acacius objected.

“ Trust me, they wouldn’t,” Thora said in a voice that warned the conversation was over. “ Our only course of action is to push forward with our mission. Once we’re inside the cavern, I’ll lead the way.” Wordlessly she headed inside the cave, followed by Arai.. Kronos took a moment to look at the bodies piled on top of each other. Such a waste.

“ Are you coming brother?” Acacius inquiried, standing near the cave entrance. Kronos looked back at him.

“ How long are we going to have to do this? Play her games I mean. Look what has happened here today. For what?” Acacius was silent for a few moments as he studied Kronos.

“ I fear this may be our lives now. We may have no other choice but to accept it.”

“ Surely there is something we can do,” Kronos protested. “ Perhaps if we talk to the soldiers-“

“ They’d cut you down before you got the chance,” Acacius told him sternly. “ Don’t be foolish, Kronos. They are the enemy and they see you the same way. You can’t afford to be soft in the middle of battle. Mercy doesn’t exist on the battlefield. It’s either us or them.

It’s just how things have been in Ocrad, since before the time of our forefathers’ forefathers. And it will continue long after our time. There is a reason none of the other countries in the East will have anything to do with us. They fear the endless bloodlust of Ocrad and they are right to do so. Diplomacy is a word so rarely used it’s become obscure. Now come on, we have a mission to compete.”

Kronos took one last look at the blood scene beneath him and clenched his fists. I will find a way to change it, he vowed before following his brother inside the cave.