Chapter 1 Part 4

“Bruce, why would you get provoked like that?” one of his men asked.

“Don’t worry, everything will be okay. The brat has no experience. This battle will be a cakewalk.” Bruce says as he cleans his axe.

“Yeah, but you can’t be too overconfident,” his other man advises, “I mean Iris seemed to know what she was doing.” Bruce stops cleaning. “What do you mean?” He asks slowly, his tone slowly changing, but his subordinate didn’t seem to notice.

“Well, you don’t usually let people’s words get to you even if you’re close to them. Yet, Iris seemed to have you at the corner. Oh and most people would be scared to talk to you, but she was toe to toe with you. That proves you have bravery, right? With enough training, she can become Greenville’s strongest warrior in just-.”

Bruce angrily grabs the collar of his other man’s shirt, “Why are you standing up for her? This girl is nothing but trouble. She thinks she can defend the village by herself. She thinks she’s strong enough to face one of those monsters and come out unscathed. She thinks she can fight me, someone who has seen the war with his own eyes, almost died, and was betrayed by the woman who promised to be there until the end as our beacon of hope. Just because she’s Silica’s daughter doesn’t mean she has the right to call her the strongest.”

“Bruce…”

Bruce lets go, “I’ll show her. I’ll show her the difference between a young veteran and a complete amateur. And, after my victory, will see if she has the confidence to provoke me again.”

“B-Bruce, don’t m-move.”

“What?” Bruce turns to see a wolf-like creature surrounded by pure darkness slowly approaching.

“Get behind me!” One of Bruce’s men steps forward with his sword drawn. His sword hand is shaking.

“K-Keep away if you hurt my Captain you’re in for-!” The creature’s right paw grows bigger and slams the warrior. When it lifted, there was nothing but a pool of blood. Bruce’s other man screams and runs away. Bruce is left alone with the creature smirking.

Bruce backs away slowly, “No, how can this be happening? I have done nothing wrong. I don’t deserve this! I can’t be your next victim. Please, I beg you! Don’t-!” Bruce screams as the creature pounces and surrounds him in darkness.