CH11

The NRS Dunkirk drifts across the waves. There are no sounds, but the waves splashing and the humming of the engine

The sun is starting to rise, it’s golden light, the same as before, unchanging. But the men on board will never be the same

Before long, the towering walls peek over the horizon. Unwelcoming as ever.

Mark looks up from the deck, and huddles back down to mourn.

He knows what will happen.

The price of failure. Blood shed with nothing gained. Only stained the shoes of those on the throne. But they will trample to wash the stains with blood.

The ship docks. Soldier rushes to the pier, dawning grey uniforms.

They part, making way for someone.

Zinovia appeared, her stance proudly as ever.

“Kill them all” She declared.

These words alone killed the exhausted men, not the bullets, swords or magic. They dash back inside, prolonging their lives, for a little bit longer. The grey uniform soldiers rush onto the boat, weapons in hand. Their targets aren’t the scourges, it is mankind.

Sounds of ARGs, sword slashing, and exploding magic echo throughout, along with the screams and plead for mercy. Blood stained the hallways and the wheelhouse.

“Mark” John uttered, seeing his friend huddling up, looking down at the deck

“Is it my turn?” Mark said, looking up, his eyes redden.

“No” John replied “General Marble has request to deal with you himself”

Mark nodded “What about these two,”

“They’ll be at his mercy, just like you”

Mark slowly got to his feet, stumbling to get off the ship.

“Grab 2 stretchers” John ordered “I’ll lead you”

John went ahead of Mark, guiding him. His steps confidently.

But he dared not to look back. He knew what happened.

Mark follows John slowly, each step as heavy as his axe. Although he has more than 7 years of experience, he hasn’t lost an ally before and never thought that day would be real.

He thought what it would be like to feel it.

Oh, how naïve.

Reality is never like the imagined.

Oh, how it hurts.

Almost like a dark cloud has devoured him whole, His body isn’t hurt but they’re as heavy as the ship itself

Oh, his gaze into the abyss

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But the abyss ignored him, refusing to answer.

Oh, tears never came

How he wants to drop to the floor and weep. Wanting to be embraced by another. The shackles of duty won’t let him go that easily.

John stopped, gathered enough courage to face Mark.

“He is waiting for you here”

John opened the metal door; it’s a creak screaming in place of Mark as he stepped inside.

The lights blinded him, waking him up. The short general sits on a chair in the room with a desk in front, the door closed behind Mark.

“You can sit down” Marble said, Mark stood there, unmoving.

“Whatever you prefer” Marble tapped his finger on the desk

This was the first time the recon squadron has lost a member. Even Marble is out of wits.

“Listen here, Zinovia wants me to execute you like the others, to prevent you from dispersing this” Marble leaned back on his chair, a troubling look on his face. “But I argued with her, and decided to imprison you instead”

The silences are loud, almost deafening

“Will doing that bring Rose to life?” Mark asks

“What?”

“Will doing that bring all of the dead to life?”

“Well…No”

“THEN WHAT IS THE POINT?” Mark shouted “WHAT THE FUCK IS THE POINT OF ANYTHING”

“Uh…Uh” Marble struggles to answer

“SIR, I KNOW YOU’RE NOT HORRIBLE” Mark slams his fist into the desk, breaking it “BUT THAT BITCH NEEDS TO DIE”

“Hey, don’t say that...”

Mark signs “Then sir, take me to the fucking jail” giving his arms to Marble

Marble wipes the sweat on his forehead and ordered “Guard, take him away to jail”

John appeared, tapping Mark on his shoulder, who turned and walked out. John salutes and follows

They walked for a couple minutes in silence, until John said

“Hey, I’m sorry for your lost man”

Mark didn’t respond

“You did your job, they did theirs, and…she did hers”

Mark suddenly turns to face John, making him back away

“HER JOB?” He shouted, “HER JOB WAS TO DIE? IS THAT HOW IT IS?”

Mark stops for a few seconds

“John, you were my friend. But now…” Mark uttered and turn back

“You’ve disappointed me, I hope we never meet again after”

John face is filled with grief, but Mark will never see how he felt

“I’m sorry”

They continue walking until they’ve arrived at a cell.

“In here” John said quietly

Mark walked into the cell, there was nothing but a toilet, a steel bed and the cold metal floor. He sat down on the bed

“Wait here before we can transfer you to another cell” John explained, before handing Mark a card and whispers

“This is a blank identity card, used it to sneak out and board the Dunkirk. It will leave for Aquaria this evening”

Mark slaps the steel card out of John’s hand, dropping it on the floor. John closes the cell door and leaves

Mark huddles into the bed, his arm around his leg. Tears managed to fall this time; he began to weep. His mind swells with memories.

Those times are long gone. Never to return, like a fleeting dream.

Under his grief, however. A new emotion is stirred. Grief and sadness without reason often boils to

Anger.

A sky rending flame of rage.

His tears seem to evaporate. His blood boiled. He got up from the steel bed and picked up the blank card from the floor.

He stared at it, thinking of something.

Medical Squadron, Caprico

Furi opened her eyes, she looked around.

“How are you feeling” A voice called out.

She turns to face the voice’s source, it’s Julia. Furi tried to sit up, but her body refused. Exhausted. Weak. Not a shred of strength left.

“You just completely exhaust your mana” Julia said “it’s a miracle that you’re still alive”

A soldier in a grey uniform appeared. He tapped Julia’s shoulder, stepping forward.

“General Marble has sentence you to imprisonment. Effective immediately. Let’s go”

“What? she just woke up. Can’t you wait for her to recover a little?” Julia protested.

“Orders are orders, doctor” He replied, his word cold as ice.

“Unless you want to go there too”

The soldier yanked Furi out of her bed. Her legs struggling to support her.

“Stop! that hurts” Furi said

“I will drag you if I must” He replied

Furi attempts to break free from his grasp. But her frail condition is no match for him.

“Miss, I will give you this one warning. Corporate.”

“Fine, fine”

At the jail

“Your cell, miss” the soldier said

Furi grabs the railing, struggling to walk into the cell.

She collapses onto the steel bed. And fast asleep.

The soldier seeing this took off his hat and looked around, as if to see if anyone could see him.

He places his hat on his chest, he bows down.

“Thank you, and I’m sorry, miss” Putting on his hat, closing the door, and walking away.

At least his humanity survives for 1 more day.