Two weeks had passed since the testing. In the days that followed it, Arko had immersed himself in rigorous training.
Two particular techniques dominated his training regimen, each one aligned with one of his aspects. The first technique was an embodiment of his strength aspect. As he swung his practice sword, Arko summoned his aura, channeling it through his muscles and into the blade. With a resounding crash, his sword cleaved through the air, a tangible shockwave resonating in its wake.
The second technique was rooted in his endurance aspect. In this practice, Arko focused on circulating his aura within his body, guided by the unwavering rhythm of his heartbeat. As he engaged in repetitive drills and distance runs, he felt his stamina surge, his body sustained by the energy coursing through him. The technique allowed him to endure longer, fight harder, and push beyond his previous limits.
Both were the most basic aura manipulation techniques taught in the army, but even these techniques when used correctly could be devastating.
Being in the aura user's army division, Arko was mostly left to his own devices, which suited him perfectly fine. After going for one last repetition of his endurance technique, he got up from his meditating position and prepared to go down to the eating hall.
Suddenly shouts erupted outside his division's barracks. Curious Arko walked out to where the commotion was happening.
"Move out of the way ! Get them to the infirmary now !"
"Move, Move, get more stretchers !"
As Arko emerged into the open, he saw a group of soldiers from a scouting division. They were battered, some covered in dirt and blood, and the air was tense with a mix of relief and urgency. Among them was a man in a stretcher, his face twisted with pain, his arms conspicuously absent, the stumps of his shoulders wrapped in bandages.
Approaching them to inquire about the situation, the armless man's look of desperation grabbed his attention. The man's eyes were wild, and his voice carried a mixture of desperation and confusion. "Thousand-year war! The ancient enemy... they've returned... the prophecy... the world will burn!"
Arko's heart quickened at the man's words. His mind raced with questions, and he couldn't ignore the sense of foreboding that gripped him. The ancient enemy? what Prophecy?
Seizing the opportunity, Arko stepped forward, his voice edged with concern. "What do you mean? What's happening?"
The man's eyes locked onto Arko's, and his voice dropped to a low, urgent whisper. "They've awakened... the thousand-year war... the cycle begins anew... the world will burn..."
Before Arko could press for more details, the other soldiers surrounding the wounded man reacted with a mix of annoyance and dismissal. "Ignore him," one soldier grumbled. "He's lost his mind out there. Too much battle, not enough sense left."
They quickly moved the wounded man away, their faces bearing a mixture of sympathy and impatience.
Intrigued but mostly just confused, he decided not to think to deeply about the delusional mans ramblings.
Just then the aura division's clarion call resounded through the air. Arko turned around and made his way back over to the meeting room.
Entering the room, he noticed some familiar faces from the testing day. However most of the soldiers here were clearly veterans, their faces weathered by the harsh environment.
As soon as everyone had arrived, the division commander stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over them. "A situation has arisen, Our scouts have reported increased orc activity near the northern borders," the commander continued. "just today an infantry division had to engaged one of their raiding parties. they were defeated. the survivors have reported that the enemy had five aura users, with one of them being at the consolidation stage."
"In response to this threat, we will be dispatching eight of you to join a regular army division and eliminate the threat," the commander stated firmly. He pivoted, his gaze focused on the blackboard behind him, where he began to inscribe names. "Those whose names are listed here are to report to the general command within the next hour!"
Checking the board, Arko quickly found his name near the bottom, he also recognized one other name, Entar's.
With a deep breath, Arko headed back to his room. He gathered his equipment, which comprised of a sturdy chainmail vest that clung tightly to his body, offering both protection and flexibility. He fastened the leather vambraces onto his forearms and the matching leather greaves onto his shins.
His head was encased in a round-topped helmet, featuring a simple nose guard for facial protection as well as chainmail that draped down from it to protect his neck and shoulders.
With his equipment secured, Arko's hand gripped the hilt of his standard-issue short sword, and slung his round shield over his shoulder. Thinking for a moment, he tucked the old book under his tunic. Then exiting his room, he stepped out into the corridor and made his way towards the general command headquarters.
Upon reaching the headquarters, he spotted Entar among the assembled soldiers. Their eyes met briefly, acknowledging one another. Arko's gaze then fell on another familiar face – the man who had emerged as the speed type during the testing.
Soon, the squad captain stepped forward, a battle-hardened aura master with a long scar etched across his jaw. His voice carried an air of authority as he introduced himself as Eric, a peak consolidation aura user as well as being their leader.
Beside him stood the vice-captain, Milo, a stocky man who exuded an air of reliability. Eric's words were brief and direct, outlining the mission's objective and the importance of their task. Arko's gaze shifted to the 100-man infantry unit that had assembled nearby, and their captain, a tall and bald man who radiated a sense of discipline.
"Soldiers march !"
stepping into the lead Eric lead their combined forces to the city's main gates. As they made their way through the city citizens of Haitan-dma made way for them.
The landscape gradually shifted as they ventured further north, leaving behind the familiar sights of the city. The path ahead was rough, and Arko could feel the weight of his equipment as he trudged along.
The group marched in silence, the tension palpable in the air. As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows over the rugged landscape, Eric called for a brief halt. The squad swiftly gathered around him.
"Listen up !"
Eric's voice rang out, commanding attention. "We're getting close to the orc's last known location. From here on, we proceed cautiously. Once the scouts report their whereabouts we will immediately engage them. Remember, our objective is to eliminate the threat. Stay vigilant."
The unit continued onward through the countryside as the sun sank lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the rugged terrain.
The tension in the air was palpable, the soldiers' every footfall echoing with a sense of anticipation. The scouts should have reported back by now, but an unsettling silence hung over the landscape.
As they made their way up a small, rocky hill, the faint rustling of the leaves and the distant sounds of wildlife were the only companions to their advance. The sky was painted with shades of deep orange and dusky purple, the sun's last rays casting an ethereal glow over the landscape.
Suddenly, a guttural shout shattered the tranquility of the early night air. The soldiers froze, their gazes snapping towards the top of the hill. From the crest of the hill emerged multiple large forms, dark silhouettes against the fading light. Orcs.
"Fuck, its a trap"