I had spent all night and early morning learning, studying geography and technology. It was a surprise to discover they didn't have tanks or airplanes, nor did they have steamships; their ships relied on the magic of their crews. But after a full night of studying, I was ready to face the beginning of this whole operation.
We were in a rather complicated situation. To the east of the forest, there was a sea monitored by warships. On the other hand, the entire forest was surrounded by a line of trenches. According to Ashley, the fire god had an army composed mostly of mercenaries.
Because of that, he preferred to hunt us with those robots I saw earlier. The funny thing is, they weren't robots, they weren't computers. They were simple metal puppets with a crystal that amplifies magic.
Puppets can be better or worse depending on the owner and tend to be ineffective, but after months of periodic fighting, the losses had already been enormous. They even had a small stronghold, but the enemy managed to drive them out, and that's the situation I found myself in.
Just three months ago, there were 30,000 soldiers. Barely 300 soldiers remain; they were poorly trained but battle-hardened.
Ashley had fallen asleep a few hours earlier and was resting on top of the history book I'd asked her to read. I got up from my chair, stretched my body, and clenched and unclenched my fists.
"It's time to get up." I put my hand on Ashley's shoulder.
"Sorry, I fell asleep... What time is it?" Ashley sat up quickly.
"It's around 5:00 a.m. I've already got the training schedule and the offensive strategy ready. I need you to gather the people for the reconnaissance," I instructed Ashley, who was still drowsy.
"Yeah, it won't be too complicated. I already have people in mind," Ashley said, putting on a green beret that matched her hair, which, interestingly, is the same color. She put on her black trench coat.
"Do you dye your hair?" I asked as I put on the former general's trench coat. We were getting ready to look presentable for the speech.
"It's a genetic attribute, he always stood out thanks to it," he replied.
—Didn't they ask you to cut it in the army?
—Actually, yes. I had it short in the army, when I came I let it grow out, after all, if they see my hair, it's too late for them. —He winked at me.
Hearing that I approached her and confronted her.
—War teaches you humility, don't forget that. I recommend you cut it.
—Hair will make situations more difficult, difficult situations create strong people.
—That's if you manage to survive, war kills the strong and the weak alike.
"If you don't order me to, I won't cut it." He stared at me with his green eyes, giving me a serious look.
I stared into his eyes for at least ten seconds, lost in his gaze as I carefully analyzed my decision.
—Then train with the soldiers, your hair can be an emblem of fear or your death.
She smiled at me.
—So be it, captain.
I hadn't heard that phrase in a long time. I laughed for a while as I left the store.
I headed to the center of the camp. The sun hadn't risen yet, and it was raining. I braced myself and yelled at the top of my lungs, while Ashley made a lot of noise by firing a pistol at the ground.
—Come on, bastards, it's time to work!
All the soldiers, workers, and even the children rushed out of the tents, their adrenaline pumping, frightened by the violent awakening.
"You look tired!" I shouted as I looked at everyone's faces.
Mason was the only one paying attention, though his dilated pupils told me he hadn't slept much either. I read his profile. The guy was a monster, a legend in combat—speed, strength, aim, perceptive, and brutal, a complete nightmare in combat. Reading everyone's report, I noticed Ashley was the worst of the group. Everyone else was good, but they all stood out for something specific that made them beasts in their field.
"Those tired faces, the war is going to eat them up! I want to see them active! I want to see them with the same face they had when they asked me for help! Where's the fire inside them? Where's the thirst for blood? Or have they already surrendered? You pair of scum!" I continued my speech, and the people's faces changed rapidly. "If you want to win, you have to work when the enemy rests and fight when they sleep. From now on, everyone has a job: the soldiers have new training guided by General Mason; the farmers have to plant more crops behind the camp, cutting down trees if necessary; the cooks have to prepare the food and make it last as long as possible. Those who can't do anything will build weapons and bullets; no one is left doing nothing; even the children have to learn to help. I want you to set the right example for them, so they can't have a single minute of rest." When your hands tremble with pain, when the calluses won't let you close your hands, that's when you have to give more! I shouted at them vehemently. "This is just the beginning! If we want to end the parasites that plague your lands, end the suffering those leeches cause, if you want to stop seeing children cry, you have to give even what your body is unable to do. If your arms can't hold out, make them hold out! If your legs can't hold out, make them hold out! If the parasites don't want to die! Take them to their creator!"
It started raining almost immediately after this. I pointed to Mason and his group. I gave them all sheets with detailed instructions: Tech would be in charge of the weapons, Doc would be in charge of making medical supplies, Mason would be in charge of training the soldiers, Omar would be in charge of farming, Rango would be in charge of assisting Mason, Ashley would be training a six-person team to infiltrate enemy cities and serve as reconnaissance, Grayson would be in charge of the food, which he already did; apparently, he was the only real cook in the entire camp.
Everyone followed the instructions, Mason shouted and insulted the soldiers to get them to trot off to their first drill.
The others followed Mason's example and did the same, although without insults.
Doc stayed, as he was the only one who didn't have a group of people to lead, he was the only doctor after all.
"Doc, I have something to ask you," I said to Doc.
—Wow, he sure knows how to earn everyone's respect!
—It's not respect yet, what they have is hope, I'm the only thing they have left and they're willing to give it their all, even if I were a false promise, they preferred that false promise to falling back into absolute despair.
"I have to admit that your character and presentation didn't give rise to any doubts either. But formal conversation aside, what do you need me for?" Doc asked.
"I need to know about magic. I can win a war with weapons, but we don't have the weapons to destroy a god. Your empire has already proven that. I need to know if I myself am capable of using it to kill the god of fire. Everyone here has a job, and since no one else can, I have to take charge, stand up and fight the god of fire."
"Do you want me to teach you magic? I can do that, but I'm afraid it won't be enough to stand up to the fire god. I'm not even capable of fighting with magic; my knowledge of magic is medical."
—But you're the one who knows the most about this; I need to understand the gap between that man and me.
—I understand, but it's better to learn magic in a remote place —Doc told me.
A woman who I estimated to be about twenty years old approached us, along with another young man; she was the albino woman from before.
"Why are you doing this?" the girl asked me.
"I guess I'm just too emotional and didn't want to let them die," I replied.
-That's all?
—Do I need more reasons to help?
"My name is Frost Valdergarth, I trust you." She bowed in respect, said goodbye, and hurried back to Mason.
Doc took me outside the camp.
"I just realized I don't know your age," Doc asked me as he led the way.
"I'm twenty-eight years old, I'm getting old," I replied while laughing for a while.
"I'd already had this conversation with Ashley. You and I have different biology. She told me you age much faster," he explained.
"Interesting," I commented while paying attention.
"We, on the other hand, can live up to four hundred years without much problem," Doc explained calmly.
"And Ashley can use magic?" I asked.
—He can't use magic and that might apply to you too.
—Why didn't we do this at camp?
—There's an area in the forest that has quite a bit of magical energy in the air. If we get closer to that area, it would be much easier for me to concentrate and search for your magic.
The forest was peaceful, with a pleasant breeze. The green grass and old oak trees gave off an aura of tranquility. But as we moved deeper into the woods, I could see cherry trees with their distinctive pink leaves. By this point, we were quite far from the camp.
Doc pointed out to me that this was the area, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
—I need you to relax as best you can.
The palm of his hand began to glow blue, and he brought his palm toward my chest. Once he made contact, I felt the air in my lungs completely escape. I was able to breathe again immediately, but my body began to burn, and I could feel something new coursing through my veins. I fell to my knees from the pain so profound it caused me.
I bit my lip hard and tried to hold back the pain that had me on my knees; I felt like my own blood was burning my flesh.
The breeze began to whip the place and the cherry petals scattered on the ground, I let out a cry of pain, eventually absolute silence invaded me and with it the pain went away, I looked up and saw Doc horrified, completely pale and with his eyes open.
I stood up quickly, feeling very relieved, even feeling spectacularly strong.
"So what's the answer?" I asked curiously.
ANDHe answered in a deep voice.
"You do have magic, and an even greater amount than I do. The problem is that, since you never used it, you'd lost it. Magic is like a muscle: if you don't train it every day, it gets smaller. At the same time, magic flows through your body, and what happens is that it stops flowing. I simply restored the flow; "your muscle" returned to normal. Normally, it's impossible to reverse this. For example, Mason suffers from this and that's why he can't use magic." He remained silent and thoughtful.
So what's wrong with his face? His face didn't show joy; rather, it looked horrified.
—You are —He was interrupted by a woman's voice.
"A god," said a strange woman who appeared alongside a whole group of warriors who had surrounded us without us noticing.
The woman was pointing a naginata, a Japanese spear, at me. I didn't have time to react; her ears were like those of a cat, and I could see that her fangs were longer than usual. The entire group of women surrounding us had these characteristics and all wore wooden plaques on their backs and shoulders. I looked into Doc's eyes. He understood my silent question, denying it—at least for now, they weren't enemies.
"Why are you pointing your guns at me?" They all ignored Doc completely, but their gazes burned into me.
"There's only one reason a god would be treading on sacred ground," the same woman from before replied; her hair was long and her eyes were yellow.
—I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about.
"Don't tell lies, you filthy swine." He spat at me and ground the blade of his naginata into my neck.
"He doesn't know what you're talking about. I brought him here because of the energy of the place. He doesn't even know about magic," Doc said with fear in his voice.
"You're either a real nerve or a complete idiot if you think I'm going to swallow such garbage." The woman was genuinely annoyed, frowning as she cut me with a sharp glare.
"Just think about it, if he were a god, why would he let himself be threatened?" Doc replied.
"You have a point." A woman similar to the one who threatened to kill me spoke from the tree.
I could have sworn they were twins; the only thing that differentiated them was the color of their hair. The one speaking to me from the tree had white hair, which contrasted sharply with the other's black hair.
"We have orders," said the black-haired woman.
—OrdersIf we want to find out what's going on, let's take him to the matriarch, she'll know what to do with him," said the white-haired woman.
Almost all of them lowered their weapons, the black-haired woman kept pointing her naginata at me, the women pointed a way for me.
"Doc, wait for me. Don't tell anyone anything. This isn't the time to scare anyone," I told him.
Doc nodded, his face was a poem, but the fear he had was clear.
They tied my hands and led me along a path. After a few minutes, I could see a small, Japanese-style village, with an equally small Japanese castle at the back of the village. The place was very pretty, adorned with pink cherry trees, green grass, and children playing. There were barely three hundred people at most.
I could see warriors training but I couldn't see a single man among them which made me curious, everyone except the children stopped what they were doing and fixed their gaze on me, studying my movements and gestures.
A tall woman stood beneath the castle stairs. Everyone knelt before her. I stood tall, looking into her eyes. Her eyes were white, her hair orange, and she was wearing a red priestess kimono. Her entire appearance exuded an air of high class.
"I'll ask you once, what were you doing on our lands?" She challenged me with her eyes, maintaining a posture of grandeur before me.
—Toward a ritual to recover my magic, this is because I come from another world far from this one, because I didn't know that this same magic existed —I responded with a firm tone of voice.
—So, can you tell me how strange this is to me? How is someone from another world capable of possessing the incomplete magic of a god?
—I don't even know why you call my magic incomplete. I only seek to save the people, who are currently fighting against the god of fire. Gods, magic, cats, I don't care. These people are suffering and begging for help.
—Only an idiot would think of being strong enough to even challenge him, an insult to someone who claims not to know what magic is.
"Only a scumbag would let someone use people as tools for their own benefit." I looked her in the eye as I challenged her;
She had picked up on my subtle but hostile rebuke. Some pointed their guns at me because of my comment; the woman gestured for them to relax.
—You don't know the enemy's strength, and yet you rush into combat? You're just a child pretending to be an adult.
"Do I need a reason? To see children begging and searching for their parents, crying in despair, to see the spirits of warriors broken, because they know that even if they go hungry, they're better off than those who fell into the clutches of the fire imbecile. I'm sorry, but he can be as strong as you want, but I won't allow more people to suffer because of him."
—Even if you have to die for it?
I smiled at the question.
—If I must die, so be it.
She smiled at me.
"Let me introduce myself then. I am Malenia, matriarch of the Neko tribe, protector of the Adam's Tree. This is where the people you have now sworn to protect were revived. The reality is, we lack the strength to kill the fire god. It disgusts me too, Lord Sean." Her face relaxed, and her tone of voice changed to a gentler one.
"I understand that protecting your people is your priority, but if you want to help me on my path, let me train magic with you and become a full god or whatever." Our conversation shifted to much friendlier tones.
—Ah, that's right. You said you have no idea about magic. Let me explain. A god is the fusion of someone with the blood of a god with their dragon. That is, when a god is born, a dragon is also born. They are destined to fight together if they want the power that earns them the title of god.
"Can you teach me magic?" I asked.
—I am obliged to tell you no, if the god of fire even finds out that you are a god, he will come in person, and my people will suffer the consequences.
—Then let's do this differently. Give me a warrior. We'll enter my territories, but the warrior can't return to the village until I win the war, so they don't suspect a direct connection.
"It's a risky plan." Malenia remained silent, analyzing the plan in detail.
—Yours is also a risky plan, thinking that the god of fire will never come to take women with special features... Wait, you're unique, aren't you?
I know very little about this place, and I felt compelled to ask, even if it made me look like an idiot. Of course, that didn't make me look good, but I prefer that to being completely reckless. Malenia let out a small, mocking smile.
—I have to say you're right, we are unique and I understand what you're saying, we are a possible target for the fire tyrant.
—So, what do you think is riskier: hoping the fire god doesn't do anything, or having a plan B in case he attacks?
"I have to admit you know how to use words." He flattered me.
—I am Sean Dorvin, former general of the Angels of Death where I come from and current general of the Resistance forces. My knowledge of magic is limited, but believe me, I know about war.
"I... I've agreed..." She looked around at the warriors around her. "Azumi, please take care of this."
The black-haired woman stood up and nodded.
"I have to go now. I've been away from my people too long." I nodded in respect.
"Before you go, take this medallion. It's supposed to help you find someone compatible with you. It's a relic from the past we found in the woods. Perhaps it will be useful in finding your Dragon." From his robes, he pulled out a small medallion with a red pearl in the center.
I accepted the medallion and bowed my head. I turned away, and no more words were needed. We'd both sent a clear message: she wanted to protect her people no matter what it cost her. I want to do the same. The only difference is that my best defense is an offense. She saw me as an equal; it was simply a matter of attitude.
"You have my eternal gratitude. I owe you one." I smiled at him as I walked back.
I could feel the stares on the back of my neck, the sound of the wind rustling the trees grew louder as I walked away, and I had to admit I felt a little uneasy.
The black-haired woman from before followed me without saying a word, she was holding her naginata relatively tightly, she was alert, calculating every movement, I could swear she was even paying attention to the ground my feet were raising.
"Could you spare a second? My name is Akiko, I'm her sister. I'm not going to question the matriarch's wisdom... But may I say goodbye?" Akiko was the white-haired woman, confirming that they were, in fact, twins. She was holding a bag.
"Sure," I replied.
Just then I realized I hadn't let him get his things before coming. I'm so used to being surrounded by soldiers that I committed a serious inhumanity.
Akiko hugged her sister through tears and she hugged her back.
"I took what I could in the little time I had, as soon as I heard you were being sent," Akiko muttered.
"Thank you..." Azumi replied, holding back her tears.
"You'll be fine. The matriarch wouldn't send you if she thought you were in danger," Akiko whispered to him, but I was able to hear it.
The two of them separated and said their goodbyes. Akiko handed her the bag. I had to play the villain and continue on my way, but before I strayed too far, I calmed Akiko down.
—Don't worry, nothing will happen to him, you have my word.
"Your word of God?" Akiko replied.
The wind hit my face, and I understood the whole situation. Of course, they recognize me as a god, someone with the same abilities as the fire god. I had read certain atrocities the former general had written about him. Of course, they fear me, even doubting they can defeat me because I don't flinch when surrounded by naginata or when speaking to their matriarch as an equal. I only took on the role of someone to be respected, but to them, I had only confirmed that I was, in fact, a god as such.
It was pure strategy, if I let fear dominate me, no one would believe me when I say I want to kill a tyrant with supernatural powers, but of course, they don't know that.
I turned around, faced him, and placed my fist against my chest.
"You have my oath." I could see Akiko calm down and Azumi looked more relaxed, but her eyes were still glued to my every move.
Only the sound of the wind could be heard as we walked back to the cherry tree where Doc would be waiting for me.
"Are you afraid of me?" I asked while we were still alone.
—No... —he said.
"So why are you so tense?" I stopped in my tracks and turned to look at her. She jumped back and adopted a fighting stance. "See? You're upset. No one in their right mind would keep their guard up around someone for that long." So I rephrase my question. "Are you afraid of me? Why?" I asked.
—The gods are selfish, murderous beings; they don't care about anything but themselves, as far as I can tell. You can break your word and attack me at any moment.
—If I were a god with the power you claim, they'd already be dead or worse. Also, as I said, I'm not from this world, and I don't care much what you might think of a god. I'm me, period.
"And those are your words of encouragement? You don't inspire much confidence," he replied.
—Do you want to give me the chance?
She closed her eyes and breathed deeply.
"My name is Azumi Takahashi." Azumi closed her eyes for a moment as she applied the naginata to her back.
"My name is Sean Dorvin, nice to meet you, Azumi." I resumed walking, turning my back on her again.
"Tell me, why did you decide to be a warrior?" I asked.
"I didn't like the idea of not being able to defend myself or someone I loved," Azumi replied.
—Does your village fight a lot?
—Centuries ago, we were an empire... But Adam destroyed that and turned it to ashes. He called us traitors, for apparently my ancestors were preparing a weapon capable of killing Adam, but he found out and retaliated in the matter.
—I read something about Adam. I understand he was a good person, even giving his life to create blind justice for all. He was presented in the book as the God of gods. I found it in a folder titled "Weapons to Destroy a God," although it was crossed out and had written, out of frustration, that it was impossible.
—Yes, my ancestors once ruled, taking advantage of the fact that they possessed greater magical abilities than normal humans. Adam changed that, and they prepared a weapon to destroy him. When Adam discovered it, the weapon disappeared, and there are no records of what it was exactly. He spared no one; we exist because some managed to escape.
"So Adam massacred an entire empire, just because its government prepared a weapon, and even though they paint him as the greatest god, it seems to me that they're all psychopaths." I was lost in my thoughts for a while, but Azumi laughed and quickly pulled me out.
"You are a god and you have the authority of one," Azumi mocked.
—Being compared to fucking psychopaths feels great… Azumi, I am a leader, I am not a normal person, the war took care of that. The hopes and lives of the people are on my shoulders, I have to be strong enough to fulfill their dreams, they have to be my determination, not my burden, if I had let myself be carried away by fear, I would have trampled on their dreams, I am as great as their dreams are, and their dream is to be free and to give peace to those who will never be able to find it again, they search for happiness and I have to act according to their feelings, that's why I told you, I am a leader, as far as I'm concerned, Malenia and I are exactly the same, that's why she doesn't consider my way of speaking as disrespectful.
—But she could have killed you right there if she wanted, you weren't the same.
"Strength doesn't make you equal to another person; it all comes down to your mind. Yes, you have to be strong to maintain a certain standard of living, but you can have all the money or strength you want, but you'll never be equal to someone who reaches for the stars," I replied.
"Who are you? I mean, you only gave your name," Azumi asked.
—Since I was little, I saw my parents go off to fight for their country. Every time they came back, they smiled, but I could see how they forced their smiles. I went to school and it was only full of sad children, most of whom had lost their parents. They ended up turning the school into an orphanage so they could give those children a home. I heard everyone's wailing over and over again. I hated that my parents were going to fight. I didn't understand why they were going to fight, if after all, fighting caused more suffering. They told me that outside there were people who suffered even more, children who couldn't cry because they no longer had the strength. They confirmed to me that yes, they were sad, because every time they returned home, only they returned. They taught me that it wouldn't be fair to anyone if they stopped fighting. Not only was it because we would suffer even worse things, but because my country was the last hope for a better future. My little self begged to go far away and abandon them all. They replied that those who leave others to suffer are worse than the scum who harm them. Those words stayed with me, and it was then that I swore to end the war. Growing up, I was filled with hatred. Thanks to my parents and their military careers, I was able to enter the generals' school. I studied day and night, like a sick man. Once I left school, I was assigned to a small support company. Within a few months, we had gained a lot of renown. In just 2 months we had expelled four heavy regiments of the enemy, at that time they gave me the funds and the soldiers to unleash whatever came to mind, at just 18 years old, I began my first counterattack, causing huge casualties on the enemy, I was feared by the enemy, and in 8 years I won the war, my company was only thirty thousand men, but we ended up with an army of around thirty-four million, of course not alone, I must emphasize, that I had a lot of help from the resistance and from the army of my country in general. That's me, unfortunately I am nothing more than that, I am nothing more than a soldier.
—I find it hard to believe such an outrage. Wiping out an army more than ten times larger than yours is simply unthinkable; each soldier would have had to count for more than a million casualties.
—As I said, I had a lot of help. We only carried out strategic attacks that severely weakened the enemy, allowing the main army to do the actual work of execution and support.
—At least it explains why he's so brave to go against the god of fire.
"Oh yeah? Why?" I asked.
"You're crazy," he replied, then burst into laughter.
We fell silent as we watched Doc run towards me, he stopped in front of me waiting for some response to his concern.
—I got a master's degree, so you can focus on making medical supplies.
"You're amazing. You were threatened with death and you came back with one of them," Doc said in amazement as he walked away to return to base immediately; he knew very well there was no time to waste.