Written In The Scars

Chapter 10

Religion, ideology, resources, land, spite, love or hatred. No matter how pathetic the reason is it is enough to start a war. I had never experienced a war before but I believed it wasn't the sole option to settle a dispute, especially when the last of humans declare war on each other ignoring the fact that they are on the verge on extinction and that war will cause more casualties, It looked like no one cared anymore.

I waited patiently for a response from King Steve, I wanted the battle to end as quickly as possible, I was worried about Luke and Emma, I hoped they would be okay. The tenseness around the mansion aroused, It had been a few days since the army had left. My heart was pounding, part of me was urging me to go but the other part had me restricted inside. 

I had to make a move, it felt like it was necessary now, I ordered the remaining army to prepare for the battle and that we would leave at dawn. My body felt much better now, I was able to move without any real difficulty and was able to swing the sword around with my right hand. I was ready to go and was determined to make a difference.

I saw the sun arousing from the east, I didn't sleep that night thanks to the certain scenarios I was busy creating all night. I got up, picked up the finest sword King gave me earlier and shoved it in the scabbard. I rushed out and ordered soldiers to assemble, they were not more than 100. The army assembled outside the mansion as I led the charge, led them to the direction of the central. 

The sun was soon on our heads and scorching heat of the desert was unbearable. We had no water with us, ignoring thirst and hunger we moved on. The army was struggling and so was I, "We'll rest for a bit here" I pointed underneath a hill which was blocking sunlight. Every soldier was panting and sweating, we sat there for half an hour and then continued our journey.

It had been over 2 hours since we left the mansion and there was no sign of the central. I heard some mumbling from behind, I turned back and saw a soldier collapsed on the burning sand of the desert. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"I don't know he just fell down" 

I took a close look at that soldier and its lips were dried and mouth open, begging for water. He was done for, we had to leave him there, promising we would come back for him once we get in contact with the king, it was indeed a false hope. We moved on and soldiers continued to collapse, all the water left was taken by the King Steve army which left earlier. I cursed under my breath, all I could do was just glance back at those beings and move on. I myself wasn't doing so good.

Then I saw it, a huge mansion covered in smoke. It was a moment of relief for us but as I looked back I only saw a dozen soldiers, others were not able to make it. Dead bodies welcomed us as we approached the mansion, hundreds of them. The sand wasn't pale anymore, it was red and muddy as it soaked gallons of blood. Ignoring the dead bodies we made our way to the entrance gate, smoke limited our vision. I was able to see someone as the smoke faded, a man on his knees, with a dead body in his arms and I could hear his agonizing screams, somehow they felt familiar. 

His back was on me and now I could see the lifeless person's hairs shining against the sun. I got closer and was able to spot my sword which Luke borrowed earlier. 'No' I whispered to myself, "Luke" I shouted. The man glanced backward, his blue eyes met mine, no doubt it was him. I ran towards him and in his arms was Emma, a victim of the war, who's whole clothes were wet with blood. She laid peacefully in Luke's arms.

"Luke, what happened?" I asked before getting on my knees and staring at one of the few friends I've had. It was hard for me to believe what I was seeing, the world can be a cruel place, I didn't see Luke in such a state, I had never seen him crying until now, he was crying his heart out.

I put my hand on Luke's shoulder and stroked it, he was still sobbing. "She said she was gonna marry me once this was over, Alex", Luke sobbed. It must've been hard for him to see her like that since he had spent more time with her.

 "We need to move, Luke. We can't stay here, it's dangerous" I said, trying not to cry

. "I can't go on anymore, Alex. I have got no reasons to live" Luke replied.

I didn't know that they both had a thing for each other, I could just imagine his pain. I could hear swords hitting hard against each other. "I'll come back, Luke, wait for me," I said and continued moving forward. 

Dead bodies were everywhere, I wasn't sure who would have done this. I wanted to just meet King Steve and confirm that it was our victory and finally I saw him, sitting in a corner with his head down, groaning in pain. I rushed towards him, the soldiers followed too. He was badly wounded, his armor was completely wrecked and his chest was bleeding and his face was swollen. He was still breathing, I quickly applied pressure on his wound. A monster like him was defeated, It was a bit hard to believe.

"Alex, son, he killed all of us, he is a monster, he isn't human, you need to get out of here, we have lost this battle, everyone is dead, he killed them all, you should escape, son, you shoul-, his sentence remained incomplete as his heart stopped midway, he was dead, I was devastated. Who was he talking about? I glanced back to the few soldiers I had. "We won't give up, ok?" They nodded firmly.

It was then, I heard his voice, deep and sharp voice which said "Yo, brother, long time no see", he was standing right in front of us with his sword dripping blood. The monster my father was talking about was my very own brother, I thought.

"Charge" I shouted and the soldiers abided, they attacked him but each one of them was killed almost instantly, his movement was swifter was faster than my father Steve, he was inhumane, he killed dozens of my soldiers in one go. His eyes were evil and his grin eviler then Steve's.