"What the f*ck is going on?" A deafening roar from General Victor echoed, instantly silencing the fighting soldiers.
All eyes turned towards him and Sarika, who stood resolute by his side. The intensity of his gaze bore into each soldier, demanding their immediate attention and respect.
The once-fractured city now fell into an uneasy stillness, as the soldiers froze in place.
Victor's stern expression held a mix of anger and disappointment.
"I asked once again, what the f*ck?" His voice boomed with authority, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. He scanned the faces before him, his eyes locking with each soldier in turn.
The soldiers shifted uncomfortably, guilt and shame etched on their faces.
Slowly, their fists dropped and the tension in their bodies eased. One by one, they straightened their posture.
The realization of their actions and the consequences of their division weighed heavily on their hearts. They had been called soldiers, and they would act as such. How embarrassing.
But the silence didn't last long. Amidst the quiet contemplation, a sudden shout pierced through the air, pointing an accusing finger at Victor, Sarika, and the other top officers. "If we capture them all and give them to the enemy, we can negotiate our safety and transportation back to the homeland!"
A chilling silence settled over the camp as the words hung in the air.
The suddenness of the suggestion caught everyone off guard, and for a moment, disbelief etched itself on their faces. It still ignites a spark of treacherous ambition within some of the soldiers nonetheless.
Their eyes, once dulled by despair, now glimmered with a predatory light. Desperation had clouded their judgment, blinding them to the consequences of such a dangerous act.
Victor's face hardened as he assessed the soldiers before him. He stood tall, addressing the crowd, "Betraying our own is not the path you shall tread. We are like family and we are in this situation together. It is in our unity that our strength lies."
He exchanged a quick glance with Sarika. They both understood the gravity of the situation.
Sarika stepped forward. "As our general said, we have faced hardships together, fought side by side. Are we to discard our honour and integrity so easily? We are soldiers, bound by honour, and we shall uphold it until our last breath!"
Unfortunately, their words fell on deaf ears. The soldiers remained resolute in their plan to capture Victor, Sarika, and the other top officers.
Sensing the rising tension in the air, those who opposed the idea of surrendering positioned themselves in front of their leaders, forming a protective barrier.
The camp once again descended into chaos, but this time, the clash was not restrained to mere fists. Weapons were drawn, their metallic glint reflecting the flickering flames from earlier.
The sound of firearms and clashing steel filled the air, mingling with the disheartening backdrop of the devastated city.
Victor and Sarika, flanked by their loyal defenders, fought with all their might to escape the escalating chaos.
Relying on their adrenaline, they weaved through the chaotic battlefield. Victor and Sarika, their bodies aching from fatigue and wounds, knew that time was running out. However, they are destined to fail.
Overwhelmed by sheer numbers, Victor and Sarika found themselves surrounded, their backs against the wall. Their loyal defenders fought tooth and nail to protect them, but it was simply too much to handle.
Both of them together with the rest of the army's top officers were captured and disarmed.
....
The next morning dawned with a hazy glow, casting an eerie light over the sieged city.
Levi and Bain stood near the city gate, their eyes fixed upon the entrance gate.
The battle scars were visible all around them. Broken barricades, scattered debris, and the lingering echoes of conflict painted a grim picture of the recent events.
Levi's brows furrowed as he turned to Bain, his voice tinged with concern. "Did you hear the noise from the city last night?"
Bain nodded, his gaze locked onto the silent gate. "Yeah, it was strange. Did they have a party or something? That doesn't sound right. It sounded more like a cacophony of chaos than a celebratory gathering."
Creak—
The creaking of a door pierced the silence, drawing Levi's attention. He squinted his eyes, trying to discern the figure that approached them through the morning haze.
Unfortunately, as the figure drew closer, Levi realized it was neither Victor nor Sarika.
Bain, on the other hand, maintained his vigilance, loading his rifle and preparing for any unforeseen circumstances.
"I don't think he wants to fight," Levi said to Bain, his voice tinged with caution. "Let's hear what he has to say first and decide whether to kill him or not."
"I know, I know," Bain nodded. His eyes scanned the figure's movements for any signs of threat. Contrary to his word, he didn't loosen his grip on the rifle in the slightest. "But I'll be prepared for anything unwanted."
"Good morning," The soldier greeted them politely. Without wasting time, he proceeds with his intention to negotiate a surrender deal.
In exchange for guaranteeing their lives and safety until they reached their homeland, the soldier offered to hand over the captured General Victor, Sarika, and other top officers.
Levi and Bain's eyes widened in surprise, their disbelief evident. "I'm sorry, what?" they both exclaimed simultaneously.
"As I said earlier..." the soldier repeat his explanation.
Levi and Bain exchanged a sceptical glance. The soldier's words seemed too good to be true, and they couldn't help but question the authenticity of the offer.
"Why don't you bring them here? Then, we will talk." Levi proposed.
The soldier nodded quickly. Moments later, they emerged, dragging General Victor, Sarika and the rest of the top officers with them.
The once proud and respected leaders now stood before Levi and Bain. Their hands were bound tightly and their clothes dishevelled.
General Victor's face displayed a mixture of defiance and weariness. His eyes, once filled with authority and resolve, now held a flicker of resignation.
Sarika, on the other hand, stood tall despite the binds that held her wrists. Her gaze pierced through the chaos with steely resolve, unwilling to show any signs of weakness.
Levi and Bain approached the captive leaders, scrutinizing their faces to confirm their identities.
They examined the weary countenances of General Victor and Sarika, and it became undeniable—the enemy leaders stood before them.
As Levi and Bain exchanged a brief nod of acknowledgement before shifting his attention back to the soldier, "Let's talk."
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