114 Chapter 114

He stood there tears covering his vision. His bloodied sword dropped to the ground. The many recently given wounds no longer gave the man any pain. There was only pain left in his heart. His eyes ignored the battle around him. His soldiers died around him and he had no feeling or remorse for them. He looked only at the naked woman pinned to the wall. The only thing that reminded him of life was her bloodied right hand. It held firmly the hand of a pale, lifeless body of a black haired eight year old boy who was pinned to the wall as well. Two corpses that had once been the man's whole life, are now just fixtures decorating a mostly destroyed church.

[Earlier that day]

"We've brought 100 Crusaders and 50 Legionnaires sir!" Annius had arrived with Kane's reinforcements. Kane and General Fukuyo had been waiting at an overlook that faced Sagaa.

The walls had been mostly destroyed and most of the outer city was in ruins or covered by a blanket of fire. Corpses littered the outside of the city and the soldiers were tense as they listened to the screams of people being slaughtered. Many seemed impatient and worried as they watched the carnage. Kane was sure they would have charged if not for General Fukuyo keeping them in check. Kane was surprised by this as the General himself looked as if he was sitting on a saguaro cactus. His calm demeanor completely gone and replaced by fear and anger.

"Good, it's about time we take back the city. Our scouts said there is a sizeable resistance farther in the city. We need to reach them as fast as possible. We are still outnumbered so this will be very risky," responded Kane.

"Yes Sir!" said Annius.

"My troops will cause a commotion outside the city. Hopefully, they can draw out most of the Kokarians while your force goes through the streets toward the keep." General Fukuyo said with a clenched fist. Kane knew that it was a tough decision for the man. He probably would have preferred to go with Kane but knew his bigger force would be better used on an open battlefield.

"Good plan General. I'll send these knights with you as well. Hopefully, the larger force will help you hold out longer. I'll do my very best to get to the keep." Kane pointed to his crusaders. As they fought the main force occupying the city, Kane would lead several Roman squads to rescue the survivors.

"Good luck your highness! I put my hopes in you now. To me men! We charge with conviction! We fight for our home! We die so that others may live!"

General Fukuyo seemed to lose all resemblance to his humanity and was replaced by a vengeful spirit. The soldiers behind him turned into a tidal wave about to engulf the city. Their charge was truly magnificent which brought many eyes to it. Kokarian archers immediately turned toward the knights and readied their bows. In mere seconds arrows were launched into the air and found targets throughout the White Sparrow Knights and Crimson Crusaders.

"Let's go!" Kane took the chance to split the legion into multiple groups and sneak into different openings in the city.

[Outside Sagaas main wall]

General Fukuyo had never fought so hard in his life. His blade kissed many foes and his fierce battle cries rivaled the yells of anguish coming from the enemy. His home was gone. He knew that. The only thing he could do was help the survivors so that they may live to find a new home. As his troops plowed through the first wave of Kokarian knights he saw something that dampened his spirits. Many dead civilians decorate the outskirts. He had thought they managed to be evacuated so why were so many here? Was his family safe?

"Fwoooosh!" "Thunk!" "Uuuhh!"

A spear found its way through an opening in his armor. He activated his sword arts and killed the aggressor before kneeling in pain. He saw the familiar stone road and knew that despite the superior opposition his men had made it into the city. He was glad King Kane had snuck into the city. More and more Kokarian troops were arriving and despite coming this far his troops were falling all around him. There was no way he could advance. They would make their final stand here. He prepared himself for death and used his sword to push off the ground. He was about the charge into the incoming Kokarian reinforcements but noticed something that made him stop in his tracks. A large number of civilians were nailed onto the walls of several buildings. At that point, he knew that the evacuation had failed.

"How?"

His will to fight started to flee. He saw two figures in the carnage. His wife and son were adorned with the rest. At that moment he decided to give up. His king should have allowed him to come sooner. All was lost. Dropping his sword he fell to his knees once more. Looking around he saw his soldier's spirits fade away. He wanted to call out to them. He wanted to tell them to give up. There was no longer a point in fighting. They were too late. HE was too late. He cried. He had never cried before. His tears mixed with the river of blood that had formed in the cracks of the stone road. The road his kid played on. The road that housed the market his wife shopped at. The road that he patrolled when he joined the city guard. The road he walked down when he was given his first command. He grew up on these roads so it was only fitting he died here.

"Sir, what do we do? We can't hold them off any longer!"

"Sir get out of here! We're surrounded!"

"Ahhhh!"

"I'm sorry," said Fukuyo.

"Tine to die!!!"

A Kokarian knight ran toward the General with his axe held high. Fukuyo didn't plan to dodge. Without his family, he could not find any reason to go on. His last thoughts were of his loving wife and energetic son. He also wished that the offensive had given enough time for Kane to save someone. Anyone. Doubt plagued his mind and as the weapon fell toward him, he regretted fighting for the White Sparrow Kingdom. He was always away from his family and never got to spend time with them. He listened to every command with absolute obedience. The people could have been saved if only he had left as soon as the scouts told of an invasion. Now his reward was a city of ghosts.

"See you soon."

Soon the signs of battle ceased and the birds returned to pick at the corpses. The city now dyed red seemed almost peaceful with how quiet it had become.

A familiar figure stood over the carnage. He searched for several minutes until his eyes found his target.

"Not so fast. You are still useful."