Retribution

Dawn breaks upon the night sky as the sun rises. Its warm, blinding light shines toward the land below. Sending signals toward the inhabitant. Birds soar across the sky, chirping in harmony. Their melody wakes up a certain someone and that certain someone is me. The noise they make struck me like a hammer. I couldn't for the life of me sleep with their annoying chirping!! It could be from the habits that I've gotten from my time in the war.

I yawn and stretch my body to relieve the stress I've gotten from the exercise yesterday. Feeling better, I did the normal morning routine of showering and eating. Today's breakfast was nice. Yesterday I had enough time to buy myself some salmon and a few delicious spices. I fixed and matched them both, and the result was magnificent. I enjoyed the crap out of that salmon.

Prepared for the day, I walk out of my luxurious mansion on my way to work. I got into my military jeep and started driving. This one ton hunk of mental beauty has been with me since I was a recruit. For others, it's just a tool, but this jeep and I have a special bond. On my way, I couldn't help but breathe in that breath of fresh air. In wartime, you couldn't have time for these things. You could die at any time. While it's exciting and all. You can't be addicted to something forever. Especially something as deadly as war.

For many, war is a crime, and it's hated by the people. While they see pain, I beg to differ. I see opportunity. Without war, I wouldn't be rich like I am right now. A First Sergeant, with prestige and respect. Without war, I would still be a pathetic little orphan boy that's still crawling around looking for trash.

One and a half hours pass and I reach the military base. Every time I look at it, I see myself. I helped make this base the way it is now. This is my work, this is my achievement, and no one else. The soldiers seeing my car did a salute as a sign of respect before allowing entry. I nodded in satisfaction at their action. This is what I deserve: their praise and respect.

Driving through the entrance, I arrive at my "golden spot," my personal parking space. You have no idea how great it means to me. This spot makes others envy me without me even being there. It shows my prestige to those lower-ranking soldiers that I am greater than them.

Getting out of my car, a Corporal came to inform me I was needed for a meeting held by the military base Commander. I walked my way from the parking space, passing the barracks and living space, to find a building situated in the middle of the military base. The building isn't the best looking, but despite its lack of beauty, its defense is on another level. The walls are a combination of tungsten and titanium, making them resistant to missile blasts and temperature. It has every secure system you could ever need. A fully automatic turret that can pierce through any armored car. Radar that is monitored 24/7. It's perfect for protecting any high-ranking military officer.

I reached the front door, did an eye password, finger print, face scan, and blood scan. I'll say the only thing that I hate about this perfect building is the century-long security process. Finish with the procedure and the cold door opens up. When I entered the meeting room, I was greeted by other Sergeants of a lower rank than mine. The Commander seeing my arrival grabbed everyone's attention.

"Good morning, gentlemen. As you all know, the war is over. In a few days, rewards will be distributed among us. I would like to congratulate everyone in this room for your spectacular work. Especially our First Sergeant Lockheart. He single-handedly infiltrated the enemy base and got us leverage over the peace negotiations. I think we can all agree when I say that you, Mr. Lockheart, are this base treasure." The Commander said

Hearing his words made my ego inflated even more. I felt invincible, like a fully charged battery. I want to do something exciting. True to my wish, something exciting happened. When the Commander was about to continue his speech. A voice resounded in my ear.

"My sons and daughters, you have greatly disappointed me. Your progression toward the peak was too slow. I created you all to achieve great things, but instead of trying to be the best. All you did was enjoy yourself. My children, you leave me no choice. All the Gods have agreed that humans deserve punishment. In a moment, three cards will appear. You can decide to pick whatever card you like. This is my last gift before your punishment. I hope this will teach humanity to realize their mistake." The Voice said

I was lost for words about what just happened. Was the voice real? Was it telling the truth? I turn my head around to see that everyone is giving somewhat of the same expression as me. Their reaction has caused me to be more convinced that whatever happened was real. If the voice was right, then these so-called "Gods" are giving us punishment. While I am not fully convinced, it wouldn't hurt to try and think of a plan. The voice said something about three cards. It said that it was our last gift. So whatever's on the card must be useful for this punishment. From my military expertise, I can only presume that these cards are like survival kits for soldiers. While this might not be it, I could only think of it that way.

So, going on the basis of it being a survival kit. What could it contain? Could it be knowledge? Could it be medicine? The safest bet to reduce punishment is knowledge. The more knowledge you have, the more you're likely to have the best outcome. As I pondered on it, I couldn't help but frown in frustration. I realize that predicting the meaning of the card wouldn't give any result. Since the only hint is that it's a gift.

So I went on to analyze the other sentences. The conclusion I've gotten was that this was a lesson for us to become stronger. While vague, it still gave me enough information to realize that this punishment must be something like a trial. In a trial, you are given a scenario. To complete it, you need to use everything in your arsenal. This got me thinking back to the card. Whatever it is, it must be the key to this punishment. So, your decision on picking the card matters a lot to your survival.

The clock was ticking while I was pondering what the voice said. The Commander coughed to get everyone's attention. "Did everyone hear a voice in their head?" he said. Everyone nodded. The Commander breathed in and out heavily. Before continuing to ask what we have concluded about the message.

A Sergeant with a hoarse voice said "I believe that this must be a new technology from our enemy. I refuse to believe that the voice is the voice of Gods."

Some of the people nodded in agreement. While some don't, in fact one of them objected back "If it's not from God. Which country would be stupid enough to reveal a trump card such as this one just to make a joke? "

His argument makes sense. You wouldn't waste such a good trump card on a prank. However, one of the minority that still disagrees brings up a valid point: "What if it's an ally military base that's showing off?"

The left and right battle goes on for a while before. Something shut them all down. There in front of me were three shining cards with different images. Two of them have two stars on them. One of the two star card has a picture of a red creature with a black-looking bone protruding out of it. The other two star cards have the same red creature but it has a fireball revolving around it. The last card has three stars on it with a picture of a red creature enlarging itself to become bigger.

While I don't know what those stars represent. I have a feeling that it determines the quality of the card. Based on my instinct, I picked the three star cards. The card started to rotate rapidly toward me. As it moved toward me, I felt pressure coming from it. Soon the card made contact with my heart. I felt energy coursing through my veins. It's like nothing I felt before, like being reborn again. Every wound I got from a young age till now was slowly healing. I was so taken by the sensation that I wished it would last forever. Unfortunately, it didn't. I open my eyes to be greeted by a blue translucent screen.

Lockheart

Race: Human

Origin: Earth

Strength: 0.2 E Rank

Speed: 0.12 E Rank

Endurance: 0.3 E Rank

Magic: 0.0 E Rank

Card: 3 Star-Colossal Might

I looked at the screen in front of me with confusion. I tried to click on it, but was disturbed by a loud bang!!! Coming from the wall on the left of me. My soldier instinct kicks in as I grab the gun from my left pocket and aim it at the wall. Another bombing occurred on the right side. I react quickly, aim to the right. I look around to see that everyone is also aiming toward the wall.

At this tense moment, the Commander shouted, "Sergeant John, report what is going on outside."

Sergeant John shouted back with a tone of disbelief, "Commander, there seems to be red creatures ramming the walls outside. They seem to be around four meters tall standing on two legs."

Confusion and shock can be seen from everyone in the meeting room. When was there a four-meter-tall creature walking on two legs? Then something clicks inside of my brain. Those creatures might be the creature in the card.

Realizing this, I shouted to Sergeant John, "Sergeant, does that creature look like the one on the card?"

The Sergeant shouted back "Yes, First Sergeant Lockheart, those creatures resemble the creature on the card."