1 A squad from Hell.

Hell.

A place or location often heard in the mouth of people around. One that changed it's meaning after many years.

Once used to refer a mythical place that awaited for the wicked. Yet nowadays it's the word preferred to be used when we speak about this land. Kenshi.

During my travels since I was a kid, I heard of stories, be it from old fishermen, or skeletons that were on their last leg and who were willing to spill the beans, of forgotten memories by us, the living beings. These stories often depicted this hell of wasteland, that is my home, as a wonderful place, where people once thrived.

Trust me, more than once I scoffed at such words, not believing for once such claims. Yet as I grow old, not so much to be honest, but enough to be claimed as an adult in this unforgiven world, I understood that such stories, might held some truth in them.

My own origins might help for such claims, after all, before I was forcefully dragged to survive, my parents did have a farm in Okran's Arm, one of the most fertile lands in all around this hell hole.

Still, not even such place did helped for the claim now that I think about, not when my own story is a reminder of why I call this place hell.

I was just kid when our farm was attacked by cannibals, yes, cannibals, wonderful people if you ask me. Although I was lucky to be born in the holy nation, as a male, it seemed that it wasn't enough to be saved from the fate of many that weren't as lucky as one might thought.

The usual patrols around the area didn't seemed to work that day, not even a miserable foozy whoozy from those flaming lovers was to be seen as we where brought towards the cannibal encampment and I saw my parents being chopped alive.

Not an inquisitor around when I heard my mother screams as she pleaded, not for her, but me to be left alone as they were eating her while she was in a stake.

No one was there when I first took a glance and heard the reality of my world, when I understood why was this land called hell. Yet, according to many I encountered during my life, I was lucky enough to see cannibal hunters reaching, for once, in time to save someone.

Nowadays I often wonder if that wasn't plain bad luck. After all, I managed to extend my stay in hell for more than a decade. And let me tell you something, seeing my parents being eaten alive was but a simple scenery in the glorious grace that this world has to offer to someone.

Luckily for me, at least now I can kill cannibals without crying and freezing in terror. After all, hell does prepare for not crapping your pants after your eleventh time surviving death encounters!

"Ryuji! Can you please stop dozing off? I don't know what's making you act more absentminded than normal but at least I want you to pay attention at your surroundings, for Narko's sake!" I heard the gruff voice of my teammate cutting me from my monologue.

Sigh... Something I forgot to mention, if you want your stay in this hell to be not so... tediously deadly, forming a group is a must.

"...We're just leave World's End, why would you start complaining now Ruka?..."I couldn't help but ask her with a tired sigh as I glanced at the scenery in front of me.

What welcome my sight was this reddish and rusty land, the very mountain that we are stepping on and from which we are descending is impregnated with this red that seems to have been diluted between the many acid rains, which have cleaned this road and this land with the blood of thousands who they once walked this well-trodden path.

World's End lives up to its name, located on this mountain, almost at the end of what many of us consider the closest thing to civilization and a little hope.

The end where the silly differences that afflict the few efforts at order that exist between the corrupt and vain figures that are called nations.

The last attempt to keep whatever was left of whatever was alive for at least one more day.

A place I learned to call home with those I have by my si-

"BEEEEEEEEEEP!" Suddenly Beep, beeped, as he started running down the path without further notice.

"He's right, there's no need to be so tense Ruka, just look at Beep, until we reach the mountain foot we can be at peace." I heard behind me, knowing that Stenn would always back my views, him being one of the few that can understand reason within this group I'm in.

I heard a few laughs around as they watched the tiny frame of Beep running down the mountain, with his rusting katana on his back almost falling.

"We're almost in the Holy Nation patrol zone, although it isn't common, we don't know if we could encounter them down below or during our path, it wouldn't hurt to be a little bit more apprehensive." I heard the mechanical but tired voice of Syntax, the only skeleton of our group and the most worried regarding the danger that Paladins and Inquisitors could present for our group.

You see, The Holy Nation, the place I think I was born, is ruled by an idiot. And what's worse, an idiot that is idolized by thousands of more idiots. Said idiots who hate the entirety of my team, not because we did something at them, which we did, at certain points, but because of their origins.

Looking down around me, I glanced at all my teammates. Eight members without counting me. In which I'm the only human, or flat skin as my Shek friends used to call me.

Five of them were Sheks, two Hivers and one Skeleton. All of them which happen to be hated, to the bones, by The Holy Nation. Reasons for such irrational hate is unknown to me, after all, everyone can make your life harder here and it doesn't have to do with what kind of background you have.

The Sheks are a race that was said to be born for battle. And I've never doubted such claims, with their sturdy bodies and exoskeleton made of horns and hard tissue, these guys could tank cuts and heavy slashes without suffering like humans. Really, these guys are beasts when it came to fighting, not only they have incredible stamina that makes them a hell to face after being chased for kilometers by them, but they also carry underneath such bodies, packed muscles that when you clash against them, you might be lucky to not feel a few bones broken in your arm.

Glancing around me I see the two towering figures of Stenn and Masaru, once considered fearsome and respectable warriors from the Shek kingdom. These two guys are the epitome of what any Shek could achieve in battle, not only they are strong, enough to carry without too much problem their heavy armor and their giant weapons, but they also have the stamina to fight from the start to the end without spending too much of their stamina.

Their senses while fighting, their skills, everything about them was polished and refined through hundreds if not thousands of battles. Raised in a cruel and ruthless culture such as Shek's, that claimed for them since young age to strive for greater heights in combat, their nation was built under the belief of honor and strength, a warriors race.

Sensing my glare, Masaru raised his eye-bone-brow and asked "What's wrong?" I only shook my head as his question while moving my sight towards the other hive of my group, Manin.

I remember freezing at the sight of their race the first time I met one. There are many stories and legends regarding their origins, anyway, these bug like people are interesting fellas once you get through the first impression. Different from the Shek and humans, these guys are clearly defined in three categories once they are born, they are either born as workers, soldiers or princes. I don't know in where exactly lay the differences, just that the soldiers are the ones you don't want to face against in a battle.

Sadly neither Manin or Beep are soldiers, with the first being a prince and Beep, well, being Beep but he once was a worker before becoming a swordman.

"...The first on his own, long live to him..." I chuckle under my breath as I thought about that fella.

I think I might be the only one who find these fellas funny, even though a few of them beat the shit out of my young self various times.

Heck, just a few minutes ago we almost got into a brawl because I couldn't take seriously our hashish provider, he was also a hiver prince but I couldn't take the fella seriously, there's something on their faces or body that makes me unable to not relax around them.

Okay, I'm an idiot around them.

"Hmm, I think Beep shouldn't go too far from us, even if the path is somewhat safe, the least we should do is to separate." We heard the voice of Masaru breaking the silence.

I distinguished Stenn, Syntax, and Ruka humming in agreement with him, while Manin sighed.

"...I can't understand you guys, seriously always giving two way signals..." The helplessness in the voice of the latter was audible to everyone, making me smirk and agree with him.

"Hehe, that's why you always need to do what you want Manin, you just need to make sure to not leave too faraway from us." I heard the loud pat on Manin shoulder as Seto said to the former.

She's the latest addition to our group, and she could be considered a royalty according to the United Cities standards, as the daughter of the current ruler of the Shek Kingdom.

Yeah, we're kinda important in our own, I forgot to mention that.

"You are also lucky, since unless we find holy foozys, we would only encounter cannibals. So yeah, you'll probably be the latest they would go after, kekeke..." The creepy voice of Kang resounded behind as he made the group chuckle with him.

"Worst case scenario we still have Syntax with us so yeah, they won't chase after him and he could rescue our sorry asses in time." I assured with a smile. Hearing Syntax sighing, which he can't, and the rest of the group continue to banter.

We continue downward for a few minutes, still halfway our path, until we saw Beep running back to us.

"Beep! BEEP! THERE'S ENEMIES AHEAD, BEEP CAN'T FIGHT THEM ALL, HELP!" Beep beeped with distress as we tensed our bodies.

His small figure speeding up the mountains towards our way.

*Thud*

Letting out my backpack go the ground, I don't waste time and raise my voice "Get in formation and prepare yourselves!" as I ordered my group I glanced back at Beep "Beep! Who are they?"

The rest of my team let go their backpacks, while Manin took his position behind us, moving our bull that carried most of our equipment with him. On his hands, his crossbow. Alongside him, Syntax who was in charge of protecting him while carrying our backpacks towards Toro. Our bull.

Meanwhile, Stenn and Masaru placed themselves in two different positions, the first at the forefront of our formation as the spear, and the later in the back as our backing. Meanwhile, Beep, Ruka, Seto, Kang and I positioned in between. Spreading a little bit so we don't bother among each others.

"CANNIBALS, LOTS AND LOTS OF THEM! BEEP!" Beep beeped while answering me as he took his katana and positioned himself with steady hands.

I heard various sighs of relief around me, while a frown only creeped in my face, while cannibals might not be the most dangerous enemy at our level, they still present a heavy danger for us. More so if the words of Beep could be taken into account.

'...Lots of them, probably a big group, a couple dozens of them most likely...' I thought to myself while readying for the upcoming battle.

Each one of us could easily take at least four cannibals of our own, with Stenn and Masaru being able to probably take a dozen each of their own.

We have been in this kind of situation before, and survived through it while killing thirty or more cannibals in a deadly encounter.

That's the reason behind the confidence my teammates have. Yet I learned to never relax in front of danger.

"Okran be damned, we have to actually call for it, next time you all talk about this kind of thing I'm gonna go punch in your faces, Okran damned." We heard Manin grumping on the back, making all of us chuckle at his words.

"Krieeee!"

"Graaaah!"

"WAAAAARGH!"

As the cannibals approached, we heard their screams as slowly their figures make themselves clear.

Painted in various colours, of which more than one would not want to know the origin, their naked bodies loomed in front of us, sprinting with haste.

In their hands I could make out various weapons, from simple iron clubs, to the same heavy weapons that Masaru and Stenn carry.

Most of them were not very tall, their malnourished bodies prevented them from reaching their zenith, however, those who quickly took my attention and seriousness were the ones who did.

With imposing physiques, painted red and black from head to toe, I noticed several of the more dangerous cannibals that abound in these lands.

Apprehension and a bad feeling spread all over my body. Instinctively I knew that this group in front of me was not going to be just another group of the many we defeated.

"Wh-what!? Look back! There are many more of them!" Suddenly Ruka's usual stoic voice was heard wavering. Moving my gaze quickly to the back of the wall of painted bodies I could see a scene out of my worst nightmares as a child.

A pillar that reached to the corner of our path, and most likely still far from our vision, loomed with fervour.

Blood drained from my face, instinctively my hands clenched tightly around my katana and wakizashi. My legs faltered for a moment, the sound from across the path deafened, and from my mouth came only an instinctive but clever command.

"RUN, RUN FOR YOUR LIVES, GO BACK TO WORLD'S END!"

My companions didn't need to hear any more, regardless of the formalities, they all started running.

Only three of us lagged a little behind the rest as we ran towards the only chance of survival. Masaru, Stenn and I ran hand in hand, not looking for a moment at the background din of the column of death and suffering that was the cannibals.

"WHY THE FUCK ARE THERE SO MANY OF THEM? WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THE HOLY NATION PATROLS?" Unable to distinguish whether it was frustration, anger or fear, Stenn's voice snapped me out of my stupor and I asked myself the same question, while doing my best not to slip or stumble.

We had never heard or seen anything of such magnitude, the sheer number of enemies was absurd, such numbers we had only seen in the various skirmishes between the Holy Nation and the United Cities.

"HOW THE HELL DID THOUSANDS OF CANNIBALS GET HERE? WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?" Stenn still in his hysteria continued to shout.

Shaking my head slightly to my side, I felt the fear and anxiety clench my heart and squeeze it vehemently. The cannibals were at our heels. Moving my gaze quickly to the rest of our group, I noticed that only Beep and Manin along with our Toro could escape quickly, only a miracle could save the rest of our team from their, so far, imminent end.

"...They're not going to make it..." I said under my voice, noticing unwillingness behind.

I felt Stenn and Masaru's stares, I guess they must have heard me. For a moment I felt the world go silent as we continued to run in terror.

Taking what I think is my last heavy sigh and breath, I prepared myself for my end.

Slowing down, I clutched with the strength of my life and heart my two faithful companions, each in my hands, and stopped dead in my tracks. Getting into position to embrace my end.

Stenn and Masaru did the same, both figures supporting me and also preparing for our last stand. Knowing that for them, there is no greater honour than to die in battle.

"STENN, BOSS, TODAY ALLOW ME TO REDEEM MY HONOUR, TODAY I WILL DINE WITH KRALL, IT WAS AN HONOUR AND PRIDE TO FIGHT AT YOUR SIDES MY BROTHERS!" The strength and fervor behind Masaru's battle cry, was the spark I needed to make my voice booming in the face of the looming wall.

"TODAY WE DINE WITH KRALL!" Stenn repeated Masaru's words, with a light in his eyes that promised war.

"COME YOU FUCKIN BASTARDS, LET ME PAINT MYSELF IN YOUR BLOOD TOO!" I shouted with pure rage as a scrawny cannibal rushed at me.

With a small movement, I let my katana cut from his shoulder, deep into his chest. While letting the reverse of my sword slightly but quickly move him from my path, as I prepared my wakizashi to met the incoming slash from another cannibal.

Using the strength behind the slash to redirect the attack to the ground, I quickly moved my katana to finish the enemy while quickly preparing myself to prevent another attack. Not minding the two attacks that were aiming for my shoulder and leg from the other sides, knowing they would clash with my armour.

Quickly I found myself surrounded by five enemies, barely managing to avoid and parry hacks and slashes from the most dangerous one's that could quickly end my resistance.

Yet, each time I was able to cut down an enemy, another or two took it's place, making the whole ordeal in matter of second overwhelming difficult for me.

As I was about to finish another enemy, I saw with the corner of my eye the giant edge of a weapon aiming to tear me in half. I felt the world freezing at that moment. I was able to see with clarity not only the enemies around me, but the injuries I manage to make at them, the blood flowing from their bodies and the giant pool of blood at my feet, the bodies of those I slain and some of their body parts laying around.

In a matter of just two minutes, more than sixteen cannibals found their maker under my hands, yet I was about met the same fate.

That's when I noticed, moving slowly but surely, there was the torso of a cannibal flying towards the body of my attacker, with a quick calculation I decided that it would interrupt the attack.

Feeling my eyes moving slowly, I saw it. Stenn bathed in blood and gory parts finishing a powerful slash that cut in half three cannibals in one swop, the strength behind such attack making the torsos fly in various direction, one that luckily would prevent my death.

The world once again seemed to resume is speed. Finishing the enemy I was first about to kill, I tried with steps to retreat a little bit, and let the bodies of the fallen gave me at least a second to breath and continue my attacks.

Yet the remaining enemies made such task difficult.

Trying to dose my energy and stamina, I let my experience showcase itself as I used the enemies attacks against them and finished with the least amount of effort. I wasn't trying to survive, but I was trying to stall the enemy the most I could.

With each breath I was trying to cut one enemy down, a feat that was slowly but surely proving to be harder as time goes on.

Luckily, Masaru and Stenn also started to slowly back off as we understood that our duty this time wasn't mindlessly kill the enemy, but buy enough time.

While there were only three of us, and thousands of enemies in front, the narrow path of the mountain alongside the two big swords from both Stenn and Masaru, proved to be a good combination to momentarily hold the enemy back, showing that our sacrifice might not be in vain.

Feeling prideful that my last effort would be useful, a sense of peace spread through my body as the promise of death and eternal slumber, enticed my mind.

As if my body understood that this will be it last effort before forever being at peace, I felt every sense of my body heightened, every fiber of my muscles brimming with life and strength.

All I could heard was the sound of my steel slashing the enemies, the cries of pain and the blood spilling from each of them. The grunts of my Shek brothers let me be at ease knowing that they still hold themselves. Making my self only worrying at my task in killing the most amount of enemies before I run out of luck.

Blood filled the reddish brown terrain, making the path slippery and easing our job at killing the incoming enemies, the bodies of those who fell providing an extra effort for the enemies to overcome.

Seconds slowly passed away, until something broke me from my focus. I felt a bolt passing beside my head as I saw an enemy getting hit on its head.

With a sense of dread and rage filling my body, I glanced briefly behind me as I closed my eyes in resignation.

'Those mother fuckers, HOW DARE THEM TO DISREGARD OUR WISHES!?' A couple of meters behind, our remaining teammates that were supposed to run back towards World's End and warn of the incoming attack, were preparing to engage to the enemies.

"What. THE. FUCK. ARE YOU DOING HERE YOU PIECES OF SHIT!?" I wasn't able to contain my fury anymore as I shouted them, quickly trying to parry another attack that took opportunity at my slight opening due to the situation.

"You think we'll let you all die here alone? We either die as team or we survive together, there's no way we'll leave you behind!" I heard the voice of Manin as it only service to incense my rage at the content of it.

Before I can scream some truths at him, I payed the price of not focusing entirely at the situation in front of me. Not being able to quickly parrying a vertical slash, a tall cannibal was able to break my guard, and with speed, he exploited fully by raising his axe and hitting at my shoulder.

Feeling my armor unable to contain the strength behind it, I quickly felt the bones give away and a deep pain spreading all over my body from it.

"Ugh..." The air scaped my lungs and I quickly fell to my knees.

Seeing my life pass through my eyes, I helplessly saw my executor relish on a smile, about to finish me.

Giving a weak smile of my own, I closed my eyes and waited for the attack, knowing this guy would most likely be death a few moments later too.

"RYUUJI!!" The distressing voice of Ruka was the last thing I heard before I felt my body weightless. A searing pain the last feeling after darkness overcome my mind.

*****

"FUCK!" A raging voice was heard as a boy hit his computer table, making everything shake on it and spilling some liquid all over the place.

"WHY THE FUCK I LET HIM STAY, NOW I HAVE TO START ANOTHER GAM-" his voice was interrupted when the content of his coffee mug was spilled over the various cables and he was jolt by a sudden electric charge.

The light around his room quickly darkened, his computer shutting off and the boy fell dead in front of his desk.

A few screams could be heard on the back before the voice of a mature woman resounded "Thomas go look outside and see if another raccoon got fried in the electric post!" However silence only answered her back.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••××ו••••••••••••••••••••••

Hello everyone! This is a new work that I have on the draft a whole year, since I wasn't able to reignite my inspiration for Runeterra, I decided to give a shot at this since I am brimming with ideas for this work after reading a few stories.

Either way, I hope you all enjoy it.

Before you delve into the second chapter, I wish to make clear a few things so I don't have to repeat myself in the commentaries.

My novels aren't wish-fullfilment, I want to narrate a tale using elements in this case from the Narutoverse, Kenshi and another work. I'm pointing this fact because in Runeterra I read many times people crying over facts that I don't want in my works.

I'm not creating perfect characters, I'm creating realistic characters because what I like to read in novels is the different reactions at situations and environments. I want to think and imagine for myself what would such people do in those scenarios.

So before any of you start crying over "Is this harem?", "Is this beta mc?", "why this character is braindead?", etc. Hold your fingers and continue reading or either don't bother and go read something else.

If you have any doubt that you want to clear ahead, ask and I would reply if you properly ask without being a dickhead that knows no respect.

And last but no least, PLEASE WRITE MORE FANFICS OR SOMETHING, I'M TIRED OF TRYING TO SEARCH FOR SOMETHING AND FINDING NOTHING GOOD.

I reach up with the six novels I'm currently reading and it's a torture to wait everyday for something else to read. So please, this is an effort to inspire someone to either write another FF of Naruto, or one from Kenshi or Warhammer. 🛐🛐

Or hey, might as well write a FF of LoL so I can get inspired and release chapters from my own FF.

Well, that's all, have good day!