The first smell was rust.
The second was piss.
The third was fear.
Thaddeus Xuan woke up on wooden planks with iron chains around his wrist. His head pounded like someone used a war drum. Through the slats of the wagon, gray sky and black banners with a white tortoise shell in the center.
Xuanwu Clan. His clan.
''Get up, trash.'' A boot slammed into Thaddeus`s ribs. He coughed up black blood and rolled over. A soldier in red armor stood over him. No shell insignia. Not Xuanwu. The man spat.
''Ten more turtles for the front. Move!''
The Demon Front where the Xuanwu was sent to die first, fifteen-year with weak cultivation base became numbers in war reports. Who said longevity is good when no one passes even thirty years of age. Curse this world , Thaddeus thought as he pushed himself up .His body felt wrong, too thin , ribs and cheekbones prominent and too young.
He clenched his fists as memories started flowing, who knew one night out on his birthday he would transmigrate in this world. They shared the same name and now he was being sent to the frontline to face his clan's punishment. In this world bloodlines are the most important. Dragon, phoenix, white tiger are supreme top tier bloodlines. Xuanwu bloodline was once held as a mid-tier bloodline however unless there are some heaven tier treasures it remains weak.
The chains rattled. Around him, young boys around the age of 13 - 17 sat in silence. Some cried. Most looked numb. On the back of each hand was a brand, a small tortoise shell, the mark of cannon fodder.
Two days later, the wagon stopped. ''Out! Out! Move your shells!''. The young boys were shoved onto the muddy ground. In front of them stood Black shell camp. A fortress of black stone and desperation. Above the gates hanging on spikes...were heads. Some human .Some with horns.
''Line up, Xuanwu dogs!'' Commander Vex walked down the line with heavy strides. Broad shoulders, about three meters with scars across his face and armor plated with demon bone.He stopped in front of Thaddeus.
''Name?''
''Thaddeus Xuan."
''Cultivation?"
"First Layer.''
''Hahaha, great, you will make a great shield.'' He tapped Thaddeus's chest. "See those boys in gray armor? That's the 13th battalion. Your job is simple. When demons charge, you run first.''
Someone behind Thaddeus vomited, Vex grinned and didn't even flinch. ''Welcome to war, turtle''
That night, Thaddeus lay on a straw mat in a tent with twenty other boys.Then something clicked in his head.
[Ding!].