"This is war," Orion's voice cut through his apology, sharp but not unkind. "Casualties are inevitable. What you do now is pick up your weapon and get revenge for our fallen."
With that, Orion turned and began walking toward the nearest ridge.
Only after he was gone did Arden and the Sentinels behind him rise to their feet. They gripped their weapons, then raised their fists to their chests in a sharp salute toward Orion's retreating back.
"Brothers and sisters!" Arden roared, his voice raw with emotion. "The time for vengeance is now! Who dares to fly with me and kill our enemies?"
A fire he hadn't felt in a long, long time surged through him. The last time he'd felt this was… during the Crimson Wastes Campaign, wasn't it?
"TO THE SKIES! TO THE SKIES! TO THE SKIES!"
"FOR THE FALLEN! FOR THE FALLEN! FOR THE FALLEN!"
Amidst the roaring chants, Arden led the remnants of his squadron back into the air, flying headlong toward the approaching enemy.
But the war had already begun.
