The inside was desolate, filled with rough dirt. Jen sat me down against the wall and began preparing for my treatment.
Beforehand, she sent a messenger bird to inform Malachi of what had happened. Hopefully, he wouldn't be too disappointed about the losses.
But it was more likely he would consider them unavoidable.
In war, casualties are a constant. A necessary and inescapable cost. People die.
It's how we respond to their deaths, how we take control and wield that loss, that defines us.
I would not be broken by the fall of my comrades.
Instead, I would use their deaths as fuel for victory.
Jen slowly began removing my armor, a faint blush creeping up her face as she took off my shirt.
"You really shouldn't be this embarrassed, Jen. We used to bathe together."
She sighed, doing her best to avert her gaze while applying ointment and wrapping me in bandages.
"Try focusing more on defending yourself, Nicole. I hate seeing you like this."
I smiled and reached out, ruffling her hair. "Didn't you see the other guy?"
She sighed again.
"Still, you're too quick to charge in headfirst. You don't need to kill yourself to make up for your sins."
Her eyes narrowed onto me.
There was something about the silence that followed, some invisible weight behind her concern.
Was it her kindness? Her resolve?
I couldn't tell. But I knew one thing. I needed her voice.
I relied on it more than I wanted to admit.
"Really? Then maybe I should live forever," I said with a soft laugh.
She nodded, amused. "If you did, I'd be really happy."
After finishing the last of the wrapping, she helped me into my shirt and let out a small sigh of relief.
"My messenger bird made contact. They should be here shortly."
I shifted, sitting up with a long breath. "Perfect. I've already grown restless rotting in this place."
She looked at me, flabbergasted. "Restless? You've been here no more than three minutes."
I nodded solemnly. "Yes, it's just terrible, isn't it?"
I wiped away fake tears. She rolled her eyes. "Sit tight, princess. You need to rejuvenate."
I forced a cough. "Being away from battle has made me sick. Please, just end me now."
She ignored me and turned away. "I doubt Fertical will stay on the defense for long."
"Malachi surely made preparations for that," I replied, glancing up at the sky.
It was nearing nightfall. The moon had begun to rise, pale and slow.
Nicole followed my gaze and sighed. "Maybe. But I still have my worries."
She walked over and sat down beside me, pulling out her blade as she did.
"Sleep, Nicky. I'll watch over you."
I gave her a sideways
glance. "You will?" I asked, puffing my cheeks and widening my eyes like a spoiled brat.
She ignored the look and removed her leg braces. Then, with surprising gentleness, she guided my head onto her lap.
Looking up at her with a sly smile, I spoke in a hushed voice.
"Soft, just like yo—"
She pressed a finger to my lips, her eyes flashing.
"Don't push me, Nicky. I'm the one in better shape right now."
I gave up and settled in. "Fine. What happened to you being able to take my jokes?"
She placed her hand gently over my eyes. "War."
I opened my mouth to respond. But then I felt it. Mana.
It seeped into my mind like smoke in a quiet room, slipping between thoughts, weighing down every limb.
She was putting me to sleep. The flow of mana directly targeted my consciousness, bypassing resistance and gently suppressing brain activity.
This little!
I tried to fight it, but it was already too late. Moments later, I sank into the darkness.
My mind drifted, and my world contorted, until at last I found myself locked inside a dream.
I burst through the river's surface and came crashing down onto the ground.
Looking up, I saw Nicholas. Small, short black hair, his dull white eyes staring down at me with boredom.
He wore a plain black vest and brown trousers, rough boots, and a puffy white cloak that hung off his shoulders.
"Sister, don't you think that was a bit much?" he said, sounding mildly annoyed.
I brushed the wet, sticky strands of hair away from my face.
I looked down. "Damn it, my shirt's ruined. Maybe I should've taken it off."
He sighed at that. "You're so stupid."
I was wearing a loose white shirt. I guess I hadn't accounted for the possibility that I might fall in.
I stood, pulling my soaked black pants away from my legs as I flexed.
The water instantly evaporated from my body. I turned back to him.
"I really thought I could walk on water this time."
He took off his cloak and tossed it to me. "I'm not sure why. You've been trying for over a month."
I looked down. "My effort won't fade. I'll continue on, Nicholas, by any means necessary."
When I looked back up, he still wore that same bored expression, only now there was something else beneath it.
A hint of something gentler. Something warmer.
Love.
A small smile tugged at his lips.
"Go on, sister. Keep chasing your useless goals."
My mind, now fractured, broke down the dream. I woke to the sound of rain pelting the earth around me.
Jen stood nearby, her sword braced between her legs, leaning slightly forward as she looked down at me with a soft smile.
"Ah, it seems sleeping beauty is awake."
I didn't know why, but tears began to fall from my eyes. Jen glanced up and sighed.
"I know. Rain always has a way of making the world feel just a little more gray."
I hadn't had a peaceful dream in a long time. Even though it was brief, I cherished that memory with everything I had.
Slowly, I sat up and looked around. "They're close. We should prepare for orders."
Jennifer nodded and helped me to my feet. With gentle hands, she began fastening my armor piece by piece.
The rain grew heavier, each drop falling thick and fast, soaking through clothes and pooling into the muddy ground beneath us.
Together, we made our way toward the fortress gates.
Stretching out across the horizon, banners waving in the downpour and supply carts rolling in rhythm, was an army.
At its head walked Malachi, bearing his black sword.
He spotted us through the rain and smiled softly. Then, right before my eyes, he vanished from his place and reappeared, stepping past us.
"It's smaller than expected," he said, glancing at the rebuilt fortress. "But it will suffice."
Jennifer and I both let out a long breath of relief.
Malachi turned back, voice steady. "You two can rest a while longer. We move once the sun rises again."
As the soldiers approached behind him, I stepped aside, watching as they flooded through the gates like a living tide.
Nicole looked relieved that he hadn't figured anything out. I was too. Though, honestly, I found it a little funny.
The soldiers wasted no time setting up beds and medical stations, quickly erecting a veil to shield the area from the constant rain.
Before long, it truly felt like a functioning base of operations once more.
Nicholas should be showing his face soon.
The war might end before that boy manages to accomplish anything.
With Malachi Novastia leading the charge, it's only a matter of time before the entire enemy kingdom kneels before him.