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Life is war for Canis as they raise soldiers and guards to fight for their love of God and neighbor. Freya is receiving special training from her beloved teacher, Zephan, who will guide her in this training, however, he will unexpectedly take her journey down a different direction making her question if she truly wants to live a life of seemingly never-ending violence.

Salvation Through War: Chapter 4 – Hatred Inflamed by Love

Chapter 4 – Hatred Inflamed by Love

I am woken up by Zephan’s kiss on my forehead like every other day. He’s already dressed in his usual armor and weapons on him.

“Good morning. It’s time to go and show you what I’ve had planned for Canis and the world,” Zephan says.

His words make me rush, get my armor and weapons, and go with him without a word. As we leave, the townspeople say goodbye and thank us again for helping them yesterday. I felt bad not helping to clean up the corpses I created and just leaving it for the guards to do, but there’s no reason to let it bother me now. The ride on horseback to an area that lies not too far from Canis’ borders takes longer than it actually is because of the anticipation. Once we reach the area, I see elves from all three kingdoms from the holy land, orcs, and normal humans from the northern and southern kingdoms. Many of the people that comprise this group are from Canis, some of whom are classmates and people that I remember, which surprises me.

The people that I remember say hi to me and how thankful they are to see me here and I only say thank you to them and agree that it’s good to see them as well. So, what Zephan said earlier before we started our quest about fewer people from Canis joining the guards and army is true and he’s presumably part of the reason. This camp has so many people in it. It’s almost like an army. There must be hundreds if not thousands of people from what I can see. From the top of a hill, I overlook the vast numbers of people while Zephan finalizes the plans with the group’s other leaders. Is this how Zephan going is to help us live a happy life? We seem to be no different than Canis by having this army of people. I mean what else could we need these numbers for? Eventually, Zephan leaves the tent where the meeting is with the rest of the leaders who go their separate ways.

“We’re ready, Freya,” he tells me.

“What are we going to do?” I ask. “Subjugate Canis into being peaceful?”

“No, we aren’t. This army is just to protect us in the event that we are attacked because we will bring peace across the entire world.”

“And how will we do that?”

“We have some of the best mages in the world that will cast a calming spell that will quell people’s bloodlust and make them want only peace. I’ve met a couple of these mages in my travels and they were part of the reason that I was convinced to get some many people from Canis to join this army, you especially included.”

“Why me?”

“Because I didn’t want to fight you and I wanted to give you a taste of the peaceful life so that you’d join me.” Zephan kisses me on the cheek and then holds my hands as he looks into my eyes. “Trust me, Freya. This is God’s will and how we will stop the constant wars and conflicts that the world has been in. You’re about to witness it before your very eyes.”

There’s seemingly nothing else for me to do or say so I go along with Zephan, his army, and the mages. The leaders of this group step up on a stage made of boxes and give a little speech talking about how everyone here wants to live a peaceful life and to end the constant wars and conflicts that are always happening around the world. I ignore most of it since I’m just as anxious as everyone else to get it over with and see this calming spell that’s supposed to make people peaceful. After the speech is over, everyone cheers and gets on their horses, carriages, and rides on conjured animals. As for me, I ride on a horse with Zephan again who kisses me again.

“It’s finally time,” he says with a smile.

I nod with a forced smile of my own before we head off. It’s not too long until we reach our destination, which is a fairly large town in Canis. From this distance, I see the town’s guards and people readying themselves for a fight and being uneased by our presence. A mage of the group uses a spell to bolster his voice and tells the town to send a representative out for negotiations. The town obliges as a noble dressed in a red and gold gown accompanied by five soldiers comes to us.

“What is it that you want to negotiate over? Be brief in your explanation because we of Canis do not take an army of this size walking around our home without our permission lightly,” the negotiator says.

Even though he must see me, Zephan, and the many others from Canis, he talks as if we aren’t. As if we’ve already been disowned and need to be reminded of Canis’ no-nonsense policy.

Zephan steps forward and says, “We wish to have you join us. Behold, the number of people we have recruited from around the world that are united in for the same purpose of bringing peace to the world.”

“And? Are you here to join the army? Your outfit, assuming it isn’t stolen, shows you to be a high-ranking officer of our army. The Church already fights to bring peace to the world. What makes you so different?”

“We’ll bring peace through non-violence.”

“Ha! As if that could ever happen. What fantasy world are you people living in? I’d like a part in it. I honestly do. War is the only way to subjugate the sinner without and within and to not do so is to give in to evil. Because you amuse me so much, I’ll let you leave without any kind of warning and won’t let the neighboring towns and cities know of you as long as you promise not to bother anyone else in Canis.”

“So, your answer is ‘no’ then?”

“It’s a vehement ‘no’.”

“So be it then.”

Zephan nods to the mages who have just finished the silent incantation for their spell. A fierce wind blows out from them that freezes the land around us for smiles and encases the negotiator and his soldiers alive in ice. Despite it appearing to be freezing, I don’t feel the cold nor do I feel uncomfortable because of the change but I do at the same time. Looking at the frozen people, I see their eyes looking all over and them speaking but I can’t hear their words. Going into town, I see that the same thing has happened to every man, woman, child, animal, and carnivorous plant.

“What’s going on?” I ask Zephan who is with me.

“This is the result of the spell of the mages. It took them at least five years to make it and it’s exhausted them, especially since it was targeted at everyone and everything except us. Even then, some mages had to cast shields around us to be safe,” Zephan explains.

“These people are still alive. Are we going to just leave them here like this?”

“They’ll be released once the spell’s full effect takes root. Once they are, everyone will be more inclined towards peace with violence only being a last resort. It may take some time, but it’ll happen, and they’ll be safe in their frozen chrysalis until then.”

This…this is wrong. We shouldn’t force peace upon people even if this counts as being non-violent. The rest of the army walks through this scene with some being disturbed, and yet, unwilling to stop moving. They rest in the town as the mages who did this sleep in beds made for them by the army. No, we shouldn’t be doing this and I have to do something and I know that they won’t listen to me. I know I can’t convince these people through words, which leaves me with no other option.

After putting the crystal into my sword and lighting it up, I yell out, “Zephan!”

Zephan turns around appearing to be confused and a little concerned.

“What are you doing, Freya?” he asks.

“You are committing such a heinously sinful crime that I have no choice but to kill you and your legions.”

“Are you honestly going to face us all by yourself?”

I charge at Zephan swinging my sword at him until he ignites his and defends himself, and then say, “Even if I’m the last soldier against thousands, I won’t give up.”

“Don’t you use my own words against me.”

Everyone around us just watches as the two of us fight. There’s something wrong in the way Zephan is fighting. He’s holding back while also not as he is being emotional. He overreaches, pulls his punches, and doesn’t strike hard enough even as I cut through his armor. I’ve got to be faster, fiercer, and strategic to remind him of himself and beat him in this duel. Holding back my own emotions and using the fighting style that Zephan taught me, I’m able to get the better of him until I completely tire him out. He’s now cut up, bruised, heavily breathing, and obviously on his last legs.

“Why are you doing this?! Why prefer war over peace?!” Zephan yells as he struggles to stand.

“To wage war is to not to kill and hate what is against you but to protect what you love,” I answer, which is another saying that Zephan told me.

We charge at one another for one last clash of blades that I win after five seconds. As Zephan falls, I hold him in my arms. Everyone around us is surprised by the result of the battle and talks among themselves as to what they should do.

With his dying breath, Zephan says, “Heh, I see that I taught you a little too well to fight.”

“You did. I’m sorry it had to come to this, but I had to do what was right,” I say.

“I understand. I really thought that this was the only way to bring peace to the world and still do to an extent. If you manage to somehow make it out of this alive, please try to make the world a peaceful place to live, so that people will experience days like that week we just spent with one another. It was the best week of my life. If not, then I hope to see you in Heaven where we’ll live out in a place that is always peaceful.”

Zephan’s words finally make me cry as I put my head on his chest and he holds my head.

“I love you, Freya,” he says with a fading voice.

“I love you too, Zephan. Zephan?”

He’s gone. The man who taught me everything I know and the one that I loved is now dead. His face is oddly peaceful with a slight smile on it. I can’t let this stop me from continuing to fight. No, this is only the beginning of my fight. As I pick up one of Zephan’s axes and my own sword, I get up and raise both weapons to the sky.

“Who’s next to face justice?!” I scream out.

The army around me starts to draw their blades and approach me. Lord God, give me the strength to face them and do Your will. Before one of my enemies can get close to me, I am engulfed in a flame that bursts from below the ground. This flame is hot enough to burn me and gives me almost unbearable pain, and yet, I embrace it and allow it to empower me. Once the eruption of flames is over, I look at my skin and see that it is bleached white. My outfit is black and white and my weapons are white and grey and are lit up with a white flame. In addition, my hair has grown longer and turned white with streaks of black in it.

So, this is what it’s like to become a white flame soldier. I’ve heard that people only become it in times of need or after intense training, but I didn’t actually expect it to happen to me. Maybe Zephan was right that I would become one, even if he was lying that I would. The army around me shields their eyes with their hands and arms as the light from my flames is too much to handle, which means that they’re all sinners worthy only to be executed since the white flame hurts only the guilty. I drop my sword to allow one of my hands to cast a fire spell.

“You will all burn for your transgressions, so repent while you still have the chance!” I say before throwing a fireball into the air.

The fireball ends up being larger and causing a bigger explosion than intended. It then starts to rain white-hot flames on everything and everyone around me. The flames melt the ice around me and free the people from their icy cocoons while not harming them. In contrast, those in the army are melting into pools of blood and visceral if they weren’t instantly turned to ash by the explosion. Some of them are somehow still alive as they live with only half their torso or half their body. These soldiers are put out of their misery by the guards and soldiers defending the town. It’s a wonder the town itself, and the animals and living vegetation in it are unharmed in addition to the people. What’s even more wonderous is the fact that Zephan is unharmed by the flames as they burn harmlessly on his body, which must mean his soul is in Heaven or at least in Purgatory, thanks be to God.

I tell the townspeople to take care of Zephan’s body before running to the gates of town to see that the army that I came here with is now running away. It’s my honest hope that they all repent and that this event has helped them to do so. The townspeople praise God, thank me, and cheer for victory. After which, I report what happened to the generals and teachers of Canis and then hold a funeral for Zephan, one where he is respected despite his apparent betrayal. I don’t stay after the funeral and just head to the barracks where I have my own special space. As I lie on the bed, I look into the white crystal of Zephan’s axe and remember the time we spent together.

“I’ll create a more peaceful world, Zephan. I promise,” I say.

Later in the week, I am asked to help in a battle against a horde of beastmen and I accept. I’ve already said my peace and had my time to relax. Now, it’s time to act, to fight for peace, to slaughter the enemies of truth and love, and to lay my life on the line for what I protect. Since I’m an elite white flame soldier, I am on the front lines ahead of everyone else. There are few other white flame soldiers, but I am sure we are enough even as I see the hundreds of beastmen aided by ratmen and bandits of all kinds.

As we all charge into battle, we sing, “For God and neighbor, we slay and labor. For those we adore and to protect truth forevermore. Let this bloodshed testify to our faith so that our souls will be sanctified. Amen!”

 

The End

Salvation Through War: Chapter 3 – Kindling a New Kind of Fire

Chapter 3 – Kindling a New Kind of Fire

Zephan was right. I wasn’t ready at all for this next challenge.

“It’s way too cold here!” I say as I shiver.

“I told you that it would be tough. Where’s that unshakable look of determination that you had a few minutes ago while walking through the forests?” Zephan mockingly asks.

“Oh, shut up! I thought it wouldn’t take too long to get used to it, but it’s been hours and I feel worse, if anything else.”

“You’re right. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to travel at night when it’s colder.”

As we travel farther in the cold, we find a cave near a hill. Even when we set up a fire and sit near it, I still feel bone-chillingly cold and am about to use a fire spell to strengthen and further warm myself up until Zephan stops me.

“Save your strength. Casting that spell will only give you temporary relief from the cold until you get tired and it wears off causing you to suffer more from the cold. Trust me that I and many others have tried to warm ourselves with fire spells only to suffer for it later,” Zephan says.

“What do you suggest I do then? Tough out the cold? You don’t look like you’re dealing with it too well either,” I say.

“You’re right, I’m still not completely used to it despite having just come out of it days ago. The thought came to me that I should’ve brought jackets, but none of the ones I had were fire-resistant nor easy to carry around. Also, it would’ve been too hot to wear them in Canis.”

“At this point, I would’ve gladly dealt with that so I can deal with this cold.”

“Well, there is another way to deal with the cold.” Zephan gets up and sits behind me with his legs near mine. He then wraps his arms around me and embraces me into his chest. “Come on. Come closer. Don’t you want to get warmer?”

I mean, ‘I already am’ is what I want to say but can’t speak any words for a few seconds because of what is suddenly happening. I can’t even look Zephan in the face because I don’t want to show how red my face must be.

“I-I…is this okay?” I finally manage to say.

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I…I don’t know.”

“Freya, do you know what you are to me? Look at me.”

“What?” I ask while turning my eyes to look at Zephan.

“You’re more than a student and a friend. Freya, I love you.” I struggle even more now to come up with words and look at Zephan’s honest and calm smiling face. “I know you must share the same feelings because of how you acted around me during our experiences together.”

“I…I…”

“Haha, a fierce soldier like you who doesn’t back down from a fight is completely paralyzed by a confession of love?”

“Yes! I mean. Why wouldn’t I be? Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

“It was too early even when you graduated school and I didn’t want to ask in Canis because I thought this would be a better place too. Despite the cold, this region has beautiful scenery, doesn’t it? Just look at the green trees, lush flowers, and starry night sky filled with stars.”

“You’re right. I’ve never seen the stars clearly because of the smoke constantly covering the Canis skies.”

“You’ve also never known a calm peaceful land like this one.” Zephan holds me even closer. “Freya, my experiences here have made me crave a peaceful life free of all war and conflict and I want you to live that life with me.”

“Huh?” I say as I feel some of my senses coming back to me. “What about training to become a soldier? It’s my God-given calling.”

“It’s what everyone in Canis told you to do because you’re good at fighting. Canis’ main trade is war and making weapons of war, so why would they show you other lifestyles beyond it?”

“Because Canis is what holds back the tide of ratmen, the barbarity of the beastmen, and brings justice to bandits and criminals all across these lands.”

“But is that the life you want? Do you really want to keep fighting all your life until your death?”

“It’s what I promised I would do.”

“Did you make that promise with all your heart? Did you really dig deep and know for sure that it’s what you want?”

“I did. What better choice could I have made? Why did you even get permission to train me to be a soldier if you wanted me to abandon that pursuit?”

“I needed a good reason to get you out of Canis so I could talk to you like this. Look at the starry sky and live in this moment. It’s a peace unlike anything you’ve ever felt before, right? I am giving you the chance to live a peaceful and happy life with me. What do you think?”

As I look up at the sky and think, I can’t help but think of staying with Zephan and nothing more. My desire to become a soldier and fight for all my life is slowly fading away as my desire to stay in this moment forever increases. Lord God, what decision should I make? Should I follow my heart or my calling, if it ever was my calling?

In a state like this in the arms of someone I love, what else can I answer except, “I will. I’ll join you and give up wanting to be a soldier because I trust you and…I love you, Zephan.”

“I love you, Freya.”

This is the first time I’ve ever seen Zephan cry and he’s crying while smiling. He then kisses me on the lips and holds me even tighter. For the rest of the night, we rest by the fire in each other’s arms. If giving up my calling as a soldier means living every night like this, then I gladly give it up. I’ve never felt happier in my life than I do now. The next morning comes too early and Zephan tries to get up while I try to hold him down.

“Can’t we sleep a little longer?” I ask trying not to make it obvious I want to cuddle more.

“No, we have to head into town to get ourselves some jackets. You don’t want to stay this cold, do you?” Zephan says.

“No, I don’t.”

I want to say that I won’t be cold if you hold me more, but I change my mind, don’t say anything else as I get up, and follow Zephan to the town he’s marked on his map. It still feels like last night was a dream because of what happened and said. I want to ask him if he loves me just to hear it again and confirm his feelings for me, but I know that my waking up in his arms confirms what I know to be true. Despite it being morning with a cloudless sky, the sun hardly provides any more warmth than the fire we slept by can. Because of this, we pick up our pace, head into town, and go inside the tailor that Zephan knows.

The coats we are sold are large, furry, and also cheap since it’s apparently the spring season. I didn’t even really notice but everyone outside is wearing short-sleeved shirts. It feels awkward even walking around with these coats on and even more awkward when my hand touches Zephan as I walk close to him.

“Ah, I’m sorry,” I say.

“Why should you be?” Zephan says as he holds my hand. “We’re officially a couple now. We should be holding hands, right?”

“Yeah. Right.” It’s admittedly nice holding hands with Zephan and it brings a smile to both of our faces. “Now, what do we do?”

“We should get some breakfast and then see what to do from there. Remember that this is the start of a peaceful life for us. There’s no need to worry about training or chasing after sinners to bring to justice.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

Zephan brings me to a restaurant where he is known by its owner and cooks. It’s weird being recognized as his girlfriend and from what I hear from their conversation, he’s talked to them about me and wanting to be with me. It’s also weird having my food being provided for me again, but the company, food, and fruit-flavored drinks are good and appreciated. The food and flavored drinks are especially good since I’ve never tasted food that was so different before. After we finish, we say our goodbyes and leave.

With that done, Zephan decides that we should walk around town taking in the sights and browsing the stores. Since I don’t have any better ideas, I agree and let him guide me around. The town is larger than most that I’ve seen in Canis and more peaceful since no one is getting into a fight or sparring in the streets. Many of the statues and pieces of art in the stores and churches are beautiful and don’t usually depict warriors or scenes of battle or violence. Even though there are blacksmiths in town, the main trades here are food, furniture, art, and places that sell card and board games and have people casually playing the game in the stores.

In one area of the town, we find a river where people are eating and socializing around. I’ve never seen water like this before that’s so reflective and cold to touch. It’s admittedly the only thing Canis lacks since the only water we can find is underground in a few places scattered around the region. Zephan decides that we should sit around here especially since a band has just started playing their music for the crowds and I agree, but I kind of regret it later since Zephan makes me dance with me to the music with the crowds. Still, I have to admit that it was a fun experience. Once that’s done, we visit a flower shop. Because I grew up in a place where all the flowers could kill or eat me, it surprises me that none of these are harmless and smell nice rather than poisonous.

“Did you find anything you like?” Zephan asks.

“Was I supposed to be picking something out?” I ask.

“No, but I’ll buy you the flowers that you like and make something special out of them. What do you think?”

“I guess I don’t have a reason to refuse.”

After picking out the flowers I like, Zephan and the lady who runs the shop make a beautiful crown of flowers for me.

“Thank you for giving this to me, but I’m already wearing something special on my head,” I say.

“I want you to get rid of it,” Zephan says.

“Huh? Why should I?”

“You’re not going to be a soldier for Canis anymore so there’s no reason to wear it.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

I take off the metal crown and look at it for a few seconds before handing it to Zephan.

“We’ll take this to a blacksmith who can melt it and make it into something useful for the townspeople,” Zephan says. “Put the crown of flowers on.”

I do as he says and look into the mirror that the shopkeeper gives me.

“You look cute,” the lady says.

“Cute? Me?” I ask.

The thought of looking cute and even the word sounds strange to me despite knowing what a cute thing is and looks like.

“We’ll have to get you more than a coat to match your new appearance. I should’ve thought of that before getting you the crown,” Zephan says.

We then go back to the place where we got the coats and get a completely new change of clothes for both of us. Now, I really feel strange in such colorful clothes. I wear a green and white long-sleeved shirt, a long green skirt, and brown boots while Zephan wears a white shirt, blue pants, and dark blue boots. Again, I’m called cute and still don’t feel that way.

“Is something wrong?” Zephan asks.

“It feels weird being called cute. It doesn’t feel right for some reason,” I say.

“It’s probably because of the black warpaint that’s permanently stuck on your face. Still, I think you look cute and the shopkeepers we’ve seen agree with me, so don’t worry about it.”

The sun is now setting in the sky so Zephan and I go back to the restaurant we were at and have dinner together.

“What do you think so far?” Zephan asks.

“I don’t know what to think. I’m definitely enjoying myself if nothing else,” I admit.

“That’s good to hear. You’ll get used to it after some time. Tomorrow we’ll start working at the blacksmith who I know and who we’ll give the crown to.”

“We’re going to work there?”

“It’s either that, the farms, or the flower gardens, and know that you have more experience with weapons than with taking care of the vegetables and fruits native to this land.”

“You’re right. Thank you for everything, Zephan.”

“It’s my pleasure and honor to make you happy.”

Zephan and I kiss now and kiss goodnight at the inn we’re staying at, a place whose owner Zephan knows, of course. For the next five days, I work with Zephan at the blacksmith making weapons, testing them out, and even sparring with the guards on occasion since they were curious as to how a person from Canis fights. I manage to surprise both the blacksmith and some of his customers when I touch the hot metal without getting hurt when we’re making weapons, which is funny to both me and Zephan. There is no work on Sunday so we go to mass in our Sunday best and are enjoying a nice breakfast with the friends we’ve made until a horn suddenly blares and the guards tell everyone to hide because of a bandit attack.

I say, “Zephan, shouldn’t we-”

“I know, I know. We’ll help out the guards when we get everyone to safety. Do you still have your sword and crystal with you?” Zephan asks.

“I never go anywhere without them.”

“Good, me too. I’m glad you remembered my advice despite our circumstances.”

Zephan and I barely manage to get our friends and the other citizens to the nearest church before we hear sounds of fighting and explosions. Running to the source, we see that the bandits have broken through the gates with their magic, specifically fire magic. When I catch sight of the bandits, I see that they are mostly comprised of people from Canis as evidenced by their orange and yellow eyes and war paint on their faces. It’s then that I remember my hatred towards those who betray their homes and kingdoms in pursuit of personal goals and glory that are in contrast to God’s will.

“Traitors!” I yell out before unleashing a rain of fire upon the bandits.

The fire engulfs those who aren’t from Canis and burns them to ash while those who are suffer only minor burns, their advance is stopped for a moment, and then resumes just as I close the distance with my sword lit up with fire and start hacking away at them one after the other. Despite not having trained or fought for days, my training comes back to me as I can fight these bandits like I used to and cut them all down. Before I know it, they’re all dead even as I look for more traitors and scum of the earth to kill. With my bloodlust satiated, I take out the crystal from my sword to extinguish its flames, sheath it, and then look at my blood-soaked hands and dress. Everyone around us is cheering for us and talking about how impressed they were by how Zephan and I fought.

As I was fighting, I felt…right, if that makes sense. It’s not that I’m some lunatic who wants to kill and cause suffering, but I felt right in the fighting that I was doing as if I belonged in that moment more than I belonged in the peace of this town and region. Should I be here living a peaceful life if that’s the case?

“Freya, Freya!” Zephan says as he shakes me by the shoulder. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. It’s just that…” I say while still looking at my hands and dress.

“Don’t worry about the dress. I’ll get you a new one or it cleaned by the tailor, whichever you’d like.”

“No, it’s not the dress I’m worried about. It’s just that…should I really live a peaceful life? I mean, it felt right for me to be fighting for the sake of the innocent as if it’s where I truly belong.”

“You can still be a soldier here protecting the people you live alongside. I mean there wasn’t any falsehood when I said you’d be a soldier, but also, I must admit that you’re going to be a different soldier to even that. In truth, I must admit that I made you live through these past days to get a taste of the peaceful life so that you’d want to fight for it. I’m sorry that I haven’t been completely honest with you.”

I stare at him for a few seconds in silence as he awaits an answer from me. With nothing better to say, I respond, “It’s okay. I still trust you.”

“Thank you, thank you so much, Freya. I promise that I’ll be completely honest from now on because tomorrow we’ll be instilling the peace we know in parts of Canis with the rest of my collaborators, but for today, we’ll rest and enjoy this peace for one last night.”

After cleaning up and changing into a new dress, Zephan and I take it easy and relax for the rest of the day as if nothing happened. The night comes and I rest in his embrace as we watch the starry night again. Remembering what a traitor is because of the bandits that attacked us today made me realize what I’m doing could be called treachery and betrayal because I’m not fulfilling my promise to my homeland, but is it really betrayal if I’m doing the will of God? Is this peaceful life what God really wants me to do? Zephan has never been untrustworthy, but he’s obfuscated the truth so that I would follow him out here. Am I blinded by my own heart or am I honestly doing the right thing? Why, God, aren’t You giving me a clear answer for something so crucial? Perhaps tomorrow will hold the answers I seek when I meet Zephan’s allies and see what he means by instilling peace in Canis.

Salvation Through War: Chapter 2 – Journeying in a War-Torn Land

Chapter 2 – Journeying in a War-Torn Land

I’ve honestly never looked in a mirror this long before probably because I don’t really care how I look to others, but since Zephan is with me, I care. Is my short brown hair too drab? Is my brown skin smooth to the touch? Do my orange and yellow eyes glow with the ferocity that they’re supposed to? Does my golden corset go well with my long red skirt and cloak? What about the fireproof black bodysuit and chainmail that I’m wearing? Are they okay and in good condition? Is the black war paint on my face too intimidating? Maybe I should’ve done something else besides two tear lines running from my eyes to my mouth and a black mark going from the bottom of my lips to under my chin.

The realization of what I’m doing hits me as I sit down by a table in embarrassment. Right now, Zephan and I have stopped by a town to eat and revigorate ourselves before continuing on my journey. I’m waiting for him to get our food from the nearby hunter store and even as I wait, my eyes still wander to my reflection on the shop windows. The same window reflection and smell of cooked food draws my attention to Zephan who has brought with him plates full of a variety of meat.

“It looks good, doesn’t it?” Zephan says. “Go ahead. Dig in.”

While eating, I say, “We could’ve just hunted for food and cooked it ourselves. Why spend money on it and have others do the cooking as if we’re foreigners?”

“Because this is a special occasion and my status as a lieutenant in the army gives me a discount that makes this meal basically free. My teacher also did the same for me as well so I’d like to carry on the tradition.”

I grunt in acknowledgment. I’ve never eaten something before that I didn’t kill or wasn’t recently killed by someone else like a family member or friend. There’s no shortage of prey in Canis or rather predators that can become prey. Everything is a carnivore in these lands, even the meat-filled plants can walk around and chew you to bits. It’s why there are no farmers in our land, just hunters.

“I saw you looking at yourself in the mirror,” Zephan says and makes me choke on my food for a bit. “Is something wrong with your appearance? Are you trying to look good for someone?”

“N-no, I’m not. Don’t worry about it,” I say.

The people of Canis care very little about fashion so when someone is looking into a mirror, they are either checking themselves for injuries or damage to their armor or making sure they look good for the person they are interested in. It’s obvious that nothing is wrong with my light armor so the other option is the most likely to Zephan, but he’s not interested in me nor do I want to act on my feelings since I don’t really have romantic feelings for him, or at least, I don’t think I do. Still, he’s smiling in a way that makes it look like he’s reading my thoughts and knows something that I don’t. To avoid my face getting flushed red again, I try my best not to look at him and just focus on eating. Everyone in Canis is forward with their feelings so even if he did feel the same way about me, he would’ve said something by now.

“So, why are we going from here to an outside kingdom and then back here?” I ask while pointing to the map Zephan left on the table. “Why don’t we go to someplace like the overgrown lands of Bernhard or the wastes where the ratmen reside if I’m finalizing my training to become a soldier?”

“That’s because even though both places are dangerous, you are already used to living in such places because of your life here despite them not being as hot, however, you aren’t used to the cold and calm of what are considered normal lands,” Zephan explains while tracing his finger through the route he’s planned. “I know I wasn’t prepared for it when I went. Even my combat prowess was tested there because I wasn’t used to fighting in the cold or normal weather, as it’s called by the people who live there. Also, my fellow teachers approved of the plan as well and will be implementing it, if they haven’t already.”

“Hmm.” I guess it makes sense and I know better than to question Zephan’s advice and orders so I accept his plans. “What’s this first region we’re going to anyway? Looks like we’re just wandering around an empty area.”

“It’s the general area I’ve been told is holding a gathering of traitorous bandits. The area is dangerous even for Canis standards so it’s a perfect place for skilled criminals like this to hide.”

“So, we’re going to be hunting the scum of the earth? Say no more.”

“Freya, you will still be killing people. We may be a people who live on war, but we direct our hatred towards sin, not the sinner and our fighting is done for God’s glory, not for the fun of it or our own ends.”

“I know, I know.”

“You must understand this and remember it constantly. If you don’t properly direct your hatred or have the right reasons to fight, then you shouldn’t be a soldier.”

“I know that. It’s one of the first lessons you taught me.”

“Do you remember what else I said?”

“It is the first lesson and the last.”

“Correct. Once we finish eating, we’ll head out to face your first challenge.”

I do as Zephan says and we head out to the area where the criminals are hiding out. The land is one ravaged by the war of the past that is said to have ended the future, or rather, it ended humanity’s technologically advanced age when we could travel the stars. Nothing of it remains in these lands except for broken towers, pieces of metal everywhere, large mechanical weapons of war that are beyond repair, and craters where pools of lava reside. It’s said that the war is the reason why Canis is the way it is, especially because the elves, ratmen, and orcs were changed after remnants from the past were blown up in their respective regions. As far as I know, none of the theories matter to me, and thinking about it beyond knowing about the extent of humanity’s destructive capabilities is just wasting time. Still, this scenery is interesting to look at every now and then and the past is intriguing to remember, nevertheless.

While we hunt for our prey, we have to defend ourselves from the plants and animals that live in the wreckage. Zephan reminds me to primarily use my sword and only use my fire magic if absolutely necessary since using it tires me out quicker, which he is right about, so I do as he says. This reminds me of the days when he first taught me to hunt. Looking at the crystal that lights my sword up with flames, I remember those days as if they were yesterday and the days when Zephan and I would spar together and eat meals that we hunted.

“I think we found them, Freya. Look here,” Zephan says in a loud whisper snapping me out of my daydreaming.

“Footprints,” I say while touching the ashen ground. “And dried blood.”

“Our targets must be close by. Let’s take it slow just in case there may be an ambush. Also, try not to look into that crystal of yours for long in situations like this. Keep your mind in the present. You can reminiscence the past later.”

“Okay.”

Zephan and I follow the trail until we go into a cave whose walls are entirely made of collapsed towers. The tunnel doesn’t go too far back so it isn’t long until we reach our prey who are drinking, eating, holding fights, and doing business in the ruins of what looks to have been a town square or marketplace. It’s also then that I see the scaffolding around the ruined towers that lead up into them and see that the criminals inhabit them.

“You see them up there too, Zephan?” I whisper while we hide in the shadows.

“I do,” he says as he looks around.

“They might’ve already seen us. We should just attack now.”

“If they saw us, then they would’ve done something by now. Let’s wait for a few minutes to see if that’s the case before acting.”

After waiting in the shadows for a few agonizing minutes, we see that nothing happens and the criminals in the marketplace don’t change their behavior. During the wait, I’m tempted to attack the ones that leave the cave, however, Zephan holds me back.

“We must wait for the right opportunity to strike,” he says.

“We came here to bring justice to these people,” I say.

“God will deliver that to them later. Perhaps we will even face them on our way out or someplace else. Our primary concern is everyone down there.”

“Fine. How are we going to deal with them? We’ve waited long enough.”

“You see that the ruined towers around us are still damaged despite the repairs done to them? I say we create a large enough fireball to bring this entire place down on them.”

“It’s…efficient. Here I was thinking that I’d have to get my blade dirty with their blood.”

“As the saying goes, work smarter, not harder.”

“Right, right.”

Together, Zephan and I conjure fireballs and continue to grow them in size until we’re noticed. We then throw the fireballs at the top of the cave, bringing it down upon the marketplace below. The rest of the cave begins to crumble as a result so we rush out of the cave killing whatever returning scum there is and the ones that come out of the broken windows of the towers. Once we make it out, we don’t let our guard down as we catch our breath and wait for any stragglers to come out. Eventually, some do and charge at us while cursing us for what we did. They fall rather easily because of their injuries and lack of armor, which they must’ve either had to lose to escape the cave-in or damaged beyond usefulness in the chaos. We end up killing ten of them until Zephan decides that we waited long enough to see if any more will come out.

“If there’s any more left, they’re trapped inside the cave,” Zephan says.

“What if they end up escaping? Maybe some escaped through an exit in the cave that we don’t know about,” I say.

“Don’t worry. It will take them a while to escape this and I’ve marked this location on my map so we can tell people about it and send guards and soldiers here to keep an eye on it. You did good today.”

“I’m disappointed that I didn’t get to sing battle prayer songs.”

“You know that we don’t always have to sing them even before larger battles, right? You can also let your actions be a song of praise to God. Speaking of which.” Zephan kneels down and prays. He looks back up at me and says, “Pray for the pitiable souls that we killed today and those who may still be trapped in the cave.”

I do as Zephan says, kneel, say a quick prayer, and then get back up just as he is.

“Freya,” he says.

“What?”

“Remember that you are a sinner like the people you killed and should not look so much down on them. Do you remember the words in one of our battle songs; ‘We who were scum slay scum and give mercy to those who don’t deserve it’?”

“It was the song I planned on singing.”

“Remember those lyrics in particular. In this land at war, what separates us from those who are truly lost is our focus on God and that we fight only when we know God wants us to.”

“Yes, Zephan. I’ll remember.”

“Good because you’re really going to be challenged when we enter the cold or rather relatively cold lands just ahead of us.”

“I’m ready.”

“I thought the same thing too when I first heard about it, but I was wrong. For your sake, I hope you’re right.”

I take the crystal out of my sword to snuff out the flames on it, put the crystal in my pocket, put the sword in its sheath, and mentally prepare myself for what’s ahead. If it challenged Zephan, it’ll surely be harder for me. Lord God, give me the strength to face my future challenges and give you glory through overcoming them.

Salvation Through War: Chapter 1 – Training to Become Deadlier

Chapter 1 – Training to Become Deadlier

My classmates and I stand in the fiery wastes near the top of a volcano with our teacher, Zephan, standing at the top even as lava flows from it.

“Why do you timidly stand there with such blanket faces?” Zephan says. “You may be children but you are the children of the fierce people of Canis whose land and people are blessed by God for His specific and unique purposes. You should not fear the fires around you. Instead, you should embrace them. Observe.”

Zephan sticks his hands into the lava and then takes them out. Once the lava falls from his hands, we see that they haven’t been harmed one bit.

“Haha! The look of surprising children and foreigners by our people’s resilience never gets old. No other kingdom’s people can do this. Only we are. That is what makes us blessed and why only we are the rulers of this hostile land. Now that you see you have no reason to fear the flames, come closer and look into the volcano.”

We do as Zephan says and I see nothing but black smoke and faint lights.

“This is one of the many volcanoes where we obtain the crystals that we put into our weapons to make them even deadlier than they already are. So, who wants to jump in first and claim their crystal?”

Seeing that no one is volunteering first, I jump into the volcano. The fall wasn’t as high nor is it as hot here as I thought it’d be. I’m used to the heat after all. Not even the lava I’m walking in every other step bothers me much. Around me, I find a variety of crystals that are various shades of golden, orange, and red.

“Thatta girl, Freya!” Zephan from above.

Everyone is coming down now so I quickly look over the crystals to pick one out. One crimson-colored crystal catches my eyes and feels like it’s calling to me so I take it as my own. As I look into it, I wake up from my memory of the past and am back in the present.

“Your match is ready now, Freya,” a fellow countryman says.

“Finally,” I say before putting away my crystal in my pocket.

I take a practice axe and walk out into the arena filled with cheering people from Canis and green men and women, the orcs, from Bernhard. My opponent on the other side of the arena is wearing light armor with clear gaps in it. He smiles at me in eager anticipation and I return the smile for the same reason.

“Up next is Freya, the wildcard for this competition and an up-and-coming soldier, facing Jarvinia, the reigning champion and seasoned soldier. Let’s see how the newbie faces the expert,” the announcer says.

Jarvinia and I bow to each other before beginning our duel. He immediately starts attacking me with his short sword with large slashes to keep me at a distance and short stabs to push me away when I get in close. It’s impressive to me how he can use his offensive capabilities for defense as well. If that’s not enough, he also has a small shield as a backup. As far as I know, I have only three options. Be faster, fiercer, or strategic and I choose to be all three.

To implement all three, I dodge and attack more, strike harder, and only do the previous two when I see the right moment. My way of fighting starts to get on Jarvinia’s nerves as he tires and starts to get reckless, which is what I was hoping for. He overextends himself with a quicker than usual attack giving me a wide opening to cut him with my axe that I immediately take cutting the side of his chest.

“First blood has been drawn! The victory goes to Freya!” one of the judges says.

The crowd cheers for me as the announcer gives me a medal. Jarvinia hits the ground with his sword a couple of times before looking up to the sky for a couple of seconds and coming up to me to shake my hand and bow his head.

“You did great. It was an honor to duel you,” he says with a smile. “We should fight again some other time.”

“Maybe during the next competition,” I say.

“Deal, but next time, I’ll win.”

“We’ll see about that.”

We both smile at one another and then go our separate ways. I go into the festival where the people of Canis and Bernhard trade and enjoy the fruits of each other’s culture whether it’d be food, art, and clothing or more important things such as weapons, armor, and sparring. The competition that I was in was for the general public as various other competitions are spaced out around the festival such as duels between nobles, soldiers, higher-ranking military officials, and even religious leaders. While walking around, someone puts their hand on my shoulder and I’m surprised to see who it is. It’s my teacher, Zephan.

“Freya!” Zephan says as he hugs me and I hug him back.

“Zephan! I was hoping to see you here,” I say.

“I saw your duel and I’m glad to see how much better at fighting you’ve gotten. I also recognized that you remember my advice that works for all fights.”

“Be faster, fiercer, and strategic,” we say at the same time.

Zephan looks just how I remember him even though he has a few new black marks and scars on his sun-kissed skin and bald head. When he was teaching me, he was eighteen and I was ten, and it looks like he hasn’t aged since the twelve years that have passed. His orange and yellow eyes, which are a color combination shared by everyone born in Canis are looking fierce as always and his light crimson and dark orange armor of a lieutenant is striking especially the shoulders that look like the mouths of dogs.

“Anyways, I’m here to personally help you on your final steps to becoming a soldier. When we go back to the church, you’ll receive your blessing and black crown,” Zephan says.

“Huh. I thought I was going to go in a group with everyone else,” I say.

“Because of your prowess, you have been selected to see if you’ll become blessed by the white flame of true hatred and become an elite soldier.”

“Really?”

“Yes. We need more white flame soldiers especially since fewer and fewer people are becoming soldiers and guards.”

“The kingdom always wants more soldiers and guards. What you heard is just a rumor.”

“Maybe, but it’s a rumor that our leaders keep talking about to me and to each other though you got a point. Our kingdom’s main trade is war and conflict so there’s no such thing as having too many soldiers or blacksmith factories to make weapons. Still, it doesn’t help that the times require more people to put their lives on the line for God and their loved ones. It’s a shame really and festivals like this where the army and guard recruit more people have to happen more often now to get more volunteers.”

“Regardless of the reason, I appreciate them happening so I can see all the people and fight in the competitions. Speaking of these times, what was it like outside of Canis?”

“It was alright. I had to wear a heavy jacket everywhere I went and I didn’t see too much action though I did get these scars and burns when I got too reckless.”

Zephan opens his chest armor to reveal the cuts and black burn marks on his chest.

“Oh,” I say while touching the injured areas and then quickly pulling away my hand. “I’m sorry. Do they still hurt? Are you okay?”

“Not at all. I should be the one asking if you’re okay. Your face is all red.”

“I’m alright,” I say while looking away.

My face feels noticeably warmer than usual probably because of my love or rather crush on Zephan. He makes me feel a certain way that no other man can when we’re together and the way he smiles makes me want to capture the moment and keep it with me forever. Together, we head to the church where military councils and blessings are held. There I find a crowd already waiting for me in the pews consisting of military counselors and priests all of whom look at me as I enter and then forward where a priest garbed in all shades of red and armor is standing by the altar. I walk up to the priest and as I kneel, I can feel Zephan ’s hand on my shoulder as he kneels with me.

With hands extended over me, the priest says, “Blessed are they who love God and hate sin and the bastard children it produces. Blessed are they who fight and kill to protect the innocent, the sanctity of others, and the honor of the Church. Blessed are they who tirelessly wage war on the weakness within themselves and the vileness of the world outside of them. They are the righteous who earn the crown of holiness in Heaven. You, Freya, have proven yourself worthy so far in life. May your teacher, Zephan, guide you to greater glory on your life’s journey, and may this blessing give you the strength to embrace the white flame of truest and purest hatred cleanse your soul, and be found worthy to become a perfect soldier and weapon of God. Amen!”

Everyone in the church including me say, “Amen.”

Zephan puts a medium-sized red cloak around me, a long red skirt, and, finally, a black spiky crown of long metal pieces.

“Rise, Freya. Go forth and be who you were meant to be. Unsheathe yourself through your journey so that you may slaughter the enemies of truth and love, and bring the justice of God upon those who deserve it,” the priest says.

“Amen!” the crowd responds.

I stand up with a fire of excitement in my chest that I’ve never felt before. It makes me smile and gives me an extra stride in my step as I exit the church and am met by three flame mages who are controlling flaming knights. A crowd surrounds us to watch what is happening along with those who were in the church with me.

“What better way to start off your journey than a baptism through combat,” the priest says. “These three conjured flame knights are your first challenge in your journey to become a true soldier. Defeat them to prove your worth or your worthlessness.”

Looking over to Zephan, he smiles at me and nods. I do the same, put my crystal into my sword of volcanic rock, and ignite it. My sword lights up with flames similar to that of the lava that spewed from the volcano I got it from and makes me even more excited to fight, so I don’t wait any longer and head straight into it. The knights meet my attack with a counter of their own as they sprout their weapons of flame from their black armor. One wields daggers, another uses a sword and shield, and one uses a large axe that it wields with two hands. They immediately attack me all at once and then one at a time before moving to flank me on both sides. To get some distance, I fight fire with fire and use my left hand to spew a ring of protective fire around me that gives me the distance I need.

Since I’m going to need a boost for this, I use another flame spell to energize myself with the strength of fire. The feeling hurts, and yet, I feel more than ready to fight, so I run through my ring of fire and start attacking the axe-wielding knight. Since he wields a larger weapon, he’s slower to attack and needs distance to be effective, which I take advantage of as I attack quick and from close quarters. The other flame knights try to help this one out, but I manage to keep them away by throwing fireballs to their faces until I manage to decapitate the head of the axe-wielding knight who falls to pieces after his head comes off.

Now that the odds are more in my favor, the fight becomes easier with one less enemy to worry about as I weave between fighting the last two knights using my agility to dodge their attacks and fire magic to keep them apart. Nothing is in my mind other than being faster, fiercer, and strategic at the same time. Eventually, before I know it, I cut the heads off the last two knights and victory is mine. The crowd cheers for me along with Zephan who makes them chant my name. He then gets out of the crowd and lifts me on his shoulders for me to sit on as we make our way out of the town, the gates of which the crowd stops with the last of them wishing me well and then going back to their daily business. With a map in hand and route in mind, Zephan leads me on my journey to become a soldier and there’s no one I would rather go with than him.