19 Cruelty

"What exactly do you mean by starting a war?"

"We don't start a war ourselves, we let someone else start it. Now the real plan begins."

"I'm beginning to think you don't know what you're talking about. If I had heard your ideas before, I never would have come along. I should have just stayed in the arms of my angels."

"Your angels will soon be sent to the afterlife if we don't do something. Your father is not the smartest king, his pride will soon lead him to his grave. Since everything has changed he has gone insane, any decision he makes now could lead to the downfall of the kingdom."

"Hmm maybe you are right, pride has always been a problem in our family. Then why do you want to start a war: To get ahead of him and invade the kingdom yourself?"

"Something like that. The situation between the nations is on the brink, and his army has suffered quite a few losses from the battle he lost."

Aiden stopped and stared at Leo.

"I could have guessed it myself but you were the black warrior right? Do you realize what you did there? A lot of the soldiers had families, were forced into the army, and you just slaughtered them."

"You have a lot to learn if you're really going to be king. If I hadn't done it, the whole army would have been overrun by the demons. I have fulfilled my goal with everyone seeing me as a threat. The rest is done by fear or chaos, which was given to them with this. It was your father who started this war and he made others pay the price. The moment you show empathy on the battlefield, you have lost. If not in this battle, then in one of the next. If all rulers thought like you, this world would consist of hypocrats. You will see for yourself exactly what I am talking about, so let's move on."

Aiden thought for a few more seconds. He knew he was inexperienced and his words had no meaning. But he wondered more and more who Leo was exactly. He was the same age as him, yet he spoke like an old experienced man.

That night they stayed in a small town on the border of the kingdom. Leo was thinking about how exactly he could provoke a war. The runes on his body were spreading more and more, but he had to endure it. His mission was not over yet, too much was at stake. The whole city was filled with bounty hunters and crooks. The next day, as the two were leaving the city, they saw a slave market on the outskirts. Beastmen were pinned in the cages. Leo walked past the slaves and looked at them. They were barely getting food and water, many of them were wounded. Some of the people were buying young ladies and having intercourse with them, Aiden was disgusted while Leo just looked serious and observed the situation. Suddenly his sword hissed and glowed slightly. Turning to the side he saw a chained woman, half human half wolf. Her eyes were blood red and she was hostile to both of them.

("Maybe I found someone for you Metsu").

"Aiden change of plans, I may have a key to our next move.

He pointed to the cage with the woman, Aiden just looked at her strangely.

"She's totally not my type though, or did you get a taste for her?"

"No you dumbass! She can be very helpful to us if I'm correct. We're running out of money so think of something."

"Don't give up my friend, I'm one of the best when it comes to bargaining. Hey mister, I would like to buy this girl. But the price sounds unreasonable. Look at her, her ears are covered with dirt and blood, her face is not nearly as beautiful as the other young slaves, and yet she should fetch the same price?

Leo slapped his hand in front of his forehead, pulled an annoyed face and exhaled deeply. For him, Aiden was a mixture of stupidity and carelessness, but he had no choice but to rely on his negotiation.

"Look how angry she looks she has a grudge against you but don't worry my friend. We have come a long way, so you will never see this filthy slave again. You have my word.

And indeed the seller agreed to Aiden's price and got the key for the cage.

The slave became more and more angry and looked at Aiden with a bloodthirsty face, but he just gave her a thumbs up with a big smile.

"(This is going to be a fun trip...)"

Leo took her by the shackles and the three of them left the city. At the edge of the forest they set up a small camp.

"Show me what you got again!"

Aiden was totally confused while stuffing his last ration into his mouth. Suddenly Leo took his sword, cut the bonds and let the wolf woman take it. She immediately dashed at Aiden, who just managed to take his sword and parried.

"Hey, what are you doing! You can't just let me fight with her- Woah!

Without speaking a word, the woman continuously attacked Aiden. He had great difficulty in parrying. Aiden was analyzing her techniques and sword strokes, and after a few minutes he was able to catch her off guard. When she was on the ground she gritted her teeth angrily and grabbed for the sword. As she took it in her hand the inscription began to glow. Before she could attack Aiden, Leo disarmed her and she remained on the ground.

"As I thought, there are others. Did you feel it Metsu?"

Suddenly the sword in Leo's hand ignited but in the next second the fire went out. Both were amazed when they saw this spectacle and Leo held the sword out to the woman.

"What do you desire the most? What is your goal, you had enough time to think about it? It's no use staying quiet, I know you understand us."

Auris stared at Leo, exhaled deeply and began to speak.

"What I desire most you can't give me. So my goal is to survive, nothing more nothing less.

Your eyes say otherwise, so speak up. You have seen that we are capable of it, so tell us your real goal.

"Revenge...revenge on all the people in that cursed city. I've been there for 2 years, seen hundreds of slaves were broken and killed just for the fun of it. They beat me up, spit on me, abused me, everything. I swore to myself that before I die I would exterminate the whole town.

"So that's what humans are capable of, I was completely blind. How cruel and wrong it is once you look closely."

"If nothing in this world were wrong, we would have nothing to do. And no one has ever enjoyed boredom. I'll make you a deal: I'll help you destroy these people if you help me do me a favour."

"Who knows if you'll even make it and what exactly your goal is? Normally, I should escape as quickly as possible when I get the chance."

"Nothing stands in your way, your shackles are off and we will not follow you. It's your choice to leave everything behind or let your curiosity run wild. I will erase your doubts if you tell me your name. What do you think?"

Hesitantly, she looked into Leo's eyes, which were filled with self-confidence. But there was something else to be seen which was very familiar to her. This self-confidence was just a mask that was in front of great bloodlust.

"Your eyes tell me enough. In the name of Auris, destroy this city. But let the slaves regain their freedom, many of them have been there even longer than I have. They shall not die of their miserable fate.

"So be it, we move out at night.

"Somehow I think I'm the one who dies first. Just for the record, I said all those things just to get you out."

"It looked pretty real for that though Aiden."

He knew it would be some time before Auris would stop trying to kill him. Leo had slowly managed to convey the reality of this world. Now it was just a matter of how Aiden accepted and judged it.

"We stay as calm as possible, our goal is to free the slaves. I'll take care of the rest so pay attention."

The cages were outside the taverns. So they sneaked into the warehouse and silently killed the guards. They opened the cages, about 20 survivors including 2 families was freed. Leo ignored the sentimentality and continued to look around, hearing screams from the bandits' chambers. When he wanted to explore further, Auris pulled him back.

"They are beyond saving, believe me it is better if they are dead than to live on after these experiences. Many of them have been here for months and tried to commit suicide several times but were unsuccessful. Better let them die together with these assholes here."

"It's your revenge so you decide. Are there any other slaves or prisoners?"

"There are, but they are no longer alive. Many were tied to the training ground and used as targets. Watching the arrows and bolts pierce their eyes had me vomiting many times at first, humans are horrible."

"Very well, let's get the others out of the city. However, you have the responsibility of what happens to them. Think about your decision before it's too late."

Without making many sounds, the three freed all the slaves from their bonds and fled the city. Auris put herself forward as the leader and took charge.

Later, Aiden watched over them while Leo and Auris tried to wipe out the rest of the town, but Leo suddenly stopped at the edge of the forest.

"What are you doing we're not done yet, we had a deal!"

"Don't worry, the deal is still on. It's not over until there's not a soul left in this city and all the slaves are freed. That was your wish wasn't it? I can fulfill it here and now with one hand."

" Are you kidding, do you know how many of these idiots are in the city? How are you going to eradicate them from here?

" That's my problem. Now do you realize that there are innocent people in the town as well? The tavern owners, the abused women and the slaves who serve as helpers. They all did nothing wrong, what are you going to do with them?"

"For most of them, life is punishment and death is liberation. Without any reason this fate was imposed on them, defenseless for years their everyday life is marked by torment, boredom or fear. I take responsibility for each of them who hung on to their lives. But I am sure that I can count those on one hand. A true leader puts his people before him and tries everything to keep it that way. However, he must know from when to start saving souls and letting souls go. Only when this balance is established can unity come."

"So that's your attitude...keep it because soon you will need it if all goes well.

"But are your words empty or are you really as strong as your aura emanates?"

"Strength is not the right word, it is power that most people crave."

He picked up his sword, concentrated and took a deep stance. Suddenly he heard footsteps behind him, it was Aiden checking on them.

"You are wrong, not everyone craves power alone. You forget about love, wealth or freedom. Everyone has their own desires and dreams.

" And what if those very desires and dreams were destroyed and you can't do anything about it?. A long time ago I thought just like you until this way of thinking led me to my death. Only then you realize the truth that is hidden in this world and that is the greed for power. What has everyone been fighting for from the beginning? Why don't they all just stop, they have enough to survive, enough land and enough resources? The greed for power is immeasurable, it corrupted this world to its will, but soon everything will change and you will witness it Aiden. Prove me otherwise and I will forever remain silent."

"I don't know exactly who you are or even what you are but you are wrong about one thing: power isn't everything, strength of any kind can decide battles and talent can be far more important than mere power.

Leo began to smirk when he heard Aiden's words. They were far too familiar.

"You're right Aiden, power isn't everything. It's the only thing!"

The red marks above his eye appeared as he swung his sword from bottom to top. Suddenly the ground shook and out shot huge black shadows in the form of snakes with red eyes. They were far larger than the ones in the arena and their skin was completely covered with runes. At the sight, Aiden and Auris froze. In the next moment, Leo swung his sword forward from above. The shadows followed his sword and rushed straight towards the city. They had no ending, the sword was their maker and it steered them straight through the entire city. Screams rang out everywhere followed by loud choking and suffocation. The shadows raced through every house and alley until no more sounds could be heard. Then the shadows raced towards Leo and disappeared into the ground in front of him. Leo stopped for a moment and held his chest. His veins pulsated and his whole body burned internally for a few seconds.

(Kuh, I overdid it. The sword got a little heavier again).

Auris and Aiden couldn't believe it, they looked at Leo with frightened eyes. He put the sword away, the marks under his eye disappeared and he took a deep breath.

"Have you seen enough? Do you still think now that you can beat this force with love, freedom or talent? All these things are finite but this power will always exist. You may not like it, but this is only the beginning. I am not able to rule-that talent has been passed down to you. Once you sit on the throne, you can try to change the world through your methods, but if it doesn't work, you take responsibility for my actions."

Aiden and Auris knew nothing about Leo, he sounded experienced even though he was only a young man on the outside. His power was terrifying and he still had a lot of secrets to hide. But one thing they knew for sure: whoever stood in his way would be annihilated.