A bright night

As he returned to the camp, he looked at the night sky, the stars shining over the burning pit and the men behind the creation of it. The dirt now turned into mud due to the heavy rains the day earlier proved difficult to move around in, as he walked it got thicker and by the time he had gotten out of it tears were running down his cheeks.

The smell had been too much for his nose and suddenly he started retching, more and more until he vomited his last meal all over his boots. This like the rest was common, more unusual lately but common nonetheless, he covered his boots in mud to disguise the smell and he finally headed straight into camp.

As he entered he was received by an inmensity of tents, pit fires, and most of all mud and water all of which were organized in a way that was easy to pack up when needed, the area was surrounded by walls of stone and mud and at the entrance were two soldiers who distinguished his clothes and let him pass not without saying a "freak" behind his back. This was usually how he was addressed as, not because he had any deformity, to the contrary, Von was quite good looking, he was reasonably tall and lean, both his eyes and hair were a dark brown and he wore a battledress which consisted of a white shirt, a heavy leather coat, green suspender pants and boots. However none of this was the problem this was in reference to his condition of Soulbinder. The people to address him as his name and treat him respectfully was Lieutenant Groman and his squad.

"Von," the lieutenant said "did you take care of the pit?"

"Yes, sir" Von responded respectfully

"Good" Groman added "I'm sorry you're the only fire soulbinder left for this job"

"It's okay, sir." Von answered "I'm getting used to it by now"

The lieutenant once smiling face hardened. His face was quite unique, the giant scar going from his left eye to his lip was nothing short of impressive, it is said he had gotten it after single handedly defeating a soulbinder, however despite all of this he always smiled when he chatted with Von until now.

"Never, Ever get used to it" He reprimanded

"Once you get accustomed to killing, you will never be the same" He continued

"So cry, rage, puke but never be able to look death in the eyes with a blank face, you hear me?"

Von's face also changed from small pride to that of defeat and shame, the lieutenant was right, how could he ever say he was getting used to it?

"I'm sorry sir, i'll never say that again"

"Leave the kid alone" A voice from the back heard "He did his job right" now the voice had a face . Lieutenant Riege the man in comparison to Groman didn't possess his battle clothes he was rather wearing his family clothes and equipment.

"You would say that, wouldn't you?" Groman replied with spite "What's that supposed to mean?" Riege leered "Have you never been to war? This is what happens in it, if you kill then you are efficient in it." He now looked towards Von "You felt it didn't you? The pride of being able to defeat our enemies"

Von's face turned to shock, not because what the lieutenant was saying was shocking but because it was the truth, despite hating what he did during battle, he felt pride when a man turned to a corpse, when his blade surpassed another, when his abilities were praised.

"No need to be ashamed, we all feel it, it is part of war" Riege consoled "Don't soften him up Gromen, otherwise he will die in battle" He concluded and walked away, few had heard the conversation but those who did, were left speechless.

"If you'll excuse me sir" Von got up and walked towards his tent.

"Don't listen to him, you know his kind". Groman suggested

"Do i?" Von doubted.

As he strolled towards his tent, he passed through a myriad of locations, the emergency area, were the groans, screams and cries of wounded or dying soldiers could be heard, the kitchen which was more of a bunch of big casseroles over a fire with god knows what in there and finally the command tent, were the lieutenants and commander would organize the army and prepare for further battles.

His tent was the 56 in line and as the rest of them, was made of cotton and wood, inside were many hay beds in the floor, the tent in itself was pretty big, but inside since they were six per tent was pretty cramped which meant that soldiers would take turns to sleep so that everyone was more comfortable or in some occasions they would almost smell each others feet.

As he entered he was greeted by his fellow tent members which over time had stopped bothering him since they claimed they had gotten "bored", they were all talking about the battle that had happened two days ago.

"And then I grabbed him by his hair and I slit his throat right then and there" Markus began "However as I dropped him he tried to attack me once more, you wouldn't believe how long they take to die, ages I tell ya" The others started laughing

"And what did you do?" Jochen asked amused "I just finished him off, it wasn't that hard", The conversation suddenly stopped when they saw Von "He did quite a fine job as well" Meik remarked "I saw he burnt one to crisps",

"Yeah?" Markus questioned "Well I mean he has it easier he is a freak afterall" he added.

"He still saved your deformed ass" Jochen joked

"Ye he did, and my ass isn't deformed its unproportioned " Markus replied as he made a small space for Von "Here" He said. Von proceeded to sit and listen to the rest of the conversation without doing any additions to it.

"Jochen a little bird told me you had a pretty girl back home" Miek said devilishly

"I've been told she has huge breasts" Markus added provokingly

"Both are true, but watch your mouth, she's mine" Jochen grinned "Im telling ya, once i go back i'll marry her"

"We first need to come back, so worry about that first huh" Miek remarked as he fist bumped his shoulder, he smiled optimistically but his clear sky blue eyes said something else. Fear was behind them, he hid it pretty well but Von could see, those were the eyes of someone who was terrified.

"When we come back, they better pay us good time, seven fucking months we've been in this shithole" Markus barked "And we have only advanced a few kilometers" he sighed

"That's how this works, that's how Kriel works and you know that" Jochen interjected

"Seven months and you still can't get along with Von" Miek teased

"I just offered him a spot isn't that enough?" Markus replied falsely annoyed, they all laughed

The conversation went for a while, this was the greatest form of entertainment they had, the conversation ranged from memories to anecdotes to women but the laughs never stopped

Since night time was approaching Von got up and asked if anyone was going to have dinner, none save for Markus said yes, most of them had eaten a while before and were not hungry. Von and Markus headed to the kitchen where dozens of soldiers were in line with their pots and makeshift cups, Von had his at hand yet Markus didn't "Shit! I forgot my stuff" He ranted "Save me a spot i'll be right back" he quickly finished as he made a quick run for his cup and pot, this line was very long in itself and forgetting your utensils was a quick way of getting even further from food. Markus came back quickly and some time after they were at the casseroles.

Both Von and Markus gave their pots and cups which were filled in order: the pot was filled with pottage consisting of potatoes, meat and water and their cups were filled with water, there was also wine but it was reserved for high ranking officers.. As Von and Markus went to eat, Markus started walking towards the gate "Follow me" he whispered.

Von was suspicious, suddenly Markus was very friendly towards him, not that he had treated him like the rest but he hadn't been like the rest of his squad either.

As they reached the outsides of the camp, Markus sat down on a rock nearby, the light still reached to where they were, but darkness almost enveloped them, Von copied Markus and sat down on the floor.

"What's this about" Von inquired

"I didn't want to say it in front of the others" Markus started "But i wanted to thank you for saving me back then"

As Markus said this Von remembered the moment. Markus had been battling two enemies at the same time, when he struck one down the other came from behind and thrusted his sword against him, his death was certain until he arrived and deflected the attack giving Markus enough time to pierce his chest with his sword killing the enemy.

"That's what comrades do"Von reassured looking down at the floor, the mud was still there but it was slowly yet surely drying, the night now somewhat cold and dry helped accelerate the process.

"No they dont, when their lives are at stake many don't hesitate to leave others to die trying save their own skin, camaraderie is only used when its in you self interests" Markus corrected, he then smirked"You arent what i thought, well what i was taught." He continued

"How was I supposed to be?" Von asked baffled

"To be fair i thought you were a cold-blooded killing monster" Markus joked

"Aren't we all meant to be?" Von replied smiling honestly a little chuckle left his lips

"Maybe we are" Markus said " So tell me, why did you join the army? to bring justice to our enemies? He added in a mocking tone nonetheless the question was there, despite the joke Markus's face changed to one of curiosity. Von had never paid attention to Markus's face, it was quite peculiar, his eyes were too small for his head and his smile was too wide, yet it wasn't unappealing almost like it fit him.

Seeing as Von didn't reply Markus started "I joined because my family needed food to eat" his face now completely serious as he looked towards the sky "I'm tired of this fucking war, of not having enough to eat, I want to go home and just relax in the countryside"

"I joined because i had nothing else to strive for, i left my home after my dad and brother joined the northern army and my mom was too sick for me to be able to take care of" Von said

Markus kept looking at the sky, particularly the moon "You know how the moon is supposed to be one of God's eyes? You think he's looking after us?" He asked

"If he is then he is a bastard, I'm freezing here"Von joked

They both started laughing, Markus even slightly pushed Von in a playful manner. For the first time he had found an equal, a teammate who treated him almost like a friend, something he hadn't had since he had joined the army. Not than Jochen or Miek weren't but with him he felt a kind of bonding he hadn't felt before.

Markus suddenly stopped laughing and his face turned into one of horror. Now Von's face was drenched in blood, it took little time for him to realize that the first of his squad who he had considered a friend was now gurgling, grasping for breath. His throat now open like a gutted animal, was spitting blood all over the place. In a split second a hand with a knife appeared in the corner of his right eye, as quick as he could he blocked the arm, turned around and back slapped the air forming a small wave of fire, his enemy or enemies now backed away, trying not to get burnt.

"We are under attack!!!" Von screamed "Get up we're under-" Suddenly he got tackled from behind, as he hit the ground his face first, he hit his nose which was now bleeding, as he got his head up now covered in blood and mud, he saw light in the sky. Not those of stars, not that of the moon but of fire, fire raining over the camp, his screams were too late.

Von moved in the mud turning himself around, the assailant now in top of him tried to stab him in the chest with both his arms, Von blocked the attack with his left arm, pushed aside the enemies arms and grabbed his face with his right hand, the enemy screamed as Von burnt his face till there were no more recognizable features. The look of pure agony in his face troubled Von, behind his hand his screams, now turned into a muffled sound, shook Von to his core yet he didn't relent, he had been the one who killed Markus and if he didnt he was allies with the one who did, he would pay for what he had done. Von didn't stop until he heard the sizzling sound typical of meat when being cooked, shortly after the man passed out Von pushed his head back. His foe no longer made any noise, Von finally kicked the rest of the body away from him, got up and ran towards the camp before any more enemies could catch up, one almost did but stumbled and fell after Von shot fire behind him to provide him some cover.

As he ran towards the camp, Von stumbled a few times however his speed never faltered. He reached the gates swiftly, the guards awaited armed and ready for battle, they recognized Von despite him being covered in mud and blood, they made way for him as soldiers rallied near the gates eager to fight.

Lieutenant Groman saw Von and gave him the orders of finding the rest of his squad and grabbing their weapons, "Wasn't Markus with you?" He shouted back towards Von, in turn he looked at him with frantic, horrorized eyes, Groman understood and kept heading towards the gate. Von could now see all remaining soldiers finding their weapons and their teammates some alive some dead, the fire had caused havoc and destruction, all tents which were made of cotton had lit on fire and created a huge cloud of smoke.

As Von approached his tent he heard a Sergeant screaming behind him "Go to the gates!!" Von kept in his way, the Sargeant paid no attention to it, since he was occupied dealing with other soldiers. The fire and smoke got heavier as he got nearer, finally he heard the voice of Jochen and Miek

"Fuck, Those cowards!!!" Jochen shouted as he coughed and choked on smoke, he stumbled and fell to the ground

"We need to find the others now!!" Miek said as he helped him up, both of them saw Von

"Where��s Markus" Miek asked, deadly stare in his eyes "Where is he Von?!" He now shouted, Von went inside the tent without answering, he started gathering his gear which comprised of: A single edged sword with a leather handle, its sceathe which he hanged on his left shoulder, his dagger and his forearm covers. He left the tent and answered Meik's question.

"He's dead, they slit his throat" Von said softly his blue eyes now had tears "Those cowards killed him using the dark as cover!!"He now shouted, as his sadness turned into pure rage. The first, the only of his peers who had truly accepted him, and they took him away, they would pay in blood. Meik's and Jochen's faces turned from shock, to sadness to rage in mere seconds; they were out for blood as much as Von, their best friend had been killed by those scum.

"Then we will kill every last single one of them, Those bastards will need another mass grave" Jochen replied as he grabbed the back of Von's neck.