The Emperors plan

The first rays of dawn pierced the forest canopy, bathing the quaint village in a soft golden hue. Garmond, Trevor, and Devine stirred from a restless night in the creaky old house, still groggy from sleep. A distant, rhythmic pounding cut through the peaceful morning, growing louder with each passing second—an ominous march that rattled the air.

Garmond's eyes snapped open, his senses instantly alert. He lay on the floor beside Devine's bed, feeling the vibrations resonate through the ground. He glanced at her bed, careful to keep his distance out of respect. Though his new body was young, his mind was still that of a man in his thirties.

Trevor bolted upright as the sound grew closer, his face pale with tension. Devine, usually the calmest, reluctantly rose from her bed, her stomach twisting with unease. 

"What in the seven hells is going on?" Garmond muttered, pushing himself up and peering through the small, grimy window. Outside, villagers were emerging from their homes, faces stricken with fear. The air was thick with anxiety, and the uneasy whispers of the villagers told Garmond that this was no routine visit.

The pounding of hooves intensified, shaking the very ground beneath their feet. Soon, a line of soldiers emerged—an imposing force in gleaming silver armor, each one bearing the unmistakable crest of the empire. The emblem glinted in the early morning light like a predator's eye, cold and unfeeling.

Trevor, Devine, and Garmond exchanged wary glances before stepping outside, the crisp morning air hitting them like a slap. The village had gathered in the square, a tense, quiet crowd of onlookers, their eyes glued to the advancing soldiers.

"Kartas," Trevor spat, his voice thick with loathing. The empire's enforcers—merciless and unstoppable.

Garmond studied the soldiers, his sharp gaze taking in every detail. These weren't ordinary men. Their disciplined movements and the oppressive aura they exuded set them apart from any soldiers he'd known before. Something about them felt...wrong.

A particularly tall soldier with a hardened face stepped forward, his weathered features a testament to countless battles fought. He unfurled a brittle scroll, its edges worn with age, and cleared his throat. His voice rang out with a chilling finality.

"By order of the Emperor," he declared, "all youths fifteen years and above are to report to the Heather Kingdom for military training. You are expected to cooperate fully."

A collective gasp swept through the crowd. Murmurs of disbelief echoed, eyes darting nervously as people sought reassurance. But there was none. 

Trevor's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. Devine's face paled as her gaze flicked toward her brother. The decree wasn't just about military service—it was a death sentence. Once taken, few ever returned.

"Why are they doing this?" Garmond asked, puzzled. From his past life, he recalled that military service had once been voluntary, not enforced at the edge of a sword.

"I've heard rumors," Trevor said, his voice low. "The Emperor's been drafting from every corner of the empire. Looks like it's our turn now."

Devine's voice wavered as she glanced nervously at the soldiers. "Trevor, we can't leave. What about Mother? We can't just abandon her."

Trevor's face darkened with worry. "I know. But what choice do we have?"

Garmond's mind raced, quickly assessing the situation. The soldiers radiated danger, their auras heavy with bloodlust. Running would be suicide. 

"It's too risky," Garmond said, his voice steady. "If we run, they'll catch us before we even make it out of the village."

Devine turned to him, surprised at his tone. "Why do you think so?"

He gave her a grim look. "Those soldiers—they aren't just trained fighters. They're killers. We wouldn't stand a chance."

Trevor nodded reluctantly, casting a cold glance at the soldiers. "He's right. We'll have to think of something else."

"Move!" the commanding soldier barked, his voice slicing through the tense atmosphere. "We don't have all day."

The villagers stood frozen, their fear palpable. One man, his voice shaking with desperation, stepped forward. "But how are we supposed to survive without our youth? The empire—"

He didn't get to finish. In one swift motion, the commander drew his sword, slashing the man's throat. His head tumbled to the ground, blood spraying the girl beside him. A scream of horror erupted from her lips, echoing through the village.

Garmond's heart raced, but he didn't flinch. His instincts had been right. These soldiers wouldn't hesitate to kill anyone who stood in their way. 

The commander's icy gaze swept over the villagers. "You have one hour to gather your belongings. Those prepared will leave with us. The rest..." His eyes glinted with menace. He didn't need to finish the sentence.

The villagers huddled together, whispering in terrified voices. Garmond kept his eyes on the soldiers, every fiber of his being brimming with tension. The strike that had killed the man was fast, deadly—far beyond what any normal soldier should be capable of.

"I'm glad we didn't run," Garmond muttered to himself, his thoughts swirling. He'd faced many threats in his previous life, but these soldiers were something else. If they were serving the empire, he would have no choice but to face them. One by one, if necessary.

Trevor sighed heavily as they retreated to the house. "What are we going to do about Mother?" he asked, his voice thick with worry.

Devine's eyes were wide with fear. "They won't let us stay. If we resist, they'll kill us, just like that man."

"We'll have to come up with a plan," Trevor muttered. "But I don't know what we can do. We can't leave her behind."

Garmond's mind churned with possibilities. His goals ran contrary to theirs. Joining the empire's forces was exactly what he needed. The training would give him the strength to defeat the new Emperor and restore balance. And there was another matter—the family heirloom, his armor. It had powers he couldn't fully understand, and somehow, it was tied to his reincarnation.

'I came back with the sword, but where's the armor?' he wondered, a new sense of determination gripping him. The mysteries surrounding his return were too great to ignore, and every step brought him closer to answers.

"I'll figure this out," Garmond vowed silently, his gaze hardening as they walked back to the house. "And I'll stop this madness before it's too late."