The Tragedy

The combined forces of SPC, the Engineer Corps and the Border guards, a division of Garrison arrived at the southern town of Mauria. A total of 5000, under the 5000-Man Commander and the leader of the 1st Z-Class squad, Major Raisena, these brave-hearts set up their camp near the outskirts of the town, 5 km away from the last outpost of the Empire. They will then march into the Redia Forests for their drills. After organising the camp and firing up the soldiers, Raisena stood up on a small mound and addressed the gathering. It was followed by dinner and some entertainment after which the soldiers went to their respective tents. The next day and the day after tomorrow, the drills were conducted. After messing up the line-ups and some communication failures, this group of 5000 battle-hardened soldiers perfected the strategy after the 3rd drill. Thus, Operation White Rock was ready to roll out. 

After clearing the campsite and thanking the townsfolk, the soldiers quickly boarded the transport train specially designed for the army. It would take two days to travel from the southern outpost to the southwestern outpost. The train will pass via many tunnels and bridges and overlook many mighty lakes which dot the scenery of Southern Akol. At the midnight hour, the army group arrived at the border village of Natt. They quickly set up the camp near the gates beside the fortified border between Akol and the Black Forest. The soldiers were informed that they would depart at noon so everyone should get adequate rest and report at 6 AM without fail. 

Back in their tents, Rai with his squadmates and 25 other soldiers was giving a brief of their mission. Rai had an aura of the leader and no one has ever questioned his authority. Their squad was going with the left wing assisting the main army as planned. His group was tasked to clear out small monsters and search for the best path so that the main army could follow them from behind. They were cautioned not to fight the larger monsters to prevent any unnecessary delay. The right wing which had more warriors was tasked with the actual clearing and the left wing with higher mobility was to find the best possible path. Rai elaborated on the battle plan in detail. He said, "Let's do what we've been doing since the last 4 days. With the blessings of God and your support, victory will surely be ours, now all of you go to your beds and wake up at 5:30 sharp or I will personally make sure that you get to do 1000 push-ups." 

Just outside their base camp, a rather lively discussion was going on between two suspicious figures. Because of the darkness of the new moon, it was difficult to make out who they were. Unnoticed by the guards on duty, they slipped past the camp and now were in heavy argument unaware of the eyes that were following them.

"Remember what the defence secretary told us, we have to ensure that we get credit, otherwise the sly old man will take all."

"I know, I know, but it will be really good if one of his men accidentally dies"

"What are you implying, we don't want any unnecessary bloodshed, do whatever you want, but I don't want any direct fight with Weermag, mind it"

"Do you even know whom I am planning to target, Raisena, the old man's son? If he is gone, then the command will be shifted to us and we will automatically take all credit. This will increase the reputation of the defence secretary and will reap benefits for us too. Plus, I came to know that Raisena will be promoted to the rank of a general after this war, you get what I am planning"

"You think you are capable of pulling out this stunt? If anything happens I won't be there to help you, do you get it, Asher King?"

"Mark my words, boss, I will deliver you the best result"

Suddenly, some weird laughter was heard from the bushes. Startled by this, both of them quickly took their stances. Asher threw a poison-tipped dagger into the direction from where the sound was coming from. The laughter died. Then, a hooded figure emerged, with the dagger in her hand. She removed her hood. Asher's boss turned pale. He signalled Asher to immediately attack her. Asher charged with all his might as a warrior towards her with his big axe. A red light flashed across his face and he dropped down lifeless. "Very convenient it is, The Red Healing magic, am I right, Hades?" she mocked.

"Healing magic my foot, I didn't know you were capable of using the red one, I thought you could only save people not kill them. And why are your eyes of two colours?

"Oh, this...this happens when I use the red one. And now what do you wish to say as your last words"

Hades replied, "Last words? It is you who should be worried about. Before I kill you, answer the question, why are you here, do you work for the old man? "

"The old man, no, I don't, but I work for the directly under the command of the Emperor. I never thought you would be the one working for that Secretary. Well, I have got enough evidence to put a noose around the Secretay's neck----- hey wait, I didn't even finish--"

Hades charged with full force, enhancing his magical strength to his peak, he shouted, "You scum, you work for them, and I here thought that you were an ideal figure who never killed...DIE!!!"

The attack was powerful but not that powerful to defeat her. She quickly healed herself with her left hand and in an instant prepared a decaying spell in her right. To Hades's demise, she was using both Green and Red Healing magic. Red healing magic was a forbidden spell, unlike its counterpart, it did the complete opposite. Green heals but the red kills. The difference in mana was clear cut, Hades dropped down, and his whole body was starting to rot. He struggled to speak, "Tell me...m-m-e, h-how d-did you s-spot us...h-how. G-going against t-that old man is n-n-not a c-ri-me, you don't know what he is or w-what he did"

She sat beside the dying Hades and said, "Hades, I don't work for that old man, I work for the Emperor. I know who is who and who is not. I tried many times to stop you, I warned you many times. You never listened. If I start listing whatever you did, the list will go on and on. You committed crimes because of your hunger for power. I warned you time and again but you didn't listen. The enemies of the Empire will meet the same fate as you. Goodbye Hades"

With a teary eye, she left the site after burying and paying respect to both of the soldiers. She then called for her messenger hawk tied the message and sent the hawk. With a deep sigh, she wondered, 'No one knows what will happen to this Empire. The civil unrest is brewing all thanks to the corrupt. Please be alright Father.' 

The next day, a report of the two missing soldiers arrived at the tent of Major Raisena. The two squads, the 1st and the 2nd Z-Class had one of their soldiers missing. Rai was so worried. He shouted, "Find Hades, find him...Ohhh where the hell did he go? Damn it. Damn it." A search party was formed, and after 3 hours, at around 9 AM, it returned. Two axes were found with identification cards of Hades and Asher with the rest of their belongings. With a heavy heart, Raisena announced they were Killed in Action and requested that this information be kept secret from the army since he didn't want to decrease the morale of the army. Condolences were paid and it was decided that they would move according to the previous plan. At noon, the army departed as planned. 

"Grant but memory to us, and we lose nothing by death. Hades was always cheerful, death is for everyone, and it is not something we humans can predict. Don't cry, remember him so that his soul will find peace. I will find the one who killed him, I will certainly destroy his murderer" Sochi said holding back her tears, "Now raise your heads, hold your weapons, we will not let his death go to waste, Arise". "Arise" shouted all her squadmates as they marched into the forest, waiting for the unknown.