The Beating Heart

Inian's pulse quickened, and his mind hurt from the blood rushing around his body. His arms and legs bulged out, growing as he continued focusing. Kraque's creaking gasp leaked out. Inian had been sitting in the same spot for three days, not eating, drinking, nor sleeping.

His progress had been astounding. Kraque could sense Inian's presence and power growing more quickly than he had known any king to improve. Suddenly, Inian's eyes shot open, and they were a mix of blue and gold. He gasped and stood up quickly. He was stumbling around when Kraque caught him, "my liege, take a moment to rest. The amount of power you've gotten with the amount of time you've had was far too quickly. You need to stay still for a moment and get used to your abilities."

Inian took several deep breaths. His was heavy, and his body weighed a ton, he couldn't move much more, but spoke a single word, "hurry." He blacked out, but the only word he spoke echoed throughout the forest, and a spider-like creature soon came out of the woods. It was twice the size of Kraque and stood threateningly over them. Kraque shivered as he was the massive spider standing over them. He stood in front of the king to protect him, but instead of attacking, the spider bowed its head. "My lieeeggee calllsssss," came a silky but slithering voice. It sounded feminine and dangerous.

Kraque shivered as he saw the spider move closer, and it gently moved him to the side and placed the unconscious Inian on its back. "Wait! Take me as well! I am meant to be his teacher!" He quickly called out to the spider. The spider looked at the bug and placed it on its back as well. It then speedily began moving through the forest. In a direction that was unknown to Kraque.

........................

Marc ate and regained his strength, and wore his new uniform which was a slick black with a small cape hanging off one shoulder. He joined as one of the ground forces that would attack from the ship.

In his briefing, he was informed that the Empire would skip past the broken Rye fort and go straight to Trok City, which lied at the end of their borders, as deep within the Trostan Kingdom as they could get.

It would be a massacre, similar to what happened in Seyukha. All of the Trostan Kingdom's forces lied on the southern and eastern borders, but this behemoth class ship would let them fly entirely over all of them. The Trostan Kingdom was not big enough to match the Empire's weaponry or forces.

Marc gritted his teeth; he didn't know what to do. There was no way a little rank like him could walk and change their plans to bomb the city completely. Marc's eyebrows rose as his thoughts raced, 'or was there a way?'

He was currently on the ship and walked up to his superior officer, who was a lieutenant in charge of a few ground forces. The lieutenant was busy reading something when Marc came up and saluted him. "What do you want deserter?" The officer asked. "Sir, I want a chance to redeem myself."

The officer dropped the paper he was reading, "go on." Marc looked straight ahead, "Sir, I would like to propose that I take a solo suicide mission to open up the gates at Trok City. That way, we can attack the city with minimal civilian casualties, and we can save resources on the bombs we would drop. We would catch them completely off guard, and we could take over a whole city."

The officer contemplated for a moment then smiled, "I like that idea. However, I'm going to propose this idea as my own, and recommend you, as a way to regain your honor. Also, if you fail, we are going forward with the plan to bomb the city. That is my compensation to you."

Marc replied, "Thank you, sir!" He saluted once more and walked away to his quarters. He grinned, walking away with confidence. He had been able to reduce casualties and redeem himself. The only thing he needs to do is not die from trying to sneak into the city.

If he can survive and open the gates, the lives of many citizens are saved, and he will be considered a hero by the Empire.

He dropped on his bed in his quarters and fell asleep fast, exhaustion settling on his shoulders. He woke up to morning reveille and moved to his formation. There the senior officers checked everyone's uniforms and gear to make sure everyone was in line. A Colonel went and stood in front of the formation, "Goodmorning gentlemen! Today we will be moving towards Trok City to strike a finishing blow against the Trostan Kingdom. One man has been volunteered for an important assignment, Marc! Get up here!" Marc quickly moved out of formation to stand in front of the Colonel, "Face the crowd," said the Colonel, and Marc turned towards his comrades. "This man will take on a stealth mission to open up the gates of the city without raising the alarm. Once he does, then we will charge in and take over the city while causing minimal damage. If he fails, however, we will bomb the city with him in it.

The Colonel looked at Marc, "do you accept these terms?" Marc shouted, "yes, sir!"

The Colonel smiled, "Good. Get some rest, because at the pace this ship goes at, we will be at the city in four days. Everyone dismissed!"

Marc left, feeling anxious. He sighed and scratched his head. Marc had one shot at making this work, and if he failed, he along with the entire city would die. He clenched his hands, 'I will not fail' he thought to himself.