Receiving this nickname was due to the fact that he had killed so many mages alone that it crossed most people's kill counts in the war, accounting for all soldiers. Soldiers revered him; Mages could only watch their step around him.
His face was smudged with crusted blood, his armor containing splashes of it from his opponents. Even if the TOC was provisional and set up in a rush, it was about as broad as two football fields, and as lengthy as three, a feat that wasn't considered that impressive in the world.
As he neared the back of the building, the door opened, and a vigorous man with a pouring white beard opened it, greeting Cale with a Nod.
"Asmo," Cale said with a nod in return. "I was told to come see you." Asmo waved his hand into the room, "After you." He responded with a light tone.
Cale walked in, and inside were 4 other soldiers renowned for their actions during the war. An obvious similarity was their combat efforts, rather than strategic or support. And the reasoning for all 6 of them brought together was an assignment devoted to warfare.
Their gazes naturally fell upon Cale, the most mysterious of them. Despite his popularity amongst the war, he was relatively unknown as a person, but he preferred to keep it that way. There wasn't anything special about him. He wasn't charismatic or funny, just a shell of a human.
As he sat down, another man walked in, dried blood staining his bulging arms and torso. A ginormous hammer was holstered on his back. His tanned head was soaked in sweat and his eyes were dark, rimmed with jet-black eye bags. Footsteps thumped as he calmly walked over and took his seat next to Cale.
"I'll keep it brief and quick." Asmo spoke with authority, his voice clear and loud. Four quick steps and he was in front of an empty space to the right of Cale.
Before he turned around, a large blue map of a distinct area materialized, and on it were dozens of notes and circles. Supply Carriages. As you know, supplies were a hassle for Aprin to get, and we want to keep it that way. What's better than fighting weak, hungry soldiers?" He smirked at the end of his sentence and spoke again, "Nothing."
A long rod of mana spawned in his hand, and he tapped the map at the northernmost circle. "Tomorrow night, precisely 26 hours, this will be your first carriage to intercept. And from there, travel downward and try to destroy as many carriages as possible."
He walked over to the other side and cleared his throat, tapping on a part of forest that was circled in a green tint. "Here, is your rendezvous point. There will be a small group of soldiers awaiting you, so don't keep them waiting long."
A woman with silver hair that reached her shoulders and dark skin spoke out, "And for the meantime?"
Asmo returned his gaze to the map and answered, "For now, rest. All of you have just returned from the frontline, and it is essential you are fully recovered for this mission. It is unlikely it'll be smooth sails. Do whatever you want. Go see your families, sleep, drink, or whatever the fuck else."
Cale let himself sink into his chair and rest up. Simply dispelling that one attack caused him to be rushed with fatigue, and fighting after that was no joke. As he looked at the carriages, a string of thoughts formed in his mind. "I have an idea."
Asmo turned his head just enough to peek at Cale from the corner of his eyes. "Hm?"
Cale lifted himself from his seat and opened his hand for the stick, and Asmo handed it over.
He tapped the last carriage and moved it forward, to where Arpin would be located. "We disguise ourselves as Arpin soldiers," The silver haired girl smiled and spoke out, "Is this just a plan so you can kill more, hm?" Cale let out a meaningless smile in response, "Maybe. Anyway. We're destroying their supply carriages, good. But why don't we take this opportunity to destroy a portion of their current resources they have stocked? At minimum, that portion of soldiers will be weaker than the rest, or they'll have to start spreading their resources thin." Asmo nodded his head in approval and scanned over the map again before turning his gaze to the members who were seated. "Any objections?" They all made mutual eye-contact and shook their heads, "None. Perfect. In that case, this will be the second operation." Cale returned the rod and stood in place, "As I said before, rest and take this time to yourself. I sent the B Task force as reinforcements, so they'll be able to hold up for when you guys are gone. Two hours before the mission, meet back here." They nodded and stood up, each of them leaving the room. Cale was the last to leave and stood behind the colossal man.
"I know you're probably itching for a drink, hm?" Cale joked stepping forward to come to his side. Horn peeked over and smiled, "Damn straight."
--
After using a teleportation artifact to return to town, Cale and Horn walked down the lively streets. It was odd to see this after dwelling in war for so long, Cale found it peaceful. But once he thought about it, would he choose this life over the one he has now?
He's 20, but he's been a soldier since he was 15. Since then, he lost all his humanity. Hell, he wasn't even sure he could get into a relationship, he felt like he wouldn't be able to love anyone, let alone them loving him. Horn looked over and broke the comfortable silence they were accustomed to, "So, how have you been holding up?" He asked. Cale walked forward in thought before responding, "The same, I guess." Horn was one of the very, very few people who Cale regarded as a friend and knew of his story. Cale rarely felt happiness and joy. Sure, he would hang out with his friends, drink, and train. He liked doing it, but he didn't feel anything. Maybe it was cause he wanted to feel something, to be human.
But was he a human?
Obviously, he was. But what did it mean to be one? All he felt was sorrow and anger. No matter what he did, he couldn't experience the humanly emotions everyone else around him felt. He tried making friends, finding love in a desperate attempt to change himself, but to no avail.
"Well, for the time we need to lighten the mood!" He said cheerfully with a mischevious grin, pointing at a building with a tantalizing sign of a wine bottle shooting open on the front. Cale smiled to himself, "Don't get too drunk."
They walked inside, their bloodied armor and the way they held themselves an outlier amongst the civilians inside. Instantly, they acknowledged them as soldiers and newfound respect burned to life in their beings.
Cale and Horn sat down at the front of the bar.
There was nothing particularly memorable about it; Simple wooden stools with blue padding, numerous tables positioned in the lobby, far enough in width to allow comfortable walking. Behind the bar was an appealing collection of expensive and rare wine bottles encased in glass. A man dressed in a simple white suit glanced over, his pointy mustache reminiscent of the classic bartender. "Well well well, you told me you'd stop drinking for now." He snickered. Horn flailed his hands in feigned defeat and spoke cheerfully, "Yeah yeah, you got me." The bartender chuckled and peered to Cale, "I haven't seen your face in a long time, how has the war been treating you?" Cale stared wistfully at the man before opening his mouth, "It's been okay." Horn frowned and centered his gaze on the bartender who stared back, clearing his throat to clear the tension. "What can I get you fellas?" Horn marveled at the collection behind the man and seemed deep in thought for a second before making his choice, "Three shots of Aspenrose, please." The bartender nodded and turned around, reaching up to grab a sleek bottle containing a pulsating red liquid inside.
Popping the cap off with his thumb, he poured the crimson drink into two cups, accounting to three shots for both Cale and Horn. Horn raised his glass and looked at Cale who stared at his own serving. "Cheers?" Cale tenderly grabbed his glass and clanked it against Horn's and hungrily devoured all of it in one go, Horn doing the same.
The fiery liquid streamed down his throat, causing his muscles to stiffen as it left its mark. The heat radiated and traveled to his stomach which erupted in a scorching blaze, causing Cale to shake his head to adjust himself to the sensation. Unlike cheap drinks, the taste was seducing and Cale loved it, it was one of the few drinks he found himself liking. Unfortunately, his tolerance was incredibly low, but he didn't mind it. "Hah, look at you! Told me not to get too drunk but you downed all of that at once!" Cale turned his head with a raised brow and sniffed, "Damn, your right. I haven't got a break in a long time... I'll enjoy myself." Horn bobbed his head in agreement and spoke out, "You need to give more time to yourself, y'know that? You always fight when you can, even if you don't need to. What was it that you told me when you enlisted..." He tapped his finger in thought, his hand on his chin like he was actually thinking. "Love yourself so you can love other things!"
Cale's mind paused.
'I said that?'
He enlisted so long ago he barely remembers it, let alone saying something absurd as that. But it made him think, 'Can I love myself? I've watched my loved ones die in front of me while I was powerless, I've reaped too many lives.' His eyes naturally dragged themselves to his sword; The same sword he's been using since enlistment. Horn's hand grabbed his shoulder and he pushed him lightly, awaking him from his daze, "Cale, I think you should spend some time on yourself. Find something you like. Go see your family, discover your purpose. As rude as it may sound, to me, you're a broken human. You've faced a lot, but you kept yourself up and I respect that. But tell me, what's your goal as of this time?" Cale found himself speechless.
Find his purpose? Broken human? How silly. Did he admit he was broken? Yes, he knew it. He had trauma, heavy PTSD, and couldn't think of much besides battle. But wasn't that his life? War and killing is all he's experienced for the last quarter of his life, and he was sure it'd bleed across more of his lifespan. What else was there? "War, I guess." Horn sighed and shook his head, "No, No Cale. No one's purpose is war. And that's what I mean when I say to find your own purpose. It can be something as cliche as protecting your family!"
His voice softened as he carried on, "But that comes with a lot of other things, not just war. You follow?" Cale looked pensively into the wooden bar, lifting his shoulders and giving Horn a hollow shrug. "I get what you're saying, but I don't think I can truly understand."
Horn nodded his head in understanding and sipped on the rest of his drink. "After this, we'll grab a bite to eat, then you should go see your family. Talk to them. They lost as much as you on... That day." Cale's mind instantly strolled back to that day.
--
"Cale... What's happening?" A young woman spoke, her blonde hair dried in blood.
Frantic, Cale shook in response, his arms restrained to the cobblestone behind him. "I-I don't know!" He cried out, tears trickling down his cheeks. The girl began wailing uncontrollably, her words coming out as hushed wheezes. Cale's eyes veered off to the farthest side of the chamber, onto the eyes of the man who raised him; His dad.
He hung motionlessly off of the ceiling, his body gradually swaying around, his hands bound together by rope. His eyes were empty; But his life was still there. Blood dripped from countless wounds that marred his body from head to toe.
He raised his eyes at Cale who was staring in fear. His dad pathetically smiled, "I.. Promise... You'll both will be... Okay." His voice was frail and trembling, barely able to muster the energy to push out his words. He was hanging on by a thin thread; The hope to see his children safe, away from this hell.
A door suddenly swung wide, a haunting jingle infecting his mind. Cale was assaulted by a torrent of fear and dread. It's eerie claws grasped on his heart, and the atmosphere suffocated him like two ghastly hands wrapped around his neck. The first ray of light he has saw in weeks beamed into his face, highlighting his beaten and bloody face, his eyes puffy and swollen from the countless tears he shed. "O-Oh no..."
-
"You there?" Cale jumped up, his breath haggard and unsteady. Horn looked at him with careful eyes and rubbed his back. "Yeah, my bad. Remembering some old things." Horn understood and dropped it, not daring to pry. Cale tapped the wood, signalling for another shot. The bartender walked over and poured it in, the red liquid now sparkling in Cale's eyes. "Thank you, Jon." He nodded in response and walked over to serve the duo of customers who entered and sat on the edge of the bar. Cale lightly sipped his drink and clanked it back on the wood before taking a deep breath, "Enough about me, how are you doing?" Cale asked, caressing his fingers on his glass. Horn smilled and placed his elbows on the bar. "It's been okay. I hear from my wife often, little Jay has grown a few inches, he's nearing 6 feet at just 13." Cale cracked a smile and responded, "Taking after his father, eh?"
Horn let out a boisterous chuckle and nodded his head, "Indeed." Such words could carry a deeper meaning. If Jay had the potential of his father, there would be no doubt he'd enlist and become haunted by the shroud of war. They both knew this. "Well, the best I can do is train him, give him the guidance you and I never had. It'll make me only slightly less worried about him."
'What about them?' Cale's mind wandered to his family and friends in the village, and his urge to see them only grew more drastically. Cale lifted his glass and swallowed the remaining amount and stood up, clearing his throat. "I'll catch you on that bite after the mission. I think it's time I return to the village in the mean time." Horn nodded and understood his feelings and stood up, towering over him. "Have a good time." He said, hugging him. Cale felt like a little toy in his arms, after all, they were more than double the size of his.
Cale waved himself off and walked outside, breathing in the chilly air. It was foreign to him. Everytime he breathed he would smell iron, fire, or muck. It was refreshing. He stood unmoving for a few minutes, allowing himself to rejoice in this short-lived peace. He slipped his hand into his coarse pockets and withdrew a miniature green mana gem that served its purpose as teleportation. The range limit wasn't far, and took a few minutes to activate. Pouring mana from his fingertips, it vibrated to life, illuminating his face in a vivid emerald hue.
--
Cale's figure erupted in a ray of light in the entrance to a peaceful village, his lean figure attracting hundreds of motes of light that condensed into his 185cm tall body. The kids ran amok, swinging sticks and chuckling joyously as they played together. The sight caused a light warmth to blossom in his heart, and he let out a small smile. The sudden commotion of his teleportation drew the curiosity of the kids and the supervising adults. "Cale!" One of the small, pigtailed-haired girls yelled.
She used her short legs to run towards Cale, who lowered himself to her height. Following after her were the other group of kids who all possessed a kind aura that Cale hadn't basked in for a while. All six of them surrounded Cale at once, embracing him. "I've missed you all," Cale spoke softly, pushing his cheek against one of their heads. "We missed you too, Uncle Cale!" Amidst the war, all he felt was anger, sadness, and a desire to unleash his wrath. But here, he felt at home. Safe, and most importantly, happy. "What were you guys doing?" He asked in a curious tone. Watching them chase one another with sticks was a common sight. Kids this age loved to play fight, after all, they would soon have to be soldiers too.
As the thought ran across his mind, his eyes dimmed, and under his smile was fear. As he grew up, he realized how his parents felt.
These kids... They're innocent. They shouldn't have to witness the atrocities of war. The gruesome sights, the feeling of loss, and being enveloped by death everywhere you go. "We were chasing after Leon! He was the bad guy this time!"
Cale peered at Leon, a tan boy who towered over the rest, "Oh really?" The girl, Aeila, nodded her head intently. "Yes! But he's way too strong! He reminds us of you!"
Cale's vision darkened, and the space around him seemed to contort. Unbeknownst to him, his breath became haggard and shallow, and his pupils contracted.
--
"Cale! My god!" An anonymous woman yelled out.
Cale flourished his blade and sheathed it, turning around to meet her gaze. Her flowing blonde hair reminded him of the rivers, her azure irises reflecting the sky. "Hm?" He tilted his head in curiosity before she continued. "You're pretty strong! You reminded me of your dad doing that." Cale chuckled in response and averted his gaze to the carcass of an abnormally ginormous wolf. "Thank you, I guess."
Afterwards, the area warped, and a new image seized his mind.
It was dark, the haunting scent of heavy iron assaulting his nose.
His mana was weak, barely able to enhance his eyes to see his surroundings. Enchanted chains bound his wrists to a wall, and he was stripped naked in front of many others. Next to him was the woman he saw, her formerly blonde hair now drenched in blood, her head rolling towards him. "W-WHY!"
--
Cale snapped back to reality as a new voice called his name.
The group of kids stepped away and looked at him with worried gazes. Unwelcome tears made their way onto his face, and before he realized it, he was crying. A foreign sensation trickled down his cheek, and he quickly wiped it off his face. "Are you okay?" Aeila asked. Cale attempted to respond, but all that released was a hoarse wheeze. In the corner of his vision, an aged woman with gray hair scrambled over, holding up her dress to prevent herself from tripping over it.
"Kids! Go inside!"
One of the darker-haired kids circled around and whined, "But! We only j-"
"End of discussion! Now! You can come back out later." She voiced sternly, lowering her voice to a casual tone as she arrived. Jay, the boy, returned his gaze to Cale with the cutest pouting expression he could muster, which only tugged at Cale's heart. "I'm sorry, Jay. We can play later. I promise." Jay sighed in return, pouting his face. "You better!" He spat out before running off with the other children.
Soon, it was just him and his grandma, Kassandra. Without any words spoken, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace and whispered in his ear, "We're glad you're back for now, Cale."
Tears welled up in the corner of his eyes as he hugged her tightly back, muttering something in a low tone. "Thank you... Thank you." She pulled back but kept her hands on his arms, her eyes scanning him head to toe. "It's been what, a year? And you've not only grown so much, but you've matured." She said with a light smile. Before Cale could respond, she continued. "Come, the rest have been wanting to see you for a while."
She led him to the lengthy grass that brushed against his shins. The village was by no means ordinary, simply a few dozen buildings, some coupled with farms that were in the process of growing a large quantity of crops. "How have the seasons been treating you guys?" He asked as he ran his eyes over the crops." She peeked back with a smile plastered upon her face, "Amazing. And the assistance from the kingdom on your behalf has only skyrocketed the effectiveness and the amount we make per month. We are even able to sell the extra food for better materials, weapons, and whatever else we may need." Cale nodded in satisfaction. "Great. Anything happen while I was gone?"
Kassandra shook her head. "Nope, aside from the usual beast attack, those were warded off very easily."
"I would hope so, or I'd have a word with Asmo."
Kassandra chuckled in response and rebuked, "Don't! He's a good man."