Chapter 48
POV: 3rd Person
The smell of blood cascaded through the air. Rotting bodies from the last siege covered the ground outside the fortress walls. Commander Frag stood atop the wall, overseeing the repairs while his eyes scanned the horizon, waiting for the scum to encroach upon the fortress lands.
"Ey, Frag, the repairs on the turrets are almost complete. Just a couple more are in need of fixing,"
Goss said in a sarcastic tone as he arrived behind Frag, his ever-noisy mechanical hand buzzing about.
Frag grunted in acknowledgment before turning to stare at Goss.
"Stop with the repairs. Arm every able-bodied man within the fort. Goss, you take command of half the construction team and defend the south. The others will scatter to the other sections and help defend,"
Frag commanded without hesitation as he moved. Goss, ever sharp, nodded seriously before turning to prepare the construction workers for the coming battle.
Frag remained in his section of the fortress. Shortly after, both of his platoon leaders stood at attention beside him.
He looked back and said to both of them,
"Prepare your men. We only need to hold out for reinforcements. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Sir!" ×2
Nodding at that, he then turned back toward the horizon.
"Go."
After he said that, the atmosphere grew silent as they both left, leaving behind Commander Frag to see—far off—the growing horde of bandits creeping closer to the fortress.
He exhaled slowly, bracing himself for the inevitable battle about to unfold.
---
### **POV: Joles**
*Crash* *Splatter*
Blood smeared across my face as I grunted, lifting my power sword high. The body of a screaming bandit, still impaled on the blade, was hoisted up. His screams only grew louder.
I looked him dead in the eye, cold and indifferent. The agony written on his face didn't faze me. I lost interest in him, grabbing his shoulder.
*Shrap*
The sound of flesh tearing rang out as his screams peaked in desperation. Then, with a single, forceful pull—
*Crack* *Splash*
I tore his upper body in half and tossed it aside without even glancing back at what I had done.
I turned toward my company. My soldiers stared at me with fear. Their gazes didn't bother me. Their fear didn't register.
I stood there atop the bodies of a dozen bandits, their blood clinging to my form as I gripped my power sword.
"Hmm. Clean up. Take whatever is useful."
I commanded, walking back toward our vehicles, unbothered by the lingering gazes of my soldiers.
Once I reached the truck, I set my weapon down and sat, my mind in turmoil.
*'What's happening to me? Why can't I feel anything?'*
I thought in a quiet panic, though my body refused to show it.
*'Ugh, I can't feel anything. Why is this happening? Why can't I feel?'*
My thoughts spiraled as I tried to remember what changed me. How I turned into this emotionless monster.
*'Wait…'*
Then my thoughts turned to my last meeting with Leon.
*'I was expressing emotions just fine when I was with Leon. Then why did I suddenly lose it…?'*
As I tried to recall more, something stopped me. I couldn't remember anything after that. The last thing I remembered was waking up at home, lying in bed, my power sword in hand—and feeling absolutely nothing.
My gaze drifted down to the blade now resting beside me.
*'What happened to me…?'*
But I was cut off when Hans, one of Frag's platoon leaders, arrived and reported,
"Um, sir, bandit sightings have been getting more frequent lately. We may be getting close to the fortress."
I nodded silently. The gesture alone made Hans sweat nervously as he continued,
"A-and from the fortress, Commander Frag has communicated that the bandits have started their attack, sir."
Hearing this, I didn't hesitate. I reached for my power sword and commanded,
"Call everyone to pack up. Load the bandit prisoners into the trucks. We'll be using them later."
Hans nodded hurriedly and ran off to give the orders. Minutes later, we were packed up and inside the trucks, heading straight for the fortress.
---
### **POV: Frag**
The sound of gunfire echoed around me as I shot at the bandits below, riddling them with holes as I shouted to my men.
"Take down those monstrosities! Don't let them climb up the hooks and ladders!"
I roared as I kicked a bandit climbing the wall. He screamed as he fell to his death, crashing down into the horde and taking a few with him.
"Come on, you scums! Die and let the Emperor's flames burn your souls to oblivion!"
I spat toward the masses below and pulled out a melta grenade from my pouch. Activating it, I threw it at one of the monstrosities.
*BOOM*
A thunderous explosion rang out. Body parts rained down upon the bandits nearby. I kept shooting, the rhythm of combat syncing with my breath, my thoughts singular.
**Kill. Kill them all.**