“Yeah, this is a larger amount of food compared to what we normally have, but we’ll need the energy for our journey back to the palace,” chuckled Bryn. I give her a light smile back, then begin to eat my food. Bryn seems to be very sweet and caring, but when it’s time to buckle down she will smoke you out. Max on the other hand is intimidating, like a tiger always on the lookout. There’s always a cold expression on his face and he’s not a talkative person, but you can tell he does care about things other than himself if you pay close attention. Lastly, there’s Josh. He’s a smart soldier and his face isn’t half bad. But he’s nosy so you have to watch what you say around him especially if you have secrets. Josh is kind of a pain in the butt though. The others pack up their things as I sit on the couch with my sword waiting for them.

“Yo Pumpkin, have you finished eating yet?” asked Josh.

I rolled my eyes at the nickname. “I finished a while ago, I’m just waiting for you guys.”

“Well come on. We’re about to head out with the other soldiers.” He was holding the door open for me.

“Alright alright, I’m coming,” I called back, grabbing my sword.

“Finally, let’s go now” smiled Bryn as we all made our way down to the lobby.

The elevator doors ding open revealing about two dozen other soldiers, both men and women. Josh, Max, Bryn, and I waited with the other soldiers at a nearby bus station.

“Hey Bryn, I thought you said we needed energy for our trip back,” I said.

“Yeah, don’t worry you will. Just wait and see,” answered Bryn.

“Honestly it’s not bad, all you have to do is walk after the bus. But Brynn’s just a baby” grunted Max folding his arms across his chest.

“HEY!” screamed Bryn as she chased after Max. I chuckled as I watched Josh try to break the two of them up.

On the bus, I sat alone in the back. I thought more about the operation and if making friends on this mission was the best idea. I think so because my plan after I complete what I need to do is to disappear from the Aantari palace. No matter what I’m getting this mission done, and it’s going to take some time so why not live a little and enjoy my time there. Josh walked over and sat beside me. “So what’s on your mind?” asked Josh,

“Umm, I’m just wondering what we’re going to do when we get back?”

“You really are a newbie soldier” scoffed Josh, “Well we’re going to unpack, sleep, give a debriefing to the prince, and then train,”

“Wait, the prince of Aantari is coming himself?” I guess I didn’t have to worry about finding him.

“Well, Prince Asher is usually very busy but he wants to be more involved since he is in control of this mission”

“That's great! I’ve always wanted to meet the prince.” I lied, “ Well, I’m going to try and get some sleep, wake me when we’re there,” I said as I folded my arms, closing my eyes.

I flinched as the bus came to a quick stop. I looked over and saw Josh sleeping with his head tilted back.

“Have fun with those neck problems when you wake up” I chuckled. Bryn walked over and patted Josh on the head, waking him up.

“We’re here guys, make sure to grab everything you brought,” said Bryn.

“Wait but we’re in what looks to be a forest. Is this where we begin the walk?”

“Yes, unfortunately, we’re going to be walking straight from here for around six hours. Don’t worry though, we’ll make a few rest stops” sighed Bryn as she hit Josh’s head again who had fallen back asleep.

The three of us joined Max outside of the bus who was helping some other guys bring out backpacks. We did a quick headcount to make sure that we didn’t leave anybody behind, then we began our walk to the palace.

An hour and a half into the walk, Bryn and a couple of other people were already out of breath and asking about our upcoming rest stops. I could tell that Josh and Max were getting pretty annoyed by Bryn and her complaining so I assumed that we would have a break soon. It just depended on who would break first, Josh or Max. Another twenty minutes in we settle down to take a little break. The sun was beginning to set and the skies began to turn a beautiful bright orange and yellow little by little. Something else caught my attention in the far distance, it looked to be a group of small groups of men, about the size of ours. They walk closer and closer, most of them carrying a weapon. “Is there anything we can help you with?” I yelled standing up from my seat and slowly moving my hand towards the grip of my sword? “Yeah, I heard you imperial scum were making your way through here, so we decided to pay you guys a little visit from the outer ring” yelled one of the men, “We’re sick and tired of you guys coming around here thinking you guys are better than us? You claim that you want to help but don’t help the people in need like the outer ring, instead, you keep all of your stupid money for yourselves” said another. By this time the rest of the soldiers noticed the group of people too and some of them had already pulled out their swords. The angry mob begins to get closer and closer by the second, “This is your last warning, turn back or I will not hold back” I yell as I extract my sword from its scabbard. The mob yells and charges right for us. I sigh and take a few steps forward to create distance from the soldiers behind me and point my sword toward the crowd. The first man charged at me screaming like a lunatic, and with a quick lash my sword pierced his flesh, the man looked shocked and slowly fell to the ground. My eyes widened and I smiled with satisfaction. I fade from my position, pivoting my body, impale the man behind me. Out of the corner of my eye I see a blade coming down straight for the back of my head, I deflect the strike and move backward to the left as another sword slashes down to my right. I lunge forward and bend my right knee inching closer to the ground to slide on my side as I swing my sword over my head slicing at the calves of a group of people, leaving them unable to walk meaning they can no longer participate in combat. I get up and look at the other five protesters pointing the tip of my blade in their direction. They squeal as they grab the injured leaving the dead and scurry off.

I turn and start walking back to take my seat, grabbing a cloth to clean my sword. “Damn! Ahara you just took out more than half of their people in like a minute and a half! How did you do that??” exclaims Bryn running over to me, “Yes, umm I.. am quite impressed as well” said Max still processing what happened. “Practice” I responded. Josh walked over to us upset that he didn’t get to join in on the fun, “We better get going if we want to make it to the palace before midnight” He grunts. We all pack up our stuff and then continue on the journey in the dark.

We spent the next three hours just walking up and down hills and across rocky rivers. Using wheels without a horse on this land would slow us down because of the ground conditions. This land splits the Aantari royal palace from the Outer Rim for safety reasons and the soils past this part were the best, so naturally, it would go to the Aantari royals.

Aantari and Zartari have been at war for as long as I can remember. Two large walls are separating the kingdoms. In between those walls, there's an endless pit to ensure nobody crosses over.

We all stop to take a little breather. I look up and there it is the palace. We finally made it. “I really can’t go anymore, someone just drag me there” whined Bryn. Max rolled his eyes and pushed Bryn forward.