A rumble vibrates through the ground and into my feet. I double check my map to make sure I am not near any battle lines and sure enough, nothing is anywhere near me.

Did the enemy push up here from our flank? If they did, there’s no way around this. It’s either I go left and encounter friendly forces, which is a no go, or I continue up ahead and hope I can get through whatever possible struggle this is…

And of course, the right is a no go as well. The park rounds all the way in a cresent shape, so if I was going to go to the right, it would only go to the park. If I went diagonally right, that would be calling it extremely close and I would likely run into enemies taking cover in buildings on the edge of the park.

I would be guaranteed to run into an enemy still.

At the very least, I would run into enemies that are thinking the same way I am. There’s a flank here to take advantage of.

Fuck it, let’s just hope I am the first.

Each building I pass down the alley, I feel the rumble increase with intensity. 

Artillery? That would be hopeful, honestly. If it’s just artillery, it could be to pin down someone or just a distraction. Hopefully.

After about ten minutes, I feel it shake through the outsoles of my boots and into my ankles. 

They are really bombarding this. I might have to wait it out. Let’s see what’s going on first at least. 

I decide on the gamble of at least seeing what is being bombarded first, and I finally get to the end of the city block where the alley meets the street on the other side. 

I get to the street and it is eerily quiet. Not to mention empty of any blockades, tanks, soldiers, trucks or supplies. Based on the vibrations from the artillery, it is just down the block. I walk down the empty street to the left, seeing a 3-way split in the road. Still, I am quite suspicious of how empty it is, and make sure I am next to the buildings on the side of the road at all times. 

Getting to the corner, I peek around it, and on queue, the next rumble hits, stronger than any before it. It’s as if artillery is impacting about 50 meters away, and the sound matches. I flinch back before I can get a good view. Once the burst of artillery subsides, I peek again, more cautious and head low. 

What? There’s two people standing in the middle of the street during an artillery barrage?!

Before I can process what is going on, the 2 figures about 50 meters away leap towards each other and the sound of artillery strikes when their fists collide with each other. 

Shit, that wasn’t artillery. Don’t tell me… A holy warrior is fighting a proxy. I’ve only heard that they exist. I’ve never seen one, let alone heard of anyone that has seen one. 

The Holy Warriors is a unit only rumored to exist. And I don’t mean like a Special Forces unit isn’t supposed to exist, it’s more like they rumor this unit exists for the purposes of morale. They say that the Holy Warriors is a unit of exactly 50 under the direct order of His Majesty himself! They say one of them could take on a hundred soldiers.

No wonder there’s no one out here. They’re either all dead, or someone prevented anyone from coming out here in the first place. This is above my pay grade.

From 50 meters away it’s hard to make out any detail really but I can see the two fighting with their bare fists.

They don’t even use weapons, that’s ridiculous! No need to if you’re that much of a freak! I should get the hell out of here.

As I think about leaving, I hear a thunderous clap. I snap my head back to the figures in time to see one of them barrelling down the street like a car put into a tumble down the highway. 

It slows down to a stop about 5 meters in front of me.

Fuck man, I really need to go.

I turn away from the corner and break into a sprint.

That guy looks like an absolute freak, and he’s the one losing by the look of it.

I don’t look back but pounding resounds down the street as I sprint down the middle of the road back the way I came. There’s nowhere else to go. I set my sights on a car dealership, the only building that looks like I will be able to get into. The front glass is broken. 

I continue my sprint, hopping straight through an open window into the lobby. As soon as my boots crunch glass, I hear something like a gunshot from behind me and a whistle increasing in volume. It grows to an ear piercing volume almost instantaneously and the wall in front of me explodes into a cloud of dust and debris knocking across the room.

What the flying fuck is happening?!

I take a defensive stance with my knees bent but I can’t help but feel uncomfortable in my own body. Vulnerable. 

A figure emerges from the settling dust, unscathed.

“Who are you?” He says coolly. 

I grimace, cold sweat beading down my forehead.

“I asked a question.” He says, seemingly remaining calm.

I decide to answer honestly, “Sgt. Wells, sir.” I say.

He must be on our side. He’s wearing black military garb with the Emperors pin on it…

“And what are you doing all the way out here, Sgt. Wells?” He asks, accentuating ‘Wells’. 

My throat chokes up.

If he finds out I deserted… My Adam's apple jams as I swallow.

I formulate the best response I can and give it to him.

“My fire-team was killed by artillery sir, I took it upon myself, quick on my feet as I am, to scout out an alternative route for the remaining forces of our platoon to ambush the enemy and escape the open fields of the City Park.” I say, trying to sound as composed and dignified as possible.

If he is a Holy Warrior, he is a borderline god and saying he is a commissioned rank is low balling his importance.

“And what would you be doing out here—” He says, looking me over, “Scouting, as you say, without a radio soldier?” He says, finishing his once over of me by staring me dead in the eyes. 

I crumble as anxiety washes over me.

Fuck, I will never leave this place alive, god—

“Do you have an appropriate response soldier?” He asks, still calm.

“No sir. It is my deepest embarrassment to have lied to a superior and even worse than that, leave the area in which my fire-team was murdered to the enemy. I may never be forgiven, sir, I will not ask for forgiveness.” I say, my voice shattering as I begin sobbing.

“Good.” He says. I make out a satisfied look on his face through my tears. He continues, “Good.” He says again.

“What do you plan to do sir?” I say, my voice choking.

“Hmm? Well, it is none of my business what a deserter does when deserting, but it is an offense punishable by the highest mortal order. The Emperor would not be kind to me knowing that I left a criminal unpunished. Do you understand?” He says.

I look straight down at the ground, ashamed, but alas, resolved to my fate.

I deserve it. I left my soldiers.

Starting into the ground I respond, “Yes sir, I understand.” 

“Very well. Do you have any last words to be heard in the presence of a higher being?”

Higher being? I guess they are.

“No sir.” I say.

He takes a dagger out from behind the back of his waistband.

“Good. May our god forgive your actions and spare your soul.”

...

...

...

Hello! Hour here. I guess you could consider this an afterword...

I am in the middle of writing a novel of which will be called Sleep Vessel. I figured I would write a few short stories to get some experience with certain scenes before I go all out on the book (also because I am not very good with rough drafts so need all the help I can get!). If you would like to support me, all I would really like to ask is for you to visit my discord and send me some ideas concering the story, writing, formatting, or anything else you think may help. Any input is appreciated. Thank you!

@HourTheRomanticist on Discord

@HourRomanticist on Socials.