Only five of us remain.
The rest lie scattered across this cursed battlefield brothers reduced to nameless corpses.
Those damned Azerath cowards… using tricks and traps instead of honor.
Had we known… victory would have been ours.
I am sorry, my Lord.
I have failed in my duty.
If there is mercy left in your heart… forgive me.
But hear this...
Even if death comes for me today… it will crawl.
Before I fall, I will carve a dozen more into the soil. That is not a threat.
It is a vow.
In the name of the Great Sword Saint.
So come.
He raised his blade, chipped, bloodied, worn from slaughter.
His body trembled. His vision blurred.
But his stance did not falter.
Steel flashed.
Men fell.
He no longer counted.
Hundreds surrounded him.
Then...
A cold voice cut through the carnage.
The enemy commander stepped forward, empty-eyed, calm amid the chaos.
"Even at death's door… a knight remains a knight. A pack of dogs is no match for a wounded beast."
He extended a hand.
"Come to us. We need men like you. Wealth. Power. Anything you desire, it will kneel at your feet."
The knight laughed.
A dry, arrogant sound.
"Tempting…"
The general smiled....
And in the next breath, his head struck the ground.
So fast he never saw the blade move.
For a heartbeat, silence.
Then rage.
They charged.
The knight threw himself into them like a storm unleashed.
Steel sang.
Limbs fell.
Blood rained.
He became less a man… more a calamity.
When it ended.....
He stood alone.
Fire raged across the field.
Hundreds of bodies surrounded him.
Spears pierced his shoulder and stomach.
Arrows jutted from his flesh.
His legs gave way.
He stabbed his sword into the earth.
Knee bent.
Hands gripping the hilt.
Head resting against his shoulder.
Still standing.
Still defiant.
Another army approached.
At their front a man wielding a massive mace.
The second commander surveyed the field and let out a low whistle.
"Knights truly are monsters."
He glanced at the severed head nearby.
"But I suppose this is the end for you. Still… you did me a favor. That fool was unfit to lead."
He stepped closer.
"So out of respect, from one warrior to another, I shall let you die as you wish."
The knight tried to rise.
Tried to swing once more.
But his body no longer answered.
His lungs burned.
His heart slowed.
My Lord… forgive me.
Though I failed the mission… I pray my blood lightened your burden.
Until we meet again.
Darkness took him..
Then,
Breath returned.
Pain vanished.
Strength flooded his limbs.
He lunged forward..
But the battlefield was gone.
No fire.
No corpses.
No enemy.
Only silence.
White walls.
A small room.
An unfamiliar ceiling.
A small modern apartment.