Chapter 11: The Weight of What Remains
The battlefield didn't go silent all at once It faded Slowly the airl was thick with dust the clash of baldes had made the entire landscape decimated the battle between two blades of monsters became scattered echoes the shouting turned into distant noise what remained was nothing heavier low groans from soldiers who had experienced the battle, labored breathing, and the quiet aftermath of survival the war did not ended it had only just began
Bodies lay across the broken ground some still. some not, alex stood in the center of it all the horrors of battle and he taught this is the world I find myself in and it's monsters he then planted his feat into the earth to keep himself upright. His hands trembled.nti from fear from exhaustion from everything, his eyes tried to follow what had just happened Vald, Kael, the clash that didn't even feel human but his mind couldn't keep up. It was beyond his comprehension, so this is war he muttered under his breath, but even as he said it, it didn't felt real, why you say because what he had just seen gave his chills, that wasn't something soldiers should be part of, that was something else entirely.
A shahp gale of wind was felt across the field and alex looked up just in time to see it sir vald standing not far ahead, his blade lowered slightly, his posture unshaken, calm, emotionless by he chaos around him, even after that fight he looked like he could keep going. Alex tightened his grip on the spear, how far ahead are you? he whispered to himself
Then he felt something had changed, not around him but Inside him, It was faint at first then a strange clarity.The noise of the soldiers and the environment around him seemed to dull. The chaotic scean faded just enough for him to notice things he hadn't before.The way the wind moved across the ground, The exact rhythm of distant footsteps, everything became more clear and sharp, the angle of a fallen blade, his breathing slowed, not by choice, just natural, his vision sharpened as if he could see the whole field and for a brief moment everything made sense.
Alex's eyes widened slightly his expression showed he was shocked What he said
His grip tightened on the spear without thinking, he adjusted his stance, cleaner, more precise,more balanced, wven he didn't notice it happening
A soldier stumbled toward him, injured, barely standing,alex body moved,Instinctively.He caught the man before he fell, lowering him carefully.Easy alex said quietly.the soldier nodded weakly.But Alex's attention wasn't on him anymore, it was on that feeling, that strange and calm feeling.
Then suddenly the pain hit hard like heavy bags on his body his body reminded him all at once that he had pushed himselftoo far, his vision blured, the clarity shattered argh,he granted in pain, he dropped to one knee gripping his side, his breathing turned uneven again and heavy think sweat raind down on his body, he world rushed back in.loud,messy and real.From a short distance away,theo was watching,he hadn't moved much during the chaos.he rarely did, but his eyes were sharp,focused,locked onto Alex,so you felt it,Theo murmured quietly,not surprised as if he knew,not confused.Just observing.
He moved closer to Alex who was still on the ground stopping a few paces away,You're still standing,Theo said.his tone was calm,almost casual.Alex let out a small breath and a faint smile Barely he said weakly.Theos gased fixed at the spear.Then back at Alex.You moved differently just now,Theo said,Alex frowned slightly,What do you mean? Alex said Theo tilted his head a little and crossed his arms Forget it Theo said releasing a deep breath then a small pause, You'll understand later said theo effortlessly.Alex clicked his tongue softly,Why do you always talk like that? Said Alex as if angry.Theo gave a faint smile, not mocking,Just distant.Because I can,said Theo.Before Alex could respond, A presence passed between them,Sir Vald.
The noise around them seemed to quiet slightly as he walked through the field,soldiers straightened in a respectfully way, some stepped aside instinctively,respect,not forced, atural.
Vald's gaze moved across the battlefield,calm and measuring.Taking everything in then he let out a faint sigh as his eyes landed on Alex,It wasn't long Barely a second But it was enough,Alex felt That weight That presence Like being seen through completely.Then Vald looked away and continued walking,as if nothing had happened.That man Alex muttered quietly.
Theo watched Vald go,his expression unreadable He hasn't changed Theo said with confidence Alex gaced upon him why do you always talk as if you know him said vald.Theo didn't answer immediately.Thats because I do said Theo.That was all he said.
Silence settled between them again but this time, it wasn't empty It was heavy Alex pushed himself back to his feet slowly.His body protested But he ignored it his hand tightened around the spear he looked out across the battlefield at the bodies at the destruction and at the wall that stood between himself and people like Vald His jaw tightened slightly next time I won't lose he said quietly I won't just stand there Theo glanced at him Just for a second.Then a small faint smile formed.
We'll see
Far above them the wind changed direction once more and somewhere deep within Alex something had already begun to change.
End