"' I CURSE YOU '"
"You will fall asleep deeper than death itself.
A slumber from which no dawn will wake you.
You will remain trapped in that endless darkness—not for years, not for ages—but for eternity.
Until the stars burn out,
until the last breath of the universe fades,
until every point of existence collapses into nothing."
_____________________________
"Huff… huff… huff… What… what was that dream…?"
Ruru suddenly woke up from his deep sleep, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Sweat clung to his forehead as he looked around the dark room, trying to steady his breathing.
The nightmare still lingered in his mind, its images blurry but unsettling. For a moment he just sat there on the bed, staring into the darkness, listening to the quiet night around him.
"It… felt so real…" he whispered to himself, wiping the sweat from his face.
Ruru lay back down, closing his eyes and trying to return to sleep. But the moment he did, the words from the dream echoed again in his mind.
"You will be trapped for eternity…"
His eyes snapped open.
"… Damn it," he muttered under his breath.
Sleep was no longer possible.
After staring at the ceiling for a while, he turned his head toward the small window beside his bed. The sky outside was still dark. Judging by the silence and the faint chill in the air, it had to be around three in the morning.
With a quiet sigh, Ruru pushed the blanket aside and got up from the bed. If he couldn't sleep, there was no point lying there any longer.
He splashed some cold water on his face to freshen up, the chill helping him clear his thoughts. After that, he reached for his armor resting neatly on a wooden stand nearby. Piece by piece, he put it on with practiced ease.
Finally, he picked up his spear leaning against the wall. The familiar weight of the weapon in his hand brought him a small sense of comfort.
Without wasting any more time, Ruru opened the door and stepped outside.
The cold night air greeted him instantly. The camp was quiet, most of the soldiers still asleep in their tents. A faint breeze moved through the area, making the torches flicker softly in the darkness.
Ruru looked up at the sky for a moment, still thinking about the strange dream that had woken him.
"… Just a dream," he murmured to himself, though deep down he wasn't entirely convinced.
He strolled towards the training field; when he reached closer, he saw that someone was already there running in the field.
Suddenly that person stopped and shouted, Good morning, commander, towards Ruru.
Ruru was the commander of this camp; he was only 25 years old, the youngest commander ever appointed to the battalion.
"Good morning, soldier." What are you doing this early in the morning?
"I was unable to sleep due to a bad dream, so I thought, why not train myself."
Ruru finds it somewhat similar to his situation but thinks it is a coincidence.
"What is your name?"
"Urur" the soldier replied.
"Urur? Are you new here?" Ruru became confused if someone new joined the battalion; he was the one to be informed first, but no one said anything.
"Yes its my 2nd day in the camp, sir."
"No one informed me about it, though," Ruru said.
"Sir, I was meant to meet you, but I was told that you were busy and that I should come tomorrow."
"I was busy…?" Ruru was unable to remember anything. It felt like he was forgetting something.
"Nevermind continue your training"
"Yes, sir," Urur replied, then he resumed his training.
Ruru also started his daily training.
Time passed, and soon it was 5 am. With the morning siren, all the soldiers started coming out of their tents and grouped in the training ground.
When everyone was there, they greeted Ruru.
"Good morning, everyone. Our battalion has been assigned a mission today: to patrol the wilderness surrounding the city and monitor any suspicious activity, as several guards have reported people moving in and out of the area."
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Complete your morning training. I will share further details of the mission afterward," Ruru said.
All the soldiers began their training under the supervision of the trainer in charge, while Ruru returned to his tent to plan the strategy for the assigned mission.
A letter had arrived the previous day from higher command, outlining the details of their next mission.
Ruru examined all the reports from the past two weeks. It was noted that unknown individuals had been seen roaming in the wilderness, their faces unclear. They never entered the city; instead, they observed it from a distance before disappearing as if they had never been there.
With a plan already forming in his mind, Ruru made his way to the training grounds.
By 7 AM, the soldiers had wrapped up their morning drills and were catching their breath, the tension of exertion still hanging in the air.
"Everyone, assemble!" His command rang out sharp and clear across the grounds.
The soldiers fell into formation instantly. Once silence settled, Ruru stepped forward and addressed them.
"Good morning, everyone. As I mentioned before training began, we have been assigned a mission today; we will be patrolling the wilderness." He looked across the assembled soldiers and continued. "For this operation, soldiers with badge numbers 1 through 50 will form the patrol unit and accompany me. Those with badge numbers 51 through 100 will remain here at camp and hold their positions until further orders."
"Badge numbers 51 through 100, you are dismissed."
The second half of the soldiers broke formation and dispersed. Now only fifty remained standing in the open ground, waiting.
Ruru looked over them for a moment, then got straight to it. He divided the fifty into ten groups of ten soldiers each and assigned a captain to lead every group.
"Each group will enter through a different entry point, ten entry points total. Move in, patrol your assigned area, and head back. One hour going in, one hour returning. Two hours total." He paused, letting it sink in, before continuing. "If you spot anything suspicious, do not engage. Fall back immediately. And if things go south, blow the warning horn without hesitation."
He paused for a second, then added.
"One more thing: we go on foot. No horses." A few of the soldiers exchanged glances. Ruru caught it.
"The terrain out there is dense. Horses will slow you down and give away your position before you even see anything. We move quietly; we move carefully. Stealth is your best weapon out there, not speed."
He scanned the group one last time.
"I will personally be leading Group 1." He straightened up. "Now gear up and assemble at the camp's exit point."
Exactly thirty minutes later, all fifty soldiers were assembled at the exit point, geared up and ready. No stragglers, no delays.
Ruru gave them one last look, then turned and led the group toward the wilderness. The camp fell behind them as they moved, the sounds of the city slowly fading with each step.
Once they reached the outskirts, Ruru brought everyone to a halt. He went through each group one by one, pointing out their designated entry points and making sure every captain was clear on their path.
"Move out."
With that single command, the groups split off in their respective directions, disappearing into the wilderness one by one until the treeline swallowed them whole. The mission had begun.