Author's notes: Hey everyone who has been reading so far all the way to this chapter! You have all been amazing just for reading it! Now over 3k views! Not really a milestone to really announce about but I enjoy much of the time you take out of your day to enjoy some of my story! So thank you if you read it all, even if you don't save it, and thank you for those who have favorited and follow me on here! I hope to create more stories in the future, not just of For Honor but other things as well. If you have suggestions I could do PLEASE do not hesitate to suggest anything to me! I take time out of my day to respond to all who enjoy my story. I also would like to hear more feedback about how this story is going so far for you all! If you're a guest on here you can also put a review! Do that with constructive feedback please! I understand how some may feel on this story but it be nice to actually see what is causing your dislikeness towards it if you tell me. But anyways, thank you all for coming this far and I hope you enjoy this next chapter as we dive back in too see what events are about to unfold. Enjoy!

Svengard….

The sun rose up from behind distant mountains. Rising up over the world shining its warm light over the lands under. The Viking village had an early wake-up call today as everyone was up and about earlier than usual. Doing their daily routine chores, opening their shops, prepping themselves up for a day of honest work. The room where the Samurai and Viking assassin were sleeping was quiet. The two had kept themselves up longer than usual last night that they hadn't woken up yet. They took the few extra hours of sleep until a knock on their door. The Orochi was the first to hear and the first to react to it. He lifts his head up to see who it was going to come through the door, expecting it to be Eir. His guess was right as it was Eir, the Valkyrie, who had opened their door and entered the room.

The two warriors met each other's eyes. They gave each other a calm wave of their hands to greet. Eir then approaches the Orochi trying to stay quiet as she notices, the shaman is still asleep.

"Still enjoying being shirtless?" Eir asked with a quiet chuckle under her voice.

"It is better than seeing a child suffer in the cold. This place needs more fires if you are t keep warm. Or at least more clothes for someone as small as the boy." the Orochi answered honestly put his hand on his bare chest.

"You don't feel cold at all?!" Eir asked half grinning from the answer of the Orochi.

"Let us just say, it warms my heart when a child smiles. So I was very warm last night." the Orochi said.

Eir had a hard time holding back a small giggle. It was loud enough where it made the Shaman turn in her sleep but not enough to wake up.

"So is there something you or your Jarl need?" the Orochi asked.

"Well, not something I need but I came here to ask you something," Eir answered hiding the nervous tone in her voice.

"Go on," the Orochi said leaning forwards to Eir a bit.

"Can we talk….alone?" Eir asked unable to hide she was nervous to ask.

The Orochi wasn't exactly taken away by her question but it surprised him enough that she would even consider talking with him. "Oh. Of course. Lead the way." the Orochi said.

The two left the room to go somewhere more private for them to talk. The Shaman still asleep, they had to leave very quietly. Not making too many loud noises for her to wake up from. Once they were out Eir began walking towards the gate of the Village. As they reached the gate, a Raider spotted them. Seeing it was Eir, he did not stop to question her approach, he immediately opened the gate for them.

"So what is it you wanted to talk about? Actually why private when you and I are the only ones who understand what each other are saying?" the Orochi asked quietly as they both waited for the gates to be opened completely.

"It'll make me feel better, trust me," Eir answered honestly.

The gate opened all the way and Eir continued to lead the way out of the Village. As they exited the gate began to close behind them. The two entered the woods, Eir still leading the way.

"How far must we go?" the Orochi asked.

Eir didn't answer. She just continued to lead and expected the Orochi to follow, which he did. They continued walking for a few more minutes until Eir finally stopped. They were in the woods still but came to a large opening of the woods.

"Why all the way out here to talk?" the Orochi asked raising a brow.

"Remember the story I told you of the day I met a man just like you and in the end, I killed my father?" Eir asked without looking back.

"Yes. Although there is still much to that story that hasn't been spoken of." the Orochi answered.

"I know. So I'll tell you everything. Here and now." Eir said proudly as she dropped her shield and spear, then removing her helmet she held it at her hip.

The Orochi knew this would be a time to politely listen, so he sat on his knees facing towards Eir.

"What I told you so far is true but much information is missing, I know. Like how did no one noticed your father was missing or how did your other friends or family members did not notice?" Eir asked as she stared out into the woods the sunlight breaking through the trees and shining on her face.

"That would make a confusing story to tell without any extra information." the Orochi said sarcastically.

"I was an only child. My mother died after giving birth. My father became a tense man, wishing I was a boy, never listening and hardly ever tended to my needs. We became very distant but I wanted to try and be better for him. I had even a hard time making any friends. So I learned what he would've taught if I was his son." Eir explained shaking in her voice.

"And?" the Orochi asked intrigued of the story a bit.

"He was somewhat thankful, I think. In the end, he never cared for how I felt so when the day he found me and my lover, I only tried to make it where we could be out of his life. Giving him a chance at something new, hopefully, a boy." Eir answered as a single tear slid down her cheek.

The Orochi was beginning to understand now. "So you became a disappointment to your own father because you were a girl. I would say that is disgraceful but unfortunately, my people aren't so different from that. My family was harsh too, My father and mother had only me and they believed me to be a disappointment in the family."

"What did you do?" Eir asked slightly looking over her shoulder.

"I did what you did as best I could. Prove them wrong. I became the Emperor's champion." the Orochi answered.

"Did they see you any differently?" Eir asked.

"No. They saw me as an opportunity." the Orochi answered gently closing his eyes.

"How?" Eir asked.

"When I earned my place and title they pretended to treat me better. To the Emperor, they were the nicest family I wish I could have. In reality, they used me to get higher status in the entire empire." the Orochi answered.

"How did you figure that out?" Eir asked now turning half of her body to face the Samurai.

"When at first I thought they had truly seen me differently I had returned to them to demand that they see me as what I was. Instead, they told me they were never going to see me any different for reasons only they discussed. I was their child but I never had a real family. They used my title as a means to earn more and be treated more like royalty. I was disgusted and betrayed. They forgot about me and only brought me back when in when they needed to show off." the Orochi explained getting tense as he goes on.

"I'm sorry that happened to you," Eir said.

"And I'm sorry that you weren't cared for." the Orochi said looking down to his knees.

"I guess we aren't so different huh?" Eir asked cracking a smile.

"We are. You and I are enemies. We are not the same nor are we anyway similar. I am a Samurai and you are Viking. We may have been through rough childhoods but after what happened with you it's best we don't get ourselves killed." the Orochi snapped.

"But I- I thought-" Eir was shocked by the response of the Orochi and his hostile attitude.

"You thought what? Did we become friends? No. Like I said to you before, I am doing what I must to survive. If it even means I'm on the wrong side." the Orochi said shooting his head up to Eir.

"You're...using me just to survive?!" Eir asked confused with anger building up inside her.

"From the very start, you spoke to me, giving me a chance to live through this. If you weren't capable of speaking with me, where do you think I would be at this very moment? I would most likely be dead." the Orochi explained.

"You used me…" Eir said feeling tears fill her eyes as she felt betrayed. The anger bottled up inside her and when it hit max she grabbed her spear. She quickly put to the Samurai's neck. "YOU USED ME!" Eir shouted in anger.

"Eir listen to me-" the Orochi was saying.

"SHUT UP!" Eir shouted cutting off the Orochi. "Why?! Why would you use me?! Everything I told you about me, it meant nothing to you did it?!" Eir asked through the crying mixed with her anger.

The Orochi used his eyes to look down and see the tip of her spear right at his throat. He knew the situation was now heated and his only way to break it down was to keep calm. He looked Eir in the eye's and said, "Why?! If you were captured by the knights you would understand why I did what I had to do! I've seen the terror of the Black Stone Legion! So don't think you are the only one being used here."

"You mean the insane girl you brought with?! Does she know?!" Eir asked gently pushing the tip of her spear into the Orochi's neck.

"No obviously! She and I have no way of speaking but we both experienced the same thing. So it became a mutual alliance until I see a way out!" the Orochi answered.

"A way out?! I'll give you a way out!" Eir said furiously as she pushed her spear towards the Orochi neck.

The Orochi felt her pushing the spear and with the adrenaline rush kicking in he let himself fall on his back, then rolling to the side out of the way. The spear missed him as it went straight into the snow-covered ground. The Orochi used his leg to kick Eir's leg, forcing her on one knee. The Orochi jumped to his feet, and Eir pulled out her spear.

"Eir listen to me. You are being ignorant. You don't understand what you must do to survive." the Orochi said.

Eir reached for her shield and held up her guard. "I understand enough." Eir snapped.

"Do you? I told you that I did this to survive. I had to be sure that there is something I can use to make it through this. Who'd knew it would be you." the Orochi explained.

"I helped you. I even lied for you to my Jarl!" Eir said.

"Why? Why did you help me?" the Orochi asked.

"Because I saw a lot of my lover in you! He was kind to me, he helped me understand many things. I learned so much from him!" Eir said the anger raging through her voice.

"What I have I been doing to you all this time? I have only ever been nice to you. I'm helping you understand why I'm doing this. And I can help you understand much more." the Orochi said calmly.

"You did it all just to save yourself! That's different!" Eir said now conflicted by own her feelings when she thought about what he said.

"Think about it. I told you the truth, to understand. I have listened and heard your cries about the life you live. I was nice to you all the way about things. If you saw your lover in me from the start, can't you see him now more than ever?" the Orochi asked putting one foot before his other.

"I- I- how do I know you're not trying to use me now?" Eir asked confused how to feel.

"You can't. If you think I am lying then I will not stop you for what comes next. If you think I am telling the truth, then you will put your weapons down." the Orochi explained. "The choice is yours," he added.

Eir was confused, she wasn't sure what to think. He spoke of being like her lover as she spoke of him as but can't tell if he is trying to use her to cover up these harsh terrible lies to keep using her.

"I don't know what to do," Eir said feeling helpless.

"Eir. I have listened to you. Given my honest answer. I told you everything that I did was to survive. Why is that so wrong?" the Orochi asked stepping once closer to Eir.

"Because you pretended to care about how I felt. Try to expose my weak points in my feelings!" Eir answered harshly.

"And you know that for certain?" the Orochi asked taking another step closer without her realizing.

"You- I-" Eir was lost for words.

"I'll tell you this. I have listened to all that you have revealed about yourself. And the answer to your question is yes, I do care. I am truly sorry about what you went through. I understand what it was like to only be looked down upon and treated like cattle dung. I know what's it like to feel like your worth nothing to the people you are supposed to be special towards. I and you have a lot in common and I'm not denying that." the Orochi explained now standing close to Eir, one strike away from getting stabbed by her spear.

"You said we didn't," Eir said beginning to calm down.

"I said that to rile you up. Seeing I did more than that I apologize. I had to know how close you were." the Orochi said.

"What?!" Eir asked confusion on her face.

"You and I became close. You are treating me so nicely that I had to know how close you were getting. It seems it was close enough." the Orochi said then asked, "Tell me, how close did you think we got?"

"I thought we have gotten really close you and I," Eir said looking up into the Samurai's eyes.

"What is it you feel towards me?" the Orochi asked.

"I feel closer than we are right now…" Eir said slowly lowering her guard.

"You thought we were more than friends. You saw me like him for a moment, didn't you?" the Orochi pushed.

"I did. I thought we were getting close. I thought you were him for a moment and I proceeded to only think of you as a means to calm my nerves." Eir said hanging her head low.

"I am not who you think I am to you. I will never fill that empty spot in your heart and I will never be able to. Let him go." the Orochi said.

"I'm sorry. I let my feelings get the better of me." Eir said tears dropping out of her eyes.

"Losing those you care about is the hardest thing life has to take. I understand what that feels like. Eir, your lover is dead but not forgotten. His memory will always be alive with the people who cared about him most. Just don't let anything that resembles them control your feelings." the Orochi explained.

"I understand. I am sorry again. I just thought maybe something would happen." Eir said.

"Whatever it was you wanted to happen, it can't. Eir listen to me. We come from two different lands and if we did anything to jeopardize our current lives then we will be dead." the Orochi explained.

"The Jarl let you join the clan. He wouldn't do anything to us." Eir said sounding certain of her words.

"You are Vikings Eir! Why would your leader give me the option to join your clan if I am-" the Orochi suddenly paused. He felt something was off.

Eir was confused about why he stopped. "Wha-" she was immediately silenced by the hand of the Orochi covering her mouth.

The Orochi listened carefully through the gentle noises of nature, to search for a different sound. Eir heard nothing but the Orochi felt something was off. It became quiet suddenly around them. The wind was shaking the leaves on the trees and bushes, giving perfect cover for any suspicious noises they should be alert about. The Orochi carefully scanned around themselves, searching for anything that appeared misplaced. As he was scanning he saw something in the bushes move suddenly. Then suddenly an arrow came flying out towards the Orochi. Eir saw it too, quickly reaching over with her shield to cover the Orochi. The shield caught the arrow and Eir examined it. It had a style that only her clan made.

"My people are attacking us?!" Eir asked removing the Orochi hand from her mouth.

"Not you. ME!" the Orochi exclaimed as he ducks when another flies over his head.

"Why?" Eir asked.

"No time to figure that out. Run!" the Orochi said as he grabbed Eir's arm and pulled her up on her feet as he ran past.

Multiple arrows flew over them and landed near them almost hitting their target. Eir and the Orochi bobbed and weaved through the trees, trying to avoid being hit. Arrow after arrow they dodged. Eir looked back for a second but saw no one who could be shooting them.

"Keep going!" shouted the Orochi ahead of Eir.

They kept running as fast as they could. Eir not looking back as she tried to keep up with the Orochi. The Orochi saw she was unable to keep up with him when he looked back, and he also saw what appeared to be a small group of Vikings. Archer minions shooting arrows with a Raider leading the charge. The Raider shouted something which was a command for the minions to shoot more arrows as the number of arrows increased. The Orochi saw the arrows bunch up and went for Eir.

"Eir! Shield on your back!" the Orochi shouted.

Eir was quick to listen and put her shield on her back just in the nick of time as she felt the light impacts of multiple arrows hit her shield. Unfortunately, another arrow was shot and impaled her leg. The pain forced her to slide on her knees across the ground. The Orochi witnessed her get shot and stopped to turn back.

Eir saw him stop for her but she said, "Run!"

The Orochi had to make a choice here. Keep running until he loses the archers or risk being killed and try to save Eir. He dodged arrows while he thought about what to do but he was running out of time and distance. He looked down at Eir, his ears were on mute but he could make out what she was saying. Run. Just run.

It hurt him to do it but it seemed to be the only option. He looked down at Eir one last time. The look of pain and acceptance was written all over her face. He then turned back and continued running. He put all the stamina and strength he could muster into his legs and ran as fast as he could. I'm sorry Eir and thank you, he said in his head. He continued to use the trees to cover himself from airborne arrows being shot at him. Soon trees were becoming scarce for him to use. Which now left him vulnerable when they were suddenly nowhere around.

Another arrow flew by his head. They were beginning to close in on their aim. The Orochi would not let himself be a victim to a arrow today however and he will find out who sent the archers to attack them. All of a sudden the arrows stopped flying past him. Thinking he outran them he looked back over his shoulder. No archer or Raider could be seen anywhere. He sighed in relief until he was suddenly stopped and picked up off his feet. The wind was knocked out of him when he looked down to see himself being carried and then rammed straight into a tree. He then saw for a glimpse of a second it was the Raider before his knee was sent straight into his face. His vision was smacked with white for a moment and then blurry. He saw the outline of the Raider in front of him and just when his vision returned back to normal he saw the Raider's ax swing from the right direction towards his head.

The Orochi slid himself down, just dodging inches away from being decapitated. He rolled over on the ground when he saw the Raider swing down at him. He rolled until he knew he was out of the way, then crouched down. He got a good look at the Raider and was shocked when he realized it was the boy's father.

"Why did you attack us?!" the Orochi asked, expecting an answer.

The Raider did not understand the Orochi's words. He lifted his ax from the ground and spoke, "Þú munt deyja fyrir það sem þú hefur gert! Ég ætla að senda þér kaldasta pits helvítis!"

The Raider sounded angry but why? What has happened? The Orochi started to carefully step back to keep the distance from the Raider. "I wish I could understand you. Or you could understand me." said the Orochi calmly.

"Hann var bara strákur. Strákur! Ég vissi að þú Samurai óhreinindi væri ekkert annað en morðingjar!" exclaimed the Raider. He then swung at the Orochi extending his reach.

The Orochi luckily didn't need to move as he was able to gain safe distance from the Raider. They both kept moving back through the woods until they came to an opening with a cliff right behind the Orochi. The Raider kept pressuring the Orochi until he reached the edge. The Raider had the Orochi cornered. He would either die by his hand or by the fall of the cliff. The Raider swung his ax down at the Orochi. The Orochi however, dodged to the side then broke the Raiders guard.

"Please! Don't do this!" the Orochi begged in hopes he would somehow understand before he tossed the Raider back with his foot.

The Raider stumbled back but didn't fall. He held up his guard again, waiting for the perfect moment. The Raider then put a thumb to his own neck and ran it across like he was cutting it. The Orochi knew he wanted him dead but what was the reason for it. The Raider swung from his side at the Orochi this time, hoping he would either knock him off the cliff or kill him with his ax.

The Orochi accidentally leaned back instead of ducking and started leaning towards the edge. Almost catching himself the Raider caught him off guard and pushed him off with his hand. As the Orochi was forced back he reached out to the Raider to grab anything to stop him from falling. Unfortunately for the Raider the Orochi grabbed and held onto him by his long brown beard. The Orochi's weight pulled the Raider down with him towards the cliff. The Raider tried to fight back the weight and then tried to pull the Orochi's hand from gripping his beard. The Orochi didn't plan on letting go if he was going to die he would take the Raider down with him. They struggled for a bit until the Raider decided to use his ax to cut off his beard. He raised it to his chin at the start of his beard. The Orochi saw what he planned to do so if this was it, he wasn't planning on dying alone like this. He pulled himself up by the Raiders beard quickly, then letting himself fall and pull the Raider down with him. As they both began to fall over the cliff, the Orochi noticed something. In the corner of his eye, he saw someone just as they completely fell off.

It was Eir. She managed to make it all the way there, while injured, and see at the right moment the Orochi and the Raider fall off the cliff. She heard their screams echo all the way down until slowly disappeared into nothing. Eir gripped her leg which still had the arrow in it and made her way to the cliff's edge. Carefully looking over she saw nothing but the infinite green cover of the trees and straight below that, water. She looked down, searching for either of the two that fell but saw no one. Her only guess here was that the Orochi and Raider died from the fall. She gripped her leg again and needed to do what hurt more next. She grabbed the arrow towards the head. She steadied her breathing to calm herself. Then without preparation, she pulled the arrow out with one tug. But it didn't happen quietly as she felt a surge of pain again in her leg, but at least the arrow was out.

She collapsed against a small rock near the cliff and decided to rest there for a bit. That didn't last long as soon as she heard the sound of stretching bowstrings. She looked to her side where the noise had come from and saw a line of five archers aimed at her.

"Get up!" shouted an archer in her native language.

Eir forced herself up and was lead back to the village for questioning. How will she get out of this?

Bottom of the cliff….

The Orochi was unconscious, under the water at the bottom of the cliff's edge. Until he opened his eyes and immediately swam up to the surface. Once he reached the top he began coughing up all the water he had inhaled. Until it was all out he gasped for all the air he could take. He looked up from the beachhead from the lake when he heard a noise. He couldn't believe what he saw. What he heard was crows calling out but what got his attention most and shocked him was the Raider. He didn't fall in the water as he was dead on the ground. His leg broken, bent to the side, along with his arm too. The Orochi crawled over to the body of the Raider and flipped him over. He was certainly dead when the Orochi saw his face was broken and bashed in. The only sight of blood was seen on the Raider's nose, also bent out of shape, with a bit of his brain splattered on it too. A horrifying sight but not for the Orochi. Damage done like this wasn't new to him. He began searching through the Raiders pouches and pockets. Searching for anything useful. He found what appeared to be a handcrafted kunai. Larger than usual, but effective enough for any purpose the Orochi might need it for.

He put his finger in the hole and the rest wrapped around the white bandaged grip. He practiced a few hands to hand combat maneuvers with the kunai, getting the odd feel of the large knife projectile. Once he got the hang of it he hooked it onto his waist. He looked back down to the dead Raiders body. He wished this didn't happen but it happened entirely out of self-defense. Only, he was the only one who saw it that way. For the rest of the Vikings, it could be seen as an act of murder. Remembering this was the Viking who had given him respect before, he decided to return the favor.

"I wish it didn't come to this. May you find peace in death, warrior." the Orochi said then bowed standing beside the body. "Now, time to return back for Eir. If she is still alive," he said to himself.

Svengard….

Eir was brought back to the village and to her Jarl, Gudmundr. She was still badly wounded in her leg that no one patched up yet.

"Explain yourself Eir! Why did you assist the Samurai scum?!" Gudmundr asked grumpily.

"Scum?! We were both attacked! I defended myself and was injured in the process! Why were we hunted down by our own people?!" Eir asked brashly.

"Don't get snippy with me! You both know exactly why we were hunting you down!" Gudmundr snapped back.

"Do we?!" Eir retorted. Tilting her head as she frowned.

"By Odin's beard, yes! You two killed the boy that's been hanging around you and the Samurai!" Gudmundr shouted pointing to Eir.

"The boy?! We haven't seen him all morning! We couldn't have killed him nor would we want to!" Eir said defensively.

"Oh really? Then explain why his father found him outside the gates near you and the Samurai." Gudmundr said. "Where is the man anyway?" he added.

"He went down with the Samurai over the cliff. Dead. Both of them." Eir said saddened.

The room went quiet. The death of one of their own does not go by simply. Shocked and scared stiff, no one could say anything. But the Jarl must be strong for them and for others.

"That's… a shame," Gudmundr said uneasily. "He was a good warrior… a good man. May he serve well in Odin's hall." he added.

"My Jarl!" Eir shouted.

"What?!" Gudmundr asked calmly but upset in his tone.

"Why was the boy outside the gates in the first place?! We never brought him with us!" Eir said confused and nervous.

"We don't know and we can't now because of the boy's father wanting to immediately hunt you both down. Now that he is dead we can't figure out why or where this happened." Gudmundr explained annoyed over the situation.

The wife of the Raider was there listening and she burst into tears when hearing the news. Losing the man and the child you loved in one day was basically hell on earth.

"Why are we the first to blame?! We don't have any reason to murder a child!" Eir said in defense.

"Murderers and cowards don't need a reason to kill someone even as helpless as the boy was," said Gudmundr.

"We are not cowards!" Eir retorted angrily.

"Then do you have anything to back you up with what you say? Anyone who will vouch for you?" Gudmundr asked.

Eir thought for a moment who could help with this and remembered the gatekeeper. "The gatekeeper! He was the one who opened the gate for me and the Samurai. He will vouch for me!" Eir answered.

Gudmundr stroked his white braided beard then said, "Very well. Bring the gatekeeper here!" He then leaned forward in his chair, looking down on Eir and said, "You better hope he knows the truth."

"He does my Jarl. I put my life on it." Eir said.

Somewhere in the woods….(Early morning)

Apollyon with Holden, Stone, Mercy, the Warden, and other knights marched at the front of her army. They were following a trail that will lead them all the way to the gates of Svengard. From there they will use their giant eagle ram to break the gate down. The journey was long but they knew they were getting close as they soon traversed from the dark greener part of the woods into the cold snowy setting heading into the mountains.

Out of the blue, the Warden felt uneasy and rushed to the side of his War Lord. "Master, may we speak in private?" he asked.

Apollyon nodded and they walked to the side of the trail to get out of the way of her army.

"Master, why do we plan on attacking this place? What do we hope to gain from here?" the Warden asked uneasily.

"This place is where they store months of hard farm work. Not just for themselves but to share amongst their neighboring clans. We leave enough for maybe one or two clans, they'll kill each other for it." Apollyon said softly.

"What good would that do for us?" asked the Warden.

"For us? Nothing. We would be doing them a great favor." Apollyon answers.

"A favor?" asks the Warden.

"Yes. You see, at night they stab each other in their sleep. So it's only right we set them free and show them who they really are, savages." Apollyon answers.

"They are just people though. They work hard and give a fair share to their neighboring clan for what food they earned. Is that really wrong?" the Warden asked.

"They lie to themselves and live like they are people of peace and unity. That is where we will help them and show them how they were meant to live." Apollyon answered aggressively, shaking her fist which was holding her sword.

"I don't think I understand master." said the Warden.

Apollyon saw he was confused, he was still pretty new so she couldn't blame him for not understanding. She stops them both by putting her free hand on his shoulder and says, "Do not try to understand what we are here to do. Just know we will be doing the world a favor. Like us and the rest, they will all see who they really are. If you were going to ask me what is our goal in all of this, I have already given you that answer."

"Ok…" the Warden said still not entirely understanding the point she was trying to make.

"Alright then. Now let us return to the front. We are almost there." Apollyon said and proceed to catch back up to the front of the marching.

Leaving the Warden alone now he came to a conclusion. Apollyon is somehow brainwashing everyone with her words. The Warden knows nothing of the old order but knows the oath they keep. We are the guardians of our people. We stand strong against all invaders. Duty is our shield, order: our weapon. When we defend the weak, we are… immortal. The oath wasn't just for him, everyone took the oath. Holden, Mercy, Stone, Amada, and Bonifaas. But did Apollyon pledge herself to the oath? Does she even know what an oath is to the knights? What does it mean to fight for peace and defend the weak? He's seen enough to know she is no knight. She is a monster and will only seek out blood to sooth that sinful hunger. He knew he must take action and fast. It was either with or without Mercy now. When the moment arrives he will ask one more time for her to come with. If she does not he will travel alone, to end her rule.

Apollyon finally reaches the front of her marching army. She joins back with everyone and takes a good look of the area. She then raises her fist, signaling everyone to halt. The army obeyed and awaited further commands.

Holden felt something was off when she had them stop and approached her right side asking, "Why have we stopped? Do you feel like this is a trap? An ambush?"

"No. I know where we are. We are close to the fortress." Apollyon answers calmly lowering her fist.

"Then should we send Mercy to scout ahead?" Holden asks gesturing to Mercy behind them.

Apollyon looks back to Mercy. She was at first skeptical with it but then had a better idea. "Yes, but she is going to need someone to watch her back after all," Apollyon said with a sinister grin forming underneath her helmet.

"I shall join-" Holden was cut off.

"No! I shall go with her." Apollyon said cutting off Holden. "Come along Mercy. We shall scout ahead and deal with anything that comes up along the way," she added.

Mercy looked to Holden when she heard that she would join her. Holden shrugged his shoulders when he saw her give him a look. She couldn't defy what her master wanted so she kept her thoughts to herself and obeyed. Mercy followed Apollyon since she didn't want to rush off without her being scolded or worse. As they cut through some bushes Apollyon had suggested her to go with her only for one reason. To taunt her.

"So Mercy? How are dealing with the fact that your friend's cunt is being used for pleasuring my men?" Apollyon asked as her sinister grin turned into a pleased smile. "It must be rage inducing to know that you can't do anything about it." she added.

Mercy was getting mad as she heard her master ran her mouth. She didn't know the pain it puts her through everytime she does hear it. So many times she wanted to kill Apollyon where she slept or stood, with no hesitations or regrets. Even if she managed to get one stab on her, it would please her to know she was fast enough to outmatch Apollyon for a second. She'd die satisfied but not happy unless Apollyon died. For now, she must pretend she doesn't care anymore. "Amada is not my concern anymore Master." Mercy lied.

"Oh, and why is that?" Apollyon asked sarcastically sounding surprised.

"She was weak in the decision making. I would have gladly died knowing that she would have been strong enough to make a hard decision but she instead hesitated and showed us all how cowardly she is. She can be used for whatever you see fit." Mercy explained.

Apollyon stopped suddenly after hearing what then really surprised her. "You… actually stopped caring?" Apollyon looked behind to Mercy really surprised.

"Does that surprise you Master?" Mercy asked as plain as she could.

Apollyon scoffed then looked back as they continued on. They then suddenly come to a small circular opening of the bushes covered by the trees. They both stopped in the middle.

"The fortress is up ahead. Go and scout out the walls. Gather any information that will be useful here." Apollyon commanded pointing in the direction of the fortress.

Mercy wasted no time and sneakily took off, disappearing into the bushes. Apollyon knelt down and was going to wait for her return. While Apollyon waited, she took out her sword and decided to sharpen the long straight edge's. Like some insane person, instead of using a sharpening stone, she used her armored knuckles to sharpen the edges of her sword. As time shortly past, Apollyon finished sharpening her sword. She stroked the edge of her long sword one last time then stopped. Sheathing it she then heard a noise coming from her left side. She calmly looked to her left to the bushes that were rustling around. Then she saw someone unexpectedly come backing out from the bushes.

A small young boy.

Author's notes: CLIFFHANGER! All will be revealed in the next chapter.