Kitsune of the Blue Sun

Side Chapter 4- Side: Falheim-Rebels

Location: Falheim-Main base of the rebels

[Emma POV]

We had just returned to base after another successful skirmish with the mongrels that rule the country.  We managed to reduce their numbers by a somewhat significant margin in this part of the country, so now it’s basically liberated from their tyranny.  I sat down on my bunk and let out a long, tired breath.

“Good job today, Emma” (Sigurd)

“Same to you, Sigurd.  You did great, defeating the commander like that.  Very heroic looking.” (Emma)

“Please stop with that, I’m no hero.” (Sigurd)

I rolled my eyes at his statement.  We both came a long way from where we started.  In all these years since everything happened, I had become a proficient warrior, though I didn’t hold a candle to Sigurd.

“I don’t know any normal person that can take on four people at one time without breaking a sweat like you can, not to mention that any battlefield that has you on it, our forces have their morale raised to near max in an instant.  Well, unless the Commander is there.” (Emma)

“That still doesn’t make me a hero.” (Sigurd)

He sat down on his own bunk and started to clean his armor.

“Besides, I never liked the heroes in the stories.  They always felt…empty to me.  I’d much rather be just a normal soldier.” (Sigurd)

“Fair enough.” (Emma)

“Are you not going to work on your armor?” (Sigurd)

“Not with you in here.  I’m an unmarried woman after all.” (Emma)

“…” (Sigurd)

“Don’t say a word.” (Emma)

“I wasn’t going to say anything.” (Sigurd)

I rolled my eyes again.

“Sigurd, what do you think the young miss is up to?” (Emma)

“Well, I HOPE she is fine and living a life away from fighting like we are.  She deserves way more than that.” (Sigurd)

“While I agree, I feel like she’d laugh in your face for thinking she’d just sit on the sidelines instead of going out into the world and adventuring.  I know I would if I got out of this damn country.” (Emma)

“Hahaha.  I guess you’re right.  She was always more of the action seeking type of person, at least around us.” (Sigurd)

“Yep.  And if I’m being completely honest, I feel like we’re going to see her again soon.  I don’t know why, though.” (Emma)

“So, it wasn’t just me?  That’s good to know.” (Sigurd)

I was just about to say something when more of our squad mates entered our bunk room.

“Good job today, Sigurd!”

“You as well, Miss Emma.”

“A-are we interrupting something?”

“For the last time, we’re not together!” (Sigurd)

“We dated for one month!  We didn’t click, so we’re just friends, how many times do I have to tell you that, Selkie!?” (Emma)

“When did you ever tell me that?” (Selkie)

“At least once last week.” (Emma)

“Oh.” (Selkie)

“Don’t listen to her, Emma, she’s just acting dumb so you talk to her more.”

“NO I’M NOT!” (Selkie)

“Gahahaha!  And Sigurd, you should really stop denying the Commander’s request to become a general, you were really good today.”

“Why do all of you always say that?  I just want to be a soldier, I’m not made for that kind of role.” (Sigurd)

“Yeah, and I’m a god’s Apostle.  If anyone is capable of being a general or even better, a commander, it’s you.”

Sigurd was about to reply in denial when someone knocked on the doorframe.

“Sir Sigurd, Lady Emma, Commander Freyr has requested you and your squad’s presence in the command room.”

We all immediately stopped what we were doing and left the room.  We quickly made our way to the command room and, when we arrived, were immediately ushered inside.  Standing behind a table with a map laid over it and held in place with knives in the corners was the Commander.

He was tall and had a neatly trimmed black beard with a few grey streaks here and there.  His steel-colored eyes looking over the map as the stern expression on his face gave the impression, he was about to flip the table in rage.  When the door shut behind us, he glanced up at us before turning his attention back to the map.  Also, in the room was the former third prince, Bjorn.

“Sigurd, Emma, the rest of Dragon Squad, good work on your mission today.  With the city of Falk liberated, we have taken out most of the enemy forces in the western part of the country.” (Freyr)

“Yes, now all that’s left before we have complete control is the border forts.” (Bjorn)

“My prince, patience.” (Freyr)

“Sorry, I got ahead of myself.” (Bjorn)

“Not completely, but I need to explain things to them first.  Now, Dragon Squad, like Prince Bjorn said, all that’s left for us to take are the three border forts before we have fully liberated the western part of the country.  Doing so will be our next major operation, but we need to divert attention from them so that mongrel Ivaldi doesn’t figure out when we’re going to try and take them.  That will be the job for us, meanwhile I want you and the rest of your squad to prepare for that operation.  I will be assigning this operation to three squads.  You will be in charge of taking the middle fort, same parameters as usual, spare any that surrender, kill the ones that don’t.” (Freyr)

“Any other objectives?” (Sigurd)

“If you can, try to secure them as discretely as possible.  From my time as knight commander, there were special tools there that could send messages to the castle directly, we need to make sure that they don’t alert the capital.” (Freyr)

“What about a time frame?” (Emma)

“Preferably in the next six months, but it NEEDS to be done before the end of the year.  Our spies say Lucius has been becoming more unhinged in his delirium and is getting more and more impatient.  He may take the field soon, and when he does, I’m going to need everyone with me if we’re going to have any chance at defeating him.” (Freyr)

“Is the Fafnir Duke that powerful?” (Selkie)

“He’s on par with Commander Freyr in skill, but the biggest danger he poses is his Soul Weapon.  It’s called the Dragon’s Hoard and it has the ability to spawn copies of itself almost infinitely.” (Bjorn)

“Not infinitely, the copies will disappear when he runs out of mana, but he’s a master at managing it, so it feels infinite.  Anyway, he can use those copies like he’s wielding them himself, so it’s like he’s a one-man army.  I’ll repeat this, if he ever takes the field, I NEED all of you with me if we’re going to have a chance at winning.  We’ve been truly blessed that he’s been recovering so slowly and locking himself away in the castle library looking for whatever.” (Freyr)

“So, in all, at some point in the next six months, we need to take the border forts, fully liberating the western part of the country, then once those are fully under our control, we need to regroup with the main army?” (Emma)

“Yes.  If we can get control of the border forts, then we can send word to the outside and request for aide if we need it.” (Bjorn)

“Yes, we may be winning for now, but the supplies we get from the ones we’ve liberated so far are starting to be consumed faster than we can replenish them.  If we don’t either finish this war before the end of the year, or get help from the outside, then I’m afraid we’ll starve before we accomplish our goals.  Oh, and Sigurd, this will also be a test for you.  I know you don’t want it, but I NEED you to become a general.  Save your complaints for after the war, but with you in command of some squads, it’ll raise morale even more.  IF we survive, I’ll even let you beat me up for forcing that position onto you after the war is over.” (Freyr)

Me and the rest of our squad all started grinning at this news.  We all knew this was inevitable, though Sigurd was in denial about it.  Glancing over at his expression, I could tell he wasn’t happy about it, but he begrudgingly accepted.

“Fine…if it’s an order, I can’t turn it down.  But I want you to know that I’ll hold you to your word for WHEN we survive.” (Sigurd)

“Hahaha!  That’s the spirit, lad.  Now, dismissed!” (Freyr)

We all saluted and left the room.  Once the heavy door shut behind us, we all gathered closer to Sigurd and started to nudge him exaggeratedly.

“Well, general, what’s our orders?  Do we start preparing immediately, or something else?” (Emma)

“Yeah, boss!  We gonna surprise the Commander and bust right into those forts before the other two squads get the run down?  Really show off what we can do?”

“First order of business is go and get some rest after finishing your armor’s maintenance.  We have a long time to get this done, and we just got back from our last operation.  We can’t get things done right if we’re exhausted.  And stop calling me general, I’m not one yet!” (Sigurd)

That got the rest of us laughing as we made it back to our bunk room.

Chaos Realm:

Keeno: Well, I’m glad Emma and Sigurd are doing well.

Amaterasu: Guess you also have an idea on when you want to get to Falheim.

Keeno: Yep.  Though I wasn’t expecting that info about that mongrel to pop up.  Is he really that strong?

You need to remember, Keeno, the ones in Falheim are running on information that is only true there.  You alone are on par with Sigurd’s entire squad, in the combat strength department.  Add your magic on top and you can probably take on all three of those forts and take them by the end of the day.

Keeno: Eh?

Amaterasu: Speaking of, Keeno, you need to start working on training again.  You’ve coasted on barely doing anything for a while now, but you need to keep improving.  I know you have been keeping up with the control training, but you need to up it some more else it starts to not do anything.

Keeno: So, what should I do?

Amaterasu: Hmm. I guess start really working on your Death and Solar spells that you said you wanted to work on.  That should get you some good progress.

Also, ask Freya to spar with you from time to time.  You can’t neglect your physical training for pure magic.

Amaterasu: That’s a good idea.

Oh, and one more tip for you, Keeno.  Before you start your Death compression training, work with Solar first.  Pram will be able to heal anything that happens with that, and it may make it a bit easier considering…no, that’s too much information.

Keeno: *tilts head in confusion* Alright.