System, are you messing with me?

Ark 2 - downfall

Shu Ning carefully got up from his position on the ground and slowly turned his upper body first to the right and then to the left. A relieved smile spread over his face, when the injuries on his back only throbbed a little bit and a quick glance towards his silent companion showed that the Man felt the same.  

Eventhough it was only one hour of well needed rest for the general and Shu Ning, it seemed to have done wonders for their exhausted muscles and many cuts. Even the bruises have lightened to a pale yellow. But they both knew that they couldn't continue to waste time by waiting for all their injuries to heal. Their comrads needed them on the battlefield as quickly as possible as they were still out there fighting for their lives and that without their strongest fighters present.

So without further ado Shu Ning helped his fiance gather up the rest of their things and walked over to the entrance of the cave.

"Well, i'm ready to go. My back has stopped hurting and my legs don't feel like jelly anymore."

"hm. In a second. I'll contact the fifth general to see what is going on over there first."

"...You think, that they are still alive then?"

Shu Ning lowered his head to hide the obvious sadness lurking inside of his eyes. 

It was hard to stay hopefull of the survival of their own squad, when it was just moments before that they were slaughtered one by one. Especially without knowing if help was on the way. Thinking of all the comrads they have already lost made horrifying scenarios of mutilated soldiers started to play inside of Shu Ning's mind. It went so far that he could almost smell the red blood seeping into the dry and sandy ground and hear the agonized screeming of dying people reverberated in the silent cave.

Thankfully before the desolate feeling could settle completely inside of his heart, the reassuring voice of Sun Zhilong broke through his straying thoughts.

"Yang Quan. You have to believe in them. The fifth general is no one to triffle with. He probably found a way to call for backup by now. They will be fine."

"If you say so. Alright. I'll believe you. So let's not waste anymore time and join them already."

A soft fondness glimmered in the dark eyes of the General when the sadness finally wanished from Shu Ning's face to be replaced by a determined grin. With a deep chuckle Sun Zhilong digged out the comunication device from his pocket to send a quick message to his rival.

3G: Report. A soldier and myself were sepperated from the rest of the frontline fighters. We are ready to joyn the fray again but need the coordinates. 

(A/N: 3G means third General)

Just when the General wanted to put away the device again, as it was unlikely that he would receive an answer anytime soon, an almost silent ping sounded from it. With a raised eyebrows due to his surprise, he opened the incoming message and started reading it aloud for Shu Ning to hear.

5G: And I was already wondering where you two lovebirds dissapeared to in the middle of a fight. Was your boy toy too scared of death that you had to go and cuddle him or what? You even left your own people behind to be killed. What a General you are. While you probably fucked that scaredy cat into the ground, help finally arrived and we were able to push the Sphinx back. All of the participating soldiers are now on their way to the middle of the Sphinx nest to destroy their lair. Come at once.

3G: We did not flee the battle out of fear. The Sphinx surrounded the two of us and lead us away from the others. Yan Quan got injured protecting me and I had to treat his inruies first. We wouldn't have been any help otherwise. We'll meet up with you as soon as we can.