The Specter of War

Chapter 1: A Drowning Cry

[𝑱𝒖𝒏𝒆 26, 2050]

------ { 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛 } ------

Deep within the vast woodland, another day ends as the burning star melts into the horizon. Its soft glow and warmth fade from a once peaceful atmosphere, leaving us alone to endure the darkness of frigid nightfall.

I stand together with my brothers and sister: Levi, Javier, and Jackie. They accompany me out here with the harsh winds, and as the sky dies out, so too does the bleeding Anthro.

"Pathetic..." I think, glaring at the remaining survivor.

The canine rests on his knees with a face beyond repair, his trickling blood running down his ragged fur and off to tarnish the grass below. Though animalistic in appearance, the fact that these things act and almost look like us makes me sick.

UFN Wolf: "Aargh..." he groans.

Defeated, the Fur soldier looks up at Levi with all the courage he can muster left, breathing sparingly in his wounded state.

I huff, looking beyond to see the ocean of Anthro bodies we left behind — decorating the forest with their soon-rotting carcasses.

Mason: "Don't go thinking this is an honorable death Anthro... I'd hardly call what you did a fight." I smirk, earning a snarl from the wolf.

UFN Wolf: "Fuck you man-filth!—"

*PUNCH*

Levi: "We didn't ask you to speak, bitch!" he strikes him down, kicking the wounded dog in the stomach.

I smile as he coughs viciously from Levi's kick, choking up a bit of blood as he struggles to rise to his knees once more. With scornful eyes, his gaze wanders to each of us — a scowl plastered on his face.

UFN Wolf: "Go on and get it over with already..., damn Nomad cowards!" he growls, heaving red spit before us.

Levi glances back at me, his finger caressing the trigger of his gun — no doubt awaiting my command.

Before I give out the order, however, I turn to the young archer standing beside me.

She holds a compound bow in hand, steadily watching the Fur as we are. Yet, unlike us, the girl trembles where she stands, restless in the grip of her weapon. Despite the brave act, I can sense her fear.

Mason: "Jackie." I call out, making her jump.

Jackie: "Y-Yeah, Mason?" her blue eyes stare into mine — a gaze beaming with faith.

My initial thought drifts away as I pause, hesitant to tell her such a thing.

She's only fourteen— marking her as the youngest and only girl in our company. Though I'd prefer to hide such things from her, the life we live spares no mercy in this regard. You either prevail or die trying.

Besides, there are far worse fates than this.

Mason: "Don't look away." I simply tell her.

Jackie nods, reluctant but understanding as she fixes her gaze on the UFN soldier.

I then motion towards Levi, and with a smirk, he places the barrel of his rifle between the Anthro's eyes.