𝕊𝕥𝕦𝕔𝕜 𝕀𝕟 𝕒𝕟 𝔼𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕪

I

Violence, Blood, Death

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You stared at the muddy black liquid swirling in your ceramic mug clasped tightly in your hands, the white foam bubbling to the surface. You could hardly see yourself in it, but your mind was far from reality anyways.

It was stuck in the past like usual, silencing the world around you, making you all but numb to your surroundings. Reliving experiences, conversations, that one fateful moment that changed your life forever. Literally.

210 BC.

You had raised your sword, blocking the enemies spear successfully before stabbing his wooden shield and jerking it away, leaving him vulnerable. Before he could think more about it, you had tripped him and gripped the shaft of his spear, stabbing him through the heart.

Just as his body fell, another armored man came, barreling towards you at full force. With every man that fell, ten more seemed to step in his place. Soon you were back to back with one of your own men, pressing up against each other for support or to gain your balance as the intruders continued to push on, but he eventually disappeared too.

With a burst of adrenaline, you swung your sword skillfully, taking out anyone who got in your way that didn't wear your people's colors. With each second that passed, more men on both sides fell, but there was someone that didn't belong.

A tall, lean man in royal blue robes, straps and ropes holding jars and spices to his figure. His face was obscured by a large hood, casting a shadow over his features. His eyes were set on one of the few of your men that still stood. But you were hardly paying attention.

Letting out a battle cry, you charged at the oncoming group of Greeks, both hands wrapped firmly around the hilt of your weapon. You swing and stab and dodge and deflect, taking out each man one at a time. Finally you were one on one with the largest man of their army, blades clashing and ringing in the dusty air. You dug your heels in the dirt to gain some ground, your arms flexing with the effort to stand against this warrior, but to no avail. He shoved you back, sending you stumbling over yourself and the various debris that littered the battle ground.

Time slowed down.

The collisions of blades and bodies barely audible.

Battle cries of pain and anger echoing off the canyon walls.

The reverberating sound of an arrow being released in the air, the string of the bow bouncing.

Your arms flailed, your sword clattered to the ground, your body fell back with no feeling of actually being there. Your clothes rustled with the hostile breeze around you, your feet scuffing against the sharp rocks of the field as a silent scream ripped through your throat.

You turned your head to avoid an oncoming blow, a sharp line of blood appearing on your cheek. As you looked to your side, you saw the strange man that didn't fit. He had his hand outstretched, a shimmering burst of bright green fire coming straight at you. Your e/c eyes widened, but it was already too late.

Then everything went too fast.

Your body crashed into the ground, your helmet banging against your skull. A white burst of light flashed in your vision, stars dancing you to the edge of unconsciousness. A burning pain hit your side, engulfing you, flowing through your veins and setting your insides on fire.

You screamed.

A guttural roar that only worsened the pain. Tears blurred your vision as your writhed around, a figure stood over you, but you squeezed your eyes shut trying to will away the pain. You prayed to every God you knew that you could just die. It would be honorable, a warriors death. You just wished it would be less painful.