IMMORTAL: Death as a Blessing

1. Great warriors

In the bustling market of Eldoria, two little boys with tattered clothes and dirt-smudged skin raced joyfully down the cobblestone streets, their laughter echoing through the air. Their hearts were filled with unrestrained happiness as they dashed past colorful stalls overflowing with fresh produce and vibrant trinkets. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the busy marketplace.

Suddenly, a voice pierced the lively atmosphere. "The great warrior of Eldoria, Sir Kaelan, is coming!"

As if a spell had been cast, the market fell silent. Merchants froze mid-transaction, and shoppers hurriedly moved to the corners, bowing their heads to the ground in reverence. All except for the two boys, who continued to run, oblivious to the sudden shift in energy around them.

The one in front, Kael, turned back to his friend, Arin, grinning widely. "Did you hear that? They think we're going to die!" he shouted, his laughter ringing out like a bell.

Arin, trailing behind, couldn't help but join in the mirth. "Yeah! Maybe we should take cover!" he replied, mimicking exaggerated diving motions as they both collapsed onto the cobblestones, giggling uncontrollably.

The market spectators whispered in shock. "Who are these kids? Are they planning to die?" one merchant gasped. "Someone please stop them!" cried another. "God, please save them!"

Just then, the thundering sound of hooves echoed through the square as a figure on horseback approached. Sir Kaelan, the renowned warrior of Eldoria, rode into view, surrounded by a contingent of soldiers acting as his guards. As they saw the two boys still sprawled on the ground, one soldier shouted, "Move! I said move! Are you deaf? Can't you hear me?"

Kael and Arin looked up, wide-eyed, their earlier laughter replaced by confusion. "Whaaaa! What's happening here?" they exclaimed in unison, their voices ringing out once more.

"Hey, kids! Get out of the way!" a gruff voice barked from the soldiers. But instead of moving aside, the boys turned to face the approaching horseman.

"Look at that man!" Arin whispered, his eyes wide with admiration. "He looks strong and brave!"

Another soldier charged toward them, ready to force the boys to step aside. But just then, Sir Kaelan raised a hand. "Leave them be; they're just kids," he commanded, dismounting his horse gracefully.

As he approached, his imposing figure loomed over them, yet his expression softened into a warm smile. "What are your names, little ones?" he asked, crouching down to their level.

Kael stammered, "I-I'm Kael," while Arin quickly chimed in, "And I'm Arin!"

Sir Kaelan smiled. "One day, you two will surpass me as great warriors."

Kael and Arin stood in awe, their faces flushed with shyness as they gazed up at the great warrior, their hearts racing with excitement.

Suddenly, Kael felt a splash of cold water hit his face. He jolted awake, blinking rapidly as he realized he was soaked. Arin stood before him with a mischievous grin, holding an empty bucket.

"Finally, you're awake!" Arin said, his voice full of playful amusement. "Ready for training?"

Kael groaned and wiped the water from his face. "That dream again..." he muttered. The memory of their childhood encounter with Sir Kaelan had never left him, a lingering echo of the aspirations they once held.

Now, at twenty-five, both Kael and Arin were far from the carefree boys they once were. They had grown into strong men, their bodies honed by years of training and battle. Their reputation as fierce fighters had earned them respect-and fear-from those around them. But despite their imposing appearance, they were still low-ranking soldiers in Squad 13, part of Eldoria's secret military forces.

Squad 13 was one of fifteen covert units within Eldoria's elite military. These squads operated in the shadows, tasked with dangerous missions that regular soldiers couldn't handle. Each squad consisted of six members: one leader, one scholar, and four soldiers. Their operations were shrouded in secrecy, ranging from assassinations to intelligence gathering, far from the glory of open battlefields.

Kael shook off the remnants of sleep and dragged himself out of bed. "Alright, let's get going," he said, trying to push the dream from his mind.

The training grounds were already alive with activity. Their leader, Kiera, a seasoned warrior with a no-nonsense attitude, was barking orders as the squad prepared for the day's exercises. Fen, their squad's scholar, sat nearby, pouring over maps and intelligence reports.

Kael and Arin joined their comrades, falling into their usual rhythm of drills and sparring. The day was grueling, as always. Kael found himself struggling more than usual, his limbs heavy and uncooperative. Arin, ever the quicker learner, managed to stay ahead, teasing Kael whenever he faltered.

"Come on, Kael! You're moving slower than an old man!" Arin called out with a laugh as Kael took a particularly hard hit and fell to the ground.

"Shut up, Arin," Kael grumbled, panting heavily. But even as he wiped the sweat from his brow, he couldn't help but chuckle. Arin's lightheartedness always had a way of cutting through the tension.

As the day wore on, Kael's exhaustion became harder to ignore. His muscles screamed in protest, and his movements grew sluggish. When the training session finally came to an end, Kael collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily.

Kiera, noticing the squad's fatigue, signaled for them to form up. "Alright, listen up!" she called out, her voice sharp and commanding. "We've got a new mission."

Groans erupted from the squad. Jarin, one of their comrades, sighed loudly. "Not another one..."

The squad mumbled in agreement, except for Kael, whose exhaustion vanished in an instant. He stood up straight, feeling a spark of excitement ignite within him. Missions were the only thing that made him feel alive these days.

Once everyone had lined up, Kiera's expression turned serious. "This is an assassination mission," she said, her tone grave. "We've been tasked with killing
King Haldric of Valoria."

A stunned silence fell over the squad.

"What?!" Arin blurted out. "That's an A-class mission!"

Fen, their scholar, nodded solemnly. "We've been summoned for a briefing tomorrow. The king himself, along with Commander Voren, will be there to give us the details."

Jarin raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "The king is coming? And the commander too?"

Another squad member, Talia, whispered under her breath, "This must be serious if the king is personally involved."

Kael's excitement was palpable. He turned to Arin, eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Do you hear that, Arin? This is our chance! If we pull this off, we'll be heroes of Eldoria!"

But Arin's face was pale, his usual confidence replaced with worry. "Heroes?" he muttered, shaking his head. "More like dead men walking. This sounds like a suicide mission, Kael."

Kael waved off Arin's concerns, the thrill of the moment too much to ignore. "Come on, Arin! This is what we've been waiting for. We'll be remembered for this."

Arin sighed but said nothing more. The unease in his eyes was unmistakable.

Kiera's voice cut through their conversation once more. "Rest up. Tomorrow's briefing is critical. We need to be at our best."

As the squad dispersed, Kael couldn't shake the excitement buzzing inside him. Tomorrow, they will meet the king. Tomorrow, they will learn their fate.

And for the first time in a long while, Kael felt like he was standing on the edge of something great.

To be continued...