IMMORTAL: Death as a Blessing

5. The silence

The wind whispered through the barren landscape, its chill biting into the skin of the riders as they pressed forward. Two hours had passed since Squad 13 left the familiar land of Eldoria, and with each step, the silence weighed heavier on them. The only sound that echoed across the desolate terrain was the steady, rhythmic plodding of their horses' hooves. What had once been swift and determined gallops had slowed to a weary walk, the animals clearly exhausted from the long journey.

Commander Elara, riding at the front, observed the quiet around her. She could feel the unease hanging over the group, but she chose not to say anything. She knew the weight of the mission was settling in, and in moments like these, silence had its place. It allowed each soldier to confront their fears, face the reality of what lay ahead. Beside her, Kiera rode in silence as well, her eyes scanning the horizon.

The terrain had changed drastically since they had left the fertile lands of Eldoria. Now, they were surrounded by rough, craggy stones, scattered boulders, and patches of snow that blanketed the ground like a cold shroud. In the distance, the only sign of life was a solitary tree standing tall against the harshness of the landscape, with a small pool of water glistening near its roots. It seemed out of place-an anomaly in a place where nothing else seemed to thrive.

Elara gently pulled on the reins of her horse, guiding the squad toward the tree. Kiera noticed the change in direction, but said nothing. She knew where Elara was leading them and trusted her instinct. The squad followed in silence, their tired bodies swaying with the movements of their horses as they made their way toward the strange, solitary tree.

When they reached the base of the tree, Elara raised her hand, signaling the group to halt. "Halt here," she commanded, her voice cutting through the stillness. The soldiers obeyed instantly, pulling their horses to a stop.

Kiera turned in her saddle, addressing the squad. "Release your horses. Let them rest for a while," she said. There was no need for further instruction. The soldiers immediately dismounted, unfastening the reins and saddles, letting the horses roam freely toward the small pool of water. The relief was visible in the animals' movements as they eagerly lapped at the cool water, enjoying the brief freedom from their burdens.

The squad members, on the other hand, settled onto the ground in silence. Some leaned against the boulders, while others sat cross-legged, their bodies stiff and fatigued. The silence was thick-unnerving in its persistence.

Elara and Kiera stood off to the side, their eyes surveying the squad before them. Elara's sharp gaze lingered on each soldier, noting the weariness etched into their faces. But beyond that, she could sense something deeper. Fear. Doubt. It clung to them like the cold air that surrounded them, tightening its grip with every passing moment.

Elara took a breath, steeling herself. She knew what needed to be done. "Listen, everyone," she called out, her voice calm but commanding. The soldiers looked up at her, their attention fully on their commander now. "I've noticed the silence among you all. And I'm not surprised." She paused, letting her words sink in. "You're not quiet because of fear of the battle, nor is it the mission that troubles you."

Her eyes swept across the group, locking onto each pair of eyes that met hers. "You're quiet because you're afraid of yourselves," she said firmly. "You think you're weak, that you're not strong enough to face what's ahead. But you're wrong."

The wind blew softly around them, but no one moved. Elara continued, her voice growing more intense. "Look around you. What do you see? Stones. Boulders. Sand. This place is barren, lifeless. Yet there is one thing here that defies all odds." She gestured to the tree behind her, its branches reaching out against the bleak sky. "This tree shouldn't be here, in a place like this. It has no reason to thrive, no right to survive. And yet, it's standing tall, green, and strong. It found a way to live despite everything working against it."