The first rays of dawn crept over the horizon, casting long shadows over the encampment. The cold night had finally given way to a crisp morning, but the chill of impending battle still clung to the air. Warriors moved like clockwork, some sharpening weapons, others adjusting armor, while a few whispered quiet prayers to unseen gods. Today, they would march into the heart of war, and for many, it would be their last sunrise.
At the center of the camp, Izuku Midoriya stood tall, his emerald-green eyes scanning the faces of those who would follow him into battle. These were not just soldiers; they were comrades, friends, and for some, family. His heart pounded, but his resolve remained unshaken.
"Gather around," he called, his voice steady yet powerful. The warriors halted their preparations and turned to him, their expressions a mixture of grim determination and nervous anticipation.
"Today, we do not fight for glory," Izuku began, his voice carrying through the cold morning air. "We do not fight for conquest or riches. We fight for something greater. We fight for our people, for those who cannot raise their own swords. We fight because we must."
A murmur of agreement spread through the assembled warriors. Some exchanged glances, drawing strength from each other.
"The enemy underestimates us. They believe our numbers too small, our forces too weak," he continued, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. "But they forget one thing: we are not just warriors. We are a family. And today, we will show them the strength of those who fight not for themselves, but for each other."
A loud cheer erupted from the gathered troops, their spirits lifted. Izuku nodded, satisfied that he had given them the resolve they needed.
Moments Before the March
Izuku moved through the camp, ensuring every last detail had been accounted for. His strategist, Kael, stood hunched over a makeshift table, analyzing the battle map for the hundredth time.
"Everything is in place," Kael reported, glancing up from his work. "The scouts have confirmed enemy movement near the ridge. If we move quickly, we can take them by surprise before they reinforce their lines."
Izuku nodded. "Then we stick to the plan. No deviations."
"Understood," Kael said, adjusting his glasses before returning his focus to the map.
As Izuku turned away, he spotted Aria standing near the edge of the camp, her silver hair shimmering in the early light. She stared out toward the battlefield beyond, gripping the hilt of her sword with white-knuckled intensity.
He approached her, footsteps quiet against the damp earth. "Aria," he called gently.
She didn't turn but spoke nonetheless. "Are you afraid?"
He considered his answer carefully. "Yes."
Finally, she looked at him, her piercing gaze searching his face for any sign of falsehood. "Me too," she admitted. "But it's not death I fear. It's losing you."
Izuku felt his heart tighten at her words. "You won't lose me."
Aria gave a sad smile. "You can't promise that."
"No, but I can promise this—I will fight with everything I have. And I will come back to you."
Her shoulders relaxed slightly, though the worry in her eyes remained. "You're too stubborn for your own good."
He chuckled. "And you wouldn't have me any other way."
A soft huff escaped her, and before he could react, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a fierce embrace. "Just... come back," she whispered.
He returned the embrace, holding her as if the world depended on it. "I will."
For a moment, there was no war. No battle awaiting them beyond the hills. Just the warmth of each other and the steady beat of their hearts.
The Night Before Battle
As the sun set, the campfires flickered to life, casting long shadows across the tents. Some warriors sat in quiet reflection, others laughed and shared stories to distract from the impending bloodshed.
Izuku sat beside Kael, watching as Aria cleaned her sword with methodical precision. Nearby, a few soldiers argued over a game of dice.
"Alright, let's go over the plan one last time," Kael said, pushing his glasses up. "The enemy expects us to charge head-on. Instead, we'll lure them into the canyon, forcing them into a bottleneck."
"Risky," a soldier muttered. "If even one scout spots us before we're in position, we're done."
Izuku nodded. "That's why our scouts need to be flawless. If we execute this properly, we can cut their forces in half before they realize what's happening."
Aria glanced up from her sword. "And if something goes wrong?"
Izuku smirked. "Then we improvise."
She sighed. "You're infuriatingly confident."
"And you love it."
She rolled her eyes, but the small smile she tried to hide didn't escape his notice.
Nearby, a soldier chuckled. "Oi, oi, keep the flirting to a minimum, yeah? Some of us are trying to focus."
Aria promptly threw a piece of bread at him, much to the amusement of the others. The laughter that followed lifted the tension, even if only for a little while.
Marching Toward Destiny
At the break of dawn, the army set off. The rhythmic march of boots against the earth filled the air, a steady, unwavering beat that mirrored the determination of those who walked.
Izuku led from the front, flanked by Aria and Kael. The path ahead was uncertain, but there was no room for hesitation now.
"Do you think they know we're coming?" Kael asked.
Izuku smirked. "Oh, they know. But they don't know what we're bringing."
Aria tightened her grip on her reins. "Then let's make sure they regret underestimating us."
As they neared the enemy's territory, the air grew thick with tension. The battle was coming, and with it, the fate of everything they had fought for.
Izuku took one last glance at the warriors behind him, at Aria beside him. Then, with a deep breath, he gave the signal.
"Let's finish this."
And with that, they charged toward destiny.
To Be Continued...
~~~END OF PART 45~~~
***HEY WHAT'S UP MATES, HOW ARE YOU ALL ? I HOPE YOU ALL ARE FINE WITH BOTH BEING MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY AS I HAVE WROTE THIS CHAPTER AS NOW PUBLISHING IT CAUSE I AM STILL NOT WELL AND WAS TOLD IT WILL TAKE ATLEAST FEW MONTHS TO JUST DO MY WORK AS WELL AS STUDIES.... I AM STILL IN NEED OF REST BUT NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE ANIME AS WELL AS ANYTHING TO REMOVE MY MIND FROM THIS SO I WROTE THIS CHAPTER IN NIGHT TIME WHEN EVERYONE WAS SLEEPING SO IT'S SHORT>.......< WELL SEE YOU GUYS SOON!!!!***
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