The Fight for Freedom (Book One in the EDSOR Military Academy Trilogy)

Chapter 36- The Crumbling of the Fortress

“Send the reinforcements! We’re losing more men!”, I yelled out orders from my post. I took a hiatus after that incident. It really traumatized me. Death has always fascinated me. But I never knew it could take away the life of someone I loved.

Trevor nodded but he rubbed his sore eyes. He ran to the ambush area and signaled Malcolm to join the battle. Wow. Malcolm looked like a professional warrior with his gear and big sword. I really wanted to burst out in laughter but I was sorta crying so I couldn’t laugh. Or else I might look like a retard in front of Gerard. Really, his oversized armor was being dragged on the ground making loud unnecessary noises.

Even if Kazim was dead, the battle still was in favor of the Militicians. These people don’t know when to give up! I looked to the right side and saw the tired archers slowly nocking arrows in their bows. I glanced down to see my army falling apart. What will I do?

I nudged Joshua, whose hand was already shivering from exhaustion. “There will always be hope, Joshua”, I told him as I nocked a white arrow into the bow and shot it at the enemy army.

The other archers were astounded that I knew how to shoot an arrow. Haha. Girl power. I raised my hands to signal them to continue.

I tried to open my earphones. It worked. Thank goodness for Stephan. Thomas….his brother is dead…I could not break the news to him. That would break his heart too. He is so young, so innocent. I need to protect him like how Thomas did to me.

“Alyssa! Send the Food and Water Recruiters up the fortress. Our archers are tired”

“Right on, President! I am on it! Serena and Jacob! Water and energy juices in five minutes!”

Ahh! Finally! I get to take a sip of cool and fresh water after tasting the salty bitterness of blood.

I closed my communication lines with her. Malcolm and his architects had officially joined battle when they clashed swords with a giant Militician.

 I turned to Gerard. “Any other reinforcements?”

He sighed. “We’ve exhausted all of our warriors. They’re tired. Yes, there is hope. But there must also be a time for resting too”

“I understand”, I said, taking things into consideration. “We’ll have to pull back then. If we do, the Militicians would invade the fortress and kill all of us. They spare no one”

Gerard bit his lip. “Then there must be another way. We fight until we all collapse and die, including you and I, Jesse”

I nodded. Such leadership was evident in this young boy. I looked to the heavens, smoky with dust and filled with the stench of dead bodies. The sky was blood red. It never occurred to me that it was already dusk. The sun was fading away and by nightfall, we’ll all perish one way or another.

The Militicians were advancing. They were already launching cannons and I could see how big they already were. I muttered a prayer and sent it to the Heavens through my faith. I felt that faith was the only thing that could save us now.

“Lord, please turn the tides of war in favor of us. Please turn our sufferings into hallowed light”

Gerard was calling me. “Jesse, they’ve broken almost all of the barriers surrounding EMA. Five more canons and they can destroy the whole wall”, he said, glumly.

I frowned. “Stephan, can you hear me?”, I shouted to my earphones.

“Yup. What’s up?”

“Send the helicopters to drop massive smoke bombs. Do not drop the nuclear bombs”

“Right on. Roger! Prepare the fuel!”

“Stephan??! You’re not in the computer lab?”

“I am at the EMA basement now with my portable laptop for satellite tracking”

I heard the sound a helicopter flying. “Target the cannons. We can’t let them destroy camp”, I reminded him as I saw five huge helicopters launch themselves into air like big eagles flying upward.

The floor under me was shaking. That’s it. I am going to die standing on the fortress. The floor was caving in. Each precious stone rolled to my feet as I ducked to protect my body from impassing bullets.

Gerard’s body was very very close to mine. I could feel his body shivering again. “We’re done for Jesse”, he whispered.

We both heard something familiar in the distance and when we both glanced at it, we gasped.

A massive troop of horses were headed our way as trumpets blared out. For awhile I laughed to myself. This couldn’t be the case.