The Dark Side of the Moon

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Chapter 10

Previously... 

Oliver nodded and they prepared to head back to the void. After giving the fallen soldiers a proper burial Oliver looked upon all of the graves teary eyed. Oliver had vowed to protect his soldiers to the best of his abilities. Hannibal came behind him and put a hand on his shoulder as Oliver turned around and hugged him and let out his emotions.

"Does it get easier Hannibal?" Oliver asked. Hannibal took a deep breath.

"Death is never easy Oliver, but you cannot wear the ones you lost on your sleeves, the guilt will eat you alive." Oliver simply nodded and they made their way back to the ship to go back to the void.

As Oliver sat in his seat he couldn't get the thought out of his head, why did that man hesitate?

Now....

The Void

As the ship landed at chaos' base in the void the remaining soldiers departed from the ship and headed towards the barracks to rest after the battle on Vesperon that left so many of their brothers and sisters dead. After all the soldiers left the ship the three generals made their way to chaos' throne room. Along the way Hannibal would steal quick glances at Oliver who looked to be deep in thought as he furrowed his eyebrows as if trying to figure something out. Alexander however showed no emotion. He has only met a handful of people that could stand toe to toe with him in a sword fight, but that man had clearly gotten the best of him in this fight if the cuts on his body were any indication. Hannibal was impressed with the strategy of the mysterious group, using one of their own soldiers to bait us in unexpectedly.

Finally making it to the throne room Alexander pushed the throne room doors open to see chaos sitting on his throne looking deeply troubled. When chaos looked up his face brightened a bit. The three generals walked to chaos and kneeled before his throne.

"We have failed in our mission my lord." Alexander whispered. Chaos face softened before motioning for the three to rise.

"I want a full battle report from you Hannibal in the next few minutes. Alexander I want you to go get checked out in the medical center to make sure that everything is fine. Oliver I wish to speak with you after Hannibal and I discuss the battle report. For the moment however you can do as you wish I will send for you when we are finished." Alexander and Oliver nodded before leaving the throne room.

As Oliver made it to his room he took his armor off and proceeded to take a quick shower. Taking showers always made him feel more refreshed and full of energy. After drying off and getting a fresh set of clothes, Oliver decided to iris message Artemis.

"Oh Iris, show me Artemis goddess of the Hunt." Oliver said. The image shimmered for a few seconds before showing Artemis sitting at a campfire amongst her hunters. Oliver heard someone yell, "milady there's a boy behind you!" 'Haha must be new' I thought. Followed by someone whacking the back of her head, "Oh hush it's just Oliver" ah there's my favorite lieutenant. Artemis glared at the huntress who spoke first before smiling brightly towards Oliver.

"Ollie how are you?" Artemis asked sweetly. Oliver smiled nervously.

"Oh I'm okay mother; we just got back from Vesperon. It...didn't go as planned." Oliver said sadly as he ran a hand through his hair. Artemis looked at Oliver with an expression that said to go on. Oliver took a deep breath.

"Well there was surprise attack on our camp by a mysterious group. Two of them fought with swords while another shot deadly accurate arrows at us." Artemis her son worriedly before gesturing for him to continue.

"I don't know what came over me, it felt as if time had slowed down as the two men mercilessly slaughtered our soldiers. Luckily one of our generals occupied one of the men, but the other man was like a whirlwind of death." Oliver said while looking away.