Sacrifice Soul

CH 08 Alone

 I sit down leaning against the tree after done finding clues. I'm looking to the sky, thinking what I should do next. While I'm thinking, I didn't realize that I'm space out for a while mesmerize looking the clouds moving. One after one I'm thinking for answers but suddenly I feel something off, what it is actually. This uneasy feeling makes me to cut off my objectives problem and answers in my mind.

I'm checking myself and look my surrounding if anything that makes me off. I checked it but it seems that's not what I'm feel uneasy. I looking my army where they were busy helping their injuries friends. Where is Zent? I suddenly asking myself when that name showing to my head.

I'm call his name but he doesn't answer me. I'm asking my army but they didn't see him anyway. I searching dead body maybe he dead in action but nope, he didn't die yet. I'm guessing he ran away but he standing beside me when the battle starts. I and with the help of my army searching Zent. I looking everywhere but nothing to be found.

"We found him, Princess!" One of the army shout to me. I with rushing walking to the spot where were founded. He hiding himself in the bush I saw a shaking body with frightened face he makes. He's crying and mumble something that I can't understand. He looks like a child who scared in the dark places.

"Sir Zent." I calling his name with arrogant look. He suddenly holding my leg and says "Please, take me back home. I'll will do anything please" He begging to me. Before my hot tempered burning up I looking him checking his condition. No blood, injuries, nor blood. His armour still clean and shine.

"What a coward knight." I said with hatred. "Shame on your noble family name" I continued. He prostrated and says "Yes I 'm coward. I disgrace my family name. Please forgive me." He admitted. I with hatred listening his sentences, I turn around and face one of my army. "Tell all to assembly." I give the orders and with fast he doing his job. I turn back and look at Zent. "Bring him once." I command another army.

A few minutes later

"What our condition status?" I'm asking the condition of army. "We can't make it, Princess. We need to retreat because to many injury and we need to report to the king that we were ambush." One of the soldiers responds. "We must abort our mission for the sake our safety." One of the army sounded his idea.

"what about them? The family, children?" I asked them. "We not strong enough to protect ourselves. How supposed we to protect them?" He confessed all his heart and many of them agree with him. I understand our current situation but I can't leave the innocent peoples involved in a war.

"You don't know if we don't try it." I said to them. "This chance maybe we can save them." I continued. "Princess, they got a powerful weapon. We can't throw our lives like that." He argued and many of them agree his words. "Please princess, think wisely." All men kneeling down wanting my order to abort this mission. I don't want it because there is something that call me to be there. Moreover, the citizens need us. I won't let it down.

"HOPE." I suddenly spit out my words caused all men confused.

"What do you mean, princess?" They not understanding what I had talked about.

"'Hope' where the soldiers always used in lives and always keep in heart. Hope to protect for people you love, hope that one day the war will end soon and hope that we can live for tomorrow with happiness." They silent for a moment after hearing what I confessed. They look each other figuring themselves.

"Look at our country, family how happy and peaceful we are. That hope makes me... No, makes us stronger." I give a speech to bring back our motivation. The silent moment appears after motivation. I looked my men eyes, the fear inside them conquer their soul. I'm speechless. I give up and sit down, there no idea to convince them but to move alone to west gate.

"We camping here tonight, get some rest. Tomorrow you may go back to the citadel and I will be go to the west stronghold alone." I said very clearly. "But... Princess..." They worried. "Don't worry, this is my command and responsibilities." I want to make sure that they didn't feel guilty. "Zent, report to my father that what happened here and tell him I continue this mission on my own willing." He just silent and nods agree accepting my request.

END CHAPTER 8