Stick War: Inamorta and beyond

Chapter 26: Back Into The Battlefield

16th February 1074, 10.43am

The Battle Of Aoks City will surely go down through the history books as one of the bloodiest battle ever fought. Total estimated casualties of the battle was 2,050,000 military deaths and 110,000 civilian deaths. A total of 2,160,000 deaths, 910,000 of those deaths were from the Archidons, the rest are from the Swordwrath. Though it was a big number of casualties for the Swordwrath, they do not falter. They still had almost 3 million soldiers back at their citadel willing to die for their nation while the combined military strength of the Allies are 5 million. Though the Swordwrath are not able to wage another major offensive as there are just too many allied troops, they will be able to defend well against the Archidons and the Order Empire. Unfortunately, the Archidon rebel faction, Rebels United, have joined forces with the Swordwrath. So the Swordwrath have ex-Archidon soldiers fighting together.

Exactly a week has passed since the Battle Of Aoks City. The civilians are at work rebuilding the city and burying the bodies of the brave Archidon soldiers. While recon team is resting up, the Order Empire and Archidons named their alliance as 'The Alliance Of Inarmota' or the 'Allies' for short. The Allies have pushed the Swordwrath away from the Archidon territory and have been recapturing towns and strongholds that used to be from the Archidons. They have reached the border of the Swordwrath's homeland and are eager to strike and give them a taste of their own medicine by capturing their lands and destroying their race statue. But the Allied offensive has been halted when they faced many and strong defences put up by the Swordwrath. Defences such as stakes, traps, watch towers, new walls, spikes, archer towers and alarms were set up in advance to defend and hold out against the Allies. The war is now called the Eastern Great War.

Meanwhile, recon team has almost fully recovered except for Kim, who still need to heal from his fatal wound from Siegfried. But...

"I'm telling you, I'm fine!" The recon team leader shouted.

"Come on, the doctor said that you still need one or two more weeks of rest before you can go." The nurse said to the stubborn leader.

"No! I'm fine you see? I need to go to the front lines now!" Kim shouted as he packed his things.

"Sir! You can't go! The doc-"

"Leave him alone, I will handle this." Mark interrupted when he suddenly showed up.

The nurse nodded and walked out of the room.

"Man, she was annoying." Kim mumbled.

"And you boy are not going anywhere today." Mark said.

"What? Mark were here?" Kim asked in a sarcastic tone.

Mark rolled his eyes and gave him two letters.

"What's this?" Kim asked and took the letters.

"One from your mom and the other from lieutenant Wake." Mark stated.

"Thanks buddy." Kim thanked his childhood friend.

"No probs, I will be outside if you need me. The doctors put me on duty." Mark joked and walked out of the room.

Kim rolled his eyes and read the letter from his mother.

'Kim, how are you? Did you eat well? Sleep well? Well, me on the other hand can't eat or sleep. I am worried about you. Everyday I heard rumors about the war. They said it was horrifying and deadly, was it true? I hope this war ends soon, I wanted to see you again. I would also want you to pay respects to your father again back here. Remember to write back to me alright? And please don't be reckless, Mark must be frustrated at you right? He is always such a worrywart, just like me. Well, I wish you can come back soon and please again, take care of yourself, don't be reckless alright? Love, mom.'

Kim felt touched when his mother wrote to him. He reminded himself to write back to his mom after he read his superior's letter. But the moment he read his superior's letter he was elated.

"Mark! Come here!" Kim exclaimed.

Mark came in running.

"What's up?" He asked.

"We have a mission!" Kim exclaimed happily while Mark was stunned.

"What? But you are still hurt! You can't handle missions now!" Mark exclaimed.

"Well, too bad. The letter said that the person who is responsible for this mission went home, so the only person left that is suited for this mission is me." Kim said confidently.

"You just have the worst luck." Mark sighed and face-palmed.

Kim rolled his eyes and got into a serious mode.

"Mark this is an order, gather all the members of recon team and tell them to meet here now." Kim commanded.

Mark nodded and rushed out of the room to gather his teammates. A few minutes later, they all gathered inside Kim's room.

"So? What's our mission this time leader?" Elizabeth asked.

"This time, it will be a high risk mission into the front lines. Our mission is to sneak behind the front lines at the right moment when the Allies make a big push against the Swordwrath. We will then sneak behind enemy lines and assassinate their higher ups and commanders, and also destroy their supply and water depots. After that, light a signal so that our front line troops can strike at the perfect moment. This mission will be hard but this mission will also greatly affect the war. If we succeed, we will be victorious but if we failed, the allied offensive will be for nothing." Kim explained.

"So there is no room for failure." Grace said.

"And Ace, there will be a high chance that we must kill Mordred. Are you ready to do that?" Kim asked.

"I am ready Kim. I am ready to face my brother in battle once again." Ace said with a determined face.

"Alright, the mission is in three days. Get ready and I will meet you guys at the  bunks in two days' time." Kim commanded.

"Yes Sir!" And they all left the room.

"Alright, time to write mom a letter." Kim said.