The Black Wings

Chapter 17

Chapter 17
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"Aim, watch, go!"

The moving targets swarm at me from various directions.

The targets move their shields to protect themselves but I slice at a fast pace, bringing them down without much of a fight.

In my hand is the completely blessed sword. It's at it's maximum power, ready for a final battle.

All that's left is me is to find the red winged oracle. But whoever they are, must be imprisoned at the red winged capital.

We've been preparing to push our forces east to travel over there.

The last target runs at me and takes a stab at the part of my chest where my armor doesn't cover my body. I backflip at the jab and bring up my sword at the blade.

I attempt to push it down against the stronger target. But unfortunately this one seems to match my strength.

I distract it by weakening my force and manage to send a hard kick at the target's legs. It falls back and I'm quick to disarm the sword while I put my own against it's wooden neck.

Applause breaks out from the soldiers watching me. A hand clamps down on my shoulder and I turn to find Hern behind me with a smile.

"Very impressive. We purposely made that target's level a bit higher." He congratulates me.

I slip my sword back in its proper sheath. "Thank you for doing that. That's probably how the average red wing will fight near their HQ though."

"Hey, we got archers now. We'll be fine."

That last part only further reassures me. We actually have a fighting chance in this battle.

The downfall to this fight is that I would not return from it. We'll continue pushing advances until we reach their headquarters.

From there, it will be my showdown with the king will occur.

My fate has laid out that I'll die there.

I let out a slow breath and back away from the targets as the next member from my squad goes to train.

A few manage to avoid getting hit from the targets and everyone gets a stab.

And then there's Avery who beheads a target and tosses it to the crowd with a smirk.

Her sword has her girlfriend's name etched in the steel.

"I can't wait to kick some red winged booty." She announces while prancing over to me while resting an elbow on the top of my head.

I force a grin on my face. "Same."

Avery's face lights up. "I almost forgot! Check it out!"

She lifts up her short hair to reveal tiny black hooped earrings on both ears.

"The veterans from my barrack pierced them, saying I'm truly one of them now! I heard you're getting yours tonight." Avery exclaims while slapping my back.

I roll my eyes. "I've been literally kicked out of my barrack and formed to spend every night sleeping in a pile of dirt. I doubt they want to pierce my ears."

"Hey if they truly hate you, they'd still do it. It inflicts pain."

"Thanks Avery."

She chuckles and checks her digital wristband that displays a holographic time.

"I gotta dip on the rest of this training. Caci wants me to oversee the restiance training."

Since the resistance group has no reason to fight with the black wings, they've all joined the military. Because of the overcrowding, Caci has been in charge of the members to train back at their more spacious base.

Since Avery is dating Caci, she's excused from all extra training.

Trust me, she never forgets to rub it in.

As I ponder ways to get out of observing training, my squad leader shouts at me to report to the main building immediately.

Oh shit what did I do this time, I think to myself while breaking into flight.

I thought we had everything all settled with contrasting beliefs and conflicts. I suppose old habits die hard.

As I land, I decide to walk in with my sword anyways.

Screw it, I think to myself.

Nadie stands in the doorway, obviously waiting for me and saving me the trip of going to their main offices.

"What's going on?" I ask hesitantly, waiting for a punishment of some sort.

She bites down on her chapped bottom lip and meets my awaiting gaze. "I'm going to be frank. I was planning on sneaking into your town to visit Balkin and Nico's graves. I was wondering if you and your group would like to join me."

My eyes widen because clearly I wasn't expecting this request. I shake my head. "I don't think that would be a good idea for me. You do understand what I had to do to leave that town, right?"

Nadie nods. "I know all about it, I just know Nico was close to you all."

I scrunch my lips together while pinching the bridge of my nose. "Let me talk to everyone else about this, we'll consider it."

A gentle smile lights up to her aging eyes. "That's all I ask for, thank you. You can head back to training."

I give a nod as a goodbye and transform to fly back.

In the back of my mind, I prepare myself for the possible trip to become.