The Strongest Promise - A Songs of War FanFiction (So Much In Common Sequel)

Chapter Two - Friendly Fire

"Captain, we're under attack!"

"What?!" Kiyoshi exclaimed. "By the Nether?" No, no, no. He hoped desperately he was wrong. No one was ready for the Nether to strike them. It was too soon!

The Felina soldier huffed, trying to catch his breath. "I'm not sure, sir. All I know is that they've invaded the northern reaches of the tunnels. I came to alert you as soon as I heard."

"Where's Xaria?" Kiyoshi asked.

"He's at the attack as we speak."

"Where's Nitsuke?!" Kiyoshi added more frantically.

"I believe I saw her in her quarters, sir."

"Alright, thanks! Keep spreading the news!" the Captain ordered. The soldier nodded and took a deep breath before running off.

Kiyoshi quickly made his way to Nitsuke's quarters. "Nitsuke!" he shouted in alarm. She looked up from where she had been sitting at her makeshift desk. "What is it, Kiyoshi?"

"An attack began. One of my soldiers reported it to me," Kiyoshi said. "Through the northern reaches of the tunnels."

Her eyes widened in fear as she stood. "The Nether?"

"We don't know. Most likely," Kiyoshi continued. "Listen, you need to get to safety. I'll help hold them off."

"You don't know what you could get yourself into," she countered.

"I've healed since the injury. I can fight like I used to, and I have experience," Kiyoshi assured her. "But I can't allow you to get hurt. You have to take cover."

"That's not what I meant," she stammered. "We don't know how many are out there, and you need all the help you can get!"

"By fighting, I'm taking a huge risk," Kiyoshi stated. "I can't let you take that same risk. Your safety is more important to me than my own!"

"And what if your safety is more important to me than my own, Kiyoshi?" Nitsuke replied. "What then?"

Kiyoshi stopped, taking a few deep breaths. "Okay," he relented. "But stay close to me, and remember your training."

She nodded, striding towards the door. "My bow's just here," she said, taking it off a hook before slinging the quiver over herself.

"Alright, let's go," Kiyoshi said.

*****

The two of them found Alec near the entrance to the northern tunnels. Nitsuke had armed herself with a sword in the meanwhile. "Alec, there you are. What's the situation in the tunnels?" Kiyoshi asked.

"Someone started attacking from nearby, Captain," Alec explained. "We assumed it was the Netherans. Xaria and a few others went to hold them off in the tunnels, with a large amount of undead."

"What if they brought a Wither?" Kiyoshi asked in shock. "Sending so much undead could be a massive risk if they did."

"We just have to hope they didn't." Alec shrugged. His casual gesture did not mask the panic in his eyes. "Hope that we're lucky."

"We're going to need more than luck," Kiyoshi replied. "Let's move in and join Xaria's group at the frontlines." He turned to the other soldiers nearby. Over the past couple of months, various survivors from Felden were found and recruited by Kiyoshi and the Necromancer remnants. Now they had at least somewhat of an army, but would it be enough?

"You heard me, come on!" Kiyoshi shouted. Several soldiers unsheathed their weapons in response to his call. Many looked afraid, but each carried a resolve. Kiyoshi ran to the tunnels and directed them as they followed. It was almost like the old days, whenever he and his comrades would chase after bandits and criminals, and later, when they fought the battles of the Felden-Necromancer war.