The Oath (Kingdom)

XVI. Hyung (part 2)

Desperate screams were filling Deok Sung's ears. He was sick when he laid a foot on the ground in Sumang village. He wanted to run away, but he was soldier. And soldiers follow the orders! But today he felt, this is the day he will loose his soul. He always followed Ahn Hyun, no exception, no question, loyalty. This was the first day he hesitated. He felt tight knot in his stomach that makes him want to vomit.

Dark was merciful, hide most of the brutal assassination of innocent sick people. Old or young. Women or men. It doesn't matter. They were just instruments. Lord Ahn and Cho Hak Ju need only their bodies to fulfil their plan to save them. To save everyone, except this sick people. Their lives were sacrifice.

'Their death will be our salvation' he heard Cho Hak Ju's poisonous voice. And his commander listened and makes the order.

Poor villagers were running for their lives without hope. Only people, who could save them, came to kill them.

Suddenly he heard cry. It was young boy hidden behind the fence. His face was covered with bloodied bandages. He could be just eight years old.

Deok Sung swallowed lump in his throat and kneel before crying boy. He knew who he was.

"It's all right, don't be scared." He tried to calm him down. Boy was still sniffling, and in his palm he held tight grip on small carved soldier.

"What are you doing?" He sobbed and his eyes were watching slaughtering of his neighbours.

"Hey...look at me. I'm Deok Sung. You have a brother, am I right?" he tried to bring boys attention back to him. "Is he chakho?"

"Yes" boy whispered. "You know Yeong shin? Where is he?" boy stopped crying and came closer.

"Your brother is very brave man. He is fighting against the enemy, right now." He was speaking with boy with gentle voice to calm him. Mention of his brother helps.

"Will he be all right? I'm scared!" there were tears again. Flames were sparkling in tears of young boy who was worried about his brother, who was probably dead now.

"He will be. You can help him, if you want?"

Boy has suddenly excitement in eyes. He didn't even notice that one of soldiers killed his neighbour and watch them.

"I want to!"

"You just need to close your eyes boy..." Deok Sung swallowed tears and held tight grip on rope in his hands. "Don't be scared and close your eyes. You will help him...."

-In the same time, but different place.-

He always thought that when it comes to hardest part of the war, the weather will be same. That nature will be in same mood. That it will be raining or something.

But it was here and sun was shining, sky was clear. If soldiers didn't crush them into the ground, flowers will be probably blooming in here.

But soil was wet with so much blood, it became slipping mud. Sun was blinding and air was hot.

Yeong shin was in the middle of nightmare. His breath fast and shallow, like he was drowning. Shouting of man deafening and mass of human flesh was like water and he was drowning. He shoot samurai right in the face and man's head fell backwards, body following. He patted pouch hanging from his belt and found it empty. No gunpowder, no ammo.

So he grabbed his rifle with both hands and hit another Japanese soldier with handle. Byung Chul then stabs him in the neck with his short sword.