Travel The Distance

Chapter 35

A few weeks passed with my companions and I carrying out our plan. We switched the groups around in an attempt to reduce the chances of us being captured. Of course, the enemy got suspicious, they'd have to be pretty fucking dense not to, but that didn't stop us from attacking. We didn't stick to a linear schedule for our attacks. Sometimes we attacked several days in a row, other times we would only attack once a week. Our attacks only became more ferocious after our first one, every single one of us maintained our 'quota' to kill roughly 30 people each night, most of the time we went over that. My eyes and mind will forever be stained red with the blood of the people I slaughtered. Nightmares akin to the ferocity of those I had in my youth haunted me night after night. Guilt plagued me like a vengeful spirit as I remembered the deaths of those I killed for the safety of my Kingdom. 

Shigaraki's army was only miles away from the border of Crepitus and we were out of time. The seven of us were exhausted from the constant assaults we directed at Shigaraki's forces. There was nothing more we could do as a unit. 

We all sat silently, waiting for the spirit Fumikage sent out to return. We waited with bated breath, eager to hear just how many people were left. Waiting to see how much of a disadvantage we were at. There was a rush of cold air which chilled all of us down to the bone before a shadow-like figure popped out of the ground and started talking to Fumikage in an archaic language which none of us but him could understand. The language felt older than the current dialect used and yet heavier than draconic, it was mysterious. 

After a few minutes of nothing but the deep words and gentle accents from Fumikage and the ghoul, the spectre was dismissed with a wave of Fumikage's hand, dissolving into shadows which were swiftly absorbed into the ground. Fumikage faced the rest of us and sighed before relaying the information he was told.

"The spirit told me that there are roughly 8100 people left alive and a further 500 who have been incapacitated in some way or another, those 500 people cannot fight, meaning that we're facing an army which is comprised of roughly 7600 people" Fumikage explained monotonously. 

Everyone exchanged glances as we tried to determine if that was good or bad. Given our goal, I would consider 7600 people quite good, however, that was double our army. We were still at an extreme disadvantage. 

"Well..." Itsuka began, conflicted emotions flickering through her eyes, "I think that we've done quite well. Given that there's only seven of us. We've done all that we can." 

Several nods of agreement were echoed amongst the group, her words were truthful, but it didn't make them any better in the grand scheme of things. There wasn't time to mope though. Shigaraki's forces were encroaching on Crepitus and we needed to get back to prepare. I had already sent instructions to Eijiro and the others the previous week, ensuring that all of the citizens were evacuated and that the troops were ready.

"Alright. We've done what we can here. Now we need to get back so that we can defend the Kingdom. Kyoka and Fumikage, you stay back to spy on them, tell us when they advance and such. The rest of us will return to Crepitus and aid the others in preparations. If you two are discovered, return to Crepitus immediately, don't worry about the consequences. We're going to have a battle no matter what, they're not backing down and neither are we. Got that?" I said in a strong voice, glaring around at the others. 

I was immediately greeted with nods from the others. "Good, we'll start going back now then. The four of you will all have to ride on my back, it won't be that hard." I said, directing my attention to the three humans and Deku. 

After saying our goodbyes to Kyoka and Fumikage, once again emphasising that they should return to Crepitus if they're compromised even slightly, I transformed into my dragon form and flew off into the rising sun. The vestiges of darkness which still clung desperately to the sky disguised my figure from those below me as we started flying back to our home. Usually, going home would be considered a relaxing, fun experience. Going home is linked with sleeping in your own bed and being surrounded by comfort, but that wasn't the case this time. This time, returning home meant war plans, building defences, ensuring that those who couldn't fight were all long gone. Going home meant pain, inevitable suffering and fear. Going home meant the possibility that I may lose someone dear to me or I might die myself. Going home meant that I may lose the battle and let everyone depending on me down. People had placed their trust in my since I was seven. First, it was my tribe then it was an entire Kingdom. It was a heavyweight which I was forced to bear on my shoulders. It was like I was Atlas, carrying the world on my shoulders.