-Am I really allowed back onto the battlefield?- I say to myself, looking in the mirror as I finish tying a few knots on my armor
-Yes, of course you are- comes Qin Luo from behind me, handing over my medals. I hang it back in my clothes and grab a few knives, tucking them into many different places of my armor -Let's go then-.
...
The moment I approach the men radunated outside the camp, silence falls around and almost everyone turns around to look at me... Some are confused while others are displeased or happy.
I walk in between the squadrons, reaching the front lines where the Generals are waiting -Ying ChangLai...- murmurs general Wu but general Cai cuts in between leading an horse in my direction -It's a pleasure to have you again with us, Ying tongjun... This is where you belong afterall-
The men still looking in our direction finally relaxes after seeing all four Generals greeting me back, those annoyed by my presence turns around and continue preparing to set off while the others nods as to accepting me again.
I reach to the reins and grab them tightly -I'm back- with a slight smile I greet them -Let's end this war now-
...
The battlefield is quite vast... An enormous plain cornered by trees and heavy rocks in all directions.
Our enemies looks at us from the other side, blood boiling in both faction men's veins as we wait for the starting horn... -Remember, don't do anything- Qin Luo approaches me, looking ahead with one sword ready in hand -It's stupid to say it out loud, but even if you have the ability or find yourself in a situation where you can turn the table... Don't do that, just fight as everyone else and focus on following today's strategy-
I nod with an apparently expressionless face, yet he notices the knuckles turning white over the tightly gripped reins -Lai'er... I'm sorry for asking you this but...-
I shake my head -Don't apologize, you're right and we already talked about this before... This is the best way, if we care about what will happen on the long run of course. It just bothers my pride but that is irrelevant when it comes to saving lives... Having to hold back and follow such stupid rules, just because they're tight on my back, those idiots simply can't understand that I must remain on the battlefield-
He smiles -Well, you can always have your revenge once it's all over-
I frown and look at him -What even is the use of revenge? Nevermind, let's focus on the here and now. Ah!- I pull the reins and move away from him, leaving him behind with lowered shoulders.
I take my place besides General Cai, he nods at me as a greeting while we regroup... Each General stands in front of their men. Waiting.
-It's starting... Are you ready?- he whispers with the eyes locked on those blackened soldiers we're about to face
I squint my eyes, rising an eyebrow at him -Haven't I always been ready?-
He presses his lips together -I have a feeling that this battle won't be your usual one... Something big is going to happen today- I bite my tongue and follow his gaze, unsure what to reply -Whatever happens, let's give it our all and show our worth- he concludes so I nod along, getting ready to march forward as soon as the horn echoes.
I fix my grip on the reins, passing them twice around one hand and grabbing a spear in the other... The horse's legs grow impatient with each breath and the soldier's eyes become fiercer.
The sky turns darker and thunders from far away can be heard, approaching us slowly as if even the sky was waiting for the battle to start... Wanting to see what we will offer today.
I close my eyes with the face against the sky, no rain comes to wash my face but the static electricity is building up all around.
"To fight around a forest with this weather is close to a suicide" I think "But It might be better this way, the men will fight harder if they fear this place enough... I can always channel the lightings into my weapons" I feel my fingers buzzing with electricity, running down my arms and reaching my heart, connecting me with my weapon even further.
Silence falls after the Generals shout some words each to their men, only one sentence reaches me as I am busy reading the surroundings... -Today will be a battle that will not be frogotten in history, I feel it in every of my bones!- roars general Cai.
And... Here it comes.
That deep sound that echoes inside your ribcage, all the horns go off at the same time along with the gongs and drums.
I lower my head and widen my eyes in a second -Ah!- I gallop forward with the spear ready to clash with the enemies at any second... Everyone's fired up for some reason, maybe due to Cai's words or simply because they think my case has been resolved and their distrust toward the generals has dissolved.
Whatever is the reason, they gallop or run as fast as they can and shout loudly.
The sound of clashing metal soon bursts in the area, the first rows meet eachother and the fight officially begins.
I rotate my spear over my head and pierce the heart of a man, passing through him from side to side, claiming the first death of many to come.
I look further away and see many sand men, I block a few approaching men with my weapon, gripping it tightly as I stare at that black smoke... I feel a burning sensation in me, heating me up completely...
-Gosh, I didn't realize how much I missed this- I smile, letting go of the reins I reach an hand toward my back and grab some arrows -How disgusting- I laugh to myself, throwing on the ground some enemies, ignoring those ants with my eyes locked in those better preys -I actually like fighting, this is absolutely wrong and twisted- I scoff, finally regaining the life in me after so many days... Or weeks.
I jump up and stand on my horse, throwing the spear in the sky to free my hands. I grab my bow and quickly shoot out 3 arrows, piercing perfectly the weak spot of 3 sand men about to kill my men... Before anyone can get closer to me I catch my falling spear and swing it against some enemies with a wicked smile on my lips, letting go of my horse for better movements?
A yell reaches my hears, bringing me down from my momentary high -LAI'ER!- I turn to see Qin Luo, a sword in a hand and the reins in the other... He looks at me on the ground and my weapons -Remember what we agreed on earlier- he shakes his head in disappointment.
It's true, it is indeed disappointing how I am enjoying myself... I can barely hold back, I just want to go all out and destroy the rival army... Maybe I'm not well in the head.
Doesn't matter now, I'll do my best both in fighting and trying not to overdo it... But I can still concede myself some amusing challenges.
Smirking I throw myself against my next victim.