• The Captain gripped his blade, the handle soaked in blood, the leather grip slick from the crimson mess. Not sure whether it was his or one of the fallen, there was too much to tell. It was getting harder to breathe for him, but he stood up from his knee, finished praying to whatever God or Gods were out there. He knew he was tired, but battle had never taken a toll as this one had. His armor felt heavier than he remembered, perhaps from him being so tired. He lifted his shield and mounted the straps to his thick forearm plate. On his back was a small chain of buckles that held a flag that was waving in the wind. He ordered one of his men to remove the flag and place it in the bloody soil they stood in. A rather sweet aroma was in the air from the season's winter flowers in bloom. The Captain smiled before pushing his helmet shut, and waiting for the battle that was to come.

    After a long, quiet and peaceful intermission, noise began to take over. A loud number of marching soldiers was getting closer. Their blue and white flag wavered in the wind, the men armed themselves as from before. The halberd-men took the front line for their captain.

    "It's been an honor." They each said, taking a knee before him.

    Afterward, he nodded and they stood ready. As the soldiers got closer, the small militia stood firm.

    "I know we were once simple people, but now is our time to fight and be smiled upon by whatever Gods are out there. We do what is right." The Captain spoke proudly.

    The men behind their Captain agreed with a pounding of their blades to their shields. The metal clanks echoed in the distance. His clan had once pounded shields and blades to show no fear of combat.

    Finally, in sight were the marching soldiers. The force was of a number two or three times larger than their own. The Captain began smacking his blade against his shield, in a gesture that was to show no fear and the ready for battle. His men followed, the halberd's butts slammed onto the earth, thudding with the clanks. At last, the moment had come. The Captain smiled under his helm and took a deep breath, holding the air, taking in the aroma one last time.

    "Enjoy it men, no regrets, we lived good lives." The Captain spoke to them, hoping to raise their morale.

    The men stopped clanking all at once as their Captain roared into the air. His body burned, his armor weighing no more, his sword and shield were at the ready.

    "Stop them at their charge, from there, we'll hit them head on as they want us to. We can become monsters as they like to call us, show them what they've created." He ordered.

    The halberd-men took their stances as the soldiers in the distance began their charge. The men behind the Captain took their blades, the men wielding claymores followed those holding a blade and shield. This was it. A tense moment bolted through the Captain's head, nothing was heard, just his heart beat was felt. As things seemed to pick up, the world began moving back to speed. The clash of the soldier's armor against the halberd's along with grunts of pain and shouts of anger. The Captain spotted his target, their leader. Their general was walking slowly behind his men's charge. After the Captain's men engaged as many as they could hold, he could hear the painful sounds of his men falling in silence as well as the general's. The Captain slaughtered his way through, what seemed like a fortress of soldiers. In this militia were men who had never served but had the courage to fight for their country to protect good and innocent people, even if it meant suffering for eternity in darkness for their sake. The Captain was the only man of a battle-hardened history. He had done what he could for his men, and he had done it well.

    After plenty of battles with men coming at him, his eyes began to burn with determination and vengeance. So this was what they were talking about, the hateful burning. As his situation become more burden, the Captain was taken by surprise. A mace had smashed into his helm, ripping it from his face. The metal raked up his visage and left him with a gash across his cheek, his forehead also cut. His bright blue gaze and brown hair were covered in blood from more than just himself. His anger grew, but his composure was still. The blue emblem on his breastplate reminded him of what he was protecting. He took another big breath as the soldier who struck him was stunned to see he had taken the hit so lightly. The moment was short-lived as the Captain smashed the soldier with his shield, knocking the soldier down unconscious.

    It was finally before him, the general who smirked, impressed with the Captain's. The Captain smiled, covered in sweat, breathing heavy from the battles that had taken place just moments before. The general unsheathed his blade, swinging it in fashion as he pulled out another, wielding a blade in each hand. The Captain tilted his head both ways, ready for what was to come. They charged at one another, the general swinging his blades furiously and non-stop. The Captain shielded what he could, his own blade deflecting what got through. The Captain was pushed back, planning his counter-attack at the general's next charge. The moment again slowed, his adrenaline dumping into his system. So this is what will be the end of me? So be it. He said to himself, his voice ringing in his head. The general lifted his blade, the Captain smashing the shield between the two blades, taking one in the ribs. The burning thud stopped him for a moment as the Captain pinned the general on the ground, delivering a quick and sudden blow. As fast as it had happened, it was over. The captain pulled the blade from his armor, his wound being fatal, he walked back to the remaining men of his.

    As he approached, their concern was obvious for their Captain's health. The Captain sat down, only a few of what little he had remained.

    "You fought very well, men." The Captain spoke softly, losing any sign of aggression in his tone.

    The small force sent to ravage their town was stopped. Many of the general's men retreating after seeing the defeat of their superior with such ease, or so they thought.

    "You go home, you live happy lives and stand to fight another day, you hear me?" The Captain said while he stuck his blade into the ground next to his flag, waving proudly in the air.

    The Captain's eyes began to fade, blindness coming over him as his hearing became a faint ring before nothing. A smile was given to his men to show them what a proud death would look like. The Captain smelled the sweet aroma of the winter blooms once more before letting his final breath escape him, resting peacefully as his pain numbed and he passed on.