Proofreader: ToHellWithGrid
During Xavion's training, he had the privilege of being instructed by the great Sergeant Tacitus, who had a unique teaching style that was both strict and engaging. He emphasized the importance of strength and resilience in becoming a hero, telling us that "A hero is often associated with a knight who fought and died, but one does not necessarily need physical strength to overcome their enemies and be deemed a hero." Xavion initially struggled with the physical demands of training. Sergeant Tacitus pushed him to his limits and helped develop his mental toughness and perseverance necessary to succeed. Looking back on his experience, Xavion was grateful for his guidance and wisdom, carried his words with him as a reminder of what it truly means to be a knight.
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A fierce battle is slowly growing as they approach slowly in formation. Hearing the change of formations, their brothers' battle cry and their screams before they were slain... It felt like it was nothing new to Xavion. It was a familiar sound, one that had become all too common. But despite the horrors that surrounded them, he felt only a sense of detached numbness, yet he felt merely disturbed. But it's part of winning, making sacrifices is one of them. It's the brutal reality of war, so he learned to accept this tragedy. Looking to his left, he sees a friend of his, Olpe, who he nods at Xavion as they raised their shields, head first into battle.
The sound of swords clashing, armor clanking and shields thudding as they make contact filled his ears as they charge into battle. The air was thick with the smell of blood and dust that covers the whole battlefield.
Screams of the wounded and dying echoed all around them. Xavion could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he came face to face with his first opponent. A fairly equipped squire, he charged at his direction with no hesitation. Xavion took a step to the side as he jabs his sword forward with enough strength to pierce my chain mail. Xavion was about to counter the attack with an overhead swing but was bashed with his buckler right in his abdomen. Thus, making Xavion stumble from the blow, momentarily weakening him. His opponent knew that he had the upper hand and was about to ready to end his life, but before he could even launch an attack, the sound of metal piercing through the squire's chest, rings in Xavion's ear. To his surprise, the opponent stumbled forward, a look of shock on his face. Xavion turned to see Olpe standing behind the squire, a look of satisfaction on his face. He had come to Xavion's rescue, just in the nick of time.
"He almost got ya' there, my friend!" Olpe laughs, offering him a helping hand.
"I'd be dead if it wasn't for you, brother!" Xavion chuckled, gratefully accepting his assistance. Together, they fought side by side, cutting down their enemies with ease. Despite the chaos and carnage that surrounded them, he felt a sense of camaraderie with Olpe and the rest of his brothers in arms.
As the battle raged on, he could feel himself growing weaker, arms heavy with exhaustion. Though, refused to give up, drawing strength from the knowledge that his brothers were fighting alongside him. They were in this together, a united front against these bastards. As he landed the final blow on his opponent, the battlefield fell silent for a moment, save for the sound of his own ragged breathing. But the moment of triumph was short-lived. In the distance, he would hear a commotion brewing, the sound of men shouting and clashing swords ringing out across the battlefield. Without hesitation, he turned to face the new threat.
To his left, a giant of a man, easily twice his size, sweeping his way across the battlefield. Men flew from right to left as his massive sword swung with deadly force, cutting down all who stood in his path. Xavion knew that he had to act fast or it would decimate their forces.
With a fierce determination, he leaps towards him, sword at the ready. Xavion stood before the hideous monster, staring him down with a steely gaze. He sneered at him, his lips twisted in a cruel grin.
"He-he..! Another one of you weaklings?! You can't kill me, Hyaah!" He swung his massive sword, which he easily dodges it.
"That all you got..?!" Xavion said uneasily, as it almost caught him off guard.
"Being cocky, are we?! You still haven't seen what I can do!!" He said in a raging tone.
He started swinging his massive sword from right to left. He easily dodged every single slash, though was not lucky to his last. As he swings his massive sword over his head and caught him off-guard, and was too late to avoid it. Xavion did manage to leap to his left, yet the sword still struck his right thigh, injuring him.
"Haa-Ha! Did that hurt?!" He said, grinning menacingly.
Xavion didn't think he'd lose to someone this foolish... this was the first time he felt fear. Legs shaking, vision blurry, he felt his face going pale. He glanced at this bastard one last time before he finally swings his sword at him. Closing his eyes before he felt this bastard's sword hit, making him lose his senses.
"... (I didn't th)-ink you'd lose to someone like him..!" He hears an unfamiliar voice said to him as he regain his hearing.
He opens his eyes to see a person on a stead, his lance impaled into that bastard's chest. Before Xavion passed out cold, lying in the mud.
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As Xavion regained his consciousness, he jolts up, as he felt the surgeon's assistant, examined his wound. The tender flesh throbbed as she prodded it, but he managed to stay still and calm.
"This doesn't look that bad... The shock probably got him unconscious," she muttered to herself.
Dazed and confused, he groaned, "What happened... Where am I?" as he tries to sit upright from the ground, clutching his head.
"You should lie down for a moment. I need to patch you up first." She says, as she gestures him to lie down and rest.
"To answer your question. You're back at camp... you fell unconscious. Thank the man who saved your sorry arse," she chuckled.
Feeling embarrassed, Xavion asked, "May I ask, what is a woman doing near the frontline?" as he looks at her. He hears her chuckle.
"I don't know if you're aware, but my father is the chief surgeon at the camp and I assist him," she said. Xavion absorbed the information and acknowledged its practicality for having an assistant surgeon on the battlefield, yet he couldn't help but be a little surprised at the notion of a woman occupying such a role.
"Thank you for your help," Xavion said, grateful for her care. She nodded in response before turning her attention back to the wound. With deft hands, she cleaned and dressed it before giving him instructions on how to care for it.
As she finished up, he couldn't help but ask, "What's your name?"
"Lydia," she replied, as she looks at him to reveal a friendly smile. "And yours?"
"Xavion, at your service, m'lady..." I answered, taking a small bow and returning the smile.
With a small nod, she made her way back to her father's tent, leaving him to ponder over the events of the day. As he make his way back to his tent, Xavion bumped into Olpe, commanding his men.
"Xavion, there you are! I heard you got injured. Are you alright?" Olpe asked concern etched on his face.
"I'm fine now, thanks to Lydia and the man who saved me," he replied. Recounting the events of the day at the least.
Olpe's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, that's quite a tale! You're lucky to be alive." In which Xavion nodded in agreement, feeling grateful for his second chance. Xavion invites Olpe to the tent to further their chat.
As they continue to talk to each other, a messenger from Yvonne arrived at their tent, holding a sealed scroll in his hand. He approached Xavion and greeted him before handing the scroll, which bore the royal seal of Yvonne. Breaking the seal, he reads the message with a look of concern. Xavion glanced at the messenger before facing towards Olpe, then looking back at the scroll.
"My father is dead...?"