LU 259 - Dr. Thornberry 70

Today was the day I’ve been preparing for. I’d stayed up all of last night, moving supplies from my basement to the bunker I had setup on the outskirts of the battlefield. I was confident we would win, all the odds were in our favor. I gathered my troops, making sure we were all aware of the chests. It was time. For real.

We all strapped on our armor with a satisfying click, and walked out onto the field. I jumped up onto a podium with Space, and saw the enemy team walking in on the horizon. Once they lined up, I gave a boring speech, and the fight started. Bloodshed was immediate; it seemed like the opposing team had a strategy at the ready. And it was working.. a little too well. Half of our soldiers were out within the first five minutes, and when I glanced around, Space was gone from my sight too.

Yelps and gasps of pain were echoing around, and my head started to spin. Everywhere I looked, all I saw was enemies. I continued to fight on, doing my best as my sword clanged against armor. A hit on Kearly, then one on Vert, another on Viktor, and so on. As I run away, trying to regain my health, I see my teammates fighting. All of them looking grim; it seems we all have the same thought in mind. We’re losing. My mind snapped back to reality, as I realized I was surrounded. I did everything I could to get them away but I was trapped. Bracing myself for impact, I passed out, feeling the blow knock the breath out of me.

...

Waking up I winced, the cut I had gotten still stung. Blinking away the blur, I see Space by my side, along with a few soldiers strewn across the field. And then I see them, standing in front of us triumphantly, looking almost unharmed. Kearly, Vert, and Ophello.

*”What happened..?”*

*”You lost.”*

They looked down at us with grins close to evil, and I felt panic rise up in my chest for the first time in a while. We.. *lost?* No- we couldn’t have right? We had more soldiers, better supplies, better gear… where did we go wrong? I turned my head to Space and he stood up. I did the same.

*”What happens now?”*

*”We’re the new Kings.”*

I tried to retaliate but Space spoke first.

*”We can’t let you do that so soon.”*

An argument broke out about the consequences of our loss, but I couldn’t take it in. The only thing circulating around my brain was the fact that we lost. I was so caught up about this, that I didn’t even realize they’d moved away and made a table to sit at. I walked up and took a seat slowly, beaten.

*”How about we fight again?”*

The words had exited my mouth before I even thought about what I had said. They all looked at me, but I couldn’t back down.

*”Did you hear me? We fight again.”*

And they agreed. A civil mans fight, whoever wins gets the throne. It was started quickly, but after a few hits, Space and I lost. It was almost immediate, almost like we were being forced by another power to step down. I was crushed, defeated even. Upon sitting back down, a discussion bloomed. Another man came and joined us, Nekane, and we all spoke. The talking kept going in circles- I proposed a contract, but it was bashed down. Finally, after what felt like hours, we came to a decision. Space and I would be exiled from spawn, but we’d take The Ones Below All with us, changing the Amathian Empire back into SpawnTown. We’d never be able to step foot in Spawn again, or we’d be killed immediately.

The throne I had sat in not only a day prior, stripped from me quicker than I could kick sand in someone’s eyes.

*(This is your chance Vice. Just leave Space.)*

I turned around and placed my eyes upon Chase.

*”Stop, please.”*

*(You know better than anyone it would be best.)*

He kept talking, but I ignored it. He’s in my mind after all, I should have the power to shut him out when I want to. Space and I were on our own. Whether it be start a rebellion or build our empire back up, we had to do something.

But as I followed Space’s footsteps away from Spawn and back to the cave, I solidified the truth. I really am alone, and if that’s how the world wants it to be, so be it. My death is approaching, and soon.