Hi earthlings, obviously this is a new fic. Oh put away those ice picks, will you? I intend to update my other stories. Just please be patient. I'm kind of in a bind with my muse atm.

Anyway, this story was persistent since yesterday while I was ironing our clothes lol. Apologies in advance because I know so little about military. Don't worry I won't even try. I'll be focusing on Shiznat soonish. This chapter is a prologue 1.0 :D

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Natsuki Kuga.

My name is Natsuki Kuga. I used to be a loyal servant of the Northern Kingdom. I was in the army who swore to defend the Kingdom at all cost. I pledged my life to be at service of the home country I grew up in and of the King I admired the most. But the King was only human. He was not infallible.

Living in the Northern islands we were accustomed to the harsh and cold temperament of the weather. But due to the King's benevolence everyone had enough wood and warm clothing to survive. Everything was going well…too well except for the King. He caught a grave disease that would soon end his life. For how long he would live, no one really knows. Help was abundant when the news spread throughout the land but no medicine offered was correct to save the King. The Kingdom mourned of the inevitable end of the wise and benevolent King.

Prince Michael, the sole heir, was adamant to search outside the Kingdom for the cure. But since he was next to seat in the throne, if something happened to the King, he was not allowed to go. The land was rich but then snow storms had hit several farming fields leaving the Kingdom scarce for their basic supplies—stomachs were grumbling in hunger and skins are trembling in cold. In spite of these problems, the eldest offspring of the King, Princess Tomoe, tasked the army to search outside the Kingdom for the cure. She was clear in her order to forage foreign lands to provide for the hungry citizens while searching for the cure for the ailing King. Protests were made but the Princess made it clear that there was no time for hesitation or trading treaties with other lands.

Being in the secluded part in the North, the Kingdom was not friendly towards any other Kingdoms. At that time, the West and East were in friendly terms while the South, like the North, was alone though famed for their thirst of blood. The North was safe and had been left untouched by the West and East as the geography and weather were totally different from them. Besides these two Kingdoms were busy defending their lands from the incessant and terrifying invasions of the South. The North was indifferent to the wars outside of their land. They never tried to form treaties as they're satisfied with their peaceful life. The land was safe and happy for decades until now, until the greatest King had fallen to illness. It was then the Northern Kingdom decided to break its silence.

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It was the second week of my march with the army. It was my first war, if it ever comes to that, outside the Kingdom. I've been in the service since I was young. I was an orphan and never really had a family to go or shelter to live in so I enlisted to have a home. I believed I was good in my work. I was satisfied and honored to do the things for the great Kingdom I lived in. Once I was offered to be in the royal army but I declined. As much as it would honor me to serve the King, I want to hone my skills better in the battlefield. For some reason, my soul hungered for blood, for victory and triumph. There was a thirst inside me that won't be quenched. But the Kingdom I lived in doesn't hope for war, it doesn't want to expand its boundaries. All it wanted was peace and so I remained here in the army to aid in achieving that peace. I battled the rebels who opposed and threatens the peace. I killed numerous beasts in the mountains who dared to harm the people. I caught thieves who stole from the weak and poor. It was not enough for my soul but it helped pacify my boiling urge for war.

"Alas we are here!" Someone shouted beside me. I didn't bother to look at him knowing I won't recognize the face. Year after year I would ask my superior to reassign me to another group. I seek the thrill of the unknown, of not knowing where you'll end up or who you'll encounter next. That was the reason I immediately jumped to the opportunity when Princess Tomoe's order was announced. I was able to go outside my home and onward to the land I was not familiar with. These thoughts hummed inside my head and my bones rattled quietly as I wait to slash my blade onto a foreign soil.

A foreign soil. I never imagined myself being so happy leaving my home country.

"You look happy, Kuga-san." Another faceless man remarked. I pretend that I know them and give them brief response every now and then but the excitement in me was so evident that I smiled when I said, "Yes! I wonder what kind of beasts are we up against in this forest."

We have entered the boundary between the North and the East. This forest smelled different from ours. It even looked different. Lush green was everywhere. Tropical birds were singing in a different tune. This place was foreign, I felt foreign but my heart was thumping with joy.

"You sound like a barbarian as always, Kuga-san. Always seeking for blood." And I heard a dozen faceless men and women laughed.

I merely smiled as it was the truth.

A few days later we arrived in the first town of the Eastern Kingdom. Everyone was excited and anxious at the same time. No one knew what kind of appearance the people of the East have, their capability in the battlefield…Nothing. It was then the small of talk of people began.

"I wished we have opened our borders to the outsiders when we had a chance. If we did, we wouldn't be sneaking up late at night in a foreign land without any information."

Another agreed. "Others would think of us as recluse."

Another chimed in. "At least we are not seen as barbaric like from the South. Those people are horrible!"

"Who are we to judge people?" I then asked. "Besides, isn't it our job to get information?"

I was always known for being tactless and I never cared whenever they mutter curses under their breath. I see these people as cowards who wore armors to protect themselves and weapons to justify their strength.

But my lack of tact had led me into nasty situations such as this. "Okay Kuga, since you're all knowing why don't you form a team of five and secure the area?"

After refusing the position in the coveted royal army, people initially thought of me as a coward. Then they had heard and seen my skill in the battlefield and later on would label me as a barbarian. But many hated my guts because of my snarky attitude, but there were also who liked me for being honest and great as a soldier. It was unfortunate that I opened my mouth when a Lieutenant was passing by. To make matter worse, he was the one who made the last comment that I responded to.

So with four other companions we scouted the land. I mentioned to my companions that the place looked unusually quiet but they dismissed me saying that it was like so because it's a small town and it's already midnight. However, not an hour later since we stepped onto the town we were surrounded by a dozen soldiers. The looks in their eyes were untamed and yet their stances were contained. They were different from the wild beasts from our land.

Two of my companions tried to struggle and were killed in an instant. The two beside me plead for their lives but I remained speechless as a path was made for a man. The man exuded power and confidence. He was the most notable warrior I have ever seen.

"You're not from these lands, yes?" It was a question aimed at me. Still in awe with his formidable presence, I could only nod.

"Let me guess. You people are from the North?" Another nod was made by me.

The other warriors expressed their amazement. It seemed that our appearance was most surprising to them. The man, who assumed was their leader, turned his back and was about to leave when I decided it was my turn to ask a few questions.

"Who are you?"

The surrounding became tensed. A warrior was about to strike me when he was halted by their leader lifting his hand. He slowly turned around and walked towards me. It was only for that moment I felt fear. There were many times wherein I almost died and feared nothing, but this formidable man merely paved his way to me and I want to hide.

With a voice that echoed throughout the silence of the night he stated, "I am the General who shall soon invade your land."

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Dun dun dun dun...