Arche and Chester made their way in the direction the explosion came from. Smoke still rose to the sky. "Did it start a fire?" Chester asked panting. Arche didn't answer. All she wanted to do was find out who did this and make them pay dearly for their intrusion. When they neared the northern end of the forest another explosion appeared just afew feet infront of them. "Whoa!" Chester froze as he stared at the smoldering crater. "Whats going on? Who or what made this?" Then all around them sounds of clashing metal and stomping feet drew closer and closer. Multiple ear peirceing sounds followed and everyone in their area started falling to ground in puddles of blood.
Soon the assailants were visible. They surounded Chester and Arche weapons raised and trained on them. Each and everyone of the assailants wore black armor and their eyes were the only thing visible. Some held spears, others held a different weapon. "Lay down your arms!" Immediatly the crowd put down their weapons and split in two to make way for what seemed to be their leader. "Im the captain of this millitia!" His voice was low but strong. He sounded middle aged. His armor unlike the others was a dark green which made him stand out from the rest. Chester swollowed and slowly began to speak, "Wh-who are you? And what are you doing here!"
"We are the Arian armada! We seek something of great importance. We're looking for the sacred tree." Both Chester and Arche looked confused. "Sacred tree?" Arche asked still puzzled. "Sir its not here!" One of the soldiers who was not dressed in black armor ran to his surperior with a rather large map. "What do you mean its not here!" The man in grean armor's eyes widened and the changed tone in his voice said he was very unhappy. The man now identified as the navigator flinched at the raise of his voice. "I-I must have read the map wrong sir. Th-the so called "Mana Tree" is a forest south ea- Mana Tree!" The navigator was interupted by Chester. "Oh so you do know of it. The general will be very pleased." He grinned then he turned around and faced the person who led them in the wrong direction. "As for you!" His voice rose even higher and filled with more rage. "You have just been expended!" He drew sword and with one cut downward the navigator was now in half. A blood puddle was formed as the corpse hit the ground.
The captain calmed and turned around. For a moment all was silent, the soldiers still stood surrounding the forest. "Now." He said finaly raising a smaller handheld weapon. "You may not know what this is but if you dont take us to the mana tree then I will have no choice but to execute you both. Do we have a deal?" The two looked down not saying a word. "Good." The captain laughed. "Alright boys! Burn the forest and move out!" Arche looked up eyes wide in shock tears streaming down her face. No! No matter how much she wanted to she couldn't protest, if she did then that would be it for her and everyone else she cared about.
Back at the camp General black as he was called because of how he handled punishments was going over his plans for what was to come next. "Bring in the prisoners. That expedition I sent in hasn't yet reported their findings." The one and only soldier in the room responded with a nod and a quick, "Yes sir." And was out. "I dont plan on starting a war. It would just be a waste of good man power and I need all the help I can get for when we leave this land." The general was muttering to himself seeing that he was now alone in his quarters and get peace to himself. If push came to shove he would take these lands like a flood of water. Nothing would stand in the way for the future of the empire.
((Well probably not one of my better chapters but hopfully it works.))