AaaAaaahhhhh!
Last chapter :O Somethings in this chapter might be rushed and weird and I apologize for that. But OMG this is the longest chapter I've written so far nearly 3000 words!
Enough speaking; ENJOY
The Battlefield (Boreas POV)
It is the first day of the battle and it looks very bleak. I have never seen Orpheus so despondent I have read a few messages from the villages who have suffered from Menelaus reign. In every letter, they demand: "Orpheus attack Menelaus forces"
But being an army who is, outmanned, outnumbered, and out planned. It kind of makes it hard doing just that.
We are in such a spot that we have even debated about eating our horses! 'Cause farmers deny us and don't want to assist us. They are too afraid of Menelaus, so say goodbye to bigger troops...
Orpheus walk up to me to give me some more bad news. "Cavalry is not coming." Mikolas who is with us doesn't like this at all and protest.
"But Sir"
Orpheus raises his hand and wants us to listen, he says there is only one way for us to win this. "Provoke outrage, don't engage, strike by night. Remain relentless until their troops take flight. Make it impossible to justify the cost of this fight." We have to outrun, outlast them. But also hit them quick and get out fast.
"Say alive 'till this horror play has passed. We are going to have lots of bodies before this has passed."
Buk sends for aid out of our territory and Samitos stays with me to free the enslaved people. Every day is a test of our comradery and bravery. We cut supply lines and steal weapon vans, we carefully pick our battles and places to take a stand. And every day I ask our leader for a post as commander, and it's the same answer every time. "No!"
It hasn't gone so well for us. It feels like we try to attack but always end up retreating. I think some of the commanders are scared because of how many enemies there are. But I always end up thinking: "sorry is this not your speed."
A thousand soldiers die in hundred-degree heat and we snatch our friends from the jaws of defeat. While Menelaus tries to convince everybody that we are gonna lose. I am so angry at him as he drags Orpheus's good name through the mud. He isn't worried though, Orpheus is convinced that history will prove him wrong.
That and we have a war to fight.
...
I, Mikolas, and Orpheus are now standing at our strategy table, trying to figure out our next move. "I have some ideas, we need our most loyal soldiers. Boreas, Samitos, and Buk." He comes toward and begins to explain his plan.
"Okey what else?"
"We need a spy on the inside, some Menelaus men who might let some things slide. We rally the guys, master the element of surprise. Boreas can rise above his station and organizes your information, 'till we take back our nation.
But that leaves further questions unanswered. Who will risk becoming the spy and suffer the consequences of being caught? Orpheus has his ideas of who it could be, he believes that Kyros may be the best pick. I actually agree but Mikolas begins to think about what could go wrong.
"Orpheus please think about this. Kyros has been a great ally but what if Menelaus get him to tell him about our plan. What if he figures out that he wasn't kidnapped and force Kyros to tell him where we are!"
"You have every right to be worried, old friend. But there is no other way for us to win this."
I take hold of the scroll that Orpheus has written for Kyros and begins my way to give it to him. He is with Rachal and patches up a few soldiers. He sees me and smiles. "Boreas what a surprise. What does the big O want now? Tell him that his soldiers need to step up their game or you are gonna lose." He pauses and looks at the paper in my hand.
"Or do I have to tell him myself?", he teases lightly. I hand him the scroll and he reads it. I wait for his reaction and the little smile on his face disappears. "Spy on my father! Boreas please don't ask me to do that...I...I can't. He will see right through me. I'm just gonna ruin the plan."
I swallow the lump in my throat and try to encourage him.
"You"
"Can"
"Do"
"This!"
Kyros scratch his head in hesitation. "I don't know..." I make my puppy dog eyes at him to try and change his mind. My aunt says I can still do them justice. "Aaah...okay!" I jump in excitement and runs back to Orpheus with Kyros.
He tells Orpheus that he will do it. But. Only if I get a post as commander and at last Orpheus agrees to the deal.
The Battlefield
I look out on our city from the mountain and we are finally going to end this. I see Samitos walking up to me, he has his own mission but we want to say goodbye before we start.
"Commander Boreas!", he jokes.
"Mister Samitos", I say in an over professional voice. We give each other a quick hug and don't know what to say next.
"So, in the command, you will belong. No stress." He can't help to say that we have had quite a run, but now we are finally on the field. "We orphans get the job done."
I wonder what he shall do and he says that the troop he'll lead also will be with me on the battlefield. "Go lead your men", he insists. "I'll see you on the other side."
"Until we meet again!"
Let's go! I walk up to my men and we begin to ride our way to our destination. And I repeat one thought in my brain:
"I am not throwing away my shot, I am not throwing away my shot I'm just like my country, I'm young scrappy and hungry and I'm not throwing away my shot." Now the world gonna turn upside down.
I imagine death so much it feels more like a memory. Is this is where it gets me? On my feet, the enemy ahead of me. If this is the end of me at least I have a friend with me. A weapon in my hand, in command, and my men with me.
Then I remember my Aria is expecting me, not only that she is apparently expecting! We gotta go, gotta get the job done. Must take back our nation gotta meet my child!
Watch out for arrows, watch out for spears. We move undercover and we move as one, through the night. We have one shot to live another day let's not let fear keep us away. Must fight up close seize the moment to strike, is either that or be impaled yourself.
Everybody has orders, so let's go, men, go!
So now Mikolas plans begin and my friends are all scattered to the wind. Buk is in the south of Greece trying to bring bravery to the other cities and get them to help. Cause even if we win we will never be free until we end slavery.
When we finally draw the enemy away Samitos is waiting and preparing an ambush. How did we know this plan would work? We had a spy on the inside.
That's right. Kyros!
He spied on the attack plans and then he smuggled their plans, and I know he is loving it. This is what happens when you're against us rebels. And if you knock us down we get right back up again.
After a week of fighting a young man from the other team stands on a hill. We lower our bows as he waves a white flag. And just like that it's over we tend to our wounded, we count our dead. And many of our soldiers wonder if this really means freedom.
Not yet. Menelaus is still left, but now there is no one who has the energy to keep us away.
We negotiate the terms of surrender. I see Orpheus smile. We escort their men out of the city and thousands of people flood the streets. There are screams of joy and people cheering.
Now we must storm the castle and end this so I can meet my child!
At The Palace (third-person POV)
Orpheus army has managed to infiltrate the palace. A small force of Menelaus men has chosen to stay and protect him. Mikolas and the Wreckers have orders to storm the outer wall while the stealth team is going to locate Menelaus and keep him from fleeing. Orpheus will arrive as fast as he can when they have found him.
Stealth team has strict orders to keep him from escaping but for their own safety, they must not engage in combat. Aria, Boreas, and Samitos begin their way to the eastern sector of the palace after checking all other sections. Boreas didn't want Aria to come with since she is pregnant! But she came anyway the reason that they swore to be together in life and death. Because she won't be happy if their child isn't born free.
Samitos suddenly stops in his tracks. "I have to see if Menelaus has locked up people in the dungeon."
"That isn't the mission", Aria reminds him. But Samitos just goes away and says that they should continue without him. She sights and turns to Boreas with an annoyed look. But they keep running and turn around at the second corner.
They nearly bump into Socrates and a few soldiers ordered to keep him safe. "Damn", Aria swears. Socrates gasps in surprise and yells to his protectors: "Attack!" And they begin firing arrows.
Boreas take hold of his wife and quickly take cover by the nearest wall. Aria picks up a throwing knife that she keeps in her belt and throws it. She hands Boreas a few and they try to take out the soldiers.
Boreas looks at his right and sees Samitos running their way and doesn't have anyone with him...except a big shield.
"Out of the way!" Boreas and Aria move and Samitos run right over Socrates and the soldiers. They get into the room Socrates was guarding, they can see Orpheus battle Menelaus as they stand on a balcony. But they are on the level below and the stealth team can't reach them.
Meanwhile, the Wreckers have meet complications. Menelaus spy is playing with them to drag out the time so some of the remaining soldiers can get into the palace. They are doing their best but can't hold them forever. Mikolas just hopes Orpheus has finished Menelaus before that happens.
Before the stealth team saw Orpheus he climbed the palace wall where Menelaus is. The tyrant jumped Orpheus way and tackled him, so Orpheus lost the element of surprise.
The team now watches as the two leaders try to take each other down. Menelaus tries to make a blow against Orpheus but he takes hold of Menelaus fists and knocks his head into Menelaus. That makes the former gladiator stumble back and take up his sword and swings it in an angle toward Orpheus' head. The rebel leader sees this in time and avoids the sword tip.
Orpheus makes his second move and knocks the sword out of Menelaus' hand and throw him so he lands on his stomach a few meters away.
Samitos doesn't just want to stand there and do nothing. He wants to help their leader. He could care less about the; do not interfere rule. Orpheus need their help, that 's why they're a team.
"Orpheus catch!", he yells as he picks up a second sword. Orpheus tells him to look out when he sees one of Menelaus soldiers who throws a spear at him. Samitos blocks it but is pushed back and into the wall because of the force.
Aria stands her guard and quickly glances to see if Samitos is okay. He is. She later runs up to the soldiers and pins him down. She gives Boreas a demanding glare, wanting him to go and help their leader.
Boreas picks up the sword Samitos dropped and hangs at the side of the balcony. Boreas tries to get some speed before jumping to the other side. He tries to get Orpheus' attention but unfortunately also gets Menelaus' attention.
The tyrant growls in anger. "Not that pest again." Menelaus pushes Orpheus out of the way and picks up a dagger that lays on the floor. He quickly takes a hold of it and throws it at Boreas.
No one does even blink when the dagger hits him right in his chest when he is in mid-air. Orpheus and Boreas lock their eyes on each other before he falls.
"NO!"
Orpheus feels his heart drop to his feet. Once again has Boreas suffered for his incapability to end the person who has done unspeakable things to him and everyone else. Orpheus turns to his opponent only to see Menelaus with a satisfied smirk on his face.
He clenches his fist and in anger and frustration gives his former friend everything he deserves. Menelaus is hit multiply times in his chest, face and chin. To the point where he almost blacks out. Orpheus can't bear another loss at Menelaus' hands, even if it means to break the rule he finds the most precious.
But before that can happen Menelaus' vision clears and he notice the sword in front of him. He smiles for himself as Orpheus steps closer. He then swing his sword and cut Orpheus right in the stomach, making him falling off the same edge as Boreas. But takes hold if the edge in time with one hand.
Menelaus stands over him and raises his sword over his head. "Prepare to join your scout in the afterlife!"
"MENELAUS!"
The tyrant turns around to see who shout his name only to be met by a sword right through his heart. He is looking into the blue eyes of Boreas. Filled with so much anger and determination. "You took my voice.."
"You will never rob anyone of anything ever again!" No one knows how or why but at that moment Boreas had regained his ability to speak. Maybe it was the adrenalin, the situation. Whatever it was, his voice was finally back.
Menelaus struggles to breathe and tries to cut Boreas down with his sword but his arm his too weak. He is losing strength. At last, the tyrant collapsed because of the loss of blood and his body became cold.
Boreas breathes heavily and drops to his knees. Orpheus pulls himself up and gives Boreas a big and loving hug. He has grown attached to the boy and can't help but feel like a father to him. That's why he didn't want Boreas as commander he couldn't bear to lose him.
Or fail him.
Everyone in the team shows up and joins the group hug, well everyone except Jencir. He is more of a lone wolf.
Aria smiles and points something out that Boreas apparently missed. "Boreas your voice." He looks at them confused and can't figure out what they are talking about.
"What do you mean my voice- MY VOICE", he says completely shocked. He runs to give Rachal a genuine hug and he can feel tears building in his eyes. "Rachal I have my voice back!"
Rachal can't help but chuckle. "Yeah, we noticed." Everyone goes to congratulate Boreas both for getting his voice back and putting an end to this civil war. Aria smiles and stands proud beside her husband.
"It will take time getting this nation back onto its feet. But I have no doubt that we will succeed", says Orpheus.
After that everyone leaves. One after another. After a while, it's only Orpheus and Menelaus left.
Orpheus sits beside his former friend's body and let him close his eyes. With a heavy sight, he stands up again. "Rest in peace old friend. I hope you know that I never wanted this to happen though it could not have ended any other way."
And with that Orpheus leaves behind his old life to begin a new. Because this is not the end but merely another transformation.
THE END
I can't believe I'm done! I'm happy and sad at the same time. (: /:(
I hope you have had a good reading experience with me =) All your comments have been a big help with keeping writing this story.
This is the end chapter...buuuut I might write a small chapter where Bumblebee and Arcee get their baby. ^.^