I do not own Chaotic nor anything related to it. It belongs to TCDigital.
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The Marching Song
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The march is a melting pot. Mipedians marching alongside Overworlders, alongside Danians, alongside Underworlders. The beginning had been rough, with the Overworld and the Underworld gathering into groups and being territorial. As the hours wore on, though, they stopped caring about who their neighbors were and focused more on their aching feet.
Left... left... left, right, left...
The Overworld really is beautiful. A pity we're in too much of a rush to really take in the sights. The forests glow bright and colorful, the grass on the plains ripple like water, and even the rugged ground makes patterns in the earth.
Left... left... left, right, left...
The step of our feet matches the beat of the drums. Just a little faster than a comfortable pace.
Left... left... left, right, left...
I'm not wearing my helmet yet. The heat of the sun would make it uncomfortable. It and the rest of my battlegear are nearby, ready for me at a moment's notice. Right now, though, I'm the face, the leader, of this battalion. A ways in front is a battalion led by Austin, and behind us is one led by Odu-Bathax.
Left... left... left, right, left...
The drums... the drums... something is missing from the drums...
Left... left... left, right, left...
Left... left... left, right, left...
My mind spins with the rhythm, and soon I have the words. My voice is soft at first.
"Off... to battle..."
The creatures closest to me look in my direction.
"On... to war..."
Several more turn to watch. I feel my voice grow stronger. I start again and firmly sing...
"Off to battle... On to war... Bones will rattle... Blood will pour..."
I take a breath.
"Marching onwards... Through the night... Pushing forwards... To the fight..."
Soldiers begin to emphasize the downbeats of my rhythm with the steps of their feet.
"Broke and rending... Bowed and curled... All defending... For our world..."
I'm at a loss for what to say next, but a Mipedian marching close by feels the urge to add his own lyrics.
"Early mornings... Cut through glades... Ice no warnings... Deadly blades..."
A Danian sings out next.
"Hammers batter... Fires born... Shells will shatter... muscle torn..."
Many creatures are singing now, as they turn my left few stanzas into a chorus.
"Broke and rending... Bowed and curled... All defending... For our world..."
The song now guides our march. The drums are just a background beat now.
Off to battle... On to war... Bones will rattle... Blood will pour... Marching onwards... Through the night... Pushing forwards... To the fight... Broke and rending... Bowed and curled... All defending... For our world...
Those creature wielding weapons that can be beaten on the ground start to do so, adding to the rhythm. Others beat a fist into an open palm.
Early mornings, boom boom, Cut through glades, boom boom, Ice no warnings, boom boom, Deadly blades, boom boom boom! Hammers batter, boom boom, Fires born, boom boom, Shells will shatter, boom boom, muscle torn, boom boom boom! Broke and rending, boom boom, Bowed and curled, boom boom, All defending, boom boom, For our world, boom boom boom!
We sing the rest of the day, always the same word, but with more and more added every repetition. Instruments are improvised, variations in melody are introduced.
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When camp is being set up, I spot a Mipedian muge writing down the score for the song. Symbols for the length and pitch of each note, and the words underneath. He hums as he writes, and I can see lights dancing around his hands.
I get back to overseeing the setting up of the camp. Late tomorrow we arrive at Lake Blakeer, if we wake early that morning.
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Up next: The End of the Calm, Rise of the Storm
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Like I said before, Chaotic belongs to TCDigital.
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