Chapter 2

"That was brutal." Erskine Ravel and Ignatius Wake were underground in the trenches.

"It was necessary." Ignatius sighed.

"It was still brutal." Erskine replied.

"I just want to go home and relax. All this death is killing me."

"Pun intended?"

"Pun intended." Ignatius smiled.

"You got anyone waiting for you?" Erskine inquired "Back home, I mean."

Ignatius was quite for a moment, and then he smiled fondly.

"I have a girlfriend, Merida Twirl. She is the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on."

"That's pretty intense for a 15 year old."

"Age isn't everything."

Now it was Erskine's turn to be silent.

A resistance soldier walked around the corner, pulled out a sealed envelope.

"Letter for Erskine Ravel."

"That would be me." Erskine leaned forward, took the letter, pulled out a knife and used it to open the letter. He silently read the letter, eyes running across the page.

"What is it?" Ignatius asked.

"See for yourself." Erskine passed the letter to Ignatius. Ignatius looked down at the page, it read:

Erskine,

I was telegrammed the news of your success and would like to congratulate you and Ignatius. You may have a period of rest before you are sent out on your next mission. Come home, relax. The other 'Dead men' as everyone seems to be calling them, will be joining you there. You have 3 days of rest, travel not counted.

Yours sincerely,

Corrival Deuce

"Well" Ignatius said, looking up at Erskine, "Looks like we're going home."

"And it looks like you finally get to meet the other dead men."

Erskine went off to pack his sack, leaving Ignatius in the little room. Bored, he got up and paced for a moment. Realizing that this made it even worse he stopped. Thinking of something to do, hit chewed his lip. Making up his mind, Ignatius strode out the doorway and down the dirty, muddy tunnel. Upon reaching the telegram office, he walked up to the operator.

"I would like to send a telegram." Ignatius stated.

"Write down the message and address, I will then send it." The operator had a boring, dull voice.

Ignatius grabbed a sheet of paper, a pencil and found a desk to write on.

My dear Merida,

I am being sent home for a few days before my next mission. I will be there soon, I love you.

Yours in eternity,

Ignatius

Ignatius stood up, walked to the operator and gave him the letter. The operator tapped away at his Morse code device.

"So, you're the famous Ignatius Wake." It wasn't a question.

"Yes, I am."

"May I ask a question?"

"Sure."

"How did your magic develop so fast?"

"I was born with it." Ignatius explained. " I was stronger, faster and more resilient than anyone else. I was noticed and contacted by the sanctuary. Mr Bliss trained me. I have now taken his title of 'strongest man on Earth.'"

"Ok, thank you."

"Goodbye." Ignatius walked out the door, saw Erskine.

"You ready to go?" He asked Erskine.

"Yep, lets go."