District 42-Chapter 367: Death March

MMA was walking in front of several warriors lined up in front of each other. They were organized just like an army, making seven different lines, all of them wielding their weapons.

They had serious faces, filled with both fear and resolution.

However, at the same time as the Frelsis had built that fear inside them, the fear of death and getting another defeat; they also filled their hearts with the determination to take their revenge.

Most of those warriors had lost their families in the attack or then got severely hurt. The blow on their minds and emotions was more devastating than in their bodies.

Some let that blow take them down forever and refused to fight again. But some others utilized that latent emotion as fuel to make them keep going with all their might. The sadness, the hesitation, the impotence, were being replaced by the ambers of wrath.

MMA was looking into their eyes while walking back and forth. Behind the sad mask, his eyes were so serious and concentrated that he seemed to be looking inside their very soul.

Their faces didn’t flinch, though. Those were high-ranked Ridires. They were used to that kind of pressure. In truth, they knew that the Aesir was doing it on purpose. He was trying to test them even before they started to fight.

It wasn’t something cruel to do. After all, the leader has responsibility for his folk, not just the soldiers. Those people were going to protect their folk. The weaklings that had any trace of hesitation must just back away instead of going to die in a meaningless and one-sided battle that he never wanted to fight. Those who lacked will wouldn’t last a single second on that line.

"Listen!" His voice echoed. It wasn’t an overly serious voice, nor angry, nor impatient. It was the same voice that someone would utilize to talk casually with anyone while drinking tea. However, everyone could hear it, and their bodies shivered when that single word reached their ears.

All the warriors got into position and focused in order to not lose a single word said by MMA.

"That’s not a heroic march, as you all may know. It’s not something beautiful and that will be remembered with joy and excitement by your children, family, and so on. In truth...", he stopped to walk all of a sudden, turning to those seven lines, "it is a death march."

He kept silent for a moment. Not a single whisper was heard.

"Hey, you." He pointed at one of the generals who were in front of the first line. "What happens in a death march?"

"We all die, Sir!"

"All of you, repeat!"

"We die, Sir!" Everyone shouted in unison.

Although it was a dumb question, he wanted that all of them said it by themselves. He wanted that they grasped the very feeling of going directly towards death.

The Boss pointed to the general of the second line.

"General, what happens when we face death?" He asked softly. However, seeing those eyes filled with nothing but a deep void of emotions made the general get stiff.

"W-We fight, Sir."

"Again, without stuttering."

"We fight, Sir!!" He yelled, hurting his throat.

Without him asking to, the others repeated afterward.

"We fight!"

MMA nodded his head, satisfied.

"That’s right. We will face death now. The majority of you will die terribly. I may die as well. The most powerful Frelsis invaded our territory and are still inside there. Your end will begin after we cross the thin line between us and that Castle!" He pointed at that huge construction in the distance that was their home before but now got infected.

"When we cross this line, I want you to keep your weapons raised, also as your heads, and stare directly at death, then fight back until you fall to your knees. That’s why I am emphatic when stating: If you have the slightest doubt in yourself whether you will be able or not to keep up with this pace, then leave NOW!"

MMA got a tiny bit surprised when seeing that nobody didn’t even seem to consider that option. They maintained their heads raised and held their weapons even more tightly.

He smiled faintly behind the mask. A very tiny smile, that may have passed just like a little contraction on the muscles of his face. But still a smile.

The Aesir gave a step back.

Surprisingly, the tent behind him was opened, and the princess left there... in a wheelchair.

The Ridires got flabbergasted with that sight and barely could prevent their jaws to drop.

Some of them teared up when seeing it.

"I am very thankful and have much respect for you all that choose to keep by our side and fight for our home. You all are very precious to me," she spoke. That was the first time when Vick didn’t show that cold behavior of hers. Instead, she had gentle eyes and spoke in a voice filled with fondness.

"I wish you the best of luck when going to that fight. May Odin bless you all and ignite the strength needed to overcome all trials on your way! As for me...", she looked at her own legs, but smiled, "I can only borrow you my own, tiny strength."

She materialized her shield. One of the most valuable and powerful treasures of their folk, and the only present that she received from her parents.

"White warrior..." She called.

Casper approached her, kneeling.

"You will be the vice-captain of this crusade. For this reason, and for everything that you have done until now for my folk, I bestow my power to you and our army," she offered the shield to him.

Casper took it solemnly, then walked beside her. MMA was standing on her other side.

The other Aesirs showed up as well. The symbol of the strength of those Ridires was again as strong as they used to be, just like they never got defeated. The only one missing was Brenna.

Upon seeing that scene, those warriors got spirited.

They stomped their foot on the ground, hit their own chest, and gave a warcry that echoed on across that place, marking the beginning of their march.