Chương 198: The Last Push

After two days of Vaelheall Week, my legs were jello. I didn't think I could get this exhausted, and I thought with my enhanced Vitality, I was beyond the point of this being a problem. Apparently, I was incorrect. As we settled down to sleep on the second day at midnight, a squad threw in the towel and pierced their helmets on the spear outside the mess hall, signalling their will to drop out. I couldn't explain why, but it made me stiffen my legs up. I was going to make it through this week.

To keep myself focused, I forced myself to imagine what we'd see after. We'd train with some of the best combat instructors in all of Gate. I wouldn't give that up in a lifetime. And what would Alis think when she saw me next? Would she be impressed? I kinda hoped so… When I reached the barracks, though, I stopped outside the entrance. Habit and Yesman waited beside the door, talking softly. We hadn't planned a meeting, so I was about to walk past, but Habit motioned for me.

I walked over, taking a few steps closer.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Rumour is that more orcs crossed the Thelea River," Habit said quickly.

"North of us this time, and out of the 294th's reach, but they've been attacking cities, and even the extra fortifications aren't helping." I gulped.

"It's just a rumour."

"Of course it's just a rumour," Habit snapped.

"But it sounds about right. Orcs have been preparing for something. They're raiding villages and stealing supplies."

"You think they'll have to call on us and interrupt our training?" I whispered.

"I hope not," Yesman said.

"Most likely not." I exhaled sharply.

"We have to worry about what we can change now, then. And once we do pass the training program, we'll be able to truly make a difference."

"You truly think that?" Habit whispered.

"I have no reason not to." I paused.

"Where are you guys looking to be placed after you're done training?"

"I will join the Warlord's guard," Yesman said.

"It is what's expected of me, but they haven't fought in battle for centuries. It will be safe."

"Given the choice?" Habit shook his head.

"The way things are going, I'd like to be as far from the front as I can be."

"You guys would work this hard just to take a placement somewhere…else?"

"That's the point, right?" Habit asked.

"You get to relax at the end of it all, don't you?" I sighed.

"You guys do as you please. But I was hoping you'd be here with me, fighting on the front and actually making a difference."

"And you plan to stay on the front?" Habit's voice turned accusatory.

"You know, sir, your lands are quite far from the front. You sure you're not hiding away from the rest of us, while using us as fodder for your wars?"

"That's what they want from us," Yesman interjected.

"The Dark Lord uses his influence to sow discord and discontent among his enemies. He wants us demoralized." I nodded.

"I couldn't have said it better myself—""That's what we've been told about Kharzon," Habit said softly.

"But I dunno. And frankly, Levi, you've grown awfully… odd about the Blood Tear Order. I'm not sure if you're exactly a paragon of righteousness yourself." I rolled my eyes.

"You didn't see what they could do, though." But I didn't want to push my luck. There was no need to piss Habit off when we were all stressed out by Vaelheall Week. His comment about the cultists, though, had my stomach churning. Were people actually buying that? They were human-sacrificing nutjobs. What was wrong with opposing them? Jesus, Hinlaw's plan is actually working. And how was I supposed to fight back against that? People were buying into it. A problem for the future.

I was exhausted, I couldn't think straight and there was no way I could actually come up with a solution in time.

"Whatever," I said quickly.

"I've gotta rest. I'll see you guys around, maybe." This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. ~ ~ ~ The rest of the week passed with a cold numbness. I didn't want to burn bridges, but what was I supposed to do? Like Anchor said, it was easy to sway in the wind and bend yourself to whatever voice screamed the loudest. But I had seen the cultists' behaviour firsthand. Even now, I felt the pressure of Eadgeat's hug.

I knew what was right, and I knew the cultists weren't it. I wouldn't bend on that point. As for convincing people that I wasn't evil? I'd have to find a way to make them see the same side of the cultists that I had. There was no point in ruling over a land that hated my guts. I'd never tried to wage a war by public opinion before, though. How was I supposed to do it now— What was I even thinking about? I had never waged a war before, either. I'd only been here a year.

Just get to the end of the week, I told myself. There was no Labyrinth run on the seventh day. Our exercises simply continued. A chilly breeze washed over the castle, and that was probably for the best, because all of us were drenched in sweat, and it would've smelled awful. I passed from one exercise to another, not looking at Habit. It stung, though, seeing him stare at me with that cold repugnance. I should be the one who felt that way about him, but I just couldn't bring myself to.

Surviving the conditioning was my main focus. I didn't reach first place, still, but I knew better than to complain. The Drillmaster was trying to keep his head down as well, and our interests aligned. Best not to let him think they didn't align. As we worked, I noticed a troop of Subtle Men watching from the walls. The Drillmaster pointed out Yesman, and the cloaked spies of the Warlord never paid any attention to me—I made sure to lag behind when I knew they were watching.

I silently thanked the Drillmaster for his help. By noon on the last day, I couldn't stop panting, and my chest ached. By dinner, I couldn't feel my feet. Was I going to make it? Was that even a question I had to ask? Of course I was. I'd force myself to make it. By midnight, the edges of my vision were growing dark. Our last conditioning activity was a classic: we had to flip a riftrock dish around the entire outer circle of the wall. I was expecting a struggle, but my mind didn't register a challenge.

I'd done it before, and I could do it again. This was just another task, so I'd better get to it. The bigger problem was my squad. Anchor was falling behind, and Sage was running dangerously low on Presence. I flipped my rock to the end of the course as quickly as I could. I pushed myself as hard as I could. Something tore in my arm, and something ripped near the base of my back. I wasn't lifting with the proper technique, but I didn't care. As long as I could keep moving, I had to. My squad needed me to go faster.

When I reached the finish, I was the first one. I immediately turned to Owl and asked, "Can I help my squad?"

"No physical help," he said.

"I won't," I replied, then limped back around the edge of the course until I found Anchor and Sage. Something had ripped in my calf, and I'd definitely pushed it too hard. The knowledge that I had a way of repairing it, though, made it much better. When I reached them, I said, "Anchor, you're two thirds of the way there. Sage, same for you. Brawl's getting ahead of you. He's almost at the finish."

"He's the stronger one, dustbrain," she grunted.

"Of course he is."

"You've got Morph."

"He costs Presence." Morph was doing most of the work, but Sage was the one fuelling him, giving him the strength to flip the rock over and over and over. Her head drooped, and her hair was greasy. It was the dullest she'd ever looked, but somehow, she was still holding on.

"If you don't make it, your father won't let you keep fighting," I said.

"You know that. He'll be watching over you more closely…he'll coddle you more…"

"Fuck you, dustbrain. Don't remind me." At that, she pushed the stone harder, and with far more vigour than before. Mission accomplished. Now, for Anchor. I turned to him.

"I don't suppose spite is gonna drive you?"

"I don't think I can make it, Sarge," he replied.

"I came here to be the best archer. Not to be the best rock flipper."

"And it takes strength to draw a bow," I said.

"What are you going to do when we craft you a better bow, huh? Are you gonna just going to draw it from the chest because the string is too taut?"

"Maybe?"

"Why'd you want to be the best archer, huh? It's gotta be more than just personal pride. Were you like the others? You wanted a nice, easy life? A nice little retirement? You didn't need to join the SAP to get that, though I suppose it would be safer than fighting on the front lines for ten years. In theory, at least." Anchor growled under his breath.

"No, Sarge. Comfort is a lie. What then? I would be happy for a few decades, then die? No, no, there's more out there for me. I know it. There's a torch we have to carry. All those who came before us lit it, and we have an oath to keep!" He flipped the rock, and it fell down with a thud.

"I just don't know why I'm keeping my oath. I'm searching for something, but I don't know what." I crouched down, putting my elbows on my knees.

"Fighting for a paradise, how about that? Imagine a world, safe and free, a future where the Dark Lord is gone, not sealed. We don't kick the can down the road for our ancestors. We destroy it. Imagine a world where you have a family, where your children smile, where they walk safe at night. Imagine a home made better by you." Anchor shouted and lifted the rock again.

"I got it, Sarge."

"You got it?" He dropped the stone down.

"We have no family. You, me, we're not so different. But we're here to build something like that. We're brothers now. We could be fathers one day. We have to build something."

"That's the spirit," I said.

"Now flip that rock, and make it to the end!" It took him nearly two more minutes, but before he reached the end, he passed Sage. When we reached the end, he sprawled forward on his stomach. Brawl leaned over him.

"Is he alright, brother?"

"He'll be fine," I said. I knelt down beside him again, my entire body protesting in pain.

"We did it. That's the end of Vaelheall week. From here on out, it should be a lot smoother."