Battle Against Death

"Who here knows the city like the back of their hand?" Stopping briefly in a back alley, or maybe this is the main street? Ahh whatever, this city is too strange anyway.

"I do! I was born and raised here!" A young man about my age, is it? Perfect.

"Then, you will lead us through this maze of city streets." I replied gesturing for him to come forward, "What is your name?"

"Alias, Sir!" Alias huh, sounds good.

"Then, Alias, you will be our guide, our lives are in your hands, now lead me to some of the positions where soldiers would have been patrolling, the nearest one, and explain the cities layout on the way there." No time to waste.

Moving at a light jog Alias explained that the city was originally built up from a small provincial town by his Majesty Fori the third, the king of this country, further explaining that this city was built in such a confusing way due to the king's thought that a city with no clear routes of movement would be impossible to siege down even if breached as those garrisoned would always have the upper hand.

What a guy. Crazy bastard, did he never think that if he did that then any nonnative soldiers would be caught in the same trap? What is the point in setting a trap for the enemy if you get caught in it as well? Though I guess many will survive due to this but still, how infuriating.

Turning a corner three soldiers stand back to back cornered by eight enemy soldiers.

"Spread out!" I ordered.

Encircling the enemy soldiers with Alias' help we efficiently surrounded them without ever giving ourselves away, "Now!"

Ruthlessly upon my order five died of the eight died, following this the remaining three were locked in combat but not for long, as the three that were surrounded lashed out at their backs viciously.

"Good! Next! The key to this operation is speed!" I shouted glancing at those soldier's conditions, minor cuts all over their bodies but nothing serious enough to prevent them from running and fighting, for now, they should be good for two or three more fights before the blood loss catches up with them.

"Yes!" Alias shouted excitedly, the other soldier's faces lighting up as they ran through the streets.

The next was a scene of a complete wipeout, our troops had been completely overpowered as the enemy walked around putting an extra stab into each of them.

"Abandon them, we move to the next area," I said decisively.

Turning around I see Alias who's fuming, the other soldiers just about to jump out as well.

"The longer we wait here and battle with them the more of our friends and family will die, they are already dead, killing those men will not save the lives of anyone, we must move quickly if we are to mount a proper defense!" I grabbed Alias and snarled at the others, "I do not want anyone here to die a meaningless death, so move, now!"

Alias looked conflicted but quelled his anger and so too did the other soldiers, quickly falling back in line as Alias lead us to another scene of a wipeout.

For the next half hour we ran from wipeout to wipe out, sometimes the number of enemy troops would be over twenty, clearly, they seem to be meeting up with each other after their task is complete.

In a total of ten battlefields, only four had anyone left, our numbers jumping to twenty-one men, six of which were already at their limit.

"Those heavily wounded will wait inside here, you will tend to them, I entrust their lives to you, more wounded may come your way so be prepared." I turned to look at the most veteran man among them who had not taken a single injury in all the battles.

"Understood." Immediately he gathered the wounded and entered the run-down looking shop in what I now understand is actually a back alley.

"Next." I looked to Alias as we ran through to the next area, a total of eight of our soldiers standing over the corpses of ten enemies, clearly, these were better trained and won.

Wait...

Stepping out Alias shouted, "Quickly! Come here!"

No! You idiot!

It was too late, the men turned and looked at our group drawing their blades, perhaps Alias couldn't discern their facial expressions but I could.

They were confused about those soldier's deaths, not happy, not relieved, but confused, they didn't do it and now they point their blades this way.

Traitors.

"Slaughter the traitors! They cannot be allowed to escape and expose us!" I shouted.

Running first. The eight were shocked at my yell, clearly feeling guilt at the words 'traitor' it would seem that these men are originally of this city... but there can be no mercy in a war.

They made their choice.

A blade that swears to cover your back could soon become a part of it if not careful and I don't have time to be discussing morals.

Swinging down hard from above with one sword I kept the other close for defense, successfully blocking a strike coming for my neck, redirecting the power I ducked and the sword went into another traitor.

Shortly after this, they began running, frightened out of their wits.

But it was too late. Using the few seconds that I bought Alias had gotten his wits back the soldiers into position.

What followed was a slaughter.

"There are survivors here!!" Damn it! Spinning around I caught sight of a group of well over twenty enemy soldiers charging down the road from several sides. We've been surrounded, they even seem to have higher level soldiers among them, knights on horseback.

"Square formation! Pick up a corpse and use it as a shield! Once they close in throw them and scatter! Retreat to the previous location and regroup!" I shouted raising my sword high.

God damn it, why the hell am I helping this goddamned city?! This place is already about to fall anyway! No, wait. Calm down.

There's still a way.

Quickly I raised my sword in a cross formation, not three seconds later the waves of enemy soldiers got into range and the soldiers threw the corpses at them knocking them to the ground and scattering, only I remain at the site.

Death is scary right? Nope. Gotta have some courage to make it through this alive... damn it... I'll bet on the arrogance of a nation that uses a twin-headed dragon for a flag!

"I wish to duel the commander here for a chance of saving my men's lives!" I shout.

Stabbing both swords into the ground if I remember correctly a commander may demand a duel with a commander or general, refusal would be equivalent to humiliation to the nation.

A murmur ran through the enemy soldiers as they forgot about my own men who had by now scattered away.

"Oh. So there are brave Dranian's then? I thought you were all cowards like that Duke Loktre. I accept your request for a duel." A blonde man huh, or is it a young man? Either way, he seems to be about my age I think? Too hard to tell, but judging by how he carries himself and the look of awe and respect in the eyes of the soldiers it's clear that he's quite powerful.

Lifting my swords I held them tightly giving what I remember is a respectful way of beginning a duel, "Agashi, prepared for death!"

...It always feels awkward saying that line.

"Is that how you Dranian's begin a duel? I like it." The blond man replied in a rather curious voice before turning solemn, "Surnova Carrien, prepared for death!"

Carrien--?

Immediately a terrible killing intent washed over me, nothing like the duels I had fought in my past life at the dojo, not even the master who was capable of making the newbies piss themselves could release this kind of vicious killing intent.

Only one word could describe Surnova.

Strong.

So it's true what they say huh. Feeling about my body I noticed that I was neither trembling nor afraid despite his terrible intent that made even his own troops afraid.

The ancients who did battle all the time used to write in journals and parchments that once one had truly tasted death they would never feel fear again. It seems that they weren't just spouting off.

In the face of this enemy who could likely rip my head off in a single move, I feel nothing.

"Interesting!" Suddenly Surnova moved fast as lightning closing the distance between us in a matter of but a single breath.

Lowering my center of balance I feinted a kick but he did not flinch.

My leg hit armor and his blade came down.