Glimpses

Perhaps, Jackal is right. But still, that is an easy call for him to make. I say, “Our daughter is three years old now. I promised her that we would return safely from the war. What am I to tell her if her mother didn’t make it? This is too cruel for a little girl to bear.”

Jackal says, “Then what are you going to tell the people who entrusted you to lead the army? You’re going to tell them that you decide not to end the war simply because you want to keep your wife safe? If your wife is here with you right now, she would have wanted you to make the tough decision to end the war.”

What shall I do? I know I should make the call and end this war. On the other hand, I will never sacrifice my wife so that we can win the war. My loved ones matter to me, so does the fate of our land.

What shall I do?

Shall I proceed with our mission, knowing that the Witch’s presence will endanger the lives of my wife’s team?

Or shall I call this mission off, and find a better time to defeat our nemesis? My wife’s team will be safe for now. But as what Jackal said, we are losing a lifetime opportunity to end this war for once and for all.

I ponder deeply about the consequences of my decisions. “I’ve made up my mind, Jackal.”

When I finally announce my decision to Jackal, I realize that there will be no turning back from here onwards...

It’s that dream again. Am I dreaming of the future? In the dream, I am the leader of the Paladins, leading the army of Light, and we are on the verge of winning the war against the Immortal Lord’s Undead forces.

My right-hand man is Jackal, someone unlikeable who is unlikely to help me.

I have a wife, whom I feel a strong emotional attachment toward. She journeyed and fought alongside with me throughout the tough times. But strangely, I had never seen her face in my dream.

Looking back at our current situation, we’re nowhere to winning the war. We’re not even actively participating in the war against the Immortal Lord. While the whole world is drowned in chaos, our City just stands on the sidewalk and watches like a bypasser.

My question is, is that future even possible? Am I seeing the vision of our potential future?

Our lieutenant pulls me aside and whispers, “The commander of the 1st Division asked me to pass you a letter. She said it is only for your eyes.”

I read the letter. What she wrote in the letter is difficult for me to swallow. “Why? Of all time, why now? This is a tough position to be in, Jackal. I think we may need to retreat.”

Jackal’s reaction is huge. “But, why? We are just a door away from ending the war of the century. What did your wife say?”

I want to say it is impossible for my wife to say she saw the dead. But living in a world where our enemy uses Dark magic to raise an army of ghouls from dead bodies, that statement would mean nothing. “She saw someone who is supposedly dead. She saw the Witch.”

Jackal shakes his head. “That’s impossible. The Witch is dead. We’d already destroyed her. She is not supposed to be here. Are you sure that’s what your wife saw?”

I show him the letter. “She is certain. We know what the Witch is capable of. Thirteen years ago, when the Paladins led by Sir Devon stormed into Hezekiah’s fortress and were on the verge of winning the war, the Witch was present. Nobody knew what she did. She made Sir Devon’s entire army disappear. Probably killed them all. Here we are on the verge of winning the war, the Witch is present again. Is history going to repeat itself?”

Kang Yu smiles slyly. “A fresh graduate from the Swordmaster Academy, huh? Here’s a first task for you to prove yourself worthy to our squad.”

Sharon replies, “Why do I need to prove myself worthy again? I’d already passed my final exams in the Academy. And I’m a top graduate.”

Kang Yu replies, “Academy is Academy. Our squad is our squad. I need you to walk to our squad leader and tell him this: I’ve been secretly admiring you from far. Would you go out with me tonight?”

Sharon is shocked. “What? This is my first day in the squad. Surely you don’t want me to embarrass myself in front of the squad leader.”

But Kang Yu is not about to back down on his ridiculous request. “I’m the squad leader’s right-hand man. You would do as I told you.”

Sharon is reluctant. “Err... can I say no to that request?”

“Unfortunately, no. Do as I say, or I’ll send you back to the Academy with a disciplinary report that you refused to obey a superior’s order.”

Sharon thinks for a moment and then bites her lip. “What will happen once I say that to the squad leader?”

Kang Yu says, “I don’t know. In fact, I’m curious of what he will say. Probably something embarrassing. And if he says yes, just tell him: You’ve fallen into Kang Yu’s trap. Now, go and do as I told.”

Sharon facepalms herself. “I can’t believe you make me do this on the first day of my Swordmaster career. You’re more evil than the Immortal Lord, you know.”

Kang Yu laughs like a sinister villain and then stops. “Welcome to the real world, girl. I can be more evil if you don’t do this right.”

So here we are. A mansion with three floors, where the enemies could be hiding in any room. I have to admit that the mansion is so quiet that it feels haunted. It is as if something dark is lurking around the corners and watching us, preparing to strike at the right time.

They said that the mansion had been abandoned for many years. I find that strange. The furniture, the tables, the drawings hung on the wall—they look as if they have been well-maintained. The plant vases along the walls—they are watered by someone. This mansion doesn’t look abandoned to me. Some people have been frequenting this place.

I can hear faint noises of footsteps coming from the higher floors. A moment later, it is back to silence.