Day became night. I lifted myself out of the litter I was buried beneath. I felt comfortable in the veil of the night, away from the peering eyes looking for me. I crept out of the dark alleyway. I had no money, no id and was covered in filth.

A soft bed and warm bath sounded wonderful but I doubted anyone would let me stay in their establishment the way I was, especially without attracting attention. Instead I navigated my way to the river that ran through the city. The ice cold water burned as I plunged myself into it. The night was cool so I sat wet, shivering as I waited for morning, waiting for the sun to dry me off.

I knew the nexus was in the city somewhere, probably near the king’s palace. I frowned as I thought about my plan with Cloud. We’d agreed to leave together but now I was alone. I was tired of this pointless war. I was tired of Crom’s disappearance, fighting for the Duke and his spoiled nephew. I was tired of being people’s slave. I didn’t care how the conflict ended. I just wanted to leave.

I climbed my way to the roof of one of the few two-story buildings in the slums. I watched the blood meridian invade the cold dark night, replacing the cold with warmth and light. I looked at the city walls, the tangled streets that wove their way through the city. It was early and people were starting to begin their day.

It was obvious where the city’s elites lived. Their buildings towered over the slums of the city. They were like a beacon, enticing me towards the nexus. The crowds were now filling in the streets. I jumped off the roof into the sea of people below.

Clouds POV

I fidgeted while standing, waiting for the order. My palms were sweaty in anticipation, my nerves were shot from the lack of sleep the night prior. I gripped the pommel of the sword I was loaned. It was a formality really. With my magic at my disposal, I doubted I would be thrown into hand to hand combat.

Long lines of soldiers stood on either side of me. Their stern expressions hid most of their fear. It wasn’t often the front line of soldiers made it through a skirmish. I hadn’t heard of any serious battles where they had.

Archers covered the top of the city walls. Their bows’ strings drawn, waiting for the Duke’s army to approach. The loud sound of the horn signaled it was time to begin. I sprinted forward with the Duke’s army close behind me. Thousands of arrows rained down from above, striking unfortunate soldiers.

I activated my powers, flinging myself into the clouds. Some archers tried targeting me but their arrows fell short. I outranged them. I pushed icy winds at the archers manning the walls. They lowered their bows to protect their heads from the hail that pelted them.

I looked down to find that the Duke’s army had clashed into the King’s men. It looked even, both armies to giving up any ground.

A surge of pain penetrated my right arm. I fell a little before I caught myself. I looked at the glowing purple plasma that exuded from my new wound. The burning sensation was almost unbearable. My eyes darted along the wall to see where the cursed bolt had come from.

The pale alien-like wizard stood behind rows of archers. His black eyes were other worldly and matched the dark hood he was wearing. Dark energy gathered around his hands, clearly he was charging another bolt that would be sent my way.

I unleashed a torrent of icicles at the enemy mage, hoping it would interrupt whatever spell he was concocting. The wizard dove behind the wall narrowly avoiding the sharp ice graze past him, the icicles plunging into the archers behind him.

I turned my attention back to the archers lining the wall and troops being pelted below. It wasn’t looking good for the Duke’s troops. The soldiers weren’t able to block all the shower of arrows raining down onto them. The troops were being overwhelmed.

I strained as I pulled heavy winds towards the city walls, knocking the men on the walls off-balance. My head ached as I overexerted my power. My concentration faltered and I plummeted down towards the ground. I barely was able to push some wind upwards to cushion the fall.

Crunch. I felt my arm shatter into pieces as it collided with the hard floor. Soldiers scurried around me as I laid in the dirt, my mind burned from overexertion and the pain. I tried hobbling to my feet but was unable to pull myself up.

I winced as I was grabbed by my shoulder and dragged away from the battlefield. I groaned as my back was dragged over the sand-paper like stones and twigs that littered the floor.

“Don’t move. I’m going to bandage your arm. I can’t help you with the glowing plasma but I can stop the bleeding.”

I tilted my head and spotted symbol that showed he was a combat medic.

“Can I get some water.” I mumbled.

I heard the cap of the flask being screwed off. Water poured down around me mouth, going everywhere but in it.

“Thank you so mu-” I said before a purple flash blinded my eyes.

The medic’s body lay limp on the ground. Burns covered the corpse in front of me. I desperately tried to crawl away, in whatever direction I was oriented. My head was fuzzy, making it difficult to navigate my way through the chaotic mess of soldiers who were busy dying, running, and stabbing.

I kept my body low and crawled. It was all I could muster with the strength I had left.