Neil meets Julicous

Roughly Half an Hour Before

In Julicous's camp, one soldier was running towards the main tent; just before the entrance, he stopped for a while. Checking everything was okay, he entered inside.

“Commander, I have some urgent message,” he said while entering inside; when he lifted his head, he saw unfamiliar faces and stopped at his place.

“What happened? What message? Tell me,” Julicous replied. ”Commander, can we talk in private?“ the soldier said while still looking at those unfamiliar faces.

”Looks like you will be busy,“ the person talking with the commander said; as he was walking out, he waved his hand. ”We shall be leaving, Commander. Take care.“

”Commander, I never saw them here before. Who were they?“ the soldier asked.

”What was that message?“ ”Sorry, Commander, here,“ the soldier said while pulling a golden box out of his pouch; it was glowing in a golden and reddish glow while vibrating.

”Open it,” the Commander said. The soldier opened its lid; when he was almost there, it released a bright golden light, launching the lid to a distance.

Ignoring the lid, they saw that light making a wave-like structure in the air; that soldier pinned his finger, dropping a few blood drops in.

Those waves started to move and then vibrated; soon it was followed by a voice: 'Commander, it started again. Commander Neil cannot fight.' ”Call the Vice Commander,“ Julicous ordered; within a few minutes, the soldier returned with a man roughly in his late 20s.

Julicous looked towards that soldier and said, ”You can go now, but don't let this information slip out.“ That soldier nodded his head and moved out.

”Aliyan, I am going to help Neil. While I am gone, you are in charge here.“ ”Commander, but...“ "There is no time for 'ifs' and 'buts,' Aliyan. Guards, prepare an Acro beast.” “Yes, Commander,” the guards responded from outside.

“Aliyan, take this map, it will come in handy. Keep your distance from Neothaliyan beasts. And what's with your face?”

“Commander, it's...” “I understand, Aliyan.....” “Commander, the beast is ready,” a guard said after entering the tent. Julicous nodded his head; looking towards Aliyan, he continued, "Let's continue this conversation after this fight is won.

Don't overthink; you have already proved yourself. Just don't hesitate; this is the kind of war they brought.”

Julicous climbed onto the Acro beast and started moving his hand along its head. “Your bones are growing strong,” he thought.

Julicous leaned forward; his arms were securely wrapped with straps around the Acro beast's neck. After ensuring everything was okay, he said, "Let's go.”

The Acro beast started moving; within a few minutes, he gained speed. His skull shape started pushing the wind aside, making a pocket of calm air for Julicous.

Within 20 minutes, he arrived at Neil's camp. “This sure is fast,” Julicous thought while jumping off his back.

”Commander, what are you doing here?“ the guards asked while lowering their weapons. ”I got... I mean, I have some urgent matters to discuss with Commander Neil.“

”Okay, Commander, follow me,“ a soldier said. Within a few minutes, they were inside the main tent. ”Call...“ ”Greetings, Commander Julicous, there is a message for you from the King,“ a soldier carrying a golden box said.

After listening to that message, Julicous ordered, ”Call every ranked officer.“ A guard took one step back; bending a little, he moved out. Within 5 to 7 minutes, all the high-ranking officers were gathered in the tent.

”Ok then, you can go now,“ Julicous said after talking for a while. He saw Neil entering the tent and stood up. ”Greetings, Commander Neil, how are you...“ Neil nodded his head. “Sit down and tell me why are you here. Is everything okay?” he said while pulling a chair.

“Commander, everything is fine...” Neil asked, “Why did you call them? And you haven't answered my previous question.”

“Commander Neil.... What are you looking at there?” “It's nothing. And drop these formalities and tell me why you are here. If you don't have things to say, better return to your post. I am really busy now,” Neil said while standing.

“Wait, Commander. Actually, I am here for you. How are you feeling now?” Julicous looked into Neil's eyes. Neil turned his face and replied, “What are you saying? I am completely fine.”

“Stop wasting time, Commander. I am already aware of your condition; I just need to hear it from you.” While Neil was still staring at the door, trying to ignore him.

Julicous continued, “The sun will be setting in 2 to 3 hours, and it will be better for Acroniya if you...”

Neil hesitated for a few seconds, then, “Ok, yes, I felt a little weak earlier, though I am perfectly fine now. And besides, how do you even know this? How long have you been here?”

Julicous said nothing. “Commander, the army is ready,” a soldier said while entering the room. “Great, and I was thinking you were ignoring my orders. Anyway, Julicous, I will be seeing you after this ends.”

“Commander Neil, please wait,” Julicous said while walking towards him. Neil was standing still and turned his head. “Why is your hand on my shoulder?”

Julicous spoke in Neil's ear, “Actually, Commander Neil, they are referring to me. I am their commander for now.”

“What do you mean...” “Commander Neil, I forgot to tell you that the King summoned you to the Royal Castle.”

Neil asked, “What? Why? What did you tell him?” Julicous with a smile said, “Why would I say anything to the King?”

Neil stared at him, then said, “Leave it, but I will go after completing this campaign.” Julicous made a plain face. “Don't you trust me, Commander?”

Neil replied with a calm voice, “I can trust you, but I don't think you are ready enough for this campaign. I am not doubting your skills; it's just that you...”

“It's a direct order from the King,” Julicous said. After observing Neil's expression, he continued, “Though if you want to ignore it, you can; you are my superior, after all.”

Neil muttered, “A direct order...”

“Sorry, Commander, but the soldiers have been waiting for a while.”

“Coming,” Julicous said, moving his hand. The soldier nodded his head and moved out.

“I will take that as an answer, Commander Neil. I will take it from here; you can go now and take some rest,” Julicous said while moving out.

While Julicous was addressing the soldiers, Neil returned back to his tent. ”Commander, what happened? Why is Commander Julicous here?“ Rentio asked.

”He is here to lead the army, and Rentio, I am called back to the Royal Capital. I will be leaving now, so you should return too,“ he said while gathering his belongings.

”I won't leave you alone. What if you need my help again? Wait, I am coming too,“ Rentio said while moving towards her tent.

”There is no need, Rentio, I am fine. Besides, if it were not important, I would... Nevermind, take care. And how can I forget,“ he said, then moved towards the table.

”Give this to Julicous,“ he said, putting the quill down. ”Commander...“ She saw him leave and then, ”Commander, at least have this.“

She handed him a small pouch. Neil opened it and smelled a cold, strong smell coming out of it. Rentio told him how to use it.

Neil climbed onto Kentio's back and headed towards the Royal Capital.

”Soldiers, we have a few hours before the sun sets. Let's end this as soon as possible. Move!“

The Acroniya army started moving, while from the Acro beast's back, Julicous saw Neil moving out. ”It will be okay, Neil. You just have to rest.“

While the army was walking, the soldiers started gossiping. ”How amazing it would feel to command thousands of men. I also want to become a commander, and I will give it my all for the same“.

”Your dreams are too big, young one. It's been 15 years for me in the army and I am still here with no major ranks.“

”But I am different, I guess...“ that person muttered. ”Have you seen Julicous's eyes and hair? I have heard you need a special color of hair and eyes to be a commander.“ ”Amber and blue. What about the Second Commander? Is it green or what?“

”It's a normal color; I once saw him. Now, save your energy for the battle ahead of you."

"Right. And besides, it doesn't matter how badly you want to be a commander, you need mag... sorry, it's a family connection, I think.

They sure hold secrets, who knows what kind. You can't trust those secrets with someone you barely know,” one of the older soldiers said.

After traveling for a while, Neil turned back; he saw the soldiers moving.

He clenched his fist and muttered, ”If only I were strong enough, and just able to hold out a bit longer... I could... I would have saved a few more lives.

And now I can only hope. Hope that casualties remain low for both of us,“ he said, then started moving forward.

The Acroniyan army was finally on the move. As for the Neothaliyans, they were already there. ”Commander, looks like they are still not here.” ”Yes. Get some quick rest before they arrive. They will likely be here within a few hours.”

Julicous enters the battlefield and Neil journeys back to the Royal Castle. Why has he been summoned, and what dark fate awaits them? Around five hours have passed since Neil scouted the enemy base. What will happen next?

The sound of clashing weapons will soon cover the area... “I want to duel...” “I will be the bait while you...”

—Next time on The Seventh Slayer of Acroniya

Chapter 11: The Battle of Dentor Valley