Covered in blood and injuries a group of soldiers made their way through the trenches. After their previous position had been compromised they were likely to soon be encircled by enemy troops. Situated on the fronts of war, it was easy to be flanked from behind.

  In a last-ditch effort, the soldiers attempted a counter-assault on a small group, trying to catch them off guard by flaunting an escape.

  A never-ending barrage of artillery shells kept exploding upon landing, dirt and grit clouding the battlefield in thick and choking dust. Constant gunfire deafened one’s hearing, with adrenaline the only thing keeping you fighting.

  The floor was riddled with corpses, their last moments captured in their faces. Some showed an expression of fear, sorrow, hope, shock, apathy, and even excitement.

  “SIX AHEAD!” The leader of the squad shouted at the top of his lungs, his exclamation barely comprehensible had he not put up his fingers to show the count. Continuing with their hunched sprint they eventually came across the unexpecting enemy soldiers.

  Gunfire immediately initiated, although the enemies weren’t able to aim their barrels at them in time, a few stray shots had slightly grazed two teammates and even killed one on the spot.

  “Death has claimed his soul. Praise the winged one.” Leveret muttered under his breath, indifferent to the blood gushing out of his friend's chest. This situation became normalcy on the battlefield, even so, he had felt great pity on his comrade who Leveret had spent many drunken nights with, whilst making fun of the squad leader and sharing some of their deepest secrets.

  In war, to survive, one had to come to terms with death.

  Leveret saw his teammates rush back into the trenches, further into enemy territory. Time was of the essence as other groups would likely track them down soon. While running they had to dodge the countless maggot infested corpses littered on the ground, obstructing their passage.

  The squad eventually came across a small child poorly hiding behind a mount of the dead. Leveret made eye contact with the shivering kid, his eyes dilated in fear. The kid’s mouth moved, trying to say something, but it had been overshadowed by the deadly gunfire and constant explosions.

  Then, the kid’s face caved in, pieces of his head were blasted off while all the brain matter splattered across the dirt.

  “HE WAS ARMED, MOVE!” The squad leader shouted at the top of his lungs. Although the enemy was just a kid, he had hidden a revolver and almost managed to get a shot off, had the leader not noticed.

  “Sigh, another one. May he be free.” Leveret lamented, taking one last look at the dead kid before continuing their escape.

  In war, to survive, one had to be ruthless.

  The group kept running, the metallic taste of blood lingering in their mouths. Sometimes they had to crawl through choking tunnels or eliminate an opposing squad.

  By now the soldiers numbered only four, the rest had died in the process of running away. Although they should have long shaken off their pursuers, due to the many incidents along the way it caught the attention of surrounding troops, which in turn decided to hunt them, only helping to make the matter worse.

  Undeniably, their current situation had greatly contributed to distracting the enemy squads on the frontline and while acting as a distraction was surely something to be rewarded for, this merit could only be enjoyed when alive. They had already lost more than half of their soldiers, among them many Leveret held close and dear.

  Just then, the obnoxious never-ending gunfire, harrowing screams and constant bombardment of explosive shells were put to a halt, as if they never existed. The group's heavy panting suddenly audible, similarly the normally quiet water drops from rain could be heard hitting the ground.

  Only now did Leveret notice a shiny figure standing atop the battlefield, clad in a knight's armor. The face was obstructed by a helmet's visor and in its hand a pure golden rapier.

  Subconsciously Leveret had his mouth gaped wide open, his first instinct was to shoot at this mysterious figure, but after some thought he decided against it. After all, for the battlefield to suddenly turn completely silent out of nowhere made a shiver run down his spine.

  The knight in shining armor turned its head towards the group of soldiers, the mouth curling into a crazed smile.

  *BOOM, BOOM*

  In Leveret’s vision, the leader and another both exploded. Their innards splattered onto his face, leaving a bitter taste. Without hesitation he began running in the opposite direction, his many experiences in battles made Leveret realise he had no chance against such a monster. Although this meant he would run right into the pursuers arms, considering the current situation they might not even be alive and anything would be better than having to face this terrific knight.

  Leveret ran with all his might, his previous exhaustion completely disappearing due to adrenaline. Just then he heard another explosion right behind him reverberate within his ears.

  *BOOM*

  Warm liquid hit his back, Leveret ignored this and simply kept running. His expression serious, focused only on survival. He didn’t dare to turn around, the sight of the first two explosions were enough to make it apparent as to what had just happened.

  There is a saying, that before death one would see his life flash past him, as if you were to relive all these wonderful memories again.

  Well, that statement, was false.

  Leveret’s surroundings suddenly began spinning and twirling. The next moment his head bounced off the floor and only then did he realise he had been beheaded.

  “Ah, this is where it ends. Fuck this life.”

  Within his last moments, he noticed a young hare huddled within a small hole within the dirt right next to him. They both made eye contact before Leveret’s eyes had blinked for the last time.

  In war, no- in life, to survive, one had to be fortunate.

  …

  The turbulent ocean waves trashed below the clouded sky, the clouds a pitch black. While rain hammered into the water and intense lightning storms constantly roared, a small pirate ship could be seen swaying.

  Within the boat, glasses clinked, wooden boards kept creaking and badly sung drunken songs were performed. In the center of the bar stood a generic gambling table, donned in red colors.

  At this very moment an intense dice game was being played, around it were six crewmen and captain Teal. He was a muscular man with toned skin color, commonly seen among seafarers. His distinct white long hair accentuating his status as a captain and pirate. This feature was also not too uncommon among sailors.

  The first mate had been designated as the shooter, the person to roll the dice.

  The captain had bet on four, while the quartermaster chose a two, also referred to as the “Snake-eyes”. The rest had bet on a win, except for one following the captain.

  “Dear god, let me win for once. I’m never lucky.” said the first mate, having lost many times before he had put up his hands pretending to pray in a joking manner, hoping he wouldn’t lose his bet stake.

  Laughter erupted before quickly fading to once again observe the rattling and cluttering dice, with all the crewmates not daring to keep their eyes off the cube.

  “I’m quite fortunate today it seems.” Concord, the quartermaster plainly stated.

  The dice had rolled a two, meaning he had won. Greatly upsetting the first mate, who had just lost two pounds, just like always.

  “Carter, you really gotta stop betting, otherwise it will all be gone in just a few rounds.” The second mate remarked with a slight chuckle. Carter simply looked at her with a deadpan expression.

  “Don’t give me that stare. I hope you can recall what happened last time.” The second mate Shane quickly reminded him of another unfortunate past incident.

  Before Carter could get back at her, the next round commenced.

  Captain Teal bet on three, a so-called “Ace Deuce”, while the quartermaster once again picked the “Snake-Eyes”. The rest were split between a loss and win, except for Carter, who had gone with eight since it’s supposedly a prime number.

  “Sigh, You should really put more focus on studying.” Shane said, her disappointment apparent.

  “Oh shut up! We’re fucking pirates, All I have to do is to kill and have fun with wome-” Carter exclaimed before suddenly stopping. The captain had been looking at him with a stern expression that made his scalp tingle for some reason.

  “Hah, serve you right.”

  The bar’s lively atmosphere kept intensifying. For many had only just begun truly partying, laughter resounded within the bar. The occasional pirate trying to hit on a beauty only to be rejected and another who vomited, simply because he couldn’t handle just a singular keg of rum.

  In the center stood a single table, covered in red cloth. A standard gambling table.

  Upon witnessing this scene the captain couldn’t help, but let out just a slight chuckle before quickly turning reserved - once again.

  The dice rattled and clattered. The player’s eyes fixated on the resulting face number. The end result revealed itself, it was a two.

  Quartermaster Concord won again, the jealous gazes staring at this fortunate individual.

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  “It appears I’m on a streak. How lucky.”

  “Why don't such incidents befall me, sigh.” Carter muttered under his breath, now another pound poorer.

  The game quickly resumed, such moments were normal the more one played as a player had to eventually get a streak of luck at some point.

  The dice rattled and a man passed out drunk onto the bar’s counter before quickly being shoved off onto the creaking wooden floor. The player’s eyes converged onto one spot before exclaiming in disbelief.

  “Another two, this is some bullshit!” Carter said, although he wanted to accuse the quartermaster of cheating, as he was the shooter, the one to roll the dice, it was hard to do so without seeming suspicious as well.

  “I have simply been blessed.” Concord remarked with his stoic tone, with one unable to filter out any sarcasm from it.

  The player’s blamed it on bad luck and continued.

  The first mate rolled the dice once again, purposefully trying his best not to roll a two.

  The dice clattered and the face showed a number.

  The dice’s face corresponded to “Snake-Eyes”, a fourth two in a row.

  “Concord, are you sure you aren’t using your powers to cheat? This is unheard luck!” The second mate, Shane, promptly called him out. Usually she avoids participating and conversing when it comes to betting, only occasionally making fun of Carter.

  “Sometimes, luck is simply on your side. I could stop playing now, if that is what you wish for.” Said Concord, arguably wanting to leave the game to avoid any further trouble.

  “No, you will stay and continue playing.” Teal, remarked sternly. “Otherwise, how can we prove you’re truly not cheating? Leave you off just like that. I might be kind towards my crew, but I am still not an advocate for cheating. I hope you understand.”

  Concord simply nodded and the game continued. By now the first mate Carter had long stopped playing, as he had nothing left except for a few pounds.

  The dice rattled once again.

  The players tensed up in anticipation for the roll. Some even put their hands on their gun holsters in preparation for what's to come.

  It seemed as if time slowed down, the dice spinning gradually lost its speed with each bounce. Then, the dice landed, but not how one would expect it. “What! This is impossible!” Screamed Carter.

  The dice was balancing perfectly on its edge!

  In utter disbelief everyone at the table looked up including some crew members simply walking past wondering what the commotion was about and looked up at Concord, the quartermaster, simultaneously. His face simply showed a slight grin.

  “BANG, BANG*

  All stood up, taking up their guns and shooting with no hesitation. Although cheating wasn’t uncommon with pirates, the use of one’s powers to win was strictly prohibited. Although it could’ve been a sheer coincidence for such a thing to happen, it was clearly apparent from the given situation. The exact result many times in a row without a single loss in between and the grin at the end all lead to this conclusion. In fact, most at the table already had an inkling on what was happening, after all they were experienced pirates.

  The table flipped over, with multiple dice thrown into the air, but during their time airborne they kept rolling and landing on different numbers continuously. Carter ran around frantically trying to make sense of the situation, while the other crew members, not knowing what was happening, simply ran to escape or hid behind the bar counter or a barrel to avoid any stray bullets. Meanwhile Concord, who had sat on his seat motionless somehow managed to dodge the bullets flying toward him.

  In fact, he did not really dodge them, but simply disappeared! As if he had been erased.

  Some pirates suddenly shot at them, with a completely straight face - showing no emotion at all, as if possessed.

  During this, Shane had taken out a violin and began playing a piece. She rapidly moved her string, setting a high tempo. The melody fit perfectly, each gunshot simply adding onto the music. Simultaneously she somehow managed to dodge all the bullets prematurely, even ones she couldn’t have possibly seen.

  During this chaos captain Teal had already fought off multiple pirates and punched them unconscious. They were his crewmates after all and without a crew, how could he be a captain without them.

  The dice rolled a six.

  Concord would randomly appear out of thin air, before aiming a revolver's barrel at the captain's backhead and trying to shoot, but it jammed. As if expecting this, the quartermaster rapidly began flickering from spot to spot shooting at Teal.

  “He’s aiming for the dice Captain!” Shane shouted, left with only two dice. Meanwhile the captain had been dealing with the seemingly possessed pirates, only now that he had knocked out all the pirates and could put his whole focus on Concord did he appear once again. This time right beside the two remaining dice.

  The quartermaster gave a crazed smile, while the rest of his face kept a neutral demeanor. It was a bone-chilling appearance unlike that of humans.

  The dice rolled a one.

  Concord shot a single bullet penetrating and shattering both dice, then he disappeared.

  In the next moment captain Teal felt something cold against his head.

  *BANG*

  The entire bar went into a dead silence and everything returned to the same state as before, as if nothing had happened at all.

  “Sigh, I really gotta stop. A captain really isn’t a captain, without a crew to support him.” Captain Teal muttered under his breath.

  …

  A young adult sat on a bench overlooking the rising morning sun enveloping the city in orange and red colours. It was a comfortable temperature and there wasn’t too much wind. Although it was quite early in the morning, the streets were bustling with people either going to work by foot or taking a carriage. “Seems like he’s late to work, heh.” The young adult remarked at a person possibly running late. The worker had distinct blackish hair and red eyes, unlike those around him, then he disappeared behind the corner of a small bakery. A woman stood in front of it advertising their brown bread for cheap prices.

  “It seems there is a sale, I’ll go there later.” The young adult thought before seeing something blackish in the sky, rapidly falling toward him with increasing speed.

  …

  A grand palace could be seen on a floating island, with many more all around them encompassing the entire golden sky. The cloud cover also being similarly golden. Pure white crystallized mountains stood on top overlooking the many small settlements. Within the small palace Lucan quickened his pace, he passed by lush gardens filled with many fruits looking just like gems or enormous statues representing a piece of history. While walking he came across many other angels watching him with curiosity, disgust and hatred, but Lucan paid it no mind. He was used to it by now.

  After some time he finally arrived at a long hall. Unlike before, where the walls had been golden and adorned colourfully evoking a sense of grandeur, the place he arrived at was just purely white. Lucan took one deep breath before approaching two huge doors of light. Situated below were two eight-winged angels, holding ethereal lances, constantly expanding and shrinking, as if they were to explode at any given moment.

  “I request to talk with the Archangel.”

  Then the light door slowly opened and both guards gave way. Unlike the bright white display, the nave inside was completely covered in darkness except for a small spot of light in the middle. Then, the space suddenly turned bright, originating from the small dot of light.

  “Interrupting the pious prayer of an old one like me. Lucan, I hope what you wish to say has good reason.” A ten-winged angel suddenly appeared before him looking straight into his eyes. He had completely golden pupils and his face wasn’t that of an old man, but rather a young adult. Lucan’s head suddenly pulled down, as if controlled by some external force.

  “Don’t look into my eyes for too long. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to my son after all.” The archangel gave off a small chuckle.

  “Liore is trying to hunt me, we’re brothers! How come you or others won’t protect me? We’re all angels, we should care for each other.” Lucan said, trying to find some hope within the archangel.

  “This is your own fault, you have decided to follow in the footsteps of the winged one. Although you’re correct, among angels we shall protect each other, but not you.” The archangel bluntly stated without a care in the world.

  “Accidentally that is! How can you guys be so wicked, we’re angels after all.”

  “Lucan, the world isn’t all rainbows and sunshine, you will have to face the consequences of your actions.”

  “So, you’re telling me, that I should simply defeat my brother in battle? Even though he’s already a two-winged angel?”

  The archangel stood at his spot motionlessly, not saying anything as if affirming his questions.

  “And you call yourself a father.” Lucan simply walked away, not paying him any mind.

  Once again, Lucan walked past the grand gardens with fruits resembling gems, the ten suns in the air contributing to the never-ending light and golden sky. At some point he walked into a side hall just at the edge of the island. Lucan liked to sit here to simply zone out or if he felt stressed and had something to think about. It was his sort of secret place, where not many people walked by.

  Just then one of the doors opened and a figure walked through. Although Lucan was quite familiar with people simply strolling by, something told him that the guest today was different.

  “Lucan, you were here it seems.” A beautiful and harmonious voice resounded, one that could captivate you practically instantly, but to Lucan it was the thing he most despised.

  “Liore.”

  Lucan held eye contact with Liore’s white pupils before a purely black scythe appeared above his hands. With great familiarity he dashed toward his brother, reaching the end of the long hall nearly instantly, not wasting a single second.

  “So this is the winged one’s power, greatly focusing on physicality. It has similarities with angels, how surprising.” Liore chuckled, not showing any care for the attacker. “But as you know, darkness is simply the absence of light. You can not beat me.” He gave a smile, the same that one would give when looking at a puppy adoring its cuteness.

  Then Liore began to slowly float upwards, his two wings opened up before emitting bright and flashing light. Unlike with normal sunlight Lucan immediately began to corrode and melt, as if someone covered him in lava. Immediately Lucan fell to the ground, unable to talk due to the intense pain he was experiencing.

  A lance of light conjured itself, similar to the ones held by the guards in front of the two doors of light, but significantly weaker. Following that more and more of these lances appeared numbering nearly hundred by now.

  “I shall bless you with death.” Liore stated while sounding somewhat disappointed to Lucan’s half corroded ears. Then, Lucan’s body was pierced by all the lances, it was quite a sight to behold, as if it was only an abstract painting. After a few minutes under the gaze of his brother Lucan fully corroded leaving nothing behind except for a single feather.

  A purely black feather.

  Liore walked up to it, picked it up and threw it off the island. “We won’t have a need for something like this, ha.”

  …

  The young adult looked at the mysterious black dot in the sky, he could gradually identify what it could be the further it fell. “A spear? No, it’s something smaller. Maybe it’s just a small meteorite from space?” The young adult pondered before finally the black shape crashed into the floor with incredible speed, digging itself into the soil and spraying dirt everywhere. Only now could he distinguish what it was.

  “A purely black feather?” He said in confusion. Then he looked around him to see whether someone else had seen this feather land. After confirming that no one had observed what just happened he picked up the father and wanted to put it in his pocket.

  Just then the feather bloated up and began to rapidly shrink and increase, as if it had its own heartbeat. Then it changed between many weapons, a spear, a longsword, a scythe, a whip or even a shovel. The young adult watched in bafflement before seemingly understanding something. He pictured a small dagger in his mind and focused on trying to reconstruct it. The blade, the handle, how it looked, felt and what they were made of.

  He saw the now black blob constantly squirm and slowly resemble the dagger he thought of within his mind.

  The young adult tried his best to hide his expression, but in the end he couldn’t contain it. He showed a wide and crazed smile while being unable to stop his laughter. After quickly calming down he turned the dagger into a small rustic copper bracelet that looked as if it had been neglected for many years.

  Then he walked toward the city enveloped by the morning light, his face showing a completely neutral expression.