Last One Standing

For centuries, humanity had lived behind a wall.

A colossal boundary that stretched across an entire continent, enclosing forests, mountains, rivers, farms, villages, military territories, wealthy cities, forgotten settlements, and millions of lives within its enormous reach. In some places, the wall disappeared into mountains. In others, it stood alone against endless wilderness, its towers watching a horizon that humanity had long ago learned to fear.

Beyond the walls was a world that had never belonged to mankind, or perhaps humanity feared to step foot there.

Mythical creatures roamed the wilderness beyond the walls. Some were beasts that could kill because they were bored, beasts that could be killed with enough steel and courage. Others were ancient things that appeared in the oldest records of civilization, creatures so powerful that destruction awakes in their shadows.

Humanity had tried to conquer that world before. It failed. Humanity built the wall to hide from these nightmares. But some of the creatures had wings to fly over. And so, the Legion Hood was established. They became the last line of hope for humanity living within the wall. The strongest trained until they became weapons themselves. Warriors pushed beyond their limits till they had infinite possibilities. Rare mages studied forces which were beyond comprehension. The Legions existed for a reason. When something came through or over the wall, someone had to stand against it.

For generations, that had been enough until the first signs of him began appearing again and again.

His name was Von Richmond. Most people knew him through stories. Some called him a traitor who had become the kingdom's nightmare. Others called him a bad omen.

The oldest records described him as a man who had lived for centuries, appearing throughout different periods of history without ever growing older. Entire generations had been born, lived, and died while Von remained somewhere, watching the kingdom change around him.

Von hated the Kingdom for a reason. A kingdom ruled by seven kings but with a corrupted system which secretly favoured the royal bloodline and looked down upon the citizens. The methods he had chosen to do were unforgivable. His presence was a nightmare. Legend has it, he was once a member of the first Legion Hood who betrayed he kingdom, used a forbidden magic to unlock his third eye and almost wiped out the seven bloodlines. He failed. But they believed it was for a reason and he would come back one day.

Forty-fith time that he was thrown into the dungeon. Resmond Feryn. Resmond had known reality ever since he was born. Folks had it that, his parents died a mysterious death. He had been thrown into the dungeon for stealing, thrown into the dungeon for trespassing. But he mostly went to the dungeon for one reason, Jureth Lereon.

Jureth Lereon was born into one of the rich families in the richest district within the wall. Resmond and Jureth's relationship was like never before. Inseparable no matter how hard her parents tried. Resmond would climb the Lereon's mansion just to see Jureth. Most at times, he gets thrown out by the guards. Jureth's family hated Resmond. Not because he wouldn't stay away from their daughter, but the fact that he was a peasant, an underdog.

Resmond heard voices coming from the corridor of the dungeon. Supposedly, the guards. It was probably his cell they were heading for. His cell door opened, the first guard entered and the other followed.

Guard 1: Close the door before this rat thinks of escaping.

The door shut behind them, obviously the second guard closes it. The guard picked Resmond by his cloth's neck, lifted him and pinned him to the wall. The second guard didn't hesitate, he gave Resmond a punch to the right before the other could speak. They mocked him. Then another punch to the left.

Guard 2: Street rat! You think you deserve a girl who lives in a mansion?! Huh?!

The other one instigated.

Guard 1: He got the guts to climb the mansion with his filthy paws.

He slammed him to the floor. Both guards kicked Resmond from the opposite sides, simultaneously. He wished he could scream but he had the mindset of not looking weak, irrespective of the situation. They continued mocking him while kicking him.

Guard 1: Get up, brat! You think it's enough? Who decided that? Do you think imbicile like you, poor guy like you has the chance to decide for themselves in this wall?!

Guard 2: After all, the Lereon family has given us sufficient tokens to beat sense into you. Beat the dream of having their daughter out of you.

Then a faint laughter passed their ears. Then a serious laughter followed. Despite being unable to withstand the beatings, he still found the situation amusing. The guards' jaws dropped. Their eyes widened like they have seen something terrible.

Guard 2: Why? Why are you so reckless? Don't you value your life? Why do you want to die for something life and fate has decided not to give you.

Resmond struggled to get back on his feet. His arms trembled, his voice was shaking as he spoke.

Resmond: Because... Because that is what I want. If that is what I want, life and fate has no right to decide for me.

Then one of the guards stomped him to the floor and kicked him in the face.

Guard 1: You, underdog. You think you belong there? I see.., I see. Mark, this pest thinks when he finally manipulates the girl to have her, he could get access to her riches.

He kicked him again. He was about to kick him again but a voice came from behind the cell door. Loud, commanding, and authority.

Person: Enough of your nonsense!

They turned around to see a high ranking member of the Legion Hood. Commander of the third squad, Warlord of the first kingdom. Commander Herald Deimos. The guards didn't hesitate to show respect. All the guards before each cell saluted him, including the two in the cell with Resmond. The prisoners whispered his name,"Deimos the Warlord."

Guard 1: My Lord? What is such a prestigious person like you doin here in this filth.

Commander Deimos: What authority do you have to question me?

Both guards gasped and trembled.

Commander Deimos: Who gave you the order to lay your finger on the prisoner?

Both guards: We...but..he..

Commander Deimos: Shut up! Let him out!

They didn't hesitate. The cell door opened and Resmond stepped out. The Commander looked at him.

Commander Deimos: You have been spending your determination in the wrong place. Humanity is going to need people like you who refuse to stay down.

Commander Deimos extended his hand. Resmond's eyes narrowed slightly, but the Commander held his gaze.

Commander Deimos: You wanted something worth fighting for.Xome with me.

A faint smirk appeared on Resmond's face. He took the Commander's extended hand, and just like that, after forty-five trips into the dungeon, Resmond finally walked out with something far more dangerous than another promise. An opportunity to be accepted by the Lereons