“We can’t stay here anymore,” said Beregar. “None of us can. The walls are done and we don’t have enough builders to remake it the way it was. It’s too big and we’ve lost too many. In some ways, the three armies that came here assured everyone’s demise. But we still are a united entity.”

  Before the captains of the Grim Horde himself spanned the host of survivors. Warriors and civilians who’d seen the worst of war in the few months. Many had left to migrate elsewhere. With the city a finished mess, there was no reason to stay, but plenty of reasons to leave and spread the glorious tale.

  Many had been fortune and glory hounds anyways.

  Those that stayed were afraid. Defenseless. Lost.

  “Other threats are out there,” said Beregar. “They’ll come here to take what they can from this mess and that includes you.”

  Murmurs and hushed conversations rippled through the thousands upon thousand of faces before them.

  Kasar spoke next, Kier boosting his voice so all could hear. “You call yourselves The Grim Horde. I see free warriors and free people willing to fight for their brothers and sisters.” Kasar glanced around at the rubble around them. The pits stood in the distance. He clicked his tongue. “This city doesn’t represent that. You all do. As long as everyone of you fights for that idea, it will live on. So don’t be a city. Leave together and care for each other. Amaei and Morod still stand, their armies crippled. Free them. Free them. Let this thing grow into something truly great.”

  “Will you lead us?” asked several in the front. The question spread on their lips like a wave, until everyone was pleading. “Lead us! Lead us!”

  Sipha nudged Kasar who gave her a terrified look. “I’m not a general,” said Kasar. “I’m… just …lost.”

  The Grim Horde quieted.

  “Beregar,” said Kasar. “Sipha. Kier. Saalia. All of my captains. You all should lead. Give these people what they need.”

  Kier looked stunned, but Beregar saluted and bowed. Sipha turned away from Kasar while Saalia patted Kasar on the shoulder.

  “Are you sure?” asked Saalia. “This is your army.”

  “I’m not a general,” repeated Kasar. “And these people belong to no one.”

  “But you’re our leader,” said Kier.

  Vorza stepped forward and raised his hands so everyone could quiet again and listen. “I will train Grim as a Devil. I will show him the world. Maybe one day he will return. This is bigger than him. More important. You need a willing leader. An experienced warrior. Blackhand has done much for this city and is willing to do even more for his people.”

  The crowd loved Beregar. He was one of their best fighters, and most experienced in warfare. A stern and decisive leadership under Beregar would be what they all needed.

  “Blackhand!” a cheer sounded from amidst the crowd. “Blackhand!” it echoed. “Blackhand!”

  They thundered in applause for their chosen champion. He bowed to all of them and raised his scimitar.

  ****

  “Am I abandoning them?” asked Kasar.

  Vorza and he prepped everything to leave. It gladdened Kasar to not have to ask Vorza to come with him and continue his training. The old Devil announced it and started packing with him, as if expecting Kasar’s wishes. He was excited to travel with him as free men with no more wars.

  “No,” said Vorza. “You did well with the army, but it was a decision we made out of desperation. Your captains were the best advisors you could have to make up for your gaps in experience. We needed a Devil on each front because of what we were facing. It had to be done.” He sighed. “Now they need someone that can lead on more fronts than just war. You’re not ready for that. Nor are you willing.”

  Kasar gave him a nod and sighed. “I feel guilty.”

  “You could go with them, but I know where your heart lies.” He pressed a finger to Kasar’s chest. “You’re a man of the road. Always have been given your past. You love your friends, but you can’t stay in one place. You need to keep moving.”

  Kasar couldn’t help but agree. “Sipha wanted to marry me,” he said.

  Vorza scoffed. “Marriage with a blade like that?” He gave Kasar a considerate look. “I suppose it could work.” He waved his hand. “Bah, she’s young too. What does she know of love and bonds? When I was your age…” His words broke off and he lingered for a moment. “Nevermind when I was young. You my lad would hate marriage as written, and she doesn’t know what it entails.”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  “Do I love her?”

  Another laugh tore from the old Devil’s mouth. “You don’t even know yourself. Take your time. It’s a long life. Let her figure herself out too.”

  Kasar nodded, and felt another weight lift from his shoulders. “I’m ready to go then.”

  “Say your goodbyes.”

  A shudder shot up his spine. “Do I have to?”

  “Yes,” said Vorza, voice stern and final. “Always say goodbye, even if it scares you. Especially because it scares you.”

  “Fine…”

  ****

  “So Grimblade abandons us in our time of need,” proclaimed Beregar, his arms crossed and face like stone.

  All of them stood in the barracks. Free warriors and captains. Many Kasar didn’t even know. Many he was leaving now. All of them knew him. It didn’t seem fair.

  Kasar tried to respond, but the looming warrior snatched his shoulder and pulled him into a killer hug. Kasar groaned as his back protested.

  “Stay safe out there, brother,” said Beregar with far too tender of a voice for The Blackhand, leader of the Grim Horde. “One day we’ll meet again, and you’ll see all the cities we’ve freed. I long for it.”

  Kasar held back tears from sorrow and pain. When they parted, Kasar was still speechless. He just grinned, wiping his tears.

  Saalia came next and slapped him on the shoulder with a grin. “It’s been fun, Grim. More fun than it should be given that it’s bloody work either way. But I suppose it’s bloody work we’ve chosen for ourselves this time around.”

  “Thank you,” he managed to say.

  Kier gave him a gentle hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Raffa would want you to see the world like you want. We want to be here instead. It’s okay that you don’t.”

  “I’m sorry-”

  “No,” she said. “This is war.”

  Kasar nodded. “This is war.”

  “To the next fight then?”

  “Always the next fight.”

  Iristed simply handed Kasar an explosive, and without any words, only an escaped chuckle, head back. Kasar gingerly started to place it in his pack, but Vorza clicked his tongue and snatched it from him to place it in his luggage instead.

  Finally Sipha approached Kasar. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to stab you.”

  “What?” he asked.

  “You look terrified.”

  “I feel guilty for you most of all…”

  “Don’t worry. You didn’t break my heart or anything. I’m a hopeless romantic, but I’ve got my own pride, you know.” She twirled her dagger and handed it to him. “Something to remember me by.”

  “Thank you,” said Kasar, taking it. “Sipha… I don’t know what we are because I don’t know what I am… All of this…” He gestured to the warriors and captains. “It happened to me. I didn’t do anything but react. I don’t know if I want war.”

  “No one does,” she said before shrugging. “Save for Blackhand and me.” She flashed him a smirk. “But I forgive you for leaving. I’d leave too if I didn’t have a score to settle.”

  “With Morod?” asked Kasar.

  “With all of them. Every last self proclaimed god-king bastard. We’ll make them fear being in charge. If they think of abusing their power they’ll remember the likes of Grim and Blackhand and Windrunner coming down on them like a bloody storm. That will make them think twice.”

  “Only you could wage war against a pantheon of gods.”

  “Only you could inspire us all to defy them.”

  “All I did was call Akonai some names,” laughed Kasar.

  She laughed too, but it was short lived as the reality settled. They were saying goodbye. “I will miss you, Grim.”

  “I’ll miss you too, Sipha.”

  “Where are you headed?” she asked.

  “Your country: Valkenia. Vorza says going north puts us in danger right now if we’re traveling alone. West as well. So we’ll go east.”

  “You know there’s war going on there.”

  “I know.”

  “Don’t be a hero. And don’t get yourself killed. Come back here one day so I can tell you that I’ve killed more gods than you.”

  Kasar flashed a smile. “I wouldn’t expect any less.”

  She kissed him on the lips one more time. When Kasar parted, he knew he made the right decision. He loved them all, but perhaps something as serious as a marriage wasn’t the right option. Not now. He had a whole world waiting to be explored. More than his parents ever did. More than he ever dreamed of.

  They waved and cheered as he left with Vorza eastward. The whole ruined mess of a city and the thousands in it cheered as the two Devils left.

  “They’re in good hands,” said Vorza. “You did well.”

  Kasar felt warmth fill him as they left the grounds of the city, leaving behind free folk ready to dive head first into a new and perilous life of adventure. Kasar and Vorza also had a new life ahead. One sure to have its fair share of adventure.

  “I’m ready,” said Kasar. “To see the world.”