Chapter Text
This war between Outworld and Kafallah took the lives of hundreds of civilians. Kafallah had burned down villages, specifically targeting ones on the outskirts of Outworld’s borders. Emperor and Empress, Jerrod and Sindel were growing increasingly frustrated at the attacks on their realm and it was time to bring it to an end.
General Shao led his troops as they stormed the walls of the castle of Kafallah. The Outworld soldiers clashed with the defending forces, their weapons clashing and screams echoing through the halls.
Shao walked through the blood-soaked halls with his battle axe gripped tightly in his hands. He brutally cut down any enemies that crossed his path, his swings precise and deadly. The Outworld soldiers followed his lead, pushing forward, leaving no Kafallian soldier standing.
They made their way deeper into the palace, Shao’s eyes narrowed as the doors leading to the inner chambers were kicked open with a thunderous force, revealing the last line of defense for the Kafallians. In a savage display of power, Shao's soldiers cut down the remaining enemies who stood against them, their blood splattering against the walls of the palace.
Shao pushed the last enemy into the wall with a strong kick, he raised his axe and slammed it into their skull. Blood splattered on Shao’s helmet and with the final enemy fallen, Shao couldn't help but let out a chuckle with a dark grin. "Another victory for Outworld," he declared proudly, triumph gleaming in his eyes. He yanked his bloodied axe from the slain enemy's skull, its release marking the end of a grueling battle.
"Scout out any remaining Kafallians," Shao commanded, addressing his soldiers. General Shao made his way down the stairs, the light from outside slowly disappearing, replaced by the flickering glow of candlelight. The battle with the Kafallians had been fierce, but his soldiers had held their ground, cutting down the enemies. Now, as they pressed forward, Shao found himself standing in front of two large wooden doors, locked from the other side.
Huffing with exhaustion, Shao raised his axe and slammed it into the doors, shattering them open. Beyond the doors lay a dark and foreboding sight – a set of stone steps leading deeper into the unknown. Shao mused for a moment, his mind racing with possibilities.
"The dungeons," he said to himself, a mixture of caution and curiosity in his voice. Steeling himself, Shao descended into the darkness, the echo of his footsteps bouncing off the cold stone walls.
As he reached the bottom of the steps, Shao found himself surrounded by a haunting silence. There were only a few candles scattered about, their feeble flames casting eerie shadows on the damp walls. Dozens of cells lined the corridor, each one filled with despair and suffering. Shao's eyes scanned the scene, taking in the tragedy before him.
Some cells were empty, their inhabitants lost to an unknown fate. Others held prisoners who were already lifeless, due to injuries and starvation. The smell of decaying corpses and other putrid odors filled the air, assaulting Shao's senses.
Shao passed by the cells, gripping his axe tightly in his hand. He gritted his fanged teeth at the sight of the conditions of the dungeons. Water dripped incessantly from the cracks in the ceiling, creating an eerie melody that echoed through the stone corridors. Melting wax dripped slowly from the candles.
Shao's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the scene before him. Tables stood in disarray, bloodied instruments scattered haphazardly across their surfaces. Unspeakable torture and suffering flooded his mind, shackles hung on the wall, presumably to make the other captives watch the torture. Shao took a breath, he wasn’t bothered by any of this, but that didn’t mean he wanted to stay. He turned on his heel to leave this dark place.
But just as he was about to make his departure, he heard a faint crying coming from the far corner of the dark dungeon. He raised his eyebrow and immediately paced over to the corner, his curiosity growing with each step. There, tucked away in the shadows, was a cell that seemed to have been forgotten, covered in darkness. Shao made his way to the iron bars that barricaded the cell.
Struggling to see through the dim lighting, but knowing that the crying was indeed coming from within the cell. Determined to investigate further, he grabbed one of the candles from the nearby table, illuminating the space and casting more eerie shadows on the walls. With his free hand, he pulled off the lock, which had grown rusty and from years of neglect.
As the bars were pulled open with a loud creak that echoed through the dungeon, the crying abruptly stopped, being replaced by the sound of startled breathing. Shuffling could be heard from the darkened cell as Shao cautiously stepped closer. The candlelight revealed a small boy huddled in the corner, shivering from the cold and fear.
The boy's appearance struck Shao to his hardened core. His body was covered in blood, dirt, and bruises, his clothing torn and stained. His greasy, tangled hair framed a face streaked with tears and dirt. No doubt, this young boy had suffered unspeakable horrors.
Shao remained stoic as he kneeled down to the boy's level, his towering figure providing a sense of protection. "It's alright," he whispered, his voice resonating with reassurance. The boy trembled, his wide, white eyes gazing at the general.
Shao placed his large scaly hand on the boy's frail shoulder. The boy flinched at the contact, but subconsciously leaned into the touch, seeking comfort from this stranger. "What's your name, boy?" Shao inquired.
The boy trembled once more before mustering the strength to answer. "R-Reiko," he stammered, his voice choked with fear and desperation. Shao acknowledged his answer with a nod. “I’m Shao, General of Outworld’s Army.” He replied back. “Come, let’s get you out of here.”
Reiko's cries grew louder, his tiny frame convulsing with grief. "I want my mother," he wailed, his words punctuated by sobs. Shao sighed. "I know you do," he said softly. "but right now, my priority is to get you to safety."
As Shao reached out to guide Reiko away from the corner, the frightened boy kicked and pushed against him, desperate to hold onto what little comfort he had in the familiarity of his surroundings. "No!" he cried, his voice filled with desperation, "I... I need her."
Shao's brows furrowed, his eyes narrowing. He knew that Reiko's mother was most likely no longer alive and that he was the last surviving captive. But how does one explain such a cruel reality to a traumatized child? Silence hung heavily in the air as Shao pondered his next move. "Listen, Reiko," he urged, his voice firm. "You need to let me help you. I promise I will keep you safe."
Reiko stayed huddled in the corner, not wanting to move. He yearned to be free, but not at the cost of leaving his parents behind. Every cut, bruise, and possibly a few broken ribs on his small body made it difficult for him to even consider getting up. He glanced up at General Shao, their eyes locking briefly. Reiko could barely make out the details of Shao's face through his helmet, but he could sense the impatience brewing within the general.
Despite the limitations imposed by his injuries, Reiko finally mustered enough strength to reach out and take Shao's offered hand. With the general's support, he managed to rise from the cold, unforgiving stone floor. As they gingerly proceeded through the dimly lit dungeon, Reiko's legs trembled with every step.
The pair drew closer to the stairs leading back into the Kafallah Palace, but just as they were within grasp of the exit, Reiko's sobbing intensified. Shao turned to him. “Don't cry, Reiko," he whispered, trying to offer solace even though he wasn’t sure how to give it. "It will be alright, I promise."
Reiko pulled back, his eyes red and puffy. "No, it won't be!" he cried, his voice laced with desperation. "I want my parents. I can't leave them behind!"
Shao heaved a frustrated sigh. "We don't have time, Reiko," he urged, his voice tinged with urgency. "We need to go.”
Tears streamed down Reiko's face as he glanced back at one of the corridors leading deeper into the dungeons. The dimly lit passage beckoned, promising an uncertain fate. He stopped in his tracks and bit down on Shao's hand with a surge of adrenaline. Ignoring the searing pain, he wriggled free from Shao's grip and darted back into the darkness, his heart pounding in his chest.
“Damn it!” Shao hissed in pain as he saw Reiko flee deeper into the dungeon. He wiped the blood off his hand and grabbed one of the candles sitting on the worn-out table, walking down the hallway.
Now deep within the treacherous depths of the dungeon, Shao contemplated the fate of Reiko after he gets him out of here. He knew that probably the most sensible choice was to have the child placed in Sun Do's orphanage.
As he pressed forward, he eventually stumbled upon Reiko in a dimly lit room. The stench of decay permeated the air, and his eyes landed upon more bloodied instruments and candle light.
Approaching Reiko, Shao intended to firmly grasp the young boy's upper arm, but his eyes were drawn to a sight that made his blood run cold. Reiko's gaze was fixated upon a couple, their pale lifeless bodies slumped against a stone wall with multiple stab wounds. They looked like they had been dead for days, weeks perhaps.
Reiko's face turned ashen, and his legs trembled involuntarily. It was clear that this was Reiko's parents, taken from him in the cruelest of ways. Shao’s heart sank, empathizing with the unimaginable pain and loss the child must be experiencing.
Attempting to offer comfort and salvation, Shao extended his hand, preparing to guide Reiko away from this place of horror. However, the child resisted with all his might, straining against Shao's grip. He yearned to be with his parents for just a moment longer, desperately clinging to the hope that they might somehow come back to him.
"Let go of me!" Reiko's grief-stricken voice pierced the heavy air, tears streaming down his face unchecked. "I want to be with my mother...," he wailed, his voice filled with anguish.
Shao's heart ached, and he struggled to find the right words to console the young boy. But he knew that he had to be honest, however harsh the truth may be. "Reiko, I am truly sorry, but your parents are gone," he firmly reminded him.
With those words, Reiko collapsed into Shao’s arms, sobbing into his chest armor. Shao held him up, remaining stoic. Reiko was the last survivor in the dungeon, a bloodied orphan. Reiko continued to cry as he slowly turned around his head to catch another glimpse at his family, but Shao shielded his face.
“Don’t look,” he whispered.
Reiko's sobs waned, replaced by sniffles, his tiny body visibly exhausted. Shao helped him stand up straight, rubbing his back. "Come on, we have to go," Shao urged, his voice firm. Reiko shook his head, his voice choked with sorrow. "I can't... I can't leave them here," he cried, his voice filled with pain and longing.
Shao's grip tightened. "They're gone, Reiko," he reminded, his words cutting through the haze of grief. "You can't change what happened, now come on, before I leave you down here."
Reluctantly, Reiko nodded, his hand clasping Shao's armored fingers tightly. Before they could begin walking, the sharp sound of a knife being drawn pierced the air, instantly putting Shao on high alert. His instincts kicked in, and he swiftly turned around, shielding Reiko from the potential threat. A Kafallian soldier, splattered with fresh blood, stood before them, brandishing a deadly blade.
"Give me the boy," the soldier demanded, his voice trembling with desperation and malice. Shao's grip on Reiko tightened as he gritted his teeth and reached for his axe, ready to defend himself and the boy. The soldier looked at the corpses of Reiko's parents and back at him with a sinister scoff.
"I guess mommy didn't come back for you, huh?" he asked mockingly, causing Reiko to tear up. Shao's eyes narrowed. "Be quiet. I slaughtered your comrades upstairs, and I won't hesitate to kill you as well," Shao threatened, his voice laced with a chilling authority.
The soldier staggered back, his confidence wavering as he stared at the general. He then attempted to lunge at Shao with a desperate bid to regain control. However, Shao's years of military training and battle experience made him a force to be reckoned with. With a swift movement, he sidestepped the soldier's attack, causing him to stumble forward.
Before the soldier could regain his balance, Shao's foot connected with his chest, sending him crashing to the floor with a resounding thud. The impact echoed through the now-silent room, allowing Reiko a brief moment of respite from the chaos. Shao raised his axe, preparing to deliver a blow to the skull, cracking it open. But Reiko seized one of the many weapons scattered across the table, and went over to the soldier, raising it above his head with both fear and a thirst for revenge. In a wave of adrenaline, he plunged the weapon into the soldier's throat, covering himself and his surroundings in a torrent of fresh blood.
The soldier's body convulsed in shock and pain as Reiko, fueled by a mix of frustration, anger, and the remnants of his own pain, continued to frantically stab him. Each stab was a desperate cry against the cruelty he had endured, a futile attempt to reclaim some measure of control and justice.
As the adrenaline began to subside, Reiko's grip weakened, and he collapsed to the ground, the weight of his emotions and exhaustion becoming too much to bear. Shao observed Reiko as he unleashed his fury, awed by the indomitable spirit of the young boy. The unexpected outburst captivated Shao, making him reconsider his initial plan to send Reiko to an orphanage. Instead, he contemplated harnessing the boy's strength and molding him into a formidable soldier for his army.
Kneeling beside Reiko, Shao acknowledged, "You possess a fire within you." Reiko, now coming down from his adrenaline rush, covered his mouth in sheer horror. "I... I killed someone," he cried, his voice muffled. Shao wiped the blood off his face and responded, "Bastard had it coming." Reiko gazed at the lifeless body before him, then exhaled sharply. "Yeah, he did" he agreed coldly.
Placing a reassuring hand on Reiko's shoulder, Shao spoke earnestly, "You have an immense potential. I could use a soldier like you in my army." Reiko's mind swirled with conflicting thoughts. The very reason his village had been captured, tortured, and ravaged by the Kafallah soldiers was due to Outworld’s war with them. But Shao had saved him, and that made Reiko trust him implicitly. But the suggestion of becoming a soldier stirred a whirlwind of emotional turmoil within him.
Before he could delve deeper into his warring thoughts, pain and exhaustion overpowered Reiko, causing him to collapse again into Shao's arms. The General caught him effortlessly, silently vowing to himself as he glanced at the lifeless bodies of Reiko's slain parents. It was a promise, a commitment to raise this young boy into the man that his parents would never have the chance to witness.
He carried Reiko out the dungeon as he slowly fell asleep in his arms. Shao look around the palace. His soldiers had successfully wiped out their enemies and were now ready to return back to Outworld. Shao walked with his soldiers out the palace. One of the soldiers looked at Reiko and tilted their head. “Was he the only survivor?” They asked. Shao nodded, continuing to move forward. The journey back to Outworld took a while but eventually, the gates of Outworld’s capital, Sun Do, were now in sight. Constables opened the gates for the army allowing them access. Li Mei, Sun Do First Constable’s was waiting for the army’s arrival. She walked up to the General. “Welcome back to Outworld, General.” She greeted. “I’m assuming Kafallah has fallen.”
Shao nodded, a grin forming on his face. "It has indeed, Outworld is once again at peace," he confirmed.
As the soldiers settled back into their routines and duties, Li Mei couldn't help but be drawn to Reiko, who shivered in his sleep. Concern etched on her face, she approached Shao. "What's with the child?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and sympathy.
Shao looked down at Reiko, his protective instincts kicking in. "I rescued him from the dungeons where the captives were held," he explained. "He's the only one who survived." Li Mei's eyes softened as she reached out, tenderly tucking a loose strand of hair behind Reiko's ear.
"I knew Kafallah had prisoners, but I had no idea some of them were so young," Li Mei remarked, her voice laden with sadness. She couldn't help but feel her heart ache for the innocent lives caught in the crossfire.
Noticing Reiko's feverish state, she placed a hand on his head. "He's burning up. Are you planning to take him to Sun Do's orphanage?" she inquired, looking up at Shao with concern etched on her face.
Shao shook his head, determination shining in his eyes. "No," he declared firmly. "I'm taking him in. He will be raised under my guidance, honed in the ways of war."
Li Mei gave Shao a thoughtful and slightly disapproving look. "I'm not sure if that's the best idea, General," she responded, her voice tinged with worry. "If he's an orphan of war, making him a soldier may not be in his best interest."
Shao huffed, his pride and loyalty towards Outworld evident. "I care about what's good for Outworld, First Constable," he asserted, his voice filled with determination. "I am giving him a second chance at life, and he will be grateful for it. He will become a skilled warrior, defending our land."
Li Mei glanced down at Reiko, a flicker of doubt crossing her face. She took a step back, murmuring softly, "I hope you know what you're doing, General." As she watched Shao retreat back to the palace, she couldn't help but wonder if Shao was planning to do was in Reiko’s best interest. But the General had always had black and white thinking, it was his way or no one’s at all. So his plan had begun, may the Elder Gods guide him.