Victory of life

Like every gift, life comes with a price.

The feast was great but Lila felt uneasy. Her eyes wandered around, keeping an eye on her four surviving officers. If they would mention their retreat, she didn't know what the others would do to them and her. They seemed to feel the same about her, as their eyes crossed more than once. She tried to ignore the empty seats at another table. It was common to save the seats of brethren who had fallen trying to prevent a defeat. After a great meal, of which Lila had only had a nibble, the Soulless entered the hall. A devious smile masked some of the fat on his cheeks.

"My dear Rebels! Yesterday was a great day! We conquered the Necromancer city Ferinta and the Human mage's castle of Oocklace Peak! We will quarantine the people inside and make sure the threat remains contained."
He paused mysteriously and looked at Lila's table. Her officers looked away. Her dreamy gaze, on the other hand, was captured by the Soulless' piercing eyes.
"Aside from those great victories, we lost two other battles. May the souls of our dear Brethren roam alongside our ancestors forever!"
Another pause.
"I would also like to mention Lila. One of my little mice told me about her retreat two days ago. She will fight alongside the common soldiers in a victorious battle next time, or die there. I will not vouch for her until she has done so."
His words hadn't left the hall yet, or most of the attending Rebels started moving closer. They saw Lila as a disgrace to their race and wanted to punish her for her cowardice. She decided she would accept her fate, but her officers wouldn't let her. They understood the meaning of life now, and were thankful for the second chance she had given them. Lila saw the determination in their eyes and hers started emitting a lilac glow. The four Rebels turned into massive black bears, bigger then she had ever seen. Their eyes fiery red and their muzzles salivating, hungry for blood. Their will to live proved to be a great catalyst for her powers. She felt better than ever before and drew her own sword too. The Soulless was watching the display of power with an honest smile on his face. He turned to the doors and as he was leaving:
"Enough..."



(Written in Syringa Cross; episode 15 of the web story)