DEATHWISH

Major Pairo stood in the middle of the raised platform they used for sparring. Captain Amber on his right. Quidel and Utu on his left.

Anyone who knew him, like Amber, could tell that he was excited. Finally, the dreary training of these recruits will be enlivened by a spark of excitement. A spark of excitement called the Young Lord Utu.

Husky Fortress had a reputation. It even had its own nickname. The Final Destination. Where those who cannot utilize their magic or aura came to be.

Husky Fortress are only here for two reasons. Basic training to be a foot soldier, and to expel the energy in their cores into the crystal. Energy other soldiers used in their magic or aura skills.

The soldiers are dejected. But even more than that, they are angry. Enraged at the world who seemed to have rejected them.

Which is why, an existence like the training-crazy Prince Utu is a godsend to boost morale.

Pairo's head turned to the right. "Are they all here, Captain?"

Amber did a quick scan on the faces of those surrounding the arena, did a quick count, and nodded. "Yes sir. All 83 recruits are here."

"Good." Pairo coughed to clear his throat, and raised the volume of his voice. "Fellow soldiers!"

Everybody gave their fullest attention to their commander. Waiting on his every word.

"I am reminded of a story. The story of a fight between a man and a beast."

"The beast and man was almost equal in strength. The man is slightly weaker, but a bit more cunning. The beast is stronger and faster. Who do you think won the fight?"

Everybody looked at each other. Even Utu looked at Quidel in search of the answer. Quidel just smiled and gestured for him to wait for the story to finish.

Finally, a soldier answered. "The beast won, sir?"

Pairo chuckled. "Wrong! It was the man who won that fight."

"Shit. I knew I shouldn't have answered." He mumbled under his breath. His nearby colleagues heard that, and laughed at him.

"However. Although the beast lost, it kept on fighting until it can no longer fight. The man, although he won, died of his injuries. The beast soon healed of his injuries, and lived on."

"Such is the difference between us and animals. We fight to win, whereas they fought to live. When death is always chasing in front of you, you won't dare to stop fighting. Do you understand that?!"

"Yes sir!" Everybody shouted in unison.

"Good! But I need to see proof of that." He gestured to Utu. "This is our Young Lord Utu. The son of the great Duke of Cherith. And he, like all others, think that our Husky Fortress is weak."

The words barely left Pairo's mouth. But it was already piercing into the ears and hearts of every recruits. Turning their eyes bloodshot red.

"But I never..." Before Utu could protest, Quidel stopped him. He understood Pairo's move. Giving the Young Lord a no-holds-barred spar Utu needed. Doing that, while motivating the soldiers under his care at the same time, it seems Pairo never stopped honing his skills as a war tactician.

"So prove to me your fighting spirit. Fight like a beast. Fight like the grim reaper is putting his scythe on your throat. Fight like your life depends on it. Can you do that?"

"YES SIR!"

Pairo grinned like an evil man. "Hahaha good. Then let the fight...begin!"

***

"Are you both trying to kill me or something?" Utu grumbled as Quidel helped put the suit of armor on his body.

"What do you mean, Young Lord?"

"Don't give me that! You know what. I never said anything about the Husky Fortress. Even I knew about their sensitive predicament. Father warned me multiple times about that."

Quidel only gave a curt smile. "And?"

Utu's eyes can't get any wider. "And? And you just goaded them to a death match. You, and that crazy Major of yours."

"What do you mean, Young Lord. I didn't do anything!" Quidel's eyes turned cheekier by the minute.

"You let it happened. And now I'm fighting a well trained soldier. Haih..."Utu smiled bitterly. "Maybe death is the only way to achieve peace of mind."

Quidel wanted to say something nice, but he stopped himself. This is not the time for sympathy. "Well, then what are you waiting for. There's your door to peace right there." He said, pointing towards his first opponent.

Utu stood in front of the steps of the arena. He knew he should step on it and climb up, but somehow lost his strength to take a step forward.

Quidel noticed that, and tousled his hair. Utu looked at him. He was almost crying. "Remember," Quidel said with a smile, "fight like a beast. Not like a man. Fight to live, not to win."

Hearing those words, Utu's quiver calmed down a bit. "Thanks, mister Quidel."

Utu firmly took a step into the arena.