The Rise Of A Porter

After the blackness of night, Sun rose from its sleep, on the horizon, spreading its gold in every direction. It came in a way that natural forces do, not needing an invitation yet feeling welcomed and radiating hope, a new beginning. Another chance to live. The start of a brand new day.

Only an hour ago the blackness was absolute, but now the silver mist was visible. Through the mist, there came a startling band of colours hung in the sky. The rainbow was as vibrant as anyone would've ever seen. But seeing the rainbow only brought sadness for the most.

The ground that had been baked so hard yesterday was now soft due to the heavy rain, Arnold's every step making a temporary puddle of murky water behind, which was made of rain along with blood and sweat of both, the living and the dead.

With it, came the scene of a ravaged base. As Arnold retraced his steps back to the base after storing the bodies of the trolls in his domain, all he could see was silent chaos. Soldiers of all ranks were running around. Some were looking for survivors, some were counting the dead while retrieving their dogtags, while the rest had already started with the repairs. The bodies on the field, typically still in full combat suit, were scattered around more or less evenly, or sometimes in little clumped groups, most of them had a few missing limbs and in some cases a missing head...

A few soldiers saw Arnold and saluted him when they noticed him, while the others just smiled wanly at him. He was drenched in rain and blood and dust, his overall appearance was similar to someone who hadn't slept for months.

Although Arnold had defeated the monsters, he felt like he wasn't a winner. The happiness of killing the trolls was long gone. He should've felt like a hero, after all, he had saved hundreds of lives. But all he could think about were the dozens who lost their lives.

'Feel like a hero... Yeah right. I'm no hero. A hero is someone who saves everyone's life. Someone that isn't me. I never was and never will be... A hero.'

Arnold kept walking aimlessly, often stopping to help if someone needed. He had already sent a few of his summons to help around and to keep a watch out for monsters. He was afraid that another wave of monsters might try to attack them at their vulnerable state.

He was about to leave and go towards the workshop, but then he heard someone's voice from behind.

"You know, whenever I felt low or was at my weakest, my mom used to tell me something that instantly filled me with so much energy that I could conquer the world." Amanda smiled and walked next to him. Allen was with her and took the spot next to Amanda.

"Do you mind sharing that wisdom?" Arnold tried to laugh but couldn't.

"That's what I'm here for!" She cleared her throat like a professional singer and continued, "Let's see if I remember it correctly. Alright here it goes... 'You may think this is a nightmare, and in some ways you're right, but when you wake up, you'll find the day is a little warmer and brighter than the one before. The sun carries the burden of the entire Solar system on his shoulders, never asking for anything back. You know why? Because he knows he's a true hero... Just like you are the hero you've been looking for. You are the only one who can take down the walls that are stopping you from obtaining what you want. You are the only one who knows the answers to your questions, and no one else. So get up, take your crown and show the world that it can depend on you when the time comes.' That's what she used to say, and you, my friend, deserve nothing less than our sincere thanks for saving us. Yes, you couldn't save everyone... But not even Gods can do that, can they? So be proud of what you did because we're alive because of you. Moreover, we don't need a sulking Section Chief for us so either be happy or leave. The choice is yours."

Arnold opened his mouth to reply and express his gratitude to Amanda when suddenly the Brigadier General walked towards him, with his charade of soldiers behind him and started spitting crap about Arnold.

"Look here. Our beloved Section Chief is busy leisurely chatting around as if he's on a picnic! While all of us are trying to help each other and recover from this crisis." He said then stared hard at Arnold who quietly turned towards Amanda.

"Thanks for the talk. I needed to hear something like that. My summons will try to help you for as long as you want and I'm temporarily assigning you to lead the ongoing operations of the base."

"Yes sir! I'll try to do my best."

"I know you will. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll like to lay down for a while. Allen, be with her and help her, I'll be in the workshop if you need me."

After giving the orders to his subordinates, Arnold turned around, intending to leave before he did something regretful, but the Brigadier had other plans.

"Is that all you're going to do, Section Chief? Don't you think you should at least apologise to me and the soldiers? After all, dozens of lives were lost due to your incompetent leadership. If you'd have been more vigilant then all of this could've been avoided."

"Sir, with all due respect. What are you talking about? He did the best he could do to avoid the incident and as far as I'm aware most of the deaths happened because of your conflicting commands!" Amanda jumped in between to avoid a clash between Arnold and the Brigadier General.

"Looks like you've forgotten that I am still your senior. I think I should make an example out of you first." Brigadier General snapped his fingers, and the soldiers quickly stepped forward, trying to surround Amanda. Even a blind man could've told, their intentions weren't pure. But before they could take another step towards her...

BANG!

Arnold fired a bullet near the foot of the soldiers, "I've already lost some soldiers... losing a few more wouldn't matter much to me."

"Are you trying to threaten us?" The Brigadier General asked Arnold, clearly trying to provoke him.

"No. I'm just implying what would happen if you don't stand down now. I'm not in the mood so just leave and we'll talk about your actions later."

"My actions? The nerve-"

Arnold rushed towards the Brigadier General, grabbed the collar of his uniform and lifted him off the ground. Like a Dragon, claws popped out of his gloves. Ready to rip the Brigadier's throat at any moment. The soldiers tried to help their General but Allen jumped in between.

"What part of, I'm not in the mood, you don't understand? I thought I'd give you a chance but seems like you don't want it." Arnold said in a calm and cold voice, "Don't blame me for what's going to happen next."

Realising that things were about to get out of hands, Amanda rushed towards Arnold's side and tugged hard at his arm that was holding the Brigadier up in the air.

"Arnold DON'T DO IT! It's not worth it!" She yelled, hoping that her voice would make Arnold snap out of it.

But it was all in vain... Arnold didn't even bother to look at the one who was desperately trying to pull his hands away. All he could see was the face of the man because of whom dozens of people lost their lives. But then he got lost in his thoughts. 

'Do I really want to kill him? I don't think I'm not in the mood for something like that... *Sigh* this bast*rd is so lucky. But still, I'll have to punish him and his pack of hyenas.'

After thinking for a moment, Arnold let's go of the Brigadier General, who fell on his butt and then, "If you want to live, then leave this place as well as zone 4. I don't need incompetent people who end up making others lose their life because of their foolish and ego-driven decisions. I don't care where you and your a*s licking dogs go, just get out of my sights. I won't be generous enough to let you off that easily if I see you or your b*tches around here ever again. That was your final warning."

"You... You can't do this!" The Brigadier or the ex-brigadier yelled. 

"I already did. Amanda, please take care of it?"

"It'll be my pleasure, sir!" Amanda saluted Arnold as he left to rest his exhausted body.

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