章 14: Chapter 14: The South
On the swampy terrains of Barbarus's southern region, Hades lay in a peculiar position near a farmland, clutching his scythe. The embers of a recently extinguished fire from his makeshift campsite still smoked faintly.
It was daytime on Barbarus. Nearby farmers, armed with their tools, began their daily labor. They chatted and laughed amongst themselves, but all instinctively kept a distance from Hades.
He was the enigmatic wanderer who had traveled south almost simultaneously with the Death Guard.
At first, the villagers were wary of this mysterious man who occasionally roamed near their settlement. His very presence seemed malevolent, and even a distant glance at him was unsettling.
When the villagers approached the local Death Guard to request the stranger's expulsion, they were met with unanimous silence.
"That man is no threat. His name is Hades."
Despite the reassurance, the villagers remained cautious around him. But soon, they understood the truth behind the Death Guard's silence.
One morning, as the villagers set out for their fields, they were met with a horrifying sight: scattered limbs, pools of blood, and the expressions of disbelief frozen on the severed heads of xenos creatures.
A nauseating stench emanated from the fields.
Beside this hellish scene, a man lay, snoring lightly, his scythe stained with fresh blood. His hooded figure seemed drenched in the same blood, with visible gashes on his limbs.
He was the Reaper.
The terrified villagers stared in shock. The man, seemingly disturbed by the commotion, woke up.
"Apologies for ruining your crops," he said with an awkward laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "I intended to lure them out, but it didn't go as planned."
His attempt to defuse the tension failed.
"I'll help replant! I truly am sorry!"
One villager thought, just before fainting, that he had witnessed Death itself apologizing.
From then on, the villagers respectfully referred to the mysterious man as the "Lost Soul."
They never accepted Hades's apologies. Instead, they would periodically leave surplus grains for him. Before his nightly excursions, they'd place a bag of food next to his makeshift shelter.
Most of Hades's days were spent resting, conserving energy for the nightly battles. Sometimes, he'd sit by the fields, watching the villagers work. Curious children would sneak closer, but as they approached, they'd feel dizzy and breathless, running away in tears.
Hades would sigh, pack away the roasted grains he'd prepared for them, and continue watching from a distance.
The initial Death Guard arrivals in the south held some resentment towards Hades.
Why should they laboriously fortify villages while he, wandering and battling at night, stole the limelight?
Karlasthefen, a Death Guard leader, approved a proposal for a proactive night assault. However, the five-man team was ambushed on their first night. They repelled the attackers, but three were gravely injured.
In a subsequent meeting, Karlasthefen paced around a sand table, "Hades has proven his ability to survive in the wild."
"We may not see eye to eye, but we are all Death Guard, comrades in arms. Our mission is to liberate humanity."
"And Hades... he can alleviate the pressure from the xenos lords."
Karlasthefen contemplated the southern villages that had been gifted technology by the xenos in return for their allegiance. Some of this tech was invaluable for defense and weaponry.
Time passed, and the resentful murmurs among the Death Guard faded.
Hades approached Karlasthefen with a proposal to hunt down a xenos lord in a nearby mountain.
"You're mad! You think you can face a lord alone? You're not Mortarion, Hades! Don't be foolish!"
Karlasthefen was incredulous, especially since Hades insisted on maintaining a certain distance during their conversation.
"I've assessed the risks," Hades replied, his eyes, hidden beneath his hood, fixed intently on Karlasthefen.
Karlasthefen took a deep breath, "Hades, we escaped together. We're Death Guard, comrades. Aren't we friends?"
Hades nodded slightly, his eyes once again concealed by his hood.
"So, please, don't go. Only Mortarion can do this."
Hades stood, his gear jingling with his movement. He bowed slightly to Karlasthefen.
"Thank you for your concern. I'm glad we're still friends. But my mind is made up."
Afterwards, Karlasthefen saw countless severed xenos heads.
Damn that monster.
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