Chương 14: The Horrors Of The Tear
The Deathwalker uniform is fantastic.
Not only does it have the benefits that Felix spoke about. It is also auto-fitting and is very comfortable to wear. It fits snugly on my delicate frame.
"You look quite dashing.", Felix remarked and handed me a bracelet.
"This is a multipurpose device. It monitors your condition, provides adequate spatial storage for your weapons and items, teleports you to the battlefield, and connects you to the Shield's AI, Minerva. It even tells time."
As I put on the bracelet, he spoke, "This might sting a bit."
"What?", I blurted out before a searing pain caused me to double over and yell out.
I looked at my left forearm where a crimson laser beam shot out from the side of the bracelet and carved something on my skin.
I gritted my teeth and the smell of burning flesh wafted into my nose as the laser engraved a symbol on my arm.
It was the draconian serpent of the Pendragons coiled around a shield and baring its fangs.
"Mmm. I feel like having a barbeque for dinner.", Felix remarked as he waved the smell of my burning flesh away.
"What the hell was that?", I grumbled, gingerly touching the symbol burned onto my skin. It stung like crazy.
Felix had a sympathetic smile on his face, "That brand shows that you belong to the Deathwalkers."
"A tattoo would've been a better alternative."
"Tattoos fade over time. The things we do are irredeemable in the eyes of others. This brand will show them that we had no choice. The things we did, we did to live."
He pointed at my brand, "With that on your arm, no one will come after you for the things you will do at Blood Valley."
"What do you mean by that? What things will I do?", I asked, the previous feeling of dread creeping back into my heart.
A melancholic and haunted look passed over Felix's face, "You'll know soon enough.", he said with a strained smile.
"Ah yes!", he clapped his hands as if suddenly remembering something.
"The brand also shows how experienced you are.", he pulled back his jacket sleeve and showed me his arm.
My eyes widened in shock. His arm was riddled with scars and among them was his brand.
It was identical to mine but with one difference. Right underneath the shield are two vertical stripes burned into his skin.
"I've been a Deathwalker for two years.", he said proudly.
"Two years? That's unbelievable! You're a veteran among veterans!", I exclaimed.
"Yep! Keep up the praise.", Felix said with his head held high.
"But how?"
He gave me a vacant look, "Just pure luck, Mordred. I am just a lucky guy.", glancing at his brand he said, "And I feel like my luck is running out."
He shook his head and walked over to the back of the room to the huge handleless doors.
He placed his palm on one of them and slid them open, revealing a wide variety of weapons arranged neatly in order.
"Whoa.", I walked over and stood beside Felix, my eyes fixed on the feast of weapons in front of me.
There are swords of different shapes and sizes, polearms with different types of blades and pointy things at their tips, and different types of bows and crossbows. Staffs, orbs, and catalysts of different types glowed with ardor.
Massive scythes, double sickles, daggers arranged like dragon teeth, gauntlets of different designs and sizes, and many other weapons lay before me. They looked basic but all were made of the same black metal.
My eyes fell on a curious weapon. It looks like a projectile launcher that can fit in one's hand.
I've searched my new memories and found out what they are.
'So this is a gun.', I thought, looking at the weapon in wonder. I can't believe humans have created such weapons that can shoot small metal projectiles at high speeds.
And there are different types of them. Pistols, assault rifles, sniper rifles, shotguns, and a lot more.
If I had these bad boys in Camlann, I would've easily won the battle. Although, the image of my fully armored self entering the battlefield guns blazing in glory is quite weird.
Felix noticed my gaze and remarked, "Guns are quite uncommon among Deathwalkers or warlocks in general."
"Why is that? They seem quite useful.", I looked at him.
He nodded, "They are an excellent choice if you have good aiming and excellent ardor control for nice damage. They use special ardor absorbing bullets and there is the problem of reloading unless you're using a strand gun, but those are expensive and custom made."
"You can have custom-made weapons?", I asked.
"Indeed.", Felix nodded, "We have a huge workshop and an impressive state-of-the-art arsenal in the Shield. But they are only available for newbies after they survive seven battles."
He waved at the weapons in front of me, "Until then, you are stuck with these guys or the ones bought from the stores."
He smiled, "Don't worry. They may seem basic but are high quality and made of shadow steel or schattium, perfect for the foes we are facing against."
"I see.", I nodded and looked at the weapons again. Since I am a Linker, my weapon choices are versatile.
No, I am not using a gun. Sure, I have amazing ardor control, have modern knowledge of the weapon, and have good aim but I have no bloody idea how to use it.
I'll probably shoot myself instead of the enemy, giving the enemy a funny story to tell as well.
Nope. Guns are out.
My eyes went to the swords. The previous Mordred had practiced with the sword when he was younger.
Plus, in my past life, I had mastered all types of weapons but I preferred the sword and my greatest weapon was a sword as well.
Clarent, a sword whose power rivaled that of the mighty Excalibur. The sword of peace that I used to gravely injure Arthur at Camlann.
I had heard of the existence of Clarent in this world along with the existence of the other weapons used by Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
I must get Clarent in this life. I will make sure of it.
But now, considering my weak condition, I doubt I will even be able to wield a short sword.
So swords are out. And I'm not even thinking about polearms, scythes, and sickles. Staffs, wands, and catalysts would've been a good choice if I were purely a Coder.
But I am not. I am a Linker.
After about five minutes of deliberation and Felix standing awkwardly beside me I chose my weapon.
Well, weapons.
I held the two jagged daggers in my hands and felt them. The blades are quite sharp, they are a bit heavy but fit my hands just right.
I smiled. Daggers were my second most preferred weapon. They may have low range but are far deadlier than swords if in the right hands.
I did some practice swings and they felt good. I am quite glad that I can use my skills in this new smaller body. A little getting used to but I can manage.
Felix whistled, impressed by the handling of two sharp things in the hands of a thirteen-year-old.
"My. You seem quite skilled. Were you trained in weapon arts?"
"I was trained in the royal palace.", I replied. It was kind of the truth.
"I see. I guess that's all.", he crossed his hands and gave me a proud look, "Now you're looking like a Deathwalker. You even have that scared look on your face. Nice."
"Minerva will show your rank through the bracelet. In case you're wondering, I am a B ranker.", he said with a smug smile.
I nodded, "That explains how you have survived for two years."
He just shrugged, "I told you, Mordred. I'm just lucky. There are Deathwalkers stronger than me, Absolute monsters. One of them is about-"
Before he could finish speaking, a siren blared all around us. It resonated in the walls and overwhelmed my ears.
Felix turned serious, "It's time."
"Time for what?", I asked nervously. Despite knowing what it was, I asked nonetheless.
"Battle.", he said and pulled a bud-shaped object out of his pocket, "Put this in your ear. It is a communication device directly linked to me. I will be able to contact you through it."
I put the earbud in my ear and looked at Felix in confusion who was reading a message on the projected screen of his bracelet. I saw relief wash over his face.
"Will you not be there with me?", I asked.
He shook his head, "Unfortunately, no. I am assigned to railgun duty. I am not complaining though."
His eyes furrowed as they fell on my bracelet, on which a green light was blinking. I can make out a beeping noise but it was drowned by the constant siren.
"By the Incarni!", he muttered and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Listen Mordred! You are going to be teleported to the battlefield!", he said, raising his voice above the deafening siren
"Oh.", I simply said, dread completely enveloping me.
Felix shook me lightly, "Listen! There will be a Captain assigned to the newbies! Follow their instructions carefully! No matter what you do, do not die!"
He smiled as the light blinked rapidly and I felt a tingle on my wrist, "I shouldn't be telling you since I am supposed to be a guide! But do whatever you have to do to remain alive. Survive Mordred!"
"Good luck, kid!"
With those words and a kind smile, Felix disappeared as a blinding green light enveloped me.
The next thing I knew, I was outside and standing on the crimson snow. I felt woozy and stumbled.
So this is teleportation. Not a pleasant experience, in my opinion. I shook my head and noticed that I was not alone.
I was surrounded by Deathwalkers, many of the ones around me looked nervous and scared. They must be my fellow newbies.
Some distance away I saw Deathwalkers who all had determined looks on their faces. They must be the more experienced ones.
Everyone here had different weapons in their hands and a perpetual chill hung in the air despite our enchanted uniforms.
"Listen up newbies!", a tall and athletic-looking Deathwalker with a diagonal scar across his face yelled out.
I and the others turned to him. Seeing that he had everyone's attention, he placed a hand on his chest. He yelled out.
"There is no time for pleasantries! I am your captain today, Listen carefully to my instructions during the battle and make sure that you don't die!"
"Do not underestimate the enemy and do not get in the way of your fellow Deathwalkers!"
"And above all. Try to survive. Good luck! You will need it!"
He turned around just as multiple bells resonated in the valley.
"By the Incarni. They're here.", I heard him say.
A cold wind blew over us from the Tear and the darkness in the eye-shaped hole in space swirled and rippled.
"Ready your weapons!", the captain yelled.
I gripped my daggers and assumed a stance. My previous dread vanished and I felt calm.
I have been on many battlefields in my past life and maybe it's because of that, my mind became focused and calm and my battle stance came naturally.
Panicking on the battlefield will lead to death. The words I spoke to myself came back.
That's when I saw them.
The Horrors of The Tear.
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
just_a_fox
just_a_fox Shall we see how Mordred handles this fight?
What do you think the horrors of the Tear would be?
Post it in the comments!
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