[13:58 ] 20 August, near Kronio, with Narrator
This story was made for those who are really reading, that's the only price to understand Greatness
"Ahhh! No way I am fighting like this. It's peak summer, and I'm sweating under this armor"
"Also, why did we come to this rotting village? I see only old houses here"
"Shh, he's about to start"
"Soldiers! I'll be your general for the next 24 hours, we are currently in an emergency, the terrorist named Zelo is on his way here"
Fear emerged on the face of the soldiers, an increasing group of voices, were shouting at the general, invoking the surrender. But they were quickly silenced.
"WE CANNOT SURRENDER. As men, we tend to live less years, we tend to die more often, in exchange we get to live a sensation that no one else receives. The possibility to die next to your lovers, to your family and to your friends, surrounded by love.
If you hate this kingdom, do it for your wives at home. If you hate your general, do it for the kids in our villages. But if you hate the man who caused all of this, I shall guide you to his death. And this man is named Zelo."
Only a skilled general could ever turn a desperate crowd into a cheering up spartan platoon-like.
He wasn't done, Greatness was yet to be seen.
"Everyone knows here, that going 1v1 against Zelo would be a suicide, but some people know it more than others. You! Weakest who is hiding among us, hear my request.
I don't know your name, and I bet you are thinking that you'll be useless.
LISTEN TO ME! I am requesting you to take on your shoulder the spirit of the entire platoon. Don't you EVER consider giving up, and I guarantee, that everyone here will follow you.
SOLDIERS! WOULD YOU EVER STOP IF EVEN THE WEAKEST AMONG US WAS KEEPING FIGHTING??"
The entire platoon responded, making the atmosphere shift.
"NO"
"Would you betray the weakest among us, if he was giving 120% of his possibilities?"
"NO"
"Soldiers! Let this man hear you loud and clear. Inspire him!"
"OOO WEAKEST BETWEEN US, DON'T YOU STOP. OOO WEAKEST.."
Not so far from there…
"I don't understand them, why they are so motivated, I could blow them off right now"
"Lord, it's about the Weakest Burden"
"What? Explain yourself please"
"Sure, the weakest it's just a role. During a war, if the weakest surrenders, he automatically hands the role to the soldier right above him in the Military Hierarchy. The new weakest sees a man not so different from him, losing his determination, so his doubts about giving up, becomes reality.
This domino effect could blast the moral of an army away"
"Hmmm interesting, so we should aim for the weakest first?"
"It's not that easy, killing him would create a rage effect. Right now he's like a star there."
"So the weakest and the most useless guy there becomes, one of the mightiest"
"That's why it's called circular army, my Lord"
A few minutes in the assault…
"He's an Honored one?? How's that even possibl-" Another body…
"Get rid of every liquid close to you! He's able to sha-" Another body…
"It's so cold. I wanna go home" Another body…
They were falling down, being sliced in half, as muffins. Zelo was on a roll.
It was clear from the first instant that the match was one-sided, but still they were attacking him, thanks to the general speech.
"How long is this hypnosis going to last? Fucking general, he's slowing me down"
Zelo was mad, like a kid, demanding a fast match. Trampling on their life.
"This is bad, general! He pierced through our defensive line, he's able to freeze the blood in our veins. How can we get back to our wives, he's killing everyone"
"Soldier, right no-" In an instant Zelo froze and shaped the liquid in the general's body to slice him into tiny pieces. Many spikes flooded his body, which dropped down, leaving the soldier alone.
The pool of blood reached the soldier, which was lying down, terrified.
In a quick sequence, Zelo was able to slash vital organs of many soldiers, everything while keeping a high pace.
A few men were hiding behind a stone wall, astonished, they were doctors enrolled in the army.
"What is happening, I was told to take this easy task…I need to see my daughter, she just became 9, SHE NEED ME BY HER SIDE"
"Why the fuck are you screaming for" the other doctor said before smacking him with a rock, and proceeding to hit him multiple times in the head. "I swear if I get killed because you screamed, I'll find your daughter"
The third doctor was so horrified, he just ran away. He wasn't made for the violence, that's why he chose that role, to escape the military cruelty, which unfortunately decided to chase him.
Hidden in a little corner, full of dark noises, the third doctor was crying.
"Does it hurt? Your heart" The last doctor turned his head to check who talked, but it was Zelo.
"Pleas…I don't want to suffer" His hands were covering his eyes, but this increased his fear by each second, that nothing was happening.
Instead Zelo sat down next to him, he was wet, stained with blood.
"You are hating me now? Hmm, I bet you are. I'll let you survive"
"Shut up. End your job and finish me already…like for the others"
Zelo stood up, sheathing his little blade, he held out a hand.
"Pour in your cruelty. I am sure it's been a hard day for you"
Later that day, after Zelo let him survive, the doctor hanged himself.
That day, it was not the strongest, nor the most determined, nor the most deserving who survived. But the cruelest one; this is Zelo's effect.