zebra

In the blood-red glow of the fire, each person is reduced to a vague silhouette, cast over the mottled ruins.

Once they fought side by side, through the valley of the shadow of death.

Yet now, only hatred and animosity remain in their gazes towards one another.

(What happened...?)

(It's like... everyone went crazy.)

Allaenat!

Do you even realize the hell I went through getting back here alive? And before I get even a single hot meal, you want me rushing off to the front lines again?

Fall back! All of you, fall back!

Is this a mutiny?!

Mutiny? I'm gonna kill you, ayyuha al'ahmaq.

Grab him! Don't let him get away!

Move it! Out of the way!

Heavyrain! Quick!

Stop him! Don't let him run!

(I think I know who he is...)

(What was he called again?)

What are you spacing out for?! Kill him!

MOVE!

Urgh!

Damn it!

Heavyrain, how could you let him get away?!

(All my comrades are staring at me. They look so hostile.) I'm sorry.

(It's like... I'm their enemy now too.) But I don't hurt my comrades.

Comrades? Heh...

You think any of those sacks of shit on our side?

His punch hits Heavyrain square in the face.

The veteran pants insatiably, just waiting for Heavyrain to hit back, dying to vent his anger in combat.

But she doesn't. She simply picks up her shield, her expression calm.

No hesitation, nor any show of fear.

I'm sorry.

But I will never hurt my comrades.

*spit*! Coward.

Enough! This is no time to be screwing with our own.

Boss, we should make a break for it.

While we still have the chance.

Run? What about our families back home?

We're all brothers from the same hometown. If the lord ameer ever feels like going after them, his job will be easy.

Allaenat!

Those bastards were never going to let us live in the first place.

I told you to think before you act. Do you regret it now?

I can't take this. I can't watch my brothers be thrown out to die like this.

Enough, words won't solve this anymore. They can defend the entrance for now.

The janissaries and officers are all the children of nobles. With them as hostages, whoever's outside... won't be so quick to act.

Right.

The years-long campaign has taken these people—far from their homes and their families—and left them with no one but their fellow troops.

It's only natural for those from the same hometown to look after one another, unable to bear their companions suffering even the slightest abuse.

But under such innately oppressive circumstances, strife still remains common.

You cowards screwed up last time by being the first to run. I had the enemy tear at my ass for three whole days before I made it out.

Khalas! Who are you calling a coward?!

If it wasn't for you shit for brains, I wouldn't even be trapped in here!

Say that again, ya waghadi?

Wanna go, huh? Bring it! Put your money where your mouth is!

Fine, let's go!

Not going to help? You're just going to watch?

Who would I help?

Who do you care about more?

Then who do you think is in the right?

They... none of them.

Sargonian mercenaries shouldn't be fighting each other for no reason like this.

...*sigh* I knew you weren't like the others, Heavyrain.

What?

There's no should or shouldn't when it comes to soldiers...

Only want or don't want, obey or disobey.

How come you got even less food than me?

Don't vets get a little more?

It's fine. It's enough.

Having more or less doesn't make a difference.

Oh.

(Anum sort of looks like she's in despair.)

(Is she worried for me?)

Anum.

Hm?

To tell the truth...

I knew the person who ran this afternoon.

You did? But the janissaries never associate with people like us.

In our last battle, it was me who pulled him out from a pile of bodies.

He told me his name was Ibrahim.

We hid from the Casters pursuing us together.

So he's your friend?

Not a friend. A comrade.

What's the difference?

...It's hard to put in words.

But they're not the same.

Do you remember how this whole mess started?

The officer got the order to send everyone back to the front.

And then?

The veterans felt they were too injured from the last battle and wanted more supplies and rest. Then it got out of hand.

So, who do you think was in the right?

I understand what the veterans are thinking, but...

Regardless, you hesitated.

And to the others, it felt like a betrayal.

I'd never betray anyone.

I just don't understand...

We save him one moment, and then we have to kill him the next.

Then what if it was someone else running toward you back there?

Someone who'd clashed with you before, even.

Would you retaliate then? Would you want to?

If I said no, would you think I'm a coward, Anum?

No... Because I knew you'd say that.

You see everyone as a comrade.