Chapter 43: Group Rho
The ride passed in silence.
Occasionally, the other men would discuss battle plans or tactics, but never for long. Instead, they focused on mentally preparing themselves for the horrors of war, something Charon was entirely bored with.
’At this point, just let me make my own decisions. If I’m going to fight, let me fight. Enough of this waiting!’
A few times, he had tried to strike up a conversation with Emerius, but the officers would silence them. Charon eventually ignored them and talked right over the top of their glares, but Emerius didn’t seem to be in the mood to speak.
And so, the hour passed, punctuated by the men standing and preparing to disembark. The ramp opened without the vehicle stopping, the officers moving to the edge and jumping without so much as an ounce of hesitation.
Of course, they didn’t tell the duo about this, leaving them momentarily confused before they leapt to their feet and followed suit.
Emerius went first, gracefully landing in a roll that left him springing to his feet.
Charon, however, had a very different result.
He jumped off the edge, the momentum leaving him hanging in the air for a moment before he unceremoniously fell to his face, the dirt and rocks cutting into his skin to leave a rash.
Hissing as he stood, Charon wiped his robes down and scowled.
’I hope these officers are the ones who don’t make it back.’
It was an extreme reaction to wish death upon another, but as he had figured before, these men already had one chance at this.