A Despot's Redemption

"Sir, are you sure about this?" asked Saffavid "You know that we need you to govern this state."

"I understand your doubt Saffavid. But you are also the governor of the neighbouring state. You are one of my few generals who has experience with politics. Please, do not make me regret my decision."

"But sir you have finally reunited your grandfather's former empire. Don't you want to take the time to rule it?

"I will when I return. But know this, if I get slain in battle and Dalia still does not wish to become queen, then you shall be the one in charge of this empire."

Saffavid bowed his head "I understand Shammil. My state helped to supply weapons in times of trouble, now it is my time to return the favour,"

Daniel hopped back onto his mare Phoebe who he had left to rest in the palace's stable. He glanced back to the outcrop of dunes that towered above him as the sun's heat surged through his synthetic skin. He had spread water over his body but to no avail.

But that didn't matter. The journey back to the Eastern continent was about to commence and he could finally get away from the scorching desert heat.

Beside him stood Chloe , clutching the glowing orb that rested in her palms.

"Don't worry Serena." said Chloe as she stroked the sphere "Everyhting will be alright."

"Why are you whispering to it?"

"Because it speaks to me."

"Speaks? Wait, that thing can talk?"

"Only to its owner."

As if on cue, Ferric clad in tehranamite armour rode straight towards him before coming to a halt.

"Took you long enough." said Daniel

"You ready?" said Ferric

Chloe nodded and took a deep breath. The tang of gritty sand lingered in her mouth as she closed her eyes.

Chloe's eyes shone a bright blue that matched that of the orb followed by a howling wind that swept through the desert. Shammil's army staggered back , raising their arms to shield themselves as the nearby pebbles flew towards them.

Suddenly, a chasm of blue energy began to form and swirl. Daniel grinned. The portal was finally ready.

Daniel's horse neighed uncontrollably and almost knocked him off the saddle. The journey by portal was a horrible moment for her and she didn't want to experience it again. Despite that, he was able to hold on and patted her soft jet black mane, calming her down.

He glanced back to Shammil who slowly approached the portal. With a final sigh, Shammil raised his voice once more.

"For Samayyad!" he yelled

Shammil's army let out a final cry before dashing towards the entrance. The portal swallowed them , soldier by soldier, horse by horse until only the swirling vortex remained.

Ferric soon followed suit and rode through as well. Daniel clutched the reins of his horse as he rushed to get Chloe. She was kneeling on the ground with blood flowing down from her mouth.

"Chloe, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, it's just a side effect."

"Will it be alright if I carry you?"

"Sure, but make it quick , the portal is closing."

He took a deep breath as Chloe held onto him. The portal was right in front of him and he quickly jumped through it.

He could feel the wind whipping against his black jacket along with streams of blue energy completely surrounding him. A moment later he found himself and Chloe in the forest.

The ear piercing roar of thunder was gone and replaced with the chirping of birds in flight. The place was adorned with several trees of different sorts from pine to mahogany and even redwood.

On his left stood Shammil's cavalry adorned in armour with assault rifles strapped to their waists.

He grinned. Shammil's army had made it. His horse let out a loud neigh as Daniel raced towards them with Chloe tightly holding him by the chest.

"Daniel you have arrived." said a distant voice. It was none other than Ferric

"I'm so glad you made it." said Ferric as he hugged Daniel

"So where's Lumeya?"

Chloe motioned to a giant slab of stone in the distance. Shammil reached for his binoculars and placed them in his line of vision

He smiled. It was the city of Shankoa. He glanced back at his troops who were finishing the last of their morning rations. Dalia had set up a map on a nearby log which contained the map for the landscape of Asherah.

It displayed the large Shai desert continent on the left with a vast ocean that split it from the Pangean continent.On the southern side was where the city Lumeya was located.

Dalia motioned her hand to the city which was surrounded by a large circular wall.

"This wall is meant to prevent Shaikirans like Shammil and I from attacking."

"They were responsible for halting my father's progress during the campaign at Lumeya's outskirts."

"So how do you plan to invade it?" asked Daniel

"We need to get information about the rest of the city." said Chloe

"And how do you plan to do that?" asked Shammil

Dalia sighed, "Daniel will have to go."

Daniel felt shocked at first but realised it was a good decision. The members of the Restless were allowed to look for their killers and as long as he wasn't caught killing any of the locals then he would be alright. Ferric glanced back at him

"Daniel, do y think you're ready for this type of mission."

"Don't worry too much Lloyd, this is not my first time here."

Daniel dashed back to his horse and climbed onto its back. He rode off towards the large walls towering above the rest of the forest, each section adorned in marble and clay that contrasted with the cloudless sky above.

Daniel dashed back to his horse and climbed onto its back. Lasers spewed out from the walls, scanning his body from head to toe. A large echo filled the forest as the gate opened right infront of him. He rode his horse through the wall.

Several lasers checked his equipment knowing that the Restless were not tolerant about their weapons being taken away. He breathed a sigh of relief as a bright light shone through the gate.'

He had finally made it past the security systems. Daniel reached out for his waist and took out a canister of oil as he rode through the town. The streets were white as chalk with citizens passing by the markets. This was the market hub , a no-car area for anyone willing to take a stroll and buy some valuable food.

He gritted his teeth, knowing that he couldn't have any of the food nearby. He missed the whiff of fresh bread that his parents would give him , the ability to smell and taste had vanished ever since he entered this body.

But here he was stuck in this vessel for ages until it rusted away. Despite that he continued to explore the city. The citizens stood by in silence as he passed.'

Everyone hated the Renegades after all.

Now all he had to do was to get information about the city. He glanced at a nearby cafe adorned with vines and grapes that had been erected on his left and a squad of men clothed in green stood by the door with assault rifles strapped behind their backs. Daniel smiled. They were part of the military squad patrolling the city for threats.

The soldiers looked at Daniel with an awful gaze. They were aware he was part of the Renegades but weren't interested in starting a fight.

Daniel slowed down his horse as he disembarked from its back.

"What lie should I come up with now?" Daniel thought to himself "It has to be something convincing. Ah, now I got it."

"What are you doing here , Renegade?" asked the sergeant, " This is a cafe , I thought the only thing you robots enjoy is oil."

"That's not why I'm here commander. There's someone I've been looking for. A gangster who was responsible for my death. You know where I can find them?"

The soldiers looked back at each other and nodded to Daniel's question. A few minutes had passed and he and the squad were strolling by the alley.

Daniel checked his surroundings, making sure no one was around to witness what was about to happen. The sergeant stood in shock as Daniel knocked them to the ground.

He stepped down and checked for their pulse. He sighed, they were still breathing. Daniel moved his eyes to the sergeant , a grin forming on his face. Before he could react he found himself pinned to the brick wall. He grit his teeth in pain as the back of his head collided against the cold wall. The sergeant felt his breath leave him as Daniel pushed his arm against his neck.

He desperately reached for his walkie talkie only for it to get tossed aside and crushed by Daniel's foot.

"Why are you doing this?" asked the sergeant.

"That's none of your business, tell me where the main forces are."

"What makes you think I know?"

"You're the sergeant are you not, you must be familiar with the military camps."

Daniel pulled his katana from his sheath and embedded it into the nearby wall.

"That's exactly what will happen to you if you don't reply soon."

"Okay fine, they're on the southwestern side of the city."

"Anything else?" said Daniel as he bashed him against the wall

"There's an air force base stationed there that is sent to take down any threat that comes by. And there's often infantry that are stationed on the ditches outside the wall but I'm pretty sure you're familiar with them."

"Thanks , that's all I needed to know."

Daniel clenched his mettalic fist and sent it straight to the sergeant's jaw. His arms fell from the hand grabbing his neck. He was now unconscious. Daniel glanced at the nearby bin and tossed him there.

He fought the urge to pierce his katana through the sergeant's chest. Ever since his friend died , he never wanted to claim another life ever again.

Daniel hopped back on his horse and raced towards the gate. A large beep occurred on his ear and Daniel reached out to touch it.

"Daniel , have you gotten the info about the bases?"

"Yes Lloyd and I'm about to come back soon. But there's something you need to know."

"I'm listening."

"It's the Restless. The town will know that I was the one who snitched on them and Ferric might launch an attack on the Kytherium Alps."

"But why are you concerned about the Restless? Are they not responsible for your exile?"

"No. It was just Lupa. I still have friends there and I don't want them to get killed because of my actions. Don't tell anyone else about this conversation , got it."

"Alright."

Daniel pressed the button on the ear device and continued to dash towards the gate. He could feel the wind whipping against his jacket as he passed through the town.

Once he passed the gate he found himself in the clear and ready to return to the army.