The Battle King

Author: Kyran

Chapter 1: Missing Memories

Words : 1731 Updated : Aug 14th, 2025

"Northville Marshal, the enemy has completely collapsed. Should we press the advantage and pursue?" Elijah Quinny stood on the battlefield of the Northern Frontier, his black combat gear spattered with blood. He gripped a saber in his hand. At his feet lay a headless corpse-Abson, the Empire's supreme commander. Smoke still hung in the air. Filthy snow was clotted with blood, and the air stank of blood and death. "Order a full encirclement. Leave no survivors. Make sure they can't stage a comeback for the next thirty years." His voice was cold as steel, each word sharp and unyielding. "At your command!" Months of bitter fighting ended in that moment. Northville's land lay ravaged, and the soldiers' figures stood out stark against the snow. Elijah gazed over the scarred earth, his expression unreadable-only resolve and a bone-deep fatigue remained. Then, out of nowhere, the phone clipped to his belt began to ring. He'd never saved any contacts in it, and almost no one knew the number. Caller ID read "Riveria." Elijah's brow furrowed. Pain knifed through his skull, as though a sealed-off memory was clawing its way to the surface. He hesitated, then answered. "Hello. Who is this?" A small, trembling voice came through, barely above a whisper. "Daddy… it's Jolie… Do you really not remember Jolie?" "Jolie?" His chest tightened. The pain surged again, as if someone had seized his heart and twisted. He forced himself to sound gentle. "Little girl, did you dial the wrong number?" The signal stuttered. Beneath the static, a girl's muffled sobs came and went. "She sobbed. 'Daddy, why won't you talk to me? Mommy doesn't want Jolie anymore. Does Daddy not want Jolie either? It's so dark here… I'm scared…'" Heat flared through Elijah's body. His insides felt like they were on fire, the agony stealing his breath. "Jolie… Jolie…" he murmured, though his mind had gone blank. Veins stood out on his forehead as the headache slammed into him like a breaking dam. He tipped his head back with a ragged roar. His eyes went bloodshot, and a blast of pressure rolled off him, sending the nearby guards staggering. The Four Generals stared, stunned. None of them had seen the Northville Marshal lose control. Raven's eyes flashed as it clicked for her. She spoke in a low voice. "Years ago, the Marshal suffered serious trauma. The doctors said part of his memory might be gone… perhaps the part about his family." Even as she spoke, Elijah dropped to his knees with a thud. Memory surged like a tide. Seven years ago, he met Leanna Yare by chance, and they ended up together. Four years ago, their daughter was born. Three years ago, he left Riveria, leaving money behind and a promise to return soon. But in the first brutal battle after he rejoined his unit, he was injured. Everything after that went blank, and he had forgotten mother and child as if they had never existed. A wave of shame crashed over him and stole his breath. "I remember. Daddy remembers now!" Elijah's voice shook, thick with tears. "Jolie, don't be afraid. Daddy is coming right away. Tell Daddy where you are." Her answer still carried a sob. "I don't know… It's so dark. I'm scared…" Before Elijah could press her, a sharp scream cut through the call, then a gunshot cracked. The line went dead. Elijah lurched to his feet, his eyes blazing, a murderous rage surging in him. The Shadow Guards didn't dare get close. Raven and Archer exchanged a look, a shiver running through them. They had never seen the Northville Marshal so furious, so frantic. "Raven," Elijah growled, "find out everything that happened in Riveria in the three years since I left. Don't miss a single detail." "Yes." Raven moved at once. "Archer, you're in charge of Northville's border security for now. Keep things stable," Elijah said, his voice hard as steel. Archer dropped to one knee, fist tight. "I won't fail you." Elijah stared toward the horizon, his tone cold as hoarfrost. "If anyone lays a finger on my daughter, I'll wipe him out-him and his whole family." Ten minutes later, a military jet roared into the sky, bound for Riveria. … On the outskirts of Riveria, inside an abandoned warehouse. Jamon shot Kingston a nervous look. "Byron, I swear I didn't know the little girl had a phone… She's so young. Who would've thought?" Byron's face darkened. He slapped Jamon hard. "Idiot. Slip up like that again and I won't go easy on you. Pack up. We can't stay here." Jamon dropped his gaze and kept his mouth shut. He hurried to gather their things. Byron scanned the shadows. A cold wind moaned through the warehouse, and unease lurked in every corner. His skin prickled, and his eye wouldn't stop twitching. He had a bad feeling something was about to go down. Just then, his phone rang. "Boss, what a surprise to hear from you," Byron said in an oily, fawning tone. The man on the other end sounded cool and distant. "The next buyer is lined up. Move fast and don't mess this up. If this job goes south, no one can save you." The call ended. Byron's gut clenched. He snapped an order, and they cleared out much faster than usual. Not long after they pulled away, Elijah Quinny and Raven strode up to the warehouse entrance. Inside, the vast space was empty and echoing-nothing left but cold emptiness and suffocating darkness.

The Battle King

Chapter 1: Missing Memories

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