The Dark Deceptor - Chapter 5 Darkness-3

6 hours after Tyler’s death

The base was bustling with activity as soldiers went about their duties, their faces etched with a mix of fatigue and determination.

 The loss of Tyler, a fellow soldier, was felt but not dwelled upon.

 In a war-torn world, death was a harsh reality they’d grown accustomed to.

In the mess hall, a simple announcement had been made

 “Tyler, a soldier, fallen in combat. May he rest in peace.”

 The room had fallen silent for a moment, then the soldiers returned to their meals, their conversations hushed.

Arkhan sat in the empty space, surrounded by the echoes of his own mind.

His eyes stared blankly ahead, unseeing, as his thoughts consumed him, the constant fear of losing those he cared about all swirled together in a toxic mix.

In this dark moment, Arkhan felt truly alone, lost in a sea of self-doubt and uncertainty.

 The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the soft hum of the base’s machinery.

As he sat there, the shadows seemed to grow longer, reaching out to snuff out the last vestiges of hope. 

Arkhan’s breath came in short gasps, his mind racing with the darkness that threatened to consume him.

*********

Time passed, but Arkhan didn’t move. He remained seated, surrounded by the darkness that had taken up residence in his mind.

 His fellow soldiers went about their duties, casting occasional glances his way, but none dared to disturb him.

Hours ticked by, and the base’s activity began to wind down. 

Soldiers retired to their quarters, exhausted from the day’s battles. Still, Arkhan sat, motionless, lost in his own private hell.

The dim lighting seemed to grow even dimmer, as if the shadows themselves were closing in around him.

 Arkhan’s breathing slowed, his chest barely rising with each shallow breath.

In this state, Arkhan was a statue, a monument to the devastating effects of war on the human psyche.

 His story, like that of so many others, was one of pain, loss, and the struggle to find hope in a world gone mad.

Near the makeshift grave, Tyler’s brother, Lucas, sat in silence, his tears falling like rain upon the dry earth. 

His body shook with each sob, but he made no sound, as if the weight of his grief had stolen his voice.

Lucas’s eyes remained fixed on the grave, his gaze burning with a mix of sadness and anger.

He thought of all the memories he and Tyler had shared, the laughter, the adventures, the quiet moments of brotherly love. 

Now, all that remained was this cold, unforgiving earth, and the ache in his heart that seemed to grow with each passing moment. 

Truly wars are the worst thing ever to happen to humans .

“I’m so sorry, Tyler,” Lucas whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to protect you. I’m sorry I didn’t even get to say goodbye.”

He paused, his tears falling onto the grave.

“I should have been there for you, brother. I should have had your back. I’m the worst. I never deserved to be your brother .”

Lucas’s words hung in the air, a poignant expression of his grief and regret. He felt lost and alone, consumed by the weight of his sorrow.

The other soldiers nearby tried to ignore Lucas, not because they didn’t care, but because they knew that if they looked at him, they would see their own grief reflected back.

 They would see the pain and sadness that they were trying to keep at bay, and it would break them.

So they turned away, focusing on their tasks, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in a world that had been shattered by war. But they couldn’t help sneaking glances at Lucas, seeing the anguish etched on his face, and feeling their own emotions rise to the surface.

The air was thick with unshed tears, as everyone struggled to come to terms with their loss.

 The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by Lucas’s quiet sobs, a reminder of the devastating cost of their mission.

Meanwhile, Arkhan remained seated, his eyes fixed on Tyler’s grave, his expression unreadable. 

He didn’t seem to notice Lucas’s tears or the somber mood that had settled over the base .

Arkhan’s silence was unsettling, a stark contrast to Lucas’s emotional outpouring.

 It was as if he had shut down, withdrawing into a world of his own, where pain and grief couldn’t touch him.

The sound of a car horn pierced the somber atmosphere, breaking the silence that had settled over the base.

 Heads turned, curiosity etched on faces, as a rugged vehicle came into view.

Ryder’s Senior, a grizzled veteran with a no-nonsense attitude, stepped out of the driver’s seat. His eyes scanned the gathering, taking in the mix of emotions on display.

Lucas, still tearful, nodded in respect as Ryder’s Senior approached. Arkhan, however, remained seated, his gaze fixed on the grave, unresponsive.

Ryder’s Senior stepped out of the vehicle, his eyes scanning the gathering with a hint of disdain. “What’s all this I see? Soldiers crying like children? We’ve lost men before, and we’ll lose more. It’s war.”

He approached Lucas, his voice firm but laced with arrogance. “You’re a soldier, not a mourner. Save your tears for the dead, and focus on the living.”

Arkhan, still seated, didn’t flinch, his gaze fixed on the grave. Ryder’s Senior snorted. 

“And what’s wrong with you? Catatonic? We need every man we can get, not some shell-shocked soldier who can’t even stand up.”

He turned to the others. 

“Listen up, soldiers. We have a mission to complete. We can’t let emotions get in the way. We need to be sharp, focused, and ready to move out at a moment’s notice.”

Ryder’s Senior’s words were logical, but his delivery was cold, calculating, and devoid of empathy.

Ryder’s Senior’s expression turned even more sour. 

“None of this would have happened if the backup had arrived on time,” he said, his voice laced with accusation. “We were left exposed, and now we’re paying the price.”

Ryder’s eyes locked onto Ryder’s Senior, his voice firm and accusatory.

 “You knew the backup was delayed, didn’t you, sir? You knew we were in trouble, and you did nothing to help us. What’s going on here, sir? Did you have a hand in this?”

Ryder’s Senior’s expression turned red with rage hearing this accusation, his eyes bulging in indignation.

 Lucas and the other soldiers watched in shock, unsure of what to make of Ryder’s bold accusation.

Arkhan’s eyes, previously fixed on the grave, slowly moved towards Ryder’s Senior, his gaze piercing and intense. It was as if he was seeing the Senior for the first time, his eyes searching for answers.

Ryder’s Senior shifted uncomfortably under Arkhan’s gaze, his eyes darting back and forth. 

For a moment, it seemed like he might say something, but then his expression hardened, and he remained silent.

Ryder’s Senior’s expression turned cold, his voice firm.

 “We couldn’t send the backup because our forces were needed elsewhere, Ryder. We had a higher priority mission that required our attention. I’m afraid Tyler and other people in the team were sacrificed for the greater good.”

The words hung in the air like a challenge, sparking outrage among the soldiers. Lucas’s face reddened with anger, his fists clenched at his sides.

 “You’re telling me we left them to die because of some other mission?” he spat, his voice trembling with rage. 

The other soldiers murmured in agreement, their eyes flashing with indignation. Ryder and Arkhan, however, remained silent, their expressions unreadable.

Ryder’s Senior’s expression turned condescending, his voice dripping with disdain. 

“What I’m trying to say is that we didn’t find your situation critical enough to send a backup. We didn’t think that you all were incapable of completing a single task.”

The soldiers’ anger turned to shock, their faces pale with disbelief. Lucas’s eyes widened, his mouth hanging open in outrage.

 “So you’re saying we couldn’t handle it?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Tyler and Arkhan remained silent, their expressions still unreadable. Ryder’s eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed intently on the Senior. 

 Ryder said, his voice firm but controlled.

“Why don’t you just accept the fact that you were just too stupid and lazy to be bothered by it you pathetic piece of fucking shit “

“ Y-You!!”

Senior’s face was filled with anger and rage towards Ryder for this remark

“Watch you mouth Lieutenant Ryder learn how to respect your seniors”

“Well I would have done that if only you deserved it”

“SHUT UP !! I am your goddam superior and you will FUCKING OBEY ME !”

He shouted at Ryder in outrage .

“Of course Sir ”

Suddenly a voice spoke from behind him . Everyone’s eyes went towards the direction the voice came from .

It was Arkhan who spoke with a nonchalant manner . Lucas and others felt weird from his behaviour . 

“But first we have another important thing to discuss. ”

Senior felt unusual like his senses were alarming him to stay careful .

“What do you mean soldier ?” 

Arkhan’s voice was low and even, but it sent a shiver down the spines of the soldiers. 

“So, Senior thinks that our situation wasn’t serious enough, right? Then we just need to make it more serious.”

His eyes locked onto Ryder’s, a hint of a challenge sparkling in their depths. Ryder’s expression remained neutral, but a flicker of understanding passed between them.

The Senior’s mind was feeling complicated due to this feeling he was having , his eyes darting between Arkhan and Ryder.

 “I don’t think that’s a good idea, soldier,” he said, his voice laced with warning.

Ryder’s voice was laced with sarcasm, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

 “Oh, of course it’s not a good idea. It’s a great idea.”

Arkhan’s expression remained serious, but a glimmer of approval sparked in his eyes.

 The Senior’s face turned red with anger, his voice rising.

 “You’re both out of line! I won’t be questioned by my own soldiers!”

The other soldiers exchanged uneasy glances, their faces reflecting a mix of shock, confusion, and curiosity. Everyone was in tension due to this turn of events as they whispered to the soldiers next to him, “What are they doing?”

 Their eyes fixed on the unfolding scene.

Ryder’s smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with a fierce intensity. 

“We won’t question you, Senior. Cause we don’t need to.”

In a swift, fluid motion, Ryder drew his gun and aimed it at the Senior’s knee. The room erupted into chaos as Ryder pulled the trigger, the sound of the shot echoing off the walls. The Senior’s knee cap exploded in a shower of blood and bone, his joints bursting apart.

“ARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!”