Legions: Overdrive

Legions: Overdrive
Conflict

	“Ever since the dawn of our species--the creation of the human race--ever since humanity had its first taste of the crimson red liquid that flows through our veins, war had been and still is--the dominating trait of our beings. Religion managed to quench much of that flame but alas! The fire still burns with an intensity that not even the most well-maintained of forges could match. I for one have watched many of my comrades--my friends--suffer and die in battle due to our inability to reach agreement. We as humans hold so much greed, so much hate, so much arrogance we forget what goes to waste when we declare war. It goes without saying that we, humanity, much like other species’, have weak units amongst us…these weak beings are not you, my children.
	“The weaker of us are those in high places, pity the Senate before you pity a soldier, pity the Emperor before you pity the working class--for they are the ones who have much capacity to become arrogant and give into their own greed. Praise the lord for our Emperor who acts in the best interest of the people and realm and pray for mercy on enemy who have no order and live under a monarchy. As you do this, keep strong in faith for one day you too may charge into battle with a hundred others strong in their will to protect the realm in which we live. Fear not for God is with us, even when we charge into hell for the very cause know and love, he will bring us to salvation despite the petty sins we’ve committed throughout our lives--so long as we repent.
	“Show no mercy as the flames rise around and before you--for you are the juggernaut of the army. Fly with the angels but know that not until our time comes will we ever be one of them. Rain destruction down on the enemy but not out of rage. Let it rain with sorrow of having to destroy another soul--but--do not let that slow you from fighting the war that was started so many centuries ago. I say this only because the day is yet to come where both the Legionnaires and the Order are to clash in one final battle that is foretold to leave our world in ruins. This prophecy had been given to us by the high-priestess when humanity first fell to its knees by the hands of war!”
	Families lined nearly endless rows of polished walnut pews. Each adult stared at the bellowing old man as if they were hypnotized and receiving new programming. Most of the children played, leaning over the back of the pews and running up and down the isles. Babies cried as frustrated mothers tried to calm them and listen to the teachings at the same time. The cathedral in which they were gathered was large, one of the only non-metal structures that remained in their time. This structure was built from stone, lumber, and various other materials which held it up. This cathedral underwent constant maintenances from re-shingling the rooftop to repairing the eroded stone. Though it was old, the cathedral remained a remarkable beauty placed in the center of the kingdom in the lowest district so that the rest of the kingdom may look down on its shining beauty in the distance from where they stood.
	Many families occupied the cathedral’s ground pews, but the second floor also had pews so that the soldiers and nobility may also enjoy the constant teachings amongst themselves. Light shown into the cathedral through the stained glass portraits of saints and other religious figures. A cross hung on the wall to the very back of room, made of pure gold and glittering in beauty that could not be compared. In the center of the room hanging from the high ceiling was a banner of the Legionnaires. An image of a sword with a pair of wings sprouting from its sides and meeting at the pommel of the weapon. This symbol was gold embroidered into the silky blue cloth that was the banner.
	“Arnold has a bad habit of dragging things on for far too long.” Abraham whispered to the soldier next to him on the left. Abraham was a large intimidating man who was obviously built to be a juggernaut in war, he was golden brown and had a shaggy unshaven beard which made his face seem rounder. His eyes were brown and had a slight squint to them as dark circles made it obvious that he was a man of very little rest. Abraham wore a blue tunic with the symbol of the Legionnaires embroidered in it in white and a pair of brown pants with his combat boots tucked underneath them.
“At least have the courtesy to stay silent during his sermons, Abraham.” William replied in a low tone as he slightly leaned to the left to get a good view of the pews below.
	“I would if you paid any attention to them.” replied Abraham with a light chuckle. William was a scrawny soldier despite spending twenty years in service to the kingdom, he was lighter than Abraham and had no facial hair. He wore a black shirt with the Legionnaires symbol in blue with a pair of black pants. Though William was scrawny, he was still good at holding his own on the battle field without Abraham around to turn himself into a human tank and blast everything that left light-trails to bits. William had been a Captain for a week now and he was enjoying the payment he was receiving.
	“Can you see my wife down there?” William asked curiously as he bent forward and looked left to right below.
“No, but I’m sure she’s here somewhere, William.” said Abraham as he rested his large hand on the smaller soldier’s shoulder.
	William was still surprised at the weight of Abraham’s hand alone. “I’m surprised you hadn’t fallen through the floor yet.” He said with a light laugh.
“I am too, my friend.” Abraham laughed softly, trying not to disturb the other soldiers who were robotically tuned into the lesson.