Wait For It...

No one moves for a moment, the tension of the stalemate hanging in the air. All the women lined up to be fucked are looking at you in either fear or hope at the prospect of salvation. All the soldiers are either furious at you killing one of their own or shocked at your actions. Then Darius steps out of the alley and walks to you, his blade gleaming. He seems even more competent than Marcus and you don't know if you will get lucky twice. You prepare to fight for your life again, but then...

"Hold, Darius." A gruff voice commands. The man stops in place and you realize Captain Caderos issued the order. "All of you, lower your weapons." Slowly, each soldier put away their weapons. Some went back to the women, but most kept their eye on you. Caderos pushes away the woman he had been fondling and walks over to you, and his expression could curdle milk. You feel your throat get dry in anticipation. In spite of the fact that he is no taller than you, he was easily the most intimidating figure you've ever come across. He walks right up to you, stares you in the eye, and then finally he bursts out laughing and slaps your back hard.

"I have to admit, kid, you have some serious balls. I dismissed you as some lost eunuch at first, but I was apparently mistaken." He crosses his arms across his breastplate while you recover from his powerful slap. "Killing one of my men in a swordfight is impressive. Marcus was no slouch, either."

"Thank...you? Sir?" You respond slowly, not sure what to say to this wiry little man with piercing eyes. He looks you up and down.

"Look at these rags on you. I would bet that you're not even from Athenapolis, are you?"

"No sir." You shake your head. "I hate this wretched town and all its vile inhabitants." A bit ****, but you have a feeling it may pay off. You are right as Captain Caderos lets out another laugh.

"I like you, kid. What's your name and what are you even doing here?"

"Adonis, sir." You say, but decide to keep the rest of your story close to your chest and not reveal to much. "I'm just a **** who's sick of this city." There...nothing technically untrue in that statement, yet meaningfully vague.

"A ****, huh? We've come across a few of them and none could wield a sword like you did. You're something special. In fact, I've taken a shine to you. You remind me of myself when I was younger." A smirk crosses his features as he looks down at Marcus' body. "And it seems I have an opening in my squad. What do you say to joining the Heliopolis Army?"

"What? J-j-join y-your squad?" You ask in shock. Several of the men start murmuring from the line of women.

"You've got potential, and I could use someone else with a chip on their shoulder. You help us burn this city to the ground and when you return to Heliopolis with us, I will make you an official soldier, which is much nicer than living as a ****. What do you say?"

You bite your lip at the conundrum. On the one hand, these men were as bad as the pigs like Pyrrhus. They took what they wanted and what they can't ****, they kill. You feel sick to the stomach at idea of joining a group like that. But on the other hand, traveling with a group of soldiers would make your search much safer and they might be able to help you find Eudora. Also, Captain Caderos doesn't look like the kind of guy you say no to.

"Well?" Caderos prods you, his smile and good nature falling quickly. You need to make you decision fast.