During the break, time slipped by like a fleeting shadow as Azul awoke from a deep slumber. Leaning against the cold wall, he slowly stood up and stretched his arms wide, as if trying to dispel the fatigue of the day. Around him, many soldiers were still immersed in their brief respite, some even snoring lightly, creating a moment of tranquility and relaxation in the rest area.
Azul rubbed his eyes gently, gradually regaining clarity of vision. He walked over to the personal equipment rack on the wall and picked up his helmet. Dust had accumulated on it, indicating that he hadn't had many opportunities to use it lately. He carefully wiped it down with his sleeve before cautiously placing it on his head. The heavy helmet settled into place, instantly enveloping him in a sense of enclosure and safety; his breathing echoed in the confined space, reminding him that he was not just a soldier but also a guardian of Noxus.
He glanced around as the soldiers began to awaken one by one, preparing for action. Azul tightened the straps of his helmet; though he felt some reluctance, he was ready to embrace the new work phase ahead. He walked toward the door, each step firm and resolute, his gaze beneath the helmet revealing a hint of determination. Today, he would once again stand watch on the city walls, guarding his homeland as he did every day—unchanging and vital.
As the clock struck one-thirty in the afternoon, a series of urgent bells rang out swiftly through the barracks, shattering the tranquility that had just settled in the rest area. The soldiers sprang from their seats with remarkable speed and order, as if this scene had been rehearsed countless times and had become part of their daily lives.
The soldiers quickly organized their gear, donned their armor, and secured their helmets; each expression reflected seriousness and efficiency. Sergeant William stood at the doorway like an insurmountable threshold, sternly monitoring every soldier's movements.
"Hey! Everyone hurry up!" William's voice boomed powerfully through the narrow corridor. "Our poor Abang is still up there baking in the sun! Move it!"
At the sound of their sergeant's urging, the soldiers moved even faster. They assisted each other in adjusting their gear to ensure everything was ready. Once they formed an orderly line, William led them through the camp toward the city walls at a brisk pace. Each step resonated with strength, as if their march was urging time forward.
Under William's guidance, they swiftly ascended from the rest area; each step carried with it military rigor and efficiency. The dim corridor soon filled with echoes of their footsteps reverberating between the thick stone walls. They crossed the final step and finally stood atop the city walls; before them lay an expansive view that opened up under the sunlight, making distant scenery appear particularly vivid. The banners atop the walls fluttered in the gentle breeze, and their arrival seemed to breathe life into these ancient stones.
Standing on top of the wall, they spotted Abang standing alone at his post; his figure appeared somewhat wilted under the scorching sun. Abang turned his head towards them, an exaggerated look of despair crossing his face as he almost wailed, "You... you finally made it! Do you know how miserable I've been standing here in this blazing sun?" His single eye anxiously scanned his teammates' faces for any sign of sympathy, hoping for some acknowledgment to ease his discomfort.
However, Sergeant William merely laughed heartily, a mix of disdain and jest evident on his face. He provocatively replied, "Damn it! I see you still have plenty to say—feeling good? I'll give you five seconds to decide whether you want to come down for a break. If not, get ready to stand here until sunset."
His words carried a rugged humor unique to military camaraderie, revealing an unspoken bond among brothers that was resilient yet understated—a testament to William's care and support for his comrades.
Abang seemed to have found long-awaited freedom; he moved quickly and almost darted to the edge of the group before swiftly running toward the staircase leading down. As he hurried away, Abang turned back with a cheeky grin at Sergeant William and said, "Come on, Sergeant! Don't be so uptight! I was just enjoying my time up here; you know how I am!"
William looked at this ever-joking soldier and couldn't help but smile; he knew Abang always used humor to relieve stress while also lightening up their squad's atmosphere. He laughed heartily in response and called out, "Damn it! Get lost! Remember to report back to me in an hour and a half—don't make me bake under this sun for another second!"
Abang quickly saluted after hearing the words, his expression unusually serious. Then he turned around, a hint of happiness and ease on his face, and hurried down the stairs. His figure soon disappeared around the corner of the staircase, leaving the other soldiers in the ranks laughing as they prepared to continue their guard duty.
The patrol mission proceeded as usual, but the sun was gradually sinking in the west. Compared to the midday heat, the weather at this time felt much milder, and this subtle change brought a fleeting sense of comfort to Azul. During today’s rotation, Azul was assigned to the southwestern side of the city wall, a position that allowed him to clearly see the famous Immortal Fortress, its massive shadow stretching long under the glow of the setting sun.
Standing on the city wall, Azul couldn’t help but ponder the activities taking place within the fortress. He knew that based on the earlier commotion, those Summoners who had just achieved victory were likely being received by The Triumvirate and participating in a ceremony for awarding medals to heroes. The imagined scene stirred a twinge of envy and longing within Azul.
He gazed toward the fortress, thinking to himself that those Summoners must be surrounded by heavy glory and anticipation at this moment. Meanwhile, he, an ordinary soldier, could only silently share in the remnants of that honor from afar while standing on this vast wall. This filled Azul with hope for his future and strengthened his resolve to become a soldier whose name would be remembered in Noxus.
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