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墨書 Inktalez
Squad Leader William gathered all the soldiers and decided that the way to determine who would stay behind today was through a lighthearted game of rock-paper-scissors. They formed a circle under the scorching sun, which stretched their shadows long across the ground. Fischer, with his dark skin, stood there, the sunlight reflecting off his shiny complexion, making it almost impossible for others to look directly at him.
Beside him, Abang seized the moment to pat Azul on the shoulder, half-jokingly saying, "Hey, rookie, shouldn't you volunteer to stay behind for the night watch?" His tone carried a hint of teasing, prompting laughter from the surrounding soldiers.
Azul forced a smile in response, feeling awkward inside as he thought about how he definitely did not want to volunteer. In this sweltering heat, even at night, standing guard on the walls would be unbearable. But facing the squad leader's decision and his comrades' urging, Azul knew that as a new recruit, he likely could not escape this night watch duty.
As everyone began to play rock-paper-scissors, Azul joined in, secretly hoping he wouldn't be the unfortunate one left behind. His palms were sweaty, and his fingers felt stiff as he clenched his fist—another small test he faced in the military.
With the other soldiers nervously gathered around him, they all extended their fists simultaneously. In that moment, Azul felt his heart race; although it was just a seemingly trivial game, for him it was crucial to whether he could enjoy a peaceful night. When his fist collided with those of others, he could almost hear his own anxious breathing.
Fortunately, he was defeated in the first round by scissors cutting paper, which relieved him immensely. Azul couldn't help but let out a sigh as the pressure lifted from his chest; he slowly stepped away from the circle with the other eliminated players. At that moment, only Fischer and Abang remained in the circle along with a few other unlucky soldiers.
Though Abang had only one eye, his expression was particularly cunning. He observed his opponents slyly as if searching for their weaknesses. Whenever someone threw their hand out, his single eye squinted tighter as if trying to see through their intentions more clearly. His hand gripped his fist tightly, believing that this would enhance his chances of winning.
Fischer stood there with his shiny black skin and large hands repeatedly changing their shapes as he threw punches. A barely noticeable smile played at the corners of his mouth; he seemed completely unfazed by this low-pressure game. His confidence contrasted sharply with Abang's slyness.
Watching them from the side, Azul felt a twinge of confusion about his future life in the military. Was this repetitive routine mixed with sudden bursts of excitement what he truly desired? He wasn't sure; but at least for now, he could temporarily escape the suffocating tension in the air.
As William raised his arm and called for action, the rock-paper-scissors battle was about to begin. Every soldier's heart raced wildly; everything seemed to hinge on this small game. When their hands shot out simultaneously, the air in the Armory seemed to freeze. After a brief silence, Fischer's booming laughter erupted like an ignited volcano, instantly shattering the previous tension.
Fischer's laughter was loud and infectious; it resonated like a loudspeaker from within him. As soon as he laughed, other soldiers relaxed and joined in on the merriment and noise. They seemed to have emerged victorious from a small battle—excitedly jumping around and slapping each other's shoulders; some even started dancing to popular camp tunes amidst all the joy.
However, amidst all this laughter, only Abang appeared particularly isolated. He stood there with his scissors hanging limply at his side, an expression of surprise and helplessness on his face. Watching everyone else laugh, Abang's single eye seemed to search for an understanding of this scene; his scissors trembled slightly, revealing the turmoil within him.
At that moment, Fischer began to sing loudly his improvised tune, "Oh! Stone, stone, so hard and firm! Oh!" He deliberately elongated the notes, mimicking a dramatic melody that lightened the atmosphere around him. The other soldiers were amused by this sudden performance and joined in the imitation, turning the entire Armory into a makeshift stage.
Meanwhile, Abang, a Veteran marked by deep battle scars, smiled wryly from the side. He knew he could not escape his responsibilities today and had to accept his fate. His scissors remained firmly in his grip, just as he could not let go of his dedication to military life. Amidst the laughter and singing, Abang's solitude and contemplation stood in stark contrast, as if this joy was merely a passerby in his life, unable to truly touch the loneliness within him.
When Sergeant William confirmed that Abang would be the one left behind today, his laughter was filled with teasing warmth, as if at that moment all seriousness and combat had drifted away from them. He announced loudly, "Looks like our lucky one has stepped up today! Abang will hold down the fort; we'll switch shifts at one-thirty!" His words carried an unintentional care that lightened the mood.
Abang appeared somewhat resigned; he lowered his head weakly, a hint of bitterness on his face. He knew he could not escape this "honor," but on this sweltering afternoon, he still hoped for some company. Turning to Azul, who was about to leave, he half-jokingly and half-seriously called out, "Hey! Azul! Don't go! Stay with me for a bit? Just think of it as doing a good deed—keeping an old man company?"
Upon hearing Abang's call, Azul turned back with a slight smile on his face, an expression tinged with an inexplicable guilt and awkwardness. He knew that staying meant standing under the scorching sun for a few more hours, but he couldn't bear to see Abang left alone. However, military orders were absolute; Azul could only follow the group down the stairs slowly, leaving Abang alone on the city wall. As the footsteps of the group faded further away, Abang's figure gradually became engulfed by sunlight and shadows once again, loneliness enveloping him once more.
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