His sister's death burned away the his last shred of hope. All that remained of his soul were smoke and ashes. The Shadow Lord’s Army seemed perfect for matching the world to his soul.

He did not expect his lieutenant's death, nor did it surprise him. He simply drove his sword into the lieutenant's murderer and accepted his promotion.

After he described what he expected out of life to a captive, the prisoner joined the suicide squad. Promotion to captain followed.

A general assigned him to the heart of the conquered lands out of spite. Out of general odium, he fomented conspiracy among the general's local supporters and slew them for disloyalty. He returned to the front lines a colonel.

He put a city to fire rather than accept surrender. To the Shadow Lord he said, "Their example is worth more than their service."

To himself he said, "They had hope where there should be none."

A general, he ended the war for the Shadow Lord. At the ceremony in his honor, he drove his sword into the Shadow Lord’s neck and broke the empire’s throne. The empire descended into bloody chaos.

“Peace was never my goal,” said the brother.