190. Sacrifice (1, 5k)

Pain was not such an unbearable thing.

At least, that was true for Alexis of the Crimson Fists.

He knew it as well as he knew every joint in his body. He knew how much strength those joints and muscles could unleash together, and he knew how badly pain could hurt him. So, for the moment, he could still endure it.

Only for the moment.

The roar of the Chainsword sounded again, and the last savage Ork was cut in half at the waist. Panting, Alexis slowly dropped to one knee. He had to catch his breath for a while, to gather his strength.

The wound across his chest and abdomen had stopped bleeding. That was good, but some of the reckless bullets from the Orcs' firearms were still lodged inside him. Every time Alexis swung his sword, they sank deeper into his muscles, until they became something terrible, twisted together.

I am the same, sinking amid the flying blood and flesh.

Alexis thought that in a slight daze—then he immediately rebuked that momentary weakness in Dorn's name. A few seconds later, Sergeant Alexis of the Crimson Fists had recovered part of his strength.

He could still swing his sword.

The sky was filled with stars, and the night view of this planet was beautiful. Unfortunately, every one of them was probably burning slowly. The blizzard howled madly, and hailstones the size of an adult's fist smashed against his Power Armor, quickly shattering.

The sound of them breaking was pleasant, but it also drowned out part of what Alexis wanted to hear.

The sound of Orcs.

This time, as many as fifteen Orcs were trying to assault the position held by him alone. Alexis could feel their cruel, savage stares. Unmoved, he raised his left hand, and the short Bolt