The leader's jaw tightened as he stared at the advancing line of armored warriors.
He was still young. Younger than most of the people standing behind him. Yet he had managed to climb into this position inside Red's group.
Not because he was honorable or because he was strong. But because he had done something terrible when the opportunity appeared.
Back when the world had just collapsed into chaos, Red had shown up in their territory like a storm. Entire groups were crushed overnight. Leaders were killed. Anyone who resisted simply died right there and then.
In front of that kind of power, people only had two choices. Submit, or die.
The young man had chosen to survive. So had most of the people standing here with him now.
Some of them had been forced into it after watching their former companions get slaughtered. Some had willingly joined Red for the protection and power he offered.
Whatever the reason, they had all ended up under the same banner.
