I AM Kaelor Thane: The God Of War

The General's Oath

Thanes POV

I brushed my hair, washed my face, and dabbed on a little deodorant to stay fresh. After my shower, I looked bright and composed—sharp enough for what lay ahead. I slipped into my army uniform, the five-star badge glinting on my chest. That badge wasnt just decoration. It was my pride—the mark of the highest-ranking army general in Campbell, Kentucky.

Outside, my lowest-ranked soldiers were already waiting, lined up and standing at attention. Lysander, the lowest-ranked of them all, waited too. He was my shadow—feeding me both outgoing and incoming reports. He was useful. I walked past him, and the others snapped to salute, honoring not just my rank but my presence.

I had been brutal and ruthless in war ever since the attack that wiped out my parents and siblings. That pain carved the pity out of me. People can be prey and pretenders—they dont deserve even a sliver of mercy.

Lysander had already arranged for the helicopter that would fly us to our next secret mission. I was always ready for war, for fights, for anything. Weakness was something I refused to show.

When I reached the helicopter, the door jammed—stubborn against my pull. Why would a mere door resist a generals strength? I drew on my inner power and forced it open, the metal almost cracking under my grip. The pilot looked terrified, but I reassured him everything was under control.

Inside, fifteen higher-ranked soldiers sat waiting, eyes hard, faces sharper than knives. They were ready to conquer anything. Many envied Lysander. Despite his low rank and size, I had made him my assistant. Maybe it was because he carried something of my murdered siblings inside him—something that made me protective. With me around, no harm could touch him.

Good evening, General,he said, looking neat and cheerful. My presence alone gave him courage.

Evening, Lysander. Is everything in order?My voice carried command.

Yes, General. The helicopter will soon arrive at the mission point. The area is secured. All eyes are on the suspect.

I trusted Lysander completely when it came to tracking or digital analysis. He headed that division because his success rate at tracking suspects in war zones was unmatched. That skill had saved Campbells army more than once.

I trust you, Lysander,I said, making sure he never doubted himself. What about weapons? Our snipers, rifles, bombs—the rest? Nothing missing?

Yes, General,he said more firmly this time, and I believed him.

Youve never disappointed me, mate. Dont start now.My words strengthened him. Combat wasnt his best skill, but technology was, and many called him weak for that. Yet he remained my most valuable asset.

Georgia City—the place where my parents were slaughtered, where my family burned for a debt my father couldnt pay. My siblings died in agony, innocent but consumed by fire. I built myself out of that pain. I became the man who defeated terrorists in Marina and Muscat, the most fearless general alive. They thought Id never rise again, but now Im the god of war. I bring destruction.

Lysander…I paused.

Yes, General?His curiosity flickered through his nervousness.

Have you researched the next terrorist were facing?My aura alone was strength enough to stiffen his spine.

Yes, General.He handed me a file from the back of the helicopter. We had been in the air almost four hours, heading to a location only he knew. High-profile terrorists were his specialty.

I didnt open the file right away. My trust in him was that deep. Whats the name of this new target?I asked at last.

The other fifteen soldiers could feel my aura pressing down like a storm.

His name is Sahil,Lysander said.

I stilled. Id heard that name before. Sahil… Riyas?Memories stirred. Wed gone to the same primary school. His father had been a wanted terrorist for the U.S. Army. Captured. Executed. Maybe the son had followed the fathers path.

Terrorists,I muttered. They always have things in common.

What do you mean, General Thane?Lysanders eyes searched mine.

After his fathers death, we tracked him for a while. Hes destroyed cities, trafficked illegal weapons, murdered innocents. For some time we aborted the mission…

So what do we do now?

We locate him before he gets to his next target. Where did you track him last?

Georgia City,Lysander said.

Interesting.My lips curved, but it wasnt a smile.

That gave us an advantage. I finally opened the file hed passed me, unable to resist the urge. Pictures. Lists of Sahils crimes. Brutality stacked on brutality.

I turned to Lysander and the others. Weve got a party to start. This man will pay.

They understood. They knew what my words meant.

I pulled a bottle of vodka from the helicopters small cabinet, poured a glass over ice, and raised it. Time to capture the criminal.

They raised theirs too.

We finally reached Georgia City. Lysanders tracker had led us there. Our SUVs waited at the port. Lysander and the others—Taylor, Tarun, Wales, and the rest—climbed into their assigned vehicles. My SUV led, swarmed by security on either side.

We reached the war zone. Quiet. Too quiet. The air felt heavy, like something was breathing down our necks.

This is unreal,I muttered. Lysanders tech brought us here. This is where Sahil Riyas is supposed to be.

Youre sure you werent given the wrong readings?I demanded. I cant sense him.

Wed been standing there for almost three hours. Fury rose in me. I didnt accept errors.

Im sorry, General,he pleaded.

Lysander had never made a mistake before. I pardoned him—just this once. Dont let it happen again.

I wont, General. I promise.

Before I could issue new orders in case Sahil appeared, everything went wrong. He wasnt here to meet his allies. Hed set us up.

A snipers shot cracked the silence. The bullet struck Lysander in the chest. He collapsed before my eyes.

For a second, I thought it was a dream. Was my

trauma replaying itself? My siblings dying, their faces twisted in pain?

No. This was real.