The Rise Of A Porter

While the nagas formed a task force to verify the location of the lizardmen main base, Johnny was silently observing the warriors from a distance. Actually, he wasn't observing the warriors, he was keeping an eye on the man who was once his teacher. Johnny knew exactly how troublesome his former teacher was, given his past.

Caiden had been a part of the Vietnam War and the war had taught him things, no one should've learned about. Not even the monster hunters.

"I'm overthinking things. The old man wouldn't do something rash here." Johnny mumbled shrugging his shoulders. 

Right, when he was about to leave he heard a commotion, and his fears came true. Caiden, just couldn't keep silent even for a minute. He just had to lecture someone about character and integrity... Something Caiden himself knew a little about. 

"Can't you keep your thing in your pants for once?" Johnny shook his head and rushed towards the scene where two girls were petrified with fear, "I wonder what Arnold will do if he sees all this ruckus... Damn! Leave her alone old man!"

Johnny shouted at Caiden to let the girl go when he saw him putting his hands on one of them. But Caiden couldn't hear his former disciple's voice in the overcrowded plaza. Johnny increased his speed. The thunderous noise of his footsteps causing the warriors to back away instantly. Still, Caiden couldn't hear him, or at least he was pretending he couldn't as he started walking away, pulling the girl with him. But before he could get far, Johnny caught up to him and grabbed at his hands. 

Caiden turned around to see his student rising up to face him. His fists clenched, giving off lightning sparks. Everyone around them immediately backed away. No one knew what the heck was going on exactly but they now better than getting involved in it. 

Johnny quickly glanced at the girl before forcing his teacher's hand open, freeing the girl. Kayla immediately rushed towards Nisha who held her tightly while the former's eyes were flooded with tears. 

"The hell you think you're doing, Old man?" Johnny barked at the elderly man. His voice echoed through the area making everyone back away a little further. 

"I'm doing what any war veteran would do. Teach the recruits some discipline." Caiden crackled. He wasn't remorseful for his actions. 

"With all due respect, this isn't Vietnam nor it is your place to correct your fellow warriors. You don't have the authority to do something like this." Johnny tried to explain to Caiden that he too was just a warrior there. Nothing more. But it didn't seem like whatever Johnny was telling his teacher, was going through that thick skull of his. 

"I have to teach them about order and discipline, as their senior and a veteran. If they keep on behaving like a bunch of spoiled brats, they'd end up dying like last time-"

It only lasted for a moment but Caiden's voice cracked a little after mentioning the last war with the swamp dwellers. And Johnny knew why. 

Almost everyone present there had lost someone. That included Caiden. But his loss was bigger than most. After all, he had lost a lot more than the rest... His entire biological family. His 3 kids and wife... Everyone was dead. While Johnny understood how Caiden felt, it doesn't give him a free pass to do as he pleased. Right now, he was just a foot soldier like the rest of them and didn't have the authority to punish anyone. 

Johnny shook his head and went to check on Kayla instead, "You okay?"

Kayla didn't reply but nodded her head. Johnny let out a sigh of relief before patting her head, "I know you don't have to forgive the old man, but for whatever its worth, I apologize on his behalf."

He then turned around to face the rest of the warriors, "I'd appreciate it if y'all could keep this a secret from Commander Arnold. He... Doesn't take things like this lightly. So... Yeah, seal your lips."

Unlike while he was apologizing to Kayla, his voice wasn't kind and had a threatening tone. No one wanted to cross one of America's strongest warriors so they all agreed to keep it a secret. 

"Come on old man, let's get you drink first. Then we can talk about what happened here-"

"And what exactly happened here?" A familiar voice cut Johnny off, and Johnny knew exactly whose voice it was. Arnold. He looked sideways and there he was, accompanied by Nicole and Nina. 

Johnny tried deflecting Arnold's queries but how was he supposed to explain about the crying girl in front of him? Soon the truth came out and as Johnny had said, Arnold wasn't pleased at all. 

You see, before joining the black family, Arnold had been oppressed by countless people who thought they were superior to him. And on this moment he kind of felt the same. Only he was replaced by the girl and the oppressors were by Caiden. 

Johnny knew about this and was worried about Caiden. He also knew Arnold was stronger than him so there was no way he'd be able to stop him if things go south. Right now, he could just hope that Arnold doesn't do something rash... 

"Don't bother yourself with the details." Arnold mumbled at the end and went over to check on Kayla, "Whatever happened, happened. Can't change it now, can we?"

Johnny momentarily let out a sigh of relief. Maybe, just maybe, Arnold was going to forgive Caiden. But his wishful thoughts came crashing down when Arnold threateningly took a step towards Caiden as if a switch was flipped in his head. 

Before anyone could react, Arnold kicked the old man in front of everyone. Caiden tried to defend against the kick by crossing his arms to protect his chest, yet he went flying in the air and smashed into the pillar at the far end with a loud bang. The next moment the entire pillar came crashing to the ground. Buring the man alive. 

The guests gasped in horror. How the heck did he managed to kick someone ten to eleven meters away with a half-assed kick? What kind of monstrous strength was that?

"There. That evens the odds for now." Arnold mumbled and brushed the dust off his pants, "Listen up. I'm in charge of this war. I'm the Commander and the chief. Anyone who causes unnecessary trouble here would be personally taken care of by me. That's all, as you were."

Saying that he walked off as if nothing happened...