C H A P T E R  1 7

❛ warriors ❜

MILO

     MORNING DEW GATHERED ON HIS BOOTS as he made his way through the field. The sun had barely risen, not yet warm enough to drive out the chill of the night. He wrapped his jacket a little tighter around his shoulders, eyes searching the crowd gathered around him. Slowly people from all communities were arriving at the meeting point. Alexandria, Hilltop, Kingdom and the half of Oceanside who'd chosen to follow Cyndie. They weren't with many and yet Milo wouldn't wish for any other people to fight beside.

They'd spend the last week getting ready, getting to know each other's strengths and weaknesses. Slowly a plan had formed and now it was finally time to enact it. Milo had little hope they would all make it out unscatched but it was a price they were all willing to pay to end Negan's tyranny.

He'd come a long way since that morning in the church where he argued against attacking the satellite outpost. Milo knew Rick regretted that choice now. He could see it in his eyes whenever he looked at him. But, no matter how much Milo wished he'd fought harder to plead his case back then, it didn't matter anymore. This time they had no choice, even Milo could see that. This time there wasn't a single bit of doubt in his mind. There wasn't a single tremble in his muscles as he held his gun with confidence.

Finally his eyes spotted the person he'd been looking for, grip tightening on his gun as he walked over to his father. He was standing with the people of Alexandria, looking a little lost but determined to fight. Despite avoiding him for the last week, Milo knew he would never forgive himself if he went into battle without talking to him. If Quinn could bring herself to face him, so could he.

"You ready?"

For a moment, his father looked caught off guard at the sudden sight of his son standing in front of him but he managed to gather himself quick enough. "Are you?"

"I'm fighting with my friends, not against them," Milo said, observing the stranger in front of him. It was hard to find a single trace of the man he used to be, though that didn't mean those sins still lingered within him.

Nick scoffed. "Is that what you think? That those people are my friends?"

"If you've been with them for as long as you say you have, you must've made some friends," Milo asked, genuinely curious.

"No," his father said shortly, then sighed. "I couldn't risk losing anyone and-" He swallowed.

"Going off the rails again?" Milo finished for him.

He nodded.

Milo inhaled deeply as his eyes looked out over the ever growing crowd around them. He couldn't imagine facing this world alone. He knew for a fact he never would've survived on his own. It was a fate he wouldn't wish on anyone.

"That must've been lonely," he finally said.

"It was my punishment," Nick spoke softly, as though the words had been meant for none other but himself.

For a moment Milo considered his words but if his sister was strong enough to forgive him, who was he to doubt his intentions? He couldn't name many people with a better instinct than Quinn. "She's forgiven you," Milo said softly. "And so have I. You don't have to punish yourself anymore."

A grim expression passed over Nick's features, as though he couldn't bring himself to agree with that statement but he remained silent.

"A word of advice," Milo said, a teasing grin on his lips. "You best stay away from Daryl for the time being. He hasn't forgiven you just yet and I doubt he ever will."

"I'll keep that in mind," his father replied, the ghost of a smile lingering on his lips.

Milo nodded once before walking away, feeling like a weight had been lifted from his chest. Today wasn't going to be easy but at least he could face it all with a clean conscience. He made his way back to where the people of Hilltop were gathered. All of them were recognizable by the green fabric bound around their right upper arm. The people from Alexandria were marked with white, the Kingdom with orange and Oceanside with blue. It was an easy way to distinguish friend from foe.

He took a stand next to Jesus, greeting him with a smile. Somehow smiling came easy to him in the presence of Paul Rovia. Even in situations as dire as this one.

"So, that's your father?" Jesus asked, not a single trace of judgment in his voice, just mere curiosity and perhaps a bit of worry. By now it was well known Nick used to be with the Saviors and not everyone accepted that wholeheartedly. Though Jesus seemed to have taken enough with Milo's explanation and never questioned Nick's presence.

"That's him," Milo confirmed, unable to stop a sigh from escaping his lips. He hadn't told Jesus much about his past, much less how much Nick had hurt him and his sister. But it appeared he didn't have to. The way his shoulders tensed when looking at him or the stone cold way Quinn was able to ignore him, spoke volumes about the strain in their relationship.

"Should I have a talk with him?" Jesus asked, though there was a teasing smile on his face.

Milo scoffed. "I believe Daryl's already planning a beating so I doubt he'll need any further damage from you."

Jesus chuckled softly, eyes sparkling in the morning sun. "Understood."

"Thanks though," Milo added, once again finding himself smiling.

Silence slowly fell over the field, causing Milo to turn his eyes away from Jesus and towards the middle of the crowd. Rick had climbed on top of a truck parked there, joined by Maggie, Ezekiel and Cyndie. Their leaders.

"When I first met him, Jesus said my world was gonna get a whole lot bigger," Rick spoke up, his voice echoing through the crowd with a strength that set them all aflame. "Well, we found that world. We found each other. This 'bigger world' is ours by right. That we've come together for it, all of us, it's that much more true, it's ours by right!" He turned around on the truck, making sure to look them all in the eye as he spoke. "Any person who would live in peace and fairness, who would find common ground, it's their right too. But those who use and take and kill to carve out the world and make it theirs alone, we end them! We don't celebrate it. We don't have shame about it, either. Then, we keep making the world bigger. Together."

"Together!" Ezekiel joined in, spreading his arms as if wishing he could hug them all. "Bound forever! To quote The Bard, 'For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother. For she today, my sister. For them, my family."

Shiva roared, a few nervous chuckles rippling through the crowd.

"We've practiced," Maggie spoke up. "We've been through it over and over again. We all know the plan doesn't end this morning. That we may have to live in uncertainty for days, maybe more. That we have to keep our faith in each other. If we can hold on to that with everything we have, the future is ours. The world is ours."

Cyndie stepped forward. "So, when we go out there, hold on to that idea. Hold on to the hope that we are fighting for a better future. A future where everyone is equal and free. Our future!"

Cheers erupted as people raised their weapons and shouted their war cries to eliminate the fear from their hearts. Milo balled his fist and raised it in the air, joining the battle cries. Because yes, he was terrified but he'd be damned if he would let that stop him.

The crowd dispersed, everyone getting ready to make for their assigned posts. Quinn was already out there with Daryl, making sure the herd they'd trapped on the highway would be directed the right way. Now it was time to knock on Negan's door and set their terms.

A small group went ahead to take care of all the watchposts. Nick knew about a few but he hadn't been high enough in Negan's rank to know them all. Dwight, however, was and he'd provided them with all the information necessary to make sure their convey would get to the Sanctuary unseen.

All the cars had been reinforced with steel plates, giving cover and protection against the Savior's weapons. It almost looked like a sight out of the sci-fi movies he used to watch. Though no movie he'd ever seen had predicted the world would come to this...

Milo got inside a car with Jesus, Maggie and Kal. Maggie was fiddling with the walkie in her hand, waiting impatiently for the signal. Every second they had to wait here was a second closer to their plans being discovered. But it seemed luck was on their side because soon enough, they were told the road was clear.

The convoy got into motion, driving towards the battlefield, towards war...

Milo had never seen the Sanctuary before, still it was exactly what he'd pictured. A former factury surrounded by stone and fences, nothing green insight. It was no wonder Negan needed people to provide for him. Nothing would be able to grow here.

The courtyard in front of the building was filled with walkers. Chained up to the fence, to each other, forming a wall against intruders. Lucky for them, they didn't have to set a foot inside to fight.

One by one the cars pulled up in front of the Sanctuary, parking closely together so the armor attached to the vehicles formed a wall to safely stand behind.

Milo reached for the door, eyes meeting Jesus' piercing blue gaze. He nodded at him, little reassurance for what was awaiting them but enough to keep the fire within him burning. He stepped outside, quickly taking his place between the others, gun at the ready.

When everyone was in position, Maggie raised her arm. They raised their weapons, not necessarily aiming anywhere. This first round was to get Negan's attention, nothing more. Then, Maggie dropped her arm and they fired. Three shots before silence settled over the courtyard once again.

His heart was racing in his chest as they waited. The plan could still work if Negan decided to stay inside but they had a much better chance of taking him out now if he showed his face. They'd counted on his arrogance and love of his own speeches for this part of the plan. And it turned out that was a correct guess because soon enough the front door opened and Negan stepped outside. He was joined by several other Saviors, including Dwight. Milo had to admit he was good at playing his part, considering he managed to look just as confused as the others.

"Well, shit," Negan said, though he didn't look one bit worried. "I'm sorry. I was in a meeting." He paced around, observing the scene in front of him. "I see you got your little mudflaps with you. So I'm not exactly feelin' a reason for us to try throwing lead at each other. I care about my people. I don't wanna just march them into the line of fire because I wanna play 'my dick is bigger than yours'. It is. We both know it."

Milo clenched his jaw, hating the way he was pretending like there was no reason for all of this. Like he didn't oppress, belittle and murder them.

"But I'm also comfortable enough to accept the fact if it wasn't. I'm certainly not gonna let my people die over that fucking shit like you're about to. So, Rick, what the hell can I do for you?"

Rick ignored his words completely and instead pointed at the Saviors standing next to Negan. "Dwight. Your name's Simon. You're Gavin. And you?"

"Regina," the woman replied.

Eugene then decided to join in. "Rick, I'd feel remiss if-"

"No," Rick interrupted him, voice sharp. "I know who you are. Listen, you five, the Saviors inside. All of you have a chance to survive here. To survive this. Y'all can live if you surrender. Can't guarantee it any time but now. Right now."

It remained awfully quiet but then again, no one had expected any different. It'd been a fool's hope but they would never forgive themselves if they hadn't tried.

Negan chuckled. "So they surrender and you and your little piss patrol doesn't kill them. That sounds like a good deal! What about me, Rick?"

"I told you, twice. You know what's going to happen."

"I do. I do know what's gonna happen. You don't. You have no idea the shit that's about to go down. Let me ask you something, Rick. Do you think you have the numbers for this fight? You don't."

They all knew that and yet they chose to fight. Numbers weren't the only thing that mattered in a fight. Milo knew that as well as anyone. Tactics, weapons, supplies were all as important. But the most important thing of all was something Milo knew for sure they possessed and the Saviors didn't. A common goal. One dream, one vision, shared by each and every single one of them. While at least half of the Saviors fought out of fear for their leader, their army was united by their hope for the future.

"Simon?" Negan called out.

The man mentioned stepped inside, only to come back out a few seconds later with none other than Gregory beside him.

Beside him, Maggie sighed while Jesus simply shook his head. "Of course that's where he went." Though he didn't seem one bit worried about the betrayal of Hilltop's former leader.

"What do you have to say to Rick and the piss patrol, Gregory?" Negan asked.

Gregory placed his hands on his hips when he spoke. "The Hilltop stands with Negan and the Saviors. Any resident of the Hilltop who takes up arms or who supports this ultimatum against the Sanctuary or any of the Saviors, for that matter, will no longer be welcome in the colony."

"And?" Negan pressed.

"Their families will be thrown out and will be left to fend for themselves."

"And?"

Gregory cleared his throat before continuing, seeming to grow less confident with every passing second. "Go home now. Or you won't have a home to go back to."

Milo watched as the residents of Hilltop exchanged looks with each other, all of them meaning to say the same thing. This man was not their leader anymore and they would not stand down.

"You do what you need to do," Maggie told them softly.

"All I have at the Hilltop are a bunch of books and an old lobster bib," Jesus replied with a reassuring smile.

"You heard the man!" Negan called out. "Go back to separating wheat and shit or whatever the hell it is you people do."

"Doesn't look like anyone's goin', does it?" Maggie shouted in reply.

"Hilltop stands with-"

"The Hilltop stands with Maggie!" Jesus shouted before Gregory could finish.

A rumbling explosion in the distance cut off any reply Gregory might've wanted to give. Smoke came rising above the trees. Their time was running out. The herd would be here soon and then they'd be cut off.

"Sounds like shit is goin' down, Rick," Negan said.

Rick sighed. "You 'lieutenants', you're gonna have to make up your mind."

"Maybe we can take a time-out here," Gavin suggested.

"No. This has to happen now. This is the only way."

When everyone remained silent, Rick scoffed and shook his head.

"You're gonna make me count?"

A shiver crawled down Milo's spine when he realized what Rick was referring to.

"Okay, okay, I'm counting. Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven!" Suddenly he raised his gun, taking aim and opening fire, catching everyone off guard.

Negan dove down to the ground while the other Saviors hurried inside.

The rest of their army was quick to open fire as well. Though none of them were shooting at the Saviors. Instead they all aimed at the windows on the higher floors, destroying the glass, making it even more difficult for the people inside to hide from the approaching herd.

The feeling of the gun in his hand was as familiar as his own heartbeat, yet Milo despised every second of his life he'd been forced to hold the weapon. But it would be worth it. It would all be worth it if he could grant his family back their freedom.

The shots echoed painfully loud through the small courtyard, all while glass continued to rain down upon the ground. Soon the entire front of the building was left without even one window still intact.

"Now!"

At Maggie's command they hurried back towards their cars. Time was against them. From this point on, everything was about moving as quickly as possible. Before the herd would arrive, before the other outposts caught word of what had happened...

He all but jumped into his car, Jesus right behind him. Maggie sat down in the passenger seat as Kal got behind the wheel, pressing the horn as hard as possible to signal the others. Milo looked through the window, watching as Gabriel climbed into the RV. He put it in forward, letting the armored front crumble the fence as it drove forward. Gabriel climbed out of the back window, letting the RV drive itself forward.

Then, when it was close enough, Rick pressed the button and the explosives within were set off. The entire courtyard was set aflame, destroying all the defenses the Saviors had put up, leaving the way to the front gate wide open for the incoming herd.

As soon as Maggie saw the job was done, she gave Kal the signal to drive. They pulled out of the courtyard, following the other cars of Hilltop towards their next target.

There was no going back now...

A U T H O R 'S  N O T E

Season 8 has started!

The conversation with Milo and Nick was a long time coming but I honestly struggled with it a lot. I wanted to show Milo's kindness without making him appear too soft to the man who has hurt him and Quinn so much. I think I did okay but I'd love to hear your thoughts on it! So please don't hesitate to leave a comment!

I'm so excited to dive into this season with my own ideas and plots. I know this chapter followed the show pretty closely but it's one of the few that will :) I hope you guys enjoy my ideas. As always, please leave some comments and votes. They always put a smile on my face. I love hearing from you!

Much love, Nelly