Author's Preface
The next morning, the arena beneath the Buckeye Guild was packed. A-rank teams lined the floor, spread out in loose groups, while most of the B-rank teams filled in the outer edges. Conversations stayed low, everyone uncertain as to why they were gathered. No one had been given a reason for the summons, just a time and a place. That alone was enough to make people uneasy.
Blue stood with Eve’s team, taking it all in. The atmosphere felt different from the usual training days. Less relaxed. More… focused. Like everyone was waiting for something. Then Aaron walked in. The shift was immediate. Conversations died off one by one until the entire arena fell silent. “Good morning, Buckeyes.”
“Good morning, Guildmaster!” the room answered in unison.
Aaron nodded once, satisfied, his gaze moving across the crowd before settling near the front. “We’ve got some good news,” he said, “and some… not-so-good news. Nothing terrible, just not exactly what we were hoping for.” A few quiet murmurs passed through the room, but no one spoke up. Aaron let the moment sit, then continued. “Let’s start with the good.” His eyes shifted toward Eve. “We’ve received the official invitation for the ranker competition.”
That got a reaction. Not loud, but noticeable. He didn’t smile, but there was a faint edge of approval in his voice as he went on. “We’ll be sending two teams this time.” He turned slightly. “Eve. Derek.” Both of them straightened instinctively. “Your teams will represent this guild. I hope you’re ready.”
“Yes, sir,” Eve said, her voice steady. Derek echoed her without hesitation. “Yes, sir.”
Aaron gave a small nod, then shifted his stance slightly. “Now for the part you’re not going to like as much.” The room quieted again. “The Association wants to resume clearing operations on the west side of the city. Specifically along the I-70 corridor.” That landed heavier. A few people shifted where they stood. “From what I’ve been told, leadership out in D.C. is pushing to start reclaiming parts of the monster highway.” He let out a slow breath, eyes scanning the room again. “That means increased gate raids. More assignments. More patrols. Your team leaders will be given your assignments. Who’s going where, what gates you’re taking, and what areas you’re covering.” His tone hardened just slightly. “Don’t try to be heroes out there.” The words weren’t loud, but they carried. “I don’t care how strong you think you are, or how easy something looks on paper. You stick to your assignments, you work with your teams, and you watch each other’s backs.” His gaze settled across the room one more time. “And you make sure everyone comes home... that’s the priority.” Silence hung there for a moment. Then Aaron gave a small nod.
“That’s all I’ve got. Get with your team leaders and figure out your assignments.” He turned to leave, then stopped briefly. “…Eve, Derek, start thinking about the competition. Four months isn’t as long as it sounds.” Then he walked out.
The arena didn’t explode into noise right away. For a few seconds, people just stood there, letting it settle. Then the conversations started, low at first, then building. Blue exhaled slowly. Ranker competition. Monster highway. Assignments. Everything felt like it was moving at once. He glanced over at Eve. She was already thinking ahead. And for the first time since joining the team, Blue felt it too. Something bigger was coming.
After Aaron left, the arena didn’t empty right away. The teams stayed gathered, breaking off into their own groups as leaders started going over assignments. Maps were pulled up, routes discussed, patrol zones marked out. It was organized, focused. Everyone already shifted into what the next few months would look like. Eve stood with her team, eyes locked on the map in front of them. “Looks like we’re pushing into Dublin first,” she said, her voice low but clear. “If the reports are right, that section’s been hit with a few gate breaks.”
Chris nodded slightly. Darrien leaned in closer, scanning the layout, while Cynthia and Samantha stood just behind them, listening. Then...a voice. Familiar and unwanted. “So it’s just our two teams, huh?” Darrien’s eyes closed for a second like he was already annoyed. Samantha’s fingertips lit with a faint flicker of flame. Even Cynthia’s expression tightened slightly. Eve didn’t react. Didn’t even look up. She kept her attention on the map.
“Entry points here and here,” she continued, tapping lightly. “We’ll want to-”
“Ehem.” Derek stepped closer, clearing his throat like he expected to be acknowledged. He reached out and tapped Eve on the shoulder. “I said,” he repeated, a little sharper this time, “looks like it’s just us two.” Eve finally turned. Saw him. “Yep,” she said simply. “Looks that way.” Then she turned right back to the map. Just like that.
Derek stood there for a second, irritation flashing across his face before he looked past her and directed his attention to Blue. His gaze hardened slightly, like he had found something easier to take it out on. “Who’s the bum you picked up for your team?” he said, voice casual but edged. “You that desperate to make the competition this year, Eve? Just letting anyone in now?”
No one moved. Chris shook his head once, already stepping forward just enough to put himself between them, not aggressively, just enough. “I wouldn’t, Derek,” he said, calm and even. “Walk away.” Derek’s eyes flicked to him, jaw tightening slightly. Blue didn’t move. Didn’t step forward. Didn’t react. He just looked at Derek.
Then, after a beat Chris spoke again. “…He’s just a pup who wishes he was a wolf.” No emotion behind it. Just a statement. Derek stared at him for a moment. Then, without another word he turned and walked off. Blue glanced over at Chris, brow furrowing slightly. “…What the hell was that about?” he asked. “What did I do to him?”
Before Chris could answer, Darrien suddenly leaned forward, slipping right between them, cranking his head up to look at Blue. “You stole his girlfriend, man.”
That got Eve’s attention. She looked up immediately, her expression flattening. “…Seriously?” she said. “I can’t stand him.” She shook her head lightly, already dismissing it. “And Blue and my relationship is…” she paused briefly, searching for the word, then waved it off. “… never mind.” Her focus snapped right back to the map. “Look, here’s where the gates are located that we’re assigned.” Just like that, she moved on, and the team followed.
Later that evening, the team gathered at Blue’s house for a cookout. It was the first time any of them had been there. Unlike most of the guild, Blue didn’t live in an apartment or at the barracks, he had an actual home. A yard. Space. Something that felt… normal. Downstairs, the team had already settled in, spread out around the basement as they went over plans for the upcoming gates. Maps were laid out across the table, routes being discussed, assignments loosely forming as they talked.
Upstairs, the atmosphere was completely different. David stood near the counter, seasoning the meat while Mary worked beside him, preparing sides for the grill. She glanced toward the basement door, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You know, it’s nice seeing Blue bring people over,” she said. “Other than Eve, I mean.” David let out a quiet chuckle, nodding. “You’re right. He’s… found his stride, hasn’t he?”
Right then, footsteps came up from the basement. Eve stepped into the kitchen. She barely had time to look around before David turned toward her, already smiling. “So, Eve,” he said casually, like he’d been waiting for the moment, “When are you and Blue gonna stop tap dancing around the fact that you’re into each other?” Eve froze. “…Oh my God... what is wrong with all of you today?!” she blurted, her face turned red instantly.
She didn’t wait for a response. She turned on her heel and stormed right back downstairs. Mary laughed softly under her breath. David just grinned. Back in the basement, the conversation had shifted. Blue leaned slightly over the table, eyes on the map. “How many times has the Association tried pushing past the boundary wall?” he asked. Chris crossed his arms, thinking for a second. “A few,” he said. “But hardly any teams make it back.”
“Dublin’s just as bad,” Darrien added, leaning back slightly. “We’re getting pushed out there too.” Eve stepped in, her tone steady now, completely back in focus. “There are too many gates and not enough awakeners,” she said. “Aaron’s already requested support from Washington more than once. They always have a reason to decline.”
She tapped lightly on the map. “That’s why this matters. We need to clear these gates before more of them break.” Chris glanced over at Blue. “That means teamwork is going to matter,” he said. “These gates are dangerous, and they’re flooded with monsters. Nothing we haven’t handled before, but we treat it like it’s the first time. Every time.”
Cynthia clapped her hands together, smiling. “We’ve got this, guys. We even have Blue now. We’re way stronger.”
“I don’t know about way,” Samantha muttered from the floor, sprawled out on her back like she had no intention of moving anytime soon. The room fell into a brief, easy silence. Then Samantha turned her head slightly, eyes drifting toward Eve. “…Eve. How much longer for the food?” she asked, the hangry Samantha was rearing her ugly head. “That’s why I sent you up there.”
Eve blinked. “Oh ummm... I… ugh” she hesitated for half a second, then rubbed the back of her neck. “…I forgot to ask.” Darrien let out a laugh. Cynthia covered her mouth, trying not to smile.
After dinner had been served and eaten, the house settled into something quieter. Naturally, the women gravitated toward Mary, who had taken her usual spot on the couch. Even Samantha, who normally couldn’t care less, found herself listening as Mary started telling stories. About Blue. About Eve. Old memories. Childhood moments. Things none of them had ever heard before. Cynthia laughed easily. Eve tried to brush some of it off, but Mary wasn’t letting her escape that easily. Story after story, one flowing into the next.
Outside, the boys had migrated to the backyard. A small fire crackled in the pit, the night air cooler now. Bottles clinked softly as they passed drinks around, leaning back in their chairs. Through the open window, they could hear everything. Darrien took a sip, then glanced over at David. “No offense, sir,” he said, nodding toward the house, “but Blue… you might wanna think about getting your own place.” He jerked his finger back toward the window. “Or your mom’s gonna spill every secret you’ve got to everyone.”
Chris let out a short laugh. Blue just shook his head, letting out a long sigh. David looked over at him. “I’ve been thinking the same thing.”
Blue blinked, turning toward him. “Wait, what? No. You and Mom haven’t had to work since I got back. I’ve got everything covered, and I’m comfortable here.”
David laughed. “I said move out,” he replied. “Not stop paying for us.”
Chris raised his bottle and knocked it lightly against David’s. “This man knows what he’s talking about.” Blue dragged a hand down his face, already regretting how this was going. Then he looked over at Darrien. “…See what you started?” Darrien grinned. Then disappeared. Blue stood up immediately. “Nuh uh. I’m not losing you now, you sneaky bastard.”
He took off across the yard, chasing after him as Darrien flickered in and out of sight, laughter echoing through the night. Inside, Mary glanced toward the window. She saw them... running around like idiots in the yard, and a soft smile settled on her face. For a moment…everything felt normal. Like it had before the gates. Before everything changed. But she had heard their conversation earlier. The one in the basement. And she knew...there wouldn’t be many more nights like this.