Cat’s Eye Battalion is one of the 12 battalions in Chrysoberyl Division, part of the 2nd Assault Brigade that is in-charge mainly in assisting Hollow explorers and protecting them in frontline. While each soldier has a certain baseline to what their skills can be, a number of them still want to go beyond what they are trained for. To be a soldier is to be capable enough. To have enough strength to go on. To have the strength to protect what they cherish.
In one of the dorms, Private Alisa Caritas of Lyre Squad is folding some clothes. A strand falls right in front of her face and fixes it by circling it to her bun. She stares again at the remaining clothes and heaves a short but heavy breath. She plans to sleep after this, a very good night’s sleep she wishes. It has been six months since she was assigned to Chrysoberyl Division, but the blues are still lingering —a thing common for a greenhorn like her. A sigh follows, eyes looking droopy, and she really longs for a well rest after their last operation in the Plutarch Mountains.
And yawns.
Alisa pauses her task and lies down to her bed—when the door suddenly opens.
“Alisa!”
And the planned nap is ruined.
Alisa leers at the door, spotting her auburn head teammate, Ivan—and her expression could not be any more sour.
And livid.
“Who told you to just open the door?!” Alisa exclaims. “What if I’m changing clothes?!”
Ivan chuckles nervously. “U-Uhh, my bad. Well…it wasn’t locked either.”
“Even so! Learn how to knock!”
“My bad…” Ivan flinches. “Well, George participated in a brawl. Let’s go to the training hall.”
Alisa becomes confused. “What? PFC Redford? Didn’t he just…” She realizes something. “Don’t tell me… That guy in the Corax Squad again?”
Ivan avoids her eyes. Alisa turns angrier with the confirmation.
“I wonder why the guys around me are so weird,” Alisa comments.
“Corporal is already there, come on!” Ivan invites her again.
Alisa appears reluctant, but she goes with Ivan anyway.
The training hall is supposed to be—a training hall. But there are times it is where some differences are settled, or merely a ring for those who just want a fight. Alisa knows this is something guys do, but she cannot still understand why that is so. Her time in military has provided some insight, and she is slowly getting used to it, but it is a lie to say it is not troublesome, especially when it affects her peace of mind.
A small crowd fills one side of the training hall, which is where they go to. Alisa cannot still figure out today’s occasion and thinks this is just a waste of time.
“Hey Nigel,” Ivan calls, as a tall man with black hair turns to them. He appears to be in early thirties and smiles at them.
“There you are,” Nigel greets, “and Miss Caritas looks pouty again.”
Alisa realizes she is not able to hide her expression again.
“I was folding our clothes, when Ivan suddenly barged in. Who won’t be annoyed with that,” Alisa says.
Nigel chuckles. “You could have just declined.”
“I’m just being considerate, Corporal Allard…” Alisa replies.
Her time in Lyre Squad is not going easier. A petty problem here and there, Alisa is dragged to different shenanigans of her squadmates. She cannot just complain every time, knowing at best that her teammates are still great in their jobs.
She is the one who has a lot to learn first. Alisa wants to be useful as much as she can.
“It’s the Tourmaline guy,” Nigel says, staring at the guy at the left side. “He really had an obsession in our battalion for some reason.”
“We’re just in the same brigade, so what’s special about our battalion?” Alisa asks.
“If I heard it right, he had a girlfriend in our battalion but died two years ago,” Nigel says. “Since then, he has a habit of picking on some of our soldiers.”
“I thought he just likes to pick on people,” Ivan comments. “Charles seems to know about him, and I know they were classmates in Scout Rangers Academy.”
Alisa frowns at Nigel’s story.
“Are you sure it isn’t from a soap opera, Corporal?” Alisa asks.
Nigel chuckles. “Well, who knows it might be real.”
Alisa facepalms.
“Oh? Who’s that young girl with Charles?” Nigel says.
“Now a young girl…” Alisa mumbles and spots Charles from afar—together with her squadmate George. George is talking with a female soldier with curly hair and Charles is with a…
Alisa frowns.
That’s a girl who is not yet in puberty.
“Can we bring kids here already?” Alisa asks.
“Ah,” Ivan cuts in, scratching his head next. “Well… That kid is…apparently a new Corax Squad member. Sergeant Macandro introduced her to us this morning.”
Alisa pinches her chin, scowling deeper. “Then, it’s true… I heard rumors about that after we returned here… Wait a minute, Ivan, why are you only telling us this now?”
Ivan keeps scratching his head. “I thought it’s Sergeant Charow who’s gonna talk about it. I think she knows about it already, so I never said a thing.”
“If I’ll be honest, this is more common in other divisions,” Nigel says. “That’s why I picked Chrysoberyl, it’s the lesser evil of all Defense Force. Also, you gotta address Ivan properly, you’re gonna get smoked at that if others hear you.”
Alisa turns a bit silent. “Yes, Corporal.”
“The sergeant isn’t so strict about that, but you know, we need to be mindful about it,” Nigel says. “Oh wait, I heard Corax Squad is back as five. Who’s the other one?” he asks Ivan.
“Oh right,” Ivan says then notices George is talking with a female soldier. “Probably that one. I heard the duel was asked because the Tourmaline guys bullied Charles’ private.”
“Oh, I see. I don’t see them picking on a kid, I see…” Nigel nods. “Haha, now I get it. Charles doesn’t like his friends getting harmed anyway.”
As the audience is on the side with their own chitchats, Charles is warming up by stretching. Samantha watches him as Myrna finishes drinking her water.
Tyrone approaches them.
“Good thing you never ran Seagull, unlike before,” Tyrone taunts.
Charles stands upright and gives a warm smile. “I just don’t fight a battle I won’t win. Besides, the situation in the academy is far different from today. I don’t know if you still remember that.”
Tyrone narrows his eyes. No words are spoken next. Samantha can see the animosity between the corporals as the Tourmaline soldier joins his teammates again to the other side.
“He sounds like a big baby,” Myrna comments, “I guess he had other problems than us, honestly.”
“You’ll be surprised how many here are like that,” George says.
“I’m quite aware… Even in bootcamp alone shows people’s colors early.”
Charles faces his team. “Well, are you guys ready?”
“Hey, don’t fail us a good show.”
Samantha perks up and three soldiers from Lupus Squad are approaching them. The blonde one with dark circles, a jacked guy with red lines beside his eyes, and the dark twin-tailed girl.
Ed Rothstaylor. Ziggs Efflstein. Charity Vox.
“Hey there! Ed, Ziggs and Charity!” Charles greets in most animated way.
“What trouble have you gotten yourself into again, Corporal?” Ed asks in such a calm manner, raising his fist.
Charles bumps his fist with him. “Just a little comeuppance. Some guys from other battalion are disturbing my new junior.”
Ed looks at Myrna. “Ah. Were you, Rhodes?”
Myrna nods. “Yes, PFC Rothstaylor…”
Ed cringes a bit. “Just call me PFC Ed. My last name is too long… To be fair, even Ed is alright.”
“It would be hilarious if they try bothering Aran, that’s gonna be too petty,” Ziggs says.
Ed nods. “Yeah, that’s why I thought it was Rhodes…” He looks at Samantha. “And never hesitate to call us if someone is bothering you. Even this corporal of yours.”
“Hey, I’m a good guy!” Charles protests.
“When?” Charity deadpans.
“Ack!” Charles acts like hurt. “No one believes me…”
“I guess rumors spread fast. It’s not even twenty minutes,” George says, crossing his arms.
“Well, a lot of people witnessed it in the oval. That’s to be expected. I wish I’ve been there to punch their faces,” Charity says.
“Look, you’re out for blood again…” Ed comments.
“What, I just trained earlier with Rhodes. Didn’t know they are keeping eye on her,” Charity says. “Some really had habits of picking on the rookies. Anyways, the rest of Lyre Squad is already here, so don’t disappoint them, Redford.”
George glances at his squadmates, and then they wave their hands at him. “That’s quite a pressure.”
“What’s the rules?” Ziggs asks. “So I can intervene if something happens.”
“No weapons. First to surrender or incapacitate will lose. Any combat styles are fine. Two over three will decide the winning team,” Charles says. “Nothing complex.”
“Ok, gotcha. I’ll serve as a referee,” Ziggs says.
Charles smiles. “That’s gonna be a great help.”
Ziggs runs to the center ring. Edmond Bas is also proceeding at the combat area.
“George, you’re up,” Charles says.
“Okay.” George walks to the center stage, facing his opponent. Edmond has a bigger stature than him, but George assesses that his movements may be slower than him. Aside from being an engineer, George is also a scout for Lyre Squad, and thus, he has enough experience to compensate for his assumed less strength than his opponent.
“Eddie looks eager,” Charles mumbles.
“Are you talking about me?” Ed asks.
“Ah no. George’s opponent is named Edmond. You’re bound to have the same nickname, I guess,” Charles says.
“Oh.”
Ziggs looks at the two fighters, with his right hand in the midst of them. He can see they are assessing one another as he raises his hand. “Fight!”
And so, it begins.
The two fighters are still feeling out of one another, circling around an invisible pole. Eyes and senses are on high alert, while also guarding their livers. Everyone knows that is a fatal spot, if the core is not strengthened enough. Edmond tries the first advance, only for George to dodge quickly.
“I know you guys just returned today, what has gotten in your heads to accept this duel?” Ed asks.
“Hm? Like aren’t you used to this,” Charles replies.
“Yeah… Or perhaps you wanna show off to your new juniors?” Ed asks.
“Haha!” Charles leans back on the bench. “I can’t say that’s untrue.”
“Or you’re avoiding the squad leaders’ meeting tonight?”
Freeze.
Ed sighs with Charles’ sudden silence.
“I knew it.”
“Oh? Squad leaders’ meeting?” Myrna voices out.
“I bet it’s about the next deployment to Plutarch Mountains again,” Charity says. “They can’t afford a Lemnian Companion Hollow to overstay its welcome. I’m sure you’re aware of what happened to Aerospace City and it’s also one of the most active parent Hollows out there. It’s even more alarming since a Lemnian sprouted out in the mountains away from the sea.”
“To add more, if the shrinking will be delayed, there’s also risk of six districts getting swallowed,” Ed adds.
Charles ponders. “Well, they should lessen their own distractions to let this happen. They’ll keep eating resources, that instead of just Obsidian handling about this, they are dragging Chrysoberyl with this too.”
Samantha sees a different but sharp glint at Charles’ eyes.
“Speaking of that…” Myrna cuts in, “…how does it feel being deployed to the Hollows, Corporal?”
“Hmm, I’ll just say… No matter how ready you are, it will still surprise you a lot. Ethereals are constantly evolving, and in fact, they found a new variant of Tyrfing-type in Lemnian Companions, and the White Star Institute is still profiling it. We can’t just simply slack off, which is why I believe that to have a sound body, we need to have a sound mind,” Charles says.
Myrna grimaces sheepishly. “Geez…”
“Ethereals can also just simply take a life even with the most skilled soldier,” Charles says and turns to Samantha, “but I believe Sammy faced Ethereals a lot, too. Am I right?”
Samantha gives no response and simply listens. It is true—she has gone through missions before inside the Hollows, inevitably so, as it is part of her mercenary work. Ethereals are a different kind of threat altogether as she has her share of taking down those monsters. Worse still, Hollows can also corrupt an individual into the same twisted beings and Samantha cannot count how many times she has witnessed the horror firsthand.
“To spare them humanity, you must pull the trigger for them if they can’t.”
Samantha folds her hands all of a sudden. Tightly.
Myrna catches it.
“You okay, kid?” Myrna asks. Samantha is startled, giving a haunted look at Myrna.
“…Yeah…” Samantha says.
Myrna pats Samantha’s forehead. “Yeah, you’re fine.”
Samantha shoves Myrna’s hand, causing the latter to be surprised. Myrna already knows that the young kid does not like being prodded, but this one is a little bit more intense.
“Oh, sorry about that…” Myrna mutters.
Charity has been staring at them as her eyes last a bit longer at Samantha.
Then in the corner of her eye, someone falls from the battle area.
Charity takes a look at it—George is on his knees.
“Oof, that hurts,” Charles comments. George’s shoulder movements are way too visible, with his face like a tomato.
“George! Get some payback!” Ivan screams from the sidelines. “You won’t get any girls if you’re that weak! Stop getting hit!”
“Wow, Ivan’s way too passionate,” Ed comments on the other hand.
“Well, they are classmates since bootcamp. No one likes their soulmates getting hurt,” Charles jests.
Ed shakes his head. “Oh man.”
George shakes his head, collecting his composure. He staggers in balancing himself up then raises his left arm to guard his face. The other arm guards his abdomen while eyes are focused on Edmond—who has already disappeared from his line of sight.
A wind on left side, George steps three back to the right. A stroke of luck, Edmond misses his punch to George. George continually creates distance, as Edmond begins a rhythmic footwork.
George keeps being levelheaded while keeping his enemy in his sight.
“Quite smart, huh,” Edmond remarks.
“I’m not really good at confrontation this long, but at least, I can adapt somehow,” George taunts back.
Edmond smirks. “You already look groggy to think of a rebuttal.”
“It’s not good to surrender in front of the problem either,” George says.
Edmond raises his right foot, going for a kick, when George steps aside, but Edmond leaps forward and grabs his arm. Caught off guard, George gets punched point blank to the face.
He rolls down to the ground.
Nigel winces. “Yikes, that hurts.”
“We’re gonna get an earful from sarge again…” Alisa says.
George’s world is spinning. He begins to question why he is even here. Oh, right, he remembers— Charles . But then again, this is also his own choice. He shakes his head, rolls over, and pushes himself up on all fours. Steadying his breath, he rises to his feet and makes a stance once more.
“Just surrender now. You don’t look too well!” Edmond taunts.
George heaves a breath. “I don’t wanna embarrass my teammates.”
Edmond strikes once more, and though George dodges the first one, a follow-up punch lands cleanly on his face. Gritting through pain, George swiftly regains his balance. He kicks Edmond on the shin, drawing a visible reaction, and seizes the moment to unleash a barrage of punches.
A straight cut—but Edmond stops his fist. George is now held captive, but he uses his other fist to hit Edmond’s stomach.
Another reaction.
“Who do you think would win, Myrna?” Charles asks.
Myrna crosses her arms. “PFC Redford keeps saying that he’s just an engineer, but I think he’s selling himself short in combat.”
Charles nods. “Mhmm.”
“I think he shouldn’t,” Myrna remarks.
Thud. Someone falls down. Ziggs raises his hand to declare the winner.
Charles smiles. “I think he’s not selling himself short, he’s just being honest.” He stands from the bench. “That chop on the neck is so clean, George!”
George keeps panting, turns to Charles, and raises his thumb. Edmond is knocked out on the floor. Charles is about to approach the victor when three soldiers arrive at him first—and one of them, Alisa Caritas, faces Charles Tausend in vindication.
Alisa stomps towards him. “Here and your weird plans again, Corporal Tausend!”
Charles chuckles nervously. “Please calm down, Alisa…”
Ivan assists George back to the bench, carefully helping the latter to sit down.
Nigel flicks Charles’ forehead. “Trouble always follows you, Tausend.”
“Ow, what was that for, Corporal Allard?” Charles whines.
Nigel looks displeased. “You’re way too senior than me to address me formally.”
“But you’re older than me,” Charles says.
Nigel raises his hands and acts to strangle him. “You dumbass!”
Meanwhile, Ed sighs then looks at Ivan and George.
“Hey bud, you alright?” Ed asks George.
George exhales a huge breath. “It effin’ hurts. I won’t be able to sleep early later and had Corporal Crane check if I have head trauma.”
“An earful again, then she’ll scold me to get a better program as a medic,” Ivan remarks, losing soul to his body.
“Right.” George shows dispirited.
“Let’s spar later then if you won’t sleep early, Redford,” Charity interjects.
George grimaces. “That’s gonna make my condition worse.”
“Anyways, did you guys meet the greenhorns already?” Ed says, staring at Ivan.
Ivan jolts. “Oh right. Corporal, Alisa. Won’t we introduce ourselves to the newbies?”
Nigel and Alisa stop pestering the Corax’ corporal and look at the greenhorns. Myrna blinks when Nigel suddenly smiles.
“My bad. This is inappropriate of us,” Corporal Nigel Allard says then salutes. “Corporal Nigel Allard of Lyre Squad, Artillery Specialist of Lyre Squad. We’re going to work a lot in the future, looking forward to that, privates.”
Myrna stands and salutes back. “Private Myrna Rhodes, Corporal!”
“Private First Class Ivan Hestrich, Combat Medic of Lyre Squad,” Ivan introduces himself next.
Alisa straightens her posture and salutes firmly. “Private Alisa Caritas, Assault Specialist of Lyre Squad.”
Samantha, on the other hand, is stuck in her place with the arrival of new places. She spots Charles looking at her, smiling.
“I’m…Private Samantha Aran, Sniper of Corax Squad…”
Lyre Squad turns silent, except Ivan.
A sniper specialist? Alisa thinks.
Nigel remains stoic. Just what kind of training done to her?
Samantha can tell something is going on in their minds, causing her to fold her hands once more.
“Oiya! Wilma is already at the center stage!” Charles breaks the ice. “Please don’t make your opponent waiting.”
“Ah, right, I’m sorry,” Myrna says then bows as courtesy to others. “Nice to meet you…”
Samantha feels uneasy as Myrna runs to the combat area.
“You don’t mind if I sit beside you?” Alisa asks Samantha as the latter just nods. Samantha can smell a vanilla scent coming from the Lyre’s private and Alisa seems to be neat in her clothes.
“What’s Rhodes’ designation? She didn’t introduce herself with one,” Nigel asks Charles.
“Her?” Charles leans back. “She’s just like Alisa. I’ll tell her next time not to forget that, even I know that’s part of the things we’re briefed here in Assault Brigade.”
“Well, it’s not really too important in the long run…” Ed says. “It’s not like we’ll remember everyone here.”
“It’s still a basic courtesy, Ed, since we don’t follow the normal unit assignment in other brigades,” Nigel says.
The rest turn to the center again, seeing Myrna and Wilma feeling out one another. Myrna is slouched a little, with her arms guarding her upper body and face.
“I saw you leading a squad’s training yesterday, and it appears you’re someone with a lot of experience already,” Wilma says. “I guess that makes you proud, huh?”
“Uhh… Yeah, I guess?” Myrna says. Is she trying to distract me?
An upcoming punch, Myrna dodges in surprise. Another low grab—she shoves the hand away and ducks, driving a punch into Wilma’s liver. Wilma recoils, but before she can recover, Myrna sweeps her right foot and sends Wilma crashing to the ground.
Wilma tries to get up, but Myrna spares no time and folds Wilma’s arms in the back, then threatens her neck with a close hand chop.
Ivan blinks. “That was fast.”
“She really didn’t make the fight last longer. She’s so fluid,” Charity remarks.
Alisa looks at Charity. “Eh, you’re praising someone?”
“I thought you won’t talk to me, Caritas,” Charity says.
Alisa tenses. “I-I didn’t mean to ignore you PFC Vox…”
“Private Myrna Rhodes of Corax Squad wins!” Ziggs declares.
Charles glances where Tyrone is with a smug look. “Well.”
Tyrone is scowling hard. Myrna lets go of her fallen opponent and offers a hand. Wilma stares at her and somewhat accepts the gesture.
Myrna returns to her teammates as Charles is overjoyed at her win.
“Woooo! My private is so great!” Charles says. “I’m so glad you’re part of Corax Squad.”
Myrna chuckles nervously, unsure whether to take the praise or not.
“I like how fast you are,” Charity comments and then gives a thumbs up. “Sergeant Combs isn’t wrong about you.”
Myrna sits beside Samantha again. “I’m just doing my job, PFC…”
“You have to be proud more, Rhodes,” Charity says. Alisa appears confused with Charity’s kind words.
Myrna scratches her head. “I don’t…wanna fall harder if I feel like that…” She turns to Samantha, who is also staring at her, and gives a smile. “See, I can handle it, kiddo.”
Samantha turns away from Myrna and ends up witnessing the other team. Tyrone is fuming against his teammates, and a second later, he trudges towards Charles. He almost grabs the Corax’ corporal when Nigel blocks him.
“You already lose, Corporal Licht,” Nigel says. “Honor the rules of the duel.”
“I don’t need to listen to someone lower than me,” Tyrone talks back.
“You’re funking disrespectful—” Ivan almost stands but Nigel raises his hand.
“Do you really want to settle this the hard way?” Nigel says.
Tyrone punches Nigel.
“Corporal!” Alisa yells and leaves her seat. The crowd becomes startled and expects a riot. Charity is about to get an equal revenge when Ed stops her.
“You’re really pissing me off!” Ivan raises his arm, but someone grabs his wrist.
“Tyrone, if you’re really that mad, why not we settle everything now?” Charles says, letting go of Ivan’s hand, then squares up to the Tourmaline corporal.
Tyrone smirks. “If I defeated you, you’re going to be my lackey, Seagull.”
Charles smiles. “If that will even happen, sure. Regardless, fine with me.”
“Haha, I like to break that cocky smile of yours.”
Charles moves his head in the direction of the hall. Tyrone heads first while keeping his eyes on him, as Charles follows while crackling his knuckles. Charles removes the scarf on his arm and covers the lower part of his face with it.
Ziggs are staring at them.
“Am I still needed here?” he asks.
Charles glances at him. “Nope. I got it from here. I’ll treat you later for your service.”
“Alright…”
Tyrone takes off his shirt, showing how serious he is. Charles fiddles his fingers before forming them into a fist.
Ziggs goes back to his platoon mates, as Nigel wipes the blood on his mouth.
“That guy’s crazy,” Ziggs comments, sitting beside Nigel.
“Licht got serious issues. That’s gonna kill him in the future,” Nigel says. “This isn’t the first time he acted like that. It is not warranted to get serious consequences, but man, that won’t take too long now to happen.”
Ivan is fuming. “I should have landed one punch.”
George eyes him. “Sergeant Charow would punch you instead if you did.”
Nigel sighs. “Well, they should know that if it gets overboard, both of them can get court-martialed.”
Alisa shrieks. “That…serious?”
“It depends,” Nigel says, crossing his arms. “Any injuries with malicious intent could open an investigation, if it gets dire. That happens very rarely though, so I believe it won’t reach that point. We can punch each other but not to the point we’re dead.”
“Except, this duel feels more personal,” Charity says. “We need to keep an eye on them.”
Nigel nods. “And we don’t know what sort of beef they had even.”
Their attention focuses on the final duelists. Charles lowers his arms, but Myrna can recognize that he is ready for any attack. Tyrone appears to be in the same stance and the tension in the air gets thicker.
And so, it begins.
Charles advances his right foot, but Tyrone remains calm. Circling around, calculating each step—Charles surges forward and Tyrone immediately goes for a block.
Bait. Punch. Dodge. It has been going on for a while, and each exchange is numbered. While Tyrone is somewhat a hothead and cannot stop spitting fire from his mouth, he is strangely calm in his movements.
Charles switches his fist to a knife form—speeding up the game. He attempts to penetrate Tyrone’s defense, but Tyrone deflects them easily with a matched speed. Charles persists in getting an opening, but his opponent is way too good in blocking.
The crowd stars making bets, as the exchange between the duelists are going faster. The movements are sharp, as the wind takes shape of their traces like aftereffects.
Until Samantha figures out Charles’ plan. Tyrone’s feet keep going backwards, as each blow from her corporal has significant impact.
Charles spins his rear foot; changes pace and curls his fist. A straight punch to Tyrone’s torso, making Tyrone to move to the side—only for another fist to hit his face.
A bluff.
Tyrone staggers and Charles kicks his lower body quickly. Throwing more punches, Charles pulls Tyrone’s arm and punch his face again. Tyrone’s head pushes back but looks back with a smirk—effectively locking Charles’ arm, twists him around, and pins him down on the ground.
Charles’ face hits the floor as a weight behind him ensures he will never escape.
“How does that feel, Seagull?” Tyrone taunts. “Now you can’t escape from me. Your speed means nothing with my tenacity.”
Charles pushes himself up, but to no avail. Tyrone leans down and his forearm pins Charles’ head on the floor furthermore.
And then, there is a knife.
Samantha’s eyes widen.
Alisa catches a fast apparition dashing away and an almost inaudible clang next. Next, a small figure kicks Tyrone’s face as Myrna recognizes a young blonde at the combat stage.
The weight disappears from Charles’ back and turns around, spotting Samantha on guard for him. And then, Samantha runs for no reason—but he glimpses that she fished something out from the floor before leaving the training hall.
“Aran!” Myrna yells and glances a bit at the other soldiers. “Please excuse me.”
Charles stands from the floor and finds Tyrone knocked out on the floor, but not unconscious.
“What the heck is wrong with that kid?” Tyrone spits out as he pushes himself up.
Charles glares and points a finger at him. “We’re not done yet.” He heads outside to pursue after his squadmates, rendering the crowd now with…disappointment.
“That was fast,” Ed comments, “that kid…is so fast.”
Nigel narrows his eyes. “I’m not sure if that’s a reaction time or…”
“I’m beginning to see why they sent that kid here,” Charity adds, face looking repulsive.
Alisa tilts her head in confusion. “What? What are you guys talking about?”
“Let’s say, she’s quite decisive,” Ziggs says.
Alisa ends up more confused.
“Aran!”
Myrna calls, chasing after Samantha who is meters ahead of her. Samantha suddenly turns right, frustrating Myrna more. Myrna increases her speed even though she is exhausted enough for the day.
Samantha enters the sea of trees, causing Myrna to stop as the latter sighs losing track of the young kid.
“What’s going on in her mind…?” Myrna hits her forehead in agitation. “Right, I still really don’t know… I just met her three days ago, how am I gonna supposed to know?” She walks in the mini forest garden, in hopes of catching even Samantha’s silhouette. “Aran!”
Meanwhile, Samantha is just hiding behind a tree. She waits for Myrna’s footsteps to fade from her earshot. She then opens her palm, revealing a knife in her hand. It is Tyrone’s. And Tyrone is not honest about the duel.
Samantha stares at it for a bit.
She crouches down and starts digging. At least a meter or two down, Samantha buries the knife.
Samantha steps out from her hiding and decides to walk back to the dorms.
Charles stops near the barracks, failing to locate Samantha. The kid’s speed is no joke. Samantha has intervened with Tyrone’s ill intent before anyone notices it, something he has expected but still surprised. He and Tyrone has bad blood to one another and that three-inch blade can still afflict fatal damage to him.
He clenches his fists. Why does Tyrone have to risk his career for an old resentment?
Charles rests in one of the gutters and gazes at the sky. It is clear and the stars are more visible. If all days are just uneventful to enjoy this view, Charles can stop worrying about certain problems.
“So, you’re here while we’re on the meeting.”
Charles spots a familiar figure across from him, as he stands and salutes.
The Lyre Squad’s leader.
“Sergeant Charow,” he addresses.
Instead of returning the salute, Charow glares at him.
“How long are you gonna keep ignoring orders? You were expected in the meeting.”
“Permission to speak my mind, sarge.”
“Granted.”
“I do believe I’m not required to attend the meeting. I’m also showing our new squadmates around as I believe that’s my duty, Sergeant.”
“This is not a field day,” Charow says. “We’re peers. Stop playing around, Charles.”
“Our ranks differ by now, it’s impolite for me to address you otherwise, sergeant,” Charles says, smiling. “It’s been a long time as well since we personally talked like this, yet I’m disheartened to be just reprimanded while doing my job.”
Staff Sergeant Charow forms her lips into a thin line.
“That kid,” she voices out, “tell me about her.”
The wind blows.
“Something troubles you, sarge?” Charles asks.
Charow closes her eyes and opens them again. “She came from a similar place where I grew up. I just want you to keep an eye on her. That’s all.”
She spins her heels around and leaves. Charles stares at her back, sentimentally, and smiles with a melancholic expression.
“Of course. I will. That’s my job. I cherish the crows as much as you do…”
Even if I end up being the last crow, I won’t let anything or anyone tarnish our reputation.
Myrna opens the door.
“Oh, where have you been?” Sheena asks who is sitting on her bunk bed.
“Ah, sarge, Aran is missing—” Myrna stops and turns to the other upper bunk, seeing a small figure over there.
Samantha is already asleep.
“Since when…she returned here, sarge?” Myrna asks.
“She’s already here when I arrived after the meeting. I heard you guys were in the training hall with your corporal. What happened?”
“Ah yeah, right…” Myrna scratches her head. “Someone asked us for a duel and it’s hard to explain but… Samantha suddenly ran off so I tried looking for her.”
“I think I had an idea, I’ll just ask Charles later,” Sheena says. “But well, I think you’re having troubles looking after a kid while also serving as a soldier. I’m sorry that you had to go through this.”
“No, sarge. I believe you’re having a harder time than me,” Myrna says and then sits on her bed. “It’s just that…I never imagined things will be like this in my first assignment.”
Sheena ponders. She looks at Samantha first and then Myrna. A rookie and a transfer from another fort.
“Get some rest now, Private. Drills are early tomorrow at 0600. Good night.”