“Too freaking early,” Remi yawned loudly in the break room.

  Ren was calmly drinking tea sitting on the side as everyone else was half-awake still in their night clothes. Gil was eating a bagel as his messy, white hair was pointing in all directions. He was sitting on a black love seat that was clearly a part of a lounge bar. Clara was mostly awake, though internally, she was dead tired. She kept pinching her arm in order to remain focused as she sat next to Ren on a tiny step stool. Remi was leaning back on the worn out, leather couch as he sprawled out his limbs like a tired dog. Shoyo strolled in whistling happily already in his, black military tunic.

  Clara looked over at him and asked sarcastically, “You seem rather peachy. No nightmares this time, eh?”

  “Nah,” Shoyo responded laughing. “Had a nice one about family.”

  “Riiiigggghhht,” Clara retorted looking at everyone else. Gil and Remi grunted unenthusiastically in understanding. Ren looked at Clara silently asking what she meant. Clara leaned over and whispered, “Sho will never admit this, but he has never had a good night’s rest if you catch my drift?”

  “Kind of. Why does he?”

  “Before us… Well… Let’s just say he saw things that have stuck with him forever. I think we all get that. Me included. How bout you, love? Something similar?”

  “Yeah,” Ren whispered back hesitantly. “Sometimes yes. Most times no.”

  “Lucky.”

  “Eh.”

  Ren was somewhat lying. She always dreamt of her harsh childhood and the men she has lost in battle. The most recent dream was of Ren talking with Thomas one last time before he died. Clara sensed the hesitation in Ren and she playfully side-hugged Ren with her right arm. Gil and Shoyo were surprised by this and both were waiting for Ren to shove Clara off of her. Instead, Ren quietly smiled at this and gave a very awkward shoulder pat.

  Shoyo then said, “So… General Dexos is coming in for an important meeting along with a few other SF and ranger units. This one is going to be important. Morning exercises have been canceled because of it. Yeah… It’s one of those again. Annoyingly.”

  “Shit… That only means… Damnit, okay,” Gil responded in shock. “Let me hit the showers to fix my hair.”

  “What does that mean exactly,” Ren asked.

  Shoyo looked at her with a knowing look of grave importance. Ren silently understood. Clara sighed as she was mentally going through the scenarios in her head on what could happen if Shoyo gets killed and she’s put in charge. Gil paced around intensely thinking. Remi was still tired not paying too much mind to the news.

  “I need coffee,” Remi burped out as he slowly dragged himself up from the couch. Clara looked at Ren and asked, “Want to help with my makeup?”

  “Why not.”

  “YES! Need help with my eye shadow. I can give you some eyeliner to make those violet eyes of yours pop out… So damn pretty,” Clara said smiling grabbing Ren’s arm.

  Ren was starting to think she was not prepared for what was to come. She looked at Shoyo just before Clara dragged Ren out of the break room. Shoyo looked over and said, “She’s a not a doll. She’s a major and one of the best swordsman in this country.”

  “I know, but I want some girl-talk. No spying. Especially you Gil,” Clara retorted with Ren in tow.

  Gil looked confused and Remi laughed at him shoving him out the door and into the shower room.

  Shoyo finished pouring tea for himself. He looked at his wooden mug and asked himself, “What does he have in store for us?”

  The meeting room was towards the end of the base near the headquarters building. It was a small yet sturdy stone castle with multiple footmen and archers on guard patrolling. Admin staff moved in and out like diligent worker ants. Everyone looked and dressed the same including the other SF units coming in as well, but in a more relaxed fashionable way. Naga squad sauntered in with their military tunics all of which were done up in their own special way.

  Clara wore a sleeveless, blue tunic with one shoulder guard. She carried her recurved bow, arrows, and a short sword. Remi wore a sleeveless brown tunic and baggy pants wrapped in puttees. He carried his great axe on his back. Gil wore a long sleeve, olive green tunic with a gray cloak draped over his wide shoulders making him appear taller than he actually was. He carried a set of throwing knives and a scimitar. Ren wore a, short sleeve white tunic shirt with black leather arm wraps, a red sash around her waist, and black tights. Her black and red handled katana was always at her side. She gave off a fierce look as her already piercing, violet eyes were highlighted by gold eyeliner thanks to Clara. Shoyo wore all black with his black and gold handled long sword on his left side.

  A knight directed them down set of basement stairs into a vast meeting room with one long, redwood table. Two very old wizards were messing around with an arcane crystal as one admin worker was struggling to pin a blank sheet of burlap to the stone wall. A very nonchalant, elf ranger was smoking from his pipe with his feet on the table. A handful of other officers from the other ranger and SF units were there as well.

  Shoyo walked in first meeting the intense gaze of everyone in the room. Their eyes slowly shifted upon seeing Ren walk behind him. Shoyo smiled confidently in usual, sly fashion ignoring everyone and sauntered over to an empty chair next to the elf ranger. Ren and the rest of Naga squad followed after.

  The elf wore the standard, forest green cloak along with light, brown armor. His blonde hair was pulled behind his long ears in a ponytail.

  Shoyo asked the elf happily, “Morning you immortal bastard. How’s it going, Varus?”

  “Quite fine actually,” Varus responded in a very posh accent. “I am just as curious as everyone else is… Seems important.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “Got a new one with you… Oh my… The Ghost? How’d you approve of that? You know her reputation and how closely General Argos is of her?”

  “That’s why I need her.”

  “On loan as it were?”

  “Kind of.”

  “Do tell my mortal friend,” Varus replied excitedly.

  Shoyo smirked and Ren sat next to Shoyo side eyeing Varus. Varus smiled and nodded silently at Shoyo as he leaned back smoking his pipe. Ren looked at Shoyo with a curious eyebrow raise. Shoyo whispered to her, “Old friend. Captain of the Woodland Rangers on the border. He likes you.”

  “…”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Not like that. He’s curious is all. Has a knack for noticing odd things and people. He senses that your being here means something… That’s why he’s here.”

  “I see,” Ren replied.

  She sat down trying to relax, but could only feel the eyes on her. She knew that everyone in this meeting room knew of her reputation and background. She tried her best to ignore it. Though deep down, the looks from everyone was getting to her. She sighed tiredly wanting to get this meeting started as she stared blanked at the burlap covered wall.

  Shoyo gently nudged Ren snapping her out of her funk. She realized everyone began to look away from her. Ren looked over at him and he shrugged nonchalantly ticking Ren off slightly. She then looked over at Clara for explanation as to why everyone stopped staring at her. Clara whispered, “Remi, Gil, and Shoyo made a harsh glare back at them, hon.”

  “Ah.”

  Two royal guards and a few high ranking generals walked in forcing everyone in the room to stand at attention. Soon after the officers General Dexos walked in slowly. He wore a black, military dress uniform. His left eye was scarred over with a faded line going vertical down the eye socket. He had a strong jawline highlighted by his thin, silver beard. His silky hair was tied into a simple braid. There were multiple medals and ribbons on his chest. His left arm was mechanical and the auto-mail hand was twiddling a gold pocket watch. His black trench coat draped over his strong shoulders like a cape. His one, thin gold eye scanned the room intensely. Everyone became nervous upon his entering.

  For a moment, Ren saw a slight flash from the eye, but was unsure. It felt like his quick gaze sliced right through her soul. It was unnerving. The rest of Naga squad stood straight up with forceful attention along with everyone else in the room once Dexos entered. Clara bit the inside of her lip almost like a scared child. Remi tried to hide within himself. Gil remained stoic, though internally, he was freaking out. Shoyo’s sly smile dissipated into an annoyed look. He placed his hands behind his head as he leaned back in his chair refusing to stand. Ren remained seated like Shoyo with her arms crossed. Varus immediately stood up straight, though pipe was still in hand. General Dexos raised his hand and everyone sat back down.

  General Dexos stood at a podium off to the side and he looked over at the two wizards. Both their hands glowed blue and the crystal lit up. All the lights were turned off as the crystal projected a war map onto the burlap covered wall. It showed the recent Dhrak Empire forces marching eastward towards the border regions. Along it were black X-marks of forts and cities that were destroyed. On top of the map was a red circle with a crudely drawn arrow from Kino City to the Northern mountains. There was a second circle far to the south west way beyond the front lines for either Dhrak or Evandria.

  Ren noticed the red circled areas and thought to herself, “That can’t be what I think it is. Right?”

  Shoyo looked annoyed. Varus was intrigued. Clara and Gil were trying to figure out the big picture. Remi was laser focused on the red circles like Ren.

  General Dexos said in a commanding voice, “Gentlemen… I’m going keep this brief. This war, so far, has been nothing short of loss after loss and Pyrrhic victories for both sides…We have lost, most recently, these three main cities and forts as the enemy pushes eastward slowly towards the capital. Ten thousand fighting men dead per lost city as result.”

  He let that last part settle for a moment.

  Dexos continued, “Though I know in the central capital and northern areas that the remnants of the Demon King’s former army linger about ravaging and pillaging the lands like packs of wild wolves. Some of you are even old enough to remember the war with the Demon King. Some of you have had more experience with them than others in this room.”

  Ren felt as if Dexos was talking about her.

  Dexos continued, “Now… All of you in here are the elite. The best. The special forces of this empire. The Emperor has called upon you for specific tasks that need to be carried out and succeeded within the next few months. The Elf Rangers – Varus… You and your elves will be sent out along the border towards the nearest point of contact with the enemies main force. You are to track their every movement and slow them down by any means necessary. Understood?”

  “Sir.”

  “Demon squad and Helios squad. You two are to move south and intercept and disrupt the enemies supply train. They are using the carriage trains recently seized as their main supply network. Destroy it.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “The other five ranger and SF squads… You are to be dispersed about along with our main forces around here in the center… Medina grasslands. You will be given your specific tasks from Command at a later time once you all make it there. Expect to see fighting. Understood?”

  “Yes sir!”

  “Now lastly,” Dexos paused momentarily.

  The crystal flashed and showed an etching of an abandoned castle complex carved into a mountain. There in the center was a glowing sword with no hand guard. There was light emitting form it.

  Shoyo sighed to himself, “He actually believes this?”

  Ren looked at Clara wondering why Shoyo looked annoyed. Clara shrugged.

  Dexos continued, “Most importantly the prize. The sword gifted from the thunder and light god herself ages ago… Naga squad… You are tasked with heading north into the Graza mountain range. Dwarf explorers stumbled upon this site. It is the fabled city of Zin. The lost city of the gods, so legend says. It has been confirmed that yes, the sword does exist. However, getting to it is what’s stopping everyone from taking it.”

  Everyone murmured uncomfortably at this. Ren had a sinking feeling pit in her gut. Shoyo remained silently annoyed.

  The slide changed to show an etching of demon knights in the city from distance.

  Dexos explained, “There is a demon presence. It is guarded fiercely by the last demon general, Sagran. He still commands a legion of loyal and zealot demon guards. The demons know of the sword's power and prevent all from taking it. They themselves cannot touch it either. This was supposedly the Demon King’s last orders before he was defeated long ago… But you will be prepared to kill them. You have some experience, but one person here has the most experience and most confirmed kills against demons. That is why she is here.”

  Ren felt all eyes go to her. She said in her head maintaining her usual unemotional and unbothered face, “Why me? Why is it always me for demon killing?”

  Dexos finished, “She, amongst everyone in this room, has the most experience… Let that be of note. In short… Your squad is to defeat this demon, grab the sword, and use it to drive off the enemy once you return here to Kino. I will be waiting there once you achieve this. It will take three to four months for everyone here… The enemy has already sent their own force to grab the legendary war mace in the southern mountains. Yes, that mace forged by the war god. It’s also guarded by demons. Suspect all Dhrak forces to be aware of our plans to grab the sword as well. Counting on all of you… Best of luck. Dismissed!”

  “Sir,” everyone said standing up saluting.

  All saluted except Ren and Shoyo. Ren looked more shocked than anything. Shoyo looked annoyed. The lights came on and everyone else left the room except for Naga squad. Varus gave a reassuring pat to Shoyo’s shoulder before hurrying out the room mouthing “good luck” to Clara, who in turn gave a meek thumbs up.

  General Dexos sent the generals with him ahead of him out the door. His back was facing Shoyo and Ren. Shoyo still looked away on purpose hands still behind his head leaning back in a forced look of boredom. Ren looked at Dexos with a mix of concern and understanding. Everyone else in the squad was nervously anticipating someone to say something.

  Shoyo asked aloud, “So father… You keep giving us the hard missions? That is why you recommended me to ask for her transfer? I knew you curried favor with Argos and the ambassador. You could’ve at least told me beforehand. I did want her transferred to us, but not like this. Not like this.”

  “Shoyo…”

  “If you want me dead, then you can kill me right now! Not like this. This mission is… You already know my feelings. But I suppose you had no other choice. No one else is brave enough or dumb enough to do it.”

  “Son… I…”

  “I’ll take the mission… But know that I will never give credence or thanks to you.”

  “…”

  “Don’t blame me for mother’s death… I just want to say that… Sigh… Goodbye.”

  “I know, son… Goodbye… Stay safe… Say hello to your mother before you leave,” Dexos quietly said before leaving.

  Ren looked at Shoyo wide-eyed and Shoyo stared at the wall in front of him with a cold stare. Remi and Gil slowly inched away from Shoyo and Ren. Clara calmly tapped Ren on the shoulder pulling her back a bit from Shoyo. Clara whispered, “It’s a long story. Dexos is his stepfather. It’s very... Well, I think you know already.”

  “I see,” Ren replied still in shock.

  Shoyo said nothing.

  He finally stood up, put his hands in his pockets, and walked out the room with an air of repressed anger. His smile was gone and all that remained was a harsh seriousness with a hint of morose, self-hatred. It was hard to tell exactly what Shoyo was feeling in that moment; however, Ren felt a strange relatability to him. She had felt that anger before.