An isolated building approximately a hundred meters away from the main grounds of the military institute stood. It resembles a haunted place with its gloomy atmosphere and dimly lit surrounding. During the day the overgrown grass around it makes it like an abandoned place and if guards were not present one might think that this building was unused. Currently that building housed the remnants who survived the tragic battle.
Dreigh opened his eyes to a white ceiling with its chipping paint. He blinked his eyes once or twice to clear his fuzzy vision. Moving his head to the side, he could feel a sudden dizziness that he was not used to. He thought that it was the end for him but he luckily survived. A complicated feeling overwhelmed him, he was happy and at the same a little bit apprehensive. A near death experience was not a fun experience and to be able to survive it makes one cherish their life more, it was the same with Dreigh.
The movement on the bed caught Endo's attention. He stood up and approached the bed. "You're awake!" he exclaimed with excitement.
"Yeah," Dreigh spoke in a hoarse voice due to him being unconscious. He tried to sit up but a hand stopped him.
"Don't move to suddenly, you've been asleep for a week now and received a pretty nasty concussion," Endo carefully pushed him back to bed. He busied himself in pouring water to a cup then slowly lifted Dreigh's head to let him drink.
He was sure that he was going to die that time but he was still alive and can still feel the pain from his wounds. "What happened after I lost consciousness?" He asked after a while.
"Vira and I found you, you almost died but thankfully you did not and the mysterious man was also gone," Endo started, Dreigh's thought drifted towards the last seen he saw before he lost consciousness, he cannot forget the bewildered look of the unknown remnant. "While we were giving you a first aid, the reinforcement sent by the Commander General Rozen came and helped us in moving you and everyone who survived the ordeal. Now we are back here at the military institute," Endo added.
Dreigh kept silent for a while before he talked again, "how are the others?"
"We're all fine. You were the one who was in a precarious situation for the first days of your stay here. Even Captain Mathis was in a better condition than you," he answered. The travel back to the military institute was arduous. They were with the wounded and Dreigh's situation worsened along the journey back but he was lucky to be able to pull through. Aside from all these, they were also in constant vigilance and were besieged with a tense atmosphere all throughout the way.
The rowdy soldiers were no more and there were no jabs and offending words were exchanged between the remnants and the soldiers who survive. The atmosphere was very subdued due to the traumatizing experience they had. But what changed was that the looks of contempt from the soldiers at the beginning was now replaced with wariness and fear which was much worse than the looks of disgust or contempt. History had already shown what fear of others can do, it will make one overly paranoid and controlling. They would use this fear to justify themselves as doing the right thing. It can twist one's views, beliefs and personality.
"It's good to know that all of you are fine," Dreigh heaved a sigh of relief and reverted to his non-speaking self.
"I'll leave you to rest then," Endo stood up and left the room. He met Captain Mathis who was waiting outside.
"How is he?" he asked.
"He just woke up and I've explained to him what had happened. It's too early for the Commander General to talk to him. Wait at least a day or two," Endo asked with an angry tone on his voice. There was thing he didn't say to Dreigh, they were actually occupying a building far away from the military institute and had guards watching all their moves.
The soldiers who survived with them ran to the Commander General and told him that the remnants were dangerous and can't be left unsupervised or they might wreak havoc on the institute. They tried to defend themselves but the Commander General did not give them the chance thus they were ushered to this building with several guards with them. They were treated like criminals.
Captain Mathis frowned, "I know that you all feel isolated but this was done for the good of everyone."
Vira laughed at hearing the Captain's words, "good of everyone? More like good of those coward soldiers only," he spat as he approached Endo and Mathis. "We didn't injure them nor caused anything that will put them in danger! Just of the action of a crazy remnant now we are all implicated and put in this nicely built prison of yours." Vira stood face to face with Mathis and gave him a glare. Most of the time he was lazy to give his own opinions or even talk but his patience was already running thin with the kind of people the soldiers of Glasfale were.
They were a bunch of coward who hid behind those who sacrificed themselves and what would they receive in return, ridicule, hate, condemnation and more. "So why don't you go back to your beloved soldiers and stay there. Stop bothering with us and tell your Commander General Rozen to come hear personally if he wants to talk with Dreigh. Tsk, I even saved more of you than my fellow remnants now I'm regretting saving your kind," Vira spoke his mind without restraint giving the captain no time to talk or even defend himself. Endo and Vira left the captain speechless that all he could was sigh in defeat.
--
The Supreme Commander was currently reading the comprehensive report sent by Rozen. A slight frown formed on his face for a while before it returned to its originally cold countenance. He placed the documents on the table and tapped his fingers in thought. He stood up and called for one of the red knights stationed in shadows.
"Prepare a carriage, I will personally visit the military institute." The red knight promptly left to do his master's order. The Supreme Commander did not need to wait long before the red knight returned and reported that everything was already prepared.
The Supreme Commander nodded and left the Capital for the military institute. He would like to know personally what had happened and to personally hear what the others have to say about the incident.
--
At Commander General Emrys's manor, the news from the frontline was also received. He read the report in a seemingly calm manner but there was a fire boiling inside him. He slammed the papers on the table. Their entire army stationed to suppress the imminent war was utterly defeated and even the remnants who only joined a few weeks ago were reduced to a quarter.
What was more disturbing was the news that a remnant with an unusual ability was able to defeat their army single handedly. It was even reported that this remnant might be Singular, a very rare remnant who can command and communicate with the spirits.
"Has the Supreme Commander received this report," he asked the servant who delivered the letter.
"Yes, according to our people in the palace, after receiving the letter Supreme Commander set out to the military institute leaving all the work under the hands of his ministers," the servant explained which only deepened the frown on Emrys's face.
"Alert our people in the military institute to pay attention on the happenings inside that place," Argus ordered. The servant left the general in deep contemplation.
--
Business was doing well with the Crescent Moon but the vibrancy and life of the store was slightly reduced ever since Dreigh left. Although no one came to look for trouble, the place remained a little bit desolate. Everleigh was busy cleaning and fixing their goods when Mr. Mazir came with a solemn face.
Seeing Mr. Mazir's expression, Everleigh can't help but be worried, she could feel her heart beating loudly. "Mr. Mazir what-what's the matter?" she stuttered as she approached the man.
Mr. Mazir squeezed a smile and patted the child's head, "nothing, where is your father?"
"He's at the back. Is it about my brother?" she asked with uncertainty on her voice. Mr. Mazir shook his head and instructed Everleigh to watch the store while he would go and talk with Levhon.
Everleigh was left with more worries but she didn't dare to follow Mr. Mazir. The man saw Levhon who was busy taking an inventory on their stocks. He was so focused that he did not notice Mr. Mazir no until Mr. Mazir intentionally made a sound to catch his attention.
Levhon turned back and saw the serious face of Mr. Mazir. He approached the man and invited him to have a seat on the resting room beside the storage area. "What happened?" he asked the moment the both of them were seated.
"I received a letter from one of the people I know who delivers supplies at the military institute just a while ago. The letter stated that the remnants who were sent there were ordered to join the battle against Luelia and that the entire battalion stationed there was defeated only a few survivors were left," he started and Levhon felt a sense of apprehension. He doesn't want to hear any more of the news but Mr. Mazir continued, "Many remnants died during the scuffle and only a few of them were left."
Levhon can't seem to find his voice, he was afraid to ask if Dreigh was one of the survivors or not. The room was plunged into silence before Levhon had the courage to finally speak. "Is Dreigh…"
Mr. Mazir knew what Levhon wanted to ask but even him was unable to answer this question. "I don't know, nothing was written about the survivors on the letter but I already wrote back. We can only wait for a good or bad news."