The day for the special training came. The trainees in their armor, shield and weapons they chose were divided into 12 person per team. They are a total of 40 teams. The men and women were separated. Clarence, Sora and Musica also joined in one of the teams. Together with Lance, they were in different teams.
Standing in front them were Jane, Claire and other two highest ranking people, the Generals - Kate, who looked just a little older and taller than Claire, and Bob who looked like at his 40s.
Most men's eyes were fixed on the new woman general. Kate was wearing a fitted armor and in shorts that made her long legs accentuated in that camouflage boots. Her long blond hair was not yet tied. She kept smiling at them with her red lips. She started in giving them encouragement. "I'm looking for your hard work today! Make sure to get my flag, okay? Do your best!"
And they were mesmerized by her voice, her face, her whole being in that moment. They started mumbling quietly among themselves.
"It's my first time seeing her. She's really beautiful."
"I'm going to take her down!"
"Does she have a lover?"
Musica, from where he was, was confidently saying, "After this, I will take her out."
Clarence and Sora was looking at him from afar and thought the same thing: "That's definitely Musica's type."
And they cheered out loud.
She waved her hand hearing their rising energy.
Next was Bob. "Today is special. You will surely showcase all that you've learned so far. But make sure not to hurt each other badly. We're all comrades here. Brothers. Sisters. Remember that!"
"Yes, General!" they all shouted at the top of their lungs.
Last was Claire, in her usual armor under a sleeveless shirt and jeggings, to step forward. Everyone tensed. She said, "Fight like your life depended on it."
From the high and exciting spirit that Kate and Bob gave, with Claire's words, they felt nervous now. They swallowed the lump in their throat and put they hand on their chest as if to check if they are still breathing.
But most of the girl troops were not tensed but they looked more eager and excited and shouted bravely among them.
"That's General Claire for you!
"She's a role model that no woman should be looked down.
"I want to be like her someday!"
"Yes, though she looks cold-hearted sometimes, she's actually kind."
"Icy cold beauty!"
Lance heard them and he smiled within himself.
After that short words from the Generals, Jane explained how this special training will proceed.
The elimination process: Each team will need to battle another team to get their flag. There are four distinct colors of the flags that all the 40 teams have - red, blue, yellow, green. Those troops that will be taken off with their flags are already eliminated. The maximum number of flags each can have is 10, including theirs. It means that they have the chance to battle a General according to the highest count of the colored flag. First come, first serve. In the event that the highest count of flag is also the same as the already-battled General, the next highest count will be considered. But they do not know the flag color of the Generals.
The first complete troop to arrive to the General must take his/her flag within 10 minutes by battling. They must make him/her surrender willingly or drop to his/her knees as a sign of defeat. A total of four troops or 48 trainees will each receive three sacks of rice and a chance to work in the palace and stay in the army as a first level rank. Being in the army in this region is one of the greatest honor.
"That's all!" Jane shouted. "Forward!"
And the training started.
The troops where the four men - Lance, Clarence, Musica and Sora - belong to were still on track and doing their best for the team.
Almost everyone thought that this could be the hardest training ever under the harsh sun, but the worst is yet to come.
Almost noon, the sky slowly darkened as if a storm is coming. A soldier came running with horse to Jane. He reported, "At the south border, there's a group of rebels who wanted to negotiate with us immediately. They have a war tank and around 50 men."
When she heard this, she clenched her fist. She ordered her officials to keep quiet about it and continue with the training. Jane went to ride in the passenger seat of their 4x4 vehicle and proceeded to leave the palace. Some who were near her asked among themselves about what just happened.
"Don't stop!" Claire ordered, and they resumed.
The three Generals knew what was going on as per advised by Jane but they have to take command. After some time, more high ranking soldiers are also going out from the castle. Though from the training ground it couldn't be seen, still some can sense a tension.
One came shouting, it seems like that the south border is under attack!"
With this, people get panicked.
"Is that true?" Lance tried to be calm even hearing the news because he stays at the south region.
Claire, Kate and Bob gathered together and decided to cancel the on-going training. They told them to remain calm and stay where they are. Lance was worried so he asked permission if he could leave. They didn't allow him but he told them that his relatives were there and they must need him since he's the only man in that family.
Grasping that the situation over there is not worst since there are already stationed soldiers and Jane is already on her way, Claire permitted him. "You can leave," she told Lance.
He nodded and hurried off with this bike.
After many minutes has passed by, Claire decided to go as well since she used to take over the south region. Together with Canary, they saddled up on each of their horses and hurried off.
Dark clouds were now hovering the whole region and thunders can be heard. Claire rode at full speed, scanning the area, while Canary was obviously keeping up. Then seeing something by the edge of a cliff, Claire stopped her horse, turned back and went over the cliff. She got off from her horse. "Leon, what happened?" she asked the little boy crying on his knees and looking down at the bottom of the cliff where there is nothing but darkness.
Leon looked up at her, shaking and in tears. "Linka was thrown by a strange man and Lance-niichan immediately followed."
Claire put her hands on the boy's face to calm him. "Leon, calm down. Breathe in, breathe out."
When he was already breathing normal, she asked him, "How long has it been?"
"I already heard the horses from afar. That's why the man hurriedly threw Linka and ran away."
Claire stood up together with him. "Canary, take this child to the evacuation site."
Canary nodded and immediately took the boy.
Claire removed her armor, her sheathed sword from her waist and her boots.
"Don't tell me you're jumping in there, General?" Canary asked worriedly, looking at her back. "There's nothing in there!"
"After bringing Leon to a safe place, meet me at the entrance of the cave, together with my sword and another horse." Then she jumped and plunged into the darkness.
Luckily, it was deep waters though it cannot be seen from above because the cliff was too high and no light can penetrate down below.
>>>>><<<<<
She managed to get into a flat surface and pulled Lance and Linka from the water. She hurriedly lit up a candle from the wall of the cave. She checked their pulse. They're not breathing anymore. She started to perform CPR starting with Linka, not stopping until she breathes. She needs to do it fast or Lance's life will be compromised.
Though she felt cold due to the deep waters, she knew aside from water, sweat were also pouring down from her face as she pressed her palms on the little girl's chest. "Come on, Linka. Breathe!" And finally she coughed up some water, slowly opened her eyes, saw Claire, blacked out again and remained unconscious but now breathing.
Claire sighed in relief and hurriedly went to Lance's side though her body and arms felt heavier. She performed CPR on him but almost longer than how it went on with Linka. "Lance, wake up! Live!" Her voice was almost commanding but he still didn't regain consciousness. Her arms felt heavier than before, her breathing harder. She sat up straight and controlled her breathing. She tilted his head back, lifted his chin, pinched his nose, took a normal breath, covered his mouth with hers, gave 2 one-second breaths as she watched his chest rising. She continued this cycle for 30 compressions until he finally started breathing - he coughed up the water and slowly blinked his eyes until it's fully opened. He slowly got up and felt his head so heavy like there's a magnet at the back of his head, and his sight seemed to go black. Claire put her hands on his shoulder and gently pushed him back. "Just stay still."
Lance heard her voice. He tried to open his eyes and slowly the blurred sight turned clear and he saw her. "Claire?" He then put hands on his face and slowly breathe. "Linka?!"
"Don't worry. She's okay," she said as she gestured her head as to where Linka is.
Lance moved his head sideward and sighed in relief when he saw the little girl just sleeping. He slowly sat up and smiled at Claire. "Thank you."
She just nodded.
"We should go back," Lance said.
"No," Claire immediately replied. "We stay here."
"There's already an outsider who looks so dangerous. He sneaked into the village and hurt some people. He's also the one who threw Linka in the cliff. I rushed right after seeing that. Our place might be in danger."
"There has always been stationed soldiers in your place. Leon is also there now."
"I want to be with them, not just sit here." There was impatience in how he said it.
"We'll be safer here," Claire insisted.
"Then, I'll go. Just stay here with Linka, ok?"
She then looked sharply at him as if to discourage him. "What can you do in your current situation?"
He knew his body still felt heavy and tired but her words hit him and make him feel a little annoyed but he's not in the mood to argue. "I will help as much as I can. They have become my family. I can't abandon them."
"It's almost half an hour or more since you fell on that cliff. If someone was able sneakily come in even if the borders are still under negotiation, then it could have really turned into warzone now."
"Then everyone is in danger!"
"That's why we should just stay here. What if Linka will be in danger again if we get out."
Lance looked seriously at her eyes which made her stopped from saying anything anymore. "Why are saying that? You're a sub-general. You can't leave your people."
"I'm just a sub. Not full-pledged."
He kept looking at her eyes. "Why do you lie? I don't think you are like this at all. It seems like your purposely trying to make me hate you. You're actually trying to make people around you hate you."
His words suddenly struck her. He saw right through her, but she remained calmed and still looked straightly at him. "You cannot please everybody," she confidently said.
"I know, but you should just be yourself," he said smiling.
She didn't say anything in return and just changed the topic to test him. "So, if we get out and see those outsiders causing havoc in the, you're gonna get them too? I bet you're physically stronger now since you've done your training."
"I don't want to hurt anyone," he said with conviction. "Even if they're enemies, I refuse to pay back at them."
"Don't be naïve!" she said, almost raising her voice. "If this is really war, your only choice is to survive for the future of those you swore to protect. Kill or be killed. Sometimes dirtying your hands is the only choice."
"I won't deny that. Even in history, bloodshed is inevitable for the sake of people's pride and belief. Even now. Missiles, atomic bombs, biochemical weapons are being developed and released to enemy countries. People hate each other. People use each other. People take from each other. People only care about themselves. But I still believe one day, with just one act of kindness towards those who oppressed, to those who seemed undeserving, will break that war in each person. Even if it's an enemy asking help before me, I will help him. If he's on the verge of dying, I will save him."
"You're really naïve. You have not seen the true horrors of life," she said, staring coldly at him. "You cannot do that once you witness it before your eyes."
"I will do my best to not cower in fear, nor be swallowed by anger."
"Then I really hope you do. It's easier said than done."
They stopped their getting-tensed-up-conversation when Linka, who was sleeping on Claire's lap, spoke up softly, "Are you fighting?"
"Ah, no." They unexpectedly said at the same time.
"You know, neechan," she said smiling and getting up. "I feel like I saw you pulling me from the water. Though it was dark, you looked like you're glowing. You're like a mermaid I saw in some books I read."
"Ah, mermaid? Really?" Claire said.
Lance smiled and patted her head. "Mermaids aren't real, Linka."
"Hmph!" Linka snobbishly reacted. "Can't you just let me think that way, niichan?"
"Is it okay to shatter her dreams right away?" Claire asked.
"She needs to know the truth right away," he explained.
"So, you don't believe some fantasies can be real?" Claire asked.
"Well..." he seemed thinking but still said, "No."
Claire smirked. "I see." She then stood up. "I'm going now."
"I'm going too." Lance insisted, standing up. "And don't stop me."
She proceeded to walk. "Let's go then."
When they went out of the cave, Canary was already outside waiting for them. She gave Claire her horse, sword and boots, which she put on herself.
Claire hitched her horse and from atop, she asked Lance. "Do you know how to ride a rose?"
"Ah... yes."
"Alright. Let's go."
The three dashed back to the village since it was also the way to the border. While they are at it, Canary can't help be amazed at Claire. She thought, "She asked me to prepare another horse for him. But first, she knew she can save them from that cliff which we all thought was just plain nothing or maybe just corpses of poor people who accidentally fell. She acts coldly to others but when you get close to her, she's really a nice person. She will help with anything she can though in unfriendly way. But nevertheless, she really cares. She's really amazing."
Lance, with Linka on his front, suddenly stopped his horse when he saw some old people covering themselves behind a tractor.
"Claire, you go!" he shouted. I'll go help my people from here!"
"OK!" she replied back. She and Canary went on ahead. Rain starting pouring down.
Though it was already dark and raining, Claire can finally see Jane within the border and the band of rebels/terroristz, separated by the cliff. However, when she came close, she was intercepted by almost 10 men holding guns. Her horse hastily stopped and whined. Canary followed but she got panicked more because of those men surrounding them with their guns pointing around them with their hideous faces.
Claire remained calm and just looked around them with her eyes.
"What brave ladies coming before us! Hahaha!" said one.
"Then we can have fun some tonight!" said another one.
"Miss, if you don't wanna get hurt, put down your sword and get down. Promise, I will be gentle."
"Sword vs guns. We're really at the disadvantage," she said calmly in her mind. "But..."
"Don't touch me!" Canary shouted strongly from the back, but she was dragged from her horse and her sword was taken from her.
Claire swiftly get down from her horse, unsheathed her sword and cut the guns of those men near her and hit their chin using the hilt. Those near Canary pointed and opened fire at her but she moved too fast that she can dodged them. She also cut their guns in two and knocked them down. Their horses fled in fear. The remaining terrorists' faces turned grim and in horror.
"If you move, I'll cut your arms next," Claire warned, giving them a cold, bloodthirsty glare.
One man at Canary's back took her as a hostage and pointed a knife at her throat. "Woman, if you move, I'll cut her!"
Claire shook her head. "I did warn you." Then threw a knife at his arms, making him let go of Canary and she hurriedly ran towards Claire.
That same man took another gun and pointed at Canary and fired.
She opened her eyes. Drops of red liquid fell on her face. It was the rain mixed with Claire's blood. She was shot on the left side of her head. Canary felt her Master's body leaned so heavily on her and they dropped to the ground.
Canary felt numb but she knew she wasn't hit. Claire protected her head with her arms, totally wrapping her as much as she could.
"Men, stand up!" that man kicked his fallen comrades as many times and as hard as he could to wake them up. Some slowly got up, but they left those who were still unconscious. "Take them! Let's go! Let's savage the nearly village," said the men and they left that spot, thinking both of the woman were dead.
Canary can hear that their footsteps were already going away. Her body seemed numb, cold, yet her chest was trembling as if exploding up to her head. She saw Claire was hit at her head. But she needed to confirm, so she tried breathing in and out to calm her nerves. She sat up, holding Claire's body gently and put her back on the ground. She checked her pulse. She cried when she sensed that it was weak, but she's still barely alive. Her hands shook uncontrollably. "What should I do?" she gritted her teeth. "I'm useless. I'm supposed to be her personal attendant but I couldn't do anything for her at all."
From where Jane and her soldiers were, they heard the gunshots. When she looked at them, she saw Canary sitting on the ground, and beside her, Claire, fully covered in red because of her own blood, lying down almost lifeless. Her eyes widened, tears flowed from her eyes. "Claire, you can't die, not now that finally...," Jane said.
"So!" shouted the man from the other side of the cliff. "I guess that's another one killed because you wouldn't let us stay permanently in just one village inside! Give it, Governor-General woman!"
Jane and the soldiers glared at him. "I refuse!" she firmly said.
"You know you can't beat us with your old weapons. We're using guns. We even have a tank. Just one fire from this, we can blow up the whole area!"
But Jane remained silent.
"We just need a base. Food supply and women. That's all we ask. We can spare you, but I have already given you time to decide, and now it runs out! Men, fire!"
The terrorist held her riffles and pointed to them.
At the same time, Clarence came running in his wolf form. He saw Claire and Canary. Back in his human form, he walked toward Claire. Horror, pain, anguished filled inside him. His chest burned with anger and sadness. He knelt and gently took her body and wrapped her in his arms. He can hear she has some pulse though very weak. "Claire, wake up," he whispered on her ear.
When they were already hitting their riffles, the ground shook slightly but continuously, on both sides.
"An earthquake?" they mumbled on themselves.
The ground shook more intensely, even the sky rumbled with lightning. Birds on the forest starting flying away.
Every side started panicking. The earthquake was felt even to the palace - no, the whole province.
"At a time like this?!" one shouted from Jane's side.
"Fire the tank now!" said the leader of the terrorist. "We will get this land after the earthquake! The blast is our proof!"
The man riding at the top of the tank signal the one inside to prepare to fire at the other side. "Roger that!" said the man from inside.
But before it could be launched, the ground beneath it split open and swallowed the tank and those nearby it.
And the earthquake stopped. Everyone was lost as to what just happened, but it saved them. The rain also stopped. The sky cleared.
Meanwhile, Claire finally opened her eyes. Canary cried aloud in relief. "I'm so glad you're alive, Master!"
Clarence also cried and sighed in relief.
Jane hurriedly went to them and dropped to her knees before them. She smiled in relief to her. "Thank God you're alive!"
Claire smirked at her. Then she lost consciousness again.