Some other kids saved from the disaster of that cult-ish hell joined the Pathogen Hunters, thinking they owed them their lives or something.
Less than half of them would survive the initial forest training exercise.
Cal waited by the gate, watching it as he could hear people coming up to the door. Some cried, some breathed heavily. He looked over at Miko, and he nodded, so Cal pressed the button and the gate opened.
The first to enter the city military base was Mari and Isaac, with Romi being carried by Isaac. Romi wasn't severely injured, but she had caught her foot in a tree root and cracked it.
Above, birds chirped, Cal looked up and spotted Nyx. He smiled and look back at Mari.
"Still up to joining the Pathogen Hunters?" He asked, hoping to deter them.
"Yeah. We're even more ready after seeing how those things tore people apart." Mari replied.
Cal stood there, he was flabbergasted. Why would she stay? Yet again why did he? Was it fair to question her?
***
Kayla sat at a distance and watched Cal, who's hair covered his face from view. She had been meaning to ask to give him a haircut.
She watched him bandage some injured kids. Yes, kids. She had to remind herself the severity of it all. Children. Sent to war. Sent to fight monsters they didn't understand. But for what? The safety of others. Children were killed for others. But who were these children now, but monsters killing other monsters. Killing people with guns.
Kayla was too deep in thought to realize Markus was standing next to her.
"Oh. Hey." She said, not sure how to respond.
"Hey." He replied. "Watching Cal again?" He asked.
"Just making sure he's putting on the bandage correctly!" She replied, looking embarrassed.
"Right... Me too." He replied back, turning his frown into a wide smile which brought warmth to Kayla.
They sat in silence for a moment. Both watching Cal.
***
"Mr C. I tried my hardest. Can't you see that?! Was it not enough? I lived with those pricks for months and you want to act like I just barely tried to befriend him?!" Kai yelled at the man.
"I did not accuse you of such. I am only saying that you should be more careful. It's obvious Cal can switch from being a simple shooter to anything else. He takes after his father quite well. You completed your second mission. That mayor is no more." Mr C. replied, a smirk on his face.
"But what about Cal?" Kai asked, trying to get back to the point.
"He won't be much of a problem either. As long as we can make him see the point in our cause. And our... big reveal." The man stopped, whether he did this to add suspense or to think for a moment is unknown. "He'll come running right to us."
***
"Hey Byul, would you mind helping me with this. It's a bit heavy." Pika said, carrying a huge box.
"Oh! Sure! I won't be of much help though." He replied, gripping the bottom of the box and pulling up on his end. The two walked to the workshop, where weapons were made and fixed. Inside they placed the box on a counter.
"What is any of this even for?" He asked, looking into the box and seeing a bunch of parts.
"I'm making more weapons like my warhammer. People need weapons they are comfortable using and guns are not always going to help us. So I'm going to be making some things. Anything you'd like?" Pika asked, holding a wrench in her hand. She seemed ecstatic.
"Um... well if it's not a bother. I am have gotten quite skilled at swords. So any sword that is quite light would work."
"Ah, a quick slice and dice. Make those Pathogens into little meat cubes!" She said, reaching into the box and finding parts before starting up some kind of hot machine.
"Yeah! Like that!" He said, smiling. He laughed at her silly little joke, which should not have been funny. "Do you always work in here?" He asked.
"No... only when I find time to. Since Miko has held us away from missions for some time in case Kai attacks, I found this as a hobby." She replied, smiling at Byul, who had a small smudge of oil on his face from the box. "Ah. One moment." She said, grabbing a rag and wetting it in the nearby sink. She began to wipe at his face.
"H-hey! Stop that!" He cried out.
"Just one moment! I almost got it!" She chirped, trying to hold him still. They both fell over and lay on the floor for a moment before bursting out laughing.
***
Cal stepped away from the workshop door. He smiled and left. "How cute."