Kingdom of Loradel, Owlen Forest, Present day.
ᶜˡⁱᶜᵏ ᶠᵒʳ ᴵᵐᵃᵍᵉ
Rebecca looked down at her rifle, her hands quivered. She kept her gaze down as she put her rifle at her back. "What just happened?"
"You saved me. Thank you," said Xeto. He flinched as he wiped a thin stream of sweat from his brow.
"Why did it stop?" Rebecca stepped over a fractured table. The inn looked as if a hurricane had passed with a field of splintered wood, glass, and stone at their feet.
Xeto rubbed at his temple. "It took that orb. When have you ever seen a demon want something?" He sheathed his sword. "We should return to General Taloz, let him know about what just happened."
"I mean no offense, Commander," said Rebecca as she crossed her arms. "But chances are he'll be too drunk to listen." Memories of their outpost's General on his back and snoring—asleep from the weight of the ale flashed in her mind.
"Maybe. Though hopefully not." He approached the exit. "How did I let this happen?" he murmured.
Rebecca followed behind him as he pushed the door open. "Sir, what about Turla?"
Xeto exited the inn. "They fled; the best option now is finding out what were up against. Then maybe we'll have a chance in preventing something like this from happening again."
"Yes, Sir." She looked back into the lodge one final time. They must've escaped... She breathed in as she closed her eyes and took in the warm sunlight. "At least no one died."
Xeto's gaze locked on the path. "I'm not going to celebrate a defeat. Neither will Taloz." He gave her a wave to follow.
She nodded. "Yes, Sir."
Birds chirped joyfully, unaware of the events that had just transpired.
~~~
The walk down the otherwise silent forest path was accompanied only by the occasional chirps of crickets and the sound of dirt crunching under their boots.
Rebecca felt the urge to let loose a jest, or at this point anything that could draw a smile from her commander. They had met almost two years ago, and in that time, she grew fond of his silent courage. Though finding the recipe for a smile was beyond difficult, the man didn't wear his ambitions openly.
Xeto let out an abrupt sigh. "Rebecca." He kept his eyes forward. "I want to let you know that whilst you're under my command, I won't let anything happen to you."
A warmth in her chest ignited as she smiled. "A bit sudden, Commander. Why the show of compassion?"
"I…I wasn't prepared for the dangers that waited for us and for that reason I apologize. The lives of my subordinates come first."
Rebecca gave him a soft punch behind the arm. There was the man she knew, the one that wanted to take responsibility for everyone on Elsire. "Don't vex, Commander. I know what I signed into. We're soldiers first and foremost, death is hazard. Makes it more exciting at times." She matched his pace and attempted to make eye contact though he didn't give. "Actually, you should be sorry," she teased, as she tapped at her chin. "Just imagine having to explain to my elder brothers how you let their fragile sister be in harm's way." She chuckled.
"Ah, yes. Axel, was it?"
"That's one of three. And trust me, they're a lot more frightening than any demon you'll ever encounter."
Xeto nodded before his lips curved ever so slightly.
Mission accomplished.
He turned to her. "Your brothers. Did they ever disagree with your becoming a knightess? Specifically, becoming a part of the Demon-Hunt?"
"Well…" She paused as she focused on the dirt at her feet. She ran a finger at the side of her waist, lining where an old scar rested. "My eldest brother died when I was young. Ever since then mother never let us out of her sight for some time." Memories of that warrior of a woman urged another smile. "But of course, we were all restless and mother knew she couldn't keep us leashed for long. Luka, the youngest—not including myself that is, joined the Demon-Hunt about a year after me. And Axel, well he far as I heard he's a sailor—it's been quite some time since I've gotten a letter from him. My mother worries when we don't write her so I make sure to send a letter every month if I can." She returned her focus on the road. "Sorry I—."
"Don't be, your mother sounds like an intriguing woman." He looked ahead. "We're back."
The stone of the Loradel outpost was now visible through the gaps between the trees. A few more steps and it was in plain view. Massive walls surrounded the camp, their height matched only by some of the neighboring trees.
Rebecca took a second to look back into the forest before following Xeto through the large entrance. They had been gone for almost a week, stationed in the middle of nowhere until they received the letter of the disappearances. Though it seemed nothing had changed.
Guards with simple chainmail armor stood at each end of the archway, both shared a slumped stature and frown. Neither bothered raising their heads as she and the commander walked by.
The camp was set in the center of an old fort, fractions of the stone walls were torn down, victims of a past war—or so that's what Scribe Libia had said. Once a fort full of life; livestock, crops, a lord, and soldiers. Those days were a nothing but a memory preserved in history's pages now. The bastion was now occupied by a small fraction of Demon-Hunt knights and refugees of recent supposed demon attacks. Words like 'Hope' were quickly drowned by distrustful thoughts.
Rebecca slowed her pace she heard a child crying. She turned to find a glimpse of the newcomers to the camp.
A small group of men, women, and children sat below the shadow of the western wall. All wore masks of dirt, blood, or both. Their clothes either ripped or decorated in mud.
Rebecca felt a warm tear gloss her eye as she saw a woman cradling a small bundle in her arms. "Poor things," she murmured. She followed behind Xeto as he traversed through a maze of dirtied tents before reaching largest tent in the center of the camp. It served as the briefing room and as the General's quarters.
Xeto entered and held the flap open.
The inside of the tent was well lit, courtesy of the noon sun. At the center was an elegant circular table. Atop it was a map of Elsire with small stone figures that represented Loradel's troops and forts for both the standard army and the Demon-Hunt.
Xeto grimaced as his eyes landed on the lone occupant of the tent.
At the edge of the shelter was a group of chairs lined up, one of which was occupied by Alzac, son of the general. Like a doppelganger of his father, he wore a black bandana that served as a tie for his hay-colored hair that reached passed his shoulders. He pretended not to see them for a moment before turning to face them. "Well look who it is. The Black Wolf…" He leaned on his balled fist as his eyes darted to Rebecca. "…and his squire." His lips widened into a pompous smile.
Rebecca scoffed. "Careful, Alzac. Many of the men here are deprived of…certain needs. If your hair gets any longer some of them might confuse you for a mistress and well…you know the rest."
He shot her a fake grin and pushed a lock of hair behind his ear. "Dashing jest," he snickered.
Xeto scratched his nape as he murmured something under his breath. "Where's the General?" A venom behind his words.
Alzac let out a patronizing sigh as he rocked back in his chair. "Isn't this fascinating?" he asked, as he pointed at the bottom of the chair. It had no legs to stand upon, rather two arcs similar to that of a snow sled. "This chair was made by a carpenter from Spearmount as a gift to my father." He rocked back and forth. "The chair can sway endlessly as if being cradled by a mother." He let out another chuckle.
"Is there a time you're not speaking out of your ass?" said Xeto.
Alzac toyed with the buttons of his black coat. "Only when I'm asleep I assume. Then again—I've been told I speak in my sleep too."
"Where's the General?" he echoed.
Alzac shrugged.
"I'll remind you that I outrank you, Lieutenant. Remain idle after I ask a question and—"
"Gods. You are no fun, always standing beside the rules. But I suppose that's why father adores you so much. Though who wouldn't love an obedient dog that always does as he's told?" Alzac arched his head toward an opening at the back of the tent. "Anyhow, he's in there with Kyone."
As if on cue, General Taloz emerged from the other section of the tent as he pushed aside the flap. The man's appearance was like looking at Alzac through the reflection of an ale bottle. Stubby and with a gut that slightly peaked from under his leather armor. Though unlike his son, Taloz' long hair was tied into a ponytail.
Behind Taloz followed the sliver-furred beast, Kyone. As he stood up straight, he cast a long shadow. His size came naturally with him being a kasaber; a race of tiger-like beast men whose size could only be matched by the burliest of humans.
"Appreciated, General," his voice was gruff yet inviting. His gaze immediately locked onto the newcomers. "Commander Alcazar, Rebecca, what brings you 'ere? Feels like I've not seen you in ages." His ears shot upwards as he tilted his head slightly.
Rebecca smiled inwardly at how the kasaber resembled the average feline, though she wouldn't voice her comparing of the two aloud. "Living day by day, Commander."
Kyone wore a black coat that resembled Alzac's with the only visible difference being his large spiked shoulder pads. He patted Alzac's shoulders as he stood over him. "My lieutenant didn't give you any quarrel did 'eh?"
Alzac pulled away as he grimaced.
Xeto nodded. "None." He turned to Taloz. "General, there's something I have to speak to you about—alone if I may."
Taloz' tongue wandered within his mouth as if looking for a lost piece of food. He quickly stopped as all eyes landed on him. "Er…yes? What is it, my boy? I'm sure whatever the matter, you can say in the company of everyone here.
All eyes darted between the aged man and the youthful commander.
"What could be so important that you need privacy?" said Alzac mockingly.
Xeto scoffed. "Very well. It was about what we found when we reached the crossroads; nothing was out of touch and no evidence of demons."
Taloz smiled. "That's good, great work."
"That's not all, Sir. We found an inn near where the disappearances occurred. The innkeeper there had some sort of relic in her possession.
"Relic? 'ow is that relevant?" interrupted Kyone.
"Let him finish," countered Taloz, putting up a hand. "How did this relic look?" Kyone and Taloz waited with intrigued eyes.
"It was some sort of gilded gold sphere. Nothing about it was overly distinct. Anyhow, shortly after we were attacked by a demon unlike anything I've seen or heard of in the past. It was larger than most we've encountered, had armor, used weapons, and showed no lasting signs of pain when harmed. It seemed to be drawn to the relic—a truth we figured out after it had the chance to kill us but refrained after it had the relic in its possession. After that, it simply vanished within the span of a blink."
Alzac burst into a fit of laughter. "Haha! Stories of vanishing demons?" He rocked in his chair. "Took a bit too much from the wet nurse, this one. What's next, stories of dragons?"
"Oy! Shut it, Alzac," yelled Taloz.
His son quickly stomped his foot down, clamping the chair in place.
Taloz bore his yellow-tainted teeth. "Enough with the theatrics. You're a soldier, not a jester."
Seeing the fool bite his tongue brought a smile to Rebecca.
Taloz motioned to Xeto. "Now then. What did this demon look like? More descriptions if you will."
Xeto sighed. "Monstrous. It barely flinched when hit with bullets and aura. It wore bits of armor and wielded an axe as well as a man would."
Kyone crossed his arms. "A demon that uses weapons? That certainly isn't in the bestiary."
Xeto put out his palm. "Also, it could have killed us."
Kyone nodded in disbelief. "Another factor, demons don't 'esitate."
Taloz scratched his head. "It seems what heard about the northern hills was no coincidence, Kyone."
Rebecca crossed her arms. "Wait. Why? What happened up north?"
Taloz gave the kasaber an approval nod to speak.
Kyone leaned against the circular table. "I found a young recruit alongside those refugees you most likely saw as you arrived into camp."
Xeto nodded. "I did, where are they from?"
"All over. But most came from the dune villages up north, left homeless after demon attacks. That's where the recruit I found and his group were stationed. Pale as ice, the boy. He told me that a six-eyed demon killed his unit and most of the villagers."
Xeto leaned back and rested his hand on his sword's hilt. "Nothing unheard of, considering the rise of attacks recently."
"There's more," continued Kyone. "The demon apparently walked on two legs like wielded a spear like a man. In addition, he saw his commander fall in battle, blade to the heart. Yet, claims that the man stand from the pool of his own blood seconds later and then vanish into nothing."
Xeto raised an eyebrow.
Kyone pointed towards him. "Just like your demon."
Rebecca paused as she lost herself in thought. That can't be a coincidence.
Taloz let out a heavy sigh as he threw himself into one the empty chairs. "Sad to say, I thought what Kyone heard were tales forged from fear. Wouldn't be first time." He reached under the table and pulled out a green tinted bottle. "But these two incidents, this close…there is a connection, I know it." He shook his head before popping the cork from the bottle, releasing the putrid stench of aged ale. He clutched it firmly like a newborn babe and downed the piss-colored liquid. "Ah," he took a breath. "We live in strange times, my boy. We cannot track demons that vanish into the wind…so our best option is to lie and wait. I'd like more time to think over. If I find anything of use, I'll inform you. You're dismissed."
Rebecca bit the inside of her lip, that was far from the answer she wanted to hear. But his words did hold some truth, there was no way to track something that left no trace.
All but Alzac stood straight. "Sir," they said in unison as held a balled fist to their chest.
Alzac kicked his feet up into the air before standing and let out a yawn. "Gods, that was a bore." He stretched his arms far above his head. "Let's see if I can find some wine and a tree to sleep under." He began towards the exit.
"No drinking, Alzac. You need to be sober should something arise," said Kyone.
Sunlight poured in as Alzac left the tent.
Kyone scoffed. "Excuse his behavior, General. I'll see to it."
"No need. Boy's like his father," muttered Taloz. "Stubborn brat."
Rebecca followed behind the commanders, Kyone and Xeto as they exited the tent. She felt a small pit in her gut. She thought coming to Taloz would shed light on the current events. Though it seemed it only stoked their ignorance.
"Rebecca," said Xeto abruptly. "Get some rest…oh, and no drinking."
She gave him a wink. "No promises, Commander."
He let out a light chuckle before disappearing into the maze of tents.
The day was warm but the cloud of doubt above her brought a chill to her bones. Looks like we're as lost as ever. She shook away the thoughts. The General may be a bit too friendly with the bottle but if anyone could figure out the truth, it would be him. All she had to do was be patient, and as a sniper, being patient came naturally…sometimes.
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Notes from the Author:
Have any questions or want to know how the characters looked like? Comment below!Also...Here's some examples!
-Alzac Taloz
-Kyone Iska