SHE STOOD along the proud oak trees. Quiet she was as she observed the sunrays; the soft light beams unfazed by the narrow gaps of the trees' canopy. The cool wind sighed and she closed her eyes. Carried by its sigh was the song of the forest: the calls of native birds, humming cicadas, and the journey of woodland creatures. Although she had her eyes closed, she can sense how a lost fawn carefully slipped away through the bushes, the way one eagle soared to the sky, and a person's gaze.
"Take a picture, it will last longer," she spoke as she basked in nature's glory once she made sure that there was no negative intention from the presence behind her.
"Already did," responded a familiar voice.
She fluttered her eyes open, turned around and stared back to the eyes that seemed to have a forest of their own.
Dark and brooding stares glistened the deepest shade of green. For a moment, he broke eye contact as his gaze swept the area before coming back to her. It was quite mesmerizing to see him just stand there, barely any movements, but it was the way he maneuvered himself that screamed allure and supremacy.
Verrance Thalares, an honorary member of the forces just like the rest of his family.
It couldn't be helped; their clan governed the nation's military for generationsâ rightfully so as they were skilled on what they do. Verrance was the eldest child from the new generation which meant that he was next in line to become head. Not only that, this elite man can be considered as her childhood friend as she had known him ever since she gained her consciousness.
Verrance donned an expensive black attire, which implied that he just got out from an important meeting. She could not help but snort at the sight of him in his suit along the gentle beam of sunlight that embraced his figure. He looked like the grim reaper. Especially since his black hair, long enough to reach his elbows, wasn't tied.
Verrance's eyebrows rose at her sudden laughter but he did not inquire about it. He simply shrugged his shoulders then started to walk towards her direction. At his movement, his long hair swayed with the dance of the gentle breeze.
"Captain Satoria," he finally spoke with his low lazy voice.
Captain Satoria stood straight at the formal greeting. She ignored the momentarily small smile that graced his face at the change of her posture. She stood still even when he leaned a bit down until their faces were just a few inches apart. The fragrant scent of charcoal and cinnamon pervaded her nose as he continued his words.
"The general seeks the company of his favored captain."
...
Both of them were silent as they walked back to the garrison. Because Captain Satoria idled a bit far on her break, it will take them roughly seven minutes before the two could reach the entrance of the fort. The long distance was fine because Captain Satoria gets to enjoy the scenery around her. The forest was so alive. It was far from the barren lands, wasted buildings, and corpses that she sees almost every day in her life. Captain Satoria was also fond of the fresh scent of nature. It calms her very being unlike the usual linger of poisonous smoke and gun powder.
Basked in the silence, Captain Satoria pondered as to why she was called during her break. Was it another mission? But that was a bit of a stretch since their team just got back from successfully infiltrating the opponent's headquarters at Isle Visa. Her job was demanding but it was not the general's personality to abuse his authority.
Once they passed by a certain small creek, they were greeted by a huge wall with vines scattered and clung onto it. An armed group was also there. Cadets stationed in the north saluted at their entrance. Captain Satoria nodded, acknowledging their presence just as they did to hers and Verrance's. One of the cadets went towards a tall gate then pressed a button for the north barrier to automatically open.
"Captain!" A cheery tone called amidst the sounds of gunshots, clanging metals, footfalls, and audible pain. At her peripheral vision, Captain Satoria could see one of her cadets skipping towards her direction along with the other members of her brigade.
"I thought you got flushed by the toilet!" Cadet Loki stated as he flashed Captain Satoria a grin.
She heard a low chuckle behind her so she immediately lifted her right foot to kick Verrance by the ankle. Smirking, Verrance avoided it with ease, courtesy of his fast reflexes. Captain Satoria flipped him off at that.
"She said a break, not a bathroom break," reasoned out her first lieutenant, Biathena, after she gave her a salute unlike the carefree bastard. Cadet Loki's lips rounded into an 'O' when he realized this. Captain Satoria and Biathena both rolled their eyes at that.
"Even if your assumption was right, how thick-faced are you to talk to our captain in such manner?" scolded Cadet Nike before he pinched Cadet Loki ny the cheek Loki instantly backed off to gently massage his reddening cheeks, hoping it would ease the sting. Cadet Zelus, who stood behind them, watched the whole thing with amusement.
"How's training?" Captain Satoria inquired.
"Smooth as butter, capt. We even surpassed the routine," boasted Kratos, her second lieutenant. His broad chest rose in pride at he let out a smug smirk. Captain Satoria smirked back and gave him a pat of proudness on his muscled arm.
"Auronia," a deep voice called her name.
Auronia turned around, unaware of the smug smirks that appeared on the faces of her team. Curios why Verrance called her with her first name when they were already in the garrison, Auronia just nodded before she signaled her team.
In unison, the five saluted as a response.
"Let's go," Auronia ushered Verrance.
...
Verrance knocked three times before he turned the doorknob. Auronia halted when she noticed that the other made no further movements to go inside. Verrance just gave her a smile, not offering any explanation. Auronia shrugged her shoulders before she opened the room. The wide office was filled with the scent of cigarrette, paper, and coffee. General Theozeus sat on his chair, his arms clothed in badges since the portion at his chest weren't enough for all of his achievements. Excluding Verrance, this old man would be the highest ranking officer in the whole baseâ no, the whole field forces since the garrison that he handles held S Class Soldiers.
"Mom?" Auronia curiosly called out when she recognized the woman positioned at the general's back. Said woman looked at Auronia in the eye and spoke firmly, all motherly love hidden.
"Captain Satoria, you dare ignore your superintendents? I may be your mother and the general may be your grandfather but that does not excuse your behavior."
Auronia blinked but was quick to fix her attitude. She placed her arms behind her before she proceeded to give a small bow. "Forgive me Colonel, General," Auronia said then straightened her back. She fisted her right palm then brought it to her chest.
"Captain Satoria of Celesta Brigade at your service!"
Their expressions softened for a moment. Both of them then smiled before the general spoke. "At ease."
Auronia retreated her fist then walked towards the general's table. When she sat on the chair prepared before the desk, a white folder plastered with bold strokes at the cover slid to her view. Confidential, it said. She lifted her gaze and she was met with the general's stern stare, hazel eyes blazing in seriousness. Words of complaint why the abrupt commission died down and she sighed, reached out for the folder then opened it.
After a few minutes, Auronia calmly closed the folder before she proceeded to smash it back to the table. Pens, a mug of warm coffee and stacks of bondpapers rumbled at the disruption, unlike mother and her uncle whom were unfazed by her reaction.
"You are upset." A nonchalant comment from Colonel Hera Satoria, Auronia's mother.
"I am offended," Auronia fired back.
The two exchanged glances before they brought back their attention to her. General Theozeus plopped his elbows on the surface of his desk, his cushioned chair creaking at the movement. There were a few beats of placidness; nothing but the howl of the wind coming from the open window and the grunts and commands of exercising squads in the nearby field.
"You want me to leave," Auronia added.
Her calloused hands gripped the hem of her upper uniform as Auronia grit her teeth in frustration. While she never had any problem going solo, it's the location that's bothering her. It was situated at the capital. The city. Far from the battlefield. Where she lived all her life. Not only that, she have to be a bodyguard of some (probably) pompous assholes? There's still an internal war and they want her to go play babysitter?
"Then, are you refusing?"
A surprised scoff. Auronia? Born and raised in a battlefield, the youngest captain to ever grace the forces in the nation's history, the soldier that led countless of successful infiltrations and has yet to fail her missions, and the captain with the highest damage control, withdrawing from an order?
She heaved a sigh, calming herself.
"Fine, let's just get over with it. I'll find the quickest route to finish this task," Auronia declared, accepting the challenge. The two simply smirked and not long after, Auronia understood why.
...
Auronia groaned before she took the plastic bag one of the military staff gave them. She was with her team and they were hanging out by the benches beside the track field. They were at the topmost row, resting from a five-hour training and eating their snacks. Auronia ripped the wrapper with her teeth and lazily bit a portion of the burger as she leaned on to the trunk of the tree that shaded the area.
"Eat your greens," she heard Nike sermon Loki as the latter was caught sneakily taking out the vegetables from the burger. Loki frowned and muttered something about him not being a child when Nike narrowed his eyes. Loki feigned a cough before taking a bite, not bothering to take out sliced cabbages, tomatoes and cucumbers.
Sitting right behind them, Zelus gave them both a comical look of disbelief before he resumed chewing. "Right in front of my burger," Auronia heard him mutter under his breath.
Biathena clicked her tongue and I spun around just in time to see her roll her eyes. "Hostile squadron. Three o'clock," she whispered and they simultaneously turned to look at the group charging towards their direction.
Auronia mentally sighed in exasperation. Although their clothes were dyed in a mess of greens and browns, upfront was a raging bull.
"What did you do this time, capt?" teased Kratos. "Your bestfriend is mad again," he wheezed.
Auronia smiled sweetly at him and immediately, the humor on his face slipped away. He broke down in cold sweat. Zelus and the others laughed. "Idiot," Biathena whispered again before she opened a bottled water and continuously drank it until the last drop.
"30, at the field." Kratos opened his mouth to complain but Auronia was quick to shut him off. "Now, second lieutenant," she emphasized her words.
Kratos stood in a blink of the eye, spared no glance to his burger that fell to the dirt. "Yes, capt!" He yelled then jumped down to jog around the field.
"How fitting for a leech to abuse her status," someone rumbled.
"Jealousy is a disease, Captain Gadon," Auronia fired back calmly and tilted her head to look down at the group of cocky men below. Words of her new mission got around quickly and as usual, some were not happy about that. Same damn crowd too.
Captain Gadon glared at her like his life depended on it. Auronia calmly stared back. She lazily bit another portion of the burger, not breaking eye contact. The atmosphere was tense alright but her team continued with their eating.
"Hey, pass me the soda," Loki demanded.
"You unhealthy organism," Nike commented but still took a soda can for him. "Here."
"Whipped," Biathena at Zelus both whispered.
Auronia snorted at that but still, her focus was at the offended group below them.
Captain Gadon of Alpha Brigade, the team below Celesta Brigade in rank. Just like the name suggests, it was a group of superior and strong biologically male soldiers. Please note her sarcasm here. Not that Auronia cares but this man right here never liked her. Although he never said anything about his hostility, his reasons were as obvious and petty as his personality was.
The bastard, just like his minions, thinks she a spoiled brat. Seriously, out of all people? A person who works hard gets judged? Auronia may be privileged with her Ma and Lo'sÂč positions but these people act as if she did not battle in a war. Heck, Auronia was a frontliner when the Nihon government called for help here in Isle because they were attacked by the giant country Zhuguo. she swallowed the food, still not blinking her eyes. It was a minute of glaring before Captain Gadon scoffed then left. Auronia grinned as she watched their retreating figures.
Ha, she won again.
"How unfortunate," Zelus then spoke when they were out of earshot. He reached for his own bottled water "His ego overwhelms his skills," he added.
"Well if you take into account about his life story, in a way, you can't blame him," Loki replied then crumpled the wrapper and threw to a nearby bin without moving from his spot.
"Goal!" He smirked when he made the shot and gave his team a look, awaiting their reaction. Nike and Zelus lazily clapped their hands to amuse him.
"You do have a point. Nepotism is not that uncommon in this country." Auronia also crumpled the burger wrapper then smirked. "The presidential seat for example."
Biathena poked her by the forehead. "Shh. We may be isolated but the ears of those in high power stretches everywhere."
Auronia massaged her forehead then let out a small yet harsh laugh. "Did you forgot? I'm baptized by war. You should be worried about them." She was born in the battlefield and raised in the battlefield. Why should she be afraid? Auronia jokingly implied.
Biathena just shrugged her head and leaned on the tree trunk as well.
"I advise you to stop responding to Capt Gadon's provocations." Auronia opened her mouth to retaliate but Biathena cut her off. "I know. You don't owe him any explanation because he created this false character of yours on his own, but you do realize that your actions aren't helping either? This is why he keeps on antagonizing you."
"But it's fun," Auronia whined.
Biathena blew the strand of her brown hair that fell on her forehead. "For you. For me, it's a damn headache to listen him spew crap," Biathena lamented and pinched the bridge of her pointed nose.
"Do we look like a toilet bowl? Why do we have to deal with his shit?"
"Zelus! He looks like a toilet bow!" Loki interrupted then hysterically laughed.
Loki then screamed in horror when Zelus moved toâ Auronia guessedâ headlock him. The two ran as Zelus chased Loki. Nike heaved a deep sigh before he spruced up the mess Loki made. Later, he also stood. "My stress levels are higher than the peak of the mountains around us," he muttered before chasing the two as well.
Kratos on one side of the field looked so damn happy because he was not alone in the field.
Biathena and Auronia ignored them.
"Okay," Auronia chuckled. "I'll cut him some slack. Besides, I'm leaving so he won't see me for a while."
Biathena was quiet for a few seconds.
"A year, huh?" She said to no one in particular but Auronia still nodded. This mission would be the longest that she was away from her team. Apparently, the artists she'll be assisting will be doing a concert tour around the country so it's quite the time. She clicked her tongue at the reminder of the permanent schedule, and here she thought she can shorten the time. No wonder her Ma and Lo looked so smug about it.
Aurnoia sighed, trailed her gaze all over the military base.
"Don't worry," Biathena spoke as she faced Auronia with her most serious expression. "I'll take care of them."
Auronia let out a soft laugh. "I know you will."
Dead leaves forgotten by the tree near them flew at the sigh of the wind, the breeze cradling the noise from the field.
"Save me!" Loki was hysterical. He then grabbed Kratos who was merely passing by as he continued his rounds. Loki hid behind him. A mere cadet using his second lieutenant as a shield for some damn tag. Kratos scolded him but Loki did not back off. The carefree bastard maybe smaller than the buff lieutenant but his grip can crush someone's skull.
"You sneaky brat!" Zelus roared and charged.
"Naughty brats!" Nike yelled in frustration and fastened his pace.
Seeing the two raging soldiers, Kratos' eyes widened and moved reflectively. He turned, hoisted Loki on his shoulders then ran. Loki immediately squealed then cheered. He was obviously having the time of his life. People were looking at them. Some laughed, most glared at the noise and chaos.
Biathena faced Auronia again, face impressively more serious than the last.
"I take that back, don't leave."
Auronia laughed.
_____
[1] Lo is short for the Filipino word "Lolo". It's a form of address to elderly men. It means "Grandfather".