(—-)
Tou's upper body flew into the air, his lower body dropping into the ground. It fell to the ground, plopping onto the floor.
Leah walked up to the corpse, with a dagger in hand. She moved slowly and quietly, just in case.
She crouched. She placed her hand on Tou's chest. No heartbeat.
"The target… has been eliminated!" Leah yelled.
Oscar sighed, falling onto the floor.
Kai and Lio jumped in excitement.
"Oscar, how was the situation with the cadets?" Yesynore asked, wiping sweat off his forehead.
"The casualties were high, and the injured were even higher. But, it has been resolved."
Yesynore sighed.
"Tell all the cadets to start searching, to collect the bodies."
"Wait! What are we gonna do with the corpse?!" Lio asked.
"In two weeks, my assistant will come back to this site, and collect it."
(Oscar)
A week or so had passed since that fateful incident had happened. It was the closest experience we had to a real war.
"You going to sleep, Oscar?" Lio asked, yawning. It was just us too awake.
"No. I'm going to write a letter."
"Turn the lamp off when you're done writing, alright?" he stretched, smacking his lips.
"Yeah, I'll remember that."
Lio fell asleep. I picked up a pen and ripped a piece of paper from the notebook given to me.
Hm. What shall I write?
- Dear friends,
The mission was successful, although the casualties were very high.
No. They don't need to know about that.
- Dear friends,
The mission was successful. It was a really tough battle, but we managed to survive in the end.
That sounds much better.
- I wonder. How you all are doing? If you guys are still in Gonteno, I hope that you stay safe. It is said that a possible war is coming. But, that is all I wish to say. I hope that all is well.
Love, Oscar.
I would've written more, but my pen was running out of ink. It was a shame.
I placed the cap back onto the pen, and got a letter, stuffing the written letter into it.
It was starting to get cold in certain regions. Especially up north here, the water is starting to freeze. Would that make it harder to get the mail through?
Ah, I shouldn't worry too much. I'll put it in the mailbox when it's time for that.
I placed the letter down, and clicked the light off, falling asleep.
The next day came by fast.
Ah! I had almost forgotten.
For the bravery of our actions, we would be meeting with the royals of Anore. I was a little nervous.
It would be just me and Yesynore, however. I wish I could bring Lio or Leah. Not Kai, though. He probably wouldn't like the royals.
"Are you ready, Oscar?" Yesynore asked me. I nodded.
I wasn't wearing the regular, uniform. What I was wearing was a lot more… ceremonial. Like, a full-dress uniform. It felt uncomfortable.
The doors opened. Waiting for us on the road, was a horse carriage. Yesynore and I entered it.
The only time I had been in a horse carriage was when I was scouted to this unit. I didn't think I would be going back here any time soon.
But… hm. I guess it'll be nice. Seeing what it's like.
(---)
[Cast: Immense Regeneration]
Tou's lower half grew back, the other lower half turning into dust.
"Shit. That took way too much… energy."
Although he was fully healed, Tou fell to the ground, losing consciousness. He found himself in a white void.
No. Cerat found himself in a white void.
Instead of Tou, there was a grey-haired human, with grey eyes. A slim but muscular build, with cuts across his body. His hair was quite long, and his skin was quite pale.
His eyes resembled those of a reptilians, his teeth sharp like one.
"Where… am I?" Cerat asked.
Red, piercing eyes, and dark, ruffled hair. It was that pale boy, Julian.
"It's you! You're the one who took my body!" Julian jumped at Cerat. Cerat stepped to the side. Julian fell onto the ground.
"I have no idea who you are, boy. I asked, where am I?" Cerat asked, in a deadpan voice.
"I don't know either. I've been here ever since I lost control. You're the one in control now, right?"
"Yep."
"Give me back my body!"
"Why would I do that?"
"It's.. that's because it's mine!"
"I'm not giving it to you. I'll be back in the real world at any time. It's been fun talking to you."
Some time passed. Cerat still sat there, in the white void.
"You have something to do with this… don't you?" Cerat asked, balling his fists.
"You're right. I'm the only person who knows how to get out of here."
Cerat grabbed Julian by the collar, tightly.
"You can't kill me in here, idiot. I'm not that dumb."
Julian flinched, looking a little fearful. Cerat looked at him, disdainfully, then dropped him.
"What is this place, anyway?"
"I'm not sure. But what I do know... is that this place has something to do with-"
!
Tou woke up sharply, in the same place where he had fallen asleep.
"Damn it... what was he about to say?"
"Oh well."
He dusted himself up and sat up.