Shane stood in a large, military office. His eyes twinkled as he stared in awe at the décor inside. Mountains of paper were neatly stacked atop a large, mahogany desk, a weird board of white, unknown material was placed behind the desk. He tensed as he restrained a smile from manifesting. This was a rare occasion, very rarely would one find himself in the office of the chief general. His excitement at being in the general's office was short-lived, however, as the reason for their presence was far from celebratory.
Beside him stood Alice, Michael, Veronica, and William, the latter two locked in tense silence.
Adam sat behind his desk, face cascaded in shadows, exuding pressure that choked everyone in the vicinity. He let the silence simmer for a bit, then, he smiled.
"I have come to understand that there are certain... interpersonal issues among you," he said, casting a pointed glance at Veronica and William. "I've been aware of this for some time. However, as the first line of defense for humanity, we don't have the luxury of indulging in childish drama. I suggest you put an end to it. Should I catch any of you causing trouble again, you will be expelled from Invictus."
Shane felt a bead of sweat form on his forehead. Adam's declaration had come abruptly.
Adam's gaze bore into each of them. "Is that clear?"
"Crystal" Michael chimed . "We promise not to cause any trouble, isn't that right guys? We're all friends here."
Shane and Alice nodded vigorously. In contrast, Veronica and William maintained their rigid silence, their bodies as taut as steel cables.
Adam smiled while his eyes told a different story. "Good! You may leave."
All five saluted him before going out the door.
"Ah, except for you, Michael. We need to talk."
With obvious reluctance, Michael's shoulders sagged as he sighed out heavily. Rolling his eyes, he turned back to the door and entered. Shane felt a little bad for Michael, facing the general was terrifying, but facing your father was another thing entirely.
An awkward silence filled the hallway as the four of them traversed it. Veronica defiantly walked adjacent to William, who radiated an aura of bloodlust. Shane and Alice walked a cautious meter away from the two, just in case something happened.
Surprisingly, or unsurprisingly seeing where they were, nothing happened.
They proceeded down a spacious corridor adorned with portraits of distinguished individuals, their names engraved in gold beneath their likenesses, accompanied by rows of poppies pinned to the walls. Shane noticed Veronica's subtle attempt to glance at a particular portrait—a beautiful woman with radiant brown hair, fair skin, soft eyes, and a dazzling smile. The plaque beneath read, "Krysteline Varcossia."
As they continued down the corridor, they reached a section devoid of portraits, instead filled with rows of nameplates and dog tags. Shane's steps slowed, his eyes tightly shut. After what felt like an eternity, they moved past this somber tribute to fallen heroes. They had passed through this area earlier, their minds preoccupied by the situation at the time. Now, their thoughts had room to wander.
Finally, they moved down a stairwell.
Upon reaching the bottom, the four were jumped by an unexpected visitor.
"William!" A short, burly man with a pyramid shaped moustache ran up to his trainee. "Good lords, by Elinora are you alright? What did that brute do to you?" He leveled an accusatory glare at Veronica.
William patted the man on the shoulder. "It's alright sir Omar, I am not harmed." He feigned sadness and remorse, shedding crocodilian tears. "I just wish the others didn't get involved..."
Omar's skin reddened as he walked up to Veronica. "You animalistic wench! You dare ambush your brethren, after everything we've done for you? I've already talked to the ones you harmed, you have no excuses!"
Shane closed his eyes and sighed. 'Ah...'
the short man would lay into Veronica for a few minutes more as she just stood there and took it.
"The amount of resources and time spent raising you! We could have kicked you out, heck, we would have had every right to kill you, but we didn't! And this is how you repay us?!"
Shane bit his lip as he mustered the courage to interrupt.
Luckily, he didn't need to.
Suddenly, a dark shadow loomed over Omar. Swiftly responding to the unknown threat, Omar span around to see a hulking figure, easily towering over the already short man. He froze, staring up at the the apron the man wore, looking up at the head that had a massive chef's hat atop it.
Blood was smeared all over the man's apron, and a splash of it was on his face making him look grisly.
The man let out a low growl, eyes radiating doom. He moved his arm, his large hand easily pushed Omar over to the side. William went to assist his mentor but was swept away with him. Like a strong breeze, the man pushed away the two like they were mere falling leaves. He moved like a treading grazer, every step he took shook the ground. Shane's brain blanked. 'Who is this guy? And how the hell did he manage to sneak up on all of us?'
He stood in front of Veronica, face a perpetual scowl. Veronica met his glower with her own. The two shared a wordless exchange of nods, head tilting, head shakes and occasional grunts, before the man got something from behind his back and handed it over to Veronica. It was a simple leather backpack. The man placed a hand on Veronica's shoulder and gave her the slightest hint of a smile...then he left.
All four of them -- excluding Veronica-- stood shocked. Omar was the first to say something.
"W-what the hell is that man? How rude! How brutish! Of course such a man has relations to you!" He pointed a crude finger at Veronica. "No wonder, with that type of person in your life, its only natural you would beat on your own brethren."
Shane finally stepped in. "Hey, Veronica did no such thing! It wasn't us who attacked them, it was them who attacked us!" Shane stared at Veronica, a small seed of doubt blossoming in his mind. "Right?"
Veronica glared at him. "I don't need you to defend me." She turned her attention back to Omar. "You will not insult that man, is that clear?."
A vein bulged on Omar's shiny, balding head. "How incredulous! You dare threaten me? After you've just wounded our soldiers like an animal? If she acts like an animal, she should be treated like one!"
"Hey, how's that fair? She was one while they were many!" Shane got in between the two.
Omar scoffed. "Its obvious that she got the jump on them. Afterall, the strongest blade is the unseen one. Oh...those poor boys, how brutal she was!" He wiped away a tear.
"Its alright, Master Omar, we've already been given a warning by the general." William calmed his mentor who was increasingly getting angrier.
"William, I can hardly call that a punishment. It can barely be called a slap on the wrist! That thing deserves jail time!"
"How can you just believe the words of some stupid boys before hearing all the facts? You weren't even there! And you call yourself an adult..." A slightly higher pitched voice retorted. William had to crane his neck downwards to see who had said that.
A girl with brown, curly hair stood eye level with Omar
"Hey there, shorty." Alice smiled smugly at him.
Steam poured out of Omar's head as he fumed. He was left without words, at a loss for them entirely. The nerve! He couldn't believe it!
Before he could explode, William stood between the two and pulled Omar back.
"Let's save this for later" His voice was as smooth as silk, soothing to the ear and soul. A layer of wrath was shaved away from Omar's mind. As he turned around, ushering his rage filled mentor away, he paused. A devilish plan blossomed in his mind. He turned back around. "Actually, I have an idea. Care to listen?"
Shane gulped. Whenever William had an idea, Elinora bless the person he planned against, it would always turn out terribly. "W-what is it." His voice cracked as he tried to feign confidence.
William smiled, his eyes gleamed with dark delight. "The Elite Squadron selection. Winner takes all, loser never touches a sword again."