Leaving the subject of the cubs behind, Nathan looked around him with curiosity. He knew that the calamities resembled the animals that lived on Earth, even the extinct ones.
But the resemblance between the Blind horn and normal bears was striking. Their body structure and defensive behavior were identical, the only difference between them was that the Blind horn was far more aggressive than a bear, not for nothing was it a calamity.
Back in the cave, dozens of bones were strewn about, along with a few crude tools and weapons.
Syril approached Nathan and whispered:
"These are bones of tribal calamities"
Nathan nodded at Syril's explanation.
It seemed that the calamities were also aggressive. Nathan remembered the various wounds on the Blind horn's body and related them to the dozen skeletons in the cave.
However, there was one skeleton that did not fit in with the others. Nathan approached the skeleton and moved it with his sword.
"This is not of a tribal calamity... it is of a human"
Syril looked at the skeleton with some disgust, then bent down and picked up a piece of cloth that was still intact next to the body.
Nathan looked at the white piece of cloth with a strange engraving that he recognized immediately.
"It's from the central government..."
Syril nodded before tucking the piece of cloth into his pocket.
"It means they're close... or ever were"
The blind horn had devoured all the flesh from the body, nothing but the bones were left intact, so it was difficult to tell exactly how long the government agent had been dead.
Nathan stopped looking at the body and turned to look at Maya, who was looking at them silently. Then he watched the other cadets and soldier's approach.
'Well, at least we have shelter'
They spent the rest of the day clearing the place of bones. They didn't know how long they would be in the realm, but lying next to piles of bones wasn't very comfortable.
Once everything was clean, everyone put their belongings aside and sat down together to go over everything, and in the meantime, they began to cook something with the food and utensils they had brought.
Each of the cadets brought a suitcase containing several personal rations and other useful survival items. Nathan, on the other hand, brought only what he had been given, not bothering to modify it to his liking or bring extra things he did not need.
They all ate while they talked and reviewed their plan, then it was time to go to bed. They were all a little tired, but Nathan was not, so he offered to look after them while they slept. He had not eaten because he could not take off his mask, so he would take the opportunity to eat while everyone slept.
When everyone had gone to bed, Nathan left the central cave and went out to check the place out, without leaving the cave completely, staying in the darkness of the cave and under cover.
Everything was really dark, and Nathan could barely see. But he could hear anything that came close.
Nathan was about to take off his mask to eat, but he heard someone coming out of the cave, so he stopped and looked at Syril as he approached.
'Really? Let me eat...'
The young woman smiled and sat down a few feet in front of him, then looked at the rations in his hand and understood Nathan's intentions.
"Don't worry about me and eat"
Syril smiled slightly and Nathan could only sigh, then thought for a few seconds and sighed.
Syril already knew his face, and so far, it seemed she hadn't said anything. Nathan did not know her intentions and did not trust her, but seeing that her information had not been leaked, he knew that he had nothing to hide from her.
Nathan took off his mask and set it aside before starting to eat. Meanwhile, Syril looked at him curiously as she rested her head on her hand.
"Your family is quite famous, Nathan Aeterna"
Nathan coughed a little after choking on his food and then looked wearily at Syril.
'So, she know who I am then... it stands to reason'
His face was quite familiar, thanks to his brother Noah. Maybe if he didn't have a twin, he could pass unnoticed, he wouldn't even have to wear his mask.
Nathan continued eating without answering Syril, who just smiled.
"It feels weird, you know... talking to the dead"
Nathan snorted amusedly.
"Well, I'm not"
Syril also chuckled slightly and continued.
"I'm curious, why did they fake your death? Why are you in Khan, an organization that is an enemy of your family?"
Nathan stopped eating and stared at the food in his hands.
"They didn't fake my death... they don't know I'm still alive"
Syril's eyes widened slightly.
"Wow... now I'm even more curious about your past"
Unconsciously, Nathan shuddered at the memories, but relaxed and slowly pushed them out of his mind, storing them in the depths of his memory.
Nathan did not want to remember or explain, so he remained silent. Then he looked at Syril, and the same doubt she had crossed his mind.
"And you? Why are you in Khan?"
Syril maintained his smile and sighed.
"It's nothing really, my parents died in a realm years ago and my teacher adopted me. I've been working for Khan ever since, it's just a way to earn my daily bread"
Nathan nodded, then another doubt came over him.
"Your teacher?"
Syril nodded.
"You must know her by now, she's one of Khan's four generals... the one with the dead look on her face, Dinna Thorn"
Nathan remembered the meeting he had as soon as he arrived on the island, he remembered the four generals, including Dilliard, then the black-haired woman with the calm face.
'I see...'
Nathan finished eating the contents of his plate and set it aside before putting his mask back on.
They were both silent, but several seconds later the quietness of the place was interrupted when Nathan heard soft laughter coming from the swamp.
They both stood up quickly and looked out into the darkness of the night.
"We're under attack"
Syril frowned.
"I'm going to warn the others"
"No, don't wake them" Nathan stopped her and Syril looked back at him confused.
"Why?"
Nathan drew his sword and took a deep breath.
"Let me handle this, wake them up if you feel I'm outmatched"
The young woman sighed and picked up the scythe she carried on her back.
"Then let me back you up"
Nathan looked at the young woman beside him and shrugged. Then he looked back into the darkness of the swamp and smiled slightly.
'Now... we're going to train for real'