Kael sat wedged between the triplets and Isara, every slight bump and rumble from the Ironhauler jostling him as the convoy hurtled closer to their destination. The tension was palpable, thickening the air in the cramped space as each of them readied themselves for what lay ahead. Beside him, Alden shifted in his seat, eyes narrowed with a fierce gleam of focus. He glanced over at their captain, Varos, who stood at the front, surveying his team with a calm but watchful expression.
"Captain," Alden called, breaking the silence,
"Any word on what we're facing?"
Varos glanced back, his face unreadable.
"Nothing yet. No one's relayed anything specific, so we'll be going in blind." He shrugged.
"We'll probably know what we're up against when we're already in the thick of it. Just prepare for anything."
A low grumble escaped Bram, one of the other triplets, as he adjusted his gloves.
"Nothing like a surprise party full of monsters," he muttered. Colin snickered beside him, but their humor was forced, an obvious mask for the gnawing anxiety everyone felt.
Varos turned to Elaria, who was, as usual, clinging to Isara's leg.
"Elaria, think you can check out what's ahead?"
Kael's eyebrows raised in surprise. Elaria? What could a little girl like her do that might help? She was barely more than a child, constantly hiding behind Isara like a shadow. Yet, at Varos's request, she gently separated herself from Isara and stepped forward, her tiny frame seeming even smaller under the weight of everyone's gaze. She raised her hands, forming a triangle with her fingers in front of her face. Her expression shifted, and she closed her eyes, taking a deep, steadying breath.
When she opened them again, Kael nearly gasped. Her eyes were no longer the gentle blue he had seen before but had turned a brilliant, foggy white, shimmering with ethereal energy. It was as if a mist had swallowed her irises, giving her a ghostly, otherworldly appearance. When she spoke, her voice seemed layered, as though several voices were speaking in unison, echoing through the confined space with a haunting, almost reverent quality.
"The spearhead and the 2nd and 3rd Ironhauler units are already engaged," she murmured, her tone eerie and detached. "The 4th Ironhauler is closing in, and we're right behind them." Her gaze was unblinking, focused on something none of them could see.
"They're facing a horde… Abominations of varying ranks. None higher than a Broodling." A pause. Her gaze flickered, as if she were straining to see further.
"But… something bigger is out there. Something that hides itself from me. It lingers, like a shadow cast over the battlefield. It… it blocks my sight."
Elaria's voice faltered slightly, a faint quiver breaking through her ethereal tone.
"The horde… they're organized, almost too organized for simple beasts. There may be a lord among them, though… I can't confirm its rank or its true nature."
She closed her eyes, and the fog that had clouded her gaze vanished. When she looked up again, her expression was back to its usual timid self. Elaria glanced around the room, suddenly aware of everyone's staring, and blushed, retreating quickly to Isara's side. Isara placed a comforting hand on Elaria's head, giving her a small, approving smile. "Good job," she said softly.
Kael was still gaping, his jaw nearly scraping the floor.
"What… what did I just witness?" he mumbled, dumbfounded, barely aware that he'd spoken out loud.
Isara glanced at him, her brow slightly arched.
"What's wrong?"
Kael gestured vaguely in Elaria's direction, struggling to find the words.
"What… how did she do that? That… that's an authority?"
For a second, the room was silent. Then one of the triplets snorted, quickly followed by muffled laughter from the others. Alden was the first to crack, laughing so hard that he had to clutch his sides.
"Are you serious? This guy doesn't even know what a basic breathing technique looks like!"
Bram joined in, his shoulders shaking with amusement.
"And he's supposed to be a Fatewalker! What did they teach you before you got here, Kael? How to hold a sword and pray?"
Colin leaned back, cackling,
"Did you think all breathing techniques are just flashy fighting moves, mate?"
Kael's face burned with embarrassment as the entire unit erupted into laughter. Even Isara's lips twitched with the faintest hint of amusement, though she kept her usual serene demeanor. Varos, on the other hand, simply sighed and covered his face with his hand, muttering something under his breath.
After a few moments, Varos straightened, fixing Kael with a look that was equal parts bemused and resigned.
"Right… so I'm starting to see we've got some gaps in your education, Kael." He crossed his arms, sizing Kael up as though trying to determine just how useful—or useless—he might actually be in the upcoming fight.
"I'm almost surprised. I mean, basic knowledge of breathing techniques is taught in every elementary school across the domains. How did you make it this far?"
Kael tried to muster a retort but found himself at a loss. It wasn't as if he had a choice. He was thrown into this world, scrambling to catch up without any foundation to stand on. But explaining that now would just sound like an excuse.
Varos sighed again, shaking his head.
"Well, given that you're here, I suppose we'll have to make do." He gave Kael a dry look, one that spoke volumes.
"Until you actually get the hang of what it means to be a Fatewalker, I'm assigning you to a very crucial role for this upcoming battle."
Kael gulped, nerves prickling along his spine.
"What… what role would that be?"
Varos's face was impassive, though Kael swore he saw a hint of amusement lurking behind his eyes.
"You'll be our babysitter… I mean radar man." He cut off quickly.
Kael blinked.
"Huh?"
Varos gave him a pat on the shoulder, almost sympathetic.
"Since you clearly don't know your way around a battlefield or what a Broodling even is, you'll be keeping an eye on Elaria here, making sure she's safe while she keeps her clairvoyance active. And if anything out of the ordinary shows up, you tell us first. Got it?"
Kael opened his mouth to protest, then hesitated. As far as he understood, keeping someone safe was better than being on the front line with the rest of them, given his lack of experience. He nodded slowly, feeling a bit more reassured.
"Yeah, got it."
"Good," Varos said, slapping him on the back in a way that nearly made him stumble forward.
"Your job's important, Kael. Elaria's ability to read the battlefield gives us a serious edge, especially if we're facing unknown numbers."
Alden chimed in,
"Just don't get scared and run off. We've had a few fresh guys lose their nerve in the past."
Bram added, grinning,
"Or fall asleep at their post. You look the type, no offense."
Kael rolled his eyes, though he couldn't suppress a small grin at the jab. The humor helped to ease the tension, even if it was at his expense.
"I'll do my job. Just… don't expect miracles."
The triplets chuckled, and even Varos offered a faint smile. Isara patted Elaria's head, pulling her close.
"You'll be fine," she said to both Kael and Elaria, though her gaze lingered on Kael with a quiet intensity, as if she were silently gauging his resolve. "Worst case happens, you have Kunos after all."
From the driver's cabin, Kunos's voice boomed back at them with exasperation.
"Oi, don't rope me into any of your sketchy shit! I'm just here to drive and stay alive, thank you very much!"
The unit burst into laughter, and even Kael felt a smirk tugging at his lips, his nerves easing slightly with the shared humor.
He then took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of dread and determination coil within him. He hadn't expected to be thrown into a battlefield so soon, much less in a role that held responsibility for someone else's safety. But there was no turning back now.
The Ironhauler's walls shuddered as it hit a rough patch of ground, jolting everyone back to reality. The roar of the engine grew louder, blending with the distant, muffled sounds of battle that trickled in through the walls. Kael's pulse quickened, and he found himself unconsciously tightening his grip on the edge of his bunk.
The convoy was closing in on the spearhead.