In the far corners of the earth, hidden by groves of trees, There stood a large gray-scale building with six different floors. A seemingly modern building away from the loud and industrial cities. And away from pesky eyes that could do harm.
From the bristling trees, kids ran around laughing their heads out in a game of hide and seek. Running through the branches, hopping from one branch to another as they zoomed past the area.
It had been five minutes since it started, and almost everyone was caught due to the fastest being chosen as the tagger. Yet, even though the final boy is hiding really well, he still couldn't escape the gaze of Sultan.
But he tried his best to pretend like he didn't notice. As to not give up his position, hiding under a small crevice on the ground behind some dead logs worked wonders. He could be an excellent spy. Isn't that what Hanlerk wanted?
As the game continued on, Sultan took the tree log he just cut down recently and carried it over his shoulder, moving through the forest without bumping on other trees or hitting it with the log on his shoulders.
Multiple kids brushed past him and stood on the log he was carrying, "Hey Sultan! Have you seen Jordan? We're trying to find him and end the game."
"Find him yourself. I'm not helping."
"Awh...Bummer. Alright, Have fun cutting this tree!" The same boy jumped off the log and ran deeper into the forest.
Through the verdant greenery, he came across the building he lived in with all the other 'soldiers'. Some of the older kids hung around outside, either taking time to enjoy themself, training under the supervision of the seniors, or just chilling under the tree shades. It was a rest day for Sultan. But he took his time just doing chores.
He set the tree log down, shocking a few of the older ones his age. They all keep forgetting about how he goes along with his day by. One of the boys called out, "Why aren't you taking a break Sultan? You've been doing almost every chore around here."
"And you all are here sitting on your bums doing nothing. So I decided to take this upon myself." Sulat grabbed the nearby ax and swung down on the log, cutting a good chunk off, "Now I-"
An intercom buzzed in the area, grabbing everyone's attention as they tensed up. A familiar voice echoed through the forest, "Attention everyone. I request the following three to the top floor: Aurora Black, Karasu Yūga, and Sultan Bin Adil Al Bilal. Thank you." The intercom buzzed again before going silent.
Everyone's gaze turned towards Sultan. He dropped the ax and quickly moved to the entrance of the building, "Ooooh. What's up this time?"
"Don't ask me." Sultan said.
"Are you gonna be sent out on a trio mission? Like what happened to Gary, Don, and Sam?" A girl asked.
"Maybe."
Sultan quickly shut the door behind him and faced a dull white room. Two doors with signs that read, 'Stairs' ' and 'files' are set out in front of him. Taking the obvious choice, he went to the stairs and was met with a long path upwards. Instead of walking up, he knelt down and leaped upwards. Grabbing a railing and pulling himself up. He stood on said railing and repeated the process. Until he reached the top.
He found himself standing in front of another door. With a sign that reads 'Hanlerk's office'. As he opened the door, he found two people waiting for him. Aurora and Karasu.
Aurora was sitting down with a book in her hands. Her light brown hair this time was not tied and reaches to her shoulders. Her young gray eyes stared at the book. Locking her deep in thought. Delicate freckles sprinkle across the bridge of her nose. To top it all off, a small scar rested on the edges of the left side of her lip.
On the other side, Karasu stood anxiously, tapping his foot, His dark messy hair signaling him just waking up recently, His dark brown eyes stared at the floor as his hands fumbled with the crow feathers of his cloak. As Sultan stepped inside the office, Karasu turned to him with his downturned and sleepy eyes, a result of him staying up too late.
"Oh...! Sultan. Been wondering where you went." Karasu spoke.
"Not me. I know you were dozing in your room." Sultan said.
"Ouch..." Aurora giggled, "I never expected you to be this cold Sultan~"
"But it's true. Karasu, how long did you stay up for?"
"Eh... I dunno. Till four...?" Karasu thought for a second.
The leather chair in front of all of them suddenly turned. A familiar figure awaited them. The silver streak across his hair shined under the office light. His navy blue suit has medals of honor from his time in the military stuck on his breast area. History doesn't know him, but the numerous scars and burns on his face sing his tale.
As soon as he cleared his throat. All three of the children stood up straight. And changed their demeanor. Karasu tried to maintain a straight face through his tiredness. Aurora's gray eyes hardened. And Sultan remains like normal. He always had a constant serious face.
"Good afternoon you three."
"Good afternoon Sir Hanlerk." The three responded in unison.
He leaned forwards, staring at them with unwavering eyes full of energy even though he's an elder. Aurora wondered how old he was, but even he doesn't remember.
"Do any of you have any idea why I called you in?"
None of them spoke. But all three of them shook their heads no. Hanlerk sighed, slid a hatch on the wooden table, and pressed a button. A projector above the three activated and displayed a country on the world map.
"Recognize this country?"
"Yes. It's Dalsinor."
"Correct. And do you remember what's happening there?"
Aurora raised her hand, And Hanlerk nodded, "Yes?"
"Didn't you send Gary, Don, and Sammy there?"
Hanlerk pressed the button again, changing the display to show Cainlocke. The houses and taverns were set up all around a wall. Within it, different school campuses nestled into one were separated into different sections. But farther off, a golden wall separated a whole new world from the earthly life that existed in the old sections.
"Yes. And so far, they had found some leads. Captured red hands. All those activities. However, they found some worrying news within the school."
He switched the display again, showing a parchment paper with a message written in red ink, "They are planning something. Even after Samuel and Donovan deciphered this to the best of their abilities, we are still unable to fully understand the message. They're planning something big. And I'm worrying about the future. And what could happen."
"You said to that headmaster that they were the best you can offer." Sultan said.
"Yes, but sometimes, it's not enough. An additional point, I would want the three of you to have some experience."
"Wait...does that mean you're-"
"Going to send you out to the same school? Yes." Hanlerk confirmed.
"Aha! Yes!" Aurora cheered upon hearing his order.
Karasu had a question though, "But what about Sultan? For a school of magic, you know...about his blessing."
"Good point. How can someone like me stay in a school of magic?" Sultan spoke.
"You can figure it out." Hanlerk stood from his chair, "The transport should leave tonight at Nine. Pack your bags. And get ready to leave. I had made multiple copies of your uniforms for the school. Don't forget that as well. Your friends should inform you of the current mission status when you arrive. Dismissed."
A small white smoke sizzles by Hanlerks foot before fully enveloping him for a second. In the next, his figure had disappeared. And the projector had shut down.
"Well. I'm off! I'll see you by the gate at eight!" Aurora jogged out the office.
"Is she that eager to see her Gary?" Sultan scoffed.
"What do you expect? They're lover birds."
"I still don't know what she saw in Gary. But it is what it is. Come along. Don't fall asleep on the stairs."
***
Karasu quickly ran out of the building. Holding on to Kuroi Tsubasa as people cheered him on. They congratulated him for being sent out to a mission while sending their hopes and prayers his way. He adjusted the cloak on his back, making sure the crow feathers on his shoulders and back aren't dropping to the ground.
He finally reached the gate. Finding Aurora and Sultan waiting for him. Sultan was fumbling with the hilt of his scimitar before setting his sights on Karasu, "You're late. Did you fall asleep again?"
"Perhaps..." Karasu came to a stop, "Yeah, Okay I did."
"Sleep for eight hours next time Crow boy." Aurora said, infront of the three, a yellow light appeared from the dark sheets of the night. A sharp breeze blows through the soldiers as their ride awaited.
The other kids behind them cheered for them as the three came closer to the yellow light. Seeing the airplane seats within it that told them that they're riding a stealth plane.
It's a desired goal for the soldiers of Hanlerk to go on a mission like this. These three are the elders of the kids. It was as if seeing their hero leave to save the world every time the young ones watched people depart for missions.
As they stepped inside the cold yet warm shuttle, Aurora waved towards the other children. Accepting their goodbyes and hopes for her mission. As the shuttle closed. Aurora took a seat by the window as their transport rose from the ground. Slowly ascending above the forest under the dead of night before suddenly zooming across the sky. Their home disappeared from sight in a mere second.
The three had finally stepped into the unknown yet again. Before then, the sharp fangs of fear had dug into their necks anytime they left home. But as they are older, the fangs had retracted enough for them to act without hesitation.
This could be beneficial for the mission. After all, six is better than three. Right?