The infirmary stank of antiseptics and sweat, a bitter smell that clung to me like my own failures. My ribs screamed with every breath, but the pain was secondary.
Paint meant that I was alive.
Alive to seek vengeance.
Alive to break everything they created.
I sat up, ignoring the sharp sting in my abdomen. The face of the captain and his smug confidence lingered in my mind. He thought he had seen my limits. He was wrong. My limits would only end where my enemies did-on the edge of my blade.
The meeting room was dimly lit, its air heavy with the scent of damp wood and burning cigars. The captain leaned against the table, his usual cocky grin replaced by something far more serious. Across from him stood the commander, a man whose icy stare could freeze lesser men in place.
"Squad five", he began, his voice a low growl. "We've been tasked with something beyond even your reputation."
He unfurled a weathered map onto the table. The black ink depicted a region near Astria's border, marked with crude drawings of beasts so grotesque they seemed born of nightmares.
"Erebus", he said with a dark tone.
The word hung in the air like a death sentence.
Bran straightened, puffing his cigar. "I thought those bastards were long dead".
"They were supposed to be", the commander replied. "But the pantheon unleashed them again. These aren't ordinary beasts. They don't just kill-they devour souls. Squad two scouted their nest. None returned".
A cadet near the back swallowed audibly, his fear palpable.
Commander Damian Harlan's gaze swept over the room. "You are the fifth squadron of the deicida-the spearhead of mankind's rebellion. You will destroy their nest. Do not fail".
Emily stepped forward, her voice colder than usual. "The mission is borderline suicide. Most of the cadets won't willingly support this"!
The commander sighed and turned to Bran." Captain Bran Dunamis, you're squad will be responsible for this mission. Don't disappoint me."
Bran's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing as though welding souls. Then, he gave a curt nod.
"I won't sir".
And at that the meeting was adjourned.