CH5

The wooden door to the tavern opens, with a clang from the bell. The tavern lights pour out to the outside. Contrasting the darkness, the chatter become like distant dreams

“Come again!” A voice shouting from the inside

“Definitely!” Rose shouted back

Mark turns to close the door; Darkness filled the area once more.

“Ok, so miss Furi, you’ll stay with Rose” Mark said nodding to Rose

“Follow me!” Rose said excitedly, Furi nodded

“We’ll see you all tomorrow!” Rose waves goodbye to the others “ok, let’s go”

Rose navigates around the concrete streets, dimly lit by glowing spheres

Furi looks up and asked, “What are these?” pointing at one of the spheres

“These are made from Mananium of Gleam magic, a condense form of magic, before the scourge took over, they were plenty. But now, the lights are dim, but still valuable” Rose said, walking slowly to explain. Furi looking at each sphere

“Mananium powers everything in this world, from lights in house to cannons that defend us to ships”

A long silence follows suit, both unknown what to say

Finally, one knew

“Do you think life will return to normal?” Furi ask

A sign could be heard “I hope so, I was born here in Grinda, Life was beautiful, family, some friends, and a caring sunset” Rose said looking sadden at the dark sky

“Then all of that was taken in 1 day, when the scourge came, family down, my friends was lured by some bad people, now it’s all gone. The me is a shell of my former self, just like the city I was born in”

“I’m sorry to…to bring that up” Furi apologized

“It’s okay, what happened happens, I’m grateful for the things I have now”

“Are you really ok with it?”

A tear drops, although it was silent, its impact was heard far and wide

“Yes-” Rose can be seen swiping her tears of “Even if Caprico or whatever left of Grinda…is just a fraction of what it once was, it’s still here, I know many more unfortunates” Her voice shakes “Many homes were destroyed, countries leveled, history wiped.” Her voice grew stronger, a quiet determination shining through

They walk in silence, dimly lit streets. Occasionally Furi looks up, only to see the determined figure, many hardships, but still going strong.

“Alright! We’re here!” Rose announces, waving at Furi

A metal door, light but sturdy.

“Welcome in!” Rose opened the door, with a metallic screech

A cozy place, A glowing sphere hangs above providing light

A small bed against the wall, a worn table with a few scattered belongings, and a cupboard, simple but welcoming.

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“I have a sparred blanket and pillow. You can use these” Rose said walking to the cupboard.

Furi walks in and closes the door. Finally seeing an object on the table.

A picture of 3 people smiling back. it may be light, but the weight is immense.

“That’s my dad and mom” Rose said with a bitter smile “anyway, you can sleep here!” showing of her work with a cloth and pillow

“Luxurious” Furi replied

“Look at you confident enough to crack jokes now? When did Paul teach you?” Rose said

A small silence looking at each other, then laughter

Sometime later

The once cozy, and lit room is now dark and quiet. Rose can be seen sleeping peacefully on her bed

Furi, is deep in thought staring at the metallic ceiling.

‘Many homes were destroyed, many died, their memories gone’ ‘But they all have their past, then, what am I? what is my past? Do I have any?’

Her fist clenched ‘Whatever I maybe, I will do my part in protecting the past that I’ve lost’ Her face filled with determination, but her eyes aches

‘But right now I can’t sleep’ Looking closely bags can be seen under her eyes

The next day at a rally area near the pier.

A spacious zone, made from steel and metal welded. A tall wall is present. A podium is placed on top of the wall. It’s presence shine in the morning light.

“Why did we get called to rally with the regular forces?” Paul said frustratingly

“How would I know?” Mark replied, crossing his arms

“So…how are your nights?” Mark asks turning to face the 2 women

“I feel great!” Rose announced filled with energy

“That’s great, how about you-” “I slept like 1-hour last night” Furi admitted, bags under her eyes and looking tired.

Murmurs can be heard in the crowd

“Oh my, it’s the recon squad” “They’re so cool!!” “Isn’t it like impossible to get in?” “They said you need to be blessed by god to get in”

“Gosh, this is why I hate mixed rallies” Paul groaned “I hate this attention”

“Bear with it, alright?” Mark chuckled, placing his hand on Paul’s shoulder.

“Who is that woman thought?” “How did she get in, haven’t seen her before” Voices from the crowd changes the subject

“Oh, now you’re the main subject, Furi” Rose said

“Attention!” A feminine but disciplined voice rang out,

The soldiers quickly got in to line and saluted. With their respective commanders or captains in front

“I, captain Gerald, head of today’s rally reporting for duty, I salute to the general, madam!” The figure in the front shouted loudly

“At east” ordered Zinovia

“Here are your orders, from the marshal himself.” She exclaimed

The soldier tenses up, sweat drops, this order could be a nice rest or a bad death, they could live to see their kids or to see blood.

“Defense Battalion 4-25 will mobilize and attack the scourge forces in the Tabor range that Recon squadron 1 has reported, understand?”

“Yes, madam!” Voices spring up in unison to receive their order

“Also, Recon Squadron 1 will participate in this operation as well including the new miss, understand?”

“Yes, madam” Mark shouted, but his heart sank, turning him pale

“You all will be accompanied by our fleet and Aquaria’s NRS Dunkirk. Do your job and go home”

Zinovia looks around, all of them knew, it is unlikely for them to return as she said.

“Question?” Zinovia asks

A hand is raised, she points to the raiser

“Captain Mark”

“Madam, the recon squadron wasn’t made for direct attacks, so why are we being sent in?” Mark said

“Marshal direct request, I don’t really know” Zinovia replied

Mark grits his teeth, he is nervous. They were not trained for direct action. They work in small squads not in massive armies.

“He probably wants you to guide the main force or something” Zinovia gives a guess “Anyway, question?”

It is silent in the area, everyone there knows they likely won’t see this place again

“You’re all dismissed, board at 2”

The crowd dissipates, the atmosphere is thick and tense, hard to walk through

A loud exclaim is heard

“AUGGGGGH, I hate this” Rose uttered

“This is nonsense, what were they thinking?” Paul said in frustration

“Can’t change the higher up’s minds” Mark shrugs “We’ll do what we can, Furi, you’re going to have to help us big time”

“No worries” Furi announced “Is it that bad?”

“If they’re saying this, most of these people you see, won’t come back, and likely to be a failure” Paul explained “It has happened before”

“Damn that stupid marshal! He sees us as expendables”

Rose declared, her voice fill with anger

“Oh” Furi uttered softly, now knowing the state of the situation. Followed by silence as everyone is processing what was declared

Suddenly a loud horn sounds, and workers can be seen running about as if expecting something massive at the pier. All heads turned toward the pier. Even beyond the towering walls, a massive steel structure loomed—four colossal cannons, inscribed with glowing runes, a body of iron and smoke rising against the sky.

The NRS Dunkirk had arrived.