Volume 2 – Chapter 15
The journey back to the Royal Fortress was surprisingly quiet.
The tension of Nocthollow had finally lifted.
The morning sun shone through the forest canopy, and for the first time in days, the birds were singing again.
Finn stretched his arms with a loud yawn.
“I’ve decided.”
Kael glanced at him.
“That’s dangerous.”
“I’m retiring.”
“You’ve been a soldier for two weeks.”
“Exactly.
I’ve seen enough.”
Mira laughed.
“You nearly retired during training.”
“I nearly retired because Kael made me carry his backpack!”
“It had your food in it.”
“…Fair point.”
Raimer chuckled, shaking his head.
The group stopped beside a crystal-clear lake to rest.
The water reflected the blue sky like a mirror.
Kael immediately skipped a stone across the surface.
“Five skips.”
Finn smirked.
“Watch and learn.”
He threw his stone.
It flew backward…
and landed in a bush behind him.
Silence.
Then all four of his teammates burst into laughter.
Finn crossed his arms.
“I was testing the wind.”
“There was no wind,” Alyra replied.
“There is now.”
After lunch, Mira suggested a short contest.
“First one to reach that hill wins.”
“No magic.”
“No cheating.”
Finn looked offended.
“You looked at me when you said cheating.”
“Because I know you.”
“Fair.”
The race began.
Kael charged ahead like a bull.
Alyra moved with graceful speed.
Raimer followed close behind.
Halfway up the hill, Raimer noticed Alyra struggling to climb a loose rocky slope.
Without thinking, he reached out.
“Here.”
She looked at his hand for a moment before taking it.
He pulled her safely onto the ledge.
“Thanks.”
“It was nothing.”
For a few seconds, neither of them let go.
Then Finn’s voice echoed from somewhere below.
“I’M LOST!”
The moment shattered.
Alyra quietly pulled her hand away, hiding a small smile.
By sunset, the Royal Fortress came into view.
Its towering walls glowed orange beneath the evening sky.
The guards opened the gates.
Commander Varick was already waiting.
“You returned.”
His expression remained stern, but there was unmistakable relief in his eyes.
“You completed the assignment.”
Mira handed him the governor’s journal and maps.
Varick carefully examined them.
“…Excellent work.”
“You’ve brought back information the kingdom has sought for years.”
He looked at the five soldiers standing before him.
“You’ve earned three days of leave.”
Finn nearly cried.
“Commander…”
“I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love you right now.”
Varick stared at him.
“…Don’t make me change my mind.”
Finn immediately stood at attention.
“Yes, Commander!”
That evening, the fortress held a small celebration for the returning squads.
Music echoed through the courtyard.
Long tables overflowed with roasted meat, fresh bread, vegetables, and warm soup.
The five sat together, eating and laughing.
Kael challenged Finn to an arm-wrestling match.
Finn lost in three seconds. The source of this chapter is g.com.
“I wasn’t ready.”
“You said ‘go.'”
“I lied.”
Mira laughed so hard she almost spilled her drink.
Even several veteran soldiers smiled as they watched the young squad enjoying themselves.
Later that night…
Raimer stood alone on the fortress wall.
The moon hung high above the kingdom.
Footsteps approached.
Alyra stopped beside him.
“You always come up here?”
“When I need to think.”
She leaned against the stone wall.
“You did well today.”
“We all did.”
A gentle silence settled between them.
After a while, Alyra spoke again.
“When we first met…
I thought you were just another reckless recruit.”
Raimer smiled.
“And now?”
She looked out over the lights of the capital.
“…Now I trust you with my life.”
Raimer’s heart skipped a beat.
Before he could reply…
The fortress bell rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Not an alarm.
A summons.
A messenger sprinted across the courtyard shouting,
“All squad leaders and elite recruits to the Grand Hall immediately!”
Commander Varick’s face had turned grim.
On the table before him lay a sealed letter bearing the royal crest.
He broke the seal.
His eyes widened.
“The Northern Border…”
He looked up at the gathered soldiers.
“…has fallen.”
Silence swept across the hall.
Whatever came next…
Would be far greater than the horrors of Nocthollow.
End of Chapter 15