"Sir, soldiers Vivelle and Julienne have returned from their mission accompanied by soldier Alyssa from the Aurora squad." Said a soldier guarding the camp entrance.
"Thank you, Filordii, send them here." Boltu said in a serious and worried tone.
The three enter the commander's tent a few minutes later, visibly exhausted, and salute respectfully.
"Squire Vivelle Eveel reporting on the mission progress."
"Go ahead, soldier, what happened to you?"
"We took the longest route to reconnaissance and rescue of the Aurora squadron. During our mission, we came across soldier Alyssa being attacked by Barghashees. We rescued and treated her on the spot. By the order of the squadron's temporary leader, Woltur Caibriet, we have divided into two groups to report the events and continue the reconnaissance mission."
"Aurora Squadron was wiped out?"
"No, sir, we don't know, sir." Alyssa said as she stepped forward.
"Following an emergency tactic that the Aurora squad developed, my squad mates and I split up to be able to report the situation. Unfortunately, the soldier Umir Castek, who was with me during the operation, was killed by bandits, and I barely escaped."
"It's a sad day for our regiment. After the end of this mission, we will pay our respects, now inform me of everything that happened before this." Alyssa explained the entire situation and the exemplary work of the Blindfold squad in rescuing her.
Apprehensively, Boltu analyzed the map of the region and the current situation of the Blindfold squad. He then took out a reddish-colored parchment and began to write on it for a few minutes. When he finished, he tore up the parchment, which emitted a reddish light that soon took the shape of a small bird; the parchment then destroyed itself.
In the blink of an eye, the little bird of light disappears. Boltu then returns his attention to the three soldiers in his tent.
"You will rest until tomorrow, we will prepare the attack on these damned bandits and avenge those who were slaughtered."
"Sir, I can still help with the preparations." Alyssa said.
"This is an order, soldier. When you are well rested, then you will take part in the mission, but if for any reason you do not follow this order, you will remain in camp until further notice. Am I clear?"
They greet him with respect and speak in one voice.
"Yes, sir!"
"Dismissed."
Wiping his bloody hands with a simple cloth, Woltur looks at the bandit they captured in the last battle.
"You took a while to speak, but at least now you understand that your life is worth more than simple information."
The criminal's face is completely disfigured, there are cuts on his arms and hands, and he breathes slowly and very weakly.
"I am not a sadist, therefore, I will fulfill my promise to end your suffering."
He approaches the bandit, and the moment he takes a dagger from his belt, a red light appears before his eyes and turns into a small red bird. Gently, he touches Woltur's forehead, who hears Commander Boltu's voice.
"Blindfold Squadron, your primary mission was a success, and I congratulate you for bringing us information about what happened to the Aurora Squadron. When you receive this message, at the start of the next day, reinforcements will arrive. Your orders are to wait for reinforcements in the same place where you found soldier Alyssa. From that point, we will coordinate a search and attack on the bandits' stronghold."
"If you wish to add any information, simply use the command word reply at the end of this message and respond directly. Be succinct, as the response time is short. Good luck with your new mission. For the glory of Felnatus!"
Woltur makes the respect gesture to the house of Felnatus and responds to the magical message. With a few words, he informs the commander of the stronghold's location and that he has a prisoner.
Shortly after this response, the red bird quickly disappears. He then observes the bandit and smiles.
"You're lucky, I hope that luck continues and you survive until we reach our new destination." He turns to the entrance of the improvised tent they had erected earlier.
"Caristo!" The soldier in front of the tent enters.
"Call the others, we have new orders, and prepare to carry this good-for-nothing."
Without saying anything, Caristo nods and hurries to call the other squad members.
Minutes later, Caristo returns with the other squad members, except for Manila.
"Where is Manila?"
"Sorry, Woltur, but she's still resting. I didn't want to wake her now." Elzen said.
"We are on a mission, Elzen, we cannot neglect ourselves for a moment, she needs to be here."
"Let her sleep, I can explain everything to her later, her injuries were serious, and you know it."
"One of us can carry her if necessary, Woltur." - In one of the corners of the tent, Quaaren, who normally does not speak out in situations like this, approaches Elzen, showing support for his colleague's decision.
Surprised, Woltur shows some irritation at the disobedience of his commands, and with an irritated sigh, he gives up.
"So pay attention! Commander Boltu gave us a new mission: we will return to the mountains where we found soldier Alyssa. You will wait for reinforcements, then begin a search operation and attack the bandits' stronghold."
"Is there a deadline for us to get to the location?"
"No, but we must go as quickly as possible, as reinforcements will leave the camp tomorrow."
"I'll prepare everything to carry Manila and her belongings." Elzen said.
"I will break up the temporary camp." Quaaren said.
"I will stand guard with Caristo while you do this. Let's do it as quickly as possible to be up to the standard expected of us."
At a rapid pace, the camp is broken up, and all the equipment is stored in the backpacks. Elzen approaches the bush where he left Manila resting, and he kneels down and carefully lifts her.
The world around Manila is shrouded in darkness, and the veil of sleep envelops all of her senses. Her body floats in this space as if nothing existed except her essence.
"Where am I?" Her thoughts echo in all directions.
"Finally! A moment where you can hear me, without all the annoying noises." A voice similar to hers, with a darker and more distorted tone, speaks closely.
"I thought you were gone."
Laughter echoes through the air mockingly.
"Never, I will always be close to you. The difference is that you haven't had much time to listen to me."
"Where am I? And why am I here?
"Within your essence, my precious host, and you know why? You almost met Belfronti, the gatekeeper of the dead."
The silence within this space is terrifying, but this feeling of loneliness and despair is nothing new to her.
"Exactly, we both know that feeling well. Something that accompanied us from an early age."
That empty area gradually turns into a luxurious and dark room, on a double bed, a woman with black hair and a weakened appearance is lying down, looking at a small newborn.
"Why were you born on this day? Why did the great star mother abandon me?"
"I took care of you with so much affection, we planned for you so well, we did everything the temple asked of us, and yet..." A moment of silence during the woman's words fills the room with sadness and regret.
"So soon, the goddess cursed us like this..."
The door to the room opens, four well-equipped soldiers position themselves in the four corners of the room, and then, through the door, a man that Manila knows very well, but with a much younger appearance, enters.
"Mellorus..." - Said the woman with fear and sadness.
"Candelia, all our wishes and efforts for this family cannot be thrown away because of this thing you brought into the world. You will have a good life in Kharazad-Dham. We have a Villa in Amur Khad, and you will have a new name and life."
"I don't..." She stops and closes her eyes. "I understand..."
"As for this...abomination, she will be treated like the trash she is, you both died today, and that will be the only truth that will be established today."
Everything goes dark again, and Manila is once again in the void.
"Understand what I'm telling you, not even your parents wanted you, and now that you've managed to leave that place, it seems like you've forgotten that."
Tears form in her eyes, and a choked tone fills her voice.
"I've never forgotten, but there's no reason to keep thinking about those who don't like me."
"Then don't think about anyone, because nobody likes you, the only thing all these worms deserve is death..." - The voice becomes increasingly loud and violent.
"YOU WILL HAVE YOUR REVENGE AGAINST EVERYONE, EACH ONE OF THESE MISERABLES WILL FEEL THE WEIGHT OF THEIR DECISIONS PIERCING THEIR THROAT!"
"No! There are good people!" - She kneels with her hands on her ears, trying not to hear anymore.
"YOU FOOL! THEY'RE JUST USING YOU LIKE EVERYONE ELSE! YOU THINK AFTER THIS LITTLE EXPEDITION YOU'LL BE RECOGNIZED?! YOU'RE A TOOL TO THEM!"
The entire environment becomes turbulent; what was previously occupied only by silence becomes a cold and noisy storm.
Ghostly screams surround her with words already spoken in the past.
"You are nothing to us, Servant!"
"Turn around and prepare for your punishment!"
"This dirty kid doesn't deserve to work here like us."
"WAKE UP TO THE TRUTH! LET ME TAKE CHARGE OF OUR LIVES AND YOU WILL FEEL THE PLEASURE OF BRINGING THE END TO THESE WICKED THINGS!"
"NO!" The whole chaotic scene disappears when she opens her eyes, her heart beats rapidly, her breathing irregular, and cold sweat covers her entire body, she observes her surroundings, there is no voice, there is no storm, there is just the canvas of an improvised tent, the feeling of the makeshift bed on her back and something in at her hand, warm and cozy.
She looks at her hand and discovers Elzen sleeping close to her while sitting on a bench holding her hand. A soft smile appears but soon disappears when a voice inside her head speaks again.
"You need to kill everyone..."