The Moon...
Even though it was in it's archetypal crescent shape, something felt unusual about how it looked— or at least that's what the boy who had been looking straight at it for more than 10 minutes thought.
Nothing more significant than ' mind paying tricks'; but the boy lying on the ground kept on inspecting for changes with great focus.
There was quite a lively commotion around him. Men and women chatting in groups, some tending to their own injuries and some drinking liquor as a way of celebration.
Campfires embellished the empty land— it's embers rising high in the sky. The environment divulged no more than a group of people typically camping in an underrated campsite.
After a fierce battle with a Demon King, victory was finally declared when it's corpse disappeared(a phenomenon that occurs after it's death) and a two months long planned attack finally succeeded with little casualties.
The large gate to the other dimension also disappeared after all the demon hunters successfully came out- concluding the major part of a raid.
That was roughly 30 minutes ago...
In raids like this squads are usually divided into three groups - The Combatants, The Medics and The Gear Compartments.
'The Combatants' as the name applies were the front men in the raid- actively taking part in fighting the demons.
'The Medics' were individuals assigned with the task of healing immediate injuries of the hunters-allowing them to keep on fighting— as well as protecting the severely injured ones till the raid was over.
A part of them remained outside the gate- active after the raid was over. They would always remain ready to swiftly transport hunters with grave injuries into medical centers for better treatment.
'The Gear Compartments' consisted of the ones designated with the task of carrying large and heavy gears used in the raid. They would also gather and preserve damaged gears.
Just within ten minutes of the last hunter stepping out of the gate, the medics and the gear compartments aptly discharged their respective liailities- concluding the raid—
and the squad was ready for departure.
However the departure was superfluously delayed due to the inveterate slacking off by the combatants.
For some reason, those hunters took an awfully long time bidding farewell to the place they risked their lives at. They were always keen to celebrating the victory right away.
Having no reason to denounce that, the individuals from the rest of the groups also joined them.
And who could balme one for honouring the triumph of living to see another day?
Acceptance of such circumstances was already achieved by Eden after his very first participation in raid. But in contrast with the rest his comrades around his age- trying to adapt with their seniors, he felt more lively looking at the lone moon in a lifeless sky.
There was not a shred of star light in the sky which allowed him to focus better at the bright moon as such an act of extreme indolence was more indulging to him than most could ever imagine.
Even with all his focus devoted to the sky he felt footsteps approaching towards him and it stopped right beside him.
"Eden, why the hell are you lying here?" The strident yell struck his auditory nerve with high preciseness. But it didn't bother him to the slightest. He didn't even flinch.
The voice belonged to his homeroom teacher Melvert Kenz. It had a mixture of a certain type of annoyance that only develops when talking to a commoner in the house of aristocrats. And unsurprisingly enough- that sort of annoyance developed in almost everyone when talking to Eden.
"If you have completed your duties go wait in the van. We will be leaving shortly," his teacher added with a firm expression.
It wasn't a comment- rather an oder ignoring which would bring too much unnecessary attention which Eden in his way always tries to avoid. After all you can't reason with temper or ego.
Having little to no other way, he got up without making eye contact or saying a word and expressionlessly started walking towards the van. There was only one of a distinct kind. It was a large vehicle run by steam engine which had two separate carriages- one for the gears and the other for it's chaperones. Five other vans which had only one carriages were also parked in line- next to it.
After watching Eden enter the carriage Melvert let out a weary sigh and walked back to join his comrades.
........