After informing Nyx, the enforcers began packing up the tents and equipment. Arthur himself took down a few tents with them and was loaded with three bags. He tapped his earpiece which morphed into glasses. Holograms appeared in front of him as he quickly used his eyes to select the calendar. He smiled, raising a brow at the date.
[October 25th, 2983.]
'It's been three months already…?'
Arthur chuckled and morphed the glasses back. He picked up the bags, holding two and placing one on his back. The other enforcers did the same and eventually, they were ready to head.
"Alright, men! Let's get going." Nyx encouraged, waving them ahead.
The enforcers stomped their feet against the muddy ground and marched forward through the overgrown place. They weaved through countless vines and bushes, avoiding crashing into trees or slipping.
'It's really a hassle to get through these grounds...'
Arthur thought, pulling his foot out of a small hole. Birds chirped in the distance, leaves rustled and bushes shook. Hours passed in a blur as they made it to the edge of a river.
With Nyx guiding them, they quickly moved around it but then…the water shook violently as if it were boiling. The enforcers who had gone on the morning exploration snapped their heads toward it, their faces paling.
"It's coming…" One whispered.
"Run…" Another murmured.
They were the first to run – not caring whether another died. Right then, the trees shook and bushes were ripped off the ground. Arthur glanced sideways and before him was a snake twice his size, hovering over him as if he were an insect. In the next few seconds, it opened its mouth lunging at Arthur. Impulsively, Arthur created a mini-sun with his fingers in the shape of a gun.
At the front, Nyx stretched her hand. The shadows damped and moved towards the beasts, restricting its movements. Arthur's eyes widened as the star glowed brightly in his hand.
"Shit." He whispered.
The star exploded, creating a supernova which expanded at the speed of light. Arthur flew back, crashing into a tree and snapping it in half. The bag on his back protected him from some damage but he still felt immense pain shoot throughout his body. The others were pushed back expect for Nyx who kept herself in place using the shadows.
More trees fell, covering the lake in a whole. After a few minutes, the explosion stopped as the enforcers stood up groaning.
"I think I broke my back." Harvey stated.
"I think I'm in another dimension." Amelia's head spun in circles.
"Where Arthur?" Maple inquired, standing up.
Then, a hand emerged from behind a tree, waving. Maple rushed towards it, taking off her load. She peeked beyond the tree and saw Arthur rolled over fac-first on the infectious ground, waving his hand. Maple gasped and rushed to pick him up.
"Ar- I mean captain, Are you okay?" She wiped his face.
"Yeah." Arthur coughed. "I think I got dirt in my system."
"We need to check you!" Maple stated, her worry rising.
Arthur stopped her. "No…it's okay. I'll help myself when we meet up with the rest.
At that moment, Nyx clapped her hands.
"Alright everyone! If you're okay, the let's get going."
The enforcers nodded and began treading forward once again, trailing the supreme commander.
"You go with them." Arthur urged. "I have something to pick."
"But…" Maple tried to protest.
"I said to go." Arthur said.
Maple slowly nodded and followed the others. Arthur approached the covered lake and scanned the area. Eventually, he grinned and found the remaining body of the snake. Its dark skin rippled with the beat of a heart as if it were still alive. He put it on his shoulder and glanced at the group. Then, he followed them while he was quite behind.
***
After a few hours, they were finally out of the forest. The tall red trees greeted them once more – they hadn't seen them for months. Even then, they continued forward – not stopping for celebrations. They had to get back to the camp. Arthur treaded forward, pushing his feet against the ground. The snake's body weighed on him with the rest of the load. Even worse, he felt weakness over taking him.
'What is happening to me?'
He questioned as he placed his hand against his head.
'A fever…I see…'
His eyes twitched. Of course, he would have a fever after falling face first into infectious dirt that had probably gone into his body.
'Oh, shit! The stomach pain is hitting now…'
Arthur clutched his stomach, wishing they would arrive at the camp faster. Minutes felt like hours to him, he felt heavier – more tired…vulnerable. His whole body ached with pain. Finally, he saw white tents emerging in his vision. The enforcers rested their loads while they greeted others. As Arthur stepped into the camp, he felt…relieved.
Maple turned towards him, asking in a worried tone.
"Hey, captain? Can we check you…up…?"
As Maple spoke, Arthur fell face forward onto the ground as his vision faded into nothingness.
***
Arthur slowly opened his eyes. He was in a tent, lying on a hospital bed with machines beeping every second. He groaned and tried to move his body but couldn't. Right then, a man wearing a blue outfit and mask appeared.
"So, you're awake now. Lieutenant general – Arthur von Ashking."
The man tapped his pad and sat down, crossing his legs.
"Where am I?" Arthur asked, tiredly.
"You? You're in the paramedic's tent. You were pretty roughed up back there. 105-degree fever, dry cough, diarrhea to list a few."
Arthur nodded.
'Guess the dirt did break my system…'
"So…how am I right now, doc?"
"Right now…you're fine but you should be feeling something right about now…" The medic replied.
Suddenly, Arthur felt his body heat and his stomach rumble intensely. His mouth bloated and he jolted up, puking beside the bed. He panted; head hanging from the side and fell back.
"That's the dirt." The medic stood up. "We'll give you a few medications in a few moments and you'll be good to go in a few days to a week."
Arthur moaned, tried to respond. The medic smiled from behind his mask and left. Arthur's head sup for a few seconds before stopping. His stomach felt fresher but his fever wasn't gone. He coughed a few times before gazing around the tent. His eyes eventually landed on another patient, sitting straight while looking directly at him.
"Good afternoon, captain!" Kay waved.
Arthur stared at him before face-palming.
"It's gonna be a long time before I'm out again, isn't it…?"