The next day...
Matthew opened his eyes. He was in the forest again... on that night two days ago. He frantically looked around trying to find the shadow. Sticks broke, leaves rustled and the grass bent to a power unknown by humans. Then…
"Have you…brought the second sun?"
The same haunting voice resounded, sending shivers down his spine as fell unconscious. The next second, he woke up – panting. Hot sweat rolled off his body and he tugged the blanket. He rested his body and covered his face with his arm.
'That's two days now…'
He groaned and woke up – dark circles fading under his red eyes. Beside him, Nolan and Josh's eyes were wide open – red like his.
"You guys too?"
They nodded – not a doubt in their mind. Mathhew checked the time on his glasses – almost 6 o'clock. He sighed and stood up.
'First time, I'm going to be up early.'
He strapped on his vest and stepped out of the tent. Cold fog surrounded them, weakening their vision. Matthew sighed, cold breath trailing hi mouth as his two teammates also stepped out. They didn't speak – not for a while. Then, Nolan's lips parted as he asked a simple question.
"Should we tell them?"
The two others shook their heads almost immediately.
"Absolutely not. I'm afraid that 'thing' will come after us." Matthew replied.
"I don't care about the others. If I have a better chance at surviving, I'll do anything." Josh added.
Nolan nodded, realizing how out of touch they were. Then, after a few minutes, all the enforcers in the camp began waking up one after another.
***
Major stretched his arms and woke his body up. The others did the same as they waited for their instructor. Maple approached, yawing and they at attention the next second.
"Good morning…" Maple waved.
"Good morning, ma'am!" They replied in unison.
She stretched her arms and slumped. Then, she straightened her back and stated in a calm manner.
"Looks like it's our turn for night patrol but since the lieutenant general if out of commission…you'll be on duty tonight."
They nodded, accepting the task. Maple clapped her hands, cold breath trailing her mouth.
"Now…let's get to training. Run five laps."
The team started jogging and began circling the camp. After five revolutions, they halted at their previous location and stood at attention.
Maple smirked. "Good…you didn't get tired from that…Now, you know what to do."
The team fell down and began doing push-ups, then sit-ups and finally explosive lunges. After the training, they drew sharp breaths – a little tired.
"Good – Good." Maple clapped. "Now, take a break and we'll get to the last bit."
Major, Jasper, Saul, Frank and Elke fell and sat down on the ground. After a few short breaths, Elke asked.
"So…How are we gonna do this patrol thing?"
Major shrugged. "Eh, we'll probably designate areas to patrol."
"That sounds like a good idea." Frank commented.
Jasper smiled, not seeming to be tried. "Then, that's it. I pick our tent."
"Damn, you. I wanted to pick that." Elke blurted.
"Well, you're too late." Jasper chuckled.
"Cut it out guys. We need to rest." Saul stated.
Listening to their comrades' words, they rested fully for a while before jolting up standing. Maple also stood up and said in a calm manner.
"Time for the finale~"
She unsheathed her katana and readied herself. The team also pulled out their blades and took a stance. As the sun rose, the fog started to vanish. Major's eyes widened and he ducked. Sunlight burst out from behind him, blocking Maple's vision. The others swiftly moved forward. Maple reversed her direction, her vision still blurry. In that instance, jasper attacked, aiming at her legs. Maple jumped slightly, avoiding it but then she was pushed forward by Saul.
As she approached the ground, she rolled forward as Frank tried to hit her with his hilt. Noticing this as she was about to launch up, she pushed his katana away with her feet. Bracing herself, she launched to a standing position and rotated, facing her enforcers.
'Nice, they're getting better…but wait where's Elke?'
She had no time to question that as Major and Jasper attacked her head on. Maple deflected their attacks and backed up. Then, she stepped forward, easily avoiding Saul's hit. She spun around and deflected Frank's sword.
'Good, they can hold their swords now…'
Jasper lunged at her, trying to push her down but she side-stepped avoiding. Then, Major swung and he ducked to avoid it, repulsing his katana. Then, a figure who hadn't appeared for quite a while jumped in the fray. From a direction she couldn't easily block with her sword, Elke lunged, trying to at least graze.
Seeing this, something triggered inside her.
'It's been a while since I was serious…these guys have earned it.'
Using her left hand, she slid it across the surface of the blade, nudging it slightly. The nudge caused it to completely go off course. Then, in the next few seconds, she kicked Major and Jasper down. Standing up, she locked Saul blade in a hold and slammed him into the ground. At last, Frank and Elke were defeated in a similar manner.
Maple sheathed her blade and smiled.
"Good job. That was the best performance you gave yet. I had to go serious for a while."
"Really?" Major asked.
"Yep! But I want to say that hiding Elke as a surprise attack was a really good idea."
"Thanks…" Elke panted, saying with a grin.
"But pointing out something." Maple crossed her arms. "You need to add an unpredictable factor to your fighting. Sometimes doing the most efficient moves can be dangerous."
"Those…predictable attacks were meant to draw your attention away from Elke." Saul added.
"Yes…but if you had been unpredictable in your attacks, I would've been more focused on you rather than Elke and then…Boom! You win!"
The team groaned, slapping their knees in a fit an anguish.
"Can we eat breakfast now?" Frank's stomach rumbled.
Maple, Major, Jasper, Saul and Elke laughed. Maple wiped her nose and replied.
"Yes, we can. It should be done by now. Remember, you're on night patrol duty and make a better plan to defeat me, alright?"
"Yes, ma'am. I will." Major replied with confidence as they marched towards the fire that was lit.