A few hours later...
The sun began to rise from the east. Dawn soon came to be as the patrolling enforcers headed back to their tents. Major and the rest gathered, preparing to go to sleep together. They waited and waited but eventually, Major spat out.
"Where's Elke?"
Frank raised his hand. "Last I saw him was around midnight. He was walking around the camp and we had a little chat but…nothing after."
Major sighed. "Did he fall asleep on tree or something?"
"Come on, guys! Let's find him before instructor Maple wakes up." Saul urged.
"Alright…" Major stepped forward, leading the team.
They headed outside the camp as the enforcers in the tents began waking up. Maple stepped out and stretched her back. She peered around the camp before noticing her recruits were heading off somewhere.
'Where are they going?'
***
They walked through the forest, heading out of camp.
'He couldn't have gone far…'
Major thought as Jasper called out while cupping his hands on his mouth.
"Elke! Elke! Come out, boy!"
Jasper eventually stopped, sighing. Saul head rotated in every direction like a machine while Frank just glanced for anything that resembled humans. The forest became quiet as if it was holding its breath. Sunlight began piercing through the clouds and hitting the grass. The leaves rustled calmly as the birds chirped widely. Then…Major froze.
Jasper stopped in his tracks. Saul paused mid turn and Frank stared towards what they had found. Major's jaw and eye twitched unevenly. Even though he had an attribute that allowed him to collect and process information faster than a human brain…he still couldn't comprehend what was in front of. Jasper bit his lip, drawing blood. Saul pulled his hair lightly, aggravated yet saddened. Frank still stared as if his voice had disappeared.
In front were two – two bloodied legs, after that there was an upper body without a head. Lastly, at the foot a tree…was Elke's head. The only thing that connected them were memory and blood. The group stayed silent…processing the death of their friend.
"Captain." Jasper muttered with a cracking voice.
Major didn't react – he didn't respond immediately. He stared at the body, his mind replaying the memories he had of him. He blinked, thinking it was a trick of light but the blood was real. Elke's head stared back with empty eyes. Then, as his heart ached, he replied in a low voice.
"Saul…inform the…instructor."
Saul sniffed, small tears forming on his eyes which he wiped off. Without replying, he turned around and walked towards the camp. He kept gazing at his feet, with each step, Elke's body surfaced in his mind. Eventually, he made it to the camp, trying to find Maple. He saw the enforcers were gathered around a fire, eating happily while chatting to each other.
Maple noticed him from the corner of her eye and stood up. She halted near him and placed her hands on her hips.
"Where did you go? You missed breakfast."
Saul's lips bubbled as he wiped his tears again. "We…went to find…Elke."
Maple raised a brow. "Elke? So? Did you find him?"
Silence tugged at the atmosphere. Crows circled above, echoing death's arrival as Saul's mouth opened.
"He's dead."
Maple froze – her hands dropping. Before she could say another word, Saul's voice cracked as he let himself break a little.
"He's dead – butchered and decapitated…"
Maple blinked.
'Is he joking? Right? He's joking right? But…. Saul's not the type to lie…'
She smacked her lips and placed her hands on Saul's shoulder.
"Where's the rest?"
"At his body…a little ways from…the camp…" Saul replied, tiredly.
Maple nodded as she turned around, hiding her shaking hands from Saul. She headed towards the medic's tent. Stepping inside, she saw Arthur and Kay silently eating their breakfast. Kay noticed her first and waved.
"Hey, Maple! What's up?"
Arthur lifted his head after hearing her name. He frowned, noticing her serious expression.
'Why do I feel like's something wrong…?'
Then, Maple's parted as he clenched her fists.
"Captain…we have a possible…DNB."
The room froze – Arthur dropped his spoon. His pupils dilated but he was not yet prepared for Maple's next words.
"The DNB is from…Major's team…"
"What…?" Arthur's voice cracked, a high-pitched yet sorrow voice coming out instead.
He leaned back, pinching the top of his nose. He drew a heavy breath, taking in the situation. After a few seconds, he leaned forward.
"Has the body been retrieved?"
"No…" Maple replied.
Arthur smacked his lips. "Inform the general first before doing anything."
Maple nodded and exited the camp. Kay looked at Arthur was had his head lowered.
"That's the second one, isn't it…?"
Arthur nodded slowly, slumping into his bed.
***
Maple entered the main tent where Nyx, David and Lancelot were eating their breakfast. Nyx raised a brow as Maple entered.
"Hey, sweetheart~ What are you doing here?"
David and Lancelot noticed her presence and straightened. Maple locked eyes with Lancelot.
"General."
Lancelot smiled kindly. "Yes? What do you need from me?"
"We have a possible DNB…"
The room again fell to silence. Nyx's eye twitched while Lancelot's expression remained unchanged.
"Okay…let's go slowly. Where is the DNB?" Lancelot asked.
"Near the camp…It's was discovered by the teammates of the deceased enforcer." Maple stated.
"Then, send another group of enforcers to retrieve the body. We don't want the poor enforcers to get the body of their own friend."
"Yes, sir." Maple exited the tent.
A thick tension formed in the room. David stroked his chin, pondering this dilemma.
"Two enforcers' dead…one from mine and another from his…It's frightening."
"I completely agree." Lancelot slammed his fist on the table with a serious face.
Nyx stared at the table, forgetting her breakfast. 'How the hell is this even happening…?'
The crows and ravens circled above – still counting.