Part 5 — Two Days Remaining
Only two days remained.
The Academy had grown quieter.
Not because there were fewer cadets.
Because everyone understood what was coming.
The laughter still existed.
But it was softer now.
Every conversation eventually found its way back to deployment.
---
The afternoon sun painted long shadows across the Academy grounds.
Gamma Squad had just finished another strategy session with Commander Vance.
No corrections.
No criticism.
Only one sentence before she dismissed them.
"You've done everything you can."
The words stayed with David long after she left.
---
Later that evening...
David wandered alone through the Academy gardens.
The pathways wound between flowering trees and quiet stone benches.
This had become one of his favorite places.
It reminded him that life still existed outside of combat.
He stopped beside a small pond.
The water reflected the orange sky.
"...Beautiful."
A familiar voice answered behind him.
"It always is."
David turned.
Nyra stood a few steps away.
Hands resting behind her back.
Her silver hair drifted gently with the evening breeze.
"You come here often?"
She smiled.
"When I need to think."
David laughed softly.
"...Me too."
For a while...
Neither of them spoke.
They simply watched the sunlight dance across the surface of the pond.
Finally...
Nyra broke the silence.
"It's strange."
David looked over.
"What is?"
She smiled faintly.
"When we first got here..."
"I couldn't wait to graduate."
David nodded.
"I remember."
"You remember that?"
"You said this place was too structured."
She laughed.
"I did."
Another quiet moment passed.
Then she looked around the gardens.
"I think..."
"...I'm going to miss it."
David followed her gaze.
The stone pathways.
The ancient trees.
The distant training halls.
Dormitory One.
The arena where they had all fought together.
"It became home."
Nyra nodded.
"...Yeah."
"It did."
---
A breeze swept gently across the pond.
Nyra watched the ripples spread across the water.
"I've been thinking."
David smiled.
"That usually means something serious."
She laughed.
"It is."
She looked toward him.
"Whatever happens on Kharos Vale..."
"I'm glad we were put in the same squad."
David looked at her for a long moment.
"...Me too."
"I don't think I would've made it through this year without all of you."
Nyra smiled warmly.
"You would've."
David shook his head.
"...No."
"I really don't think I would have."
She studied him quietly.
"You know..."
"That's one of the things I admire about you."
David blinked.
"What?"
"You never pretend you did everything alone."
He smiled.
"Because I didn't."
He looked toward the Academy buildings.
"Cass pushed me to become better."
"Lucian taught me discipline."
"Mira taught me to think before acting."
"June..."
David laughed.
"...June taught me that laughing during hard times isn't weakness."
Nyra smiled.
"And me?"
David looked at her.
"You remind me."
"Of what?"
"That strength doesn't always have to be loud."
For the first time...
Nyra didn't know what to say.
A faint blush colored her cheeks.
"...Thank you."
---
They continued walking through the gardens.
No destination.
No schedule.
Just enjoying the evening.
Eventually...
They reached the overlook where the Academy grounds stretched out below them.
Hundreds of cadets crossed the pathways.
Some trained.
Some studied.
Some simply enjoyed the last peaceful days before deployment.
David rested his hands on the stone railing.
"Hard to believe..."
"It's almost over."
Nyra nodded.
"The Academy."
"Our first year."
She smiled.
"...Everything."
David quietly looked toward the horizon.
"When we come back..."
"I don't think we'll be the same people."
Nyra understood exactly what he meant.
"No."
"We won't."
Another silence settled between them.
Comfortable.
Peaceful.
Then—
A familiar voice echoed across the overlook.
"There you are!"
June climbed the stone steps carrying an entire paper bag under one arm.
Mira followed behind him.
Looking only slightly embarrassed.
David laughed.
"I should've known."
June grinned.
"I've been looking everywhere."
Nyra raised an eyebrow.
"For us?"
"No."
He reached into the bag.
"I found a bakery."
He triumphantly held up a small box.
"And they were closing."
"So..."
"I saved these from being tragically uneaten."
Mira looked at David.
"...He bought enough for all six of us."
June pointed dramatically.
"Because I care."
Lucian's voice came from farther down the path.
"...You bought the entire tray."
June looked completely unapologetic.
"...Also true."
Castiel walked beside Lucian with his hands in his pockets.
He looked at the box.
"...Worth it?"
June opened it.
Fresh pastries filled the evening air with the smell of cinnamon and warm bread.
Castiel nodded once.
"...Worth it."
Everyone laughed.
June smiled triumphantly.
"I knew you'd all come around."
The six of them sat together on the stone wall overlooking the Academy.
Sharing pastries.
Watching the sun disappear beyond the distant mountains.
For a little while...
No one spoke about deployment.
No one spoke about monsters.
No one spoke about the future.
They simply enjoyed the sunset together.
Because deep down...
Every one of them knew...
Moments like this were becoming precious.