“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.” The boy patted Cassius on the back. Cassius looked up at the carving with wide eyes. His lips twitched as he looked back down at his hand groveling in the dirt. The fangs released, and with them, a sigh. He swatted the boy’s hand away and slowly got up. Dirt had caked the entire anterior of his armor. Another sigh slipped from his tight lips as he looked at the boy with dark, cold eyes. The grip of the shadows behind Cassius returned, but he steeled his face.

“Did you see that Aberrō?” Cassius asked as if nothing happened and pointed in the direction he came from.

“The one with the red blood?” The boy looked up at him, his grip on his mace tightened as he looked around, then nodded. “It was dead.”

Cassius nodded back, “Red blood. Like this?” He raised his forearm to reveal a trickle of blood running down his sleeve.

The boy looked into his eyes and cleared his throat. “Y-Yeah, like that.”

Cassius nodded to himself and picked up his club. “I just wanted to make sure. Let’s go, then.”

The two of them walked back down the path the boy had made on his way there.

“We didn’t go this far. Maybe it’s not too bad out here,” The boy looked around at the trees and heavy vegetation, “But I hope it stays that way.”

“I wouldn't jinx it.”

“You know, you went even further than we went. I got no idea what you were looking for, but don’t do that again!” The boy grunted.

Cassius let what he said process, The tree—I’m unsure if that could be a coincidence. But the paper, that can’t be. Only the old group had those.

There was an eerie silence around them, which was especially strange considering the boy behind him. He was about to say something very stupid, he could feel it.

The boy let out a short mumble before speaking up, “Don’t freak out this time, but it looks like you know something about that moth thing.”

Cassius felt the boy’s gaze at his back; he wasn’t sure whether telling him would be a good idea. He couldn’t act as if nothing had happened anymore, not after that outburst.

“I don’t think that’s your business.” He did it anyway. “Maybe later,” Cassius sighed as he kept moving until the barren stretch of land was in sight.

The two of them left the forest, and the light returned. In the distance, Nelia, Grace, and Valerio stood outside the lone barracks. Cassius’ eyes lowered. “They must’ve sent you, right?” The boy nodded as he ran to the barracks. Cassius followed. As they approached, Nelia’s face scrunched up and released.

“Cassius,” she commanded sternly, “I want you to talk.” Tension brewed instantly. Cassius rubbed his neck in preparation to speak, but Grace interrupted him.

“Something genuine, please.”

Cassius looked away and bit his lip. It shouldn’t be possible, but if the kid found that paper, then maybe there really is someone out there. The image of the carved tree flashed in his mind. But would they do that? There’s only way to find out.

“Fine,” He started, “what is it you want to know?”

“You keep dismissing us, as well as the entire squadron. Why?” Nelia asked. “Tell me the truth.”

Cassius avoided direct eye contact with her and tapped his foot on the dry land. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Really? Look—the world doesn’t revolve around you. The world also doesn't stop spinning because your squad died. I know it’s been hard, but you can’t just distance yourself from us.”

Cassius’ eyebrow twitched; he flicked his tongue in his mouth for something to chew on. Upon finding nothing, he sighed, “I’m not…”

“You are. You’re giving up.” Nelia crossed her arms and stepped towards him. Her face suddenly softened. “There’s no way to move on if you can’t talk to us. It’ll just stay the way it was nine months ago.” Those words were like lava spitting on his face. Move on? What would she know about moving on? Nothing. That's not possible.

A cough came from behind her, and she turned to see Valerio—eyes to the ground—rubbing his neck. “I don’t know about this stuff, but it feels like you’re doing too much, Nel.” She winces at the nickname but doesn’t respond.

Grace spoke up, “We should start slow, starting with what happened today. You don’t have to divulge everything yet.” Her face was just as plain as before, like she didn't really care. Although reading her is nearly impossible, so maybe there is something behind that face.

Cassius’s breath shook as he looked at the group. A pain rose from his core to his throat and he clenched his teeth. Why do I feel this way? They can’t just—

This was a sting of defeat, but why? He let his maw hang open, and it trembled—almost warning Cassius.

“I can’t,” Cassius’ voice shook; he shut his lips tight and looked away. “I’m sorry.” Nobody made a sound. Just as Cassius would turn to leave, the boy reached up to tap him on the shoulder. “You guys can go on in, I’ll handle this.” he waved them off. Valerio raised a brow and whispered to the others, “I told you! Sketchy ass kid.”

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

The boy walked with him away from the entrance and to the side of the building. Mold covered the walls and the plant life had become overgrown. Cassius looked down at him as he removed his dirty armor. “What do you want?”

“I’m gonna get straight to the point,” the boy smirked. Whatever this was, he wasn’t looking forward to hearing it.

“That moth has something to do with your old squad, right? You think they’re still out there somewhere?” The boy’s words came out so fast Cassius couldn’t respond. The boy snickered, “I just thought it was obvious. But anyway—you wanna go back and so do I. Everyone says it’s bad to go deeper into the forest, but you can’t just say we didn’t see what we saw!”

The boy hopped around and kicked up dust; his voice was giddy despite the gravity of the situation. Nevertheless, Cassius let him continue. The boy clashed his fist and palm, proclaiming, “Nobody’s ever seen a red-blooded Aberrō, so we can’t pass this up! All we gotta do is arm to the teeth, and we’d be fine!”

A moment of silence passed with the boy’s eyes on Cassius, awaiting a response.

As much as I want to believe it… Cassius saw the memories pass through his head like a blur and fade. His mind was too tired and numb to retain them, thankfully.

…I know they died. I watched them…I just watched them.

“That’s the same curiosity that killed us 9 months ago.”

“It doesn’t have to be a curiosity! You know more about those Aberrō than anyone in the Cardinal Squadrons. I mean, what’re we doing here, anyway? They don’t need us!” Cassius glanced at him and picked up his armor.

“Do what you want,” he sighed and went back to the front door. “I don’t know.”

----------------------------------------

Hours later, it was time for dinner. This time, Cassius posted himself at the very corner of the dining room, watching the rest of the squadron. Most faces were like a blur passing through his mind, never lingering. He sipped his juice box when a hand tapped his shoulder. It was Valerio. They exchanged an awkward glance at their peripherals.

Valerio cleared his throat and leaned on a counter littered with plastic plates and bottles. “So, uh…you get it, right? It just doesn’t feel right here.” It was obvious that his question didn't make sense, but he let it hang in the air as he glanced at Cassius and the cup in his own hand.

Cassius looked back at him with disinterested eyes.

“I mean, I’m from the Eastern Squad, so we don’t do things like this. There’re more girls here and…”

Now he’s just venting.

“You get it, right?” Valerio said as Nelia walked up to them with two plates of spaghetti.

“We all get it, V.” She gave him a glare as payback for the earlier nickname. “Except for the girls part—you’re by yourself on that one. Grace and I came from the Western Squad; everyone else is new. I’m not sure about that new boy, though.”

Their attention shifted to the boy sitting at the table. Now that his armor was off, his self-proclaimed ripped muscles showed. He shot up from his seat and knocked his chair over. Everyone looked as he slapped his hands on the table with a grin.

“What the hell is his problem?” Valerio whispered.

He took a deep breath in, “My name is Han! It’s a pleasure to meet you all! I have an announcement!”

Murmurs sounded throughout the room. Nelia’s brows furrowed as she gripped her plate harder. From his pockets, Han pulled out a leg of the red-blooded Aberrō from the forest. Cassius leaned back and rubbed his arms—nearly scratching them.

“Behold, the leg of a red-blooded Aberrō!” He swung it around, causing a chain reaction of “Ew!” and “Gross!”, “Isn’t it interesting?! It’s red-blooded just like us, but it’s an Aberrō!”

“Where are you going with this?” Nelia demanded.

Han turned to her and spread his arms wide; the leg spurted blood onto the walls. “Imagine! Just imagine what else could be out there. Aren’t you all tired of staying here all day until the next outbreak?” The rest of the squadron looked at each other with curiosity.

“No,” Nelia stepped forward with her arms crossed, “I don’t know what you’re on—being late to not only the induction but also the first storm—but you don’t get to make that kind of decision here.”

“Sheesh, it was just going to be a vote…” Han sat back down. “Think about it, will you? What do they really need us here for? If storms only happen every few weeks, someone else can step in to protect Permanentia—“

“You’re not considering our resources. We’re not leaving.”

Valerio sucked his teeth. “Good point.”

He was considering it, too.

Han groaned and leaned back in his seat. “Uh, what if we could just go a little further? Just to the second zone?”

“The second zone? The reason we’re here is because of that second zone.”

“I’m fine with it.” Cassius covered his mouth with widened eyes. That wasn’t supposed to come

out of his mouth. Everyone in the room turned their head, looking at him with stunned faces. Their eyes felt like needles puncturing his face, so he turned around and faced the counter, briskly eating his spaghetti. A sigh came from behind him, likely Nelia’s.

“What does everyone think?” Nelia asked. Her voice was sluggish and unmotivated, and she was likely palming her face, but Cassius didn’t know. He was too busy—busy eating his spaghetti. Some arms raised, and some didn't. Nelia resumed, “That’s six for and five against. Carto?”

The boy looked up from his lap, and metal clanked under the table. His eyes darted between Nelia and Han. “Oh, um,” he began, “I don’t—I don’t know.”

Cassius took a peek at Nelia from his peripheral. She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Fine. If the vote says so, then I guess we can look into the second zone. There are rules, though. You will not be in groups of more than four, and you will have at least one of the older Fenders with you. I can’t trust all of you.” She looked back at Valerio, who put his hands up innocently.

----------------------------------------

Dinner passed, and Cassius sat outside once again to watch the moon rise. Bugs chirped around him and the wind was still as he sat back against his crate. He rubbed his scalp over a loose nail, making an unfamiliar pleasure run down his spine before slouching down onto his back. The vast, barren land in front of him disappeared, leaving the moon’s light reflecting on the Aeternum. Suddenly, the front door opened with a creak.

“Oh man, you’re still here? Well, I guess it ain’t bad out here. Nice ’n chilly.” Valerio yawned and sat down next to him. “So, when are we heading out?”

Cassius looked at him from the corner of his eye. “It’s not a matter of we.”

Valerio smirked and looked him up and down. “Don’t go being like that now.”

He ignored Valerio’s attempt at instigation and analyzed him instead. Mild acne scars spread across his face, showing he likely tore at his face when he was young. He’s definitely from the East. Straight from “man-land”.

Valerio smacked the crate behind them, shaking the contents inside. “You know you can’t keep these things for long. We’re gonna carry ‘em in tomorrow morning. That’s what I came out here, ‘cus you should sleep inside or something.”

“That girl told you to?”

“Yup. Neli is real harsh‌. So passionate about that shiny ball, and I don’t get why.” Valerio got up and pretended to kick Aeternum like a ball. “Goal, goal, goal!” He cheered in a hushed voice and kicked up gravel. “It is pretty though, I guess. Maybe she’s got family inside, ‘cus that’d make sense. What about you?" He turned to face Cassius, interrupting him from gazing at the Aeternum's sheen."

“No, so it doesn’t matter to me.”

“But isn’t South Squadron where they send two kids from a family?” Valerio’s arms swung to the back of his head.

Cassius lifted his head to the nail once more, letting it scratch away at his scalp. “Stop bothering me.”

Valerio sighed as he trudged back towards the door. He put his hands up in surrender. “Welp, it was worth a try. Night.”

Cassius narrowed his eyes, feeling an old sensation course through him: anticipation. They beckoned to him. He turned to the dark forest, then to Aeternum. Cassius clutched his hidden club, and as the lights went out, he donned his armor.