Missing Persons...

Marcus is arguing with a higher-ranking soldier...

He's getting irritated...

"SHE HAS BEEN GONE FOR THREE DAYS!" The deceptively intimidating blonde-haired soldier screams into the face of the slightly larger, older, and much higher-ranking sergeant dressed in black staring back at him, unbothered. The larger man looks at Marcus like he's some thrashing puppy failing to be threatening.

The foreign-looking Sergeant's black hair is expertly cut into a mohawk-fade with a nearly clean-shaven face save a small bit of chin stubble; his entire face, regardless of how nice most women thought it looked, fits the stuck-up, somewhat crazy, and almost daring look in his light-colored eyes, which are the most expressive part of his face. His physique is toned and tall, and he's got a prominent slash scar along the right side of his neck and the lower side of his face; he's got the build of a fighter while Marcus is more lanky in comparison and clearly physically inferior. This stranger man's fair-hued skin glows vibrantly in the cold air as if invigorating his rising aggression toward this Private that's all bark and no bite. He squares up with Marcus with a nonchalance matching his voice.

"You know there's a saying that I've lived by ever since the guy that told me it beat my ass for acting scarily similar to you. Why, it's like I'm peering into the past as I'm saying this..." This Sergeant calmly starts talking with a rising intensity to his foreign accent as he walks up to Marcus until their faces are inches apart; he's challenging Marcus. "That man said this before giving me this scar: If you can't beat their ass, then watch how you talk to them. I now live by this law whether the other person does or doesn't. So, I want you to think very carefully before you answer this question I'm about to ask you. Because your answer is going to decide what I do next. So, Private..." he pauses again, very slightly leaning closer to Marcus for the final part. His accent is fast-paced with a rolling flair toward the end of his sentence.

"Do you think that you can beat my ass?" He asks; it's short and simple.

So is Marcus's nearly instantaneous reply...

"I'm down to find out," Marcus immediately says without thinking; he's too concerned about Ryn to realize who he's talking to, and that he's got no chance. Still, Marcus stands tall in this man's face, the two attracting a crowd of nearby soldiers stopping their tasks to see the commotion. Marcus boldly stares this man in his eyes when he speaks; he's ready one way or another. The Sergeant cracks a smile, but not a normal one. No, this smile looks twisted; he's going to enjoy what's about to happen. Marcus's heart speeds up as adrenaline fills his blood. He's moments from getting his ass beaten until His voice carves through the cold, misty air.

"Sergeant Guerrero!" Commander Alastair calls out to his right-hand man, drawing the sergeant's eye as the Commander speaks. "Please stop intimidating my soldiers, yeah? They'll get enough of that if they wound up meeting those Werewolves," he chuckles, and Sergeant Guerrero briefly scowls before looking at Marcus again. His earlier smile is gone as quickly as it came, and the Sergeant huffs when he speaks to Marcus, who's internally sighing in relief.

"I was just giving this little puppy here a life lesson on watching how he speaks to people. It'll save his life down the line," Sergeant Guerrero quips and steps aside all of a sudden, openly gesturing between Marcus and the approaching Commander. Guerrero's voice is somewhat snide as he briefs Alastair; he's still taking shots at Marcus. "He was barking for you anyway. Said something about how he's worried about that magic woman who ran off to see the magical doggies a few days ago. I think she's his girlfriend or something. I don't know," he jokes, drawing a briefly irritated scowl from Marcus and a nonchalant side-eye from Alastair, the latter quickly shuts that shit down.

"Cut it out," Commander Alastair orders and Sergeant Guerrero falls quiet. The Commander's physical form rivals that of his Sergeant despite being decently older than him. The way he ordered his Sergeant silent told Marcus a lot about both of them and their relationship. The Sergeant lives by his words, it seems. That aside, Alastair keeps the conversation going, gesturing toward Marcus as he speaks.

"Aye, what's her name?" Alastair tests Marcus with that question; Sergeant Guerrero wasn't around when Marcus spoke in front of everyone. Was he? Marcus internally freezes; he's under his Commander's Gaze, and his answer is important. Marcus opens his mouth and hesitates; he's unsure until the Sergeant speaks out again, this time filled with a gaslighting confusion.

"You don't even know the name of the woman that you were willing to fight me over, friend?" Sergeant Guerrero stifles his laughter, still standing tall and unbothered in case Marcus has problems with his words. "Did you even fuck her, homie? She doesn't have you whipped without giving up the goods, has she? That's sad if so..." he sighs, and Marcus's green eyes suddenly look toward his Commander. Commander Alastair, however, stays silent: this is Marcus's battle once again. Sergeant Guerrero notices Marcus's silent call for help and keeps going...

"Aye, my friend!" The Sergeant smiles like a devil; he loves hounding idiots like Marcus. "The Commander can only save you from hazing. I'm not hazing you this time, though; I'm trying to figure out if you're worthy of wearing that damn uniform," he gestures to Marcus's recently acquired and brand new winter camouflage, standard issue uniform crafted of cheap, yet resilient metals draped with warm, white-colored furs for heat retention. It's a nice, clean, and somewhat cool-looking attire crafted with the youth in mind to be as stylish as possible while maintaining function. Even then, it pales in comparison to the Sergeant's hooded, Rare variant seen among higher-class soldiers decorated with metals, and is even more inferior to Commander Alistair's Legendary Uniform: the fur pulled directly from the carcass of a Polar Bear the Commander slayed in his early years.

"Why'd you really join the military, Private? Please tell me that it ain't because of some pussy? Are you that sad?" the Sergeant keeps going; he's making sure he drives the point home before giving the younger man a second to speak. Guerrero's every word is as intense as his nearly psychotic glare of irritation at Marcus. "Or, perhaps you think this shit is a game? You know what would've happened if you ran up on me like that before I joined the service ten years ago?" Guerrero spits at Marcus's feet before laughing, then looking away and shaking his head.

He suddenly and rapidly speaks in a foreign language to Marcus, but common in a village filled with humans from all across the planet. Neither Marcus nor the Commander understands what Guerrero's saying, but they both get a general idea from the man's rather viciously nostalgic tone; it's almost as if he's fantasizing about what he would've done back then. The Sergeant quickly catches himself and turns back to Marcus; he's not done.

"The point that I'm trying to make to you, brat..." the Sergeant speaks calmly now, his tone more akin to an elder teaching a student despite the biting sting in his words. "That impulsive and confrontational energy is going to get you killed in this line of work, especially if you can't back it up. Even then, don't be a fucking dumbass and try to fight your allies over some stupid shit like that. Especially if it's just going to get you hurt. Like, you don't even know the girl's name!? Why are you even here throwing a bitch fit about her? Pfft, I wouldn't even be thinking about her even if she can use magic since I don't know her name, eith--" he never gets his words out when Marcus finally interjects; The younger soldier is over his fear.

"Her name is Ryn," Marcus cuts the Sergeant off, stunning him and Commander Alastair, who suddenly cackles like a madman; he's thoroughly impressed at Marcus's response. Alastair glances at his genuinely confused Sergeant, finally jumping in as Marcus's defense with a burst of light-hearted laughter. Sergeant Guerrero maintains an aloof air about him despite Marcus's effective response; the Sergeant is silenced as the Commander takes the reigns of the conversation.

"You have to stop going from zero to one hundred when trying to make a point, Sergeant Guerrero," Commander Alastair quips, then quickly turns those stone-grey eyes toward the nosy soldiers still watching from afar. The moment his Gaze turns their way, the rest of the soldiers scatter like bugs, continuing with their tasks while Alastair returns to his scolding. "You've got good and genuine intentions when you do it; that's why I let you do it for a little bit because sometimes, people need to have a point beaten into them. I'd rather it be through a verbally intense exchange than a potentially lethal one. But, still, always remember that you are just as human as Marcus here is; his feelings are valid even if he's expressing them in a dumbass way. Everyone's got a reason that makes them risk getting into harm's way. That Wildcard just happens to be His..." Alastair is now looking between Marcus and the Sergeant. He's addressing them both now.

"Both of you have a similar fire in your hearts; I think we need an army full of people like you two when it's time to show love: tough love and love for your comrades," Commander Alastair addresses the Sergeant and Marcus in that order, rolling his shoulders under his warm, cozy uniform with a huff; it's always cold. "Besides, I think Marcus here is the one person in the village we should take seriously if he's concerned about Miss Wildcard. Ain't that right, M-- ah... what's your surname?" he suddenly asks, laughing in hindsight. "Unless Marcus is your last name? That's a bit weird, but whatever if that's the case..." he shrugs, and Marcus laughs.

"It is not, sir!" Marcus laughs, now straightening up and assuming the correct position of attention to his Commander as he formally introduces himself loudly and clearly. "I am Private Casen, sir!" he says with perfect form and a professional flair to his tone that makes Alastair's eyes sparkle with life; Private Casen has the workings of a soldier. A smirk creases the Commander's still very much dashing features, and he crosses his arms when he responds.

"There's nothing like a soldier taking pride in their rank even if it's at the bottom. You know what that means, Sergeant Guerrero?" Commander Alastair peers over at the fair-skinned foreigner casually picking his teeth with a toothpick; it's almost like he's not paying attention. The Sergeant glances at Casen's way with a peculiar look in those dark-colored eyes.

"I'm supposed to be impressed by a Private taking pride in being a dumb fucking Private?" Sergeant Guerrero nearly laughs in disbelief, and Marcus flashes him another irritated scowl but quickly looks away before the Sergeant provokes him. Commander Alastair notices Marcus's adapting reactions to the Sergeant and cracks another smile while correcting the sergeant.

"No," Commander Alastair pulls a cigar from his pocket and sparks it, taking a deep puff and exhaling smoke as he elaborates. "You're supposed to be impressed by Private Casen's pride in being a SOLDIER; His introduction was so crisp and clean down to the fur hairs on his uniform that I just know this young man's going to make a true name for himself. Hell, he might even become greater than any Descendant, or whatever that Wildcard is called these days by the public," he commends Marcus, earning a small, sheepish smile from the blonde-haired soldier, but an eye-roll from his Sergeant.

"Or, he'll go down in Human history as one of the greatest Fools that ever cursed Humanity's ranks..." Sergeant Guerrero snorts, looking Marcus down again while talking. Although, he's much more relaxed in his words. "I hope you left the Patrol Corps and joined the Defense Force to actually protect Humanity as a whole, and not because you're trying to impress a woman enough to get in her pants," he trails away while lighting a cigar of his own, also taking a puff like his Commander before closing in some wisdom for the young man. Guerrero makes certain he and Private Casen make eye contact before finishing. As he talks, a chilling breeze blows over the entire village; a background accentuation to the weight of his words.

"Love is as much of a killer as it is a savior if Adam and Eve are anything to go by..."

"Bah!" Commander Alastair brushes off that dumb folklore legend with an annoyed scoff; he's disappointed in his Sergeant. "You were doing so good till you decided to bring religion and legend into this serious talk about reality. Keep it serious, yeah?" he orders like a disappointed father, but Sergeant Guerrero stands his ground this time against his Commander's orders; he's not subservient this time.

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"I am being serious, Alastair," the Sergeant responds, flashing a look that Marcus can only describe as a warning look. Sergeant Guerrero's tone lowers; he's very aggressive when he talks. "I'm your right hand because I know about shit you never bothered taking seriously. Adam and Eve were real Legends just like those Werewolves, Lycans, or whatever are real. You're crazy to think they aren't after being alive all of this time!" he chuckles in disbelief, and Alastair just as easily laughs him off in exchange; he's dumbfounded.

"You expect me to believe that a long time ago there were two Humans that not only became the first ever humans in recorded history to use what y'all call magic but also managed to bring Werewolves and Vampires to the brink of EXTINCTION simultaneously? Those two Humans managed to take down the most Dominant Species at the time and their Contenders in one war!?" Commander Alastair's voice rises with increasing disbelief at the fact he's even saying this ridiculous shit out loud; his mocking tone mimics the ridiculous hand gestures he makes as if he's some lunatic roaming the streets. Then, he suddenly freezes before going silent while slowly turning those now calm and indifferent grey eyes on his Sergeant, finally finishing his act with what's the most insane fact of that so-called legend...

"And then they just fucked off without finishing the job!?"

Commander Alastair's nearly seething with agitation after saying his piece; his entire face is filled with the most intense amount of disbelief as if he can't even comprehend the madness behind their Legend. A potent silence washes over the three soldiers with an accompanying wind to wash away Alastair's irritation; he's calm again. "... Look, Sergeant Guerrero," he addresses his ally and most importantly, his friend who's staring at him in mild judgment. The Commander explains himself with sincerity in every word.

"I'm not trying to insult your religious beliefs or anything like that..." Alastair clarifies with a hand over the metal plate protecting his chest over his heart. "But, if I've learned anything over my years from being a Private like Casen to an NCO like you to a Commander as I am now, it's this..." he points at both of the soldiers standing with him in the deep snow blanketing the village. There's something about the cold air that accentuates his words when he speaks; Marcus will never forget them.

"Humans write their own histories," Alastair confidently says...

The other two stay silent...

"I'll be damned if I let what some potentially imaginary people from an old legend did in the past influence how I handle the present," Commander Alastair proudly decrees, gesturing toward Marcus again, and their eyes lock when he speaks. "I won't say I know why you joined the Defense Force nor will I try to judge your reasons like Sergeant Jackass over there," he takes a shot at the Sergeant, who grunts in response and leaves it at that. Alastair continues addressing Marcus. His words are always stern and direct, yet constantly sprinkled with an elderly sense of wisdom cultivated through experience; he's speaking from his heart.

"As long as you stay true to your convictions, and as long as they don't threaten the safety of this village and its people, I don't care if you did join to try and be a hero so you can smash that Wildcard. Honestly...?" he pauses, and laughs again, shaking his head as if he's slightly upset he's not younger now. Those sly grey eyes meet Marcus's knowing green ones; he understands where the Commander's going with this. Alastair says it anyway, though. He says it with a cheeky flair to his words, too.

"Judging from how you get whenever she's mentioned, she must be an absolute dime, huh?" he laughs, and all three of them turn their heads when another person approaches without warning them; she merely injects herself into the conversation. She's an average-height young woman with a petite build belonging to someone who's very physically fit. Her form's structure is slim and filled out with muscle in all the right places. She's got shoulder-length, messy red hair that's unkempt and wild like a fire and beautifully contrasts a fair-colored complexion, sharp features, and a stalwart, golden-eyed gaze peeking through those messy bangs framing her fair. She's the smallest of the four humans, yet she commands even the Commander's Gaze. Alastair's eyes light up like fireworks, and he takes another puff of his cigar and coughs a little before finally getting the words out.

Marcus also never gets to correct the Commander's assumption about him and Mona...

Oh well...

"First Lieutenant Phoenix!" The Commander unknowingly introduces Marcus to the woman before intending to; he's always happy to see his left-hand woman. "I love saying your name. It's like looking at the namesake every time you return from a rather daring mission without a scratch. It seems that Project Shadow's showing good results," he alludes, drawing Marcus’s curiosity while his eyes fall on the Lieutenant's entire form, particularly her uniform: it's a lot less armored compared to his uniform, yet it still looks made of far superior materials. Some of its most notable aspects are how it still somewhat contours to her body shape despite the white and grey furs weaved over it to keep her warm. Her legs lack metal armor entirely, instead, they're protected by thick rawhide fastened to her nicely muscled legs with thin, yet durable ropes, and her boots are trimmed with the softest-looking silver-colored Wolf fur.

Her uniform top is rather, at least to Marcus's eyes, a badass high-quality cloak and cowl snugly overlayed atop her lightly armored and matching snow-camouflaged chest piece. Marcus's eyes then flick toward the foreign-shaped sword crafted with Stardust strapped to her back, then the compact, one-handed crossbow and ammunition satchel hidden underneath her cloak. She's a little over half of Marcus's weight and size, yet the aura she emanates upon arriving stuns the Private into silence, which further increases when she speaks in a voice Marcus can only describe as unnerving; it matches the serious look she gives all of them. He finds her rather stunning in all of his honesty; what's a woman like Her doing in the Defense Force? His wonders disappear when She talks.

"My Scout Platoon is back, and we've got some potentially very bad news," Lieutenant Phoenix says as she removes an arm from her cowl to brush snow out of her hair. Commander Alastair, Sergeant Guerrero, and Private Marcus all furrow their brows at her; they're awaiting a reveal. Commander Alastair normally gets annoyed at dramatic pauses, but makes an exception since the Lieutenant rarely waits to give her report; it's like she's waiting until they're all prepared for it. Alastair nods for the other two, and their lack of reactions gives the Lieutenant her green light.

"We found a recent battlefield near the mountain path leading into Mammoth Valley through the Boreal Forest. It's been a long time since I've felt an aura as intense as the remnants of whatever happened. I do not doubt after examining the battlefield that everything that magic woman said about there being Werewolves in the forest is true..." Lieutenant Phoenix pulls the burned remains of an animal's hide from beneath her cloak to show them it's still vaguely smoldering with heat. Sergeant Guerrero chimes in, his voice is as serious as it is cautious.

"Know anything about the Wildcard being there?" Sergeant Guerrero alludes to Ryn with a hand gesture toward Marcus; he's still taking shots. "This guy's been throwing an absolute bitch fit over her being gone for a couple of days," he adds on, but quickly adopts a more concerned tone; he's in a different mindset now. "I hope if she was involved that she's alright; I don't know her, but she's still a young woman and a human like the rest of us. I'd hate to hear something bad happened to her..." he adds, unknowingly quelling Marcus's internal anger. Lieutenant Phoenix pauses for a second, then pulls out another item from her person, and Marcus's eyes widen in horror...

It's a piece of Mona's jacket...

It's bloody and burned...

The Lieutenant answers...

"We didn't find a human corpse, or any corpse for that matter; the battle must've had no casualties or the dead were removed from the battlefield..." she calmly answers, noting Marcus's failing attempts to hide his internal fear of the worst. Her golden eyes fixate on him, and she quickly adds on. "I don't think that she's dead, though..." she says, instantly watching Marcus's eyes light up again with hope; she keeps going...

"I've met her on several occasions throughout my career since she was a child. She'd constantly venture out into the woods by herself at random, sometimes for days," The Lieutenant pauses and looks the Commander's way, noting his bewilderment; how come he's never known this? She quickly reminds him. "I've brought her up several times to you over the years; you always told me to handle it myself because you had more important things to deal with, and you knew I was capable. At least until that incident with her..." she never finishes as the Commander cuts her off.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it!" Alastair sighs and dismisses it, getting back to the point with a serious tone. "So, what you're getting at is she's likely being held hostage, or something? Because you think she's not dumb enough to get into a war she can't win?" he asks, his words holding a tinge of doubt, but remains optimistic. The Lieutenant confidently nods. Marcus quickly finds himself liking her even more compared to the other two.

"Absolutely," Lieutenant Phoenix says, giving Marcus a brief wink; she's got him. "She's a Descendant with the talent of Adam and the intelligence of Eve. She's more than capable of handling herself. Though, I still suggest we put more effort into tracking her down; she's more important to Humanity than you're giving Her credit for, Alastair," she rests her hands on her hips as those golden eyes stay confident. Her sincerity quells any further disagreements about that Wildcard's safety. Marcus can't help but wonder how close this Lieutenant was with Mona considering the latter's never mentioned her to him. Marcus feels a sudden and strange spear of pain in his chest; what's this feeling? He never finds the answer before the Lieutenant speaks again.

"I'll lead the expedition for her whereabouts," she glances Marcus's way again, flashing a small smile. "I'd love to have her best friend join my efforts," she bomb drops, and Marcus's face flashes with shock; at least Mona told Her about Him even if he wanted to know, too. Still, the young, blonde-haired, and green-eyed man readily accepts with a nod, drawing Commander Alastair's laughter and Sergeant Guerrero's disappointment. The latter mutters something in a foreign language again while shaking his head; it's likely disgusted profanity. Commander Alistair suddenly has a brilliant idea; he's beaming while looking between the Sergeant and the Private.

"I approve of all of this!" the Commander says in pure elation while walking toward Marcus and slinging his arm over his shoulder, then he points at the Sergeant when he speaks. "In fact, this all falls perfectly into what I'd intended from the start..." he's got a full-on shit-eating grin that bothers Sergeant Guerrero and Private Casen the most. Oh no...

"Sergeant Guerrero, you're in charge of Private Casen and temporarily dispatched to Lieutenant Phoenix's Scout Platoon! You'll all head out as soon as possible on a new Mission: Operation Wildcard Recovery. Y'all get along now, yeah?" Commander Alastair says in sincerity despite knowing he's intentionally pissed the two men off. But, what's Life without conflict? He knows they'll be fine. Lieutenant Phoenix quietly accepts without argument; she shows zero concern for whatever beef the Sergeant and Private have. If anything, she'll shut that shit down really quick. She agrees and walks away before the Sergeant can object, the man merely cursing along with Marcus after she departs, and Alastair smiles.

"You two boys be ready to head out by one pm. I waste time for nobody and that's why I'm the Commander's Left-Hand and the best Scout in the village. We'll find M-- Ryn in no time," she assures, disappearing into the village. Marcus and Alastair catch the Lieutenant's near mishap, and Marcus wants to talk to this woman even more. Not now, though. He instead looks at the Sergeant addressing him with a snort before they leave as well. The man's accent is as intense as his parting words.

"Remember what I said, Private: if you can't beat their ass, then you better watch how you talk to them..." he says and departs. Marcus has one response...

"I wonder if you're willing to die when and if it comes to protecting someone you care about..."

"Regardless of if you're talking to someone you know is stronger than you..."

Commander Alastair's words flash in his head again; his wisdom...

"What are all of you willing to do to keep your loved ones safe?"

Does he remember what the Commander said immediately after, though?

Only time will tell...

Next Chapter: Unlikely Allies or Fated Enemies?