Scattered remains of the dead were a grim sight in the town of Wales after the harrowing night. The morning sun cast long shadows over the town, where the citizens, weary and hollow-eyed, emerged to clean the blood-streaked streets and bury the fallen. About a fourth of the town’s population had perished in the possessions, and none of the possessed survived until morning.
Mikhail and the other remaining town watch returned to their families, while Vashni and the other mercenaries searched for Mitchell and the others. The veil over the town returned to normal, making the horrors of the previous night seem like a distant memory. The townspeople not involved in the cleanup efforts carried on with their daily routines, as if trying to restore a sense of normalcy.
Vashni wasn’t sure what had truly happened, but he suspected that the counter ward he saw last night might have worked. Yet, something still didn’t sit right with him. The unease gnawed at his thoughts as he walked through the town, noticing the cautious stares of the people. The counter ward might have worked, but why did it feel like something was still amiss?
“I can’t blame them...” Vashni thought as he continued through the streets.
As the morning sun brightened the town, inside an abandoned house, Micah slowly opened her eyes. 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong, Lucia, Eckart, Rolly, and the others began to stir as well, unsure of how long they had slept.
“Where’s Mitchell?” Lucia asked, looking around the living room.
“Mitchell? What do you mean?” Rolly grunted in pain as he tried to stand.
“Don’t force yourself!” Micah replied, but suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her face and left arm. She screamed, catching Lyon’s attention.
Lyon rushed to her side and saw burn marks on her left cheek. “Micah, calm down.”
Hearing Micah’s distress, Lucia approached her and said, “I will administer first aid.” She grabbed her supplies and carefully began treating the burns. “This will help ease the pain.”
“T-thanks...” Micah said.
2nd Lieutenant Armstrong stood up in front of Micah and asked, “What happened to Mitchell last night?”
Micah, unsure of what to say, remained silent. Her silence, however, only agitated 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong. “Clueless, eh?“ He spoke with frustration, cutting through the silence.
“Micah told Mitchell the results of the ritual. In the end, he volunteered to risk his life for us!” Lyon interjected, defending her, though 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong remained unconvinced.
“That Damien... Was Mitchell being possessed by him part of the ritual?” Eckart asked Lyon.
“About that...” Lyon began, but 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong cut him off.
“I’ve heard enough. It’s time we get out of here!”
Hearing 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong’s words, the group and the other mercenaries began preparing their equipment and supplies to leave. As Lucia organized her things, Eckart approached her.
“Are you fine with this?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
“What do you mean?” Lucia responded, glancing up at him.
“We’re leaving without Mitchell,” Eckart said, then looked over at 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong. “I would like to ask for permission...”
“Speak!” 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong commanded, his tone firm.
“Shouldn’t we look for Mitchell before we leave town?” Eckart’s question hung in the air, a mix of hope and desperation in his voice.
2nd Lieutenant Armstrong maintained his composure, though he knew the importance of returning with Mitchell. Losing him could mean facing punishment from Major Galahad, and perhaps losing favor altogether. “I don’t know, boy. I don’t even know where to start looking.”
After a moment of silence, John, who had been observing the group, spoke up. “Since everything is back to normal, may I go back to my friends in town?”
The group exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond, but 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong eventually said, “You may leave now, my boy.”
John nodded and quietly left the group, heading back to the city’s entrance to reunite with his friends.
“I guess this is where we part ways!” Eckart said and grabbed Rolly by the shoulder.
“Won’t you help in finding Mitchell first?” Lucia asked Eckart, who had suggested the idea.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“I saw him last night, eaten by the flames. I don’t know if he’d survive that! As well...” Eckart looked at Micah and Lyon. If there’s someone you should ask, it would be them.
“If there’s someone that you’d ask, it would be them. After all, they had similar abilities to Mitchell, and they were the ones responsible for what happened last night,” Eckart said.
2nd Lieutenant Armstrong agreed and said, “True, I believe these people are correct about the situation. If we meet up with the rest, I will organize a search party for Mitchell in the town. If we cannot find him within a day, we’ll leave.”
2nd Lieutenant Armstrong looked at Lucia and asked, “Do you have the courier pigeon with you?”
“Oh, that!” Lucia exclaimed. “It’s in the APC. I left it there on purpose because of the anomaly last night.”
“I see...” 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong sighed.
“We will return to the APC first and take these exorcists with us,” 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong said.
Lyon protested, “What do you mean you’re taking us?”
“You will provide us with answers, and also proof that we accomplished our mission. You will come with us to the Legion’s headquarters. There, we will coordinate with our team to help you return to the Salamander Order,” 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong explained.
“Fine!” Micah replied. “We don’t really know much about what happened to Mitchell last night, but I’m sure it is the portal event. I’ll explain further once we get to your headquarters!”
“Good,” 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong nodded.
“That’s enough talk, I believe...” Eckart said and continued, “We will leave now. I hope that your Order will do their end of the bargain. Our service is not free!”
“I understand, Eckart!” Micah replied and continued, “The leaders of our Order will make sure they compensate you.” By the way, about Rolly, I believe our facility in Sovengrade will help him.”
“I’ve got connections that can help Rolly,” Eckart said, then turned and left the abandoned house.
After Eckart left, 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong, and the rest searched the house for any hint of Mitchell. It took them two hours, but when they didn’t find any sign of him, 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong decided they would leave the house and reunite with their other comrades who were with Vashni.
At 0800 hours, Vashni was at the town center, resting near the fountain. As he prepared to meditate, he noticed 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong’s group approaching, with Micah and Lyon wearing their distinct red jackets. Vashni knew the two were strong, and he felt a wave of intimidation wash over him.
“Vashni!” 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong yelled as he approached him.
“Yes, Lieutenant?” Vashni asked him and looked at the group.
He noticed that Mitchell was not with them and asked, “Where’s Mitchell?”
The group was silent, including Lucia. Micah finally replied to Vashni’s question, “the eternal flames consumed him last night. That is the only explanation I could provide as of the moment…”
”Micah!” Lyon protested what Micah had said. “Actually, we don’t really know what happened.”
”What do you mean? Aren’t you supposed to be experienced?” Vashni asked the two Pyro exorcists from the Salamander Order.
2nd Lieutenant Armstrong cleared his throat and said, “Their heads are not in sync right now. Better we interrogate them when they are in shape.”
A courier pigeon arrived at Major Galahad’s office. The pigeon carried a letter from 2nd Lieutenant Armstrong’s group. Upon reading the letter, the Major’s face darkened. He could not believe what he had just read. Unable to contain himself, he began to curse.
Lyla, startled by Major Galahad’s reaction, quickly hid behind her paperwork. She was used to him being charming, calm, and composed. Seeing his sudden outburst unsettled her. Major Galahad, noticing Lyla’s reaction, took a deep breath and calmed down.
“I am sorry, dear...” Major Galahad said, as he approached Lyla.
“It’s okay... dear. If you want some time by yourself...” Lyla stood up to exit but Major Galahad stopped her.
“No, you don’t need to go. Please, stay with me, dear. There’s something you need to know about your friend.”
“My friend? Mitchell? Or is it Lucia?” Lyla asked, concern lacing her tone.
“I am sad to say that Mitchell was nowhere to be found after an incident last night...” Major Galahad said, his voice softening.
“What!?” Lyla gasped, her heart sinking. “Mitchell... is gone?”
“Don’t worry, my dear... I will use all of my powers to find him. You don’t need to worry, we’ll find him!” Major Galahad assured her, pulling her into a comforting embrace.
“Oh, Erwin!” Lyla whispered, clutching him tightly.
After the two embraced, a knock came at the door. Lyla quickly returned to her desk as Major Galahad called out, “Enter.”
Gary entered and saluted at Major Galahad. After that, Major Galahad said, “At ease, Gary! Since you are here reporting to me, I believe you are well.”
“Thank you for understanding, sir!” Gary replied enthusiastically.
“What can I help you with?” Major Galahad asked.
“It’s about joining the next mission with Mitchell!” Gary replied.
Major Galahad and Lyla exchanged glances hearing of Mitchell’s name. “We have bad news for Mitchell...” Major Galahad said in a sad tone.
“What do you mean, Major? Something happened to him?”
Lyla looked down on her desk as Major Galahad explained the situation to Gary, “Mitchell was gone... Lucia sent the report to me through a courier pigeon this morning.”
“That can’t be!” Gary replied and protested, “This must be a joke, sir!”
“I know how you feel about your friend, Gary. I will use all my powers granted to me by this office to look for Mitchell. You could join with the search party for him.” Major Galahad recommended.
Gary stood silently while contemplating his thoughts. He felt guilty for feigning his sickness because of the trauma he experienced from the village of Emille. Knowing that he may make up for Mitchell, he agreed and said, “I will help with the search for Mitchell, sir!”
Major Galahad felt happy, not because of Gary’s concern for his friend, but because he could use Gary for his plans. Major Galahad looked at Lyla and said, “Lyla, can you help me with the paper works? We have to report to the higher ups about Mitchell’s disappearance.”
“Yes, sir!” Lyla replied, and arranged the papers on her desk.
"I will schedule an appointment with you, Gary. Please come and visit me at 0900 hours here at my office." Major Galahd said and dismissed Gary.
"Yes sir, I will!" Gary replied and exited Major Galahad's office.
After Gary exited Major Galahad's office. Major Galahad went to his desk and grabbed his glass then poured whiskey. He drank the glassful of whiskey in one gulp and then sighed with satisfaction.
"Is it okay we disclose the information before reporting it to the higher ups? Gary may talk what he heard of it to others." Lyla asked Major Gahalad.
"It's fine! I know Gary won't talk about such important matter about his friend." Major Galahad assured her.