After entering the forest, Nova inquired about Raid's whereabouts. It didn't take long for her to be directed in the right direction. She found him engrossed in a discussion with two other officers. To her faint surprise, the two officers were just finishing their conversation as she drew near. What perfect timing, she thought.

Upon spotting her, the officers offered a slight nod of respect, then stiffened when she came close enough for them to recognise the rank on her armband. They offered a salute. A gesture she did not return, instead, responded with a dismissive wave and continued on her way toward Raid, barely giving them any of her attention. The two officers, unfazed by her nonchalant demeanor, proceeded on their departure without any hesitation or objection. Clearly mindful of her rank.

Support officers hold a unique position within a Kin's army, existing outside the rank structure of the military. They were also rare, and not without effort. Their main roles were judge, jury, and executioner, tasked with upholding military law and regulations. In combat, they acted as replacement officers, or support officers, hence their name. They possessed the unique authority to take control of any unit, regardless of size, a task typically undertaken only when the unit's commanding officer is killed and deemed to have no suitable immediate replacement available.

Throughout history, there have been a few cases where a support officer took control of an entire army after the death of its lead, achieving victory from the brink of defeat. Hypothetically, a support officer could even execute a grand general on the spot with sufficient justification, and even temporarily assume the position until a replacement is found.

It's a rank that theoretically wields all the power, but in reality, constantly shifts with the circumstances. They could have no influence one moment and have their blade against an officer's neck the next. Their authority and influence are ever-changing based on the situation, making context essential for understanding all actions taken by a support officer in official duties. As their creed states, power lies only in knowledge, and by knowledge, annihilation. In short, it means evidence is required to kill.

"Did you enjoy yourself out there?" Raid grinned.

"Not really," she sighed. "You think we'd be able to bury all those bodies?"

"Doubt it, but it doesn't hurt to hope. If not, let's pray the Imperials show some goodwill. Bothers me a little, leaving them unburied."

"You don't say… You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who isn't bothered. Now, current events, find anything?"

"I know where our unit is now and where we are. It seems like we're the furthest left of the line. We really drifted off during the fight didn't we? It looks like there's also a short rest period going on right now, then this entire line withdraws to the 3rd. I think it's best we regroup with our unit as soon as possible, see how much of a mess we got."

"And the people in charge? Have you got their names yet? I'd like to know who has a noose around our necks."

"No idea," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "Orders came here second-hand. Apparently, we've got ourselves a commander, titled, the rear-duty kind. The alleged lead sergeant who has taken control of this line supposedly leads the 76th Knight Squadron. A bit hard to believe, don't you think?"

"An entire squadron? It's believable if it's a broken remnant of its former, sent here as a castaway of sorts. Like us. I mean sure, with the reinforcement, it seems the army doesn't see us as complete fodder. Doesn't change the fact this rearguard is looking more suicidal than ever."

"That's the thing, full strength presumably."

"You're serious? Wait, how is there even a knight unit at full strength after the battle? Hold a second... the 76th?"

"Yeah, the one with the alleged mystic. Come on, you remember, you're the one who told me about this."

"Stop talking for a minute; I am trying to think. Nothing is really making much sense right now. If they're sending an entire knight squadron and a commander, and let's say this commander is competent. They don't fucking expect us to dig in do they? Against an entire Imperial army?"

"What makes you think that? The reinforcements are obviously here to aid us. This will make the defense easier and increase our chances. Your conclusion is a little out of touch Nova. Why would we be digging in? Slow withdrawal and then we hightail it out of here, as planned."

"An entire knight squadron Raid... should I repeat that again? I don't see any reason for the army to throw away irreplaceable assets without any rhyme or reason. This rearguard had a good chance of getting wiped from the beginning. I need more information, I need to see how much reinforcement they brought us exactly to come to a sure conclusion."

"Even if it's true, what can we even do about it? Orders are followed, regardless of any fact. The knowledge wouldn’t help much."

"At least I'd know, if nothing else. Rather be aware of something than walk around blind."

"Well, don't overthink it; no need to strain your poor abused brain. It's all just hearsay right now; there is currently a lack of reliable information in this area. The only reason the officers here barely know what's going on or what to do, is because they're assuming the orders they're receiving are legit, so they're blindly following."

"Let's leave. We'll regroup with our units and find out for sure what's goi—"

"Finally, found you two!" a voice exclaimed, resonating with a delightful and joyous cadence.

Raid and Nova immediately shuttered, their bodies tensing in unison at the familiar voice that had emerged from behind them. The sensation coursing through their spines surpassed any mere chill. It was a more unexplainable primal fear that seized them, a sensation that erased coherent thought and activated their senses in preparation for impending peril, almost causing them to adopt a combat stance. Their overreaction wasn't caused by the owner of the voice, but stemmed from the unsettling manner in which they have spoken that scared them so.

"I must be hearing things," Raid muttered, clearly in denial.

"Really... because I thought I was hearing things," Nova added, her voice tinged with the same denial. A cold chill seemed to radiate from somewhere behind her.

With deliberate caution, Raid turned around. The moment his gaze locked onto the figure behind the voice, he immediately died inside. Nova, following suit shortly after, instantly regretted her decision, her expression shifting to a resigned smile as she looked at the person.

The owner of the voice, a woman, gazed back at them with bright blue eyes that carried a hazel tint. Her light brown hair cascaded just below her shoulders, and marked by a small scar on her left cheek, beaming a smile at them. To her left, stood a frowning man, someone they didn't recognise. They did however, recognize the second man standing directly to her right. It was Condor, who wore a guilt-ridden expression. He looked as though he had aged a decade since they had last seen him, now more familiar to a corpse than a man in appearance. He gave them a weak smile, clenching his heavily bandaged left forearm.

"What's wrong? You two look like you just escaped a blizzard. Is everything alright?" asked Iris, feigning genuine concern as she approached.

With every step she took towards them, Raid and Nova withdrew in equal measure.

"Nova, dear," Iris beckoned, her voice full of warmth. "Come here. It's been so long since I last seen you." Extending her arms in a welcoming embrace as she drew closer.

Nova instinctively quickened her backward stride until dread washed over her as her back met the solid trunk of a tree. The realization of her pointless retreat settled in, and she weighed her options. She could turn and run, but the moment she did, it would spell her death. With immense effort, fighting her own survival instinct, she visibly surrendered, her face etched with a resigned grimace. Allowing for whatever hell Iris had made for her.

Raid, on the other hand, appeared on the brink of a complete sprint away from the immediate vicinity. The idiot, consumed by irrational fear, actually had the gall to turn his back on Iris, willing to stake his life on his actions. Just as he was about to launch himself away, drawing on the meager aura he had managed to recover, a bright streak of golden light shot past him. It struck a tree directly before him, obliterating its trunk, and what remained crashed to the ground. Raid's face drained of color. Slowly, he turned back to face Iris, raising both hands and smiling innocently.

"Iris," Nova said meekly, "why are you smiling?"

"Am I not allowed to smile?"

"N-no, that's not what I meant," Nova stammered. "I mean, your face... it doesn't match your smile."

"What about now? Does my face match my smile yet?" Iris said with a particular and beaming enthusiasm.

"Now… you look like you're moments away from killing me."

"But I am smiling."

"That's not a happy smile. Iris please, spare me, I don't know what you're trying to do but you're scaring me."

"Iris, listen," Raid said, his tone a lot weaker than intended. "I don't know what we did that made you so mad, but can we talk this out?" Words he would regret the moment it caught Iris's attention and she focused on him, hard.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"I am not mad, Raid," Iris replied, her voice deceptively calm. "Just... livid."

"That's the same thing, no, it's even worse. Hold on, let's back up for a second. What are you even doing here to begin with? I haven't seen you since the academy."

"Why am I here? Well, you see," Iris said, tilting her head as if in thought and feigning a deep, affectionate smile that never reached her eyes. "I am under orders to look for a particular pair of individuals. An order given in haste, for reasons unexplained to me, that I have to prioritize on top of the other duties that I've been assigned. Only to find out said pair was nowhere to be found. In fact, I've been looking for hours..." Her tone now growing increasingly more gentle but somehow more threatening. "How many hours, I do not wish to know. But I was beginning to think they were missing in action. Because... at this point, if I find them," her eyes now burning into his soul. "I will make sure they were fucking missing in action."

"Alright, hold on, I can expl—"

"No," Iris interrupted, manifesting an orb above her head, "you explain later, die first."

Raid reflexively ducked, the orb shooting over his head and smashing through multiple trees behind him, blowing them apart and toppling them.

"Are you insane?!" Raid barked, "That could've fucking killed me!"

"That's the point!" Iris spat, before swiftly dashing towards him. "Come here!"

"Nova!" Raid bellowed, "Evasive maneuv— wh-wha?" His eyes darted around wildly, but Nova was nowhere to be seen. She had ditched him. An immense feeling of betrayal hit him the same moment a fist struck his abdomen, a sharp pain surged through him as his weakened aura coverage broke. Raid collapsed.

"It seems I must've forgotten to teach a few important lessons regarding sound tactical decisions back in the academy," Iris said menacingly. "My mistake, I'll correct that now. Let's discuss in a civilized manner why you two chose the shield tactic, why you left your own unit in a position of command, and a myriad of other minor mistakes I've nitpicked for no particular reason. All this information being second hand of course becomes this discussion going to be, how to I put this… very one sided. Anything and everything you have to say will be, and shall be completely unheard."

Condor watched in fear, rubbing his hands nervously. "Is, ummm, is that legal?" He asked, to no one in particular, exercising his thoughts out loud. "Lady Fae is a lead sergeant. She is assaulting two officers who outrank her."

"It's fine…" Waylen answered with effort, his voice hoarse and strained. It sounded as if he hadn't spoken in years, as if speech itself was entirely unfamiliar to him. "No one shall know," his voice croaky and raspy. "They are also close. I was told. Pose. No problem."

Condor pondered for a moment, absorbing Waylen's cryptic assurance. He wondered if he truly comprehended the meaning behind those words, still taken aback by the fact that Waylen had spoken at all. It was the first time Condor had heard him speak since they had met. If he was honest he assumed Waylen was mute, he did give off that impression, even now after he just spoken. He watched with anxiety as Iris dragged a defeated Nova out of hiding. "I suppose… this is fine if they all know each other," Condor reasoned, his doubts lingering.

Raid writhed in pain, emitting low groans, his body battered and bruised. He continued to roll back and forth, clutching his stomach in agony. Nova sat next to him, sulking, noticeably less bruised. Iris had chosen a more mental form of punishment for her.

"This is complete abuse," Nova grumbled.

"Fuck, man," Raid groaned, "this is why you're still unmarried, everyone knows you're in your late thirties."

"I am 41 now Raid" Iris corrected, standing tall over both of them, arms crossed, sending Raid a withering glare, her patience wearing thin. "You seem to have forgotten the two or so years that have passed since we last met. Still, I see you remain as infuriating as ever."

"And you're just as deranged, Lady Fae," Raid replied with bitterness, emphasizing her name with noticeable spite.

Iris let out a long, exasperated sigh. "It's good to see the two of you again after so long. I am… relieved that you're both still alive. It was a pleasant surprise when I first heard both of your names in this place."

"Says the woman that almost killed me with one of those flying fur ball thingies," Raid grumbled as he struggled to sit up.

"They're called orbs…" Iris corrected again. "Now I hope the two of you understood your mistakes? Though after hearing both your excuses, I will not deny your judgment was sound, considering the dire circumstances. But still, I do not encourage it."

"Yes… we understand," they both said in unison.

"No suicidal tactics in the future, to a point, I'll guarantee you that. But I still don't understand why we're being punished for something we did well," Nova added.

"She's just pissed off she couldn't find us Nova. Petty fuck," said Raid.

"Petty is not a word I would use to describe myself," replied Iris. "Now. Where was I? There was a point to me coming all the way here."

"Yeah? A point? You mean coming here swinging like some widowed whore wasn't the point?" Raid smirked.

Nova gave him a sharp jab on the shoulder, signaling for him to be quiet.

"Doubtless it would be concerning if you didn't know any," said Iris. "I trust you had the decency you give said widows a coin or two before you fucked their remains? Don't you think it's concerning that your charm only works on their kind?"

"Are you trying to pick a fight, Miss Fae?" Raid sneered, saying her name with particular emphasis.

"Did you just call me miss you disrespectful bastard?! Since when did you grow a spine? Do you lose your sense of fear after getting beaten up or something?"

"Oh, by Yore's scorn," Nova murmured in frustration. "Stop it, the both of yous! Raid shut it, now!"

"I will if this fucking decrepit granny stop talking!" Raid yelled.

"Who the fuck are you calling a granny!? I ain't familiar with winter yet you whoreson!" Iris fumed.

"And that's exactly what a granny would say."

"Raid, no woman is going to appreciate you going for their age or privacy," advised Nova. "If you want to save your future love life, I'd like to prescribe a nice brew of shut the fuck up."

"See, this is why I've always preferred Nova over you Raid. How about you take a few lessons and learn from her? Immaturity is a sin."

"You're the most immature woman I know Iris, and who would want your favor anyhow. Now, on the topic of my behavior. Your petty, Nova is impulsive, if I learned anything from you two it's poor fucking behavior. I dare say you two need to learn from me; I am responsible, a trait you two dearly lack."

"This bitch," snarled Nova. "I have to say I am impressed by the level of your arrogance Raid. Come here, let me break an arm or two, sober you up a bit."

"Hey, stop that," Raid hissed. "Iris, help me out here!"

"First you talk shit, now you ask for help, what do you want? Pick a side," Iris replied.

"Nova, we can negotiate. Hey, if we make it out of this alive, I'll buy you a cake, you want a cake? I'll even get your favorite," Raid lied, itching away

"Negotiation ended the moment you called me impulsive, I don't take kindly to slander."

"But it's true though, is it not?"

"It's not true! Take that back!"

Iris watched as Nova, her face flushed, made an attempt to strangle a cackling Raid. That's how it appeared from Iris's point of view at least. She couldn't help but smile warmly at the pair, a look that carried a touch of maternal fondness. As she turned, she finally remembered Waylen and Condor, who had been patiently waiting. Back to work, she thought, prolonging this any longer would be pushing on greed. "As much as I would like to continue this charade, I think it's time we get back to business. As I mentioned earlier, I am genuinely glad to see you two again. We'll get a chance to talk later I am sure, see if anything has changed since we last met."

Nova, her semi-incensed demeanor suddenly replaced by seriousness, inquired, "So, what's this about you receiving orders to seek us out?"

"The commander wants your audience. Don't ask why, even I have no idea. I've merely been tasked with relaying the message. Why I had to do it, I'd very much like to ask. Perhaps you can inquire on my behalf as to why I had to run around like an errand boy instead of, you know, giving this task to a runner."

"The commander?" Raid replied, puzzled. "Right now?"

"Immediately," Iris confirmed with a nod. "We've established a camp approximately a kilometer behind the 3rd line. Just ask as you go and you'll reach it eventually, can't miss it."

"Will you be accompanying us?" Nova asked.

"No. I've been tasked with overseeing the withdrawal of the 1st line. Speaking of which, I probably need to get back soon, leaving my post for so long might be problematic. Not a role that requires my heavy supervision, but I am particularly worried about my squadron, they're a bunch of children."

"Overseeing," Nova muttered, musing. "Wait, I heard that the one currently in charge of the 1st line is a lead sergeant who commands the 76th. And apparently the 76th has a mystic amongst them, was that you the whole time?"

"If there is another mystic in our entire army, let alone my unit, then I am certainly not aware of them," Iris replied. "Oh, and I almost forgot. 2rd Officer Raiden, please transfer temporary command over the 4th Forward Advance Group and 3rd Knights to me, I'll take care of your little lambs while you're away."

"Sure, take them, you have my permission. A shame we reunited only now. You'd think we'd be aware of each other somewhat during the two-week march it took to get here," said Raid.

"14 days actually," Nova corrected.

"Does it even matter Nova? Really? That's like two days off, might as well be two weeks."

"Just saying…"

Iris smiled faintly, "I arrived much later, that's why we never met. I joined the army a day before the standoff, and with our forces numbering roughly a quarter of a million, I wouldn't be surprised if we never crossed paths."

"I find that number a little hard to believe," said Nova.

"You're the one with access to the numbers Nova. Take a look yourself when you have the chance. I am just repeating what I've heard. But I'll tell you what, logistics was a nightmare to get through, every road was blocked with a supply column."

"Iris," Raid said, "This appointed commander of ours, is she competent?"

"Yeah. It'd be nice to know exactly who we're going to meet before we go," Nova added.

"From what I know, she is fresh, and skipped her commission. She earned her rank through her status as a noble rather than merit, with no achievements under her name thus far."

"We'd be better off on our own if they were going to send us some sacrificial noble," Raid scowled.

"I can't say this news is very encouraging Iris," Nova frowned.

"I don't think they sent her with the intention of casting her aside, she's too important. Her aunt is the general of our army, and I doubt her family wishes to get rid of her either. From what I've seen and heard, she is very competent, if not talented. She lacks field experience but makes up for it with a solid grasp of theory. If anything, I think her appointment means the army still has some hope for us. After all, the majority of the reinforcements are under her direct command. Our situation would be much worse if not for her presence."

"Which begs the question," Nova said. "Are we digging in? I don't think the army is stupid enough to invest this much if we aren't."

Iris answered that question with a gentle sorrowful smile. "I trust you won't cry on this one Nova?"

"I'll try," Nova replied, clearly displeased.

"And may I ask for the name and rank of this commander of ours?" Raid asked.

"Vice-Captain Alice Rose Kolba-Kadalis of the Splintered 14th Battalion."

"Wh-what?" Nova uttered.

"You're kidding…" Raid said in disbelief. "Nova, we're leaving, now."