"Thank you for assisting us on this mission, Teacher Glorilyne!"
Kara leaned back on her mother's chest, her eyes taking in the soldiers assembled before them.
"Oh, it's no problem at all," Glory replied, her smile calmed despite the gravity of the situation.
They were fewer than twenty, a mix of men and women, their faces were both of focus and nervous energy. Beneath their civilian clothes, she noticed the glint of armor and the reassuring bulk of weapons.
'So this is what soldiers are like in a fantasy..' she mused, noting the strength in their builds. 'I expect them to be buff.. but oh well..'
"My apologies for the last-minute summons," Glory continued, offering a brief nod. "This is a serious matter, but I have complete faith in your skills and dedication. Please, prioritize your own lives and the towns' safety above all else."
Kara yawned, her tiny fingers fiddling with the edge of her woven sling. Her gaze drifted from one serious face to another.
One woman, brow furrowed, caught her attention. She stared intently at the canvas of the makeshift command tent.
Kara followed closely, confused. 'There was nothing there though?' she wondered, 'Is there a stain? Or she doesn't like the color of it?
She mentally shrugged, returning her eyes to the woman's direction.
'Oh, our eyes meet..', both seemed surprised at the sudden interaction.
A startled smile widen the woman's face.
"Uhw...?" Kara tilted her head, a finger instinctively finding its way to her mouth.
The woman's eyes widened, a slight squeak escaping, prompting her to cover her mouth.
'That's how people react to cute things.' The brunette realized, recognizing the expression of fond amusement her parents often wore.
BONK!
Davel gently tapped the soldier's head with a rolled-up piece of parchment.
"Easy there, Little Robin," Davel grinned,"You know our customs. My daughter hasn't even reached her first year yet. We don't want to influence her growth, so withdraw your urge to gobble her up."
"N-Not at all, sir! I'm more than honored to just got a first glance at the young miss, sir!" she stutter as her body movements become tense.
The other soldiers chuckled, relief washing over their tense faces.
"Before we proceed," Davel cleared his throat, his focus returning. "Let's discuss our enemy. These Strays... they're unlike the wilderness that we've known."
He paused for emphasis. "Their appearance began roughly a year ago, an out of nowhere acts of aggression, unexplained destruction coming from the wild beast. Initially, it was just one or two random encounters. But the numbers have escalated."
He gestured towards the billboard infront. "Reports suggest some Strays actively hunt their own kind. And there are civilians who.. unfortunately fall victim while encountering it too."
Davel's gaze swept across the soldiers. "Their origins? Unknown. There are are no prophecies, no legends. We must rely on observation."
"We can base the telltale signs that the Beast Researcher Company discovered: the blackning purple skin, the darkening energy, the stench of decay, a marker of their raw strength."
"Our objective.. eliminate them before they cause further harm."
He nodded toward the young woman. "Robinaia will be our eyes in these team. Her Arcana will be crucial in navigating this dark forest."
"M-Me, Commander?" Her eyes widening in shocked.
Davel gesture toward the group.
"Your call.. her notable experience in detecting movements at the distance will give us a great advantage. The plan discussed offers the best odds."
The crowd murmured to themselves, agreeing to the plan, others are a bit hesitant to leave this task to one person. After a few suggestions, strategy planning, no one seems to complain about anything else.
"Now, without further ado... Let's move out!"
"At your command, sir!"
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.
.
.
The pre-dawn air hung cold and still, clinging to the skin. The black-haired man knelt in the snow, shoulders burdened by the pack that is being attached to his back.
With a mixture of concern and determination etched on her face, Glory bundled her child in layers of soft fabric and wool.
Kara watched silently, every breath puffing out small clouds in the frigid air. 'This feels like i'm inside a refrigerator.' she thought to herself. 'A cup of hot chocolate would be nice..'
"Is the strap secure enough, Davel?" Glory's tone barely sheaken above the tension in the air.
"As secure as it can be," Davel murmured, adjusting the straps. "Just maintain a safe distance between her head and- well, mine."
Glory went silent, a sigh escaping her lips as she touched my cheek.
"Are you good, Darling?"
"This is.. far riskier than I imagined."
"You can always withdraw in this, Glory. You both can stay in the camp."
"No—thats not what i meant!" Their eyes meet, hesitation and resilience battling within them. "I know you can handle this on your own, but we don't know what outcome will happen to the others if i don't step up as their support. We don't have much members to begin with.."
"Then, we'll be careful," He said without a beat, "Didn't we promise to protect her together?"
"...Right," Glory nodded, a small smile appearing. She kissed Kara's forehead.
"All set?" Davel grinned, his voice more confident.
"She's as snug as a bug in a rug,"
'I feel like a burrito, though.' She close her eyes, wiggling in the tight space.
A loud crush from a distance, makes Kara's heart jumped, the sound so sharp it was like a bomb in the heavy silence.
"Reporting, Commander," Robinaia's tone was quick and serious, her breath catching. "Movement in the distance. Multiple targets. They're approaching!"
"Stay alert. Let's move!"
The air grew colder, heavier, as if a dark cloud had settled over them. The multiple steps Kara heard become a noise that rhyme her unease mind.
Then, a series of growl echoed through the dark space, a sound that sent a wave of icy dread through her. The soldiers drew their weapons, their movements fluid.
A monstrous deer burst from the trees, a glowing red eyes, its antlers broken and twisted.
"To think it even affect those species that are docile.." Father muttered under his breath.
"Gwraaaaaah!!!" The creature launch wildly. A soldier met it with a well-aimed strike.
"You think we'll let you Strays pass? Not a chance!" The man's blade sliced cleanly through the beast's throat.
The creature roared, a sound that tore through the forest. The brunette squint her eyes, the thought of seeing blood didn't sit right with her.
Steel clashed against bone. The sounds of battle filled her ears, only her Father's voice was a comfort.
"Teacher! Please! My brother's leg! That cursed Stray came out of nowhere!"
"Of course! Leave the medical emergencies to me."
Kara opened her eyes to her Mother's voice. In the dim light, she saw the emerald glow of her Arcana as she moved from soldier to soldier, healing their wounds.
'Good thing she's alright... This work suits her far better than fighting on the front lines,' she thought, sighing in relief. Her abilities were natural and effective.
"Anyone who has serious injuries, don't hesitate to retreat and heal! All available units provide support and fill in the gap left by your teammates! Stay focused!"
"Sir, yes sir!" The soldiers responded, their voices a mixture of exhaustion and renewed determination.
"Thank goodness Teacher Glorilyne is here. We'd be in so much trouble without her."
"You said it! With her Arcana, we can go back and forth at the battle as much as we want without worrying about injuries."
Kara's eyes turn back to her Father, noticing his movement becoming a bit relax.
His eyes cool and focused, stood slightly apart from the fighting, observing the scene. A slight smile played on his lip.
'He must have heard what they said..' she assumed, her eyes following figure that passed by.
'He looked so proud..' she thought playfully, a smirk spreading across her own face. 'So incredibly proud..'
. . . . .
The battle raged-a chaotic blend of steel clashing against claws and fangs, guttural roars, and desperate cries.
Robinaia's movement was quick, undeniably so. Avoiding to be caught in a Strays clumsy rampage, in pace distance away.
She wasn't the strongest, nor the most experienced. But she still does her best to keep up.
First, she spotted one hidden behind a copse of trees. Slowly stalking a group of her comrade, a deadly ambush in the making.
Its fur matted with purple energy and its eyes burning with feral rage, it would jumped at them in about ten seconds.
But before it could happened, Robin's voice cut through to intervene.
"Watch out! To your left!" she shouted, pointing with a sharp, precise motion.
Her warning was barely audible above the battle cries, but it was enough.
The two soldiers got alerted by her call, and managed to deflect the Stray's attack, narrowly avoiding being gored.
Then, another Stray. Its body slick with the ichor of wounds, attempted to ambush a lone soldier from behind.
Her eyes sharpen as she spotted the movement from the corner of her view. Without hesitation, she hurled a small, sharpened throwing knife.
Spinning through the air, it embedded itself in the Stray's neck, causing it to stagger and momentarily lose its balance.
The man, alerted by the sudden movement, turned and struck the distracted beast, killing it with a swift, decisive blow.
"Good work, mate!" He exclaimed, breathing a sigh of relief.
Robinaia merely nodded, her eyes fixed on the chaos, ever watchful. Her extended vision spanned the entire forest clearing. Her Arcana showed her the movements of many Strays, a dangerous game of hide-and-seek.
But appearances were deceptive. In her inner thoughts, she was tense, frustrated...
'Darn it! What am i doing?! I should be out there... in the fight!' She bit her lip, frustration simmering beneath her calm exterior.
In truth, she wanted to do more. This kind of task is just keeping her from improving, but she also don't want to doubt Davel's judgement.
'I have to carry out commander's order... there's no time overthinking this!'
CRACK!
'What was that..?!' Her sense alerted, she turn toward the upcoming threat.
But it was too late.
A slender Stray had silently approached Davel while he tended to an injured teammate, aiming for them both.
Robinaia's eyes widened, her mind racing. She have to act fast!
"Kuh! Look ou—"
BADUMP!
She froze, as if her feet were stuck to the ground. 'No... not again! Why does it have to be now?!' The familiar paralysis threatening to claim her whole body.
'If I stopped now, the commander... and his daughter...!' Struggles as she make, the terror only consuming her, she's stuck in place like a living statue. 'I.. can't move. My body.. won't listen to me!'
Something. Anything!
Bullets of sweat run cold in her face. They're already in her reached, but those figures began to slowly drift apart.
The aftermath of the attack was an image clear in her mind—the massive claws, the feral hunger in the Stray's eyes, the inevitable outcome if she didn't intervene.
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.
.
"Commander! Behind you!" she screamed, her voice raw with desperate.
Davel reacted with stunning speed, whirling around just as the Stray's fang ready to bite them down.
His quick reflexes stopped the stray in its track, grabbing it's neck and slam it into the ground.
STAB!
His blade met the creatures head, a swift, precise countermove dispatching the creature with a silent efficiency.
And the Stray dissolve into dust..
"C-Commader Davel! Are you alright?!"
"Yes, that was a close call. How's your back side?" Davel turn toward the man he was aiding earlier.
"Much better, thank you sir. I can return to duty."
He nodded. "Don't push yourself. If it bleeds again, go straight to Glory."
"Yes, sir!" The soldier rejoined the fray.
The black-haired man head turned to his back, checking his daughter's condition before returning to the woman who had shouted for danger.
"Good job, Robinaia. That one was specially silent when moving, i wouldn't have seen that coming without you."
"It... It was nothing, Commander." She stammered, her body slowly drop from releasing the tension.
Her eyes gaze down, staying silent. A troubled expression clouding in her face, uncertainty even.
Davel raised an eyebrow. "Is everything alright?"
"Sir... I apologize for my hesitation..." she said, composing herself. "I understand the value of my Arcana, but... why did you assign this supportive role? I wish for a chance to contribute on the frontlines."
Davel firmly nodded, recognized her conflict. He remained unwavering but his face held a hint of understanding.
He closed his eyes, carefully choosing his words. The girl become interested to what will he response, more so than she ever thought.
However, they didn't notice the lingering presence above them.
A sudden shift—
Robinaia sense flared, looking upward. "Another one?!"
The black-haired man was already swift, taking a firearm at his side. Aiming at it's hideout, pull the trigger and fire.
PEW!
Just like that, the creature dropped.
"..."
The girl gulp, her eyes widening. "That was..."
"It leave no dust." The Commander's eyes sharpen. "It's a decoy!"
"Kaakakakaki...!"
A surprise attack, multiple ambushed surround them.
The strays were tiny and hairy humanoid creature that swarms them, with tails longer than an arm length. Hanging like rope to jumped at them by surprise.
"Don't let up!" Davel took aim with serious but alarm expression.
Left shot. BANG! Right shot. BANG!
A well round slice—Four down.
"Take the other side!"
"Yes sir!"
THACK! THACK! THACK!
The perfect knife throw land true. Third defeated.
"Ah—Crap!"
.
.
But the final one missed.
.
.
Finally, it made it's move.
At the last chance of aggression, the Stray lung itself toward the vulnerable infant.
"No—The young miss!!!"
"Huh..?" Kara flinch at the sight, it's intimidating sharp fangs paralyzed her.
The sudden attempt of the sneaky Stray no one anticipated. Davel tried to move away, keeping her at desperate distance, even making his own hands a shield to not let his daughter got caught.
Until...
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.
.
BOOM!!
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A powerful kick to the head send the danger away from them.
It's body flew like a thousand miles through the woods, breaking tree after trees.
'The person...' Kara was stunned.
A flowing chestnut hair in the night of full moon.
"Glory!"
Her hazel eyes were sharp as a beast. An unimaginable strength.
"Get out of my sight.. You piece of trash!"
Like a roaring bear, protecting her cub.
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.
After that bizarre change of scenario. Everyone's jaw dropped.
Literally.
'W-What the heck with that strength..? That kick surprised me more than that monkey's sudden attack..' Kara's heart hammered wildly, it may be from shocked with a hint of nervousness.
Her mind reload, making her a bit dizzy. She couldn't put her finger into it, was this a hidden side of the gentle mother she just discovered?
'L-Let see what dad think of th—OH HE'S JUST SIMPING ALRIGHT!!!!'
The sparkling eyes, a twitching lips working hard not to smile, the brunette could even feel her father's heart thumping like a miles away.
That expression, there's no doubt about it. 'He's like a maiden inlove all over again!'
"Kara darling, did you get hurt?" Glory was already at her side, capping her child's face with eyes filled of worry.
"Thanks for the intervention, Glory. I must confess, I was completely caught off guard," Davel added, his tone a little too eagerly.
But Glory's sharp gaze made him flinch, sending away his enthusiasm.
"D-Darling, how about you?" Davel asked nervously. "You didn't hurt yourself, are you?"
Kara couldn't help but feel bad for him, 'Mama's glare could kill..'
"I'm fine," The chestnut-haired woman replied, her voice low and cold. "But that creature won't be."
She scooped the small girl into her arms, hugging her as a gesture of protection. Her touch surprisingly tender despite the terrifying strength she had just displayed.
"Let's get her to safety," Davel said, helping his wife to her feet.
Robinaia approached cautiously, still shaken. "Teacher Glorilyne," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "I... I apologize. I failed to protect the Commander and the young miss."
Glory turn toward her, gaze softening. "You did your best, Robinaia," she said, her voice regaining its warmth. "There's no shame in being overwhelmed. We all have our limits."
Davel straightened, scanning the surroundings. His sighed a sound of release.
"Everyone unharmed, check your six. Let's clear the area and then regroup." His voice regain its authoric command.
"We'll help, Commander!"
"Yeah! The least we can do for all that Teacher just saved us from!" The soldiers agreed heartily.
"As for you, Robinaia.." Father turned toward her, he knelt down to show his gratitude.
"C-Commader?!"
"Good job, once again. And thank you so much, without your warning, i might have been too late to respond and put us in grave danger.."
"N-No, sir. Please stop lowering yourself, if anything.. i could've done more!"
"You truly are one impatient girl. And that's the reason why.."
"H-Huh?"
"You're dedication to improve has always appeal to me, even with your condition.." He pause, letting the words to sink in, "That's why i put you in a tight spot, where the risk of everything depended on your quick thinking. It was a test, Robinaia, a necessary test."
"You have to learn to act before you think, or else you're body won't be able to keep up with you." He placed a hand on her shoulder, "Today, you successfully achieved the first step!"
"Only... the first step?" She sounded both relieved and slightly disappointed.
"And there's many more to came!" His grin widening, "Gaining strength isn't instantaneous. It takes patience and hard work. Believe in yourself, Robinaia, and never stop striving. You'll get there, I know it." Davel ruffles the girl's raven hair, causing her face to reddened.
"And i hope this is also a good lesson for you too, dar-li-ng.."
"U-Uh... Glory..?"
"Don't you go thinking i forgot how unguarded you are, Davel." She pointed her finger toward him, her tone reprimanding, "I know you always go with the flow, but you could at least think about our child's life and be more cautious."
"I know, i know. I'm really sorry about that. But the good thing is, nothing bad happen!"
"There you are again, your not taking this seriously!"
"H-How about i make second dinner tonight? I know you always love those roasted liver in tomato sauce—"
"Do not change the topic, you moron!"
A giggle escaped Kara's lips, her tiny hand escaping its confine. The different side of their dynamic instead from just a loving couple, feels new and intriguing to passed on. Her sense tickling an outburst of joy, leaving her parents in shock and awe.
"Pff—Hahahaha..." Robinaia couldn't help but join in, the tension and doubt melting away in her face.
The night was far from over, but for now, there was only the sweet release of shared laughter.