“Thanks to the medical soup the wounded are recovering faster, putting less strain on the healers. Our King has also recruited the adult fox-kin into our forces and even stopped their discontent after they found out he sent their children to war. Although he does say that if Sage wasn’t there they wouldn’t have been pacified so easily. Other than that, our King says that within two days the adults should be back to peak health and ready to fight. End report.” A cool looking female dwarf recounted to Ubel, who was staring at a map being drawn by Kist.

Ubel turned his attention to her for a moment, “Thank you for the update. Give our King my regards and tell him that if nothing crazy happens, we should be on track to finish this event in three days. Also, tell him that I need to talk to him about something I found out after we finish this operation.”

“We’re approaching the castle. Your orders, Commander?” Reaver's voice rang out.

“Understood. That’ll be all, Sel. You are dismissed.”

“I’ll be on my way then, Commander.” With a sight bow, the cool beauty named Sel left.

When the door closed Ubel turned back to the closed-eyed pair, Kist and Reaver.

“I will now restate what we’re doing here and our rules of engagement. Kist will be a second pair of eyes and help keep a lookout while he sketches out the map, and our scouts are to get as close as possible to the castle and get us information about the walls. Afterward, the tiger scouts will try to infiltrate the castle and gather information while remaining undetected.

“They are to get as much information as they can before retreating. If someone is discovered they are to act as bait for the others and either gather more information or escape. Finally, if the mission turns to shit it’s every fox for themself. Reaver, put in an order if your connection is somehow cut. Have your tigers follow the fox-kin. Also, if their fox-kin partner dies, have them retreat back to base.

“Although I’ve given them each a guideline to follow and you’re just babysitting them, I’ll be leaving their lives in your hands, Reaver and Kist, as the feedback lag them to me would be too great for this task. Unless there’s a dire need, don’t ask for me. That is all. I wish you two and the rest the best of luck.”

I won’t fail them, I’ll make sure they get out of there alive… Reaver thought to herself while clenching her hands.

***

Breathing in the cold air, Virgo sat on a tiger surrounded by eleven other tiger riding fox-kin. Looking up at the sky she could see the spatial tearings that flashed like stars around the orange moon. For as long as she had lived she had witnessed this sky and tonight she might die under it.

Father, Mother. I will rescue you. Just hang on.

“Why are you spacing out, Virgo? We have scouting to do.” Turning to her right she saw her good friend, Skit, flash her a boyish grin.

“It’s nothing, I’m ready.” Virgo tried to play it off cooly in an attempt to make herself look like a cool beauty.

“Is that so? As expected of the coldest huntress in the younger generation! Nothing gets under your skin does it?” Skit flashed another smile at the cold looking Virgo, who rolled her eyes, trying not to blush.

The only thing that does is that smile. Oh what I’d do to yo-

“Hey, cut the chatter. We’re about to begin. If one of you fucks this up we’ll all most likely end up dead,” A thin but muscular looking child remarked as he glared at them with cold eyes.

“Who made you leader, Crux?” Barked one of the fox-kin.

“Orion did. He made me promise to lead you knuckleheads while he was injured. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have stayed in bed like a good boy.”

“Orion…” One in the group whispered.

“That fool…” Another whined.

“Enough of the sad air. He isn’t dead yet so don’t just kill him off.” Crux snorted then continued, “Now that you're all quiet, we have orders for this mission. We will be splitting into teams of threes. You’ve all been taught the signs so we’ll have no talking when we enter. From our study of the walls, going in through the gates is out of the question since they’re too heavily defended, just as the commander expected. So we’ll be climbing the northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest walls.

“We only have one hour to get in, find some information, and get out. Any longer and the risk of exposure is too great. Any questions?”

The squad was silent.

Crux nodded his head, “Then let God be with us.”

“Please protect us, God of the Hunt.”

All of the group whispered prayers to their nine-tailed fox god. Once the short prayer was over, the squad split up and chose their teammates. Crux teamed up with two others, and Virgo and Skit teamed up with Tarius, a silent Fox-kin who spoke very little. The other six took a moment before splitting into groups as well.

As Virgo led her two teammates and the tiger assigned to them towards the northwest castle wall her eyes wandered along the fifteen meter high black bone walls.

I know we can easily clear the wall, but how will the tigers get over the wall?

As she mused this the two behind her were also wondering as they waited for the other teams to get into position.

When they were ready the tigers pawed at the ground to give the signal. The fox-kin nodded to each other and teleported thirty meters into the air, each scanning the castle walls for a weakness. After jumping into the air a few times to scan the other side of the wall, they teleported back to the ground near the tigers.

After talking over what they found, the children decided to directly teleport into a pocket on the wall that was free of any skeletons. Petting the tigers and pointing in the direction they’re going, the three teleported onto the wall with pinpoint accuracy. They then turned to see what the tigers would do, and watched with wide eyes as the tigers used pure muscle and claws to silently climb up the wall.

Oh. So that’s how they’ll get over. Virgo discerned before scanning the area around them.

It didn’t take long before the tigers joined them on the wall. Being careful not to be seen, the group watched as a skeleton patrol started moving towards their direction. The fox-kin teleported to a building with a balcony to avoid the patrol, and the tigers climbed down to follow them.

While scanning the area around her which was filled with a black bones, Virgo had a sudden thought. Were we just this lucky to enter unnoticed? Although I see scarce patrols around, there should be more, right? Where are they? Don’t tell me… This is a trap?

She looked over and could see the same hardened expression on her teammates.

Even if it’s a trap, we’re in the predator's mouth now. I need to do this, for my parents and myself. I will not be called a coward!

Clenching her fist Virgo hardened her resolve, stood up, and began walking. Light footsteps moved after her.

The mission was a go.