“Finally! I found them!” an excited voice shouts.

Who…? Confused and rudely awakened, Avalel opens his eyes, and to his surprise, he finds a small boy staring into his face, his hand holding a small but bright flashlight. Despite the small stature, Avalel feels a mature aura emanating from the boy, like one who has experienced much in one’s life.

“Oh, good morning, Rasu,” Kavlina mumbles. Wait, whose shoulder am I resting on?

Wait, have I been sleeping on Kavlina's shoulder this entire time?

They both quickly distance themselves, releasing their embrace and looking away in slight awkwardness.

“You must be Avalel, the other person we are looking for, correct?” Rasu asks.

What?

The thundering of footsteps can be heard as a group of people, perhaps numbering about fifteen or so, rushing into the cave, their expressions relieved. At the front is Murab, his breathing ragged, and Tarak, his expression brightening at the sight of his companions.

“Avalel, what are you doing in such a dark and abandoned place?” Murab asks worriedly, “Didn't we tell you to rest for several more days in the hospital?”

“Kav, why are you here?” Rasu asks in a similar tone, “Did you forget today's our day to be transported to the west?”

“Well…” Avalel explains sheepishly, “I was a little bored in the hospital, so I snuck out every night to train in this cave.”

“I followed Lel and we ended up having a small practice duel,” Kavlina adds, “We nearly exhausted ourselves, so we slept soon after.”

How calm and composed, Avalel thinks.

“Avalel, you're putting your own body at risk,” Murab warns, “I understand that you need to keep your body physically fit and healthy, but before your head injuries are fully healed, it's a risk even to participate in any physical activity, nevermind sword fighting.”

“I'm sorry,” Avalel apologizes.

“Well, at least we found you two,” Tarak sighs, “We need to hurry to our transport now, Kavlina. Doctor Murab, will you take Avalel back to the hospital?”

“Alright,” Murab agrees, “Avalel, you really need more rest before you can engage in such activities.”

“How long will the campaign take?” Avalel asks.

“If successful, perhaps we'll return by the beginning of the new year, when spring comes,” Rasu answers. “Or if we get this quickly over with, in less than a week. You never know.”

“Thank you…” Avalel realizes he hasn’t asked for the boy’s name.

“My name is Rasu.”

“Thank you, Rasu,” Avalel says before turning to Kavlina and Tarak, “Well, it'll be quite a while before we can be together again.”

Kavlina nods. “Good luck on your recovery, Lel.”

“And good luck to you two on the battlefield,” Avalel replies. Please return safely.

“Let's go, Squad Rasu!” Rasu cries, leading the small group of people to the rusted steel gate, “Even though our meeting was brief, I hope we meet again, Avalel!”

“Avalel, I'll expect you to improve your swordsmanship further when we return!” Tarak shouts as he departs.

“Take care of the sword, Lel,” Kavlina advises, staring at the dimly glowing Anapadeia.

Silently, Avalel nods as the group leaves, leaving only Murab and two nurses by his side.

“Avalel, sometimes I wonder… How did you manage to sneak out with a large object like the Anapadeia?” Murab laughs.

“I'm still wondering why you had such a calm response when you first encountered the Anapadeia, at least according to Hayeviel,” Avalel replies.

“When you've been a doctor for many years and have seen many miracles happen before your eyes, another miracle appearing just doesn't have as large an impact any more,” Murab says. Still, this miracle is quite the shocking and well-hidden one.

“We should go back to the hospital now, doctor. The patients are waiting,” a nurse reminds.

“Alright then.” Picking up the Anapadeia, Avalel follows Murab and the nurses as they too depart from the cave. As Avalel closes the gate, he could not help but feel a sense of emptiness within.

“Kav, that sword I saw lying around near Avalel… It's the Anapadeia, isn't it?” Rasu asks as they board a yaraveza. The yaraveza is still in the spherical theme as other yaravezas, but is coated in a strangely unreflective metal, a single splotch of relative opacity contrasting with the transparency of the tubes and the buildings around.

“Yes,” Kavlina replies.

“Wait, what? How come this was never publicized? The rediscovery of the legendary symbol of the late empire should've been big news!”

“It's a well hidden secret, kept by a few individuals,” Tarak chimes in, “Myself included, of course.” They laugh. “But in all seriousness, I believe Kavlina has witnessed most of the action.”

“Kav, what was it like?” Rasu asks, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm, “Was the sword overflowing with energy? Did it slash through anything it came into contact with? Was it so fast that no one can even keep up with it?”

“To be honest, from what I've seen, I think the Anapadeia itself isn't as special or powerful as the legends say…”

“Oh,” Rasu looks at her in disappointment.

“... But it does seem to have a consciousness of its own, and Lel did become shockingly, and terrifyingly, powerful when the sword's consciousness took control.”

“Oh?” Rasu's eyes brighten up again.

“Rasu,” Tarak chuckles, “You're at the age of twenty four already, yet you still act like a child at the age of twelve, not to mention you look like a child as well… ow!” Tarak winces as he shrinks back, his hands covering his reddened forehead.

“Tarak, respect your elders,” Rasu grins, showing his leather gauntlets, “Especially if they're your squad leader.”

“I'll tell you more later, Rasu,” Kavlina says as the yaraveza's doors shut.

“Squad Rasu,” Rasu calls into the comms, “We'll meet in front of the transport. The battlefield awaits!”

Even in the early morning, the city of Thille is already very much alive, hundreds of yaravezas transporting thousands of individuals across the vast subterranean city. As they approach the hangar, they come across an increasing amount of similar yaravezas, the passengers inside unable to be seen.

“It's this hangar again, Kavlina,” Tarak notes.

“Yes.” It wasn't so long ago, when we were going to Lazairu from this same hangar.

“You two used this hangar before?” Rasu asks.

“It was a while ago already. About two months ago, actually,” Tarak answers.

“Don't tell me… You two took part in the 'disaster' of Lazairu?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn't you tell me so during our training before?”

“I wouldn't want to,” Kavlina laments as the yaraveza comes to a halt. “All those soldiers who died, many of whom on their first mission…”

“Don't look back on past mistakes,” Tarak reminds, “Our mission today is to conduct reconnaissance, not to change what happened then.”

“That's the spirit!” Rasu agrees as they step off the yaraveza, “Face the enemy in front of you, not the ones from the past. Look forward in anticipation, not backward in regret. Ah, there they are!” He immediately takes off, running to the other soldiers.

“I still can't believe this small boy is not only our squad leader, but also a veteran of many battles,” Tarak says.

“He's surprisingly cheerful for one,” Kavlina notes.

“Not to mention his near impossible reflexes and sharp instincts, perfect for a scout.”

“I wonder why even with such battle experience, he's still just a squad leader.”

“Tarak, Kav, quickly!” Rasu shouts, “Choose your gear!”

“Coming!” Tarak responds. Choose our gear?

As they approach their squad, they find nine sets of equipment lying neatly on the ground, the squad standing in a ring around it. From first glance, they seem to be the light armor Tarak and Kavlina donned in the mission to Lazairu in addition to other equipment, but at a closer look, many are lacking a rifle, some have multiple knives, some lacking metal plating while others have reinforced, heavier armor… two even have an axe in their equipment with an increased amount of first-aid equipment.

“For many of you, this is your first time on a reconnaissance mission,” Rasu explains, “Although aerial reconnaissance is our primary method as it is highly efficient, our target for this mission, Fortress Habala, has extensive anti-air defenses, requiring ground reconnaissance instead. This mission should take us many days for us to give a comprehensive report to higher command. Well, at least according to them, so our equipment will be heavier than usual.”

This is already considered heavy equipment for scouting? Kavlina thinks as she stares at the sets of equipment on the ground.

“I have prepared for us four light sets, two heavy sets, two vanguard sets, and two support sets. I have already taken a light set. The light sets are the usual equipment for scouting, balanced and versatile. The heavy sets are basically the usual heavy infantry equipment minus the pike. These will be used as guards or in case we come across resistance. The vanguard set is the lightest of all, with only a vest, a knife, and many anti-mine disks. Finally, the support set will have extra first-aid equipment and an axe for foraging purposes. I trust your judgment, so choose the best set for your strengths and weaknesses.”

The soldiers rapidly each grab a set of equipment in an orderly fashion. After some discussion and a couple of trades, they stand in a row in front of Rasu, their equipment strapped tightly to their backs.

“This is even better than I imagined,” Rasu compliments, “The equipment fits perfectly in each of you!”

The size fits perfectly too. Perhaps he knew what we wanted already? Tarak thinks.

“Alright, these are your roles: Tarak, light.”

“Yes!”

“Bairuel, light.”

“Yes.”

“Evi, heavy.”

“Yes!”

“... Kav, vanguard.”

“Yes!”

“Alright, let's go!” Rasu cheers, raising his fist in the air. With a few shouts in response, the squad marches to a small aerial transport, its build sleek and smooth.

“Oh, it's Rasu,” a voice says as Rasu begins to board the transport, “How does he still have a military post even after that disaster?”

As Rasu turns around, he finds two rather familiar, repulsive faces. One is dressed in an impeccable uniform, decorated with badges, while another is casually dressed, armed only with a pistol in his pocket.

“Oh, hello, Turhven and Kan,” Rasu responds, “Why are you two here?”

“I'm commanding the battle of Habala, while Kan here is my second-in-command,” the well-dressed one, Turhven, replies, “Commanding yet another group of inexperienced newbies, are you?”

How does the commander know Rasu personally? Kavlina wonders.

“You should know that all who end up in a recon unit have at least some experience on the battlefield. Or perhaps you would like to test their resolve?”

“Consider yourself lucky you still get to command some soldiers,” Kan replies, “Especially after that disaster at your hands.”

“Look forward, my friends, not backward.”

“That's just a silly excuse for a failure,” Kan replies.

“Yes, I'm a failure… at politics, that is.” He pokes at Kan with the handle of his knife.

“Don't insult my subordinate,” Turhven warns, “Or would you like to be properly dismissed from all military duties?”

“Sadly, I'm just a warrior with no knowledge in political manipulation,” Rasu smiles innocently, “Just a young boy looking after his comrades instead of abandoning them.”

“Rasu, you…”

“I'll see you again when I deliver my report, Turhven,” he says happily, waving as the transport's doors shut.

“Who was that?” Tarak asks.

“Our superiors," Rasu answers, “We report to them once our mission is complete.”

“Sit tight, scouts. We're going,” the pilot announces. With a low whirr, the transport pushes off from the ground and shoots into the air, swiftly leaving Thille for the skies beyond.

Initially, the transport rocks about from the great acceleration, and the squad are all pinned to their seats, the equipment rattling about. Gradually, however, it steadies itself, and the cabin is soon quiet save for the chatter between the soldiers.

“Alright, since we will arrive at our destination in a short time, I shall quickly debrief our tasks now,” Rasu announces as he stands up and places himself at the center of the squad. “As you may have noticed, the gear I've prepared are all in even numbers. I plan to split up into two teams once we land to cover a larger area. If you have a red tag on your uniform, you are team one. If you don't have a tag, you're team two.”

Kavlina and Tarak glance at each other in slight nervousness, but soon relax as they see the obvious tag stuck on their arms.

“Where are we landing, exactly?” a soldier asks.

“Thank you for the reminder, Evi,” Rasu replies, “As I mentioned earlier, Habala has strong anti-aircraft defenses and likely also has an advanced warning system. This is why we will drop at a site approximately a day's walking distance away from the fort.”

As he speaks, a screen appears in front of each soldier, and an image of a map is shown. “There are two main roads that connect to Habala. Our mission is to document the traffic on those roads, make note of the defense systems, and calculate the approximate strength and situation of the fort from our positions. Team One will be scouting the western road, while Team Two will scout the eastern road.”

“Wait, but there are no hills nearby to conceal our position,” another soldier points out.

“That's true, Isur,” Rasu agrees before showing two red dots on the map, “Which is why the most ideal position would be these small woods a bit of distance away.”

“We are going to conduct our reconnaissance… from treetops?” Isur asks, surprised.

“Yes,” Rasu smiles, “We will also be camping inside there for the nights.”

“Rasu, we've nearly arrived at the landing site,” the pilot announces.

“I'll explain more of the details later, then,” Rasu says, “Now get into your teams and prepare to drop!”

The soldiers quickly organize themselves, grabbing parachutes and form neat, small rows. Kavlina finds herself in between Tarak and the tall woman known as Evi. Being taller than even Tarak and with a muscular build, she is almost a giant, holding her rifle as if like a guardian.

“I heard this is your first reconnaissance mission, girl,” she says, “Being the vanguard is a difficult job, especially for a newbie.”

“You saw how I performed in our training, didn't you? I'll be fine,” Kavlina responds, slightly irritated.

“Well, let's get this job quickly done with, and hope we can return to our carefree lives soon.”

“Don't worry,” Tarak reassures, “We'll all successfully and quickly finish our mission.”

“Let's just hope we don't run into any enemies,” a voice in front pipes up.

The image of the bloodstained armor of the soldiers from the village appears in Kavlina's mind. “Yes, let's hope so.”

Just then, the transport doors open again, letting in a fierce gust of wind. Outside, the air is freezing, yet the skies are clear, the Elyfesta shining down in its midday brilliance.

“Squad Rasu, line up!” Rasu orders. Rapidly, the soldiers form a line, standing determined and silent in the wind.

“And… drop!” At the order, the soldiers run out one by one and leap off the platform, welcoming the landscape before them as the transport above shrinks to a mere speck.