Over three months had passed since the first recon unit of the Volunteer Corps went missing when investigating a possible ruin being used as a stronghold by the Demon Lord.

Further investigations were halted. Those at the Guild did not to want to risk any more members of the Corps, let alone any mercenaries or adventurers that came around. During the three-month span, only two groups composed of fast-moving members of the guild were gathered. Each time they came back with reports of hostile encounters within the forest.

Unable to receive support from the king, the people of the frontier were forced to cooperate with each other creating an internal ecosystem. Many became complacent; thus, the sudden reports of attacks being launched against their settlement grew fear throughout the lands.

Yet only one person did not truly understand what was happening. She had an answer to the questions that were burned into her mind but seeing such a thing with her very own eyes was something considered “rare” amongst her peers. Was she sheltered? Yes. There was no doubt about it. She was trained for the “glory” of the battlefield, rather than the realities that came with such an environment.

She no longer had the luxury of reading the lies that the Royal Press printed daily. Her ignorance was thankfully tested early on before it could grow out of control, yet the pain of the test was something she would no doubt come to remember for the rest of her life.

Her body shifted against the steady movement of the carriage she sat in. She made no move, yet she held her hand against her ears as she sat curled up in a small ball. She had no logical explanation of why she was in such state. For the moment her hearing remained impaired, but it was slowly improving. A small ringing noise echoed throughout her head, and a sick feeling was now resting over her heart.

The recently reassigned Chieftain Leccamaradel Emma Arish was only half broken. The men under her command were somewhat indifferent to her current state, with only Sergeant Mike Randall, and Staff Sergeant Baker occasionally checking in on her.

On the other side of the cart was one, Lucas Saxton, an archer. He was originally assigned to the Volunteer Corps under the guise as a guide, but he was no more than an old man that wanted adventure. His dream was misplaced during the mission, the gruesome story he told was more than enough to make everyone leave before the instigation could be fully concluded, yet the gory scene would’ve done the job either way.

Truths about what happened would be shared, yet they would need to return to the settlement first.

“Hey.” Crouching next beside her was Sergeant Randall, Mike. He wore a tired face as he removed his helmet and placed it on the carriage floor.

With a lump in her through, all Lecca could do was nod. “You, okay?” He asked. “That scene we saw yesterday… It’s something no one should have to see.”

Here he was sharing his honest thoughts, yet his body lied about everything. When he said, “I’m fine.” His body would show his exhaustion and fatigue. When he said, “We’re okay.” He forced himself to ignore the bodies around him. When he said, “We’ll make it through.” His face betrayed his true thoughts. He was on the verge of breaking, yet she could only guess what he had been through in his life.

“What are we going to do once we get back.” Lowering her hands, Lecca found herself attempting to remain in a position of attention.

“We’ll get someone to retrieve the bodies and investigate the site.” Mike said in a hushed voice “But I don’t think we should be going crazy right now. You’re still recovering from the pressure the grenade let off.” He motioned for the princess to turn her head, and upon complying, he brushed his hands against her left ear, “Looks fine. I can’t see any immediate damage.” His warm breath made Lecca shiver as he backed away.

Bringing her arms to her chest, she rubbed her exposed skin. The cold, late fall air bit at her as she grasped her body for warmth. The high-hanging sun was temporarily blocked out by several dark clouds, though it’s not that it mattered as the tree canopy above let a limited amount of light through anyways.

“Shit man.” Green whispered as he stared high into the clouds. “Does it always rain here?”

Not receiving an answer from the worn men, the young man fell silent. Lecca let out a sigh as a flood of relief traced over her body letting her relax. She was in no position of safety, yet she allowed herself to let go of the training that was once pounded into her mind. Amongst the multi-colored, battle proven gear of the Holy Knights under her command, she wore inconspicuous clothing. She looked no different from the average girl on the street with her loose fitting, and slightly baggy blouse and skirt, and her hair tied into a messy bun, she would’ve disappeared into the background were it not for her silver hair that stood out from the greenery around.

She listened to her own voice within the confines of her head. Every word she had spoken within her life echoed in-and-out without stop. Her breaths monetarily stopped. Brown eyes trailed over the man next to her. Mike had fallen asleep and was leaning against the cloth tarp that concealed and protected them from the outside world.

For once in her life, she removed her thoughts for the military politics that had enveloped her whole life.

“Guards ahead!”

The carriage driver’s voice was hoarse as he alerted the group of their arrival back at the settlement. Leaning from his seat and looking over the man’s shoulder, Patterson looked ahead as he spotted a large collection of men and women entering the settlement. They all stood collectively waiting to enter as the rain assaulted the grounds they stood on.

“Who the fuck are they?” Patterson asked.

“Don’t know. Could be the Volunteer Corps.” The man said in return as he adjusted his straw hat.

Lucas snapped up from his seat, almost stumbling over the collecting of bags on the floor. “The Volunteer Corps?” He said alarmed. “I need to get to them now!” Before the driver could snap his reigns, the archer clambered out the front and began his bare-footed sprint towards the large group.

“Pearl! Pearl!”

Lucas’s voice exited his mouth like a roar as he gained the entire group’s attention. Mud covered his feet and ankles; rain stained his makeshift cloak. Water streamed down the sides of his face and any remaining splotches of dried blood washed off as he watched a short woman move through the center of the group towards him.

“Pearl is that you!?” His voice cracked as he nearly tripped making him stumble.

Forcing her way out of the group the female newcomer rushed towards Lucas. She wore a green cape, and when the hood fell due to her sudden movement, golden-yellow hair was freed and scattered wildly in the stormy wind. Freckles adorned her pale face, and her eyes widened at the sight of the battered man before her.

“I-I…” Stopping in front of Lucas and covering her moving mouth, words failed to exit as she gasped several times looking for something to say. As the carriage stopped just behind the two, the Rangers and Princess Lecca exited into the downpour. The woman’s eyes had long glossed over with salty tears, and with two shaky hands, she forced the non-resistant Lucas into her arms.

“Pearl…” Lucas said as he took her small trembling hands into his own.

Embracing Pearl, the two collapsed to the ground. Thompson and his men walked behind the two, and on the opposite side, members of the Volunteer Corps watched them with calculating and careful eyes.

Wiping away several teams from the young woman’s eyes, Lucas let out a sigh as he looked up to an old man in front of the group of mercenaries he led.

“Old man…” Lucas muttered out as he rose from the ground. “What is she doing here?” He asked as he motioned to Pearl as she too stood from the muddy ground.

“She takes after you Lucas.” The man simply said as he adjusted his grey cloak sitting on his shoulders. “If it weren’t for the boy’s letting me know of her plan, she would’ve been killed the moment she stepped outside of the camp.” He paused before asking a question that had been on everyone’s minds, “How did you survive? It’s been three months old friend.”

Swallowing his guilt and half-turning to the group behind him. The archer shook his head as he gave the old man an answer, “Might be better to not focus on the past. That is a nightmare I wish not to remember.”

Brushing off her high cut boots, Pearl stood tall as she attempted to rid herself of emotions she found to be “unnecessary”. Just underneath her green cape was a leather chest plate sitting above a form fitting white dress. She wiped away at her now rosy, tear-stained cheeks as she pulled her hood back over her head.

“I’ll have to notify the scribes of your survival.” The old man said nodding his head at the two standing in front of him. “In other business, I assume those behind you are responsible for your rescue. They are the ones that heeded our call?”

With a perplexed expression, Lucas found it hard to answer the question. “Yes.” He said unsure as he contemplated his answer. “I did not know of a search for me or the others. I thank you all for posting a search within the guild, yet you knew I would’ve stood against the notion.”

“Surely you jest.” One of the Corps members said aloud gaining several grunts of approvement from those around him. “Your survival is imperative to this group.”

The old man nodded his head once more as he turned his attention to the leader of the group behind Lucas, Captain Thompson. “I assume you are the leader?” Gaining a ‘yes’ from Thompson, the man quickly distributed his orders, “You will come with us. You are a capable warrior; thus, we will need you in our next mission to another settlement within he frontier.”

Nor Thompson or Lecca argued at the sudden order. Their mission was to go deep into the frontier to locate and commence a survey of the Demon Lord’s primary army that was believed to be marching towards the heart of the kingdom.

Princess Lecca watched as Thompson conversed with the old man. He took the liberty of saying he and his men were on an assignment for the King, though thankfully he spared any details of the mission. Turning away from the two men, her brown eyes swept over Lucas and Pearl-father and daughter.

With an agreement made before she could overhear the specific details, the collective group of now thirty-five fighters moved into the settlement with little to no resistance by the guards or other citizens. Quickly stepping forward in her mud-crusted boots, Lecca filled the steps left behind by her knights as she crossed the boundary that separated her from forest.

“This mission is to reinforce a local settlement and their current garrison of forty Corps members.” The old man explained as he led Lecca’s men towards the guild.

Thompson hummed as he walked up to the main counter. “I guess our missions will force us to cooperate for now, but I suppose that is for the better.”

“True.” The old man said. “I still question if your loyalties truly belong to the throne. You are not one of our people, that much is obvious.”

Turning around to the noise that came behind her, the same attendant that approved the request to Lecca turned around. Her purple eyes widened, and her brown hair shuffled due to her sudden movements. Placing a stack of papers down on the wooden table, she fixed herself as she stood tall in front of the two men. Her pale skin shimmered in the light as she nodded at the old man next to Thompson.

“Mr. Que, and-”

“Captain Thompson.”

“Right.” She said nodding her head. “I am surprised to see you back so soon, and to have Mr. Que alongside you, I assume your mission was complete?”

Opening his mouth to give an answer, Thompson was cut of by Mr. Que who. “Indeed. Lucas was found alive, yet the others perished during the mission. A recovery team is needed to secure the remaining bodies, though that is if there are any bodies.” His words came out forcibly and he nearly let out a snarl.

“Sir?” Thompson said with a shallow look on his face.

“It’s fine. I’ll send a letter to the Guild Master and the local Magistrate.”

The nearby groups of mercenaries, and other adventures fell silent as they overheard the conversation. Many whispered amongst themselves of the identity of Thompson and his men. Many of which questioned why there were affiliating themselves with Mr. Que and the other Corps members.

Unsettled by the words being spoken, the old man turned back to his companion as he covered his face with the hood of his cloak. “How’d they do it?” The old man overheard a gruff man wondering aloud. This single question made him wonder how Captain Thompson and his men were able to dispatch Ruin Golems. They were servants of the Reavers, and a large group, up to fifteen people were required to complete such a mission, and yet it was still proven that even the corps members were still incapable of fighting such a foe, evident by Lucas’s survival and mental state.

“Captain please come with me.” He commanded making the thirty-year-old freeze. “We have much to discuss about you travelling with us.” He said while turning around, “And you.” He said addressing the guild attendant, “Come with us. We will need your expertise for this mission.”

“O-of course, sir.” The girl said meekly.

“Don’t worry. I will notify the guild master of your temporary departure.” He said with a small smile.

Stepping out of view from the large collection of people that occupied the guild, Mr. Que led the Thompson, the girl, and the rest of the soldiers outside. Rendezvousing with the rest of the volunteers the collective group of thirty-five gathered around the several carriages under the crying sky.

“Listen up!” A large-burley man called silencing those that whispered to each other.

“Members of the Volunteer Corps, members of the kingdom’s military!” Mr. Que shouted as he climbed onto an uncovered carriage. “The mission to Stragea is to commence in a single hour! Gather the weapons and gear you need, fill your stomachs! Our meeting point in the eastern gate, and from there we will march to the settlement to support our brothers-in-arms! Dismissed!”

As the group scattered all around the settlement, Sergeant Randall walked behind Thompson, “Sir? What’s the call?” He asked as Princess Lecca moved to his side.

“Princess?” Thompson asked passing the question to the young woman.

“Gather your men at the nearest tavern. Your meals will be provided by the King’s coin.” She said.

“Agreed.” Thompson said as he turned to address the other’s, “Rangers! On me!”

Publicly Available Information: Humanity’s Reach:

Surrounded by unknown and non-traveled waters, and a large desert “No Man’s Land” beyond the kingdom of Yondel, over 130 million people occupy the lands noted, and over 100 nations exist to this day.

Controlled lands count up to 3.012 million miles^2, yet this number has been distributed as several nations have begun colonization efforts on a large island to the south of the mainland, and the further reach to a recently discovered continent to the north.