Alone, I returned to Fort Lanai. Syar had vanished after our final spar—no farewell, no words—only a promise that we'd meet again. Not even a pat on the back.
Just gone.
Even after two months, Syar remained as much an enigma as the day I met him.
The gates of Fort Lanai loomed ahead, hidden in the shadows of the two mountains. Wearily I walked up to them.
The journey had been long. It was draining work navigating mountain passages, and trekking through snow that seemed to sap at my strength like leeches.
"OPEN UP! IT'S ME, ARTHUR!"
"Art?" a familiar voice called down.
Squinting, I spotted Finn's wide grin peering over the edge.
"Yeah, it's me. Open the damn gate."
The gates creaked open, and I stepped inside, exhaling a long breath of exhaustion and relief. It felt good to go back. Almost as if I was returning home in some strange twisted sense.
Even if that home was on the border of rebel territory, in the middle of a covert operation while my own empire thought I was a dead person.
Strange how the brain works.
"Ahh, Arthur. You're back."
Turning, I saw Officer Scarlet approaching, her red hair catching the wind like a trailing flame. Dark eyes appraising me with some that seemed almost like warmth. I was still slightly awkward around her. Beyond our weekly briefings, I hadn't really spoken to her properly since....well, since Skelter's funeral.
"Ma'am."
"Your return wasn't scheduled for another few days. I'm assuming then you're back permanently?"
"Yes, ma'am. I'll be back at Fort Lanai permanently again. My training with Master Syar is complete-well for now at least."
"Good. Follow me. There have been some developments you'll need to be briefed on." Smoothly, she turned around, striding away without glancing back once to see if I was following.
Entering the briefing room, I took the seat opposite hers. Reclining into it gratefully, a soft groan escaping my lips. Chairs were such a beautiful thing.
"In the time since the last briefing there's been a few updates. First," she began, "steady communications have resumed with rebel HQ.
As you know, General Thanason is posing as Commander Ravix using his light magic.
The official story is that both he and the enemy commander, Raleigh, perished in the battle at Umbra Plains. In retaliation, Thanason's subordinates launched a failed assault on Fort Lanai and died in the attempt."
"Makes sense," I said, yawning. "Explains any damage to the fort and the pile of rotting bodies outside."
"Second—there's a chance the rebels will station other commanders here. While the story has held well so far, we won't be completely trusted until another Commander inspects the Fort to confirm the story. So be prepared for it. Don't forget the identity we've drilled into you.
"I remember," I sighed, rolling my eyes.
"Name is Arthur. I'm from Cradowitch. Mum's name is Maisy. Don't know my dad. Got one brother named Noah who's serving with me....Still don't get why you made us brothers" I finished in a resigned mutter.
"Because they'll keep you two close if they think you're family. You'll need it—neither of you are exactly top-tier soldiers. For now, just rest. Train. Get used to the routine of being a soldier. The first operation will begin soon."
Sighing, I stepped out of the briefing room and made my way to the Unit 7 barracks. A real bed waited for me there—not a threadbare roll on the cavern floor.
A real, warm, soft bed. I could almost weep for joy.
The barracks were just as I remembered: loud, chaotic, full of life.
"Hey, look who finally dragged his sorry ass back!"
I turned to see Mat striding over, trademark smirk in place.
"Midget—I mean, Mat," I greeted.
His smirk vanished. "I'M TALLER THAN YOU!"
A few scattered laughs broke out in the background, quickly stifled before Mat could turn on them.
"True," I agreed solemnly, mimicking Syar's serious tone, the one he usually adopted before tearing into me in a way weapons never could. "But I;m fourteen Mat."
His mouth opened and closed like a fish. His face contorted, as if undergoing some inner existential crisis.
Leaning closer, I whispered softly, "And the difference between us isn't even that big. However, I'm still growing...are you?"
He stumbled back, facing going pale. "You—"
Before he could recover, another voice chimed in, dry and amused.
"Just accept it, Mat," Noah drawled from his bunk, green eyes glinting. "Everyone has their place in life. Yours just happens to be… well, low."
Mat's face darkened with rage. For a second, I thought he'd lunge at me. But instead, he growled, muttering darkly before storming out with all the force of a tornado.
A mini tornado that is.
Felt entered just as the door slammed, glancing after him. "What happened?"
"Nothing much," I said with a grin. "Just reminded Mat he's small."
Felt blinked. His tone was dead serious. "You went and said that?"
"Yeah?" I frowned.
He sighed. "Arthur… the last guy who called Mat a midget woke up with a spear jammed so far up his—well, let's just say he had to hop around for weeks. Even after the healing."
My face was drained of colour.
Noah finally collapsed in laughter, rolling around on the floor.
I spun on him, voice sharp. "I don't know why you're laughing. If it happens to me—you're next."
Noah wiped tears from his eyes, grinning.
"Trust me. I'll make sure of it," I growled.
Noah straightened, brushing himself off, and turned to me with the dignity of a mourning noble. "Arthur," he said gravely, "I think we should apologise."
"Might be too late," Petro added. "Might have to sleep light today" he joked, winking at me.
Sadly I turned back to the sight of my empty bed. Hopes of a deep and restful sleep abandoned.
"I just had to go and open my sorry mouth."
"Me and you both," Noah lamented, slapping me on the back.