By nightfall, several more soldiers had arrived, transforming the small outpost into a large army camp.
Motivated by that boy's actions, the villagers continued to protest for hours on end. Unfortunately, their cries did not affect the dismissive, hardened soldiers.
Neither could they physically retaliate against the growing number of powerful mages now standing between them and their guardian.
They were completely helpless.
Meanwhile, inside one of the tents of the military camp…
One of the men responsible for their sorrows sat on the edge of a bed. A standard army jacket hung loosely over his shoulders, revealing his bandaged torso. But while Dom's eyes remained fixed on the floor, he couldn't see it.
All he could see were the hateful looks the villagers had given him a few hours ago. Even though he couldn't hear their current desperate cries, he remembered the ones they threw directly at him.
Subconsciously, he reached up, touching his now-dry cheek despite the lingering damp sensation from that thrown tomato.
He was so engrossed in thought that he didn't notice the tent flap opened--until he instinctively caught a bottle tossed his way. He turned to find Dae approaching, holding an identical bottle.
"You should eat something," Dae said, sitting on the bed opposite Dom as he opened his drink.
"I'm fine," Dom replied, dropping the untouched bottle aside and returning his hardened gaze to his feet.
Dae said nothing, taking a long sip of his incredibly sweet drink.
For a while, there was silence as Dom ruminated while Dae quietly watched, occasionally sipping from his bottle.
"Did we do the right thing?" Dom suddenly asked.
Dae raised a brow, lowering the bottle from his lips.
"No matter how many times I think about it…" Dom continued, touching his stomach with a frown. "… my gut keeps telling me we're in the wrong here."
Dae stared for a moment, picking his next words carefully before finally setting his bottle. "I'm still skeptical, Dom…but it's already too late." He said, gesturing to the low hum that had been filling the air for hours now.
"They're already moving in to take out the pack, and a transport's on its way to move the alpha," Dae added, causing Dom's brow to twitch. "There's nothing we can do anymore."
Dom's frown deepened, his mind replaying the events of the day.
What if he had chosen to drag Dae and retreat instead? How would the alpha react? How would the villagers… the army?
As those questions consumed his mind, he groaned, frustrated, and plopped on the bed, his eyes closed.
Watching, Dae's brow furrowed at the sight of his partner. It seemed that he had grown so accustomed to Dom's cocky, teasing side that seeing this—dark and depressed state—made him even more uncomfortable.
Eager to shift the mood, Dae forced a smile. "But at least we did it, right?" He asked, gesturing casually. "Now the Council will have no choice but to give you a sub-divis—"
Dom shot to his feet, the strange, sudden act cutting Dae off, especially once Dom quietly walked towards the tent flap.
"Hey," Dae said, rising from the bed.
Dom stopped, a hand already grabbing the thick fabric of the flap. "If I stay here any longer…" He said, his grip tightening. "I'll go crazy."
Dae narrowed his eyes at Dom's subtle aura and clenched fist. "Where are you going?" He asked skeptically.
Dom didn't turn or respond at first. His eyes remained fixed on the tent flap, though it wasn't the smooth fabric he was seeing. "I'm going to see her," He said stiffly.
Dae's gaze grew more stern. "And do what?" He asked, walking up to him. "In case you forgot, we're the ones she despises the most right now."
"I know," Dom said, his grip slacking on the flap. "I just…" He paused, unsure how to finish.
Then, after a tense silence, Dae stopped by his side, his hand reaching for the other flap.
Dom looked at him, confused.
Dae rolled his eyes dismissively. "I'm just following you to make sure you don't do something stupid." He scoffed.
Dom offered a small, grateful smile as they stepped out.
Minutes later…
They walked through the bustling camp.
Soldiers barked orders to lower-ranked workers, who scrambled to comply.
A loud hiss then drew Dom's attention to a large machine in the center of the camp.
For a nation still relying on horses and pigeons, this technology seemed incredibly advanced. A metallic construction bristled with gauges, gears, and tubes, ending in a long steel drill.
Dom stopped, his eyes widening at the sheer size of it. "The fuck is that?" He asked.
"No idea," Dae said, stepping aside as a mechanic pushed a cart of tools toward the loud contraption.
Dom then glanced at the other tools arranged in horse-drawn carriages nearby. "Aren't these overkill for some wolves?" He asked.
Dae nodded stiffly, watching as the mechanics and scientists made adjustments to the device, their terminologies largely incomprehensible.
"If the biggest threat is gone, why did they bring all this tech. Unless it was for something else…" Dae muttered, tapping his chin in thought, just as Dom tapped his shoulder, reminding him of their current objective.
A few minutes more…
They arrived at the military outpost, now resting on the outskirts of the camp. Dom then ducked behind the building, yanking Dae down with him.
Before Dae could speak, two voices echoed from the corner.
"What do you think they're going to do to her now that we know she's just a rogue beast mage?" One soldier said, strolling toward the outpost.
"Hmm… she's not an evolved beast," The second soldier replied, "… so they'll probably just lock her up… but since she killed a lot of our men, they'll most likely execute her."
"Good point," The first soldier commented.
Dae noticed Dom's fists clenching but remained silent.
"Still…" The first soldier continued, drawing their attention again, "I can't believe such an isolated forest has that much Rapore."
Dom frowned in confusion. "Rapore?" He muttered.
"It's an element," Dae whispered. "…a rare resource that contains natural mana. It powers most advanced technology like our comms." His eyes then widened as he recalled that strange machine. "Those weren't for hunting… they're mining equipment."
Dom flinched in realization, then quietly shifted further into the shadows as the soldiers moved closer.
"But isn't rapore mining an eco-hazard? I heard the toxins nearly wiped out a small kingdom years ago," The second soldier commented.
"Oh yeah. Pretty nasty stuff. That's why the Council tried to buy the village months ago," The first said, as they passed the outpost, oblivious to their hidden spectators.
"Crazy thing is that the Chief and his elders basically told them to fuck off… said this place was sacred or some bullshit," The first added, dramatically. "But since they don't own the forest, we're still legally allowed to mine there. I heard the higher-ups have already given the village a one-week evacuation window."
"So what happens if people stay and start getting sick?" The second asked curiously.
"The next great plague," The first replied, gesturing broadly. "Just announce it, and everyone will be too scared to come near."
"Damn." The second sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Now I feel bad for them,"
"They had their chance." The first scoffed. "No use pitying them now. By the way, how's yo—"
Dae narrowed his eyes, now straining to hear as the soldiers walked away.
That's when he felt the cold presence beside him. Turning, he saw Dom trembling, blue eyes fixed on the soldiers, his deadly glare completely unnoticed by their casual conversation.
Dom suddenly stepped from the shadows—only to stop as Dae moved in front of him.
"I know what you're thinking…" Dae said, calm yet firm. "…and that's a very stupid idea."
Dom met his gaze, unflinching. "I came here thinking I could save everyone." He grumbled.
Dae glanced down, noticing the blood trickling from Dom's tightly clenched fists.
"But… I just fucked it all up." He added, his eyes glowing menacingly. "Both the village and the forest were just trying to protect themselves. And I fucked it up. And for what?"
Dae stiffened, eyes widening at the fury in Dom's stare--directed not at the soldiers and the Council--but at himself for allowing this to happen.
Dom brushed past Dae, steps steady, mind made up.
"But do you think freeing her now is going to change anything?" Dae asked, turning towards him.
Dom stopped, his eyes fixed on the ground. "We're the only ones who can stop her right now, right?" He asked, turning his gaze to the path in front of him. "If I release her, she'll protect the forest. They won't be able to mine, and the village will be safe."
Dae's expression darkened. "You do realize what will happen, don't you?" He asked, noticing Dom flinch slightly. "… she'll kill those soldiers. Which means, in a way… you'll be killing them too."
"I know," Dom replied immediately.
Dae flinched, eyes widening at Dom's unwavering determination.
"I'll go with her. Take out as many soldiers as I can before she does… but I probably can't save all of them. Besides…" He gritted his teeth, his fists clenched tighter, a sickening twist audible in the movement. "…they're all better off dead anyway."
Dae's expression cycled through shock, awe, and finally concern. "Are you sure about this?" He asked, cautiously. "Attacking your fellow soldiers. That's an act punishable by execution, Dom. Forget getting a squad--you will become a fugitive."
Dom's eyes widened, remembering a conversation with Pops over three years ago. This must be what Pops meant by being used for the Council's selfish goals. A weapon to simply boost their influence.
Then his signature grin returned as he turned to Dae. "If this is what it takes to get my squad," He said, his gaze now gentle. "…then I don't need it."
Dae was completely speechless.
Could he be serious? Not only would this ruin the best path to his goal, but it could make it practically impossible. Was he really throwing away years of effort for people he'd barely known for a day?
Dom noticed Dae's hesitation and smirked. "If I don't have a squad, then I don't have a Vice-captain, right?" He patted Dae's shoulder playfully. "If anyone is going to be the Council's enemy, it should be just me."
Dae's eyes widened further, realizing that Dom was even trying to protect him as well while sentencing himself to death.
As Dom turned away, a faint smile spread across his lips. "You really are mentally ill." He muttered.
Dom turned back, confused as Dae walked up to his side.
"You don't need to worry about me," Dae said, his smile widening. "I'm against all this, too. I just wanted to make sure you knew exactly what you were getting into."
Dom raised a brow. "I thought you were here to stop me from doing something stupid?" He asked, teasingly.
"Don't get me wrong." Dae sighed heavily. "What we're about to do is incredibly reckless—especially since the Council will just send someone stronger once they find out."
"We'll figure something out," Dom commented with a shrug.
Dae rolled his eyes. "Expected response from a muscle-brain like you."
Dom's expression then turned serious. "Are you sure about this? You can still save yourself."
"I've already decided, remember?" Dae asked, his purple eyes glowing with similar conviction. "Squad or no squad, I'm following you."
Dom's grin returned.
"Besides," Dae added, facing ahead. "… this is exactly what my grandfather was talking about— a test to make us stronger."
Dom faced forward as well, eyes blazing with determination. "Thanks for having my back." He said, cracking his knuckles loudly.
Dae cracked his neck, electrical sparks crackling in his eyes. "Just try not to die before I get my revenge, Captain."
Dom's body tingled at the sound of the title as they finally moved forward…