A few hours later...
The sun began to rise from the east. Dawn soon came to be as the patrolling enforcers headed back to their tents. Matthew and the rest gathered, preparing to go to sleep together. They waited and waited but eventually, Major spat out.
"Where's Frank?"
"Last I saw him was when we spilt up. He was walking around here and there, stopping a few times but never went outside the camp." Nolan disclosed.
Major sighed. "Did he fall asleep on tree or something?"
"Come on, guys. Let's find him before the general scolds us." Josh urged.
"Alright…" Matthew stepped forward, leading the team.
They headed outside the camp as the enforcers in the tents began waking up. Maple stepped out and stretched her back. She peered around the camp before noticing Matthew and company were heading off somewhere.
'Where are they going?'
***
Matthew's team walked through the forest, heading out of camp.
'He couldn't have gone far…'
Major thought as Nolan called out while cupping his hands on his mouth.
"Frank! Frank! Come out, boy!"
Nolan eventually stopped, sighing. Josh rotated in every direction like a machine while Matthew just glanced for anything that resembled humans. The forest became quiet as if it was holding its breath. Sunlight began piercing through the clouds and hitting the grass. The leaves rustled calmly as the birds chirped widely. Then…Major froze.
Nolan stopped in his tracks. Josh paused mid turn and Matthew stared towards what they had found. Major's jaw and eye twitched unevenly. Even though he had an attribute that allowed him to collect and process information faster than a human brain…he still couldn't comprehend what was in front of. Nolan bit his lip, drawing blood. Josh's eye twitched, aggravated yet saddened. Matthew still stared as if his voice had disappeared.
In front were two – two bloodied legs, after that there was an upper body without a head. Lastly, at the foot a tree…was Frank's head. The only thing that connected them were memory and blood. The group stayed silent…processing the death of their friend.
"Captain." Nolan muttered with a cracking voice.
Matthew didn't react – he didn't respond immediately. He stared at the body, his mind replaying the memories he had of him. He blinked, thinking it was a trick of light but the blood was real. Frank's head stared back with empty eyes. Then, as his heart ached, he replied in a low voice.
"Josh…inform the…general."
Josh sniffed, small tears forming on his eyes which he wiped off. Without replying, he turned around and walked towards the camp. He kept gazing at his feet, with each step, Frank's body surfaced in his mind. Eventually, he made it to the camp, trying to find David. He saw the enforcers were gathered around a fire, eating happily while chatting to each other.
He approached his general who was sitting on a chair beside Lancelot. Josh tapped David's shoulder and the general turned around.
"Hm? What do you want, Josh?" He asked.
Josh's lips bubbled. "Sir…"
Silence tugged at the atmosphere. Crows circled above, echoing death's arrival as Josh's mouth opened.
"Frank's dead."
David froze. Lancelot, who wasn't even paying attention their talk also froze. Before Davide could say another word, Josh's voice cracked as he let himself break a little.
"He's dead – butchered and decapitated…"
David blinked.
'Is he joking? Is he making this up…No…'
He smacked his lips and stood up. He turned around, gripping Josh's shoulder.
"Where's the rest?"
"At his body…a little ways from…the camp…" Josh replied, tiredly.
David nodded as he turned around, hiding his shaking hands from Josh. He headed towards the supreme commander who was happily eating her meal. David halted near as Nyx lifted her head/
"Oh, David. What's up."
David tugged at his hat as he said with a locked voice.
"Supreme commander.…we have a possible…DNB."
Nyx froze, dropping her spoon. Her pupils dilated as David continued to speak.
"The DNB is from Matthew's team…"
Nyx leaned back, pinching the top of her nose. She drew a heavy breath, taking in the situation. After a few seconds, she leaned forward, exhaling heavily.
"Where's the body?" She inquired.
"A bit away from the camp." David replied.
Nyx smacked his lips. "Send a team to retriever the body. Now."
David nodded and headed away. Nyx lifted her head, peering at Josh who was barely holding his tears back. Her heart ached as David pulled him away.
"That's the second one, isn't it…?" Nyx whispered, worriedly.
She reached her hand out. A portal opened to her vault and her hand rummaged through it – trying to find the veil but was unsuccessful. Nyx sighed and pulled out, closing the portal. Then, she stood up and approached Lancelot who was quietly eating his breakfast.
"Lancelot."
"Yes…" Lancelot replied, not lifting his head.
"You know about the DNB, right?"
"…Sure, do."
Nyx nodded, sitting beside him in David' seat.
"The veil still isn't in my vault." Nyx stated.
"That's too bad, supreme commander." Lancelot replied, stanning his food. "Two enforcers' dead…one from the AEOC and another from the PEOC…It's frightening."
"It is…It is…" Nyx agreed.
"Then, what should we do…?"
"…I…don't know…"
"Wow… even you are stumped."
"I'm just confused as to how this is happening."
"Didn't you hear the report from yesterday? From Arthur's team?" Lancelot asked, staring at the burning flames.
"Yes…I did…even then, I'm confused…"
"Well…" Lancelot put his plate down. "Maybe we weren't supposed to learn some things. Maybe this is one better off not being understood.
Then, the general of the AEOC special ops stood up and left.
Nyx stared at the fire, forgetting her breakfast. 'How the hell is this even happening…?'
The crows circled above – still counting.