Chapter 32 - The Day Starts Again (1/2)
That night Lieutenant Zai had just finished his plan. He ordered three groups of four soldiers to go and make sure each Blood Wolf was dead completely. They would either bore a hole into the skull or sever the head. Dawn had just started by the time each wolf had been confirmed dead. One of the soldiers came to report to him.
”Lieutenant, it's been confirmed that the sixty wolves have all been killed.”
”Thanks for the report. You may go rest.”
”Yes sir.” Behind Zai was a bloodied Blair, her face in a wild grin.
”Ahh. Haven't exercised like that in a while.” She cracked her neck side to side, oblivious to the blood splattered on her clothes. Zai looked at her for a second and then quickly looked away. ”Hmm? What's wrong?” Zai sighed and flicked his hand towards Blair.
”You smell worse than a rotting carcass that's been regurgitated twice.” He fanned the front of his face. Blair raised her arms and sniffed.
”Nah, more like once instead of twice.” Zai pulled back from Blair.
”Go go, shoo. Wash yourself and don't be late for the recap meeting later!” Blair was already walking away. She raised a thumbs up at Zai. He sighed again and pulled out his man bun, his long hair covering his eyes again.
*yawn* ”I work too hard. Hopefully the Captain holds true to her promise and let's me go on a vacation next week!” Zai happily walked out of the bloodied clearing.
The cold dew-covered morning felt refreshing to him. The birds were chirping and trilling together while the sound of his muffled footsteps mixed in with the bird songs. After leaving the bloody air he realized how clean the morning air is. Things were going great until he received a call from his right communicator. Reaching up he answered the call.
”Lieutenant Zai?”
”Yeah.”
”There's a slight problem…” Zai cursed internally. He had just finished one job and now another one was going to land in his lap. Knowing his Captain, if he went and complained he can kiss his vacation goodbye. Might as well as get it over now.
”What's the update scouting leader?”
”The female wolves dispersed and so have the remaining male wolves.”
”Yeah, you told me that already.”
”Well, the pack leader seems to have disappeared.”
”What?!”
”We were too far away to see all the details but it looks like the pack leader and the unknown monster fought at the cliff some distance away from the clearing. Then around dawn we spotted a ball of fire falling down the cliff.”
”Hmm. Could that mean the pack leader died?”
”We think so. Right now one of my scouts near the area checked it and didn't find a body but, they also didn't find any blood. Just signs of a big battle with lots of holes.”
”So, you can't find the pack leader or the unknown entity?”
”Yes…”
”Alright! We'll consider this case closed. The unknown entity appeared and killed the pack leader, taking it's body along with it using unknown means.”
”But, will that really suffice?”
”Bah, it works enough. Get your men back to camp and rest up.”
”Yes sir!” Zai released the communicator and slumped his shoulders. The idea of the massive pack leader disappearing without a trace made him wary of the unknown entity but, it wasn't his problem! Zai put his hands behind his head and walked towards the camp.
Valeri was dozing off in a tree, her stomach rumbling and face scrunched up. Suddenly she sprang up, shocking the nearby conduits.
”W-what's the matter captain?”
”I'm hungry.” Valeri grumbled angrily. It was already dawn and Zai still hadn't completed the task of killing the Blood Wolves. Valeri had appointed Zai as the commander in this situation because he had the tendency to drag things out for too long. She didn't mind it but there should be times when he could finish things quickly.
”P-pardon me? Should I get you something to eat captain?” The conduit to her right pushed off from the tree they were leaning on.
”No, it's fine. I'll just wait here for Lieutenant Zai to bring me back.”
”Yes ma'am.” The conduit leaned back against the tree. Valeri calmed down and sat on the branch, squinting against the sun to look into the forest. Slowly a dark figure walked out of the shadows. His long wavy hair covering his eyes, back slouched, and clothes bloodied, Valeri knew that it was Zai. She got up and threw a twig at him, reinforcing it with slyphir.
”Hey!” Zai flinched at Valeri's voice and barely dodged the twig aimed at his face. He looked at the ground behind him and saw a small hole from the twig.
”What are you doing! Trying to kill me?!” Zai had both of his hands cupped around his mouth, making his voice seem louder.
”You took too long! No vacation!” Zai's hands fell to his sides. How could she? After he actually worked for a few hours, now his vacation was gone. Valeri jumped down and walked towards Zai, her stride seemed slow but she was in front of him in a second. ”C'mon, lets go back.” Zai made pouted but agreed, his long awaited vacation no longer a possibility. He reached up to his left communicator.
”Blair?” On the other side it clicked and Blair's cheerful voice came through.
”Yeah?”
”We're leaving. Round up the remaining soldiers to help you gather the resources. I'll send a transport car to carry them when I get back to camp.”
”Yes sir.” The comms clicked and went silent. He turned to face Valeri but she was already disappearing into the forest.