Kairo prepared in the weapons hangar at HQ along with every soldier called that day. Reloading guns. Strapping on protection. Getting his clothes ready.
He stood at his table, ammunition scattered across it alongside guns and other gear. Things no fifteen-year-old should touch. But when the world was collapsing, none of that mattered.
The memories of that morning were still fresh in his mind.
"See you soon, okay? Show them how strong we are!" Ayanda had called, waving at him.
"Don't worry, just count on me!" he had replied, smiling as he made his way back to HQ.
Phu!!
One of the soldiers, Remo, slammed into him, breaking apart the flashback. Tall. Muscular. Early twenties. Traditional braids in his hair. The impact tipped the table, sending ammo flying.
All eyes turned. The stations were far apart. Slamming into someone had to be deliberate.
Exactly Remo's style.
Kairo didn't respond. He clenched his teeth, grinding them together, forehead wrinkling as he tried to smother the fire inside. He bent down to gather the scattered ammo—
Kwah!!
Remo kicked it across the floor.
Laughter erupted. Kairo, the youngest of them all, had endured this fate countless times. He never fought back. Whenever he did, he became the cause of it all.
Once, after reporting that soldiers were beating him on the way home, the welfare officer told him a soldier had to fend for himself. Another day, when he did fight back, the same officer saw it and assumed Kairo had started the fight. His fate was written, the universe punishing him for failing to protect his mother.
But Kairo never surrendered. He continued to follow the ammunition on the ground again.
Kwah.
Remo kicked it once more, foot planted firmly, sparking more laughter.
Then he squatted in front of Kairo, blocking his path. His voice low, threatening.
"I want you to shut up. I know you like to stand out but I don't want you near the Oxides. If anyone's getting that promotion, it's me. Did I make myself clear?"
Kairo stayed silent, eyes fixed on the ammo.
"Did… I… make myself clear?" Jamestone repeated, voice hard.
Kairo lifted his head. Fury burned in his eyes. Tension coiled for years. In a fluid motion, he moved his left arm, secretly gripping a razor-sharp knife behind him.
"Why the fuck are you looking at me like that?" Remo asked, starting to back up. But he was squatted. He couldn't move fast enough even if he tried to.
"I am going to kill you, piece of shit."
He leapt. Knife in hand, aimed straight for Remo's throat.
The other soldiers froze, eyes wide, fingers trembling. This was a side of Kairo none had ever seen. The darkest corner of his soul manifesting.
Slash!!
The knife sank in. Blood spurted like a fountain, hitting Kairo's face. He smiled, maniacal, tasting it, the thrill igniting something feral.
Remo clawed at the wound, but it was too late.
"What is he thinking!" the others screamed, frozen in shock.
But Kairo wasn't done. He dove again, blade in hand.
Stab. Stab. Stab. Eyes. Chest. Stomach. Anywhere to make blood flow as he laughed like a maniac.
"Ahahah!" "Hahahahaha!"
Until
Remo's's intimidating words cut through Kairo's bloodlust.
"I said, did I make myself clear?"
Kairo's gaze returned to the ammunition under Jamestone's foot.
All eyes were on him, waiting for a reply.
"Yes," he said.
Remo straightened, satisfied. "That's better. Now get back to your station."
Kairo lowered his head, a subtle tear sliding down his cheek. He inhaled deeply, cooling the fire. A technique his mother had taught him.
Squeak!!
The door opened.
In entered the muscular Oxide, clad in black soldier suits, gas mask hiding his vein-covered face.
"Attention!" the leader barked, voice muffled by the mask.
"Yes, sir!"
Every soldier fell into line, silent, waiting for any command that might come their way. Exactly like they were taught.
"Yesterday you were civilians. Today, you are soldiers. We've received reports of two Nulls nesting near our territory. A male and female pair. We think they want to mate. Remember, they lost their humanity, not their will to reproduce."
"As soldiers of the Veil, we will drop on them and show them our fury!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Say it again like you mean it!"
"Yes, sir!"
Cheers erupted. Armslaw's voice carried strength and certainty, igniting courage in every soldier. Exactly what newbies who hadn't seen the horrors of the outside world for a while needed. A chance to join in on the ongoing fight that had lasted for over 150 years.
….
Departing area in HQ.
The energy was hectic as hell. Engineers busy prepping the vehicles that were supposed to carry the soldiers off. Analysts checkingthe statistics . And the sunset made it all beautiful.
But amidst it all was Kairo, silently standing near a flower garden, all suited up.
Something about the smell of the flowers brought a nostalgic feeling, long gone from his life. Exactly like the flower that used to grow in the cracks of his old home nine years ago.
"Kairo!"
Lenard quickly tapped on his shoulder, so sudden it startled him.
"Oh shit, you scared me!" Kairo muttered, leaping off just a little as he pushed words out of his mouth like they were chunks of stone.
"It's okay. You are a soldier of the Veil now!" Lenard continued, smiling so brightly like he had never even once been jealous of Kairo.
The praise drowned Kairo. Unlike many, it made him less confident, and Lenard knew that to the very top.
Kairo looked down then looked up once more, eyes blurry with doubt. You didn't need the greatest mind to see that something deep was bothering him.
"It's not that. Don't get me wrong, I like being a soldier and everything. It's just… anytime I try to put focus on anything, the image of my mom blasts straight on my face like paint—"
"And you're scared it might happen again!"
Lenard finished the sentence for him. Kairo really had a very good argument here. If he struggled to work in training, there was no guarantee it would be better in the real world. With danger hiding in every corner.
Phu!
Lenard weighed on Kairo's shoulder, the smile unhinged.
"Well… if I was the spirit of your mother that has been hunting you all this while, I wouldn't want you dead, I mean who else would If I got you killed!"
Kairo's eyes rose instantly. The weird motivation speech shifted something inside him.
"Just be yourself and you will be fine!"
He patted him on the back the third time in that conversation. Like a brother advising another brother.
"Thanks, Lenard!"
Kairo replied with determination, eyes focused, fingers trembling, adrenaline to the max with what awaited him outside the walls. A place he hadn't seen for nine years.
"All soldiers aboard!"
A command echoed near the vehicle, the voice too rough to be ignored.
"See you soon!"
Kairo waved, rushing to the post.
"You too!"
Lenard replied as he stood still, watching his friend get into a military vehicle, the wind hitting his hair every step he took like something out of a movie.
Suddenly,
the mood changed.
Lenard's face heavily crumbled, lines forming on his forehead. Darkness engulfed his very being with thousands of bloody emotions.
"I am sure of it now. You're going to die, Kairo. I am sure of it. I wish the image of that dead bitch hunts you all the way to your grave."