“Thank you, Sensei. Lyna, see you at home.”
Once we’re alone, Sensei Sato asks me, his voice calm but carrying through the training room, “Have you found your calling yet, young cadet?” His question stops me mid-step. I’d completely forgotten about that.
What was it again?
That, when I find my calling, he will take charge of my training. But what does that even mean?
With the knowledge I’ve gained in recent weeks, I see it from new angles. And I can’t help but be on guard.
A calling, does that mean who I am?
Or what am I?
Or the prophecy?
“Maybe,” I answer hesitantly.
Trusting an adult with all this feels, is alluring like a breath of fresh air. Someone who might actually guide me, even if deep down I think no one really knows what they’re doing. A smallsmile tugs at Kazuki Sato’s lips, but it’s the way his eyes brighten with hope that roots me in place, my guard lowering just a fraction.
“If you truly are your mother’s daughter, then you’ve already found the old temple. The one hidden, opening only with invitation. There, she left a gift for you, one that needs control and precision. So we’ll train. We’ll prepare, because the day you’ll need it is coming.” His last words fall barely above a whisper, as if speaking louder might summon the Gods themselves.
“So you knew,” I say, my voice echoing oddly loud in the empty gymnasium.
“Ah, but the ocean of knowledge is vast, and we are mere swimmers at its edge. Keep your secrets close until someone proves themselves worthy of them.” Sensei Sato replies. He moves toward the back door without a glance, and I follow, confused.
The door creaks open to a small storage room cluttered with training gear. In the shadows, runes are etched into the stone, familiar runes, and suddenly, it clicks. Kazuki Sato wants me to unlock the temple door, but why?
“If you want me to unlock it, you’ll have to take a truth serum,” I say, my back straightening, testing his reaction. Slowly, I reach for a staff with a blade resting in a nearby barrel. But a genuine laugh escapes him, startling me, cutting through the tension.
“I can’t do that. Some truths are better left hidden. But don’t worry, Miss Rey, or should I say, Miss Morween, I have an invitation.” With a swift motion, he slices his palm and presses it against the wall. Power flares as the runes ignite under the spell, and the door swings open.
“It’s Morween Rey.”
“After you, Miss Morween Rey.”
46
Kai
NO TURNING BACK
I’m temptedto take a day off, follow the example of the girls, to just hit pause, be selfish. Lose myself in my head, tinkering with my bike, drinking, smoking, letting the chaos Avilyna stirs inside me pour out. Maybe even try to trap that storm on a canvas with some charcoal. But then I remember, I’ve already pushed the General’s patience to its breaking point. Sure, I’m a psycho, but I’m not reckless enough to be suicidal. That’s why I’m here instead of my bed. Sergeant Blake’s voice cuts through my mental fog like a shotgun blast.
“There are no cures, and the attacks keep multiplying. Small villages have already been hit.” Behind him, the scene flickers to life, dust swirling through the air as a grim projection unfolds. More towns have fallen to the same devastation we faced. Outside Elgar, in the Mundane World, corpses lie strewn across the ground, rats tearing at the flesh of those that aren’t exterminated by soldiers. The vermin seems to be another carrier of the virus. One who doesn't transform into a demon, but once infected, they become savagely aggressive.
“The damage is contained for now, but if we don’t move fast, this thing’s gonna spiral out of control. Waiting isn’t an option.”His tone cuts through the room, no fluff but facts, making everyone swallow hard.
“Each gate gets a permanent patrol. There’ll be rotations, sure… but we’re short on troops, so expect to be stuck there longer than a day. Be ready for anything. Promotions are already rolling out, and the rest will get their orders within the week. Got questions? Sergeant Sinclair is your go-to.”
Sergeant Blake’s brown eyes narrow slightly, the importance of the next words settling heavily. “One more thing, this virus. It spreads through DNA exchange. If you catch it, you’ve got twenty-four hours before you start changing. No second chances unless we put you into a permanent coma, and that’s before it’s too late. The process is brutal; once it kicks in, there’s no turning back. This isn’t something you can screw around with. Be vigilant.”
He lets that sink in before adding, “Until you get official missions, it’s all training. Fix your weak spots, because after the festivities, things are gonna get real fast.”
With my squad already assembled, I head to the manor to train with the boys. I watch Caleb block Wyll’s powerful punch. They both have weaknesses; Caleb lacks raw strength, while Wyll struggles with his defences. I’m aware I have flaws, but without someone to push me to my limits, it’s hard to see them clearly, let alone fix them. And, as usual, the universe is eavesdropping, amused as it throws us into the fire.
A familiar voice that chills me to my bones cuts through the tension.“Well, well, son. Looks like you’ve gotten a little too comfortable playing leader. Evenweneed to stay sharp, you never know when an enemy’s lurking in the shadows.”
General Randall strides into the yard, his presence swallowing the space. Two soldiers trail behind him. One has been at his side since I was six. Private Roan never smiles, except when my mother offered him one. A gesture that would’veearned a harsh reprimand from my father, lucky for Roan, Dad was too busy building his legacy.
