Chapter 21: "Ghosts and Shadows"
The two divisions—Division 7 and Division 10—stood in formation outside the Village Chief's hall. The mountain wind blew cold, rustling banners and cloaks as tension spread across the knights' faces.
Captain Elara stepped forward, her voice stern.
"Everyone. This is no longer a solo mission."
Beside her, Captain Alistair leaned casually on her sword.
"We've decided to merge both divisions. Too many villagers have gone missing when venturing into the mountain to gather supplies."
She gave a tight smile.
"Best case, it's bandits or monsters. Worst case…" She paused. "…it might be ghosts."
Laughter erupted from a few recruits—until they noticed Captain Alistair wasn't laughing.
"No, really." Alistair said. "Ghosts are a real possibility. Don't laugh it off. I've seen soldiers scream louder at spirits than ogres."
The knights went quiet. A few shifted uncomfortably. Even some seniors looked uneasy.
Captain Elara gave Alistair a blank stare.
"You could've started with that instead of joking."
Alistair shrugged. "Gotta break the tension somehow."
---
Synoh's Inner Voice
As the crowd dispersed to prepare for camp, Synoh stood beside a flickering torch, arms crossed. In his mind, the voice of Fel, his dark spirit companion, echoed.
Synoh (mentally): "Fel… what do you think of this?"
Fel: "If it really is ghosts, then we have a problem cause magic don't work"
Synoh: "Magic won't work?"
Fel: "Only physical attacks work—blades, fists. But if we're dealing with something like a Ghost King or a Soul General then it might be our worst case scenario…"
Synoh: "…That sounds like a big 'if.'"
Fel (hesitating): "They used to be my father's subordinates."
Synoh: "…Fenrir's?"
Fel said nothing, but the silence was answer enough.
---
Campfire Bonds
Later that night, the two divisions set up camp around a large fire near the cliffside. The tension had eased—at least on the surface.
Synoh and Lux sat together, throwing small stones at a log.
"So your first mission ended in a fake dungeon and a near-death fight?" Lux asked.
Synoh smirked. "With Dred constantly shouting and calling me his servant."
"That's fair." Lux chuckled. "Heard you saved his life."
"Twice," Synoh replied, mock-proud.
Just then, Dred, Meth, and Aloy walked over.
Dred: "Hey! Talking behind my back again?"
Meth teased: "More like talking about your pride."
Aloy grinned: "Or lack of it."
The group laughed, sharing dried meat and warm tea as their bond grew stronger.
---
Dog and Cat Dynamic
Across the fire, Ursa and Vice Captain Jack were having their own battle—verbally.
Ursa: "You still walk like a show-off."
Jack: "And you still glare like you're trying to burn holes in people."
Ursa: "Maybe I am."
Jack: "Maybe I like the attention."
The two glared, then turned away simultaneously, muttering.
Synoh leaned over to Lux, whispering, "Are they enemies or just old lovers?"
Lux: "Neither. Just childhood rivals. Worse."
---
Captain Talk – Elara & Alistair
Near a smaller fire at the edge of camp, Captain Elara and Captain Alistair sat quietly with mugs in hand.
Alistair: "That Synoh kid… he's got the look of someone carrying a weight too big for his age."
Elara: "And Lux… too calm for someone so powerful."
Alistair nodded. "Prodigies. But fragile, if not guided right."
Elara looked into the fire. "I just hope this mission doesn't break them before they've truly started."