Eternal Elysium

"So, you are?"

I asked the woman walking ahead; her black hair swayed in the wind gently like leaves, as her steps remained silent, making no sound.

"Sorry, I seem to have forgotten to introduce myself."

We stopped as she turned to face me, her face holding the same polite smile as she lowered her head a little.

"I am Sion, the vice-captain of the 2nd division."

I slowly nodded.

"I am Asher… The captain of the 11th division."

It was just a basic introduction; however, it was also needed for me to understand our positions. She had come to find me and saw me with Bob, maybe even heard a little of our conversation. This has made me a bit wary of her.

"It's a pleasure meeting you."

She said before moving forward, her voice soft but stoic.

I understood she was a modest person who spoke only of things she found relevant.

But still her actions didn't make her look weak even in the slightest; rather, her presence was commanding and understanding. It was a very strange mix to have both.

Maybe it was her charm.

To look shy, yet move forward with a strong presence.

This was just my own thought on her, simply made by our small encounter. Many factors were involved, but the most important one will be Bob and her nature.

'I should try to ask Bob about other captains as well.' Thinking as such, we moved through the corridors after entering the main building.

Unlike before when I met Captain Maira, I need to be more cautious from now on. Things have finally started to get dangerous. From now on I will be moving in an uncharted territory.

"We have arrived, Captain Asher."

Sion said, pulling me out of my thoughts. I stopped and looked at the hallway for a few seconds before turning my gaze at the locked door beside me.

This was not the commander's office.

Sensing my gaze back at her, Sion spoke, her voice calm and a little strained.

"This is the meeting room. It's where all the captains gather to prepare and plan for a big expedition."

'Expedition, huh.'

I immediately understood the meaning behind her words and nodded.

Sion smiled and opened the door.

Just as I was about to enter, she bowed her head slightly.

"I shall take my leave then."

"Thank you."

She nodded and left.

I didn't fret over it for long and entered the room.

A small gust of wind welcomed me, and the door closed from behind.

Inside I could see two silhouettes sitting beside a large table. The room was big and held a lot of equipment. It ranged from large maps on the wall to physically carved places at the center of the table like a plate.

"Welcome, Captain Asher. We have been waiting for you."

Alos said, sitting at the end of the table.

"I apologize for the delay, Commander."

Hearing my words, Alos nodded. He didn't look displeased, which made me sigh in relief.

"Captain Asher, I am also here, you know?"

Maira chuckled, addressing me as such. I laughed, keeping my voice in check before taking a seat opposite to her.

"I haven't forgotten you, Captain Maira."

Just like her, I kept my tone light and greeted her in my own way.

Commander Alos didn't interject at once; he observed us silently, his eyes

kind yet calculating. Then in a warm voice he said, breaking our conversations.

"It seems we all have settled down comfortably. Let's start with the meeting."

We nodded and listened closely.

"Hmm, according to Captain Asher's report, those Churners are a big threat. We need to devise a plan to get rid of them at the earliest..."

I listened to Commander's briefing with interest as he explained the situation regarding not only the monsters but also the changes in terrain.

"I see."

Maira said grimly, her eyes scanning the reports.

"If they dig a tunnel and manage to emerge inside the base in the numbers Captain Asher predicted, it would deal us a fatal blow."

"Yes, that's the thing worrying me the most."

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"I have read the report, but what else could you tell me about these Churners, Captain Asher?"

I stayed silent and didn't answer immediately.

The situation was a little special. Not only do I need to consider the monster raid but also what happens inside the base when I am not present.

I grimaced at those thoughts before speaking with a clear voice.

"The Churners, while dangerous as a group, pose no threat individually. While they are fast and can run underground, I am sure most people would be able to deal with them. Our main focus should be on their large numbers. After all, even as mere newborns, there still are too many of them. I would even say they might have a nest not far."

Maira nodded, but I could see her lips twitching at the word 'nest.'

"It certainly makes sense there is a nest if so many of them suddenly appeared after all."

"Yes, that's right."

She gave a thoughtful look, her face hardening as she turned her gaze towards Commander Also.

"What do you suggest, Commander?"

"I agree with both of you… Dealing with them before they increase any more in number would be safer. Since I can't come myself, you two will do this joint expedition."

"Alright."

Maira nodded enthusiastically as if it was the most natural thing to do.

For a moment, I was confused by their behavior—but then I realized it was mostly because of my presence.

Since I was new here, Commander Alos had come along to mediate, just in case. In his own way, it was a gesture of support, much like Maira's quiet understanding, which she grasped even before I did. It was, truly, a kind and thoughtful gesture from both of them.

Most of their questions were aimed at helping me stay composed and find my footing.

Otherwise, the meeting would have been far more straightforward. Maira would've simply briefed me on the expedition and outlined a plan after some discussion. That would have been the end of it.

However,

'I don't like this.'

It was a childish feeling. But I knew it was important to get guidance whenever I could.

I sighed and again focused on the discussion.

The talk mostly happened between me and Captain Maira. The most important part, according to her, was management when leading a team. Unlike me, who was moving with a small group, Captain Maira always moved with a large number of soldiers.

"So, who will lead?"

A question came out—Maira's eyes turned to look at me. She tapped her fingers on the table impatiently but didn't make it loud enough to make it obvious.

"Captain Maira… I will be honest, I am clearly inexperienced when dealing with a large group. I hope you will take the lead this time." I said, smiling politely.

I was sure they were already aware of it. At least Commander Alos was most likely.

Captain Maira was probably worried about my inexperience and hoped I wouldn't try to take something I couldn't handle.

Maira sighed, relief flickering through her face.

"Yes. Let's do that."

"I will be in your care then."

The tension dissipated quickly; well, it wasn't much to begin with. I wasn't going to be unreasonable or arrogant in matters regarding many lives.

"Alright… You both can discuss the trivial matters left regarding the expedition. I will take my leave then."

Just as Commander Alos stood up, we followed after, bowing our heads.

"Yes, Sir."

He smiled and left, his steps resounding in the grand corridor.

***

I looked at the three figures sitting beside the table. They were relaxed, unlike the first time we met.

"So, did you all enjoy your rest?"

Enzo sighed, leaning forward, and said in a low voice.

"We did. I presume we already have a new mission."

"Yes, that's right."

I replied with a somber expression.

Summer and Chris remained silent, lost in thoughts.

"We will be searching for the Churners nest along with the 6th division. The risk will be minimal from before, but still stay on guard. We will be leaving tomorrow morning."

I spoke and started to provide them with the details regarding the mission.

"The 6th division will handle the heavy work; we are mainly there to support them and confirm the destruction of the Churners. It's a reconnaissance mission with a side objective to destroy any stragglers we come across. We need to be swift and efficient."

I handed over the maps and intel reports to them, watching as they studied the information intently. Their expressions grew serious, and I could see the gears turning in their heads as they formulated strategies and concerns.

"Dealing with those bugs is not the best experience..." Summer whispered under her breath.

Chris looked up from the report and turned his head toward me.

"Will we be doing the same thing again?"

"No, we also will have other work. I will provide details regarding that later."

I said with a soft voice and leaned back on my chair.

"Did you all find anything regarding that issue?"

"No, we didn't." Enzo said, shaking his head.

He maintained a stoic face and clapped his hands together.

"As you have instructed us to, we moved mostly in pairs as much as we could. But we found no anomaly in people we talked with. However, we did notice the strangeness in some places."

"Oh, what strangeness?" I asked, raising my brows together.

Chris shrugged, answering my question.

"We don't know."

"Huh?"

I looked at both Chris and Enzo in confusion. But they didn't budge, as if they really weren't aware of what the strangeness was. In the end they just looked perplexed.

I sighed heavily.

"What about you, Summer?"

I turned to her, hoping she had some insight. But she just shrugged.

"It's just a feeling. I can't quite put my finger on it, but something seems... off."

Enzo added.

"Tell me everything..." I said, with a wishful expression, that maybe I would be able to decipher the strangeness.

"Well, for starters, we talked with guards moving in pairs. But when we talked with the guard in the medical wing and one more place. I just found it strange... I just don't know what the strangeness was."

'Ah, that makes sense.'

I realized their problems at once.

I have yet to tell them about the repeated behavior of people. I should let them see it and observe how they react for the first time—that might give a new clue as well.

Slowly I started to explain the situation regarding the missing people. And what I have noticed in the base.

That those who have gone missing have simply not vanished in thin air but left a gap in memories, leaving subtle psychological clues behind. This was a crucial discovery.

But it also made me realize two facts.

Enzo and his team were also under the influence of the phantom memory—this led to the second problem that someone had vanished between the time they stayed in Kalista.

Not long ago at that!

Their faces went through a couple of emotions, but then clarity hit them as they realized the hints I placed.

"So, because the guard was alone and not in pairs, they found it... strange?" Summer muttered, not buying my explanation.

I have not told them everything right now, but my words should give them some ideas regarding this. Hopefully they could even give some insight that I may have missed.

"Yes."

I nodded.

"That actually makes sense." Enzo agreed and turned his head to Chris, who still remained silent, pursing his lips.

"It's something we should keep an eye on."

Those words hung in the air as the trio finally realized that things were starting to get serious.