Who is the enemy?

The other person wore a helmet and halfway worn armor. Turilla felt that the other person was crying by the sobs that escaped as they told the girl of the situation they were in.

A man in a dark black hood came into the cave hideout without sounding any of the alarms that were set. He came in without any detection. When Turilla, the person who was called commander and the other in the helmet came back to the place they had entered from, all the girls both known and unknown were present with their weapons in the air, pointing towards the man.

The gears in Turilla's mind turned to the fact that the man could be someone from the enemies side although she didn't know who their enemy was in the first place but what she did know was that if all those girls were putting up their guard around that person, then she too was to follow them.

"Is he with the enemy?" She whispered to the lady that stood next to her but she completely ignored her and the other continued to scowl. The woman grabbed her spear so tight that her knuckles turned white. Understanding that she was ignored, Turilla turned her attention to the person in the black hood who was now looking around the bright place that was tiled in blue with a careful eye. His face was covered with a mask making it impossible for Turilla to make out what his face looked like.

The moment he took a step forward everyone went a step closer to him with their weapons inches away from touching him. The 'commander' walked up to the man, still having the face of someone who was greatly offended and they're trying to protect their family but the moment she was a foot away from him he put his hand inside his cloak and took out a plain featureless box made of wood.

The commander's face lit up and she clasped her hands with joy, making all the hostility that she had when she first saw the man vanish away within seconds. She leaped to hug the man but was rejected by his hand that lit up brightly in green. He disappeared just the way he had appeared before he whispered something to the commander who smiled sadly upon hearing them.

"Commander!'' Everyone screamed, dropping their weapons and running to her in tears. They all hugged the commander tightly and some stood crying while the rest fell onto the floor. Turilla stood watching the scene of previously scary-looking murder in the eyes, ready to kill a thousand without any remorse-people break down in front of her. The commander had a soft smile as she comforted everyone.

This made Turilla realize that although they can kill someone like professional assassins they were still children and the situation was in fact scary to them. No matter what they were ready to put up a strong front just to get the job done. Turilla felt giddy inside at the thought of them fighting real enemies on a battlefield since it's been her dream as a child.

"Ok guys that's enough. It's time for dinner." One of the older boys in glasses said, clapping her hands together to get everyone's attention. She pushed his glasses further back and Turilla thought that they might get stuck on his face or go through his eyes.

She giggled internally at the thought. While everyone walked towards another set of doors, some wiped their tears when walking and sniffles were heard and others were lost in thought. Turilla did a slow backward jog to the commander who was preoccupied with the box that was given to her and comforting the other crying children.

"Um… I- can- can I ask?" Turilla nervously asked if she was fine with her asking question.

"What? Oh yeah sure, go ahead," she replied, smiling toothly.

Turilla felt happy and excited but tried to contain the urge to bombard her with a heap of questions. Thinking carefully which... was a little difficult with all thoughts going around her mind.

"Uh… I never got your name."

"Haha that was the golden question?" She laughed, wiping the tears that formed near her eyes. "My name's Lim Haerim, you can call me Haerim. I'm pretty sure you got more important ones."

Smiling, she swung her arm around Turilla's neck and the two of them walked to the dining room that was filled with chatter, laughter, and good smells of flavor and food. Her eyes sparkled at the view in front of her that reminded her of the place she grew up in. The tiny old, creaky church was also filled with happiness and love from the caregivers, mama, and the other children. Although it was a new place it felt very homely to her.

"Think I'll ask my questions after?"

"Sure come to the- ahh- I forgot… you are still new here." Haerim said, putting a hand on her cheek before saying "I'll give you a tour while answering your questions. Are you fine with that?"

"A TOUR OF THIS PLACE?!" Turilla gasped when she realized that she was shouting at the looks of the other and Haerim's laugh. "Awesome" she whispered embarrassedly at what she had done.

"Stellar. I'll meet you after dinner." Haerim smiled. She was about to walk away when she was held back by Turilla.

"You aren't going to eat with us?"

"I have more important things to do." She replied by throwing the box in her hand in the air. "Anyways see you later."

Dejected, Turilla walked to Umari and sat in a corner playing around with her magic, making magic circles and tiny balls of purple and tossing it from one hand to another. Turilla stood in front of her and stretched a hand to pull her up to her feet.

"Hey," Turilla said grinning.

"Hey," Umari replied in a small voice.

"Are you ok? You seem a little upset." She was concerned about her sister being down. "You can talk to me if you want. I am your sister, you know." she continued with a toothy smile, she felt really proud to call out to her sister.

"Thank you Turilla but I have one question… Can… Can I call you Leona?" Umari replied, rubbing her neck.

Turilla stood there gawking at her not blinking.

"I mean if you're uncomfortable with it you don't have to. I just thought it might be cool to call you by your given name but it's fine. I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked such a thing. I'll call you Turilla instead-" Umari kept rambling, flustered.

"I'm sorry, what did you say? Arg. This always happens. I'm really, really sorry but could you repeat your question? I zoned out for a moment." Turilla said, clenching her face in her hands before rubbing it aggressively in anger.

"I'm so horrible. This happens a lot to me… I'll pay extra attention next time." She continued.

Umari laughed at Turilla's behavior, so much that she held her tummy in pain. "Ow ow ow… It's fine, I just asked if I could call you by the name that your mother and father gave you. In return, you can call me by mine." She seemed to have more confidence in talking.

"Wait- Umari's not your name?!?" Turilla's mouth fell onto the floor from shock. "What is your real name then???"

"I'll tell you in a bit, after dinner?"

"Why not nowwwwww?" She whined.

"Because big brother Owen needs help setting up the table. His cooking is delicious." Umari said before whispering in giggles "I think it's better than Anut Alena's." making Turilla smile.

The two of them helped with the rest of the other children to arrange things for dinner. Turilla felt like it was back at the orphanage and not only that but all the people here warmly welcomed her into their family although she felt like she was an outsider in front of them. She knew that they were her blood, some not by a large percentage but it didn't matter.

She took a seat right next to Umari at the humongous table that stretched on really far. Everyone chattered and filled the area with noise unlike back in the orphanage where everyone was to remain quiet as a mouse especially during the meal.

No one had started when the creaking of the door silenced the whole room. Everyone stood up behind their seats and out came aunt Alena in a dark purple cloak which she removed and placed on the chair that was on the other end of the table.

"Thank you all. You may take your seats." She said pulling up her chair to sit.

The chairs scratched the floor as everyone else dragged their seats following after her.