CYRUS

Cyrus

Cyrus

CYRUS...!

There was such a ring to his name.

But those who dare defy the laws of nature like he did...isn't normal. What was he? How could he escape my vision like sand from my fist?

A gentle thud on the surface of water distracted me. It came from behind.

"ARE YOU CRAZY, ROXY!?" It was Akira, losing his mind over something so trivial. I just casted a small spell on him. What was the big deal?

"Crazy-Roxy rhymes, doesn't it?" I replied cockily, surprised how quickly I returned to normal. Or was it my instinct telling me to keep my past hidden, no matter what?

"Stop with the jokes, God!!" I turned around to glare at Akira.

"Captain Janet wants to see you in her cabin, first thing in the morning. Her mornings start at 4:30 am." I raised an eyebrow at Akira.

"Don't look at me like that! You got yourself into this mess!"

And, cut to the next dreadful morning at Captain Janet's cabin...

"Good morning, Captain." I walked in rather cheerfully. Since last night, I couldn't let go of that man's look. Even if we were on the opposite spectrum for quite non negotiable reasons, I wanted to copy his style.

The way his huge sword adhered to his magnetized back was fascinating. Is he known in the underground hunters association? Did he join or a cult or something even better? I wanted to know so badly.

Captain Janet turned in her swivel with a thin beige file in her hands. She placed it on the desk, pushed it to my side.

"What is this, Captain?" I asked to my amusement. I pulled the guest chair to sit down.

"Did I tell you to sit?" Captain Janet's threat was dancing between stern and questioning. To which I answered with,

"Aren't chairs meant to be sat on?"

She rolled her eyes.

"You start with C-Class missions from tonight. Forget about the training. I don't want you here at my base at all." She said, spitting venom. I had to hold my words back, because a man appeared in her cabin upon her gesturing.

"Protocol requires new recruits to have a companion. Someone compatible. And restless like you." I smirked cockily as she dissed me in front of this companion.

When I turned around, my eyes widened.

"Akira? And...you? Captain Janet, she's your sister." I pointed a finger at the sister. She looked uncomfortable, dancing gazes between me and captain Janet.

"Captain. Can we talk in private? I insist." Jane or Gena, whatever her name was, requested for privacy. Akira and myself were escorted out. I kept my ear on the door, heightening my senses to listen what they were talking about. I wasn't eavesdropping (don't even dare,). I was trying to know my surroundings better.

"But she's new, sis! I don't want to go out there with her protecting me! You know Akira! He's not the best candidate either!" The frustrated young female bantered. I turned to look at Akira. Was he worth the accusation? Yeah...

"You'll be under greatest protection with them, Gena. Don't argue with me. Unless...you want to miss the opportunity to study and report each of them. Weren't you trying to apply for the International Shifter Research Association?" Wow. What a cunning elder sister.

"...Fine." Gena gave in.

"Rules are simple. You go by the virtual path created for you by the satellites and with this device to your wrist." Captain Janet said,

"That's a band watch..." Akira mumbled mindlessly, aloud!

"Shut up, Erikson." Akira's face shrunk.

"There's an outer planet system for research too. It's inhabited sufficiently with our colony. You'll be deployed there as soon as you're finished with this mission." Captain Janet said.

'The OutSpace Program after a C-Rank mission? She trapped me in good...' I could hear Gena's internal thoughts. I tried not to react.

"Dimissed."

Janet dismissed us assertively and we walked away, assertively.

"So...today's the last day we stay on base camp. Shouldn't we make it fun?" Asked Gena, adjusting her spectacles.

"Not really. The past with her and drinking haunts me. She's the reason why we got placed into such an exploratory mission. Tch!" Akira, reasonably angry at me, accused.

"Well, she's getting to learn and you're getting the opportunity to grow stronger. I saw what that gang does to you." I said pretty straightforwardly.

Akira's relaxed stance stiffened. Nervous sweat trickled down his forehead. He looked at Gena like he was guilty.

"We'll talk about that later." He said and stopped her from asking the question even.

The entire evening and night was spent in packing. Not for me, but for them.

"Oomph! That's heavy!" Akira exclaimed around the base camp, close to training. Big, hunky men walked by as I caught glance of Gena.

"T-Thank you..." Gena shyly thanked one of those said hunky men who carried the luggage for her.

"Wow. Girls get help so quickly without even asking for it. Where's your backpack, Roxy?" Akira turned to me and asked. I showed them the suitcase in my hand.

"My favorite crackers and magic pops." I said, holding back a grin. I loved magic pops.

"No clothes...?"

I shook my head.

"No shoes?"

I shook my head.

"No condo—"

"AKIRA!"