Aftermath

The war against Tyrants was over now. Operation Squad can rest now. History shall not forget these human forces who fought against these creatures and saved humanity. Were the soldiers feeling good about this? Yes. Their struggles for all these years, loss of life and property, beloved ones going forever, all finally has come to rest. No one will feel unsafe now.

"What are you going to do now Ciaran?" Selena asked looking at sky.

"With this war over now, I feel home sick. I miss my mother. I guess I'll go back home." Ciaran replied blankly staring at sky. "What about you?" he asked Selena.

"I think I'll go back as well. My family of hunters would be proud of me now. They will surely accept me back." Selena replied.

"They will have to. You have killed many Tyrants as well. Coming from a family whose members have only killed beings who were hardly the size of the toes of the Tyrants." Ciaran replied.

Selena nodded.

"Where are you two lost?" Jacob asked.

"Nothing. We were having a chit chat." Selena replied.

"What about you Jacob? What are you going to do now?" Ciaran asked.

"To be honest, I really don't know." Jacob replied looking down. "My family sent me here to die, saying I was the weakest in family. Spending for my food would be a burden, yet it was me who saved them. My parents, brother and sister." He said and laughed. "That's a different story that during the Centaur-Nemean attack, they died. Hence, I really don't know where to go and what to do." he ended.

"I see." Ciaran said looking towards Jacob.

"No worries Jacob. I am going to talk with General about continuing Operation Squad. You can join us then." Aaron said appearing behind him.

"Really?" Jacob said.

"Yes. Even Captain is supporting me in this." Aaron said.

"That might be good, but no Tyrants remain now. Why would Operation Squad be kept?" Jacob asked.

"Be prepared for your recruitment letter soldier to know that." Aaron tried to say in heavy voice, trying to act like a Commander.

Everyone started laughing.

Aaron and group then bids goodbye to Lionel and Madelyn, who stayed back to check on the other soldiers' return. Of course it was Lionel's decision to stay back, but Madelyn chose to stay as well.

By night time, everyone was back to camp. Except for Lionel, Aaron, Madelyn and Jacob, everyone left.

"I'm gonna miss this place." Jacob said.

"Lets hope for my proposal to be successful." Aaron said.

"Yeah." Jacob said.

Lionel came out of his room, along with packers and movers' executive.

"Transport this bag to Army main base. These to my home. The addresses are provided." Lionel said.

"Yes sir." The executive said and left.

Lionel was without his armour. His braces were visible. The three started staring at them.

"What?" Lionel asked.

"Nothing." Aaron said.

"Lets go then." Lionel said, going towards the car waiting for him to escort him and Madelyn home.

"Take care Madelyn." Aaron said, hugging her.

"You too Aaron." Madelyn said, hugging back.

"If you have any problem. You can contact me any time cutie." Jacob said.

"Ya sure I will." Madelyn said and left.

After half an hour, they reached Lionel's house.

"Knock." Lionel said.

"Yes." Madelyn said, but she was feeling awkward. She somehow knocked at the door.

"Coming!" a familiar voice said. The door opens. It was Trent.

"Long time no see brother." Trent said.

"Indeed." Lionel replied normally. Madelyn was shocked though.

"Oh, hi niece, I didn't see you." Trent said.

She nodded her head awkwardly. She still hasn't forgotten the trauma he gave.

"Listen I'm sorry about what I did there, and I know, I don't deserve to be forgiven. But please, can you forgive me?" Trent apologised. It seemed a serious one.

"A sudden change of heart?" Lionel asked.

"After I came back, I talked with father. He scolded me. I realised I was committing a mistake, and you stopped like Shirogane Lionel Ambrose you are." Trent said.

"I see." Lionel said.

"I apologise to you as well brother, for saying mean things and acting cocky." Trent apologised.

"If Madelyn forgives you, then I forgive you." Lionel said, and looked towards Madelyn. Trent too started looking towards Madelyn.

Madelyn thought for a while, then said, "Alright uncle. I forgive you. But please don't do something like that again."

Trent's worried face was lit now. He was happy to be forgiven.

"Thank you so much Niece!" he said. "Oh by the way, please come in."

Lionel and Madelyn went in.

"All your luggage and package is here. I set them according to your needs." Trent said. "Father!" They arrived!" he called for Howard.

After few minutes, Howard came. "Lionel! You are alive. Thank God! I was worried when you asked me to make and send braces to your village house. When you said you'll be going to the War, I was more worried. If anything would've happened to you, what would've I said to master?" he said.

"That his son died fighting like a true warrior." Lionel said.

"Brother." Trent sighed, "Still the same you are."

"Whatever. I have work tomorrow. I shall go to bed now." Lionel said and left.

"What about dinner food?" Madelyn asked.

Lionel went into his room without answering.

"That's usual him. Don't mind him." Trent said. "Come. Let me show you your room." Trent said and directed Madelyn to her room.

Next day

Lionel left for General's office early in the morning, without his leg brace. He took a supporting stick and an elbow sling, and left.

He and Aaron went to meet General to talk about continuation of existence of Operation Squad. Aaron kept his proposal well, as planned, and Lionel supported him, and with that, General said he may convince his superiors for this. The statement he wanted to hear. This simply meant the work is done and Operation Squad shall remain.

Few days later, Lionel, Madelyn and other remaining Operation Squad members went to the funeral ceremony of the fallen soldiers in this great war. The Government placed a stone near the Funeral place of the fallen soldiers, with their names carved on it. Lionel rubbed his hand on it before leaving for home.

After coming home, Lionel informed Madelyn about the meeting at General's office.

"Operation Squad is not being dismissed?" Madelyn said with excitement.

Lionel nodded sideways.

"That's great!" Madelyn said

"However, they'll need a Captain who can replace me." Lionel said.

"Replace you?" Madelyn asked.

"As you know, I look forward for my retirement. I am a broken human now. If you understand." Lionel said.

"But who can replace you?" she asked.

"You." Lionel replied.

"Me?" she asked.

"You are an experienced, only remaining warrior of the time when Operation Squad fought the Tyrants. Hence, I recommended you already. And I think they approved you as well." Lionel said.

Madelyn was slowly becoming tensed.

"No need to be tensed. I shall train you here, then send you to be the new Captain of the Operation Squad." Lionel assured.

She was somehow relieved.

Next day onwards, Madelyn's training begun. She trained along with Trent, under the supervision of Lionel, while Howard watched them.

"Its days I've worn these braces. Are you sure I can fight?" Lionel asked Howard.

"No need to doubt Granpoppy Lionel." Madelyn said with a grin.

"Granpoppy?" Lionel asked with surprise.

"Yes. She calls me Granpoppy now." Howard replied with a smile.

"I see." Lionel said, staring Madelyn.

"You know Lionel? watching you all train like this, I remember those times when you three trained as kids." Howard said with a smile, "Those were the days."

Lionel stood silently.

"Brother. Here's your wooden sword." Trent said passing on a wooden sword.

Lionel catches it. "Let me test if I can still use my sword well or not." he said and started moving his sword well.

"You still can work well Brother." Trent said.

"Lets begin then. You two together against me." Lionel said.

"Really?" Trent asked.

"You really want that? Don't be sad when we defeat you." Madelyn said.

"Come at will." Lionel said.

Trent and Madelyn prepared their stance, readied themselves, while Lionel stood their calm, reading their movements. They charged together. Lionel didn't care though. Trent attacked from right, which Lionel dodged, and hit his head using the grip portion of the sword. Trent fell down. Madelyn attacked straight. Lionel used his sword to change her direction and attacked her legs using his leg. Madelyn fell as well. They were defeated.

"What happened you both?" Lionel asked.

"How did you defeat me in one attack?" Trent asked.

"I guess you aren't doing your training well. Your movements were easily readable." Lionel replied.

"What about me? How did you defeat me?" Madelyn asked.

"You still don't know the Shirogane ways. Its alright. I don't blame you for it. You have great potential though." Lionel replied.

Lionel gazed at both fallen Madelyn and Trent. He remembered the past trainings he had with Jane and Trent.

"You were right Poppy." Lionel said, and suddenly something occurred which neither Trent nor Madelyn had imagined in their lives. Lionel smiled.

"Niece. Did you see?" Trent said with a shocked expression.

"Yes Uncle." Madelyn replied with a similar shocked expression.

"Lets take a picture of this. I don't want this moment to be lost." Trent said, while hurriedly running inside house to bring a camera.

"Wait for me Uncle!" Madelyn said while running behind him.

"Hey stop!" Lionel said, but none listened him.