The wolfs den

The therapy office, nestled in a loud rural landscape, was surrounded by the sounds of military soldiers undergoing rigorous training. The air was filled with the cacophony of drill sergeants' shouts, the thud of boots on the ground, and the occasional bark of a dog. Amidst this chaotic backdrop, a sense of tranquility prevailed within the office walls.

A worn wooden sign, adorned with a stylized 'N' made up of tiny interconnected black hearts, creaked gently in the breeze. Inside, Ms. Amber, the receptionist, made her way down the narrow hallway, lined with numerous paintings of Nova's former squadron members. The scent of strawberries wafted through the air, mingling with the faint aroma of old books and stale coffee.

Ms. Amber, a kind and no-nonsense individual, walked with purpose, her cranky eyes fixed on the schedule in her hand. Her old-fashioned glasses perched on the end of her nose, and her pale skin seemed almost translucent in the soft light. She clutched her books and pins close to her chest, exuding an air of quiet efficiency.

As Ms. Amber approached Nova's office door, a loud thud shook the frame, making her jump. The sound of scuffling and muffled grunts followed, echoing through the hallway. Alarmed, Ms. Amber rushed to the door and flung it open.

Inside, Nova's office was in disarray. The fish tank aquarium, adorned with a space aesthetic, leaked water onto the floor, its inhabitants swimming frantically near the surface. Nova's prized manga collection and other books lay scattered, their shelves nudged askew. The desk had been pushed across the room, and the windows were cracked open, allowing a gentle breeze to rustle the torn remains of the black curtains. The chandelier hung crookedly from the ceiling, its crystals refracting shards of light.

Ms. Amber's eyes widened as she took in the chaos. "Nova, what's going on?" she exclaimed, her voice firm but laced with concern.

Nova stood tall, her 5'9" frame imposing as she pinned Malevolence against the wall. Malevolence's narrow eyes flashed with exhaustion, her face pale. One hand grasped Nova's arm, while the other pressed a pen to her neck.

The air was heavy with tension as Ms. Amber rushed into the room. "Nova put her down! That poor girl—"

Nova's gaze flicked to Ms. Amber, her eyes gritted in a mixture of anger and desperation. "Fine," she spat, releasing Malevolence with a loud thud.

Malevolence crumpled to the floor, coughing and gasping for air. Ms. Amber rushed to her side, helping her sit up.

"What were you thinking, Nova?" Ms. Amber demanded, her voice firm but laced with concern. "You could have hurt her!"

Malevolence looked up at Nova, her eyes welling up with tears. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry, okay?"

Malevolence's eyes narrowed, her tearful gaze flashing with anger. Her jaws clenched, she spat, "Fuck up!" and raised her middle finger before storming out of the office.

Ms. Amber's voice rang out, firm but worried, "Stop it, you two! Go to the nurse's office, now!"

Nova, seemingly unfazed, reached into the mini freezer under her desk and retrieved a container of strawberries. The sweet aroma wafted through the room, a stark contrast to the tension that had just unfolded. Nova picked up her chair, set it upright, and sat down, her expression calm.

Ms. Amber placed her books and pen on the desk, her eyes fixed on Nova. She picked up a chair, positioning it across from Nova, and asked, "What even happened? What were you thinking?"

Nova's expression turned introspective as she said, "Come on, get up, Ms. Amber. Let me show you something."

Ms. Amber rose from her chair, a hint of confusion on her face. "Sure...?"

Nova's eyes sparkled with a knowing glint. "Sometimes it's better to show you than tell you."

As they exited the office, Nova's gaze wandered to the picture frames adorning the hallway. She paused, her fingers tracing the edge of one frame. Ms. Amber noticed the subtle gesture and asked, "What happened to the unit?"

Nova's voice was low and mysterious. "I'll tell you about that..." But before she could continue, loud thudding echoed down the hall.

A sultry voice called out, "Ms. Nova, it's you! I don't need lotion no more. I have the real thing right here, you fine thing."

The atmosphere shifted, and Ms. Amber's eyes widened in surprise. Nova's expression remained enigmatic, but a hint of amusement danced in her eyes.

Nova's eyes narrowed, her voice low and even. "What's the real thing?"

The man's grin widened as he said, "My wife, right here in front of me. My beautiful Nova."

Nova's expression remained calm, but her eyes flashed with warning. The man, undeterred, exclaimed, "Lend me your hand!" Nova extended her hand, a hint of amusement on her face.

The man jumped onto Nova, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug. Nova swiftly threw him off, her movements fluid and controlled. The man landed on his feet, laughing.

"I love that!" he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with mirth.

Ms. Amber's voice cut through the tension. "Guards! Escort this individual out."

The guards arrived promptly, surrounding the man and leading him away. Nova watched him go, a small smile on her face.

"He's... amusing," Nova said, her voice dripping with dry humor.

Nova's gaze lingered on the painting, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and nostalgia. "I wonder if they're doing okay," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Ms. Amber's eyes clouded with worry, her expression a reflection of Nova's unease. The air was heavy with unspoken thoughts, the silence between them punctuated only by the soft hum of the office.

Just then, the door swung open, and Sergeant Solemn strode in, his presence commanding attention. A cigar clenched between his teeth, he exuded an air of quiet confidence, his eyes scanning the room with a mixture of curiosity and caution.

"This place reeks of sweets," he said, his deep voice a low rumble, as he sauntered toward Nova.

Nova's eyes sparkled with recognition, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "I know that smoke, well, from anywhere. How are you, Solemn?"

Nova's voice was laced with gratitude. "Thank you. I know this scar came from the Plains. I know you remember. I was lucky to escape because of you."

Solemn's expression remained stoic, but his eyes betrayed a hint of emotion. He led Nova into his office, a space that was both modern and sparse. The only unusual features were a Japanese futon in the corner and a sign on the wall that read, "Good for the back."

"Have a seat," Solemn said, his voice low and even.

Nova sat, her eyes fixed on Solemn as he walked to the window and gazed out. His voice was laced with determination.

"Nova, I'm going back to the Plains."

Nova's response was immediate and fierce. "No, you cannot!"

Solemn turned, his eyes locking onto Nova's. "I can now. I'm stronger than before. Back then, I didn't train hard enough. But now... look at me. Every day, I've been training nonstop. No moment of rest. The fire within me burns brighter than ever."

Nova stood up, her hands shaking as she approached Solemn. "Please, Solemn, don't go," she urged, her voice trembling. "You know how dangerous the Ethereal Plains are."

Solemn's expression remained resolute, his eyes fixed on some point beyond Nova. "I know," he said, his voice low and even. "I understand the risks. But I cannot stand idly by while innocent children are dying. I must prepare for the worst."

Nova's eyes welled up with tears as she reached out to touch Solemn's back. "I know you want to help," she said, her voice cracking. "But I don't want you to get hurt."

Solemn took a deep breath, the cigar clenched between his teeth. He exhaled slowly, his eyes never leaving the distance. "I stare at death's face every day," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "Death and I are old acquaintances."

Nova wiped her tears on Solemn's back, her shoulders sagging in resignation. "Okay, okay... I understand, Solemn."

Solemn's expression softened, and he placed a gentle hand on Nova's shoulder. Then, in a surprising change of topic, he asked, "So, who's your favorite so far out of my squadron?"

Nova smiled thoughtfully. "I think your squadron will be good. They're all unique. My favorite so far is Malevolence – she can put up a good fight, hehe."

Solemn's gaze turned piercing. "I'm asking because I'm assuming you want to find a successor, hmmm, Solemn?"

Solemn's expression turned bleak, his eyes glinting with a hint of sadness. "Yes, I have already found one. Leroy."

Nova's eyebrows shot up, and she scratched her head. "That chubby boy? Him?"

Solemn nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yes, that chubby boy has the most potential. And you also have a big head, anyway – no better than his stomach."

Nova chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Is my head really that big, meathead?"

Solemn grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yup."

Nova's expression turned serious, her eyes locking onto Solemn's. "Solemn, why did you pick the wolf logo?"

Solemn's gaze turned distant, his eyes clouding over. "I lost something... then I found it."

Nova's voice was barely above a whisper. "What did you find, Solemn?"

Solemn's eyes refocused on Nova, a soft smile spreading across his face. "You're here."

He turned around, his expression turning brusque. "Go talk to your receptionist. She needs you."

As Nova turned to leave, Solemn called out, his voice low and sincere. "I'm glad I found you, Nova. And you found me."