Chapter 30 : Lanai pass

Duke Gravewalker received the notification early in the morning. He hadn't expected to see anything urgent—it was just routine to check his phone after training. But then he saw it. 

Arthur was dead. 

He had expected this outcome. There was no way Arthur could have survived in that place, especially as a noble. The world had no mercy for men like his son. And yet, against all reason, some small, fragile part of him had hoped. Some foolish, desperate piece of his heart had believed Arthur would find a way. 

But no. The world was rarely so kind. 

A sharp intake of breath came from beside him. Lady Gravewalker had just entered, reading the message from his phone as she often did, her grip tightening around his arm. Unlike him, she had always been skilled at keeping her composure. But even now she was faltering. 

"Will we be able to bury h-him?" she asked, her voice even but thin, brittle. 

Duke Gravewalker shook his head sadly. "No. He's disowned. We can't be seen giving him an official burial." 

Her fingers dug into his wrist, as if trying to ground herself. "Then can't we do anything?" 

He kept reading, his breath slow, measured. But then he stilled. 

"They never... found his body." 

Lady Gravewalker's grip became almost painfully tight. 

"What can we do?" she whispered. 

"Something private," he murmured. "Just us. If the children wish to join, they can." 

She nodded, and just like that, she was moving, her mind shifting from grief to action. He watched as she disappeared down the hall, her shoulders rigid, spine straight. 

But he—he needed to be alone. 

Duke Gravewalker made his way into the forest bordering the estate, moving deeper and deeper until the trees swallowed him whole. Only when he was safely hidden, lost in the embrace of solitude, did he allow himself to break. 

He collapsed to his knees. His breath came in shudders, his hands trembling as they covered his face. And for the first time in years, he wept. 

He mourned for the son he had been forced to hate in public. For the boy who had carried his name into exile. For the child he had sent to his death. 

And the world would never know. 

Tomorrow, he'd have to wake up and move forward. He would have to carry on as if nothing had changed. As if his heart wasn't buried in the dirt with a son who had no grave. 

The world would never know. But here, in the embrace of solitude, he could grieve. 

....... 

The entirety of Unit 7 stood at attention, waiting for the rebel unit's arrival. 

Arthur sighed, brushing his now-inky black hair out of his face. It had grown too long, unkempt, and unbearably annoying. Strands of it constantly slipped into his eyes. 

"They're coming," Caster muttered, his orange eyes glinting. 

A moment later, Arthur heard it too—the rhythmic footfalls of an approaching regiment. The large gates of Fort Lanai swung open, welcoming at least three squads of soldiers clad in gleaming red and white armor. 

But among them, there were outliers. Soldiers whose armor bore intricate, breathtaking designs—Relics. 

Arthur's jaw tightened. Soldiers who wielded relics, like Ikaris. They'd be strong, it showed the rebels suspicion towards them. 

'It's just as the commander said. They're not here for reconnaissance. They're here to watch us.' 

Commander Scarlet took the lead, a wide, easy smile on her face as she approached the leader of the unit. He was an older man, with short white hair and piercing light blue eyes. 

"Commander Dulerayon," she greeted, saluting. 

The man regarded her with little interest. "And you are?" His voice was sharp, cold. 

"Officer Mara," she answered smoothly. 

Arthur's gaze sharpened. 'Ahh, she's reverting back to that identity.' 

Dulerayon gave a curt nod. "Where are the commanders?" 

Arthur's stomach twisted. Right. The commanders. 'They were slain by the General, weren't they?' He could feel the attention of the entire unit fixating on Commander Scarlet, waiting for her response. 

She smiled. "Commander Ravix will be arriving shortly. Commander Elsira is out on other business." 

As if summoned by her words, a massive figure dropped down from the top of the fort, landing with a heavy crash right in front of Commander Dulerayon. 

Arthur's heart pounded. 'Was the disguise over already?' 

The man stood tall, his hulking frame casting a long shadow against the ground. He had long black hair, dark eyes, and a massive warhammer slung effortlessly over his back. 

Arthur's mind raced. 'Didn't General Thanason defeat him?' What the hell was going on? 

Commander Ravix grinned. "Ahhh, Oltra. It's been a while." 

Dulerayon stiffened. "Commander Ravix... let us show proper decorum." 

The larger man scoffed, his grin widening. "Oh, forget it, Oltra. Have you heard about our success?" 

Dulerayon's cold eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Yes. Tell me… how did you defeat General Thanason? I wasn't aware you had achieved the third-awakening." 

Ravix snorted. "If only. No, we won because Raleigh weakened him first. If not for that, Elsira and I wouldn't have stood a chance." 

"I see." 

"Enough about that—why are you here, Oltra?" 

"Reconnaissance." 

"Reconnaissance?" Ravix echoed, an amused edge to his voice. "A commander like you being sent on a recon mission?" 

Dulerayon laughed. "No, I'm not. I've been transferred here… to bolster our defenses against any future invasions." 

Arthur clenched his jaw. Lies. The old man wasn't here for defense—he was here to watch them. To see if they were spies. And if he found them out? 

He was here to eliminate them. 

"So who will be going then?" Commander Ravix asked. 

A squad of soldiers stepped forward, led by a bronze skinned lady wearing black armour, her white hair draped across it wildly. 

Ravix nodded. "Very well. Come Oltra, let's talk away from all this." 

Oltra gave instructions to the rest of his soldiers. 

"Officer Mara" Ravix called. 

"Yes sir?" 

"You'll be subordinate to Oltra's officer. Understood?" 

"Yes sir." 

Then the two commanders left, the two other units of soldiers dispersing into Fort Lanai. 

Commander Scarlet walked forward. "Any order for us Ma'am." 

The bronze skinned lady stepped forward. "Officer Mara is it?" 

"Yes Ma'am." 

"My name is Officer Reftia, we'll leave immediately." 

….... 

Arthur followed behind, walking alongside Noah as their unit trekked through the mountains of Lanai Pass. The air was thick with unspoken tension, a near-palpable divide between their unit and the rebel squad. 

When night fell, each unit made their own camp, their fires flickering in the cold air. 

Laughter rippled through Unit 7. The tension fading now that they were back in their own company. 

"So" Petro said, his green eyes shining as he continued his story. "When I got caught they didn't know I was a soldier. They interrogated me for three days, but I didn't tell them anything." 

"Well I did," Mat interjected. Laughing. "Told the Officer I made his wife a very happy lady." 

Laughter exploded around the fire. Even Commander Scarlet let out a rare chuckle. 

And then, in a low voice, Caster added, "So did I." 

Silence. 

"What?" Finn blinked. "No way." 

Caster nodded. 

"You're saying you told the officer you slept with his wife?" Mat asked incredulously. 

Caster shook his head. "No. I said I did it with his mother." 

There was a moment of silence, then they all exploded with laughter again, the sounds carrying over into the next camp. 

Arthur had to wipe the tears of his eyes. "What happened when they found out you're a soldier?" 

"Well" Petro said, "I didn't tell them. Felt rescued us before, you know, Officer Mara found out. If she knew, all our asses would've been in danger." 

"Well" replied Commander Scarlet, her voice overly sweet. "Don't worry Petro, there's always time." 

Petro paled visibly in the campfire. "Uhh, yes ma'am." 

She then turned to Felt. "So, tell me my dear number two. How many other things have you hidden from me, hmm~?" She maintained a tone of such warmth that everyone knew that Felt was in grave danger. 

"Uhh, well." For once the number 2 of the squad didn't know what to say. His grey eyes looked at each of them pleadingly. 

No one was willing to help. But after a moment or two of Felt drowning in Commander Scarlet's gaze, Arthur suddenly spoke up. 

"Officer Mara, I've got a question for you?" 

"Hmm, what is it Arthur?" 

"Do you have a brother?" The question seemingly came out of nowhere, catching Commander Scarlet off guard. 

"No, I don't think so," she replied. But there was something in her eyes that seemed off to him. 

After watching her, he had finally realised during the day who Commander Scarlet looked familiar to. 

Red. 

Apart from the striking Red hair, they both had the same dark eyes and graceful appearance. 

She looked like a female version of Red, and he couldn't help but think that maybe Officer Skelter had kept his promise after all. No doubt Commander Scarlet had become strong enough to take care of herself.

Commander Scarlet's attention was successfully diverted. Felt shot him a thankful look which made Arthur smile. 

"Arthur" Commander Scarlet called. 

"Yes?" 

"Officer Refia has called for one of us." 

"Uhh?" 

"She has a telepathic ability. Go and see what she wants." 

"Why me?" 

"Because you tried to divert my attention?" She replied sweetly. 

Arthur sighed, getting up and making his way over. The last thing he heard was Officer Mara speaking to Felt. 

"So, where were we, hmm~?" 

…..... 

Arthur approached the rebels' camp with careful steps, feeling the weight of their stares before he even reached the fire. Unlike Unit 7's rowdy, easygoing atmosphere, this camp was eerily quiet. Soldiers ate their rations in near silence, some murmuring in low voices, others simply focused on sharpening their weapons. 

The only one who looked remotely at ease was Officer Reftia. 

Officer Reftia was taller than most of the men around her, her bronze skin glowing in the firelight. Her white hair, left wild, cascaded over her black armor, giving her a feral, untamed air. She had a powerful physique, and despite her casual posture as she leaned on her log. 

To Arthur she seemed more like a coil beast, ready to spring into action. 

Arthur hesitated for only a second before stepping into the firelight. 

"Ah, so Mara finally sent someone," Reftia said, stretching lazily. 

Arthur saluted. "Cadet Arthur, reporting as requested, ma'am." 

Reftia chuckled. "At ease, Cadet. No need to be so stiff—this isn't an interrogation." 

Arthur barely resisted the urge to scoff. It was an interrogation—just not the kind that needed ropes or threats. No, this would be much more dangerous. 

"Sit," she said, gesturing to the log across from her. "As you can see, we're in desperate need of some conversation." 

Reftia leaned forward slightly, propping her chin on one hand. "So, Arthur. How are you finding the rebellion?" 

Arthur didn't blink. "You mean the resistance, ma'am?" 

Her smile sharpened. "Ahh, the words of a patriot. Pardon my mistake. Yes, the resistance." Her eyes seemed to be amused, but Arthur could tell otherwise. 

He let out a sheepish chuckle, scratching the back of his head. "Ah, well… I guess it's been an adjustment." 

Reftia hummed. "An adjustment? Odd choice of words for a patriot." 

Arthur forced a nervous smile. "I, uh… wasn't exactly in a great place before joining, so yeah, it's been an adjustment." 

Her gaze didn't waver. "Really? From which meeting did you get recruited?" 

Arthur kept his expression neutral, but inside, his mind raced. He had no idea how rebel recruitment worked. 

Reftia tilted her head. "Was it a first, second, or third-generation recruiter?" 

Shit. She was trying to make him slip. 

Arthur exhaled through his nose, buying himself a second. "I… don't know, ma'am. I didn't really pay attention to that sort of thing." 

She raised a brow. "Didn't pay attention? That's rare. Most new recruits remember their first meeting well." 

Arthur forced out a bitter laugh, lowering his gaze. "I didn't exactly have a choice." 

A beat of silence. Reftia's expression shifted, ever so slightly. She leaned back. "Oh?" 

Arthur hesitated just long enough for it to seem real, then exhaled. "They… didn't recruit me, ma'am. They took me, imprisoned my family to make me fight." 

She went still. 

Arthur let his voice grow quieter, almost hesitant. "I was forced to fight. My blood, you see… It has unique healing properties when ingested by others. The lie came smoothly now, built on half-truths. 

He felt bad about stealing Sera's story, twisting it into something he could pass as his own. But, well, his survival came first. 'Sorry Sera.' 

Reftia didn't react at first, just studying him with unreadable eyes. Then in one swift motion she withdrew a dagger and cut a large gash on her arm, still maintaining eye contact unflinchingly. 

Arthur's eyes widened in shock. 'This bitch, she's mental!' 

"Well" she said, her eyes glinting dangerously. 

"Well, can I have a knife?" he asked hesitantly. 

She laughed. "No need." In a rapid movement she crossed the distance, grabbing his arm and biting down hard, sucking in his blood. 

Arthur withheld his grunt of pain. 

In mere moments, his healing blood attribute kicked in, causing the cut on her arm to close and disappear as if it had never existed. 

She paused, as if surprised that Arthur had been telling the truth. 

Arthur grimaced. 'Thank God I did a half-lie.' Because his blood did indeed have healing properties, it should mean she'd believe him on everything else he said instinctually. 

Reftia's lips parted slightly. It was subtle, but Arthur saw it—hesitation. 

"I'm sorry," she said, softer than before. 

Arthur kept his gaze downcast. "I just… I do what I have to do." 

A long silence stretched between them. Around them, the other rebels exchanged glances. 

"Well" she said, "I think we've spoken long enough. You can go back now Arthur." 

Arthur stood, keeping his movements controlled, precise. As he turned to leave, the other rebels nodded at him. Some in respect. Others in quiet understanding. No doubt his story would be something they'd heard before. 

He nodded back, forcing his expression to remain neutral. 

Inside, he was reeling. 

They bought it. 

He had turned suspicion into sympathy. 

As he walked back toward Unit 7's camp, he felt the weight of their gazes follow him. 

Arthur clenched his jaw, forcing himself not to smirk. 

'Thank you, Sera, who knew it'd be you saving my life.' The thought of it made his lips twitch momentarily. 

…..... 

Officer Reftia watched as Arthur returned back to camp. 

"He was telling the truth," Famin said to her right. His tone had a hint of surprise.

"Yes" she said softly, still tasting the remnants of his blood on her tongue. That blood had indeed been special. 

"Still" Famin continued. "It's not an uncommon thing for people like him, with those gifts." 

Officer Reftia nodded, lost in her own thoughts. "I guess it isn't."