Bonds Rekindled

Chapter 20:"Bonds Rekindled"

The wind howled between the mountains as Division 10 stepped into the heart of Galdura Village. The village had a tense atmosphere—shops half-closed, people whispering, and guards watching the cliffs beyond. Something felt… off.

As they approached the central plaza, a sharp whistle echoed.

"Oi, Shadow Blade!"

Synoh looked up in surprise. Standing on the rooftop of a nearby building, grinning with arms crossed, was Lux.

"Lux?"

Lux leapt down effortlessly, landing beside Synoh with a soft thud.

"Took you long enough to climb this mountain."

The two stared for a second, then broke into a short laugh before fist-bumping.

"So," Lux smirked, "still rushing into danger like a maniac?"

"Still pretending you're a calm genius when you panic inside?" Synoh shot back.

Their light teasing drew chuckles from nearby knights. It had only been a short while, but the friendship felt unshaken.

Just then, a new voice interrupted:

"Lux, don't wander off. We're not here for games."

A tall man with sharp green eyes and a toothpick in his mouth walked over, his cloak from Division 7 swaying with the wind.

Jack, Vice Captain of Division 7—known for his stealth and sharp intuition.

Ursa's eyes narrowed the moment she saw him.

Jack blinked, then lit up in surprise.

"Ursa? What the hell are you doing here?"

Ursa scoffed. "Working. Unlike you."

Jack laughed. "Still as cold as a snowflake, huh?"

Synoh looked between them. "You two know each other?"

"Childhood friends," Jack said before Ursa could speak. "She used to beat up bullies. Then punch me for being annoying."

Ursa crossed her arms. "You were annoying."

The atmosphere eased, and even the new recruits started to settle down, feeling the rare comfort of familiar faces in unknown territory.

---

Later That Evening…

In a quiet room inside the elder's home, Captain Elara and Captain Alistair sat across from the Village Chief of Galdura, an elderly man with a scar on his cheek and a worried expression.

"You're right," the Chief began. "Something's wrong with the mountain. A few weeks ago, the sky turned red one night, and then some of our miners vanished inside the quarry."

Alistair nodded. "You filed a monster sighting report?"

The chief looked hesitant.

"We did. But I'm not sure it's just monsters. There are… strange sounds at night. Chanting. Like rituals. And none of our scouts return."

Captain Elara's eyes darkened.

"This might not just be a creature problem."

Alistair exchanged a glance with her.

"Then let's prepare both divisions. This mission just became a whole lot more dangerous."