NOVPUBAfter the woman retreated, yet again, from the wall, Uriel was left pondering about the reason why would there be two holy rank hunters and an army Colonel on a city. He didn’t know if it was that unsual or not, but there were other signs that pointed out in that direction. The poor state of the wall and their waryness of strangers were things Uriel never witnessed in his own city. 𝚗ov𝚙𝚞𝚋.c𝚘m
He couldn’t arrive at any conclusions at the moment, but one thing he was certain of was that there was a connection between all of that.
He also didn’t know what had become of Cassandra after she came back from Easter island. Her participation during the trip was minimal, but she did provide assistance to them which was obviously a violation of her duties as an army officer and Uriel figured she must have been sent here as punishment.
His assumptions were not only correct, but spot on. At the time, though, he didn’t think why would being dispatched to that particular city was a punishment and he dropped the matter.
It took a while, but Cassandra rushed outside the wall followed closely by four soldiers. She carried an expression of utter despair and ran so fast, she left everyone behind in spite of them being heavenly rank hunters just like herself.
"Where’s Luna!?" She asked in a shout before even reaching Uriel’s position.
"She’s fine, don’t worry too much about her." Uriel replied dismissively and Cassandra went from relieved, to confounded and then flustered.
"She’s... fine... don’t tell me you came all the way here just to ask me out."
"Of course not, you moron." Uriel shut her down coldly, something his past self would have never been able to do. Especially taking into consideration that he used to have a crush on her.
"How dare you speak to the Colonel like that! May I execute the prisoner?" A tall soldier with a disheveled look in spite of wearing the army uniform voiced out loudly.
"First, you couldn’t take him on even if he lost an arm and a leg. Second, you are to address him as Mister Sage, did you hear me? and third, the next one to disrespect my guest will find themselves on toiled duty for two months."
"Yes ma’am!" They all replied forming a perfect line behind her.
Although Cassandra’s trait wasn’t that powerful, she was also a werewolf which made her irreplaceable for the army. For that reason, the higher ups decided not to court martial her when she came back from the trip to Easter island.
However, from the very beginning of her career, she showed that it wasn’t just her strength what made her valuable, her character made her a perfect fit for army life and she was able to uphold discipline wherever she went.
"Then, what brings you here?" Cassandra asked in a voice as soft as honey, something her subordinates didn’t think was even possible.
"The Pegasus crashed on the wetlands and our engine is broken and I came here to get spare parts.
"Hmmm... and you came from the bayou?"
"Yes, our ship should be in that direction." Uriel replied pointing out to the west, which brought a troubled expression to the Colonel’s face.
"Come in, let’s talk more about it on the barracks." Cassandra took him by the hand and led him to a small concealed entrance. The only reason why she came from outside the hole on the wall was because she was in a rush, but now she wasn’t in such a hurry anymore.
"Hey, what about me?" Nika asked after being completely ignored the whole time, but Cassandra pretended she didn’t hear her.
"Listen... It would be great if my assistant was granted entry and I would appreciate it a lot too." Uriel said unconvinced, thinking that maybe spending a night on the wilderness could be the perfect punshment to turn her into a more competent companion.
"If that’s what you want, then she may come too." Cassandra smiled at Uriel, keeping both hands behind her and leaning forward in a charming manner.
"Hey, do you think it’s possible she’s not our colonel anymore?" A soldier woman whispered to the tall man from before.
"Do you really think I wouldn’t notice if she was one of those things!?" He replied loudly, giving Uriel all the information he needed to understand why they were so wary of hunters.
The most likely explanation was that skinwalkers and doppelgangers had been trying to infiltrate the city, just like back home. It could also explain why there were two holy rank hunters on the city, but Uriel figured he’d get an explanation once they reached the barracks.
"You can take a shower first and come visit my office later if you want. If you need anything, my assistant will take care of it." Cassandra said before taking off to her office.
Army barracks were similar in all cities, though Uriel had only been inside the ones at his own city and only for a brief period of time. Uriel took the chance to look around as the assistant led them towards the showers, though he refused to go inside with Nika.
"Come on, don’t be so prude. Male and female soldiers shower together all the time. Isn’t that ruight?" Nika pouted to Uriel and then asked the female soldier for confirmation.
"That’s correct, we shower together all the time. I could join you if that will make you more comfortable. Colonel Sword said I should take care of all your needs and wants." The woman replied unfazed. She didn’t seem excited to do it, but wasn’t against the idea either.
"There’s no need for that, we’re not soldiers anyway." Uriel shrugged his shoulders.
"Come on, just this once." Nika curled her lips.
"By the way, If I so much as catch the glimpse of a shadow crawling inside, I’ll make sure you regret it." Uriel glared at Nika, making her flinch as though he had read her mind.
