October 19, 1999 — Outskirts of Eva — Zone 47

  Blood soaks the earth as much as the tears of those who say goodbye.

  Timidly touched by the star-king that still seeks to establish itself, Lozar’s family seems more united than ever. Over an infinite green lawn they gather dressed in black. Children do not quite understand what is happening, but they can feel the pain of those who are there. A man with gray hair and white garments adorned with golden details recites a few words of comfort.

  In another corner of the cemetery, in a less green spot, with more trees and fewer people, a solitary tombstone sadly displays the name Draus. There, only Miriane and Miguel make a point of giving a farewell with bouquets of dahlias as red as the blood that is now consumed by worms.

  “He still had a long path ahead of him.” Miriane lets the words fade into the air and be carried by the breeze that touches her face.

  Miguel prefers silence while his gaze gets lost among the reddish petals.

  “Sorry for the delay, I was stuck in a clan meeting.” Apis also wears the most noble color of all.

  “And how was it with the mercenaries?” Miriane asks him without taking her eyes off the tombstone.

  “According to the report from the armed forces, they were hired to collect a debt from the Neophyte.” Apis finishes speaking while also getting lost among the bouquets.

  “But why so many? And why did they have so many boars?” Miguel turns to Apis as he questions him.

  “As for the boars, according to reports from some residents who live farther away from the village, yesterday a herd with more than a hundred of them was seen in a lake nearby. Those were probably the ones that split off.” Apis explains while looking more directly at Miguel.

  “A hundred of those things? Then we ended up being lucky?” Miriane speaks quietly with her fists closed at her sides and shifting her gaze to a tree nearby.

  “Don’t be hard on yourself. There are very few at your level who can deal with seven at the same time.” Apis looks at the brown strands that sway over her black clothing, but what stands out the most is the sword sheathed at her waist with the reddish crystal still embedded at the tip of the hilt.

  “I agree, I even think you should go back to doing missions and climb the guild again.” Miguel also observes her, but from the corner of his eye.

  “If yesterday is considered a mission, it will have been my twentieth as a Shadow Hunter.” Miriane once again lets the words drift through the air, now looking at the sky and the tiny clouds that dare challenge the sky-blue.

  “Even without a Silent Guardian at the location to accompany the mission. Due to the special conditions, the witnesses, and the proven feats, it is very likely that the guild’s central office will assign the mission to the two of you.” Apis even adjusts his eyepatch while speaking and receives a few beams of light that penetrate through the canopy of the tree nearby.

  “I still need five, if that one counts, it will be four. I think I will return to active duty as well.” Miguel explains while also looking at the sky.

  “You make a good pair, your specialties complement each other, that is my advice.” A shy closed-mouth smile is all Apis allows himself at the moment.

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  “And about the mercenaries?” Miguel asks again while looking at him. Miriane also watches him.

  First he sighs.

  “One of the mercenaries was found dead in the cell this morning, the one you hit with the arrow.” Apis looks directly at Miguel. “The other one that the girl captured gave his testimony. But apparently he was acting as cover for the three who were in the cornfield. In total six mercenaries were hired to collect the debt. But they did not expect two Shadow Hunters to be nearby.”

  “That makes sense, their formation was very well set for that. But those three who came from behind... they were definitely keeping an eye on us.” Miguel says while looking back at the tombstone.

  “The mercenary said he knows nothing about a third group on the mission. But he said he had already seen that man who was found dead this morning. Something about him being from another faction that does jobs for very dangerous people.” Apis explains again while adjusting the two dagger handles in their sheaths, one on each side of his waist.

  “Their internal structure is still very nebulous. The armed forces could at least take advantage of this case to investigate more deeply.” Miguel says while lightly scratching the back of his neck with the tips of his fingers.

  “Lately they have been quite overloaded with all the disappearances of children, and even more after the case of that android at the border. I think this case will not go very far.” Apis finishes speaking with his gaze lost among the soil with traces of grass.

  “And the students? How are they?” Miriane takes advantage of the moment, her gaze already turned toward the flowers.

  “They are fine, Lafral is the only one who will need more follow-up. The others have already been released.” Apis explains while pulling the dagger from the right sheath and staring at the silver blade with something subtly written on the metal.

  “That’s good! I hope they don’t give up on the internship.” Miriane also observes the silver blade from the corner of her eye.

  “It would be understandable if they did.” Miguel also cannot resist looking at that blade.

  “Are you sure the report is completely correct?” Apis leaves the question hanging in the air between the two while still looking at his hand. They look more directly at his face at that moment. “Three perfect shots and one that hit a boar that had not even come out of the cornfield yet?”

  “That shot saved me from being caught off guard.”

  “She also hit one that saved the three of us.”

  “It is truly a shame. Someone like her, in the future could easily become one of those legends that inspire poems.” Apis’s heart even speeds up for a moment while his hairs stand on end under the suit.

  “After seeing that those two are capable, still so young, I truly believe that humanity is getting closer and closer to being able to confront them on equal footing.” Miriane says while firmly holding the sword hilt and looking at the tombstone once more.

  “The boys also did very well, I did not even need to use my enchantment.” Miguel says while placing his hand over his shoulder and sliding it a little to his back, which feels lighter than usual.

  “Speaking of that, what we feared is happening. They are already capable of executing some as well.” Miriane looks directly at Apis again, who is already sheathing the dagger once more.

  “According to internal reports, it was only a matter of time. At least it should still take quite a while for them to fully master it.” Apis says while beginning to turn away. “It is up to us to improve more and more, the world is cruel to those who stop evolving.” He finishes while already taking his first steps away.

  “Indeed! Well, I will be going as well, I need to pick up my bow from the repair shop.” Miguel does not miss the chance to follow his path.

  Miriane watches each of them go in a different direction, but unlike them, she remains for a few more minutes looking at the flowers, the trees, and getting lost in thought, until the moment she smiles lightly and together with the breeze that has now grown a little stronger, she also takes her path.

  The week that followed was marked by some news reports, obscure meetings, and by the results of the practical exams that left Marcela relieved and happy while she carefully took care of Bernardo, who was already much better, but still did not refuse such affection. Sarah, on the other hand, still undecided about what she wanted, preferred to move forward and enjoy the moments with those two.

  Another Saturday and Sunday passed with the family while Leila admired her daughter’s grades and also felt her heart almost stop when she talked about the test. But she soon calmed down when Júlio pointed out that experiences like that are what make people stronger. She agreed while looking at an empty wall with a vacant gaze.

  On television and in the newspaper, the forecast for the coming days is a Storm.