Frontier, near Trimmor.

The small detachment from Trimmor slowly rode their horses on the road as they returned to Fort Whitestone.

“Hey LT. Do you think we’ll experience the enhance feeling again in the next fight sir?” Private Borg asked with a wishful expression.

“No idea Borg.” Lieutenant Moore thoughtfully replied. Thinking about that moment when he broke through, everything moving in slow motion in compare to himself. His battle awareness, strength, speed, the lightness he felt of his body as he moved around in the battle field. For that short moment in time, he felt as if he was the king of the battle field. In many ways, it almost felt like he was in the midst of hand to hand trench fight in the western front in France. But unfortunately, after all the enemies were subdued, the after effect was hell. It wasn’t simply a matter of needing to kill more enemy, but more of no enemy in sight to kill, to satisfy their hunger, to feast. Then the overwhelming downer after the massive battle high. Which was another living hell. Then noticing the looking on Private Borgs face. “Even though...hmm… let's call it Battle High for now. Even the battle high was great, I’m not too keen on going through the downer again. I’d rather not damage my dignity like that again.”

“Roger that sir.” Several men chimed in in agreement.

Then looking over at Sergeant Young. “By the way Sergeant Young. Since you’re the only Sergeant alive, you’re the new Platoon Sergeant.” Lieutenant Moore said.

“Yes sir. I suppose I saw that coming. Are we planning to promote the survivors to the next rank sir?”

“Yes Sergeant. It’s an obvious move considering these men are all frontier veterans. We just need Lord Phoenix’s confirmation on the orders once we return to base.”

“Yes sir.”

Riding behind the leaderships. “Did you just hear that Kirk! We’re all getting promoted. Promoted. That’s an increase in the special rations for more spices.” Private Jones spoke out in a cheary tone.

With a happy look on his face. Private Kirk replied. “Nice! Maybe I can finally try out the tiramisu recipe.”

“Hell yeah Kirk! In this world, hell would freeze before I let you buy the farm before me my brother!” Private Jones cheered on as he shamelessly sucked up to Private Kirk.

Private Kirk looked on with a happy smug feeling from his cooking fan boy’s comment. Like all artist, they want their art to been seen. Musician want their musics to be heard. And cooks want their food eaten.

“I just can't believe Sergeant Rector bought the farm.”

“No, what’s worst is Sergeant Garrett and the others were so close when they died at the battle on the road. Damn!”

When Major Jung heard the last comment, he stopped the movement. Turning his horse around to face the men. “That’s correct men. But here you stand now. You’ve made it out. And you all have nothing to lose now and everything to gain, even in death. I want to remind you all not to forget about the rest of us here now and others who are still stuck in the void. But most of all, don’t forget about the ones who stood next to you, but were sent back to the void so you could be free.” Then gave them a hard stare to convey his feeling.

“Yes sir! Roger that!” Everyone replied in a serious tone. Each one understanding that they owe it to the others for this chance and that there are still many more who are deserving of a chance of their own.

Everyone got the message. ‘Don’t be a buddy fucker!’ now that they got theirs.

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Frontier, Whitestone.

During the morning run, Spike notice Rikko with many other younger demi-humans, mostly children. They seem to be doing some sort of training of their own. So after making his last lap, he took the opportunity to approach this group to satisfy his curiosity.

“Good morning Rikko. Good morning children.”

“Good morning Lord Phoenix.” Rikko replied with her fist to her chest to show her allegiance and bowed in respect. And the other young ones followed her lead by also bowing to Spike.

Looking at the dozen demi-human youngsters with her, he couldn’t help himself from smiling as he looked at their anima ears and tails. They look so cute all rapped up in winter furs. “Looks like the number of your students have increased. Or did you adapt them?” Spike asked jokingly.

“No my lord. They are orphan children and children of other hunters who are too busy with the current situation and have asked me to teach them. It seems the right thing to do as Lord Phoenix is recuping for now and I have some free time.” Rikko informed dutifully..

“Orphans?”

“Yes my lord. Their parents have either died in the frontier or killed or taken by the Stovkow’s from the past raids to fight as a slave soldiers in the east.”

“I see. That’s just terrible.”

“Now that things are bit safe. Especially in the area between Fort Whitestone and Daldia. When I started to take my children out, I was approached by other demi-human parents to teach them in their stead and take on some of the orphan demi-human children of our deceased friends and teach them the basics of hunting.”

“That’s very kind of you Rikko.” Spike approved.

“That’s not true my lord. I shouldn’t have even been asked to begin with. I seemed to be distracted of late.” Rikko admitted. “I don’t know my lord. All of us demi-humans feel the change in the air… if I could explain it like that. It makes us feel weary of the future.”

“Hmm. Well we are all in this together. So don’t think you are alone.” Spike encouraged. In all honesty, Spike had no idea what he could do about it except for preparing for the said storm the demi-humans are talking about.

“It’s presumption of me, but may I give my lord a recommendation?” Rikko asked humble with her eyes cast down.

“Rikko, you are always welcome to speak your mind when it come to advise and recommendation. So please, speak your mind.” Spike said in supportive tone.

“Thank you my lord. I wanted to say this but I wasn’t sure if it was my place to speak about it. But I overheard multiple time while we were in Trimmor. That the officers are requesting more demi-human hunters for scouting roles. Might I recommend that perhaps you could use the demi-human slaves in the town my lord. Even if they are slaves, I can assure you that they would welcome the chance to fill in as scouts for your army my lord.” Rikko recommended. “They are all collared and chained up for fear of them escaping into the frontier. But if they are give a chance to scout and hunt, I guarantee the demi-humans would not run away as they are doing what they were born to do.”

“Hmm. What you say is very valid Rikko. But we have policy of a noninterference of civilian lives as much as possible.”

“But my lord. You are already interfering with their lives. Everything you do brings change to their lives.” Rikko reminded.

Spike know what Rikko was say, but still, where do they draw the line of self serving and needs of the people. So it was simply easier to go with noninterference by leaving civilian matters to Marquess Daldia and then focus purely on military matters. Spike thought perhaps he needs to reevaluate the policy for exceptions.

“I understand what you are saying Rikko. It’s apparent I need to rethink our policy before I can make a clean decision.” Spike replied as he pondered.

“Of course my lord. Thank you kindly for hearing me out.” And Rikko followed up by introducing all the demi-human children. She felt this was a good opportunity for the demi-human children to make a good impression on Spike.