The Dawn of the New World

"Monsters? Are you sure?"

"Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. It's not safe to go just these few people."

Alfen went silent for a moment and after considering all other options he called over another guard.

It was a young man in his early twenties perhaps. Alfen introduced him to Arnett, "This is Mills. Stay here with him while I go check out the situation."

"Wait what do you mean? I have to go with you-" Arnett yelled at Alfen's shrinking figure but he was gone soon enough.

Arnett turned to Mills, "You have to tell other people. There are monsters trying to destroy the barrier!"

Mills smiled back at him because in his eyes Arnett was just a kid that might have let his imagination run wild. How could monsters sneak into the city?

"Haha I will I will. When captain Alfen comes back and gives the order we will call everyone but right now that's not an option. Most guards are either protecting important places, helping the refugees or fighting at the gates. There is no one TO call I am afraid."

"But-"

"Just come here and sit," Mills gestured towards the empty spot on the bench next to him, "Captain and the others will come back in a few minutes after checking the situation and if there is trouble then we will call for assistance."

Arnett obviously couldn't do anything by himself so he sat down beside Mills while waiting for Alfen to come back. They both silently listened to the sounds of battle not far from them for a minute or two when seeing Arnett fidget non-stop Mills couldn't take it anymore.

He tried to distract him by trying to make small talk.

"So how do you know captain Alfen?"

"I don't. We only met a few minutes ago."

"Oh. He is a nice person, isn't he? Everyone likes him here."

Arnett just nodded back absentmindedly.

"Did you meet his wife?"

Arnett hesitated but replied a moment later, "Yes."

"She seems cold at first glance but once you get to know her she is very nice."

"Okay…"

"She used to be very talkative back in the day you know. They were such a happy family. Why do bad things always happen to good people I wonder?"

Instead of lifting Arnett's mood Mills ended up making himself sad in the process. Still, it got Arnett curious enough so he inquired further, "What do you mean?"

"Hmm? Oh I shouldn't, it's not proper," Mills tried to play it off but it was obvious he was dying to talk about it and even Arnett could see that so he pushed a bit more.

"Please? I won't tell anyone else, promise!"

"Ah fine. Actually, captain Alfen had a son. He was a few years older than you. Wanting to follow in his father's footsteps one day he put on the captain's uniform and went outside the city to one of the human villages nearby to deliver some rations. That was the last time anyone saw him."

"We tried to search for him but it was obvious what had happened. Many humans don't take kindly to our kind, especially to the ones in power. I heard they found some remains a week later but there was no way to confirm if it was him. Ever since then things have been…you know."

Alfen had mentioned his son but it was not easy to tell from the context.

"Ohh…when did he-that happened?"

"Just a month or two ago I think. They didn't have time to properly grieve before everything happened and they were forced to go back to work."

Silence fell over the bench again. Before either of them realized several minutes had passed and it was Mills who noticed it first.

"That's strange, they should have come back by now," he pointed out.

"!!!"

Arnett jumped up.

"Then we have to go after them!"

Mills shook his head, "No, we need to get help. And I…don't know where it is."

Arnett looked into his pocket and pulled out the crumbled-up piece of paper.

"Here, we have to go here."

Mills looked it over but still couldn't make up his mind. He didn't have the authority to call for reinforcements especially without confirming the situation first but what if he waited and things got out of hand?

"Still, we can't just go-"

"WE HAVE TO!" Arnett shouted, "What if they need our help?!"

"But-"

"Hey, can you keep it down? Why are you shouting?"

Somewhere from the side a voice interrupted them.

"Huh? Who is there?! Show yourself!" Mills pulled out a sword and pointed at…nothing in particular.

*Sigh*

From the roof of the headquarters, a figure jumped down and landed right behind them. There was a longbow hanging over his shoulder.

"It was me, okay? Why are you shouting? I was trying to take a nap," Wern muttered lazily while rubbing his eyes.