The Fallen Soldier

Chapter 420

The burning mansion acted as a beacon, summoning birds from all over. Due to this, I was forced to land in the woods below, hoping I was safe.

Stepping out of my VTOL, I dropped on the ground and instantly collapsed, a streak of pain shot up my back. Memories of the burning mansion filled my mind, I couldn't help but wonder what happened to those I left unconscious while it all happened. A twinge of regret filled my person, knowing that I could have at least dragged some of them outside left me with a gaping hole in my heart.

I laid against a large rock, concealed by the trees surrounding me, I took this time to administer more morphine and rest. And as my remaining adrenaline slowly began to dissipate, my eyes grew heavy. I wanted to survey my surroundings, seeing as I'll probably be stuck down here for the rest of the night.

But my exhaustion fought to be recognized, and it won. So knowing that sleep would leave me defenseless, I forced energy back into my system. I looked around the forest, afraid of local animals attacking me, I figured animals here could be just as territorial as other creatures. I felt my eyes grow heavy again, sleep was seemingly unavoidable, I couldn't sleep out in the open, however.

Standing up, I clambered onto a wing of my VTOL and opened the canopy. Climbing inside, I got comfortable and closed the canopy above me. I took one last glance around the forest and closed my eyes. Sleep was more than happy to take over.

"Anderson!" called a distant voice. "Anderson!" The voice called again, accompanied by loud banging.

I opened my eyes to the sight of an oddly familiar metal ceiling. The banging got louder, as the female voice got angrier.

"Goddammit Anderson! Get up! we're late for the meeting!"

Exhausted, I hollered back, "Give me a minute!"

The voice was quick to retort, "It ain't my damn fault you stayed up drinking! I told you to stop after the third one!"

Mumbling a curse, I dragged myself out of bed and grabbed my gear. Sliding into my Kevlar, and then my Thermal Suit. I unlocked my door and opened it, to which I was greeted by a lone woman who embraced me in a hug and kissed my cheek. This woman?

Aria. The love of my life.

I awoke to howling wolves, but the pitch black night surrounding me made it so I couldn't see a damn thing. Growling came from my left, and like a jump-scare from a movie, there was an all flesh and blood wolf clawing at the glass. I reeled back and reached for my pistol, then stopped, realizing gunfire could attract possible attention. Sure, I'm far from the mansion, but I can never be too careful.

Besides, the wolf can't even scratch the glass.

I settled back down, ignoring the wolf (still) trying to rip my throat out. I tried to dream something good.

"Your mother would be proud of you son." Said a muffled voice. "She really would."

A withered hand laid itself on my own, it squeezed gently. My mouth was too dry to respond.

I felt something within me shatter, something I knew I'd never get back.

He continued , "I... Know that she didn't want you to join the military, that she would've much more preferred you work a more peaceful job." The voice strained out another sentence. "But I think she still... would've been proud of the things you've accomplished." He finished.

A flood of confidence overcame me, "Dad, I'm going to try and join the AMAHS division." I wiped a tear from my cheek. "You better be ready for me when I come in here with the acceptance letter."

The old man chuckled, "You do that and I'll jump out of this bed and tap dance. My son, a AMAHS agent?" He looked off to the side, watching the latest sports game on the Holo-Tele.

"I'll be here. You know I will." He smiled.

My father fought with all his might but inevitably died of natural causes at the ripe age of 57 on February 13th, 2477.

I've already mourned his passing, but I still love his memory.

I awoke to whimpering.

The first thing I noticed was the wolf beneath me, that and the fact that my flesh arm was holding it still while my metal fist was raised high in the air. I released my grip and the wolf took little time to jump up and limp away. As I watched it leave, I turned my head and saw that I was surrounded by dozens of wolves. Some of them looked dead, and others had a faint movement, weak breathing.

Looking at my hands, I noticed the several bite marks on my right arm. The pain seemed to be nonexistent, which was scary for how many bites I've apparently gotten. Blood leaked down my arm, yet I couldn't feel anything. Glancing down at my body I noticed several tears in my undershirt. The trench-coat still looked new.

Amazed at my current situation, I didn't have an answer for what happened. The VTOLS glass canopy looked fine, though it was open. Climbing back on the VTOL, I examined the evidence that presented itself. Sooner than I thought, I discovered the reason for the canopy's opening. One of the wolves must've accidentally touched the emergency open switch on the outside. Although I don't know how they opened the panel over it. I closed the panel, unsure of how the hell I didn't wake up during all that, then I sat back in the VTOL.

Pulling the canopy down, I bandaged myself and tried to sleep, but couldn't. So I looked outside, watching the leaves of a random tree dance in the wind.

Sleep happened sometime after that.

Panting, Aria collapsed next to me.

"Holy shit.... That was better than last time!" She laughed, breathing heavily.

We laid there for a while, until Aria scooted closer, resting her head on my chest. "Anderson..." She spoke, breaking the silence.

"Hmm." I hummed in response.

"Do you remember what I told you?" She asked.

I wrapped my arm around her. "You've told me a lot of things, be more specific."

"About that test I took? You remember that?"

I sighed, "Yeah, did you get anywhere?"

Aria went silent, before saying, "Actually, I passed. And I'm going to be stationed somewhere else..."

Shocked, I went silent.

Aria continued, "I'm going to Areualn. The officers there are going to test me to see if I'm worthy to become a candidate in the next AMAHS agent recruitment session. They're giving out the new Mark3 suits y'know."

I felt happy for her. Surprisingly.

"I'm... Glad you passed Aria. You always talk about becoming an AMAHS agent. When do you leave for Areualn?"

Aria replied, "A couple weeks from now, the ships are making multiple stops for other candidates."

"Good," I stated. "Gives me more time with you."

Aria smiled and snuggled into my shoulder.

"I love you, Anderson."

Waking to the warm eternal hug of the sun, peace overcame me.

Hunger as well.

Checking the time on my HUD, it read 7:23 Am. Early enough for the whole forest to be awake, but too early for me to wanna be awake. I rubbed my eyes and looked outside the canopy, I grimaced at the sight of a bear tearing a carcass to pieces. Looking up, I could see nothing but a clear blue sky, free of smog and hovercars.

I flipped a couple switches, pressed a couple buttons, and pulled a small lever down. The VTOL jumped to life, ready for anything. I slid the helmet on and slowly started pushing the lever back up, gaining altitude slowly but surely. Once I was high enough to peek over the trees, I scanned the entire sky.

The mansions fire was put out, and I could see Griffins circling the skies above it. I hovered a little higher and engaged the booster. Faster than any bird could fly, I whizzed high into the sky and off into the distance.

If only Aria could see me now. I wonder what she'd say.

Author's Notes:

Really gotta stop taking these long breaks in between chapters. These things don't even take a month to write!

Anyway, Sorry about the quality of this chapter, I ain't too happy with it myself. I know I can do better.

Stay golden folks, I'll see you all next time. Which hopefully isn't a month from now.