“The arm isn’t important.”Adrian picked up the communicator and said, “Steel, Flynn, Blaze, Klause. I’m assigning the four of you to another mission. Each of you will lead twenty men to the four coordinates and eliminate the people there. They’re the troops in charge of the manual detonators, so they must be eliminated. I’ve already sent you the coordinates, so go ahead and make arrangements after receiving it and get ready to set out.”The four of them acknowledged their instructions. Adrian sat on the grass and fell silent, taking in a few deep breaths. Following his order, the four of them assembled troops and set out to begin their operation right after reading the coordinates. About three hours later, Lucas led the rest to join the unit on the plains. By then, it was already late and darkness would soon be upon them. After converging, Mya coordinated the watch duty schedule. They started a few fires and cooked dinner around them. Lena came with a first aid kit to dress
The crisis in Serpent’s Haven finally came to an end. The thousands gathered on the plains three days later consisted of surviving troop members, but a large number of corpses on the island could not be taken with them. Adrian had exhausted his efforts, yet he still had to leave behind those heroic souls to guard the island. In the morning three days later, the surviving members assembled on the plains. They stood straight and tall, forming a neatly-arranged troop. In the final hour of waiting, Steel and the others returned after completing their assigned mission.The Serpent’s Haven rescue operation was about to end. Adrian did not manage to save everyone, but the survivors would be leaving with him today. He looked up to the bright sun in the sky and looked toward the unfathomable rainforest. He used his injured arm to grab a handful of soil at his feet, imagining bringing along the souls of his fallen comrades through this action. Everyone stood in silence. Their eyes redde
Everyone boarded the plane. Lucas and Steel flew the plane. They had learned piloting during their training and had experience flying.Novemton headquarters received news of their impending departure. Inside, Crystal said, “Steel, Lucas, four Tempest-1s are already hovering above Serpent’s Haven to escort your flight. You can land at Novemton Airport, and we’ll maintain radio contact at all times.”“Understood.”“Preparing for takeoff…”Hum hum hum!Loud humming noises were heard. The plane accelerated and sped down the runway before lifting off, leaving the island with everyone’s hopes. Everyone sat in the cabin quietly and waited.The plane gained altitude and flew into the cloud layer to find four Tempest-1s waiting. The aircrafts adjusted their positions—front, back, left, and right—and escorted the plane. They sped off back to Navia. Everyone felt relief wash over them as the plane entered Navia territory. Adrian was leaning back in his seat with his eyes shut.Gloria
Adrian received a checkup in the afternoon to confirm that his infected wound was fully healed and was only then permitted to leave the hospital. Gloria had packed up. They swiftly got into a car without alerting anyone and left Novemton to return to Swallowston.***It was dusk. A nineteen-year-old girl was waiting quietly under the setting sun in a distant mountain village. She stood at the village entrance, staring at the road leading to the village. Every time a car drove past, she would get excited and think her beloved had returned. But the cars drove past one by one, and she was disappointed over and over again. However, she did not give up hope.At last, a bus stopped at the village entrance. The girl excitedly looked toward the bus. It left after a man got off. He held a crutch in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other. He stood there silently, smiling at the girl. It was Ridge. The girl’s face was instantly drenched in tears when she saw him. She was over
Daniel’s name was etched onto the headstone. Adrian and Gloria placed their flowers before it and bowed. As he read the headstone, Adrian said, “I’ve always thought of you as my senior. You’ve served Wyvern Peak for more than twenty years, and your strength and courage made you my role model. I never expected there would come a day when we would be separated in this manner.“Daniel, meet our other comrades where you are now. You’ll lead them in search of a wonderful future.”Adrian sounded slightly shaky. He had to cover his mouth to stop himself from bawling. Daniel had been there for Adrian’s life journey and had faced many dangers together with him. Yet, Daniel was now gone. No one would understand the pain and agony Adrian felt. He dropped to his knees in front of Daniel’s grave and covered his head with his hands, appearing extremely helpless.Three people approached from behind. A middle-aged woman walked over quietly, holding on to two children of different ages. The boy
After bidding farewell to Wrenley and her family, Adrian and Gloria left. He had some lingering regrets from the trip to Serpent’s Haven, but he had also made up for some mistakes. Adrian appeared even more mature now.***“Are we heading back to Swallowston?” Gloria asked, turning her head to Adrian as sped down the road.Adrian nodded. It had been some time since he left home and had experienced the parting of life and death. It was time to go home. He and Gloria made their way back to Swallowston without delay.They arrived at Swallowston the next morning. Upon reaching the outskirts, they spotted throngs of people standing around before they could enter the city. These people stood by the two sides of the road, holding up red banners with the words “From all the people of Swallowston, welcome home, War Legate Draco!”It was a gathering to welcome Adrian’s arrival. From afar, he noticed Samantha and Rue among the crowd, with Nova in Sam’s arms. The richest of Swallowston, D
Joanna had just returned from her trip abroad, and it had been some time since she met Adrian.He smiled and said, “It’s been a long time, Jojo. Why do you look different?”Joanna smoothened her hair and rolled her eyes. “Don’t you recognize me anymore just because I got a new hairstyle? Wavy hair is all the rage at the moment. What do you think? Do you like my new hairstyle?”“You look kind of like a golden retriever,” replied Adrian. Joanna rolled her eyes at him a few times. Sarah and Nadine walked over. The former called out in a mischievous manner, “Godpa!”Nadine covered her mouth and giggled. Adrian glared at Sarah and said, “You’ve gained some weight.”“I’m well-fed!” said Sarah with her arms crossed. Adrian felt joy rise from the depths of his heart as he witnessed the scene before his eyes. Thinking about it, he figured that what they say about “being alive is hope” was true. Chuck and Vivian walked over as well. Chuck said, “Buddy, we saw everything on the new
Adrian lost count of the time he spent standing at the viewing deck. He then heard the sound of footsteps behind him.Dressed in her nightgown, Samantha walked upstairs and hugged him from behind. Her body was in close contact with his muscular back, and her charming face was burrowed into his shoulder. “I never imagined that there would come a day when my man would play such a crucial role in the country and become Navia’s shining glory. This had never crossed my mind when I first married you, Adrian,” said Samantha softly. Adrian did not make a sound as he listened to Samantha’s words. After a while, she said, “I saw what you did while you were in Serpent's Haven. To my eyes, you were tall, muscular, and majestic. You’re like my guardian angel. As long as I have you, I know that I’ll be fine even if the sky comes crashing down on us.”Samantha expressed the true thoughts in her heart. When she married him eight years ago, she lived with the idea of adapting and conforming to