The march resumed after the ambush, but a subtle unease lingered among the soldiers. Their once-steady pace had become more measured, their eyes constantly scanning the jagged ridges and rocky outcrops for any sign of another attack.
Even Onyx, usually a bastion of unshakable endurance, seemed restless. His massive hooves struck the ground harder than usual, his nostrils flaring as if he could still smell the taint of the Abyssal creatures that had attacked them.
Kalem adjusted his grip on the reins.
The attack hadn't been large, nor had the creatures been particularly strong, but something about the entire encounter bothered him.
"They were too desperate," he muttered under his breath.
Garron, who had been walking beside his cart, arched a brow. "What was that?"
Kalem didn't answer immediately. He instead turned his gaze toward the supply carts, his mind replaying the attack.
Those creatures hadn't just attacked randomly. They had gone straight for one of the carriages—one carrying crates that none of them had been allowed to inspect before departure.
That wasn't normal.
Kalem pulled Onyx's reins slightly, guiding him closer to the targeted cart before calling out to one of the soldiers driving it.
"Can you open one of the crates?" he asked. "I want to check something."
The soldier hesitated, looking toward Garron. Garron, in turn, seemed to consider the request before shrugging.
"Doesn't sound like a bad idea. If those creatures were after something specific, it's better to know what we're dealing with."
But before they could proceed, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Leave the crates alone."
Commander Varik, a seasoned veteran with gray-streaked hair and a scarred face, approached with an imposing air of authority. His eyes locked onto Kalem's with an unwavering glare.
"You're not to touch those supplies," Varik continued. "Orders from high command."
Kalem narrowed his eyes. "High command? Who specifically gave those orders?"
Varik's jaw tightened, but his tone remained firm. "That's classified. You have your mission, soldier—focus on that."
Kalem clenched his teeth but said nothing more. He knew there was no point in arguing—not here, not now.
Varik gave him one last warning look before walking away, leaving the atmosphere heavier than before.
Sometime later, as the march continued, Garron let out a sigh.
"You look angry."
"Yes," Kalem answered flatly.
Garron chuckled. "I didn't think you were the type to get emotional."
"I'm not," Kalem replied. Then, after a moment, he added, "Just remembered something bad."
Garron grinned and lifted a hand, but before he could reach Kalem's head, the younger warrior turned his gaze toward him, expression blank.
"Don't."
"What do you mean?" Garron asked innocently, though he was already retracting his hand.
"You were about to pat my head."
"Of course! That's what you do when a kid is upset."
Kalem's eyelid twitched slightly. "I am not upset."
"Could've fooled me," Garron mused.
Kalem let out a slow breath. "Let's just say that a similar nonsensical order from some higher-up nearly got me killed before."
Garron's expression shifted slightly, a bit of the playfulness fading. "I see… but hey, the same thing doesn't always happen twice."
"If it does, I'm going to throw him."
Garron blinked. "Throw who?"
Kalem's grip on the reins tightened slightly. "Varik. If something nightmarish happens because of this, I will throw Varik right at it. Before I do anything else."
Garron stared at him, waiting to see if he was joking.
Kalem wasn't.
"Then, after I'm done dealing with it," Kalem continued, voice calm but sharp as a blade, "I will track down whoever issued that order and burn them alive."
Garron exhaled through his nose, rubbing the back of his head. "Don't worry. You won't need to do anything."
"Oh?"
"Gehenna doesn't treat betrayal kindly," Garron said, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "If anyone deliberately put us in danger for personal gain or hidden motives, they'll be thrown into the abyss."
Kalem tilted his head. "You mean… here?"
Garron shook his head. "No. Into the actual Maw."
A long pause.
Kalem finally nodded. "Assuring."
Garron let out a laugh, the tension slightly easing. "That's one way to put it."
After a few moments of silence, Garron turned back to Kalem, curiosity shining in his eyes.
"Now, tell me. What was that nonsensical order that nearly got you killed?"
Kalem glanced at him but didn't answer right away.
"Why?"
Garron grinned. "Because you're only a bit away from being on the level of the Legion Warriors, and I'm curious—what kind of situation cornered you so badly?"
Kalem's gaze turned distant, his hands idly adjusting the reins as Onyx carried him forward.
"Not now," he finally said. "Maybe after we return."
Garron studied him for a moment before nodding. "Fair enough."
The march continued, the landscape stretching endlessly before them.
But even as they moved forward, Kalem's mind remained rooted in the past, where an order from a nameless authority had nearly cost him everything.
And this time…
He had no intention of letting history repeat itself.