Soren walked into the briefing room with the same energy as someone walking into a courtroom where they were both the defendant and the evidence.
The room was dimly lit, circular, and lined with glowing runes. A massive crystal projection orb hovered in the center, swirling with mist.
Kael walked confidently.
Lira walked calmly.
Aldric walked like he owned the place.
Soren walked like he was being dragged to his doom.
The fox trotted beside him, tails swishing happily.
Soren whispered, "I hate this place."
The fox chirped.
Arcturus Arrives (Soren's Soul Leaves His Body)
Commander Arcturus stepped into the room, cloak billowing, golden eyes sharp enough to cut stone.
Soren squeaked.
Kael bowed his head.
Lira straightened.
Aldric smirked.
Soren tried to hide behind Kael.
Kael dragged him back out. "Stop that."
"I CAN'T."
"You can."
"I WON'T."
"You will."
Arcturus ignored all of this.
"Sit."
They sat.
Soren sat the hardest.
The Mission Projection (Soren Panics Immediately)
Arcturus raised a hand.
The projection orb flared to life, displaying a map of the surrounding region — forests, mountains, rivers, and one area that pulsed ominously in red.
Soren pointed at it. "I don't like that."
Aldric snorted. "You don't like anything."
"I ESPECIALLY don't like glowing red things."
Lira murmured, "It's a corrupted zone."
Soren screamed internally.
Arcturus continued, "Your first assignment is reconnaissance."
Soren blinked. "Reconnaissance? Like… looking at things? From far away? Safely? Behind a wall?"
"No."
Soren deflated. "I hate this place."
Arcturus gestured to the red zone. "This anomaly appeared three days ago. The forest's energy is unstable. Beasts are behaving unpredictably."
Soren whispered, "Unpredictable beasts are my least favourite beasts."
Kael asked, "What caused it?"
Arcturus's jaw tightened. "We don't know."
Soren's stomach dropped. "YOU DON'T KNOW?!"
Aldric smirked. "Calm down."
"I WILL NOT CALM DOWN."
Lira placed a hand on his arm. "We'll be careful."
"I DON'T TRUST ANY OF YOU."
The fox chirped.
Soren sighed. "Okay. I trust you."
The Part That Makes Everything Worse
Arcturus continued, "Your task is to enter the zone, locate the source of the disturbance, and report back."
Soren nodded slowly. "Okay. That's not too bad. We just go in, look around, and leave. I can do that. I can panic quietly in the background."
Arcturus added, "You will also collect samples."
Soren blinked. "Samples of what."
Arcturus said, "Whatever you find."
Soren screamed internally.
Externally, he squeaked.
Kael asked, "Will we have support?"
Arcturus shook his head. "No."
Soren screamed internally again.
Aldric grinned. "Perfect."
Soren stared at him. "WHY ARE YOU LIKE THIS."
Arcturus continued, "The zone interferes with communication. You will be on your own."
Soren whispered, "I'm going to die."
Lira squeezed his shoulder. "You won't."
"I WILL."
"You won't."
"I WILL."
"You won't."
Aldric muttered, "Both of you stop."
The Final Blow
Arcturus looked directly at Soren.
Soren froze.
"Vale."
Soren squeaked. "Yes?"
"Your fox's abilities may be crucial."
Soren blinked. "My… what?"
Arcturus nodded. "Its light affinity may counteract the corruption."
Soren pointed at himself. "ME?! WHY ME?! WHY MY FOX?! WHY ANYTHING."
Arcturus ignored him. "You will take point."
Soren's soul left his body.
Kael nodded. "Understood."
Lira smiled. "We'll support him."
Aldric smirked. "Barely."
Soren whispered, "I hate this place."
The fox hopped onto his shoulder and chirped proudly.
Arcturus concluded, "You depart at dawn."
Soren fainted.
Again.
Kael caught him.
Again.
Aldric rolled his eyes. "Pathetic."
Lira sighed. "Expected."
The fox sat on Soren's chest and chirped.
And the academy watched the boy who panicked his way into leading an elite mission.