The Calm Before

20 years later

The soldier awoke from her memory to the deafening crack of thunder raging just outside her tent.

She sighed aloud in a strange sense of relief and disappointment before reluctantly lowering her weapon into her lap. Her heart was still racing from the sudden burst of adrenaline. The sweat was running down her neck and seeping into the slits of her gills. She could taste the salt so long absent from the sea she hadn't seen in years. Still fighting in foreign lands abroad just as father had done trying to make him proud. Or at least as best she could.

She yawned before shaking the water. Awake again. It had been the fourth time that night.

Might as well get up.

She hunched over the edge of her bed and stared at the floor beneath her in a vain attempt to kill a few hours until the coming battle. Her muddled reflection strewn across the muddy floor the only thing to greet her looming below. It had seen better days. Her even more so.

Waiting was certainly the worst part.

But she knew she needn't' do it alone.

"Excuse me Lieutenant?"

Shena smiled slightly through her hundreds of perfectly snow white teeth as she recognized the faint gentle voice who it belonged to; as well as the strong scent of its speaker. One of eager sweat and the misty salt-brimmed ocean from which they both left behind years ago. Shena wanted to sniff the air further to take in the alluring smell of what was once her ancestor's prey for just a bit longer, but smothered her distracting thoughts of self-pity and temptation by sitting upright in her bed abruptly. She straightened her spine to its natural flawless posture, placed her long legs crossed and hanging off the edge of her bed to better reply formally as a perfect example of a still capable leader. Hoping to the god's that her visible composure would give the illusion that her once unbreakable will had not already started to crumble days ago.

"Yes Corporal? What have you to report?" Shena spoke aloud assuredly while rubbing her dreary eyes fully awake. Her sleek voice was assertive and straight to the point as usual when presenting in front of others. The man entered halfway. Poking his helmeted face through the flap of her quarter's soaking wet, while taking a moment to wipe the condensation off his glowing blue visor before replying with the nightly update.

"No sight of the enemy yet ma'am, but our sentries will notify us if they spot anything approaching our position." The soldier then paused as if trying to form an elaborate and thoughtful statement.

"On the plus side, at least me and the boys on watch duty tonight are getting an extra bath thanks to the rain. We stink." The soldier chuckled.

'Perhaps not.' Shena thought as she rolled her eyes. Struggling and failing to keep a slight lukewarm grin at bay from escaping.

"Thank you for the report, you can return to your post." Shena said in a quiet soft tone response before lowering her head back down in front somberly. The humorous soldier saluted and prepared to exit the tent back out into the storm before stopping abruptly in place. He slowly turned around to face his superior with a slight conflicted expression under his helmet.

"Something troubling you ma'am?" the soldier asked her earnestly. Tilting his helmet sideways in earnest.

Shena hesitated in her response. Not wanting to show any signs of fragility unbecoming of an officer.

"Thank you for the concern corporal, but.... it's nothing." She said. Shivering profusely.

The soldier tilted his head up and down slightly as if observing his commanding officer's whole demeanor before crossing his arms sternly at her obvious lie.

"If it's nothing, then why is it your tail is curled up for warmth, your head tilted down and your remarkably polished toothy grin absent? Those would be pretty good examples nothing is something if I ever saw, with all due respect ma'am." The soldier replied heartily.

Shena smiled ever so slightly. Had her mood really been that obvious? She raised her eyes up to face his concerned and compassionate demeanor that never left him.

"Nothing gets past you does it?" She said in a warm sarcastic manner.

"No ma'am." the soldier said proudly. "If there's one thing I can notice in the blink of an eye its when morale is low among my comrades and superiors, and it is my self-obligated sworn duty to raise that morale until there isn't a spec of lowness left." He stood quiet for a brief second before shifting to a more sincere and soft hearted tone.

"So, permission to ask what's bothering you?"

Shena slowly began raising her brow in suspicion of his true incentive.

"Is the only reason you're asking, so you can get out of your shift in the rain for a few minutes?" She asked him aloud in a tone more similar to a mother than an officer.

The soldier hesitated for a few seconds and raised his shoulders; slowly giving a nervous smile under his helmet.

"Perhaps....?" he said cautiously and truthfully. "I mean have you seen the rain out there? Its bloody awful this time of.... well always, now that I think of it."

Shena realized there was no use in arguing with him. He really was determined to get out of both the rain and to talk to her about how she was doing. It was not often she had a good chance to talk to someone about something other than military matters anyway. Plus the company was very welcome even if she still could not decide after all this time knowing him, if she either despised his sense of humor or could not live without it. And it had been quite lonely and somber these past few nights for all of them.

"Well, we wouldn't want you to get all wet. Permission granted Fereen." Shena said with a stern but gentle voice. She then gestured for him to sit down in front of her with a slight wave of her hand. "At ease and take a seat.

"Gladly ma'am, and much obliged. "He replied cheerfully before nodding in gracious respect. I'll light a candle for us.

Fereen shifted the flap entrance aside and swiftly stepped inside into the dry confines of the tent to get out of the rain. Lighting a dim candle for the both of them, before setting it at the center of the small room between them, if a bit closer to his lieutenant, clearly able to see that she and her tropic heritage needed it more than him, a man from the northwest open waves. It wouldn't provide much light or warmth for either of them, but it was better than nothing. Shena appreciated the gesture regardless even if it didn't do much to help her quivering and said nothing. He picked up the old stool he had tucked away earlier in the dark corner of the small enclosure and placed it back in front facing towards Shena's bed. He slowly unfastened his chainmail armored vest resembling interlocking fish scales that glimmered in the light of the candle below and neatly folded it to use as a cushion. Plopping down soaking wet atop the small seat and attempting to dry off his bright blue undershirt as best he could manage.

Shena briefly was amused by his desperate attempt of shaking the rain out of his leather boots which were filled to the brim as if buckets were attached to his ankles.

"Even when we lived back home I was never surrounded by this much water!" He exclaimed aloud in frustration at his heavily soaked misfortune. Dumping an obscene amount of water filled to the brim of his shoes. "What idiot designed these things anyway?" He muttered tossing them to collapse in the corner.

There was a brief moment of calm serene stillness between the two of them following his humorous statement; with Shena having to try and keep herself from smiling as Fereen started squeezing the water from his uniform undershirt like a heavily soaked rag. The rain and thunder outside the warm confines of the tent, being the only source of disturbance for an otherwise quiet and peaceful moment between the two of them.

"Never thought I would be sick of water either" Shena finally replied. Pressing her shaking hands closer towards the feeble flickering fire between them. Rubbing her palms together for added warmth.

Fereen continued twisting the fabric of his soaked undershirt shirt. His face still swelling up with far too much concealed enthusiasm for such a single person as currently cold and drenched as himself to possibly have.

"It's not that I'm sick of the rain ma'am. He replied. In any other circumstance other than our current shitty one I would love it. After all It hydrates the skin, provides fresh drinking water without the added bonus of dirt and disease, and it has a nice peaceful sound to it. But too much of a good thing you know?" He finished drying his vest and then began to pull his off his soaked yellow duelist gloves by the tip of their fingers one by one.

"But still I am fascinated by the sheer complexity of rain drops. I mean every single one, is unique!"

"That's snowflakes." Shena corrected in a deadpan tone.

Fereen stopped squeezing the water out his gloves and abruptly looked up. His attention instantly diverted.

"Really? I could have sworn it was the same with raindrops." He said aloud. Looking very visibly confused; as if discovering drastic life altering information for the first time in his life. Fereen then shrugged his shoulders in a quick unaffected gesture.

"Eh, the more you know I guess. The point is I like rain most days, just not today. Enough said." He stated cheerily aloud before setting his gloves aside to dry." Shena rolled her eyes yet again. A habit she had gotten quite used to when discussing with this particular soldier and his rather peculiar conversational topics.

She was taken aback slightly when Fereen took off his helmet.

Shena always had been surprised by how strikingly handsome the soldier looked without the cumbersome armor piece atop his head. He was a good-looking man in his late 20's. His pectoral and dorsal fins had evolved from his ancestors into an ornate proud blue head frill resting atop his skull with smaller ones protruding from the sides resembling frilled ears. His reflective scaled turquoise skin glistened from both the reflected light and water and adhered to his calm narrow face in an almost celestial and majestic manner similar to that of stars.

But by far the most striking thing about him. Was his wings.

Most aquatic races didn't have the ability to fly without having to use mechanical assistance or a fighter plane. For the sea was most everyone's home in the ocean monarchy, as it had been for thousands of years and that was that. Fereen was a part of the few if not the only flying fish species in the world who could have the privilege to call both the sea, land, and sky his domain. Such a luxury was something most species could only dream of possessing.

His wings were thin and almost transparent, giving the impression they were delicate. Shena knew this was not the case and that they were both deceivingly sleek and strong like the owner they belonged to. The edges of them had been torn slightly from past incursions but this was not nearly enough needed to distract from their dazzling glossy appearance, especially thanks to the vast array of colors. Blues, yellows, cyan, and even bright red on the serrated edges all contributed to the incredible, carefully groomed display. Shena's own simple head crest and muted skin tones paled in comparison to his lavish angelic features. Although he didn't think much of his gift, he couldn't resist showing off every now and then. Who could blame him? Well kempt wing's were a symbol of status and pride among flyers, and his were among the best she had ever seen. The members of the ancient flying fish House of Vosento had long taken pride in their ancestral service as defenders of the monarchy skies long before aircraft were ever invented. Even when their service was no longer as necessary as it once was, the training of the famed elite aerial duelists of his extended family still continued to this day, just as rigorous and punishing as ever. Fereen Vosento had been tutored from birth as the youngest of twelve siblings by some of the best in a long line of fencing masters to become among the most skilled and swiftest combatants in all the monarchy at sky fighting, a deadly and complex battlefield where every choice you make could make the difference between staying airborne or being grounded. For good. Fighting on the ground was hard enough, Shena could only imagine what it was like to fight a war when an enemy could appear in an instant out of nowhere then vanish in the next into the safety of the clouds. Yet Fereen never faltered. He always landed the finishing blow. Every. Single. Time.

"So, care to tell me what's got ya down ma'am?" Fereen said humorously as he set his helmet on the floor beside him to dry. The corporal then shook his wings, scooted his seat and leaned closer in to better hear and counsel his leader with whatever wisdom he could muster from his empty head.

Shena slowly stared back at him with such an anxious look on her face, that it made even him look concerned for just a moment. He was the type of person to not take most things seriously. But she was one of the few exceptions that caused him to latch on to every word spoken by her, whether it be good or bad news. Which lately has become nothing but the later.

"We're on our own. My Father's reinforcements should have been here by now." Shena said aloud grievously and with much hesitation, missing him dearly and wanting his guidance now more than ever.

But she knew no help was coming. The camp's communication device had been damaged in an earlier attack and their local helmet headsets could not get through the intense storm interference. There was no way to find out when or even if their promised backup from Dregadon would arrive in time or at all. He was probably being held up in battle elsewhere just like everyone else, or worse she feared.

What remained of her platoon had already been trapped here for over a month defending the fort with no signs of relief in sight. They were low on ammo, ordnance, food and men. Worst of all, every single one the commanders and captains in the platoon had died in the first sixteen waves. Of the initial two hundred men in the 31st Royal Marine Corps tasked with halting the advance of the ambitious Savanah sovereignty, barely any remained after they had been routed and scattered into the jungle. It was supposed to have been impossible. The victory was certain. 

Instead, now she and these other survivors had been pushed back to take refuge in a crumbling moldy fort for a lengthy and grueling siege by the enemy just outside. With each defense being more desperate than the last. The attackers sent wave after wave each night nonstop at exactly the same time. The coming of dusk was now an all too familiar omen of death and a reminder that most of their comrades beside them would not be here come morning. And now, With their current numbers, the final battle in the coming hours was going to be far too close for anyone on either side's comfort.

The only reason she even was in charge was because there were no left above her in the chain of command to lead what was left of the platoon. She imagined that others had begun questioning behind closed doors if she had the ability...no competence, required for getting everyone left out of here alive being as young as she was at just twenty-five. She might even eat a few once the food ran out some might have joked. The spoiled rich little hybrid giving men and women double her age orders. Probably just rose up the ranks thanks to dear old dad and his connections. But no one said a thing now. Any semblance of a competent leader was good given their dire circumstances. And she was their one and only hope of escaping with their lives. Only this time,

Father wasn't here to guide her or give her orders. Or to protect her.

She was all they had left. And so many had died already when she stepped up to take charge. It had all fallen on her. The armor of courage she was wearing was finally ready to crumble into nothing she feared. 

"I don't know if...."

Shena paused and quivered. Unleashing a heavy sorrowful sigh from her lungs, desperately trying to be truthful and confident without shutting down in front of him. She finally swallowed as much of her pride and pushed the dreaded words out of her mouth as best she could.

"I don't know if we'll survive the final assault."

That was the most agonizing and difficult thing for her to ever have had to say. Not only to her loyal soldier but also to her one and only childhood friend. It was her responsibility to lead these surviving men and women to victory, and having to say that to his face hurt more than anything the entire enemy swarm could ever do to her.

Fereen simply leaned back in his chair, glanced to the side for a moment. Rubbing his chin in a meditative mood, and pondering what to say to his leader for quite some time. Finally, he filled the silence between them.

"I don't think we'll die."

The thunder cracked outside in a loud thunderous echo, providing a brief second of illumination through the thin dark exterior of the tent before vanishing entirely to shroud them both once again back in darkness. There was a slight moment of silence from Fereen as he lowered his head and shoulders briefly. Seeing her friend who was normally so talkative and lighthearted become this subdued and quiet was especially unnerving to Shena, who considered him to be the glimmer of light in the never-ending havoc they now found themselves in. The flying fish raised his body back up in his seat and continued.

"We've made it this far with you and me in charge of the others ma'am, we must be doing something right. Otherwise we wouldn't be here talking about the many complexities of rain together right now." He unearthed a slight smile, but it now had a tint of sadness and grave concern.

"But we've lost so many men thanks to me." Shena said dejectedly with as much composure and stockiness as she could muster. Trying not to not show weakness through tears in front of her subordinate.

"Hey, that's not your fault! Fereen said in a distressed manner. Now his playful usual mood was absent entirely, for he knew when it did not belong in the moment. He knocked his stool back carelessly in the process of kneeling down quickly to be eye level with her. His pure alluring blue eyes staring directly into hers as he put his hands on her shoulders.

"You can't blame yourself for the others' deaths, they knew the risks. There is no one else in this camp or even this whole insane world more qualified to lead us than you. You are the most reasonable, intelligent, and disciplined person I've ever met. Sure that makes you a huge stick in the mud sometimes but there is no other soldier who inspires and cares more for our lives instead of her own more deeply than you."

The sound of rain thrashing harshly against the leave of trees outside, and the booming echoes of the lighting in the distance filled the void of the pure silence that followed for just a brief moment in their time together.

Shena put her left hand on top of his on her shoulder in relief and comfort before beginning to smile slowly. She knew her best friend was sincere and could see right through her tough exterior, and that he was right. She had been so conflicted and worried the past few days about their survival, she had so carelessly allowed fear, insecurity, and self doubt to slip through the cracks of her mind and replace where courage, confidence, and prowess should always have been in its place as a leader for all. But no more. She knew who she was, and what she was going to do. They were getting out of here alive. Not the raiders.

She breathed a sigh of relief. Purging all her self-doubt and insecurities from her body and mind.

"Thank you Fereen." Shena said rejuvenated. She then slowly stood atop her feat like the stoic soldier she had been trained to be for so many years. Fereen stood up as well in reply, his full height almost as tall as his intimidating leader.

"Any time ma'am. We all get all a little scared and doubt ourselves from time to time, even the leaders. I'd be more worried if they didn't to be honest." Fereen then gave another understanding and warm smile.

"And remember, I'm always up for a good kick in the tail to get you on your feet again should the need ever arise." Fereen softly nudged her shoulder with his fist as a sign of affection, which he used regularly for all his teammates. Shena shifted her head in slightly and smiled in gratitude for his appreciated words of comfort. The overly enthusiastic corporal then leaned in, as if trying to hug and squeeze all the remaining worry and sorrow out of his friend to lighten her spirit. But Shena wasn't much of a fan of this type of affection. Her brow started to raise sternly as she raised her hand in front as if it were an instant reflex.

"Whoa, Corporal", she said in an authoritative tone. Effortlessly holding his display of condolence at arm's length.

Far. Far away.

Fereen quickly backed away in acknowledgment. Shifting his arms in acceptance wide apart and high above his head as if he was suspected of smuggling concealed contraband.

"Right, forgot!, Not a hugger!" He said awkwardly. Fereen smiled nervously as he stroked one of his hands across the back of his head frill shyly. Glaring down and away from her stern intimidating face greatly embarrassed by his hasty warmhearted action toward his lieutenant. His teal complexion becoming briefly red-faced for just a second.

"Correct." Shena said in a warm sarcastic manner. "You'd have an easier time hugging a porcupine than me soldier."

Fereen Looked back up and let out a slow grin. "Ha! I knew you could crack a joke if you tried!" He exclaimed victoriously. To which Shena replied in the usual appropriate manner. Another eye roll.

Fereen smiled and nodded back to his leader in front. He then turned to correct the stool he knocked over upright in its proper position before grabbing his helmet off the floor all dried. He finally turned back around to face his commanding officer respectfully.

"Will that be all ma'am?" The flying fish stood at attention and saluted. His posture was in perfect form and composition. His triangular wings lowered and folded behind his back like two long blue capes in accordance with all military standards. Any officer would have expected such extra formality without question from a flying soldier. For Shena however..., she was just glad to have had the privilege and joy of having him in her life. And by her side.

She gave a delayed response not wanting the moment to end. But she knew it could not last forever.

"Yes Corporal" She responded in a secure and proud voice.

"That will be all."

Shena saluted back to him in a similar fashion. One that her father had personally instructed in her how to do properly since she was but a young lady. But it was not just out of professional conduct or discipline for her anymore. She genuinely respected and cared for Fereen and her soldiers, and this was her way of showing it. She was not just fighting for the monarchy anymore. She was fighting so she and all these surviving men and women could escape alive from this hellish nightmare they all had been sworn to endure. And she would do whatever it takes to make that goal a reality.

No matter how many bug's she had to kill personally.

"Lieutenant!" A cold monotone voice erupted as one of the remaining two automaton sentries entered swiftly into her tent. It's hard, rusted metal shoulder abruptly pushed against Fereen's. Unintentionally knocking him aside slightly as it darted forward to inform Shena.

"They are coming, the final wave of insects!" The unthinking indigo soldier quickly turned and exited frantically back to its assigned post outside in the rain. Shena and Fereen glanced at each other slowly. Their relaxed smiles slowly transformed into controlled composure as the sound of thunder finished it's echo through the sky outside ominously.

It was time.

Without thinking Shena stood up and grabbed her bolt action harpoon rifle sitting upright next to the bed, already loaded. No need to change into her navy blue and crimson red marine uniform, for she had already been sleeping in it.

Fereen rearmored and donned his ornate helmet in a neat quick manner he had done a thousand times. The signature T shaped visor glowed brightly the color of the sky as soon as it hid his face entirely. His friendly face vanishing completely yet again to be engulfed by the signature frightening metallic dome she knew and feared. Finishing his final preparations by quickly fastening his saber hilt to his red silk belt sash he always wore into battle as a good luck charm. Mainly for style rather than protective function. After all, he loved how it's long two knotted strands flowed in the wind behind him when he flew in action. As did Shena admittedly. But such amusing fond thoughts she had to be put aside.

The time for small talk between comrades had passed. Now they had to exit the tent yet again to become the soldiers they had been almost every waking moment for the last five years. Five long years of fighting in lands they had never visited, against races they had never even seen prior to her deployment. Shena had never wanted to be here, trappe with an enemy she had learned to despise more than any other. Drenched and cold. Tired and constantly on edge wondering if this be the day they all weren't so lucky. But it was her duty to uphold the sanctity of her nation's lands and her family name by fighting against it's many enemies once more no matter where they lurked. And besides it's not as if she had learned to do anything but be a soldier anyhow. What else could she do in life besides this? This was the path in life she had chosen wanting to make dear old dad proud and follow in his footsteps. There was no one to blame for being here except herself. Complaining about what might have been would do her no good. This was her reality of fighting alongside him with the patriotism and glory wiped away to reveal its cold brutal harshness. And she would adapt or die to it like a good soldier and leader always did for the sake of their men's survival. What other option was there? Not a single one.

Fereen drew his pistol. Flexing his wings anxiously, already eager to take flight as he stared outside into the cascading rain building in it's intensity and ferocity.

"Those bugs just don't know when to quit!" Said Fereen. "If they did we already would have had them crawling on the run back to that ugly mother of theirs." He paused for a moment while looking outside into the storm.

"And I just finished drying off!" he declared angrily.

Shena smiled one last time as the peaceful moment was coming to end. It was nice to see that her friend was still inside the daunting appearance of the winged warrior in front. He undoubtedly was still the most obnoxious man she had ever met underneath. But when the situation turned serious.

So did he.

The corporal exited the safe and warm confines directly outside into the storm before looking back to grab the flap of Shena's tent for her. The soldier stood in place in the harsh rain unfazed by the freezing cold. Waiting intently unafraid until his ancient natural predator, was properly prepared before her departure to lead them all yet again into the fray.

He felt constrained being stuck on the ground, it was plain as day for anyone to see. Shena knew ferren could probably leave any time he wanted to escape and avoid dying beside them in the mud. Nothing was holding him back. It would be so easy, to just fly off and leave his comrades to die who had been unlucky enough to be born without wings and say tough luck, its every man for himself.

But he had stayed behind, Taking flight to do battle in the air and return every single time as ordered, only to do it again the next night despite facing insurmountable odds on his own. The thought of flying off and saving his own skin as foreign as the land they were all trapped in together. His lieutenant and comrades were here to stay, and so was he. There was nothing more to his decision than that. He would live and die beside them. Brothers and sisters in arms to the end.

As Shena was about to step outside into the cascading strong rain, ready to fight, she stopped. Her heart was racing in anticipation of the coming chaotic moments that would soon be upon them. She took a deep breath, excluding all distractions and mental hindrance from her mind body and soul for the coming battle. How she felt didn't matter. Only them. Only him.

The young Lieutenant opened her eyes sharply to see her loyal soldier standing in front. Nodding toward her in respect wholeheartedly. To which there was no other appropriate response for her to do, but to nod back.

"For the monarchy." The corporal said with as much warmth and compassion as he could afford to without distracting the concentration of his superior.

She nodded in an orderly manner and replied to her friend one last time.

"For the Monarchy."

She blew out the candle. And together, Two soldiers. Two friends stepped out into the rising storm one last time.