Chapter 2: Can You Live Just For Me?

It was a simple, yet frightening question for the average person. Dying for a cause that wasn't even guaranteed to succeed? How could one possible say yes to such an absurd proposition?

However, squad 12 were not comprised of ordinary people. We are miserable, disposable fools that confront the impossible and achieve the unthinkable.

I stood before the lieutenant with a face of pluck. "Yes sir, I will gladly die for the world under your command."

The lieutenant's devilish smile lied ever so slightly above the surface. It was merely a glimpse, but behind the veil of lies was a devil in waiting.

"That is an excellent response, Noah Bazarrack."

"You will be given brief details of the operation independently via your black suits. You will have 2 weeks to prepare; do whatever you find suitable in the meantime."

We left the lieutenant's office and the tense aura instantly dissipated. Harper Sow let out a huge sigh, as though he had held his breath during the entire meeting.

"Man~ talk about intense. That lieutenant really is an oddball."

Pam Fuller responded to his usual whining. "You shouldn't disrespect our superiors in such a manner. We'll be given mandatory physical training again…"

Pam hated mandatory physical training more than anything. Not because she detested physical exertion, but because she feared the scary face that her superior would give her. Her confident and sharp appearance gave the opposite impression of her delicate personality.

"Well…I think it's time that we all rest well and begin preparations for the operation. Those 13 days sure did drain my energy." I rubbed my stomach with a weary look on my face. Maybe this is how astronauts felt during the Era of Humanity…

"Well if you're in the mood, let's hit the town! Nothin wrong with a bit of indulgence, right Bazzy?" Cassian Laurent, my childhood friend of 12 years, eagerly jumped at the thought of dining out.

It was surprising though. Our pay for the last operation hadn't even been distributed, yet she was already so excited? It could only mean one thing…I was paying for the meal…

If there was anything more painful then the sting of a magic beast's claws, then debt would certainly be the greatest of agonies. I already have well over 400 Stills owed on my tab, and with my current savings, I could only pay off maybe 100 Stills of debt.

Maybe I need to introduce her to a new hobby…

"Y-yeah, sure. Just don't drain my wallet too dry today, I'll be broke by the time I'm 30."

____

The shopping district was as rowdy and stimulating as ever, the delicate, sharp, refined, and hardy scents flowing freely through the air. Food stands and classy indoor restaraunts were commonly situation right next to each other, as there was quite literally no space left to pack anything.

With the end of the Era of Humanity, billions of lives were lost. However, the survivors would seek solidarity within their turmoil. They clasped their hands in prayer as one. Cassia may not have realized it, but she saw it too.

"Ah! Hey gramps! Here for the usual." Cassia waved at the old man managing the "Monte Eatery" restaurant, Blume Monte.

"Cassia...Noah...Have the Black Dogs been treating you two well? I hope you weren't partnered with any rascals now." He glanced at us with a sweet smile before laying some chicken kabobs on the grill.

"No no, my partners are the least of our concerns."

"To be honest, I was afraid when I heard you two were selected for the Black Dogs program. I don't trust those scheming adults with your lives at all..." His sentiment was warranted. After 'The Great Calamity' occured 95 years ago, over 60% of all life on earth was exterminated in the blink of an eye. As such, resources were the scarcest they had been since the Age of Humanity began. The crumbling remnants of the old world's governments formed the "Black Dogs" program. A program in which countless young lives would be sacrificed for humanity's future benefit.

"Well...to call them a bit unwell would be accurate, but that only really applies to certain squads. My squad is actually pretty tame all things considered!"

"Ah. That is good. I know that an old man like me can't do much to help, but stay away from those higher ups. They posture about freedom when all they truly want is control." He picked up the skewers and placed them in paper containers. "Anyway, here are your Chicken Kebabs. Hope you'll enjoy."

"Thanks gramps." I said with a subtle smile. The aroma coming off of the kebab was mesmarizing, causing my taste buds to dance on upon my mouth with excitement. Eating out after a long operation was always my favorite part of the job.

We sat at a nearby park, watching the children play around carelessly and the animals sprawl around for food. Cassia looked towards the vast grey wall surrounding the city. "That was a pretty weird response you gave to the lieutenant, Noah."

"What? How so?"

"I get that we're Black Dogs, just some test subjects meant to save the world or whatever, but...that just doesn't sit right with me." She casts her gaze down at the children. "The animals run in search of food for the sake of living, and children play with the intent of having honest fun. Every time I look at the wall...it's just another reminder that I can never be free like they can...So how can you freely give up your life like that?" Her hands were shaking more frequently than before.

"Are you scared, Cassia?"

"I'm terrified." Her face contorted into a tight frown. "This isn't like the other times Noah. Those things aren't the normal Magic Beast we've dealt with so far." The confident, the beautiful, the sociable Cassia that I had known was steadily breaking down.

"You're right, this isn't like the other times at all. I know that just as well as any of the other Black Dogs, but for some reason, I think im fine with that. If I die, at least I'll be of service to someone, anyone."

"Saying things like that won't result in anything meaningful you know...people who don't fear death could never understand why life is so important."

For a second, I looked at her face in awe. It was a mix of admiration and sudden fear. Everything about her was beautiful, from her manner of dress, her behavior, her rowdy attitude, her massive appetite, and her love for the world. It was also that beauty that I feared the most, because it was something that I could never truly understand for myself.

I don't understand her love, but I want to protect it regardless. So please...please let this mission come to pass. So Cassia can live in peace. So I can serve my role.