Chapter 5: Dogs Will Not Disperse

April 29th, 2055

[10:35AM]

"Squad 3, Squad 7 and Squad 12 of the Black Dogs are departing for an Operation! Please make way for armed personnel!"

The streets were filled with the cheers of the masses, their hands waving goodbye to the Black Dogs of the last city.

"Get home safe!"

"Bring us back souvenirs!"

"Thank you!"

The Black Dogs held the limelight in the city as heroes of legend, capable of driving back the darkness. However, lurking within the Central Tower of the city was a man of profound disgust.

A woman with a black military uniform with a sleek design walked towards the front window. "The Black Dogs have gained some popularity in recent years...I wonder if the higher ups will accept this outcome...Well we'll see when the mission is set in motion proper."

Suddenly, the disturbing presence of an all too familiar man filled the room like miasma. A man with well kept, yet purposefully messy hair entered the room. His appearance was of pure white snow and blinding light.

"Higher ups this higher ups that...it seems like everyone loves to talk of those old fools these days, ."

"Director Yugram Herrisher…"

"What do you see out there Secretary Arai?"

"Well...public receptions has gone up dramatically these last few years. The 12 squads of the Black dogs have granted us immeasurable progress in terms of resources and land. We might be able to reclaim a good amount of Earth within the next century."

He let out a long sigh. "Do you normally sound like such a damn robot? I'm not interested in the numbers or coporate bullshit like that. Tell me what you see."

thin glaze of sweat glazed her forehead in surprise and fear. "I...I see a future."

"That's right!" Yugram Herrisher clenched his fist tighter and a warped, wretched smile contorted his beautiful face. "Their cheers, their praise, their attention, it's the next step in what I truly need! Those chicken shit elites of the 4 royal families only care for their own party. They'll betray each other for petty pride and jealousy, but I'm different! I'll set the record straight and renew this dogshit era!"

"Once the Black Dogs successfully complete this mission, it's show all those stuck up shitheads in the Allied Powers my military excellency and clear their doubtful gaze! That being said, I do hope you understand the importance of this mission, Secretary Arai?"

"Y-yes sir...we will see your ambitions achieved." Secretary Arai could never get used to his delusional rants. It was unbecoming of his good looks.

"That's more like it~ Perhaps we'll start with changing the tapestry of that coffee shop down there, it's quite appalling isn't it?"

________________

[1:47PM]

The ensign with a serious glare and sharp eyebrows began the run down of the mission on the Helicopter, our eyes acutely fixed to the screen.

"We are now approaching the Canbrian Mountain Range! We should arrive at the checkpoint in under 10 minutes at this speed. It's time to go over the basics of the operation! The mission'll be a search and destroy, likely a first time for most of you, but the gist is that we find the anamolous being causing the proliferation of the Wandering Sea, and exterminating the existence before any more land is lost! That'll be all! You've all got the info you need, now kill the damn Magic Beast and head back to the extraction point safely!"

"Yes sir!" The tension in the small helicopter was palatable as we mentally prepared for the oncoming disaster. Pam Fuller's hands were shaking much more than before, but it's probably not a good idea to bring up the issue. It'll only kill our morale and focus coming into the mission.

We engaged our black suits and filtration masks as we set foot on the Wandering Sea. The terrain was a verdant, yet strange purple. Even the outskirts of the Magic Beast's territory was bathed in the warm glow of the sun as large vines sprawled throughout the land.

In order to avoid detection, the squad was let off around 2 miles away from the forest. For roughly 60 minutes, we walked towards the forest with extreme caution. Harper and Malery were responsible for silently killing any stray Magic Beasts that interrupted our travel. Pam would be saved for far later into the operation, as her power is far more destructive and violent than the others.

"We've been travelling for a while now, what's the plan?"

In response to my question, Malery looked at the squad behind her. Our movements were sluggish and slower than usual as we panted with each step.

"We'll rest in the nearby ravine for a few hours. Its quite obvious that the onslaught of minor Magic Beasts have taken a toll on morale. Lets set up camp and leave in an hours time."

We set up a loose tent in the crevice of the ravine, away from prying eyes.

Harper sighed. "Man, I wonder what's in that giant forest? Maybe we'll find some apes and eat berries together! Like Yuby!"

"…Yuby?" Mason had broken out of his nervous shell upon hearing the stupid comment.

Cassia couldn't contain her laughter as her cheeks swelled up with air. "Pfff…you mean like the jungle boy legend? You think'll meet some pilgrims too?"

We laughed wholeheartedly, as though we weren't at the front door of enemy territory. Harper's red complexion grew an even thicker red as he spat back the only comeback he could think of.

"Hey! Yuby was a great guy! It was my favorite picture book growing up, so he probably be real here too!"

"You know, just because Magic Beasts exists doesn't mean the main character of a shitty fairy tale exists too."

"So? It could happen! You gotta believe me!"

They continued to argue and squabble about stupid and entertaining drivel. Cassia wondered if a jungle tribe of warriors lived in the forest, while Mason cried spontaneously when forced to think about the mission. Pam wanted to push herself to the limit of her ability and Malery tactfully assessed the situation.

I always found situations like this humorous. Although we've all been forced to fight creatures of the hellish unknown, risking our lives for a dream that may never be true, we can still afford to laugh and love as we do.

It may be a shaky one, but our connection is a connection none the less. Something as measly as death couldn't break us down so easily. We will survive.