I sprint forward, completely undercover in the thick fog. Diving low, I roll headfirst between Nugget and the Grunt. But I overshoot again, and pop up too close to the demon. Ropey drool falls from its pointed mandibles as they snap together, almost taking a chunk out of my chest. I start to slide back but stop when the demon raises the hard wings of its body high towards its new target—me.

　　I cross my arms, each hand reaches for the opposite forearm. My warrior marks glow and the braided hilts of my blades emerge. I`m too close to withdraw my swords fully and I can`t move back without the Grunt taking a piece of me first. So I move in closer.

　　I add extra speed to withdraw my swords and create a scissor motion, decapitating the demon`s heavy, armored head. Black demon blood shoots from its stubby neck like a geyser. The head hits the concrete floor with a clatter, its legs fold before crashing to the ground.

　　The fog dissipates with its master dead, leaving me bare to Nugget`s view. I work fast to calm my breaths and suppress the bright glow in my eyes. A steady thump-thump, thump-thump, comes from behind me. I drag my goggles down my face to hang from my neck before turning around.

　　"How . . . where?" Her voice floats towards me, not meant to be heard.

　　I watch her take in the dead demon. Her eyes follow the lumpy puddle of ichor slowly expanding from the Grunt`s neck.

　　"What happened to waiting by the shack?" I say feeling my powers recede.

　　She looks at me with a narrowed gaze. Her eyes change from hazel to the flashing green I seem to bring out in her.

　　"Waiting at the . . ." Her nostrils flare and fists clench at her waist. "I`m a warrior . . ."

　　"Not a child." I fill in for her.

　　"You would do well to remember that." She grits through clenched teeth.

　　"Is that before or after I save your life? Again." I give her my own steely stare.

　　Why does she bait me? I should`ve stayed quiet, just ignored her, and walked away. It`s my go to move. Never engage.

　　She straightens, her head held high, demonstrating a commanding stance I`ve not seen from her before. She hasn`t made a move toward me, but I instinctively step back.

　　The sound of tires crunching past the shack`s debris and barked orders drift inside the station. Back up is here. She turns to the exit, with steady strides, slamming into my arm as she passes. She just ignored me and walked away. That`s my move.

　　***

　　Outside the guard station, warriors and technicians are already making repairs and clearing debris. Alton stands tall, giving a group of guards their orders.

　　"Warrior Oren?" A short, stocky tunnel guard with a buzz cut calls for me, causing several heads to turn my way.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

　　I want to slink back into the station, but I pull my shoulders back and lift my head high. The guard walks over with hands clenched tight by his sides and an increased heart rate.

　　"Are you an Oren, uh, I mean warrior Oren?"

　　My body goes rigid as he looks me over. People`s reaction to my presence varies from fear to anger to avoidance. My height and expressionless mask doesn`t help dispel the monstrous image they have of me. His breathing is shallow, and he holds himself still as if he`s afraid to make any sudden movements. It reminds me of the caged demons we studied at the academy. Even though they were restrained and behind bars, instinct kept us from getting too close.

　　"Yes." I speak low enough for only his ears. "I`m Rain Oren."

　　His head tilts back to meet my eyes but then he shifts his gaze to just over my shoulder like we do for officers.

　　"Colonel Metz is ready for your debrief." His arm shoots out, pointing in the direction I need to go.

　　His face flushes as he takes several steps back to make his escape. I follow his directions to a wide set, older officer dismissing Nugget. Thick, round muscles pulse in his jaw as he watches her leave. The deep lines between his eyes and around his mouth make me think I`m not the only one Nugget irritates. I watch her enter the guard station. Her slight frame is soon swallowed up by groups of guards hard at work, and I make my way over to the colonel.

　　"Warrior Oren." The colonel`s voice is deep and soothing, nothing like his angry scowl.

　　I give him a salute. My eyes are on the shine of his clean-shaven head.

　　"At ease." His tan, chiseled face reminds me of the sharp, rocky terrain from the southern regions.

　　"Alright, give me your account." He shifts his weight to one side, pinching the bridge of his nose. His eyes close as his fingers try to smooth the deep indentions between them.

　　"Yes, sir." I say hoping whatever has him stressed to distraction might help him believe my water down version of events.

　　I rehash what happened from the time the fog overcame the transport to when I killed the Grunt in the guard station. His only reaction came when I mentioned Daniel`s remains. I leave out the details when it comes to fighting the demons and give Alton all the credit.

　　The colonel is silent and unmoved long after I stopped speaking. I resist the urge to fidget or look away from his smooth head, but I begin to sweat.

　　"And that is your official account, warrior?" His question sounds more like an accusation.

　　"Sir, yes sir."

　　"Well, Warrior Maters credits your efforts in securing this tunnel, the gate, and keeping everyone alive." His jaw chews again as he waits for my reaction.

　　I`ve got a sinking feeling in my gut and an overwhelming urge not to lie to him.

　　"Alton and his team had already made strides to secure the gate before we arrived. I assisted him with what they started. I`m not trained on coding the wall gate`s digital locks."

　　I don`t address anything else. In my experience, the less I say, the easier things go. Long seconds, or even minutes, pass in silence. I will not be the first to break it.

　　"Uh huh." The colonel finally says and I lower my eyes to look at him. He`s not buying it.

　　"Colonel." The same nervous stocky warrior from before is in a salute.

　　The Colonel side-eyes him with a nod to speak.

　　"General Targe has arrived and is at the guard station."

　　The Colonel`s eyes narrow. The deep set lines around his mouth stretch down.

　　"Oren." He turns toward the guard station, giving me his back. "You are dismissed. Report to your transport."

　　The colonel walks to the station with the short warrior following. Why is Targe here? I chance a look at the group of officers in front of the station, hoping not to draw his attention. My eyes immediately find Nugget.

　　She`s talking with a few officers at the ruined entrance. General Targe`s empty black eyes are trained on her. Even when the colonel joins their group, his focus never waivers. If Targe requests Nugget`s report, I might get called over to give mine next. No way I`m putting myself in his line of fire again.

　　I walk away fast, using my long stride to get down the tunnel before my orders change. I slow down once I reach the slight curve in the tunnel that keeps me out of the officer`s sight.