It had been a week since our encounter with the Heralds. Kora was still unconscious but Lina assured us she would be awake soon, hopefully. I sat in my room, legs folded and eyes planted on a journal, searching for answers. I had found this my first day staying in the Nest. It contained the experience of every captain that stayed here. But something was completely wrong. They all described the team as weak and uncoordinated just like the rumors. But from my experience they were far from it.
I glanced up, just in time to catch the shadow of a person standing in front of my door.
"Sylvi, you can come in."
I thought she was trying to sneak in but the light had given her shadow away.
"I'm already inside." Suddenly, her voice came from beside me.
My heart leaped, my stomach turned.
"F**k!" I cursed, jumping out of my seat. "Stop doing that."
I placed my hand against my chest and hunched over softly. Sylvi said nothing and just watched me. My chest rose and fell as I took several deep breaths. Then finally a sigh.
"If that's Sylvi then who's at my door?" I muttered.
I glanced over to the door but there was no shadow anymore.
"Weird." I muttered to myself.
"Are you ok? You've been talking to yourself a lot." She asked coldly. "Maybe you are running insane."
I glared at her softly, then slowly stood up.
"Let's get to why you are here."
For a moment I swear I saw her smirk. Then it vanished. She nodded her head. I sat on my bed, resting against the head of the bed frame.
Silence stayed. An unspoken tension rose in the air, one that carried the heaviness of Sylvi's secret. She let out a soft sigh then began to speak.
"You must have noticed that we are nothing like the information spread in Exodia. Outside of here, we are believed to be weak and incompetent. Our unit is usually never called to join fights. But all this is part of the plan."
She paused, letting me process what she said.
Plan? What was she talking about?
I sat quietly, waiting for her to explain.
"The Raven Unit exists to fight the Heralds. That's all we are made for." She continued.
"500 years ago, a cult rose up in the east of Exodia. They called themselves the Heralds. They believed themselves to hold the truth to life and sacrificed millions in unholy rituals. So one day, the kingdom had enough and stepped in. The first king of Exodia, Julius Rain led a cleanse against them. It was a fierce battle but in it a discovery was made. A child. A teenager with long golden hair and fair skin. With eyes that were green like emeralds."
My eyes widened as I heard this.
"Kora?" I muttered.
She nodded in response before carrying on.
"It was deduced by the Mages that she was the center of a ritual that they had interrupted. Ever since then she was put under the watchful eyes of the Royal family. But when she didn't age, suspicion began to grow and news began to spread. So in order to keep her safe, she was isolated and given four of the best knights chosen by King Julius himself. And so, the Raven unit was formed. With the cycle of knights changing every fifty years."
Her eyes locked on me.
"So this unit exists to protect Kora? That's the reason for the false reports."
She nodded.
Does that mean I wasn't demoted like I thought? Did Garland send me here because he thought I was one of the best and that I could lead this unit? That's not possible.
"Who assigns the members of the Ravens now?" I asked.
"Sir Garland does. He was a former member of the Ravens and has been assigning knights here. Including Mira and I. Lina was assigned by the King himself."
I raised my head up, staring at the ceiling and trying to make sense of all I'd heard. The Ravens exist to protect Kora and stop the Heralds. They are far from the weakest unit. But most surprising to him was the fact that Garland's political moves now began to make sense. His moves ensured he had the best soldiers under him making it a continuous source of strong knights.
But if that's the case why pick me? I was vice captain yes but only for my strategic prowess and team bonding skills not my strength. So what made him decide on me?
Just then three soft knocks came at my door. My head dropped. The knob twisted and the door swung open. My eyes widened as they fell on Kora. Instantly my thoughts vanished. Without hesitation, she ran in, hopping straight on my bed. A huge smile spread across her face.
"Sweet." She ecstatically yelled out.
Her gaze locked, drool dripping from the side of her mouth.
"Hello Kora." I said with a smile.
"Hello Captain." She greeted back. "Sweet."
I smiled, reached under my pillow and pulled a silver key out. I had gone into town the next day and bought a bunch of sweets for when she woke up. I stored them in the second drawer of a cabinet next to my bed. With a click, the drawer slid open.
My jaw dropped. The once packed drawer now covered with crumbs and half eaten cake and candy.
What the..?
I had barely processed what happened when Kora jumped off the bed.
"Mira!" She yelled out, sprinting out the door.
Sylvi let out a sigh.
"Here we go again."
Suddenly the building rocked. A large explosion echoing down the stairs. I could hear the commotion followed by laughs.
The Nest was lively once more. I let off a smile. Maybe this unit wasn't as bad as I thought.