Chapter 3: Chapter 3 – Guilt

{[Non timebo mala.]}

“One casualty.” Ananias stood at attention in front of Sam, who stayed seated behind his office table. The elemental had grown into himself. He was taller than most sixteen year old's. He was also lean and developing muscles all over his body. “Demitri was killed in combat.”

Sam simply nodded. Had this been a government organization, he would have to fill out mountains of paperwork and inform Demitri’s next of kin. But since these were all kids abandoned and thrown away. When they died, the only ones who remembered them were the other members of ONE.

“Very well, find the two he chose for his parting ceremony and distribute his personal belongings to anyone who wants them.” Sam turned to his laptop and searched for Demitri. Once he found his portfolio, he deleted it with a special computer program. Everything about him was gone in a matter of seconds. A child that fought and died for a world that didn’t appreciate him was gone forever.

“I already have that information, Sir.” Ananias continued. “We’ll bury our brother.”

“Our?” Sam raised his eyebrow.

Ananias stayed silent. He wasn’t entirely sure how to reply.

Sam sighed. “You don't understand your position and the position I'm in.” The older man glanced at his door. “You're dismissed.”

“Yes, Sir.” Ananias turned and left.

As he left, Roger entered the room. He smiled at Ananias as he walked past him.

“Sam. We just received a shipment of Abrams tanks. Courtesy of Wolfburn Corp.” Sam stared off into space. “Sam?”

“In my opinion, it's overkill. Demons don't use guns or armored vehicles. And Arch-demons can easily rip apart a tank.”

“The kids are excited for them.” Roger smiled.

“Soldiers.” Sam corrected him. “They’re weapons, not children. I’m tired of having to remind you that.”

Roger sat down on the seat in front of Sam, and he reeked of alcohol.

“You see them as weapons. I, on the other hand, see them as my kids.” Sam and Roger have had this argument hundreds of times, and it always led nowhere. “We have a few recruits coming in today. We found three that broke God’s Luck.”

Sam nodded gently, then tapped his fingers on his laptop’s keyboard. “Roger, have you noticed that God’s Luck has other effects.”

“You're talking about the lack of PTSD and the fact that not a single one of them has committed suicide. This phenomenon is a blessing. When I served in the special forces, a few of my comrades took their own lives. The stress was too much for them.”

“We’ve broken God’s Luck, so it’s the same for us… But, you never recovered from Airodu’s death…” Sam stopped typing. “She was one of a kind.”

“Beautiful and powerful… A dove like her only comes around once in a lifetime…”

“Roger.” Sam sighed. “Today marks her twelve-year death anniversary.”

Roger’s smile faded.

“Here.” Sam pulled a special bottle from under his desk. It was Haku vodka. Once he pulled the bottle out, Roger smiled. Sam pulled out two glasses and poured them both a drink.

“You’re drinking?” Roger raised his eyebrow as Sam poured their glasses.

“I do on occasion.” Sam’s eyes became glassy. “What should we drink to?”

“To our kids, some of them are turning eighteen this year. And to the ones who died to get us this far. All nine hundred and eighty.” Roger inhaled slowly. He had engraved their faces in his mind. No matter what he did, the guilt shackled him. Deep down, he didn't want to be forgiven… He wanted to be hated. “And to Airodu, the original Captain of ONE. The woman who saved my life…”

They cheered, and both took the shot. Sam immediately regretted his decision while Roger savored the moment.

“What happened the day she died?” Sam asked. It was out of line, but curiosity got the better of him. Years had passed, and Roger hadn't uttered a word about it, even when he was blackout drunk.

“I left her behind… To die… But I kept Ananias safe…” Roger spun the glass and gritted his teeth. “How do you always stay calm? Some days I just want to roll into a ball and cry…”

“Roger, you're too connected with them. Especially Ananias and Adam. They may fight alongside us, but they are not human. They’re something else entirely…” Sam poured them both another drink, and he took a light sip. “And we have an entirely new problem… We're finding fewer and fewer children that have broken God's Luck… If this keeps up, we're going to have to take drastic measures.”

“Drastic measures?” Roger raised his eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

“This world is filled with orphans. And the conditions to break God’s Luck on children are an absolute… Say we capture a lesser demon. And find a group of orphans…”

“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND!” Roger took the shot quickly and exhaled the strong aroma of vodka from his lungs. “We’re not doing that.”

“Think it through,” Sam reassured him. “We don't always find children… And we're constantly losing them in combat… Even with the help of the elementals, we don’t have enough manpower…”

“No.” Roger shook his head. “We’re both in charge of ONE… I’m putting my foot down on this decision… It doesn’t matter how desperate we get… We won’t go that far… Don’t ever bring this subject up again…”

Sam leaned back in his seat, he tried to hide it, but his eyes gave away how disappointed he was.

Roger’s blood boiled, and he stood up too fast, forgetting his limp leg. He grabbed the bottle of vodka and walked away from Sam’s office. As he did, his insides turned to knots. Roger grabbed his side as his stomach ached in pain. He stopped at the door and gave his friend some advice. “Sam… Don’t lose your humanity… Killing senselessly is what demons do… We’re above that…”

Sam didn’t reply. He just let his friend leave. Once he did, Sam reached into his pocket and grabbed a vial of liquid. He spun it in his fingers.

 

*******

 

“I can choose my name?” A boy about twelve years old glanced at a blonde girl with dark brown eyes.

“Yes, my name used to be Amber, but once ONE took me in, I changed it to Celi.” The teenager confessed to the new child. “A new start means you can change anything you want about yourself.”

The boy was in a medical ward, and he had lost his family at the hands of demons. When it happened, his head hurt and throbbed. Like something broke inside him. What he found odd was that he didn't cry over their deaths. It’s not that these children were heartless. It was more like the phenomenon itself took pity on its victims. Easing their pain in whatever way possible.

Celi held up a red shard. It was a broken piece of a demonic weapon. “What color is this?”

“It’s red.” The boy answered.

“And this one?”

“It’s purple.” The boy replied.

“That confirms it.” Celi put the shards back in her drawer. These shards are gray to anyone who hasn’t broken God’s Luck.”

“God’s Luck?”

“Yes, it means you were chosen to be a hero.”

“Me? A hero?” The boy’s eyes lit up.

“ONE is kind of like a school. We’re going to teach you everything you need to know. And once you turn thirteen, you’ll become a hero.” Celi halfheartedly accepted her own words, but it was the world she grew up in. And it wasn't a lie. ONE had saved people from dying, including the younger members. “Let’s start. Pick whatever name you want.”

“Pick a cute name!” Kitty popped her head into the briefing room. She wasn't wearing her hello kitty helmet. Instead, she wore a pink band-aid on her face and a scarf around her neck. “I changed mine to Kitty.”

“Kitty?” The boy tilted his head up.

“Don't confuse the kid.” Another teenager walked into the room. He was missing his left arm. In his hand, he carried a chart. “You can pick out your name later. For now, I’m going to give you a physical. I need to make sure there’s nothing wrong with you.”

The boy glanced at the two girls.

“You two, step out.” The limbless teen gestured for them to leave, so they did.

Outside the room, Celi and Kitty bumped into Ananias. He was younger but taller than both of them. Ananias’ eyes were down on the floor.

Celi’s eyes lit up. But Kitty reacted first.

“Why the sad face?” Kitty brought her face close to Ananias’. Celi dug her nails into her palm.

“Am I that obvious?”

“It's hard to tell, but your breathing is slower whenever you’re feeling down, and you stare at the floor like a mouse stole your snack.” Kitty continued.

“That's impressive.” Ananias raised his eyebrow, which gave Kitty a smile. “And a bit creepy.”

“Rude!” Kitty scoffed and dropped her shoulders.

“It’s Sam.” Ananias leaned his left shoulder against the hallway. His eyes tracked a ONE soldier with a fake leg. She was leading a small group of kids to their classes. Once she was out of sight, Ananias continued. “He's always upset with me. Regardless of what I do.”

“He might just be having a bad day,” Celi added, bumping her shoulder against Kitty’s. “We still haven't found the Arch, and we're losing too many brothers and sisters.”

“It’s more than that. He treats Adam the same way, and he’s not old enough to go on missions yet.”

“He’s just harder on you two because you’re elementals.” Celi played with her hair as she talked, spinning it on one of her fingers. “He expects more from you two than anyone else.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” Ananias sighed. In the distance, a classroom door opened. A young boy with messy hair stuck his head out. It was Adam. He quickly stepped out of the classroom and stopped dead in his tracks when his eyes met Ananias’ and Celi’s. “Speaking of the little devil.”

They caught Adam ditching class red-handed. Ananias and Celi crossed their arms while Kitty smiled.

“Where are you going?” Ananias asked.

“I forgot my notebook.” Adam slurred his words.

“You mean the notebook in your hand?”

Adam tossed the book down the hallway. It slammed against the tile floor loudly.

“No, that’s just a picture book.”

“Pictures of what?” Ananias raised his eyebrow.

“Platypuses… And iguanas… And you don’t believe me…”

Ananias ruffled up his already messy hair. “I don’t, but I’m not mad. Why did you sneak away?”

Adam pushed Ananias’ hand away. “Because I’m tired of reading about missions… I want to go on a real one.”

“You still have to wait two years.” Celi tuned in. She cuddled Adam’s head and pressed it against her chest. “Just enjoy the life you have now in the barracks. You’re my cutie pie regardless.”

“I don’t want to be here,” Adam whined. “I want to fight.”

Celi hugged Adam tighter. Hoping in her heart of hearts, it was enough to ease his curiosity. She had tended to the wounds of her brothers and sisters. Most of them didn't make it, and the ones who did took non-combative jobs. Like becoming teachers, paper-pushers, or babysitters for the younger members of ONE. Roger made sure that the wounded warriors weren't abandoned.

“You're not ready to join the fight.” Celi held him tighter. She loved the little ones, but Adam took a special spot in her heart. He was utterly adorable to her.

“I am. Ananias, you said I was almost ready.” Ananias didn’t say a word. “So what if I’m younger… Ananias, you were killing demons at my age.”

“I didn’t have a choice.” Ananias shifted his breathing. “A large nest forced everyone to fight. Including Roger and Sam. We killed our first Arch but lost over a hundred and fifty soldiers doing it.”

Ananias raised his sleeve up. On his bicep was a mark. It was similar to a tattoo but also completely invisible to anyone who hadn't broken God’s Luck. It was a sign to all that he killed an Arch.

“If we don’t have an immediate threat, then it’s better that you stick to training.”

Adam glared at Ananias. On his bicep, he had two other marks. They were a pair of wings. One was green with moss around them, another was a single wing with the other in shreds, and the last one was pure white. Ananias had killed three Arch-demons at the cost of hundreds of lives.

“You're not thinking of the danger you'll be put in.” Celi tried negotiating. “If it were up to me, I'd never send you out there… You're too much of a cutie pie for that.”

“I’m not a boy… I’m a soldier.” Adam proclaimed proudly.

“You’re even cuter acting all grown up.”

Adam pouted and glanced away, but Celi pressed on and kept cuddling him.

“Adam.” Ananias exhaled. The younger boy was restless. Especially when Ananias went on missions without him, lately, he had been throwing temper tantrums and, on one occasion, snuck out only to get caught by the gate guards. “You're an elemental, so you'll play a key role when we engage the enemy. Give it some more time… Kitty, take Adam back to his class.”

“Of course.” Kitty took Adam by the hand and walked towards the classroom. Adam studied Ananias and Celi as he was leaving. He had a fire inside of him, one that only grew with every brother and sister that died. Like Ananias, he carried the burden of having a power, a responsibility he wanted to carry out.

While they walked, Adam bumped into a tall Asian teenager.

“Sorry.” Adam apologized without glancing up.

It was Zan, and his friends surrounded him. Evaristo, Anthony, and Slash. They were all tall and had grown into themselves, except for Anthony, who was the shortest of the group, but he spent every moment of his free time in the gym. As a result, his arms and chest were well developed. Kitty glanced at his arms for a second, then glanced at Adam.

“It's okay, little runt.” Zan smiled then his eyes landed on Celi and Ananias, who were still talking. Celi's military boot rubbed against the floor as she talked to Ananias. Zan pulled Kitty and Adam into their hallway, and the group poked their heads out, spying on the two talking. "Is it finally happening?"

Slash and Kitty stepped away from the three nosey boys. Hiding from Ananias and Celi. Slash was the Sergeant Ananias had saved in the church, and he had grown into himself. Developing a lean and fit body. ONE allowed their soldiers to dress however they liked as long as it worked with their uniform. They were even allowed to add modifications to their armor. So Slash had taken full advantage of it. Wearing dark makeup around his eyes, dying a portion of his hair red. It contrasted with his black hair. He wore tight clothes, usually with black and white stripes and jeans. Instead of the standard military boots, he wore black leather boots that, more often than not, tore up during missions. He fully embraced the path of the goth.

Kitty, on the other hand, opted for bright colors. Pink and light blue. She often wore a neck choker in the summer or her scarf in the winter. She also had a hobby of always wearing a band-aid on her face. Which often created a tan mark. She didn't mind it since it was her ‘look.’

“What are you three doing?” Slash asked the snooping teens.

“Oh, you know,” Zan commented. “Just teaching Adam about the birds and the bees.”

“I know about birds and bees…” Adam raised his eyebrows. He was curious why the group was spying on Ananias and Celi. “I’d rather learn about Platypuses.”

“This is much more exciting than Platypuses.”

“That’s impossible.” Adam snapped.

“That’s Celi.” Evaristo checked her out. “She’s cute.”

“Didn’t you ask her out, Zan?” Anthony spoke without regarding Zan’s emotions.

“Yeah…” Zan smiled. “But I wasn’t her type. It seems like Ananias attracts the cute ones.”

“Really? He’s considered man pretty?” Anthony glanced at Kitty. “Do you think he’s cute?”

The Asian girl blushed once his eyes met hers. “No.” She responded quickly.

“That’s a huge yes.” Anthony gave a sly smile which only irritated her.

“For your information, I like someone else.” Kitty insisted eagerly. The last thing she wanted was Anthony getting the wrong idea.

“Really? Who’s your crush?” Anthony asked as he kept snooping on his friends. “Is it Glitter?”

“No!” Kitty made two fists with her hands and inhaled sharply. “How do you not know?”

Anthony shrugged and continued talking to Zan. “Do you think he’ll kiss her?”

“I bet you ten bucks that Ananias will chicken out.” Evaristo reached in his pocket and held the money between his fingers.

“You’re on.” Anthony smiled.

All the while, Kitty bit her lip. “Hey! Don't ignore me!”

But the boys were too occupied in their own little world. They zoned her out.

“Give it a rest.” Slash grabbed her arm. “They’re idiots.”

“I know, Slash… But still!”

Adam observed his brothers in arms. Zan was kissing his hand, and Evaristo was rolling his eyes. Anthony giggled and pointed down the hall.

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Adam glanced down the hallway. Ananias was leaning against the wall, using his foot to balance himself.

Celi’s golden hair was well taken care of. And she had big cheekbones with a tiny mouth and big eyes.

“Come on, kiss her…” Anthony waited patiently. He wanted his wager to pay off.

Ananias glanced down the hall and back at Celi. “You know we’re being spied on?”

“By Adam, Kitty, Zan, Evaristo, and Anthony.” She smiled, hoping it impressed Ananias.

“Slash is also with them, he never glanced our way, but his boots make a unique echo on the tile halls.”

“That’s impressive… How about…” Celi chirped. “We give them a little show?”

“Show?” Ananias raised his eyebrow.

Celi leaned in and quickly gave him a peck on his cheek.

Ananias froze. Completely dazed by the situation.

“DAMN IT!” Evaristo screamed while Anthony and Zan cheered.

“What are you doing?” Ananias asked Celi as she backed off with a huge smile on her face.

“Spreading rumors about us.” The blonde medic glanced at the group who made wagers on them. Anthony grabbed the money from Evaristo’s hand and pulled on it until he gave it up. Zan smiled and gave him a huge thumbs up.

“These rumors can complicate our missions. You’re a great medic, and I'd hate if you were transferred to another platoon.”

Celi giggled nervously, veiling her true emotions. “So that’s the first thing you think about after that kiss…” She took a step away from Ananias, annoyed.

“You’re too important to me.” Ananias raised his eyebrow, confused as to why she was annoyed.

“But do you need me?” Celi was timid with her words and held her breath.

“Yes, your skills as a medic are top tier.”

Celi took a second to reply. Her heart ached, but she expected him to react like this. He had left for a few months to fight alongside the light elementals and came back heartbroken.

“Stop playing dumb… You’re still hung up on that light elemental. Aura Moonlight.”

Ananias glanced away.

“Of course.” Celi bit her lip. “The one girl that rejected you is the girl you can't stop thinking about. You know what, I think we should drop this conversation here. But you should remember, a kiss isn’t something a girl just gives away…”

Ananias glanced at his friends down the hall. They were still joking around. Before any words came to his mind, the lights above them dimmed.

It was Sam telling the soldiers that a mission was imminent. They had a briefing first thing in the morning, so they were expected to clean their weapons, prepare their armor and gear and get a good night’s rest.

Celi took the lights shifting as an opportunity to leave.

Ananias sighed heavily as her footsteps echoed on the tile.

 

*******

 

“Charlie company confirmed it.” Roger limped his way into his seat and palmed his knee. “We found the Arch-demon’s nest. It’s high up in the mountains in an abandoned nuclear plant. It was recently used as a dumping site for hundreds of faulty electric generators.”

“We taught a few soldiers how to fly the Boeing CH-47 Chinooks, so we'll storm them by air.” Sam rubbed his chin. “They had more than enough rappelling training, so they should be alright. Considering how the battle went last time we faced an Arch, we’re going to take heavy losses.”

Roger studied Sam's face, and he grasped something. “Can you do something for me?”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Talk to the kids. They have a lot of love to give…”

Sam raised his eyebrow and his lip in disgust. “I can't… Fraternizing with them will only make them lose respect for me… Our system has some merit to it… You're the loving father figure, and I’m the strict uncle… It’s how it's always been…”

“It has to change.” Roger reached for his pocket and pulled out a metal flask. “I’m not going to be around very long… These kids only know war. They won’t disrespect or disobey you because they don’t know how.”

“Nothing has to change.” Sam shook his head when Roger sipped on his liquor. “They’re no longer kids. They're weapons… Get that through your head… You have a habit of making odd rules… For instance, I’m still against allowing them to choose their leadership within their companies… It should be us choosing the Sergeants and Lieutenants.”

“You’re not out there on missions with them. They choose who they want to follow because they know how fickle life is.”

“We can learn enough from their training.”

Roger shook his head. “We’ve both seen combat, and we both know how different training and combat are. That’s why I let them choose who they want to follow. And if their leader fails, the kids are allowed to demote them.”

“That’s a stupid idea!” Sam stood up and walked towards the window in his office.

Roger laughed. “What’s the matter? Are you scared they’ll fire you?”

“Fire me?”

“If they want, they can give you the boot.” Roger sipped on his drink. “I’m not immune either.”

“You’re risking the leadership of our army that harshly?”

“Yes, it's the bottom who work the hardest, so let them choose.” Roger finished his drink.

“They’re not at the level where they can make those decisions. They’ll group up into clicks and pick a bad leader.”

Roger sighed. Sam didn't comprehend if it was over their argument or maybe because he was out of liquor. “Not if all they know is war… So please, treat them with love and kindness… Don’t make the only way of life they know a miserable one… Or else…”

Sam wasn’t entirely sure how to take that comment. “Or else what?”

“Or else God help us all…”

Sam took his words with a grain of salt and stared out his window to the training grounds. In the distance, Ananias hurried around, ensuring his platoon was ready for battle. Behind him was Adam, learning from his superior. “These weapons will never adapt to anything past these walls.”

“How about we make a bet?” Roger smiled.

“I’m listening.”

 

*******

 

The soldiers of ONE were prepared. Their weapons were cleaned, their armor was fitted perfectly to them, and their gear was ready for any situation. Roger had called them all into their recreational room. It was a basketball court, a place some of them went to relax when they weren’t on missions.

Roger usually called just the Lieutenants and Sergeants and briefed them on their mission. Having everyone here was completely unorthodox. And it was crowded.

Ananias, Zan, Infinity, and Rose were the four Lieutenants. They each had two acting staff sergeants as their right-hand soldiers, but none of them ever rose beyond that rank. It was due to the lack of manpower.

Ananias’ Sergeants were Kitty and Slash.

While Zan’s were Anthony and Evaristo.

Kitty was half asleep. She yawned and stretched her back out, lifting her shirt up and revealing a pair of pink wings on her lower abs.

Anthony also had a pair on his shoulder blade. The wings on his shoulder were pitch black.

Each one of them had more than earned their ranks.

The Lieutenants gathered around each other.

“Is everyone here?” Zan asked. Even if they were all the same rank, everyone more-or-less agreed that Zan was their leader. He had two sets of wings, both on his left ankle. One pair was red while the other was black.

All the Lieutenants nodded.

“Do you know why we're here?” Rose asked. She was drop-dead gorgeous with slick black hair and deep amber eyes. Her figure was also alluring, with a large chest that she hated. It only got in her way.

Her wings emerged on her chest, so she wore clothes that showed them off from time to time. Her pair of wings were light blue, almost transparent.

Rose had gotten a handful of confessions from both male and female soldiers, but she never accepted them. Once she rose to her current rank, she took advantage of it and forbid anyone from confessing to her.

Infinity was a short redhead with dozens of freckles on his face. He was brilliant and the reason why they got their hands on armored vehicles and helicopters. He proved to Sam and Roger that they were smart enough to use them. A decision that saved the lives of dozens of soldiers. He had a pair of yellow wings on his back. He was the frailest out of all the soldiers, but he more than earned his rank with his intellect.

“My platoon found the Arch.” Infinity crossed his arms. “We’ll kill it once we get the order.”

The four agreed, then Roger opened the doors.

“Attention!” Zan screamed. Everyone quickly returned to formation.

“At ease.” Roger smiled at his kids. He made his way towards them.

Each platoon was neatly organized, from their appearances to their stances.

“Children of ONE, what makes ONE great?” Roger asked no one in particular.

None of them said a word.

Roger pointed at a kid in Alpha platoon. “Where were you born?”

The boy glanced around for a second, then answered. “I don't know.” He confessed.

“And how about you?” Roger walked towards Kitty.

“I don’t know either.” She admitted.

“Exactly, very few of you know your origins. Every one of you is an orphan of war. You don't fight for a country, a president, or a king. You fight for ONE. You fight to keep the entire world safe from a threat they don't know about. You're the unseen heroes.”

The teenagers stayed silent. This was something they had been told over and over.

“And like all heroes, we live by our creed… A code that means everything to us… Live for a brother… Die for a brother… Bound by blood…”

“Blood brothers!” The children chanted with passion.

“And sisters!” Kitty added, which earned a few shushed giggles.

“Non timebo mala.” Roger continued. “This is a quote a dear friend of mine told me. She told it to me when I was on the verge of death. It means ‘I fear no evil’, and it's appropriate for us. Since we're the soldiers that erase fallen divinity from this world.”

Roger studied the soldiers around them. Most of them were starting to become adults. They weren’t the kids that clung to him when they were scared anymore. Instead, they were battle-hardened and brave. Braver than him. Then his mind recalled the ones who didn't make it.

“We’ve lost hundreds of brothers and sisters… Too many to name… And now most of you are close to becoming adults, maybe some of you are since we don't know the true ages of most of you. And it occurred to me that we’ve never truly given you the freedom to roam on your own accord.”

Some of the teenager’s eyes lit up.

“We still have a few days to prepare for our next mission, but until then, why don't you enjoy yourselves? We're in the middle of a city, and you've never explored it. But, of course, you will be expected to return before midnight.”

“You’re letting us go alone? Unsupervised?” Zan asked in disbelief.

“Yes.” Roger smiled. “You’re heroes, and all heroes deserve to have some fun. In fact, that’s an order.”

Some of the teenagers broke character and cracked a smile.

“Dismissed!”

The soldiers broke away, and some sprinted to the motorpool. Eager to explore the city. Their youth shined. Even the highest ranked teenagers were ecstatic.

Roger sighed happily. This is the world he wanted for them. Not a life of violence. Even if it was for a little while, he wanted his kids to be happy. “Adam,” Roger spoke loud enough for his voice to echo in the recreational room.

Adam poked his head out. He was hiding in the supply closet.

“Yes, Sir,” Adam spoke meekly. He had snuck in for the briefing.

“Stop hiding, and go join the rest.”

Adam smiled and jumped happily. “Thank you!” He dashed towards the door, then took an immediate U-turn. Rushed towards Roger and hugged him tightly.

Roger leaned on his cane. The hug made him smile. “I love you,” Adam added before he ran away. Roger smiled brightly.

“I love you too,” Roger spoke to himself as Adam left. He had a hard time telling that to his kids since they didn't all come back alive. In his mind, he didn’t deserve to love them.

Sam stepped into the room. He had purposely stayed out of Roger’s speech. “This is a terrible idea.”

Roger didn't mind. He was happy. “A bet is a bet. We robbed those kids of their childhood. So what’s wrong with letting them have a little fun?”

“They're not kids! They're weapons!” Sam gritted his teeth. “We keep them isolated for a reason! If they taste freedom, they will run away! And with the skills we taught them, they will become a threat to the very world they’re protecting!”

“You have much to learn, my friend….” Roger limped his way towards Sam. “This place is their home. It's not a prison. They will all come back.”

“When did you get so stupid! Every last one of them is a killer!”

“Sam, when did you get so cold?” Roger’s tone was calm. He was deeply displeased with how his friend was taking this. Roger wanted Sam to be as excited as he was. But he was the polar opposite. Sam was livid. “They're kids. They just want to be accepted and loved.”

“You’re wrong!” Sam roared. “They’ll learn to fear the world the same way we do!”

Roger limped closer to Sam. When they were side by side, Roger far outweighed Sam in both stature and physical prowess. Even with a cane in his hand.

“Love is stronger than fear. I know how you treat these kids, and I let it slide because you taught them discipline, but lately, you’re full of hate, and you're lashing out at them… It ends now… We may both be Captains, but that's just for the kids…” Roger rolled up his sleeve. On his forearm was a mark, a pair of red wings burned into his flesh. After you kill an Arch-demon, your body gets a seal. It’s always a replica of the Arch-demon's wings. “I am in charge of ONE because I killed an Arch-demon in New Mexico… That’s the only reason we get support from the lightning and light elementals. Because of my merits… If you want to keep your job, then put their emotions ahead of your own…”

Sam glanced down. Roger was right. Sanctuary, on occasion, helped them. But they only let Ananias fight alongside their light elementals. And from what he gathered, the light elementals fought much more than ONE did. They respected Roger, but they wouldn’t acknowledge Sam as a warrior since he had retired and hadn't killed an Arch-demon.

“A handful of kids here have the seals on their bodies. Ananias has three, and Zan has two. And how many do you have?”

“None,” Sam admitted bitterly.

Roger stepped away from Sam. Limping towards his office.

Sam was left behind, utterly defeated.

“One more thing.” Roger glared at Sam with eyes filled with bloodlust. “It’s one thing if our enemies kill them… But if anything happens to even one of the kids… And it’s due to your heartless nature… I will make it my personal mission to take your life… If you can’t handle that, then leave ONE…”

Sam took a step back. Roger was wounded, but he was still a large man. A warrior through and through. Someone Sam didn’t stand a chance against.

“Sometimes you forget that I’m your only friend…” Sam spoke to himself. “The only person in this world that accepts you for what you truly are…”

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