DEVIL'S advocate

As the unit approaches the village, the mood is heavy. The battle was brutal, and many are injured. The moment they step past the gates, the villagers, who had been anxiously waiting, assume the worst. Their expressions are grim, whispers spreading like wildfire.

"They failed again..."

"More lives lost..."

"How many didn't come back this time?"

Then, chief Orion steps forward and raises a fist. "We won."

For a heartbeat, silence lingers. And then, the realization crashes over them. Cheers erupt. Children rush to greet their returning heroes, and families embrace their loved ones. The once somber streets come alive with relief and pride.

Mike's mother runs to him, pulling him into a crushing hug. Aria's younger siblings tackle her, chattering excitedly. Other cadets are met with tearful reunions, their families overjoyed.

But I stood apart.

My mother pushes through the crowd, her face pale with worry. "Levi!" She cups his face, searching my eyes. "You're hurt."

"I'm fine, Mom," I mutters, though my body aches.

She exhales, pulling me into a tight embrace. "You did well."

But as I watch another cadet's father grip his son's shoulder, pride shining in his eyes, a familiar emptiness creeps in. My father isn't here. He never will be.

Meanwhile, some villagers, though happy, remain skeptical.

"If they won, why do they look so beaten?"

"How long until the devils strike again?"

"Can we really trust that monstrous looking suit?"

An elder steps forward, eyeing sergeant Ryder, who is still recovering from his loss of control. "That suit... It's dangerous. How much longer until it turns on us instead?"

Chief Orion silences the murmurs with a sharp look. "This war isn't over. Doubt us if you want, but remember this—we brought back victory when none thought it possible. If we fall, you fall."

That strikes a chord. The celebration continues, but a lingering unease remains.

As the sun sets, I stood at the village's outskirts, my mind racing. And then, out of the corner of my eye, I spoted him.

The mysterious figure.

Watching.

And just like before, He vanish into the night.

As I stared at the empty space where the figure once stood, my pulse quickened. Was he real? A phantom of exhaustion? Or something more?

"Levi!"

Mike's voice snapped me back to reality. He and Aria approached, both looking relieved but concerned.

"You okay?" Aria asked, crossing her arms. "You've been standing here for a while."

I hesitated. Should I tell them about the figure? About the way he kept appearing, watching? Instead, I shook my head. "Just thinking."Mike scoffed. "That's a dangerous habit."Aria nudged me. "Come on. You need rest. And food. Lots of food."

I let out a breath, forcing a small smile. The battle was won, but the war? That was just beginning.