The Scrap Tamer

The next day arrived as quickly as the last but the usual enthusiasm that most cadets had, was gone.

Even the skies reflected the mood in the military base. For some, this wasn't the first time they had witnessed someone dying but the same couldn't be said for others.

The cadets especially had watched their friends die while they barely survived.

Each had felt powerless that they couldn't save someone important to them but no matter what they did, the past wouldn't change itself.

The higher ups at the base had prepared a sort of funeral for the dead soldiers and a promotion ritual for those who survived the attack.

Although the promotion was nothing but a desperate act to replace the downed higher ranked soldiers, thereby exposing a bunch of under trained cadets to even more danger.

But, in a way, this was what they signed up for. They signed up to help in the war against primals, not to be cocooned in a warm and comfortable blanket while others bled for them.

The funeral was held in the open field, where the fresh scars of battle were still visible—burnt ground, shattered weapons, dried blood.

A cold breeze swept across the base, rattling the rows of hastily made wooden crosses that marked the graves.

The cadets and soldiers stood in organized lines, all wearing their full combat gear in honor of the fallen. Heads bowed, backs straight, faces unreadable.

Commander Ajax stood at the front, flanked by a few other high-ranking officers. His expression was like stone as he read the names of the dead, one after another, each name punctuated by a heavy silence.

Alex stood among the cadets, his hands clenched tightly into fists at his sides. He didn't shed a tear—he couldn't anymore. His eyes were hollow, and his body felt like it was just going through the motions.

When Timmy's name was called, he didn't even flinch outwardly. But inside, it was as if something tore loose again, deeper than before, like a wound reopening that might never heal.

After the last name was called, a salute was given, and the ceremony shifted toward the "promotion" phase.

Commander Voss took over then, stepping forward with a somber expression that masked the twisted satisfaction lurking just beneath.

He called up names, one after another, awarding hastily printed badges of higher ranks to cadets who looked more like lost children than hardened soldiers.

When Alex's name was called, he hesitated for a split second before stepping forward.

Every step felt heavier than the last.

Standing before Commander Voss, he kept his eyes lowered. The promotion badge was pinned roughly onto his uniform, but Voss leaned closer under the pretense of offering a few "encouraging words."

"You'll be powerful to prevent all this soon enough," Voss whispered, so quietly that only Alex could hear. "Just allow the Voidspawn to grant you that power ."

Alex said nothing. He simply saluted, turned, and returned to his place in the crowd, the black goo hiding under his skin pulsing faintly in response to Voss's voice.

Meanwhile, across the gathering, Reid and his team stood silently, their expressions grim.

Reid's eyes briefly found Alex's across the crowd. Something was different about him—something was wrong. But with so much death weighing on everyone's hearts, Reid couldn't place it yet.

Added to the way commander Voss stared at Alex while he walked back, Reid knew that there was something going on but he couldn't question Alex right now.

He then turned his focus back to the cadets that walked towards commander Voss to get promoted.

'Evo,' he called internally, 'do you think I'm ready for another rank increase?'

[Yes] Evo replied [your soul power is stabilized enough for a other increase.]

'Great, then I'll do another later today' he nodded.

Reid was eager to get stronger as quickly as possible, after all, he couldn't imagine himself in Alex's place.

He wasn't close to the twins even with the two years he spent in the Scrapyard so he wasn't as affected by Timmy's death but it reminded him that he needed to be strong enough to protect those he cared for.

"You okay?" Lisa whispered.

"Yeah, just thinking" Reid answered.

"Hey," Clara called out to both of them "it's Damien's turn now."

Her tone caused Lisa to raise a brow and ask, "you sound weirdly excited, shouldn't you two hate each other?"

Lisa's words caused Clara to freeze and realize that she really was excited. She quickly shook her head in denial before replying,

"N-no It's just that I don't want him to have any excuse when I finally beat his ass."

"You know, he can say something like "you only beat me because you're getting more resources since you're at a higher rank"" she continued "yes, that's exactly it."

Her words convinced no one but they chose not to press her.

_____

Both ceremonies lasted almost two hours and Reid was currently on his way to see his master.

He hadn't gotten the chance to since he came back from their previous mission and he knew the grumpy old man would be seething by now.

His team decided to not tag along since each had something to do, so Reid was on his own.

The first thing that came into view was the 'welcoming' sign above the door.

"F*ck Off If You Have No Business With Me"

Reid didn't mind it and just scanned his ID on the scanner that was attached to the door.

{Welcome back apprentice Reid, it's been a while} Ember greeted.

"It has," Reid nodded as he stepped into the shop "by the way, where's Master Garrick?"

{He's in the lab} Ember informed {ever since you gave him that evolution files, he hadn't been able to stay away from the lab for even a second, he's been in there for two days now.}

"I see" Reid muttered as he changed out of his uniform and wore the overalls Garrick had previously provided.

"I'll see if I can get him out," with that, he walked into the lab.