"The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just have to find the ones worth suffering for."

Aaron Eosphoros's POV

     "Aaron! Wake up! The General requires your presence immediately!" I quickly rise from bed, rubbing my eyes off my sleep as I still remember the nightmare that I have. I quickly get dressed and rush down the hall to the meeting room.

---at the meeting room---

     "Ah, there you are Aaron. I was a bit worried when Aragorn told me that you are still sleeping." I look round and see everyone is in the meeting room already as the General greets me.

     "Sorry, sir. I was still sleeping when Aragorn wakes me up from my slumber." I apologize and the General smiles.

    "No worries. It concerns me that you do need your rest. Anyways, moving on to the issue at hand. It seems that the enemy sends more rogue supernaturals into the Kitsune village of Starmaw where the kitsune resides and that is an unprotected village. I need your team to eliminate this threat and do be careful. I sense that there are at least three supernaturals that are very powerful in terms of power." the Generals shows the picture of the powerful supernaturals he mentioned. I take a look at one of the men and wonder why his face is so familiar until I realize he is the same man that appears in my nightmare.

     "Why did he go there?" I mumble to myself as I look at the picture of the man and his accomplices and hoping no one could hear me saying this but unfortunately Aragorn and the General heard me.

     "Aaron, tell me what you know about this guy." the General points towards the main photo of the main target and I sigh.

     "The man's name is Thorn and he is the main leader of this attack. I had a nightmare about it yesterday." I still remember the nightmare vividly as day as I recall the nightmare, bodies litter the ground as a man shoots the villagers and the other two-person shout at the man shooting to stop and that both men scream the leader's name. I could feel the sadness oozing from the village as many villagers are killed and that the other two-man burns the body through magic. I could hear the crying of both the children and the mother as the leader kills the father and I could smell the blood of those who are killed as their blood is splattered everywhere. "I believe that the nightmare is connected to today's mission."

     "Okay. Aaron, you all may leave in an hour and the A-Team will keep watch on you. I will remind them later so you may leave to prepare to go to the village."

     "Yes Sir!" I salute the General and mention at the others to leave before me. I feel arms hugging me as I want to leave and see the General hugging me tightly.

     "Be careful Aaron." I nod and take my leave, leaving the General behind.

---one hour later---

     "Guys, this is the briefing of the mission before we arrive at the village. The A-Team will be the backups if anything goes wrong. The main mission: Eliminate the targets and rescue the remaining villagers from the filthy grip of the targets and his accomplice. You are allowed to use your magic and magic weapons as the enemy is classified as red which means very dangerous. We will move in pairs when we reach the village and report if any sightings of the target and the villagers using the communicating device that I am going to give out now. If the target, his accomplices, or both is sighted, immediately call for backups straight away as they are dangerous. That is all. Any questions?" I inform the A-Team, and my teammates and they all shake their heads.

     "Let's go!" They go in files and take the communication device from me as they walk into the village. 

---in the village---

     "Amelia, you team up with Yako. Hikaru team up with Alviss and I will team up with Aragorn." The others nod and team up with the partner I assign. Aragorn walks towards me and takes out his knives.

     "You ready?" I nod and we set forth to the north of the village.

----at the north of the village----

     "Damn. I forgot about how bad this place is." I nod at Aragorn as I look around for any clues that lead to the place where the villagers are kept.

     "Did you find anything?" Aragorn shakes his head as he keeps on searching for the clues. Suddenly we hear a whistling sound of an arrow that is coming towards us and we both dodge.

     "What the-" Aragorn points at the direction where the arrow comes from and I frown as I press the button of the communication device that is on my ear.

     "This is Aaron. We need backup immediately as one of the target's accomplices is spotted. I repeat I need backup immediately." 

     "This is Yako. We will help you. Just tell me the location that you are in now."

     "The North East side of the village near the shed." I hear Yako nod in conformation and tell Amelia the location where I am before the connection cut off. I look at Aragorn and he looks back at me, in anticipation of what to come.

     "We have to hold the ford until Yako and Amelia arrive." Aragorn nod, preparing his knives as he stands ready with me against the accomplice of the target. I take out my swords and taunt the man to fight me and Aragorn.

---meanwhile---

 Alviss's POV

    "Ah! Alviss, I see the villagers!" Hikaru yells out to me and I nod. "This is Alviss. We have found the villagers." 

     Yako's voice suddenly comes from the intercom. "This is Yako. We heard you. Aaron and Aragon are engaged in a battle with one of the target's accomplices right now. We are heading in their direction to assist them-" Suddenly here is static and Aaron's voice rings out.

     "This is Aaron. Aragorn and I are still engaged in a battle with the accomplice as Yako has spoken but the target and the other accomplice have been sighted and are coming towards you, Alviss. Yako, I need you and Amelia to split up and try to help me and help Alviss with the villagers. Amelia, you help the villagers while Yako, you are with me. I do not want anyone of you to be dead. Clear?" the others all say crystal clear and Aaron smile. "Go to your positions. Good luck."

     "Alviss, I will help you with the villagers. Give me the word and we'll meet Amelia to fight against the target and one of his accomplices." I nod and Hikaru race into the makeshift tent and help the villagers. Seconds later I go inside and help the other villagers. they say thank you to me and Hikaru but we both just say to the villagers that they no need to thank us. After that, we run out of the tent and help the villagers to escape as the enemy comes to us.

     "So this is the target huh," Hikaru asks and I nod. "Then we better get ready to fight them." I raise my axe and look at Hikaru and we both race to fight the enemy. Suddenly there is a bright light and when the light dissipates there stands Amelia.

     "Sorry I am late, Alviss." Hikaru and I smile and we three start to battle the enemy.

----At the meantime-----

Aaron's POV

     "Aaron! Are you okay?" Aragorn asks as I cough out blood after the enemy manages to break through my defense.

     "I'm fine Aragorn. Just got a bit of a kick after all." I manage to stand up tall and jump to avoid the next attack of the enemy.

    "Ahaha! Just as I thought. You are still a mystery, Prince of Darkness sama." I stare at the enemy and give a questioning glance at Aragorn as he also stares at me in a questioning glance, confused about what the enemy is going on about.

     "Oh, dear. Seems that daddy dearest does not give the answers that you need about yourself, Prince sama." I seethe in rage as I stomp towards the enemy but Aragorn stops me by pulling on my arm. "Aaron, all of us in the team need you to focus. Focus on my voice and calm down," he says urgently and I take deep breaths to calm myself down.

     "That's it, calm down." I take a deep breath again and calm down fully. I glance at Aragorn and nod at him. Aragorn nods back and we both get back into our positions, bracing ourselves for another attack. The enemy attacks us with high speed that it is hard for Aragorn and me to keep up and we both stand side by side, trying to protect the other. We keep on defending ourselves until we are being pushed into a corner.

     "Come on Prince-sama. I am bored playing with you already. Do you know what we do to dull play toys? Well, time to say your goodbyes." The enemy smile and Aragon and I close our eyes, knowing this is the end.

 Bang!

     "Huh?" I open my eyes and turn around to see a fox pushing the enemy into the wall and jump nimbly to the ground as it turns into a human.

     "Yako! Oh, thank the gods you come." I sigh in relief as I see Yako running to me and Aragorn to check our injuries.

     "I m-m-manage to c-c-come in time. I am s-s-so worried that you both will die." Yako says in relief while trying to catch her breath. She sighs as she gently pokes my chest and me wincing in pain as she does so.

     "Aaron, the others are in trouble. The main target and his accomplice have been at the area where Alviss and the others are in and the situation doesn't seem good. Are you still able to fight?" Yako asks and I nod but Aragorn shakes his head.

     "Aaron, get some rest. Yako and I will handle it." I shake my head and look at Aragorn defyingly.

     "Nope. You need all the help you could get. I can still fight. Plus, the enemy we fought is already stronger than us so the others may be much stronger than that enemy." Aragorn sighs and looks at me.

     "Alright, but please be careful." I nod and the three of us go to find the remaining targets.

-----meanwhile----

     "Alviss!" Hikaru and Amelia yell as they see Alviss clutching his stomach with one hand while holding his axe above his head using the other hand to block the attack.

     "I am fine. Take care of the main target." Hikaru and Amelia both shake their head.

     "We fight the enemy together." Alviss nod, preparing for his doom when he sees a streak of light jump on the target making the target off-balance and fall onto the floor, knocking his head on the rocks below, unconscious.

     "Yako!" Hikaru and Amelia yell as they see the fox turn into a human. Yako nod and start striking at the main target and both Hikaru and Amelia sees two figures pulling Alviss aside to rest.

     "Aragorn! Aaron!" Both Aragorn and I nod at Hikaru and Amelia as we both treat Alviss's wound.

     "Aragorn, do you still have the holy water with you?" Aragorn nods at my question which he holds a small clear vial filled with holy water to me. I gently pour some of the water into Alviss's stomach wound and watch as the wound closes on its own. I also take a sip of holy water and sigh as my broken ribs mend together. I safely store the vial of holy water into my military jeans pocket and stand up while holding Aragon's hand for support. I nod at Aragorn and we both chase up to where Yako is while Hikaru and Amelia stay back to help Alviss.

----the fight-----

Yako's POV

     "C'mon little missy, hit me harder." I pant as he says so, feeling my stamina ebbing away as I try to swipe at him again. He blocks my attack and pushes me to the ground. I struggle against his grip to breathe but to no avail as he slowly cut off my oxygen supply.

Bang!

     I suddenly heard the sound of the gun firing and I manage to push the enemy off and get up with the help of Aaron when I see him extending his hand to me. We both look at the enemy defyingly while holding our weapons out of us. Aragorn stands at our side and also banishes his weapons.

     "Kekeke. Well well, isn't it the Prince of Darkness himself. Such an honor fighting against such a powerful opponent." I see Aaron tense beside me as the enemy says that. He opens his mouth to ask a question but I beat him to it.

     "What do you want? Who do you work for?" The man smirks evilly as I say that.

     "I am ordered to take the villagers to my superior as slaves as for who do I work for, why don't you ask your friend over there?" The enemy points at Aaron and I could see Aaron holding his sword tensely while Aragorn looks at Aaron worryingly.

     "I don't know who are you talking about," Aaron says and the enemy smirks.

     "Little Prince sama doesn't even know his own heritage I see. Very well then, I will tell you. My superior's nickname is the King of Darkness." We all stare at each other confused and as if sensing our confusion, the enemy strikes at us without giving us time to react. Both Aaron and I dodge to the left while Aragorn dodges to the right. I stand up, ready to strike the enemy but Aaron holds his hand up in a wait sign. I stare at him and he quickly places a vial in my palm. I look at it and nod at Aaron as I uncork it and take a sip of the holy water. I quickly pass the vial to Aaron to keep it as I feel my powers getting stronger than usual and I rush to attack the enemy. I see Aaron on my right, quickly storing the holy water and get ready to fight. I nod at him and we do our combined attacks, trying to corner the enemy but the enemy is too strong and slams both of us to the ground. We both cough out a bit of blood and stand, dizzy by the loss of blood but still able to fight. Aragorn runs up to us and we hold our backs to each other, trying to protect one another. The enemy smirks and tries to attack me first but with a clang, Aaron and Aragorn swing their swords and block the attack.

     "Yako, run and call the others for help." I nod and rush to Alviss and inform him of the situation. Alviss and the others follow me and we see Aaron still fighting on as a vanguard while Aragorn tries to find the weak link in the enemy's attack. We all go into the battle and manage to subdue the enemy. Aaron tries to walk forward but he falls face down. We all lunge forward trying to catch him but Aragorn manages to catch Aaron just before Aaron hits the ground.

     "Alviss, get Aaron to the sickbay and lay him down on the medical bed. Use the holy water in the extra resources cupboard on his wounds. If Aaron wakes up afterward, tell him what happens." Aragorn orders to Alviss and Alviss nod at Aragorn. Alviss gently holds Aaron and brings Aaron to the sickbay of our transporter and we all tie up the enemy and bring him into the prison area of our transporter.

---back at the capitol---
Aragorn's POV
     "Sir, we have captured the leader of the enemy," I say as I look at the General in the eye.

     "Good. How is Aaron?" The General asks with worry in his tone.

     "He's okay. Nothing that the holy water can't heal. He will either wake up today or tomorrow and you can see him tomorrow." I inform the General and he smile.

     "You may be dismissed." I nod and turn to walk away but as I do so, the General gently tug my hand signaling me to stop.

     "Take care of Aaron, okay?" I nod and walk away leaving the General to his duties.

--later in the day--
Aaron's POV

     "Urgh." I groan as I try to open my eyes and sit up. Everything seems so bright and glaring that I shield my eyes from the light using my hand. I could hear ringing in my ears and people whispering in soft voices as I try to get up. I later feel a sensation of a hand on my chest signaling me to lay back down on the bed.

     "How are you feeling?" A person asks as I try to focus my vision but black spots dance I'm my eyes as I do so.

     "Here, take this. You will feel better I promise." The person passes me a bottle or vial of something and I quickly take a sip. Suddenly everything begins to focus and I realize who gives me the holy water.

     "Hikaru." The person nod and smiles at me.

     "Thank God you are alright! Aragorn wants to see you but he still has to do the mission report for today's mission so he sends me to see you. Plus, the General is outside the door. Should I bring him in?" Hikaru asks and I nod. He quickly runs out the door and calls the General into my room. I look at the General and smile.

     "Thank God you are awake. Aragon told me about the mission and I am so proud of you all." The General gives me a big hug and I smile gently.

     "Nice to be missed, General." The General laughs and we spend the whole few hours talking, joking, and laughing as we talk about life. A few hours later I am being discharged from the medical bay and can go back to my home. I walk outside to meet Aragorn and the General and I ask them a question.

     "So what now?" They shrug.

     "I don't know. We tried lots of ways to let the enemy spill the real enemy's identity but to no avail." Aragorn replies to me and I look at him and the General.

     "Is it possible if I integrate him?" They both jaw drop at my words.

     "W-Why?!" I shrug.

     "I need to know my true identity and who start this too." They look at each other and sigh.

     "Fine. But if you are in danger while integrating him, you will need to call us okay?" I nod and they lead me to the prison cell where the enemy is in.

     "My my my. So the authorities are there with the Prince of Darkness eh?" I cringe as the enemy say that but did not say anything. After a few minutes, I only speak.

     "Who is the mastermind behind this?" I ask and he smirks.

     "Oh, so the Prince of Darkness does not know of his heritage hmm? Strange is it? Your General knows the answer to it and the secret that you want about your identity? He has it." I stare at the General dumbstruck. How can a man keep secrets is beyond me. I stare at the enemy in anger and he smirks.

     "Oh well, you probably will hate him if the secret of your identity comes out." He creeps close to me and whispers in my ear. "Your father also knows the truth about your heritage too. Do not fool me about your feelings because I know it. You feel betrayed didn't you?" I suddenly go rigid and stare at him, stunned.

Is it true? Does my father know about my heritage?

     I stare at the enemy, unable to speak due to being stunned and he widens his smirk.

     "What is it? Cat's got your tongue?" I stare at him and move off from him. I start to walk away with Aragon and the General behind me, head spinning with the revelation that the answer to my heritage is through the General and my own father as the enemy yells behind me.

     "You can't trust people, my Prince! They would only let you down!"