Chapter Text
Getting a notification in the middle of the night was not the most bizarre thing that Cross has ever experienced in his life. But getting the same notification two nights in a row while patrolling outside the Termite Kingdom was rather odd and unusual.
Cross pulled out the phone from his bag, reading the message he had just received.
“What does it say?” Poi asked, suddenly at his side, looking over his shoulder to catch a glimpse of the bright screen.
Cross read the message once more, before putting it away. “Scientists say that the radar has picked up a Weevil not too far from here.”
“Another one?”
“Yeah. Should we investigate it?”
A moment passed in silence as Poi contemplated his question. He finally responded, nodding his head as he pulled out his sword from his sheath. “We should. The King wouldn’t be happy if he found out we let it get away.”
Cross gripped his weapon, and followed as Poi led the way.
They walked together, going down the narrow path that led to the Forsaken Lands. They traveled light, carrying the bare essentials. It was basic knowledge for every soldier, one of the most important rules drilled into their minds during the first few days of training. Anything extra would only slow them down, or worse, they would risk catching a dangerous lesser bug’s attention.
It wasn’t long before they reached their destination. The ground was dusty and the nighttime air engulfed in thick fog, making it hard to see. An area mostly covered with mushrooms and broken glass, sticking out of the ground at unnatural angles.
Cross stood still, arms rigid, trying to investigate his surroundings. Other than the light cool breeze, he couldn't see or hear anything out of the ordinary. He relaxed his shoulders once he determined they were alone. He turned to look at Poi. “You think it ran off?”
Poi shrugged, looking out into the distance, his attention elsewhere. “I’m not sure, but keep your eyes open anyways.”
Cross did as he was told. They paced around the area for a minute. Then another. Cross fought back the urge to sigh. The longer they stood there, the more he felt like a sitting target. He just wanted to get this over with.
More time passed, but there wasn’t anything out of the ordinary in the area. There were zero clues. No signs of a weevil. There was absolutely nothing. Nothing but a dead end.
“Alright, there’s nothing here,” Poi called out. “Let's head on back.”
Cross couldn’t help himself. He let out a sigh of relief, and started to follow, heading back to where they came from. “What time does our shift end?”
“Shift ends at sunrise.” Poi said. “If you're not busy, we can stop for burgers later.”
Cross chuckled. The simple thought of warm food almost made his mouth water. “I thought you'd ever ask.”
“Alright, but you're paying. I covered for your bill last time we went to–” Poi began.
At that moment, a terrifying growl echoed through the Forsaken Lands. Cross and Poi stared at one other, both of them instinctively reaching for their weapons. They put their backs against one another, their faces turning deadly serious.
“It’s still here…” Poi muttered.
Cross eyes darted all over the place, trying to see through the thick fog. “Do you see it?”
“No.”
Cross was about to ask another question when the Weevil growled a second time, louder than before. It was getting closer. Startled, Cross swung around, and aimed his crossbow in the direction of the noise. With just the starry night sky illuminating the ground, he squinted, trying to locate the creature in the darkness. Taking a deep breath, he took a couple of steps forward, trying to control the panic crawling up inside of him.
“Cross, don’t go too far,” Poi said through gritted mandibles. “We need to stay together.”
Something snapped, echoing loudly behind Cross. A feeling of dread washed over him, realizing that something was different. Before he could turn around, he saw it, out of the corner of his eye.
What he originally thought was a large rock had suddenly moved.
The silhouette began to take shape. It growled, the only thing visible were its eyes staring right back at him.
It was a Primal Weevil.
And Poi was right in front of it.
“Behind you!”
He had no time to react. Poi twisted around, blindly swinging his sword. The Weevil dodged. Claws in the air, the Weevil swung down.
Cross helplessly watched as the Weevil’s claws made a horrible thud, sending Poi flying in the air, his sword spinning out of his hands.
“Poi!”
Cross screamed, the sound of his voice being drowned out by the Weevil’s piercing roar. He didn’t have to think twice about it. Immediately, he swept up his crossbow, aimed the arrow at the only thing that was visible, and fired.
The arrow flashed through the air. The Weevil let out a painful yelp, the tip burying itself inside one of its eyes.
There was no reason to reload. With the Weevil distracted, Cross took the opportunity and surged forward. He rushed to where Poi was left faced down and started to imagine the worst.
Many questions ran through his mind. Is he unconscious? Is he injured? If he is, then just how bad is it?
“Are you alright?” He kneeled next to him and got all of his questions answered when Poi didn’t respond. He rolled him over, immediately noticing the long deep slash going across his friend’s chest plate.
Cross silently cursed to himself. He looked up, expecting to still see the Weevil there, howling in pain. But all there was in front of him was darkness.
Adrenaline still rushing inside of him, he fumbled his hand into his pocket, and pulled out his phone. He dialed a number. It rang for a moment, before it finally clicked on the other end.
What’s your emergency?
“I got a soldier down,” Cross said. “I need medic.”
The voice on the other end of the line was silent for a long moment before responding once more.
Stay on the line so we can find you. We’re on our way.
Cross put the phone down. He pulled his friend’s limp body towards him, and applied pressure to the wound on his chest. He closed his eyes, feeling the cool wet sensation seeping into his hands, desperately wishing for this nightmare to end.