Author's notes: Hey readers! I have made some story changes for the previous 8th and 9th chapter (Chapter 7, 8.1 and 8.2 respectively) to make the storyline and plot flow smoother for the upcoming chapters. Do take a look at those changes as well. Also, I’ve corrected some errors in the previous chapters as well. Enjoy reading this chapter!

Disclaimer: This is a work of original fiction. Any names or characters, businesses or places, events or incidents, are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Chapter 9 -- Mourn

Praying room, Chapel, Fort Drum, New York, USA, 23 November 2020, 1500 hrs

Ten days later…

Most of the Ravens assemble at the chapel’s praying room today as they pay their final respect to one of their fallen comrades, Sergeant Hass. Instead of their combat uniform set, they wore the service dress uniform set of the Young Templars Navy.

“Our fearless Ravens!” The Commanding Officer addresses his entire regiment, to which they reply in a firm, aggressive response. “Thank you all for attending this wake. Today, all of us are here to mourn one of our comrades, Sergeant Antoine Hass, who has fallen in Operation Nightstorm while trying to detain surviving humans. A wretched human shot him in the neck while checking on them. Despite our efforts in trying to evacuate him to a medical facility for further treatment, his fellow section mates declared his death on the spot.” .

His words affect some of the Young Templars deeply before crying in sorrow. Even tears appear from Sally’s mask as it flows down her face. To her, she regards the late Sergeant Hass as more than just a fellow Raven.

The Commanding Officer of the Ravens pauses for a quick breath as he tries to control his emotions. Instead, he wants to stand firm as he intends to use a fallen Raven Young Templar’s death to energize the rest of the Ravens under his command and exact their vengeance against the remnants of humanity.

“His death will not be in vain. We will avenge him by exterminating more of these corrupt vermin and converting their young ones into our ranks. These young ones will embrace our vision and burn humanity down to the ashes. Hence, they will secure our victory and our future!” The Commanding Officer ends his rousing speech, which electrifies most of the Ravens in the room, followed by several rounds of clapping.

“But first, let’s give our fallen Raven a final send-off he deserved. All Ravens, rise from your seat and place your right hand where your faithful heart is.” The Commanding Officer orders all of them to stand up before turning his face to Sally. “You may proceed, Sergeant Flannery.” .

Without hesitation, Sally walks up to the podium with a piece of white rose in her right hand as she approaches the metallic coffin. Before laying the piece of flower beside his deceased body, Sally feels bitter as she stares at Sergeant Hass’s lifeless body resting inside the metallic coffin. ‘Rest easy, Antoine. I won’t forget your faith and guidance in moulding me to become a Raven Young Templar.’ Sally clenches her teeth while tears drool out of her face.

Not wanting to hog up the queue for the others to pay their final respects, Sally gently lays the piece of white rose beside his face before giving a Young Templar military salute. ‘Hope to meet you in my next life, faithful brother.’ Once she completes her salute, Sally walks away from the metallic coffin before heading down the stairs and back to her seat.

Raven’s Nest Dining Hall, 2nd Kitchen Building, Fort Drum, New York, USA, 23 November 2020, 1930 hrs

Later…

During dinner, Sally stares at the food tray in front of her. However, she’s not touching her food, as she has no appetite to eat it. “What’s wrong, Sally?” One of her fellow Raven, Sergeant Nadeau, asks her out of concern. “You looked pale and void of emotion. Did something bad happen?”

“Not at all, Kallen. I’m fine. Just tired from the funeral procession, that’s all.” Sally replies before drinking the glass filled with blood as she tries to hide her emotions from her fellow Raven.

“It’s ok to tell us if you are down, Sally. We are a close-knit family together.” Kallen tries to comfort her. However, her words of comfort aggravate her current unstable emotion further before turning to face Kallen. “I’m fine, Sergeant Nadeau,” Sally says with a hint of irateness. “As an elite Raven of the Young Templars’ Navy, I have no weaknesses or emotions! We are Young Templars, and we must not show any emotions just like those weak humans!”

“Woah! Take it easy, Sally. You are making a scene here, and the others sitting beside our table are watching you.” A surprised Kallen tries to get her to sit down. Even the section leader, Lieutenant Blair, took notice of her sudden outburst.

“Please sit down and remain calm, Sergeant Flannery,” Alex orders her in a sympathetic voice. “I will speak to you after this, so please finish your dinner first.” Not wanting to cause trouble with the section leader or Sergeant Nadeau, Sally swallows her bitter resentment and sits down before eating her food.

“It’s alright, fellow Raven. I will handle her, so stand down.” Blair politely rejects her request. The unnamed Raven Young Templar operator nods in acknowledgement before turning her head back to continue to eat her food. As for Lieutenant Blair, he became concerned about Sally’s outburst despite his awareness of her special relationship with the late Sergeant Hass. He intends to speak to her while accompanying her back to her assigned accommodation house.

Lawn, Sally’s Assigned House (Outside), Salerno Road, Fort Drum, New York, USA, 23 November 2020, 2045 hrs

Outside Sally’s house…

Before Sally alights from the Interceptor vehicle, her section leader calls out to her — “Sally, remember what I told you just now a few moments ago? I know you have a special relationship with the late Sergeant Hass, but you shouldn’t show your emotions to others around here. They will think you have gone human and will not hesitate to report you to the higher-ups. For your sake, please don’t do that again. Time for you to rest up, Sally. I will see you tomorrow for the first roll-call at 0720 hrs.” .

“Thank you, and you two as well, sir,” Sally replies before saluting the Lieutenant. Then, she exits the vehicle, shuts the door, and watches him driving down the road. ‘You don’t know how special Sergeant Hass is to me, Lieutenant Blair.’ Sally thought before walking towards the door of her assigned house.

Bedroom, Sally’s Assigned House, Salerno Road, Fort Drum, New York, USA, 23 November 2020, 2110 hrs

After taking a refreshing bath…

As she walks out of the bathroom with her worn Young Templars Navy’s No.2 Uniform Set (Except her non-combat military boots) in her hands, Sally dumps them in a nearby laundry basket as she intends to put these worn uniform clothes in a washing machine for a quick wash.

Before she carries the laundry basket to the washing machine, Sally notices a Young Templar plushie on the dining table. The sight of it makes her feel bitter as she remembers who gifted that thing to her and how it helps her to overcome troubles as a Young Templar.

Later…

As the washing machine hummed in the background, Sally moved towards the dining table. She removed her Ballistic Facemask, revealing a chilling sight — her eyes were entirely black, devoid of iris, pupil, and sclera. A single tear trailed down her right cheek. ‘Why did you have to die…’ Sally thought as she mourned the passing of someone she treasured well.

Flashback to her memories of her past.

4 years ago…

“What’s wrong, Sally?” Antonie asks out of concern after seeing his fellow Fledgling friend crying in a corner.

“Go away!” Sally pushes him away out of frustration. “Leave me alone!”

“Did those instructors give you a rough hard time again?” Antoine asks in a calm but empathetic tone. However, Sally ignores his question and turns her face away from him out of resentment. “It’s alright to make mistakes during those training sessions. They won’t discard you away just because you are struggling to overcome your shortcomings as a recruit. They want you to do better, Sally.” .

“They will discard me.” Sally voices in disbelief. “I’m having trouble correcting my shortcomings during physical training, and I doubt whether I can clear the first year of their basic military training or not. What should I do, Antoine?”

Before Sally can say anything, Antoine takes her right hand and brings her to an amusement theme park located underground, somewhere unknown in the state of Texas.

“Woah, is this an amusement park?” Sally’s eyes beamed with excitement as she saw the bright lights illuminating the carnival tents and station rides. 

“It is, Sally. Let’s go enjoy ourselves for the day!” Antoine says in a cheerful spirit as they enter the amusement park. As they take part in many of the station rides, Sally no longer cries and expresses happiness on her face while enjoying the rides. “Damn! That ride was extremely awesome! We should go for a second round, Antoine!” Sally looks at him with delight as they alight from the rollercoaster ride.

“Other time, perhaps? We will ride again when we have more money next time, Sally.” Antoine suggests.

“Yeah. If only we have more money to buy the tickets for these thrilling rides…” Sally says in disappointment.

Not wanting to see her sad, Antoine has an idea about how to cheer up his fellow Fledgling friend. “Come with me, Sally. I know there is one place for you to cheer you up.” .

Later. Outside a souvenir shop…

“This is for you, Sally,” Antonie says as he gifts her a Young Templar plushie after buying it from a souvenir shop. “Thank you, Antoine. To be honest, you shouldn’t use your pocket money further to buy this soft toy for me, though.” Sally expresses her concern despite being grateful for the gift.

“No worries, Sally. I will be fine. Just keep this soft toy a secret between us.” Antoine gives a friendly wink at her, which causes Sally to give him a quick but friendly punch to his shoulder. “Awww. So you fell in love with me right now?” Antoine giggles as he cracks a joke with Sally.

“I’m not in love, you silly!” Sally blushes before turning her face away out of embarrassment. Then she warms up to him with the following statement in a soft voice — “Thank you for bringing me to this wonderful place today to cheer me up. I will never forget this and the plushie you gave me, Antoine.” .

“Don’t mention it, Sally.” A smile appears on Antoine’s face upon seeing his friend feeling better. Not wanting to get caught by the higher-ups for bringing her to the amusement park, Antoine informs Sally it’s time for them to head back to the training facility. Sally agrees, and they head back immediately to avoid getting caught. “Try to hide the plushie from them as well, Sally. We will be in big trouble if they find that soft toy of yours.” Antoine reminds her. “Don’t worry, I won’t let them confiscate this plushie you gave me, Antoine,” Sally assures him.

Soon, they both smile and laugh at each other as they head back to the training facility to continue their training further and become full-fledged Young Templars.

Flashback memories end…

Back to the present…

“It’s my fault that you are dead, Antoine.” Sally’s voice becomes unstable as she breaks down uncontrollably further, blaming his death on herself. “It’s never your fault, faithful sister. You should blame that stupid human dude for your comrade’s death.” An unknown voice informs her.

The mentioning of Kodey Zander makes Sally want to skin him alive through her inner Young Templar spirit. Despite not being a hardcore anti-humanity Young Templar, Sally feels like she doesn’t give a damn about humans anymore. The death of Sergeant Antoine Hass is the catalyst for her to hate humanity even more, and she wants to start a genocidal campaign by killing all the last surviving humans on the planet.

‘You will pay for his death, Mr Zander. Just wait and see.’ Sally muses as she thinks of ways to torture the human dude further in the coming days and weeks before the other Young Templars take him away to Nepal.

To be continued...

End of Chapter 9

Note: All the characters, places and storylines are owned by Jeremy Mountbatten. All rights reserved by the author. Feel free to give some feedback and don't forget to vote for this chapter. If you want to support me, you can tip me on Ko-Fi (link provided below).