The Untold Story of Texas and Lappland (Arknights)

Strange Warning

It had all happened so fast.

The very second they set foot into the cornering alleyway those dozens of eyes were on them.

There was a quick kick, a shove, a push.

The two of them had fought to no avail against those swift assailants.

She cursed the city noises, the smell, all of it that managed to hinder her and Texas from fighting all out in the small space. There they stood, back to back as they stared down a swarm of enemies. What had initially been a fight against Reunion had turned into something else entirely. The alleyway was dank, the smell of death and rotted garbage making her stomach churn. Just who are these people?

"Tex, do you have any idea . . ."

A small shake of the head. From their proximity it brushed against her scalp, meshing their hair together. Lappland bit her lip as she listened in on the small murmur. "I don't have the slightest clue who these people are but I can't help thinking they act familiar. Maybe too familiar."

Familiar? What in the world?

It took her a moment to brush off the adrenaline burst thrumming away beneath her skin to realize what Texas meant. A faint tinge of pine mixed with heavy dewfall, an odor of roses and the wind on a cold night. Near the garbage bins it was somewhat diluted, but the scent clung to their assailants in spades.

And she knew this scent. Knew it, like it was a part of her.

Because it was once upon a time.

The men and women surrounding them confirmed her suspicions by letting out a sound she was familiar with too. A flash of white and gray fur tucked beneath hats and coats caught her eye. The long howls were like strikes of a shooting star in the night sky, playing out an old melody she never expected to hear so many wolves in her presence sing again. Her parents sung this tune to her, a cry of triumph over a successful hunt.

Her lips drew back in a snarl at her realization. All this fighting and running, thoughts of divide and conquer, all leading to this. Being cornered like prey was the exact opposite of both of their natures, and it enraged her that someone dare think of either of them as such.

"Siracusans."

"About time you figured it out lone wolf."

The crowd parted to reveal a lone figure. The coat this man wore was so conspicuous she could compare it with bright caution tape. Or maybe a traffic cone may have been more fitting. What was once yellow had faded out into a weird musty orange. There were reflectors on the jacket, the flashy material making her eyes burn as rain began to fall. One drop managed to drip into her exposed iris, making her blink quickly in aggravation at the sting. The hood shadowed the person's face, but judging by the tail poking out at the backside she guessed this too was a wolf.

A Siracusan wolf.

And yet, something told her it wasn't so simple.

Maybe it was the accent.

The odd twang felt awfully familiar, but maybe it was just her imagination.

Yellow eyes flecked with blue shown from beneath. It was like the darkness evaded them, going to voice connected to it. "You've gotten in my way one too many times. And to think, I almost let you off the hook." A head shake. "But then you just had to fail."

The way it spoke, like it was somehow her fault she and Texas were in this predicament.

Texas was having none of it. "I don't know how you think you know Lappland and quite frankly I don't give a damn. You can either leave us and Lungmen in peace or face the consequences."