The Vice Captain of the Crimson Lions

The Start of War

Footsteps cut through the morning air. The crisp sounds of leaves being crushed beneath boots and the faint scent of burning grass mixed with the cool breeze. Mars glanced up as he heard the snap of a twig behind him,

"You came,"

Aphi stepped forward, his dark hair catching the light of the early morning. He raised an eyebrow and stuck out his hand,

"You called,"

Mars clasped his hand firmly, his grip strong but welcoming,

"Welcome home,"

Aphi nodded his head,

"I came for the people. That is all,"

Mars nodded, his expression turning serious as they both stood together,

"We will fight together once more, for humanity."

Aphi glanced back,

"I came with my girlfriends squad, the others will follow,"

Mars smirked,

"Ooo, a girlfriend,"

Aphi narrowed his eyes at him,

"And where is Fana?"

Mars rolled his eyes and chuckled, giving Aphi a playful pat on the shoulder,

"She's guarding the children. Let's meet the high and mighty,"

Aphi chuckled. The two of them moved toward the central tent, where Fuegoleon and Mynx were speaking over comms with the other squad captains and vice-captains. Balto, lazily stretched out on the ground, watched them with a side-eye while Salamander fluttered around Fuegoleon,

"Captain Fuegoleon,"

Fuegoleon turned and nodded at Mars,

"You must be the new general, Mars right?"

Mars nodded,

"Yes, Sir,"

Mynx, who was standing next to Fuegoleon, patted Mars's shoulder,,

"You have my thanks for helping my little brother out a while ago, Asta,"

Mars's eyes widened slightly, and he glanced at Aphi with a mix of surprise and understanding,

"You made it sound like one squad was the tip, you failed to mention it was the very squad that had one of the most powerful mages,"

Mynx smirked, nudging Fuegoleon with her elbow,

"You hear that, Fuego?"

Fuegoleon deadpanned at her,

"Shut up, don't let it get to your head,"

Mynx smirked,

"Oh, definitely not,"

Balto snorted from the corner of the tent,

"She would never...I might, though,"

Fuegoleon sighed, shaking his head as he turned back to the comms.

"Yami, I want you flanking West with Charlotte. Nozel and Dorothy, take East."

Mars stepped closer to the comms,

"Hate to interrupt, but can you send some more back-up to the citizens? I have a small team there, but not enough if the Spade Kingdom aims to wipe us out,"

Mynx nodded,

"Rill, you take your squad there."

Fuegoleon nodded,