Commander Sirus marched at the front of the reinforcements. He looked strong and sure. Alan and Nat walked right behind him. They moved through the mess of battle, heading to the frontlines. Soldiers saw Sirus and showed respect. Some saluted. Others nodded.
Sirus spoke loudly over the noise. "Thank you all for holding strong. Your bravery and hard work kept the capital safe. Now rest and heal. We'll take over." The tired and hurt soldiers nodded. Their faces showed thanks and relief as they went back to the camp. Alan and Nat looked at each other. The heavy feeling of everything hit them hard.
Sirus went toward the wall where the fighting was worst. From there, they saw Kaguya. She stood on a rough watchtower. Her voice was calm as she told the troops what to do. Her pink hair moved in the wind. Her sharp eyes stayed steady, pointing out important spots and dangers coming their way.
Kaguya saw Sirus coming and nodded to him. "Commander Sirus, it's good to see you made it."
"Same to you, Kaguya," Sirus said. "What's the situation?"
Kaguya pointed to the battlefield. Her face looked serious. "The soldiers are holding their place. With the reinforcements, we're pushing the horde back. But…" She stopped for a moment, then pointed to a shadowy figure far off. It stood on a small hill. A heavy feeling came from it. Its long cloak waved in the wind. Next to it sat a huge black crow. Its blue eyes glowed and watched the battlefield, looking smart and strange.
"That figure," Kaguya said quieter. "He hasn't moved yet. But just him being there makes our soldiers nervous. If he starts fighting…" She stopped. Her usual strong look weakened. "Even with all the heroes and every soldier here, I don't think we can stop him."
Alan and Nat looked at the figure. A cold fear grew inside them. The heavy feeling reached them, pressing on their chests. Sirus tightened his fists. His jaw got hard as he looked where Kaguya pointed.
"Then we make sure he doesn't," Sirus said strong. His voice stayed steady even with the worry around. "Keep the soldiers on task. We'll handle that figure when it's time."
Kaguya nodded but didn't look sure. "I'll keep telling the troops what to do. Let's hope the reinforcements hold the line-for now." Her sharp eyes moved past Sirus. She saw Alan and Nat behind him. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Commander, who are these two? Civilians shouldn't be near this fight."
Sirus sighed and rubbed his head, a little annoyed. "Believe me, Kaguya, I've tried sending them back more times than I can count. They won't go. They say they need the heroes' help and won't leave. I tell them the heroes are busy fighting and can't help now, but they've stayed with us the whole way. I'm done trying to make them leave."
Nat stepped up. She looked Kaguya in the eyes. "I'm sorry for the trouble. We had no choice. My friend Alan—" She stopped and looked at him quick, then kept going. "His brother, Theo, was taken by the Ancient Reapers. We don't know why, but they went right for him. We need the heroes to help us understand."
When she said "Reapers," Kaguya's sure look faded. Her eyes got big. Worry showed on her face. "A child…? Are you sure it was the Ancient Reapers who took him?"
Nat nodded hard. "Yes. They came out of nowhere. We couldn't do anything. Theo didn't even have a chance."
Kaguya's calm broke more. She turned to Sirus. "Commander, this is bad. Really bad. If the Ancient Reapers are moving on their own, not with the horde, this isn't just a random attack on Antonia."
Alan spoke up. His voice shook but stayed firm. "I don't care what it takes. I'll get him back."
Kaguya looked at him. Her eyes softened. She saw his fear and his strength. She sighed and put a hand on her hip. Her usual sureness came back, but it had worry too. "You're brave, I'll say that. But this battlefield isn't for revenge or wild hopes. If you want your brother back alive, you'll need more than bravery."
Nat nodded. "That's why we're here. If the heroes can't help now, we'll wait. But we won't leave without doing something."
Kaguya looked at Sirus. He just shrugged. "Like I said, they won't give up."
Kaguya took a deep breath. She turned to Alan and Nat. "Fine. Stay near the camp and out of danger. I'll watch you. But if you get in the way of the fight even once, I'll send you out of here. Understand?"
Alan and Nat nodded together. Relief washed over them. Kaguya stepped closer. Her voice got softer. "I'll check on this Theo thing when I can. For now, stay alert and let us deal with the monsters. This fight isn't done."
Nat stepped up again. Her face was set and strong. "I—I think I can help. I'm an alchemist. I can treat the hurt people in the camp. Let me do something useful."
Sirus's face softened. He nodded with approval. "Good. That's the kind of spirit we need now. If you can help the injured, you'll do a lot for everyone here." His voice got firm as he pointed to the camp. "Go now. Find Miss Hiyori and the other medics. Tell them what you can do. They'll give you work."
Nat nodded fast. "On it." She looked at Alan quick. He nodded to her without words. She turned and ran to the camp. Her alchemy kit made soft clinking sounds at her side.
Sirus looked at Alan, who stayed by him. Alan's eyes were stuck on the wild battlefield. His fists were tight at his sides. Kaguya saw how focused he was. She tilted her head and asked, "And you? Are you just going to stand here and wait?"
Alan shook his head. "I'm staying here."
Sirus looked at him for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. But don't do anything crazy. You don't know what's out there. This battlefield isn't a place to freeze up."
Alan didn't answer. His eyes moved over the field below. He watched the monsters, the soldiers, and the strange figure far off. Every little thing might be a clue. Somewhere in this mess was the way to find his brother.