The Sun that Must Set
Caterpillar took a deep breath as he wakes up from his sleep and memories. Judging from the chill in the air, he woke up at 4 in the morning. He looked at his brother Nymph, who was still sound asleep. Even if he was the loudest, he was still his brother. And his very first friend in the Garden.
He stretched for a bit and walked off towards base camp, the Bloodwings says camp, but it was actually a mansion in the midst of a civil war. It was the only place with electricity, water, and of course... Food.
Not the typical field rations of stale crackers and undiluted water, but real food like verdant vegetables, succulent meat, and even more vibrant sauces that was seamless in every type of food.
"Seems like you're awake. Caterpillar was it?" Caterpillar turned around and found himself face to face with the leader of the Bloodwings, to them, she was the famed White Witch, some in the closest people of the Garden, she was Wanda. But to strangers, she was the Ghost Moth.
She had ghastly white hair that she keeps tied to a bun, a gray robe that cascades down with blue jewels. Every time she walks, the floor clacks to signify her arrival. She stared at Caterpillar with blood red eyes and a kind smile.
To the larvae of the Garden, meeting people from the Branches are an honor, but being sent to the Bloodwings meant that you have potential to awaken early. There were multiple organizations in the Garden's Emberwatch. The Bloodwings is one of those said organizations.
"H-hello Miss Wanda." Caterpillar squeaked, he wasn't used to greet the ladies, and is easy to fluster.
"You're adorable... You remind me of Wolf and Dragonfly on their first time to be sent here." Wanda laughed a little and beckons Caterpillar to follow her.
"I heard about you dear, and your rather... Lively sibling whose still fast asleep. "Godfather" must've been impressed on your growth."
"All I did was stop my siblings from fighting. And I just wanted everyone to get along." Caterpillar said and Wanda pondered, could he be manifesting his power already?
"I see... Well if you're here to make friends and string around a garland, you better have to resign those thoughts." Wanda said as she leads Caterpillar to the parlor where dozens of people were stitching, designing, and weaving various clothing.
"The work of us Bloodwings differ from that of the other branches of the Emberwatch. But our most notable job is to gather information. Hence, we stationed ourselves in the far corner of the law." Wanda explains as she takes Caterpillar's measurements.
"A little thin, and a small frame. You're like Bell when he first came here." Wanda took note and Caterpillar shuddered. Being compared to Bell was scary for him, he always felt like he had so many hidden agendas.
"Hmm... Tell me Caterpillar, have you ever killed someone?" Wanda asked and Caterpillar froze. It was a memory that he never want to remember, but this was a Senior member of the Garden, lying to her and getting on her bad side will drastically affect him too.
"I... I did." He stammered and he thought she was going to laugh at him, but instead, she gave him a head pat.
"It must have been scary. It's never easy... Being from those memories." Wanda reassures him.
"Have you killed anyone? And how do you stop the guilt from hurting?" Caterpillar inquired and she gives him a soft yet guilty smile
"I never stopped. I let it flow." She said as she gives the measurements to her attendees.
"Wear the garments they will give you, after a few minutes, come to the foyer with your brother. Moth told me you were a great shot." Wanda winked and Caterpillar turned red. She leaves the parlor while the people started working on the garments.
A few minutes later, Nymph arrives, his face scrunch with a frown.
"Don't ask..." He grumbled at Caterpillar as he hands the measurement data to one of the attendees.
"Hey... When we're older, where are you going to join?" Caterpillar asks his brother. Who ponders for a bit. And gives him a wide grin.
"I'd say the Straydogs." Nymph said, Caterpillar does see him as an outlaw vigilante type. "How about you?"
"I think... I'm still not sure." Caterpillar looked away.
"You're just waiting for Moth to choose huh." Nymph hit the nail on the head.
"What's wrong with that?" Caterpillar asked and Nymph just chuckled.
"Whatever Moth chooses, it's bound to be very dangerous. Have you read the Lyris report?"
Caterpillar shuddered and nodded, the Former City of Arts, reduced to ashes and soot. Some say a volcanic eruption took place, but it was a cover up by the Kimalascan Government. Moth was the sole reason the whole city was reduced to nothing but rubble.
The boys stop their chatter when their garments arrived, and both of them look like they were going to war. Their upper body is layered with a gray cloth, interwoven in them is a chain vest. White trousers, and brown boots. Both boys were given scarves to protect them from the smoke, dust, and quite possibly, pheromones.
The pair then head towards the foyer, only to find out that people who are now 10 years old just arrived, all of them wearing grim faces.
"Ahh the two recruits have arrived. Good, good. Nymph, Caterpillar come here please." Wanda beckoned the pair to the upper floor, and Caterpillar could feel the gaze piercing his back. It was suffocating.
"These two adorable kids are this year's talented bunch. One is quiet as a mouse, the other is noisy like an alarm. Ahh yes, Widow, you'll be taking care of them." Wanda nods at a serious girl, she looked like she was 8 years old, with her garments filed with cuts and patches.
Widow, or Black Widow, nods at her direction and signals both boys to follow her to the armory. They were silent, and much to Caterpillar's surprise, Nymph was too. But he could tell, this person leading them was a no nonsense girl.
"We're here. Select your weapon, we will be fanning around the Eastern districts." Widow said as she saddled a rapier on her waist and a pistol on her other side. Caterpillar thought of her as a hunter.
Caterpillar looked around and found himself an ion powered hunting rifle, while Nymph went for a Katana. Which required both hands to operate.
"Uh..." Caterpillar began but held himself back, he knew how stubborn his brother can be.
"What? I'll be fine. Trust me!" Nymph grinned and Caterpillar just shrugged. He was already guessing that he will be taking care of his flank.
The three heads off for the Eastern Front, the state of the place was devoid of houses, but a lot of vegetation and campsites. It was a recipe for a wild blaze.
"Don't worry. Those are not real grass. After all... We are in the Epsila Plains after all." Widow said but she abruptly stopped.
"What's up?" Nymph asked.
"Be quiet." Widow said sharply in a low voice. Caterpillar doesn't hear anything. Wait... Why can't he hear anything? Even the birds won't be this quiet.
Widow raised her pistol to the left and fired a shot imbued with light. The bullet hits something hiding in the foliage and a hand suddenly appears from the bushes.
"The Hunt begins. Get ready boys." Widow declared as she draws her rapier as the chaos finally ensues.