Grey: Monsters

After experiencing two Nephilim wave attacks, the residential base was moved underground, and the survivors—now reduced to below half the original population—took refuge underground. It felt as if they were regressing to the past, to the years before the mighty walls were erected.

This sparked numerous questions and conspiracies. The walls were said to be unbreakable, and a Nephilim invasion was deemed impossible. The only conceivable way they could be breached was if the Nephilim flew over the towering wall, which stood five hundred feet above ground. Yet, no Nephilim had ever been capable of flight. So, what happened? How did the Nephilim breach the wall?

The Docking Gate was halfway closed when a land rover sped through and entered the docking area, an underground space where vehicles were parked and stored.

Exiting the car was the driver, followed by Furahashi and Mayu from the back. Furahashi had a long face, his eyebrows furrowed, staring at the ground the entire time. Mayu saluted the driver.

Mayu glanced at Furahashi's depressed state.

"Captain, we've arrived."

Furahashi raised his head, looked at Mayu, sighed, and walked past her.

"We can't save everybody, Captain. Don't punish yourself. Think more about yourself. I'm sure Seiko will be happy to see you return safely. I'll be at your home office."

Furahashi didn't stop. He heard everything and held his chest tightly, knowing Mayu was right. Not everyone could be saved, but still...

"We need to save as many people as possible…"

"Captain!!"

A boy and two girls came rushing toward Furahashi. They were the other members of Squad Two.

"You guys, good work out there. Keep going at it, okay?"

He smiled warmly, but his gaze betrayed his words. He wished they would stop, wished it would all end. These were kids, full of life, who should have been enjoying their youth—not being sent to the battlefield, where they had their limbs torn apart and became meals for the Nephilim.

"Captain, can we come over to your house? Remember, today's Seiko's birthday, and we have a present for her," said Fumie, one of the girls.

"I can't wait to fondle her cute cheeks," Kimiko, the third girl in the group, chimed in.

"You guys should calm down with your selfish desires. The Captain had a rough day. Let's let him rest," Juro, the only boy in the squad, said.

"How do you all stay so happy…" Furahashi muttered under his breath.

"What did you say, Captain?" Juro asked.

"Nothing. That's thoughtful of you, Juro, but it's alright. You guys can come whenever you want. I'm heading to a meeting now. Make sure to take care of Seiko, okay?" Furahashi said before walking away.

"Oh, I can't wait to give her one of the action figures I found outside. A nice loot I made," Juro mumbled.

"You do realize she's a girl, right?" Fumie asked.

"And so? She'll like it. Trust me." Juro clenched his fist, his face brimming with determination.

After their little chatter, Mayu left for Furahashi's house office, while the rest of the squad headed to their separate wards.

Furahashi, on the other hand, was making his way to the meeting room. After each wave of attacks, the four captains of the squads dispatched to Hokkaido met to discuss battle reports, mortality rates, and other issues. Matters that could be resolved were handled immediately, while others were put on hold until further notice.

The meeting room was located at the far edge of the underground residential bunker. To reach it, Furahashi had to pass through the residential wards.

The ward was a mess. People without rooms or bed spaces lay on the ground like discarded bags at the roadside. Those fortunate enough to have a room struggled to survive the hunger brought on by food rationing. In every direction, survival was the harsh reality in this part of the world.

***

The meeting had ended without much discussion. Furahashi stepped out, his expression lighter than when he had entered. He leaned against the wall, searched his pockets, and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He put one in his mouth and was about to light it.

"Mind if I light that for you?" a feminine voice called out.

Furahashi looked up to see who it was.

"Soyo!"

"Whazap!"

She brought the lighter close to his cigarette and lit it.

Soyo, in her late twenties, had shoulder-length brown hair and auburn eyes. Beside her stood a young man, who greeted Furahashi with a salute. Furahashi nodded in return.

"That's my new squad lieutenant," Soyo said.

"My name's Atushi," the young man said, his voice loud. Furahashi extended his hand and shook it.

"Atushi… as in 'pure' or 'kindness'?"

"Err… Pure, sir!" Atushi stuttered.

"You can leave us, Atushi."

"Yes, ma'am!" he responded before leaving.

Now alone, Furahashi and Soyo leaned against the metal wall, staring at the one opposite.

"You were gloomy throughout the meeting. Lost another ranger today, right?"

"Mm... I could've saved him—"

"You and I both know that's a lie." Soyo smiled, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and exhaled a puff of smoke. "There was no way you could've saved him. You're fond of risking your life. I'm surprised you've survived two years in the military."

"Even still, we have to—"

"Save as many lives as we can, right? But what's the point of digging two graves while trying to save one? You end up not saving anyone, and you kill yourself in the process."

Soyo turned and looked at Furahashi.

"Seiko's eleven now. She needs her father. You're all she's got, so don't leave her alone in this world."

She paused, then asked, "What about that girl, Mayu? She's still following you everywhere?"

"Yeah… Why? Is there something wrong with that?" Furahashi asked.

"Hmm, isn't it a little weird? Even though you found her outside the walls and rescued her, she's pretty clingy…" Soyo glanced at Furahashi's face, realizing he wasn't following. "...Whatever, it's your choice. Just take care of Seiko, alright?"

Soyo walked away, leaving Furahashi deep in thought.

Moments later, two men emerged from the same door. One was bulky and tall; the other, slim and pale-skinned.

"Oh, Furahashi, my man! Still hanging around?" the bulky guy said, his voice deep.

"You didn't say much at the meeting. Let me guess—you couldn't save someone today, 'Mr. Hero,'" the slim guy chuckled.

"Hey, don't be like that, man. Furahashi's a really good guy, you know," the bulky man interjected.

"Humph... Good men don't live long. If you're too good, you won't recognize the bad around you," the slim guy said, departing as the bulky one followed.

Furahashi dropped the cigarette on the ground, crushed it under his foot, sighed, and left the meeting room.

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