The next day arrived in the blink of an eye, sunlight gently spilling across the land as if reluctant to interrupt the quiet camaraderie.
Anthony and his team had spent the entire night at the table, exchanging stories about past missions, personal lives, and the scars, both visible and unseen, that came with the battlefield.
There had been no pretense, no forced formalities. Just warriors speaking as equals.
But one revelation had left the entire table in stunned silence.
"You're telling me"
Dale began, narrowing his eyes.
"You've never taken a single mission?"
Anthony nodded casually, as if discussing the weather.
"Not one"
"And yet you jumped straight to Lieutenant?"
Seraphim's tone held a mix of disbelief and curiosity.
That was all Kingsley needed to hear.
He threw his head back and laughed, nearly doubling over as his drink sloshed in its cup.
"Haha! This just keeps getting better!"
Even Reynold cracked a grin, though it was tinged with disbelief.
