I breathe heavily as exhaustion catches up finally. My throat tightens with each breath and this causes me to cough. Something felt off though once I try to move my blade. I yank at it again before I look up to see her holding onto my blade with her hands. I let go of my blade and just fall back onto the wet ground out of breath. She continued to hold it, her hand bleeding and getting charred as the electricity surges around it. She casually flicks it to catch the hilt and stoops over my body to sheath my blade slowly. I was puzzled by this action and froze up with her so close to me.

"Is there a reason I'm not seeing black right now? You could easily defeat me right here." My fear clearly showed in my voice. I swallow when her black eyes lock into mine.

"Battles are more than falling every foe you fight human." She was actually grinning at me. She stands herself up with a groan. "In this case, I have lost. Strategically speaking, I alone could wipe the base out but I also do not have the force to hold it. Your cowardly people finally came out of hiding and dealt with the few you haven't slain." She glares up at what I assumed were other Hunters behind me. "If the weather cycle is true the bad part of the storm is coming up, meaning I'm out of time also." She extends her hand out to me to help me off the ground. "Of all things to lose my first battle, it was you Human."

I was shocked and had to remind myself of their nature before taking her hand. She brings me off the ground with ease and stabilizes me to be sure I don't fall over again. I turn around to see the others prepared to jump to my aid but I felt it would be futile for them. The Armored Kraeka sighs, picking up her halberd to stand beside her.

"May I ask your name. It's customary for us to know those who defeated us."

"It's... Rin. Rin Kazashi." I blink a second, my mind was still foggy.

The Kraeka nods slowly. "I am the Great General Kaede. Kaede Hioln." The name sounded familiar to my memory but I couldn't put my finger as to why. We shook hands briefly before she headed back where she had come from. I watched her walk away silently, taking in the scenery of the mist flowing off her body. Through the smoke of the charred grass, the other Hunters rush over to me in concern and joy.

"Greenie! Greenie that was amazing! Where'd you learn to fight just like a freaking demon?"

"Did you overhear that name? Kaede. The Kaede! How are we even alive right now?!"

The rest of the words they said were a blur as I blacked out.

Thunder rumbling in the distance brings my eyes open but the commands my brain gives to get up are received in protestant pain from my limbs. I groan while finally looking around my surroundings. It was all depressingly white in decor which indicated to me I was in the base's hospital. My sword sat next to my bed sheathed with mud covering the fine leather holder.

"Hey, greenie. Not even Kaede herself could put down your spunk eh?" A Hunter I just realized was even in the room had spoken up. I recognized him as Jae from what one of the other watch guards had called him.

"Here I thought I was in heaven. Nope still in reality then." I sigh and lay back into the cushioned bed.

"You'll be in heaven after you have one of these." He brings out a big bottle of a Commerce Gin with a big grin on his face. "A gate guard brought it in, saying he made a promise to a certain underage drinker." He smirked as he leaned over the bed to hand it to me. I cradled the bottle, turning it slowly to etch its design into my mind.

"You're right I am in heaven now." Uncorking its top I take a big swig to let an unknown burning sensation wash over my throat. I coughed violently as my body warmed up, which brought attention to pain in my sides. Jae heartily laughed at me.

"To think I watched a human not only solo fight a Fire Kraeka but to also straight drink Commerce Gin! The Hunters on the Homeland would think I'm crazy!" He makes a big motion around his head that makes me laugh and quickly grimace as I felt the broken ribs in my side.

"She called herself Kaede but I can't seem to remember where I had heard the name." Corking the bottle I handed the bottle back over to him. When he grabbed it out of my hands I received an extreme expression.

"You do know... Kaede right? Great General? Old War Legend?" I went still as an important memory came to mind.

"The undefeated Fire Kraeka. I fought Her?!" I couldn't believe I forgot how much weight that name had carried.

"Yeah!" He laughed some more. "She also let you off with your life!"

I slump deeper into the bed to let it surround me on all sides. "Gods help me, how am I alive."

"You probably made an impression on her. You know how they like to honor in all things." He held up his hands as I glared at him. "Well, Green- er I mean Rin. I need to get back to the watch. We, along with other bases, are now on higher alert. Not everyone can solo a Kraeka so it's best to stay prepared." He gets up, leaving the gin on the chair. I nod at him as he leaves the room and let out an exasperated sigh.

I was probably going to be in the here a while from my broken bones. I try to lift my legs and feel searing pain there too. I turn to look out the window with slowly darkening scenery. It was storming outside, lightning and thunder across the landscape that never ends on Commerce. The cool air conditioning was easy to breathe but was still heavy from the outdoor humidity. Turning back, I settle into the blankets while thinking of how much I hated this place before I drift into a painful sleep.