“I hope we can work together and end this war.”

Those words stunned her. She had thought he would accept her chance and leave without any repercussions. She owed him for saving her daughter after all. But…his shift in attitude wasn’t what she expected at all.

Ethan, a human who probably lived a normal life before entering the city, the shy and nervous fellow she had bumped into at the station, a soldier in the past that preferred staying with his parents after doing his part, was now idling by on the bed waiting for her reaction to his statement. No trace of worry or distrust against her.

This was rare for her, to be at a lost for words.

“O-oh! Well…that’s very reassuring.” She stammered out. But she couldn’t help but worry if he had another motive for his decision, so she pressed on.

“But, Ethan…are you sure with this? Even with what I told you and what you had seen before your eyes, you want to fight with my kind?”

“As I said, it’s no different than me joining the military…” He said while shrugging his shoulders.

“IT IS DIFFERENT!” Octavia couldn’t help but shout in frustration. The sheer power in her voice made Ethan jump back a bit into his bed. A sudden wave of guilt overtook her anger, as she backed away, not wanting to put more fear into Ethan.

“Sorry, Sorry!” She apologized profusely.

“It’s just that…” Gripping her arms tightly around herself, she spoke the thoughts that were plaguing her mind. “I’ve lost a good number of friends who were like you…thinking that this was a petty war to overcome, only to lose them by underestimating the enemy…”

She shakes her head and focuses again on her words that would give Ethan a better understanding of the situations at hand.

“That’s what hinders us from further progress on this war, underestimating the enemy. I don’t underestimate them, and you shouldn’t either. You had seen it yourself too, Ethan. You saw how terrifying that creature was. So, don’t just say that this was is like what you fought before…”

She sees Ethan grip the thin sheet of his bed as he comprehends her words, his face turning slightly pale. She knows they made their mark on him. And she was fine with that, even if her conscious was now riddled with guilt by him learning about his possible fate.

She can’t waste time now. She has accomplished what she needed to do here and now has to meet with her father to rely the information given to her.

“…I’m sorry to leave things like this Ethan but I need to meet with my superiors and discuss what you had told me. I do hope my words changed your idea about this war. And like I said before, I will respect your choice on what you want to do now. Goodbye…”

Bowing her head slightly, she makes her way to the door. But, before she could leave the room, Ethan speaks up.

“I’m sorry for what I said…and thanks for the warning. But I’ll still fight.” His voice was strong, void of fear or regret about what he met as he said those words.

Octavia stood still at his revelation, still willing to fight knowing that he might possibly fall in battle. But, that sense of determination is something she could relate to. Rather than face him, she hummed in acknowledgement of his words and speaks.

“Thank you, Ethan. I’ll send someone to bring some clothes for you and to escort you to meet with my superior. So, you can rest here until then. Be seeing ya.” Waving behind her, she steps out the door and down the hall to her meet with her father but stopping as she senses someone behind her.

“Chase…do be nice to him, ok? Don’t want another incident to happen like wit Yestel, would you?”