[Ark]

It still amazes me that a lot of things could change in just a span of a year. I'm looking at a once newbie captain, a new project.

Now standing at the top of all captains. He, who has a record of killing 378 vampires, 46 of them of a different caliber, in just a year of being a captain. Walang araw na hindi siya nasa misyon, he never stopped training as well.

Cyrene's death hit him hard.

I could still remember the look on his face. The horror. His screams.

His eyes were all black, his expression was the darkest I've ever seen in this job. "C-Captain Cyrene . . . died?" Sinabunutan niya ang sarili niya at mariin na nakayuko. Nagdurugo ang labi niyang nasobrahan na sa pagkagat niya.

"S-She died . . . b-because of me."

I stepped forward. "N-No, Captain Jake-"

"NO!" I was startled when he looked at me. I felt the chills down my spine because of the expression he had. 

He has the same look Cyrene had . . . after her sister's death.

He gritted his teeth. "I will fucking kill them all . . . I will kill them . . . I will kill all those bloodsuckers."

Nanlilisik ang mga mata, nakatingin sa kawalan.

"I'll avenge her . . . I'll hunt them all down."

He certainly did.

"I apologize for being late, captains," bungad ni Captain Jake sa main.

"Just right in time," I said, stepping forward. His eyes went on me and he slightly bowed.

"Captain Ark, it's been a while." 

I slightly bowed as well. "Now, we're all here, let's start the meeting," I said as I looked at them. 

"Thank you for joining me in this operation, Captains. Before-"

I stopped midway when someone raised his hand. We all looked at Ryo who's looking at me.

"I heard captains were needed in this operation, but remind me again why you, the newest captain here, is leading the operation?" Walang buhay ang mga mata niyang nakatingin sa 'kin.

Auerie clicked her tongue. "Insolent brat."

Senenyasan ko siyang huminto. "I don't mean to deny your titles and skills." I looked down at him, despite having little difference between our heights. "But I'm in the association or as long as you are, as a vice captain under the strongest hunter. When it comes to experience, I'm not much inferior than you."

"If it will make you feel better, I was chosen because I've been to this district before. We successfully cleanse it. However, it looks like it needed cleansing again. Ako ang napili dahil may alam na 'ko sa lugar, nagawa na namin 'tong linisin dati, kaya ulit natin gawin 'yon ngayon."

Ryo clicked his tongue. I'm already expecting some reactions with me leading this operation. I'm quite actually glad that it was only him who stepped up.

Nilibot ko ang tingin ko sa kanila. "Anyone else have some questions?"

"I have none, but I want to tell everyone that I've been with Captain Ark in an operation before," Captain Aurie said, looking at everyone, then locking her eyes at Ryo. "You don't have to doubt his skills, I can assure you that."

"I'm honored, Captain Aurie." I slightly bowed. "Well, if we don't have any more questions regarding my authority, I would like to give my lock rule."

Captain Moria raised her brows. "Oh, lock rule right away?"

I nodded. "Nakasanayan ko ng unahin ang lock rule bago ang lahat. Please bear with me."

She nodded. "I have no issues with that, it's just a first."

"Thank you. Then . . ." I looked at them. "My lock rule."

"Once you hesitate, in under any circumstances, in any place, no matter who you are facing— FLEE."

I have a serious expression on, I didn't falter. They have different ways to show it, but it's obvious that they were taken aback.

Captain Jake was the first one to protest. "Huh? Isn't that our job? To fight our fear, our hesitation. You can't be called a hunter if you flee once you hesitate. Kasama sa trabaho natin 'yan."

Captain Moria sighed. "Captain Jake is right. It is a part of us. We should fight no matter what."

You don't understand.

"I understand your points. But please, hear me out. Once you hesitate, means there's a part of you that you know you can't win. Ayokong patunayan niyo pa sa mga sarili niyo na kaya niyo. Once you hesitate, FLEE."

Ryo scoffed. "What? Is this a trauma or something? Does it have something to do with your previous captain," he mocked me with a grin.

I had never felt colder ever before. My chest suddenly became numb when our eyes met, it was enough to erase the grin on his face and make him flinched.

"As much as possible, I don't want to waste lives in the battle. But if you insist, I can take yours now."

Natigilan siya sa sinabi ko, mariin na sumara ang kamao. He gritted his teeth. "What the fuck did you-" Captain Aurie immediately stopped him.

Malalim na bumuntong-hininga si Captain Moria. "I understand where you are coming from. But Captain Ark, this-"

"Unfortunately, this is not debatable. I'm not changing my lock rule, captains." Hininto ko ang usapan doon.

Captain Jake looked like he was still not done, but he had no other option but to accept it. "Okay . . . if that's the lock rule, then we have to respect it."

I nodded. "Thank you."

You have to accept it. It's for everyone's safety.

I too, wouldn't reacted the same way if you had told me that . . . a year ago.

Being able to control our fear and fight, it's what makes us hunters, she once said.

But I learned it the hard way.

Not even the strongest hunter, could hide her fear. But she fought back . . . she fought 'till the end, and it cost her her life.

"Well, again, thank you for joining me in this operation, captains," muling bungad ko.

"Let's start this meeting about our upcoming raid on District 67."

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