William's POV:
My eyes fluttered open to the sterile white ceiling of the med bay, the sharp smell of disinfectants mingling with the quiet hum of machinery. I gently sat up, my body heavy with both pain and exhaustion and leaned against the headboard of my bed. I looked around the room—members of Squad 9 were there, also in the process of recovering—but I couldn't help noticing the absence of Gilbert, Adam, and Wolfgang. Beyond my immediate vicinity, the low moans of other injured squires played like a somber background symphony.
Chen Mei realizing my awakening, hurried to my side. With concern, she checked the status of my vitals, her fingers deftly navigating the terminal in her hand as she spoke.
"How are you feeling?" she asked, in her usual soft tone and worry in her voice.
Rubbing my eyes, I managed a tired smile.
"I'm fine," I replied softly. "What happened? Did we win?" Before she could answer Kean's disharmonious voice cut in
"In a manner of speaking yeah we won, no thanks to Wolfgang," He said a grating edge to his voice. At that moment, my brow furrowed as the words sank in. The memories of the battle surged back. I couldn't help but respond, my tone carrying the weight of annoyance that his words stirred within me.
"I know Wolfgang made many mistakes, but I don't think it warrants such hostility," I said steadily. Almost immediately as they heard me the med bay settled into silence. Everyone started avoiding eye contact with me except for Kean, who stared right into my eye with an unyielding gaze. Their reactions caught me off guard. My eyebrows furrowed even deeper. The quiet that followed was thick weighing on me heavily.
I murmured, almost to myself, "It was just a bad day," my words barely rising above the quiet that filled the room. Before I could settle into the silence, Kean's voice cut through the tense atmosphere
"Your friend stabbed us in the back," he stated bluntly his eyes unyielding bore into me "Are you sure you ain't a part of it as well?"
"You're lying! Wolfgang would never betray me like that, never!" I shot back growing agitated, trying to sit up straight on my bed only to be dragged back down by searing pain from the injury of my side. Before I could collect my thoughts Kean's annoying voice sharply shot back
"Why do you think he ain't here?" he barked, the prominent veins on his neck and arms mirroring his tone. The silence that followed was shattered by me as I roared back,
"I don't see Gilbert or Adam here either, so what did they betray as well!" My explosive voice ricocheted off the sterile walls, drawing every pair of weary eyes toward me.
I was still burning with anger when a calm, siren-like voice cut through the tension. As I looked around for the source I saw her, Anastasia. Her attention had been fixed on a set of intricate armor schematics. But now, as the heated exchanges between Kean and I wound the med bay tighter, her eyes lifted from her work, and in a calm serene tone, she said,
"You guys need to calm down, we are in a hospital."
For a moment the tense atmosphere in the room calmed down, the constant beeping of monitors and the soft hum of medical equipment the only thing to follow after her voice. Her words anchored us all.
I watched as Kean exhaled sharply, his voice ragged despite the attempt to calm down. I could almost see the prominent veins pulsing on his neck as he declared,
"Adam isn't here because he took down the betrayer, Wolfgang, your confidante, and Gilbert isn't because the betrayer shot him in the back, creating an opening for him to be seriously injured hence forcing him into dire straits." His words slammed into me with unforeseen force, I lay there staring blankly at the sterile ceiling, the pain of my injuries anchoring me to the bed. His words dredged up memories of the battle I went through.
I asked Chen Mei in a low tone, exhaustion washing over me, "Chen Mei, do you know where Wolfgang is being kept?" Her almond-shaped eyes lifted from her work, and with a slight tilt of her head she replied, "Yes, why?" "Send it to my halo watch," I said crisply. Slowly, I rose from the bed, the pain still throbbing at my side as I made my out of the room
"Wait, you can't leave, you need more rest," Chen Mei protested, stepping forward in an attempt to pull me back. For a brief moment I thought about it but then I left with determined steps
"I am sorry, but I need to Wolfgang myself," I insisted, pushing myself up despite the ache. As I walked away the mocking jibe of Kean rang behind me
"Or maybe you're going there to congratulate him on a job well done," he quipped, his tone laced with derision. I took a deep breath forcing myself not to offer any form of reply.
"Leave him be, Kean," I heard Anastasia's voice interjected her calm voice soothing my mind as I strode forward to seek my answers.
*****
I made my way toward the secured wing of the med bay, my heart pounding with uncertainty but I still held hope for my friend. After getting permission from the medic on duty, I was allowed to enter the room where Wolfgang was being held. The door creaked open, and I saw him slowly lift his gaze. For a few long minutes, we just stared at each other, no words just the heavy silence of two friends. As each second passed the hope in my heart darkened further. Finally breaking the stillness, I spoke slowly as I stepped fully into the room, "At first didn't believe it, now looking at you I can see that is true, isn't it?" My voice carries disbelief and sorrow.
Wolfgang's eyes dropped away, and in a quiet tone he said, "I'm sorry." His gaze never met mine, sorrow marring his face.
Pained I sat down on a nearby stool and asked "Why?" The question hung in the air. Why, a simple word yet it carried so much weight it could sink a ship.
After a pause that felt like an eternity, Wolfgang replied softly, "I got an offer."
"An offer," I chuckled, the laugh brittle as pain ran through my side. I felt fury boiling inside me as I stared at my long-time friend "What kind of offer would make you betray your squad, Wolf? You betrayed me."
He lay there not saying anything before finally looking at me and spilling the truth. I listened to each syllable that spilled out of Wolfgang's mouth
"Someone came to me and offered me the chance to transfer to the magistrate's office, we will join the federal guards instead of moving to the Dragon Legion," Wolfgang said, confidence re-entering his tone. "All I had to do was sabotage Gilbert, someone we don't care about." His words played on my ears as I saw why, yet I still couldn't understand
"So you betrayed me as well? I thought we had each other's back," I said to him pain lacing not only my body but also my voice.
"Listen, William, it was a mistake I didn't intend for you to get hurt, and for that, I am genuinely sorry. but listen this is what we both wanted, a chance at glory." Wolfgang said confidence re-entering his tone. "You could do this together and we won't have to listen to that peasant anymore, or look into the face of that bastard Kean daily. I don't see why you are upset this is what we both wanted from we were small."
"You are right Wolf, if this was at the beginning I would taken that offer as well, but now I….." I trailed off, the weight of my words sinking in, as I struggled against my feelings. My mind raced of what I was like before leaving New Astrea dreams of glory, bringing my family into a Tier I city amongst the movers and shakers of the federation. Then the last year flashed through my mind as my face hardened. I took a shuddering breath ignoring the throb of pain that wracked my side.
"Now, after every scar I have earned alongside our squad, the blood I've shed for the squad. I see no reason for such drastic measures. Gilbert as a cocky, sassy, and annoying peasant is one of the best squad leaders we could ever ask for even better than myself. Adam is quiet, yet his eyes are sharp, a clear reflection of his keen mind. Kean is, well, Kean. And Anastasia is destined to become a top-tier mechanic. Plus, Chen Mei might just be the highest-ranked medic amongst squires." I took a pause allowing my heightened emotions to calm down, and with a steady voice, I continued.
"So after everything we've endured why would you still accept such an offer?" My tone, rough at the start, gradually smoothed out as I pressed on, as I earnestly demanded answers.
"Hahaha, you can't be serious! You want to stick to that motley crew, why, William, Why!?" Wolfgang said voice cracking with raw emotion. "You asked me why I would accept such an offer, it is simple really. This is what I've always wanted, what you've always wanted, what we've always dreamed of a chance at glory. You've changed William and it may not have been for the best," For a moment the silence stretched between us swallowing every word. A silence heavy with a shared past that now seemed fractured beyond repair. I looked back to every word, every decision, that had led us here to a crossroads between loyalty, honor, and ambition. We each stayed there still as statues staring at each other afraid to take the next steps. Slowly, I pushed myself up, listening to the med bay's constant beeps and the hum of equipment.
"You're wrong Wolf," I said firmly, the anger and emotion in my tone flowing away leaving a simple conviction. "I haven't changed; I have grown. We aren't children anymore. Sure I may not be the biggest fan of Gilbert, but he has earned my trust and I believe that Squad 9 can carry forward the the dreams we once shared. I will not let the lure of hollow glory shatter what we have built together."
As I stood there staring at him this was a memory I will never forget for years to come as I turned to leave his room
"You are making a mistake William," Wolfgang said behind me his voice solid
"Take care of yourself, Wolfgang," I said walking, the pain hitting me hard not just the pain of my injury but something more, today I felt it for the second time the loss of a close friend.