Lili saw only a blinding flash—and then, nothing.
For an instant, she feared it was the end, but her essence—a core of pure, indestructible light—was not so easily extinguished.
She was flung skyward, ripped from her shattered body the very moment the grenade detonated. Detached yet aware, she saw the explosion engulf her former self, tearing apart the hulking monstrosity and scattering infected into dust and ruin. Yet none of that mattered now.
"Where is the Sergeant?"
This single thought propelled her forward, her consciousness surging through the chaos below. She shot past the twisted, towering forms of infected, the burning wreckage, and the shattered remains of the spaceport, rising swiftly through clouds choked with ash. Below her stretched a dead world, gray and lifeless, swallowed by the cold grip of nuclear winter.
Then—a pull. Something above the clouds summoned her with irresistible force, drawing her upward, faster and faster.
Lightning cracked sharply, illuminating a figure wrapped in radiant brilliance. For the briefest moment, she glimpsed him clearly—a perfect being, divine in form, his noble features ageless and wise, obscured partially by shimmering golden-white armor and an aura of pure, celestial light. From his shoulders, magnificent wings extended, each feather blazing with luminous splendor. His eyes, deep and compassionate, held a desperate urgency.
"Wait!" the divine being called to her, voice resonating with both kindness and authority. "Your destiny lies not there, child! Return now—there is still hope! You must guide your people from darkness!"
But Lili hesitated only briefly, her resolve unwavering.
"No! I have to save the Sergeant! I didn't even get to ask his name!"
She twisted deftly, slipping from his gentle yet firm grasp like wind through his fingers, and soared beyond the clouds, beyond the planet, into the infinite darkness of space.
And there, faint and fragile against the infinite void, she sensed him: the Sergeant's soul, a dim gray ember drifting silently toward oblivion.
She surged forward urgently, faster than thought, swifter than starlight. But just before she reached him—danger.
A ripple of warning prickled her essence, and she veered sharply. A brilliant bolt of golden lightning blazed past, illuminating the divine being once more, his radiance intensified yet flickering, as though exertion were rapidly draining him.
"Stop this!" he pleaded, a profound sorrow in his powerful voice. "Billions of lives depend upon you—upon your strength! Do not waste this precious gift on one mortal soul!"
But Lili pressed forward, determination burning fiercely within her.
"I'm sorry—but I have to! He's right here—I can't abandon him now!"
She reached the Sergeant's drifting essence, wrapping it tenderly in delicate tendrils of pure white light, pouring all of her healing warmth into it. Slowly, the faint ember of gray brightened.
"Don't worry, Sergeant," she whispered softly. "I'm not letting you go."
But then—another surge of presence. The divine being gathered his remaining strength, now truly desperate.
A flash, impossibly swift, ensnared her. His mighty hands of divine light clasped her essence firmly, yet gently.
"My child," he implored, voice shaking with effort and grief. "Let him go. His path has ended—yours has not. Your fate is bound to all of humanity. I can restore you—return you in time, give you another chance! Please, accept this gift."
Lili clung fiercely to the Sergeant, her essence trembling under the overwhelming divine strength.
"I can't—I won't!" she shouted back, defiant even in the face of divine authority. "He's important! He saved me—now it's my turn to save him!"
The divine being hesitated, his perfect features shadowed with deep sadness. His grip weakened slightly, his radiant form flickering visibly now, power rapidly fading.
"Child, my strength is limited," he admitted softly, his voice gentle yet heavy with regret. "If I save him, there may be no hope left for countless others. He is but one man—a flawed soul like any other."
"That's exactly why he deserves a chance!" Lili countered passionately, holding on tighter, refusing to yield. "Because he's just a man—and he fought for us, protected us! I won't abandon him!"
For a moment, the divine being looked into her core, witnessing the purity of her resolve and the depth of her compassion. His golden eyes softened with sorrowful admiration.
Then, resigned, he withdrew his hand, voice trembling.
"Then you leave me no choice. Go, child. Return to the flow of time—restore hope. And forgive me that I cannot do more."
Yet as he spoke, something unexpected happened. A single tendril of dim yet fiercely determined light emerged from the Sergeant's fading soul, reaching out and intertwining gently with Lili's own.
The divine being froze, eyes widening in disbelief.
"Impossible… why would he…?"
Before he could intervene, the bond solidified, unbreakable, pulling both souls together. And in that instant, his strength was fully spent.
With one final, despairing look, the divine being's radiant form began to flicker, his glorious visage fading rapidly.
"Why, my child… why choose this path?" he murmured, voice fading into silence as his magnificent image dissolved into the endless darkness of space, leaving only a gentle echo of sorrow.
Then Lili and the Sergeant fell together, plunging back toward the distant world of Achios—but as they neared it, reality itself twisted. Time unraveled, darkness replaced by vibrant greens, smoke and ruin rolling backward, the devastated planet becoming whole again.
Yet their path had shifted irreversibly. Holding tightly to the Sergeant, Lili's action altered their trajectory, and they missed Achios entirely, hurtling instead toward unknown stars and unfamiliar worlds.
As they plunged deeper into the cosmos, Lili felt the faint stirrings of renewed life within the Sergeant's soul. Despite the unknown ahead, warmth filled her—because no matter where they landed, she would not face it alone.
Lili held onto the Sergeant's soul tightly as they streaked through the void, stars blurring past in dizzying streams of silver light. She could sense something awakening within him—a fragile flicker of life.
"Sarge, can you hear me?" Her voice was gentle, hopeful, a whisper amidst the infinite dark.
She poured all her warmth and strength into him, willing his spirit to return.
Gravity suddenly took hold, pulling them downward. The speed of their descent eased, their path bending toward a planet unlike any she'd known—no vast hive-cities, no immense steel structures. Instead, sprawling emerald landscapes stretched beneath a serene, cloud-studded sky, dotted with winding rivers and dense forests.
Silently, unnoticed, they pierced through a veil of clouds and drifted lower, descending toward a picturesque town along the banks of a broad, calm river. Lili had never seen such quiet simplicity—a peaceful facade that quickly revealed itself to be an illusion.
From the southern horizon, across lush fields and gentle slopes, marched an army in vibrant uniforms. Thousands of soldiers advanced in disciplined columns, their dark blue woolen jackets and vivid red trousers bright against the earth. Brass buttons gleamed under the summer sun, black leather boots thudding rhythmically against packed dirt roads. Tall kepi hats bobbed above the ranks, bayonet-fixed rifles resting firmly on their shoulders. Accompanying them were heavy cannons, iron muzzles darkened by use, drawn by straining horses as artillery crews rushed into position on a nearby hill overlooking the town.
Before them, the peaceful town was starkly divided by the Saar River, its calm waters reflecting sunlight. Three sturdy stone bridges stretched across, connecting the southern side to the northern district. As the attacking force entered the southern half, the northern side buzzed with tense anticipation.
There, soldiers waited behind barricades hastily constructed from furniture, carts, and barrels. Their uniforms were more austere, deep blue coats contrasted by pale sky-blue trousers, their heads protected by distinctive helmets crowned with iron spikes—Pickelhaubes. Soldiers crouched behind cover, waited inside houses, or peered from windows and alleyways, rifles trained steadily across the river.
Lili drifted lower, her grip on the Sergeant unwavering. Then she noticed something unusual atop the southern hill—a young figure dressed in an immaculate officer's uniform, a teenage boy clearly of noble bearing, standing proudly beside a cannon. With a decisive gesture, the youth himself fired the first shot.
The cannon roared deafeningly, smoke erupting in a dense plume as an iron ball flew shrieking through the air. It smashed into a rooftop near the riverbank, scattering tiles and debris onto the street below but causing no apparent harm. Nonetheless, this single shot triggered the battle in earnest.
"En avant! Vive l'Empereur!" The shout rose in unison from thousands of throats as soldiers surged into the town, boots echoing sharply upon cobblestone streets. They advanced toward the bridges, forming precise ranks, pausing deliberately before crossing.
Lili stared in disbelief. The attackers, arrayed openly without seeking cover, calmly formed neat firing lines despite being exposed. It made no sense to her. Then, suddenly, thunderous rifle volleys exploded from the northern side, echoing fiercely over the river.
Men began to fall. Some cried out in agony, collapsing onto stone streets slick with blood. Others toppled from the bridges into the water, disappearing beneath the currents. Bodies piled up quickly, yet the attackers pressed relentlessly forward, disciplined ranks stepping over fallen comrades, seemingly indifferent to their own vulnerability.
Lili's mind spun. The entire scene seemed impossibly senseless—humans slaughtering each other without hesitation or purpose.
Then the attackers' cannons roared once more—but shockingly, their fire landed squarely within their own occupied section of the town. Buildings shattered violently, flames erupted, and soldiers fled in panic, struck by debris or engulfed by fire. Chaos rippled through their ranks as the attackers' morale shattered, forcing a disorganized retreat.
Across the river, cheers erupted from defenders, the irony of their enemy's miscalculation lifting their spirits.
But to Lili, the entire event was madness. Her stomach twisted painfully. Why would humans fight other humans with such recklessness, with such disregard for their own survival? She couldn't understand these people, their bright uniforms, their archaic weapons, their suicidal tactics.
Before she could process it further, she and the Sergeant descended swiftly, their luminous forms flickering brightly as they touched down unnoticed upon the grassy riverbank. Around them, the sounds of distant battle echoed—a grim welcome to this strange new world.
Before Lili could dwell on her confusion, she and the Sergeant crashed down near the riverbank, their forms shimmering brilliantly with radiant energy.
Then—her body began to take shape once more.
Lili gasped softly as warmth flooded through her, a comforting sensation like sunlight after a storm. She felt bones knitting together, sinew and muscle forming anew, skin stretching gently into place. Golden strands of hair cascaded down her back, delicate fingers flexed instinctively, and her petite frame returned, familiar and comforting, the body of her six-year-old self restored completely.
She let out a relieved breath, momentarily lost in the joy of being whole again.
But then, remembering, her eyes darted to the Sergeant.
He, too, was enveloped in the glow, the brilliant energy working rapidly to reform his essence. At first, the shape looked familiar—broad shoulders, hardened muscles—but abruptly, the transformation took an unexpected turn.
Lili watched in astonishment as his large, battle-hardened frame shrank rapidly, limbs becoming slender and graceful, skin softening into youthful, unblemished fairness. His rough features melted away, replaced by a sweetly rounded face—full, rosy cheeks, a small button nose, and large, expressive deep-blue eyes framed by long, delicate lashes. Golden hair, identical to Lili's own, flowed down his back in a shimmering cascade.
The Sergeant had become...a girl.
Lili's mouth dropped open, eyes wide in disbelief.
Gone was the tough, rugged soldier she knew. Now lying beside her was a petite, utterly adorable girl who looked exactly like her—down to the tiniest detail. The Sergeant had become her perfect twin sister.
Before either of them could react further, gravity reclaimed its hold, and they both dropped heavily onto the soft grass.
"Eeeep!" Lili squeaked, landing with a gentle but unceremonious thud.
"Kyaaaah! What the—noooo!" The Sergeant cried out, the voice high-pitched, undeniably feminine, before crashing onto the ground next to Lili.
For a long, stunned moment, they simply lay there, blinking dazedly at the clear sky above, the river quietly murmuring beside them. The chaos of battle seemed distant and irrelevant as the two identical girls took in their miraculous, bewildering transformation.
Then, Lili scrambled up onto her knees, staring wide-eyed at the Sergeant—her newly transformed, undeniably adorable twin.
Her six-year-old mind buzzed with excitement, practically short-circuiting.
"Oh my God, Sarge!" she gasped, clapping her small hands together. "You're so cute now! We're like—like sisters! Twins forever!"
The Sergeant froze, her expression shifting from confusion to dawning horror.
Slowly, she raised trembling hands, only to find them small, delicate, and unfamiliar. Her breath hitched sharply.
"W-Wha—What did you just say?!" she squeaked, instinctively covering her chest as her cheeks flushed bright red. "Where—where are my muscles? My pecs? I'm supposed to be a—"
She swallowed hard, voice cracking into a helpless whisper.
"—a MAN?!"
Lili burst into uncontrollable giggles, doubled over at the sight.
The Sergeant—once a battle-hardened warrior of the Imperium—was now reduced to an adorable little girl. And she was clearly not handling it well.
As the realization settled, the Sergeant frantically touched her soft cheeks, ran fingers down her slender neck, then hesitantly moved her hands lower, coming to rest on her flat, girlish chest.
Her eyes widened in panic.
Her breathing grew shallow and rapid as her gaze drifted further downward, until trembling fingers darted swiftly between her legs.
Her face drained of all color.
"What the hell—?!" she gasped, eyes bulging in horror. "My pride—my fucking dick?! No, no, no! This can't be happening!" Her shrill, unmistakably feminine voice only deepened the nightmare. "Why do I sound like a girl?! Lili, what did you do to me?!"
Completely unbothered by their mutual lack of clothing, Lili hopped to her feet and proudly slapped a small hand against her chest.
"I saved you, Sarge!" she declared triumphantly, utterly sincere. "I did exactly what you always told me a medic should do!"
The Sergeant stared blankly at Lili, momentarily stunned into silence.
"You—you what?!"
"It's true! I actually blew myself up with a grenade, found your soul floating in space, and brought you back!" Lili explained brightly, spreading her arms wide, clearly expecting applause. "You're welcome!"
The Sergeant, however, was too busy hyperventilating and frantically inspecting her new body to appreciate the miraculous rescue. Her hands shifted rapidly from her chest to her hips, then down her slender thighs, desperately searching for proof this was all just a terrible illusion.
While the Sergeant wrestled with reality, Lili finally took a proper look at their surroundings.
They had landed gently on the grassy banks of a broad, peaceful river whose waters shimmered serenely beneath the afternoon sun. Green fields stretched out to distant, rolling hills dotted with clusters of leafy trees. A gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of grass and wildflowers, a soothing contrast to the chaos she had known for so long.
But peace was not absolute. Across the river, nestled between the green landscape, stood the quaint yet now chaotic town. Stone and brick buildings lined cobblestone streets, their rooftops rising unevenly into the bright blue sky, now punctuated by thick plumes of dark smoke. The distant crack of gunfire and the echoing boom of cannons drifted clearly across the valley, shattering the idyllic tranquility.
Lili tilted her head curiously, her golden hair catching the sunlight.
"Hmm…" she murmured, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "I don't know where we are, Sarge. But there are people fighting in town. And if they're fighting each other, that probably means there aren't any infected, right?"
She spun slowly in place, arms spread wide, marveling at their new environment.
"There's grass, trees, water, puffy white clouds, a big blue sky, and no infected!" She nodded decisively, pleased with her logic. "That means we're safe!"
The Sergeant barely registered Lili's words. Her eyes remained wide, fixed in stunned disbelief as her hands trembled, exploring her unfamiliar body. She cautiously pinched one soft, round cheek.
"Ack—ow!" She flinched, recoiling from her own touch. "That hurt! That actually hurt! What the hell…?" Her fingers curled tightly into fists, knuckles whitening against her delicate skin. "No way. No damn way. This can't be real."
Overwhelmed, she slumped forward onto the grass, her forehead pressing into the cool earth as though seeking grounding from her confusion.
Lili tilted her head, puzzled. "Sarge?"
There was no reply, only the Sergeant's ragged breathing.
Curiosity mingled with concern as Lili crouched beside her friend, gently placing a comforting hand on the Sergeant's trembling back. The instant their skin touched, she felt it—a familiar and resonant warmth.
Lili's blue eyes widened in awe.
Beneath her palm, deep within the Sergeant's chest, pulsed a gentle, radiant glow. It was unmistakably familiar, echoing the magical core inside her own heart. Soft and faint, yet undeniably present.
"Sarge!" Excitement brightened Lili's voice as she rubbed soothing circles over the Sergeant's back. "You're not just a girl now—you have a piece of my core inside you!"
The Sergeant barely stirred, still caught in silent turmoil.
Undeterred, Lili's enthusiasm grew. "That means you can be like me! You could be a Planetary King—no, a Planetary Queen! With both of us working together, we can grow an enormous strawberry farm! Our strawberries will be even bigger and tastier than those we had back in the Metro."
At this, the Sergeant's shoulders twitched. Slowly, almost reluctantly, she rolled onto her back, staring at her small, delicate hands as if seeing them clearly for the first time. As she focused, the warmth within her flared softly. A faint glow blossomed within her palms—fragile and uncertain, yet undeniably magical.
She inhaled sharply, pupils dilating in awe.
Lili clapped her hands, delighted. "Yay! See, Sarge? Now you can grow strawberries too!"
The Sergeant clenched her glowing hands into fists, momentarily extinguishing the light. Her earlier panic and despair melted away, replaced by a dawning realization that sparked excitement in her eyes.
"This…" Her voice trembled with newfound vigor. "This is incredible."
A slow, devious grin spread across her youthful face.
"No, this is fantastic!"
Before Lili could respond, the Sergeant eagerly shuffled forward, gripping Lili's small shoulders firmly, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Do you realize what this means, Lili?" she whispered urgently, her voice almost trembling. "With your powers—and now mine—we're not just going to survive. We're going to thrive! We'll be Kings—no, we'll surpass Kings!"
Lili blinked innocently. "Queens," she corrected automatically.
The Sergeant ignored her, already envisioning their future. Her voice rose with feverish enthusiasm, hands gesturing animatedly as possibilities unfolded in her mind. "Imagine this—we'll create the most productive, healing agricultural world ever seen! Our food won't just sustain people; it will cure them, heal their wounds, make diseases obsolete! The Imperium would pay fortunes—no, entire planetary economies—to access what we'll create!"
She threw her hands skyward, practically vibrating with anticipation.
"Lili, we'll be richer and more powerful than anyone in the Imperium! We'll be like gods!"
Silence stretched between them, broken only by the soft rustling of grass beneath a gentle breeze.
After a thoughtful pause, Lili furrowed her brow slightly. "Um, Sarge… don't you mean Queens and Goddesses?" She pointed to the Sergeant's unmistakably feminine form. "I mean, you're not exactly a boy anymore, right?"
The Sergeant's confident grin faltered slightly, doubt flickering briefly across her face. She glanced down at herself again, noticing the undeniable softness of her youthful form, then at Lili's similar figure.
But then she squared her shoulders defiantly, flicking her long golden hair back as if it were irrelevant. With practiced arrogance, she placed her hands on her hips and declared firmly, "Don't jump to conclusions, Lili. We've just arrived in these new forms, and there's no telling how our bodies might evolve or change from here. We're not merely human anymore—we're beyond simple definitions of man or woman. We are becoming something greater. Soon, we'll be divine."
Lili's mouth opened slightly in awe, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Wow… divine," she murmured, visibly inspired. Maybe the Sergeant was right. Perhaps they were now like that brilliant, angelic being they'd seen, creatures of pure magic and endless possibilities.
For the first time, a thrill of anticipation surged through Lili's small chest. Together, she realized, they could indeed change the universe.
And she couldn't wait to see what they would become.
Meanwhile, the Sergeant finally turned her sharp gaze to their surroundings. In the distance, the sounds of battle echoed through the air—gunshots popping intermittently, distant shouts ringing harshly, and thick, acrid smoke rising from the rooftops of the town.
Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Beyond an open field of fertile, dark soil lay a winding dirt road leading to a weathered wooden signpost. The script on the sign wasn't in High Imperial; to Lili, it appeared like strange, indecipherable shapes. Yet the Sergeant stared intently, whispering to herself,
"Saarbrücken…?"
She stood motionless for a moment, absorbing the implication. Then, with newfound purpose, she glanced down at her own bare form, then at Lili's equally exposed figure, quickly formulating a plan.
"Alright, Lili," she began, her tone shifting into the practiced cadence of an instructor. "We seem to have found ourselves in unfamiliar territory—potentially beyond the Imperium's influence. According to standard Imperial survival doctrine, what's our immediate protocol?"
Lili straightened her back instinctively, placing a small finger to her chin as she concentrated.
"Hmm! First, remain calm and assess the situation clearly," she recited dutifully, eyes shining with pride at her own memory. "Then, activate emergency beacons if available, locate shelter, secure water, and procure food. Avoid detection and remain concealed whenever possible. Next, use navigation aids to identify an escape route to friendly territory. If escape isn't viable, establish discreet contact with Imperium forces and await rescue."
She paused dramatically, puffing out her small chest.
"But above all," she concluded, raising her voice proudly, "if capture becomes unavoidable, do not disclose any vital information to the enemy! Instead, fight courageously to your final breath, and if necessary, die in glorious battle!"
The Sergeant nodded approvingly, a hint of pride softening her features. "Very good, my young apprentice. You've studied your lessons well."
Lili beamed, glowing with happiness at the Sergeant's praise.
"However," the Sergeant interjected, holding up one slender finger to emphasize her point, "our situation is quite… unique." She gestured toward their bare bodies, highlighting their distinct lack of gear. "We have no emergency beacon, no weapons, no ship—and, at least for now, no pursuers. This calls for a different approach."
A mischievous smile spread across her delicate features.
"We must adapt and integrate with the local populace."
Lili tilted her head in confusion. "Integrate?"
"That's right," the Sergeant continued smoothly. "You shall be my little brother Jin, and I will be your older brother Jen."
Lili gasped excitedly, eyes widening. "Brothers? We're going to pretend to be boys?"
"Exactly," the Sergeant confirmed confidently. "From now on, we're the Jen-Jin brothers—war orphans caught in the chaos of battle. A perfect cover to blend in."
Understanding finally dawned on Lili's face, lighting it up with delight. She snapped into an eager salute, practically vibrating with enthusiasm.
"Yes, big brother Jen! Little brother Jin reporting for duty!"
The Sergeant returned a satisfied nod. "Excellent. First objective: secure some damn clothes."
With that, the newly formed Jen-Jin brothers dashed off toward the war-torn town, determined to find suitable attire, blend into their new surroundings, and unravel the mystery of their unexpected arrival.
Farther away, at a modest farmhouse on the outskirts of Saarbrücken, a young boy stared wide-eyed at the unfolding chaos of battle. His father had warned him to be ready for the horrors of war—but nothing could have prepared him for this.
With a trembling hand, he pointed toward the distant fields.
"D-Dad! Look! There are naked girls running over there!"
The father, startled, rushed to the window alongside his wife and daughter. They pressed their faces against the glass, and what they saw left them speechless.
Two young girls—perfectly angelic in appearance—sprinted gracefully across the open field. Their flawless, porcelain-like skin seemed to glow under the gentle sunlight, untouched by any imperfection or blemish. Silken golden hair flowed behind them like woven sunlight, shimmering with each graceful step they took. Their faces, delicate and doll-like, were beautiful beyond anything the family had ever seen, ethereal even.
Yet despite their apparent youth and delicate beauty, these two girls possessed athletic bodies, their slender frames bearing clear signs of disciplined training. Defined muscles, unusual yet mesmerizing on their petite forms, rippled subtly beneath their fair skin, revealing toned stomachs and unmistakable abs. It was as if these ethereal beings were sculpted from marble by the hands of a master artist—both delicate and powerful, innocent yet strong.
The family watched, mouths agape, as the girls reached their neighbor's backyard. Without hesitation, they pulled clothing from a drying line and swiftly began to dress.
But these were no ordinary clothes.
The girls donned dark blue, military-style uniforms, pulling on knee-length pants, polished black leather shoes, crisp white shirts, and short, sharply tailored military jackets. They even drew on black leather gloves, completing their transformation with disciplined precision.
A tense silence filled the farmhouse.
"W-what kind of wild, angelic creatures are those…?" the mother whispered, her voice trembling with awe.
The father shook his head slowly, his eyes wide with disbelief. He had seen many strange and terrible sights amidst the fires of war, but this—this was something entirely new, both wondrous and utterly perplexing.
The boy stared, his heart pounding inexplicably fast, utterly captivated by the vision he had just witnessed. Even amidst the distant roar of cannons and the crackle of gunfire echoing from the town, he felt as though he had seen something extraordinary—something that shouldn't exist in their war-torn reality.
Yet none of them dared step outside or call out, remaining rooted in place by a mixture of fear, reverence, and sheer bewilderment.
Lili and the Sergeant, entirely oblivious to their audience and the profound impact of their appearance, paid little attention to the stiffness of their newly acquired uniforms. There was no time to dwell on discomfort—they had a mission, and their journey had only just begun.
The Sergeant firmly grasped Lili's hand and guided her deeper into the town.
As they navigated the narrow, cobbled streets, curious faces began appearing at windows, peeking cautiously from behind curtains. The low brick and stone houses were closely packed, their occupants whispering anxiously to one another as they watched the unusual newcomers pass.
Suddenly, a voice broke through the murmurs:
"Hey, girls! What are you doing out there? It's dangerous! Come inside—you can take shelter until the fighting passes!"
Other voices quickly joined, each offering refuge with urgent sincerity.
Visibly irritated, the Sergeant called back sharply, "We're fine! And for your information, we're boys, not girls!"
Confused silence followed, broken only by hushed conversations and doubtful glances exchanged among the townsfolk.
Determined to help, Lili puffed out her small chest and declared boldly, in a voice entirely unconvincing as a boy's, "Yeah! We're big, scary men with big pipis! Believe it!"
The Sergeant shot Lili an incredulous glare.
"Shut up, Lili."
Lili immediately clamped her mouth shut, cheeks reddening slightly.
The townspeople only became more baffled, exchanging whispers of disbelief. Ignoring them, the two girls—determinedly pretending to be boys—pressed on toward the heart of the chaos.
As they approached the town center, the streets grew more chaotic, filled with makeshift barricades crafted from crates, overturned carts, and hastily stacked sandbags. Soldiers wearing spiked helmets crouched behind cover, rifles poised. Others took positions in nearby buildings, firing carefully from windows and rooftops.
The battle had reached a tense stalemate.
Lili peeked around a corner, and her stomach immediately tightened.
The stone bridge was a scene of carnage, bodies sprawled across its weathered surface. Soldiers in vibrant red trousers lay motionless, slumped against barricades or twisted awkwardly where they'd fallen. Defenders had suffered heavy casualties as well, many wounded men groaning painfully behind cover, pressing blood-soaked bandages to their injuries.
Lili's hands trembled, clenching into small fists. She couldn't understand this senseless violence—why were humans killing humans? The sight turned her stomach.
Yet, beside her, the Sergeant's face split into a wide grin.
Lili turned, horrified. "Sarge…?"
"Look there," the Sergeant said eagerly, pointing toward a white banner emblazoned with a black eagle fluttering above the defenders. "It's not quite the two-headed eagle of the Imperium, but I'd wager my last ration bar it's some Imperial regiment's banner."
Lili blinked, confused. "Imperial? You mean… our Imperium?"
"Something close enough," the Sergeant replied thoughtfully. Suddenly, her eyes sharpened, and she pulled Lili back behind the wall, her expression deadly serious.
"Listen closely, Lili. If anyone asks, your name is Jin, my younger brother, and we're war orphans. Understand?"
Lili nodded eagerly, absorbing every word.
"Good. Because we're going in."
"Wait, we're doing what?" Lili's eyes widened in shock.
The Sergeant's lips curled into a confident smirk. "We're joining the fight. Not as soldiers—" she paused dramatically, "but as medics."
Lili nodded again, even faster this time, trust overriding her uncertainty.
"We'll start by aiding those men with the spiked helmets. Heal them discreetly, earn their trust, and slowly build our reputation," the Sergeant continued with excitement lighting her eyes. "The Jen-Jin brothers will become legendary battlefield medics."
Lili frowned slightly. "But wouldn't it be easier to just tell them about our healing magic?"
The Sergeant's eyes darkened slightly, caution evident in her voice. "There's no telling how people might react if they knew just how powerful we are. For now, subtlety is our greatest ally. We heal while applying bandages, small bursts of magic—just enough to help, without attracting unwanted attention."
Lili nodded seriously, fully trusting Sarge's judgment.
"Understood, big brother Jen," she said firmly. "I'm ready."
With determined expressions, the newly christened Jen-Jin brothers stepped onto the chaotic battlefield, ready to carve their names into history.