A tall woman strolled through a dark alley, the echo of her heels punctuating the silence. Ahead, a man stood frozen—entranced by her beauty.
His breath caught as she stepped closer, her eyes sultry, lips curled in a teasing smile.
CRACK.
A flurry of glowing rose petals erupted from her fingertips. In a blur, they sliced clean through the man's body.
His silhouette staggered—then crumbled, lifeless. Blood trickled across the alley stones.
The woman's voice drifted softly through the alley, almost bored, almost playful. "Another sacrifice for my petals… though lately, they fall far too easily. I need a real man—someone who bleeds beauty and power."
She sauntered deeper into the narrow street, her heels clicking against the stone. All around her, pale petals floated through the air like snow, weaving lazily between the rotting bodies that lined the walls — remnants of her past flirtations, their faces slack and empty.
Then, suddenly, another voice cut through the silence. It echoed cool and unshaken, a blade hidden in velvet.
"You must be Selica. About time you stopped hiding."
From the shadows, a man stepped into the dim light. His black hair shifted in the evening breeze. A white scarf curled loosely around his neck. He wore an oversized white coat over baggy white trousers, the fabric brushing lightly against his ankles. And his eyes—glowing violet, sharp enough to pierce steel—fixed on her without hesitation.
Selica smiled, slow and seductive, her crimson lips curving as though savoring the moment. "Oh my… And who might you be?"
"Tona," he replied, calm as still water.
She rolled his name across her tongue like wine. "Tona… mmm, what a delicious name. I must admit—I'm impressed. I thought I left no trail. You even know my name." She leaned forward slightly, her voice a purr. "However did you find me?"
Tona's gaze didn't waver. "The disappearing solena traces in this district didn't exactly whisper subtlety," he said evenly. "You've got a thing for flashy exits. The citizens around here also mentioned you quite often actually."
Selica giggled, the sound soft and dripping with false sweetness. "Smart and ruthlessly handsome," she purred. "Those eyes… they cut right through me." Her tongue flicked across her lips as she leaned closer. "What do you say, Tona? Join me. I promise a… more pleasurable cause."
Tona tilted his head slightly, a gentle grin touching his face. "Thanks. But you're no Yuki."
The words struck like a blade. Selica froze, her playful mask cracking for the first time.
"…You dare reject me?" she hissed.
"I told you," Tona said evenly. "My heart was taken a long time ago."
Her smile collapsed entirely, replaced with something darker. "You'll regret this." Her voice dropped an octave, flirtation burned away, leaving only venom.
"I'll carve that pretty face off your skull," she spat. Her arms spread wide as the petals circling her began to glow a furious crimson. "Bloomdrain!"
A storm of burning petals erupted outward, streaking through the air in a deadly whirlwind.
Tona barely moved. His hands remained tucked in his coat pockets as his body weaved effortlessly between each strike. His movements were smooth, flowing — like wind through branches, unbothered and untouchable.
"This really fooled that many people?" he murmured to himself, almost amused.
Selica shrieked and lunged forward with a flurry of kicks, but before her strike could land, Tona shifted. In a blink — faster than her eyes could follow — he was behind her, close enough that the cold whisper of his presence brushed the back of her neck.
"What—?!" Selica gasped, twisting in shock.
"Damn, you're slow," said Tona.
He drove his foot into her side, launching her into the alley wall. The stone bends inward from the force of her impact. Cracks ripple down the brick like a spiderweb. She barely rose from where she hit the stone.
"You bastard," she screamed. Her hands rose above her head, commanding every last petal. They circled her like a cyclone, and with a thrust of the hand, sped towards what looked like a defenseless Tona.
This time, he didn't even move. The petals tore through his body like daggers—except they didn't. His form flickered, scattered and vanished. Selica watched with victory in her pupils. However, it was short lived.
What she thought was his body was a clone that disappeared seconds after impact. Her mouth dropped in shock, as Tona appeared beside her.
"Funny. You thought you did something."
He raised a hand to her neck, and with a quick chop, her body hit the ground.
Petals fell lifelessly to the ground, colorless and spent. Selica groaned, broken and bleeding.
Tona stood over her, not even sparing a glance as he turns around.
His face remained neutral, but inside, there was almost a trace of pity. Almost.
"…You were never even close. Central's getting sloppy. Now... what was next?"
Tona vanished into the quiet alleyway from which he came.
Meanwhile, across Alden, the creaking of the carriage slowed as it lurched to a stop. Judgment and Viper squadrons leaned toward the narrow windows, their first view of Jon District rising before them. Towering black cliffs cut across the horizon, their jagged faces veined with iron scaffolding that stretched like skeletal remains over the hillsides. In the distance, smoke stacks belched thick plumes of soot into an already smog-choked sky. Red clay dominated the landscape, it's fierce color making the cast thirsty just by gazing.
"…Doesn't exactly scream 'warm welcome,' does it?" Geo muttered, his brow furrowing as he peered out.
Tsuki's eyes narrowed. "It's quiet," she said softly. "Too quiet."
The group disembarked, boots crunching against the cracked earth. Old mining rail lines spidered across the ground, rusted and broken, leading toward a deserted outpost of dark stone and salvaged metal. Watchtowers loomed along the cliff's edge, their silhouettes stark against the gray haze.
Naru rolled his shoulders, the pop of his neck echoing faintly. "This the place?" he asked. "Thought there'd be more people…"
The silence was broken by the shuffling of feet. From a narrow path cut into the stone, a small group of villagers emerged. Their clothes were patched and worn, their faces streaked with soot. Some still wore battered mining helmets, dented from years of use. Caution marked their every step as they approached.
One man moved to the front. Older, with silver streaks through his dark hair, his arms still carried the bulk and strength of decades at the mines. His eyes studied them carefully.
"…You from Memento?" he asked at last.
Tsuki stepped forward and nodded. "That's right. We're here to speak with your people. We've heard what's been happening."
The elder's gaze swept over them. It lingered on their weapons, then shifted to Ringo, who stood half-hidden at Azumi's side, clutching his satchel as if it were a shield.
After a long moment, the miner gave a single nod. His voice was low but steady. "Then let me show you something. Quickly. We were told you'd be coming from a couple scouts," he said. "The Jon District's more complicated than it looks from the outside. You'll see."
The squads followed the elder into a narrow cave path lit by flickering oil lanterns. The walls pressed close, damp with years of mining sweat and smoke. As they walked deeper, the silence gave way to the sounds of life hidden underground: families huddled in corners around dim fires, workers dragging carts of ore that screeched against the stone, children playing with toys long coated in dust. Tsuki noticed the thinness of the air, and the lingering taste of soot with every breath.
Whispers followed the group as they passed, wary eyes glancing from shadowed alcoves.
"They look exhausted," Azumi murmured to Tsuki, her voice low, almost reverent. "Like they've been waiting for this moment forever."
Makoro's deep voice rumbled behind them. "Yes. These people… no living. They surviving."
The path widened until they stepped into a hollow square carved directly into the mountain. A small well sat at its center, surrounded by weary villagers. The crowd's expressions flickered between hope and suspicion, their faces half-lit by the glow of lanternlight.
From outside one of the windowless stone structures, voices carried through the thin walls. The harsh bark of APC soldiers echoed in unison:
"All productivity quotas must be met. Any inciters of rebellion will be executed. Long live Alden Central."
Enzumaki gave a grim snort. "…Yeah. Definitely not a warm welcome."
Tsuki clenched her fists, the sound of the proclamation gnawing at her. The weight of the mission pressed heavier on her shoulders. This wasn't going to be like Zimala. This wasn't just a fight for freedom—it was a battle to earn trust.
"Let's find their leaders," Geo said, turning to the group. His voice was sharp with conviction. "The fires of rebellion are already lit down here. We just need to know who's tending them."
Tsuki looked at the families huddling together. Their position tugged at her heart, and she couldn't help the feeling of uselessness. One child lay with a dirty cloth over his forehead, his mother was teary eyed ringing out another cloth beside him.
These people have nothing, and yet... the APC still takes, Tsuki thought to herself.
Hatori turned to the others, attempting to hide his pitied look with his normal calm. "We saw what we needed to. All the more reason to complete mission quick. Let's head back."
Both squads nodded in unison. Their footsteps echoed through the endless caverns as they headed back out into the relentless sun. Tsuki turned and gave the people of Jon one more glance, before leaving. Together, the traveled through the carved clay paths of Jon, aiming for the center of the city. A large well stood at the center of the district, likely the only water source in a walkable radius.
Neko's face was still solemn from visiting the people of Jon. "What's the plan?"
Naru rubbed his chin a bit, finally reaching the structure. He sat on the stone support, next to the lever and bucket. "I think we split up. The reports of the people were clearly true. So, I think our next step is finding the leader."
Hatori nodded in agreement. Tsuki scanned the other squad members reactions, before fixating on Geo. His eyes were on the ground, but that's not what caught her attention. His fist was clenched in a way that made his skin almost purple. His teeth were gritted, but before Tsuki could say anything, Enzumaki spoke.
"I agree with Naru. We'll have a better chance at finding Jon's leadership and representative to the council if we split up."
Since Enzumaki agreed, Makoro made his support known loudly with a loud "Yes!"
"Alright, then it's settled? Meet back here when we learn something?" Azumi asked, her hands on her hips.
"Yes. Meet back here tomorrow morning. Take the eastern portion of Jon, and we'll take the west."
Naru nodded, turning toward the east. Enzumaki and Makoro followed immediately. Knoxx turned and gave a big grin with an overdramatic wave. "Be safe Judgment! If you need an ass saving, just yell really loud! Hopefully we can find you."
Knoxx just shook his head in response. A telling grin formed on his face. "I could say the same for you!"
Neko dismissively waved the comment off, before turning after his squad mates. With that, Judgment headed west in search of Jon's representative, aiming to bring Memento support to the people in need.