The next morning broke cold and pale, a thin mist curling through the cracks of Jon's northern hills. The sun hadn't quite crested the ridgeline, but Judgement and Viper squads were already gathered just outside the mountainside barracks. The wind was sharp, carrying the scent of rock dust and pine.
A large map was pinned to a stone slab between them, held in place with old mining picks. Geo tapped it with the butt of his knife.
"This is our route. Viper squad will loop in from the west. Judgement takes the high ridge. We'll converge at Point Delta, here"—his finger tapped a tight bend in the mountain trail— "a narrow pass perfect for an ambush."
Naru scratched his chin, eyes scanning the map. "Okay, just making sure… we're meeting you at this chokepoint north of our current position—Point Delta—and from there, we're expecting heavy enemy activity?"
Tsuki nodded, adjusting her gloves. "Correct. Likely resistance. Possibly reinforcements if they were tipped off."
"Fun! Fun!" Neko chirped with an exaggerated smile, his foot rhythmically tapping the ground.
Enzumaki folded his arms. "We need to prepare for the worst. If that traitor reached any APC contacts, this whole op could be compromised."
Makoro cracked his knuckles, then slammed his fists together with a loud thwack that echoed through the canyon.
"Let 'em come," he grinned. "Even if that rat squealed, I beat the info right back out of him."
Geo chuckled lightly. "Glad to see morale's high."
Tsuki gave a sharp nod. "We regroup at Point Delta. Twelve hours sharp, on the day. If anything changes, we'll signal with flares."
Naru gave a firm salute. "Got it. Stay sharp out there. And good luck."
Geo nodded. "You as well. Watch your corners."
With that, Viper squad filed out, heading down the narrow path that snaked along the mountain. Their silhouettes faded into the mist.
Once the footsteps had vanished, Azumi crossed her arms and leaned back against a nearby boulder.
"This plan might backfire," she said flatly.
Tsuki thought on that for a brief moment. Azumi's not wrong. If this mission goes south, it won't just be a loss. It'll be a graveyard.
Knoxx tossed a rock up and caught it midair. "Whatevs. Let it. We'll still kick their asses. If we know they know, we just fight smarter."
Tsuki didn't reply immediately. She looked down at the map, brows furrowed, and thoughts running deep.
But what if it's more than just a tip-off? she thought. What if they're waiting in force? Both squads could be overwhelmed… no reinforcements in range. Nowhere to run.
"I might be able to help with that," a voice piped up behind her.
Everyone turned to look. Ringo stood a few steps back, adjusting the straps of his small utility pack.
Tsuki blinked. "Wait—right. Your telepathy. I nearly forgot you could do that."
Ringo dramatically clutched his chest. "Ouch. Wounded. Truly."
Azumi smirked.
Ringo continued. "Anyway. I've got contacts. Some Memento scouts stationed around Zimala. East side, mostly—Everheart Squadron. I might be able to reach them, but it depends on their position and how long it would take them to get here."
"Too far?" Tsuki asked.
"Maybe," Ringo said, shrugging. "But it's still a shot. I can call them if needed."
Geo nodded, folding the map. "Backup's nice. But we'll be fine. We know the terrain. We've fought together long enough to handle whatever they throw at us."
The team gave a collective nod—quiet, but confident.
Hatori, who had been sitting cross-legged a few feet away with his eyes closed, finally opened them. He looked up at the overcast sky, then back down again, expression unreadable.
He didn't speak. He didn't have to.
The time for silence was ending. As the squad began their trek to Point Delta, Tsuki couldn't help the feeling of discomfort.
The forest trail grew denser the farther they moved, branches arching overhead like grasping fingers, casting crooked shadows across the stone-laced path. Judgement squad pressed on in silence, the wind cool but sharp. Their breath misted in front of them—the air in northern Jon always held the cold of buried mountain water.
It had taken nearly two hours on foot to reach the coordinates. The terrain was rough and uneven, but no one complained. Their boots dragged over the final hill and their eyes were sharp. The scent of battle always had a way of waking the spirit.
Tsuki motioned for the group to stop beneath a cluster of cedar trees. She crouched low, eyes scanning the narrow gulch ahead.
"We're about fifty meters out," she said in a hushed voice. "Quiet and slow from here. If we can get visual first, we set the pace."
"Roger," Geo whispered, crouching beside her.
The squad crept forward like a single unit, every step deliberate. Branches cracked faintly underfoot, but the forest soon fell quiet again. The wind stilled, and even the chirps of birds had silenced. Tsuki raised a hand for another halt. Her eyes swept across the ridge.
Still nothing.
"No flare signals from Viper," she muttered.
They kept moving, weaving through rock formations and thick underbrush, hearts beating faster—not from exhaustion, but expectation.
When they reached the coordinates, a chill ran through Tsuki's spine.
The chokepoint was empty.
"Geo?" she asked quietly, almost as if afraid to break the silence.
He looked around, jaw tight. "This is the spot. No doubt."
Hatori stepped forward, gaze steady as he studied the surrounding boulders and treeline.
"Matches the topography on the map," he confirmed. "This is Point Delta."
Knoxx scoffed, spinning one of his knives between his fingers. "Then where the hell are the bad guys? I was ready to throw down, not play hide-and-seek in a pine garden."
Just as the words left his mouth, a voice rang through the trees. Smooth and mocking.
"Well, well… the ambushers get ambushed."
The squad snapped into position, weapons drawn, eyes shifting in all directions.
From a high branch above them, a man descended effortlessly—like a predator leaping from its perch. His coat shimmered unnaturally bright, a pristine white trimmed with regal gold. His APC insignia glinted in the low light, and the air around him crackled with a strange stillness.
He landed with a soft thud, straightening with a cruel smile.
"I am Feranir," he announced, bowing slightly. "High ranking officer of the APC Stalker Core."
His white hair fluttered as he raised his head. Eyes pitch black—empty, unreadable. Something far worse than hate lived behind them.
"I'll be taking Lord Chaze's place for today's execution," he continued, licking his lips. "He sends his regards, by the way. Sadly, he couldn't make it. Reports of the Ghost's return have him tied up in Central."
Tsuki narrowed her eyes. "Bastard."
Geo stepped forward, voice low and firm. "We'll take you on here and now. Cut the speeches and come at us."
But Feranir only chuckled.
"I don't think you want that." His smile was wicked. His eyes remained half open, almost bored. "Come now, you didn't actually believe you'd outsmart the APC... Did you?"
He raised one gloved hand and snapped his fingers.
From the treetops, hillsides, and forest shadows—they emerged.
APC forces poured into view, white uniforms glinting like beetle shells, each armed with swords, spears and shields. Dozens of them. More than they'd anticipated.
And among them: stalkers.
Some walked calmly, others snarled and twitched, their Solena already crackling in their hands. A tall one dragged a blade of condensed plasma. Another levitated slightly off the ground, eyes glowing blue.
Feranir gave a satisfied nod. "Get them."
The forest erupted. A Stalker surged forward, electricity snapping between his fingers. He lunged at Geo, a thunderous crack erupting from his palms.
Geo raised both arms, slamming them into the ground. A wall of stone exploded upward in an instant, catching the electric burst and splitting it across the ridge. He retaliated immediately, launching a boulder with a powerful thrust.
The Stalker flipped over it with inhuman agility, landing behind Geo with a palm aimed at his spine.
Geo twisted just in time, grabbing the attacker's wrist and throwing him over his shoulder.
They clashed again in a flurry of fists and power—Geo's grounded style clashing against the lightning dancer's speed.
Across the battlefield, more Stalkers engaged.
Tsuki ducked under a volley of glass shards hurled by a masked enemy and countered with a low sweep, disarming them before launching a blinding crescent slash of raw Solena energy. Knoxx had already vanished into the trees, his blades had flashed like mirrors in sunlight as he took out two lower APC officers in a blur.
Azumi gritted her teeth as she blocked a flame barrage, spinning and pinning her attacker with a well-aimed strike to the thigh.
Ringo ducked low, mind racing as he reached out telepathically.
Where are you, Viper? Where are you?
But the line was static. No answer.
Feranir, meanwhile, simply watched from atop a boulder—arms crossed, grinning.
"A shame," he murmured. "I expected more from Memento."