That night, the smoke from the fires had thinned. The stars shimmered overhead like fractured Solena, scattered across a dark velvet sky.
Viper Squad had already turned in for the night, their laughter faint from across the ridge. Only Judgment remained by the low crackling fire—burnt logs glowing a dim orange. Shadows danced across their faces as they sat in a loose circle, their bodies aching but their spirits high.
Ringo stood just off to the side, fingers pressed to his temple, eyes closed in deep concentration.
A beat later, he grinned.
"Maro's delighted. Says Jon's support is a massive step forward for Memento."
Tsuki perked up, stretching her legs out in front of her. "Let him know the food better be extra good for Judgement and Viper squads the next few weeks."
That got a laugh from everyone.
Across the way, Knoxx sat outside the recovery tent, his torso wrapped in gauze, his right arm bandaged from shoulder to wrist. He stared into the fire quietly, then cleared his throat.
"Hey… y'know guys, I never got the chance to apologize."
The group turned to him.
"I'm sorry about earlier. What happened… with Feranir. I lost control. Let him get in my head. I nearly killed Neko. Almost turned on all of you."
Silence.
Then Azumi spoke gently.
"Knoxx… it wasn't your fault. We had no idea what that freak could do. It caught all of us off guard."
Tsuki nodded. "She's right. That ability wasn't like anything we've seen before."
Geo muttered, "Could've just as easily been Neko under that dome. Or any of us. You fought your way back. That's what matters."
Knoxx gave a soft nod, his jaw clenched. "Still. Doesn't sit right."
Then, from beside the fire, Hatori—calm as ever—glanced up.
"You coming at me was… unexpected. But hey, I did land a solid uppercut."
He raised an eyebrow. "How's that feeling, by the way?"
Knoxx groaned and leaned his head back. "Like I got flattened by a boulder."
The group laughed again, a bit harder this time—laughter that felt earned and needed.
The warmth of the fire reflected in their eyes, echoing the unspoken bond between them. They had survived. Together.
Ringo snapped his fingers.
"Oh! Almost forgot. Maro gave me a follow-up message."
He turned to the squad, his expression growing serious.
"Judgment squad's heading back to Zimala tomorrow. He wants to meet with us for next orders. With Jon secured and Zimala in our hands… the next logical move is Riche, but that's further into the future."
Tsuki tilted her head. "Riche… that's going to be a hard nut to crack."
Ringo gave a slow nod.
"Yeah. But there's something else. Maro's received reports—credible ones. There's been information leaks. Insider stuff. Someone in or near Zimala… is feeding the APC."
The fire seemed to crackle louder in the silence that followed.
Tsuki's eyes narrowed. "A traitor, huh?"
Ringo folded his arms. "Looks that way."
Hatori didn't speak. But he leaned forward slightly, fingers steepled beneath his chin.
Leaked intel. Someone close, and someone trusted.
Tsuki stretched her arms overhead with a soft groan. The tension in her shoulders finally seemed to ease.
"Well… we'll see what tomorrow brings. For tonight? We sleep. And we sleep good."
Azumi flopped backward onto her sleeping roll like a starfish, arms wide.
"Agreed. I'm gonna have dreams about that absolute dreamboat—Tona Norasachi…"
She hugged herself dramatically, eyes sparkling, an exaggerated blush flooding her cheeks.
"Those eyes… that scarf… that voice. Ugh, he's just—perfect."
Geo raised an eyebrow, smirking as he tossed a twig into the fire.
"Careful there, lover girl. You're about to combust."
Azumi sat up just enough to glare at him, her cheeks still flushed.
"Shut it, rock boy."
The group chuckled as the last bit of tension drained from the night.
One by one, they stood, nodding to each other as they headed toward their tents. Tsuki lingered just a moment longer, gazing into the fire.
Then she turned, stepping into the dark—her thoughts steady, her mind prepared.
Nobody knew what tomorrow would bring, but they also didn't care.
Because tonight… they were together. They were safe.