There Tsuki stood, younger—around twelve years old. Beside her was Tokira, and two others. A mentor stood in front, teaching them martial arts on a wooden dummy.
"Tsuki, you're up!" Tokira called, smiling. The teacher observed quietly.
Tsuki stepped forward, entering a readied stance. She jumped, and swung her leg around into a spin kick—making direct contact with the dummy's head.
"Wow!" Tokira called, clapping in a cheer. She was quickly silenced by the mentor.
"Not horrible, but you weren't quick enough at the top. Allows an enemy to counter early. Much to learn."
His eyes—harsh and unforgiving—darted across the squad.
"You all have things to fix. Make sure they are by the next session, or it's the Chain of Burden for all."
The four nodded in unison, but hidden underneath—each had a collective sense of fear. One they could not show.
The Chain of Burden was a punishment installed in the Stalker Program that saw the team of the offendor tied to a large chain around their torso, shoulders and wrists for a full day. They had to eat, bathe, and sleep bearing the weight with no exceptions. The one who commits, won't be chained, however. They will be forced to watch as their mistakes brutally tear their team apart.
After the session, Tsuki stood alone with her failure replaying in her head. The APC had a way of doing that. Ensuring the mistake wouldn't be repeated by shame and severe punishment.
"Tsuki!" A voice rang out. Tokira jogged over with a genuine smile. Her only true friend; even when she failed, Tokira never left.
Tsuki gave a faint smile, but her eyes didn't raise. Tokira grabbed Tsuki's cheeks with her hands, forcing eye contact.
"Hey. Are you upset at the session?"
Tsuki nodded slightly. Tokira's warm smile had a way of cheering her up.
"I believe in you. One failure doesn't define you, Tsu."
"It wasn't just one failure, Tokira," Tsuki said, her temporary cheeriness disappearing as quickly as it formed. "I always do. I can't control my Solena or shadows… I can't even kick right. Jianka and Gatch despise me—they call me a burden."
"You aren't," Tokira said.
"It's easy for you to say," Tsuki choked, tears streamed down her face. "You've always been better. Everyone respected you. I'm just expendable."
Tokira's finger rose to Tsuki's eyes. She brushed the tears away, and held her face steady with her hands.
"Stop. Tsuki, you avoid seeing your strongest traits… and it's preventing you from seeing you."
Tsuki gave a puzzled look.
"You are persevering. Everytime they say something—everytime you feel like giving up, you don't. That's what'll make you succeed, Tsuki. That's why, one day you'll lead a squad, and Jianka and Gatch will have to listen to every order from your mouth. You are so much more special than you credit yourself for."
Tokira pulled Tsuki into a hug.
"And no matter what… you'll always have my support."
Another memory, this one days after. Tsuki, Tokira and the other two stood in a line. Tsuki's face was filled with guilt. Tokira glanced at her, concerned and empathetic while Jianka and Gatch were fuming.
Tsuki had failed again at perfecting the spin kick. As promised, the squad was now soon to be shackled by chains across their body.
Jianka was first. He closed his eyes, and accepted the punishment. He grunted with the instant weight addition, nearly pulling him to the ground. Gatch followed right after, yelling in pain as the chains dragged him to the ground.
"Get up." Their mentor ordered, a snarky voice filled with venom.
Gatch struggled to his feet. His eyes met Tsuki, filled with anger.
Tokira was the last in line. The chain was attached, and her head dipped for a moment—before she rose. Tsuki could tell she was struggling, but did her best to mask it.
"Now, Tsuki. Watch," their mentor hissed, pointing to her squadmates. She couldn't do a thing but watch as her teammates helplessly struggled.
"Please stop!" Tsuki pleaded, but her mentor didn't budge.
"You'll rethink your actions," he whispered coldly. "Your failure caused this—caused their suffering."
Her mentor's eyes turned to Tsuki—they were dark and unforgiving. She could see into the very depths of his soul, and she saw nothing but a void.
"Get out of my sight," he said, turning. His white APC uniform was spotless, recently ironed and looked brand new compared to her wrinkly dust-filled one.
The next memory followed like a nightmare. Tsuki sat against a white-brick wall, covering her face. Her knees were curled to her body.
Jianka and Gatch stood in front of her. They kicked her. Together, forcefully and ruthlessly. They shamed her with no remorse.
"Couldn't have improved at all, huh Tsuki?" Gatch said before kicking her again. His fists clenched at his sides, but his leg drove into Tsuki's side.
Jianka followed it up with a kick of his own, aimed at her arms that shielded her head. "Worthless. All you do is put us in punishment."
"I'm sor—" Tsuki mouthed. Tears fell like waterfalls, and her voice shook with every word that left.
"Save your apologies. It doesn't change anything," Jianka shouted. He gave one last kick—before he stopped.
Tsuki couldn't bring herself to look right away. She was scared, scared that if she opened her eyes, they'd beat on her head too.
Her hands covered her eyes, but she spread them to peek at what had disturbed her abuse.
In front was Tokira, holding Jianka by the collar. Fear overcame his face, making him tremble. His eyes were wide, and his crooked smirk too.
"Beating up on a girl a hobby of yours or something?" She asked, her voice was quieter but held the sharp edge of a razor.
"We just—we… I—"
"Save it, you imbecile."
She threw him to the ground. He plopped on his back, and crawled backwards. Tokira's eyes turned to Jianka, who stepped away with his hands up in retreat.
"Beat it," Tokira threatened, "before I treat you worse than she received."
The two did as they were told. They left the room without another word, and left the two girls alone. Tokira offered a hand, but Tsuki didn't take it. Instead, she raised herself, and ran. Not out of fear—but because she didn't know what to do.
Tsuki reached her room—quiet and still, and locked the door. Her bed was wooden topped with wool. The pillows were filled with feathers of Flufbirds—a common flightless bird in the Galion district.
There she sat, questioning her worth. For every right she did, two wrongs overcame it. Her mentors, Jianka and Gatch—practically everyone hated her.
Except for Tokira. Her one true friend.
Years passed, Tsuki had grown into a capable woman who was now trained expertly in combat and her Solena. She led Jianka and Gatch in their squadron, running ordered operations routinely. Tokira had been selected for the Stalker Elites, the best of the best within the APC's army of unnaturals. She hadn't seen her friend since the day she was chosen—and wouldn't get the chance to ever again.
Tsuki woke up in the inn room, jerking upwards in a clean swoop. Her room was dark now, the faint glow of the moon passed through her cracked-open shutters. She wiped her eyes, before kicking her feet over the side of her bed. She stood, the memories still intruding her mind.
A faint knock at the door brought her back to reality.
"Hey," Geo called. "You okay? It's about time to headout—just wanted to check in with you."
"Yeah, I'm good," Tsuki responded, lacing up her boots and throwing her cloak over her shoulder. "Be out in a sec."
She stood at the door—only for a second, and took a breath. Her nerves calmed, and she opened the door, stepping through the frame. The hallway was lit by a few flickering lanterns, and right outside the room, Geo met her with a warm grin.
She couldn't help but give a returning smile, and the two continued downstairs, rested and ready to trespass into Riche's most dangerous estate.