Morning light poured through the shutters of Tsuki's room, painting soft gold streaks across the wooden floor. A knock on her door woke her with a jolt.
Knock knock.
Tsuki blinked the sleep from her eyes and comforted them with a little rub. Her hair was a mess.
"Coming!" Tsuki said loud enough for the person on the other side of the door. She shuffled over, reaching for the handle and opening it with a yawn.
Azumi stood in the hallway, already dressed in her cloak and mask draped around her neck.
"Good morning!" she said rather cheerfully. "Sorry for waking you. Danzo wanted to give a briefing before we head into Igumi. Just figured I'd swing by and let you know."
Tsuki hadn't known her to be a morning person, and it caught her by surprise. "Oh… okay, thanks. Mind waiting for me?"
Azumi gave a grin. "Of course! I need someone to walk with—Knoxx keeps acting like he doesn't know directions."
Tsuki chuckled before closing the door slightly. She got dressed in her cloak and mask, tying her boots in a double knot. Minutes later, and with straightened hair, Tsuki followed Azumi down the hall towards the courtyard.
Outside, the morning fog stuck to the garden hedges, and a slight gust swayed the trees. As the two entered the open courtyard, Danzo sat cross-legged at a stone table in the center. He sipped hot tea with steam that floated through the air.
Hatori leaned against a wall next to him with arms folded and a bowed head. Geo and Knoxx sat on the ground, flipping a coin for competition.
"You two sure took your time!" Danzo said, giving a faint smile.
Azumi dismissively waved. "Beauty takes a while."
Danzo chuckled. "Anyways, we're heading to Igumi today, as you all know. Everyone is packed, right?"
Knoxx eagerly rubbed his hands together, excited for the trip to his home district.
"Been packed for days!"
Geo gave him an unbelieving look, crossing his arms as he sat. "We got back two days ago, Knoxx."
"On the bright side, at least he thought ahead," added Azumi.
Knoxx pouted with red cheeks, but couldn't remain upset. He was used to the bullying.
Danzo set his teacup down gently, steam still curling from its surface. The faint smile faded from his lips as his posture straightened.
"Alright," he said. "Enough warming up."
The coin Geo had been flipping clinked to a stop against the stone. Hatori lifted his head and Knoxx leaned forward, attention snapping into place.
"Igumi is our next objective," Danzo continued. "It's beautiful… the festive district of Alden. Also puppets under heavy APC rule."
Knoxx's grin widened just a bit. "Home sweet home."
Azumi glanced at him, unreadable.
Danzo ignored the comment. "Judgment won't be going in alone. You'll be joined by Nighthawk Squad and Viper Squad. They're already en route and will rendezvous with us just outside the district border."
At that, Geo raised a brow. "All three squads?"
"Yes," Danzo replied simply. "This isn't a smash-and-grab. It's influence, exposure, and control. We need numbers—and restraint. We've also got a legion of shield bearers and spearmen to bolster our numbers."
Knoxx scoffed lightly. "Since when has Igumi needed restraint?"
Danzo's gaze flicked to him. They weren't sharp, but steady.
"Since civilians became the battlefield."
The words settled heavier than the fog around them.
Azumi folded her arms. "What's the plan?"
Danzo reached into his coat and laid a folded map across the table. He smoothed it out, revealing Igumi's districts marked in clean ink—main plazas, festival routes and residential zones.
"We enter knowingly," he said. "No declarations… no theatrics. This is war—real war. And the APC won't leave without a fight."
Tsuki leaned in, eyes scanning the markings. "And us?"
"Judgment acts as the stabilizing force," Danzo answered. "You'll act as the frontline—you're some of our best, and we'll need your strength."
Knoxx leaned back on his hands, clicking his tongue. "That's more like it."
Hatori spoke without looking at him. "Just a psycho, aren't you?"
That earned a snort from Knoxx, but he didn't argue.
Danzo continued, "Igumi prides itself on tradition. They host festivals and live in harmony, at least, they used to. The APC exploited that image. Any aggressive move from us will be painted as desecration."
Azumi's jaw tightened slightly. "So we let them smile while they bleed people dry?"
Danzo met her eyes. "We let the truth do the bleeding."
A brief silence followed.
Danzo folded the map and tucked it away. "We move within the hour. Get what you need. Eat, hydrate and clear your heads."
He paused, eyes sweeping across them.
"Igumi is not Persetta. And it's not Jon. Don't assume the people there will welcome us."
Knoxx's expression shifted—just slightly.
"Right," he muttered. "Right."
Azumi noticed. Tsuki did too—the way his eyes went to the ground, and how he twiddled his thumbs continuously.
Danzo stood oblivious. "Let's get moving."
The squad began to disperse, the courtyard slowly filling with motion again.
As they walked, Knoxx fell a step ahead, hands clasped behind his head.
"Still," he said casually, "Igumi festivals are something else. You'll see. People are proud there. Loyal. They don't need saving."
Azumi slowed to a halt.
Tsuki felt it—the subtle change in the air. A thread pulled too tight.
But Azumi said nothing. Not yet. There was little time, and much to do before the attack. Tsuki returned to her room, quickly gathering everything she'd need for days.
The threat of the coming battle loomed on her mind like a bad memory—one that couldn't be forgotten. She tossed it aside, and finished her preparation before setting out for their travel.