Hours had passed. Judgment now sat in the back of a wooden cart dragged by horses once again. Danzo's presence had growingly felt like a sixth member of Judgment Squad—but Tsuki knew it wasn't the case.
For the most part, it had been a quiet ride below Alden's dark and cloudy skies. Heavy rainfall had made the path a muddy mess.
Geo sat next to Danzo—laughing, and making the best of the downtime. Even if they were being sent into danger, Tsuki had learned that Geo never let it take his humanity. His freedom and enjoyment. She respected that.
Azumi sat next to her, head lowered—she hadn't spoken much since the meeting, and kept her arms crossed across her abdomen.
"Everything okay?" Tsuki asked, putting a hand on Azumi's shoulder.
Azumi took a minute to respond. "Yeah. All good."
Tsuki didn't push further. She turned attention to Knoxx, who had his knives drawn, and playfully twirled them in front of him.
"You seem in oddly good spirits during another carriage ride," Tsuki said, brow raised.
Knoxx gave a brief chuckle, still swinging his blades. "Igumi is home. I'm excited to get there… and most of all—"
He paused for only a second.
"I'm eager to see the floating lights again. Even just one more time in my life. They're beautiful."
"The lights?" Tsuki asked.
"Yep! A tradition in Igumi—pays homage to ancestors. Hundreds to thousands of lights are lit and set off in a paper lantern, and released into the sky. All different colors."
Azumi's face molded into a scowl.
"Too bad the event is hosted by APC pawns… and civilians who hate our guts."
"They don't!" Knoxx responded. "Igumi never hated Memento. That's why I left—to join the cause! The people—they didn't hate me for it."
Azumi's eyes closed. "Right. That's why they were the biggest holding of Alden's historical records that are now claimed to be 'lost.' They support the regime that wants to bend Alden's will and erase the past. They're also known for being spoiled, obstinate and plain jackasses who hate visitors. But yeah, they'll accept us with open arms."
Knoxx's face met hers in an annoyed manner.
"You don't know shit about them! Siding with the APC doesn't mean loyalty! They're scared, with no way to fight! All they can do is obey to keep their home and people safe."
"Submission is cowardly. They want change, they need to act. They're okay with being overruled and having their traditions stripped to ease tensions, but lose themselves in the process," Azumi grunted. By this time, Knoxx was flaming from his ears. All eyes were on the two.
Knoxx began to form a remark, but paused in the middle. He turned his head down and muttered quietly.
"You're wrong. You'll see."
Azumi didn't budge. The tensions had seemingly risen from thin air, and Tsuki had never seen her squadmates argue like this. Banter was common—this was real.
Danzo prepped a calming rune, but didn't use it. Azumi and Knoxx were ignoring each other's existence at the moment.
Back in the APC, we ran missions in Igumi every so often… from what I remember, they were pretty stubborn like Azumi said, Tsuki thought to herself. Her hands folded together like a puzzle as her mind continued.
But then again… was it because we were in the APC? Because I was a stalker that they disliked us? Is Knoxx telling the truth?
The answer would be coming soon—and Tsuki knew it. The carriage driver looked back at the squad, giving a brief sigh.
"Bout ten or so minutes from Igumi. Hope y'all in Memento are well prepped! Heard them peeps out here are some real assholes!"
Knoxx's eyes widened, before he shook his head. Geo covered Knoxx's mouth with a hand to prevent any words.
Surprisingly, Azumi didn't gloat about the driver's agreement. Instead, her head just lowered a bit more.
Danzo broke the moment of silence.
"Alright Judgment. Remember, we're expecting heavy resistance in Igumi. Stalkers, APC legions, and beyond. It won't be easy."
He caught a breath, looking at each member.
"Trust yourself, and each other. Fight for Memento, and every freedom we lost. Igumi is the next step to crippling the APC and their schemes. Let's give it to 'em good."
"Yes sir," the squad said in unison.
The hooves of the horses continuously thudded against the ground as Judgment and Danzo closed in on Memento's camp outside the main city of Igumi. The fields had changed into softly glowing golden stalks brimmed with pink oaks and cherry blossom trees. Tiny creeks and rivers flowed through the lands without reason or aim. A facade for a battle that's intensity would be masked by beautiful scenery.
As the cart grew closer to the camp, the figures of familiar faces caught Tsuki's eye. Rin, Shonjo and Averin from Nighthawk, and Naru, Makoro, Enzumaki and Neko from Viper. Hundreds of others surrounded them, all prepped and ready for battle.
"This fight won't be easy," Geo said, staring out at the camp. Danzo gave him a look.
"When has it ever been easy?"
Geo gave a nod. "Fight's still gonna be brutal."
"Don't have a choice, really. Must win here… especially with Riche's neutrality."
His eyes dropped to the dirt, and he exhaled through his nose.
"Gonna be one hell of a dogfight."
The cart screeched to a halt against the rocky ground, jolting everyone forward. The driver dismounted quickly and lowered the back gate, and Judgment Squad stepped down one by one.
Waiting for them were faces they hadn't seen in far too long.
"Well looky here!" Naru announced, a sly grin already plastered across his face.
Tsuki's eyes lit up instantly.
"Naru! Been a minute!"
Behind him, Makoro grinned wide and stumbled forward, wrapping Hatori in a back-crushing hug that nearly knocked the air from his lungs. Enzumaki followed, giving a gentle wave.
"Judgment Squad! Long time no see," Naru continued, waving lazily.
Knoxx crossed his arms. "Still got that dumb smile, I see."
Naru clicked his tongue. "Better a dumb smile than your attitude."
A burst of motion cut between them as Neko bounced forward, swagger and mischief rolling off him like heat. His jester hat bobbed with every step.
"No applause? Really?" he said, spreading his arms. "Not even a little fanfare for your favorite jester?"
Tsuki laughed softly. "Hey, Neko."
Knoxx didn't miss a beat. "You're not even the favorite in your own squad."
Neko gasped, clutching his chest. "Rude. But probably true."
From behind, a heavy thud hit the ground—the sound of metal. Tsuki turned instinctively, and spotted Rin with the warhammer larger than her plopped onto the ground. Her arms were folded over the tip of the handle, and she gave a thumbs up.
"Glad you made it!" she said enthusiastically. "I'm excited to get deployed with you!"
Her eyes met Tsuki's as she spoke, and again, Tsuki could do nothing but smile.
"Rin! Averin and Shonjo… hey Nighthawk."
"Oi!" shouted Shonjo, gripping a bottle of wine in his hand with a coin in the other. He flipped it repeatedly—almost like a force of a habit.
Averin gave an acknowledging nod, before Danzo approached from the carriage. He hauled a large bag behind, that left trails from the lowered gate of the cart.
"Good! We've all met and said our greetings. It's coming to dusk, so we'll rest tonight and go over our plan tomorrow morning before the attack."
"Roger that," said Tsuki, giving an understanding nod. Danzo walked right past with his packed gear, throwing it down with a huff. He began setting up his tent, with the others following suit.
The sight of Igumi over the anciently constructed wall was limited, but beautiful. There lingered pink-oaks with leaves that drippled down the walls like vines. Jade, crimson and other unique colors filtered the roofs of countless houses. Tsuki could only imagine the sight behind the barrier.
Rin noticed Tsuki's gaze, and patted her shoulder.
"Don't worry. We'll get a clear look tomorrow after we kick the APC's ass right out of here."
She flashed a grin and gave a thumbs up. Tsuki offered the same.
"Right."
The squad finished their setting up for the night, before meeting briefly for dinner. A before battle calm sprinkled the air.
The group joked, the normal banter and friendliness. However, Tsuki stared into the roaring campfire seated in the center. The flames kicked, and her eyes were lost.
Geo noticed, and put a hand on hers. A warm smile accompanied by silence. She acknowledged, but couldn't hold the look. Something felt… off.
After a while, each member of the squads turned in for the night, setting off into their tents for much needed rest. The dawn of next day would bring a battle like Zimala… maybe even more fierce. They knew it.
Tsuki rolled restlessly in her makeshift bed. Her eyes couldn't close—they didn't want to. With a sigh, she pushed herself up, and opened the flap to the tent.
All lights were off now at the camp. No signs of life besides empty cans and footprints marked in the damp ground. Crickets chirped from surrounding fields. The moonlight poured down onto the nature of Igumi's rural spot, giving Tsuki some relief.
This battle… doesn't feel right, she thought to herself. She made her way to the center of the camp, and sat on a fallen log. Her shadows danced behind her in a soothing rhythm.
The way it was… in the distance, we could see the wall. It's so close… another battle. This could be my last, at any given moment.
Her fingers fiddled with one another. Her heart raced in a way she hadn't felt in a long time.
These nerves are killing me. On the other side of that wall, sits who knows how many enemies. People that'd gladly end my life if given the chance.
A breath.
Aldenians who were like me, before Memento.
A cloud passed over the moon's rays, making the shadows disappear in silence. There, she sat alone, swallowed by the endless night hours before a clash they weren't truly ready for.