The next morning came quickly. Tsuki awakened with minimal sleep—the late night pondering hadn't allowed it.
Her tent was cold from the dawn's breath, and the camp outside had begun to live again.
She made her way to a kneel, before pushing the flap gently outwards, getting blinded by stray sun glares.
Outside, Memento members pushed supplies and crates along, loading them into carriages for the Igumi assault that would soon unfold. The soldiers wore black cloaked with stray armor pieces—whatever they could individually muster. Swords strapped their hips and spears across their backs.
Anyone with an ability deemed 'war-fitting' was instead assumed to rely on their powers rather than a weapon. Tsuki included.
She walked along the makeshift camps, passing countless soldiers with unknowing joyful expressions.
Why are they so excited for war? She thought to herself. I get Knoxx's urge… but he's a psycho. How can they so easily smile in the heaps of a battle?
A familiar voice interrupted Tsuki's thoughts.
"G'morning!" called Naru, making his way over to Tsuki. At his side was Neko, still wearing his overly defining jester hat.
"Ah, Naru. Neko, nice to see you two. Good morning, hope you slept well."
Neko gave a wide grin—definitely forced.
"Nope! Didn't sleep at all, actually. The jester couldn't, knowing how much ass he would be kicking in the morning!"
Naru gave a doubtful look.
"Yeah, right. Let's just hope you don't pull a pinefruit from your little box this time."
"Why you…"
Tsuki chuckled, before realization came back into place. She saw Danzo making his way through the camp—dressed and ready to leave.
"Ah…" he huffed, spotting Tsuki, before eagerly calling her over with a hand.
She made her way over, waving to the pair from Viper. Her boots hit the dirt in hollow thumps, as she approached the leader of the invasion with curious eyes.
"Hello, Tsuki. I trust you're all ready to go?"
She nodded quickly.
"All set."
"Good. Good. We'll move shortly. Your squadmates were all gathered by the carts last I saw."
"Got it. Thank you, Danzo."
She turned, setting off toward the loaded carriages which were densely populated with prepping Memento soldiers.
The carts stood in uneven rows near the edge of the camp, their wooden frames creaking softly under the weight of supplies and steel. Horses stamped at the dirt, snorting mist into the morning air as handlers tightened straps and checked harnesses one last time.
Tsuki spotted Judgment before they saw her.
Geo stood near the lead cart, arms folded as he watched the road ahead. His usual ease was absent—eyes were sharp and his posture alert. He looked less like a wanderer and more like a soldier now.
Azumi sat on a crate nearby, elbows resting on her knees as she adjusted the straps of her mask. She hadn't put it on yet. She rarely did unless things were already going wrong.
Knoxx leaned against the cart's rear wheel, knives tucked away for once. His hands were buried in his pockets, shoulders tense. He stared at the ground like it had personally offended him. Their argument still clearly dwelled.
Wonder how long that'll take to recoup.
Tsuki turned away, spotting the last of her squad. Hatori stood apart from the rest, back turned slightly as he listened to the low hum of the surrounding camp. His head tilted now and then, as if tracking sounds no one else noticed.
Tsuki approached, boots crunching against the gravel path.
Geo noticed her first. He offered a small nod. "You look like hell."
She snorted lightly. "Feel like it too."
Azumi glanced up at that, her gaze flicking between Tsuki's eyes. "Did you sleep?"
Tsuki shook her head. "Not really."
"Thought so," Azumi muttered, tightening a strap with unnecessary force. "Me neither. Don't worry."
Knoxx finally looked up. "Everyone ready?" he asked, voice forced casual. "Because I'm itching to get this over with."
Hatori turned at that, studying him. "You're quiet."
Knoxx shrugged. "Saving my energy."
No one called him on the lie.
Danzo approached moments later, cloak already fastened, his presence alone enough to still the idle noise around them. He surveyed Judgment quickly—no speeches and no reassurances.
"Good," he said. "You're all here."
Behind him, members of Viper and Nighthawk fell into loose formation, their movements practiced but subdued. Enzumaki offered Tsuki a quick wave. Rin hefted her hammer onto her shoulder with a grin that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Danzo turned toward the road.
"We'll advance on foot from here," he said. "Carts stop at the treeline. No banners. And sure as hell no horns."
That earned a glance from Geo. "Quiet entry?"
Danzo nodded. "As planned."
They moved out soon after—Judgment near the front, flanked by shieldbearers and spearmen who tried a little too hard to look confident. The road narrowed as they passed through low fields dotted with pink-oaks and winding streams. The beauty of Igumi crept in slowly, almost mockingly.
Then the walls came into view.
They stood like towers over Igumi. Pale stone veined with creeping vines and flowering branches. Lantern hooks lined the battlements—empty now, swaying faintly in the breeze.
And the gates—
They were wide open like a backstabbing invitation. Not a guard, banner or movement in sight.
The road passed straight through, uninterrupted. The army's march slowed without anyone giving the order.
Tsuki felt it then—that tight pull in her chest, the same one she'd felt before Zimala went to hell.
"That's…" Knoxx started, then stopped. Azumi pulled her mask above her face, as her hand prepped to summon her katana.
Geo squinted ahead. "They should be shut."
Danzo raised a hand, signaling a full halt. The sound of marching boots faded into silence.
Why? Would they leave doors open for an invasion? Unless they don't know… but they have to know… Right? Tsuki thought.
Danzo studied the entrance for a long moment before speaking.
"Judgment," he said quietly. "You're with me."
Tsuki swallowed, eyes locked on the dark passage beyond the gates.
No declarations… or theatrics.
The words echoed in her mind as the open mouth of Igumi waited—whispering in a seductive invite to whatever awaited beyond.
Danzo ushered a hand forward, and with him, Judgment walked in stride. They approached the gate, which was empty and unmanned.
"Did they tuck tail and run?" Knoxx asked, maybe a little too loudly.
It was a moment before anyone answered, as they searched under the stone arch for answers—any reason as to the event.
"It sure looks like it… but why?" Geo questioned, rubbing a hand on the wall's stone.
Knoxx smiled. "Well, good! My people are probably in there, free!"
His eyes met Azumi's in a daggered look.
"Maybe they did fight, after all."
She didn't respond. Instead, she kept her eyes forward in focus.
Something doesn't feel right, Tsuki said internally. Where are they? Where… is anyone?
Danzo moved his hand forward again to call in the rest of the army after the initial scout. The army marched forward, led by Viper and Nighthawk at the head.
Judgment kept forward, inching—searching for anything. Anyone. They were past the entrance now, not deep enough to see into homes or shops. However, they were close enough to hear the sound of daylife—if there was any.
The whole of Memento's army was now succumbed into the wall of Igumi.
And then—
The sound of arrows pierced the air. Tsuki looked to the sky, and saw the pointed heads like raindrops.