The line of carriages slowed, the rhythmic clatter of hooves giving way to the crunch of wheels over gravel. A sharp whistle from the driver of the lead wagon cut through the wind.
That same lead carriage pivoted in a tight circle—an old field signal telling the others they'd camp there.
Danzo was the first to step down, Phantom Squad following close behind. His boots crunched into the dirt, and when he spoke, his voice carried easily over the halted convoy.
"We stop here. Set up camp—quickly and efficiently. Unload only the necessities. Judgment Squad—here with me!"
Around them, soldiers moved at once. Crates thudded onto the packed earth, tents were shaken out, and cookfires sparked to life as other squadrons fell into a well-practiced rhythm.
Judgment Squad wove through the activity, boots brushing dry grass until they reached Danzo.
"Good—glad you're all safe and sound," he said with a nod.
Geo raised an eyebrow. "It was just a carriage ride, Danzo…"
Danzo chuckled, dusting his dark cloak he'd picked up from the carriage ride. "True. But you're vital for the mission."
Tsuki pursed her lips, readjusting her bag that hung loosely around her shoulder. The overcast above had long disappeared, revealing long rays of sunshine over Igumi's borders.
"So… what's the timeframe we're looking at?" Tsuki asked, a strand of dark hair blowing across her face. "At the briefing you said it was Phantom and us, right?"
"I did. Both squads are to leave shortly after I'm finished speaking with you."
"Damn, no time to settle in?" Geo joked, but Danzo didn't laugh.
"No time for settling here, Geo. Now, I'll joke with you after the underbelly has been cleared, and you've caught the APC's attention."
"Caught their attention?"
"So the main force can swoop in like cavalry, yes."
"Sounds… promising," Azumi muttered, arching a brow.
"Sure does. Count me in," Tsuki said with a smile.
"Good. You didn't really have a choice, but I'm glad you'd volunteer too. Now…"
Danzo raised a hand, waving over Phantom Squad from behind him. They trekked over, forming a loose circle around the leader.
"Both squads set off immediately. Good luck to you all—and be safe."
He gave a casual thumbs up before stepping back, paving the way for Judgment to finally meet the squad they'd heard so much of.
Tsuki stepped first, followed shortly by Geo and Azumi. Hatori was the last to move, his feet dragging behind him.
"Ah, Judgment. So nice to finally meet you," Hajima said, meeting them in stride. He extended an arm towards Tsuki, shaking hers in respect.
"Pleasure's ours, Phantom. We've heard so much about you."
"Hmph," Toko grunted, still chewing her thistle from the trip. Valera smacked her arm, which sparked a look of annoyance from the shorter Toko. Valera ignored it, offering a warm smile to Judgment.
"Greetings! We'll get along just fine!"
She nudged Hajima with her shoulder, eyes flicking toward the squad's leader. "Well, maybe. Depending on his mood."
"What? C'mon—I'm not—"
"You get razzled all too easily," Valera laughed. Toko nodded in agreement, flicking her thistle into the grass.
"You guys are mean… how do I put up with you daily?"
What a softy, Tsuki thought, amused. Hidden behind that strict act.
"Quit crying, Hajima!" joked Giji, slapping him on the back hard enough to stumble. That earned a final laugh before both squads turned their eyes to the looming sight of Igumi's walled settlement—the reminder that their mission held the weight of the entire operation on its back. If they were to fail, so too would Memento.
"C'mon," Hajima ordered, regathering himself after the banter. "We've an underbelly entrance to find. Judgment, just stay behind us."
"Right," Tsuki said, though she couldn't hide the silent feeling of disrespect. Her eyes met Azumi's, who just shrugged her shoulders before following in Phantoms' footsteps. Tsuki shook her head before doing the same.
Both squads moved as one, boots pounding the packed dirt in a steady rhythm. They kept to the less-traveled paths, skirting the edge of Igumi's outer roads. The coastal breeze grew stronger the closer they came to the sea, carrying the scent of salt and kelp.
On foot, the city was only ten minutes away—but they had no intention of approaching the front. Instead, they cut wide, following the shoreline toward their true destination.
"We're looking for a giant cavern open to the sea, right?" Tsuki asked, adjusting her mask slightly. The others raised theirs as well—each mark unique and symbolic. One in particular had caught Tsuki's attention though.
Toko's mask bore a crosshair dipped in maize yellow for the circle, with a pair of perpendicular lines painted garnet.
"Yeah. Supposedly opens into the sea itself," Valera said. "As for how we get in… I'll leave the planning to Hajima."
"Thanks," he said sarcastically, stepping toward a stretching beach at the base of the plateau Igumi was built on. Above them, the faint clutter of everyday life could be heard, but was more often drowned out by the sound of the unwavering tide.
The squad spread out across the base in search of the entrance. It wasn't long until Giji had proudly made it known that he'd found it.
"Over here! Beaky never fails!" he shouted, pointing excitedly around the edge of the jutting cliff. The eagle flapped its wings, circling the area just around the cavern.
"There's an easy way in," Valera shrugged. "If you're okay with getting soaked."
"I'm not wetting my hair, so we'll have to come up with something," Azumi said, shaking her strands out.
"Don't worry princess," Toko smirked, tone mocking but light. "My pressure veil will handle the water. Just prance your happy ass through the split."
"Oh Toko… our saviour!"
"Shut it."
Giji watched the entire exchange with a grin, enjoying every bit of the back and forth. The eagle had landed on his shoulder, now perched with its wings resting at its sides.
"Great. We've got our plan and found the entrance! Now, can we cut the bickering and begin the mission?" Geo asked, stepping forward. Hajima raised his eyes like he was surprised.
"Don't you go commanding me, you—"
"Toko, enough," Hajima ordered. "Can you split the water?"
She paused, trying to hide her anger behind resolve. "Sure."
She stepped forward, stomping her feet into the ground. She cracked her knuckles before lifting her hands through the air, then releasing downward in force. The waters obeyed authority by splitting evenly to the cave's entrance.
Tsuki paused for a moment, eyes widening in admiration. Toko closed her eyes, not paying any attention to the unsaid praise,
"Look, I'd love to gloat—I really would, but unfortunately, my arms do get tired," she said irritatedly.
"Right," Tsuki said, beginning to step through the gap. Though, the second she turned, Toko offered a hint of a smile.
"Thanks Toko!" Valera waved from up ahead, grinning from ear to ear. Hajima stood at the entrance, ensuring the others made it before leading himself.
Tsuki passed, watching fish caught within the split tide. In front of her, Geo stopped, waving at one. Hatori began pushing him forward, Geo reluctantly moving along.
"No time to waste!" Hajima called from the front. "Let's get moving!"
He turned, entering into the gap with a hurried step. The others followed, Toko stomping her feet impatiently until the last made it safe. She then let the tides converge, leaping from her spot to the edge of the gap easily.
"That was so cool!" Azumi said, putting a hand on Toko's shoulder excitedly. Toko brushed it off with a scowl, before letting a faint smile curve upward. Her hands landed on her hips, standing just a bit taller in pride.
Phantom Squad barely reacted, used to the pleasantries of Toko's ability. Judgment Squad—Hatori excluded, stayed on it a bit longer.
Both squads made their way past the cramped entrance, rather tall but not wide. Their boots hit the solid rock below and echoed through the dark cavern before them. The air changed instantly—cooler and damp, heavy with the scent of salt and wet vegetation from somewhere further in. Each sound they made merged with the consistent drip of unseen waters, hitting like a beat.
The entrance sloped sharply downward, forcing the squads into a single file line. The narrow walls pressed close enough that the shoulders brushed the rough rigidity of stone. Patches of slick algae coated the sides. Jagged rocks emerged from the floor, jutting out like teeth, forcing them to duck and weave as they passed through.
"Watch your step," Hatori warned as the path ahead dipped into an uneven ledge. He took the first leap down, landing with a splash in deep water that hadn't drained from the last tide.
"Ugh—" Geo grimaced, following after. "Couldn't Toko have split this part too? It's up to my waist!"
Toko, whose whole upper body was engulfed by the water, shot daggers with her eyes. "Not my job, sweetheart!"
Ahead, the cavern twisted sharply to the left, the only light coming from the faint blue glow of the opening behind them. Ahead, shadow swallowed everything, and the air grew colder still. The sound of the tide outside faded into a distant, muffled roar.
Valera reached for a lantern from her belt, striking it to life. Its orange glow painted the rock in shifting shadows, revealing that the path ahead narrowed into a jagged crawlspace barely wide enough for one person at a time.
"This is going to be fun," Azumi muttered, lowering herself onto hands and knees to shuffle forward. The stone scraped her palms, and tiny rivulets of water trickled past her knees.
The crawlspace opened into a small, round chamber with a high, dripping ceiling. Stalactites hung low, forcing them to weave between them carefully. Every movement sent droplets pattering down onto their shoulders.
"Feels like this place hasn't been touched in decades," Giji said, his voice echoing oddly.
"Good," Hajima replied. "Means the APC hasn't bothered this far either."
"Makes me happy. The natural beauty of Mother Nature in… well, nature!"
What an odd guy. I wonder if he's one of those 'all natural' fellas. Nature is the best bathroom type, Tsuki thought to herself with a chuckle.
A sloped incline greeted them next—steep and coated with slippery moss. Hatori braced himself at the bottom, steadying each person as they half-walked, half-slid down. The incline ended in a knee-high pool of water that smelled faintly of minerals.
Past it, the path rose again, forcing them to scramble up a series of jagged, uneven ledges. Boots slipped on wet stone more than once, but steady hands and quick reflexes kept anyone from falling far.
By the time they reached the top, their breathing was heavier, and the light from Valera's lantern revealed the next stretch: a long, sloping tunnel disappearing into darkness. The air was still damp, but there was a faint current now, as if the tunnel ahead was pulling in fresh air from somewhere deep inside.
Hajima gave a nod toward it. "This should take us to the main underbelly. Everyone stay sharp."
No one argued. The struggle just to get here had been enough to remind them that the hard part was still to come.
One by one, the squads stepped into the next tunnel. The path ahead was surprisingly well lit—light spilling from cracks in the ceiling, reflecting off the damp stone. The sound of their boots echoed in steady rhythm as they moved toward a faint opening further up the passage.
That opening led to a branching network—a series of narrow tunnels splitting in all directions, twisting like veins through the rock. They kept to the route marked on their mental map, weaving through the turns until a doorway-sized gap appeared in the wall ahead.
They stepped through—and froze.
Beyond was a cavern so vast the ceiling seemed impossibly high. From that ceiling hung enormous neon-pink and crimson mushroom-like trees, their thick, glowing stalks growing upside-down, roots clinging to the stone above. The glow washed over the space in a dreamlike haze, casting deep shadows across the ground.
On the cavern floor, dark, lush plantlife spread in thick clusters, spilling across what might once have been walkways. Strange flowers twitched as they passed, their petals pulsing faintly as if alive.
Tsuki's breath caught. "This must be one of the underground festival grounds."
"Those mushroom things on the top are beautiful," Geo murmured, tilting his head back.
Giji's eyes flicked toward him, intrigued. "Those are Topacona Shroom Trees. Very beautiful—and they only grow deep in Alden's caves. Rare sight indeed."
Azumi smiled at him knowingly. "Your love for nature is showing, Giji."
He rubbed the back of his neck, cheeks tinting pink. "Aw man… what gave it away?"
Toko and Valera exchanged a look.
"Not exactly rocket science, buddy," Toko said.
Valera smirked. "Yeah. Everything you do screams 'nature.' It's cool—but not exactly subtle."
Hajima's voice cut through the chatter, firm but low. "Enough. Keep it quiet from here on. This is officially Igumi territory—we don't know what we'll face from this point."
The words landed. Tsuki's fingers trembled slightly at her side. She knew the large-scale invasion was coming… but knowing and being ready were two different things.
Her eyes moved from the glowing ceiling to the path ahead, her mind spinning. Around her, the others wore calm, collected faces—how could they?
A gentle pressure broke her thoughts. Geo's hand closed around hers, steadying it. She looked at him in surprise.
He leaned in slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm nervous too. Don't worry."
A quick, warm smile flickered across her face, her heart easing in her chest.
He just… knew.
Hatori's voice came next, sharp and cautious. "Careful. Those vines ahead—look. They're all leading to a large plant… and it's moving."
They followed his gaze. A massive plant loomed at the far side of the chamber, its thick stalk glowing faintly, unlike the shroom trees above. Its broad head was studded with thorn-like protrusions, and as they watched, its jagged mouth flexed—chewing.
Hajima's hand went up in a silent command, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Hush."
The glowing chamber suddenly felt smaller.
The squads moved forward in a low crouch, each step measured to keep their footfalls as silent as possible. The glowing cavern seemed to hold its breath with them.
The plant kept chewing, its head bobbing in slow, deliberate motions, oblivious to their presence.
Until—
CRACK.
The sound echoed like a whipcrack through the chamber. Toko froze mid-step, eyes locked on the massive stalk ahead. A single dry branch lay splintered under her boot.
"Shit."
The plant stilled. It had no eyes, but its head tilted, as though it could feel the vibrations in the air. Then, with a sudden whip of its vines, it launched itself toward them—straight at Toko.
She reacted instantly, pressure bursting beneath her feet. Her body surged upward, flipping over the plant in a clean arc before she landed behind it. Narrowly dodging, the plant fixated on the next nearest target, Valera.
"I'm afraid illusion won't work here!" Valera called, her tone tight. "Someone else is going to have to do something!"
The plant spun, sensing her voice, and lunged again. Valera rolled aside, its thorned head snapping shut just short of her arm.
Giji stepped forward instead of back, his expression oddly captivated.
"You're so beautiful! Here, let me pet you!"
Before anyone could stop him, a thick root whipped forward, wrapping tight around his torso and lifting him from the ground.
"Giji!" Tsuki shouted.
"Dumbass!" Hajima barked. "It doesn't want to play!"
Still dangling, Giji grinned. "Oh."
The plant's mouth opened wide, jagged inner thorns flexing as it pulled him closer. Hajima was already pulling Solena into a swirling vortex at his hands. Hatori's focus narrowed as he bent the flow of time, slowing the plant's movements by fractions. Geo thrust his hands forward, the ground beneath them trembling.
But it wouldn't be enough.
Just before the mouth could close, two long shadowy hands burst from the ground, wrapping around the plant's thick body. The shadows crawled up to its head, forcing its upper and lower jaws apart with unrelenting pressure.
"Giji! Squirm free!" Tsuki called, her voice hard.
Giji twisted against the root. "That bitch was gonna eat me!"
"Glad you finally realized!" Toko shot back.
Hajima's vortex spun faster, the air around it pulling dust and loose petals into its spiral. "Giji, hurry! I'm about to send this!"
A sharp whistle cut the air. From above, Giji's bird dived like an arrow, its wings slicing the air. With a single pass, its beak sheared through the root holding him.
Giji dropped to the ground, rolling clear just as Hajima hurled his vortex. The swirling mass slammed into the plant's body, drilling a smoking hole straight through it while Tsuki's shadows locked it in place.
The plant writhed once, twice—and went still, its glow dimming to a dull ember.
Steam rose from the fresh hole in the plant's body, the scent of burnt vegetation mingling with the earthy damp of the cavern. Bits of glowing pulp oozed onto the ground, fizzing faintly where they touched the wet stone.
For a few seconds, no one spoke—just the echo of their breathing filling the chamber.
Then Giji brushed himself off, plucking stray bits of vine from his clothes. "Well… I've had worse hugs."
Azumi let out a sharp laugh, half relief, half disbelief. "You're lucky that thing didn't chew you in half."
"Luck?" Giji grinned, jerking a thumb toward his bird now preening on his shoulder. "That was skill. Teamwork. And Beaky."
The bird let out a self-satisfied squawk.
"More like sheer dumb survival instinct," Toko said, stepping past him.
Geo shook his head, smirking faintly. "He's right about one thing—it was teamwork."
Tsuki gave a small smile at that, though her shadows still lingered faintly along the cavern floor before retreating into nothing. She could still feel the tension in her fingertips, the memory of forcing the plant's jaws apart.
Hajima's vortex faded from his palms, the last traces of Solena energy flickering out. "Alright, enough celebrating. That noise probably carried."
The levity faded slightly. Even the glowing mushrooms above seemed dimmer, their light casting longer, thinner shadows across the tangled plantlife.
Valera adjusted her belt and lantern. "If this is what's lurking in the entrance tunnels, I'd hate to see what's deeper in."
Hatori's voice was calm but certain. "Then we move quickly. The longer we linger, the higher the risk."
Tsuki glanced at him, then at the others. They were all right—this was just the first challenge. Beyond this chamber lay the true underbelly of Igumi, and with it, the path to the heart of the city.
"Let's go."
The squads fell in behind her, their footsteps fading into the next tunnel as the cavern was left silent—save for the slow drip of water, and the faint hiss of the dead plant cooling in the dark.
Up ahead, the tunnel narrowed once again.The air grew colder with every step, the kind of chill that settled deep into the bones. Their breath began to cloud in the dim light.
"Feels like we just walked into winter," Azumi murmured, rubbing her arms.
Valera lifted her lantern higher. The walls had changed—no longer rough rock, but blocks of chiseled stone stacked neatly. Thin lines of frost traced along the mortar, glittering in the flicker of the flame.
"This isn't natural cold," Hatori said quietly. "The stone's been treated. Probably alchemic or Solena-infused insulation."
They rounded a bend and stepped into a wide chamber. It wasn't beautiful like the shroom-lit cavern—it was stark and functional. Racks of hanging meats, sealed clay jars, and stacks of woven crates filled the space. Frost clung to everything, a thin white crust coating the edges of boxes and the handles of barrels.
Geo let out a low whistle. "The freezer section… guess the old festival grounds had to feed people somehow."
"And now the APC's feeding their troops with it," Hajima muttered, scanning the room. "This could keep a garrison running for weeks."
Toko's eyes narrowed as she stepped between two storage racks. "We clearing this place out? Or leaving it for now?"
Danzo's earlier orders echoed in Tsuki's mind—clear the path, secure the way in. She shook her head. "We don't have time to dismantle it. Just make sure nothing here alerts them to our presence."
Giji crouched by a crate, brushing away frost to read the inked markings on its lid. "These are fresh. Within the week. Which means the APC's using this regularly."
Valera frowned. "If they're coming back soon, we'll need to move faster."
The cold was starting to sting now—fingers numbing, joints aching. Tsuki stepped forward, bare hand brushing the edge of a frosted jar. The cold bit through the leather instantly.
Hatori's voice was quiet but edged. "No guards yet… but if they check this room on a routine, we might be minutes away from company."
Hajima glanced toward the far exit—another arched stone doorway at the end of the room. Beyond it, the faint echo of dripping water hinted at another section of the tunnels.
He gave a sharp nod. "We're done here. Next section—move."
The squads filed out quickly, their boots crunching faintly on frost before disappearing into the next stretch of dark. Behind them, the cold room sat in silence, the frost settling again over the untouched supplies.
They were halfway across the freezer chamber when the sound came—faint at first, barely audible over the drip of melting frost.
Bootsteps. Not the stagger of a lone wanderer, but the measured rhythm of trained soldiers. More than one.
Hajima froze mid-step and raised his fist, signaling a halt. The squads stopped instantly, breaths misting in the cold.
"Incoming," Hatori murmured, already angling his head toward the far end of the chamber.
Through the frost-hazed air, shadows moved beyond the arched doorway—three, maybe four figures in APC white. The clink of metal buckles and the low murmur of conversation carried into the room.
Tsuki's heart kicked hard in her chest. She ducked behind a tall rack of hanging meats, pressing her back to the frozen wood. The others scattered with silent precision—Azumi sliding behind a stack of barrels, Valera and Geo ducking low behind a line of crates, Toko easing herself flat along the shadowed wall.
The air seemed to get colder as the figures entered. Two stalkers stepped in first, their faces obscured by white half-masks, frost crunching under their boots. Another two followed, one holding a clipboard, scanning the supplies.
"Stock looks fine," one of them said. "Still good for at least another two weeks."
Another tapped the frost on a barrel. "Feels warmer than usual. Might be a crack in the wall somewhere."
Tsuki dared a glance around the rack. The soldiers were methodical, checking the corners. One of them passed within arm's reach of Giji, whose bird had gone perfectly still on his shoulder, feathers puffed just enough to hide its gleaming eyes.
Don't move… don't move…
The stalker paused, sniffed the air, then turned away. "Nothing down here but food. Let's move on."
They filed toward the opposite exit, boots fading into the distance. The cold room fell silent again—except for the collective exhale of two squads who'd been holding their breath.
Geo looked over his shoulder at Tsuki. "That was too close."
"Yeah," she said quietly. "Next time, we might not get lucky."
Hajima straightened, eyes already on the far door. "Then we keep moving. Can't get caught lacking."
They slipped back into formation, the memory of those white uniforms still fresh in their minds as they left the freezer chamber behind.
The freezer door closed behind them with a muted thud, and the air began to change almost immediately.
The sharp bite of frost faded, replaced by a damp warmth that carried a faint earthy scent—stone dust, old incense, and something faintly floral that lingered in the dark.
They followed the tunnel's slow incline downward, the walls gradually shifting from utilitarian stone blocks to older, more intricate carvings. The edges were softened by centuries of erosion, but the craftsmanship still spoke of a time when beauty and meaning were as important as function.
Azumi traced a hand lightly along the wall as they passed. "These carvings… they're nothing like the APC's work."
Hatori nodded. "They're pre-occupation. This section's old—could be hundreds of years."
Valera lifted her lantern higher, revealing a carved archway ahead. Symbols in flowing, almost wave-like patterns curled across its surface, converging on the image of a tall, serene figure holding a curved staff in one hand and a cluster of blossoms in the other.
"That's Jesui," Giji said quietly.
Tsuki glanced at him. "Jesui?"
"Igumi's most worshipped deity," Giji explained, voice low out of instinctive respect. "The Guardian of Paths and Tides. People believed she kept travelers safe—both on land and sea—and guided the spirits of the departed to peaceful waters."
His bird ruffled its feathers as he continued.
"They used to hold the Tide Lantern Festival in her honor. Not the small version you see now, but the real one—lanterns launched from the harbor all the way to the river delta. Every light was said to carry a prayer she'd hear personally."
Tsuki slowed her pace, looking up at the serene stone face.
Jesui… so even here, the people lived with faith in something bigger than themselves.
Hajima's voice was quieter now, as though the space itself demanded it. "This probably would've been a ceremonial passage. Before the APC, the caverns were used for processions and rites during the equinox. The APC sealed most of them, but… clearly not all."
As they stepped through the archway, the tunnel opened into a wide hall. Pillars carved with curling wave motifs lined either side, their tops disappearing into the shadows above. Niches in the walls still held the crumbling remains of offerings—dried flowers turned to powder, faded prayer strips, clay bowls with traces of long-evaporated water.
Azumi slowed to examine one alcove, brushing away a thin film of dust. "They didn't even bother destroying it all. Guess even the APC knows better than to mess with Jesui in Igumi."
"Or," Toko said, her tone edged with skepticism, "they figured no one would ever come down here again."
Hatori glanced down the hall, eyes narrowing. "Either way, it's not abandoned now—not with patrols in the area. We keep moving."
Their footsteps echoed in the ceremonial hall, the sound swallowed by the heavy air. The warmth here was deceptive—it carried the weight of years, the quiet hum of a place meant for reverence, not war.
Tsuki kept close to the wall, fingers brushing over the grooves of the carved waves. The curves felt almost like ripples under her touch. Somewhere in her mind, she wondered if Jesui would approve of what they were about to do.
But the moment passed.
The exit loomed ahead, another archway, this one cracked and half-swallowed by creeping vines. Beyond it, the air was cooler again, and the sound of faint running water suggested they were nearing the underflow river basin—the last landmark before they would surface inside downtown Igumi.
Hajima glanced back at both squads, his voice just above a whisper. "Stay sharp. The festival grounds and the freezer were one thing… but from here on, we're in the APC's shadow."
They passed under the vine-choked arch, leaving the calm weight of the ceremonial hall behind. The darkness ahead felt different—tighter, sharper, and far less welcoming.
Up ahead, a pair of massive wooden doors broke the monotony of the stone walls—reinforced with metal bands, their surfaces worn and scarred from years of damp air. A faint line of pale daylight traced the seam between them.
The squads slowed, their boots barely scuffing the floor as they kept to a careful tiptoe. The muffled roar of the sea and the distant cries of gulls whispered through the cracks.
Hatori moved to the front, scanning the frame. "These doors should lead up to Igumi. Not sure where exactly we'll come out…" His eyes swept the group. "Everyone prepared for the rest?"
Valera gave a single nod. "I'm good."
"Hell yeah," Hajima said with a grin. "Let's get moving. Gotta send out that bird of Giji's somehow, right?"
Giji tilted his head toward the small figure on his shoulder. The bird—Beaky—ruffled its feathers and let out a faint chirp. "Little Beaky here's ready, but he'll need a message to deliver. Anyone got paper?"
Valera raised a hand. "I've got paper… but I'm all out of ink."
Giji shrugged. "Well, that's half the battle."
Stepping forward, Valera gave a faint, knowing smile. "I'll handle it. My illusions can print a message right onto the page—saves us from digging around for a pen."
Tsuki's eyes brightened. "Genius!"
"Always good to have a Valera on the team," Hajima said, flashing her a wink.
Valera's grin widened as she pulled a folded slip of parchment from her pack. She held it flat in her hands, closing her eyes for a moment. Her breathing slowed. In her mind, she pictured the message—each letter crisp and deliberate, each word carrying exactly what Danzo needed to know.
The paper's surface shimmered faintly, the air above it warping as the ghostly outline of her imagined handwriting began to appear—inky black against the pale parchment. The strokes moved as if guided by an invisible quill, forming neat, precise lines.
But when the shimmer faded, she turned the page toward them with a smirk. "Here it is… sort of."
Hatori frowned. "Sort of?"
She tapped the page. "It's there in appearance only—no actual ink. The illusion will hold until Beaky delivers it. Once it reaches Danzo, the message will fade unless one of us maintains it."
Geo crossed his arms. "So, we better hope your bird flies fast."
"He always does," Giji said, giving Beaky an affectionate scratch under the beak.
Hajima shifted toward the door, his voice dropping. "Alright—once we're out, we'll find a point to launch him. No point risking our position down here."
The faint glow of daylight through the door seemed to sharpen at the thought. Whatever waited for them above, it was time to face it.
The hinges groaned as Hatori leaned his weight into the massive doors. A thin blade of daylight widened, spilling across the damp stone and catching the dust in the air. One by one, the squads pressed forward, slipping into the narrow gap until the doors gave way fully and they spilled out into open air.
The sudden shift was jarring. Salt-scented wind rushed at their faces. Overhead, seagulls wheeled in lazy arcs, their cries sharp against the muffled crash of waves. The air was cooler, cleaner than the underground halls, but it carried with it something else—an edge, taut and expectant.
They had surfaced into an alleyway. The cobblestones beneath their boots were slick with moss, the walls around them rising high and tight, plaster peeling in long strips. Far above, pale banners bearing the APC's emblem fluttered against a gray sky. Beyond the alley's mouth, voices murmured, vendors haggled, and somewhere distant a bell tolled noon.
Hatori raised a hand, halting them. His eyes scanned the alley mouth.
"Downtown Igumi," he muttered. "We're in the southern quarter, close to the riverfront. Patrols will be thick. Stay sharp."
Hajima gave a low whistle. "Smells like fish and propaganda. Nice place to set up shop, huh?" He cracked a grin, then glanced at Giji. "Bird's up?"
"Almost." Giji cupped Beaky gently, the little eagle puffing its chest as though it knew the importance of the moment. "We'll need him airborne fast, but not from here. Too open."
The illusions remained, and the message was vibrant.
Geo snorted. "Cute. Let's hope your illusions don't vanish mid-flight."
"They'll hold." Valera opened her eyes and flicked the parchment upright. Black script shimmered against pale parchment. "As long as no one shoots the bird."
"Then Beaky better have his fastest wings today," Giji said, stroking the bird's chest feathers. Beaky chirped and snapped his beak as if in agreement.
Azumi shifted uncomfortably, tightening her grip on her katana. "I don't like it. We're standing in one of the most watched cities in Alden, just… chatting in an alley."
Hatori gave her a look. "You're right. We find a vantage point. Send the message, then blend in with the crowd until nightfall." He turned his gaze upward, narrowing at a line of rooftops. "There. That tower gives us open air."
Hajima clapped his hands once, softly. "Perfect. Quick in, quick out."
But as they began to move, the alley quieted. The vendor calls thinned, gulls wheeled higher, and a hush pressed against the cobblestones.
Tsuki froze, her shadow flickering unnaturally against the wall. She hissed, "Wait. Do you hear that?"
Hatori stiffened. His senses, honed for shifts in rhythm, caught it immediately—the beat of boots, too steady. Synchronized, and growing closer.
"Company," he murmured. "Coming from both sides."
The squads whipped into readiness, backs tightening into a circle. Geo summoned a faint ripple of stone under his feet, ready to rise; Azumi's blade glinted; Valera already palmed her illusion-sheets.
From the alley mouth, steel gleamed. APC soldiers—half a dozen, then more—filed in with shields braced. Spears, swords, and weapons alike were in a raised position. Behind them, the dull thrum of heavier boots suggested something worse.
Hajima muttered through his teeth, "Guess the party started early."
A voice echoed coldly from the shadows, mocking and deliberate.
"Well, well. Memento rats, crawling out of the sewers. Did you really think Igumi wouldn't be waiting for you?"
The soldiers shifted as one, their shields scraping faintly against the alley walls. From behind them, a figure stepped forward, his presence enough to still even the gulls overhead.
The uniform was unmistakable—white pressed jacket, tie tucked neatly into his chestplate, the insignia of the APC stitched proudly on his sleeve. His hair drooped in loose strands across his face, but not enough to hide the faint smirk pulling at his mouth. The furrow of his heavy brows was carved with intent.
Hajima's jaw tightened, his voice breaking out in a low growl.
"Doji… you snakey bastard…"
Doji's smirk spread wider, tugging cheek to cheek. His voice was light, mockingly warm.
"Ah, Hajima. Been a while, friend."
Hajima spat the word back like poison.
"Hardly. Our ties severed the moment you turned your back—when you sold us out. You gave the APC access to Memento's vessel… you doomed people who trusted you."
The squads stiffened. Geo's fists curled, stone trembling faintly beneath his boots. Valera's illusions flickered, her usually playful smirk gone. Azumi's hand hovered over her blade, her knuckles white. Tsuki stared hard, her breath low and steady, while even Beaky puffed up nervously on Giji's shoulder.
Different reactions, same emotion. Betrayal and hatred consuming their judgment.
Doji only scoffed, hands sliding lazily into his pockets. He didn't even bother defending himself.
"Why?" Tsuki asked flatly, her voice cutting through the stillness, sharp and direct. Doji's head tilted toward her, studying her with the detached curiosity of a scholar examining a specimen.
"Now… whatever do you mean?"
Tsuki's eyes narrowed, her tone razor-thin.
"You know what I'm asking."
Doji let the silence stretch before shrugging, his smirk never fading.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
Hatori stepped forward, his voice calm but laced with contempt.
"What'd they do to you? Hm? I don't see how anyone could look at the APC—at their slaughter, their control—and willingly kneel. I don't."
Doji chuckled, leaning back on his heels.
"What's the difference between Memento and the Alden Protections Council?"
A sharp intake of breath cut across the circle.
"The difference is obvious, you sleazy bastard!"
Her teeth were grit, her voice trembling with rage. She stepped forward, fists balled, every muscle wound tight.
Doji threw his head back and laughed—a rich, cruel sound that echoed against the alley walls.
"Obvious, yet you couldn't even give me a straight answer. Predictable, low life."
Toko's body trembled, her nails digging crescent moons into her palms. The others held their ground, but tension coiled tighter and tighter, a heartbeat away from erupting.
Hajima's voice cracked through the stillness, low but seething.
"You know, Doji… you destroyed Rin. Hell, Shonjo took it worse. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
Doji's smirk faltered—just for a heartbeat—before he slipped back into his mask. His hand rolled casually at his wrist, fingers flexing as though brushing dust from the air.
"Nighthawk was a ploy. Always have been."
His eyes gleamed with cruel certainty as he twisted his hand outward, almost lazily stretching.
"My loyalties lie to my brother. You wouldn't understand true loyalty, isn't that right, Shadow?"
His gaze slid across the circle and landed squarely on Tsuki. Her heart felt heavy at the mention, but she didn't falter. He lingered on her long enough for the air to weigh in.
"And the Ghost… Tona Norasachi. The so-called heart of Memento. Now a rogue, leaving you all to fend for yourselves."
A crooked smile tugged at his lips.
"What a hero."
Hatori's jaw clenched, his tone quiet, bitter.
"Don't act like you know shit, Doji. Your words mean nothing."
Doji tilted his head back with a chuckle, shoulders shaking.
"Ohoho… is that so?"
The faint rasp of steel cut through his laughter. Azumi stepped forward, her katana flashing into her grip, its edge leveled straight at his throat. Her voice was ice.
"I'm done with discussions."
Geo's fists tightened, stone cracking beneath him as he pulled a boulder from the earth, steady but ready.
"If it's a fight you want, traitor, we'll gladly give it to you."
Doji's grin only widened.
"Oh, come now. You know I'm no good at battles…"
His hair floated slightly as the air warped beside him, twisting into a jagged circle of darkness. A portal. From its edges, sparks of violet Solena crackled like veins of lightning. The squads tensed, the alley trembling under the shift.
Doji stepped back with an almost theatrical bow, his voice mocking.
"But I've got friends who are. Deal with them. Kill only if necessary."
The portal roared open, vomiting shadowed figures into the alley. Stalkers bearing masks, blades, and armor of all shapes and sizes emerged in pairs, their eyes burning with cruel intent.
Hajima spat into the ground.
"Damn snake…"
Judgment and Phantom squads tightened formation, abilities readied as they engaged, shadows and illusions shimmering alive. Beaky shrieked sharply from Giji's shoulder as the alley shook with war's first drumbeat.