When they arrived, they were met with soft lighting and creaky wood floors. It felt like a luxury compared to the filth of the sewers.

  Tona helped guide Hatori up the stairs, shoulder under his best friend's arm. He opened the rented room, sparsely decorated—yet cozy. He guided Hatori to the bed, setting him down softly.

  “Rest up, yeah?”

  Hatori grinned weakly. “Thanks man… again.”

  Tona returned the smile, no words needed. He turned to the door, closing it behind him. He made his way down the stairs back to the rest of Judgment and Danzo stood.

  “I’ve got to get heading back,” Tona said. “Maro wants a report. Said I was here to reinforce, not have a sleepover.”

  He chuckled slightly. Before he could turn, Tsuki rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Tona.

  The others froze.

  It caught him with surprise. His posture stiffened for just a moment—before he softened and returned the hug.

  “Thanks for coming,” she mumbled. “Thank you for saving us.”

  “Anytime,” he responded.

  Geo glanced away—not in anger, but the jealousy was obvious.

  Tsuki noticed. So did Azumi, who raised a brow.

  Tona chuckled, stepping back. “Stay safe would you? Rather not have to break another sewer ceiling.”

  “Go report to daddy Maro, Ghost boy,” Danzo joked.

  Tona laughed, opening a gate beside him. He gave a two fingered salute.

  “Later losers.”

  In an instant, he was gone—like he hadn’t been there at all. As the portal faded, Tsuki turned and approached Geo, calm and knowing. Azumi gathered the others' attention to let them speak.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” Tsuki said, meeting his eyes. Geo opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came. He looked away.

  Tsuki leaned against the wall, her arms folded. “He’s beautiful, strong, and kind. Everything someone would want to be.”

  She paused briefly, capturing a breath. Geo still gazed at the floor, avoiding eye contact.

  “But I don’t see him like that… not romantically.”

  Geo’s eyes flicked back to her with a cautious look.

  She continued. “When I see Tona, I don’t get butterflies. I don’t get flustered. I feel safe. Like nothing in the world would dare touch me.”

  She looked out the nearby window—the shutters were half open, and the sun beamed through.

  “That’s what I want to be for others. I want people to feel safe just because I’m standing there. I want my presence to mean protection. Not because I’m like him… but because I’m me.”

  Her eyes looked up at him, their gazes meeting.

  “I don’t want to be the next Tona. I want to be the first Tsuki. He’s the reason I believe I can be.”

  Silence followed as Geo thought. Then:

  “...I think you’re already halfway there.”

  He grinned—and it caught Tsuki off guard. A faint blush of pink consumed her cheeks.

  Danzo interrupted the moment—unintentionally.

  “Just got an update from Ringo. Apparently Mushira is a big time merchant—owns nearly a third of the waterfront. Real ‘gentleman of the people’ type.”

  He waved Geo and Tsuki over for discussion—Knoxx and Azumi already circled the table he was at.

  “He’s got a gated estate connected with a paved path to the docks,” Danzo continued. “I think our next course of action is paying him a little visit.”

  “When?” Knoxx asked, shoving food in his mouth per usual.

  “Midnight or so,” he responded. “Maybe a bit later. We need some genuine rest before then. No telling what we’ll find.”

  “A surprise op,” said Azumi. “I like it.”

  Knoxx kicked his feet on the table, shoving another shrimp down his throat. “Though, Hatori might need to stay—”

  From upstairs, a voice called out—undoubtedly Hatori.

  “I heard that dumbass! I’m fine!”

  The desk lady of the inn gave an irritated look that screamed “shut him up.”

  Knoxx gave a guilty laugh, with the squad following suit. They each nodded, before going their separate ways until nightfall.

  Tsuki trudged to her room, aching for the comfort of her pillow. Once she reached her bed, she flopped down dramatically, and gazed at the ceiling. Thoughts flooded her mind—events from the day, followed by memories. Ones she didn’t want to remember.

  Tokira.

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  Her best friend through the Stalker Academy, who now stood as her enemy. Who had definitely recognized her, and would soon report her.

  Tsuki closed her eyes, and they all came back to her. She fell into the abyss of her mind.

  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.