I inspected the outfit, turning it around and pulling on it to make sure it wouldn't fall off or move.
Its fabric was rough and thick, although that proved useless against bullets.
I dropped a few crumbs of dirt onto the shirt and smeared it, just like Taku asked of me. He wanted me to tell Nato that I had been running into the forest and had gotten dirty from falling in the snow and from running into trees.
Not really a thing I'd wanted to say, but anything to sell the idea of me being Taku.
The plan wasn't established completely, but I was expecting to get in, find information about Nato, and kill him quickly. That itself shouldn't be too hard if I can lead him to some kind of trap and light him up... right?
Second doubting came once again. I never believe in myself or my talents. In a way, I shouldn't.
I shouldn't have run away from mom and dad that day, maybe they'd be alive if I had just fought.
***
"Cal, are you sure you want to go? We could always have someone else replace you if you are feeling worried." Instructor Miko said, one of the kindest things he's ever said to me.
"No. I'll be fine, who else will be able to fight this guy?" I said, looking at the ground now. "He's a Pathogen, and any human would just be torn to pieces by his tendrils that came out of his back.
"We thought they went extinct is the problem." Instructor Miko said, continuing with something surprising. "That type of Pathogen is called and Tendryltes. Spelled similar to Acolytes, but pronounced Ten-drill-lights." He said, but I got the message. I'd never heard of Tendryltes, but they were thought to be extinct, so perhaps that's why.
"Anyway, you'd best get going before Nato finds out that kid is gone." He said, opening the gate. I climbed atop Grim and allowed him to take me to the base.
And you may be asking, "What about Nyx? Did you let her out of the cage?!"
The answer is yes, she is the one leading me to their base, of course, I don't have a map, and even with one, I'd get lost.
***
I arrived and Nato was yelling to the ones there, I let Grim loose in the forest and told him to run home, which I followed with by patting him twice. He ran away, and I just hoped he was actually going home.
I entered the base through the wall and walked up to Nato and the group of soldiers.
"You are the few that decided not to betray me after finding out I was a Pathogen. That's good." He looked around, his eyes locking on mine.
"Taku? Where were you?"
My heart skipped a beat, I thought he found out or knew it wasn't Taku.
"In the forest sir. I got lost and got all covered in mud and dirt, especially with the parts where no snow was." I said, making my voice higher pitched to sound like Taku.
"I see. Be careful next time. You wouldn't want to get shot so easily."
***
After a short speech, I walked away. I went into a random empty house and pulled out my phone, messaging Instructor Miko with a Thumbs-up emoji.
I put my phone away and stayed in the house, waiting for the night to arrive, which wasn't too long of a wait.
The ash-colored sky was beautiful, yet so dreadful. I exited the house and walked toward the town hall, peeking lightly inside to see where Nato was. He was sitting down casually eating a bowl of cereal, much different than what he was eating last time. It seems Markus was right when he was explaining that eating Human parts makes the Pathogen stronger and smarter, as well as enhancing their abilities. Eating regular food only sustains Pathogens for so long, needing about 2-3x more human food if they want to live without eating humans. Yet Markus never even had an urge to eat a human, unlike Pathogens usually do.
I entered the town hall, throwing away my thoughts.
"Mr. President," I said, presenting myself with a bow.
"Yes, Taku. Is there a problem?" He asked, looking at my uniform and face, which it seemed the eye contacts matched Taku's eye color just enough to convince him.
"I have just been curious about why the war was started?" I asked, still making my voice higher like Taku's.
"Well... I never really liked them. Neither did the past Presidents. All of them were assassinated by the Grass-side people, also known as Andreo. Andreo has its favorite town of Kioka City, which I plan to wipe out." He said, cracking his neck, his pale skin was quite disturbing.
"So... why did they kill the presidents? I never really... paid much attention... that's why I'm here." I said, remembering what Taku asked me to say.
"Well, they assassinated them because they started wars. Imode has been the President of Andreo for about 10 years or so, and yet has ordered about 5 assassinations on the past 5 Presidents." He said. "All were successful, unfortunately."
I nodded.
"What do we do if they arrive? Do we let them in? To trap them?" I asked.
"No. We have to keep the gates closed and get the advantage of shooting and fighting while they are outside. They have the advantage of people now while we wait for re-enforcements from the North of Savito." He said, sighing and looking kind of sad.
That's good.
"Got it sir. I'll return to the fence." I said, turning around and beginning toward the door.
"Taku. Wait." He said. "Have you always had that scar on your hand?" He asked.
I stopped in place and slowly turned around.
"Yes sir." I took a moment to think of what Taku said about his past.
"I was in an argument and someone cut me with a knife. I've been... too scared of confrontation ever since. I joined not only because I didn't pay attention, but also because I wanted to become brave again." I said, walking out finally.
My breathing was heavy. I thought I had been found out, I thought I had been caught. I thought I was going to die.
My heart shook my body, and my head pounded like a broken drum.
I felt my scar and rubbed it a little bit, somehow expecting it to just vanish, yet it was still there, to my dismay.
I still had to figure out Nato's ability. That would be the main concern now. Once we figured that out, we could take him down more efficiently.
I returned to the Town Hall once again.
"Sir. I would like to contribute to our cause. May I go and see what Andreo is currently planning for the night and return in the morning to inform you what they are currently doing?" I asked, looking away.
"I guess so, just don't get caught. If you do, don't say anything." He said, staring wide-eyed into my very soul.
I left the town hall and got on a horse that was in the stables. I rode it back to Kioka City, which the long rides back and forth were getting quite troublesome. I hadn't seen many Pathogens around recently.
***
Upon arriving, I took a picture of the large fence of Kioka City for Nato and entered. I approached Miko and he was desperate for details.
I told him everything I knew about Nato's plans.
"Okay... okay... so it seems we will need to plan accordingly to this situation, otherwise we'll just be sitting ducks." He said the type of wording and phrases he used were quite specific.
A drum sound began and I turned my head to look over at the sound.
Jian and her band were on the stage/podium. They were beginning to play a song called "StRuCk."
Why they chose that name for it, I do not know, but the music was really nice or being rock music. I was able to enjoy it and everyone was gathering around the stage, there were more than 100 or so Pathogens Hunters gathering to hear the music. Jian smiled down at us as she continued with her band.
***
After it was over, we carried her through the crowd.
"I'm crowd-surfing! Look!" She yelled to her band as they clapped and laughed.
After the performance and crowd surf, we all chatted with her.
"Where'd you get such inspiration?!" Kayla asked, and Pika just kept agreeing, wanting the question answered.
"My dreams," Jian chirped, proudly closing her eyes and smiling.
Markus was also nearby, but he was just watching us talk, a smile plastered on his face. Byul was blushing while staring at Jian. I could tell what he was feeling.
At that moment, I was reminded of what Kayla tried doing at my house.
"Hey Markus?" I asked, hoping he wanted to talk.
"Yeah?" He answered, his voice was quiet.
"What does it mean when someone closes their eyes and puffs out their lips close to your face?" I asked, oblivious at the time.
"Someone wanted to kiss you?" He asked, smiling warmly.
"Well... I don't know, I thought only couples did that." I said, looking at the ground, slightly understanding.
"Well, maybe that person wanted to be a couple?" Markus said, standing up. "And kissing isn't only for couples. It's for when you're in love." Markus leaned closer to me and I felt him kiss my cheek.
I was surprised.
"Markus... do you like-"
"Guys? Yes."
"Oh," I said. Not sad, but understanding.
"That's actually kind of cool," I said, smiling.
"I like girls as well, but not as much. I thought it was obvious. I dated none of the girls who liked me at school."
"Also take that kiss on the cheek as friendship. I don't want you feeling awkward." Markus said, slightly blushing as he left.
Huh... a kiss. What if I kissed Kayla... or Pika? What would happen? Would they run away? I... don't know.
I found Byul talking to Jian alone, she was laughing at something he had said and I ruffled his soft hair.
"Oh! Hey Cal!" Byul said, looking at me quickly.
"Get along with Jian, alright?" I said, smiling wickedly.
Byul turned red and Jian began laughing as I just simply walked away from the two.
***
The morning was arriving and I had taken simple pictures, not revealing too much of the camp, but enough to sell the idea I was out there all night.
I arrived back at Savito and entered the small town that Nato resided in.
I went to an empty printing shop and had the pictures printed. The owner wasn't there, just like all of the civilians in this town.
I took them to Nato and he let me leave as he looked them over. He seemed happy about my work. Too bad I didn't take a picture of the weapons we now had.
It wouldn't be too long before Nato would get his first taste of his own medicine.
He tried to blow us up, and now it was his turn.