Tokita awoke with a jolt, a sharp pain radiating from the top of his head. The world came into focus as he blinked away the sleep from his eyes. He felt a presence nearby and instinctively went into a defensive stance. But as he tried to pinpoint his attacker, he saw Leo standing there, holding his sheath as if it were a sword.
"You finally decided to join the living, huh?" Leo quipped, tilting his head with a cocky grin.
Tokita rubbed the sore spot on his head, realizing that it was Leo who had caused the pain. "Was it really necessary to hit me that hard?" he muttered.
"Hey, you were dead to the world, and you've got a mission to prep for," Leo replied, spinning his sheath before placing it in its holster. "Let's get you cleaned up and ready to go. The Captain's waiting."
Tokita groaned as he got up, feeling stiff from his nap. He followed Leo's lead, heading to the showers to wash off the grime of the past few days.
Tokita stood under the shower, the warm water soothing his aching muscles. He let out a deep sigh as he closed his eyes, feeling the water cascade down his back. It felt like a healing balm, washing away the pain and the exhaustion of the past few days. He stood there for a while, letting the water do its magic, feeling the tension slowly ebb away from his body.
The steam enveloped him, rising up from the hot water and swirling around him. He inhaled deeply, savoring the moist, warm air as it filled his lungs. It was a stark contrast to the cold, dry air outside, and he relished the feeling of the steam enveloping him like a soft, comforting blanket.
He lifted his arms, letting the water run down his chest and stomach, washing away the sweat and grime of training. The warm water was a reminder that he was alive, that he had made it through another day. He leaned his head back, letting the water run over his face, feeling the droplets slide down his cheeks and nose.
The sound of the water was the only thing he could hear, the steady flow and the occasional splashing as he moved his arms. He let himself get lost in the moment, letting his thoughts drift away and simply enjoying the sensation of the hot water on his skin. It was a moment of pure relaxation, of letting go of all the stress and anxiety that had built up inside him.
Tokita let out a deep sigh of relief, feeling the hot water wash away the sweat and grime of the past few days. "Feels like heaven," he muttered to himself, eyes closed.
Leo's voice suddenly interrupted his moment of tranquility. "I know, right?" he said from behind the curtain to Tokita's right, poking his head out.
Tokita's eyes shot open in surprise, and he quickly covered himself as he realized he was not alone. "THE FUCK!?" he shouted, feeling violated.
Leo couldn't help but laugh, closing the curtain as he continued his shower. "You really didn't expect me to clean myself?" he joked.
"I expected you to shower, but not while I was in the shower!" Tokita retorted, his tone irritated.
Leo's voice came from the other side of the curtain, sounding amused. "There's multiple showers in here, why would we only use one at a time?"
Tokita rolled his eyes, feeling a bit foolish for his reaction. "I...Look, just give me a heads up next time," he grumbled, resuming his shower.
"Nah, I think I'll keep sneaking up on you silently," Leo chuckled, trying to hold back a laugh. "The look on your face was priceless."
Tokita sighed as he turned off the shower and reached for a nearby towel. After drying himself off, he glanced at his outfit, which was neatly folded on a nearby bench. His eyes focused on the details of the clothing, taking in every aspect of its design.
The tunic was made of soft black leather, the material supple to the touch. It had intricate patterns etched into the material, almost like a tribal design. The sleeves were long, reaching just past his wrists, and ended in a point at the cuff. The tunic itself was form-fitting, showing off his lean, muscular physique.
Beneath the tunic, he wore a form-fitting black undershirt, made of a lightweight material that clung to his skin. The long brown pants he wore were made of a thick, durable fabric, almost like a heavy-duty canvas. They were fitted around his waist, but gradually widened towards the ankles, allowing for freedom of movement.
Around his waist, he wore a thick black leather belt, which had various pockets and compartments for storing weapons and other items. His boots were made of a durable black leather, with thick soles and reinforced toes.
He dressed himself and stepped out of the showers, enjoying the feeling of the wind against his damp hair.
"Those the clothes that Charles gave you?" Leo asked, taking notice of Tokita's outfit as he stepped out of the shower. He raised an eyebrow inquisitively, his eyes scanning Tokita's appearance from head to toe.
Tokita gave a nod, adjusting the tunic and pulling up the pants. "Yeah, he said it's something that the members of Setale's military wear," he replied, looking down at his attire.
Leo let out a low whistle. "Not bad, not bad at all," he said, walking over to Tokita and giving a nod of approval. "Black leather tunic with silver trimming and long brown pants. Charles has good taste."
Leo was dressed in his traditional red kimono and undershirt, which were meticulously embroidered with intricate patterns of gold thread. The red kimono was made from the finest silk, and it seemed to flow effortlessly around Leo's tall and lean frame. The edges of the kimono were lined with a darker shade of red, which contrasted beautifully with the vibrant red of the rest of the garment.
"Well, we shouldn't keep the old Dog waiting for us, shall we?" Leo stated, walking past Tokita, expecting him to follow.
Tokita and Leo stepped out of the hideout and were met with a picturesque sight. The sun was beginning to rise, casting a light blue glow across the sky, and the gentle breeze carried with it the sweet scent of blooming flowers. The leaves rustled in the wind, creating a calming atmosphere that made Tokita feel at ease.
As they stepped out, Mitsugi's bright blue kimono stood out against the natural hues of the scenery. The vibrant color only enhanced her already radiant appearance, and she looked like a ray of sunshine on an already beautiful day. She stood a few yards away from them, a huge grin on her face as she waved enthusiastically.
Tokita felt a warm feeling spread in his chest at the sight of her. Her happiness was contagious, and he couldn't help but smile in response.
Leo turned to him and gave a small smile, seemingly reading his thoughts. "Mitsugi has that effect on people," he said, a hint of fondness in his voice.
"Good Morning Leo, Good Morning Tokita," Mitsugi stated, cheerfully greeting the both of them.
"Morning, Mimi," Leo stated as he rubbed her head.
"Good Morning Mitsugi, you sleep well?" Tokita asked.
"Of course!" Mitsugi said triumphantly.
Leo leaned down and ruffled her hair, eliciting a giggle from Mitsugi. "You seem to be in a good mood today, Mimi," he said with a smile.
"I am! I had the best dream last night," Mitsugi said with a twinkle in her eye. "I dreamed that I was flying on a giant butterfly through a field of cherry blossoms."
"A giant butterfly? That sounds terrifying." Leo chuckled.
"What?! No! It was cute!" Mitsugi exclaimed.
Tokita couldn't help but smile at the sight of Mitsugi's excitement. "It sounds like it was a beautiful dream," he said.
"Is the Captain here yet, Mimi?" Leo asked as he tilted his head slightly.
"Mmm...I don't believe so, I didn't see anyone else when I came down." She stated.
A voice snapped through the air behind them. "Sorry, sorry. We had to do some last-minute touches to our new member here." A rough and callous voice said.
A rustle of wind flew by as Grensvall walked up to them, the leaves crunching under his boots. His clothes were slightly disheveled, with a few patches sewn onto his black coat. A slight smile crept onto his face as he observed Leo and Tokita.
"Good morning Captain," Leo greeted him with a nod.
"It's good to see you again," Tokita said, returning his friendly smile.
Grensvall's eyes flicked to Tokita's frame, his sharp gaze analyzing the muscles that had formed over his body. "I can tell you've been training hard," he said, a hint of approval in his voice as he clasped Tokita's shoulder. "Your efforts haven't gone unnoticed."
"Thank you, sir," Tokita stated, a feeling of pride welling up in his chest.
The scent of cooked meat wafted through the air as Aila strutted towards them, her leotard hugging every curve of her body. Her grey hair was tied back in a messy ponytail, and a chunk of deer meat was held between her sharp teeth as she chewed it noisily.
Her eyes glinted with a dangerous edge as she gazed at Tokita with a hint of contempt. She didn't bother to acknowledge him, instead choosing to walk straight towards Leo with a challenging grin.
"Hey there, pretty boy," Aila drawled, leaning against Leo and nudging him with her elbow. "Miss me?"
Leo simply chuckled in response, ignoring the implied flirtation as he returned her greeting. "Always a pleasure, Aila. How's your training been?"
"The worst, the kids become a total bummer." She stated as she took another bite.
"You didn't do to him what Drae did to you, right?" Leo inquired, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her.
"Well...I don't really know what I did to him." Aila stated, taking another chunk out of the leg of meat.
As she did so, the third, and final missing member exited the hideout.
Wearing a dark leather top with a black undershirt, dark pants, and dark grey gloves on both hands, Ian emerged.
Ian strode into view, his black boots tapping against the stone floor with every step. He wore a dark leather top, the material hugging his torso and emphasizing his muscular physique. A black undershirt peeked out from beneath the top, while his dark pants hugged his legs, accentuating the powerful muscles in his thighs and calves. Dark grey gloves adorned both of his hands, the fingers curled slightly as he moved.
His blond hair had grown slightly, and was combed over into a different style. As he raised his head to meet Tokitas, Toktia noticed a stark difference. His eyes. Ian's eyes previously had been a dark grey, but now, they were bright blue, with an intricate pattern running inside of it.
As Ian's gaze met Tokita's, the latter couldn't help but be transfixed by the piercing blue of his irises. The color was so vivid, it was almost as if he could see through the eyes and into the depths of Ian's soul. The pattern inside his eyes was a complex series of interlocking shapes and lines, almost like a blueprint for something unknown. Tokita couldn't help but wonder if the change in eye color was a result of unlocking his Catalyst, or if it was something else entirely.
As Ian approached, Tokita could see the intensity in his gaze. It was as if he was looking right through him, analyzing every aspect of his being. The blue of his eyes seemed to glow in the sunlight, like two miniature suns radiating with energy.
But it was something beyond that, a sense of tiredness that stuck to Ian's eyes. They were once bright and cheerful, full of energy and life, but now they looked heavy and burdened. The dark circles under his eyes were more pronounced than before, a clear sign that he had not been getting enough rest. The light that had once shone in his gaze seemed to have dimmed, replaced by a dullness that spoke of weariness and fatigue.
As Tokita looked into Ian's eyes, he could almost feel the weight of the other man's exhaustion. It was as if Ian had been carrying a heavy burden for a long time, and was now struggling to keep it up. The intricate pattern in his irises only served to highlight the contrast between his previous cheerfulness and his current state of fatigue.
"Ian..." Tokita mumbled as they stood across from each other, looking into each other's eyes.
Ian's eyes focused, piercing Tokita's soul. "I wonder...how much stronger have you gotten?"
Tokita gulped, feeling a sense of dread wash over him.
"I've been training every day, you bet your ass I got stronger," Tokita stated, his eyes full of determination.
Ian's eyes narrowed, and he took a step forward. "That's good to hear. I've been looking for a good challenge lately," he said, his voice taking on a menacing tone. "Aila won't face me, the Captain won't face me..." Ian stated as he locked eyes with Tokita.
As Ian took a step forward, Tokita couldn't help but notice the intensity in his eyes. They were like two icy blue flames, burning with a fierce determination that seemed to be fueled by something beyond just a desire for a good fight. The intricate pattern that Tokita had noticed before seemed to glow with an inner light, adding to the sense of otherworldliness that emanated from Ian's gaze.
"Will you satiate this desire?" Ian questioned, the two staring off as the rest of the Silver Steel Knights watched on, not being able to predict what happens next.