Many hours later, the sky had long since darkened, wrapping the world in a thick blanket of night. Crickets began their nightly serenade, their rhythmic chirping creating a rare sense of peace in a chaotic world. Most of the survivors had managed to find places to rest, curling up wherever they could, grateful for the momentary calm after the storm. Even the rustling leaves seemed to hum in harmony with the night, lending a soothing backdrop to the weary group.
Sera, however, found little comfort in rest. She sat beneath a large tree, her back pressed against the bark, staring up at the stars above. The cool breeze swept over her face, but it did little to ease her troubled thoughts. She closed her eyes for a moment, recalling the events of a few hours prior. The battle, the faceplate, Ava's lies—everything had unfolded so quickly.
Did Ava really have to lie? she wondered, her lips curling into a wry smile. I guess she did. Her mind wandered to the young engineer, still processing the quiet desperation in Ava's eyes when she begged to stay with them. It wasn't hard to figure out her white lie—even without Sera's skill. After all, Sera understood better than anyone that everyone had their own battle to fight, their own secrets to keep. She sighed, rubbing her eyes as exhaustion threatened to pull her under.
"Yawn… sigh… I guess I'll just use this time to play around with this mask a bit," she muttered, her voice barely audible.
She pulled out a small flashlight from her pack, clamping it between her teeth to illuminate her work area. The beam of light shone on the Hydra CM-12 faceplate, its black surface still stained from the day's events. Sera lifted it gently, gripping it by the handle as she examined the exterior. The blood had dried, leaving dark smudges and bits of debris across its once-pristine surface. She let out another sigh, reaching for a cloth from her pocket.
"Let's see what we're dealing with here," she whispered, and began wiping the faceplate with slow, deliberate strokes.
Minutes passed, and the exterior of the mask began to regain its sleek appearance, though it still wasn't perfect. She flipped it over, frowning at the interior. The inside was worse—much worse. Dried blood and bits of flesh still clung to the edges, remnants of the mercenary's face that had been ripped off when she tore the mask away. The sight made her stomach churn slightly, though it wasn't anything she hadn't seen before.
Ugh, the inside needs more than just a wipe-down...
That's when an idea sparked. Her affinity for flame magic wasn't just for combat. She could use it for something far more practical—purification. The mask was highly resistant to magic, so it could withstand the heat. All she had to do was coat it in flames and burn away the remnants of its previous owner.
With a determined breath, Sera channeled her mana, letting the familiar warmth of her magic flow through her veins. Her hand glowed faintly as she enveloped the mask in controlled flames, watching as the fire licked along its edges, burning away the blood and filth. The faint crackle of fire filled the night air, and though the smell wasn't pleasant—charred flesh mixed with burning metal—it was nothing compared to some of the things Sera had endured before.
As the flames slowly died out, the mask glowed a soft red from the heat, steam rising in the cool night air. Sera turned it over in her hands, examining it from all angles. The once-disgusting interior was now clean, sanitized by her magic. She nodded to herself, satisfied with the result.
"Not bad, Sera. Not bad," she muttered under her breath. She let out a small chuckle, though it was tinged with fatigue. Her eyes flicked back to the flashlight, still clamped between her teeth. With a quick flick of her wrist, she switched it off and set it down beside her.
Now came the moment of truth.
Sera took a deep breath, flipping the mask around before raising it to her face. The inside felt cool against her skin, but she hesitated for just a moment before securing it in place.
For a brief second, everything went black.
And then, a soft light flickered across the visor as the mask's systems kicked in.
Hydra CM-12 Operational. Previous Owner – DECEASED. Registering new owner – MIDN NEEDED.
Right, Sera thought, her lips curving into a faint smile. The system was asking for her to register herself as the new user. With a quick mental command, she entered her information, if "typing" through thought could even be called typing.
New Owner Registered – Complete.
The text flickered for a second before disappearing, and suddenly, Sera's vision expanded. The black void that had surrounded her was replaced with a clear, wide view of her surroundings. The mask enhanced her vision, stretching the scene in front of her, and everything looked sharper, clearer—like a high-tech version of reality.
So, this is how he saw me, Sera mused, her mind racing as she processed the new field of view. It was strange, being able to see so much at once. She could spot every detail in the distance, every rustle of the leaves, every small movement from the surviving engineers resting nearby. It felt… almost too much.
She became so absorbed in the new sensations that she didn't even notice Zyra had silently approached her, standing right beside her. Zyra's eyes twinkled with amusement as she observed Sera's tail swishing lazily behind her. A mischievous grin spread across Zyra's face, and without a second thought, she reached out and grabbed the tail with a firm tug.
Sera froze. Every muscle in her body stiffened as if time itself had stopped. Her tail stiffened even more—enough to pierce the heavens—before she suddenly leaped a few feet away, clutching her tail protectively in her hands, her eyes wide with shock and a hint of pain.
"Z-Zyra! What the hell was that for?!" Sera exclaimed, her voice a mix of indignation and disbelief.
Zyra stood there with an innocent smile plastered on her face, her hands clasped behind her back. "What? You looked so focused I thought I'd snap you out of it," she said, her tone light and playful.
Sera glared at her, still massaging her tail as though it had been gravely wounded. "You almost ripped my tail off!"
Zyra shrugged, the amusement never leaving her face. "Consider it payback for not sharing your thoughts earlier. Besides, you'll live."
Sera groaned, shaking her head as she adjusted the mask. "You're impossible, Zyra."
With a final sigh of exasperation, Sera removed the Hydra CM-12, placing it carefully beside her as she stretched out her legs. The mask had been incredible, but it was exhausting to use for extended periods, especially after the day she had endured. She let herself relax, leaning back against the tree and closing her eyes.
"Goodnight," Zyra said softly, settling down beside her.
Sera didn't respond. Instead, she curled up slightly, tucking herself into a comfortable position with the grace and flexibility of a cat, her body finally succumbing to the exhaustion. The mask lay beside her, its ominous presence a reminder of the battle they had fought—but for now, it was just another tool. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for tonight, she allowed herself the peace of sleep.