"End it, and finally close the chapter on this so-called mission you've been desperate to complete since the moment you accepted it," Astra's voice dripped with bitter resignation. She paused, letting her words hang in the charged air. "Go ahead—add another soul to your tally."
The atmosphere crackled with unresolved tension. The ground beneath them seemed to tremble with the intensity of their standoff. Yukira's stance was rigid, her grip on the sword firm, while Astra's presence radiated a fierce, protective energy.
A sharp grunt of frustration escaped Yukira, refusing to be dragged into another pointless argument about the abomination before her. Her gaze darted to her comrade, who silently shook his head, a plea for her to reconsider. But she dismissed his protest with a curt wave, her focus snapping back to him—the Kaiju.
An uneasy chill washed over her as she locked eyes with the creature. Her grip on the sword tightened until her fingers ached. The urge to strike, to silence the chaos in her mind, gnawed at her. Every instinct screamed for the kill, a desperate urge to end the madness threatening to consume her.
The door creaked open, and Kiki, oblivious to the simmering tension, stepped inside. "Hey, what's the big idea?! Hiding in here when you should be—" His words faltered as he took in the scene, reality crashing down like a tidal wave.
His gaze swept across the room, landing first on Orenji, then shifting to Astra, poised to strike like a coiled viper. But it was Yukira who held his attention, her sword pressed dangerously close to Kiel's throat. Kiki paused, assessing the situation with a thoughtful frown.
"Hmm, okay," Kiki finally murmured, his tone unnervingly casual. His eyes flicked between Yukira and Astra. "Well, carry on then," he added with a shrug, as if they were engaged in nothing more than a minor disagreement.
For a brief moment, he lingered, his gaze sweeping the room with mild interest, contemplating whether to get involved. But the decision was swift, and with a slight shake of his head, he turned to leave. The door creaked once more as it closed, the sound of Kiki slamming it shut echoing through the tense silence that followed.
Yukira's eyes narrowed, the cold gleam in them unwavering. "This creature is a threat. It's dangerous. And sometimes, the right decision isn't the easiest one."
Astra's gaze hardened. "You're blinded by your own convictions. We need to think this through. We can't let anger dictate our actions. Otherwise, we're no better than the monsters we fight."
Orenji's silent, watchful presence was a calming anchor in the storm. He stepped forward, his expression a plea for reason. The tension between Yukira and Astra crackled like a live wire, each waiting for the other to yield.
Kiel's gaze shifted between the two women, a flicker of hope mingling with his resignation. He knew their fight was as much about their own beliefs and emotions as it was about him. Each word, each action, reflected their internal battles.
Yukira's grip on the sword remained as it was, the blade still poised at Kiel's throat. Her expression was a complex mix of anger, duty, and something akin to regret. The fight had become less about Kiel and more about the larger conflict within them.
Yukira's eyes flickered with uncertainty. The relentless edge in her voice softened, just for a moment. "You think you have all the answers? You think you understand them better than I do?"
Astra nodded firmly. "I may not have all the answers, but I'm willing to find out. I refuse to let fear and anger dictate our actions. We're better than that. We're better than this."
As Yukira's gaze bore into him, a flicker of hesitation crossed her face. She held the sword steady, but the weight of her actions pressed down on her, a tangible force in the air. Her grip tightened around the hilt, her knuckles white against the dark metal.
Astra approached Yukira cautiously, her gaze softening slightly. "Let's find out what's really going on," she said, her voice tinged with a renewed sense of purpose. "We owe it to ourselves—and to him—to get to the bottom of this."
The silence that followed was heavy, each person caught in their own storm of emotions. Yukira's gaze flickered between Astra and Kiel, her resolve wavering. The contrast between her hardened stance and the flicker of doubt was striking.
Damn it, she thought, her patience fraying.
She exhaled sharply, the sound laced with annoyance. With sudden, startling calm, she withdrew her blade, stepping back with measured precision. A small frown creased her brow as she cast one last look at the Kaiju—a look that carried more questions than answers. Then, her gaze snapped to her companions, the weight of her disappointment evident in her piercing stare.
"You two are completely useless, you know that?" She bit out, her voice dripping with contempt. "You better have some idea of what the hell you're doing."
A grin, more cynical than amused, twisted her lips. Without sparing them another glance, she turned and walked away, the contemplative expression lingering on her face like a shadow that refused to lift. Something unsettled her, but she buried it deep, choosing to leave the moment behind—for now.
Kiel, his breath coming in ragged gasps, remained on the ground, his expression one of mixed relief and apprehension. He looked up at Yukira, the uncertainty in his eyes reflecting the tumultuous emotions of the moment.
Astra lowered her head, exhaling a heavy sigh that seemed to release the last vestiges of the day's tension. Relief softened her features, but she kept her composure tightly reined, as though acknowledging it would unravel the fragile calm she had managed to grasp.
Kiel mimicked her actions, his breath shaky as he rubbed his neck with a nervous gesture. His eyes darted toward Astra as she approached, her expression a mix of concern and quiet resolve.
She tilted her head slightly, her voice gentle. "You okay?"
Kiel responded with a series of quick, deliberate hand signs, his movements fluid yet tinged with the strain of recent events. Yes, I'm okay. Thank you. His gaze met hers with a flicker of gratitude and lingering apprehension.
With a cautious tone, he managed to articulate his confusion, though his voice was soft and hesitant. "Uh, yeah, yeah. I'm all right," he said, his words strained but earnest. "But, uh, how did you know that would work?"
"Oh, I didn't," Astra replied with a hint of surprise in her voice. "I suppose she was more human than I'd expected. But hey, sometimes you've just got to take a leap of faith, right?"
Kiel's eyes flashed with exasperation as he formed a series of swift hand signs, his gestures conveying a mix of frustration and sarcasm.
Astra smiled, noticing his silent communication. She gave him a light punch on the shoulder. "So, what was this urgent thing you just couldn't wait to tell me?" She asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity and mischief.
Kiel's gaze flickered toward Astra's companions, his hands moving in a rapid, fluid dance of sign language. A sudden clarity swept over him, and he turned his attention back to Astra with renewed focus. His eyes were alight with a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation.
He signed briskly, his fingers weaving through the air to articulate his message. "I spoke with Madam Kaname," he conveyed, his expression animated with enthusiasm. "She said there's a way for me to regain my memories, if I'm willing. Isn't that incredible?" His eyes sparkled with hopeful determination.
Astra's smile was carefully controlled, betraying none of the apprehension she felt. "Oh, um, yeah," she replied, her tone carrying a note of polite interest. She lifted her shoulders in a graceful, questioning motion. "And what's the procedure?"
Kiel's hands continued their precise movements, painting a picture of the process. "It involves slowing down my heart rate and inducing a hypnotic state," he explained, his expression a blend of seriousness and hope. The weight of the revelation hung in the air, mingling with the tension of the moment.
Astra's eyes widened, the alarm in her gaze unmistakable. She took a step back, her body language radiating shock. "Slowing your heart rate?" She echoed, disbelief trembling in her voice. "Kiel, no. You've just clawed your way back from the brink of death, and now you want to push your luck further?"
Kiel's hands moved deliberately, the urgency in his signs clear despite his calm demeanor. "I know the risks."
Astra's frustration surged, her fists clenching. "You could have only a 50% chance of surviving. This isn't just risky—it's recklessly dangerous."
Kiel's eyes held steady resolve as his hands signed, "I know."
Astra's voice dropped to a strained whisper, her eyes reflecting the weight of recent events. "No, Kiel. If you truly understood, you wouldn't take such risks so lightly. After everything with Yukira—after all that chaos and the near-fatal confrontations—you should realize how precarious your situation is. We need to be smart, not reckless."
Her words hung heavily in the air, the tension from their recent confrontations with Yukira and the Kaiju still fresh in their minds. Kiel's expression softened, but his determination remained unshaken. He took a slow, steady breath, his hands moving again to convey his thoughts.
"I understand your concern, Astra," he signed with a measured pace, his eyes locking onto hers, trying to convey the depth of his conviction. "But this isn't about recklessness. It's about finding answers—about knowing who I am, what's been taken from me. I can't keep living in the dark."
Astra's shoulders slumped slightly as the weight of his words settled over her. She could see the desperation in his eyes, the need for closure, for understanding. It was a need she could relate to, even if it terrified her. Her mind raced, torn between wanting to protect him and understanding his desire for truth.
"Kiel…" she began, her voice wavering. "I get it. I really do. But sometimes, the cost of knowing is too high. There are some doors that once opened, can't be closed. And if something goes wrong—"
Kiel cut her off with a swift, insistent sign, his expression resolute. "If something goes wrong, it's my choice. I can't live with the 'what ifs' anymore, Astra. I have to do this."
The room was thick with silence as Astra struggled with the conflicting emotions within her. She wanted to argue, to find some way to dissuade him, but she knew Kiel well enough to realize that his mind was made up. And as much as she feared for him, she also understood the torment of unanswered questions gnawing away at one's soul.
Finally, she let out a long, defeated sigh, her gaze softening as she stepped closer to him. "Okay," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But promise me you'll take every precaution, that you won't do this alone."
Kiel's eyes softened with gratitude, and he gave a slight nod, a small, appreciative smile tugging at his lips. He lifted his hands to sign, I promise.
Astra's lips curved into a weak smile, but her eyes still held a trace of worry. "Good," she replied, her voice firmer now, regaining some of its usual confidence. "Because you're not getting rid of me that easily. If you're going to do this, I'm coming with you. We're in this together, got it?"
Kiel's smile widened, and he nodded again, his eyes gleaming with both relief and determination.
Just as they were about to discuss the details, Orenji stepped forward, his presence quiet yet commanding, as if he had been listening in on their conversation from the shadows.
"What's this I hear about dangerous procedures?" He asked, his tone light but tinged with a hint of concern.
Astra glanced at Kiel before turning to Orenji. "Kiel's considering a method to recover his memories," she explained, her voice steady but carrying the underlying tension of the situation. "But it's risky."
Orenji's eyes narrowed slightly as he assessed the two of them, his gaze thoughtful. He then shifted his attention to Kiel, studying him with a mix of curiosity and quiet respect. "And you're sure about this?" He asked, his voice calm, yet serious.
Kiel met Orenji's gaze with unwavering resolve and nodded. He signed, I'm sure. It's something I need to do.
Orenji was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable as he considered Kiel's words. Then, with a slow nod, he stepped closer, his voice calm but firm. "If you're going to do this, you're going to need support. We'll make sure you have it. But know this, Kiel—this path you're choosing is fraught with danger. Don't underestimate the risks."
Kiel gave a grateful nod, his eyes reflecting both his appreciation and determination. He signed, I understand.
Orenji's gaze softened slightly, a rare expression of concern flickering across his usually stoic features. "Then we'll help you," he said quietly. "But we do it carefully, with a plan in place. Agreed?"
Astra nodded in agreement, relieved to have Orenji on their side. "Agreed."
Kiel looked between the two of them, feeling a surge of gratitude swell within him. He knew the journey ahead would be perilous, but with Astra and Orenji by his side, he felt a renewed sense of hope.
"Thank you," he signed, his heart full as he looked at his friends. "I won't let you down."
With the decision made, a sense of resolution settled over the room. The tension that had weighed heavily on them lifted slightly, replaced by a shared determination to face whatever came next—together.
Meanwhile, Yukira stood just outside the room, leaning casually against the wall, half-hidden in the shadows. Her sharp green eyes scanned the scene, watching her friends with a mix of detachment and mild irritation. She could see the seriousness in their faces, the intensity in their voices, and all it did was make her feel more distant from whatever scheme they were concocting.
She sighed, picking at her nose absentmindedly, her mind already wandering elsewhere. The idea of getting dragged into another one of their reckless plans was the last thing she wanted. She'd had enough close calls and headaches to last a lifetime, and this one felt like it would be more trouble than it was worth.
As Astra's voice grew more determined and Kiel signed with fervor, Yukira rolled her eyes, feeling the weight of their conviction pressing in on her. She flicked away the small piece of debris from her finger, shifting her stance as if preparing to walk away, not towards them.
"God, we're going to be in so much trouble," she muttered under her breath, more weary than amused. The thought was enough to make her seriously consider slipping away unnoticed. They could handle this one without her—after all, she had no intention of getting caught up in whatever mess they were about to dive into.
With a final, resigned sigh, Yukira pushed off the wall, turning on her heel to leave them to their grand plan. If they wanted to charge headfirst into disaster, they were welcome to it. She, on the other hand, was going to find a way to stay out of it—for once.