As the night deepened and the camp settled into a quieter rhythm, there was a noticeable shift in the atmosphere. The tension from earlier had dissipated, replaced by a more relaxed and almost friendly vibe. Tomoki could feel it, even though a nagging thought lingered in the back of his mind: if the Ghosts found him first, he might never see Kimir, Rika, or the others again. But for now, those worries were pushed aside as he focused on the present.
Rika and Anya, who had been cautious around Tomoki earlier, were now more open and even friendly toward him. However, Tomoki noticed that Lukas, despite the calmer mood, still seemed uneasy. It was subtle, but Lukas wasn't as quick to laugh or join in the banter as the others. Tomoki could sense that Lukas was still processing everything that had happened.
As they sat around the campfire, Lukas leaned closer to Anya and whispered, "He's from Ghost territory, Anya. You know that... how does someone from there just become part of our team? It's almost impossible."
Anya, ever confident, nodded slightly but kept her voice low. "I get where you're coming from, Lukas. But he doesn't have any marks on him, no team tag, nothing. That's pretty significant. And besides," she added with a smirk, "he's not exactly Ghost material."
Lukas sighed, glancing over at Tomoki, who was chatting animatedly with Kimir. "I guess... but still, it's hard to just let it go."
Anya patted Lukas on the back, her tone gentle but firm. "I know, but let's leave it for now. We've got bigger things to worry about."
Meanwhile, Rika caught Tomoki's eye and offered him a small, apologetic smile. "Sorry again for all the trouble earlier," she said, her voice sincere.
Tomoki, ever the joker, couldn't resist. "Hey, Cat Eyes, don't be sorry!" he replied, laughing as he mockingly used the nickname again. Then, seeing Rika's slightly annoyed expression, he softened. "Seriously, it's okay. You already apologized."
Rika sighed, though a small smile played on her lips. "Tomoki, I swear, if you call me that one more time..."
Kimir, who had been silently watching the exchange, finally spoke up, his voice carrying a hint of impatience. "Tomoki, you dumbass! Stop calling her Cat Eyes before she loses her patience for real."
Rika nodded, looking like she was about to agree when Tomoki, sensing an opportunity, grinned mischievously. "Okay, okay, I'll stop. But only because Kimir asked so nicely."
Rika glared at him, but there was no real heat behind it. "You're lucky, Tomoki. But seriously, that nickname has got to go."
Anya, unable to resist the playful atmosphere, burst out laughing. "Honestly, if I point a gun at him this time, it's going to be just for fun. Maybe to see if it finally gets him to stop."
Tomoki threw his hands up in surrender, laughing along with them. "Alright, alright! No more Cat Eyes, I promise." He then looked at Rika, a bit more seriously this time. "But really, I'm glad we're cool now. I don't want to be on anyone's bad side, especially not yours."
Rika's expression softened as she nodded. "We're good, Tomoki. Just... don't make a habit of pushing your luck."
Kimir, who had been quietly observing the developing bond between the group, finally let out a sigh of relief. "Good. We're all on the same page now. Let's keep it that way."
Lukas, still slightly wary but clearly warming up, leaned back and said, "Well, as long as he's not secretly plotting against us, I guess we can keep him around."
Tomoki chuckled, feeling the camaraderie growing. "Plotting? Me? I'm too busy trying to figure out how to survive without stepping on anyone's toes."
Anya smiled, giving him a playful nudge. "You're doing alright so far, Tomoki. Just remember, we're a team now. We've got each other's backs."
Tomoki nodded, feeling a sense of belonging he hadn't expected to find. "I'll remember that. And I've got yours, too."
As the night continued, the group shared more stories, jokes, and even some plans for what lay ahead. The earlier tension had transformed into a sense of unity, a bond forged by their shared experiences and the knowledge that they would need to rely on one another to survive.
Kimir, content with how things had turned out, leaned back and watched the group, a small smile on his face.
They had come a long way in a short time, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in how they came together.
Even Lukas, who had been skeptical, was now joining in the conversation, his earlier concerns seeming to fade as the night wore on.
By the time they all finally decided to turn in for the night, there was a feeling of trust and camaraderie in the air that hadn't been there before.
They weren't just a group of individuals anymore—they were a team, ready to face whatever challenges came their way. And Tomoki, despite the rocky start, was now firmly a part of that team.
An hour had passed since the camp had settled down, and the night was quiet.
The only sounds were the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures. Everyone was fast asleep, except for Kimir, who stood silently at the entrance of the camp, keeping watch.
The moonlight bathed the landscape in a soft glow, casting a serene light on Kimir's face as he gazed up at the sky.
"Even in this hell, we still have nature's beauty," he murmured to himself. "How amazing."
Just then, Kaito quietly entered the space, a map in one hand and a gun in the other. He moved with a calm confidence, his presence commanding even in the stillness of the night. He approached Kimir, his shadow long in the moonlight, stopping just a few feet away.
Kaito's voice was steady, almost casual, as he spoke. "I know who you are, Nova's 2nd in command, Kimir."
Kimir smiled faintly, meeting Kaito's gaze with a measured calm. "If you know who I am, I trust you won't share that information with Tomoki or the others. They're not ready for what's coming."
Kaito studied him for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Gen 1 of Nova with a soft heart," he remarked, a small smile playing on his lips. "But then again, you're not a Ghost, are you?"
Kimir returned the look, his smile tinged with irony. "No, I'm not a Ghost. And I've never wanted to be. There's still some humanity left in me."
Kaito nodded, acknowledging the truth in Kimir's words. "I've gotta admit, even I'm no match for you," he said after a brief pause, his tone carrying a note of respect. "And I know why you're really here."
Kimir's expression didn't change, but there was a subtle shift in his stance—less defensive, more open. "I'm here to protect them," he said quietly. "They don't know what they're up against. Not yet."
Kaito looked down at the map in his hand, then back at Kimir. "The Ghosts are closing in. We both know it. But you're right—they're not ready. And when the time comes, it'll be a different kind of war than any of them have seen."
Kimir nodded slowly, his gaze drifting back up to the moon. "I know. That's why we need to buy them time, get them prepared. This isn't just about survival anymore. It's about making sure they have a fighting chance."
Kaito let out a quiet sigh, the weight of the situation evident in his posture. "You're playing a dangerous game, Kimir. But then, so am I." He paused, considering his next words carefully. "I'll keep your secret. For now. But if it comes down to it, they'll need to know who you really are."
Kimir's eyes met Kaito's again, this time with a deeper understanding. "When the time is right, they'll know. But until then, let's keep them in the dark a little longer. Let them enjoy what peace they can find."
Kaito nodded in agreement, his expression softening slightly. "Agreed. But don't wait too long. The Ghosts won't give us that luxury."
With that, Kaito turned to leave, his movements smooth and deliberate. Kimir watched him go, the weight of their conversation lingering in the cool night air. He knew that the time for secrets was running out, but for now, he was content to let the others sleep peacefully, unaware of the storm that was gathering on the horizon.
As the moon continued to shine down on the camp, Kimir stood there, lost in thought. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but for now, there was a moment of calm—a brief respite in the midst of chaos. And that, he knew, was something worth protecting.
As Kaito began to walk away, he paused and glanced back over his shoulder, his voice low. "Take the map," he said, his tone heavy with meaning. "This path will be cleared for you."
Kimir reached out, taking the map from Kaito's hand, and nodded in agreement. "Well, that's good news," he replied, his voice steady. He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "If you want, I can take those three Lukas, Rika, Anya—to Nova. They'll be safe there."
Kaito turned fully this time, his usually composed face betraying a rare vulnerability. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, the weight of the coming battle pressing down on him. "I hope they stay safe," he whispered, his voice breaking slightly. "I know the Ghosts will attack us this week. I don't want them to die... I can't let that happen."
Kimir's expression softened as he saw the pain in Kaito's eyes. "You've done everything you can to protect them, Kaito. But you know as well as I do, this war doesn't spare anyone. If they come with me, they'll have a chance—a real chance."
Kaito looked down, his fists clenched at his sides as he struggled with the decision. "I've seen too many good people die," he admitted, his voice barely audible. "I don't want them to be next."
Kimir stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on Kaito's shoulder. "Then let me take them. We'll get them out before the Ghosts strike. You focus on holding the line here."
Kaito nodded slowly, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand. "You're right. They'll be safer with you. But promise me you'll look after them, Kimir."
Kimir's grip on Kaito's shoulder tightened slightly as he gave a solemn nod. "You have my word. I'll get them to safety. They'll make it through this."
Kaito exhaled deeply, the weight of his decision settling over him. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you, Kimir."
With that, Kaito turned and walked away, leaving Kimir standing alone at the entrance. The map in his hand felt heavier than before, burdened with the lives it now represented. He looked up at the moon once more, the soft glow offering a stark contrast to the darkness that loomed ahead.
Kimir knew what needed to be done. The time for secrets and half-measures was over. He would protect them, guide them to safety, and ensure that Kaito's sacrifice wouldn't be in vain. With a final glance at the night sky, Kimir turned and walked back into the camp, the map clutched tightly in his hand, ready to do whatever it took to keep his promise.