**Morning at the Camp**
The first light of dawn crept over the horizon, casting a soft golden glow over the camp. The air was cool, fresh with the scent of pine and earth. Most of the camp was still quiet, save for the occasional rustle of a breeze through the trees and the soft chirping of birds waking up to greet the day. In one corner of the camp, Kaito was standing by a small, weathered table, a map spread out before him. His face was tense, his usual calm demeanor replaced by something far more serious.
Rika, Lukas, and Anya were gathered around him, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern. They had been summoned by Kaito early that morning, and the suddenness of it all had left them uneasy. Kaito was rarely this urgent, and it wasn't like him to start the day with such a heavy tone.
"I'm sending you to Nova," Kaito said, his voice steady but with an edge that none of them could ignore.
Rika frowned, folding her arms across her chest. "To Nova? Why? I thought we were supposed to hold this position until the others arrived. What's changed?"
Lukas, ever the skeptic, leaned in closer to the map, scanning it with narrowed eyes. "This doesn't make sense. We've been holding this ground for weeks. Why send us away now?"
Anya, usually more reserved, couldn't hide her concern. "Are we retreating? Is something happening that we don't know about?"
Kaito looked at each of them in turn, his eyes betraying a flicker of uncertainty before he masked it with a calm expression. "The mission is to regroup with Nova and bring back reinforcements from our allies. We need to strengthen our defenses before the Ghosts make their next move."
Rika's brow furrowed, sensing there was more to this than Kaito was letting on. "We can hold this position, Kaito. We've done it before. Why can't we wait for reinforcements here?"
Kaito hesitated for a moment, then sighed, knowing he couldn't lie to them forever. "This isn't about the mission, Rika. It's about your safety. The Ghosts are planning an attack, and I don't want you here when it happens."
Lukas straightened up, his expression hardening. "So, you're sending us away to keep us safe? You think we can't handle it?"
"It's not that," Kaito replied quickly, his voice laced with urgency. "You're all strong, capable fighters. But I need you to live. If you stay here, you'll be caught in the crossfire, and I can't guarantee your survival."
Anya glanced at Lukas, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You want us to run away? That's not who we are, Kaito."
Rika shook her head, frustration bubbling up. "We're not leaving you behind. If the Ghosts are coming, then we stand and fight. Together."
Kaito looked down at the map, his hands resting on the edges of the table. "This isn't about bravery, Rika. It's about making sure you survive to fight another day. If you stay here, I can't promise you'll get that chance."
The air grew thick with tension as the three of them processed Kaito's words. Lukas clenched his fists, his mind racing as he tried to find another way out of this. "You can't ask us to just leave. We're a team. We don't abandon each other."
Anya, too, struggled with the decision. "Kaito, we've faced worse odds before. We can handle this."
Kaito looked up, his eyes full of a mixture of sadness and determination. "I know you can. But this time, it's different. The Ghosts have been preparing for this. They're stronger, more organized than ever. If you stay, you're not just risking your lives—you're throwing them away."
Rika took a deep breath, her gaze softening as she realized the weight of Kaito's words. "You're serious about this, aren't you? You really think we won't make it."
Kaito nodded, his voice quiet. "I've seen what the Ghosts can do. This isn't just another skirmish. It's a massacre waiting to happen, and I refuse to let that happen to you."
Lukas exchanged a glance with Anya, then looked back at Kaito, his resolve finally breaking. "So, what's the plan? We go to Nova, regroup, and then what?"
Kaito straightened up, relief washing over him as he saw the resistance in their eyes begin to fade. "You regroup, get stronger, and come back when the time is right. The Ghosts won't expect it, and that'll be your advantage."
Anya sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as she accepted the inevitable. "Alright, Kaito. We'll go. But only because you're giving us a way to fight back later."
Rika nodded in agreement, her expression resolute. "We'll do this. But we're coming back. We're not running forever."
Kaito smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. "I know. And when you do, we'll be ready for them."
As they began to gather their gear, the atmosphere lightened slightly, though the weight of the decision still hung over them. Rika moved toward the entrance of the camp, where Kimir was standing with a knowing smile on his face. He had been watching the conversation from a distance, his arms crossed as he leaned casually against the doorframe.
"All set?" Kimir asked, his tone light but with an undertone of seriousness.
Rika nodded, though she still seemed a bit reluctant. "Yeah. We're leaving for Nova."
Kimir raised an eyebrow, amused. "And here I thought you'd put up more of a fight. What changed?"
Rika gave him a half-smile, a mix of emotions playing across her face. "Kaito. He made us see that it's the smart move, even if it feels like running."
Kimir chuckled softly. "Sometimes the smart move isn't the easiest one. But you're making the right call."
As they spoke, Lukas and Anya joined them, their expressions a mixture of resignation and determination. "So, when do we leave?" Lukas asked, slinging his pack over his shoulder.
Kimir grinned. "As soon as we wake up the sleeping beauty over there." He nodded toward Tomoki, who was still sprawled out on his bedroll, snoring softly, oblivious to the world.
Anya laughed, shaking her head. "He's going to be a real joy to wake up."
Kimir, already enjoying the thought of rousing Tomoki, walked over to the sleeping figure. He leaned down, his grin widening as he clapped his hands loudly right next to Tomoki's ear. "Time to rise and shine, Tomoki! We're leaving!"
Tomoki groaned, pulling his blanket over his head. "Five more minutes... just five more..."
Kimir, not one to be deterred, grabbed the edge of the blanket and yanked it off, exposing Tomoki to the cool morning air. "Nope. Up and at 'em. We've got a long day ahead, and you're not going to sleep through it."
Tomoki sat up, bleary-eyed and clearly annoyed. "You know, there are nicer ways to wake someone up, Kimir."
Kimir smirked, unfazed. "Maybe, but none of them are as fun. Now get up. We've got a mission to Nova."
Tomoki blinked, still groggy. "Nova? Why are we going there?"
Rika, now standing beside Kimir, answered, "Kaito's sending us to regroup with Nova. We need to get stronger before we face the Ghosts."
Tomoki rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep. "Stronger? I thought we were already strong enough."
Anya, joining in the conversation, added, "Apparently not strong enough for what's coming. So we're heading out, and you're coming with us."
Tomoki sighed, reluctantly accepting the situation as he got to his feet. "Fine, fine. But next time, a little more warning would be nice."
Lukas couldn't help but chuckle. "Where's the fun in that?"
As they gathered their gear and prepared to leave, the mood shifted between light-hearted banter and moments of quiet reflection. The gravity of what they were about to do wasn't lost on any of them, but humor was their way of coping—of keeping the fear at bay.
As they walked toward the entrance of the camp, Kaito was there waiting for them, his face calm but his eyes betraying a mixture of emotions. He handed Rika a small, folded note, his voice soft. "Give this to the Nova commander when you get there. It's important."
Rika nodded, tucking the note safely into her jacket. "We will."
Kaito hesitated for a moment, then added, "Take care of each other out there. And remember, this isn't goodbye. We'll see each other again."
Kimir, standing off to the side, watched the exchange with a smile. "You're in good hands, Kaito. We'll get them to Nova and make sure they're ready."
Kaito gave a curt nod, his voice thick with emotion. "I know. Just... keep them safe."
With that, they turned to leave the camp, the morning light growing stronger as they walked. Tomoki, still waking up fully, couldn't help but glance back at the camp, a slight pang of regret in his chest. "You think we're doing the right thing?" he asked, more to himself than anyone else.
Kimir, walking beside him, looked down at Tomoki, his expression thoughtful. "In war, there's rarely a 'right' thing. But this? This is necessary. We need to be strong enough to fight back when the time comes. And that means making tough choices."
Tomoki nodded, though he still seemed unsure. "Yeah, I guess. Just feels weird, leaving like this."
Anya, overhearing their conversation, smiled reassuringly. "It's not forever, Tomoki. We'll be back. And when we are, we'll be ready to kick some Ghost ass."
Lukas, always the realist, added, "And if we don't leave now, we might not get the chance to come back at all."
Rika, walking slightly ahead, turned to face them, her expression determined. "We're doing this to survive. And to make sure we're strong enough to protect what matters. That's what's important."
Tomoki finally cracked a small smile, the uncertainty in his eyes fading just a bit. "Alright. Let's go to Nova, get stronger, and then we'll show those Ghosts what we're made of."
Kimir grinned, his earlier concerns easing as he saw the resolve in Tomoki's face. "That's the spirit. Now, let's move. We've got a long road ahead."
As they set off, the group fell into a comfortable rhythm, their steps in sync as they made their way toward Nova. The air was crisp, the sun now fully risen, casting long shadows across the path ahead. Despite the challenges they knew they would face, there was a sense of unity among them—a bond that had been forged through shared experiences and the knowledge that they would need each other to survive.
For the first time since they had arrived at the camp, Tomoki felt a sense of purpose, of belonging. He wasn't just a tagalong or a burden—he was part of something bigger, something worth fighting for.
As they walked, the conversation flowed easily, a mix of humor and serious planning for what lay ahead. Anya and Lukas took turns teasing Tomoki about his late wake-up, while Rika and Kimir discussed the best routes to Nova and what to expect once they arrived.
Despite the gravity of their mission, there were moments of light-hearted banter that lifted the mood, small pockets of laughter that reminded them that even in the darkest times, there was still room for joy.
The path ahead was long and uncertain, but they faced it together, their resolve strengthened by the bonds they had formed. And though the threat of the Ghosts loomed ever closer, they were ready—ready to fight, ready to survive, and ready to protect each other at all costs.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting its warmth over the landscape, the group pressed on, their steps steady and sure. They didn't know what awaited them at Nova, but they knew one thing for certain: whatever came their way, they would face it as a team, united in purpose and in spirit.
And that, more than anything else, gave them hope.