Shiori's shoulders slumped as she trailed behind the Voidwalker. Each step felt like an eternity, her reluctance weighing her down. The Patrol Base Commander's orders echoed in her mind, a burden she couldn't shake. She turned to him, her voice barely above a whisper, "Alright, we'll go along with it. Just… promise me you'll make it through." Her eyes, usually hard as steel, shimmered with sorrow—a crack in her armor that betrayed the storm within.
The Patrol Base Commander, now walking ahead, paused for a moment. He heard her words, and though he did not turn back, he slightly nodded his head, a gesture that carried both understanding and a silent promise. It was subtle, but it was enough. Then, he continued on his way, leaving Shiori to wrestle with her emotions.
Shiori spun around, her voice steady despite the turmoil. "We need to move now. Time's running out."
Haruto exchanged a glance with the rest of us, a silent understanding passing between us about Shiori and the commander. There was something unspoken, something deeper, but none of us dared pry.
"Got it, ma'am," Haruto replied, his voice devoid of its usual playful tone.
The atmosphere felt thick, as if we were wading through quicksand. Haruto paced back and forth, his brow furrowed. "We can't stay here any longer. The patrol base is compromised."
I stood by the window, scanning the horizon. The sky was a dull, oppressive gray. "What about the others?" My voice remained flat, but the weight of the question lingered in the air, heavy with implication.
A heavy silence followed. Finally, Lana broke it, her voice trembling. "We can't save everyone. If we stay, we'll all die."
Edward, leaning against the wall, let out a deep sigh. "It feels like we're abandoning them."
Amira, who usually kept to herself, nodded slowly. "We are. But if we don't leave now, their deaths will be in vain."
I turned to face them, my expression unreadable. "Then let's make sure their sacrifice means something. We move out immediately."
They all nodded, the weight of our decision settling over us like a shroud. We gathered our gear in silence, the reality of the situation sinking in. The guilt of leaving our comrades behind was a heavy burden, one that would follow us like a shadow.
Shiori led the way, her voice cutting through the heavy silence as we trudged behind her. Haruto kept his head down, his usual quips replaced by a grim determination. Edward adjusted his glasses, trying to maintain his calm exterior, but I noticed his other hand trembling slightly. It was natural, I supposed. The thought of leaving people behind, knowing full well their fate was sealed, was enough to make anyone's heart pound like a drum in their chest.
We reached the massive gates leading to the garage. They towered over us, easily seven meters tall, cold concrete walls framing them. The faint smell of oil and metal hung in the air. Shiori placed her ID on the scanner, a small beep echoing as the gates creaked open. Inside, rows of military vehicles were lined up in perfect formation. Humvees and APCs stood like silent sentinels, their presence both reassuring and unsettling.
"Who here knows how to drive?" Shiori asked, not bothering to turn around.
"I do," Haruto answered, raising his hand slightly.
"Good, you're driving," she said, her tone leaving no room for debate.
Haruto nodded and led the way as the gates fully opened, revealing the array of vehicles. His eyes gleamed with a mix of admiration and unease. "These Humvees, they're built for durability. Heavy armor plating, good against small arms fire. But they're useless against anything bigger. Those APCs? All-terrain, good for troop transport. My dad used to work on stuff like this, so I kinda know my way around."
Edward smirked, trying to lighten the mood. "You're such a nerd when it comes to this stuff, Haruto. Guess that runs in the family, huh?"
Shiori didn't acknowledge the banter, her focus unwavering as she gestured for us to follow her deeper into the garage. Lana glanced at the vehicles, her curiosity piqued. "Why are we going further? There's plenty of good ones here."
Shiori remained silent, her steps purposeful as she led us to the far end of the garage. Another large door loomed ahead, and Haruto muttered under his breath, "This area… it's usually restricted. Only higher-ups can access the military assets back here. How does Shiori have clearance?"
Again, Shiori didn't answer, swiping her ID once more. The door rumbled open, revealing a beast of a vehicle. It was unlike anything I'd seen before.
Haruto's eyes widened, his excitement palpable. "This!… this is no ordinary APC. It's a Hybrid Beast," he said, his voice trembling with awe. "Six-wheel drive, amphibious capabilities, and runs on nuclear energy combined with spell tech. Enhances both power and efficiency."
He walked around the vehicle, his hands tracing the sleek armor. "The armor's lightweight but tough. And the weapons—modular spell tech enhanced—30mm cannon, machine guns, you name it. It's built for survival, no matter what gets thrown at us."
Haruto turned to us, his grin infectious. "We're practically invincible in this thing!" He laughed, the sound almost foreign in the tense atmosphere.
Edward crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You and your toys," he muttered, shaking his head in mock disapproval.
Lana stepped closer, her eyes wide with admiration. "This really is something else," she murmured, running her fingers along the sleek armor. "I mean, look at the craftsmanship."
Amira nodded, her usually reserved demeanor giving way to genuine awe. "It's like a fortress on wheels," she murmured, her gaze sweeping over the vehicle's impressive features. "We might actually stand a chance out there with this."
Shiori's voice cut through the admiration like a knife. "Stop gawking and get in. We don't have time to waste."
Haruto snapped a quick salute, his usual playful self returning for a brief moment. "Yes, ma'am!"
Using Shiori's ID, the APC's hatch hissed open with a pneumatic sigh, revealing an interior that transcended the typical military vehicle. As we stepped inside, the transformation from the bleak, battle-scarred exterior to the opulence within was striking.
The interior was a blend of high-tech functionality and luxurious comfort. The seats, arranged in a semi-circle, were upholstered in rich, dark leather that felt buttery soft to the touch. Each seat was equipped with a reclining feature and individual climate controls, allowing us to adjust the temperature and angle to our personal preferences. The leather was not just durable but also cushioned, providing a level of comfort that seemed almost indulgent given the circumstances.
The walls were adorned with polished wood paneling, adding a touch of warmth and sophistication. Gear lockers, seamlessly integrated into the design, were finished with brushed metal and featured touch-sensitive locks. They were elegantly concealed, blending into the walls while providing ample, secure storage space. The attention to detail was evident in every corner, from the sleek metal fixtures to the soft ambient lighting embedded in the ceiling, casting a warm, soothing glow.
A small kitchenette in one corner offered a taste of luxury amid the chaos. It featured a marble countertop, a high-end coffee maker, and a compact refrigerator with a glass door. Above the counter were glass-fronted cabinets showcasing neatly arranged glassware and elegant dishes. The stove, though compact, had an induction cooktop that promised precision and efficiency. The sink was a gleaming stainless steel, with a pull-out faucet that made it clear no detail had been overlooked.
Across from the kitchenette was a fold-out table with a polished wood surface, surrounded by plush, leather-upholstered chairs. The table could be deployed with a smooth, hydraulic mechanism, revealing a space perfect for meals or meetings. The chairs were not only comfortable but also adjustable, designed for long periods of sitting without discomfort.
The floor was covered in a high-grade, soft carpet that muffled the sound of footsteps, adding to the sense of serenity inside. Every surface was meticulously maintained, from the gleaming metal fixtures to the rich, textured fabrics. The APC was not just a vehicle; it was a mobile sanctuary, blending cutting-edge technology with a level of luxury that made the harsh world outside seem even more distant.
Haruto went straight to the cockpit. The instrument panel was intimidating—a complex array of buttons, switches, and screens that would make anyone's head spin. But Haruto seemed to know his way around. He quickly toggled a few switches, the screens coming to life with a soft hum. The navigation systems flickered on, displaying maps, coordinates, and various data points.
"Start the engine," Shiori commanded, her voice firm.
The rest of us settled into the lounging space, the plush sofas offering a welcome reprieve from the harshness of the outside world. The cushions were surprisingly soft, almost sinking beneath our weight. It felt wrong, somehow, to be so comfortable when everything outside was falling apart.
"Roger that!" Haruto replied enthusiastically, his fingers dancing across the controls.
The APC's engine purred to life, a low, melodic hum that resonated through the cabin. It was so quiet inside, the soundproofing so effective, that it was easy to forget there was a beast of an engine running just beneath our feet.
Shiori sat in the co-driver's seat, her fingers gliding over the navigation panel. A holographic map flickered into view, hovering just above the console. She studied it for a moment before speaking. "We need to change our route. The original path to Ryūhei is too dangerous now. Too many Abyssal Creatures swarming the area."
She pointed at the map. It was a detailed map of Japan, each major city marked with a bright green dot. A blue dot indicated our current location in Aomori, far in the north. Ryūhei, or what was once Osaka, lay in the far south.
Lana leaned in closer, her brow furrowed as she examined the map. "That's almost 1,000 kilometers. Are you saying we need to find a new route? With the Abyssal Creatures roaming around, it could take us forever."
Amira, her eyes fixed on the map, nodded in agreement. "It's not just the distance. Every path we take could be crawling with those things. We'll need to constantly adapt, change routes if we want to make it there alive."
Shiori nodded, her eyes never leaving the map. "Exactly. We're heading south, but the direct route is no longer an option. We'll need to detour through the mountains, avoid any major cities. It'll be slower, but it's our best shot."
As the APC rumbled forward, I glanced behind us. The base was already growing smaller in the distance, a lonely speck on the horizon. The silence inside the cabin was heavy, each of us lost in our thoughts.
Then, a sudden light flashed on Shiori's necklace. It was brief but bright, catching everyone's attention. Amira gasped, her eyes wide with shock. Lana and Edward stared, their expressions mirroring her disbelief.