The journey had barely begun when the smooth hum of the APC's engine started to wane. The vehicle, which had been moving steadily for the past few kilometers, began to slow down. At first, it was subtle—just a slight reduction in speed that could be chalked up to rough terrain. But within moments, the slowing became more pronounced, and then, without warning, the APC came to a complete stop.
The flash of light from Shiori's necklace momentarily left everyone stunned. The interior of the APC glowed briefly before fading back to its usual dim lighting. A tense silence settled in, with everyone waiting for an explanation. I leaned back into the soft cushion of the seat, observing their reactions. Haruto's brows knitted in confusion, Lana's eyes widened in shock, and Edward stared at Shiori with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. No one spoke, but the unspoken questions hung heavily in the air.
Shiori, however, remained composed. Her face betrayed no emotion as she glanced at each of us in turn. Finally, as if sensing the weight of our collective stares, she sighed and broke the silence. "That light… it's nothing to worry about. Just a connection between the necklace and its owner. It's a signal, that's all."
She said it so matter-of-factly that it almost seemed believable. Almost. But I noticed the way her fingers brushed against the necklace, a fleeting motion as if she was making sure it was still there. Haruto opened his mouth to say something, but then thought better of it, closing it again with a soft click. Lana exchanged a skeptical glance with Edward, but they kept quiet too. For now, at least.
'Probably a charm from the Patrol Base Commander,' they were all likely thinking. Some sort of good luck talisman or parting gift, nothing worth questioning. Shiori's commanding presence left little room for debate, and no one seemed eager to challenge her.
"Listen up," Shiori's voice cut through the silence, sharp and clear. "Stop thinking about trivial things. We've got more important matters to focus on. I need everyone to stay alert and pay attention."
There was a chorus of nods and murmured agreements. Haruto shifted in his seat, his playful demeanor replaced by a more serious expression. Lana folded her arms, her face set with determination, and Edward straightened his glasses, the familiar gesture seeming to steady his nerves.
Shiori activated the holographic map on the console before her, and the image of Japan materialized in the air. A blue dot blinked over Aomori in the far north, our current location, while a green dot marked our destination in Ryūhei, formerly Osaka, far to the south.
"The safest route to Ryūhei is complicated," Shiori began, her voice taking on a strategic tone. "We're looking at over 1,000 kilometers of terrain crawling with Abyssal Creatures. The key is avoiding the hot zones—areas that are infested or likely to draw attention. We need to stick to lesser-traveled paths, where mundane people like us can slip through unnoticed."
Shiori studied the map intently, her brows furrowed in concentration. After a moment, she tapped a spot on the northern part of the map and traced a new line with her finger. "Change of plans," she said, her voice calm but firm. "We're taking a detour. We'll head west to Hirosaki first, then swing by Hachinohe before moving south to Akita. After that, we'll continue to Morioka."
Edward leaned in, eyes narrowing as he followed her revised route. "Why the detour? I thought Morioka was the safer route."
Shiori nodded. "It was, but the latest data indicates that large swarms of Abyssal Creatures have moved into the direct path south. If we go through that area now, we'll be walking into a war zone." She glanced at Haruto, who had been monitoring the situation closely.
"She's right," Haruto added, pulling up a screen on the APC's console. "I've been tracking movement in the area. There's been a significant spike in Abyssal activity near the southern routes. If we try to push through, we'll get caught in the middle of it."
Lana sighed, her fingers tapping nervously on the armrest. "Hirosaki, Hachinohe, then Akita… That's adding a lot of distance to our trip. How much longer will that take us?"
"Longer," Shiori admitted, "but it's the safest option we have. Those cities should still have some semblance of protection, and the routes between them are less likely to be swarming with Abyssals. It's a risk we can't afford to take, especially with the group we have."
Amira, who had been silent up until now, nodded in agreement. "Better to take the longer route and stay alive. We can't rush this, not with everything at stake."
Edward sighed, leaning back in his seat. "Alright, I trust your judgment. We'll take the detour. But we'll need to stay sharp, especially around the city outskirts. No telling what might have slipped through the defenses."
Shiori looked at each of them, her gaze steady. "Exactly. This route isn't foolproof, but it's our best shot. Stick to the plan, stay vigilant, and we'll make it through."
Everyone nodded, the decision made. The tension eased slightly, but the weight of the journey ahead still hung in the air. As Haruto adjusted the APC's course, the vehicle veered west, towards the new path they'd chosen. The roads were quieter, the landscape changing as they moved away from the more heavily traveled routes.
I remained silent, watching the others as they settled back into their seats. Shiori had made the right call—her instincts sharp, her resolve unwavering. Yet, I could see the way their minds churned, calculating risks and outcomes, balancing fear with the need to survive.
The detour would add time to the journey, but time was a luxury they could afford if it meant avoiding a direct confrontation with the creatures that roamed unchecked outside. The road ahead was long, but for now, at least, it was the safest one they could take.
Haruto leaned forward, studying the map closely. "Sendai's got a few strongholds, right? Are we passing through one of them?"
Shiori nodded. "Yes, there's a fortified checkpoint just outside the city. We'll take some rest there and restock supplies. The area around it is patrolled regularly, so it's relatively safe for a quick stop."
"Relatively safe?" Edward questioned, his voice tinged with concern. "Isn't there a risk of running into trouble if we linger too long?"
Shiori met his gaze, unwavering. "There's always a risk, Edward. But this checkpoint is one of the few places we can trust to be secure. We'll be in and out as quickly as possible."
Lana glanced at the map, her eyes narrowing in thought. "After Sendai, what's next? We're still a long way from Ryūhei."
Shiori continued tracing the route on the holographic map. "We avoid Tokyo entirely—too dangerous. Instead, we'll move southwest through Kofu. It's a detour, but it keeps us away from the most heavily-infested areas."
"Kofu…" Haruto mused, tapping his chin. "That's in Yamanashi, right? What's the situation there?"
"It's a sparsely populated region," Shiori explained. "Most of the larger cities were evacuated after the initial rift outbreaks. The terrain is mountainous, which works in our favor. It's difficult for Abyssal Creatures to navigate, so the number of encounters should be minimal. After Kofu, we head towards Nagoya."
"Nagoya's still standing?" Lana asked, surprised. "I thought that area was hit hard."
Shiori nodded. "It was. But the Citadel in Ryūhei sent reinforcements to stabilize it. There's a strong military presence there, and they've managed to secure a few key zones. We won't be staying long—just passing through to assess the situation and decide on our final leg."
Edward frowned, his eyes still locked on the map. "This is a long journey. We'll be exposed for days, maybe even weeks. Are you sure this is the safest route?"
"It's the best option we have," Shiori replied firmly. "We could take a more direct path, but that would mean passing through areas with heavy Abyssal activity. I won't risk it. This way, we minimize our chances of encountering them, and we have the opportunity to regroup if needed."
The others seemed to accept her reasoning, though the tension in the room remained palpable. It was a long, dangerous journey, and we all knew it. The weight of the unknown loomed over us like a dark cloud, but there was no turning back now.
"What about supplies?" Haruto asked, his voice breaking the silence. "Food, water, other necessities—do we have enough to make it through?"
Shiori nodded. "The Hybrid Beast is stocked with essentials. We'll also be picking up more at the checkpoint near Sendai. As long as we're careful, we should be fine."
She paused for a moment, then added, "And don't worry about refueling. This vehicle runs on nuclear energy combined with spell tech. It could run for several decades without losing energy, so we won't have to stop for fuel at all. Our focus should be on the route and staying ahead of any Abyssal Creatures that cross our path."
Lana exhaled slowly, a mixture of relief and apprehension on her face. "Okay… we've got a plan. Now we just have to execute it."
Edward adjusted his glasses once more, the familiar motion almost comforting in its routine. "Let's just hope nothing goes wrong."
The others exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of determination and anxiety. There was a lot riding on this journey, and each of them knew it. Haruto forced a smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Hey, at least we've got this beast of a vehicle, right? It's like traveling in a fortress. We'll be fine."
But his attempt at humor fell flat. The weight of what lay ahead was too heavy for jokes. Still, I could see the effort he was making to keep morale up, and I appreciated it—even if I didn't show it.
Shiori's voice pulled everyone's attention back to her. "Alright, let's focus on the task at hand. We need to get moving. Haruto, start the engine. The sooner we leave, the better."
"Yes, ma'am," Haruto responded, his usual enthusiasm subdued as he turned towards the cockpit.
The rest of us settled into our seats as the APC hummed to life. The inside remained eerily quiet, the soundproofing so effective that the roar of the engine was reduced to a soft purr. The luxurious interior felt like a strange contrast to the world outside, as if we were somehow insulated from the horrors that awaited us. The plush cushions beneath me did little to ease the tension in my mind.
"Keep your eyes on the road," Shiori commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument. Haruto obeyed without hesitation, his hands steady on the controls.
I turned my attention back to the others. They were engaged in quiet conversation, their voices low but serious. It was clear they were still processing everything that had happened, and everything that was yet to come.
"We need to be prepared for anything," Lana was saying, her voice thoughtful. "The creatures… they're unpredictable. And if we run into any other groups out there, we can't assume they'll be friendly."
Edward nodded, his expression grim. "We have to be cautious. Not just of the creatures, but of people too. Desperation can make anyone dangerous."
Amira, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "We'll make it through. We've survived this long, haven't we?"
Her words were simple, but there was a quiet strength in them that seemed to bolster the others. They all nodded in agreement, their determination renewed.
I remained silent, listening to their words, observing their interactions. They were a team now, bound by the shared goal of survival. And while I wasn't part of their inner circle, I knew that our fates were intertwined.
As the conversation continued, Shiori kept her eyes on the map, analyzing every detail, every possible route. The weight of her responsibility was clear in the way she carried herself, her posture rigid,
her gaze focused. She was the leader now, the one they all relied on. And she bore that burden with a strength that I couldn't help but respect.
Hours passed as we traveled, the landscape shifting from the urban ruins of Aomori to the more rural, open areas of northern Honshu. The roads were desolate, cracked and overgrown with weeds, remnants of a world that had once thrived. Occasionally, we passed abandoned vehicles, their rusting hulks a stark reminder of those who hadn't made it.
The tension in the air was palpable, a constant undercurrent that hummed just beneath the surface. Every noise, every shadow, set our nerves on edge. But we pressed on, our eyes ever watchful for signs of danger.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the land, Shiori finally spoke again. "We'll stop here for the night. It's safer to travel during daylight."
Haruto guided the APC off the road, finding a secluded spot surrounded by trees. The vehicle came to a halt, and for a moment, no one moved. We all sat in silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts.
Then, slowly, we began to unbuckle our seatbelts, stretching our stiff limbs. The interior of the APC, which had once felt so spacious, now seemed almost suffocating. We needed fresh air, even if it was just for a little while.
As we stepped out into the fading light, the cool evening breeze washed over us, bringing with it the scent of pine and earth. The world outside was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. It was a moment of calm in the midst of chaos, and we all took a moment to appreciate it.
Shiori set up a perimeter around the APC, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement. Haruto and Lana worked together to prepare a small, makeshift meal, while Edward checked the supplies.
I stayed on the outskirts, watching the horizon as the last of the sunlight faded away. The stars began to emerge, one by one, tiny pinpricks of light in the vast expanse of the sky. They seemed so distant, so far removed from everything that was happening down here.
But even as the world grew darker, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. That somewhere out there, in the shadows, something was waiting for us. I kept my guard up, knowing that the night was far from over.
We had a long journey ahead of us, and this was just the beginning. But for now, all we could do was rest and prepare for whatever came next.