The night passed without incident, a rare comfort in these times. The Hybrid Beast had two rooms, which we divided between the men and women. Originally, it only had one, but the weapon rack was swapped out for another bed, already in place when we boarded. It was a practical adjustment, given the circumstances
We'd taken turns on guard duty throughout the night. It was cold but bearable. Edward and I were on the first shift. Neither of us were the type to fill silence with unnecessary conversation, so we spent those few hours in a comfortable quiet. The low hum of the rustling leaves was the only sound, steady and rhythmic, almost lulling me into a trance. The weight of the day slowly dissolved as I focused on the silence, the quiet bringing a strange sense of calm.
Now, as I sat up in the wide bed, I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast at this moment, almost too much, considering our situation. The bunk beds back at the dorms felt like stone slabs in comparison. Haruto had mentioned that these beds were enchanted—designed to speed up recovery and rejuvenate the body faster than normal sleep. I could feel the difference, a lingering energy that made the usual morning fatigue almost nonexistent.
Haruto was still beside me, asleep. His breathing was slow and even, the rise and fall of his chest steady. Edward, on the other hand, was already gone. No surprise there. He was always up early, moving through his morning routine with quiet efficiency.
I glanced at the clock. Just past four in the morning. We had planned to set off as soon as the sun began to rise, and that wouldn't be long now. Carefully, I slipped out of bed, making sure not to disturb Haruto. The room was dimly lit, just enough light filtering through the small window to make out the basic shapes of the furniture. As I opened the door, a thick, creamy aroma hit me—coffee. Its rich scent filled the air, stirring my senses awake.
The lounging area was just ahead. As I walked in, I saw Amira standing near the brewing machine, her back to me as she prepared a fresh pot of coffee. The smell was stronger here, mingling with the faint scent of something sweet—maybe sugar, or perhaps something more indulgent. Despite the chaos outside, inside the Hybrid Beast, there was a strange sense of normalcy.
"Good morning, Nexus," Amira greeted, her voice calm and steady as she turned to face me. There was a small, warm smile on her lips as she handed me a steaming cup of coffee.
"Good morning," I replied, taking the cup. The warmth of it seeped into my fingers, and I held it for a moment longer than necessary, letting the heat ease the stiffness in my hands.
Edward was already at the table, hunched over a holographic map. His eyes flicked up to me as I approached. "Haruto still out?"
I nodded. "Yeah, he's still out cold."
Lana and Shiori were also there, their attention divided between their coffee and the map. They didn't speak, but their focus was palpable, a quiet intensity that matched the seriousness of our situation.
"Right," Edward muttered, pushing his chair back. "I'll go get him."
The next moment, a loud slap echoed through the room, followed by Haruto's startled shout. "What the—Edward?!"
Edward returned a few seconds later, a satisfied grin on his face, while Haruto trailed behind, rubbing his cheek and muttering under his breath. The rest of us exchanged amused glances, trying to suppress our smiles.
"Guess that's one way to wake him up," Shiori said with a shake of her head.
Haruto flopped down on the sofa, still massaging his cheek. "You didn't have to hit so hard, you know."
Edward shrugged, taking a sip of his coffee. "Desperate times, Haruto."
"Good morning, Haruto," Lana chimed in, her tone teasing.
"Yeah, yeah, good morning," Haruto grumbled, glaring at Edward. "You'll regret this one day, I swear."
Edward chuckled, his voice light. "You've said that a hundred times already. I'm still waiting."
I observed the interaction, noting the way Haruto's glare softened just a fraction, the way Edward's smile lingered a little longer. There was something almost comforting in their banter, a sense of familiarity that had formed over time. Despite the tension and the ever-present danger, moments like this grounded us. Reminded us that we were still human.
The vehicle's engine hummed beneath us, a constant reminder of our journey. But for now, in this small pocket of time, there was calm. I leaned back, taking a sip of the coffee. It was strong, almost bitter, but it did the job. My thoughts drifted, the events of the previous day replaying in my mind. The Abyssal Creatures, the battle, the narrow escape. The journey ahead loomed large, but I pushed it aside for the moment, focusing instead on the now.
"Hey, Lana," Edward spoke up, breaking the silence. There was a note of curiosity in his voice. "I've been wondering about something. After all the chaos yesterday, I finally noticed how much larger it is inside here than it looks from the outside."
Lana glanced up from her console, a small smile playing on her lips. "Ah, you noticed. It's one of the perks of combining nuclear energy with spell technology. We apply the laws of space through a medium."
Edward raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "A nuclear energy cell being used just for a truck like this?"
Amira, who had been quietly listening, chimed in with a laugh. "You think they'd waste something that powerful on just a truck? There's more to it, Ed."
Lana nodded, her smile widening. "Exactly. The energy from the nuclear cell is boundless, and when combined with spell technology, it allows us to manipulate space in ways that were previously impossible. The cell provides a stable and immense source of power, which the spell technology then harnesses and directs."
Edward nodded slowly, his mind racing. The implications of such technology were staggering. So, it's not just about power, but how that power is used, he thought. The idea of manipulating space itself was both thrilling and terrifying. What else could this technology do? How far could they push the boundaries of reality?
"That's pretty wild," Edward said, glancing around again. His eyes fell on the exterior of the Hybrid Beast, its surface gleaming with an otherworldly sheen. "And this exterior… it looks like it's made from something I've never seen before."
Haruto, who had been sipping the coffee Amira had just handed him, perked up at Edward's comment. He set his cup down with a grin, clearly thrilled to share. "Oh, you noticed the exterior, huh? Let me tell you, it's one of the coolest parts of this beast!"
Edward turned to Haruto, intrigued by his enthusiasm. "Yeah? What's it made of?"
Haruto's eyes sparkled with excitement. "It's crafted from the carapace of an Abyssal Creature of the Forsaken rank. These creatures are insanely tough, and their carapaces are like nothing else. It's incredibly durable and offers unmatched protection against both physical and elemental attacks."
Edward's eyes widened. "A carapace from an Abyssal Creature… That's incredible. No wonder this thing feels like a fortress."
Haruto nodded vigorously, clearly enjoying the moment. "Exactly! The carapace is not just strong; it's also got this unique property that makes it resistant to extreme conditions. Heat, cold, you name it. Plus, it has this natural ability to absorb and dissipate energy, which makes it perfect for our needs."
I listened to the exchange, noting the subtle shifts in their expressions. Edward's curiosity was genuine, his questions revealing a deeper interest in the technology that powered our survival. Haruto's excitement, on the other hand, was contagious, his enthusiasm spilling over into every word he spoke. It was moments like these that reminded me of the complexity of human emotions, the way they intertwined with each other, creating connections that were both fragile and resilient.
As we finished the conversation, the sense of calm that had enveloped the group began to fade, replaced by the quiet urgency of our mission. The sun had just begun to rise, casting a soft, golden light over the horizon, illuminating the world outside in a way that seemed almost peaceful—if you ignored the ever-present threat of the Abyssal Creatures lurking just beyond sight.
I stood, placing my now-empty coffee cup on the table. The others followed suit, the relaxed atmosphere giving way to the focused determination that had kept us alive this long. We needed to move quickly, to prepare for the next leg of our journey. Every moment spent stationary was a risk, and none of us were willing to take unnecessary chances.
Haruto stretched, his muscles protesting after the hours spent sleeping. "Alright, let's get moving. We've got a long day ahead of us." His voice was upbeat, but there was a serious undertone that hadn't been there before. He was all business now, as we all were.
Lana began packing away the holographic map, her fingers moving with practiced ease. "We're heading west, right?" she asked, her tone calm and efficient.
Edward nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the route ahead. "Yes. We'll pass through the outskirts of the city first, then head toward the next checkpoint. The roads might be rough, but the Hybrid Beast can handle it. The priority is speed, but we need to be careful not to attract too much attention."
"Agreed," Shiori said, her voice clipped and professional. "We've had too many close calls already. Let's make sure we're prepared for anything."
Lana moved to check the vehicle's systems, her fingers dancing over the controls with a kind of grace that spoke of years of experience. "All systems are green. We're ready to go as soon as everyone's geared up."
Haruto moved to the back of the vehicle, where our weapons and gear were stored. He handed each of us our respective equipment, his movements quick and precise. There was no room for error here. Every piece of gear, every weapon, had to be in perfect condition. Anything less could mean the difference between life and death.