A philosopher once said there's a difference between a human and a person. A human is defined by their appearance, characteristics, and attributes, possessing a soul and the ability to think—intelligence and character embodied in a physical form. But a person? A person is more than that; they are shaped by their morality, by the choices they make. Some act out of rational thought, others driven by emotion, and many exist somewhere in between. Yet, what lies beyond these extremes? What of those who live at the far edges of rationality or emotion, disregarding morality altogether? Society has many names for them—psychopaths, sociopaths, the so-called 'inhuman.' But are they truly different from the rest of us? Or are they merely an amplified version of what resides within every human soul?
Then, what about someone who surpasses even these extremes? Someone who understands human thoughts and emotions better than any human but feels none themselves? Someone who views people not as beings but as tools, devoid of any emotional connection? Is such a being still human?
"Hey, Nexus," Edward's voice cut through my thoughts, snapping me back to reality.
I looked up, forcing a small smile. "Yeah? What's up?"
"Could you grab the toolbox? It's in the small compartment in our room."
"Alright," I replied, nodding as I turned to enter the APC. Just as I was about to step into our quarters, a soft voice stopped me in my tracks.
"Nexus?"
I turned my head upwards, meeting Lana's gaze. Her auburn hair cascaded down her shoulders, the soft curls accentuating her delicate features. Even in the dim light of the APC, her form was captivating, her clothing clinging to her in a way that left little to the imagination. Her eyes were half-lidded, still heavy with the remnants of sleep, giving her an almost ethereal allure.
"What's the matter?" I asked, keeping my voice casual despite the subtle tension in the air.
"Can you help me with something?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability.
"Sure thing," I replied, "but let me grab something for Edward first. I'll be right back."
"Okay~" she murmured, her tone soft, almost teasing.
I quickly retrieved the toolbox from our room, my mind momentarily distracted by the faint scent of metal and oil that lingered in the air. When I handed it to Edward, he flashed me a grateful smile.
"Thanks, man."
"No problem."
Without wasting any more time, I headed back inside, climbing the small set of stairs beside our room. There, I found Lana still lying on the bed, lazily hugging a pillow. The scent in the room was a stark contrast to the rough, metallic tang of the men's quarters. It was sweet, almost intoxicating, a blend of lavender and something uniquely Lana. The room itself was a reflection of its occupants—exquisite, carefully designed, with delicate decorations that stood in stark contrast to the spartan simplicity of the boys' quarters. Any guy stepping into this space would probably feel their hormones surge like a tsunami, overwhelmed by the softness and warmth it exuded.
"So," I began, leaning casually against the doorframe, "what do you need help with?"
Lana shifted slightly, her eyes opening just a little more. "Mmm… Oh, right. I need to place this box on the top shelf." She gestured to a large box on the floor beside the bed. It looked heavy, the kind of weight that required a bit of effort to lift.
"I tried lifting it last night, but I couldn't get it past my chest," she admitted with a sheepish smile.
"Alright, I've got it," I said, moving over to the box. With a quick assessment, I lifted it, finding the weight manageable, and placed it on the top shelf with ease.
"It's don—"
Before I could finish, I felt a warm sensation against my back. Lana had moved behind me, pressing herself close, her arms wrapping around my torso. Her soft, delicate curves pressed into me, her touch lingering in a way that was anything but innocent. The scent of her hair filled my senses, sweet and alluring, making it hard to focus on anything else.
"Hmnggh~ Fufu~ You really have a nice body, you know?" Lana's voice was soft, almost a purr, as her hands traced the contours of my chest and abdomen. "Some may not notice it, but your muscles are firm, strong, and flexible." Her fingers pressed into my arms, testing the strength beneath the surface.
"I've just done physical labor since I was a kid," I replied, keeping my voice even, not giving away any more than necessary.
"Hmm~ Oh really? I know these muscles aren't just from the hard labor you're talking about," she teased, her breath warm against my skin as she pressed her face into my back.
Her words hung in the air, but I remained silent. She was testing me, probing for a reaction that I didn't intend to give.
"You don't seem to have any interest in me," she continued, her tone shifting to something more playful, almost challenging. "Confidently speaking, I think I look pretty good as a woman—and a very hot one at that. I've caught those boys out there sneaking a glance or two at me."
I turned to face her, keeping my expression neutral, though I didn't try to pull away from her hold. Lana was just under my chin in height, her eyes meeting mine with a mischievous glint. She wore that playful smile like a mask, but her eyes betrayed the curiosity behind it, as if she was examining a puzzle she couldn't quite figure out.
"Well, that's how men usually are," I said, shrugging slightly. "There's no way they wouldn't be interested in someone as beautiful as you."
"What about you?" she pressed, her smile widening. "Are you not attracted to me?"
I held her gaze, my expression steady. "I am," I said simply, "I just don't show it."
Her smile faltered for a moment, then returned, a bit sharper than before. She leaned in closer, resting her head against my chest as if listening to my heartbeat.
"You're so calm too," she murmured, almost to herself. "I can't believe you're just a teenage boy, where you'd likely pounce on any woman given the chance. Fufu~"
The calmness of my heartbeat seemed to throw her off, but she didn't back down. Instead, she raised her head, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked up at me.
"It's not like you swing that way, right?" she asked, her tone light but with an undercurrent of seriousness.
"No, of course not," I replied, the hint of a smile playing at the corner of my lips.
"Okay, I believe you." She grinned, but it was clear she wasn't satisfied yet. Her hands, which had been resting on my chest, began to move lower, trailing down my abdomen with deliberate slowness, and then lower—
"Lana? Are you there?"
The voice from outside startled her. She froze, her hands stopping just shy of their intended destination.
"Can you get my wash bag for me? Just throw it over here!"
Lana sighed, the tension draining from her posture. She gave me a look, half disappointed, half amused, as if this was a game she was determined to win, but her prey had slipped away once more.
"Well, another time then," she said, her voice a soft whisper as she pulled away from me, leaving a lingering warmth where she had touched.
I didn't respond, simply nodding as I turned to leave, my mind already shifting back to the task at hand. There was no time for distractions.
***
After completing the maintenance on the APC, we resumed our journey without delay. The landscape around us was desolate, the remnants of civilization long abandoned to the creeping wilderness. As we neared the Fortified Stronghold in Sendai, the tension that had been simmering over the past three days began to ease, replaced by a cautious sense of relief. The road had been long and treacherous, with countless stops and detours to avoid the ever-present threat of Abyssal Creatures.
"We've been lucky," Haruto said, breaking the silence as he adjusted his seat. His voice carried the weight of someone who had narrowly escaped death more times than he cared to admit. "Those Abyssal Creatures… If we'd been just a few seconds slower back there…"
"Yeah," Lana agreed, her voice low, still carrying that hint of vulnerability from earlier. "I still can't believe we managed to dodge that swarm near Morioka. Those things were massive."
Amira shuddered at the memory, pulling her knees to her chest. "The way they moved… It was like they could sense us, even though we were hiding. I thought for sure we were done for when they passed right by us."
Shiori, who had been silent up until now, spoke up, her eyes still focused on the road ahead. "We made the right call, taking the rugged terrain instead of the main route. It slowed us down, but it kept us alive. Those creatures would've torn us apart if we'd taken the highway."
Haruto nodded, though a hint of frustration flickered across his face. "It's just… it feels like we've been running the whole time. I thought we'd be able to fight back using the weapons attached to the APC, but we've barely had a chance to catch our breath."
Lana leaned back, closing her eyes. "It's not about fighting every battle, Haruto. It's about surviving to see the next day. Once we're at the Stronghold, we can regroup, resupply, and then think about how to fight back."
Amira nodded, though her expression remained uneasy. "I just hope we're not walking into another trap. I've heard stories about some of these strongholds… They're not all as safe as they claim to be."
I listened to the conversation without adding my own thoughts. It was true—we had been incredibly fortunate so far, but luck could only carry us so far. The road ahead was still fraught with danger, and the Stronghold in Sendai was only a temporary haven. Beyond that, the path to Ryūhei stretched before us, a gauntlet of unknown perils and Abyssal horrors waiting to test our resolve.
But for now, we would focus on the immediate challenge: reaching the Stronghold in one piece. The final destination was still far in the future, but it was a beacon in the darkness, guiding us forward. And as long as we kept moving, kept surviving, that beacon would remain within reach.
"Almost there," Shiori announced, her voice cutting through the silence. "I can see the outer walls of the Stronghold."
Everyone sat up a little straighter, the sight of the walls bringing a renewed sense of hope. It was a reminder that, even in this broken world, there were still places of refuge—places where we could find safety, if only for a little while.
But even as we drew closer, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The Abyssal Creatures were relentless, and the journey to Ryūhei would test us in ways we couldn't yet imagine. But I knew one thing for certain: we would face whatever came our way, together or by myself.