Kai stood in the cold, his breath forming small clouds in the air. The weight of Joseph's words still clung to him like a second skin. He needed time to process, but time wasn't a luxury he had right now. The tournament was looming, and every moment counted.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Mako approaching. She moved with her usual swagger, her steps purposeful, her expression a mask of disdain. As she drew closer, she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "So, what's the deal, Kai? You look like you just saw a ghost."
Kai gave a dry chuckle. "Something like that."
Mako tilted her head slightly, studying his face. "You met with Joseph, didn't you?" Her tone was more statement than question.
"Yeah," Kai replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "And he wasn't his usual irritating self, either. It was… different."
Mako rolled her eyes. "That guy is always different. One moment he's a joke, and the next, he's dead serious. You can never tell which version you're gonna get."
Kai nodded. "True. But this time, it felt like he was genuinely trying to warn me. He kept talking about the tournament… and the relic."
Mako snorted. "The tournament? You're not seriously thinking about entering, are you?"
Kai shrugged. "I don't see a choice. He made it sound like something big is about to go down. Something we can't ignore."
Mako sighed, clearly frustrated. "You know, I never pegged you for someone who'd be so easily manipulated."
Kai's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Mako shrugged, her lips curling into a slight smirk. "Just saying, you've always been a bit too trusting, Kai. And now you're thinking about jumping into some insane contest because Joseph, of all people, says it's important?"
Kai crossed his arms, matching her stance. "I'm not doing this just because of him. I'm doing it because if there's even a chance he's telling the truth, I need to know. I need to understand what's really happening."
Mako leaned in closer, her voice lowering. "And what if he's leading you straight into a trap? What if this tournament is exactly what he wants—to lure you into a situation where you can't win?"
Kai met her gaze head-on. "Then I guess I'll find out the hard way. But I'm not going to sit around and do nothing."
Mako rolled her eyes again, exasperated. "You're impossible, you know that?"
Kai smirked. "Takes one to know one."
A brief silence hung between them, charged with tension. Then Mako sighed deeply, her posture relaxing just a fraction. "Fine," she muttered. "If you're going to be this reckless, you might as well have some backup."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Backup? You mean you're…?"
Mako scoffed. "Don't get all sentimental. I'm not doing this for you. I just hate the idea of Joseph getting one over on me. And besides," she added with a grin, "if there's a fight, I want in."
Kai laughed, a genuine, deep sound that seemed to lighten the mood just a little. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Mako stepped closer, her expression softening ever so slightly. "Listen, Kai… whatever this tournament is, whatever this relic is supposed to do… just promise me one thing."
Kai looked at her, his expression serious. "What's that?"
"Promise me you won't get yourself killed," Mako said, her voice quieter now, almost sincere.
Kai gave her a crooked smile. "I'll do my best."
She smirked, jabbing him lightly in the ribs. "You better. Because if you die, I swear I'll find a way to drag you back just so I can kill you myself."
Kai chuckled. "Deal."
They stood there for a moment, the cold air around them almost forgotten in the heat of their resolve. Then, Kai's expression grew thoughtful again. "Mako, you ever heard of anything like this relic? Something that could… amplify powers, or act as some kind of key?"
Mako shook her head. "Nah, but I've heard whispers. People talking in dark corners, mentioning things that don't quite add up. Whatever it is, it's got a lot of people spooked. Even the underground is buzzing about it."
Kai nodded slowly, piecing together the fragments of what he knew. "Joseph said the people behind this are dangerous… more dangerous than anyone we've faced before."
Mako laughed, a harsh, humorless sound. "Great. Just what I wanted. More crazy people to deal with."
Kai's smile faded as he glanced at her. "Are you sure you're up for this, Mako? It might be worse than anything we've dealt with."
Mako's eyes flashed defiantly. "You kidding me? I've been through hell and back. What's one more fight?"
Kai grinned. "Alright then. Let's make sure we're ready."
Mako nodded, her smirk returning. "Just don't slow me down, Kai."
Kai laughed again, feeling a rare lightness in his chest. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt like he wasn't alone. And that, for now, was enough.