The trio made their way through the bustling streets toward the train station, the air buzzing with the sound of people rushing to catch their rides home. The evening sun cast long shadows across the pavement as they approached the station platform.
As they waited for the train, Asher, leaning casually against a pillar, suddenly asked with a grin, "So, Mika, is Squad Zero the one squad? I mean, it must be pretty huge, right?"
Both Mika and Bran stopped dead in their tracks, turning slowly to look at Asher with identical expressions of disbelief. Bran blinked a few times, trying to process what he just heard. "Ash… tell me you're joking."
Asher looked confused, raising an eyebrow. "Joking about what?"
Mika shook her head, placing a hand on Asher's shoulder with an exaggerated sigh. "Asher, sweet, sweet innocent Asher. Your mind... it's a rare thing for this world. Where do I even begin?"
Bran snorted with laughter as they sat down at one of the benches near the platform, waiting for their train to arrive. Mika folded her arms, leaning back slightly. "Alright, let's break this down for you," she began. "Asher, do you know how many regions there are in Elaris?"
Asher nodded confidently. "Yeah, the Delta and Central City, right?"
Mika let out a small scoff, shaking her head as the train pulled into the station. "Close, but not quite." They stepped onto the train as the doors opened with a soft hiss, finding seats near the back where the crowd was thinner. As they settled in, Mika leaned forward, continuing her explanation.
"Okay, listen up, Ash," Mika began. "Elaris is made up of five regions, or rather four—at least that's what most people say." She held up her fingers, counting them off. "There's the Alpha Region, the Beta Region, the Omega Region, the Delta Region, and then there's Central City, which isn't really considered a region on its own."
Bran chimed in, leaning back in his seat. "Yeah, and each of those regions has its own squad assigned to it. Well, except for Central City."
Asher scratched his head, trying to piece it together. "Wait, why not Central City?"
Mika sighed but continued patiently. "Because Central City is a combination of all the regions. It's where people from Alpha, Beta, Omega, and Delta all come together. It doesn't need its own squad because it's a neutral ground for everyone."
"I'm getting it," Asher said, nodding slowly as he started to connect the dots.
Mika gave him an approving nod before continuing. "So, as for the squads—there's Squad 2, which is assigned to the Alpha Region. Squad 4 is in the Beta Region. Squad 6 is in the Omega Region. And, well, Squad Zero is here in the Delta Region, where we're from."
Bran stretched his arms above his head, letting out a yawn. "And guess what? Squad Zero's supposed to be the best of the best. Top-tier elite officers. Only the craziest, strongest, and most skilled people end up there."
Asher's eyes widened slightly as he looked between his friends. "Wait, so that means..."
Mika smirked. "Yep. If we end up in Squad Zero, we're going to be part of the most elite squad in the entire Delta Region."
Asher nodded, finally starting to grasp the significance. "So, all this time, Squad Zero isn't just any squad... it's *the* squad."
"Bingo." Bran grinned, nudging him. "But don't get too comfortable. It's going to take more than just filling out a form to get in."
The train rocked gently as it sped toward the Delta Region, the city lights flashing by through the windows. Asher stared out at the glowing skyline, feeling the weight of what his friends had just told him. Squad Zero wasn't just some random squad—it was a squad reserved for the best. The challenge ahead of them was going to be tougher than he'd imagined.
As they sat in silence for a moment, Mika's voice cut through his thoughts. "So, Asher... you sure you're ready for this? Squad Zero's no joke."
Asher looked over at her, determination in his eyes. "Yeah. I'm ready."
The train continued to glide smoothly toward the Delta Region, carrying the trio into the next phase of their journey—one that was bound to challenge them in ways they couldn't yet imagine.