The transport pod hummed softly, a low, rhythmic sound that filled the air as it glided through the desolate landscape, its sleek, silver exterior shimmering in the dim light of the eerie twilight. The barren terrain stretched endlessly, a patchwork of cracked earth and scattered debris, creating an unsettling backdrop for the mission ahead. Inside the pod, the atmosphere was thick with tension—at least for most of the team members who were bracing themselves for what was to come.
Kaito Sora found himself awkwardly sandwiched between Yuki, who exuded confidence, and Victor, who appeared to be deep in silent meditation. Kaito fidgeted nervously with his gloves, his mind racing with thoughts of the impending anomaly. Yuki, ever the picture of self-assurance, twirled a combat knife between her fingers with practiced ease, while Victor maintained an air of calm, his eyes closed as if he were preparing himself mentally for the challenge ahead. Across from them, Celeste was engrossed in her holo-tablet, her expression locked in a frown that was nearly unreadable, hinting at the seriousness of their mission. Aria, the quietest member of the team, was focused intently on monitoring the team's equipment from her portable console, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Remind me again why I'm here," Kaito muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible over the soft hum of the pod's engines, a hint of frustration creeping into his tone.
Yuki didn't miss a beat, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she shot him a grin. "Moral support. If things go south, we'll need someone to panic on our behalf." Her tone was teasing, but Kaito could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him.
"Gee, thanks," Kaito deadpanned, his sarcasm earning a soft chuckle from Victor, who finally opened his eyes to glance at him.
"Focus, everyone," Celeste interjected sharply, her tone slicing through the budding humor like a whip. "We're about to face a Class-6 anomaly. This is serious business." Her eyes scanned the team, ensuring that everyone understood the gravity of their task.
"Relax, boss," Yuki replied, leaning back in her seat with a nonchalant air. "We've handled worse before, remember?" Her bravado was infectious, but Kaito couldn't shake the feeling of dread that lingered in the pit of his stomach.
"Not with him on the team," Celeste snapped, her narrowed gaze landing squarely on Kaito, as if she were holding him personally responsible for any potential mishaps.
Kaito felt himself shrink back in his seat, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I'll try not to mess anything up," he promised, his voice barely above a whisper, the weight of her scrutiny heavy upon him.
"See that you don't," Celeste replied curtly, her attention returning to her tablet, leaving Kaito feeling even more anxious.
As the pod descended toward the anomaly site, the landscape below revealed itself as a sprawling expanse of cracked earth, marred by deep fissures that pulsed faintly with an otherworldly glow. The sky above churned ominously with storm clouds that seemed out of place, their edges fraying into static like a corrupted file, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
"Energy levels are stable for now," Aria's voice crackled through their comms, her tone professional but laced with an undercurrent of concern. "But don't get too comfortable. This place is volatile." The warning hung in the air, a reminder that danger lurked just beneath the surface.
The team disembarked from the pod, each member falling into formation with practiced ease, years of training guiding their movements. Celeste took point, her posture precise and deliberate, embodying the leadership role she had trained for. Victor brought up the rear, his imposing presence a silent deterrent to any unseen threats that might be lurking in the shadows. Kaito, however, lagged behind, feeling increasingly like a third wheel in a well-oiled machine.
"Stick close," Yuki said, nudging him lightly with her elbow. "Wouldn't want you wandering off and getting zapped by anomaly lightning or something." Her teasing tone was meant to lighten the mood, but Kaito couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety at the thought.
"Is that a thing?" Kaito asked, his eyes widening in disbelief, unsure if she was joking or not.
"Probably," she replied with a casual shrug, clearly enjoying his discomfort and the way it made him squirm.
"Yuki," Celeste said without turning around, her voice clipped and authoritative. "Focus." The command was sharp, cutting through the lighthearted banter like a knife.
"Yes, ma'am," Yuki replied, though her smirk remained firmly in place, a testament to her defiance.
As the team began setting up their scanning equipment, each member worked efficiently within their designated area, the atmosphere tense yet focused. Kaito was assigned the task of deploying a beacon near the edge of the anomaly, a job that seemed simple enough—until his glitch powers decided to intervene unexpectedly.
As he carefully placed the beacon into the ground, a faint crackle of energy sparked from his fingertips, sending a jolt of panic through him. The beacon whirred to life, its lights flickering erratically before it began spinning like a top, much to Kaito's horror.
"Uh… guys?" Kaito called out, stepping back nervously, his heart racing as he watched the beacon behave erratically.
"What now?" Celeste demanded, marching over with an exasperated sigh, her expression a mix of irritation and concern.
Before anyone could react, the beacon shot into the air like a firework, spiraling wildly out of control before disappearing in a flash of blinding light, leaving Kaito speechless.
Victor arrived just in time to witness the spectacle, his expression a mixture of disbelief and amusement. "Did you just delete our beacon?" he asked, his tone incredulous and slightly mocking.
"I didn't mean to!" Kaito protested, desperation creeping into his voice. "It's the glitch! I swear, I'm trying to control it!" His cheeks burned with embarrassment as he realized the gravity of the situation.
"Great," Celeste muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. "One less beacon, thanks to you." Her tone was laced with irritation, but Kaito could sense the underlying concern for the mission.
Yuki's laughter echoed through the comms, lightening the mood slightly despite the tension. "Well, at least he's consistent," she quipped, her voice teasing.
"I swear, I'm trying," Kaito said, his voice barely above a whisper, feeling the weight of their expectations pressing down on him.
"Try harder," Celeste snapped before storming off, her frustration palpable.
Despite the setback, the team continued their scans, though the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Kaito did his best to stay