The Gathering Before the Battle
The air inside the base was thick with anticipation. After Nami's arrival, there had been an unspoken warmth in the team, a rare moment of respite amid the chaos of war. Now, as they all gathered in the common room, there was a sense of purpose, of something larger looming ahead.
Emjay stood at the center, arms crossed, observing the group. "Alright, let's get to it. We have another battle ahead, and this time, we're going in more prepared than ever."
Nami looked around, taking in each face—Leon, Crimson, Bleaf, Kazuki, Yano, and, of course, Kai. It had been a long time since she had seen such camaraderie, and yet, there was a weight behind each of their gazes. They had all been through so much.
One by one, each member took their time speaking with her before the battle commenced.
Conversations with Nami
Leon adjusted his glasses as he sat across from Nami, his analytical mind already piecing together everything he had heard about her. "You're an interesting addition to our team, Nami. Mind-reading? That's not a power you come across every day."
Nami smiled lightly. "It's more of a curse sometimes. Knowing what people are thinking isn't always pleasant."
Crimson chuckled. "Bet it comes in handy, though. Any time someone tries to pull a fast one on you, you already know."
Nami tilted her head. "True, but it has its drawbacks. Every time I use it, I'm forced to recall one of my fears or a traumatic memory from my past. It keeps me grounded, I suppose, but it's also a reminder of everything I've been through."
Leon nodded in understanding. "That kind of power… it's not just about control. It's about balance. Knowing when to use it, and when to let things unfold naturally."
Crimson grinned. "Well, at least we know you can call out if someone tries to stab us in the back. That's a plus."
Nami laughed. "Yeah, I suppose."
Bleaf leaned back, arms crossed, observing Nami with mild curiosity. "So, what made you decide to come back? War isn't exactly welcoming."
Nami exhaled, her expression growing serious. "I came back because I had to. There's no running from this fight, and I refuse to sit back while people I care about get hurt."
Kazuki nodded. "A noble reason. I respect that."
Bleaf smirked. "Well, just don't let that soft heart of yours get in the way. War changes people, whether they like it or not."
Nami smiled at him, but there was a sadness in her eyes. "I know. I've seen it happen."
Preparing for Battle
Hours later, the team gathered around the holographic table, discussing their next mission.
Leon analyzed the map, pointing at key enemy locations. "This is our target. If we can retrieve intel from this outpost, we'll gain the upper hand."
Kazuki nodded. "But expect heavy resistance."
Emjay looked at each of them. "We move in teams. We go in fast, we get what we need, and we get out."
Nami turned to Kai. "You ready?"
Kai smirked. "Always."
With the plan set, they moved out into the battlefield.
The Battle Begins
The air smelled of smoke and steel as Emjay's team clashed with enemy forces. Blades clashed, powers erupted, and chaos reigned. Nami moved swiftly, dodging attacks while focusing her mind-reading ability to predict enemy movements.
Then, amidst the battle, a voice stopped her.
"Long time, No see, Nami."
She turned sharply to see Elijah standing before her, his presence alone radiating danger.
"Elijah." She tensed, reading his mind instantly—his next move, his strategy, his determination. But with it came a jolt of pain as a traumatic memory surfaced within her.
Her breathing hitched, but she steadied herself. "I won't let you win."
He smirked. "We'll see about that."
Elijah vanished into thin air, his invisibility making him nearly undetectable. But Nami closed her eyes, focused, and reached into his thoughts.
There—behind you.
She dodged just as his dagger sliced through the air where she had stood. She countered with a sharp kick, sending him stumbling.
Elijah chuckled. "Clever. But can you keep up?"
He disappeared again, but Nami remained calm, scanning his thoughts. Every movement, every strategy—it was all in his mind, and she read it like a book. But each time she did, painful memories of her past clawed at her. The more she fought, the more she relived her own fears.
Then, he struck. A powerful attack was heading her way, and she was too late to react.
In a blink, Kai was suddenly there. His super speed sent Elijah skidding backward. "Stay back, Nami. I've got this."
"Kai, wait—"
"No." He cut her off. "He hurt you. Emotionally, And I'm not letting him get away with that."
The fight between Kai and Elijah was intense. Kai's speed allowed him to evade Elijah's attacks, but Elijah's invisibility made it difficult to land a decisive hit. It was a battle of precision versus unpredictability.
As they fought, Nami focused on reading Elijah's mind. A thought surfaced—
I will go behind him and hit him with my dagger.
Nami hesitated, A fear took over her, But she snapped back enduring the fear., She transferred the thought to Kai quickly.
He will try to get behind you and hit you with his dagger.
The moment Elijah moved, Kai reacted instantly. With a powerful counterattack, he struck Elijah, sending him crashing to the ground. But before Kai could finish him off, Elijah turned invisible and vanished into the chaos of battle.
Kai searched frantically, but it was too late—Elijah had escaped.
Frustrated, Kai clenched his fists, but before his anger could consume him, Nami placed a hand on his.
"You did well, honey. And I love you even more for that."
Kai exhaled, shaking his head. "I could've done better."
Nami smiled. "But you saved me. That's more than enough."
Kai's expression softened. "I know, I know… He'll pay for even trying to hurt you."
Back at the Base: The Aftermath
The battle ended, And the team returned with valuable information about the enemy. As soon as they entered, Crimson approached Kai with a teasing grin.
"So… how was your lovey-dovey moment, huh?"
Kai blinked. "What do you mean?"
Crimson crossed his arms. "Don't act dumb. I saw you fighting to protect Nami, and then the hand-holding moment."
Kai's eyes widened. "Wait… YOU SAW THAT?!"
Crimson burst into laughter, while Kai groaned, clearly embarrassed.
Leon, Emjay, and Kazuki: The Talk
Meanwhile, At the planning room, The room was tense, the weight of their thoughts pressing down on them. Leon, Emjay, and Kazuki stood in front of the scattered battle reports, their minds locked on the same, pressing issue—the traitor among them.
Leon broke the silence first, his voice sharp with suspicion. "We know he's still out there. But what's his next move? What's he after?"
Emjay's gaze darkened. "He's been playing us from the inside for too long. It's not just sabotage anymore. This feels bigger. What does he want—control, revenge, or something else?"
Kazuki ran a hand over the map, his voice steady. "He's been too careful. If it was about revenge, he'd have acted sooner. No, he's orchestrating something. He's making us question each other, weaken our trust. That's his real play."
Leon exhaled, his fingers tapping the table. "It's not just about us losing a battle. If he succeeds, we'll lose everything—our unity, our trust. That's what he's after."
Emjay clenched his fists. "Exactly. And if he keeps us divided, he'll have the power to destroy us from the inside. But he's still hiding. Why?"
Kazuki's voice grew more serious. "He's waiting. The longer we hesitate, the stronger he gets. He's building his position, making his move slowly, but we can't afford to wait."
Leon's eyes narrowed. "We've been reacting to him long enough. It's time to take the fight to him. We find him, and we end it."
Emjay stood tall, his resolve firm. "We won't let him tear us apart. We find him now, and we make sure he never gets the chance to strike again."
Kazuki nodded. "We move fast, move smart, and we don't stop until we've taken control. The clock's ticking."
The all exchanged determined glances. The real threat was close, and they knew time was running out. They had to act—before the traitor's plan became reality.
Yano & Nami: A Night of Gossip
While the others planned, Yano dragged Nami aside, eyes twinkling with excitement. "Alright, spill. You and Kai—how serious is it?"
Nami laughed. "Yano, we've been engaged for a while. You already know that."
Yano smirked. "Yeah, but you guys are so cute. And don't even try to deny it."
They spent the entire night talking, gossiping about everything—from the war, to their team, to Nami's relationship with Kai.
For a moment, amid all the chaos, they allowed themselves to just be—to laugh, to talk, to remember what they were fighting for.