The Enemy's Strategy – A Calculated Vengeance
In the depths of the enemy stronghold, shadows danced along the walls as flickering lights cast an eerie glow over the war room. Maps, documents, and surveillance feeds covered the table, detailing Emjay's team's movements. The air was thick with tension, broken only by the rhythmic tapping of Lester's fingers on the wooden armrest of his wheelchair. His cold gaze was fixed on a set of reports, eyes sharp with both anger and calculation.
Evena stood across from him, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. The room felt heavier as Lester finally broke the silence. "Lillie and Esami... gone." His voice was a low growl, simmering with restrained fury. "They failed—but worse, they died pathetically. Emjay's team keeps winning. That is a problem."
Evena's lips tightened. "They were strong. They fought well—"
"Strength without results is meaningless," Lester snapped, slamming a hand onto the table. The scattered papers jumped. He inhaled slowly, regaining composure. "But failure isn't entirely useless. We learn from it." He gestured to a file on the table. Kazuki was written across it in bold letters. Surveillance photos showed Kazuki in battle, his powers on full display, surrounded by copies of himself.
Evena flipped through the pages. "His replication ability... effective. He uses it to overwhelm and outmaneuver. Few can keep up with that many targets."
"But every power has a cost," Lester murmured. He pulled out another sheet—a report from embedded spies. "Look here. Post-battle footage shows him stumbling, clutching his head. Intel confirms he suffers debilitating headaches after extensive use of his copying ability. The more copies, the worse it gets." His lips curled into a cold smile. "And it's getting worse."
Evena's brows furrowed. "He's pushing his limits every fight. That's reckless."
"It's human," Lester corrected. "He relies on that power like a crutch. We'll kick it out from under him." He leaned forward. "Force him to use it again. And again. Until he breaks."
Evena considered this. "If we push too hard, he might become unpredictable."
Lester's smile widened. "Exactly. Let him spiral. Madness on their side is chaos we can exploit."
The war room buzzed with electricity as plans formed. Traps were devised, ambush points calculated. This wasn't just vengeance—it was artful destruction.
Evena glanced at Lester. "And if Kazuki's team intervenes?"
"Then they fall with him," Lester said. "Their greatest asset will become their greatest liability."
A cruel silence settled between them.
And the trap was set.
Emjay's Team – Preparations for the Mission
Back at the base, Emjay's team gathered in the briefing room. The atmosphere was tense yet focused. A large map stretched across the table, marked with enemy routes and convoy paths. Emjay pointed to a location highlighted in red. "Enemy convoy here. Carrying data that could cripple our operations if it reaches their main base. Our mission: intercept and retrieve it."
Kai stretched, cracking his knuckles. "Sounds like a party."
Nami rolled her eyes. "Not everything's a joke."
Kazuki studied the map, unease flickering in his gaze. "This feels... off. Too clean."
Leon smirked. "Paranoid or prepared—we'll find out."
Yano nudged Kazuki gently. "Stay sharp. You always sense things before the rest of us."
As they geared up, each member took a moment to offer words of support:
Kai bumped fists with Leon. "Don't get shot. I'm not carrying you back."
Nami smirked at Kai. "You'd drop him halfway anyway."
Yano hugged Nami. "We come back together. No exceptions."
Kazuki adjusted his gear. "Watch each other. No heroes."
Emjay glanced around. "No mistakes. No hesitation."
Kai grinned. "Ready to ruin someone's day."
Emjay nodded. "Move out."
The Mission – Fire and Fury
Chaos erupted the moment they engaged. Bullets ripped through the air. Explosions sent dirt and shrapnel flying. The convoy's armored vehicles pressed forward under heavy guard.
Kai and Leon darted through debris-strewn streets. Leon teleported between cover spots while Kai provided suppressing fire. "Leon!" Kai shouted, ducking a barrage. "Bet I drop more targets than you!"
Leon grinned. "Loser buys pizza—again."
They moved in tandem, covering blind spots with practiced ease.
Nami and Yano flanked from the west. Nami's knives spun through the air, striking precise targets while Yano patched wounds with quick bursts of healing energy. "We've got hostiles at twelve!" Nami warned.
Yano's eyes glowed faintly. "Cover me—I've got this!" She surged forward, casting a shield that absorbed incoming rounds.
Emjay and Kazuki advanced through the center, drawing the brunt of enemy fire. "Kazuki—right flank!" Emjay barked. Kazuki spun, dropping a soldier with a clean shot. They pressed on, determination burning in their eyes.
Then it happened.
Kazuki, pushing ahead, found himself alone. Radio static buzzed in his ear. "Team? Do you read me—"
Too late. Shadows emerged—dozens of enemies closing in. Ambush.
Kazuki's pulse quickened. No choice. "Let's do this," he muttered.
He activated his ability. One copy. Five. Ten. Twenty. The battlefield became a storm of Kazukis—firing, dodging, striking. Gunfire became a symphony of chaos as his copies overwhelmed the attackers. Explosions erupted, enemies falling in droves.
But with every shot, every movement—the pounding in his skull worsened. Hold it together... His vision blurred, head splitting with pain. Still, he fought. They're counting on me.
Minutes dragged like hours until the final enemy dropped. Kazuki stood amidst the carnage, chest heaving, face pale. His legs buckled. Stay upright... just a little longer.
Mission End – Pyrrhic Victory
The team regrouped. Dirt-covered, bloodied—but alive.
"Data secured," Emjay reported. "Extraction point's close."
Kai glanced at Kazuki, noting his strained expression. "You good?"
Kazuki forced a nod. "Fine."
Leon raised an eyebrow but said nothing. They moved out, victory tasting hollow.
Back at the base, laughter mingled with exhaustion as they debriefed. Yet beneath the surface, tension simmered.
Kazuki's Collapse – Fractured Mind
That night, Kazuki sat alone in his room. The headache returned—worse. Razor-sharp pain stabbed behind his eyes, blurring his vision. Deep breaths... you're fine... But his hands trembled. Walls seemed to close in. His reflection in the mirror twisted, mocking.
Voices echoed. Failure. Burden. Weak.
He slammed a fist into the desk. "Shut up... shut up!" Pain flared like wildfire. His knees gave out. Just need air... can't... breathe—
Then darkness clawed in.
A guttural scream shattered the quiet.
Emjay's team rushed in. "Kazuki!" Yano's voice cracked with panic. "Look at me—please!"
Kazuki lashed out blindly, catching Leon with a wild punch. Kai tackled him. "Kaz, snap out of it! This isn't you!"
But Kazuki's eyes—wild, bloodshot—didn't recognize them. He fought like a cornered animal, strength bolstered by desperation. Yano threw up a barrier—shattered in an instant.
"Restrain him!" Emjay barked.
It took all of them to pin him. Straps fastened him to the bed in the hospitality room. His chest heaved, sweat drenching him. "MAKE IT STOP!" he screamed, voice raw.
Decisions and Fear – Unraveling Bonds
Outside the room, the team stood in shaken silence. Nami's hands trembled. "What... what was that?"
Leon wiped blood from his lip. "He's losing it."
Kai leaned against the wall, fist clenched. "No way we give up on him."
Emjay's gaze was grim. "If he turns—"
Yano cut him off. "I can help him. But I need someone with me... If things go wrong—"
Kai stepped forward. "I've got your back."
Leon sighed. "Count me in."
Through the window, they watched Kazuki—thrashing, muttering to unseen voices.
What if we've already lost him? The unspoken question hung heavy.
And none dared to answer.