Their boots pounded the dusty trail as Unit 9 followed Commander Rael into the wilderness.
"This is your first reconnaissance mission," he said. "An unknown signal emerged near the old ruins of Fort Helion. Your job: identify the source. No mistakes."
Each member was armed and alert.
Teaha muttered to Kevin, "Bet you can't go five minutes without flexing."
Kevin smirked. "Bet your girl lara talks to me first."
"Try it and you'll lose teeth."
Up ahead, Nisa walked silently. Her eyes scanned the train. At her waist hung a small jade pendant, polished and carved with an unfamiliar symbol—like it didn't belong to this world.
Bihoo, quiet as always, walked just behind her. But his gaze kept drifting to the jade. Once. Twice. His lips parted as if to ask—but he stayed silent.
Lara noticed. "Bihoo, you good?"
He didn't respond. Just stared at the jade again, his expression unreadable. Nisa turned slightly, catching his gaze.
"You looking at something?" she asked, curious but calm.
Bihoo blinked. "That jade… where did you get it?"
She placed a hand over it instinctively. "It was given to me. Why?"
His brows furrowed, but before he could answer—
BOOM.
An explosion echoed from the forest ahead.
"Positions!" Commander Rael barked.
A dark mist oozed between the trees. Shadowy figures cloaked in black emerged—rogue operatives. Fast. Skilled. Dangerous.
"Engage!" Rael commanded.
Mira summoned a wind burst, knocking two back. Kevin leapt forward, his twin daggers slashing the air. Teaha covered Lara as she created a defense rune with glowing ink in the dirt.
Nisa darted ahead, fast and fierce, her strikes precise.
Bihoo followed her closely, back-to-back, their coordination flawless like they'd fought together for years.
Then—one of the enemies reached for Nisa's jade.
Bihoo's expression changed in an instant.
He grabbed the attacker by the collar and slammed him down.
"No one touches that," he growled, a rare flash of emotion in his voice.
Nisa glanced at him, stunned.
"Bihoo…"
But he avoided her gaze again. "Focus. We're not done yet."
As the team fought on, questions swirled through Nisa's mind.
What did he know about the jade?
And why did his voice sound like he'd seen it before?
To be continued…