The morning mist had not yet lifted when Kaien Mori stirred awake. The ridge where they had made camp was quiet, save for the faint rustle of blackened leaves and the occasional distant howl that set Mori's nerves on edge. He shivered, not entirely from the chill. Last night's ambush still haunted him—the creatures, their shrieks, and the sheer terror of facing them.
Kaida Ren was already awake, kneeling by the fire and checking their weapons. Even after the ordeal, he carried himself with calm precision, like a captain surveying his ship before the storm.
"Morning, Mori," Kaida said without looking up. His tone wasn't warm, but it wasn't harsh either. It had the authority of someone who expected action and focus.
Mori nodded, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Morning… Kaida. How did you sleep?"
Kaida's dark eyes flicked to him briefly. "Lightly. Sleep is a luxury here. You'll learn that soon enough."
Renji stretched dramatically, his bow slung over his back. "Yeah, light sleep. I don't think my heart stopped pounding until dawn." He smirked at Mori. "Your first ambush, rookie. Survived without crying. I'd call that a win."
Mori forced a small, shaky smile. "I… I guess it's a start."
Haruka appeared from where she had been sitting, her glasses slightly fogged from the mist. "Start is all you've got, Mori. And that's fine. We'll train today. We need to push, or we'll be eaten alive next time."
Kaida stood and looked toward the dark forest surrounding the ridge. "She's right. Today is about strategy and coordination. We're going to practice movement, attacks, and defense together. Everyone contributes. That includes you, Mori."
Mori nodded, his stomach twisting. The thought of facing creatures again, even in training, made his hands sweat. But Kaida's unwavering gaze grounded him, giving him the courage to step forward.
---
The morning passed in a flurry of exercises. Haruka taught them to read the environment—how shadows moved, how fog shifted, and how to detect creatures before they struck. Renji set up target practice with his arrows, showing Mori how to aim with precision and conserve energy. Kaida trained them in formation movements, teaching where to position themselves for maximum defense and offense.
Mori stumbled constantly, nearly tripping over roots or misjudging distances. Each time, Kaida or Renji corrected him patiently, though Takuro's occasional smirk reminded him that someone was always watching, always judging.
"Slow down, Mori," Kaida said calmly. "Focus on the rhythm. Watch the enemy's movement, then react. Don't rush."
"I'm trying!" Mori exclaimed, frustration leaking into his voice as he tripped again over a root, nearly dropping his dagger.
Kaida's dark eyes softened just slightly. "Trying isn't enough. You have to *observe*, *anticipate*, and *act*. Let the world teach you, not your panic."
Mori swallowed and nodded, repeating the movements more carefully. Kaida observed silently, occasionally adjusting his stance or grip.
---
After a long morning, the group gathered for a brief rest. The fire had been rekindled, and the fog swirled gently around them. Mori sat close to Kaida, trying to catch his breath.
"You're improving," Kaida said quietly. "More than I expected."
Mori looked up, surprised. "R-Really?"
Kaida nodded. "You're learning to move as part of a team. That's more important than raw strength. Strength comes later. But knowing how to survive with others—that will save your life right now."
Mori's chest warmed with the compliment, but there was also the gnawing feeling of inadequacy. "I… I'm still weak. I can barely keep up with everyone else."
Kaida shook his head. "Weakness is temporary. Fear can make it permanent. What matters is whether you fight it."
Renji leaned back lazily. "He's right. And besides, even the strongest started like you. Probably." He smirked at Mori. "Mostly."
Haruka added, "You have potential, Mori. You just need to focus and trust your instincts."
Mori glanced toward Takuro, who had been silently observing the interactions. His expression was calm, unreadable, yet Mori felt a prickling unease. Takuro's presence had a way of making him doubt himself, even when Kaida and the others were reassuring.
---
By mid-afternoon, Kaida decided it was time to put theory into practice. "We're going to simulate a real encounter. I'll lead the group. Mori, you'll follow my lead. Observe, anticipate, and act."
The group spread out in the clearing, the black trees forming natural barriers. Haruka had already marked weak points and pathways with glowing chalk from her satchel. Renji positioned himself for ranged support, while Takuro lingered on the edge of the formation, silent as always.
Mori's heart pounded. "What if I mess up?" he whispered to Kaida.
"You won't," Kaida replied firmly. "I'm here. The others are here. And if you hesitate, you'll learn from it. That's the point."
A rustling came from the fog. Shadows shifted unnaturally, and then a small group of shadow creatures emerged, their eyes glowing red.
"Positions!" Kaida barked. His blade gleamed as he moved into the front, leading the formation.
Mori's legs trembled, but he followed Kaida's instructions, moving with as much precision as he could muster. Renji's arrows flew with deadly accuracy, taking down the closest creatures. Haruka's strategic calls kept them coordinated.
Takuro moved quietly along the flank, striking creatures with precision, never missing. Mori watched him, the mixture of awe and fear knotting in his chest. Takuro wasn't weak at all. He was… something else entirely.
"Focus, Mori!" Kaida snapped as another shadow lunged at him. He swung his blade, and Mori instinctively rolled, dodging the attack. He jabbed with his dagger, barely nicking the creature, but Kaida was there to finish it off.
"You're doing it," Kaida said, his voice low but proud. "See? You *can* survive. You *can* fight."
Mori's chest heaved. Sweat dripped down his face. For the first time, he felt like he belonged, like he was part of something bigger than himself.
---
After the exercise, the group gathered again around the fire. Mori was exhausted, his body trembling from adrenaline and fatigue, but there was a faint smile on his lips.
"You did well today," Kaida said quietly, handing him a cup of lukewarm water. "I've never seen anyone pick up teamwork so quickly."
Mori blinked, holding the cup with shaky hands. "Th-thank you…"
Renji elbowed him playfully. "Don't let it go to your head. You still almost got eaten at least three times."
Haruka sighed, but her smile was genuine. "Small victories matter, Mori. Remember that."
Takuro remained apart, his expression unreadable. Yet when Mori glanced at him, he noticed a faint flicker in Takuro's eyes, something almost like… curiosity. Or was it judgment?
---
As night fell, Kaida called them all together. "We've survived the day. We've learned, but this world is harsh. Tomorrow, it will be worse. But together, we can face it. We must face it. Bonds will keep us alive where strength alone won't."
Mori looked around at his companions—Renji, Haruka, Kaida, Takuro. He realized something profound: these were the people who would watch his back, even in the darkest corners of the Shadow World.
Even Takuro.
But Mori couldn't shake the unease that lingered when his eyes met Takuro's. There was a shadow there, one Mori couldn't yet understand. One that promised pain, betrayal, and danger in the days to come.
And yet… for the first time since the transfer, he felt a flicker of hope.
He was no longer entirely alone.
---