As soon as they reached their apartments, Zeno and the others took time to review every detail of their plan and set up the necessary equipment.
— What do you think of Sorento, Master Zeno? Ikku asked curiously.
Zeno's gaze drifted for a moment before he replied calmly:
— So far, nothing's stood out. We've got three days to prepare before the rebels strike. Ideally, we split up and gather intel. Let's regroup in two days. Saymar isn't far, so make the most of it and investigate. Forget the maps Sorento gave us using them would get us spotted too easily. This is a recon mission only. Don't take any risks.
— Got it! they all replied in unison.
Once outside, they each went their separate ways. Ikku sprinted toward Saymar, focused.
Better keep a low profile... just act like a regular tourist, he thought.
He slowed down and flagged down a passing taxi. Once inside, he watched the scenery glide by through the window, his thoughts surprisingly light. When he arrived in Saymar, a wave of warmth hit him not from the sun, but from the people. Unlike Mekira, the locals here were smiling, welcoming. The city felt alive.
He stopped in front of a small drink shop.
— Can I get a strawberry drink? Ikku asked.
— Of course, with pleasure! replied the vendor, smiling wide. You're not from around here, are you?
— Nope. I came as a tourist. I heard Saymar was beautiful.
— And they told you right! Welcome, my friend. This one's on the house. You have to check out Prado Beach it's stunning.
— Really? I'll head there right away! Though… isn't it a bit dangerous? I heard there are rebels causing trouble around here.
— There's troublemakers everywhere, kid. You'd need some serious bad luck to cross paths with them. Just enjoy your stay in Saymar.
— You're right. Thanks a lot! he said, taking a sip of his drink. Whoa… this is amazing!
The vendor laughed heartily.
— Wahahaha! Glad you like it. That bus over there will take you straight to the beach go enjoy yourself.
— Thanks! I'll be back for sure. See ya!
Ikku jogged over to catch the bus, excitement bubbling in his chest. The joy of the city had washed away the pressure of his mission. When he stepped off the bus and saw the beach… he froze.
It was paradise.
The sand was soft and white, the sea shimmered in shades of turquoise. It was nothing like the forests, or Kul-Elna, or the dark hideouts of the Mafia. For once, he didn't want to think about missions or ambitions. He just wanted to be a normal teenager, if only for a moment.
Ikku stripped down to his underwear and ran into the water. It was perfect. Calm, warm, and inviting. He laid on his back in a starfish position, letting the gentle currents carry him.
This place is incredible, he thought. I could totally see myself living here someday. I never knew places like this even existed…
His gaze shifted and caught sight of a high stone platform jutting over the sea. It instantly brought back memories, he and Jack used to dive from a waterfall near their forest home. Smiling to himself, Ikku decided to check it out.
When he reached the top, he noticed a group of three guys standing there. They looked like they wanted to jump, but were clearly hesitating.
— Well? What're you waiting for? said the tallest one. He was around 6'3", with deep tan skin, short curly hair, and a solid, athletic build.
— You go first then, snapped another. Pale-skinned, lean, with short brown hair and a thick beard despite his young face.
— Oh, stop being scaredy-cats, said the third. He was much shorter than the others even shorter than Ikku, with long, curly chestnut hair down to his shoulders and a cap on backwards.
Ikku stepped up to the edge. The trio turned to look at him.
— Yo, bro! You gonna jump? the bearded one called out.
— Yep, Ikku replied with a big grin.
— You heard that, boys?! shouted the guy with the cap. If he jumps, I'm going next!
— Count me in! added the tall, tanned one.
— Same here! grinned the bearded guy. It's all on you now, man.
Ikku gave them a playful wink and leapt.
He spun through the air with flawless grace, before slicing into the water headfirst in a perfect dive.
— Hahahaha! Now that was a jump! screamed the guy in the cap.
He jumped in right after, followed by the other two. Laughter exploded in the water as they all surfaced, energized and thrilled.
— What's your name, man? asked the tanned one.
— I'm Ikku. Came from Isru just to see Saymar, heard this province was beautiful.
— Folks from Isru sure are fearless, huh! laughed the bearded guy. That jump of yours fired us up. Sometimes it just takes one person to lead the way for others to follow.
— Couldn't agree more, Ikku nodded.
— Where are you staying? asked the guy in the cap. Crash at our place tonight! After what you pulled, we've gotta return the favor. We live just twenty minutes from here. You can tell us all about Isru.
— Sounds fun, but I'll have to head out early tomorrow. My friends are waiting on me.
— Cool, deal's a deal! said the tall one. Let's go off to the LVDs!
The four of them headed out. During the ride, Ikku felt something unfamiliar blooming in his chest: comfort… belonging. It was strange. He had spent his life alone, never able to make real friends and yet, somehow, in the span of a few months, that emptiness had started to fade.
Was it Saymar that made things easier… or had he changed?
Either way, he knew one thing for sure: this was only possible because he had pushed himself to grow. And no matter what happened next, he would find those jewels.
Eventually, they pulled up to a tall white tower. A basic parking lot surrounded it, with a few playgrounds scattered nearby. On the side, there was a door leading underground.
— Here we are, said the tall guy. Oh yeah ! we didn't even introduce ourselves. I'm Missak, the bearded one's Babar, and the guy in the cap is Momo.
— Nice to meet you! said Ikku cheerfully.
— Hope someone's in, said Momo, knocking on the door.
— Who is it?! a voice called from inside.
— It's us! Babar shouted back.
The door opened. They motioned for Ikku to follow.
Inside was a massive, brightly lit room couches, video games, a mini sports area, and most importantly… pizza.
— We brought a guest from Isru! Treat him right, he's a real one, Missak announced.
— Welcome, brother! said someone from inside. Don't just stand there come eat with us! We've got pizza, you're gonna love it.
— I doubt Mekira's food can beat what we have in Isru, Ikku teased.
— You're probably right, said a guy gaming on the couch. But don't mix everything up Saymar cuisine is not Mekira cuisine.
— Isn't Saymar part of Mekira though?
Babar snapped:
— That country can go to hell. We'll never be part of those bastards.
— Sounds like you guys really don't like them…
— Of course not, said Missak. Officially, Saymar joined Mekira. But the truth? That's something else entirely. History's always written by the winners.
— What do you mean? asked Ikku, now intrigued.
Missak leaned forward.
— Back in the day, Mekira wasn't even a big nation. Just a city among many, caught in endless wars with nearby provinces. Saymar took a lot of damage, and we had to defend ourselves constantly. When King Riku came along with Sorento and Myu, they started absorbing all the others.
They made Saymar an offer: join Mekira, and we'd be protected. Our leaders refused… but that's when the real damage began. Mercenary attacks increased our land was rich in agriculture, had a strategic port, and rare minerals.
Then Sorento offered a new deal: protection in exchange for control over our port and mining operations.
— Sounds like a fair deal, right? Ikku said.
— On paper, sure. But once they signed, King Riku built tons of mining factories that polluted our air and water. People started getting sick. Fishermen lost their jobs. Prices skyrocketed. Then they set up military bases to "keep order." Truth is… we were better off without Mekira.
— I heard there's a rebel group trying to change things, though I also heard they've planted bombs in public places.
— Yeah, I've heard of them too, said Missak. But from what I know, they never target civilians only infrastructure. I support what they're doing, honestly.
Ikku hesitated.
— But… they're planning to hit a densely populated area in three days.
A heavy silence fell.
— How do you know that? asked Missak, eyes narrowing.
— I… uhh… crap… Ikku stammered.
His heart pounded. He'd just made a big mistake.