The early morning air was crisp and sharp, tinged with the distant scent of metal and oil from the city's industrial zone. Kaito stood just outside the warehouse, the EXO-Ω suit hugging his frame like a second skin. Its weight was more than just physical—it was symbolic. Every step he took now was a step further into a legacy of secrets, betrayal, and a destiny he'd never asked for.
The sound of a high-pitched engine hummed softly behind him. Rin sat in the driver's seat of the matte black vehicle, her eyes scanning the horizon with mechanical precision. Her face was calm, but her body was tense. There was an urgency in her stillness, like a coiled spring waiting to snap.
"You ready?" she asked, her voice as clear and steady as the dawn.
Kaito forced a grin as he approached. "I was born ready. Actually, I think I was born unprepared now and have just been faking it ever since."
Rin arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Try not to fake it today."
He slid into the passenger seat. "No promises."
The vehicle surged forward, gliding down abandoned service roads as they left the outskirts of the city behind. As buildings turned to ruins and ruins to trees, the air grew quieter, heavier. Kaito rested his head back, eyes flickering with unease.
"Where exactly are we going?" he asked.
"To the rebel base," Rin replied. "Out in the forest. Hidden. Secure. Or at least, it was."
"Let me guess. Now Sakoji's sniffing around?"
"He's expanding faster than we expected. The EXO-Ω core is his priority now. Once he perfects the tech, there won't be a nation on this planet that can stop him."
Kaito frowned. "Well, this is a total drag."
"Stop complaining."
The road narrowed as they reached a dense thicket. Trees loomed overhead, casting the path in shadow. Eventually, Rin slowed to a stop. They were still a few hundred meters from the compound, hidden beyond layers of thick foliage and natural camouflage.
"This is where we walk," Rin said.
Kaito stepped out, adjusting the EXO-Ω suit. "You know, for an advance suit, this thing isn't exactly breathable."
"Better get used to it," she muttered, leading him into the brush.
They moved swiftly through the forest, until finally, the compound came into view—an old military bunker, swallowed by moss and rust, surrounded by a reinforced wall. Turrets and cameras watched silently from above.
Rin flashed a small device at the entry panel, disabling the alarm systems with a few quick taps.
Kaito glanced around. "You ever think about repainting this place? Maybe hang a welcome sign?"
"Focus," she warned. "These people won't trust you just because I do."
"I figured. I'll try not to flash the charming smile too early."
Inside, the compound was a winding labyrinth of aging steel and humming tech. The dimly lit corridors buzzed with the energy of hidden potential—and paranoia. The air smelled of ozone and metal, and the sound of footsteps echoed faintly around every corner.
Finally, they reached the war room—a large circular chamber, half-lit by wall-mounted screens displaying maps, schematics, and data feeds. Three figures turned as Kaito and Rin entered.
The first was a towering man with arms like hydraulic pistons and a scar running down his cheek like a lightning bolt. His cold blue eyes drilled into Kaito.
"Who's the kid?" he growled.
Rin stepped forward. "This is Kaito Myojin. Dr. Haru's son."
That name alone brought silence. The air thickened.
The second figure was a woman with jet black hair and piercing neon green eyes, her expression skeptical but intrigued. She leaned forward slightly, studying him.
But it was the third figure who broke the tension.
A young woman with silver hair and mismatched tech gear practically danced up to Kaito, her playful smirk turning into a mischievous grin.
"Well, well," she said, her voice silky and amused. "Kaito Myojin. You're cuter than what your father's security footage suggested."
He blinked. "Uhh... thanks?"
She leaned in, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Name's Lio Seraphine. Head of tech here. I like dangerous toys and dead geniuses. Guess you bring both to the table."
"Nice to meet you, I think? Are compliments supposed to sound threatening?"
"Oh, definitely," she said, tapping the EXO-Ω on his chest. "That suit you're wearing. It's not just a tool—it's a key. Your father coded it to your neural signature. Without you, Sakoji can't fully unlock the Omega Core."
Kaito's smile faded slightly. "I know...I'm basically the walking password to humanity's extinction or salvation."
Lio's grin widened. "Exactly!"
The man with the scar finally spoke again. "If you're really Haru's son, prove it. Show us you're not just another corporate pawn."
Kaito looked around the room—at the people his father had trusted but kept hidden, the ones still fighting a war most of the world didn't even know existed.
He sighed and rolled his shoulders. "Look, I didn't come here to play hero. I just want to know why my dad died, what Sakoji is really planning, and how the hell I got dragged into all of this."
Lio's gaze softened, just slightly. "Then you're already ahead of most."
Kaito looked to Rin, who nodded slowly.
"You're one of us now," she said. "Whether you like it or not."