"Are you really going on this mission?" Little Lola asked, her voice laced with worry as she looked up at her mother.
"Yes, baby girl… This is a crucial operation. Your dad needs my assistance." A woman with flowing blue hair said with a warm smile. She knelt down to meet her daughter's gaze.
"You are fifteen now, Lola… You should stay home and take care of your baby brother… We'll be back before you know it." She shifted her gaze to her young son.
"Be a good boy, Nioh… Don't give your sister a hard time." She walked over to him, got to her knees, kissed his hair, and hugged him tightly:
"We'll be back."
Nioh and Lola stood at the grand gate of their mansion, their eyes fixed on the line of military cars as they drove down the street and out of sight.
"Come on, brother… Let's go inside." Lola took Nioh's hand and led him back into the house. Nioh's eyes remained glued to the gate, a sense of unease settling in his heart as Lola pulled him away.
___
[Same Day - Nighttime.]
