Tsuki woke up the next morning having gotten little rest. Her mind kept her up throughout the night, constantly replaying her talks with the Memento members. She rubbed her drowsy eyes before she noticed a guard lingering outside her cell. His eyes were sharp, and his mouth curled into a sick, twisted grin.
"Can I help you?" she asked flatly. The corridor behind him was dead silent, as if the prison itself was holding its breath.
"No," the guard replied. "However, I am here to give you a warning. A couple of guards say they spotted you with a... certain crowd."
He stared at her as she remained in bed, unmoving.
"I advise, for your sake, you avoid them."
Tsuki said nothing. Her eyes locked onto his, unwavering, daring him to speak again.
"I mean it."
He gave one final look, then turned and walked off.
Memento's really full of trouble, huh? she thought. But that guy definitely needs his jaw adjusted...
By lunch, Tsuki had joined the other inmates from her courtyard block, filing toward the cafeteria. As she stood in line, she scanned the meal board.
"Damn, not much to eat here, is there?" she muttered. She settled for a thin loaf of meat and some crusted bread.
Tray in hand, she spotted the trio from yesterday—Maro, Geo, and Correna—sitting in the same back corner. Maro caught her gaze. His eyes, welcoming yet fierce, watched her carefully.
She froze. Every warning drilled into her mind from the academy screamed to stay away.
I shouldn't. They could be trouble. If I'm seen with them again, it could bring them more heat. Plus… I don't even know if I could handle the guilt. They're labeled terrorists. If I get too close, I'll be associated too.
She turned away, took two steps, then stopped. After a moment, she sighed and made her way to their table.
Correna smiled brightly as Tsuki sat across from Geo, next to her.
"So, you did choose to meet us again," Correna said, voice with a quiet warmth.
Maro chuckled. "Had me worried for a second. Thought you weren't coming back."
"I had to think about it," Tsuki replied, stabbing a piece of meat. "You three are part of my sworn enemy."
"Were," Maro corrected gently.
Tsuki glanced down at her tray again.
Geo leaned forward. "I think it's time you learned the truth about all this."
Correna nodded. "You've only heard what the APC wanted you to hear. Even we don't know half the crap they say about us anymore."
"Lies?" Tsuki said. "What about the Alden Massacre? The dangers people like us pose to civilians? We aren't meant to be free. It's not safe."
Geo and Correna looked at Maro. He met Tsuki's eyes.
"Does having abilities make us any less human?" he asked.
Her fork froze halfway up to her lips. His words struck her with quiet force.
"The Massacre of Alden," Maro said, "and the repeal of the Alden Equal Protections Act—they're linked. But tell me: what do you think happened?"
Tsuki inhaled. "Forty-two people were murdered in cold blood. The convict was Melur Han—an ability user with blood manipulation. He slaughtered civilians maliciously and vanished. APC guards tracked him to the council's chambers in Alden Central, where he was executed for his crimes."
"Interesting," Geo muttered. Correna glanced between Tsuki and her plate.
They know something I don't…? This was what we were taught. It has to be true.
Maro broke the silence. "Part of that is true. Yes, Melur Han was the name. But you missed one detail—he was an APC officer."
"What?" Tsuki asked, denial already tightening on her face. That couldn't be true.
"One more thing," Maro continued. "If he was truly guilty… why wasn't he executed?"
"But public records said—"
"Public records are gospel now?" Maro raised an eyebrow. "He wasn't convicted. He wasn't imprisoned. His name was changed. Today, you know him as Chaze Romani—top commander of the Stalker Corps."
Tsuki's eyes widened. Her grip on the tray tightened. "That… can't be true."
"I was there," Maro said. "I saw him murder those people. I chased him through Alden Central. The alleyways, courtyards, everything. Tracked him all the way to the Council's palace. And when I found him… he was engaging with APC guards. Laughing."
Tsuki's breath caught. Maro's face was firm and steady.
"It was all a ploy. The council planned it. They wanted to strip unnaturals of our rights. And it worked. The Alden Equal Protections Act was repealed, and they turned the city against us. Unless you wore their colors, you were a threat."
Geo spoke. "They fear ability users. They banned weapons for citizens already… They know we pose the only danger to their tyrannical rule."
Correna gently took Tsuki's arm. Geo added, "Maro's many things. A liar isn't one of them."
Just then, ten guards marched toward them, batons in hand. The cafeteria fell silent.
"Prisoner Tsuki," the lead guard growled. "Didn't I tell you to stay away from these criminals?"
"What, prisoners can't talk now?" Geo snapped.
"I—I'm sorry, sir—" Tsuki started.
"Save it. Stand up."
They rose. The guard stepped to Tsuki first—and slapped her across the face. She instantly tasted the metallic tang of blood on her tongue.
Maro stepped forward with a scowl. "You've got a problem? Take it up with me. I called her over."
"Oh, I intend to, Phoenix," the guard sneered, mocking.
He cocked back his fist, and punched Maro in the face. Maro grunted, staggering, but stood.
"You'll need more than that," Maro muttered.
Maro didn't move. He braced for the next hit, almost like he was stalling for something.
The guard hit him again. Maro dropped to a knee, blood dripping from his mouth.
"Good. Kneel before your betters," the guard said. "Maybe you'll learn respect."
Maro spat blood. "Sorry, I don't respect sheep."
"That's it. This one dies."
He grabbed Maro by the collar and slammed him into the wall. Maro's face was calm. The guard's was contorted with rage.
"Now, let's end this. Die, Phoenix."
He raised a spiked baton. Tsuki felt the world narrow. Her heart skipped a beat as she prepared to witness a cold-blooded murder right before her eyes...
But a tapping sound echoed across the room, interrupting the guard's brutality. Everyone froze.
Tsuki's eyes darted toward the southern wall. "What is that…?"
A moment later, horns blared throughout the prison. Screams and panic shortly followed.
"What's happening up there?" the guard barked.
"No idea, sir," another stammered.
"Helpful," the first snapped.
Tsuki glanced at Maro. He wasn't surprised. In fact, he was smiling.
"There he is," Correna said softly.
Maro chuckled. "About damn time."
A few more taps—then the wall exploded inward. Smoke and dust filled the room. A silhouette stood within the debris.
A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped out—dark-haired, with glowing purple eyes. His mask bore the symbol of a fist.
Tsuki stared. Something about him—his presence—was undeniably captivating.
"Who—?" she whispered.
"Tona," Maro said, grinning. "Glad you made it."
Correna beamed. "You brought friends!"
A guard sprinted toward Tona from the flank—a silver streak cut past him.
A blonde woman whirled through the dust, her katana carving a perfect crescent.
The guard collapsed in a single elegant strike.
Correna cheered, "Azumi! Show-off!"
The woman smirked from under her mask, flicking blood from her blade.
Two more figures stepped through the breach.
One was taller and quiet, his blonde hair wavy with green eyes. The other was compact with fiery red hair and strong brown eyes. A devilish grin consumed his face.
Before they could pose heroically, Geo threw his hands up.
"Wow, way to stand there and watch the show, Hatori! And Knoxx—why do you look shorter than I remember?!"
Chaos and laughter blended in a way Tsuki couldn't process.
Hatori paused mid-step and shot Geo a cold, deadpan glare that could've cut steel.
Knoxx didn't even slow down.
"You got captured a week ago," he said. "Don't act like it's been ages, dumbass."
Geo sputtered. Correna snorted. Even Tona's mask tilted as if he were stifling a laugh.
The tension in the room snapped like a wire.
The guard panicked in the chaos. "Who're these guys?!"
Tona didn't respond, instead turning to Memento's leader. "Next time, Maro—don't get caught. Central ain't exactly easy to sneak an army into, yeah?"
"Not wrong," Maro replied.
"Kill them!" the guard screamed.
The guards lunged. Tona met the first with a clean punch that folded the man instantly. Chaos erupted. Azumi, Hatori, and Knoxx tore through the rest with practiced ease.
The blonde woman spoke. "We're clear. Let's move."
Knoxx added, "Right. No time to waste."
They rushed to the Memento prisoners. Azumi slashed their Solena blockers—including Tsuki's. Tsuki blinked in disbelief.
Tona reached Maro, supporting his weight. "Come on, old man. Got a hell of an escape ahead—and it's almost dinner."
Maro turned to Tsuki as he limped toward the newly made exit. "Decision time. Come with us."
Correna echoed, "It's Memento or prison. Your call—but decide now."
Tsuki pursed her lips.
It's not much of a choice, is it?
"I'll come."
"Wow," Geo said. "Didn't even hesitate."
"Good," Maro said. "Let's move."
They burst into the courtyard—now a battlefield. Dozens of cloaked rebels clashed with APC soldiers. Abilities surged through the air. The walls were lined with huge harpoon guns. Tsuki witnessed men fall on both sides.
Knoxx cursed. "We can't outrun them all."
"Hatori, with me," Tona ordered. "Azumi, Knoxx—get the others to the gate."
Azumi nodded. "Got it."
Knoxx muttered, "Let's roll."
Tsuki turned to watch Tona and Hatori take on countless APC guards. Hatori seemed to slow time itself before his attacks, and Tona just threw haymakers. She turned back just in time to see Azumi launched backwards by a large stalker. They kept sprinting forward. Tsuki summoned a shadow that drove the same stalker into the dirt.
Correna cheered, completely ignoring her teammate that had just gone flying, "Wow... Shadows! Cool technique!"
Tsuki shrugged. "Can be."
By this point, Azumi had already caught up again, with blood spilling from her mouth. She paid no attention to it.
"There it is!" Geo shouted. "The gate!"
Harpoons were launched from the line on the courtyard walls. Azumi deflected one with a clean slice. Knoxx whispered, "Miagi."
The second harpoon sliced into a thousand pieces mid-air. Knoxx's dual daggers hardly seemed to move, yet the result proved otherwise. The team kept running. Just before reaching the gate, Tsuki paused. A hesitant look consumed her face. Geo grabbed her hand and nodded.
Together, they leapt through.
Tsuki closed her eyes—and landed in a land unknown. The surrounding area felt similar, like she hadn't just been teleported somewhere else. Yet, when her eyes opened, the scene was drastically different.
Dozens of Memento soldiers stood around her. A bustling little camp lined with tents and bonfires came into view, crowded with men. In the background, she noticed men sparring with real blades, way different from the wooden replicas the APC gave trainees. The camp was humble, worn, yet alive. A safe haven.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"Persetta," Maro answered. "Home of Memento."
Tsuki gazed at the not-so-stunning scenery. In the distance, she spotted beautiful large cliffs topped with greenery. A beautiful contrast to the slums standing before her.
"Isn't the most beautiful place," Correna said. "But if you get past the rundown architecture, I think you'll find it's home."
Azumi looked around. "Wonder how Tona and Hatori are doing?"
"They're fine," Knoxx replied. "Don't doubt them."
"I didn't!" she snapped. "You dickhead."
A few chuckled at the remark, but Knoxx just crossed his eyes in response. His love for mocking was obvious.
Geo said, "You'll have to get used to this. We're family here. None of that cold APC crap."
Tsuki nodded slowly. "A family, huh…"
Correna wrapped an arm around her. "Yup! We move as one!"
Tsuki hesitantly smiled. Her inner thoughts couldn't help but drift to the events that had unfolded in the past couple days. She still felt like a traitor—to herself, to Jianka and Gatch. Hardly to the APC. They never gave a shit about her; they made that clear. With every moment, Tsuki found herself being more justified than the before. Maybe this family thing was a lie too, but at least on this side, she wouldn't be reprimanded for refusing to kill a child.
A nearby gate opened, interrupting Tsuki's thoughts. She turned to see Tona and Hatori step through—calm as ever.
"Okay, that's pretty damn cool," Tsuki said. "Who makes those portals? You, Tona? Hatori?"
Tona chuckled. "Not me. These knuckles get the job done. No ability required."
Hatori gave her a look—not hostile but lacking a sense of acceptance too. "Unlike him, I do have an ability. But it's not a gate."
Hatori looked away after finishing, seemingly hesitant on the subject.
"Interesting," Tsuki murmured.
Azumi ran to Tona, grinning and gave him a fist bump. "We kicked ass today!"
Maro cracked his neck. "Feels good to be back. That stone bed nearly killed me."
Tona smirked. "Old age ain't helping."
"Quiet," Maro said, though a smile cracked his face.
The playful banter stuck in Tsuki's mind. She stood staring into the sky, a neutral look ridden on her face. It felt like Jianka and Gatch... but different. Real.
Correna interrupted Tsuki's daydreaming.
"Hey, c'mon. I'll show you around. Persetta isn't marvelous, but it's cozy and smells like home."
A kind smile crossed her face as she grabbed Tsuki's arm and led her down the dirt paved pathways.
Later that evening, Tsuki sat alone beneath the stars, away from the bustle of the camp. The scent of pine and smoke drifted through the air.
Memento soldiers laughed nearby—bruised but alive. A warmth she wasn't used to settled in her chest.
Footsteps approached. She didn't turn.
"Figured you might want this," Tona said, setting down a bowl of stew. "Not much, but better than prison slop."
"Thanks," she said quietly.
Tona didn't sit. His violet eyes scanned the tree line.
"Tomorrow's important," he said. "Maro wants you at the center circle. Trial of the Phoenix."
"Trial?" she asked.
"Not a punishment," he smirked behind the mask. "You tell your story. Why you left the APC. Whether you're ready to fly with us, or not."
Tsuki looked down at her scraped hands. A trial. A chance.
"I'll be there," she said.
Tona nodded. "Didn't doubt it."
As he walked away, she looked to the stars. The countless, tiny particles of light brought a temporary sense of peace. Ever since the Stalker Program, Tsuki had found life in the night. The day brings beauty, but the dark is calm and accepting.
Maybe my heart chose before my mind did.