Seigan laid on his back staring at the ceiling. Sleep wasn't coming easily, especially not after what he heard a few hours ago. The room was dark, aside from the soft glow of his electronic clock. He sighed as he flipped over.

Seigan: [Guess I'm just going to be up all night…]

A faint knock echoed through the room, breaking the silence that had settled over him. Another knock, this time firmer; followed by a hushed voice.

Takuro: Seigan, you awake?

Siegan sighed, scratching his head before rising from the bed. 

Seigan: Yeah, you too?

He opened the door and found Takuro standing there arms crossed. He had small bags under his eyes.

Takuro: None of us went to sleep. We're all gathered in my room. Figured I'd grab you.

Seigan exhaled sharply through his nose.

Seigan: Lead the way.

Takuro's room was dimly lit, the single lamp in the corner was the only thing stopping the shadows from completely overtaking it. The others were already there, sitting anywhere they could. Inezo was sprawled out on the bed, looking at the ceiling; Akida was sitting on the floor, hands resting on her knees; and the twins sat beside each other against a wall. 

The air was thick with unspoken thoughts.

Seigan stepped inside after Takuro, shutting the door behind him. 

Seigan: So…We're talking about the whole "we're dead and have a choice thing"? 

He found a spot on the edge of the bed while Takuro sat in a chair.

Inezo sat up, rubbing his temples.

Inezo: What else would we talk about?

Tamiko: This whole thing is ridiculous, our deaths are faked, and now we have to either fight or hide? 

Sakiko: It's not about us, there are bad people out there doing who-knows-what, and we're just going to sit here and let it happen.

Sakiko's voice was shaky, every other sentence came after a sniffle.

Inezo: Uhh, yeah? 48 hours ago the "bad people" consisted of criminals and teachers who assigned too much homework, not guys who can slice us up with a wave of a finger.

Tamiko: Exactly. And besides, we're not grand heroes. We don't owe the world anything—especially not now.

Akida: So what? Ya on "team Hide away"? 

Tamiko: All I'm saying is, we need to actually think before we dive headfirst into something we can't walk away from.

Seigan: At this point, I don't think walking away is a real option. We're still dead. 

Takuro: Ok, then what do we do? 

Silence again.

Takuro: I say we at least hear them out-

Akida: Oh yeah, let's just hold hands and start formin' a friendship circle with the STRANGERS we just met.

Takuro: You're making it sound simpler than it is.

Tamiko: It is that simple, we know nothing about this place. All that Kindness Ms.Siana showed us could very well be fake. 

Takuro: They're offering us a chance to fight back.

Inezo let out a low-pitched laugh that grabbed the other five's attention.

Inezo: Fight back? You sure they don't just want more soldiers?
Seigan: If they do, fine. Even if I'm just a weapon to them, it's better than living a false life. 
Sakiko: What if more people end up like us… dragged into this mess without a choice. I don't want that.
Inezo: We could just run, go somewhere far away, and disappear… people do it all the time.

Seigan: …We're on an island jackass.

Tamiko scoffed before she nailed Inezo with a condescending gaze.

Tamiko: Yeah? Then what? Sleep with one eye open for the rest of our lives, waiting for Prince or whoever comes to tie up their loose ends?

Akida: Exactly, they didn't fake our deaths out of the kindness of their hearts. 

That thought made the room twice as heavy. Not one of them liked being manipulated, some much less than others.

Sakiko: I get what you guys are saying… and like I said, I don't want more people dragged into this like we were. But fighting? Actually fighting? That's way easier said than done. We still don't even know why all this happened to us.

Tamiko: I agree, especially with the six of us.

Inezo: What're you tryna say?

Tamiko: That us working together is far-fetched. We were hardly classmates.
 
Seigan: She's unfortunately right.

Takuro: If we're doing this, then we have to be serious about it. No backing out. No hesitating. No second-guessing ourselves.

Takuro looked at each of them. His expression wavering.

Takuro: One bad mistake… and it's over for us.

Takuro's words hit like a cold chill, for the first time since Siana told them the truth. The weight of what they were discussing fully sank in.

Sakiko: If we…if we fight I want it to mean something. Not just because we think we have no other choice.

Tamiko glanced at her younger sister, her expression softening for a moment, before she hardened her face once again and looked at the group.

Tamiko: Then we need to figure out our own reasons. Not because we're dead, not because Siana asked us. We decide for ourselves, even if it's only for revenge.

Silence blanketed the room once again, but this time, it wasn't because of uncertainty.

Seigan rubbed the back of his neck.

Seigan: Guess we're all thinking the same thing then?

Takuro smiled slightly.

Takuro: Guess so.

Inezo: So what now?

Akida: We do this "training", then we get our lives back.

Everyone nodded.

Takuro: Alright then, we should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow…Or I guess later today.

Seigan: Oh yeah, cause after that talk, I'm just gonna casually drift off.

Inezo jumped from the bed.

Inezo: I know, I will!

Sakiko stretched her arms above her head and let out a tired breath.

Sakiko: We'll need sleep eventually. No point in exhausting ourselves before we even start training or whatever.

Tamiko stood and gave her sister a knowing look.

She looked back at the others before heading for the door.

Tamiko: We'll talk more tomorrow.

Sakiko followed suit, but not before flashing a small, reassuring smile at the rest of them.

Akida got up next, rolling her shoulders.

Akida: Later.

One after another, they filtered out of the room, Seigan last.

Inezo caught Seigan in the hallway.

Seigan: I'm surprised you're not asleep already. 

Inezo: Truth be told, I haven't been able to sleep very well since we got here. 

Seigan felt the color drain from his face.

Seigan: [Maybe I should write my will when I get back to my room.]

Inezo: I can tell by your face you're thinking something stupid. 

Seigan: Me? Never. 

The laugh the two of them shared was followed by a short but comfortable silence.

Inezo: Seigan…we're not gonna die right.

Seigan: We're already dead.

Inezo: Very funny.

Seigan pivoted and stood face-to-face with Inezo.

Seigan: Nah we won't. I've got your back just like we promised on the day we met. 

Inezo: That was a week after we met… we fought the first time. 

Seigan: You know what I mean.

Inezo let out a small laugh as he turned to head to his room.

Inezo: Yeah, I do.

For the first time since they left their school, they all felt like they finally had control of their own fate again. Not much, but enough.

And for now, that was ok. 

The sun was at its peak as the group filed into the living room. The atmosphere was tense. The six sat in various spots, some leaning forward while others were sinking into the cushions, all of them waiting for Siana to arrive. The weight of their decision from the previous night still lingered in the air. 

Takuro: Any last-minute doubts?

Akida: Doubts? Please. If anything I wanna get it over with, we already know what we're gonna say, so why does it feel like we're waiting for judgment day?

Inezo: Because we kinda are, once we tell Siana we're in, I imagine there's no backing out.

Takuro turns away from the window to face the group.

Takuro: We've gotta be ready for anything. We're doing more than agreeing to fight, we're committing to something bigger than us. Following orders, training, and putting our lives on the line.

Tamiko looked up, raising an eyebrow at Takuro.

Tamiko: Sounds to me like this is right up your alley.

Takuro: I wouldn't say that. But I do know that in Kendo, hesitation can cost you, and in this case, it's much more serious. So if anyone's got second thoughts, now's the time to voice 'em.

A brief silence followed. No one spoke up.

Seigan stood up and stretched his arms and legs, obviously trying to cover up his nerves.

Seigan: Guess that settles it then. We're all in. Now we gotta live through Siana's speech.

As if on cue, the front door creaked open.

Siana: Hey kiddos, I'm back!

Sakiko: Welcome back Ms. Siana! We're in here.

Siana stepped into the living room, her demeanor upbeat and bright, you'd never believe she had told six kids they died. She scanned the group, taking in their body language as she laid her jacket down on a chair. 

Siana: So? You got an answer for me?

Takuro: We're all in.

Siana exhaled softly as if she expected that answer, but still needed to hear it from them. She slowly looked at each one of them.

Siana: Once again, you guys understand what this means right? If you take this step there's no turning back. This isn't a game.

Akida: We ain't scared.

Siana let out a small chuckle while studying them.

Siana: Bold words. But remember, fear keeps you alive.

She picked up her jacket and turned towards the door.

Siana: Follow me, time for you to see the real Xodur's Hold.