Tsuki stood beneath the moon's pale glow, her eyes tracing the endless stretch of night above her. Her white uniform clung neatly to her frame, boots worn from hard travel. Short black hair grazed her shoulders, and her silver eyes shimmered under the lunar light.

The night brought a strange kind of peace in the starlight. Except Tsuki didn't feel the peace she pretended to see.

A presence behind her stirred the silence. Tsuki didn't turn around right away.

"Commander," a voice called out, "we've completed the mission. The target is eliminated."

"And the others?" she asked softly.

"They were knocked out. No witnesses."

"Good." The word left her mouth flat, detached—but her expression didn't match. Her shoulders barely relaxed, and her eyes remained fixed on the moon.

"Go get some rest, Gatch," she added. "I'm sure you're tired. Probably overused your ability again."

"You can say that again," Gatch chuckled, stepping beside her. "Feels like all the Solena in my body's been drained. But hey—you should've seen my summon! I'm getting better, promise."

He rubbed his hands together, eager to brag.

Tsuki gave him a tired side-eye. "We'll see. Now go rest before I put your ass back to work."

"Yes, ma'am!"

With a snort, Gatch turned and jogged off toward the campsite.

Left alone again, she exhaled through her nose, her eyes still fixed on the endless sky. Her eyes drifted over the quiet countryside of the Galion District. A solemn smile tugged at her lips for just a moment until she finally turned and followed.

At the campsite, a fire crackled at the center, casting a warm glow over the two remaining tents. Jianka, a taller, lanky fellow with blonde hair and brown eyes, was seated near the flames. His outstretched legs made it clear he was enjoying the rare comfort.

"'Bout time you show your face," Jianka quipped as Tsuki approached.

She raised an eyebrow. "Is that how you talk to your superiors?"

"When I know they can take a joke? Absolutely."

"Ballsy," she muttered, settling onto the log across from him.

Her eyes reflected the firelight. "While you're both here—might as well give you the mission briefing."

Gatch returned and plopped down beside Jianka just as Tsuki continued. Gatch was a smaller man, nearly twenty-one years of age. His short brown hair revealed his baby face.

"We've received intel on a child named Nokosaki. An unnatural telekinesis-user. I don't understand why, but the APC labeled him a threat. Orders are clear—no questioning. We head out at first light. Pack your things."

Gatch sighed and stretched. "Thanks, Mom."

She narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me? I'm only twenty years old, thank you."

"Sorry, ma'am."

She stood, brushing ash off her coat. "Get some sleep. We move at dawn."

As she headed into her tent, Gatch elbowed Jianka, and the two exchanged a tired glance before turning in themselves.

Morning arrived too fast.

Tsuki stood with arms crossed outside the tents, the rising sun just brushing the rolling hills in golden light. She let out a long breath, then stepped forward and flung open the flap of her squadmates' tent.

"Wakey-wakey," she said with mock cheer. "We've got a job to do."

No answer.

She frowned, stepped inside—then sighed. Gatch was sprawled on his back, a pillow over his face, snoring. Jianka, on the other side, had somehow kicked his blanket half out of the tent.

"Wake your asses up. Now!"

The tent burst into chaotic motion as the two shot upright, bumping into each other in the chaos. Gatch slapped the pillow off his face and stood at attention.

"Reporting for duty, Commander!"

"About time," Tsuki said. "We leave in under an hour. Pack your gear. Breakfast is already made—no thanks to either of you."

"Sorry, Commander," Jianka mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

She turned on her heel and left them to scramble.

How the hell did I get stuck with these two morons? she thought.

Outside, the sun had risen just enough to warm the dirt beneath her boots. The other two followed out shortly after, rolling up tents and securing their bags.

"She loves putting us to work, huh?" Gatch muttered under his breath.

"Not lyin'," Jianka said, stretching his arms.

"I'm not deaf, you idiots," Tsuki called over her shoulder. "Keep complaining, and I'll send a report to the higher-ups myself."

"No problems here!" Gatch said quickly, back straight.

Jianka gave a silent nod, expression blank.

Once packed, the squad began the trek through the heart of the Galion District. Hills rolled like ocean waves, and sunlight filtered through wispy trees. Birds chirped in distant harmony.

After a few hours, they reached their destination: a ranch-style home nestled on a quiet rise. A gentle river flowed behind the house, and the straw-covered roof glistened under the sun. Two adults—a man and woman—stood out front, speaking quietly. They noticed the squad before the group had even approached.

Tsuki stopped at the edge of the hill. "This is it."

Jianka groaned. "Could've been here ages ago if Gatch could keep up. You're slow as hell, man."

"Bite me."

"Enough," Tsuki cut in. "Focus. Our orders are to locate the boy—Nokosaki. The people outside aren't hostile. We'll talk first and identify his location. If they resist, knock them out. Then we go in and finish the job."

Jianka cracked his knuckles. "Sounds easy enough. Let's wrap this up and eat."

The group walked down the slope toward the couple.

"Hello, lovely citizens of Galion!" Jianka called, his voice far too enthusiastic.

The older man narrowed his eyes. The woman beside him visibly tensed.

"Who are you?" the man demanded. "What do you want?"

Tsuki stepped forward, her tone measured. "We're looking for a boy. His name is Nokosaki. We were told he lives here."

The woman shook her head instantly. "You're mistaken. He's not here. Now leave, this is private property."

Gatch tilted his head. "That's not a very neighborly tone."

"I said he's not here," the woman snapped. But her eyes darted away, refusing to meet Tsuki's gaze.

Tsuki caught it instantly.

You're obvious, ma'am.

She nodded to her squad. "He's here. Take care of them."

Without a word, Gatch and Jianka lunged forward. The man grabbed for a shovel on a nearby stump, but Gatch was faster—he tackled him hard from behind. The man hit the dirt with a sickening thud, unconscious before he could even shout.

The woman screamed. Gatch spun, slamming his forearm into her neck. She instantly collapsed.

"Easy bunch," he said, brushing dust off his sleeves.

Jianka crouched beside the man's fallen body. "Still don't get how two normals can give birth to an unnatural child. Doesn't make sense."

Tsuki didn't even glance at him. "I've explained this many times to you. Abilities don't come from bloodlines. Solena chooses its hosts at birth—some call it fate."

"Yeah, Jianka," Gatch added smugly. "Maybe if you listened for once."

Jianka only glared but said nothing. He always kept a tighter leash on his temper than Gatch.

"Gatch, quit your barking. Or I'll treat you like the dog you are," Tsuki said.

He remained quiet after the remark. The trio headed towards the farmhouse in unison. The porch was built with pinewood and covered from the midday sun.

They arrived at the front door and Jianka creaked it open. Tsuki stepped in first, shadows falling across the entryway.

The air inside was warm and still. Neatly arranged furniture, old glassware, and antique vases lined the shelves. A faded carpet stretched across the wooden floor beneath their boots.

Then—a voice. Young. Shaky.

"Who's there?"

Gatch's eyes flicked toward a room ahead. "Living room," he whispered.

They turned the corner.

A young girl stood there, fists clenched at her sides, legs planted between the soldiers and the far wall. Her voice trembled, but her stance said she wasn't moving.

"I won't let you hurt Nokosaki," she said.

Gatch and Jianka didn't stop.

"Girl," Gatch warned, stepping forward. "You don't want to get involved. I don't know what he is to you but forget he existed. It's better that way."

"No!" she yelled. "You jerks won't find him!"

Jianka gave a crooked smile. "What's your name?"

"…Rio."

Tsuki watched the girl's knees quiver. She's young. Brave. Scared out of her mind, but standing her ground anyway.

The girl's arms were spread protectively. Tsuki's eyes scanned the room.

He's here. She's guarding him. But where?

Jianka crouched slightly, his tone softer. "Tell us where the boy is, Rio, and no one gets hurt. You, your parents—everyone walks away."

Rio's eyes widened. "Mom and Dad? Are they okay?"

A short laugh escaped Gatch's lips. "So, they were your parents. Confirmed."

"What did you do to them?!"

Tsuki's gaze drifted to the girl's shaking arms. Something pricked at her conscience. A warmth in her chest—unfamiliar and unwelcome.

"They'll be fine," Gatch said dismissively. "Now just give us the boy."

"Don't make this harder," Jianka added. "We've got orders. One death. It doesn't have to be yours."

Rio didn't move. She stared them down with defiance far too large for her small frame.

"I'm not moving," she said.

Gatch shook his head, sighing. "Fine. You'll die with your unnatural brother, then."

He stepped forward, pressing his hands together—preparing his summoning technique. Energy rippled across his skin as the Solena began to form.

Then—

"Don't hurt my sister!"

The voice came from behind the couch. All eyes turned.

Jianka stormed forward and reached behind the couch. Nokosaki squirmed and kicked, but Jianka's strength overpowered him easily.

"Well, there you are," he sneered. "Should've stayed hidden."

He shoved the kid forward. Tsuki's eyes locked on him—messy hair and frightened eyes.

"Let's get this over with," Jianka muttered. "You first."

Tsuki didn't move. Her fists clenched. Her heart pounded.

Why am I hesitating? He's just another target… right?

Gatch raised his hands again, calling forth his summon.

"Alright, kid," he said. "Time's up."

Tsuki's breath caught.

What's wrong with me? It's just another mission. It's protocol.

A crackle of Solena signaled the summon's arrival.

Tsuki's chest tightened, followed by a sharp pain. Foreign. A feeling she didn't have a word for, yet it overcame her.

Tsuki gritted her teeth. "Damn it all." 

And then she bolted forward, ignoring any future consequences within the moment.