Takari and Kyorei were an interesting duo. Takari was really friendly, a lot like Xero or Wright. Shogai had no doubts that he could get along with him. So it was surprising how he seemed to often work with Kyorei, who was without a doubt the coldest person Shogai had met so far. Even Raven had been sort of open with him. That didn’t seem like it was going to happen with Kyorei.

  But they were the two strongest humans Shogai had met. So he was glad they were both here.

  Back downstairs, the other Nexeans greeted Kyorei and Takari briefly, before Nemean got straight back to business.

  “Vera said that there’s one more crystal left. And they’re attacking Isapora, Harabel, Caluva and Nomun. Probably tonight. There’s 14 of us. We’ll split our forces to defend each place. Any questions?”

  Wright raised his hand. “Muryoko knows that we know their plans, though. What if he changes them?”

  “He won’t. If he does, he’s giving in to the fact that we’re a threat, which he won’t allow. Despite being a coward, he’s got an enormous ego. Now then…”

  Nemean began moving the little figurines (Shogai still couldn’t believe he’d made those).

  “...we have to be ready for any of these places to be attacked by two Deviant Primes, like Santh. So I’ll do my best to split you all in a way where we should be able to deal with an attack like that. He only has 7 Primes, so he can’t send 2 to each town.”

  Nemean spent a moment shuffling the figurines around. Everyone watched in silence. After a couple minutes, he stepped back to admire his handiwork. Two of the cities, Isapora and Caluva, had 4 Nexeans stationed there each. The other two, Harabel and Nomun, had 3 each.

  “Wright, Katro, Ryukyu and Raven will defend Isapora tonight. Ciela, Amelia, Valerie and Jade will defend Caluva. Kyorei, Nifa and Kiara will fight in Harabel. Takari, Tina and Shogai will fight in Nomun. Any objections?”

  Surprisingly, Jade was the one to raise her hand. Nemean seemed intrigued, and asked her what the matter was.

  “I want to swap with Tina.” She said, “I want to be on the same team as Shogai.”

  Shogai immediately looked down, embarrassed. What was Jade doing? Nemean asked her to elaborate, and she took a deep breath.

  “Shogai goes off to Kravdra and almost dies. He goes off to Santh, and almost dies. Then he goes off to have a chat with the Deviant King. I’m keeping an eye on him. Not up for debate.”

  Shogai tried to gesture for Jade to stop, but she was adamant. He expected Nemean to shut her down, but instead he seemed to actually be considering it.

  “Fine.” He concluded. “But not because of Shogai. It’s because you know the area well. That’s why I stationed Shogai there. I suppose it only makes sense that you join him. Tina, do you have a problem with swapping?”

  Tina shook her head. She seemed to be very entertained by the drama.

  “Good. Any other objections?”

  Amelia began speaking. “Well if we’re allowed to just swap, I don’t see why I have to be on the same team as Ciel-”

  “Denied. Now then, you all have a few hours, and then I want you all gone. I’m counting on you. Good luck.”

  Shogai regrouped with Jade. He wanted to say something to her, but wasn’t sure what. Jade had surprised him, for sure, but he couldn’t exactly blame her. She was the one with him from the start. Shogai imagined she wasn’t the biggest fan of having a friend away in danger.

  Like how he felt when she freed Ciela.

  Takari joined the two of them. “That was pretty brave of you, Jade. I’m impressed. No new Nexean has ever stood up to Nemean like that. You’re lucky to have her, Shogai.”

  Shogai couldn’t argue there. The three of them walked outside, where the rain had stopped, and sat on a few chairs. Takari insisted on getting to know them. He wanted them to feel comfortable around him, not like he was someone distant just because he was ranked higher.

  “I know a little bit about you two.” he said. “Jade, you freed Ciela. I owe you for saving my friend. Your power is irreplaceable. You’re special. And Shogai, I’ve heard a lot about your potential. I believe you mastered defence stance in your battle at Santh, at least from what I’ve heard. I’m sorry I couldn’t help in either battle. Kyorei as well. We were patrolling. But we’ll make up for it now. I promise.

  Anyway, Nomun. That’s your home, right?”

  Shogai nodded. His village had always been called Nomun, though the villagers rarely used the name among themselves. It was always just... home. But now, looking at it marked on Takari's map, it felt different. More real. More like a place he'd truly left behind.

  Shogai hadn’t really revisited the thought of his village since then. To be honest with himself, it was scary; the idea of returning. When he left, they hated him. He became a Nexean to protect them but… now that he’d made it… he wasn’t sure if they’d even want to see him.

  He shook his head. That didn’t matter. What he finds when he returns won’t matter. He had a duty now. He’d fulfil it.

  “What’s nice is that Kyorei isn’t far away.” Takari said, reaching into his pocket. “We can back him up in his fight if he struggles.”

  Takari withdrew a weird cylinder. Upon closer inspection, Shogai identified it as a flare. Standing, Takari gestured for Shogai and Jade to come with him. Kyorei, Nifa and Kiara weren’t far. Nifa seemed to be asking Kiara questions about Harabel, meanwhile Kyorei was on the side with his arms crossed. He has a sword sheathed on his belt.

  “Kyorei! Hey!” Takari jogged over to him. Kyorei glared daggers at him.

  “What?”

  “Here.” Takari offered the flare. “We won’t be far away. If you need our help, fire this into the air. We’ll see it.”

  Kyorei looked at the flare, and seemed about to take it, before pushing it back.

  “When you need my help, fire this into the air. I’ll see it.”

  Kyorei walked over to Kiara and Nifa. “We’re going now. Keep up.”

  In a flash of lightning, he vanished. Nifa stared blankly, but Kiara seemed to see where he’d gone. “That way.”

  She waved goodbye and good luck to Jade and Shogai, before vanishing with Nifa in a blur.

  Takari awkwardly looked at the flare in his hand. "Guess we're keeping it. But Kyorei has a point. The sooner we get there, the longer we have to prepare for the attack. Ready?"

  Shogai and Jade nodded. They were somewhat afraid that Takari would take off without them, but he walked.

  "Nomun isn't far." He said, "At least not through the tunnels. We'll be there shortly."

  Jade and Shogai followed behind him, through the tunnel system. Takari had very difficult energy to match, especially since it had been less than a day since their previous battles. Takari tried to keep the group upbeat instead of awkwardly silent, but he seemed to realise how tired they must be.

  "Oh, wait." He turned to the two of them. "I should have asked a lot sooner, but are you two ok? You must still be exhausted. I forgot how badly you were all ambushed, I'm sorry. Will you be able to fight?"

  "It's fine," Shogai said, with honesty. He clenched his fist to prove he was in fighting condition. "I'm all better."

  "I never really got hurt," Jade explained. "My mind still burns a little bit but as long as I don't overdo myself, I'll be fine as well."

  Takari smiled, but made a promise regardless.

  "I'll make sure to do my part this time. I'll defeat any enemy in front of me! I swear!"

  That lightened the mood a bit. As they walked the last stretch of the journey, Takari began filling the group in on his power.

  "We'll be fighting together, so you should know what I do. It's pretty simple. Force multipliers. If I punch this rock, for example…" Takari demonstrated by hitting the rock, barely denting it. "...it won't do much. But if I multiply my punch by, say, 10…"

  Takari punched the rock again, and this time it crumbled to dust.

  "...it gets destroyed. I'm hitting ten times harder. On top of that, I can multiply any force that is exerted on my body. Meaning if you punch me, Jade, please demonstrate."

  Jade was caught off guard by the request, but figured there was no harm in hitting Inner rank 3. She hit Takari, and he didn't even flinch.

  "Multiplied by zero. I didn't even feel it."

  Shogai was intrigued. "Like Akiretsu."

  Takari raised an eyebrow for a second, until he remembered the name. "Oh yes, that Deviant Prime. Something about negating physical damage. You're right, I guess it is kinda similar. Well, I'll be sure to use this power for good though. Mark my words."

  Takari was right when he said his power was simple. But there was no doubt that it was worthy of the top 3. Shogai imagined a swarm of enemies hitting Takari with everything they've got, just for him to shrug them off with a smile. That was almost terrifying. It was a good thing he was on their side.

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  "Here we are! Nomun!"

  There was light at the end of the tunnel. A cavern entrance. As the group made it, Takari turned to Jade and Shogai.

  "I should let you know. A while ago, while I was on patrol, I saw people leaving this town. I'm not sure what they were doing or where they were going, but I'm worried that the village will be empty when we get there. Just brace yourselves for the worst, alright?"

  "We're prepared." Jade spoke for both of them. "Ever since we left, we'd been dreading this return. Especially Shogai. So, to be honest, the fewer people here the better. I'm not really ready to reunite with my granddad just yet."

  Shogai agreed with what Jade was saying about reuniting with people, but he wondered why Jade specifically didn't want to see Armison. She was a Nexean now. Armison probably disapproved but surely not to that extent. He'd be proud of what she was a part of.

  "I'm glad you're ready. The sun is starting to set. Check the village for anyone still here, and warn them of the ensuing battle. I'll keep a lookout for the enemy. Especially right where we're standing. This tunnel is probably where they'll come from."

  "Shall we collapse it?" Shogai asked. Takari shook his head, but Jade was the one to answer.

  "Aberrants can dig. If we collapse this tunnel, they'll just appear from beneath us and catch us off guard. Let them use the tunnel. We'll at least see them coming."

  Takari gave her a thumbs-up. "Bingo. Now let's move."

  For the first time in over two months, Shogai stepped foot back in his village. This wasn't how he'd envisioned his return. He'd either expected celebration or, more likely, anger from the villagers. Not just… nothing. It was quiet. Shogai touched a fireplace. Cold. It hadn't been used in a while. The houses that Sekara had destroyed were partially rebuilt, but not fully. And the entire place looked abandoned.

  They must have left their homes behind a little while after Shogai had left. Why was that? It can't have been easy, convincing dozens of people whose blood was rooted in this land to just… leave.

  "I'll check the houses down at the end. You look through the ones here." Jade suggested.

  "Don't dawdle. Just check if anyone is there and leave."

  Shogai nodded and Jade rushed off to the north of Nomun. Why had she chosen that end? Armison's house, her house was on the south end. Was she avoiding it?

  Shogai entered a few buildings. They were all cold and empty. He'd have been worried, but the people weren't the only things missing. Pots and pans were gone too, along with pictures. Plus the buildings were mostly intact. They hadn't been killed in an attack or anything. They'd taken their things and left.

  Probably for the best.

  Soon enough, Shogai made it to Armison's house. He hesitantly opened the door with a creak. It was exactly as he'd remembered it. It wasn't even colder, it had just always felt abandoned. The old man didn't exactly make the place welcoming to begin with.

  "Armison? Are you here?"

  No response. Shogai wasn't expecting one. He was about to close the door, before he saw a ladder to the top floor. Jade stayed with Armison when she was here. Was that her room?

  Jade had told him not to dawdle, and it was certainly nosy of him, but curiosity overcame Shogai. He climbed the ladder.

  The room he found himself in wasn't anything special. It was empty. It had a cold and dirty bed that hadn't been slept in for months. Light was trickling through a half open window. A desk was in the corner with a stack of pages. A makeshift parchment book.

  He'd already gone this far, so Shogai began having a look at the letters on the desk. It seemed like a makeshift diary. Shogai flicked to the first page.

  Dear Diary,

  Daddy has a new job at the navy. He says he gets to sail boats and visit other lands for the King. He says it's a fancy job, and he'll make lots of money. But until then, I have to stay with Grandpa.

  Grandpa told me to write about every day in a diary so that I can show Daddy when he buys a nice house and comes to pick me up. He said Daddy should be back by my 9th birthday. I'm nearly eight, so I'm almost there! I can't wait!

  The village is scary though. So many people. Grandpa promised me he would protect me, and that he wouldn't force me to say hi to anyone. I can tell he's being honest. I have 4 whole books, so I can probably stay in my room forever!

  Yay, that's my first diary entry! See you tomorrow, Mr Diary!

  By Jade.

  Shogai couldn’t help but smile as he read that. So Jade had been in the village for an entire year at one point, and she'd stayed hidden the whole time. That was impressive. Shogai flicked forwards and realised how many entries were in this diary. Hundreds, if not thousands. She must have written multiple entries a day or something. He flicked to a random page.

  Dear Diary,

  I'm turning 9 in six days! I can't wait to show Daddy this diary!

  I've been learning how to use my power better, and I can now visit everyone in the village when they walk past, but in their head so that I don't have to speak to them. It's so fun!

  Grandpa says I shouldn't, because it's rude to read minds. But everyone is so interesting and happy! Well… almost everyone.

  A boy named Shogai seemed really really sad. Everyone doesn't like him. I don’t know why. I kinda want to ask him, but then I'd have to blow my cover! I'll just wish him luck.

  There will be five more entries from me, Mr Diary, before Daddy comes to get me. Thank you for the memories!

  From Jade

  Shogai felt touched that Jade was worrying about him so long ago, but something concerned him. There were way more than five entries ahead. Way more. Maybe she'd picked diary writing back up. Shogai flicked forward 5 pages.

  Dear Diary,

  Daddy isn't picking me up today. Grandpa said that he's busy and caught up with work. That's okay. I like everyone in this village, so I don't mind staying longer. Grandpa bought me more books today to say sorry. I'm loving all of them! I can't wait to show them all to Daddy when he's back!

  Signing off, Jade.

  Shogai's eyes narrowed. He flicked a random number of pages ahead until something caught his eye.

  Dear Diary,

  I understand what Grandpa meant now when he said not to read minds. I read his mind because he wouldn't tell me where Daddy was. I said I'm 10 now, so I deserve to know.

  Grandpa's mind said that Daddy… isn't coming home. It said that the boat he was working on sank. I'm confused. Daddy said he'd be back. I think he's probably on his way here, swimming maybe. He wouldn’t leave me. He wouldn't abandon me.

  Grandpa wasn't angry at me for reading his mind. He just said not to do it again. I pinky-promise that from now on I won't read minds without permission. Unless maybe I need to.

  Daddy will be back soon. I have a feeling. Until then, I'll see you tomorrow, Diary!

  Jade

  Shogai’s heart sank. He didn't give himself time to ponder this, as he wasn't even halfway through the wad of notes. He went to a random point in the second half.

  Dear Diary,

  I'm 16 now. Grandpa always said my power has potential, but today he told me he thinks I'll do great things, like last night.

  It happened after my entry last night, but there was another Aberrant attack. Shogai saved us again, fighting them off, but one Aberrant nearly snuck up on him. I could feel it in my mind. So I took control of it from my room and dragged it where Shogai could kill it. I feel so proud of myself. I wish Dad was here to see me. To be honest, I wish Shogai and the others would see me. I've watched them for years but still feel like I barely know them. I want to meet them, but how am I meant to do that? It's been too long cooped in my room, only leaving after lights-out. I can’t just say to them that I’ve been here all along. How can I face them?

  I'll think about it. Until then, signing out.

  Jade.

  Shogai remembered this attack. An Aberrant had been acting especially weird, presenting itself in front of him. He'd written it off as stupid Aberrant behaviour, but now he knew. Jade had assisted him in battle before.

  Dear Diary,

  For my 18th, I asked Grandpa if I could be a Nexean, like he used to be. He said no, and yelled at me. He said being a Nexean is a horrible idea. I won't give up, though. I don't care what he thinks. I'm a woman now. I can make my own decisions. I can leave whenever I want.

  Jade.

  Shogai stared blankly at this entry, slowly taking it in. Jade… always wanted to be a Nexean. And Armison… Armison was a Nexean?

  How could that be? Armison knew a lot about Nexus, sure, but Shogai assumed he'd met a Nexean or something. Not… been one.

  Things were making more sense now. This is why Jade never hesitated to join Nexus. She wasn't just helping him become a Nexean. She wanted to be one too.

  Shogai had already pried way too far into Jade's business. Her father dying, her being here for 11 whole years. He shouldn’t know any of this.

  He had a look at the last entry.

  Dear Diary,

  I finally have the opportunity I've always wanted. To be a Nexean. But it cost half the village. Grandpa told me that, since I've read so much, my experience in the real world is far above Shogai's. Shogai needs my help.

  Grandpa made me promise not to become a Nexean myself, only to help him. But my fingers were crossed behind my back. He won't be happy when I return, but this has been my dream for 3 years. I want this. I’m going to finally… finally meet him.

  Signing off for what might be the last time, Jade.

  Beneath this entry was a note. It wasn't in Jade's neat handwriting. It was more scruffy and untidy. There was only one person that this could be. Armison.

  Dear Jade,

  It's been a week since you left, and I've just found your diary. I've only read this last entry, and I'm not going to question your recent decisions, but I will say this.

  When you return, and you will, the village will be empty. We've left. After Shogai was banished, we lost our key defender. Our remaining combatants, like Gary and Trianna, were helpful, but not enough.

  After a few too many close calls, we've decided to leave. I'm not sure where, but we'll be looking for safety.

  I wish you the best. You have my support in whatever you choose to do. If only your father could see you now.

  Grandpa.

  Shogai put down the paper. He'd seen enough. But now he knew the village was empty.

  He wouldn't tell Jade he rummaged through her stuff. But she deserved to see this letter. He'd hint to her that she should revisit her house one more time.

  Shogai pondered what he’d read as he pretended to check the other houses. The other villagers were already gone. Jade wasn’t a traveller, and never had been. No wonder she had struggled with the underground maps. Regardless, it was clear that she didn’t want to go back home, to that diary. She also probably didn’t want Shogai to read it.

  He’d apologise to her if she ever found out, but for now there was no reason to say anything.

  “Find anyone?” Jade asked as she met back up with Shogai. They were at the fireplace. Shogai had tried lighting a fire, but couldn’t make a spark. He was just nervous.

  “No one here. It seems like they’ve all left.” Shogai answered honestly. “So, there’s been a crystal somewhere under our feet all this time? Weird to think about.”

  Jade nodded. “Yeah. Maybe that’s part of the reason Sekara came here. To find a crystal. She just got very… distracted.”

  Shogai hadn’t thought of that before. “Well, either way, it’s possible we won’t be able to protect the buildings here. If you want to take a last stroll down memory lane, now would be the time.”

  Hopefully Jade would take the bait and head to her room, but unfortunately she shook her head. She spoke optimistically.

  “We will succeed, Shogai. Let’s not resign ourselves to the idea of failure. We aren’t saying goodbye to this place. Not today.”

  With that, Jade turned in time to see Takari appear.

  “They’re here. Is the coast clear?”

  “Yes.” Jade said. “We can go all out.”

  “Good. There’s only one crystal left. If we’re lucky, it isn’t even under Nomun. If we’re not, let’s make sure we send those monsters running back home. Ready?”