Kaito stood on one of the outer terraces of the temple tower, a mug of half-cold tea in his hands. Neon waves of Neo Tokyo pulsed in the distance like a breathing machine keeping a dying patient alive. His EXO-Ω suit recalibrating in a specialized machine nearby, scorched, dented, but still humming softly. Like him—bruised, but not broken.
"You do realize you're brooding," came AICE's still voice, breaking the silence.
"I'm reflecting," Kaito muttered.
"Same neural activity as brooding."
"You're really leaning into the sass patch, huh?"
Before AICE could retort, a commline blinked to life. The Tenmangu comm officer signaled from the doorway. "Incoming secure call. From Rebel Base. Commander Veyron."
Kaito blinked. "Patch it through."
A holo-display ignited. Veyron appeared, still wearing his battle armor, a fresh scar under one eye. His gruff expression softened slightly at the sight of Kaito.
"You're alive. That's a surprise."
Kaito smirked. "Good to see you too, Veyron."
Luna stepped into frame beside Kaito, her presence composed and unreadable. "Veyron. It's nice to finally meet you."
Veyron straightened. "Didn't think I'd be hearing from the boss of Tenmangu."
Luna offered the faintest smile. "Desperate times make for new alliances, and I've seen that we're fighting the same war."
He nodded. "I wanted to check on everyone—make sure the crew made it out of Ascension Tower in one piece. And if you've they got any new intel."
Luna stepped forward. "Prometheon's next move is coming. They're shifting power toward something called the Black Sun Protocol. We're preparing. But before we strike, we'll train. Sharpen our forces. We've only seen a taste of what's coming."
Veyron grunted in agreement. "Good. I've got my hands full here. But when it's time to hit back, you call me."
He looked at Kaito. "Stay sharp. You're not a rookie anymore. Don't act like one."
The call ended.
Luna turned to the gathered team—Rin, Lio, Yuisaka, and Suzuka—all bearing signs of recent battles, yet standing tall.
"We've endured the worst Prometheon can throw, and we're still standing. That means we have something they fear."
"Starting tomorrow, we begin training rotations and recon assignments. You'll rest tonight. Recover. Because soon, we'll move. And when we do, we won't crawl in their shadow—we'll cut through it."
A tense silence followed, but no one objected.
Kaito set down his tea and looked out over the glowing city. The moment held weight—like the quiet before the music drops, before a fight begins. There was energy in the silence, humming between the cherry blossoms and the electric skyline.
Later that night, Kaito found himself back in the Tenmangu training courtyard, watching as Rin silently moved through sword drills under the moonlight. Her yukata had been swapped out for light combat attire, her strikes precise and rhythmic.
"You don't sleep?" he asked, stepping into the clearing.
"I do," she said without stopping. "Just not when there's more I can do."
Kaito watched in silence for a moment before stepping forward. "Mind if I join?"
Rin hesitated, then gave a curt nod. Kaito took a stance beside her, copying the motions she demonstrated. The night wind passed softly between them. For the first time, their movements began to sync.
Across the courtyard, Lio sat cross-legged on a bench with a data pad, tweaking diagnostic readouts for Kaito's EXO suit. She paused, watching him train.
"Hey, AICE," she whispered. "How's he holding up?"
"Fatigued, but recovering. Emotionally... improving."
Yuisaka wandered out with two energy drinks and flopped down beside Lio. "You think Luna's gonna make us do morning drills?"
"She might make you do them twice just for asking," Lio replied.
The next morning, Luna gathered them in a briefing hall beneath the tower. With Tenmangu banners behind her and armored guards flanking the entrance, she stood at the center of a polished obsidian platform.
"Our recon teams will begin deployment within forty-eight hours," she said. "Until then, you will train."
She turned her gaze to each of them in turn.
"Kaito, you'll undergo full neural-link synchronization. AICE's full protocol access depends on it. Rin, Lio—you'll lead scenario-based combat drills. Yuisaka, you're in charge of explosives ordinance and perimeter defense planning. Suzuka—coordinate intel recovery and prepare for deep-zone recon."
The squad saluted. Even Yuisaka, after a dramatic groan.
Luna stepped down from the platform. "We win by staying ahead. And to stay ahead, we must prepare like we've already lost once."
As the team dispersed, Kaito lingered. He watched Luna as she stood alone, gazing at a digital projection of Prometheon's shifting territories.
"Do you think we have a shot?" he asked.
She didn't look away. "If we move smart. If we fight smarter. And if we don't fall apart when it matters most."
He nodded. "Guess it's time to grow up, huh?"
"You're already on your way."
Outside, the city began to stir.
And beneath the neon, the bloodlines were preparing to burn brighter than ever.