Night had fallen by the time the scout team decided to stop. Rhea slowed Strider and brought the vehicle to a halt beside a jagged rocky outcrop.
"We should set up camp here," she said, flipping a few switches on the dash.
Vinn nodded and stepped out. "Rhea and I will scout the perimeter. Kato—cooking duty's on you."
Kato groaned. "Why do I always get stuck with that when I'm with you two?"
"Because you're the only one between us who can actually cook a decent meal," Rhea replied with a smirk as she grabbed her rifle.
Kato reached for the ration packs and sighed. "I guess you're right. Last time I let you two handle cooking, you burned the food."
He raised an eyebrow. "Jog my memory—how exactly did you manage to burn heat packs?"
Rhea and Vinn exchanged a glance, then answered in near-unison, awkwardly—
"We… put them directly on the flames."
Kato dragged his palm down his face. "What were you thinking? It literally says on the package—'soak in hot water.' Not 'throw into the fire.'"
He shook his head. "I swear, you two would've starved to death without someone around who can cook."
Rhea gave an embarrassed grin. "Besides, for some reason, when you make it, it always comes out good."
"She's right," Vinn added. "You're great at it. Honestly, you should've been a chef."
"Yeah, yeah," Kato muttered. "No need for the flattery. I get it—I'm the miracle cook." He sighed. "Fine. I'll whip something up. Again."
All three dismounted from Strider. Weapons ready, Vinn and Rhea moved out to check the area.
"Clear on my side," Rhea reported over comms.
"Same here," Vinn replied. "No movement. Looks safe enough."
Kato's voice crackled through the radio. "Good. Now get back here and help me prep dinner."
They regrouped and helped set up a small campfire. When the heat packs were ready, Kato cracked them open and added a few spices—his own mix. The meal was simple, but warm and filling. Exactly what they needed after the long drive.
Once they'd finished eating, the topic shifted to watch rotations.
"I'm not taking first watch," Kato said immediately, stretching out on his bedroll. "I cooked. I sleep first."
Rhea raised an eyebrow. "I drove all day. Vinn—it's your turn."
Vinn sighed and unshouldered his rifle. "Fine. I'll take first watch. Kato, you're second."
Kato sat up. "What? But I just—"
"No buts," Vinn cut in. "Rhea's right. She drove. Now stop whining."
Grumbling, Kato dropped back onto his bedroll. "I'd like to see you talk to anyone else like this."
Vinn turned his head slightly. "What was that?"
"I said fine," Kato muttered. "I'll take second shift."
Rhea chuckled softly as she settled down. Vinn took his place at the edge of the firelight, rifle in hand, eyes scanning the dark horizon while the others drifted into sleep.
Ironwatch Hold — Quarantine Zone
Milo Renn jolted awake, heart hammering.
His eyes snapped around the dim quarantine room.
A shadow slid across the wall.
He shot upright, breath sharp, scanning every corner—
Nothing.
No alarms. No movement. No sounds beyond the hum of the facility. Everything exactly where it should be.
He exhaled, shaky, and turned back toward the bed—
—and froze.
Standing between him and the mattress was a Hollowed Saint.
No glow. No sound.
Just the looming, translucent form of Shrikecoil — The Executioner, its shape flickering like smoke trapped in a draftless room. Hollow eyes fixed on him.
Milo's pulse thundered.
He couldn't move.
Couldn't speak.
His throat locked as he tried to scream, but no sound came out. His chest tightened, breath refusing to obey.
This is it.
The thought landed with eerie calm.
I'm going to die.
So he closed his eyes.
And then—
"Make more followers.
Find the one.
Kill everyone close to him."
The words echoed inside his skull—distant, cold, undeniable.
Milo jolted again.
He was back in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Morning light spilled through the narrow window. His clothes clung to him, soaked in sweat. His breathing came fast and shallow.
He turned his head.
The room was empty.
No figure. No shadow.
He glanced at the clock mounted on the wall.
07:13.
"A nightmare…?" he whispered, dragging a hand across his face, wiping away cold sweat.
"… Yeah. Just a nightmare."
He forced himself out of bed.
"Need a shower."
Hot water cascaded over him, steam filling the stall. He leaned his forehead against the tile, eyes shut.
What was that thing…?
The thought lingered long after the water stopped.
Once dressed, a soft knock came at the door.
Lieutenant Asha Relin entered with a nurse, clipboard tucked under her arm.
"Morning, Milo," Relin said. "Daily checkup."
The nurse moved in, checking his vitals, while Relin ran through the routine questions.
"Any fever? Nausea? Dizziness? Burning sensations? Hallucinations?"
"Nope," Milo replied, managing a tired smile. "I feel fine."
The nurse frowned slightly at the monitor. "Blood pressure's a bit high."
Milo scratched the back of his neck. "Probably from the nightmare."
Relin paused. "Nightmares?"
"Yeah. Had a weird one just before I woke up."
She studied him for a moment. "Could be nothing. Still—let us know if anything changes."
As she turned to leave, Milo spoke up. "Lieutenant… may I request something?"
Relin stopped. "What kind of request?"
He hesitated. "My drone. The unfinished one. And some tools. It's too quiet in here. I need something to focus on."
Relin sighed, then nodded. "Fine. The drone and essentials only. Don't make me regret it."
Milo grinned. "Thank you, Lieutenant."
An hour later, a soldier delivered the disassembled drone and a small case of tools.
Milo rolled up his sleeves and sat cross-legged on the bed. He laid the components out carefully, pieces scattered like a puzzle waiting to be solved.
He hummed under his breath as he worked—his burned hand moving with surprising precision.
But somewhere deep in the back of his mind…
The voice still echoed.
"Make more followers…"
Back in Echo Needle's tent, Rhea woke the others just after dawn.
Vinn groaned as he pushed himself upright, while Kato stumbled toward the water canister and splashed his face.
"Ugh… morning already?" Kato mumbled.
"No," Rhea deadpanned. "I just enjoy waking you up for no reason."
Vinn crawled out of his sleeping bag and rolled his shoulders. "Kato, make something that'll give us an energy boost."
Kato scratched his belly and yawned. "Fine. Give me a sec."
Within minutes, the scent of a quick camp meal filled the air—simple, hot, and just enough to chase away the last of the sleep. The three of them sat beside Strider, eating in quiet.
When they were done, Kato stretched and stood. "Alright. I'll drive for a while. Rhea, you should grab some more sleep."
Vinn brushed crumbs off his lap and nodded. "He's right. You pulled the longest shift. Get some rest while we've got clear skies."
Rhea didn't argue. She slid into the passenger seat, eyes already drooping.
Kato climbed into the driver's seat and fired up Strider. The engine rumbled to life as the vehicle rolled forward over cracked earth and broken stone.
Vinn checked the tracker again. "Signal's still steady. Same spot as yesterday. If the terrain holds, we'll reach it in three to four days."
Kato drummed his fingers against the wheel, unease creeping in. "Still don't like this. Finding Angelo… feels like volunteering to dig our own graves."
Vinn kept his eyes on the horizon. "Yeah. None of us are thrilled. But we've got our orders."
Silence settled in once more—broken only by the low hum of Strider's engine as they pushed deeper into the unknown.