Part (1/3) The Price of Survival
The atmosphere in the waiting room was so heavy and oppressive that the tension was palpable. Everyone silently questioned the same thing: Why was Lunar Cipher, the infamous thief once on the Guardians’ most-wanted list, now standing beside Castro Lycios, their resolute leader? Elina stared at the meeting room door with a tense expression, sweat beading at her temple. She tried to piece together a logical explanation, but nothing made sense. How could the “Shadowless Thief,” a man relentlessly pursued by the Guardians, now stand there smiling beside their leader?
The sound of the door creaking open snapped everyone from their thoughts. We entered the room, greeted by Castro Lycios standing tall at its center. His piercing gaze swept across us with calm authority, carrying an air of command that demanded respect. His white cloak, adorned with the insignia of the Guardians, confirmed his status as their unwavering leader. And standing beside him was a man clad in an intricately designed white hooded robe. One eye was concealed by a sleek cybernetic device, while the other glowed with a peculiar blue light, as if constantly processing data.
“Congratulations on overcoming the trials of the Protectors,” Castro said in a calm yet commanding tone. “Even if it was merely a simulation, you have proven yourselves worthy. And for that, I thank you—especially for bringing Osiris to the Guardians.”
Our team bowed respectfully in response. Then, as if materializing from the shadows, Lunar Cipher stepped forward with an unreadable smirk.
“You’ve done remarkably well,” he said, his voice smooth yet elusive. “Truthfully, the plan was risky—almost impossible, even—but I wanted to see just how far your team could go. And you’ve exceeded my expectations. Truly commendable.”
Akira responded politely, though his voice carried a hint of caution. “We’re grateful for your assistance. If the opportunity arises, we’ll repay you appropriately.”
Lunar shook his head slowly, his smile never fading. “Assistance? No, no. Let’s not call it that. This is merely… an investment built on mutual benefit.”
“Mutual benefit? Or… Elfegreen?” Elina blurted out, her tone sharp and accusatory.
Lunar turned to her, his mismatched eyes glinting with amusement. “Correct. Mutual benefit. I’m giving my full support this time, but if I let you all die, I’d gain nothing. So yes, once this mission is over, you’ll repay your debt by assisting me in Elfegreen. That was the deal, wasn’t it?”
The words stirred unease among the group, especially Elina, who shot back, her voice hard. “And what if you betray us? Hack into the Guardians’ systems or steal Osiris? We won’t risk trusting someone like you.”
Lunar chuckled darkly. “If I wanted to, I’d have done so already. Haven’t you wondered why someone like me—your so-called most-wanted criminal—is now standing here, side by side with your Guardian leader?”
Elina clenched her fists, about to retort, “You’re nothing but—” But Castro’s voice rang out sharply, cutting her off. “Elina, that’s enough.” She fell silent immediately, bowing in apology like a disciplined soldier. Seeing his friend reprimanded, Draco’s jaw tightened in frustration.
Castro stepped forward, his gaze steady and unyielding. “Lunar Cipher offered us a vital trade—one that carries risk but is ultimately worth it for the future of the Draft.”
Mirelle tilted her head, curiosity evident. “What kind of trade?”
“He provided detailed information about corruption in Skyperion and Mollarr—highly credible intelligence. In exchange, we agreed to lift his wanted status temporarily and allow him to collaborate with us on certain missions, both now and in the future,” Castro explained.
Though Elina kept her expression neutral, her eyes still burned with distrust. Draco and Yue, standing nearby, could sense her frustration. Yue leaned closer to Akira, whispering, “This man always seems to have an angle, doesn’t he?”
Akira gave a small nod, the doubt in his own heart mirroring Yue’s concerns. He understood that Lunar Cipher could be their key to survival, but he also felt like they were inviting a snake into their midst. Lunar’s demeanor screamed confidence, as though he held all the cards, unbothered by the fact that he was surrounded by those who once hunted him.
“Make no mistake,” Lunar said, breaking the silence, his voice dripping with amusement. “I’m not here out of goodwill. If you lose, I lose. This is purely transactional.”
He let out a soft laugh, then turned to Castro. “Speaking of which, you still haven’t mentioned the ‘important matter,’ have you?”
The leader’s expression hardened immediately. Mirelle glanced between the two, her curiosity growing. “What matter?” she asked.
Lunar’s smirk widened as Castro prepared to reveal what lay ahead. The tension in the room rose again, every word hanging in the air like a storm about to break.
Part (2/3) The Duel of Fate
Instead of answering directly, Castro reached out and activated a small holographic panel. The image of Zekhtau Silverstride materialized in three dimensions, his towering and imposing form so overwhelming that Yue instinctively stepped back, hiding behind Akira. Draco clenched his teeth, Mirelle scanned the room with a tense expression, and Elina fixed her gaze on the hologram with unflinching resolve. Yet deep down, questions swirled in her mind like an unrelenting storm.
Zekhtau’s voice boomed through the hologram, deep and resonant. “To the Guardians, I commend your bravery, especially those five young ones who managed to defeat my Protector unit—a feat far beyond my expectations. You’ve given me much to think about.”
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He paused for a moment, his tone taking on an almost solemn weight. “As a warrior of honor and dignity, I propose we settle this like true combatants. Both of us fight for Draft, and I see no point in further unnecessary losses. I challenge you to a duel!”
A wave of shock rippled through the room, though Castro and Lunar seemed unsurprised, as if they had already read this message. Draco exclaimed, “After blasting us with that giant laser, he has the nerve to talk about honor?”
Zekhtau continued, unfazed. “I will construct an arena in the wastelands outside the city—a place where no one else will be harmed. I will take four days to build it myself, to prove that I am not here merely to destroy. And on the fifth day, I expect you, Castro, to bring twelve representatives. Among them will be these five and Osiris. As for the rest? Bring whoever you like. I want to see whether efficiency or the balance of technology and nature will shape Draft’s future. Ha-ha-ha!”
Draco tightened his fists. “That bastard thinks he can dictate everything to suit his whims.”
Osiris shook her head nervously. “I have to fight too? I’m just a builder and analyst—I won’t stand a chance out there…”
Yue quickly reassured her, “Don’t worry, we’ll protect you.”
Mirelle nodded firmly. “That’s right. We’ve dealt with Zekhtau’s machines before. We’ll handle this together.”
But Akira frowned, his voice low. “He hasn’t even said what’s at stake—what happens if we win or lose.”
As if in response to Akira’s doubt, the hologram flickered, and images of advanced weaponry appeared: towering Zekhtau-model mechs, cyber tanks, and rows of cybernetic soldiers lined up in a massive warehouse.
“If you do not come,” Zekhtau warned, “I will consider it an act of civil war. I will obliterate everything in my path and then invade Arcadia. However, if you face me and win, I will become your ally, offering all my resources. But if I emerge victorious, I will claim everything you have. So come, Guardians. Fight with honor. Let us determine once and for all whether it is efficiency or balance that will guide Draft into the future!”
A heavy silence fell over the room, the sheer magnitude of the stakes pressing on everyone’s shoulders. Lunar finally broke it with a smirk, his voice dripping with amusement. “And this, my friends, is why I’m here. I’ll join you in this little duel, because if you lose, I lose everything too. Ha-ha-ha.”
Akira’s gaze narrowed. Despite his mistrust of Lunar, he couldn’t deny the man’s strength—or his utility. “Thank you for helping us before, and for standing with us now.”
Draco and Elina exchanged uneasy glances, clearly wary of Lunar’s involvement. But when Akira glanced back at them with a silent “trust me—I have a plan” look, they relented. Having fought by his side through countless trials, they chose to set aside their doubts for now.
Castro’s voice carried an unyielding resolve as he spoke. “That makes seven of us for now. I’ll find five more to complete the team. This mission isn’t just about survival—it’s about the future of Draft. Everyone, return to the main headquarters for rest and preparation. This is not only a physical battle but a mental one as well. Prepare yourselves for a fight that will decide whether we control Draft’s fate—or let cruelty claim it for good. Be ready. This will be the greatest trial we have ever faced.”
“May balance guide us,” Elina intoned, her words echoing the Guardians’ sacred tradition. The tension in the room remained thick, but deep down, everyone knew there were only four days left before the decisive battle would begin.
Part (3/3) : Between Allies and Suspicion
After the turbulent meeting with Castro, we had no choice but to return to the Guardian’s main base via the same tram. Exhaustion weighed heavily on everyone after the grueling battles we’d faced, and as a result, conversation was sparse. Akira’s gaze drifted to the graffiti on the tram’s wall, marked with the letters NSAI. He ran his finger lightly over the design, muttering under his breath, “Too loose is no good. Too tight isn’t either…”
Yue, her fox tail swishing curiously, turned to him. “What do you mean, big brother?” Her soft voice lightened the somber atmosphere, even if only slightly.
Akira leaned back against his seat. “It’s a principle from my world—the Middle Way. Everything should be balanced, not too extreme. NSAI started with good intentions, trying to protect nature, but it became a threat because it went too far.”
Yue tilted her head, her finger resting on her chin. “Oh, like when I eat too many sweets? That’s not good either, right?” Her wide smile and sparkling eyes gave her the look of a child who’d just learned an important lesson.
Her infectious smile made even the weary passengers crack a grin for the first time since escaping danger. However, Elina and Draco remained unusually quiet. Draco, who typically struck a relaxed pose, now sat slumped with his eyes cast downward, his usual humor absent. The presence of Lunar Cipher—half ally, half threat—sitting among us didn’t help the uneasy atmosphere.
The hum of the tram engine filled the silence, discouraging conversation. Lunar eventually broke it with a sly smile and a casual tone. “You don’t have to be so wary of me. Surely, we can be allies—for now—to take down Zekhtau. Don’t you agree?”
Draco responded immediately, his tone sharp. “You got Elina scolded by Castro. That’s enough to piss me off already.” He barely finished speaking before Elina smacked him lightly on the leg, sighing deeply.
“It’s true. I don’t trust you, Lunar,” she admitted, her eyes sharp as daggers. “You could easily be a spy. But credit where credit is due—you’ve helped us more than once. Surviving Zekhtau’s onslaught and exposing the corruption in Skyperion and Mollarr wouldn’t have been possible without you. So for that… I’ll say thank you.”
Elina rose to her feet, fixing Lunar with a hard, unwavering stare. “I apologize for my rudeness earlier. If we’re going to fight side by side in the battle that will decide Draft’s future, I’ll cooperate with you fully. Afterward, we’ll repay your ‘investment’ as agreed.”
The word “investment” carried a sharp, mocking edge, but her sincerity cut through the tension. Draco, inspired by her resolve, stood up and strode toward Lunar. “I’m Draco Dustflark. For as short as it may last, we’re comrades now.” He extended a hand with genuine conviction.
Lunar gave a faint, enigmatic smile and clasped Draco’s hand politely, though his expression only deepened Akira’s suspicion. Akira watched him closely, as though trying to see through the layers of the man who always seemed to be holding something back.
When the tram arrived at the Guardian headquarters, we were greeted by a crowd of soldiers and children, cheering as if we were heroes who had saved the world. Some shouted enthusiastically, while others ran up to get a closer look, leaving Akira and Yue visibly flustered. Even Uncle Pong and the younger recruits we recognized briefly appeared, though they quickly excused themselves, leaving us surrounded by the celebratory throng.
A commanding voice cut through the noise. “Let them rest first. There will be plenty of time to meet them later.”
The crowd parted to reveal a tall, imposing figure dressed in a blend of traditional Chinese robes and advanced technology. He exuded an air of authority, like a warlord unafraid of anything.
“Elina,” Akira heard her mutter as she snapped to attention, saluting the man. “Vice Commander Li…”
The man—Li Changyuan, second-in-command of the Guardians—swept his piercing gaze over us before speaking in a calm, authoritative tone. “I am Li Changyuan. Welcome to the Guardians. Lodging, food, and a training area have been prepared for you. Consider this place your home for now.”
Yue, ever the lively one, stepped forward with a bright smile. “You’re so kind, sir!”
He smiled back at Yue and gently ruffled Elina’s hair, a rare display of affection that softened her usual sharp demeanor. She smiled warmly in return, a sight so unusual that even Draco raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“I enjoy seeing my students happy,” Li said, his voice kind. “Especially those who carry the burdens of the future.” The sight of his rare paternal warmth drew laughter from the others, but the moment was short-lived as the children surrounded him, clamoring for attention. With a small chuckle, he excused himself.
Uncle Pong returned with his team, holding up a strange can of beverage. “Before you rest, try this—it’ll refresh you, I promise!”
Before anyone could reply, the can burst with a loud pop! foam spraying everywhere. Yue let out a startled squeal, and the group froze for a moment before bursting into laughter. Draco shook his head with a dry chuckle. “So there really is a ‘surprise can.’ Funny—until it explodes in your face.”
Uncle Pong scrambled to clean up the mess, scolding his team. “Don’t bring those cans around again!” Despite his fumbling demeanor, we eventually sipped the strange drink. To everyone’s surprise, it was fragrant and energizing, lifting the heavy weight of exhaustion from our shoulders.
The lodging was modfest but sufficient, divided into two large rooms—one for the men (Akira, Draco, and Lunar) and one for the women (Yue, Mirelle, Elina, and Osiris). Though we’d planned to gather and discuss strategy, the combination of warm showers and light snacks quickly drained what energy we had left. One by one, we collapsed into bed like drained batteries.
Only Lunar remained awake, tapping away at his holographic display for a while. Eventually, even he succumbed to exhaustion, leaning his head against the wall and falling asleep. Tomorrow would bring heavier burdens, and as we rested, we braced ourselves for the trials that lay ahead.