I climb down the moving machine carefully, trying to avoid the various gears and pinching parts that could catch me. With a huff, I land beside Heraon, who was walking behind, guarding our back. I say nothing as we trudge along, only occasionally taking a peek at him. Out of the three, he's the biggest mystery. Zack and Azu almost seem born for adventure and combat, but Hearon doesn't have the same aura as them. His is very peaceful and passive, something more fit for a stay-at-home dad or casual worker.

Hearon's heavy plate armor clatters loudly, and I involuntary winch every now and then. He's clearly not made for stealth. His massive shield and Warhammer float just a few inches away from his back. He must have that hover tech I read about. For all the advances these people have made, why do they still use such basic armor? Surely, they've invented some sort of lightweight protection or a holographic-like shield.

The rest of the day goes by in silence, and many of my questions remain unanswered. I could ask, but I'm tired of asking questions. It's too much information. For now, I'll just do as they say and try to avoid becoming one with the dirt.

The light starts to fade, and Zack stops the MULE under a particularly tall mushroom. "Here, set up the kitchen." He tosses the bracelet to me and moves to talk with Hearon. With a sigh, I tap the glass and move my finger up, small icons rotating up the circular screen. Upon coming to the kitchen icon, I tap it, and the MULE shutters. With a hiss, a box about as large as a small car is detached by a set of arms that come from the legs, setting it down in front of me. A small pulsing button invites me to push it, and I comply. With a mechanical whirl, the box opens up, revealing a small counter and stove with several cooking utensils magnetically sealed to the walls.

Azu drops down beside me and removes a couple of knives and pans, "I will cook tonight. Help Zack with the tents and the perimeter." I nod and walk over to Zack and Hearon.

"I'm telling you, there's something out there. I'm not sure what it is, but it has been following us for a while now."

Hearon rubs his beard thoughtfully, "Are you sure it is not at Siber?" Zack nods. Hearon hums, deep in thought. "Recon did not say anything about a possible Shell in the valley, but I suppose it is possible one moved in position. The lack of identification is concerning." Hearon turns to me, "Silen, you will take point tomorrow. Zack, I want you above the mushrooms. Try to find out what it is. If it is able to avoid your gaze, it must be something with experience. Our top priority is making it to Steel Lake; we will not engage unless there is no other option."

Zack grunts and trudges off, and I follow diligently. We set up the sound mines around the camp and opened the dark green force field tents. I tap my tent, and it solidifies just before my finger touches it. These things are so cool. From what I read about them, these tent things can take the hit of a falling MULE and still be intact. The inside isn't spacious, but it's heated and provides cool air if needed. Something called air conditioning. It might be the single greatest invention I have ever experienced.

Hearon calls us to eat, and I take out the final metal plate, pacing it on the ground, and tap it with my foot. Small metal balls float up, and the metal plate follows. With a hum, green hexagonal shapes fall until the ground is covered and a canopy is formed.

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I turn to see a table large enough for four with the food already plated. I sit on one of the portable stools, glancing down at the meal. A steak with dried seaweed and water. The other three are already eating as I reach for the seaweed. This was a favorite snack of mine in Calypso. I bite down, and a satisfying crunch follows.

"You know, I'm surprised End City can source seaweed out here."

Azu looks at me confused, "Of course we can't get seaweed out here. That's just a dead slime that has been spread on a pan and dried."

I freeze, but it's too late. My teeth close on the strip of green slime with a crunch. I cough, I spit it out, swishing my mouth out with water. Zack bursts out laughing, and even Azu cracks a small smile.

I examine the green substance, "But it tastes just like seaweed."

Heraon clears his throat, "You would be correct. Salt was sprinkled over it. This helped dehydrate it, and for an unknown reason, when the two are mixed, a seaweed flavor comes out."

"Huh." I shrug and bite into it again. I cringe slightly but manage to finish the strip. The table goes quiet as I dig into the steak. The taste of slightly bitter pork fills my mouth. It's not a bad taste, but every Shell with meat tastes like this. It gets kinda old after a while.

As I'm eating, a sudden burst of longing bolts through me, and I stop. It's a feeling I've never felt before. A deep feeling that seeps into my bones and shakes me to the core. Like something is missing, and it's far away from me. A hand is placed on my shoulder. It's Hearons.

"I have seen that look before. That is called being homesick." This feeling, this homesickness, seems to ease slightly at being identified.

"What is it?"

Heraon leans back in his chair, "It is a longing to go to a safe, known place. It happens when people are far from home for a long time. It is also very dangerous." I hold my chest as this feeling spreads. A crushing all consuming emotion. Something I can't control. Hearon smiles sadly and motions to my tent, "Go sort your feelings out and get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow."

I shake my head, "I can help break down dinner."

Hearon frowns, "No. We will deal with it. You need to nip this in the bud. I have seen more than one diver run away at the most crucial moments because they did not have the fortitude to risk their life. Homesickness will only amplify your fear and cloud your mind."

I look at the other two, but they are avoiding my gaze. With a sigh, I stand and walk to my tent, every step heavy. I lay there, looking through the see-through ceiling as something warm drips down my cheek. Tears. My vision becomes blurry, and a sob escapes my mouth. I wanna go home.

I wipe at the tears as the crushing longing rips at me. Calypso and Titan, as a whole, wasn't the best time of my life, but it was home. Something familiar and comforting. Now I'm stuck in a forest that is as much a cage as Titan was, with creatures beyond imagination that want me dead. I'm weaker than everyone in my new home, and no matter how I try to justify it, I'm way over my head. I'm going to die here.

The tears come heavily now. I've given up trying to stop them. My thoughts turn to my true home. The mansion that bordered the mountains. My father, who loved me but died so suddenly. My brother. My poor brother. He had everything going for him. Even after we lost everything, he still managed to prop us up. I roll onto my side. He should have survived. Not me.

My tears stop. The longing to go home is gone. That's right. I have to live for both of us now. I can't give up. Not until I've had my fill for both me and Silo. I close my eyes, exhaustion weighing on me like a warm blanket. I feel my mind slowly start to drift, and the image of Silos's picture Sir Bell showed flits past me. Is he truly dead? Doubt grows as sleep takes me.