Chapter : return to elaris

The golden light of the morning sun bathed Barron Island, casting long shadows as the team prepared to leave. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of the ocean as Josuke, Arthur, Hinata, Lily, Ace, and Silver stood ready. However, instead of boarding the ship they had arrived in, Kyle had another plan.

With a casual flick of his wrist, a pulse of energy rippled through the air. Before the captain could even protest, they vanished in a flash of blue light.

When they reappeared, the grand entrance of Unit Zero Headquarters stretched before them.

Kyle, grinning, turned to the stunned captain. "Yo, tell the crew to take the ship back, yeah? We won't be needing it." He tossed him a lazy salute, his signature carefree attitude in full effect. The captain, still processing what just happened, simply nodded.

As the group stepped into the vast halls of Unit Zero, a group of staff members in sleek uniforms rushed forward to take Kyle and Maya's luggage.

"Welcome back, General Commander Kyle, Vice Commander Maya!" the receptionists greeted them, bowing slightly as they handed them a stack of mail and packages.

Before Kyle could even flip through them, a familiar voice called out.

"Commander Kyle!"

Lieutenant Kai, one of the higher-ranking officers, approached with his usual serious expression. His uniform was crisp, and he carried a tablet filled with reports.

"Kai! My favorite lieutenant!" Kyle threw an arm around him. "Tell me, did you miss me?"

Kai sighed, exasperated. "I have reports to deliver from the past four days after the surprising kaiju attack."

Kyle groaned, waving him off. "Fine, fine, go bore Maya with those. I have important business like, y'know, unpacking." He gave Maya a grin before she took over, leading Kai away.

That's when Kai paused and glanced at Kyle. "Oh, one more thing. Captain Derek Stone just reported in from the Eastern Continent. He'll be arriving tomorrow."

Kyle froze.

"Wait. Derek? That Derek? Derek stone " Kyle's grin faltered for a moment before realization dawned on him. "Ah. Crap."

Two years ago, after Derek left, Kyle had merged their two rooms into one massive personal suite.

"Ok here is what's going to happen you tell the staff to prepare one of the room for him on the second level of the West Wing,I think we have a room down there" Kyle said, rubbing the back of his head. "Also… get someone to check all fifty storage rooms in case his stuff is in there. I remember move them into one of them"

Kai raised an eyebrow. "You moved his things into storage?"

Kyle grinned. "What? I wanted a bigger room. Don't just judge or I'll reduce you salary "

Kai sighed shook his head before heading off.

Meanwhile, the others had made their way to their respective quarters.

Josuke & Hinata's Conversation

As Josuke unpacked carry his bags to the third floor in 100 floors building , a soft knock came at his door.

"It's open," he called out.

Hinata stepped inside, looking uncertain.

"You okay?" she asked.

Josuke let out a sigh. "You don't have to check up on me, Hinata."

"I know. I just… I wanted to talk."

He gave her a small smile. "Alright, talk."

Hinata hesitated before speaking. "About last night , when you… walked away. I just want you to know that none of us think you're a monster."

Josuke's expression softened. "Maybe not. But I saw the look in your eyes. I've seen it my whole life." He leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms. "It's fine. I don't blame you guys."

Hinata stepped forward. "We're not afraid of you. I was just… trying to understand."

Josuke chuckled, shaking his head. "That's a first."

She punched him lightly in the shoulder. "You're an idiot, you know that?"

Josuke laughed. "Yeah, yeah, I've been told."

For a moment, the tension between them eased.

"You'll let me know if anything's wrong, right?" Hinata asked.

Josuke hesitated but then nodded. "Yeah. I will."

Lily & Ace's Moment

In another part of the headquarters, Lily and Ace sat in one of the many tech labs scattered throughout the building.

Lily was fiddling with a mechanical device, her fingers expertly adjusting its circuits.

Ace leaned back in his chair, watching her. "You never stop, huh?"

Lily smirked. "Unlike you, I actually enjoy working."

Ace placed a hand on his chest, mocking offense. "Ouch. And here I thought we were friends."

Lily glanced at him. "Ace… do you think we made the right call? Bringing Silver back?"

Ace let out a sigh, staring at the ceiling. "I don't know. But I do know this if we start questioning everything, we'll never move forward."

Lily nodded slowly. "Yeah. You're right."

Ace grinned. "Of course I'm right. I'm a genius."

Lily rolled her eyes but smiled.

Arthur's Thoughts on Chaos

Arthur sat alone in his room, staring at the hilt of Excalibur.

His mind replayed Silver's terrified voice.

"Chaos is there. Right there."

Arthur's grip on his sword tightened.

He had always known Chaos existed but to think it was within Josuke? The thought of an instant death Josuke a few feet away from him

A being capable of destroying or reshaping the very foundation of existence… inside his comrade .

Arthur's instinct screamed at him. If there was even the slightest chance that Chaos could take control, shouldn't he do something?

"But Josuke is my teammate ."

Arthur sighed. He had to believe in Josuke.

Even if a small voice in his head told him otherwise.

Kyle's Final Reflection

Kyle sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Derek was coming back.

Silver had almost killed Josuke.

The true about Chaos has been exposed to one of his team .

And now, the Elders had targeted Arthur.

Kyle let out a deep breath.

Things were moving too fast. He needed a plan.

But for now… he had to sleep.

With a lazy grin, he flopped backward onto his bed.

"Tomorrow's problem for tomorrow's Kyle."

And with that, he let himself drift off.

End of Chapter.