Chapter 24: Shadows of Betrayal
The team gathered in their new safe house, a modest hideout tucked away in the backstreets of the city. The walls were bare, and the only furnishings were a mismatched set of chairs, a rickety table, and a single couch. Despite its simplicity, it was the closest thing they had to a home base.
Ryo sat on the couch, staring at the shard locator that Sora had disabled. The faint hum of its dormant power still seemed to resonate in his ears. He couldn't shake the thought of Reiji—his former ally—being the one to betray them.
"Earth to Ryo," Kenji called, waving a hand in front of his face. "You've been zoning out for, like, five whole minutes. Are you secretly a robot? Blink twice if yes."
Ryo swatted his hand away. "I'm thinking, Kenji."
"Dangerous pastime for you," Kenji quipped, earning a laugh from Sora.
Akari crossed her arms, pacing the room. "We need a new plan. Kurogami isn't going to stop coming after us, and Reiji knows too much about how we operate."
Akira, sharpening her daggers in the corner, spoke without looking up. "If Reiji's working with Kurogami, he's a liability. We need to deal with him."
Ryo flinched at her words. "He's not the enemy. He's... he's being manipulated."
"Manipulated or not, he's dangerous," Akari said firmly.
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Kenji's Bold Suggestion
Kenji leaned back in his chair, balancing it on two legs. "Or, hear me out: we challenge Reiji to a dance battle. Winner takes all. I've got moves that could save the world."
Akari groaned. "Kenji, this isn't the time."
"Fine," Kenji said, shrugging. "But just so you know, my moonwalk is undefeated."
Sora smirked. "He's not wrong. I've seen it. It's disturbingly effective."
"Can we focus?" Ryo said, exasperated. "We need to figure out what Kurogami's next move is."
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The Informant
As they debated, a knock echoed through the room. Everyone froze, their hands instinctively reaching for weapons.
"Who's there?" Ryo called out.
"It's me," came a familiar voice.
The door creaked open, and Akari's eyes widened. "Sakura?"
Sakura stepped inside, her usually vibrant demeanor subdued. Her dark hair was tied back, and her eyes were shadowed with exhaustion.
"What are you doing here?" Akira asked, her tone cautious.
"I have information," Sakura said, her voice low. "But you're not going to like it."
---
The Revelation
The team gathered around the table as Sakura spread out a series of documents and photographs. The images showed Kurogami facilities, heavily guarded and brimming with shard-powered machinery.
"Kurogami has a new weapon," Sakura explained. "They're calling it the Nexus Engine. It's designed to amplify shard energy on a massive scale. If they finish it, they could destroy the city—or worse."
Akari's jaw tightened. "And let me guess: Reiji is helping them build it."
Sakura hesitated before nodding. "He's overseeing the project."
Ryo slammed his fist on the table, startling everyone. "This isn't him. Reiji wouldn't do this willingly."
Sakura looked at him with pity. "Ryo, I know you want to believe that, but... people change."
---
Kenji's Plan
Kenji leaned forward, tapping one of the photographs. "Alright, so let's blow it up. Classic 'good guys storm the base, bad guys panic' scenario. Easy peasy."
Sora raised an eyebrow. "And how do you propose we do that? Walk in the front door and ask nicely?"
"Of course not," Kenji said with a grin. "We sneak in, ninja style. I've been practicing my stealth. Watch this."
He attempted to roll off his chair but ended up crashing into the table, knocking over a cup of water.
"Impressive," Akari deadpanned.
---
The Mission Begins
Despite Kenji's antics, the team agreed to infiltrate the Kurogami facility where the Nexus Engine was being built.
The facility was located in an industrial district, surrounded by high fences and patrolled by armed guards. The team crouched in the shadows, scanning the area.
"Okay," Sora whispered, pointing to a side entrance. "That's our way in. Minimal guards, but we'll need to be quick."
Kenji gave a thumbs-up. "Quick is my middle name. Well, it's not, but it could be."
"Kenji, if you mess this up, I'll kill you myself," Akira muttered.
---
Into the Facility
The team slipped through the side entrance, avoiding the guards with practiced precision. Sora disabled the security cameras, and Akari led the way, her staff at the ready.
As they moved deeper into the facility, the hum of shard energy grew louder. The air felt heavy, charged with power.
"This place gives me the creeps," Kenji whispered.
"You're always creeped out," Akari replied.
"True, but this time it's justified," Kenji said, glancing nervously at a glowing shard embedded in the wall.
---
The Nexus Engine
They finally reached the central chamber, where the Nexus Engine loomed. The massive device pulsed with shard energy, its core glowing ominously. Reiji stood near the controls, his back to them.
Ryo froze, his breath catching in his throat. "Reiji..."
Before he could call out, alarms blared. The team had been detected.
Reiji turned, his expression unreadable. "You shouldn't have come here."
"Reiji, this isn't you," Ryo said, stepping forward. "You don't have to do this."
Reiji's gaze hardened. "You don't understand. This is bigger than you or me."
Guards swarmed into the room, weapons raised.
Kenji groaned. "And here we go again."
---
The Fight
The team sprang into action, engaging the guards in a chaotic battle. Ryo moved toward Reiji, determined to reach him, while the others held off the reinforcements.
Kenji grabbed a shard rifle from a fallen guard, aiming wildly. "Cover me! Or don't! Either way, I'm shooting stuff!"
Akari's staff spun in a blur, deflecting attacks and sending guards flying. "Kenji, stop yelling and focus!"
Sora hacked into the facility's systems, trying to disable the Nexus Engine. "I need more time!"
Ryo finally reached Reiji, their blades clashing in a burst of energy.
"This isn't who you are!" Ryo shouted.
"You don't know anything about me!" Reiji retorted, his strikes growing fiercer.
The fight raged on, each blow echoing with the weight of their shared history.