Fools

The morning mist clung to the sidewalks like it hadn't quite woken up yet. The city, however, was buzzing—volunteers gathered in tightly packed lines, digital boards flashed countdowns and warnings, and loudspeakers barked instructions none of them were actually listening to.

But Kai Azura—currently listed as Ethan Azura on the volunteer roster—had earbuds in, hoodie up, and an expression so unreadable it was almost impressive. Music played softly, though the tune wasn't discernible. Just a beat. A rhythm that helped drown out the useless noise of the world.

He stood near the back of the gathering crowd, one strap of his backpack lazily hooked over his shoulder. Still just snacks, clothes, and nothing useful for battle inside. No armor. No weapons. No fear.

A few buses lined the curb ahead, sleek and state-issued, their windows blacked out. Each bore the words: EARTH VOLUNTEER TRANSPORT UNIT in bold, militarized lettering.

He slowly looked around.

Tension was everywhere.

Some volunteers were clearly ex-military types—scarred arms crossed, steel gazes sharp, talking like they knew what was coming. Others looked like they had never thrown a punch in their lives. Some were excited, adrenaline masking their fear. Others were pale and jittery, wondering how they ended up here in the first place.

And all of them… fools.

Kai chewed on a piece of gum and let one earbud dangle as the volunteer ahead of him—a tall guy with too much cologne and way too many nerves—tried to psych himself up by muttering affirmations under his breath.

"They chose us for a reason… we can make a difference… we can—"

Kai took a step forward and muttered just loud enough, "They chose you because you're disposable."

The guy turned, startled. "What?"

Kai slipped the earbud back in. "Nothing."

He boarded the bus without another glance.

Inside, the seats were cramped, worn from use, and smelled faintly of stale air and industrial-grade cleaning supplies. Volunteers filled in quickly, chatting nervously or pretending to be confident.

Kai slid into a window seat near the back and stared outside, watching the crowd thin out as more people climbed aboard. A young woman with pink hair and a face full of piercings sat across the aisle from him. She glanced his way.

"You don't look too stressed," she said.

Kai blinked slowly. "Why would I be?"

She laughed, a little awkwardly. "I mean… intergalactic tournament of death? Kind of a big deal."

He turned back to the window. "Only if you plan to die."

She didn't answer after that.

He liked the silence better anyway.

As the final few volunteers were loaded, the bus doors hissed shut, and the engine hummed to life. Outside, security personnel nodded to each other, sealing off the transport route. It was beginning. No more delays.

Kai leaned his head against the window and closed his eyes briefly. The music pulsed in his ears—calm, steady, forgettable.

These people around him were loud inside their own heads. Fear. Ego. Desperation. Hope.

All misplaced.

He was only here to clean up a mess that should've never involved his parents.

That was it.

The bus pulled away from the curb with a slow, mechanical groan, leaving behind the only normalcy any of them had left. And as the city shrank in the distance, none of them knew just how far beyond them one of their own truly was.

Kai sat there quietly, listed as Ethan Azura, eyes half-closed behind his hair, gum still in his mouth, headphones still playing.

Unbothered.

Unimpressed.

And utterly unmatched.