Calm Before the Storm

They ended up sleeping for a few hours right on the training ground floor after that brutal simulation. Aeri had left to attend to matters at HQ, while Miko stayed behind to recalibrate some of his tech.

Seth woke up first, groaning as he sat up and rubbed his head. "Ugh! The captain really gave it to us, huh?"

"Oh, you're up," Miko said, glancing over. "Wake the others. I'll treat you guys to some good food. I owe you, since I'm the only one who walked away unscathed."

Seth nudged the others awake. One by one, Sora, Kaela, and Ren sat up, each of them holding their heads. Sora, despite the fatigue, immediately called the group into a semi-circle to review the simulation.

Their expressions were grim. Understandable. They had spent so much energy planning and strategizing only to be completely overwhelmed. It was the kind of defeat that left a heavy silence in the air.

But then Ren, who had been quiet, suddenly burst out laughing.

Everyone looked at him, eyes widened.

"Did you snap?" Sora asked, narrowing her eyes.

"No, no," Ren said between laughs, wiping a tear from his eye. "It's just, this whole thing got me hyped up. I mean, getting completely outclassed like that. It just means we've got so much room to grow. It means we can still become so much stronger, strong like the wardens. Or even stronger."

Silence fell over the squad for a moment.

Then, one by one, they started laughing too.

"Well," Seth said, cracking a grin, "that's a long way off but I don't hate the optimism."

"I'm still kinda mad about it." Sora said with a rare cold smile, "but you're right. I want to reach that level too."

"M-M-Me too… if that's okay…" Kaela added, shy but determined.

"At least you're all fired up again," Miko said, smiling. "But we've got a lot to work on. Our coordination wasn't bad but there were too many close calls. Like when Sora was opening the door, or when we nearly fell into the captain's trap. We need to stay more alert, improve our awareness, and I definitely need to fine-tune my tech to detect traps better. Still, overall, we did good. And Ren, you fit in with us really well. With more practice, we'll be a solid squad."

Ren's cheek slightly turned red. 

"She said that?" Sora blinked.

"Yeah. The captain actually said we did well. I was just as shocked," Miko grinned. "Alright, enough moping around. Let's clean up around here and get changed. If we leave this mess, the captain's definitely going to scold us."

Ren looked around at the chaos. Cracked flooring, scattered destroyed bots, scorch marks from energy blasts. "But… wasn't most of this her doing?"

Miko waved him off. "Just get on with it. I'll treat you guys to something good after, promise!"

—--------------------

Back at HQ, Kaien and Aeri stood outside the leader's office. Aeri blinked in surprise upon seeing her twin.

"Oh, you're back already? Called in too?" she asked.

"I'm actually the reason you were called in," Kaien replied with a grin.

Aeri's expression turned serious. "Is it something important?"

"We'll talk inside." Then Kaien's face brightened. "Anyway, how's my apprentice doing? Settling in? Sleeping well?"

Aeri narrowed her eyes. "What are you, his dad? He's doing fine. For now."

"For now, huh?"

"Yeah. I can already tell, he'll probably rely on his Drive more than his team."

Kaien scratched the back of his head. "Well, he'll learn. Eventually."

"What do you mean eventually? Teach him. You are his master, aren't you?"

Kaien gave a shrug, smirking. "Guess I'll get around to it."

He knocked on the door and pushed it open. As expected, Ayato was sitting on the couch, laughing at the anime playing on the large screen.

"Boss, maybe try acting like a real gang leader once in a while," Kaien said flatly, and Aeri nodded beside him.

Ayato sprang up in panic, fumbling for the remote. "W-What are you talking about? I'm working! This is... strategic research!" he said, awkwardly hiding the remote behind his back.

Kaien crossed his arms, unfazed. "Anyway, it's about the Shikkoku and their Fangs."

The mood shifted immediately. Aeri and Ayato's smiles faded.

Ayato's voice dropped. "So they've made their move."

"Yeah. We need to act fast." 

—--------------------------------------------

Miko led the group toward the bustling shopping district of the 1st Ward, weaving excitedly through the crowd. Ren trailed behind with Seth, hands in his pockets, taking in the vibrant scenery. Sora and Kaela were up ahead, chatting softly with Miko.

After a moment, Ren spoke up, a bit hesitant.

"S-So… how does your Drive work?"

Seth glanced at him, his expression calm as usual. "It's called Phantom Gauge. I can control the trajectory of my bullets, make them faster, bigger, or even curve them midair. It's stealth based too, normal people can't see the bullet until it's about three meters away."

"Three meters? That's insane…"

"Yeah. Only skilled fighters like the wardens can track it outside of that set distance. Well, that guy too." Seth's gaze grew more focused for a moment.

"That guy?" Ren asked.

"The vice captain of Squad 7. Shin Amano. He's Warden Valen's right hand man. Closest to a warden's strength among ZEAL, if not already on par."

Ren blinked, eyebrows raised. Someone on par with the wardens, huh? I can't wait to meet him.

As Ren wandered through the vibrant stalls of the 1st Ward's shopping district, the colorful lights and laughter of the people washed over him. It was peaceful, genuinely peaceful. And in that moment, he realized something.

This wasn't just a city. It was a fragile hope, a small corner of Aetherpolis where people could live without fear. And it's their responsibility to keep it that way. 

A few days back, Ren used to see ZEAL as just another underground gang, ruthless, violent, and driven by power. That's what the rumors painted them as, and from the outside, it was easy to believe.

But after spending some time with them, that image had already begun to crumble.

They weren't like the gangs he had seen growing up, reckless groups that charged into fights without a second thought. ZEAL operated differently. They were precise, disciplined, and coordinated. Fearless, yes, but not foolish. They moved like agents, not thugs.

And yet, they still carried the raw, chaotic spirit of a gang, unapologetic and bold. It was a strange blend of rebellion and order, but it made sense. After all, ZEAL carry a massive responsibility. Protecting peace in a city like Aetherpolis required more than brute force, it required strategy, restraint, and unity.

Ren looked around at his squadmates laughing ahead of him.

This isn't the gang I expected but maybe it's exactly the kind I need.

"Yo, looks like we're here," Seth said, pointing toward Miko, who was already waving them over excitedly in front of a small wooden two-story building.

The place looked more like a cozy home than a restaurant. Vibrant greenery lined the front, with colorful banners swaying gently by the entrance. A simple wooden sign above the door read "PASTA."

"A pasta place, huh?" Ren muttered, eyeing the building curiously.

"Yeah! Trust me, you'll love it," Miko grinned.

As the group stepped inside, they were met with a wave of friendly chatter and warm smiles from the other customers.

"ZEAL guys! Eat up, eat up!" one man called out from a nearby table.

"Drink's on me! Put it all on my tab!" another shouted from the far corner, raising a glass in their direction.

Ren blinked, stunned by the welcome. He had expected suspicion, maybe even fear, but instead, there was warmth. Respect. Admiration.

So this is what ZEAL is to this ward… not a gang. Heroes.

They made their way to a long wooden table near the back that fit the five of them perfectly. Miko then raised his hand to grab the attention of the waitress.

"Six of my usual, please!"

Sora raised a brow. "You're ordering for all of us?"

"Well, it's my treat, so yeah," Miko smirked.

"Is that how it works?"

"C'mon, just trust me! This dish is golden!" he said, flashing a smile at the waitress as if to say, "go ahead".

Ren smiled to himself. The food hadn't even arrived yet, but somehow he already felt full. Not from the pasta, but from something he hadn't tasted in a long time.

Companion.

A few moments later, the waitress returned, balancing six steaming plates with practiced ease. She placed each one gently in front of them, her smile warm before she turned and left.

What sat before them were six generous servings of vibrant green pesto pasta. The aroma hit them instantly. Rich basil, garlic, cheese, and olive oil mixed into something mouthwatering. The pasta glistened under the soft lights, its color so vivid it almost looked surreal.

Everyone stared in awe, eyes wide and stomachs growling in unison.

"See? What did I tell you?" Miko said proudly, puffing out his chest. "Just wait till you taste it. Then you'll know why I come here almost every day now."

"Well… it does look appetizing," Sora admitted, eyeing her plate.

"Y-y-yes. T-thank you for the treat, Miko," Kaela remarked shyly.

"What are you all waiting for? Dig in!" Miko grinned.

The squad didn't need to be told twice. Forks clinked, sauce stirred, and in an instant, the sound of slurping and chewing filled the table. No one spoke a word, too engulfed by the flavor. It was as if they hadn't eaten in days, devouring their food like starving scavengers.

This is insane! Ren thought mid-bite. How can something so simple taste this good?

Miko leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, watching them with a smug grin. "Told ya."

After finishing their meal, the group leaned back in their chairs with satisfied groans. Their stomachs were full, their faces painted with contentment. For a brief moment, they didn't look like members of an elite gang, just a bunch of teenagers who'd eaten way too much good food.

They were carefree. Laughing. Relaxed.

Then the bell above the door jingled.

Two people stepped into the establishment, and almost immediately, the atmosphere shifted. The other customers straightened in their seats, nodding politely or bowing their heads with respect.

The squad didn't think much of it until Ren glanced toward the entrance.

"Wait… isn't that the captain and Kaien—"

Smack!

Sora's hand landed on the back of his head.

"Ow!"

"You're part of ZEAL now," she said coolly. "It's 'Warden Kaien.' Always put 'Warden' before a Warden's name. I don't know how close you guys are but show some respect."

Ren rubbed the back of his head and grumbled under his breath. "Got it… geez."

Miko chuckled. "Don't worry, newbie. We've all been smacked by Sora at some point."

"Captain!" Miko called out, energetically waving at Warden Aeri and Warden Kaien as they entered the establishment.

The two wardens immediately noticed the group and began walking toward them, both with unreadable expressions.

Miko narrowed his eyes. "Hmm… is it just me or does the captain look even more grumpier than usual?"

"Yeah," Seth added, arms crossed. "That's not her usual 'I'm annoyed' face. That's her 'I mean business' face."

"Well, Warden Kaien's always smiling, so he's impossible to read, unlike the captain." Miko muttered.

"You're dead, Miko," Seth warned flatly, as the others gave knowing nods.

"Nahhh, no way she heard that—"

Smack!

"Ahhh," the whole group said in unison, as if they'd seen it coming.

"Of course I heard it, Miko," Aeri said, her hand still raised from the strike, her tone calm and menacing. "Anyway, perfect timing. I've got something important to discuss with all of you."

"Oh, before that…" Kaien chimed in, placing a hand on Ren's shoulder with a casual grin. "Mind if I borrow Ren for a bit? Just a quick chat outside."

Aeri raised a brow but nodded. "Sure. We'll wait here."

Ren stood up, confused but curious. "Alright."

Kaien gave him a pat on the back and gestured toward the door. "Let's talk for a bit"

Ren followed Kaien out the door, exchanging brief nods with a few people who greeted them along the way. As he walked behind Kaien, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of nostalgia, like walking in the shadow of someone he deeply admired. It reminded him of his childhood, trailing behind his older brother without a care in the world.

Once they stepped outside into the soft glow of the streetlights, Kaien turned around with a relaxed smile.

"So? How'd you like the food in my restaurant?"

Ren blinked. "Wait, your restaurant?"

"Yup," Kaien chuckled. "Told you about it a few days ago, remember?"

Ren let out a short laugh. "Well, you weren't exaggerating. That pasta was amazing."

"I'm glad you liked it."

Kaien then reached into the small bag he'd brought and pulled out something neatly folded, black fabric with a familiar symbol. He handed it to Ren.

"Here."

Ren unfolded it slowly. It was a black jacket with ZEAL's winged logo embroidered on the back.

"F-for me?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah," Kaien nodded. "You're one of us now. The wings on our backs, they're not just for show. They symbolize freedom. So wear it with pride, Ren. Always."

Ren stared down at the jacket for a moment before slipping it on. It fit perfectly. He tried to blink away the tear in his eyes, but it was hard to hold it in. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he truly belonged, not as someone chasing after the past, but someone building a future.

"Looks good on you," Kaien said warmly.

I came here to find my brother… I thought that was the only reason for me to keep going. But now… now I want to be a part of this. Of ZEAL. I'll find you, brother. And when I do, I'll show you the place I found. Ren thought, clenching his fists gently.

The two of them returned to the table. As soon as Ren stepped back inside with the jacket on, everyone turned to look.

Their faces lit up with proud, welcoming smiles.

"Looks good on you, Ren," said Aeri, her expression calm but sincere. The others nodded in agreement. Even Sora, though trying to look indifferent, couldn't quite hide the faint curl of a smile on her lips.

"Ahem… w-well, it fits you," Sora muttered, turning away slightly. 

"Uhm, thanks" Said Ren as he scratched his nape shyly.

"But enough of that. Sit down, we've got a mission."