So... I had another case of the zoomies. Behold another monster chapter of 5271 words because I have no self control when I get into a writing vein. Especially when I get to add fantastical elements. I should have broken it into two, but oh well.

Off to a Great Start drew people in with its craziness, so I decided to bring that back! Or Maxolyn decided to. He was SUPPOSED to wait until the Vault scene but he wanted to introduce himself earlier. He's a lovely character, basically Santa's crackheaded sailor cousin. He sweet tho, if not crazy.

But we finally get some more information on Realm Walkers! There's a reason I called this chapter "Spice Trips". At least Sarah is helpful! I love her so much

Would say more, but honestly I want to throw you into the deep end and let you figure it out for yourself :D
I will say towards the end I do mention a little bit of body-self consciousness because well it be like that. But thing is even with abs and a muscley body, I have some extra skin on my sides. It's healthy!

ALSO I REALIZE I MISSED E IN THE LAST CHAPTER
I GET IT :'D

"Shadow talked about us?"

Worried that either Crosshair or Shadow, or even both, would come back with some caliber of new scarring, Hunter desperately wanted to keep his mind off the impending disaster no doubt lurking around the corner. Perhaps learning how much their guide talked about them before she met them would keep his concern at bay.

Or perhaps not, but it would be better than nothing.

Maker, what have I done?

The older farm owner, Sarah, nodded. "Absolutely. She always gets so excited when she talks about her, how does she put it, favorite space marines," she said with a warm smile.

"What'd she say about me?" Wrecker asked, a large grin on his face.

"Said you were a big guy, but she knew you'd be a total sweetheart if she met you," Sarah said, then laughed. "She says she's not good with people, but she's never wrong with her gut feelings about someone."

"She is pretty clever," Hunter agreed. "Knew how to force us into situations where we couldn't use our primary skills against her."

"How did you come to meet her, anyways?" Sarah asked, leading them to the barn.

"We were contacted by Trevor who tried to introduce us to Shadow but..."

How to say this in a way that wouldn't look like they'd kidnapped the woman?

"She bolted," Tech piped up, much to Hunter's horror. "She acted very skittish at first to throw us off then used our underestimation of her to her advantage."

"Probably wasn't an act," Sarah mused. "She hates being caught off guard, and knowing Trevor he left you four as a surprise. Believe it or not, she's not a melee fighter. She'll hit you from a distance if she can."

"She's a sniper?" Hunter asked. Odd, Shadow seemed more like Wrecker! Up close and personal, attacking her opponent headon. Hitting hard and fast, decimating her enemy and leaving nothing unscathed.

She hadn't done that with them, but she hadn't wanted to hurt them. When the situation turned dire for her, Hunter still remembered the shift in her style from "evade" to "destroy". Then there was her fight with James...

She's a complex fighter... I like that.

He yanked his thought back to the present.

Focus. Do not get distracted.

Sarah was nodding. "That's her preferred method. Analyze and deal with somethin' at a distance."

"She's hardly distant in her personality," Tech said. "She exhibits plenty of empathy and has a love of jokes and humor."

"She's a strong and funny fighter!" Wrecker laughed. "Kept crackin' jokes the entire time we chased her down! I like 'er!"

"She is with you willingly, correct?"

Hunter did not miss the protectiveness in the older woman's tone. Not wanting to provoke her into using some of her jetti mysticism, he quickly said, "Yes, she is. We're... friends now."

Dark eyes scanned him, looking deep into his own as she no doubt used the Force to read him. A strong presence pressed against his mind, unnerving Hunter. He stayed away from jetti because of stuff like this. His unpredictability was one of his biggest assets. For someone to just read past all that...

Yet the pressure didn't feel hostile, just... curious. He tried to block off his true feelings for the mountain guide, only to receive a small push back. The pressure held, then pushed against his blockade once more. Not in a forceful manner, but testing. Seeing if he would yield. When he kept the shield up, the presence relented and backed out, nudging him on the way.

"I see," Sarah said, and while Hunter expected judgement in her tone he heard none.

Shouldn't she be condemning his feelings? That's what jetti did, right?

"You were a Jedi," Hunter said.

"I was a member of the order at one point," she said with a nod, walking once more. "I left, but not on the grounds of any personal slight against me. I bear them no ill will, I just prefered a life where I didn't constantly have to keep up a pretense. I liked combat a little too much, and gave my political opinion perhaps a bit too often for their liking. Jedi are supposed to be peacekeepers after all, and well, I'm not much for that. I like action, I like it when things are interesting." She chuckled, a sly grin on her face. "Never a dull moment on the farm. Especially when some novice bounty hunters come around thinkin' I'm an easy few credits just because I'm an older ex-Jedi. They definitely get a shock."

Hunter didn't assume Sarah was weak by any means, but this woman clearly was stronger than a first look would reveal.

"Was Shadow ever considered for the order?" Wercker asked. "Since she can move things with her mind?"

"No," Sarah replied. "The Force is more than moving stuff with your mind, although it's helpful when the remote is out of reach. But members of her species couldn't be Jedi anyways even if they were Force sensitive."

Tech tilted his head. "Why?"

"Alphians... they need their emotions. That's where their power comes from," Sarah explained. "The Force requires suppression and giving into the will of something greater than yourself. The way her powers work, they're at their strongest when she's passionate about something and lives by her own creed. She needs to let out her emotions. Suppression can result in a power build up which leads to overload. That's extremely dangerous and can lead to an accidental power move usage."

Hunter was very curious what power move that could be.

"You've been to their planet?" Tech asked, flicking open his vambrace and taking notes. "What is it like there?"

"Never explored, but that's where my herd came from." She gestured out across the pasture towards the Hillguides. "The area I was in was the same as the land in the cove. There was a large portal, but it exploded. It's not too far from here, or at least where it used to be."

"Shadow mentioned that," Hunter said. "Why did it blow up?"

"Not sure. Her planet, all planets in her galaxy really, are very interconnected through magic and through the Star Swimmers who built them."

"Star Swimmers?" Tech and Hunter asked in unison.

"Yes. It's all very much something out of a fantasy novel! And I say that as a former Jedi. Can't remember the details myself, but Star Swimmers are celestial beings far larger and more powerful than anything we can comprehend. They're planet builders and life givers."

"Sounds like a god," Hunter remarked, spooked by her first sentence. Something out of a fantasy novel... Maker, please let this not get any more complicated.

It was a headache and a half as is.

Sarah was nodding in agreement. "They call them gods. Each planet has two Star Swimmers. No more, no less. I may be getting them mixed but I think the Creators are their offspring and the Ancients are the... no I have it backwards. The Ancients are the offspring, and the Creators then came from them. Or was it the Primals..."

"Would Shadow know?" Tech asked, still tapping away.

"She should! I swear she knows any question you ask her about that galaxy," Sarah laughed as they reached the barn doors.

"She's quite knowledgeable!"

"She's a jack of all trades, master of none, but better than a master of one," Sarah agreed. "She'd make a fine soldier."

Hunter wasn't sure what to think of the fact Sarah looked directly at him when she said that.

"She sure would! Good with guns and likes to blow stuff up!" Wrecker grinned.

"That's her! Pyromaniac if given the tools."

Wrecker looked over at Hunter. "Could use a wildcard, Sarge!"

Swallowing down the nervousness rising in his throat, Hunter merely said, "Haven't known her that long, Wrecker."

"We will by the end of the mission!"

Dodging the topic, Hunter asked Sarah, "Did she say why she liked us? Assuming she mentioned that while talking to you."

"You're different," Sarah shrugged. "Unique. And despite being different, you are still very successful. Show that being different isn't a bad thing. It doesn't stop you from making a name for yourself."

Shadow didn't strike me as sentimental. Then again he didn't know too much about her values other than she was pro-freedom, very protective, and very loyal to those she cared about. Shadow's personality he knew, but Shadow herself...

To like them for the very reason that made the Kaminoans hate them...

"She's a unique woman herself," Hunter commented, half to himself as Sarah took them inside.

Hay and dust littered the floor while square bales sat stacked floor to ceiling in one corner. Around the corner Hunter could see the beginning of a row of stalls. Old hay and sawdust flooded his nose and he withheld a sneeze. Directly under a wooden staircase, which was sectioned off by a door, was an interior room with Feed Room over the door. A black and white tacrumel slept on a chest outside the door, but Hunter only caught a glimpse of lazy yellow eyes before the feline went back to sleep.

"Full of surprises, that's for sure!" Sarah agreed as she opened the door to the steps and gestured for them to go ahead up. "There's a bathroom, den/kitchen area, and enclosed bedroom up there. Don't worry, this door locks. Make yourselves at home, I'm going to finish up some woodwork back at my shop, it's by the cabin."

"You helped Shadow construct her sabers, correct?" Tech asked as Wrecker squeezed past him to head upstairs.

"I did. Have you seen her fight with them yet?"

"No, ma'am," Tech said, shaking his head. "We've only seen her in hand to hand combat."

"That's a spectacle on its own!"

Hunter had to agree. Seeing her move like that...

Focus on the mission.

Sarah, unaware of his inner turmoil, continued, "Has she used her Earth power yet?"

"Yes!" Tech said excitedly. "She's created earthen formations from the ground, caused a minor earthquake, reinforced her claws with stone, and grew some briars."

"Ah! Spike, Stomp, Reinforced, and Green Thumb if I remember correctly."

"Do you know all of the moves she can do?" Tech asked, noting the names on his vambrace.

"I know a lot, but I prefer to let her tell you those." Sarah turned her gaze to Hunter. "Why did you get her for a mission, anyways? And what's a planet this far in the Outer Rim got to do with the war?"

"It's not directly war related as far as we know. It's a side mission. Members of Shadow's species invaded and took over a planet so Shadow is helping us retrieve their weakness so we can drive them out," Hunter explained.

"She must be taking you to the Vault then." Sarah crossed her arms and looked over Tech. "Well, trooper, if you like exploring strange areas, you'll enjoy the rest of the trip."

"Why?" Hunter asked warily. What crazy nonsense were they going to have to deal with next.

"Because the Vault is linked to the same magic system as the rest of the planets in her home system."

Don't like that. "Meaning?"

"Over the hill, the environment shifts to jungle."

Dank farrik.

"But we are at a temperate latitude!" Tech protested. "This planet follows a certain type of climate placement and only hardwoods are found this far inland with no major sources of warm moist air. It's scientifically impossible for a jungle biome to appear in the middle of a hardwood forest such as this!"

Sarah laughed. "Honey, the Vault doesn't care about what's scientifically possible. It's quite fascinating, honestly. The magic almost... infects the area around it."

"Shadow did mention such an occurrence yesterday. But she said it only showed up in or around portals!"

"Not every portal is physical," Sarah said with a wink.

"What exactly is the Vault?" Hunter asked, stepping forward.

"I don't know exactly." Sarah paused, eyes growing serious. "I am taking a chance trusting you with the information."

Hunter leaned forward. "Yes?"

"While Trevor told me others can go inside, Shadow herself is the only one who can access it." She paused again. "No other mortal can open it."

Everything came to a screeching halt.

What?! "Are you saying Shadow is a goddess!?"

"She sure looks like one!" Wrecker called from upstairs.

How did he even hear that?

Sarah cast an amused glance towards the ceiling before looking back to Hunter. "I'll tell you the truth, Sergeant. There's something off about Shadow. She doesn't have a Force signature like a Force sensitive would, but nevertheless she leaves massive ripples wherever she goes. I don't really understand it myself, and have never seen anything like it. It's... almost as if reality itself bends whenever she's around."

"Reality bends?" Tech inquired as Hunter paled. "What do you mean by that? Reality shouldn't bend to anything, it's reality!"

Sarah shook her head. "All I know is both her and that friend of hers, Trevor, both have the same effect. Things just... don't like to work right whenever they're around. Like I said, I don't understand it."

"Is it... a negative sort of reality displacement?"

Sarah shook her head. "Trevor's are chaotic, instances happening at true random. Shadow's have some reason and pattern to them, but it's still hit or miss as far as leaving a ripple. Nevertheless, she doesn't give off a presence similar to the Darkside or the Lightside. She's in the middle, a grey area. Both her and Trevor. It's not negative, it's not positive, it just is." Her eyes focused on Hunter. "Something tells me that you might know why she has this effect, Sergeant."

Heart in his throat, Hunter tried to keep his cool and shook his head. "I cannot think of any logical reason why she could bend reality."

Sarah snorted softly. "Hmm. Logical reason." She laid a hand on his shoulder. "Let me impart some old ex-Jedi master wisdom. Once you stop trying to look at everything through a logical lens, that's when you really start to see."

"But logic and reasoning always win," Tech protested, slightly perturbed. "You cannot change facts!"

"You're right. They're stubborn things. But facts aren't always what you'll want to hear." Sarah looked back at Hunter. "Or what you expect to hear."

She knows... she knows Shadow is a Realm Walker.

He had to ask her. He needed to know. "Tech. Go upstairs."

"What? Why?" Tech exclaimed, looking at him. "I want to stay and learn about Shadow! I have never before encountered something like this and I must get all the information I can to make a conclusion-"

"Just do it."

Tech blinked at Hunter's stern tone. "But what could be so secret-"

"Tech."

Tech groaned but relented. "Fine." He turned to Sarah. "Thank you for allowing us to stay here."

"Think nothing of it, hun. Always happy to lend a helping hand, and I don't get many visitors here." She snorted in amusement. "Well, other than unwelcome ones."

Tech smiled, cast a suspicious glance at Hunter, and walked up the steps.

Hunter waited until he was gone then turned to Sarah. "Can I speak with you? Outside?"

"I suppose."

Hurrying outside, Hunter walked until he was sure Tech couldn't hear them. Taking extra care, he flicked on his short range signal jammer before turning to Sarah and whispering, "Do you know what a Realm Walker is?"

Sarah blinked slowly. "You have the same thought as me, then."

"Is she?" Hunter demanded, heart beating hard against his chest. If he was dealing with a Realm Walker... a real one... then he and his team had somehow ended up in an alternate timeline and everything he knew to be true could be altered.

I never should have agreed to this mission!

Then you wouldn't know Shadow.

That was true but...

Maker, what was going on?!

"I don't know," Sarah replied with a sigh. "Never asked her. It wasn't my place to know, and knowing wouldn't change anything."

"But if she is one, you are aware-"

"That we might be in a pocket dimension or alternate reality of sorts? Yes." She shrugged. "Like I said, logic can only get you so far in life."

Shoving down the panic threatening to crawl up his throat, Hunter jumped at Sarah's hand on his arm.

"Soldier, panicking about it won't change anything. Take a deep breath," she said, voice slow and steady.

I should have better self-control and stress management than this!

"Don't you dare beat yourself up for panicking, though," Sarah warned, no doubt sensing the shift in mood. "Panicking might not help, but you aren't wrong for feeling that way."

"Aren't you Jedi all about feelings being wrong?" Hunter growled, growing frustrated.

"Ex-Jedi, mind you, and don't lump all of us into one group. We aren't a hive mind."

"I wasn't-"

"You don't have to explain yourself to me." Sarah's voice turned kind. "But you do need to take some breaths."

Feeling like a cadet again, being instructed calming techniques by one of the few caring longnecks, Hunter nodded and tried to focus on deep inhales and slow exhales.

"I can lend some help," Sarah offered.

"No... I got it," Hunter mumbled. "Thanks."

Sarah shrugged and let go of his arm. "Tell me when you are calm, and we'll continue."

"I am calm."

Sarah merely raised an eyebrow.

"Alright," Hunter muttered, grounding himself. Wind in the trees, bird song, river flowing over the rocks. Earth beneath my feet, weight of my armor, weakening sun on my face. Rain-heavy breeze, soil, sweat and fur from those creatures...

He opened his eyes, heart slowing back to its normal pace.

Sarah offered a gentle, encouraging smile. "That's better."

"So..." Hunter muttered. "A pocket dimension?"

"Or alternate reality. But depending on how much you know about Realm Walkers you'd know that if she is one, you're in luck. You know why Realm Walkers pop up?"

Realm Walkers weren't exactly well documented. They were supposed to be legends anyways, so Hunter hadn't thought to look deeper into them. "No, ma'am."

"Because something needs fixing. Something is wrong in the true reality."

Hardly reassuring.

"If a Realm Walker becomes directly involved with you, you have a major advantage."

"They can change the future, can't they?" Hunter asked. "They're prophetic."

"Correct." Sarah frowned thoughtfully. "Or not prophetic, exactly, but they know what's going to happen. They've seen it. And they can change it. That's why they tend to be so powerful and/or invincible. The stronger and more resilient they are, the bigger the threat they will face is."

This information churned his stomach. "Shadow's... pretty powerful."

"Some Realm Walkers have powers increased and added to help, but in Shadow's case, I think a lot she carries from whatever reality she comes from." Sarah sighed. "If she even is a Realm Walker. I've never brought it up with her."

"I could-"

"I wouldn't recommend you asking either," Sarah said, cutting him off with a raised hand. "At least not yet. She either knows the concept but not the name or is aware of both and could panic if she's called out. Build her trust up a little more, then she may reveal it. She could know, but not want to tell you because she thinks you'd never believe her."

"She seems confused whenever odd stuff happens, but she's well aware that weird things happen around her," Hunter said. Especially with the damn plot armor incident. That makes a lot more sense. The inconsistencies with the sailors also suddenly made a lot more sense. "She doesn't exactly hide it."

"Probably just doesn't know the name," Sarah agreed, then looked over him. "I know you have strong feelings for her. I do not know how deep they run, but do not dance around the subject with her. She hates mind games."

Hunter bristled. What kind of man did this woman think he was? "I wouldn't-"

"Just telling you," Sarah interrupted. "Honesty is your best bet with her. She definitely respects you, so in the unlikely event she doesn't return the feelings she won't hate you."

Terror at possibly being trapped in a pocket dimension waned briefly, replaced by hope. "Unlikely?"

"I'm old, not blind," Sarah said with a short laugh. "She said you had heightened senses, but they're exceptionally dull if you can't tell she feels strongly about you."

Another spark of hope warmed Hunter's chest, but he shook his head. "She's got a crush on Wrecker."

"Alphians, at least those I've met, often can be in multi-relationships. They're not strictly monogamous." She shrugged and turned away, heading back towards her workshop. "Tell her. You may be surprised."

Watching her leave, a vast array of emotions swirling in his chest. Panic, worry, fear, confusion, uncertainty, hope...

It was enough to result in a bloom of pain behind his eyes. Rubbing his temple, Hunter leaned against the nearest tree at the edge of the small clearing.

Realm Walkers, goddesses, magic, alternate realities...

That does it. No more non-GAR missions.

They were known for taking on suicide missions, sure, but he drew the line at mystical mayhem.

He looked out in the direction his sniper and mountain guide had gone, thinking he saw them near a large stand of short fruit trees, but he couldn't make out anything.

Your mountain guide?

Growling to himself, frustrated at the uncertainty now plaguing him whenever he was around Shadow, Hunter stormed back to the barn.

Splash some water in your face. It'll help.

A feeble plan at best, but it was better than nothing.

"Better than eleven percent!"

Shaking his head to rid his ears of Shadow's playful laugh before it sent him spiralling again, Hunter slammed open the door to the barn.

Tech stood directly inside, the top portion of his armor removed.

Hunter glared at him. "I thought I told you to stay upstairs."

"You did," Tech answered simply, crossing his arms. "I didn't listen."

What's the point of being a sergeant if no one listens to me?!

"You turned on your signal jammer. What was I not supposed to hear?"

Flicking it off, Hunter began, "Tech-"

"I'm not a cadet, anymore, Hunter. If it affects the team, we have a right to know."

"Not now," Hunter grumbled, trying to push past him.

Tech stepped in front of him and stood his ground. "What did she tell you about Shadow? What's wrong with her?"

"There's nothing wrong with Shadow!" Hunter snapped.

Tech blinked, otherwise unfazed. "You do not lose your cool like this. She must have told you something. It was about Shadow having an odd effect on reality, wasn't it?"

Hunter glared at his younger brother, this scene all too familiar. How often had Tech confronted him when they were cadets after Hunter learned something that could put his team, his family, in danger? Tech was stubborn, far more than people ever imagined. He never let up.

Unless Hunter promised he would tell him later.

Hunter sighed roughly, reaching back and running his fingers through the dark locks at the back of his neck before saying to Tech, "I'll tell you tonight, alright?"

Tech's eyes narrowed behind his goggles, but he merely said, "Fine." He started back up the steps, grumbling under his breath.

Hunter started up after him, but movement out of the corner of his eye made him jerk his head around.

An older man with tan weathered skin and erratic greying hair dressed in work clothes leaned against the wall in the corner of the barn, watching him with sharp eyes. The backs of his scarred hands bore odd matching tattoos, diamond in shape with swirling patterns at each of the four sides above triangular fin-shaped protrusions. The man gave Hunter a mischievous smile and winked at him.

"Hunter?" Tech called from the top of the stairs.

Hunter looked up to him briefly before looking back to the man.

Only to discover he was gone.

Hand shifting to the pistol on his hip, Hunter slowly set his helmet down. Pulling the gun from its holster, he slowly crept forward with his finger hovering above the trigger, listening hard for any noise.

Scuff of a boot, sharp inhale of breath, even the faint beat of a heart. Casting his senses out, ignoring anything smaller than a humanoid, he scanned for any sign of life.

Tech registered behind him, Wrecker above him, the Hillguides outside in the field, the faint signatures of Shadow and Crosshair on the very edge of his range, Sarah at the opposite end... but no one else.

He shortened the range.

Tech, Wrecker... that was it.

As if the man simply vanished. Or was never there at all.

But Hunter had seen him. Drawing close to where the man had been, a scent stood out from the mustiness of the barn.

Clean, crisp, with a hint of salt.

There, in the corner of a barn in the middle of a vast forested mountain range, Hunter smelled the all too familiar scent of the sea.

"What are you doing?" Tech asked behind him, hand behind his back resting on his own pistol as he made his way over to Hunter.

"Did you not see him?" Hunter demanded, spooked. Hidden assailants he could deal with. Cloaked assailants he could deal with.

But enemies that literally vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a scent?

"Who?" Tech asked, voice lowering as he stood back to back with Hunter, covering his blind spot instinctively and pulling his own pistol out.

"I don't know. Older human male, about Crosshair's height and build with grey hair and work clothes. Was standing in this corner."

"I didn't see anyone, and no one came in while you were out there," Tech said slowly. "I can run a range scan for lifeforms."

"Do it," Hunter ordered, still on edge. "Now."

Tech nodded and made his way to the steps with his back facing them, looking down the sights of his pistol as his aim swept back and forth across the barn. Seeing no one, he hurried around and dashed up the stairs, taking two at a time.

Eyes narrowing, Hunter scanned the empty barn as he stepped towards the row of stalls. "Doesn't have to be done the hard way," he growled. "Show yourself."

Only the wind whistling through the barn answered him. The odd smell of the sea caught his attention, but it was gone before he could be sure.

Checking each stall yielded nothing, aside from a pissed sparrow that angrily chirped at him for ruining its nap.

Casting his senses out once more, extending them as far as he could without overloading himself, Hunter scanned for any sign of the mysterious man.

His search still yielded nothing.

Slowly lowering his weapon, Hunter brought his senses back in.

Spice trip.

This whole damn thing was a spice trip.

Maybe he'd gotten bucked off that Hillguide and hit his head and was in a dream.

Maybe he'd never even woken up after going to sleep at that outpost!

Because this couldn't be real.

Cautiously reholstering his firearm, Hunter went back to the steps and scooped his helmet up. Sending one last glare at the still empty corner, Hunter ascended the steps to the small loft space.

Wrecker, the top portion of his armor removed minus his knuckle guards, stood with his gun next to Tech as the engineer fiddled with one of his scanners. He aimed it at the stairs but quickly lowered it when he saw Hunter.

"Find 'im, Sarge?"

Hunter shook his head. "Nothing. Tech?"

The engineer shook his head as well. "Nothing on my scanners." He looked up and squinted. "You're certain you saw someone?"

Hunter looked back down towards the steps. "Thought I did..."

"Probably just hungry, Sarge!" Wrecker laughed.

"Maybe." Hunter wasn't so sure. "We'll take shifts tonight, just in case."

Stripping the upper layer of his armor and organizing it in a pile next to Wrecker's, Hunter was once again glad he'd introduced the armoring contest to see who could get ready the fastest. They could get ready in record time, a skill that had saved them more than once.

Footsteps coming up the steps, followed by a female's voice, caught his attention and alerted him to Shadow and Crosshair's approach. Heading to the stairs, he went to greet them.

Please don't be in a silent war, please don't be in a silent war...

He wasn't sure what caught his eye first.

Crosshair helmetless, his helmet full of berries, the relaxed expression on the sniper's face, or...

Where is her shirt?!

"Sarge?" Shadow asked, head cocked to the side. "You uh... ok there?"

Crosshair raised an eyebrow at him from over Shadow's shoulder, a faint smug smirk on his face.

Sputtering, Hunter gestured to her bare stomach with both hands and managed, "What?!"

Shadow pointed to Crosshair's helmet. "Needed a linin' for his bucket."

"But-"

"Woah!"

Wrecker's yell echoed around the loft a moment before the floor rattled. Coming to Hunter's side, he gasped, "You're muscular, Squeaky!"

Shadow laughed as she and Crosshair made it into the loft and stood side by side. "Well duh! With all the trainin' I did for karate, I should hope I gained some abs from that!"

"I like 'em!"

"Thanks, big guy!" She then shrugged and poked her stomach. "Looked better when I was still hard at it, but they still work. Could do without this, though," she sighed, pulling on the skin at her side.

Tech's head appeared around Wrecker. "Oh! That's just because your body built up fat to help protect your muscles. It's healthier to have some fat rather than strictly lean muscle, as muscle gain is incredibly taxing on your body. Fat storage helps give you the energy to use them properly. They're gained from use, right?"

"Aye. I mean I'm not as active as I used to be. But thanks, Tech." She looked to Crosshair. "Can I have the bucket? I'll move the strawberries to an actual bowl."

Crosshair hesitated but slowly handed the helmet over to her.

Carefully taking it from the sniper who watched her every move, Shadow carried it over and switched the berries to the white bowl on the counter. Handing it back to Crosshair, she slipped her stained shirt back on and grabbed a few berries before moving to perch on the back of the couch. "Sarge, lookin' kinda spooked there."

"Did you see anyone when you were out there?" Hunter asked.

Shadow raised an eyebrow as Wrecker sat on the couch behind her. "No?"

"Sarge thought he saw a ghost," Wrecker explained, munching on some strawberries.

"Wasn't a ghost, I saw someone," Hunter growled.

"Description?" Crosshair asked, stiffening.

"Older human male, crazy grey hair, your skin tone, work clothes, diamond shaped tattoos on the backs of his hands with swirls."

At the mention of the tattoos, Shadow's eyes flew wide, her ears going stiff. "Hold it. Did you smell the ocean?"

Oh no... no no no! Not another reality shift! "Yes."

Diving across the floor to her pack, she yelled, "Sketch pad!" Yanking out a pencil, she quickly scribbled something and showed him. "Did the tattoos look like this?"

Hunter's eyes widened. While missing the fins on the outer sides, hers was spot on. "You know who that was?" he demanded.

She looked away and muttered something under her breath.

"What?" he demanded.

"That was Maxolyn..." She looked back up at him. "The Kelusian god of the seas."

Shoot me...

Yes, I called a god character a crackhead. Max is lovely but has that crazy sailor in him. You know the type. Full of wisdom and kinda sweet, but wild af and loves to play jokes

Also, because I was a fool and sped through ~13000 words in a single week, I've crashed so I have NO idea when the next chapter will be out. Hopefully it wont be a monster chapter like this