John stood in front of the mirror, the cold water running over his hands. He cupped some in his palms and splashed it onto his face, letting the chill of it snap him back into the present. The fluorescent light overhead buzzed faintly, reflecting off the sterile surfaces of the bathroom, but all John could focus on was his own face staring back at him in the mirror.
He looked tired, more so than he should. His eyes, usually sharp, seemed clouded with something he couldn't quite place. He gripped the edge of the sink, leaning forward as the water dripped from his chin. His mind kept circling back to Marian, her eyes as she mouthed 'Help' whilst being pulled into the darkness by Blacksmith's tendrils.
Why did it bother him so much? He had seen death before—countless times. He'd taken lives when necessary, and it never lingered like this. Yet Marian's death, like the civilians before her, clung to him. A weight in his chest that wouldn't lift. It was different when it was people like her. Innocent, maybe. Caught in the storm of an unending war.
He sighed, wiping his face with a towel. The cold water hadn't done anything to clear the fog in his head. Why does it matter? he thought. Marian, the civilians, the faces from his past—they were all just casualties of something bigger, right? And in this world, survival often meant accepting the collateral damage.
He could kill without flinching if he had to. He knew that much about himself. It wasn't even a question. Yet, this gnawing feeling, this unsettled guilt, made him wonder if something was wrong with him. Most sorcerers—or soldiers, for that matter—learned to detach themselves. But every now and then, that small part of him cared, even when he didn't want it to.
Is there something wrong with me? The thought hit him harder than he liked to admit. If he could just suppress that part of himself—the part that felt the weight of every loss—maybe then he'd finally be able to move forward without hesitation, without the ghosts from his past pulling him under.
He stared into the mirror again, his reflection gazing back at him, empty-eyed. For a moment, he didn't recognize the man looking back. He took a deep breath, letting the air fill his lungs before exhaling slowly. He couldn't afford to let these thoughts drag him down. Not now.
With another splash of water on his face, he stood up straight and ran a hand through his hair. The briefing started by now, he thought, glancing at the clock on his comms device. I'm late already...
A small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. If he was going to be late, he might as well make the most of it. The thought of the sterile, tense atmosphere of the briefing room didn't exactly appeal to him at the moment.
He grabbed his new coat from the hook by the door, pulling it over his shoulders. There was a corner store nearby that sold decent food—better than whatever they'd be offering in the mess. And he had time. He always had time, didn't he?
With a resigned sigh and a half-smirk, John turned toward the door. Maybe a quick bite would clear his head more than the cold water ever could. The briefing could wait.
John stepped into the briefing room, not bothering to glance at the time. The quiet hum of the Ark's facility droned in the background, and he could immediately feel the tension thick in the air as the door hissed shut behind him. He was late—he knew that. Forty-five minutes late, to be exact. But if his entrance was any indication, he didn't seem to care.
Seated around the table were the members of Absolute Squad. He hadn't met them personally, but their reputation preceded them. The best of the best, Ark's elite, and now they were his new team.
Eunhwa was the first to lock eyes with him, her cold stare like ice on his skin. She sat with her arms crossed, the crisp lines of her uniform emphasizing her rigid posture. Her gaze was a storm of disdain and judgment, like she was mentally filing him away in a category marked "Unworthy."
"You're late," she said, her voice biting, no room for pleasantries. "And not just a little late. Forty-five minutes. If you can't even show up on time, I don't know how you expect to command us."
John blinked innocently, throwing her a lazy grin as he strolled to the head of the table. "Forty-five minutes, really? Feels like I just blinked. Time flies when you're… what was it again?" He scratched his chin theatrically. "Oh, right. Being considerate."
Eunhwa's scowl deepened, her eyes narrowing in pure contempt. "Considerate," she repeated slowly, each syllable laced with venom. "You think you're being considerate by making the entire squad wait?"
John sat and leaned back in his chair, completely unbothered by her rising anger. "Well, you guys are Absolute Squad, aren't you? Figured you'd appreciate a little extra time to prepare."
Her fists clenched at her sides, but she kept her tone measured, barely. "Absolute Squad doesn't need time. We're already prepared. It's the weak links we need to worry about."
"Oh, I see," John replied with an exaggerated shoulder shrug. "So, you're saying you didn't need me here at all. I should've just skipped the entire thing then."
Eunhwa's eyes flared with frustration, and John could tell he was getting under her skin. Perfect. He'd always enjoyed poking at the ones who took themselves too seriously.
To her left, a soft laugh interrupted the rising tension. Emma, with her long blonde hair and warm smile, watched the exchange with a twinkle in her eye. She seemed to be the friendly one—at least, friendly compared to Eunhwa. "Oh, come on, Eunhwa. It's not the end of the world. Besides, he's here now." She turned her attention to John, her voice gentle but with an underlying firmness. "Good to meet you, Commander. I'm Emma."
John shot her a grin, appreciating the lightness she brought to the situation. "Good to meet you too, Emma. Always nice to be greeted by someone not looking like they want to kill me."
Eunhwa snorted. "You should be so lucky."
Emma chuckled again, but her gaze shifted to the quiet figure sitting a little further away. Vesti, the smallest of the trio, was huddled in her seat, her wide eyes darting around nervously. She didn't say anything, her face partially hidden behind her hands. John had heard of her too, the "Reaper," they called her, despite her delicate and timid demeanor. She was known to be the deadliest among them—something he found hard to believe, looking at her now.
Vesti glanced at him for the briefest of moments, her cheeks reddening. "H-Hi, Commander," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper before her eyes dropped to the table again.
John raised an eyebrow, but smiled softly at her. "Vesti, right? I've heard good things."
She blinked at the compliment, clearly not used to being singled out. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve as she nodded, still avoiding his gaze.
Eunhwa's sharp voice cut through the brief moment of ease. "You may think you can joke your way through this, Commander, but let me make one thing clear—this squad is the best for a reason. If you want to lead us, you'll need more than your pathetic sense of humor. I expect perfection."
John met her glare with a playful smile, leaning forward in his chair. "Perfection, huh? Well, I guess I'll just have to try and keep up."
Eunhwa's scowl deepened, her lips curling in irritation. She wasn't one to be toyed with, and John's casual attitude was doing little to earn her respect.
But that was fine by him. He wasn't here to make friends, at least not yet. Absolute Squad had a reputation, and if they were half as good as the rumors said, he'd figure out a way to earn their trust. Eventually. For now, though, ruffling a few feathers seemed like a good way to get a feel for the dynamics.
"So," John said, breaking the tension with a light clap of his hands. "What's next on the agenda? Or did I miss the whole briefing?"
Eunhwa shot him a withering look. "You missed the entire briefing."
Emma smiled gently, shaking her head. "Don't worry, Commander. We can go over the details again." She glanced at Eunhwa. "Right?"
Eunhwa didn't respond immediately, her icy gaze still fixed on John. After a long moment, she sighed, clearly resigned to dealing with him, at least for now.
"Fine," she muttered. "Let's start from the beginning. But don't expect me to repeat myself again."
Eunhwa stood at the front of the briefing room, her posture rigid and military-like, her gaze fixed on the display as she began the mission debrief. "We have a missing Nikke squad," she said coldly, her tone as sharp as ever. The holographic display behind her flickered, showing maps of the region and the last known location of the squad in question. "The squad radioed for help, but immediately after the transmission, they disappeared. No further contact."
John sat back in his chair, visibly uninterested. "Another missing squad, huh?" he muttered under his breath, but loud enough to ensure Eunhwa could hear him. "Seems like deja vu."
Eunhwa's eyes flicked toward him, her expression showing a hint of irritation. "This situation is different. There's no evidence of Raptures. No wreckage. No destroyed equipment. Just... nothing." She turned her attention back to the map. "Your last mission was in a warzone with a clear enemy. This, however, is an investigation."
John sighed dramatically, barely stifling a yawn, his hand rustling in a bag of crisps he had somehow produced. As Eunhwa continued explaining the details of the mission—mentioning coordinates, contingency plans, and procedures—John reached into the bag and pulled out an opened bag of crisps, munching on them loudly.
Eunhwa's eye twitched, but she pushed on, ignoring the blatant lack of respect. "Our objective is to investigate the area, uncover any signs of the missing Nikkes and the threat they faced, and bring them back if possible."
As she continued, John leaned over to Vesti, who was sitting awkwardly in her chair, trying her best to focus on the briefing. "Want a chocolate bar?" he whispered, holding out a piece of candy toward her while chewing on his crisps. Vesti's eyes flicked nervously toward Eunhwa, who was laser-focused on the display, but she timidly shook her head.
John just shrugged, popping the chocolate bar whole into his mouth alongside the crisps before loudly crumpling the crisp bag, drawing an even harsher glare from Eunhwa. She paused in her speech, clearly biting back some sharp retort, but after a moment, she resumed, her tone growing frostier with each passing second.
"The squad's last known coordinates are here," she gestured to the map. "This is where we'll begin our investigation. Be prepared for anything."
John raised his hand lazily, waving it as if he were a bored student in class. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Missing squad, no Raptures, mysterious disappearance." He leaned forward, still chewing. "When exactly did this squad go missing?"
Eunhwa's eyes narrowed at him, as if annoyed he had only now decided to ask a relevant question. "Two months ago."
John froze, his lazy demeanor fading just slightly. He swallowed the last remnants of the chocolate bar, wiping his hands on his pants. "Two months? And we're only now looking into this?"
The room went silent for a beat as his words hung in the air. It was a fair question, and one that nobody seemed eager to answer. Emma glanced at Eunhwa, while Vesti fidgeted nervously in her seat.
Eunhwa's expression remained unreadable, though there was a tension in the room that hadn't been there before. "The reasons for the delay in investigation are classified," she replied curtly. "All you need to know is that we're assigned to the mission now."
John leaned back in his chair again, his brow furrowed. "Classified, huh? Convenient."
Eunhwa ignored the jab, finishing the briefing with crisp efficiency. "We leave at 0500. Be ready." With that, she turned off the display and walked out of the room, her back straight, not giving John another glance.
John watched her leave, popping another chocolate bar into his mouth. He didn't like it when things didn't add up. Two months was a long time to wait for an investigation, especially for a squad that had supposedly disappeared in mysterious circumstances. Something wasn't right.
The next morning, the quiet hum of the Ark's elevator provided a stark contrast to the tension that hung in the air. The group stood in silence as the lift ascended toward the deployment zone. John, looking as relaxed as ever, was leaning casually against the wall, holding a small box with an apple pie inside. He nonchalantly bit into the pie, chewing slowly, savoring the sweet taste.
Across from him, Vesti stood stiffly, clutching an identical box in her hands, but unlike John, she hadn't taken a bite. Her eyes kept darting nervously between her squadmates, her hands fidgeting as she gripped the box a little too tightly. The scent of the pie was tempting, but she couldn't quite bring herself to eat it under the current circumstances.
Eunhwa, standing rigid with her arms crossed, radiated annoyance. Her eyes burned holes into John, who seemed completely oblivious—or perhaps he just didn't care. A similar apple pie box was clutched in her hand, though her knuckles were white from how tightly she was gripping it. The tension between her and the box was almost palpable, and it was clear she was doing everything in her power to keep herself from snapping.
Emma, on the other hand, was enjoying her own apple pie without a care in the world. She took dainty bites, her expression one of pure contentment. "Mmm, this is delicious, Commander. You sure know how to pick them."
Eunhwa's jaw tightened, her sharp gaze flicking between Emma and John, clearly on the edge of losing her patience. Finally, she spoke, her voice icy and restrained. "You were supposed to be here at 0500. You're fifteen minutes late."
John shrugged, taking another bite of his pie and speaking between mouthfuls. "Fifteen minutes isn't that bad. Basically on time, right? I even woke up early for you guys—picked up breakfast and everything."
Eunhwa's eyes flared with irritation, her grip tightening on the pie box in her hand. "We don't need your breakfast. We need punctuality."
John waved his free hand dismissively. "Relax, we're still on schedule. Besides, how can you stay mad while holding something as good as apple pie?" He took another exaggerated bite, enjoying himself far too much. His casual attitude was clearly not doing him any favors with Eunhwa.
Emma giggled softly, clearly amused by the entire exchange. "I don't know, Eunhwa. The Commander has a point. This pie is pretty good."
Eunhwa shot her a glare that could freeze an ocean, but Emma merely smiled back, completely unfazed.
John glanced at Vesti, who was still holding her untouched pie, looking increasingly uncomfortable. "Vesti, you're not going to let that pie go to waste, are you?" he teased lightly, raising an eyebrow.
Vesti's face turned a light shade of pink, and she shook her head quickly. "N-no... I'm just... not hungry right now." Her voice was barely a whisper, and her grip on the box tightened even further as if it were a lifeline.
Eunhwa's patience finally snapped, and she slammed the box of pie down on a nearby ledge, her eyes blazing with frustration. "This isn't a joke, Commander. We're on a serious mission, and you're treating it like a stroll in the park."
John wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, giving her an easy smile. "Eunhwa, you need to relax. This mission is as serious as any other, but there's no harm in enjoying ourselves a little, right? Keeps the spirits up."
Eunhwa clenched her fists, clearly holding back a tirade. "I expect perfection from this team. And that includes you."
John simply shrugged again, finishing off the last of his pie and crumpling the empty box. "Well, perfection or not, at least we won't be hungry on the battlefield."
The elevator hummed as it continued its ascent, the tension still thick in the air, but John remained as laid-back as ever. Emma smiled to herself, Vesti shuffled nervously, and Eunhwa—well, Eunhwa's glare said it all.
As the elevator doors slid open and the team stepped out into the wild expanse of the surface, the stark contrast between the Ark's cold, metallic interior and the overgrown ruins around them was immediate. The air was thick with humidity, and the landscape—overrun with dense foliage—was a living reminder of the world that had been lost.
John, of course, treated the journey with his usual lack of seriousness. As they began their trek toward the coordinates, Eunhwa led the group, her posture rigid and military-like. Her expression remained cold, her eyes scanning the horizon with sharp precision.
Naturally, John couldn't resist messing with her.
"So, Eunhwa," he began, sidling up next to her as they pushed through the dense underbrush. "You ever think about cutting loose? Y'know, taking a break from the whole 'perfect soldier' routine?"
Eunhwa's gaze didn't waver. Her eyes stayed fixed on the path ahead. "Do not speak to me unless it's mission-related."
John smirked, swatting at a bug buzzing too close to his face. "Aw, come on. We've got a long walk ahead. We might as well get to know each other."
Her jaw tightened, but she kept moving, every step measured. "There's nothing to know."
"Nothing at all?" John raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Not even a little secret hobby or guilty pleasure? Maybe you binge soap operas in your spare time?"
For a moment, Eunhwa's lips twitched—a reaction so brief that John almost missed it. But she quickly schooled her expression, her voice colder than before. "I'm not like you. I don't waste time with distractions."
John chuckled. "Gotta say, that sounds exhausting. What's the point of putting your life on the line if you don't even take time to enjoy it every once in a while?"
Eunhwa stopped abruptly, turning to face him with an icy stare. Her hand flexed around the strap of her rifle. "You don't know anything about me," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "So don't pretend you do."
John's smirk only widened. He was getting to her, and he knew it. "You're right. I don't. But I'd like to."
She exhaled sharply, unwilling to engage any further, and resumed her march, her back even straighter than before. Behind them, Emma glanced at the two with a raised eyebrow, clearly amused by the back-and-forth, while Vesti kept her head down, eyes darting nervously.
John chuckled to himself, falling back into place. "Cold as ever," he muttered under his breath.
As the hours of trekking continued, the sky shifted from an overcast gray to a faint amber hue as the sun began its descent. The wind picked up, rustling through the dense foliage, bringing with it a sense of quiet unease. John, ever the one to break the silence, slowed his pace until he found himself alongside Vesti, who had been keeping to the back of the group, her small frame nearly swallowed by the oversized weapon strapped to her back.
John glanced at her, noticing her nervous glances and the way she seemed to shrink into herself as they moved forward. Vesti looked like a walking contradiction—carrying a massive rifle but looking like she'd rather disappear into the ground than be noticed. He figured she could use some loosening up. Plus, awkward silence wasn't his style.
"So, Vesti," John started, his voice light with mock seriousness. "How's it going back there in the land of silence and Rocket Launchers?"
Vesti blinked, caught off guard, her eyes darting toward him before quickly looking down at the ground. "Uh... I'm fine, Commander," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.
John gave her a sideways glance, his smirk creeping onto his face. "Yeah? 'Cause no offense, but you kinda look like you've seen a ghost—or maybe a really bad tax audit. You sure everything's good?"
Vesti fidgeted with the strap of her Rocket Launcher, her fingers tightening around it. "I'm just... not great at talking."
John chuckled. "Talking's overrated anyway. It's not like it's, you know, required for survival or anything." He kicked at a small stone, watching it roll ahead. "But hey, I'm not exactly the best at it either, yet somehow people keep putting up with me. Must be the charm."
Vesti blinked again, this time with a faint hint of confusion. "You?"
"Yep," John replied with exaggerated confidence. "King of awkward moments, right here. You think I was born smooth? Nah, I just keep talking until someone tells me to shut up. Surprisingly effective."
A small smile tugged at the corner of Vesti's lips, though she quickly hid it by looking down. "I... wouldn't have guessed."
John's grin widened. "See? Stick with me, you'll be rambling in no time. Or at least, you'll learn how to handle my rambling. One of the two."
Vesti's grip on her Rocket Launcher loosened, and John noticed her shoulders drop just slightly, as if she were starting to relax. His usual teasing tone still lingered, but he wasn't blind—he could see she was on edge. And while sarcasm was his go-to, he figured he should throw in a little sincerity for good measure.
"So," he continued, his voice a bit softer but still casual, "you've got quite the beast strapped to your back. That thing looks like it could take down a building or two. You ever get into any close calls with it?"
Vesti's eyes flicked to the Rocket Launcher on her back, her face turning a light shade of pink. "It's not... as heavy as it looks," she murmured, gaining a bit more confidence. "It's... just my job."
John raised an eyebrow, his smirk still present but a little more genuine. "That's one hell of a job. I can barely imagine dragging that thing around, let alone using it in a fight. Gotta say, you must be one hell of a shot."
Vesti's blush deepened, and she looked away. "I... I try my best."
John chuckled again, keeping his tone light but letting a hint of respect creep in. "Well, if your best is as good as they say, maybe one day you can teach me a thing or two. I could use some pointers. Who knows, maybe I'll even look half as cool carrying one of those monsters."
Vesti blinked, surprise flashing across her face. "You... want to learn from me?"
John grinned, this time more genuine. "Why not? From what I hear, you're one of the best. And me? I'm just a guy trying to keep up. Gotta stay sharp, right?"
For the first time since they'd started walking, Vesti gave him a small but noticeable smile, her expression softening. "Thank you... Commander."
John waved her off with a mock-disappointed shake of his head. "John. Just John. Unless you're going to start calling everyone 'Commander' when we're out here. Which, I gotta say, would be confusing."
Vesti giggled softly, her smile lingering as they walked. The tension between them eased, and John couldn't help but feel a small sense of satisfaction. Sure, he'd cracked a few jokes, but there was more to this than just banter. Even the quiet ones needed to know they weren't alone.
Ahead, Eunhwa shot him a sideways glance, her expression as cold as ever, but John just shrugged it off. He knew she wasn't impressed by his casual approach, but he wasn't here to win her approval. He'd get under her armor eventually, one joke at a time.
Emma, walking just ahead, glanced back and caught his eye. She flashed him a warm smile, clearly appreciating his effort to connect with Vesti. John returned the smile, giving her a quick nod. He might be playing the long game with Eunhwa, but with the others, he was making headway.
As they trudged further along the overgrown path, the weight of the dense wilderness seemed to press in on them from all sides. The sky was a blanket of dull gray, and the towering ruins of the old world loomed like silent sentinels around them. It wasn't the most pleasant of landscapes, but John had never been one to let his surroundings dampen his mood.
John sidled up beside Emma, who had been keeping a steady, unhurried pace. Unlike her more rigid squadmate, Emma carried herself with an easy grace, her face framed by a soft, welcoming smile.
"So," John began, offering her one of his signature grins, "you're the one who keeps everyone sane in this squad, huh?"
Emma chuckled, glancing at him. "I suppose you could say that. Eunhwa does the leading, and Vesti... well, she's great in combat. I just try to make sure we all keep it together."
John nodded, leaning in slightly as if sharing a secret. "Seems like you've got your work cut out for you with Eunhwa. She looks like she's one sarcastic comment away from tossing me off a cliff."
Emma laughed softly, the sound light and genuine. "Eunhwa takes things very seriously, but she means well. She just has a very specific way of showing it."
John smirked, raising an eyebrow. "So, no chance of her cracking a smile anytime soon?"
Emma shook her head with amusement. "Don't count on it. But you never know, Commander. You might surprise her one of these days."
John grinned, letting his eyes wander briefly to where Eunhwa marched ahead. "Surprise her, huh? Maybe I'll bring her another apple pie next time. Works on most people."
Emma smiled at him warmly. "Maybe not. I'm warning you, Commander, you're in for a challenge. Eunhwa doesn't budge easily."
John leaned back slightly, as though considering his next move. "I do love a challenge. But how about you, Emma? What keeps you from losing it out here with two polar opposites for teammates?"
Emma's eyes softened as she brushed aside a low-hanging branch. "Oh, I find my peace where I can. Besides, it helps when you're used to taking care of people. I like making sure the squad is doing well—physically and emotionally. It's part of who I am."
John grinned, his tone still playful but with a note of respect. "Well, someone's gotta make sure things don't get too gloomy around here. Can't have us all turning into stone-faced soldiers like Eunhwa."
Emma laughed again, the sound light and genuine. "Just don't push her too far. We still need her in one piece."
John winked. "Don't worry, I'll keep my teasing to a minimum... probably."
As they continued along the path, the wind carried with it the rustling of the undergrowth. John glanced at Emma again, his smirk softening. Beneath the teasing, he could see how much she kept the squad in balance, and he respected that. Every team needed someone like her—someone who kept things from falling apart, even if they didn't get the credit for it.
Ahead, Eunhwa shot him a glance, her expression unreadable, but John just shrugged. He knew winning her over would take time, and honestly, he wasn't in a rush. Emma, on the other hand, caught his eye and flashed him a warm smile, clearly appreciating the effort he was putting into the squad.
The wilderness grew quieter as they neared the coordinates. The wind seemed to die down, and even the distant hum of wildlife faded into an eerie silence. The squad slowed their pace as they approached the destination, all eyes scanning their surroundings with heightened awareness.
John, still chewing on the remnants of a snack he'd pulled from his pack, suddenly grew serious as the weight of the situation pressed in. The coordinates were dead ahead, but something was... off. There were no signs of a fight. No scorch marks, no debris, no telltale signs of a struggle that would usually accompany a Nikke squad going dark. Just... silence.
The clearing they entered was wide, with a few broken-down structures, their rusting metal frames long overtaken by creeping vines. The earth beneath their feet was undisturbed, the grass swaying lazily in the breeze. It was as though no one had been here in months, let alone recently enough for a battle to take place.
John's brow furrowed as he came to a stop, his hands resting on his hips as he looked around, scanning the area with an almost puzzled expression. "This is it?" he muttered under his breath, double-checking his map display. "Doesn't look like much of a battleground to me."
Eunhwa stepped forward, her eyes sharp, narrowing as she swept her gaze across the terrain. "There's no sign of any combat. No damage to the area. No signs of Rapture involvement." Her voice was cold, but John could hear the hint of suspicion behind her words.
Emma moved closer to Vesti, who stood a bit behind the group, her hands gripping her weapon tightly as she glanced around nervously. "Maybe it's a false reading," Emma suggested gently, though even she didn't sound convinced.
John crouched down, running his fingers through the soil beneath his boots. It was undisturbed, soft, and unmarked. "No bodies, no wreckage, no nothing," he said, standing back up and dusting his hands off. "This place doesn't look like it's seen action in a while."
Eunhwa, her jaw tight, glanced at John. "This doesn't add up. A squad doesn't just vanish without leaving a trace."
John nodded, his eyes still scanning the quiet clearing. "So we've got a squad that radios for help, and then poof—they're gone. No Raptures, no battle, just... nothing. Anyone else think that's weird?"
Vesti shifted uncomfortably, her eyes darting from side to side as if expecting something to jump out at them. Emma placed a calming hand on her shoulder, but even Emma's normally calm expression held a hint of unease.
"Coordinates are exact," Eunhwa stated, tapping her wrist terminal. "This is where they were last reported."
John folded his arms, staring out at the horizon. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end, and the quietness of the scene only made his instincts scream louder. "So, we're two months late to find an empty field?" he mused aloud, a slight grin pulling at his lips despite the seriousness of the situation. "Feels like we're chasing ghosts."
Eunhwa shot him a sharp look. "This is no joke. We need to figure out what happened here."
John's grin faded as he met her stare, nodding in agreement. "You're right. But I'm telling you, something doesn't sit right with this."
The squad stood in silence for a moment, the gravity of the situation settling over them. The coordinates had led them here, but all they'd found was an empty clearing, no closer to solving the mystery of the missing Nikkes.
Emma, her eyes soft but worried, looked at the rest of the group. "What do we do now?"
John stared out into the distance, his mind already racing with possibilities, the silence around them growing heavier with every second.
"We investigate," John said firmly, his voice cutting through the tension. "There has to be something here. We're not leaving until we find out what."
And with that, they began their search.