The night of despair dragged on as our group pressed forward through the darkness. The frigid night winds whipped across the second hill, where we chose to pause for a brief rest, hoping it would provide temporary cover. Everyone sat down, their exhaustion evident, but no one spoke. The only sounds were their heavy breaths. The tension in the air was suffocating, and the two moons of Arcadia, shining brightly in the sky, offered no comfort. If anything, their cold, unfeeling light only deepened the unease.
Osiris summoned a hologram once again, and the information it revealed sent a chill through everyone's hearts. The hill behind the camp we had just passed—if it fell into Zekhtau's hands—would become a strategic position for long-range attacks, allowing them to bombard us with ease. Every escape route would turn into a death trap, and there was no doubt Zekhtau was fully aware of this advantage.
"If they secure that position, we're finished," Osiris said quietly, her voice carrying a weight that made her words feel like an undeniable sentence of doom. Everyone frowned, the gravity of her statement sinking in. It wasn't just a warning—it felt like an unchangeable verdict.
"Then we'll have to run straight to the Guardian base as fast as we can," Draco suggested with firm resolve, though his face betrayed his hesitation. He knew, as did everyone else, that charging forward like that was akin to marching straight into Zekhtau's kill zone, where his forces would be ready to take them out at any moment.
Osiris ran another simulation, her device beeping rhythmically in the silence. The sound was almost unbearable, a constant reminder of the limited options they had. No matter how many scenarios she ran, the results remained the same. She shook her head and closed her eyes in frustration, her expression heavy with despair.
Akira held his head in his hands, his mind racing back to a distant memory—playing RTS games with his father. His father, a master strategist, had never lost to him. The tactics Zekhtau was using now reminded him of his father's strategies: pushing the enemy into a corner until their only option was to walk straight into a trap.
He struggled to recall his father's weak points, and slowly, the picture began to form. The key difference this time was that his father's units always included repair teams—three of them—keeping his forces alive even under heavy fire. But Zekhtau… Zekhtau had no repair units. Could this be the opening we need? Akira murmured to himself, his voice barely audible.
He glanced at Yue, who was sitting beside him, her eyes closed and her hands glowing faintly. Her calming presence helped him focus, clearing the clutter in his mind just enough to think more clearly. He returned to his planning as Draco attempted to voice an idea, though it was clear this wasn't his strength. Mirelle, on the other hand, had been silent for a long time, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings as if calculating the best angles for her spells.
Meanwhile, the five siblings, affectionately nicknamed "The Clumsy Five," worked tirelessly alongside the cyborgs, tending to the injured and preparing for evacuation. The atmosphere remained heavier than the starless sky above. The sound of everyone's labored breathing seemed to echo louder in the oppressive silence.
Above them, the two moons of Arcadia watched silently, their cold beauty offering no solace. They hung in the sky like silent witnesses to their plight, unyielding and indifferent. Even their light, so radiant, felt distant and detached—as if they, too, were powerless to intervene.
It was a beautiful yet unforgiving night, a night that made them feel utterly alone.
The moonlight of despair seemed to pierce the darkness even further as Osiris lifted her gaze from the hologram, her voice trembling with panic. "Someone's breached the firewall… They're an incredibly skilled hacker—I can't stop them!"
Her words froze everyone in place. Fear crept into their hearts, not just from the external threat, but from the unsettling fact that the one they relied on most for technology, Osiris, admitted she couldn't hold them off.
"It's here…" she continued, her voice shaking noticeably. "They… uh… they just sent a message…"
The entire team fell silent, as if under a spell, the tension so thick that the sound of their breathing filled the stillness. Osiris, her hands trembling slightly, opened the message and began to read aloud. "To Osiris…"
The very first words were enough to stun everyone. This hacker hadn't just breached their system—they knew who Osiris was, as a person. The realization only deepened the fear in the room.
She continued reading, "I apologize for rudely breaking into your system, but this is an urgent matter. I have a plan—a plan that could help you escape this hopeless situation. But it's a mission fraught with danger, one so risky it's almost akin to throwing your lives away. If you agree, respond to this letter. And Akira, I'm expecting a favorable answer from you, Commander. From, Lunar Cipher—the Revealer of the Moon's Truth."
As Osiris finished reading, her voice softened, but every word echoed in the minds of those present. Silence gripped the room once more, heavier than before, as if no one knew how to respond.
Akira clenched his teeth, his eyes betraying the anxiety he felt. "How much does he know about us…?" he muttered just loud enough for those nearby to hear. "It's not just that he knows who we are—he even knows the jokes Uncle Pong made offhandedly. It's like he's been watching us all along without us realizing it… It's terrifying… and yet, it saves us the time of explaining anything."
All eyes turned to Akira, waiting for his decision. The weight of their expectations pressed down on him, a monumental burden for someone who was only just beginning to understand the scope of his mission in this world.
He took a deep breath and decided to consult his team first. "Osiris?"
Osiris nodded. "Both my calculations and my instincts tell me to accept this offer," she said with a steady tone, though her eyes still betrayed a flicker of unease.
Mirelle chimed in next. "At the very least, it's better than staying stuck here with no way out."
Draco gave a small smirk, his usual bravado shining through. "If he really has a plan to fight back, I say we hear him out. Let's give 'em hell!"
But Elina's voice cut through, firm and decisive. "How can we trust him? We all know the name Lunar Cipher—he's a rogue thief we've been hunting down ourselves. Sure, he steals from the corrupt to help the poor, but how do we know he doesn't have ulterior motives?"
Elina's words were like a splash of cold water, grounding everyone in the harsh reality of their situation. Even Akira began to waver, doubt creeping into his thoughts. But before he could reply, Yue spoke up, her voice steady and full of unwavering support.
"Brother, no matter what you choose, I'll always stand by you. And I promise, I'll never blame you if things go wrong."
Her words felt like a weight being lifted off Akira's chest. He let out a small laugh and turned back to the group. "Well, since we're stuck here with nothing left to lose, let's hear him out. If his plan doesn't make sense, we'll just reject it later. Osiris, reply that we're willing to listen."
Though Elina still didn't look entirely convinced, she ultimately accepted the team's decision. Everyone understood that this might be their only chance to turn the tide of despair.
And so, with cautious hope and a shared sense of apprehension, they waited for the truth that Lunar Cipher would reveal.