Rain pelted down on the remote training base like a furious drumbeat, drowning out the tension that filled the air. The six stood silently under the thin shelter of their broken camp, soaked, cold, and bruised from their latest mission gone wrong.
Mira shivered. "We were ambushed. This wasn't part of the test."
Kevin clenched his jaw. "Someone altered the terrain data—intentionally."
Bihoo stood silently, eyes scanning the forest. The jade at Nisa's waist glowed faintly under the rain-soaked fabric. He didn't stare, but his gaze flicked there more than once.
"Your jade," he finally said, voice low. "It reacts to danger."
Nisa didn't answer immediately. Her arms were crossed, but not in coldness—in thought.
"It's not just a jade. It's sealed power. I can't unlock it yet," she said, her tone curt, but not cold.
Lara nudged Teaha. "Looks like the ice queen's speaking to someone other than us now."
Teaha chuckled. "Maybe he melted the frost."
"Focus," Nisa snapped, but there was no venom in her voice this time.
As they moved to set up camp again, Bihoo knelt near Nisa, inspecting a wound on her leg. "You were limping. You didn't say anything."
"I'm not weak."
"I didn't say you were." His voice was calm, serious. "But strong people can bleed too."
Their eyes locked for a moment—tense, unsure.
Lightning cracked.
Later that night, when the others finally dozed off under the half-torn canopy, Nisa couldn't sleep. She turned slightly and saw Bihoo, sitting against a tree, watching the horizon like a guard.
"…You're not asleep," she said softly.
He didn't turn. "I don't sleep when I'm responsible for others."
Silence stretched between them.
Then—quietly—she said, "Thank you… for earlier."
Bihoo blinked. Then, slowly, he smiled. "You're welcome, Nisa."
The rain began to ease.
To Be Continued…