The day had finally arrived.
Gary wasn’t sure how he felt about it.
Standing at the top of the mountain beside Steve, with the cold mist rolling across the ground and swallowing the edges of the world, it felt less like the beginning of a great battle and more like the quiet before sothing inevitable. Whether they were ant to play a real role in what was about to happen, or whether they were nothing more than observers, Gary honestly couldn’t tell.
But even if this journey ended here, it wouldn’t have been a waste.
They had learned too much for it to an nothing.
The group waited in silence, the air thick and damp. The mist curled around their legs, making it difficult to see more than a few ters ahead. Every sound felt amplified, the soft crunch of boots against stone, the distant rustle of wind through trees far below, even the slow rhythm of Gary’s own breathing.
A sudden flash of light cut through the fog.
Gary’s head snapped up as two familiar figures erged from the mist, their outlines forming before resolving into clear shapes. Bliss stood tall and composed, her blue hair barely moving despite the breeze, while Lenny walked beside her with his usual calm expression.
Gary’s eyes lingered on Lenny longer than he intended.
I wonder… Gary thought. Is he really the sa person?
The resemblance to Rickle still bothered him. The more Gary looked, the harder it was to ignore, the facial structure, the posture, even the way his eyes scanned the surroundings with quiet calculation. If Lenny truly was the sa person, what had he been doing all this ti? Why would soone like him create the Altered in the future if he himself wasn’t human?
There were too many unanswered questions, and no ti to ask them.
“It’s good to see that everyone is still here,” Bliss said, her voice calm as ever. “It seems you haven’t brought anyone else along.”
Steve frowned slightly. “What do you an? These three are with . I thought that was already more than enough.”
Bliss turned her gaze toward Gary, Kai, and Lupus. Her stare was deeper than before, almost unsettling, as if she were asuring sothing invisible within them.
“For the three of you,” Bliss said slowly, “there is still a risk. Unzoku’s influence doesn’t end with Alphas. Since you are neither Alphas nor Betas, there may be ways for him to exert control over you more easily.”
Lupus stiffened, and Kai’s jaw tightened.
“I think it would be best,” Bliss continued, “if you stay behind us at all tis. Steve will serve as the focal point, and I will assist him in blocking Unzoku’s influence. If the situation becos dire, only then should you step in.”
Kai understood imdiately.
This wasn’t their fight to interfere with. Not yet.
They were here to witness, to learn, and to understand why they had been brought to this mont in the first place.
The ground trembled slightly as two more figures erged from the mist.
Jack appeared first, his massive weapons strapped securely to his back, his soul armor already active despite the absence of combat. Steve instinctively straightened when he saw him, and Gary noticed the tension that still lingered between the brothers, even now.
And beside Jack,
“Why the faces?” Bluebird said with a grin. “Did you really think that was the last you’d see of ?”
Kai couldn’t help but smirk. Even now, Bluebird looked relaxed, as if walking into a battle against Unzoku was no more troubling than a morning stroll.
With everyone finally gathered, the group began moving.
According to Bliss and Lenny, they had been tracking Unzoku for so ti now. Their research had led them to a location not far from the mountain they currently stood on. The journey took them through thick forest, branches and leaves brushing against their shoulders as they pushed forward.
Eventually, another mountain ca into view, larger and darker than the first.
“Unzoku has been staying here,” Lenny explained as they moved. “It allows him to keep watch over both of your groups while ddling freely. We’ve followed several trails that led us to a cave at the base of this mountain before.”
Steve nodded slowly. “So you were already close.”
“Yes,” Lenny said. “We just didn’t realize the matters were directly tied to your two packs. We hadn’t been paying close attention to the Werewolves themselves.”
Steve almost asked what they had been paying attention to, but stopped himself.
“While we’re on our way,” Bliss said, reaching into her robes, “there’s sothing I should show you.”
She pulled out a fist-sized object.
The mont Gary saw it, his breath caught.
It was a dallion.
“This dallion,” Bliss continued, “will be used on Steve. It will prevent Unzoku’s power from extending outward and influencing the rest of you. With this in place, Jack will be able to fight without interference.”
Kai’s thoughts raced.
So this really is it.
The item they would need in their own ti, the key to fighting Unzoku without being controlled, had already existed here. They just needed to rember it, understand it, and survive long enough to use that knowledge.
Eventually, the group reached the base of the mountain.
Their pace slowed.
Lenny moved ahead first, lowering himself to the ground and carefully pushing aside large leaves. He peered through the foliage toward the entrance of a massive cave carved into the mountain’s side.
“There are guards,” Steve said quietly.
Lenny nodded. “They were here before as well, but they’re not the sa ones.”
Jack frowned. “Not Werewolves?”
“No,” Lenny replied. “They’re like .”
***
(Only one today had a busy day travelling to try and get my Son’s Passport done)
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