SICARII

The boat slowed as it neared the border of Kirka, the hum of its engine breaking the stillness of the early morning. In the distance, a line of massive mountains rose like an impenetrable wall, their jagged peaks piercing through low-hanging clouds. The terrain along the coast was harsh, a mix of steep cliffs and dense patches of forest clinging stubbornly to the rocky slopes. The faint sound of waves crashing against the cliffs carried over the water, mingling with the crisp scent of salt and pine. A narrow inlet cut through the mountains, marking the route they would take.

Lino stood at the bow of the boat, one hand gripping the rail as he surveyed the terrain. His voice carried over the soft sound of the waves, steady and commanding. "Alright, listen up. This is where things get real. We're docking soon, and from here, we move on foot."

He turned to the team, his expression as serious as the looming mountains ahead. "There's a route through the mountains. It's tight and uneven, but it'll get us through in about an hour. Once we're on the other side, we start the run to the first checkpoint. That's where the backup team will set up for the duration of the mission."

Rex crossed his arms, nodding slightly. "I'll stay with the backup squad," he said, his usual humor replaced with grim focus. "We'll be stationed close enough to move if needed but far enough to stay off the radar."

Lino nodded. "Good. You know the drill, Rex. Keep comms clear and only move if I give the signal."

The squad began unloading their gear, the sharp clinking of metal and quiet murmurs filling the air. Taizen adjusted his pack, glancing up at the towering peaks ahead. The sight was overwhelming, a stark reminder of just how vast the world was beyond the walls of the Beast Organisation HQ.

"This is insane," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

Mionara, standing beside him, raised an eyebrow. "What is?"

"The scale of all this," Taizen replied, gesturing toward the mountains. "I mean, I knew the world was big, but... seeing it like this, it's different. It's humbling."

Mionara shrugged, his tone calm but laced with thoughtfulness. "It's just land. Dangerous land, sure, but land. You act like it's going to swallow you whole."

Taizen snorted softly. "Maybe it feels that way because I'm still processing the last mission. That didn't exactly go smoothly, you know? And now we're here, walking into another mess without knowing what we're up against."

Mionara glanced at him, his sharp eyes briefly softening. "Nervous?"

"Yeah," Taizen admitted, his voice dropping slightly. "But it's not just that. I'm... excited too, in a weird way. Like, maybe this is what we're supposed to do. I just can't shake the feeling that it's going to end badly again."

Mionara's gaze lingered on Taizen for a moment before he replied, his voice low and steady. "It might. That's the reality of this job. You can be nervous, even scared—that's normal. But if you're too focused on the past, it's going to get you killed. Keep your head in the present."

Taizen nodded, taking a slow breath. "Right. Focus on now."

"Exactly," Mionara said, his tone firm. "The world might feel big and chaotic, but right now, all that matters is the path in front of us. Keep moving forward, one step at a time."

Lino's voice cut through their conversation. "Alright, pack up and move out! We've got an hour to clear these mountains and make it to the other side. Stay sharp and stick together. This isn't a leisure hike."

The team began ascending the narrow mountain path, their boots crunching against loose gravel and weathered stone. The terrain was unforgiving—steep inclines, sharp drops, and narrow passages that forced them to move in single file. The air grew colder as they climbed, the wind picking up and whistling through the crags. The path was slick in places, worn smooth by time and erosion, and every step required careful balance.

Taizen glanced up at the towering peaks once more, their shadows casting jagged lines across the ground. He tightened his grip on his gear, Mionara's words echoing in his mind. One step at a time. Focus on now.

In the unforgiving terrain of the mountains, there was no room for distraction—and no guarantee of what awaited them on the other side.

As the team navigated the rocky terrain, Taizen broke the silence, his curiosity getting the better of him. "So, Lino, what's Kirkia actually like? I mean, beyond what's on the mission brief."

Lino glanced back at him, his tone calm but laced with a tinge of amusement. "Kirkia's... complicated. Most of the country is like this—mountains and forests as far as the eye can see. But up in the north, behind a massive mountain range, there's a huge city. Modern, rich, and completely different from the rest of the country. Almost 90% of Kirkia's population lives there."

Mionara raised an eyebrow. "So, one city controls everything?"

"Pretty much," Lino replied with a nod. "The rest of the country's sparsely populated. Small towns, villages, and scattered communities tucked into the mountains. It's like two different worlds—one that's polished and thriving, and one that's rough and forgotten."

"Sounds like a recipe for conflict," Mionara remarked.

Lino sighed, his gaze scanning the horizon. "It has been. Kirkia used to have a lot of trouble with its neighbour, Winko. Those two were at each other's throats for decades. What's strange, though, is that Winko has an absurdly strong military. No one really knows why. For a country that doesn't have many Sicarii, their strength doesn't add up."

Taizen frowned, tilting his head. "Wait a second. You said they don't have many Sicarii in Winko—or Kirkia, for that matter. But… doesn't that mean there are Sicarii outside the six major organisations?"

Lino chuckled, shaking his head. "Of course there are, pup. Not every Sicarii is tied to an organisation. Plenty of them have their own motives, their own goals. Some join regular militaries, some live quiet lives under the radar, and some… well, some come from bloodlines so rare and old that most people don't even know they exist."

Taizen blinked in surprise. "You're telling me there are Sicarii just... living normal lives? And these rare bloodlines—how rare are we talking?"

Lino smirked, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Rare enough that people think they're myths. But they're out there. Not everyone with power wants to be part of the chaos. Some Sicarii just want to survive."

Mionara narrowed his eyes. "And Winko? You're saying they've got a strong military, but no one knows how?"

Lino nodded. "Exactly. They've got strength that doesn't make sense on paper. Maybe it's old tech, secret alliances, or something else entirely. But it's the kind of thing that keeps people on edge."

Taizen shook his head, processing everything. "I feel like we've been in a bubble. The agency hasn't taught us half of this stuff. How are we supposed to make sense of a world this big?"

Lino let out a short laugh. "Yeah, the agency could use some better teachers. You should've known this already. If you're going to survive out here, you've got to see the bigger picture. The world's a lot messier than the clean lines they draw in your training manuals."

Taizen exchanged a glance with Mionara, his jaw tightening. "Messier's an understatement."

Mionara grunted in agreement. "This just means we've got more to learn. Focus on what's in front of us for now."

Lino gave a small nod of approval. "Exactly. Keep your heads in the mission. Kirkia's got its mysteries, but for now, our job is simple: get in, get the target, and get out. You can figure out the rest of the world later—if you survive this."

The three fell silent again, the weight of the conversation settling over them as they continued their climb through the unforgiving terrain. The mountains seemed to stretch endlessly around them, a stark reminder of just how vast and dangerous the world truly was.