Dormitory Lounge
Ezette
Azael leaned against the doorway, listening to the cheerful voices drifting from inside.
...You're back.
Kamui returned to the member dormitory with Catrayv, wearing a smile that barely masked his exhaustion.
Azael took one look and understood. Kamui hadn't gotten the answer they'd been hoping for.
...Anything from Leif? About the order? Are they really... gonna throw us out there?
Mm... Still not saying a word.
Kamui managed a bitter smile. Catrayv, walking behind him, reached up and patted his head gently.
Catrayv remembered when he first arrived at Ezette, lost and grieving. At night, he would hide away alone, missing everyone from the orphanage. Back then, Kamui had always dragged Azael along to find him and patted his head just like this, hoping to ease his sadness.
Let's go inside. Wouldn't wanna miss Family Day.
If something's really coming for us... We face it together.
Look!! They're back!
The three of them entered the room where everyone had been waiting eagerly. Whatever troubles they had were set aside for now. In those brief moments, they could shed any burden and simply be a happy family together.
Hey! Who said you could eat all of that?? We're supposed to save some for next month! That's the whole point!
He called out to the person sitting across from him, his voice tinged with annoyance.
I-I just thought... maybe this is our last Family Day together...
With that military order hanging over us... who even knows how long we've got? If we're not gonna get another chance, I figured we might as well enjoy it now.
Hey!! Don't jinx us!! What kinda bad luck talk is that?! This isn't our last time. No way it is!
...Forget it, Abel. Just let him eat.
Truth is... none of us really know anymore.
The weight of those words settled over the room. Even the boy who'd been ravenously eating just seconds ago stopped, lowering his snack in silence.
No one had forgotten what day it was. But wishing it otherwise couldn't change the truth: the moment to choose had arrived.
Without a word, everyone drifted back to their seats. And then, as one, they looked toward Kamui, Azael, and Catrayv.
...So. About that military order, we haven't found anything new.
Leif still won't talk. Just keeps saying he's "working on it"...
"Working on it." Stop acting like a fool, Kamui. He's not trying to help us. He's buying time, hoping we'll just go along quietly when the time comes.
He said he'd try to get them to pull the order...
It's been three months, Kamui!
If he could actually do something, he would've done it by now. But what do we have? Nothing. No answers. No updates. Just you running in circles while he feeds you the same line over and over... Open your eyes! He's lying to you!
...
They're not part of Ezette, not our family. Why would they fight for us? To Leif, the only thing that matters is his soldiers. His people!
Azael... no fighting.
...It's fine, Catrayv.
Kamui's head dropped, defeat written in the slump of his shoulders.
Azael was right. He hated it, but Azael was right. If Leif truly had an answer... what had he been waiting for so far?
...I'm not trying to tear you down, Kamui. I just—
Yeah. I know.
At our current training and conversion progress, the risk of real combat missions is extremely high. And if those reports are right, if they're sending us to high-risk war zones...
"We'd die."
Kamui couldn't bring himself to say these words aloud.
That's not guaranteed, though. If Leif actually comes through with something, if we push harder, train faster, maybe things shift. Maybe there's a way through.
...But whether it's hope or despair, we can't be one hundred percent certain which will come to pass.
So here's where we're at. Two choices. One: We stay and wait. See what happens when the order drops, and figure it out then.
Two... We leave, before they start implementing the order.
But if we go... we're on our own. No more supplies from the World Government, no Ezette walls protecting us. It's basically trading one fight for another, for a life on the run.
He raised his head, gaze sweeping across those assembled.
Now, this is a big decision, one we all gotta make together. It's about our future as family.
But no matter which road we take, we've got your backs. We'll protect you, no question.
The boys and girls remained silent. In their hearts, they had already accepted this truth: either way, there was hope; either way, there was risk. Joining Ezette had meant accepting, from the very beginning, that such impossible decisions would one day be theirs.
...I don't want to be sent to die.
I didn't survive a war and dodge the Corrupted just to get thrown away now. I trained for a whole week straight, 'til my legs gave out, just to pass the combat test and get into Ezette.
I finally had the chance to become stronger! They told us that after the conversion, we could save people like I used to be! I don't want to be thrown away like this!
Yeah!! We're Ezette members! We're Project Barleycorn's trainees, the seeds of the Golden Suns! We're not garbage, and we're not just some expendable resources they can toss aside!
Look, if the Corrupted had gotten me before I found Ezette, fine. That would've been it. I could've accepted that.
But we did find a home. We found people we can count on, people we want to protect. So why in the world should we be the ones who get cast away?!
We can fight! We're stronger together. If we all stick together, we can build a new home somewhere else!
Let's just get out of here!! Ezette isn't a place, it's us. As long as we're together, it'll never die.
The light returned to their eyes, bright and unyielding. What did they have to fear? They had already lived the very things that terrified those in power.
They had lost their homeland, buried their loved ones, stared death in the face. Fate had scattered them, then brought them together. Had broken them, then given them reason to rise. Here, in this place, they had found each other and a hope worth holding. They would not let go easily.
We'll take the second path!!
Everyone shouted these words together in a heartfelt cry.
Yeah! So what if people look down on us? We'll just live our best lives and prove them wrong!
They wanna give up on us? Fine. We'll just stand our ground and show them what we're made of!
They think throwing us into some ruins is gonna break us? They think we'll just scatter and die? We're not playing their game.
We'll take those ruins, plant our seeds, and grow. We'll break right through the dirt and bloom. Just like the first people of Ezette did. We'll build our own home, all over again.
A brand new Ezette... that's all ours!
The children answered with cheers, eager for a wandering journey that would ask everything of them. Having already tasted death, they had no use for ease or luxury. Their purpose was clear: keep their home alive, and hold onto the belief that dawn would eventually break again.
The next night, their "grand escape" began.
Thanks to their knowledge of the fortress defenses, Kamui and his group slipped silently past the guards, quickly leading the children into the cover of darkness.
After nearly a full day of escape, the trainees finally set up camp on a sheltered slope in the woods for a brief rest.
Kamui, Azael, food.
Pulling back the tent flap, Catrayv set down two cans of food and gently reminded the pair to eat something, even as they worked deep into the night.
Good timing. We'll eat after we finish plotting our next move.
Whoa, hey, Catrayv, your face is all wet! C'mere, lemme wipe it off for you!
Abel found water. Everyone's washing. You should too.
Kamui peered outside the tent. There, bathed in moonlight, children were laughing as they played in a nearby spring, water glistening with each splash.
...So I went over yesterday's movement. We're slower than I hoped, but it could be worse. No Corrupted encounters, no sign of Ezette tracking us yet. And the supplies we grabbed midway should hold up for a while if we're careful.
Let's keep the same setup. Kamui, you take point with the faster ones, clear the way. Catrayv, stay at the back, make sure no one falls behind or gets spooked.
Yeah. So next step, we find a conservation area that doesn't have close ties with the World Government. Just lay low for a bit.
You grabbed that map from the archive room, right? Where are we headed?
Azael avoided Kamui's gaze, his eyes fixed on the world outside the tent. He made no move to retrieve the map he had been keeping hidden on his person.
...There are a few options, but none of them are perfect. I'm still figuring out which one will work.
Just give me a bit. I'll have it sorted by the time I'm done with the first watch. I'll give you an answer when you're up.
That map...
Kamui! Azael! Come wash up!
Just as Kamui opened his mouth to talk, he was interrupted by the children calling from outside the tent.
...Anyway, same watch order as always. I'll take the first shift, and you two take the second half. Remember to keep your beds close.
...Alright. It's been a long day. Everyone did pretty good.
Darkness settled over them, and soon the others were asleep. The first half of the night belonged to Azael, and he sat alone in the quiet.
His earlier reconnaissance had turned up no threats. For the moment, they could rest easy.
When he returned to the tent he shared with Kamui and Catrayv, he found, as expected, that Catrayv had once again pushed their three beds together, leaving almost no space between them.
Azael retrieved his terminal from beneath his pillow, then dug out maps and battle reports from his pack. He had never shown these to anyone. He sat on the bed, clutching these items, hesitating for a while before finally steeling his resolve and looking up.
Azael...
His back was to them. He was about to rise when Kamui's voice stopped him cold. A familiar hand settled on his arm, and panic flared in his chest.
Was Kamui awake? Had he been awake all along? Did he already know everything?
The hesitation lasted only seconds. Then Azael turned. If Kamui knew the truth, if accusations waited in his eyes, so be it. He would face them head-on.
Kamui, you...
He turned around, only to find Kamui's face inches from his own, slack with sleep and utterly peaceful.
...
Guys... it's okay... stay behind me...
Sleeping beside Kamui, Catrayv had been just as restless. His leg had draped over Kamui's stomach, and an occasional kick downward had drawn pained groans from the other boy.
Snowing, cold. Azael, middle. Kamui, squeeze right. Me, left...
...What a pair of idiots.
Azael carefully moved Catrayv's leg, though he had no illusions it would stay put. He then gathered the blankets they'd kicked away, carefully covering them both again.
After finishing, Azael stood and made it all the way to the tent entrance before he couldn't help himself. He walked back and used both hands to firmly close Kamui's wide-open mouth.
If your drool gets anywhere near my spot, you're sleeping outside, Kamui.
After leaving the tent, Azael walked to a secluded spot far from the campsite.
He glanced quickly at the map and documents in his hand, then used his terminal to dial a number he'd long since committed to memory.
Five minutes. Little Azael, you're five minutes late. Do it again, and I'll close this channel for good.
You missed our agreed window. By the rules, I should cut you off right now. No more intel, no more supplies, nothing.
But... I'll let it slide just this once. Consider it sympathy between... like-minded souls. We do share the same burden, don't we? So of course we look out for each other.
At Marlis' words, Azael betrayed no vulnerability. He drew a steadying breath, then replied.
...You still waited, though.
What do you actually want from Ezette?
Hmm... I do like sharp children, little Azael.
Of course I want something. This is a transaction. You do know what that word means, yes?
The World Government has a vested interest in certain... items locked away in Ezette's old archives. But Leif has always been terribly stingy with me about them. Won't share a thing.
But you're his right hand, aren't you? You help run that place. I imagine you know more than you let on.
...What are you planning to do to Ezette?
To Ezette? Darling, we're on the same side. The World Government and Ezette share an enemy. I simply want to understand our allies better. Is that so wrong?
Honestly, Azael. You're such a good kid, but that suspicion of yours is unbecoming. That supply station I sent you to... Wasn't it exactly what I promised? Well-stocked, perfectly safe?
I've held up my end. Every time.
Don't tell me you care more about that place, the one that lied to you, that was ready to throw you and those children away, than the kids actually depending on you right now.
...
Azael's brow furrowed slightly.
...I know the archive password. But before I give it to you, I need the other half of the map.
There we go. I do love a child who knows how to make a deal.
A soft beep signaled Marlis sending the remaining data to Azael's terminal.
In return, Azael passed the password Marlis needed through the communication line.
Does your promise still stand? That I can reach you if I need help?
The councilor on the other end heard the hesitation in the question and chuckled despite herself.
Oh, my dear little suns. Of course it does. Don't worry. We have plenty of time ahead of us.
I look forward to our next chat.
Wait, hold up. Something's wrong.
All members had proceeded as Azael directed, making their way toward the next destination.
The route suggested they should have arrived at the conservation area's edge by now. Yet here they were, still lost, the dense woods closing in around them.
...Maybe the data's outdated. But there has to be a conservation area nearby. Let's push through. Find shelter first, then figure out the rest.
The weather had been far from cooperative. Fog rolled in as they pressed on, forcing the team to stay close, each step forward harder than the last. Eventually, the entrance gate to the conservation area emerged through the haze.
There it is! Guys, look!!
Still speaking, the boy approached the entrance and reached for the communication device. Then he stopped. The gate wasn't locked. It gave way easily at his touch, swinging open without resistance.
Huh?
Abel, wait! Don't go in there!!
Kamui's warning came too late. The boy had already dashed into the conservation area, and barely three steps in, a brutal attack caught him square, hurling him back onto the ground with a heavy thud.
Corrupted!!
Two points of red light flickered through the fog. Kamui lunged forward without hesitation, seized the boy, and wrenched him back to safety.
Kamui!! On your left!!
Azael shouted a warning. Catrayv swung his blade and charged, teeth gritted, barely managing to block another Corrupted's sneak attack as it came.
Nngh!!
How?! Did some of them slip inside?!
...!!
Kamui blocked the Corrupted's charge with everything he had. Then he surged forward, battle cry tearing from his throat, and landed a blow that hurled the monster several meters through the air.
RAAARGH!!!
This many... and there are more inside!
There can't be anyone alive in there! This place is gone!!
We gotta move. NOW!!
They withdrew quickly, following the path they had taken in. The fog, however, showed no sign of clearing. Disoriented, they found themselves once again before a fractured wall at the conservation area's boundary.
The Corrupted had swarmed in numbers far beyond their expectations. In unfamiliar territory, with attacks coming from everywhere at once, injuries mounted quickly. To make matters worse, every direction looked the same. There was no telling which path led to escape and which led to more danger.
Thud. A heavy impact had echoed through the air. It was Carol. A metallic arm had howled out from the thick fog, tearing apart her backpack and slamming her hard against the wall.
AAARRGH!!
Carol!!
Carol!! Move!!
Out of nowhere, Loren emerged. He was fully armed, lunging ahead to shield Carol from the incoming strike.
Reinforcements arrived on his heels. Not many, but their gear was superior. It would be enough to hold the line.
Uncle Loren?!
Evac route's secure! Everyone, with us!
They're right on us! Can't break away!!
Kamui called out to Joe. Despite their efforts, the Corrupted kept coming. They had eliminated several, but the horde was endless, pinning them in place with no path to retreat.
...Some of us will stay to buy time!
Listen to me! You run. Don't look back. Don't stop. You get to Ezette in one piece. Got it?!
No!! Uncle Loren, I'll stay with you!
Sorry, little Carol. I'm not letting you have your way this time.
You're Barleycorn's hope. Ezette's hope. Hell, maybe all of humanity's hope. So if someone's gotta bleed for that... Let it be us old-timers.
You don't die here. Not today. Joe! Get her out of here. NOW!
Tch. Fine! But you hear me, Loren, I'm not playing babysitter forever. You damn well better make it back!
MOVE! We wait any longer, we're all dead!
Ignoring Carol's cries, Joe had seized her hand and forced a path through the Corrupted's encirclement. The other evacuation soldiers had moved with them, shepherding the children forward. But the ones who stayed had made their choice in silence. Calmly, they had turned to face the horde, knowing full well they would not survive.
HISSSSS!!
The Corrupted had formed a tight ring around Loren. Their roars shook the ground, and in another heartbeat, they would tear him to pieces.
Hah!! That all you got? You think loud noises scare me?
You monsters stormed into our home. You butchered our families. You destroyed everything we built!
You don't show mercy, do you? Not to the old. Not to the sick. Not to the weak. My little girl... She must've faced things like you. At the end.
I couldn't save her back then. But you bastards will NOT touch these children!!
DIE!!!
...Go to hell, you monsters.
You will NEVER touch our kids again!
He pulled the pin on his grenade, his final desperate measure. No one would ever catch the children fleeing back to Ezette now.
The children would make it home in their stead, and that was enough.
The explosion came deafeningly. Crimson flames climbed toward heaven like a barrier of pure resolve, cutting off the path completely.
Communications Room
Ezette
Leif's gaze remained fixed on the screen, where every member's signal was displayed. He sent one last confirmation ping, only to receive silence again. He was quiet for a long moment.
...It's YOU. All of you, you arrogant little brats!!
Unable to accept the reality of the situation, Joe requested permission from Leif to return and support Loren's team as soon as he arrived back in Ezette. When the reinforcements finally reached the scene, however, they found their path entirely blocked by debris from the explosion.
Forced to remain in the communications room with the children, Joe waited and hoped for a signal from Loren, but heard nothing in return. The confirmation pings went unanswered by the soldiers left behind, and most of their signal devices were registered as destroyed.
It was painfully clear. None of them was coming back alive.
If you hadn't run off like a bunch of idiots, that fool Loren wouldn't have noticed you were gone! He wouldn't have rallied everyone to come find you...
If he hadn't been so damn determined to save you, Carol! He'd still be alive!!
Don't talk to her like that!! No one knew there'd be Corrupted in that conservation area!
As always, Carlie had stood up for her sister. This time, however, Carol did not hide behind her and the others like the frail little girl she once was. Instead, she stepped forward on her own, clutching a brooch tightly in her hand as she broke into tears.
...It was me. Before we left... I was scared Uncle Loren would worry. So I wrote him a letter. I told him we were leaving.
This... this was his birthday gift to me. It belonged to his daughter. There's a tracker inside. He said she gave it to him so she'd always know where he was, and if he was safe.
That's how he found us so fast. That's why... if I hadn't written that letter... if I hadn't taken this brooch...
It's my fault! I'm the one who got him killed...
Carol found herself unable to speak another word. Bowing deeply to Joe, her hair tumbled forward, concealing her tear-streaked face while she sobbed without control. Joe, too, lost his composure; his face flushed red as he fought to hide his own unraveling.
I told him... I said stay away from those kids! I warned all of them... Don't get attached! Don't play hero!
They're never coming back!! What good are your words now?! You little—YOU should be the ones there, not—
JOE!! SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!
Leif's shout coincided with Kamui's sudden movement. Just as Joe's arm swung down, Kamui lunged forward and blocked the slap that had been intended for Carol.
—Kamui!!
...!
Azael, I'm fine. Catrayv, come back, stay by my side.
Kamui did not dwell on the slap; instead, he met Joe's gaze with calm composure.
This all started because we tried to run away. I'll take full responsibility. Whatever punishment's coming, I'll face it.
But we... we never wanted anyone to die. We knew about the relocation order. Even given another chance, we couldn't just stand there and watch our friends get thrown away like cannon fodder.
...I'm the one who planned the escape, so blame me all you want. But please... let the military leave the others alone. The ones who just didn't wanna die for nothing. They don't deserve that.
Don't listen to him! I helped plan it too. Whatever punishment there is, bring it to me!
Same.
What are you talking about?! We all decided together! You think we'd just let you take the fall?!
Yeah! We just didn't wanna be thrown out like sacrificial lambs! We didn't wanna die! What's so wrong about that?!
If you're gonna punish someone, punish ALL of us! Better than getting tossed into some high-risk zone like garbage! If our lives can pay for Loren and the others... then FINE!!
ENOUGH!!
Leif's furious shout silenced the restless children.
...This is my fault. When Kamui first came to me, I should've been honest. With all of you.
The military orders came down. But I already fought with the higher-ups. I got them to agree that our own soldiers deploy first. We meet the rescue quotas, not you.
For now... you just focus on your training, here in the base. When you reach the next phase, when you've got more control, then you'll be brought into missions gradually.
With conflicted emotions clear on his face, Leif looked around and spoke in an almost pleading tone, a sentiment that touched the children in the room.
However...
I OBJECT!!
You all know how bad it is out there. Those rescue zones are deathtraps! That's exactly why command wants Barleycorn units deployed, because your abilities might actually break through.
We can't send all our soldiers. We need bodies here to protect the base. And if even our best elites can't complete these missions... what then, huh? We just throw our own people into suicide runs?
So what you're saying is that we should follow that councilor's playbook? Sacrifice children? Kids who aren't even adults yet? Send them to die in our place?!
We are soldiers, warriors. And above all, we are adults! No matter how much pressure they put on us, we carry it. We have to!
...
Joe voiced no further objection. Those words were impossible for him to say. He questioned himself over and over: Was it resentment? Unwillingness?
The truth was, he still hadn't recovered from his closest friend's sacrifice, and the thought of himself now paying the same price was unbearable.
...Then put me on the roster.
After a long while, he finally spoke.
I saw the list. The places that need reinforcements... one of them's my hometown. Loren's too.
And many more... Places where soldiers like us grew up. Places we swore we'd protect.
I've heard them talk, you know? Around the barracks. Late nights. They talk about their families. Some are already dead. Some are still trapped out there, waiting for someone to come.
...I'm sorry. That's why we pushed you before. Why we wanted the relocation plan sped up.
Let us go. If someone's gotta die for this... at least let it be us. Let us fight for our homes one last time.
...
As Kamui watched Joe's trembling form, he noticed the tears the man struggled to contain in his reddened eyes. A burning sensation rose in his own chest in response.
You're Barleycorn's hope. Ezette's hope. Hell, maybe all of humanity's hope. So if someone's gotta bleed for that... Let it be us old-timers.
Uncle Loren's final words, the explosion of fire, and now Joe's face as he risked everything on one last chance... These visions seared themselves into his memory. From the very beginning to the end, not a single person from Ezette had abandoned their family.
But ironically, it had been their care and compassion for one another that drove wedges between them, causing them to lose sight of the real enemy lurking in the shadows.
That military order, which had set the entire tragedy into motion.
Kamui drew a deep breath, the air scraping against his throat with the metallic sweetness of blood.
...I'm going with you.
To everyone's surprise, Kamui was the first to raise his hand.
I can't just stand here while others risk their lives for me. But this is my choice. I volunteer as a Barleycorn representative to join the missions.
The military's analysis isn't completely wrong. Combat experience helps catalyze Corona Gene conversion, and it may help enhance combat ability.
Commander Leif. We know you've been protecting us. We're grateful, really, but we're warriors too. Ezette runs in our blood. Hero's blood.
We want to protect you and everyone's homeland! Please, let me fight with you!
Count me in too. My strength's as good as Kamui's. You need us. And someone's gotta carry on Ezette's heroic spirit!
We're all going.
I'm going too!! Uncle Loren's family is still out there. I'm gonna save them myself!
Us too!!
A number of the trainees also raised their hands. Ezette had offered them shelter and a place to call home, so they felt compelled to take risks for that belonging. They held onto the memory of every soldier who had stood guard over them and the compassion they had once been shown.
Those soldiers had protected Ezette with their own flesh and blood; now, the children believed it was time to honor that sacrifice. They would do everything possible to safeguard their home, the home that belonged to all of them.
Watching the fervent young volunteers, Leif felt a wave of hesitation, but ultimately decided against stopping them. He shared their desire to avoid further soldier sacrifices; however, if a chance for victory existed, he knew he needed every hand available.
And there was another truth, one he had once imparted to Kamui: he could not protect them forever. Their devotion and passion were genuine, and they had earned the right, after climbing every necessary step, to stand radiant as the sun.
...I'll keep the petition in the archive room. Anyone who wants to volunteer for the relocation operation... come sign it.
Deadline's one week from today. When that day comes, everyone whose name is on that list departs together.
Joe stepped forward to sign first, accompanied by a handful of soldiers, followed by Kamui, Azael, Catrayv, and several trainees.
As the most exceptional candidates Project Barleycorn had produced, they had already addressed those remaining behind. Their message was simple: have no fear, keep training and advancing at the base. They would be the ones to charge ahead and protect them all.
The remaining members all fell silent. They considered themselves weaker, more timid. Just imagining that terrifying battlefield made them instinctively want to run. Yet those who had volunteered appeared utterly fearless, as though they carried something unique inside.
And that something, they realized, could be shared and passed on to others.
One week later, Leif made a final review of the signatures on the petition. It included every soldier and every trainee from Project Barleycorn. Finally, Leif signed his own name in the last remaining space.
