The steady hum of the carrier aircraft filled the cabin, blending with the rhythmic thrum of engines beneath the passengers' feet. Below, North Coralina's snow-dusted peaks stretched endlessly, the late afternoon sun casting long, shifting shadows across the rugged landscape. The crisp scent of frost filtered into the cabin, mingling with the faint tang of metal and fuel. Conversations rose and fell like waves, the air buzzing with anticipation and the faint tension of an upcoming mission.

  “Yo, Zane, right?” Lysander slid into the seat beside him, flashing a confident grin. His blonde hair streaked with purple gleamed under the cabin lights. “Heard you’re pretty slick with your grace. Some type electricity power right?”

  Zane brushed back his jet-black hair streaked with purple, amethyst eyes glinting. “You heard right. Bet you’re no slouch either.”

  Lysander leaned back, arms folded behind his head. “Playboy charm and skill? We’re gonna be best bros in no time.”

  Zane grinned, raising his fist. “Bros?”

  “Bros.” Lysander bumped his fist with Zane’s, sealing the deal.

  Across the aisle, Luna groaned loudly. “Ugh. The annoying duo has arrived.”

  Tessa shook her head, sharp green eyes narrowing. “Great. Now we’ve got two headaches to deal with.”

  “I can already hear them causing trouble.” Iris sighed, adjusting her sniper scope, her silver gaze as cool and steady as ever.

  Rei and Stacy exchanged knowing glances nearby.

  “Didn’t take long for those two to hit it off,” Stacy muttered, her green eyes glinting with amusement as she brushed back her dark brown hair.

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  “Yeah,” Rei replied with a soft laugh. “But I bet they’ll either be useful—or a total disaster.”

  The banter was cut short by a sudden jolt of turbulence. Laughter faded, replaced by a quiet tension. The aircraft dipped, revealing Fort Goliath nestled against the cliffs of North Coralina—a sprawling fortress of steel and glass, cold and imposing.

  Elissa, practically bouncing with energy, leaned toward Aiden and Elijah. “Sooo, what’s Fort Goliath like? Who’re we meeting? Come on, spill already!”

  Rei and Stacy leaned in closer, curiosity mirrored in their eyes.

  Aiden sighed, stretching lazily. “Oliver, care to explain? You are the encyclopedia of the group.”

  Oliver pushed up his glasses, hazel eyes gleaming with interest. “Fort Goliath sits deep in Sierra Nexus. Unlike Astra Spire, which handles urban-level threats, Fort Goliath deals with higher-tier monsters. The isolation means more rifts open there, so the base is packed with tech designed to take on stronger foes.”

  “Sounds tough,” Lysander said with a shrug. “But me and Zane? We got this.”

  “Let’s see how long that confidence lasts,” Luna shot back with a smirk.

  Elissa leaned forward again. “But who are we meeting?”

  “Elijah and I’s old crew,” Aiden replied, a nostalgic smirk playing on his lips. “Raphael Vance, our mentor. And three from the monster generation”

  “Playmaker, Solitaire, and Kenshi,” Elijah added.

  Rei’s golden eyes gleamed. “Kenshi means swordsman in Japanese.”

  Elissa gasped. “That sounds awesome!”

  “And Playmaker—Vi—is basically the reason half of us survived. She pushes people to hit 100%. Our captain back in the day,” Aiden explained.

  “And Solitaire?” Casper’s voice, quiet but edged with curiosity, cut through the chatter.

  Elijah sighed. “Summoner. Mannequin soldiers. Annoying, but strong.”

  Tessa shot Zane and Lysander a pointed look. “Sounds like someone you two would get along with.”

  “Hey!” Lysander protested, but his grin betrayed no offense. Zane simply shrugged, his smirk unwavering.

  The aircraft’s descent silenced further banter. The looming cliffs approached rapidly. Fort Goliath came into full view—a fortress carved into the rock face, with metallic towers gleaming under the fading sun, connected by intricate platforms and bridges. The roar of engines faded as the hatch hissed open with a sharp release of air. Frosty wind bit at their faces.

  Rei stepped out beside Stacy, the cold refreshing after the cramped flight. The crunch of boots on snow echoed as the squads emerged onto the platform. Their gazes immediately fixed on a tall figure waiting at the entrance.

  Jet-black hair tousled by the wind. Dark crimson eyes glinting with a mix of challenge and familiarity. His long coat billowed like a shadow behind him.

  “Welcome to Fort Goliath, city boys,” Raphael Vance greeted with a smirk, his voice carrying easily over the wind. “Let’s see if you live up to the hype.”

  Behind him, three figures emerged from the mist, their presences heavy with power. Each step they took resonated with confidence and danger. The squads stiffened. They had faced monsters of other worlds—but now, they stood face-to-face with a different kind of monster.

  Human monsters.

  [End of chapters]