Colt walked into the gate of the apartment complex, prepared to get some real rest for once. With the nonstop work he had been doing, he was practically running on fumes. What happened last night could barely be called sleep, just a good old case of sleep debt.

He came to a stop once he reached the staircase, "I see you use headphones and not earphones."

Jax removed his headphones as he glanced up at Colt, "They're louder than earphones, and I don't have to keep them deep in my ears."

"Did you buy those out here?" asked Colt, "I find that hard to believe when this place is a ghost town..."

"The entire Cobalt Sector isn't like this y'know?" said Jax.

"Cobalt Sector?"

"Right...The Seishin Realm is divided into four different sectors. The Cobalt, Onyx, Ruby, and Empty sectors. We're currently in the Cobalt Sector, and this place is only a single city out here."

Colt's sweet tooth for learning had been reawakened, but he kept from asking too much for Jax's sake. "I might have to check out some of these other locations."

"You'll love it out there. Tons of parties, clubs, and stores. It's a complete opposite of this wasteland."

"I guess I have more to look forward to." Colt sat down next to Jax and pulled out his phone, "Do you know what a critical burst is?"

"It sounds like Dakota taught you about them already." said Jax. "Did you learn anything?"

"I think I'm a pro at it! Can you use them?"

"Yeah, but I don't try to. It takes too much effort and concentration to hit. If I'm fighting someone, I'll end up dying if I tried."

"I guess that makes sense...I've never really tried to hit a powerful opponent with it. Although, I hit an B-Ranker with one."

Jax readjusted his glasses, "What the fuck? Your growth is almost frightening...It's like you were born in the Seishin Realm."

"I wish...And where in the hell have you been?"

"What?"

"Since this place is practically a wasteland, what do you do in your free time? I never see you around."

Jax shook his head, "That's none of your business."=

"Come on...aren't we brothers now?" said Colt with a grin, "I feel like we have a bond now."

"How?"

"We both got our asses kicked together." He reached out for a fist bump, "That's enough to make a bond!"

Jax reluctantly returned the gesture, "I knew it...you reminded of Hisa from the moment I met you."

"I did?"

"Pretty much, but it's not surface level. Did she learn how to do a critical burst too?"

"Nope. It was too hard for her."

"I knew it." Jax let out a sigh, "It's a shame that she only uses her physical prowess in combat. If she actually put time into mastering core energy control, she'd be even more of a threat-"

"We're getting sidetracked!" said Colt, "You still haven't told me about we're you've been!"

"Why does it matter?"

"I'm new here. Aren't you still my tour guide?"

Jax scoffed, "I don't know who in the hell told you that."

"You've been here forever," said Colt, "I want to know all about the Seishin Realm too!"

"Fine, I've been searching for a village in the forest out North."

"Hold on, me and Hisa were just training there today!"

"I know that. She was supposed to use that time to search for the village too." He looked off into the sky, "I hope she didn't slack off."

Wait, she did take off pretty fast! If she was searching for the village while also catching beasts, that probably made us take longer.

"Why are you guys searching for a village?" asked Colt.

"There are rumors that the village possesses some sort of miracle matter that can cure any form of injury or illness. From cancer, all the way to a severed limb."

"What the fuck? Are you serious?"

"Deadass..."

"How are they still standing? The government would be all over a case like this-I forgot, we're in the Seishin Realm."

"I understand why you'd think that," said Jax, People have tried to venture out into the forest. However, they'd either end up missing, or fail in finding the forest completely."

"Should've known...If they have medicine to fix all of that stuff, they of course have a means of protecting themselves from potential thieves. Why do you want it?"

Jax lowered his head, "It's for...reasons."

Personal huh? I won't pry for info...

"Well, did you ask Dakota for help? She seems to be pretty strong, but lazy too."

"I can't." said Jax, "She doesn't even want us to go since it's so dangerous. That's why me and Hisa had to sneak around."

Colt smiled, "She's like the mom around here huh?"

"Yeah, and you're the new son in her eyes."

"That's pretty cool, what about Yuri?"

"Eh, if we're all her kids, I'd say that Yuri would be her best friend, and even that it is underselling their bond. They've been together for as long as I could remember."

"Together?" Colt jolted, "You don't mean-"

"No! You idiot!"

"It's your fault for saying it like that..." Colt scratched the back of his head and let out a sigh of relief.

Why am I relieved to hear that? Whatever...

Colt rose from the stairs and stretched, "Can I help you guys find the village? I wonder if their miracle matter can revive the dead. You've been hyping it up, so I wouldn't doubt it."

"Hell...If they can restore lost limbs with it, that's not out of the question..."

"Yay!" Hisa ran towards them both, carrying a dead core beast on her shoulders, "Let Colt come with us, Jax!"

"He's already coming." muttered Jax.

"I promise that I'll be of use to you guys!" said Colt as he struggled to keep his excitement at bay.

"But! You can't let Dakota or Yuri find out." said Jax.

I can see why he's cautious of her telling Dakota, but I highly doubt that she'll even care.

Jax stood up and put his phone away, "We're leaving at midnight. Dakota will be asleep by then, and it's more practical for our safety. If there are any other bandits out in the forest, they won't be moving during the night."

Hisa erupted into laughter, "Because they're cowards!"

"I'm cool with that," said Colt, "I'll use the rest of the day to prepare!"

-

It was midnight, and Colt made his way into the courtyard. He had set his alarm for eleven, leaving an hour for him to pack some snacks and other essentials into his bookbag.

Jax and Hisa were standing in the courtyard as well. While Jax had a large bookbag on, Hisa held nothing but her axe in hand.

"Yo!"

Jax shushed him before pulling out his phone, "Quiet...Are you guys ready?"

"Mhmm."

Hisa nodded her head.

"Let's go then." Jax ran north, with Colt and Hisa trailing right behind him. "Alright you two...we're heading into the Serpent's Forest. Get ready for hell."

"Osu!"

Hisa giggled as she heard Colt shout, joining along with him. "Osu!"