Chapter 10: Echoes of Power
Tobi stood at the edge of the training grounds, his legs trembling as sweat rolled down his face. The dull ache in his muscles from days of grueling training was a constant reminder of how far he still had to go. Friend, ever-present and sharp-tongued, perched on a nearby rock, his black fur almost blending into the shadows.
"You'll thank me later, you know," Friend quipped, his golden eyes gleaming. "When you're out there, dodging death and looking like a hero."
Tobi groaned, crouching to catch his breath. "If I survive long enough to look like one, sure."
Hiki approached, her steps purposeful. Her authoritative demeanor always made Tobi straighten up, despite the exhaustion dragging him down. She tossed a canteen toward him, and he caught it awkwardly, nearly dropping it.
"Rest time's over," she said bluntly. "Drink up and meet me by the main gate. The mission starts now."
Tobi froze. "Now? I thought… I thought we'd have more time."
Hiki's expression softened for the briefest moment, but her voice remained firm. "The world doesn't wait for you to be ready, Tobi. It moves, with or without you."
Friend hopped closer, his tail swishing. "She's not wrong. And hey, if you die out there, at least I won't have to listen to you complain anymore."
Tobi shot him a glare but didn't reply. He drained the canteen, his mind racing. A mission meant stepping out of the relative safety of the compound, facing the unknown threats Hiki and the others constantly warned him about. He glanced at the training grounds, where the scorch marks from his uncontrolled energy surges served as a stark reminder of his volatility. Was he really ready for this?
The compound's main gate loomed tall, flanked by guards armed with energy rifles. Hiki stood with Moritaka, the latter smirking as always. Tobi approached hesitantly, feeling the weight of their gazes.
"Look who decided to show up," Moritaka sneered. "Hope you packed a spare pair of pants, kid."
"Knock it off," Hiki snapped. She turned to Tobi, her expression serious. "Listen carefully. This mission is reconnaissance. We're heading to an abandoned sector near the Wastelands. Supe activity has been reported there, and we need to confirm what we're dealing with. Stay alert, stay close, and for the love of everything, don't do anything stupid."
Tobi nodded, swallowing hard. Friend padded up beside him, invisible to the others. "She makes it sound so simple," he murmured. "Stay alive, don't screw up. Easy."
As the gate creaked open, a wave of cold, stale air swept in. Beyond the walls, the underground tunnels stretched endlessly, their darkness pierced only by the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi. Tobi hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, the metallic clang of his boots echoing in the silence.
The journey was tense. The group moved in single file, with Hiki leading and Moritaka bringing up the rear. Tobi walked in the middle, every sound amplifying his unease. Friend trotted silently beside him, occasionally flicking his tail in annoyance.
"Why are you so quiet?" Tobi whispered under his breath.
"Trying not to ruin the moment," Friend replied. "It's not every day you march toward probable death."
Tobi rolled his eyes but couldn't shake the anxiety clawing at his chest. The tunnels were eerily quiet, save for the occasional distant rumble. He couldn't tell if it was the sound of shifting earth or something else entirely.
Hiki raised a hand, signaling for the group to stop. She crouched low, examining the ground. "Tracks," she muttered. "Fresh."
Moritaka leaned in, his grin fading. "Hounds?"
Hiki shook her head. "No. Something heavier. Stay sharp."
Tobi's pulse quickened as he scanned the shadows. He tightened his grip on the energy stabilizer strapped to his wrist, a tool Hiki insisted he wear to prevent another uncontrolled outburst. Friend, sensing his unease, nudged his leg.
"Relax, Tobi. Panicking won't help."
Before Tobi could respond, a faint growl echoed through the tunnel. The group froze, weapons at the ready. Hiki motioned for silence, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the darkness ahead.
The growl grew louder, joined by a series of guttural clicks. From the shadows emerged a hulking figure, its form partially obscured by the dim light. It was unlike anything Tobi had seen before—a twisted amalgamation of flesh and metal, its glowing red eyes locked onto the group.
"A Stalker," Hiki muttered, her voice low. "Get ready."
The creature lunged, its movements unnaturally fast. Hiki fired her energy rifle, the blast illuminating the tunnel, but the Stalker dodged with ease. Moritaka charged forward, his blade crackling with energy as he slashed at the creature, forcing it back.
Tobi stood frozen, his mind racing. Friend's voice cut through the chaos. "Focus, Tobi. Use what you've learned."
Tobi raised his stabilizer, channeling his energy. The device hummed to life, glowing faintly as he concentrated. The Stalker turned its attention to him, its red eyes narrowing. With a guttural roar, it charged.
"Tobi, move!" Hiki shouted.
But instead of retreating, Tobi held his ground. He unleashed a burst of energy, the stabilizer amplifying and directing the blast. The tunnel lit up as the force struck the Stalker, sending it crashing into the wall. Dust and debris filled the air as the creature let out a pained screech.
"Tobi, keep it up!" Moritaka yelled, taking advantage of the opening to land another blow.
Tobi focused, releasing another surge of energy. This time, the stabilizer sparked violently, its mechanisms struggling to contain his power. The Stalker writhed, its metallic limbs sparking before it collapsed in a heap.
As the dust settled, the group stood in silence, their breaths heavy. Hiki approached the Stalker's lifeless body, her expression grim. "This wasn't a random encounter. It was sent here."
Moritaka frowned. "By who?"
Hiki didn't answer, her gaze shifting to Tobi. "We need to move. Now."
The group pressed on, the encounter leaving an ominous tension in its wake. Friend walked beside Tobi, his tone unusually serious. "You're getting stronger, Tobi, but that was just the beginning. Whoever sent that thing knows about you now."
Tobi's stomach churned at the thought. He glanced at Hiki, who seemed lost in thought, her expression hard. "What aren't you telling me?" he asked, his voice trembling.
Hiki hesitated before responding. "That Stalker wasn't after us. It was after you."
Tobi's heart sank. "Why? What do they want with me?"
Hiki's gaze softened slightly. "Because of your power. You're more important than you realize, Tobi. And that makes you a threat."
Friend sighed, his golden eyes meeting Tobi's. "Welcome to the big leagues, kid. It only gets harder from here."
As they continued deeper into the tunnels, Tobi couldn't shake the feeling that the shadows were closing in, and with them, the weight of a destiny he never asked for.