Three Plus One

The fog was alive.

That's what it felt like as I moved through it, like something breathing, shifting, watching. It pressed against my skin, cold and damp, leaving tiny droplets of moisture on my arms and face.

Every step felt wrong.

The ground beneath my boots was uneven, roots jutting up at odd angles, slick moss that made my footing uncertain, stones that shifted when I put my weight on them. I kept my dagger raised, scanning the gray nothingness ahead.

"Hoshino!" I called out.

My voice disappeared into the mist like it had been swallowed.

No response.

I stopped, listening.

Distant sounds drifted through the fog. Footsteps, too many to count. Voices, low, tense, arguing. Something moving through the underbrush to my left.

And screams.

Always screams.

Some distant. Some closer than I wanted to think about.

I kept moving.

The trees around me were twisted, ancient things with bark that looked like it had been scarred and healed over and over. Their branches reached overhead like skeletal fingers, disappearing into the fog above.

I pushed through a cluster of them and nearly walked straight into someone.

We both stumbled back, weapons raised instinctively.

For a split second, I didn't recognize her, just saw the dagger, the wide eyes, the blood on her cheek.

Then she gasped.

"Lane?"

Relief hit me so hard I almost dropped my weapon.

"Hoshino."

She lowered her dagger, her chest heaving like she'd been running. Her face was pale, her eyes too wide, but she was alive.

Unhurt.

Here.

We moved at the same time.

I closed the distance and she threw her arms around me, brief, desperate, her whole body trembling.

"I thought I lost you," she said into my shoulder. Her voice was muffled, shaking.

"Same."

For a moment, I let myself feel it, the relief, the fear that had been building since I landed alone, the certainty that I'd find her body instead of her.

Then I pulled away.

No time for this.

No time to process.

"You okay?" I asked, scanning her for injuries. The blood on her cheek was smeared, not fresh. Not hers, I didn't think.

"Yeah. You?"

"Fine."

She nodded, but her hands were still shaking. She noticed and shoved them into her pockets.

"What happened?" I asked. "After we landed?"

She hesitated, glancing over her shoulder like she expected something to emerge from the fog.

"I saw someone," she said finally.

"Who?"

"That older guy. Brennan. From the barracks." She wrapped her arms around herself. "He was alone. Moving through the fog like he knew exactly where he was going."

I frowned. Kael Brennan. Upper class. Nineteen. Here for his sibling.

"Did he see you?"

"I don't think so. He just..." She made a vague gesture. "Disappeared. Like he had somewhere to be."

I filed that information away. Kael had a plan. Or at least, he was moving with purpose while the rest of us stumbled around blind.

Interesting.

"Come on," I said. "We need to find others."

"Others?" Hoshino's eyes widened. "You mean like... a team?"

"We can't do this alone."

She looked at me for a long moment, like she was weighing the idea. Then she nodded slowly.

"Okay. Yeah. You're right."

We started moving together, staying close, our shoulders almost touching.

The fog began to thin as we walked. Light filtered through, pale, weak daylight that didn't do much to lift the oppressive gray.

And then we heard it.

Voices.

Lots of them.

We slowed, approaching carefully, weapons ready.

The fog cleared enough to reveal a clearing ahead.

Chaos.

Dozens of contestants filled the space, maybe fifty, maybe more. They clustered in small groups, voices overlapping, tension radiating off them in waves.

Some were arguing. Loud, desperate arguments about who could join, who was strong enough, who would slow them down.

A girl with short blonde hair shoved a boy away from her group. "We said three! Not four!"

"You need me—" the boy started.

"We don't need dead weight!"

He stumbled back, his face going red. His fists clenched at his sides.

No one helped him.

No one even looked at him.

Nearby, another group huddled together, five of them, whispering frantically, their eyes darting toward the fog like they expected something to come charging out at any second.

And in the distance, deeper in the forest, beyond the clearing, another scream cut through the air.

Closer than the others.

Everyone froze.

Conversations stopped mid-sentence. Heads turned toward the sound.

For three seconds, no one moved.

Then, slowly, people started talking again.

Quieter now.

More desperate.

Hoshino's hand found my arm, gripping tight. "This is insane."

"Yeah."

"We need a team," she said, her voice low and urgent.

"I know."

I scanned the clearing, looking for anyone who seemed competent. Calm. Not on the verge of breaking down.

Most people looked terrified.

Some looked angry.

A few looked like they'd already given up.

Then Hoshino nudged me. "There."

I followed her gaze.

Rune Delgado stood near the edge of the clearing, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed. He was watching everyone like they were insects under glass, detached, curious, vaguely amused.

His posture was relaxed. Confident.

Like he wasn't afraid at all.

"He's strong," Hoshino said quietly. "We saw him fight Fosse. If we can get him on our side—"

"He might say no."

"Then we ask."

I hesitated.

Something about Rune set my teeth on edge. The arrogance in his posture. The way he watched people like they were beneath him.

But Hoshino was right. He was strong.

And we needed strength.

"Alright," I said. "Let's try."

We crossed the clearing, weaving between groups, keeping our heads down.

Rune saw us coming.

His expression didn't change, just a slight tilt of his head, like he was mildly curious about what we wanted.

"What?" he said before we even stopped walking.

Straight to the point.

Hoshino opened her mouth, but I spoke first.

"We're forming a team," I said, keeping my voice even. "We need someone who can fight. You're good. Join us."

He looked us over.

Slowly.

Deliberately.

His eyes swept from my face down to my dagger, then over to Hoshino. Assessing. Judging.

Then he smiled.

It wasn't friendly.

It was the kind of smile that said he'd already decided we weren't worth his time.

"You two look like you'll be dead by nightfall," he said. His voice was casual. Almost bored. "I don't carry dead weight."

Heat flared in my chest, sharp and sudden.

I kept my voice level. "We're not asking you to carry us."

"Then you're asking me to watch you die." He pushed off the tree and turned away. "Same thing. I work alone."

"We could help each other—"

"I don't need help." He didn't even look back. "And you can't give it."

My fists clenched.

I wanted to argue. Wanted to tell him he was an arrogant asshole who'd get himself killed the second he ran into something he couldn't handle alone.

But I didn't.

Because he'd already dismissed us.

And arguing would just prove his point.

Hoshino touched my arm gently. "Lane. Let's go."

I took a breath.

Forced my hands to unclench.

Then I turned and walked away.

"Asshole," I muttered under my breath.

Hoshino didn't disagree.

We found Elliot Fosse ten minutes later.

He was standing near a crumbling stone wall, one of the ruins scattered throughout the forest. His arms were crossed, his posture relaxed but alert. He was watching the other teams form with cold, calculating eyes.

His short sword hung at his side, the blade clean and ready.

He looked... patient.

Like he was waiting for the right opportunity.

Or the right people.

I stopped a few feet away. "Elliot Fosse."

He turned slowly. His expression didn't change, neutral, unreadable.

"You know my name," he said.

"Saw it on the screen."

"Lane Daniels," he said. "And Hoshino Amaya."

So he'd been paying attention too.

Good.

"We're forming a team," I said. "You're alone. We need a third. Interested?"

He studied us for a moment.

His eyes moved from me to Hoshino, then back. Assessing. Not in the dismissive way Rune had, but like he was weighing options. Calculating outcomes.

"What's your plan?" he asked.

"Survive. Get cores. Reach the beacon."

"That's everyone's plan."

"Then you know it works better with more people."

He glanced past us, scanning the clearing. His eyes paused on something, or someone, then returned to me.

"You asked Delgado first," he said.

I blinked. "How did you—"

"I saw you walk away from him." His tone was matter-of-fact. "He refused."

"Yeah."

"Smart."

I frowned. "What?"

"He's strong, but he's reckless," Elliot said. He gestured vaguely toward us. "He'll get himself killed trying to prove something. You two are practical. That's better."

Hoshino smiled nervously. "So... that's a yes?"

Elliot nodded once. "Three is better than one."

Relief washed over me, sudden and overwhelming.

We had a team.

Not a good one, maybe. Not a strong one.

But a team.

"Good," I said. "Let's find cover and figure out roles."

Elliot fell into step beside us without another word.

We found shelter in the ruins, a half-collapsed stone structure with three walls still standing and part of a roof overhead. Vines crawled up the walls, and the floor was covered in moss and fallen stones.

It wasn't much.

But it would block the wind. Give us a vantage point. Keep us out of sight.

Elliot swept the interior with his eyes, checking corners, scanning for threats.

Then he nodded. "This works."

Hoshino sat down on a fallen stone, exhaling slowly. Her shoulders sagged like she'd been holding herself upright through sheer willpower.

"Okay," she said. "So. What now?"

"We plan," I said.

Elliot leaned against the wall, arms crossed. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp. Alert.

"The beacon appears in three days," he said. "We need cores before then. That means killing Morphs."

"And not dying in the process," Hoshino added.

"Obviously."

I pulled out my dagger and turned it over in my hands. The blade was clean, I hadn't used it yet. Hadn't killed anything yet.

That would change soon.

"We need roles," I said. "Who does what."

Elliot nodded. "Agreed."

We spent the next few minutes hashing it out.

Lane: Scout. Fast, observant, used to physical work. I'd check surroundings, watch for threats, flank during fights.

Hoshino: Frontline. Close combat with her dagger. She'd draw attention, engage directly.

Elliot: Main fighter and tactician. He'd hold the line, make calls during combat, coordinate our movements.

It wasn't perfect.

But it was something.

"What about weapons?" Hoshino asked. "We've all got close-range except—"

"We need ranged support," Elliot interrupted. "Someone with a bow or spear who can cover us from a distance."

I nodded. "We'll find someone."

As if on cue, footsteps approached from outside.

We all turned, weapons raised instinctively.

A boy appeared in the doorway.

Lean. Nervous. Holding a bow in hands that shook visibly.

Tomas.

I recognized him immediately. The quiet one from the barracks. The one who'd hovered near us during training but never spoken.

He stopped when he saw us, eyes going wide.

"Sorry," he said quickly. "I didn't know anyone was—"

"It's fine," Hoshino said. She stood, her voice gentle. Welcoming. "You need a team?"

He hesitated, his eyes darting between us.

"Yeah," he said finally. "I... everyone else said no."

"What's your weapon?" Elliot asked. His tone was neutral, but I could hear the assessment in it.

Tomas held up the bow. "This. I'm decent with it. Not great, but decent."

Elliot and I exchanged a glance.

We needed ranged support.

But something about Tomas made my instincts prickle.

It wasn't the shaking hands — everyone's hands shook. It wasn't the desperation either, that was just the air we all breathed in here. It was something smaller. When Hoshino asked him why he'd entered the Trials, he answered — family, crystal expiration, the usual — but his eyes went to the ground when he said it. Not the shy kind of eye contact avoidance. The kind where someone is editing while they talk. Leaving something out.

I knew that look. I'd worn it myself in the registration office when the man in the pressed suit asked me why I was here and I said because I don't want to die and meant it but didn't say all of it.

The difference was I knew what I was leaving out.

I didn't know what Tomas was.

"Can you actually use that?" I asked.

"I practiced during the week," Tomas said quickly. "I hit targets. Most of the time."

Most of the time.

Not exactly reassuring.

Hoshino was already smiling. "Four is better than three, right?"

She looked at me, her expression hopeful.

I wanted to say no.

Wanted to trust the bad feeling in my gut that said this was a mistake.

But she was right.

Four was better than three.

And we needed ranged support.

"Fine," I said. "You're in."

Relief flooded Tomas's face. "Thank you. I won't—"

"Just don't get us killed," I said.

He nodded quickly and stepped inside, settling into the corner farthest from the entrance.

Elliot watched him for a moment, his expression unreadable.

Then he looked at me.

I could tell he had the same doubts.

But neither of us said anything.

---

We went over the plan again with Tomas included.

Lane: Scout.

Hoshino: Frontline.

Elliot: Fighter and tactician.

Tomas: Ranged support. Stays back. Calls out threats.

Then we moved to strategy.

"The beacon appears on day three," Elliot said. "That gives us two and a half days to get cores."

"How many do we need?" Hoshino asked.

"One per person if we want powers," I said. "But the briefing said we can enter the beacon if we survive. We don't have to get cores."

Tomas frowned. "Wait. So we can just... hide for three days?"

"Theoretically," Elliot said. "But that's assuming nothing finds us first."

Hoshino shivered. "I don't want to just hide."

"Me neither," I said.

Elliot nodded. "Then we hunt. Carefully. We find weak Morphs, kill them, take cores."

"And we don't use the powers right away," Hoshino added. "They told us not to."

"Why?" Tomas asked.

"Body needs time to absorb the energy," I said. "If you use it too soon, you risk overload."

"What's overload?"

"Mutation," Elliot said flatly.

The word hung in the air.

Tomas went pale.

"So we get the cores, we don't consume them immediately, and we wait until our bodies are ready," I summarized.

Everyone nodded.

"Good," Elliot said. "Then we move at first light. Stay together. Stay quiet. No unnecessary risks."

It was a plan.

Not a good one.

But a plan.

Hoshino shifted closer to the small fire we'd built in the center of the ruin, just enough to take the edge off the cold.

She glanced at Elliot.

Then quickly looked away.

He noticed.

"You're afraid of me," he said quietly.

Hoshino froze. "What? No. I'm not—"

"You flinched when I moved earlier."

Her face flushed red. "I-I didn't mean to. You're just... you're really tall. And I saw you fight Delgado and you were so—" She stuttered, struggling for words. "I know you're not going to hurt me. Logically. It's just—"

Elliot frowned slightly.

Then, deliberately, he took a step back. Putting more distance between them.

"I'm not a threat to you," he said. His voice was softer than before. Almost gentle.

"I know," Hoshino said quickly. "I do. I'm sorry. I just—"

"You don't need to apologize."

She looked at him, surprised.

He held her gaze for a moment.

Then looked away.

Something flickered across his face, guilt, maybe. Or regret.

Like he wished he hadn't fought Rune. Hadn't made himself look dangerous.

I stepped in. "We're all on edge. It's fine."

Elliot nodded once and moved to the far side of the ruin, giving Hoshino space.

She exhaled slowly, her shoulders dropping.

Embarrassed.

I sat down beside her. "You okay?"

"Yeah," she whispered. "I feel stupid."

"You're not."

"He probably thinks I am."

I glanced at Elliot.

He was staring out into the fog, his jaw tight, his posture stiff.

He didn't look angry.

He looked... bothered.

Like he regretted making her uncomfortable.

I sat with that for a moment.

He'd noticed she was afraid. He'd created distance without being asked, without making it a thing, without needing credit for it. Just quietly adjusted himself to make the space around her feel safer.

It was such a simple thing.

And I hadn't done it.

I'd been sitting right there when Hoshino flinched, and my first instinct had been to smooth it over with words — you're not stupid, he doesn't think that — instead of just giving her room to breathe. I'd tried to fix it. Elliot had just... responded to it.

I wasn't sure which one of us had actually helped her.

That bothered me more than I wanted to admit.

Night fell fast.

The fog thickened. The temperature dropped until I could see my breath.

Distant sounds echoed through the forest, screams, crashes, something massive moving through the trees far away.

We took turns on watch.

Tomas first. Then Elliot. Then me.

Hoshino tried to sleep, but I could hear her shifting restlessly on the other side of the ruin.

I sat by the entrance, dagger in hand, staring into the darkness.

My eyes burned. My body ached.

But I couldn't sleep.

Out there, somewhere in the fog, Morphs were hunting.

Out there, people were dying.

And tomorrow, we'd step into that darkness and fight.

I pressed my hand against my chest, feeling the new crystal pulse steadily beneath my skin.

Six months.

I'd bought six more months.

Now I just had to survive long enough to use them.

Behind me, Hoshino's voice drifted through the darkness.

"Lane?"

"Yeah?"

"We're going to be okay. Right?"

I didn't answer right away.

I wanted to say yes. Wanted to believe it.

But I'd seen what was out there.

I'd heard the screams.

"Yeah," I said finally. "We are."

Another lie.

But she needed it.

So did I.