Chapter 56: Chapter 10.9: The Weight of the Hearts ---
[PHOENIX CORE SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Skill Acquisition: Emergency Evasion
Source: Combat Training – Rosalie Thorne
Skill Type: Active Combat
Cooldown: 60 seconds
Stamina Cost: 30
Description:
A rapid dash in any direction with a brief afterimage. Grants 0.5 seconds of invincibility, allowing the user to avoid attacks or reposition. Usable in mid-air or while stunned.
Skill Effects:
• Dash Distance: 3 meters
• Invincibility Duration: 0.5s
• Afterimage Duration: 1s
• 15% chance to break enemy lock
• Can interrupt stagger state
Acquisition Note:
"When you’re outnumbered 30-to-1, you don’t fight—you dance." – Rosalie Thorne
Current Mastery: Level 1 (0%)
• Mastery improves with use
• Reduced cooldown and cost at higher levels
• Unlocks ’Shadow Step’ at Level 5
Tactical Advisory – Asha:
"This technique could save your life. Rosa taught you well—now dodge like your life depends on it. Because it does."
Mission Tag: High Priority – Survival Synergy Confirmed
[UPDATE COMPLETE]
---
Jin made his way to the command center, the weight of Rosa’s warning still fresh in his mind. The bruise on his forehead from their training mishap throbbed slightly, a reminder of how quickly things could go wrong even in preparation.
Seven hours until the mission. The gravity of their situation settled over him as he walked through the quiet corridors. Soon, he’d be facing the swarm that had claimed so many lives, armed with nothing but his skills and the trust of his team.
The command center door stood open, blue light spilling into the hallway. Sera’s silhouette cut a sharp figure against the holographic displays, her silver hair catching the ambient glow. She hadn’t noticed him yet, completely absorbed in the tactical readouts floating before her.
As he approached, he could hear her muttering.
"If they cluster here, we could... no, that leaves the eastern approach exposed." She traced a path with her finger, brow furrowed.
"But if Jin moves through this section... The timing has to be perfect. Seven seconds between suppression and Clara’s burst, or they’ll adapt."
"Sera," Jin called softly.
She spun around, hand instinctively reaching for her weapon. When she saw him, her shoulders relaxed slightly before her expression hardened into irritation.
"What are you doing here?" She turned back to the displays. "You should be resting. Or did you forget you need full strength in—" she checked her chronometer, "—six and forty-three minutes?"
"I’ve already rested," Jin said calmly, ignoring her sharp tone. "Just wanted to check on everyone before the mission."
"Hmph. Idiot." Sera snapped, returning to her work.
Jin noticed Sera scrubbing the same spot on her plasma rifle repeatedly while they were talking. Her hands trembled slightly, a detail that didn’t escape his trained observation.
"Hey, Sera? That part looks pretty clean already," Jin said, tilting his head slightly.
"Not even close, you idiot," she shot back, increasing the intensity of her scrubbing.
"You clearly have no idea how to take care of weapons." She reached for another cloth.
Sera’s cheeks turned red. "And stop standing there, looking at me with those... those annoyingly sincere eyes!"
"My eyes are annoying?" Jin asked with a slight smile, recognizing the deflection.
"Everything about you is annoying!" Sera’s hands started to shake more noticeably. "Your complete idiocy, your dumb promises, your face that makes me—"
Suddenly, the rifle slipped from her hands and hit the floor with a loud thud.
Jin was already moving, catching it before it could hit the ground. He set it aside gently before kneeling beside her. "You’re not okay, Sera."
"I’m fine! Don’t touch me!" But her legs buckled, and Jin grabbed her arm just before she fell.
"You’re trembling."
"No, I’m not!"
"You are. When was the last time you ate?"
"That’s none of your business!"
"Sera..." Jin’s voice softened. "You haven’t eaten, have you?"
She struggled to free herself but lacked the energy. "Let go, you muscle-bound idiot!"
"Not until you sit down and eat something." Jin helped her lean against the wall and pulled out a snack bar from his pocket. "Here. Rosa gave me some extras."
"I don’t want your charity!"
"It’s not charity. Im worried about you, please take this I order you" Jin said firmly.
Sera looked at him, surprised by his authoritative tone. Still, she took the bar, picking at it with hesitation.
They sat in silence for a moment before Sera spoke softly.
"This plan... it’s solid, right?"
"It’s the best plan we could come up with under the circumstances," Jin said evenly. "But plans are just guidelines. We’ll adapt as needed."
"But you put a ton of work into this one."
"I can come up with a different plan! One where you don’t have to—" She caught herself, her cheeks flushed. "Not that I care about what happens to you!"
Jin studied her face, seeing through her defensive words. "You’re scared, aren’t you?"
Sera’s head snapped up. "Of course I’m scared! We’re facing thirty to forty Crawlers tomorrow! Only an idiot wouldn’t be scared!"
"I’m not talking about the mission," Jin said quietly. "You’re scared about me."
Sera’s cheeks turned even redder. "Don’t be ridiculous! Why would I be scared about you?"
"Because you care," Jin said simply. "And caring makes people vulnerable."
Sera stared at him, her usual defenses crumbling. "I... I don’t know what you’re talking about."
"Yes, you do," Jin said gently. "You’re worried that if something happens to me, it’ll be your fault because you’re the one who planned this mission."
Sera’s breath hitched. "That’s... that’s not..."
"It is," Jin interrupted softly. "And I need you to know that whatever happens tomorrow, it’s not on you. We’re a team. We make decisions together, and we face the consequences together."
Tears welled in Sera’s eyes. "But I’m the leader! I’m supposed to protect everyone!"
"You’re supposed to lead us, not carry us all on your shoulders," Jin said, reaching out to gently wipe a tear from her cheek. "We protect each other. That’s how teams work."
Sera leaned into his touch unconsciously. "You make it sound so simple."
"It is simple," Jin said softly. "We care about each other, so we look out for each other. There’s nothing complicated about that."
Sera looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You’re so... annoyingly understanding."
Jin smiled slightly.
He moved closer, his hand still cupping her cheek. "Sera, whatever happens tomorrow, I want you to know something."
"What?" she whispered, her heart racing.
"I’m glad I met you," Jin said quietly. "And I’m glad we’re in this together."
Before Sera could respond, Jin leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.
Sera’s eyes widened in surprise, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she found herself responding, her hands moving to grip his shirt as she returned the kiss. It was gentle at first, then deepened with all the unspoken emotions between them—fear, hope, affection, and the desperate need for connection in the face of uncertainty.
When they finally parted, both were breathing heavily, their faces flushed.
Sera looked away, embarrassed. "That... that shouldn’t have happened."
"Why not?" Jin asked quietly, his thumb gently stroking her cheek.
"Because... because we have a mission tomorrow! We can’t be distracted by... by this!"
"Sometimes the clearest thinking comes from acknowledging what’s most important," Jin said softly. "And right now, you’re important to me."
Sera’s breath caught. "You... you’re so..."
"So what?" Jin asked, a small smile playing on his lips.
"So infuriatingly perceptive when you want to be," she mumbled, unable to maintain her usual defensive posture.
Jin laughed softly. "I have my moments."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the tension between them replaced by something warmer, more intimate.
"Jin," Sera said quietly, "that was... my first kiss."
Jin’s eyes widened slightly. "Mine too," he admitted.
Sera looked at him, surprised. "Really? But you’re so..."
"So what?" Jin asked again, genuinely curious.
"So... you," Sera finished lamely. "I just assumed..."
"That I’d had plenty of experience?" Jin shook his head. "Not really. My mother was more focused on training than... well, than this."
Sera reached out and took his hand. "We should... we should probably get ready for the mission."
"Yeah," Jin agreed, but neither of them made a move to stand up. "But Sera?"
"What?"
"Whatever happens tomorrow... I’m glad that happened. With us."
Sera’s cheeks flushed, but she squeezed his hand. "Me too, idiot. Me too."
---
[HUD NOTIFICATION – INTERACTION EVENT COMPLETE]
Subject: Seraphina Velarius
Encounter Type: Emotional Breakthrough / First Kiss
Location: Command Center – Vault Core
[RELATIONSHIP UPDATE – SERAPHINA VELARIUS]
Affinity +15
> New Total: 76 / 100
Trust Level: Vulnerability Reached
Emotional Bond: Acknowledged
First Kiss Recorded – Mutual Confession Implied
STATUS:
• Sera has shared a suppressed trauma event (Yamashiro Outbreak)
• Emotional dependency flag detected
• First romantic contact acknowledged – Both parties affected
[SYSTEM FLAG – PASSIVE EFFECT ACTIVATED]
Passive Trait: [Emotional Tether – Sera] – ACTIVE
Effect:
• When near Seraphina, emotional stress resistance increases
• Unique team dialogue unlocked during tactical operations
• Critical injury state now triggers override protocol from Sera (if present)
Asha: "Your heart rate exceeded 180 BPM during the kiss, but stabilized afterward. Your physiological response indicates genuine emotional connection rather than mere physical attraction. Impressive for your first romantic encounter."
[JOURNAL ENTRY UNLOCKED]
"Sera: The Fragile Edge of Control"
[MISSION TIME REMAINING: 2h 00m]
Recommendation: Cooldown. Rehydration. Mental recalibration.
Note: Emotional imprint will persist through next combat phase