Tobias stayed quiet as they walked, letting the forest and the group's voices wash over him in uneven waves.
It wasn't a lack of attention. If anything, he listened too well. There just wasn't a need to announce every thought the way some of the others did. Instead, he sorted information carefully, building a mental ledger that held each statement. Even the moment Kiki and Michael had a whispered conversation.
Liam had Flash Step. That was impossible to ignore after what he'd already done. Kwame's constant near-misses and sudden recoveries were from his Adaptive Reflex ability. Michael's Life Sense was already quite obvious. Isla said hers was called Life Projection, speaking the words carefully, as if afraid they might trigger something. Marie claimed something investigative, "detective-like," though she avoided specifics.
The suited man resisted longer than anyone else. Only after repeated looks and subtle pressure did he admit to having a movement-based ability. No name. No details. Just the type.
It wasn't trust, but it was enough, enough to avoid standing apart.
Eventually, attention drifted.
"What about you, Tobi?" Liam asked, glancing back. "You never really said."
Several heads turned.
Tobias felt the moment stretch. Not dangerous, just uncomfortable. He manufactured his words precisely. "It's… utility-based," he said after a pause. "Information, mostly. Helps me understand specific situations."
That wasn't a lie. It was just missing details.
"Oh," Liam said, already coming down from his excitement high a little. "That's… actually kinda useful."
Marie nodded. "Information matters." It seemed like she was especially saying that to compliment her own ability.
The pressure eased. No one pressed further for more details about another, not like it could be proven anyway.
For a short while, that was enough.
Conversation thinned again as they began to walk again, the twins in tow, only speaking in half-formed comments and idle observations. The forest darkened subtly around them, shadows lengthening between trunks, the air cooling just enough to be felt when they breathed in.
Liam, however, didn't settle.
He walked faster than the rest without meaning to, boots scuffing ahead before slowing again. His gaze kept drifting forward, then down at the ground, then back to the space he'd already crossed. Tobias noticed the strange pieces in Liam's actions, the way his steps grew uneven, how his hands flexed at his sides like he was testing something.
"Hey," he said, not quite looking at anyone. "If saying it worked before…" His voice was weirdly calm for the amount of restless energy he showcased.
A harsh warning came from the middle of the group, "Don't, you don't have the stamina for it again." Kiki coldly told Liam.
"But don't you think I could just... activate it with a thought." Liam speculated aloud, adjusting his stance consistently. Legs tensed in preparation.
The ground snapped where Liam had stood. Then there was nothing where he had been, the technique better than before, preventing dirt from spraying out.
Liam reappeared several meters away, boots skidding hard as he fought to stay upright. He laughed, breathless and wild.
He stood still, trying to gather his breath... only for his knee to buckle and hit the ground with a dull thud. Any laughter halted, and panic erupted.
"Are you okay..!?" Isla quickly ran over to him, dropping down beside him. Michael froze, his expression shifted from worry to understanding. The only one who explicitly moved to help was Isla.
Chest hitching, Liam let out a breathy sound in an attempt to say yes.
Kiki sighed.
"I knew this would happen," she muttered, kneeling. "Check your status."
Liam blinked. "Wh..ha...t?"
"Your status. Now."
Hands shaking, Liam whispered the command. His eyes unfocused, then widened.
"Vessel... critical."
The word critical hung in the air like a guillotine blade. Kiki grimaced as if sharing the pain. "Yeah. Figures." She placed a hand atop Liam's shoulder. "Hold still."
A subtle warmth spread from her palm. Relief flooded through the teenager. Liam's breathing slowed. The color returned to his face.
Kiki pulled her hand back sharply and exhaled, swaying before bracing herself on her knee.
"Don't look at me like that," she said quickly when Kian moved, pushing herself into a standing position. "I'm fine."
"You always say that."
She snorted weakly. "Because it's usually true."
Isla hesitated, looking past Liam onto Kiki. "What did... how did you do that?" She asked timidly. Tobi mentally face-palmed, aware there was only one possible explanation in this new world.
"Recovery," Kiki replied with a sigh, rubbing her wrist. "It's my second ability, some of you probably have two or three."
Some eyes opened in shock or in fear of discovery, "Everything has a cost." She glanced down at Liam, who was beginning to pick himself up. "I can't say much more just yet."
Eyes stared at her, but no one wanted to ask for further information. After all, she revealed the status to them, healed Liam, and even revealed her second ability to them.
Kiki turned to Michael next. "You said there are still people out there."
"Two in my range," Michael confirmed. "One of them is currently running towards the edge of my range. The other isn't moving, and their presence is obscured but stable."
"Stealth," Kiki guessed. "Figures."
She considered him for a moment. "If you want help extending that range, I can help. But only if you permit me to view your status." Her tone sharpened. "And you can't question it."
Michael nodded with hesitation. "You have my permission."
Kiki's eyes unfocused briefly. Her brows lifted, then smoothed.
"…Yeah," she murmured. "That'll help."
A hushed conversation was exchanged between the two...
They set out and found one of the two not long after, a shaken man hiding poorly between bushes, blown out of shape by the wind. He thanked the group heavily and revealed an SS rank Energy Projection ability, and his name was Ohara Satoru. The last person never revealed themselves. Michael could certainly feel them, but not see them.
Before dusk, they gave up the search.
"There are others already settled," Michael said as the forest thinned. "It's three of them together."
Kiki nodded, "Yeah, they're all in the village, safe. I'll take the lead for now." Everyone looked at her as she said this and had the same thought, 'She must have another ability.' Though it sure was a stretch to confirm the village they had never been in to be safe...
Two hours later, the world became much darker as the sun set. A village revealed itself at the lowest part of the basin, its buildings all short, ensuring they didn't peak through. Coals burned across different pikes, illuminating the village through the ever-imposing darkness. People moved without fear or care through the paths connecting everything. At least four dozen people were outside just talking or walking.
Not a single person tried to stop the strangers from entering.
A thirty or so-year-old man in expensive attire stood out. He wore designer glasses, three rings studded with diamonds and other precious gems on one hand, and a watch on the other. His real leather overcoat, cashmere turtle neck, and wool pants were even further out of place in this village. The rose gold jewelry around his neck was shining in the little remaining sunlight.
He spoke to an older lady in a contrasting outfit, a muted-blue floor-length gown. The fabric was loose and covered the neck down to below the ankle. The group arrived whilst two's conversation unfolded, "Thank you again, Ms. Jewelle... I really would've died out there if you didn't tell them to save me."
The lady, Ms. Jewelle, smiled and spoke plainly, "It would be wrong of me to leave a growing boy like you out in the middle of the forest." Her expression was gentle but firm with experience. At this moment, she lifted her gaze towards the group and waved them closer. "Come on over, I don't bite. Not anymore..!" She laughed warm and unrestrained, with a passion dulling the group's caution.
"I have heard about your... situation." Her eyes moved back and forth across the group. "This boy, Kostas, told me all I needed to know." She gave the man a brief, knowing glance. "That uurf place he described doesn't sound very real, but you've all ended up here regardless..."
Her tone softened slightly. "Most of you look exhausted. We'll talk more terms in the morning." She gestured back toward the village. "For now, why don't you have him show you to the library? We don't have spare houses lying around, but it's warm, and it's quiet. That'll do for one night."
She started walking away into a wooden and brick building some steps away. The group was confused, not prepared for her to offer them a roof to sleep under and then walk away without explanation. Kiki had a smug look on her face, and Liam was shocked, ready to run after the lady. Tobi stopped him, telling Liam it'd be okay, that there were nine of them.
Willingly, they followed Kostas to the library, where the librarian told them they were free to read any of the books there, but if they ruined any book, they'd have to re-copy it by hand. Fifteen blankets were neatly folded and placed atop a table in this library. 'It seems he really did tell this lady the truth, even the number of us.' Tobi thought, looked around the library, and its polished wood floor.
The sight of the blankets allowed drowsiness in. His original slumber had already been interrupted. Awakening upon the tough earth isn't the best feeling in the world.
Among the group, Tobi was the first to grab a blanket and find a spot to lie down. "Good night." His words were spoken lowly. 'Shame this dream's probably ending now. I kinda wanted a special ability too.'
And the young man drifted into sleep.