Biocores: The Legendary Weapon Designer-Chapter 113: Small Vacation

The waves crashed softly on the ivory shorelines of Kythra’s Southern Archipelago, a tranquil string of islands hidden beneath the veil of Daewyth’s power struggles. Here, for the first time in what seemed like years, Nioh let the burdens slide off his shoulders.

The sun hung lazily above, neither scorching nor dull, a golden guardian that cast playful glimmers over the crystalline water. Nioh sat with his feet buried in warm sand, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Akrona lay beside him, draped in a flowing lavender wrap, eyes half-lidded beneath round, tinted glasses.

"You look like a tourist," she teased, sipping on a chilled fruit drink adorned with an absurdly large slice of citrus.

"And you look like a Shuriman aristocrat hiding from her royal obligations," he shot back, voice mellow.

She laughed softly. "Touché."

A few meters away, Cryo was neck-deep in water, letting the tides sway him like a kelp frond. X, however, stood in the shallows, fully clothed, clutching a small data tablet.

"X," Nioh called lazily, "you’re allowed to take a break, you know. The stars won’t fall if you put that thing down."

X looked up, as if pulled from a trance. "I am... attempting to adjust. The sand is infiltrating my boots."

"Then take them off," Akrona offered, lounging with an amused expression.

"I do not have spare socks."

"You’re impossible," Nioh said, chuckling. He looked out at the horizon, watching the sea melt into the sky. "You know, I used to think I’d never get a week like this."

Akrona turned to him, brushing a wind-blown strand from his face. "You deserve it."

Their days were slow and rich. Morning swims bled into seafood feasts at local markets, where Cryo would haggle with delight for sun-dried squid, glazed eels, and translucent sea grapes.

"We’re not bartering for territory, Cryo," Akrona had warned him once.

"It’s not about the food," Cryo replied. "It’s about the dance."

Nioh found himself laughing more often than not. He bought a sunhat shaped like a jellyfish from a wandering merchant and wore it proudly for two days. Akrona nearly died of secondhand embarrassment, but when she tried to throw it into the ocean, he manifested a sound barrier that bounced it back onto his head.

They wandered into coral caverns during low tide, the echo of dripping water matching the low hums of Nioh’s biocore. Inside one such cavern, Akrona placed a hand on a luminous wall and closed her eyes.

"There are places like this in Shurima," she said, voice distant. "Sacred spaces."

"You miss it?"

"Sometimes. But... I was caged there too."

Nioh reached over, lacing his fingers through hers.

Midweek, they took a skiff to a quieter island, one nearly uninhabited. It was covered in vibrant jungle and winding trails. Cryo led the way with a boundless energy none of them could match. X followed, dutifully cataloging flora and warning about venomous moss.

At the top of the hill they found a wind-swept plateau. Nioh sat at the edge, hair tousled by the breeze, looking far and wide.

"You see any traitors down there?" Akrona asked.

"No," he replied, grinning. "Just peace."

They sat down to eat—grilled fish Cryo had prepared and sticky rice wrapped in giant leaves. X, begrudgingly, admitted it was "technically enjoyable."

After lunch, Nioh leaned against a tree and drifted to sleep. The others didn’t wake him.

Evenings were their favorite time. The marketplace near their rented villa came alive with light and music. Fire-dancers and sand-painters performed for tourists and locals alike. Nioh joined a rhythm circle one night, mimicking the beat of the drums with pulses of sound from his fingers.

The crowd was awestruck.

Akrona watched him from a distance, drink in hand. X stood beside her, arms crossed.

X said nothing, but the smallest smile cracked his usually impassive face.

That night, back at the villa, Nioh lay out on the patio under the stars. Akrona joined him, brushing her hand over his chest.

"I could get used to this," he murmured.

"You should."

"I don’t think it will last."

"Maybe not," she replied. "But you’re allowed to live in the moment. For once."

Nioh looked up, eyes glinting with starlight. "Then let’s make this moment count."

--

The final day, they returned to the beach at dawn. It was quiet. No merchants. No noise. Just the sea and sky.

Cryo built a lazy sandcastle, X tried and failed to meditate, and Akrona sat brushing shells clean.

Nioh moved his wheelchair to the waterline alone. The sea lapped at his ankles. He stared ahead for a long time.

"It’s coming to an end," he said when Akrona approached.

"It has to."

"And when it does... I need to be ready. Stronger. Smarter. Colder. That will be the only way I can make it out alive."

"Don’t be cold, Nioh," she said softly. "Just be true."

He took her hand. Together they stood there, letting the waves kiss their feet.

The sun rose, casting a golden path on the ocean. For a brief, perfect moment, the world held its breath.

And so did they.

— fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

The dim glow of opal lanterns flickered against the polished blackstone walls. Marsai stood with her arms behind her back, staring through the arched window as mist rolled in from the valley.

Footsteps clicked against the stone. Her informant entered, bowed, and spoke with restraint.

"Commander. I’ve returned with the report. The one you requested on the prince."

She didn’t turn. "Proceed."

"He’s done nothing of interest militarily. No training sessions. No sparring. No tower visits. No contact with the court."

She arched an eyebrow. "Yet you sound... conflicted."

A pause. "He’s just been—living, my lady."

That made her turn.

"Living?"

The agent nodded. "Relaxing. Exploring. Smiling. He’s been touring the archipelago with Akrona, Cryo, and X"

Marsai’s jaw twitched. "Where?"

"Several locations. Mostly near the coast. They visited a secluded beach west of the coral cliffs. Spent hours there. He walked with assistance but refused to be carried."

"Of course he did," she muttered. "Pride."

"He swam. Played a game with Akrona in the waves. Laughed when she dunked him."

Marsai stared. "You’re telling me he’s playing in the water like some carefree heir?"

"Not exactly. He watches everything. Records everything. Speaks little, but when he does, people listen. Locals have begun recognizing him. Word’s spreading. They say he’s... calm. Serene. Some even call him ’the quiet storm.’"

Marsai scoffed. "’Quiet storm.’ Ridiculous."

"Maybe. But Cryo’s presence hasn’t gone unnoticed either. He’s been unusually open. Fishing with children. Cooking for villagers. He jokes more now."

"And the girl?"

"Akrona? She’s... steady. Protective. Watches Nioh closely but doesn’t hover. They’ve grown close."

"Romantic?"

"Unclear. Intimate, yes. But not obvious. More like they’re navigating old pain together."

Marsai returned to her desk and sat. "And X?"

"Still loyal. Still eerie. Records everything Nioh says. Doesn’t speak unless prompted. Locals call him the ’silent blade.’"

She rolled her eyes. "Dramatic peasants."

The agent lowered their voice. "There’s something else. At a small port town, a woman gave Nioh a flower and thanked him for nothing in particular. Said just seeing him made her feel like things might get better."

Marsai’s expression tightened.

"He’s building something," she said coldly. " warmth... hope."