Chapter 22: So Lost
Vasa spoke up first, and for once, her voice wasn't completely flat. "Hm? What are you talking about? We are a team."
Nox just looked at her. A team? Since when?
Kendra let out a short, sharp breath that might have been a scoff, but there was a definite wobble in it. "Yeah, why would we leave behind our leader, even if he is a rude bastard." She nudged Yeda with her elbow. Yeda was still kneeling next to him, looking like she was about two seconds from bursting into tears again. "Right, Yeda?"
Yeda just nodded, scrubbing at her nose with the back of her hand. "We wouldn't leave you, Nox."
He stared at them. They actually sounded... like they meant it. Kendra's usual bite was there, yeah, but it felt different, not as sharp. Vasa's face, usually a blank mask, almost looked... concerned? And Yeda, well, Yeda looked like she'd just watched someone kick a puppy and was ready to throw down for it.
It was weird. These three, who he'd mostly seen as either liabilities or just tools to help him get stronger, were actually sticking by him. A strange, tight feeling started up in his chest, something unfamiliar, something he couldn't quite name. He didn't think he'd ever felt it before.
Then, the familiar blue screens popped into his view, just for him.
[Soul Link with Kendra has been established!]
[Trust in you has reached 100%.]
[Soul Link with Vasa has been established!]
[Trust in you has reached 100%.]