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Chapter 33: A Pyromaniac, a Forgotten Team, and Chaos Unleashed
The day started innocently enough on Star Island, with the team gathered around their makeshift campsite. Vapor was experimenting with a new recipe (something about smoked fish with a spicy glaze), while Rosie complained about the lack of action lately. Mira was busy sketching out her latest trap designs, and Acre—silent and brooding as always—leaned against a tree, watching the horizon like a cowboy waiting for a shootout.
And as for Nica, Shes probably getting coffee or something
In the middle of it all, Valore stood holding a lit stick of dynamite, examining it like one might admire a piece of fine art.
“You know,” she said, her voice sweet but tinged with mischief, “nothing brings people together like a little explosion. Just one tiny boom could really liven things up.”
“Valore,” Geo groaned, snatching the dynamite from her and tossing it into the ocean, “for the hundredth time, we’re not blowing up the campsite!”
Valore pouted, crossing her arms. “You’re no fun. Besides, it’s not my fault the author keeps forgetting I’m even part of this team. I had to make an entrance somehow!”
“Wait—what?” Ethan blinked, looking up from her spot near the firepit. “Did she just say the author?”
“Oh, please,” Valore waved dismissively, “like you’ve never noticed. I mean, when was the last time anyone mentioned you, Ethan? Chapter 12? 13? They basically gave you one dramatic robot-to-human arc and then shoved you into the background.”
Ethan looked visibly offended. “For your information, I’ve been helping! Quietly! I have... presence.”
“You have a gender crisis, and I love you for it,” Valore said with a grin.
“Can we not break the fourth wall for five minutes?” Marianna cut in, her voice calm but carrying an edge of exasperation. The sleek, humanoid robot companion sat nearby, her glowing eyes flicking between the group. “Some of us have actual work to do—like repairing the storage room you all keep trashing.”
“Oh, speaking of the storage room,” Mira said suddenly, “has anyone seen Maketo? I swear I heard someone rummaging in there earlier.”
As if on cue, the door to the team’s storage shed creaked open, and Maketo emerged, her arms laden with snacks. She froze when she saw everyone staring at her.
“What?” Maketo said, her voice defensive. “It’s not like you were gonna eat these, anyway.”
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The Name Reveal
Before anyone could respond, Acre finally spoke, his deep voice cutting through the chaos. “Enough.”
The group turned to him, surprised. Acre rarely spoke unless it was important—or cryptic.
“I have something to say,” he continued, stepping forward. “For too long, I’ve gone by the name Acre. But that’s not my true name.”
“Wait, you have a real name?” Rosie asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course, I do,” Acre said, his tone serious. “It’s... Acresental Goldium Cotton-Eye.”
Silence.
Valore immediately burst out laughing. “What?! That’s the most ridiculous name I’ve ever heard! Were your parents high on Chaos energy when they named you?”
“Valore, shut up,” Acre growled, his cheeks turning slightly red.
“No, no, seriously,” Valore pressed, grinning ear to ear. “Acresental Goldium Cotton-Eye? That sounds like the name of a rejected RPG character!”
Ethan stifled a giggle, while Marianna simply shook her head. “Well, at least it’s... unique?”
“Call me Acre,” he snapped, his usual stoicism cracking under the weight of the teasing.
“Too late, Acresental,” Geo said with a smirk. “You’re never living this down.”
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Chaotic Camaraderie
As the banter continued, the chaos only grew. Valore kept sneaking explosives into random places (“It’s for ambiance!” she claimed), Ethan tried to explain the concept of being a hermaphrodite to a very confused Maketo, and Marianna was forced to play mediator when the arguments got too heated.
At one point, Vapor finally intervened. “Guys, can we please focus? We’re supposed to be preparing for Wousay’s next attack, not tearing each other apart.”
Valore pointed at him. “Don’t act like you’re innocent, Vapor. You’re the one who keeps stealing the spotlight with your Mega transformations and your Limit Breaker nonsense. The rest of us are lucky to get a line or two per chapter!”
“That’s not true!” Vapor protested. “I try to include everyone—”
“You forgot my name last chapter,” Ethan deadpanned.
“Okay, that was the author’s fault!” Vapor argued, looking off into the distance as if addressing someone invisible.
“Oh, sure, blame the author,” Valore said, rolling her eyes. “Classic protagonist behavior.”
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A Moment of Unity
Despite the chaos, there were moments of genuine camaraderie. When a sudden downpour threatened to ruin their supplies, the team worked together to save what they could. Acre—Acresental, as Valore insisted on calling him—used his brute strength to secure the campsite, while Marianna crafted a temporary shelter out of spare parts.
Valore even refrained from blowing anything up (though she did mutter something about setting fire to the rain).
By the end of the day, as the group sat around the fire sharing stories and teasing each other, it was clear that no matter how chaotic things got, they were still a team.
“Well,” Marianna said, leaning back, “at least we managed to survive another day without blowing up the entire island.”
Valore grinned mischievously. “There’s always tomorrow.”
The team groaned in unison, and the camera panned out, leaving their laughter—and a faint smell of explosives—in the air.
