The island was cloaked in early morning mist as Kane stood on the bluff, the salt-tinged breeze tousling his dark hair. Below, the greenhouses caught the first rays of sunlight, their glass panes gleaming like polished gems. The fish farm shimmered quietly in the soft light, the water's surface rippling gently as schools of silver fish darted beneath.
Twenty days remained.
The number pressed heavily on Kane's mind, an unrelenting countdown to a catastrophe he was determined to outlast. Each day was a battle against time — a race to build, prepare, and strategize.
Reina sat quietly on the floor of their simple home, absorbed in her own world. Her tiny hands moved rhythmically, guiding wooden soldiers in precise formations across the worn floorboards. To any casual observer, it was the innocent play of a two-year-old.
But Kane knew better.
Over the past weeks, Reina's power had grown in ways even he hadn't fully anticipated. The toys she animated had begun tapping into Kane's Infinite Storage, accessing the pocket dimension where supplies, tools, and weapons were held in stasis. This new ability allowed the toys not only to move and act but to carry and transfer objects — a synergy of their two powers that promised to redefine the coming raids.
It had been a moment of surprise and cautious excitement. Kane had been testing the limits of the storage system when one of Reina's wooden knights vanished from sight, only to reappear seconds later clutching a tiny wrench Kane hadn't placed there. Reina's delighted giggle was the only clue to the activation.
Kane sat at his desk late into the night, blueprints and tactical maps spread before him on the holo-screen. He meticulously plotted the next step — a trial run on a nearby toy store.
The location was perfect: modest security, plenty of toys ripe for reanimation, and just enough challenge to test coordination between his drones and Reina's forces.
He tapped a few commands, pulling up the store's schematic. Entry points were limited — vents on the roof, a rear service door, a small loading dock. Security cameras covered the front and inside, but the back corridors remained lightly patrolled.
The plan was clear. Reina's toys would slip silently through the vents and service entrances, disabling alarms and clearing rooms. Kane's drones would provide aerial reconnaissance, relaying live data and acting as overwatch. Supplies would be gathered and stored instantly using his pocket dimension — lightening their load and allowing rapid extraction.
To transport the toys without raising suspicion, Kane rented an unmarked white truck. The vehicle was large enough to hold the reanimated toys safely but mundane enough to blend with city traffic and deliveries.
He briefed Lena and Mara on the operation, carefully omitting the details of Reina's power to maintain secrecy. They knew only that it was a stealth raid, with drones providing eyes and ears, and that timing and silence were paramount.
Kane's voice was steady but quiet. "This is a trial. If it goes well, we'll scale up. The toys will move through vents and back doors. They'll neutralize security quietly — no alarms, no witnesses. We'll transport everything using storage — lightweight and fast."
Lena nodded, her sharp eyes reflecting resolve. Mara leaned in, tapping her fingers thoughtfully.
Reina, eyes bright with excitement, clutched her wooden knight. "Toys go! Toys help Daddy!" she exclaimed, her voice pure and innocent.
Kane's heart clenched. Beneath the simple joy was a power growing every day — one that could tip the scales in the battles ahead. Yet no one else would see it, at least not yet.
In the days leading up to the raid, Kane's schedule tightened. His mornings began with drone flight tests, mapping the city and updating surveillance data. Afternoons were spent training the toys — Reina's miniature army learning new formations, communication signals, and stealth tactics.
At night, Kane reviewed intel, ran simulations, and prepared contingencies. Every moment was precious.
The tension was palpable, but Kane remained calm, a steady anchor for those around him. He kept his thoughts guarded, protecting Reina's secret as fiercely as the island itself.
Twenty days. The clock was ticking.
The toy store raid would be their first real test.
And Kane was determined it would not fail.