Rex said nothing as he walked effortlessly at the simulated desert landscape with his helmet on, behind him was Mei Raiden dressed in her Danzai Spectromancer uniform while he was still dressed in his uniform. The helmet mixed with a mask helped cover his face and made him look like a cowboy. 

"Here," The young man said, reaching in and handing his flask to her. They just reached a shade and Mei panted softly as she tried to stave off the heat of the desert. "We'll resupply water in the next drop zone," Rex said as he pulled out his revolver and checked his bullets once Mei took the flask. 

For her part, Mei smiled at him and opened the flask, she had misjudged him. She felt guilty that she felt jealous that he might steal Kiana away at first but now, she was glad he was here. It seems like his title as a desert Ranger was more than deserved. "Thank you, Crozzo-san," 

"Rest up and drink," Rex replied but he did nod at her. Finishing his checks, the young man took out his map, notebook, and compass before going at his notes and writing something. He was the ranged specialist of their duo, Kiana and Bronya were paired together along with Fu Hua and Lumine. 

"Where should we go next?" Mei asked as she closed the flask, keeping enough water for him to drink. She was not versed in traveling deserts so she let Rex do the navigation. 

"We can go north and head through the canyons and we'll reach the oasis in an hour or so," The young man said as he looked at the map. "But, there will be Honkai beasts there so our best bet is to around the mountains and sneak in there," The young man said as he looked at his watch. "If we used that way, it'll be night and it's just safer to stay here," Rex said, knowing that the shade/cave they were in would be a good place to stay in. 

"Well, it has been a long day..." Mei said, not wanting to waste too much time away from Kiana but understanding that they should be cautious. 

"Well, we can eat the Lizards around here," Rex said as he eyed a lizard that passed by while his hand inched closer to his revolver. "Or eat our rations instead," Rex said, remembering that he was not alone. 

Mei smiled in appreciation as she sat on the rock and looked around. This might have been just a simulation but it was so real and beautiful,

Rex smiled as he removed his trench coat and hung it on a rock, leaving him in his shirt with the sleeves rolled up and pants. Reaching inside his pack, the young man gathered several things and formed a circular stone barrier, and with several tumbleweeds, he made a fire. 

"How did you get skilled at survival, Crozzo-san?" Mei asked as she noticed how the sun began to set, trying to ease the awkwardness between the two. 

"Reinhardt taught us," A fond smile appeared on his face, "He used numerous simulations to make it like we were camping in different locations. Nowadays, he is so busy that we can't hang out too much but he still makes enough time for our activities," 

Mei listened to him and watched in fascination as he leaned on the walls of the cave before handing his coat to her. 

"Deserts are cold at night, you should cover up," Rex said as he went back to his position while looking outside, one hand near his pistol as he opened a book. Mei said nothing as she looked at the makeshift camp the young man produced and decided to ask something. 

"How do you and Kiana know each other?" 

"Kiana's and my family have known each other for generations," Rex said as he looked at the flames. "There were some fights here and there but our families are close. Rein used to babysit Kiana and Bianka while big sis Kal babysat me and Reve at times," Rex explained. "We met one day when we were 7 or something and we hit it off," 

Mei listened and watched as his eyes lit in fondness of his younger day. 

"Well, long story short, Kiana and I slowly lost touch when we were ten and just built up last month or so," Rex replied as he looked at the stars. "Well, can't blame anyone really. When our parents died, Rein took the spot of our parents and well, I focused on many things and... well here I am," Rex said as he gripped his arms, a form of guilt, one that lost Reinhardt the chance to go on a date and get over Kallen a few years earlier. Sure, Rein never blamed him, but he blamed himself. "Ironic that Big sis Ely acted like a mother to Reve and me more than Big Sis Kal and Sakura did," 

"Kal? Kallen Kaslana? Kiana's cousin?" 

"Yes. Big sis Kal and Rein are childhood friends and he used to have the biggest crush on her, well now, he is dating big sis Ely." Mei blanked out. After all, she was there when Kallen confessed that she fell in love with Reinhardt and miss Sakura was okay with it. 

Somewhere Sakura sneezed while Reinhardt felt a shiver in his spine as she used Elysia's lap as a pillow. 

"Oh..." 

Time passed by and before she knew it, Mei woke up with her head on Rex's lap and his coat around her as a blanket. The young man's eyes were closed with his arms crossed over his chest. A lone dark eye tinted with amber snapped open and looked at her. 

"Finally awake?" The young man asked as he looked at her with a teasing smirk. Mei felt her face burn as she stared at him before sitting up. 

"I'm sorry!" Mei said with a bow while the young man chuckled. The young man stood up and stretched as he looked at the horizon and waved at some of their classmates. 

"Get ready, we're going to the oasis today. You can use the coat," Rex said as he turned and looked at her. Blushing, Mei wrapped the trench coat around her form like a cape and she smelled it. It was not that bad, it was kind of comforting... Steam escaped her ears as her face burnt red while she took her stuff. 

Walking in the desert at an even pace and with their other classmates, they were reunited with the rest of the squad with Kiana rushing at Mei while Lumine just smiled and looked at him. 

"Missed me?" Lumine asked with a smile as she looked at him. 

"It's only been a day," Rex said with a smile as his hand snapped to his gun and without looking, shot at Mei and Kiana's location, Killing a camouflaged Honkai beast behind the heiress that he managed to feel using the vibrations of the sand for some reason. 

Lumine clicked her tongue and held her sword. 

"Everyone, form-," Rex turned around and punched the head of a Honkai Beast, knocking it down before crushing its head with his head just as Lumine hopped over him and elegantly cut up another Honkai beast. 

Together, the group of students was able to dispatch the simulated Honkai Beasts

"Mei!" Rex shouted as he ran towards her as he saw a fish-like Honkai Beast. The young man knew he would not make it but. 

Don't think, just do it,

Rex heard the voice and soon, his dark eyes became fully amber as a spear made of sand appeared on his hand. With the spear, the young man trusted the spear and it extended, smacking the fish away. Rex formed another sand spear with amber lines on them and dual-wielded the spear, skewering the fish with an emotionless face as Honkai essence flooded the area of the desert once he was finished. 

Snapping out of it, Rex saw the spears in his hand and the dead fish that resembled a pile of meat and bones. "What just happened?" Rex asked before falling over and the last thing he saw was the electric-covered purple-themed Mei rushing catching him. 

-0----

Will be releasing an Electro Archon Rex with Makoto being able to manifest out of the Gnosis