Asley strolled toward the meeting room with a relaxed gait, finding Zigh already seated composedly in a solid teak chair. Unbeknownst to the Colonel, Outer lurked in the shadows behind him, a silent, predatory presence. The door creaked open, and Asley entered with a beaming radiance on his face.
"Ah, a visitor from afar," Asley greeted.
"Asley, let's skip the pleasantries. I'm getting straight to the point," Zigh countered.
Asley took a seat, his eyes locking onto Zigh's. "What's the rush? It's been ages since we last crossed paths."
"I have matters to attend to."
"Man, how things change once someone becomes a Colonel," Asley teased.
"Asley!"
Asley tilted his head, a faint, playful smirk dancing on his lips. "Why so serious?"
"You haven't changed a bit."
"Neither have you, Zee."
"Stop calling me that, Asley."
Asley shrugged nonchalantly. "As you wish, Colonel."
"You're insufferable."
"So, which is it? Zee? Or Colonel?"
Zigh's gaze sharpened into a glare. "Zigh!"
"Fine, fine. You've always been as stiff as a board."
Zigh ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "I need a favor. Create identification cards for three of my acquaintances."
Asley let out a soft chuckle. "Good grief, Zigh. Do I look like a printing shop to you?"
"Do it, or I'll expose your secret."
Asley bolted upright, his jovial mask slipping. "Zigh! You wouldn't dare threaten me!"
Zigh merely snorted. "Do we have a deal or not?"
"You really haven't moved past your habit of bossing people around and making threats, have you?"
"Make your choice. Quickly."
Asley clicked his tongue. "If my secret gets out, I'll make sure you pay for it!"
"By all means, try your best."
Reluctantly, Asley sat back down. "How did you even survive that gunshot?"
"Let's just say I got lucky."
Asley took a deep breath, regaining his composure. "Fine. Provide the basics: names, ages, dates of birth. And don't forget their photographs."
"I'll have them ready soon."
"Is that all? You haven't even offered a word of thanks."
"Thank you," Zigh said.
Asley clenched his fist. "I truly hope you encounter someone who makes you feel completely powerless and out of options."
Zigh offered a dry smile. "That's old news."
"What? What do you mean by that?"
Zigh stood up to leave. "I'll return this evening. Have everything else prepared."
"Wait, you haven't explained anything yet!"
"Later."
With that, Zigh vanished through the door. Asley slumped, clutching his head in frustration. His attitude makes it so hard to work with him, but Zee seemed a bit... I'll ask him again later, he thought.
***
Zigh headed straight for his car. He ignited the engine and drove toward the hospital. After a grueling ninety-minute journey through traffic, he arrived and made his way to Room 404.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Yes, come in."
Zigh opened the door to find Ron sitting by Nox's bedside, notably free of any IV drips.
"I need your personal data," Zigh stated.
Both Ron and Nox widened their eyes in disbelief.
"Hah! Who do you think you are?" Nox grumbled.
"A Colonel."
Nox stood up abruptly. "Are you here just to pick a fight?"
Ron placed a steadying hand on Nox's shoulder. "Calm down, Nox," Ron said, his own gaze piercing Zigh. "And you, Zigh—you can't just demand someone's private information like that. In our values, privacy is a trust that shouldn't be breached so casually."
Zigh folded his arms. "You are illegal immigrants."
Ron took a step forward. "Lian is one, too."
Zigh flinched, but a thin smile quickly replaced his shock. "Indeed. Which is why I plan to forge your documents."
Nox clicked his tongue. "Oh? Why the sudden change in tone, Colonel?"
"What are you implying, Champion?"
"Don't play dumb. You know exactly what I mean."
Ron sighed, trying to de-escalate the tension. "Enough, Nox. No need to drag this out. Zigh is only doing his duty."
Nox turned away. "Whatever."
In the corner of the room, Outer let out a soft, mocking laugh. Nox's knuckles whitened as he clenched his fists.
"Is Outer here?" Ron whispered.
"Yes, right behind the Colonel," Nox replied.
Ron glanced at Zigh, thinking to himself, It seems only Nox can perceive him.
"What are you two whispering about?" Zigh demanded.
"Nothing of importance," Ron dismissed.
Zigh stepped forward. "Lieutenant, I don't appreciate your attitude."
"I'm simply matching your energy, Colonel Zigh."
Zigh brushed his hair back. "Just give me the data."
"Before that, do you actually want our help?" Ron asked pointedly.
Nox watched Zigh, keeping one eye on the smirking Outer. Damn it...
Zigh exhaled heavily. "I only need Lian. You two are irrelevant to me."
Ron's blue eyes darkened. "Are you sure you can handle that?"
"Speak plainly, Ron." Zigh barked.
"You already know the answer; why seek confirmation?" Nox interrupted.
Ron pointed toward the empty space behind Zigh. "Are you certain you can control something you cannot even see?"
Zigh's heart sank. Damn it, don't tell me he's been following me since I left the house.
Nox snorted. "Why the silence, Colonel? You were so confident a moment ago."
"So this is what you were whispering about," Zigh muttered, glaring at Nox.
"Zigh, just be careful," Ron warned.
Frustrated, Zigh pulled out his phone and dialed Lian. After a few rings, a voice picked up.
"Hello?"
"Lian, what are you doing?"
"Just lounging on your very comfortable bed."
Zigh gritted his teeth. "Your bodyguards, Ron and Nox, have some complaints."
Ron and Nox froze, exchanging a bewildered look.
"What are they complaining about, Zee?"
Zigh went silent, his ears turning a bright shade of crimson. Don't tell me that black shadow is eavesdropping, damn it.
"Zee? You still there?"
"Li—Lian... don't call me that!"
"Oh? Would you prefer Rich Boy?"
"No."
Watching the exchange, Ron thought, So that's the nature of their dynamic...
Nox stifled a laugh. "Eat that, Colonel."
"Alright, Zigh. Can you switch to video?" Lian asked.
"Why?"
"You said they had complaints, didn't you?"
Zigh sighed and tapped the video icon, aiming the camera at Ron and Nox.
"Your faces aren't as battered as they used to be," Lian remarked through the screen.
Nox and Ron remained silent.
"You two haven't changed at all."
"You're noisy," Nox countered.
Zigh glanced at Nox, stunned. Champion... how can he speak to Lian like that?
"Champion, why so sensitive? I'm only speaking the truth."
"Lian, can we talk?" Ron asked.
Lian's expression turned neutral. "About what?"
"About you."
Lian yawned. "I'm tired. Perhaps another time. One more thing, blondie—don't interfere in my private affairs."
Suddenly, the temperature in the room plummeted. An unnatural chill set in, making the hair on the three men's necks stand up. Their breathing became labored, as if the oxygen had been sucked out of the room.
"Okay, I've handled it, Zee. I'm hanging up now."
The line went dead.
"Lian..." Zigh whispered.
The air gradually returned to normal, leaving the three men gasping for breath.
"Are you two satisfied?" Zigh asked, his voice shaking.
Ron was drenched in sweat. "Not yet. See? That is the extent of Lian's power."
"You triggered it, Ron..."
"Hey! You're the one who called him!"
"Champion... watch your tongue..."
"Do you really want to mess with a power like that?" Nox challenged.
"Lian isn't like this... you two are the source of the problem."
"What! You're the one who came here and brought trouble!"
Zigh struggled to regulate his breathing. "Do you want to end up in a cell for not having legal documents?"
Ron straightened his posture. "If we go, Lian goes to jail too."
Zigh faltered.
"Colonel, you can't talk your way out of this one," Nox added.
"If that's the case, I'll have to arrest you both now."
"What?"
Zigh immediately dialed Devin. "Hello? Devin, get to the address I'm sending you. Bring Lexin and use the patrol car."
Nox's eyes widened as he stepped forward. "You—"
Ron held him back. "Nox, enough." He glared at Zigh. "Is this how you operate?"
"As long as you remain uncooperative, security procedures must be followed."
Ron clenched his teeth. "I'll tell them you kidnapped Lian."
Zigh recoiled. "Kidnapped!?"
Ron smiled, though his eyes remained ice-cold. "A Colonel harboring a man without an identity... that would make for a very sensational headline."
Nox smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Go ahead. Arrest us, CO-LO-NEL."
Zigh ran a hand through his hair. "Do as you wish. A cell still awaits you."
***
Back at Zigh's house, Lian stood on the balcony, gazing up at the vast blue sky.
"They're acting like children," Lian murmured.
"What does Lian want to do now?" Outer's voice echoed telepathically.
"Outer, knock the three of them out."
"Hehehe... Lian is so clever."
In the hospital room, Outer dissolved into a thick, supernatural mist.
"What are you doing!" Nox screamed.
Zigh and Ron scanned the room frantically.
"Relax, Champion," Outer's voice hissed through the fog.
"You really are the source of all our problems!"
"Hehehe... the Champ has his own sins to answer for."
"You..."
Zigh's eyes began to flicker, his vision blurring. Ron stumbled, losing his balance. Nox panted heavily, sweat pouring down his face. Within seconds, all three men collapsed, hitting the floor almost simultaneously.
A few minutes later, Lena arrived at the door carrying several bags of food. She knocked.
Tok, tok, tok.
"That's strange... no answer..."
Lena pushed the door open. "Excuse me..."
Her eyes nearly popped out of her head. "HELP! SOMEBODY HELP!"
To be continued...