In the dark of night, a small boat silently cut through the water of the canal that split the eastern island into two cities.
No lights. No sound but water.
The boat eased into a rotting dock at an abandoned shipping yard near the outskirts of the city.
A man stepped off.
Tall. Slim. Long black coat hiding something underneath, face fully hidden behind a mask, a wide-brimmed hat casting his eyes in shadow, and gloved hands in his pockets.
The boat pulled away the moment his feet touched land—vanishing as quietly as it came.
He didn't look back.
The man walked forward towards the abandoned shipping yard, passing by rows of large containers and machinery, the air heavy with rust.
"This…" he murmured.
"…smells like a breeding ground for criminals."
Right ahead, Kageri waited, arms crossed, back leaning against a container. "You sure took your sweet time to arrive."
He chuckled lightly.
"Finding the right ride takes patience."
Kageri smirked. She straightened up and started forward.
He followed behind.
A short distance ahead, a rhythmic shhk… shhk… echoed.
Metal against stone.
Andreas sat on a stack of brick slabs, sharpening his combat knife.
Eyes focused, medium-length dark hair pushed back around his jawline, light beard, tall, muscular, wearing The Rebellion's uniform black and red custom combat gear.
The sound of echoing footsteps dragged his attention.
He didn't stand up. Just went back to sharpening his knife.
"About time, Hector."
Hector laughed. "Apologies, my friend."
"So, I heard you guys had an encounter with our golden boy."
Kageri chuckled. "The world sure is a small place."
"It's the same pattern," she said. "Black Helix floods the region with cheap weapons, waits and sees who responds to the instability, then tests and catalogs anomalies."
She glanced back.
"Now add two mysterious androids, and an anomaly that controls the outcome of the test itself on top of that."
Hector tilted his head slightly.
"That narrows it… but not enough."
"It didn't," Kageri said. "Until a certain someone got eager to join us for this trip."
She looked up, where Kuroha sat on the edge of stacked containers, casually swinging her legs and eating a KitKat.
"You knew he was here."
"My choice, whether I want to tell or not," Kuroha replied with an innocent smile. "Besides, he wasn't involved in our mission anyway."
"Did you bring any extra?" Hector asked.
Kuroha blinked. "…KitKat? I bought a bunch. Want one?"
He chuckled, snapping his fingers. "Sold."
Kuroha tossed one down. "Double price. Pay me later."
Kageri sighed, shaking her head in resignation.
"We know he's here," Andreas' voice cut in, calm, controlled.
"That complicates things for us."
His eyes were still focused on the sharp edge of his knife.
"He'll intervene the moment we trigger an alarm," Hector added.
"He ruined our plan once already," Kageri said. "Had any of the Solheim abduction attempts we joined succeeded…"
She paused. "We could have followed the trail to see whether it connects to the same source of all the other missing person reports."
Andreas exhaled lightly.
"It was an unreliable method to begin with."
Kageri's expression turned thoughtful.
"It was the safest option for investigation."
"Safe rarely works," Hector replied, glancing toward the deeper industrial zone.
"…And we're not the only ones moving tonight."
He leaned back against the metal container behind him, arms crossed, hat slightly tilted down, looking as if he wanted to take a nap right there.
"So, what's next?"
"We wait," Kageri replied. "Whoever wants their hands on those Solheim's has already attempted and failed twice."
"They might even try a third time, maybe harder this time, given those kids have high political value," she added. "We'll make our move based on theirs."
Andreas raised an eyebrow. "And if they don't?"
Kageri's eyes narrowed.
"Then we do it the hard way, like we always do."
Everyone exchanged glances, a silent acknowledgement.
Wind flowed. Metal creaked somewhere in the dark.
Then, Hector's gaze shifted slightly.
"…There it is."
From afar, gunshots could be heard.
Everyone's head snapped towards the old industrial zone.
Andreas got back on his feet, though unhurried.
"What is it now?"
Kuroha stood up, looking in the direction, then suddenly a wave of Null energy slid over her entire body.
A second invisible wave followed, and she vanished into thin air.
Others headed forward. Gunshots continued to echo.
In the old industrial zone, multiple military vehicles crowded in front of an abandoned factory.
Soldiers moved efficiently, cuffing and loading bandits into the military trucks.
From the shadows of the alleys, Kageri observed.
"A hideout raid."
Andreas and Hector were close behind.
Kuroha lay low on the roof of a small building, watching.
The invisible wave engulfed her again, and she reappeared behind the others the next second.
The Null energy on her skin slid away, her body returning to normal.
"We could use this place after they leave. No one would check twice anytime soon."
Kageri thought for a second.
"That's... not a bad idea."
Hector paused, then nodded.
"Temporary works. As long as we're the only ones who thought of it."
Zen sat on his bed, having just finished dinner. Finn collected the plates and took them to the sink.
"You've improved a lot in cooking," Zen said.
Finn turned on the tap and began washing the dishes.
"I cook for both my roommate and me. Had to put in some effort."
Zen looked at the clock on his bedside table.
9:56 P.M.
"I think you should head back now. Exams are starting tomorrow."
Finn finished washing and then turned back.
"Don't worry about it."
Zen stood up and walked over to him.
"You've been by my side for three nights already, and you barely got the time to study."
He placed a hand reassuringly on Finn's shoulder.
"I'm fine now. You should at least get proper rest before exams."
Finn took a moment to think carefully.
"Are you sure you're feeling alright now?"
Zen nodded.
"Feeling like my usual self again. My body recovers fast."
Finn exhaled, hesitant, but he complied.
"Alright then. But if you need anything, call me. Got it?"
Zen smiled lightly.
"Got it."
With a pat on Zen's shoulder, Finn left, waving and shutting the door with a small click.
After watching him leave, Zen returned to his bed and lay down.
He stared at the ceiling for a few minutes, then his eyes slowly drifted closed.
Finn reached the door to his dorm.
Justin lay on his bed, busy with his phone.
His head turned as the door opened and Finn entered.
"How's your friend now?"
Finn closed the door behind him and sat down on his bed.
"He said he's feeling normal now."
Justin returned to his phone.
Finn leaned back against the wall and picked up a book.
"How's your preparation?"
Justin snorted.
"Can't get all this technical bullshit in my head. I'm taking a break."
Finn smirked, shaking his head.
As the night slowly deepened, only a few dorm rooms stayed lit. The atmosphere shifted to complete silence.
Zen was sound asleep. Then the clock hit 12:00 A.M.
His grip tightened on his blanket.
A dream took over, playing behind his eyes like a glitchy memory.
He walked forward with heavy legs, one step at a time. His silver metallic gear sparked, broken, damaged.
He stopped in front of the body of a soldier and fell to his knees.
He put his hand on the soldier's heart, shaking uncontrollably.
No warmth. No pulse.
He breathed heavily. Tears streamed down his cheeks, drops hitting the back of his hand.
The hand that hoped to feel a heartbeat.
The hand that wished it were strong enough to prevent this.
"I'm... I'm... sorry. I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." He repeated over and over with a broken voice.
No one was alive to hear it.
Zen jolted awake, eyes snapping open, heart pounding.
A lump built up in his throat. He palmed his mouth with his right hand before it spilled out.
Blood hit running water in the sink. Zen sprayed water over his face, staring in the mirror.
His left arm flared. He didn't scream or shout. Just cleaned up the blood and returned to his room.
He sat down on the floor, leaning against the frame of his bed, still breathing heavy.
His housing unit pinged. He hesitated for a second, then answered.
Aurora's voice came through, "Your vitals spiked. How are you holding up?"
Zen popped a holographic HUD from his housing unit that showed his heart rate.
176 BPM.
He took deep breaths. Slow and deliberate.
The number started to drop slowly.
"I'm fine now," he replied.
"Shall I send someone over?" Aurora asked.
Zen let out a long exhale.
"Just ask Dr. Frank to up the dosage of my meds."
Aurora hesitated. "Understood. I'll contact him immediately."
Zen leaned his head back, trying to relax. He looked back at the HUD.
A notification from the Vanguard channel caught his eye.
Official: V.A.N.G.U.A.R.D redeployment.
At the East-Wing Military Airbase, a giant black helicopter stood parked, its large cargo ramp open.
The light of its internal bay was the only thing faintly illuminating the darkness around it.
Umbra-01 stood near the ramp, leaning against a wall, arms crossed.
A mechanical panther lay asleep by his feet, programmed to behave exactly like one.
Ansar flew in and landed smoothly near the large gunship.
An off-white female combat android approached him—slim body type, short metallic ponytail behind the scalp, and almost human in design.
"Mission report," Tessa said, handing Ansar a tablet.
Ansar began uploading logs into the device.
Another sound of roaring thrusters approached.
A black and silver female ace combat android dived down and landed at the airbase with a thud, air shimmering in heat around her thrusters.
Her body was the same design as Tessa's, except she was taller and carried more parts.
Retracted machine guns and small missile pods mounted along her arm, large magnetic wings floating behind her that both provided lift and acted as offensive energy weapons.
She walked up to Ansar and Tessa as her wings neatly folded into their housing unit.
Ansar handed her the tablet.
"Thanks," Ravynne said.
Ansar nodded. "You're welcome."
Umbra-01 watched in silence as the other three logged and exchanged combat reports.
Aurora emerged from the helicopter down the ramp—flowing platinum hair catching flashes of light, her black uniform lined with faint pulses of blue.
Hard to tell whether she was an android or a human.
"How's Sire?" Umbra asked.
Aurora stopped beside him.
"His heart rate is back to normal. I've contacted Dr. Frank as he ordered."
"For what?"
"To ask if he can safely increase the dosage of his meds."
Ansar walked up to them.
"That's a big risk to his health."
Aurora's eyes softened.
"Acknowledged. But I respect his wisdom. Surely, he has a valid reason."
Tessa handed Aurora the tablet.
Ravynne joined the others.
"Maintenance progress on my jet?"
"Seventy-nine percent," Aurora replied. "We should be able to leave for the war belt by late morning."
Tessa walked up the ramp into the helicopter. Ansar and Ravynne followed.
Umbra didn't move.
Aurora checked the data on the tablet.
"I can't help but feel guilty for leaving without telling him."
"It's for his own good. You're not at fault," Umbra said.
"He'll find out eventually. And I'm sure he'll understand."
Aurora's gaze shifted to the ground.
"But still. Fighting against my uncoded loyalty to him puts a heavy strain on my processor."
Umbra didn't reply immediately.
"Hmmm... You're not the only one, Aurora."
The night passed. The sun rose from the east, like it does every single day. But the light didn't touch the ground. Not when the sky was gloomy with clouds as dark and heavy as the nightmare itself.
At the East-Wing Warriors Academy, Sayuri arrived at the director's office.
She entered, finding Commander Stelle at her desk speaking to a live holographic projection of a person standing beside.
A man in his mid-twenties, sharp light blue hair, uniform gear tracksuit, hands clasped behind his back.
Kaisen Shirogane. Global leaderboard number one. Leading Warrior of the senior operatives.
Sayuri closed the door behind her and approached the desk.
Kaisen looked at her and subtly nodded. She nodded back—a silent greeting.
"You're finally here," Stelle said.
Sayuri took a seat. "What is this about?"
Stelle leaned forward in her chair, hands resting on her desk.
"Shirogane and I were discussing the current situation at the frontlines."
Sayuri looked at him.
"Is everything alright?"
"Opposing faction is pushing through the borders with massive armies," Kaisen replied. "Reinforcements have been requested."
Stelle cleared her throat.
"But, that's not why I called you here."
Sayuri blinked.
"Then?"
Stelle pulled up a document on her laptop and turned the screen towards Sayuri.
"A few hours ago, I received the investigation report for the recent abduction attempt on Prince Kyoya Aquila von Solheim."
Sayuri read the closing section of the document. "After a more thorough investigation with the previous case in mind, we've again concluded that..."
She paused.
"Ransom motivation and no higher authorities involved. Like last time?"
"Yes." Stelle acknowledged. "Which brings me to why I called you here."
Sayuri's head tilted.
"I'm listening."
Stelle pulled up another document on her laptop.
"I had a private team of mine investigate separately. Their report says that the bandits were promised high pay for capturing any of the heirs of Ignisar."
"And also, that the investigation report provided by the Criminal Investigation Department is most likely forged."
Sayuri thought for a second.
"But that means..."
"The system is compromised, yes," Stelle said. "Current investigation suspects the heads of the CID of corruption and the Security Department of compromising the locations of operatives across the city."
"But we don't have enough evidence against them yet. So, they only remain as suspects for now," Stelle added. "Plus, figuring out who is targeting our students will take more time."
"When did you suspect there was corruption?" Sayuri asked.
"Since the report of the very first abduction attempt," Stelle replied.
"A group of forty-plus hastily assembled mercenaries can't pull that off. It was clearly planned."
"But I gave it the benefit of the doubt. Until there was a sniper on one of our operatives, the literal next night."
"So, Zen's suspicions were correct," Kaisen said.
"Yes." Stelle's eyes shifted to the office door. "Speaking of which..."
The door swung open.
Zen entered, already assessing the situation.
"Hope I'm not interrupting something important."
Sayuri and Kaisen remained silent.
Stelle smirked.
"I was expecting you, actually."
He stopped in front of the desk.
"Then you know exactly why I'm here."
He brought his left hand forward, and a holographic HUD popped up showing the office redeployment order.
"When were you planning to tell?"
"I knew you'd figure it out yourself, eventually," Stelle replied. "Anti-Elemental factions are pushing from Belarus into Lithuania."
"I know," Zen said. "And I recommend you consider redeploying me."
Sayuri scoffed.
"That's not an option. You're grounded, remember?"
Zen's hands curled into fists.
"This is serious. Who knows how many we're going to lose this time?"
Sayuri's eyes narrowed, her voice absolute, "We are NOT sending you on a suicide mission."
A low growl built up in his vocals, which he failed to suppress.
"And I'm not going to sit here and tolerate this."
"What's the point of me sitting here in safety while thousands of soldiers are dying out there?"
His breathing became uneven, memories of the nightmare from last night surfacing.
"You could just send me to end the conflict. What's the point of sacrificing so many lives?"
Sayuri's jaw tightened.
Commander Stelle didn't flinch. She let him speak.
"Zen," Kaisen called. "Making impulsive decisions is unlike you. Pace yourself."
Zen froze, palming his face and taking deep breaths.
"My apologies."
Stelle finally spoke, "I hear you. You're not wrong."
"But that's exactly what your enemies want, Zen," she said. "They want to bait you out at your weakest. We can't give them what they want."
"Protocol literally has the highest bounty on the black market," Kaisen reminded him.
Sayuri looked at him, noticing the look of regret on his face. "You may have fooled Black Helix this time, but don't forget that they're skimming the entire world to find clues about you."
"And the moment Protocol shows up somewhere, the war escalates."
Stelle ended the conversation.
"The Vanguard will be deployed instead. Dismissed."
Zen gritted his teeth, then released the breath he'd been holding.
He turned and walked away towards the door, then paused, but didn't look back.
"Requesting permission to visit the East-Wing Military Airbase."
Stelle's eyes snapped to Sayuri—
Sayuri gave a subtle nod.
—then back to Zen. "Permission granted. I'll send you an entry access."
"And Zen... Have some more faith in the Vanguard."
9:00 A.M.
Cassie peeked out the window from her room. "The sky does not look happy today."
Viara arrived at the doorway. "I'm ready. Let's go."
Cassie turned. "You're coming too? Didn't you get an exception from the director?"
"Exception from the tournament. Not from written exams," Viara replied.
"Huh." Cassie shrugged. "I guess that makes sense."
"Come on. Let's go. We don't want to be late." Viara insisted, already heading for the main door.
Cassie followed behind.
Both grabbed umbrellas, just in case.
Viara waved to Erica before heading out. Erica waved back, smiling.
The two hit the road and mixed into the crowd of students heading for the exam halls.
Among the crowd, Max walked, yawning.
"I was having such a good dream."
Alex was right beside him.
"How are you still yawning after twelve hours of sleep?"
Edric shook his head in resignation.
A bit further ahead in the crowd were Madoka and Finn.
Julianna caught up to them.
"Good morning."
Both Madoka and Finn raised an eyebrow.
"Really? Good morning?"
Julianna blinked, then burst out laughing.
"Oh, this habit of mine. Sorry. Not really a good morning, I guess."
"So, how's everyone feeling?" she asked.
"Feeling as usual," Madoka said.
"My first exam. Kinda nervous, not gonna lie," Finn replied, rubbing the back of his head.
"Oh, don't be. You'll do just fine." Julianna gave him a reassuring smile.
Finn smiled back.
"Thanks."
Soon enough, the academy became busy but organized.
Students filed into their designated halls, settling into their seats as examiners moved between rows, handing out question papers as the clock neared 10 A.M.
The bell rang. Pens moved. Silence settled across the hall.
Outside, the clouds rumbled—again and again.
Exam days had officially begun.
At the East-Wing Military Airbase, Ravynne's black fighter jet carefully taxied into the runway.
Once lined up, she pushed the throttle to take-off thrust.
The jet's engines warmed up and fired.
From a distance, Zen watched, arms folded, as the jet rolled along the runway fast and took flight.
Ravynne's jet flew away with a roar.
Zen stood there in silence, watching the jet disappear into the distance.
Above, the clouds grumbled. Raindrops finally broke free, scattering from the sky.
He tilted his head back.
A drop of water stung his left eye, trailing down his cheek like tears he'd never want to shed again.
Footsteps approached behind him, steady, deliberate. An umbrella slid into place above his head.
She didn't need to say a word for him to know it was her.
"At least let me cry when I'm given the chance." His voice was low, almost drowned by the patter of rain.
"Why are you always so harsh on yourself, Shane?" she replied, her tone a quiet ache.
"You know you can't save everyone."
His gaze lowered to the ground again.
"Don't use that name."
"Would you rather I call you Sire?" she teased with a faint smile.
"No." His reply was flat. "Siblings don't call each other Sire."
Aurora smirked. "Shane it is then."
Zen sighed. "Report."
Aurora hesitated just a second. "Preparations are complete. Everyone is armed and ready to leave. Ansar and Tessa will stay here at your service."
"No. Take them with you." Zen ordered. "You're going into a warzone. You'll need everyone."
Aurora shifted. "But you need—"
"Don't..." Zen cut her off, his voice heavy. "Don't fail me, Rora."
Aurora didn't try to argue. "As you command."
"And... I apologize."
"It's ok," Zen said. "You should get going now."
She handed him the umbrella and looked at him one final time, the trail of the rain drop still there, then turned and walked away.
The rotors of the Vanguard helicopter came to life.
Aurora walked up the ramp.
"All units, on board."
Ansar, Umbra, and Tessa followed.
The cargo ramp pulled shut, and the gunship took off.
The sound of rotors reached Zen's ears. He looked up.
The helicopter flew past high overhead.
He watched it until it blurred into the rain.
All that remained was the sound of rain against the fabric of the umbrella... and a memory of dragging a body with broken fingers, and legs that refused to take a single step forward.