[Before the Meet-Up]
A soft chime echoed as the doors slid open. A girl with short pink hair and a high ponytail, tucked under a stylish cap, and she wore casual, slightly oversized clothes that contrasted with the formality of the environment.
Her fingers tapped a glowing pad on her wrist, and she walked with the confidence of someone who never got caught.
"Nyra, at your service!" she sang out, beaming as she saw Vivianne. "Judging from that face... there's big news. Spill it. Gimme the juicy data."
Vivianne raised an eyebrow. "You always arrive like this?"
"Better than Rael's death glare, don't you think?" Nyra teased, then narrowed her eyes a little, voice dipping with amusement. "Wait... you look like someone who just rolled the dice on fate."
Suddenly, a faint beep—a barely audible low-frequency tone—pulsed from her earpiece.
Nyra's smile dropped. Her eyes locked on a far wall. "Rael," she said sharply. "Throw a dagger—there. Now."
Rael didn't hesitate. Her arm moved like lightning. The blade hit the target, and with a spark-pop, something embedded in the wall sizzled and died.
Nyra's voice turned cold.
"Someone's been listening. Probably for a while."
Vivianne stiffened. Her eyes narrowed in realization. "I made a mistake."
She snapped toward Rael.
"Get to Vial. Go. Now!"
Rael was already gone—boots pounding against marble as several elite guards followed.
Vivianne turned back to Nyra.
"Run a sweep. Lock down anything they could've touched. I want everything secure."
Nyra nodded, fingers flying across her wrist display. "Already done. All secure—except for the listening. That one's on me. Sorry, Vivi. I should've caught it sooner."
Vivianne didn't reply—she was already prepping for what might come next.
Apartment Complex — Minutes Later
Tires screeched. Several black cars came to a halt as armed women in tactical gear poured out. Rael led the charge, face set like stone.
"I hope I'm not too late," she muttered.
They took the stairwell—elevators were too slow. As they ascended, a blood-curdling scream ripped through the building.
"Kyaaaaaaaaa!!!!"
Rael bolted toward the sound, guards at her heels.
There—just past a corner hallway—stood Celeste, hands to her mouth, eyes wide in horror. Vial's unconscious body was draped across the arms of Kaelene's subordinates.
Kaelene stood nearby, startled but already switching into combat mode.
Rael didn't wait.
"Engage!"
Blades and fists clashed. Rael and Kaelene collided in a flurry of movement—both experienced, both fast, both deadly. Sparks flew as their weapons met again and again. But Kaelene's plan had crumbled. Her backup was floundering.
"Retreat!" Kaelene shouted. Her subordinates obeyed, dragging away injured comrades as Rael yelled:
"Pursue them! Don't let them vanish!"
Half the guards chased, while others stayed behind, forming a protective circle around Vial and Celeste.
Rael knelt beside them, checking Vial's pulse, then stood and gave the order:
"We're taking them to the Vital Integration Center. Now."
Vital Integration Center (VIC) — Emergency Room
Fluorescent lights bathed the room in sterile white. Vial lay unconscious on a medical bed, wires connected to monitoring devices. Shia moved around him silently, scanning readings and carefully checking for any sign of harm—anything that Kaelene's group might've done while he was out cold.
Her hands trembled slightly, but she didn't stop. She couldn't afford to.
In the adjacent room, Celeste sat stiffly on a cushioned bench. Across from her, a female officer quietly took notes with a pen and clipboard. The questions were direct, the answers tense but truthful. Celeste kept glancing at the door, worry etched on her face. She was told she would have to stay here for now—for safety and questioning.
Later
A soft beep-beep from the monitor changed rhythm.
Vial stirred.
His eyes blinked open slowly, adjusting to the white ceiling above. His head pounded as memory returned—the coffee, Kaelene's cheerful mask and that moment of helplessness.
His breath quickened, jaw tightening with fury.
"Damn it..." he muttered under his breath.
He tried to sit up—and froze.
A warm hand gently held his arm.
Shia had woken, her head lifting from where it had rested on the side of his bed. Her eyes were red, voice barely a whisper.
"You're awake..."
Before he could say anything, she suddenly threw herself at him—arms wrapped tightly around his torso as she trembled against his chest.
"I was so scared, Vial... I thought... what if we were too late?"
Vial blinked, surprised.
"Hmm? You love me that much, huh?" he teased, voice low and laced with mischief.
Shia pulled back slightly—her eyes narrowing.
"It's not the time to joke."
He chuckled softly, then turned serious.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry."
His arms wrapped around her in return, firmer this time.
"I'm okay now... thanks to you."
They stayed like that for a quiet moment—just two people, breathing relief.
The mechanical shhhk of the automatic door broke the silence.
Vivianne and Rael entered, composed but visibly relieved to see Vial awake.
"You're awake," Vivianne said, her voice calm but firm. "How are you feeling?"
Vial sat straighter, still holding Shia's hand.
"Fine. Just... tired. But nothing feels off."
Vivianne turned to Shia. "Anything unusual in his readings? Residual toxins? Neural effects?"
Shia shook her head. "No signs of tampering. Whatever they used, it was fast-acting but not damaging. He's clean."
A collective exhale passed through the room.
Rael nodded silently in the background.
Vivianne stepped closer. "Good. Now—Vial... tell me everything. What happened before we arrived?"
Vial recounted it all: meeting Maki, walking to the old apartment, Kaelene's surprise appearance, unexpected attack, the blurry figures dragging him.
Vivianne listened without interruption. When he finished, she gave a firm nod.
"Thank you. We'll handle the rest."
She glanced at Rael and Shia.
"Let him rest for the night. Post a guard outside. No one enters without my clearance."
Rael saluted silently.
Vivianne's eyes lingered on Vial for one last moment, then she turned and walked out with Rael following.
Vial leaned back against the pillows, exhaustion washing over him again.
Shia reached up and gently tucked the blanket around his shoulders.
"Sleep, Vial. You're safe now."