10Akira stepped over a bloody corpse into the dark room. In the umbra he saw the mother and son his crew wrangled during the confusion. They knelt before him, hands on their heads and blindfolded. Two Black Smile agents watched over them, the man, Shin, poked the back of the woman's head with a jutte. The woman, Rena, hung a black metal truncheon over the boy's scalp.
The bedroom was a clutter of books and scattered papers. Clothes cascaded out of drawers. The door on the closet hung splintered in half.
"What do they know?" Akira asked.
"We thought it best to await your arrival before moving on to a formal interrogation," Shin said.
Rena spoke, "The boy wanted to tell me something earlier, but the mother was quick to silence him."
Akira stooped to the boy's level, watching his eyelids quiver.
Akira's mobile vibrated in his jacket. He stood to answer the call. He knew it'd be Takei.
"Cipher speaking," he said.
"Have you followed up on that lead I gave you?" Takei grunted.
"My team has recovered all the information needed to move forward. All that's left is to verify certain sources before we continue."
"You've always been thorough, Cipher. I count on that." Takei said. "I expect a report on your findings once you've returned.
"Understood, sir," Akira almost cut the call.
"Before you go," Takei said, "there's a matter concerning Shotaro I need to discuss with you."
"What might that be?" Akira queried coyly.
"It has nothing to do with Shotaro's departure from the Grounds," Takei answered. "Though, I wish you would've handled the situation with more care, I'm sure you had your reasons. Regardless, developments in the Doctor's research has given Shotaro and his sister's case new priority necessitating Cater's involvement."
"Oh?" Akira replied. "I wonder how she feels about taking on such menial work."
"If it wasn't her, it probably would have been you," Takei's laughed through static. "I wanted to talk about the sleeper agent."
"Right, the girl," Akira said. "Barring any delays, she'll still be arriving in the next forty-eight hours, I presume?"
"Correct, and I'll want close surveillance. Any suspicious actions or dealings should be reported and prevented. I'm entrusting this duty to you alone."
"Yes sir," Akira disconnected.
He turned back to his crew and the trembling mother and child. The air in the hallway to his back stung nostrils pungent with otherworldly blood. Slumping dead forms created mounds of corpses garish with crusted crimson liquid over open flesh.
Akira held his palm open. Air rippled into shining silver light that revealed a revolver. The barrel alone ran about the same length as Akira's forearm. He leveled it at the boy.
"Where are the others hiding?" Akira asked.
The mother cried, "We don't know. We already told you we don't know anything about those monsters! Please?! Let us go!"
"I see."
Akira fired a slug into the woman's skull. The shot rang out like a small explosion, splattering red vines of blood across the paneling. The woman's body convulsed, her skin flushed white and an eyeball on the floor fragmented like the glassy eyed glare of the Shattered.
Akira turned his back to the agents and the boy.
"Sir," Rena spoke, "What should be done about the child?"
Akira's step didn't falter, "We're done here. Jettison all wasteful assets. I'll let you two decide on the method."
_gestalt_
A howling gust rushed Kyoko from above the flickering darkness of the hall. Her eyes caught a spark of Kentaro's blade striking Balmung's claws, before everything went black again. The lamp lights lining the hall buzzed in and out of view, a result of the cave in Balmung caused earlier. The resting soil piled like a wall behind Kyoko trapping her and Kentaro with the Shattered.
Even in the darkness Kyoko could discern Kentaro and Balmung's presences easily. Kentaro's impoetus wavered and surged like fire while Balmung's looming impoetus hung like a guillotine. She took in her surroundings and found they were in a manmade tunnel leading to an underground bunker of some kind. The tunnel's hall stretched for yards and yards and led to several doors. Her senses told her none of them led to Tsubaki Minami which neither relieved nor worried her.
The lights blinked on and a claw swung for Kentaro's head. Kentaro ducked below and kicked in Balmung's abdomen, sending the Shattered staggering. Balmung motioned with his hand, but Kentaro lost track when the lights blinked out again. A force like a thousand bricks in the dark crushed Kentaro against the steel tunnel walls.
Kyoko let loose her scythe and slashed for Balmung's legs. The Shattered leapt in the air and kicked across Kyoko's face, tossing her to the floor. Balmung's grip on Kentaro pressed him tighter against the walls.
Kentaro grit his teeth, closed his eyes, and breathed. He flung his sword from his hands where it swirled into Balmung. The blade threatened to hack the Shattered's arm before he moved his hand away. Kentaro unclenched himself from the wall, free from Balmung's grip, and reached out his armored arm to catch his whirling sword.
"You'll regret living to see my face a third time," Balmung said to Kentaro.
Kentaro grinned, "That's my line."
Gripping his sword tight, Kentaro breathed, concentrating red impoetus like smoke that snaked up from his hands and spiraled his blade. The smoke of impoetus swirled faster until the blade absorbed the energy to glow a vibrant vermillion. Its radiance lit the hall to allow some visibility.
A roaring Kentaro slashed savagely overhead. Balmung held the sword at bay with projected force from both palms but even from a distance, he could feel the cut of the blade's edge threatening his throat. Balmung pushed harder, almost forcing the blade back until a crescent slash from Kyoko's scythe waned through his abdomen. His arms weakened and his impoetus slowed, and the sword sliced down on his hands. The blade stuck in his forearms and he bounded away. His stalled impoetus slowly began to recover.
Balmung dipped his finger in the open bleeding gash. It hurt, but the wound was light. He licked blood from his finger.
"So the girl reaps impoetus with her scythe," Balmung slithered. "Formidable, but let's see how you manage alone!"
Balmung flung both palms forward, a wave of impoetus crashed over Kentaro and sent his body colliding against the walls with a crunch. Kyoko's hairs stood on end as she felt the looming guillotine of Balmung's impoetus reach their necks. Balmung gripped one hand over the other, binding Kentaro. He pulled his hands apart, tearing Kentaro's top half from his bottom, cracking bone and ripping flesh. A burst of blood splashed the steel walls and painted Kyoko's face.
Kyoko's defiant screams scratched her throat raw and bounded down empty tunnel walls.
Balmung smiled.
_gestalt_
"Tsubaki!" Shotaro yelled.
He stood before a golden gate guarding a road that led up the hill to the mansion where his sister was held captive. At the gate an intercom with no one behind it buzzed static while a camera followed Shotaro's movements. He looked to the golden bars that blocked the road and the lock that connected the two halves. He grasped the bars in hand and reeled them apart, like hot plastic. From the jagged gap, Shotaro led himself through. From here, the mansion at the top was still a ways away. He would have to sprint in order to arrive in time and save Tsubaki.
He started at a quick pace. Not long after, he was scaling the hill in large strides, surprised with how long he could run. He felt the momentum of his impoetus swaying in his chest, like a pendulum.
When he finally reached the top, he drilled a fist through the mansion doors, crashing them down. Inside, a chandelier hung from the ceiling and twin staircases led up a spiral to the upper floors on either side of the grand lobby. On the ground floor several doorways and halls lead to various rooms.
"Tsuabaki!" he yelled.
This place is massive. It could take hours to find Tsubaki here and who knows if she's even inside the building? Shotaro thought. Damn Balmung!
He searched ahead through doors that lead to the kitchen, bathroom, and parlor, and then one that was shut closed. Shotaro went to try the door, but it was locked. He tried to kick the door down, but it forced him back. It was stronger than a wooden door had any business being. Shotaro looked closely until he saw a faint trace of writing engraved below the handle.
Before me stands cold, naked truth. Her indifference betrays her modesty. Inside me, affection gives way to anxiety.
Shotaro pondered the passage for a bit, before understanding reached.
"Code," he muttered to himself.
He took a closer look but deciphered no other meanings. Frustrated, he strained his eyes harder. At first nothing, then an aching took his eyes and he found meaning in the negative space of words.
It told him that this was a door that led underground, but was sealed with impoetus. There was no way of knowing whether this way led to his sister but it was the first door he'd encountered sealed with impoetus. He took a capsule. Impoetus surged through him and he shot a blast at the door, tearing it off its handles.
The doorway lead to a dark and cold hall. He fumbled for a light switch but found none. Then he had an idea. He held up his index finger and breathed silently, focusing the swelling feeling of impoetus to his finger tip. The top of his index burned a bright orange, where a golf ball of impoetus sat. The energy ball brightened up the hall a little bit, now all that was needed was to keep it there. The white plastered walls lead to a declining staircase and Shotaro made his way down.
_gestalt_
Tsubaki sat fetal on the floor in the tight walled room. There was less than an arm's length of space between her and the walls. The ceiling was so low she could hardly lift her neck without hitting her head. A light overhead bounced different colors and shapes against the walls for what felt like years now. At first, the shifting patterns were like winding rivers and soothed her nerves. But after some hours her mind grew dizzy and her mouth burned with the taste of vomit.
It felt like she'd been here for years. She didn't know how long it had been but it was long. After that monster grabbed her, she felt a blow on her head. When she awoke, he was locking her in this room. How long has it truly been? She wondered. Long enough to watch world end a hundred times over, she thought.
The dancing waves of blue-reds weaved over of violet-greens, hypnotizing Tsubaki until she saw catastrophes. She watched her mother and father die first, their bodies sinking into the abyss. Then she watched Shotaro die, his body burning to ashes. Then the cities fell all over the world. Before her eyes buildings crumpled and collapsed. The animals, birds, fish, insects, and plants all died off and faded away. Only humans remained, but they were not the same. Their legs walked backwards and they spoke only in screams.
She watched this play out a hundred times, each time a different perspective, but the details remained the same. Then, for a few moments, it would stop, like a dream, before it came over her again. For now it was gone. Long ago she wanted to know the truth about that creature that attacked her in her room one night? Long ago she asked, who was it that brought her here and why? These questions she'd had for what seemed like years ago. Now she felt she knew too much.
The colors swirled and took form before her eyes again. She blinked yellow into violet and watched the corners fold and smolder into a row of blazing cars. Flames became a black abyss that threatened to swallow everyone she loved once more. Cries for help and the weeping of children rang in her ears. Her eyes tightened as she squeezed them shut. Warm blood splashed over her face and she felt herself the as she did as a newborn. She tasted that blood was her own and screamed.
"It's getting worse! How on earth could it get worse?!"
Just then, the door swung open. Tsubaki's head lifted and banged against the ceiling. The light outside broke the patterns of the colored lights in the room. Outside, in the doorway stood a dark silhouetted figure. Tsubaki made out slight features, unsure if the face was a stranger or someone forgotten.
_gestalt_
Kyoko fended off Balmung's strikes as best she could. Her impoetus draining ability kept Balmung from being able to affect her with his gravity powers too greatly. He never had her in his grips for more than a second before she could seep his energy.
Balmung slashed at her face but Kyoko ducked in time. She swiped at his legs but he bounded away. She cursed. Fighting alone was never her strong suit. Her abilities worked best at a distance as the reach of her scythe was long and significant time was needed for a well-placed attack.
From the darkness a kick flew at her. Kyoko bounded back gracefully. Just as her boot touched ground, a force seized her foot, dragging her. She swiped the space between her and Balmung, releasing her from his grasp. As long as she drained the impoetus from his attacks, she could keep her distance and survive.
But for how long?
"Nimble feet," Balmung said. "Tell me, how long did it take to master the art of running away?"
Kyoko paid him no mind. She justified her tactics, reciting Black Smile Code #141: To avoid battle, one throws between oneself and the enemy an obstacle unpredictable and unaccounted for. Balmung continued to swipe and kick at her as she backed away farther and farther.
When it seemed that some distance lay between them, the lights flickered on. Balmung stuck his hands out, palms forward and began to press them closed. The walls crumpled towards each other, Balmung's hands straining against their mass. The jagged walls threatened to enclose Kyoko. She wanted to panic, but didn't have the time. It seemed Balmung impressed his impoetus against the outer walls of the bunker area as a means of crushing her and avoiding her scythe.
She took a moment to breathe, collecting her thoughts for a solution. At once, the lights flickered off but far in the background she spotted an orange light flaring from a distance. She watched Balmung turn his head to meet the foreign glow.
The glow grew in size, blitzed Balmung and exploded.
"Balmung!" a voice yelled. "Where's Tsubaki?!"
The lights flashed over a young man, his black hair canopied over glistening grey eyes. His lean figure in a black high school uniform cut a shadow through the light. Shotaro Minami's face was stone with fury. In that moment, Kyoko felt his presence. It was warm and slithering, like a thousand tendrils wrapped over everything.
Shotaro fired another shot at Balmung. It tore through air like a rocket. Balmung sidestepped, but the blowback threw Balmung to his knees. Standing to rise, he caught Shotaro's boot crashing into his nose. The Shattered fell to his back and threw a hand forward, forcing Shotaro back a few meters.
Balmung flipped to his feet. On his right was Kyoko, on his left stood Shotaro. He reached arms out in both directions, gripping their bodies. He crossed his arms, throwing the two into each other. As they collided, Balmung lifted them off their feet with his power.
He squeezed his fists tight. The force pressed like weights against them. He could feel their bones snap beneath his power. Though his arms were immobile, Shotaro managed to gather impoetus to his index finger. A swipe of steel from Kyoko ate at Balmung's impoetus. His fingers faltered and a blast from Shotaro crashed right into his face, dizzying him.
The two dropped to their feet.
"Where's my sister, Balmung?" Shotaro asked.
Balmung panted, "You won't be able to find her. The room she's in has a special lock. Kill me now and you'll never get to her."
Shotaro sped towards Balmung, a fist drawn back for his head, "That is not what I asked." Shotaro's fist launched into Balmung's teeth, sending him reeling back.
"You've gotten weaker Balmung," Shotaro laughed.
Balmung's brow twitched as rage and frustration swelled inside of him. This is not how things were meant to go. With cold, leathery claws his hand whipped and gripped Kyoko's neck round her throat. She struggled to breathe, dropping her scythe in turn.
"I told you to address me as Lord Balmung," he said, his fingers squeezing the air from Kyoko.
"Lord my ass,"Shotaro spat. "If you're a lord, then I'm the emperor."
"Silence! Or I'll kill her the way I killed the other one!" Balmung pointed to Kentaro's top half, laying dead in his blood.
"Do it then, you coward," Shotaro challenged. "Whatever gets you to tell me where Tsubaki is."
Kyoko gasped through faint breaths.
"Stop you fool," Kyoko choked for air, "He has the territorial advantage. He'll have you and Tsubaki both."
Shotaro turned to Kyoko, "Eh? Who asked you? Keep down and mind your business."
Kyoko's eyes snapped open wide, "What are you saying?" but silenced under Balmung's grasp.
Shotaro readied energy to his finger. He leveled it toward Balmung as the orange ball pulsed over his index. Balmung stared back at him. Suddenly, for a moment, Shotaro saw himself in Balmung's eyes.
"I see," Shotaro started. "You're really not so different from me."
Balmung couldn't help but laugh, "How's that?"
"You and I are tools for a machine we can never know. We're both at the mercy of another's hand. We are knives hungry for the blood of others."
Balmung pondered on it but he knew it was true.
"And?" Balmung asked. "What of it?"
"Nothing at all," Shotaro smiled sadly, "When I see the desperation in your eyes, I see a being that deserves pity. I've never felt that way before."
Balmung lowered his gaze. He lowered Kyoko to her knees though his hand still gripped her throat.
"How can you feel this way after I've stolen your sister and threaten your comrades life?" Balmung asked, genuinely curious.
"I don't know the reason." Shotaro said. "But I feel like this conflict has stolen someone close to you."
Balmung let out a sad laugh. "So the shadow sympathizes with light?"
"Two-halves of one whole image," Shotaro smiled, "That's gestalt."
Kyoko's hand grasped quickly for her scythe. She swung, her blade catching Balmung's arm, but he reacted, wrenching the air from her throat. In an instant, Shotaro fired the blast. Balmung could not dodge in time. His right arm seared in the heat of the shot. From his pale shoulder now was only a burnt stub.
"AAAHHHH!" Balmung's scream roared through the tunnel, shaking the walls around.
Kyoko fell, her head hitting the floor, but Shotaro could make out faint breathing from her chest. From behind, he could hear footsteps. He looked back and saw her in the arms of a figure in black. Her flowing ebony hair, pencil thin form and cool grey eyes.
"Tsubaki!" he ran to her. Her eyes were open, but she wasn't awake. She was breathing, but irregularly. For a moment, her body shuddered and her eyes shut tight.
"Who are you?" he asked, "What have you done to her?"
The figure in black spoke, "Asset-in-training Shotaro Minami? You are to report to the Terminal to await questioning."
"What are you talking about?" Shotaro shot out.
The figure in black ignored him as she bent down over Kyoko. She shifted her arms and lifted Kyoko's unconscious form over her shoulder, and then Tsuabki over her. She turned to him and walked up the path leading back to the mansion, "I am Cater, an Agent of the Black Smile. It would do you well to come with me, as the proceedings of your case are an urgent matter of grave importance."
"Proceedings? Case?" Shotaro asked, "What the hell are you talking about? What happened to my sister?"
"You deliberately disobeyed explicit orders from your commanding officer, Agent Cipher of Sector Zero. You must answer for your insubordination," she shifted her weight and said, "As for your sister, I have no real answers. She was this way when I found her."
Shotaro eyes widened. "Will she be okay?"
"That is for the Doctor to determine," Cater said.
Shotaro's stomach sank into emptiness. Why? Why couldn't he have been faster? He looked over to Balmung. He was quiet now, but still writhing along the floor.
"What about him?" Shotaro asked.
"The Shattered Balmung is not our current concern. The matter of your case is of far greater importance," Cater answered. "If you should continue to object, I will use the necessary force required to bring you to the Terminal myself."
Shotaro sighed, "No, that's alright. I've gotten sick of fighting."
Cater nodded before leading him outwards.
_gestalt_
Balmung writhed on the floor, his hand gripping the stub of his arm. He brought his hand forward and crawled by clawing at the ground. The steel he gripped under his fingers promised hope from despair.
Shadowed feet gathered around him in darkness, illuminated by the moonlight's glow, he saw Shattered, small and thin and cloaked. The tallest one spoke. It said in no uncertain words that it was time to go.
Balmung looked on them with wary eyes. He feared above all, that he failed to fulfill his one promise. He wanted to ask for Lord Siegmund to come to his aid as he usually did, but it was Siegmund's orders that sent for his head. Balmung would not have it.
Balmung roared and with the last of his impoetus, pressed a hole in the ground, rippled through the walls, and dove down into cavernous earth. The others could only looked onward as Balmung's laugh echoed in the night.