Year 526 A.B. (Two Months Later)
Busling and chatter fill the cafeteria where Rae, Sherwin and Nina sit having idle conversation, while Rai stuffs his face with a plate of food piled high. Somehow he still looks refined doing so, not making a mess of a single drop.
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"You'd think that with all the money we get from our missions and all the money poured into the Organization in general, we'd get better options."
Sherwin comments while playing with the empty cartons of milk in front of him. This is the tenth time his tower has collapsed, but with nothing better else to do, it’s time for number eleven.
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"Aw, come on, Winny, I think the dessert is pretty great!”
Nina laughs, but is interrupted as Anni takes control.
"Winny? More like Whiney. The way I see it, at least none of the food's being wasted." She says, looking at Rai.
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"Hey, trust me: Elly, Xing and I have all been there. Don't get me wrong, the food's world-class, but eat any type of food too often and you'll get tired of it..."
Something catches his attention. He looks behind him in the direction of the room's swinging-door entrance, currently obstructed by a small crowd.
"But hold on, speaking of boredom, it feels like Xing and Elly are actually on their way over here. Probably a mission."
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Moments later Xing's head can be seen looming over the top of the crowd that soon disperses to make way for him. His presence draws attention to the team's table when he and Elly reach them. Some eyes eventually drift onto Rai as well, prompting him to stop eating and see what's going on.
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"Damnit, Mister Big, Blocky, and Bollywood, next time walk on your knees or something. You've got the whole room on us."
Rae groans in a loud whisper.
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"I guess I must be used to the spotlight. I didn't even notice. But hey, what's wrong with you guys? If you're bored, just go get your asses up and train," Xing comments, noticing the dull mood at the table.
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Rai wipes his hands and face clean, then speaks up.
"Bored?"
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Nina responds quickly, as if seizing her chance.
"Not you, you're training your stomach!"
She high fives herself, most likely because she and Anni planned that one out.
“But seriously, umm, I'm sure we've all been working hard though, Kenny. I think we're just kinda strung out on the types of missions we've been going on, ya know?"
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"Honestly, I've been trying not to look at it that way because experience is experience, but I'm going to have to agree."
Sherwin adds, sounding slightly disappointed in himself.
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Rae's voice picks up a mix of whininess and sarcasm.
"Well, Steve, if you think I'm gonna get my 'ass' up and train for no reason like you do when you probably punch trees down, I'll just wait for a mission to roll by. Besides, that's what my sensory naps for."
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Xing and Elly look at each other then back to the group.
Elly confirms Rae's previous prediction.
"Actually, that's why we're here. We've got a mission to take care of, but it’s serious, Rae: the director himself wants to give us the briefing..."
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The trainees open an ear. It’s become a trend at this point: Xing or Elly hint at the possibility of work, Rae complains, they have a good laugh…
But Rae doesn’t say anything. He simply nods and prepares to leave. They know something that the trainees don’t. The shift is enough to make them wonder if they jinxed themselves with more than they can handle.
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Arriving at the director's office, Xing knocks twice and enters with the team behind him. They all fill the room and spread out into a line shoulder to shoulder.
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The director turns around from his usual spot overlooking the main complex.
"No need to be so formal. I don't have enough seats for you all, but even though I won't be long, get comfortable…"
He waves his hand downward and plops in his chair, leaning forward with his legs crossed.
"Firstly, greetings to the new faces in the room. I've heard great things about you all in the months that you've begun your work in the field. And so far, you've only gotten your feet wet with low-risk assignments." He specifically turns to Xing.
"That's for good reason though. Xing, is this what you envisioned for our agreement? Are they ready?"
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"Of course, as promised, I'm all in, Director."
Something about that sounds out of place... Once again something that the trainees don’t notice but Elly and Rae glance at him for. Did he always act so formal?
"I'd expect no less from you. "
The director says proudly before once again projecting his voice to the entire room again.
"Rai, Nina, Sherwin, the missions you've been locked into thus far have been no accident. In a way, I guess you could say that your exams never ended and today is truly decision day. On your ID cards you will find a detailed update for this briefing, but I'll give you a rundown of the essentials."
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The director taps the corner of his desk and the room becomes lit with a projected globe in the center of the room. Stray beams of light littered with information coat the room.
"A former exorcist in our organization, Kharon Rivers, known by his Honorable Alias "Reigner" has been responsible for the deaths of every single member on his team.”
The globe spins and zooms in on a single district.
"We don't know exactly why he turned on us, but one of our sensory agents has narrowed his location down to the Cedar District south of the complex. However, the accuracy of the read was only down to a 5 mile radius."
The director pulls a blank ID card from a drawer in his desk and holds it between two of his fingers.
It digitally updates with sample information:
Name, Date of Birth, Status, Honorable Alias, etc.
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"I chose your team because I know that this kind of search is child's play for Rae. And yet, the danger of this goes beyond just a search. Reigner, a veteran just like your mentors, must be contained, killed or erased. Should you successfully complete this mission, your status will officially transition from 'Trainee' to 'Agent'..."
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His gaze begins to pierce them, unyielding, unblinking, picking them apart.
He places the card back in his desk.
"This is your last chance to back down, go home, and return to the innocence of the ordinary, of idleness, of those being protected. There's a good chance that you'll either end up another casualty or with bloodstained hands after this... What do you say?"
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For each and every one of them. The point of no return was reached before they set foot in the Organization halls. To turn back now would be the same as the suicide of the people they resolve to be… and so they affirm those resolutions; to them, this is no different from their first talk with Elly.
"I'll try my best."
"I do this for my 'home'."
"There's no way I'm backing down after coming so far."
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Xing slams his heavy hand to his chest, proud of what he's hearing.
"You can consider it done!"
The director smiles and, with a spin of his chair, returns to his spot overlooking the complex from his window.
"Then I'll be waiting for your report."
The team leaves opposite the order they entered, leaving XIng for last.
Behind them they can hear faint words from the director: “Thank you...considering the past…”
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A short while later they sit facing each other in a vehicle with a circular cabin space, built with the intention of discussion. Rae twirls the liquid in a cup of coffee as he reads the mission briefing once more on his ID card and offers his analysis.
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"I honestly see this either being a severe pain of a mission, or a piece of cake with no betweens. I can already tell you now that Reigner is somewhere underground."
He takes a sip from his piping hot cup. Seems like the heat keeps him awake better than the caffeine can.
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Elly zips closed a large duffle bag in front of her.
"You think he might be hiding because he knows we're coming?"
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"I wish that was it. Based on what I'm sensing, he's got a large space underground with all of his pawned souls spread out across it. It's like a labyrinth, but I've already traced a path to him. The thing is-" Rae elaborates before he's cut off by Nina chiming in.
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"Oo, you're going to say 'This is most likely a trap', right?"
She says, mimicking his tone.
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"Well, I mean of course, no shit, but I was going to say that his aura is kind of all over the place, and he keeps transferring his energy to the souls and bringing it back to him. Any insight, Xing? He was on the mission with Atlas during that incident, wasn't he?"
Rae asks, nudging Xing to get his attention.
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"Hmm. All I know and really need to know is that he supposedly got a lot stronger after he took over Atlas' squad, and even more after starting his own. He didn't even get his alias until after that. Just means I'll have to see how much harder I need to kick his ass to knock some sense into him. As for an actual strategy though, it's open for discussion while we still have time."
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Sherwin slightly raises his hand. He’s hesitant, remembering the last time he got ahead of himself... but his eyes show that he wants to be serious. To show that even during a mission like this, he can make himself useful. Sherwin plants his other hand on his leg and pushes the words out.
"Rae, how exactly are Reigner's pawns spread out?"
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"Most of the paths that lead to him are pretty contested, but surprisingly, he doesn't really have that many of his pawns immediately surrounding him."
Sherwin looks at Rai and Nina by his sides.
"I think they're spread out that way just to chip away at us until we're easy pickings once we reach him. But, I have a plan."
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"Taking the initiative? Nice, let's hear it."
Anni declares, taking control and folding her arms.
At first Sherwin is surprised by this, but she’s the one who saved him last time; he won’t do anything reckless. He proposes his plan carefully, as to not sound too sure of himself.
"Let Anni, Rai, and I handle the obvious fillers, while you, Xing, and Elly focus on getting to Reigner as soon as possible. I've noticed that Rai is like a beacon to thirsty souls. Even if they literally don't break away from Reigner's control because of him, he'll at least still draw attention to us while you handle Reigner. If anything goes wrong, we can just communicate using our ID cards to regroup."
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"Sherwin, the plan sounds decent enough to be solid, but we really need approval from who you're using as bait," Xing protests. It’s the most that he’s spoken since leaving the director’s office. Xing, who seemingly wears his ace on his sleeve. His words carry a concerning weight.
Everyone else nods in agreement, looking to Rai for an answer.
Rai, who had been in deep thought, looks up to give his opinion.
"No, I think Sherwin's plan is plausible. If I can make myself useful, I'll try my best."
Useful?
It’s as if they had read each other’s minds.
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The vehicle stops along the edge of the 5 mile radius. Expected. However, when they exit the vehicle and begin approaching their destination, they are quickly surrounded. By what? To Rai they look like otherworldly beings holding large objects and tools to blind, or probe, him. To everyone else, some type of television reporters… specifically, ghost hunters.
They begin chattering and shouting questions so rapidly that they blur together at first.
Rai and the others guard their faces from the assault of microphones and cameras, while Xing takes charge as the mics can't quite reach his face due to his height.
"I'm glad I came out looking my best today, but we've got business to attend to. If you're asking something, make it quick and clean." Xing says sternly, while also making his best face for the camera.
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One of the people in the crowd closest to them barges forward to bombard him first.
"And would that business be an exorcism, Mr.Mountain? Did you know that many people still hold sentiments of disbelief toward your entire organization?"
She fires her questions without a breath in between them.
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"Firstly, the fame is flattering, but any disbelief in what we do has to be from people who have had to be living in the backrooms for the past 500 years."
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Another reporter takes her place and begins to press him.
"But you do see why they'd find it hard to believe right? Spirits can't be seen on camera, they can't be seen by the naked eyes of people where I'm from, and the last Ahstralan interviewed on our show said they don't appear often in Altersci because our 'capacities' are toolow. What does that even mean? It all just looks like a light show to us!"
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Xing’s eye twitches. Definitely irritation.
"Is this live?"
He plainly asks, throwing off their momentum. He seemed so welcoming of the camera at first that they end up checking themselves to be sure.
The chatter among the crowd stops. The reporter looks at the blinking red light on his device.
"Uhhh, yeah. Well, of course. Don't you see th-"
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Xing tosses the camera, tripod and all, into the air so high that the reflection of its lens from above looks like a star.
"Whoops! You lot should catch that."
He says, while walking off with the team behind him.
One of the reporters shouts at his back as he emerges from the crowd fumbling for the best spot to catch their equipment.
"We have many questions left! What do you know about the situation involving the noble households? Why are children accompanying you on these so-called missions? Why do…"
Their questions fade in audibility as they get further and further away.
Surprisingly Rai is the first to speak.
"I’ve never seen anyone like that before. Who were they?"
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"Eh, just some reporters or something from overseas. I swear they appear from thin air. I figured I'd give them something at least so they'd leave us alone, but they wouldn't, so yeah that happened. You'll get used to it, Kid." Xing nonchalantly answers.
Elly tries to hold back laughter but fails.
"Wasn't tossing the camera up a bit much though?"
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"You kidding me? I've seen shows like their back in the day. I did them a favor."
He replies with the same tone and chuckle.
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"Man, if I wasn't choking on a microphone at the time, I would have died laughing..."
Rae picks a piece of the noise canceling material from his mouth.
"Anyhow, we should really shake it off and get back on our game. The entrance is about a mile and half from here."
After a short walk through the small town they stopped in, they arrive at an open field with nothing but blades of grass stretching as far as the eye can see.
"Here."
Rae crouches down and feels around for a moment in the grass below him until everyone hears a click.
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Roughly 10 feet in front of them a small space reveals itself, opening up like a set of elaborate trap doors with the grass above attached to it. The hissing of the mechanism stops and they advance towards the opening. Rai quickly pulls out his notebook flipping through pages upon pages of tightly packed notes.
They stop at a steel door at the bottom of the hatch’s short flight of stairs. The small space they find themselves in is full of wretched, horrific history. The impenetrable-looking door is full of small, desperate dents and faded scratch marks. The walls around them, once a blueish grey, are now stained with a red that is almost black. And yet through all the signs of age, the only thing uncovered by the many cobwebs around them is the door itself.
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"I've read about these before. This has to be one of the bunkers from the last world war. Back then the fortunate and wealthy got immediate access to these…"
Rai kneels to run his fingers along the door's many imperfections.
"Most of them died anyways, but the ones who survived became some of the first nobles. I'm surprised this place is even still in a working state."
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Rae holds the back of his neck in discomfort.
"Well, now we know where Reigner got some of these souls he's operating with here. The door is colder than it should be, so I know the inside is worse. There's no doubt that they're out for blood."
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Sherwin looks at his hands that are now visibly clammy with sweat. He feels a heavy hand pat his back.
"Everything alright?"
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"Yeah. Yeah. I'm okay. it's just…"
Every time he wipes his palms they seem to get more and more clammy.
Xing places a hand on his shoulder.
"Then come on. You've got this…"
He says, pushing Sherwin forward before advancing past him.
"And with the three of us here, one way or another we'll pull through."
For some reason, Sherwin feels a piece of his soul connect with Xing’s.
He wonders for a moment if maybe those words weren’t just for him, but writes the thought off as quickly as it's born. “Not Xing...”
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They join the huddle, and listen in as Rae continues to lead the discussion.
"If Rai is saying that these places only open from the inside or via remote controls that an overseer would have, that means Reigner has gotten way better at his craft and espionage.”
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Elly clasps her hands together. When she separates them, a small, square, projected device appears in her hands.
“We’ve got no choice but to break this thing down then. Once I stick this to the door we’ll have 10 seconds before it blows. Use that time for any last minute prepping. Rai, once we give you the signal, lure them all in. After cleaning them up, all of you should follow a secondary path until you get to us.”
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The three of them nod.
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“Alright, here we go.”
Elly places the device on the door and it begins to glow brighter and brighter as the time passes by. She returns to her place next to Rae and Xing.
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Six.
Five.
Anni cracks her knuckles.
Sherwin takes a deep breath and stretches his legs.
Four.
Three.
Rae yawns one last time and takes a shot from an energy drink.
Xing projects a thin, glove-like layer over his hands.
Two.
One.
Rai closes his eyes, internalizing the strategy one last time.
Elly fastens the strap on her bag.
Zero.
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The door blasts open and the six of them sprint through the smoke. Immediately, they are made aware of their situation. The air is cold with negativity of damned, hungry souls making their hurried breaths visible. Various tattered rooms with steel doors and windows line their sides in the large entry hallway, some of them littered with skeletons, some of them so consumed with dust that they’re hardly rooms anymore.
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Soon they reach the destination of their crossing paths, an intersection in the hallway with 4 paths that splay out like a tree with perfectly straight branches. Rai, Anni, Sherwin stop in their tracks, as Rai closes his eyes in preparation.
Xing, Elly and Rae press on through the path furthest to the right. Moments after their sprint through the separate path, Rae his eyes dart around the hallway.
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“12:00, 15 meters, directly below!”
He shouts. They’ve done this so many times that the relatively vague alerts are all they need.
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Xing heavily plants one of his feet in the ground mid-sprint. The concrete-like floor beneath them cracks and splinters revealing a spirit planning a surprise attack on a lower floor. It lunges at them in retaliation to no avail. Xing grabs it by the throat and drags it along the wall to their sides before throwing it in front of them. Again, he plants his foot in the ground, this time to gain a burst of speed, and lands a blow on its chest before it can even touch the ground. It is instantly destroyed, sending a shower of astral energy blooming in front of them.
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“6:00, 225 degrees, 90, 45!”
Rae continues.
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One after the other, three spirits emerge from the walls. The first of them rushes to attack them while their backs are still turned. The bottom of Elly’s boots become like that of tank treads. She quickly rotates to face her oncoming threat while sliding backwards. The instant after the spirit gets within striking distance of her, the chilled air, visible from her focused breaths, is dispersed as she fires a projected shotgun pulled from her bag. It tumbles to the ground and vanishes, taking too much damage across its body to regenerate. Before she can pump the weapon for a second round, the second seizes its chance to strike. She puts the shotgun on her back and in the next moment the second spirit finds its head flying through the air. The last thing it saw before its sight was fixed to the ceiling was a scythe-like blade attached to her boot. The third tries to learn from its companions mistakes and attempts an attack from a far. Elly pulls a projected revolver from her hip and quick-fires 3 rounds.
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One, two.
The projectile orbs the spirit had prepared are destroyed.
Three.
A perfectly-aligned round bores through both her targets.
Elly rotates back to her original position and continues behind Xing and Rae.
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“Now that they know we’re here…”
Rae pulls out his ID card and taps it three times.
“It’s about time, Rai.”
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Inside of Rai’s chest pocket, his ID card glows a bright blue. Memories from an idle time with Rae play in his mind.
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“Why am I always sleepy? Well, I can’t really ‘turn off’ my basic radar. But my detailed searches boil down to this: I’m imagining spreading an invisible blanket of energy over a wide area and bringing the info back into myself. Now someone that’s not as skilled could never get the ‘invisible’ part right. I guess you could say they’d just be a target…”
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Rai opens his eyes, now glowing with a violet flare. From his body a torrent of energy momentarily encapsulates the entire facility.
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Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
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A horrid scratching can be heard from the walls.
Above.
Below.
To their sides.
The hands of the damned and hungry phase through the walls to begin their hunt.
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