Forthcoming

     [Enter: The Void. —The deranged man called Subject Zero.]

    It was another abnormal day in Arcane, the sun is out, but it was freezing cold, and will change into smoldering hot in the next few hours. The strange man smiled thinly, inhaling the horrible smell that has been sticking on his clothes as he follow the luxurious black car with his beady eyes. He has waited for too long, and now his time now came. A little more patience, a little more time, and he can execute his dreams. But this time, there will be no one to stop him. How long  has he waited for it, craved for it. How long he's been hiding in the shadows, unknown and bathing in garbage and the stench of blood instead of glory and honor.

    He gripped his gun, fighting the urge to cause havoc, to announce his presence. No, he told himself. Not right now. Not when they're celebrating at the arrival of their so-called saviors. It would be less exciting, less thrilling. He hates things without thrill. Yes, that's right. Not now... Not right now. He bit the insides of his mouth until his flesh bled, a crooked smile etching on his lips as he laugh in a toned whisper, like a snake hissing. He was told to control himself, after all. Control and wait. Control and wait. Its promise will come true someday, just a little more.

    "Y...You promised after all... Right?" he murmured to himself. "Right? Right? Right?"

    The strange man bucked against himself, rocking on the steady ground with his eyes focused on the people passing his abode while laughing and biting his nails. It has been so long since he heard the voice but he heard it again when they came in the strange place where he is. He doesn't know where he is, but that's alright. At least he heard the voice again, at least it gave him instructions again. At least he's not alone.

    "A little more wait... A little more... You promised, after all.."

    For what seemed like forever, he sat there, murmuring the same things over and over again, like how he did for the past years. If the voice is not there, he talks to himself, to keep him sane and conscious, for him to not fall into the rabbit hole. He will be back, the voice promised. He'll have his life again, remember himself again, and by the time that happens, everything will go back to what it used to be. When his body is still attached to one another, his limbs not replaced with inhuman materials. Just like in the beginning, where people praised him, smiled at him, acknowledged him, thanked him. Everything will go back to what it used to be, the voice promised. The voice promised, after all.

    The man does not know how long has he been in that dark, horrible place, where the only light he can see was from a small hole, the hole that served as his window, his sun, his air. How did he get there in the first place? How did it become like this in the first place? He does not remember, does not know. He tried, but only the pain came back to him, emotions he did not understand. A burning feeling, a searing pain, a hollow void in his stomach. What is it called? The impulse to scream, to run, to rip his heart out? The pain, the red, the black in his eyes? He does not know. He feared he never would. He did not.

    But he promised. He promised, after all. In the middle of the darkness, there is nothing for him to hold on, just that. Sometimes, he feels like it is slipping from his mind like stones against each other, he would forget the words, but the emotions are there. The only thing he held on. They were horrible, so horrible he felt the pain in his whole body, but it was the only thing that can keep him there, in the same state of confusion. It was better than nothing, than the darkness waiting for him the exact moment he loses his grip. The pain is enough. It was enough.

    So he lie there, in the same suffocating space, waiting.

—4559, month of Febrari, the 10th day: Theios—

    Reina Dominique stared at the man in front of him with her usual impassive and stern look. Ibrahim Mounberg. She never thought that she would see the man that soon after their last encounter with each other. The time where she sought assistance to put a stop at Neill Tanner's possible plans, but this time, it was Ibrahim who asked for her presence. She waited for Ibrahim to finish his tea that is served by one of his butlers, a very ancient way to have yourself taken care of.

    Ibrahim stared back at her, a smile plastered on his pale lips. His eyes were suggesting, sparkling, even. Reina decided to ignore it as every second that had passed made her even more curious about what this man is about to tell her. Reina fought back a groan, clearly unimpressed with how Ibrahim was slowly wasting her time.

    For half an hour, Ibrahim has been trying to make small talks. He asked her how she was since the last time they met. It was an innocent question, so Reina answered. Mostly, all the questions came from Ibrahim, and Reina would answer them briefly, every breath she wastes on every letters nicking her patience away until she lost it all. She does not get why Ibrahim wanted her to come at his abode when he can tell her what he needs to over the communication system. She stared at Ibrahim for a long time, waiting for him to stop trying to create small talks and telling her how things about him got smoothly. She's silent, and that means she's irritated.

    "So," Ibrahim finally started, "have you heard the news?"

    Reina just stared at him. The last thing she wants to do is to participate and play along Ibrahim's pointless intros like this. She absolutely hates it when someone is not being straight forward, just like what is happening to her right now. As if sensing Reina's irritation, Ibrahim cleared his throat, called for his butler by a snap of his finger, perhaps for him to take away the used cups and leaned forward towards Reina, his elbows supporting his weight.

    "I know you're wondering why I asked you to come here, but can we at least have a little chat?" He asked, trying hard to make the conversation smooth as possible. He could not just start to spit out words without being like this, he was trained to make the people around him comfortable first.

    "Chat? You have been spilling your life away for half an hour, and you want to have a little chat?" Reina said lowly, but the man acted like he did not notice the poison in Reina's voice. "Just tell me what I need to know and I will be off."

    Ibrahim smiled. "But, that's now how it works."

    Reina's eyebrows knit together. "What do you mean?"

    Ibrahim's smile did not fade, and instead, he shrugged dismissively and said, "What do you mean what do I mean?" Ibrahim replied, making Reina frown. She really has no time for any of this. Ibrahim sighed, giving up. "Alright, excuse me for that, I just really want to have casual chat with you." Ibrahim said coyly.

    Reina decided that it's not worth it to reply to Ibrahim's last statement. She had enough of it."What is it that you need to tell me?"

    "Right," Ibrahim blinked. "The god carriers has been transferred to Aegis this morning."

    Reina could not help but to furrow her eyebrows,  immediately thinking of what might happen with the Tanner's subjects being in Aegis. There was nothing anyone can do to stop that, and really, she knows that the god carriers, the vessels, are the least of her problems now. What she needed to know is how to reach Tanner for he just disappeared off everyone's radar suddenly. There should be an upcoming interview of him, and that was that chance she was looking for, to get to question him in front of everyone about his plans and somehow bring different views on the citizens of Arcane, but the doctor never showed up, and NEXUS Labs has been complety shut off.

    Still, this should be connected with the god carriers being in Aegis a bit soon than she anticipated. Anticipated. The word struck at her, making her wonder why she's even thinking about it. If not for what Arthur Struther had told her, she would have let go about this Tanner bussiness, and all she really wanted to do was to raise awareness from the Liberators and get them to give exobiologits and astrophysicist like her the attention that they need to have knowledge about the gods.

    "You don't seem surprised," Ibrahim noticed.

    "There is nothing to be surprised about," she retorted,  "but, the thing I really am wondering about is what happened to Neill Tanner and NEXUS, why things are progressing faster than I anticipated."

    Ibrahim stared at her, tilted his head and gave Reina a  suggesting look. "CORS. Give it a visit." he said in the most casual manner he can manage. "Being involved with us will help you in way you can't even imagine. And don't forget Diana Sandoval. Look, if you really want to do whatever, we can help you. Trust me."

    "You are already giving me your assistance, Mounberg. And Diana Sandoval, you say?" Reina paused, thinking of it. "Talking to her right now might be a bit too soon."

    "Huh? What do you mean?"

    "She's still working with Tanner, and I cannot trust that," Reina simply answered.

    "Things really would get easier if you at least consider joining us. CORS needs someone like you." Ibrahim said, ignoring what Reina said, his voice strangely pursuant in a warm manner. Ibrahim really can be warm and casual and the complete opposite of that if he wants to be. "You will be a great help, that's for sure."

    Reina stared at the man in front of her, who was offering a friendly grin. Whatever inside Ibrahim's mind seemed foreign to her, unknown. Why would he want her to join CORS all of a sudden? Ibrahim is a Mounberg, one of the most powerful family that survived the gods back in the Old World and is still leading now. Maybe one cannot hear their family name on the streets, but they were the beasts under ground, the ones who leads most of the hidden organizations, the ones who leads some of the most  powerful companies in the background, and they were also the one who owns CORS, which is founded by Reina's mentor—Wick Lerman. Could Ibrahim know Wick Lerman's wishes for her? To be the one who overtakes CORS?

    It's either that, or something else is inside his mind. Reina refused to be a part of it.

    "Surely," She mused. "but I like my solitude."

    Ibrahim's wide smile did not falter, but something changed in his eyes. It looked less uplight, but his friendly tone did not change, "Of course," he said, "I just want you to know that you are always welcome."

    "I will keep that in mind," Reina replied shortly and she stood up, letting her eyes leave the man in front of her for a brief second. She regarded him again when Ibrahim mimicked her actions, leaving his seat, still with the friendly look. Reina nodded, "I appreciate this meeting, Mounber—"

    "Ibrahim will be fine," Ibrahim interrupted, waving his right hand in a slightly frantic manner.

    A pause, and Reina said, "Ibrahim," she said, the name foreign in her lips. Ibrahim grinned at him. "Thank you for telling me this."

    Ibrahim maintained his casual attitude. "It's alright. Anytime."

    Deciding to leave him be and have her peace back to her, Reina did not say anything and just nodded, gave Ibrahim a look that lasted for about three seconds—a silent good bye—and turned to her heels. Ibrahim did not bother to escort him towards the door for which the butler did it instead, which made Reina a little more relieved. Ibrahim is alright, but she hates it when someone gets casual around her, especially if she knows that that someone should not be. Friendliness and casualty tires her out. It drains her social prowess, especially when she is not one bit interested.

    Ibrahim's mansion is located at Sequi, just like her, but their places are several cities away. Iori City, where Ibrahim stays, is located at the very end of the wall Sequi, while Reina's at the central city. She was kind of disappointed with herself, thinking that she bothered to travel several hours to get to Iori City and to meet Ibrahim Mounberg just to be told that the man wanted to have a little chat with her and told her the fact that she might have already learned even if she kept herself in her abode all day long, the fact that the god vessels are in Theios, being groomed by Aegis.

    It will not take long until the news would be filled about the god carriers, the vessels, and about how they would leave the walls to bath in the blood of the gods that can potentially destroy the very last wall, Antes. She knew that out there is a new specie of a god, something that they have never seen before. It is not a rare thing to know, not surprising, not anymore. They have learned that after a good time that has passed, new species emerge from nowhere or it simply is created from two different species of gods.

    It can be another reason why the god carriers has arrived from Theios a bit too soon, even though it was done discreetly. Maybe they are getting frantic, scared about this new specie, that they had to rush the god carriers and force progress. But then again, it was just a possibility. And it's not the closest one. Not reasonable enough for Reina.

    Her thoughts automatically landed on that topic that she did not notice Ibrahim's butler behind her, bowing his head with his hand on his chest. Reina's eyes slightly squinted at this. Butlers and maids, assistants and helpers, it was such an old thing, quite literally. It's ancient, too Old Wordly, but they are still here. Ever since the new era started, people depended on machines, on artificial beings to do some of their work. Having a human helper is like a form of slavery.

    "It is a pleasure having you here, miss," the butler said and he lifted his head. He did not wait for Reina's reply, kept his eyes down and closed the big gates that secured Ibrahim's mansion.

    Reina turned on her heels. "How exhausting."

    The sky is turning into a weird shade of blue, gray, back and violet, swirling together, blended like they are part of each other. Even though the Sun was up, peeking behind the dark purplish cloud, the wind felt cold like that of early winter, and several minutes later, it would change into burning hot. It's late, Reina thought. The temperature rises and decreases when it's the night. The clouds, much thicker and denser than it was before, covered the whole city of Arcane like a dark sheet of gas, the Sun's rays trying to get through it. The Sun should not even be shining on Arcane right now, but it still did.

    It was never like this in the Old World, though, there are signs that it is going to became like that of the New World's, but the people of the Old World had ignored it. There should be four seasons, but now the world is abnormal. It should hot in the day, but it felt so cold it could freeze your bones. It's shifting, alternating. The only thing that did not change is the alignment of the stars.

    The stars should have been seen even in the dim rays of the sun in the sky, but it was all too bright in Iori City, the countless jazz of lights dancing together. It came from the sign boards, the holograms of people, animals—anything—moving in the sky in an entertaining manner, because that's what they are for, to entertain. Even the most abandoned streets, the most horrible places, looked happy, if Reina could explain the dancing colors of Sequi. Being around this place—the tallest buildings with silly holographic things projected to entertain, the people who wore technology in their physical body, the lights, the upbeat sounds that Reina never liked—can make anyone think that the gods never happened.

    It was horrible. It was shocking. The way a human can deny the things, the creatures that walks the world outside. The ones that brought humanity into near extinction, the ones that brought horror to them. Reina imagined what would be the reaction of the people once they see the walls that protected them for hundreds of years crumble down, introducing the horrid things that they had once forgotten. That would be satisfying to watch, the realization on their faces, the shock, the sinking feeling of horror. It would be satisfying and fearful at the same time.

    She had grown tired of the city, really, not that she's complaining. She just wants to see herself somewhere else, somewhere like Theios, but with the news that Ibrahim had told her, she doubts that her, going to Theios, will take that long.

    She wondered if she will see Neill Tanner in Theios, hiding, maybe. Or having another bussiness that's not particularly all right. According to various sources, Neill Tanner was last spotted in Tritos, inside a crime scene. A man has been shot down, dead, and Neill Tanner had knew him. That even might be a possible reason about his sudden disappearance and the temporary shut down of NEXUS. Whatever it is, Reina did not like the fact that after all these years, Neill Tanner decided to hide himself for the first time instead of doing his usual, annoying routine. He would literally announce everyone what is happening in his life. That is just how he is.

    "Hellooo!"

    Reina almost jumped with a yelp, hearing a voice in her ear. It was light and cheerful but still a little raspy. It was obviously the voice of Leo Sedrak. She never really got why Leo Sedrak can literally just contact her anytime, with or without her being online in the system. It was another thing that irritated her about the man. Leo had said that it was just a lucky glitch in the system made just for him. Whatever it is, Reina hates it.

    She let out an exasperated sigh, "Leo. What do you want this time?"

    "Rei!" the man called. "Where are you right now?"

    Her eyebrows furrowed upon hearing the nickname, but she decided to let it slide. "I'm in Sequi, just like always."

    It took a second longer for Leo to answer, a faint buzz and a soft sound of a machine running in the background. "Okay, got it!" he answered. "Well, me and Rion is about to pick  you up. Tell me your exact location."

    "Excuse me?"

    "Your location!" another voice shouted. Deep and wide, a booming voice that sounded like it's coming from a deep hole. Rion. "We need your help!"

    Reina pinched the bridge of her nose. "I– Can anyone at least explain what's happening?"

    "We'll explain later, Rei," Leo said once again.

    "Tell me."

    Some of the people that's passing her looked at her weirdly. Maybe it was because of how she said those two words, or the irritated look in her face. Either way, she did not care, especially if something like this is happening to her. The duo really had picked out the wrong time to talk to her. Sidestepping from the crowd that is about to pass her again, she waited for Leo to say something.

    "Okay, okay," Leo sighed. "We need your help to get us to Theios, or Aegis, if possible."

    Reina blinked, her expression blank. "I might have misheard you."

    "You didn't. Me and Rion needs your help to get to Aegis."

    Reina's mind automatically assessed the whole situation. As far as she can remember, the duo can go to Theios whenever they want for that's what she remembered Rion said the last time they had contact. But of course, not everyone can go anywhere they want anytime. Everyone has travel limits, perhaps a little more than that when the ones who wants to go somewhere like Theios is not really that important, not a priority. Leo and Rion may have wasted their lives to train as a Defender but they were rejected to be one, right after they finished it. It is obvious that the two has something to do in Theios, in Aegis.

    "What bussiness do you have there?" Reina asked, eyeing the people that was passing her. 

    With the seconds passing, and the nervous energy coming from Leo made its way to Reina. It was obvious that the man was hesitating, and this only made Reina's suspicion stronger. Nevertheless, Leo answered for what seemed like forever. "It's really better if we talk about this in person, Rei. Can you– can you please just tell me your exact location?"

    An obvious fact and curiosity battled inside Reina's head, but her curiosity got the best of her. She hates it. "Iori city," She answered. "I'm standing beside the main road towards Frairian Avenue. You'll see me."

    A sigh of relief escaped Leo's lips, "Okay, got it." Leo said before calling Rion out, telling him where Reina is. It seems like they're inside a portable car, maybe the one that Rion owns. After some moments, Leo got back to her. "Wait there, Rei. Oh and I'm going offline, if you don't mind."

     "Why would I?"

    "That's what I thought," Leo backpedalled. "Okay, I mean, bye. I guess."  With that, Leo's voice faded with the background. Reina tapped the small ear piece, making sure to turn it off. The last thing she wants is to have another person contacting her.

    She really has no time to spare, that is what she knows. There is a lot she has to do—Tanner situation aside—but something tells Reina that the two man really has their own reasons, and she's curious. And so, she stood there, waiting for the duo to arrive. No one just stands still in Sequi, not really. Everyone is moving, everything is buzzing. It's wild, unstoppable, the opposite of peace and stillness, and that simple action made the people around Reina look at her suspiciously. Keeping her hands inside the pockets of her coat, Reina looked around, waiting for a familiar looking vehicle or Rion and Leo's face.

    She sighed internally, getting impatient every passing second. Reina thought of leaving instead. Waiting here in he sidelines won't do her anything good, actually, waiting and agreeing with the two man won't do her good. She's just wasting her time. Until a flat, cranky-looking car stopped in front of her. It's a thing that will never fit in Sequi, with its old designs. Instead of using anti-gravitational energy to hover, it used wheels. Reina always knew that Rion has a knack for old things, so she did not really mind that.

    Slowly, the car's tinted window came down, and Reina just stared at it, greeted by Leo's uncertain face the moment she saw him. The man did not say anything at first and stared for a second too long, blinked sevet times then smiled sheepishly at her.

    Leo's lips parted, but Reina has no time to spare. "I hope you two has an explanation about this... Nonsensical event."

    "We promise to explain, Reina," Rion said, tilting his head to look at Reina with Leo's head in front of his face. Rion smiled at her, forcibly. Tight. "As long as you listen, of course. Get in."

    "Promises, promises," Reina murmured under her breath as she open the door of Rion's Old Worldly car. As expected, it was cramped inside, with extra clothes, bottles of beers and other drinks, gods, even extra futons and pillows—all stormed around the car. In every corner. Not to mention, it smelled of men. A strong, flaring smell. Unpleasant. Reina hates it. But still, she tried to make herself comfortable.

    As if sensing Reina's thoughts, Rion laughed sheepishly. "Pardon the whole appearance, Rei," He said in a friendly tone. Rion has always been approachable for Reina, but,  of course, something seemed off about the man. "Leo tried his best to get rid of his dirt, really."

    "Undoubtly," she replied briefly.

    Leo tried to laugh, but instead, it came out like he was crying for help.

    "Okay, that was pathetic." he admitted.

    "I'm waiting," Reina reminded.

    "Right," Rion mumbled under his breath, glancing at Reina through the rear view mirror. He looked like there was a fountain of about to come from his mouth, and he's trying to stop it. Clearing his throat, he said, "Well, I really don't think this has to concern you, but... Yeah, we need your help because– Remember my father? You know, the guy who worked at Aegis?"

    Reina's eyebrows furrowed at this. "As much as I can remember, you have mentioned that your father has been dead for the last ten years."

    Rion gulped, "That's the thing," he said. "I don't think he just died. I... I was back in our old home just yesterday and I saw things that makes me want to believe that he didn't just... Just disappeared. There are records, and his notes... They were frantic. Hintful. I don't know. I just... Maybe this is the reason why I can't just accept his death."

    "And the last place that he has been is Aegis," Leo added, glancing at his friend. He forced a grin at Reina, "So? Will you help us out? You're the only one that we know who has connections to Aegis and even some of the Liberators. We'll be hopeless without you, Rei."

    "I don't see why I should concern myself with this,  especially when I have far more important things to do," Reina said, despite the things that ran inside her head.

    Both of the men's faces fell, every little hope in them replaced with despair and disappointment. Reina was never really the kind of person that will do something for others, instead, it's the other way around. Unless something she will benefit something from doing so. She watched the depressed look on Rion and Leo for some moments, savoring the looks on their faces, before she decided to open her pretty mouth again.

    "Luckily for you, I, too, have some bussiness to take care of in Aegis," She declared. "I have to see the God Wielders."

    Rion's face lit up, a grin making its way on his face. "Holy shit, really?" he fully turned to Reina, but before Reina can confirm, his face contorted in confusion, like the fact of Reina helping him out was suddenly out of topic. His eyebrows furrowed, the lines on his forehead getting deeper, his brown eyes getting  darker. "You said you'll come to see the God brats? As in the ones with those wishy washy powers that have to 'save us all'?"

    "Yes. Unfortunately, Aegis did not want the people to know about their arrival. For what reason, I don't know, and that's exactly why I'm going to Aegis. And other things." Reina replied as he watch the duo's faces contort in a questioning look. A thin smile spread on her lips, "Well?"

    Rion grinned at Reina, gratefulness grazing his eyes. "I don't really like you, but sometimes, you're just the best."