An Escort Mission.

A white sheet of paper. A brush gliding across its surface. The tip of the brush creating a trail of darkness that forms a curved line.

First, the structure of the face and a neck connecting to it. It measures up to be what it is modeled after. The strokes making detailed highlights of what the artist perceives and remembers about the subject.

Second, the hair. The artist intends to keep the the reality, and picks the best possible archetype. The subject seldom changes in this part of their image, so the challenge is to perfect that image. Simple yet complex formations of curved lines, working together to hold the design.

Third, the various details present on the face. The accuracy of the lips, eyes and nose make needs to be as close to the subject as it can get. The artist was moving their hands in a rhythm that felt like a romantic poetry in motion. Whatever the final outcome was, it needed to be what they felt in that moment. Nothing else was acceptable. Nothing else would be comparable.

And finally, the colors. Black and white wasn't suitable. The grey colored Irises that were meant to shine for her. The red colored lips that were felt not too long ago, forming a smile that made her heart skip a beat every time she saw it. The brown colored hair, and his white complexion. One by one, the painting started to absorb the colors, and the life and love that was filled in them.

"Different."

Aglaya said those words out loud. She was standing outside the mansion, painting the face that had completely taken her out. It was cold, but there was a bonfire by her side.

She picked up a photo from the pile by her side. Her eyes were stuck on the painting.

"I don't need these anymore."

She dropped the photo inside the bonfire. You could make out the face of the person in the photo, but it was expressionless. It was Alex.

"I have him."

Alex had flipped a switch. A switch that was holding her back.

Another photo, to turn into ash.

"He is the same person."

The rush of being taken aback. The feeling of awe.

Insanity In Love. Accepted with life.

-------------------------------------------------------

Block, followed by a swift counter punch to the solar plexus.

"One down."

The other mirage took advantage and prepared to strike him on his spine. Alex moved his body to the side and evaded the attack.

The mirage moved at a high speed to lower the chance of complete recovery. Alex prepared to dodge the next hit, but the mirage chose to grab his hand and pull him towards it.

Alex jumped upwards and contorted his body to land a roundhouse kick mid-air. The mirage tried to break his momentum by pulling his hand with more power. It almost worked, but Alex put in some effort to slightly change the trajectory of his kick. It landed straight on the head, dispersing the mirage in an instant. Alex dropped to the ground, exhausted.

"Finally."

Four days of training under the parameters of Venedikt and Boris. Even as a simulation, their coordination was proving to be difficult to match up against.

The system appeared by his side, this time in the form of Aglaya.

"Your fatigue has exceeded the required amount. Do you wish to go into standby mode to recover?"

"Sleep. How many hours?"

"12 hours."

He clicked his tongue.

"I expended too much energy."

He had to get up early tomorrow.

"6 hours. Wake me up after 6 hours."

He could recover all of it later. The fatigue had accumulated for over four continuous days. He had postponed his sleep thrice.

"As you wish, user."

He blacked out.

----------------------------------------------------

The next morning.

'Yawn.'

He was up. He could feel that his body was heavier.

Nonetheless, he began his day normally. He had a schedule to follow.

After cleaning himself up, he dressed up and opened the door to go out.

"Surprise."

The red frock, the unnerving smile, and the charming voice was back.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

It was 4 in the morning.

"I have an answer."

He clapped his hands and said,

"Hurry up then. I don't have all day."

She pouted and said,

"That should never be the case. You should always have time for me."

She grabbed his hand. He didn't avoid her.

"After all, we are partners for life."

Her hands felt cold.

"Sure. Now, can I leave?"

He was in a hurry.

"Before that, I have another news for you. It is about your next mission."

"Is it going to be long?"

"Yes."

Sigh.

"Come in."

She followed him inside. He took his seat.

"What is it?"

She came closer to his ears and said,

"An escort mission."