KITHE: Plan

Kithe rested in an abandoned hut that he found inside the forest. He chose to rest because his energy is drained and he couldn't continue walking his way to Kronos. The motorbike Knonos provided him is hidden somewhere and it will take him a while to go where he hid it.

He suddenly remembered Dazaree, the girl who caused his injury. She hasn't realized that she has such immense power that could silently kill someone. She needs to learn how to control it or else, she'd endanger the humans.

He hoped that the two guys who helped her before he left would help her control it.

For now, his top priority is to go back to Kronos, take his mom and save the others. He has to do that before K finds out what he has been doing all this time or else he'll die before he could even save them.

Kithe sat on the wooden bench inside the abandoned hut where he stayed to rest. Most of the things inside the hut are broken as if something happened here before it's deserted.

It's already afternoon. Thirst and hunger are making him even weaker. He took a metal cube in his pocket and opened its lock with his thumb. It is a pill manufactured in Kronos and is specially made for its agents like him. This what they eat to ease their hunger but it also prevents them from eating real food causing them to lose their own emotions which helps them deal with their jobs easier. In short, it makes them less human.

That explains why Kithe's comrades don't feel anything whenever they are on a mission. Back then, Kithe had no choice but to eat the pills but unlike his comrades, these pills don't affect him. It only just made sense to him when he was observing his comrades during their missions.

His eyes widened when he suddenly remembered something.

Millicent, a 9-year old kid that was also kept hostage inside Kronos. She's K's only daughter and she's being used in experiments too.

Her eyes were as cold as ice that you'd never see her express and glint of emotion. She was also too innocent to understand everything around her and is living by the words of her father.

Kithe hasn't seen them use Millie in an actual human experiment but he is certain that they do. Whatever K's plan is, he's going to find it out.

There is a special room where no one is allowed except K and Doctor Geneva Co, and Kithe intends to investigate what is going on inside.

He must save Millie from her father because he regards her as a younger sister, and she would go to any length to save her.

Kithe came to a halt in his thoughts when he felt something strange around the hut he was in. It's as if his instincts are telling him that someone is nearby. He formed a spear on his hands without thinking twice, but it's taking him a long time because he's still weak. He's concerned that it could be K's ally.

"I have to strike them before they get to me," he thought as he turns around to feel his surroundings, aware that the enemy could appear anywhere.

Meanwhile, a man wearing the same clothing as Kithe grinned as he sniffed a familiar smell that lingered in the woods.

"Found you," he mumbled and dashed at the wooden hut without any notice but as soon as he got inside, a strike attack was waiting to cut his head off but it was too vague that he easily anticipated then dodged it.

"Eh? Kithe, you've gotten rusty," said the man, tittering. When he looked at the frail Kithe, he couldn't help but smile. It's been a long time since he saw him this weak.

Kithe's breath became heavy just because of the attack that he did and it is obviously because he is weak. If he's in a normal state, the man would have a hard time dodging that kind of attack.

He heaved a deep sigh as he realized who the man is.

In a solemn tone, he said, "Ash," as his spear melted from his hands, dripping onto the hardwood floor.

"You stink," the man named Ash spoke and pinched his nose. This man is Kithe's comrade from Kronos. He has known him for quite a while and he knows he can trust him even though he's a bit of a nuisance senior. "Let me guess… You finally killed your team?"

Kithe didn't reply to what Ash said and just sit on the bench and rest his back on the bamboo wall.

Unlike Kithe, Ash just came into the organization five years ago. Even though Kithe was in Kronos his whole life, the man is still stronger than him. Just like Kithe, he has natural abilities that normal humans doesn't have. Furthermore, he knows a lot of things Kithe doesn't know. He became Kithe's eye opener yet there are still things he doesn't tell him about. It's not that he doesn't want to, but he can't because the truth isn't supposed to come from him.

"Tch," Kithe said and flinched because he suddenly felt pain inside his body.

Ash immediately became serious when he noticed the pain that Kithe is trying to bear and spoke, "I knew something's wrong." He has sensed that something is not right when he found him in the hut.

Since they've known each other for quite a time, it's unusual for Kithe to stay in a place for a long time. He is the type of person who would not waste time resting. For him, time is gold so Ash already knew that something is up.

"You would've been dead if it weren't me who found you," Ash said and lean on the bamboo wall. He knows that Kithe has been a target by different units in Kronos because of his excellent performance.

A lot of agents envies him for being "K's favorite" and both of them know that the only reason why K pays attention to him is because of his natural ability. Unlike the others, Kithe doesn't have to go through several experiments to be a killing machine.

Everyone knows about human experiments except for Kithe because he was clueless about everything before. He was naïve and was blinded by K's kindness towards him and his mother.

K used him as a puppet and he hates it. He promised that he will do anything to make things right this time.

Ash grinned to annoy him, "Good thing I came. You're a really lucky man."

Kithe ignored him and just, "Tch," in what he said. Ash has always been a mystery to Kithe because of his sudden appearance in Kronos He doesn't know much about Ash's past, but he has proven to be a valuable ally to him.

Meanwhile, Kithe attempted to heal his injury by solidifying it to temporarily alleviate his pain. It is a technique he learned from his mother, but it is only a temporary solution, similar to first aid.

Ash just watch him do his thing and shook his head. He is aware that this technique wouldn't help him longer than he needed.

The moment Kithe finish, he said, "I have to go back to Kronos," and stood up. He could still feel a little pain but it's better than earlier.

Ash sat on the wooden table and crossed his arms.

"You can't," he said calmly.

"What?" Kithe asked in a serious tone.

Ash closed his eyes and repeat what he said, "I said, you can't," then opened his eyes and looked directly at his eyes as if he just started an eye contest and Kithe obviously wouldn't let himself lose.

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" Kithe tried to compose his voice and glared at Ash. This is what he hates about Ash. He often disagrees with his decision and he does not like it.

Ash sighed and spoke, "You can't go with an injury like that." He stood up and look at Kithe's injury. Ash knows what Kithe's plans are and he's certain that he won't survive if he continued especially now that he is badly injured.

"I don't give a sh*t. I'm saving them," Kithe argued. Right now, he can't imagine what could be happening to the kids inside Kronos because of his fault and he is yearning to see his mom.

If K found out what he did, he might do something bad to her.

"I assumed you'll say that but, you'd die without even seeing them," Ash answered monotonously.

Kithe is a very reckless kid and perhaps that's the reason why "they" tasked Ash to keep an eye on him. Ash heaved a deep sigh. Since he was placed in a different unit, it's hard for him to keep him safe and watch his every move. He can't let Kithe die, he must not.

***

End of Chapter.