Isolation

The moon hung high in the sky, casting its pale light over the quiet streets as Hayato approached Sid's home. His steps were heavy, his thoughts a storm of guilt and regret. He hadn't even bothered to change out of his vigilante gear, though his mask was now tucked into his pocket.

The door swung open before Hayato could knock. Sid stood there, his face a mixture of anger and concern. "What the hell are you doing here, Hayato?"

"I needed to talk to you," Hayato said, his voice low and shaky.

Sid stepped aside to let him in. "Talk? After what just happened? Do you even realize what you've done?"

Hayato winced at Sid's tone but stepped inside. The living room was dimly lit, and the air between them was thick with tension.

---

The Quarrel

Sid turned to face Hayato, his arms crossed. "You killed Remond's dad, Hayato. His dad. Do you have any idea what that means? What that's going to do to him?"

"It was an accident!" Hayato snapped, his voice breaking. "You think I wanted this to happen? I was trying to stop the goons—"

"And you didn't think to be more careful?" Sid interrupted, his voice rising. "You've been reckless before, but this... this is on a whole other level."

Hayato's fists clenched. "Don't act like you're not part of this, Sid. You're the one who encouraged me to keep going with this vigilante thing. You wanted this as much as I did!"

Sid's eyes narrowed. "Don't pin this on me. I told you to be cautious, to think before you act. But you went in guns blazing, and now look where we are."

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of their words settling between them.

"I'll take responsibility," Sid finally said, his tone softer but still firm. "I'll talk to Remond. This isn't just your burden to carry."

---

Remond's Absence

The next day at school, Remond's seat remained empty. Sid sat through class, his leg bouncing with nervous energy. Every time the door opened, he glanced up, hoping to see his friend walk in. But Remond never came.

Hayato avoided Sid during breaks, too ashamed to face him after their argument. The incident had driven a wedge between them, one that neither was sure how to mend.

---

Sid Visits Remond

Unable to bear the silence, Sid decided to visit Remond after school. He knew the dorm's location but had never been inside. The walk there felt like an eternity, his mind racing with what he would say.

When he arrived, he knocked on the door, his heart pounding. It wasn't Remond who answered, but his mother. Mrs. Cain looked tired, her eyes red as if she'd been crying.

"Mrs. Cain," Sid began, "I... I came to talk to Remond. Please, it's important."

Her expression hardened. "Sid, I appreciate your concern, but Remond isn't ready to talk to anyone right now. He needs time to process everything."

"But—"

"I'll let him know you came," she said, cutting him off. Her tone was final, leaving no room for argument.

Sid nodded reluctantly and turned to leave, his shoulders slumping.

---

Remond's Isolation

Inside the dorm, Remond sat on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His mother's voice filtered through the door, but he didn't pay attention. He felt numb, his mind replaying the moment his father fell over and over.

He hadn't checked his phone or spoken to anyone since that night. The world outside felt distant, like it belonged to someone else.

Mrs. Cain quietly opened the door, peeking inside. Her son hadn't moved from the bed in hours. For a moment, she simply stood there, watching him, her face unreadable.

Then, almost imperceptibly, her lips curled into a small, sinister smirk. She stepped back into the hallway and gently closed the door, her expression instantly neutral as if the moment had never happened.

---

The Chemical Analysis Report

Back at Sid's house, his computer pinged with a notification. He opened the file, his eyes scanning the detailed chemical analysis of the rhino-like creature they had encountered days ago.

The report was disturbing. The creature's DNA had been heavily modified, spliced with multiple animal genomes to enhance its strength, durability, and aggression. The chemical compounds found in its bloodstream hinted at a substance Sid had only read about in conspiracy forums—a gray serum believed to be the work of the Axiom Syndicate.

His stomach churned as he read further. The serum didn't just enhance physical capabilities; it also had mind-controlling properties. Whoever created the creature had complete control over it, turning it into nothing more than a weapon.

Sid leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. "What the hell have we gotten ourselves into?"