Echoes of the Mansion

Back at their hideout, Emjay's team treated their wounds, exhaustion settling over them. Yano moved between them, using her healing ability, absorbing ten percent of each injury into her own body. Crimson winced as she pressed a hand to his arm, his bruises fading while a dull ache formed on her own skin.

"Be careful next time," she muttered, shaking off the pain.

Kai nudged Crimson with a grin. "Took quite the beating, huh?"

Crimson smirked. "Yeah, but the more I get hit, the stronger I get." He clenched his fist, feeling the remnants of power still lingering from the last battle. "Gotta use it wisely, though."

Soon after, they received intel regarding a potential enemy base—an old, abandoned mansion on the outskirts of the city. They had no time to waste.

Splitting Up

Reaching the mansion, Emjay divided the team:

Kai and Bleaf took the main halls.

Crimson and Yano scouted the lower floor.

Kazuki and Nana investigated the east wing.

Emjay and Leon covered the west wing.

Lexa remained outside as backup.

The mansion was shrouded in darkness, its halls barely visible. "Be careful," Emjay whispered. "Something feels off."

Leon placed a hand on his shoulder. "Stay put. I'll check the rooms ahead." He teleported instantly, only to materialize in a small chamber with metal walls. Before he could react, several enemies lunged at him. A brutal fight ensued, steel clashing in the dimly lit space. Leon fought hard, dispatching them one by one, but as he panted, he realized something—teleporting without scouting was reckless. He had to be more cautious.

Kai and Bleaf's Trial

In the main hall, Kai dashed ahead, using his super speed to locate enemy positions. He darted through the corridors like a blur—until suddenly, the floor vanished beneath him.

He plummeted into a deep, eerie pool. Instead of sinking instantly, he was pulled down slowly, as though something unseen grasped at him. Panic surged through his body, but then it hit him—he had to calm down. Taking a deep breath, he relaxed, allowing himself to float up. The moment his head broke the surface, he gasped for air, pulling himself out.

Bleaf stood at the edge. "That was close."

Kai coughed, wiping water from his face. "Lesson learned. If I panic, I drown."

Crimson's Sacrifice

Crimson and Yano ventured into a room filled with an eerie glow. In the darkness, something shimmered on the floor. Yano reached for it.

Click.

Gunfire erupted from hidden turrets in the walls.

Without thinking, Crimson threw himself in front of Yano, shielding her with his body. Bullets rained down, but instead of falling, he felt power surging through him. His muscles tensed, his endurance skyrocketed. With a roar, he lunged at the devices, smashing them to pieces with his bare hands.

Panting, he turned to Yano. "You okay?"

She nodded, staring at him in awe. "You're insane… but thank you."

Crimson clenched his fist. "Gotta be careful where the bullets hit, though. Some wounds won't make me stronger. They'll just kill me."

Kazuki and Nana's Nightmare

Kazuki and Nana entered a brightly lit room—too bright compared to the rest of the mansion. The door slammed shut behind them.

A figure in a wheelchair emerged from the shadows.

"Welcome to my lovely place that I call home," he said, his voice calm, almost mocking. "The name's Lester T.M, by the way."

Kazuki and Nana tensed as a wave of enemies charged at them. They fought fiercely, gunfire and blades clashing in a chaotic dance. Then, amidst the battle, something changed.

Kazuki's vision blurred. His body stiffened against his will.

His hands moved—

Bang.

The gunshot echoed.

Nana gasped, her eyes widening in shock before she collapsed. Blood pooled beneath her.

Kazuki froze in horror, realization crashing down on him. Lester smirked. "Ah, you figured it out. I can control people."

Kazuki trembled, staring at Nana's lifeless body. His best friend. Gone. Because of him.

Rage exploded within him. Five copies of himself emerged, each as furious as the original. Together, they tore through the remaining enemies in a blinding fury. When the dust settled, Kazuki turned—but Lester was gone.

Kazuki fell to his knees. Trembling, he lifted Nana's body into his arms, silent tears streaking his face.

The Tragic Exit

Outside, the rest of the team gathered, carrying documents and intel they had scavenged from the mansion. But as they turned to leave, Kazuki emerged last.

Holding Nana's lifeless body in his arms.

The team froze, horror and grief sinking in.

No words were spoken.

Only silence. And the weight of loss.

The mission had been a success.

But at what cost?