Once they finished taking care of the enemy, they cross countless sewer pathway. They didn’t waste any more time and run over the. If Alastor’s memory is correct, they should be in the metropolitan right now. The abandoned train station was in the east of Jules Market, crossing the way, they would find and empty warehouse in which they could use to get in the underground tunnel that led to their underground base.

All of the sudden, they heard a loud grumble, which rattled them.

“What the hell is that?”

“An earthquake?”

“Gruu.”

They looked back at Liber that reflected on his eyes the tiredness he had endured during this whole time. Then another growl from his stomach came to abrupt.

“You hungry?” asked Cid.

Liber shakes his head.

“He’s also tired.” Said Alastor. “Alright, you can have that one sack of green peas.”

Remembering of what the keeper said before, it is best to rest and give Liber some food. Liber earned it and should be praise.

“I can’t believe you’re easily tired. You didn’t do anything.”

“Just for you to know, Cid. Liber is the one who lead me to you and saved your ass from getting barbecued. You gotta thank him for that.”

“Oh,” guilt had overtaken him. “Sorry. I guess, I owe you from saving my ass.”

Cid remained on guard as Alastor sat down with his back against the wall. Sherry was seated in front of him, she is still unconscious. Still, Liber is not yet done eating.

Without restricting, he allowed his eyes fell and gone to slumber.

Ɵ

Everything seems to be real, but at the same time, everything looks so strange.

He was back in the Haven, the Glade.

Everyone looks so happy. There was no conflict, no people fighting over something stupid. All is well and all people he knows is there, almost.

Over the corner he sees Ken happily chatting with his friends. Tin was less boyish and was talking with girls, but they were interrupted by Cid that was dared to come close to them.

Linda on the other hand, was more feminine. She was clad in beautiful dress, mask by powder and lipstick.

He gazes at the bar stool, where he would sit in the corner and ordered his favorite wine. He was enjoying and savoring the taste of it, holding the perfect shape of glass when someone interrupts his moment of silence.

It was a woman, the hateful woman he dejects the most. She was the one who put him in the psychological terror he did not think he’d survive. He never forgotten her. After all, she was the one who put him in six days coma and another eight days of psychological recovery.

“You?!” shouted Alastor. His eyes couldn’t believe it. She wasn’t supposed to be here. Under the supervision of Rod, she was taken in custody and had her locked in a cell for two years.

Alastor was greeted by a woman who wore a seductive red dress. Her hollow eyes send a chill onto his spine and make him dry his throat when she met his eyes. She sat beside him and curl her black hair and gazed at him with a lustrous grin.

“You like my outfit?” she asked.

“Maine…”

“Hm?”

“How come you’re here? You’re supposed to be…”

There was a paused. He finally realized what has happened.

“Oh. About that, I was given a chance when I take plea not to put the students in that hellish torture again. Although, I was kind of disappointed. Torture is the only way to make a person to realize things and make them stronger than before. I don’t expect that an empty shell like you would understand what I mean, but I hope you would accept its benefits.”

Alastor gritted his teeth, annoyed by her remorseless remark.

“You bitch tortured us for fun!” shouted Alastor. He quickly rose but was stopped as if he was his body was being controlled.

“Shh. Lower your tone. You’re ruining the night. You’re always such a buzzkill even before.”

“I don’t believe anything of this. Why won’t you show yourself and let’s end this in real life?!”

With her bewitching smile everything became distorted until the Glade became a house of fire. It was hot like a blazing inferno creeping over the place.

“What the fuck do you want from me?

Her voice rang across the place. “I want you to join us.”

He scoffed. “Join you? Go and fuck yourself.”

“Oh well, as I expected. I never thought that you would want to come anyway.”

“How come you’re able to escape?”

“That’s another riddle for you to solve. I only came here because my boss wants you to join us, even though I warned him not to. You’re far too innocent to see things beyond your little preconception worldly ideas.”

“The only thing you’re good at is to torture and piss off other people. You’re a coward, hiding in a mere lowkey illusion.”

“Careful of your words. You might regret that. How do you think you were able to see through my illusion? It’s because of me. I told you there’s a benefit out of pain.”

“Like what? Lobotomizing people and had them crippled to nearly death? What a fucking joke!”

“Don’t be such a buzzkill. I’m not here to fight. Like I said, my boss wants you to join us.”

With a firmed grip Alastor come up with unwavering decision, “No. I know that all of you will only do worst.”

“Oh well.”

“What’s exactly the point of all of this? Why come after me, knowing that I won’t come after you?”

“Let’s just say, I also, slash, we want to know how you’re going. Did you ever fill that void in your heart? Have you come to the realization that everything you’ve fought for means nothing?”

“Enough with this nonsense! Show yourself!” he demanded.

The blazing inferno was suddenly distorted and the venue changed like a film in theater. He was now in an open space of a forest, beyond the woods was the mansion of their Haven, the Glade, behind him was a flower field, in which he does not remember that such thing exists.

A certain voice of a man rang behind him.

“Come with us Al.” A man greeted him. “Everything is burning, can’t you see it? Don’t pretend to be blind. You know to yourself that hell will break lose and everything you’ve cherished will become naught.”

The forest, including the mansion was in fire. Alastor looked behind and saw a man wearing a black robe. He has a pale white skin and has a symbolic tattoo that is all over his face.

“You are?”

“We haven’t officially met. I am Augustus.” He softly said.

“What do you want from me?”

“We want you as one of our ranks. You are one of all people who were able to resist and survive the ‘Blank Catastrophe’ of Maine.”

“For what cause?”

“The True Haven. The clock is on the run, there is no hiding from it. The War of Blights is coming and there is no stopping it. So, why not join us and help us to create our True Haven? A haven in this hellish paradise.”

Alastor shakes his head and unsheathe his sword out of its scabbard.

“Never.”

“What does it take for your blind eyes to see the black flames scourging around us.”

“Enough with this nonsense!”

“Pity you.”

As Alastor sprinted towards him he waved his hand and everything went black. Alastor falls in infinite darkness.

“I hope the next time we’ll meet, there will be a change of thought about our proposal.”

Ɵ

A heavy slap had awakened him.

Alastor woke up and glances at Cid who is in front of him. Cid noticed that Alastor has been murmuring and turn out eventually he realized that he’s having a nightmare.

“You were having a nightmare.”

“How many hours I’m out?”

“Thirty minutes. What exactly did you dream about? You scream like a girl.”

He blankly stares at him. Knowing that they’re in a mission, he can’t risk to add another burden for them.

“Nothing.” He coldly said.

“Alright.” Cid decided not to probe anymore.

Alastor glanced at Comodo. Liber was able to finished two sacks of green peas, he then remembered what the keeper said.

“Two days my ass.” Spat Alastor. “The Comodo already ate two of it.”

Liber woke up from Alastor’s snapped. The Comodo stretched and waited for Alastor to carry Sherry onto his back. The three walked and gazed ahead, wearily observing.

Alastor kick the steel filter and went out first. He scouted for a minute before giving a signal to them that it is clear to come out. There may be not commotion in that place but the conflict was near and can be heard few blocks of roads away from them.

They chose the route where they can’t be seen and discreetly move from corner to corner. They passed the countless house of slums and proceeded to a warehouse. Before they could enter the gate, a stray bullet nearly hit Cid.

“What the fuck is that?!”

“Shh. Lower your voice.” Scolded Alastor.

He observed the bullet that got stuck on the wall.

“It’s nothing but a stray bullet. Let’s go.”

They entered the vicinity and went around to get inside the warehouse by breaking the knob of the backdoor. He glances at the around and went to the corner. He presses by what it seems to be a dusty, old button.

Ahead, the ground divided apart and unveils a downslope tunnel.

“And that’s our secret tunnel.” Said Alastor. “The original purposed of this tunnel was an escape route whenever shits happen. I never thought that we’d use this tunnel in this manner.”

They heard a loud gunshot from outside. Alastor glances around and noticed the bullet pierced through.

“We must hurry.” Said Cid.

Alastor nodded and lead the way. As they entered, the indicator shone bright and the way through the entrance closed.

Ɵ

He was lucky that he got here in time just as the police and the robots that Theo donated to the task force formed a barricade blocking the entrance and interviewed every people here in city. That includes, adventurers, hunters and outlaws.

The city is on the rampant. Countless buildings were burning as the smog had dissipated trailing in sheet towards the sky. Outlaws and deviants exchange fires against the police.

He was accustomed to the same situation they are in. One time, he and his comrades robbed a bank and got pinned by the police during the run. It ended a lot of fatal deaths and infrastructure damaged that their fight produce.

Thinking back then, he never thought his choice of side would backfire at his end, and he regretted it now. Never once he wants innocent people to suffer by some senseless horrid desire. The only thing he thinks about is how to earn money, no matter how dirty it is.

It was two years ago when he joined Don Trifalgo’s ranks, three years prior to Theo’s fully realised enterprise. His first job was to guard the cargos that were being delivered across the region, but ever since he failed to protect the product that Don bestowed on him, he was designated to Vesoga Plain. He never even got a chance to retrieve it even he promised him to bring it back.

He knew that there is something behind that decision but he was not entirely sure about what it was. He only knew what Theo was trying to do when he was approached by the man in a black cloak. He was the one who stopped him during his hunting of the individuals who pickpocket them. He first thought of him as suspicious individual but when he showed him a footage about a man who was involuntarily put on an experiment, he was horrified at the scene. That’s the time he knew he needs to do something about it.

The man in black cloak said to him that Theo is planning to use his inventions to level the city and put it into ashes. He spent these past few months gathering intel about his connection and whereabouts of his other base. So far, he only knew few about it, but the man said that it should be enough. He was not allowed under any circumstances get caught that he was leaking an information, if so then his friends and those kids he taken care of will be affected.

“You can still go back.”

Henry’s voice rang inside his head. He regretted it now that he did not listen to his friend, but this is no time to be conflicted by some unnecessary thoughts. He should be focusing on what lies ahead, which is thugs that is hijacking a truck by what it seems to be Henry’s, that was parked outside the residence.

The thugs felt his mocking gaze.

“What’re you looking at?! Scram!”

One thug shouted. His gun leaned up to him.

No matter how you look at it, Port is in disadvantage. There were five of them and he only has his gun at his side. Other than that, their weapons possessed high firepower than his.

He stepped back, looking for another alternative. He observed their fingers, which was tightly locked on their weapons. He noticed in the shadow across the street, the man in black carefully approached them in behind. He signaled Port to wait and climb up the establishment.

He daringly moved forward.

“That’s as far as you go!” The man shouted and gave a warning shot to Port.

This man is serious. He knows how to wield and handle the gun very well.

“You don’t want to do this.” Port started. “If there’s still decency in your soul, please, don’t”

One of the men keenly observed him.

“I know who you are.” The man said. “You’re Port.”

Port gulped. He too realized who this guy is. They were once partner, when they robbed the bank, but he was abandoned during the chase. He has no choice, if he helps the wounded man, he would’ve been caught.

“You traitorous bastard! You left me dying in there!”

“Just on my defense, if none of us would’ve escape, not just me – but your effort would’ve been gone to waste.”

“Agreeable. But it doesn’t justify why you didn’t share the money to me.”

He was about to pull the trigger but suddenly he paused. His men gazed at him. He falls to the ground his soulless eyes remained opened and as his comrade observed his head, they saw a hole in his temple, piercing through the other side.

The other two was taken down as well. Port knew what this means and he quickly unlock the safety of his gun pulled the trigger, killing the two remaining enemies. The man in black cloak landed behind him.

“I thought you never gonna shoot.” Port started.

“I thought you’re just gonna allow them to kill you.” He replied.

Port chuckles.

“I was waiting for your signal.”

“Really?” the man said, “In any case, you should’ve chosen to avoid them.”

“Can’t do that. My friend owns this truck.”

“I see. So, he already snapped?”

“Yes. The Canaries managed to infiltrate Theo’s base of operation in the Vesoga Plain.”

“Good. Continue to proceed on the plan and we’ll surely win.”

“And what about the counter agent?” asked Port.

“It is still on the work. Theo’s poison gas is hard to reverse engineer. But my friends are close to reversing it. It would take a few more hours to fully incorporate it to strengthen the healthy cells of human. For now, your job is to infiltrate Theo’s building to know when he’s gonna release the gas.”

“Just in case if your friend is late, I’m gonna engage to stop Theo from doing his plan.”

“Don’t be a fool. You have no chance against him.” He warned.

“Only if I don’t try.”

“Listen to me. Stick with the plan. There’s no guarantee that you will win against him.”

“I’m not just gonna wait and allow him to him release that poison gas in the city.”

The man in black cloak sighed, “All right. Do your worst. But don’t expect me to save your sorry ass.”

“Noted.