[“How’s Lucia?”]

Trisha’s plan:

On a Sunday morning, Lucifer and I will take the 8:45am train sharp at Averice Station. There, one of Trisha’s corvette will be waiting for us.

I’m in the ALPINE fleet so I should be able to recognize which angel she’s referring to.

One everything is set, the submarine gang will take the bait they had laid out. We’ll act to restrain them on cue.

I wasn't too sure on why Trisha chose the timing 8:45am, or why she stationed only one corvette inside the train. Either way, if all goes well, we should be able to secure Carlos by today.

Lucia is going back to Hades tomorrow. So let’s hope the mission for today won't drag too long.

[“Xe’ll be returning to Hades. The gate is going to open tomorrow, just waiting for the timing. Xe says xe’s alright. Though honestly, it’s odd why there’s still no results in the search.”]

[“Okay. Please tell hir to take care.”]

Completing the conversation with Randingo, I noticed Lucifer who just made it past the terminal.

“Morning.” I greeted.

Lucifer wore a fluffy white coat over a blue turtleneck sweater and black leggings. There was a small bag strapped around her front where I presume she had her supplies stored.

Her hair dangled off her shoulders, purples eyes appealing with a hint of drowsiness.

She turned to me and sighed.

“I can’t believe you’re actually going to be the bait.”

“What?”

“That angel didn’t tell you?”

“I’m bait?

“Damn that angel. She said you’re the worm.”

I’m a worm?

“I can’t stay too close to you so be careful. Kill them if you’re in danger.”

[Avner, is this girl sane?]

“I’m pretty sure she is.”

It wasn’t just Randell. The surrounding to-be passengers were looking at Lucifer as if she were some uprising assassin.

Coming around, it seems that the bait Trisha mentioned wasn’t anything special like gold or prize money.

It was me.

Trisha commissioned the fleet to come kill me? The corvette (teammate) that will be stationed in the coach will act as both a guardian and decoy, making the enemies think that he’s pinning me down when in fact he’s supporting me from the shadows?

I listened to Lucifer’s explanation.

It was 7:25 am when we arrived at Averice Station’s platform.

“Have you eaten breakfast?”

“I ate some oats earlier.”

The excuse I used this time, and everytime that I need to go out, is that I have a meeting with a friend. It’s a pretty bad excuse. Nevertheless, grandma and grandoa allowed me the privilege of going out with but a warning to be careful. Lia was suspicious, as usual.

I’m glad they’ve eased up the permission for me to go outside.

“I haven’t eaten, let’s go get something,” Lucifer pointed at the vending machine.

She scanned the QR code to bring up the menu.

“Anything you want?” she asked.

“I’m good.”

“It’s going to be a tricky operation, then I’ll get you a rice ball.”

Lucifer just did whatever and pushed me an onigiri and can of coffee. The rice ball came packaged in biodegradable gelatin wrappings, not plastic.

“Thanks.”

“No problems.”

Lucifer ordered something like a bento. It was filled to the brim with ingredients.

We came to a metal bench to have our meal.

I was about to bring the rice ball up for a taste when Lucifer said.

“You nearly died.”

“Uh-huh?”

“I feel like this is another trick.”

“...”

“Why are you so trusting? Angels are angels, demons are demons. Even after they beat you up to that state, you’re still giving them another chance. I’m not trying to say you’re in the wrong. But don’t you think you should be more cautious when it comes to these things? I wouldn’t have known if Ain didn’t tell me. I get that you’re strong. Even so, there’s a limit to what a single person can do.”

I never did tell Lucifer about what happened back then did I? Now I’m getting a lecture.

“My bad..”

“You wouldn’t have cared if I joined or not. I’m doing this for your safety, don’t forget that.”

“I understand. Thank you.”

I took a big bite out of the rice ball and let the flavors spread in my mouth. A vending machine that vomits something so delicious for a couple dollars. The MSG content in this must be pretty high.

Though, it didn’t really match the flavor profile I had in mind when looking at the design of the packaging.

Having finished the food, we dropped the waste into their respective bins. Gelatin wrapping into the biodegradable plastics; wooden bento box into the paper bin.

I opened the can of coffee Lucifer got me while we waited for the train to arrive.

“Be careful and good luck.”

“You too.”

8:42 am.

Lucifer got up and made her way over to the very end of the platform.

I dropped the can into the metals bin and watched as the train came into the station.

8:45 am.

I was told to take the center lane, away from Lucifer. She can’t be suspected as part of the gig, else the plan would fail.

Lucifer entered the train before me.

It didn’t take a lot to find the hooded person with a gold crown.

I took the standing seat opposite to him.

“Morning.”

“Morning, demon.”

His sharp green eyes peered at me through the shadow of his face.

“So you’re Avner?”

“Yes,” I nodded.

The door closed.

“I heard you managed to outwit 5 rankers by yourself.”

The passenger coach wasn’t all that busy today. Was this also part of Trisha’s calculation?

“Were those rankers?” I asked genuinely unsure.

“Yes. Fleet admiral said it. I don’t think she’d lie. Well, I’ll see for myself.”

[Avner, do you allow hir to exchange contacts with you? Xe requests for it.]

{Areais Cass has requested for contact exchange}

Both contact exchange from OptAR and the system appeared at once.

“Yes.”

{You have added Areais Cass to your contacts}

[Permission confirmed. You may now chat through TalkMS. Careful Avner.]

I mistook xe as a male apparently.

[“Kill everyone else except the demon before killing the person I specify to release the fallout.”]

[“Fallout?”]

[“Falling into the astral realm. The person I mark later, kill the guy last because he’s the beholder of the mine.”]

[“Got it.”]

So it’s called a fallout.

“Catch.”

I caught what xe tossed over. A cheap epoxy ring.

[“Crush the jewel to set up a barrier when the battle begins.”]

The train stopped at the next station. Few people came in, few people went out.

Submarines are hidden, so I don’t know if this is the station they’ll be entering from.

The train continued to stop at another two stations before Areais’ warning came at the third.

[“Get ready.”]

Right.

The flow of people in and out; I could feel their eyes on me.

[“Lucifer, they’re here. I’m going to start the operation.”]

The door shut.

I felt the gush of wind between the cracks of the entrance stop. The train began to accelerate.

I closed my eyes.

I was told that I would become bait.

There are two options to pull them into the fallout.

First option, direct contact. Though, I’m unsure which person among the small crowd are the submarines.

Second option, step on their mine.

The latter is more likely to happen.

Now what?

I decided to move.

{YOU HAVE STEPPED ON A MINE}

{WARNING: YOU HAVE STEPPED ON A MINE}

Spinning the ring in hand, I felt it transform into a crystal as my body floated into the astral space. The coach became pin silent. The once ablur scenery outside froze in place like a panoramic polaroid.

I crushed the gem.

A clear bubble formed with me in the center.

{SEARCHING_FOR_CONTACT}

{Contacts: Cain Ghron, Pu’er Greenwood, Lucifer Saunders, Areais Cass}

{Contacting Lucifer Saunders…}

{Contacting Areais Cass…}

{CONTACT SUCCESS}

{CONTACT SUCCESS}

“Wow man, another guy with a bubble shield.”

“Give it up,” said one of them wagging a gun at me.

So these people are the submarines that took away Lucia’s father?

I contrived Arondight.

“That one, don’t pick him,” Areais snapped hirs finger.

There’s a blue marker on top of one of the submarines.

“Got it,” I said.

“Huh? What’s this?”

I shifted Arondight and drew two moon arcs.

Don’t kill the demon, don’t kill the marked angel.

I dashed out.

The arcs struck one of the angels, causing the sound of glass shattering to ring.

It seems that there is some invisible protective barrier wrapped around their body like a suit. I wonder what’s that about.

The submarines began firing. Projectiles that were behind me were hindered by the bubble barrier. Those coming from the front were either cut into two with Arondight or missed the mark by a good margin.

I feel like Areais intends to push all the work to me. Xe’s just standing there still with arms folded.

Weaving through the rain of fire and frozen passengers, I got close and sliced one of the angels in half. In the next beat, I drew a moon arc to the other.

He tried to disperse the energy by parrying.

Wasted movement.

I rushed forward, we clashed, I slid my sword down to the handle portion of his weapon and I drew Arondight at his flank. He hacked his sword-gun in panic.

I parried the blade again, slipped under him, and with one swing, severed his torso.

The two angels killed flopped to the floor. They crumbled into particles of light.

The next thing I knew it, I was sent back into my body. Colours and sound returned, the movement of the train and passing scenery warped my senses; I staggered a little.

“Good job,” Areais commended.

“What? What happened?”

I didn’t kill the guy xe marked so how did I end up back here?

“They decided to retreat.”

Oh, right.

The initiator of the astral space has the right to forfeit.

I did kill two of them, didn't I?

Areais turned to the right, I followed hirs gaze.

There were exactly five people moving away from us.

“Do we need to intercept them?” I asked.

“No. We need the demon alive.”

They made it to the very end of the coach.

{Lucifer Saunders has requested for your aid}

{Call distance: 0km/10km}

Wait. At this rate wouldn’t Lucifer kill the rest because they’re running towards her?

Accept.

Everything froze once more.

“Don’t kill them!”

My shout bounced off the walls, creating echoes that lasted a couple seconds. “I know!”

A softer shout came replying.

“Just.. keep them in custody for now. We’ll wait for the next station.”

I found it silly. The place was so quiet you could hear someone from a hundred meters away without needing a megaphone.

That’s awkward.

The astral space hadn’t come down, so I made my way over to where Lucifer was.

I saw three of the submarines huddled at one spot. Their arms were severely injured, hanging limpy to the side. So that’s how you incapacitate someone?

“What’s the plan after this?”

“I hadn’t asked Areais.”

“They’ll escape if we don’t do something.”

“I have a feeling that’s what they want. I’ll text you what I get after I ask him.”

“Will it be alright if I release the bubble?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Then I returned to my body. I breathed a sigh.

“Once the door to the next station opens, in that time frame, we need to push them out,” Areais said as if knowing I had just returned from another bubble.

“Alright.”

“You’re good. To think an anomaly like you exists. Maybe that’s why the demons are growing stronger.”

I gave hir a disagreeing look without saying anything. Demons growing stronger? The angels still hold most of the territory in Alska though?

“We’re almost there. Let’s go.”

Xe got up and made hirs way over to the coach further down the line, towards where Lucifer was.

“By the way. Why are we doing this? Is it really only about the contract?” I asked.

“Personal reasons are also involved. If you’re curious, join the fleet officially. Admiral Trisha will tell you if she’s willing.”

“I’ll withdraw, thank you.”

Xe said no more. When we reached the end, the five submarines– no, the three submarines were huddled there with Lucifer keeping guard.

The two I killed looked confused as to why their buddies were having cold sweats.

The ambusher just got ambushed.

Should I be feeling anything?

[“Lucifer, after this we need to push them out of the train.”]

[“Will do.”]

It wasn’t long before the train reached the next stop. We urged them to exit.

{Trisha Handell has requested for your aid}

{Call distance: 0km/10km}

I watched as the five submarines walked away as if nothing happened. Areais didn’t even give chase.

“What?” Lucifer voiced, sounding confused.

I turned to Areais. Xe looked like xe had blanked out. When xe noticed me, xe’s said.

“It’s going to expire if you don’t accept it.”

Time warp theory?

“Is it over?”

“Yes.”

So does this prove time travel exists?

Accept.

This is the first time I’ve entered, and reentered the astral space so many times in a single day.

The world was drowned in grey once more.