Chapter 2 part 1

Birth of a Phantom

While the two agents, Felix and Maria, caught their breath, the lights inside suddenly flashed open with a blinding white light and revealed the massive interior inside. As Felix glanced around, a holographic interface flicked out from Maria’s watch, a thin blue screen that displayed a map of the building’s interior.

“Oh… this may be bad.” She blurted out.

“What?”

“This place doesn’t look like the map they gave us.”

Felix’s eyes widened slightly as he remembered the robin’s words to him, “They renovated the entire building? What do we do? We need a plan.”

“The map was patched, but the quest stays the same.” She smugly shrugged and spoke in a wistful tone, “Guess we switched to hard mode mid-game.”

“What?”

“Don’t worry about it. Besides, it’ll be more fun this way.”

There was a sudden flurry of footsteps that came down the hall, moving toward their direction. Felix pulled out his gun, ready for another battle, but Maria shoved him to the wall.

“What are you—?”

“Shhh… you’re still in uniform.” She whispered.

“Ah… right.” He nodded.

A bead of sweat slid across his face as the sound of footsteps got closer. But as soon as they got right around the hall–

“Gahk!” Felix grunted as Maria burrowed her fist into his gut.

The guards made it to their location moments after he fell down to his knees.

Maria saluted. The one who approached them appeared to be head of the guards; “You both, what are you doing? What was that noise?”

“Sir, a rogue firework that made its way through the walls during the shootout. This one’s badly injured, he got shot by a stray bullet.” Avoiding eye contact, Maria answered with a sultry tone.

The chief guard squinted his eyes and looked closely at the both of them, “Have I seen you both before?”

“We’re new recruits, sir.”

“The intruders have made it inside the premises, sir, we have to hurry.” Felix muttered out as he grabbed on Maria’s shoulder with a tight grip. Maria let out a sharp, high-pitched noise as he pinched her shoulder.

The chief guard sighed, “Count yourselves lucky he didn’t kill you. Take him to the infirmary. Everyone, keep your guard up! We’ll kill that son of a bitch.”

“Yes, sir!” The accompanying guards shouted.

As Maria carried Felix on her shoulder, one of the guards approached with a faint smile and asked, “Do you need any help?”

Maria lowered the hat of her uniform and replied, “We’re good. I just have to bring him to the second floor, right?”

“It’s on the third floor, you both should take the elevator.”

“Alright, I’ll just take him to the infirmary myself.”

The two agents were accompanied by one of the guards to the elevator. And as they walked, one of the guards muttered to the head guard.

“Sir, those two...”

With a suspicious gaze, he muttered back, “No doubt about it…”

Maria boarded the elevator with Felix still on her shoulder, but as she turned around to salute, the guard accompanying them had a wide grin on his face as he pulled the pin out of a grenade.

“Here’s a gift, new recruits.” The guard sneered and tossed it in before the metal doors shut.

Maria’s face curled into shock, before promptly switching to a sharp and focused gaze. But before she could do anything, Felix’s silhouette appeared before her and kicked the explosive back towards them.

“Venom!” Felix yelled, and the two took to the sides of the elevator.

The guard’s grin faded as the grenade struck his forehead and dropped to the ground, while the rest of the men ran away in panic.

Fire and shrapnel slipped past the open doors half a second before the elevator shut tight.

As they began to ascend, Felix quickly shot the camera in the corner before muttering, “We have to get out of here.”

“Huh?”

“There should be about two hundred guards in this building, there’s probably a dozen expecting us on the next floor.”

“Sigh, what’s with you? Aren’t you glad we’re alright?”

“Oh, I’m glad, it’s just…” He let out a sharp breath as he suddenly stumbled to the floor on his knees, clutching his right arm.

Maria sat next to Felix and noticed a dark, deep red stain on the light-brown uniform he wore, “Your arm…Was this from earlier?”

“It’s just a graze… it’s because I wasn’t wearing my black coat.” He blurted as he pulled out a small bottle full of pills marked with a medical cross from his pocket.

“Painkillers aren’t gonna fix the problem at hand... or, at arm?” She giggled slightly.

“It’s not the problem.”

“Then… what is the problem?” She asked as a drop of sweat dripped down her worried face.

Felix sucked in air between his clenched teeth and answered, “Why were they speaking English?!”

“Why are you still hung up on that?!”

He wiped his face, and with a pained grunt he replied, “I’m fine, let’s just focus on the mission.”

Maria let out a low sigh, “Well, this’ll heal soon anyway, but we should probably head to the infirmary.”

“I said I’m fine, I’m more curious how you were unscathed earlier…”

“Enhanced human, right? Enhanced senses, strength, and I’m—” For a moment, her eyes widen and looked at him.

“And you’re…?”

“Well, I’m an Elite Agent, too.”

With a soft laugh, Felix scratched his cheek, “Ah… that’s clear now, sorry for doubting you.”

“Huh, that’s the first time I’ve heard you laugh a non-asshole-ish laugh.”

“Is that right, well if we make it through this, then you might be able to hear it again someday.” He stood up, still clutching his arm and asked, “So, we head to the central database now?”

“Not quite…First, we take down the surveillance room, then, we head to their data center, but...”

“But?”

“I don’t think the map they gave us is updated at all… This place looks like an entirely different building.” Maria shook her head in dismay as the holographic display popped out.

“Then I guess we’re on our own. Take out your grappling hook.”

“Hm, why?”

Felix climbed up the side of the elevator and broke open the hatch above it. He reached out his hand toward Maria, and who took it. “Because it’s time to get moving.”

The elevator stopped on the third floor. As soon as its metal doors opened, heavy clicks could be heard just before a hail of bullets began to tear its interior apart.

Wisps of dark smoke emanated from the decimated elevator, and the thick scent of the gunpowder filled the air.

They all got into formation and cautiously entered the damaged structure with their rifles clutched tightly by their side, yet their coordinated efforts were wasted as they looked up and found that their targets had already long left.

*

Pale white curtains fluttered gently in a dim room as Felix followed Maria inside.

“You are here.” He read out loud as he placed his hand on a small map on the wall of the room. “If only it told us where the data center was.”

“Since we don’t know where that is yet, I decided to take this little detour.” Maria replied as she rummaged through the metal cabinet at the corner of the room.

“And why are we here? We’re wasting time. It’s possible that the other intruder has made it into the building.” He stated stiffly.

“Treating you, my dear patient.” She replied brightly as she wore a lab coat and picked up a syringe from desk. She then shoved him towards the bed.

“P-put that down.” He whimpered out with a clear level of discomfort.

“Hmmm? What’s wrong, scared of needles?”

Felix averted his gaze, “N-no. They just… we don’t have the time for this…”

“Really?” She asked as she slowly brought the needle closer to him.

As she did, Felix’s memory flashed back to the day full screams, suffering and searing flames.

“Alright, fine. They make me uncomfortable, alright?” He conceded.

“I see… I’ll put the needle down. However, the ill must be treated!” She boldly exclaimed as she held back her chuckle.

“I told you it’s just a… ugh, alright, Doctor Marie. I’ll put my trust in you.” He let out a resigned laughter and scratched his cheek.

She took a moment to collect herself from his reply and her expression softened.

“It’s just a little first aid, you were shot after all. It’ll heal soon, but just to be sure…” Her energetic voice had turned calm as she dabbed anti-septic on him.

“Ugh… that stings... Doctor Marie, do you think it’ll leave a scar?” He closed his eyes, unaware of the glowing blue haze that began to form around his wound.

Slowly, the wound began to close itself, and left only a small, patchy red mark.

Bewildered by the light, Maria’s eyes widen as she muttered with a low voice; “So... we really are alike.”

“Hm?”

“There, all patched up. Don’t worry about it, nothing leaves a scar on us.”

She smiled as she wrapped bandages over his wound. Her gentle expression ended the conversation without any resistance. A metallic sound echoed in the room as the holographic map once again projected from Maria’s watch.

As she scoured the map, she let out a sigh, “There’s a few guards in the floor below us.”

Still sat on the bed, Felix half-heartedly muttered with a cheery smile, “Maybe we should ask for directions?”

She looked at him with an annoyed expression before changing to an annoyed grin, “Maybe you’re right.”

Maria left the room with a knife in her hand.

“W-wait, I was just joking. Huh?” He stopped as he spotted something in the corner of his eye. “Maria, look at this.”

Maria returned to his side as she looked at where he was pointing toward. “Why that, Felix, is called a wire.”

“Thank you for that wonderful insight. Anyway, you think it’s headed to the data center?” He asked as he picked up the wires from the floor.

“Or it could lead to literally anywhere else.”

“Worth a shot, right? We don’t really know where we’re going.” He said with a slight smile in an attempt at levity.

“If you’re joking, then it’s not clever” Maria deadpanned. Right afterwards, Felix grabbed her hand and pulled her into the metal cabinet in the corner of the room.

“What are you doing—?”

“Shh…” He whispered.

An old, gruff voice could be heard walking towards their direction, “Yes, sir, I’m headed my way there.”

“Yes sir, I’m here… there appears to be a mess.” The guard replied through a transmission.

“Got any more ideas from your movie?” Felix whispered as he pulled out his gun.

“Maybe…” she whispered back as she pushed his gun back down, “We’re lost and we need info. Just…close your eyes for a sec and trust me.”

As Felix closed his eyes, he grumbled as he felt his body suddenly getting wrapped in wires. Maria drew in breath and yelled out; “Help, help us!”

Felix opened his own eyes and also yelled, “H-help!”

“Sir, I think I found something. I’ll call back in a moment.”

The guard replied through the transceiver in his hand as he approached the cabinet, and as he opened it, the two agents fell straight to the floor, tangled in wires.

“Huh, what the?” The old guard scratched his head.

“H-help…”

A sweat dripped down Felix’s face as the old guard grumpily stared down at them.

“You both… what happened here?”

Maria struggled as she spoke in a soft and sultry voice, trying to warm up to the guard, “S-sir, the intruder got in and trapped us in here!”

“What were you both even still doing here? Didn’t either of you hear the alarms?” The guard expressed in an irritated curiosity as he began to untangle the wires.

“I was um… treating him, when suddenly…” She mumbled as she squirmed slightly, trying to keep her disguise hidden from the guard’s sight.

The old guard raised his eyebrow for a moment.

“Cough. Fine… fine, I get it.” The old guard grumbled in an understanding tone. “I don’t mind keeping this a secret but… It’s common knowledge not to do those things during work hours, you know.”

A vein pulsed in the temple of Felix’s head.

“D-do those things?”

“You youngsters today can’t hold it in, can you?”

The transceiver suddenly crackled, and a voice came out, “Did you find the intruder?”

“No, sir. Just a couple of lovebirds. They say they were tied up in the cabinet… yeah, kinky. Surprised the bastard didn’t kill them.”

“Kinky? Sir, I think you misunderstand. H-he was shot.”

“That makes sense... still.” Suspicious, the guard eyed them down.

Felix coughed, “Do you know where the intruder escaped to, sir?”

“Not sure, but I believe that he’s headed to the central database. But everyone all says that it’s safe there and no one can open the database anyway. Bunch of stuck-ups won’t listen to me.”

“Which is… where?” Felix added.

“Don’t you know anything? It’s in the top floor.”

“On the left wing or the right wing?”

“What’s with all these questions? Are you both—?” The old guard fell to the floor before he could even turn around to face the two as a transparent burst of light had struck him from behind.

“That was… convenient.” Felix lamented. “Why didn’t you tell me there was a guard headed here?”

“I was going to kill him, but then you distracted me, and I forgot and I panicked, okay?”

“Okay…”

“And can I ask what the fuck is up with your gun?”

“Yeah, it’s an energy gun. It was made so that I don’t accidentally kill anyone… again.”

“So then, the two guards outside…”

“Aren’t dead.”

“Huh…”

“My mentor didn’t like unnecessary killing, so I guess I picked that up.”

“I… didn’t expect that.”

There was a sudden transmission, “Hello, hello? Can you hear me, is anyone there?”

Felix picked the transceiver on the ground, “S-sir, we were shot. W-we need medical assistance, asap.”

“Medical? U-Understood. Just stay where you are.” The voice over the transmission answered.

“That should buy us a bit of time.”

“Nice acting skills.” Maria perked up with a grin.

“Guess I learned something from you.”

Without wasting time, the two agents made their way through the floors of the labyrinth building. And as they made it to the upper floors, there was a single security door guarded by two men.

Felix gestured for Maria to stay put, “Stay here. I’ll handle this.”

He aimed his gun towards the two, who had yet to notice his presence, and fired two shots at both of them men’s legs.

“Arghk!” The two yelled as they fell to their knees, but as soon as they noticed Felix, he had already rushed up towards them and struck them both from the side with a single kick. The two guard’s heads fell to the floor as they got knocked out.

“Huh, you’re really fast on your feet.” Maria commented.

“Thanks.”

“You could’ve just shot them in the head.”

“I’d rather not kill if I don’t have to.”

“Then shall I?” She smirked.

“No.”

Felix knelt down and picked up an ID from one of the guards from their uniforms and flashed it onto the door lock.

As it opened, there was a rush of cold air, much colder compared to the rest of the building.

It was dark inside, and was lit only by the glassy-black data servers that surrounded the room like a library. In the center was a single onyx black table with nothing on it, lit from behind by the fireworks that shined vibrantly from the window walls outside.

The footsteps from the lower floors were drowned out by the intensity of the colorful explosives.

Felix walked in first into the large, dark room. He was surrounded by several black machines. But Maria looked at the black glass panes with a hint of contempt as she looked at her own reflection.

“So, this is the place?” He asked as he took off the guard’s uniform, and put his black coat back on.

“Looks like it, but this set up…It’s weird to have a database on the top floor.”

With a smile on her face, Maria threw away the lab coat and walked forward and spun the leather chair on the table.

“I need to work my magic, how about you stay on guard? Unless you wanna spoil the magic trick.” She said as she pressed a small red light from the table, where a holographic projection popped out.

Felix shrugged his arms before turning around, leaning against the door.

Maria placed her hand on the screen and let out a soft hum. One by one the system’s encryptions were unlocked, and a stream of holographic circuitry flows toward the drive between her fingers.

Suddenly, an array of holographic screens suddenly popped out in front of her.

“I’m in. Now what… could I… be looking for?” She mumbled to herself.

She scrolled through countless screens. She then stopped as one of the visuals came to her view. One of them, the image of a crown. Another of an apocalyptic image where a city was engulfed by what looked like a star.

“Hmm?”

“What is it?” Felix asked as he walked up to her and looked at the screen.

“Nothing, just… The Fallen Sun incident…” She replied with a smile and moved on. “Now… what am I…?”

Felix quickly turned his head as he heard a click from behind him, “Marie, there’s someone—!”

“Get down!” She yelled as she pushed Felix to the side.

Maria quickly pulled out her knife, and sparks flew as a bullet grazed against it.

From outside the room, a thump could be heard falling onto the ground before swiftly being followed by the slow sound of someone clapping their hands together.

A voice called out from the door, “Well, well. Here I thought I was being discreet.”

The two agents watched as the blood-covered man casually stepped in. Felix’s eyebrow curled in surprise as the difference in experience soon dawned on him.

“That’s funny. I didn’t expect intruders to be here. Why don’t you two enjoy the festival outside?” The unknown man spoke as the door shut from behind them.