[RED VEIL TRAINING ROOM]
The hall was quiet but not for long.
"…You missed that shot."
"I did NOT miss," Blitz snapped, spinning her weapon casually in her hand.
Specter leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "You hit the wall."
"That was intentional."
"…The wall was your target?"
Blitz paused. "… Yes."
Specter stared at her. "…You're unbelievable."
Blitz grinned. "And yet, I'm still better than you."
Specter raised an eyebrow. "…Want to test that again?"
Blitz stepped forward instantly. "Anytime."
The tension lasted about two seconds. Then, they both laughed.
"…We almost died, and you're still like this," Specter muttered.
"Relax," Blitz waved it off. "We survived. That's what matters." A pause.
"…Barely," Specter added.
The door suddenly slid open. Both of them turned.
Helen stepped in. Calm. Composed. Professional. "Blitz."
Blitz straightened slightly. "…Yeah?"
"Vex wants to see you."
A pause. "…Me?"
Helen nodded. "At her office."
Blitz frowned slightly. "…That's weird."
Specter tilted her head. "You're in trouble."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
Helen cleared her throat softly. "…Now."
Blitz sighed. "Fine." She grabbed her jacket. "Wish me luck."
"You'll need it," Specter replied calmly.
Blitz rolled her eyes. "…Rude."
[OUTSIDE VEX'S OFFICE]
Blitz walked down the hallway with Helen. Her mind was already questioning everything.
"…Why does this feel suspicious?" They stopped in front of the office door.
Blitz lifted her head and froze. "…You again?"
Zander stood beside the door. Arms crossed. Relaxed. Like he'd been waiting.
Blitz narrowed her eyes. "You're always wherever I am." A step closer. "Are you looking for trouble or something?"
Zander let out a small scoff. "I don't have time to look for trouble with you." A pause. "I'm here because Vex called me."
Blitz blinked. "…She called you too?"
Her expression shifted slightly. "…What's going on with Rania?"
A beat. "Is something important happening? Why would she call you here as well?"
She crossed her arms. "Whatever," a small shrug. "As long as you don't interfere with my work."
Zander didn't reply. He just smirked. Watching her. Like he already knew something she didn't.
Helen stepped forward. "You can go in now." A pause. "Vex is waiting for both of you."
The door slid open slowly. And just like that, something bigger was about to begin.
-----------------------------------
Vex stood still for a moment before speaking. "Come in."
Zander stepped inside first. Blitz followed behind him, arms crossed, already annoyed.
"This better not be another boring briefing," Blitz muttered.
Vex didn't answer her. Her eyes were on him. "…You came."
Zander tilted his head slightly. "You asked." A pause.
Blitz looked between them. "…Okay, what is going on?" Silence. Then,
"I'm assigning you both to a mission."
Blitz blinked. "…Both?"
Zander smirked. "Well, this just got interesting."
Vex stepped forward.
"Zander's codename for this operation is ..." A brief pause. "RAVEN."
Blitz snorted. "Raven? Seriously?"
Zander leaned closer to her slightly. "Better than Blitz."
"Say that again."
"Blitz."
"…I'm going to hit you."
"Focus." Vex's voice cut through instantly. Silence fell.
"This mission is off-record," Vex continued. "No communication with headquarters."
Blitz frowned. "…That's unusual."
"It's necessary." A pause.
"You leave in one hour."
Blitz blinked again. "…Wait... what?"
"That fast?"
Zander watched Vex carefully. "…What's the real objective?"
Their eyes met. And in that moment, he understood. This wasn't just a mission.
Vex stepped closer to him. Just enough, so Blitz couldn't hear.
Her voice dropped. "…Protect her."
Zander didn't react. "…I already do."
Vex's gaze hardened. "…Not enough. "
A beat. "You will keep her away from this operation." Silence.
Zander's expression shifted slightly. "…This is about Phantom. "Not a question. A fact.
Vex didn't deny it. "…If she gets involved," she continued quietly, "she won't walk away."
Zander's jaw tightened. "…And you will?"
A pause. "…That's not your concern."
Another step closer. Her voice is colder now. "…If anything happens to her..." A beat.
"…I will kill her myself." Silence.
Zander froze. Not from fear. From understanding. "…You're serious."
Vex's eyes didn't waver. "I don't give second chances." A long pause.
"…And you chose me because...?"
Vex's gaze flicked briefly toward Blitz. Then back to him. "… Because you won't let anything happen to her. " Silence. "…You care." That landed. Harder than anything else.
Zander looked away slightly. "…That's none of your business."
"...It is now."
Another pause. "…Do your job, Raven. " A beat. "…Or I will."
Blitz leaned against the wall, watching them suspiciously. "… Are you two done whispering secrets?"
Zander turned back toward her. A smirk returns. "Miss me already?"
Blitz rolled her eyes. "I regret coming here."
"Too late. You're stuck with me."
"…I hate this mission already."
"You love it."
"I don't."
"You do."
Blitz grabbed a nearby file and threw it at him. "Shut up."
Vex stood still. Watching them. Blitz. Laughing. Arguing. Alive. Zander. Annoying. But reliable.
A small breath escaped her. "…Stay alive," she murmured under her breath. Not to them. To herself.
Because the mission she was about to walk into had no guarantee.
And this time, she wouldn't have anyone to protect her.
--------------------
The mission was supposed to be simple. Infiltrate. Extract. Leave.
That's what Vex said. That's what the file said. That's what Raven told her.
But Blitz knew better. "Something's off," she muttered, scanning the dim corridor.
Raven walked beside her, hands relaxed, eyes sharp. "You always say that."
"Because I'm always right."
A pause. "…Fair."
They reached the target room.
Blitz pushed the door open, empty. She froze. "…No way." Raven stepped in, already scanning. No movement. No target. No mission.
"…We're late?" Blitz frowned.
Raven didn't answer. Because he already knew.
"Raven," she called. Still silence. Her eyes narrowed. "…You knew."
He finally looked at her. "…Blitz."
"Don't." Her voice dropped. "Don't say my name like that." A step closer. "This mission is fake, isn't it?"
Silence. "That's why you didn't want to explain earlier." Her chest tightened. "You're hiding something."
Raven exhaled slowly. "…It's not what you think."
Blitz laughed. A short, sharp sound. "Then what is it?" No answer. That was enough. "…You're lying." Her voice cracked slightly.
But she didn't stop. "…Is this Vex's order?" A flicker. There. Blitz saw it. "…So it is."
Raven stepped forward. "Listen to me..."
"NO." She shoved him back slightly.
"You knew this wasn't real." A pause. "And you still brought me here." Her eyes burned now. "…Why?" Silence.
Because the truth was something he couldn't say. "…To keep you safe." The words slipped out anyway.
Blitz froze. "…From what?"
A beat. "…From Vex." Silence. Heavy. Dangerous.
"…What did you just say?"
Raven immediately shook his head. "That's not what I meant."
"You just said it." Her voice dropped.
"…Explain."
He looked away. "…I can't." That broke it.
Blitz stepped forward and punched him. Hard.
Raven staggered back slightly. Silence. Blitz shook her hand slightly.
"…Sorry," she said coldly. "It hurts, right?" A pause. "…Serves you right."
Raven straightened slowly. Then, he smiled. "…It's okay." A beat. "…I kind of like it."
Blitz blinked. "…What??"
"…Are you sick??" She stared at him like he had lost his mind. "…Crazy guy."
Raven chuckled softly. "…Crazy to you only, pumpkin."
Blitz made a disgusted face immediately. "Hey, so gross to hear that."
She turned away dramatically. "Go away." A pause. "I'm going back"
"…Don't bother me."
Raven watched her quietly. Still smiling. But his eyes weren't. Because deep down, he knew.
She was getting closer. To the truth. To Vex. To everything, that was about to break. And next time, he might not be able to stop her.
Blitz didn't stop. "I'm going back now," she snapped, grabbing her gear.
Raven leaned against the wall, watching her quietly. "…That's not a good idea."
Blitz scoffed. "Yeah? And trusting you is?"
No answer. That said everything.
She turned sharply, heading for the exit. "I'm done playing your stupid games."
"Blitz..."
"Don't." She didn't look back. "I'll figure it out myself." Her steps were fast. Determined. Too determined.
Raven exhaled slowly. "…You really don't make this easy."
A pause. Then he moved. Fast. Silent.
Before Blitz could react, his hand came up pressing firmly against the back of her neck. A precise strike.
"…!" Her body tensed. "…You..." The word didn't finish. Her vision blurred. Then darkness.
She collapsed. Raven caught her instantly. Careful.
"…Sorry, pumpkin," he murmured softly. His voice low. Almost gentle.
"I have to do this." A pause. "…Don't hate me, okay?"
Blitz didn't answer. She couldn't.
The cold air hit as Raven stepped out, carrying her in his arms. The world was quiet again. Too quiet.
He opened the car door, carefully placing her inside, adjusting her position. Making sure she was comfortable. Even now. Even like this.
He hesitated. Just for a second. His hand hovered near her face. Then, slowly pulled away. "…You'll understand later." But even he didn't sound convinced.
The engine started. The car moved through empty roads. City lights faded behind them. Darkness took over.
Blitz remained unconscious. Still. Silent.
Raven's grip tightened slightly on the steering wheel. "…You were never supposed to get involved." A pause. "…None of you were."
His eyes flickered briefly to the rearview mirror. Checking. Watching. Like he expected someone to follow. Or something.
[SECRET LOCATION]
The car stopped. Far from the city. Far from the organization. A hidden place.
Quiet. Isolated. Safe.
Raven stepped out. Opened the door. And lifted Blitz again. Effortless. Careful. Like she wasn't just someone he was protecting, but someone he couldn't afford to lose.
Inside, dim lights. Minimal space. Secure.
He laid her down gently. Pulled a blanket over her. Stepped back. Watching her. Silent.
"…You're going to hate me for this." A small breath. "…But it's better than losing you." A pause. His expression darkened. "…Like last time."
Blitz stirred slightly. Not awake. But not fully gone either. "…Raven…" she murmured faintly.
He froze. For a second, his guard dropped. "…I'm here." Soft. Unintentional. Real.
But she didn't hear it. Because the moment passed, and silence returned. Again...
--------------------
The night was still. Too still. Wind brushed softly against the windows, carrying a faint chill through the quiet space. Outside, darkness stretched endlessly, no city lights, no passing cars. Just silence.
Inside the room, a dim lamp glowed softly at the corner. Warm. Almost comforting.
Blitz lay motionless on the bed. Her breathing was steady. Slow. But her brows slightly furrowed. Even in unconsciousness, her body refused to relax completely.
A faint bruise began to form at the back of her neck. The result of a precise strike. Clean. Controlled. Not meant to hurt, just enough to stop her.
Zander stood near the door. Arms crossed. Silent. His eyes didn't leave her.
"…You always rush in," he murmured quietly. A pause. "…Just like before."
He stepped closer. Slow. Careful. Not as Raven. Not as the man teasing her earlier. Just Zander.
He adjusted the blanket slightly over her. "…You never listen." A small breath escaped him. "…That's what makes it hard."
He looked away. Because staying there, watching her made things worse.
Minutes turned into hours. The room grew quieter. Only the soft ticking of a clock.
And the occasional sound of wind outside. From the kitchen, a faint scent began to drift. Warm. Sweet. Comforting.
Blitz stirred. Her fingers twitched slightly. Then slowly, her eyes opened.
"…Ugh…" Her hand moved to the back of her neck. "Aww… that hurts…"
She winced. "Who did that, huh??"
Her eyes narrowed. "…Seriously… someone's asking for a punch."
Then, she paused. Sniff. "…Hmm?" Her expression shifted.
"What is that smell…?" She inhaled again. "…It smells good." Food.
Her stomach responded immediately. "…Okay… now I'm hungry."
She pushed herself up slowly, still slightly dizzy "…Where am I?" Her gaze moved around the room. "This isn't my dorm…"
A pause. "Wait… wasn't I with Zander earlier?" Her eyes narrowed. "…Was it him who knocked me out?"
A beat. "Eiii… he's dead."
She swung her legs off the bed. "…Where is he?" No answer. The room was empty. "…Not here?"
Her eyes shifted, and landed on the small table beside the bed. A photo frame. She reached for it.
"…Wait." Her expression changed. "…That's me." A younger version of her. Hair in two braids. Smiling.
"…Why is my picture here?" Her grip tightened slightly. "…What kind of person keeps my photo in their room…?"
A pause. "…That's creepy." She stood up immediately. "…Okay, I should leave."
Her feet touched the cold tiled floor, white and green. Each step, careful.
She reached the door. Her hand turned the knob slowly. "…Oh."
"It's not locked." She placed a hand dramatically on her chest. "Lucky me."
She peeked outside. Left. Right. No one. "…Line clear." A small grin.
Then, she stepped out. The scent hit her again. Stronger now. "…Food."
A pause. "…Okay, maybe I eat first…"
Then her eyes narrowed. "…then I deal with him."
And just like that, Blitz followed the scent, straight into the unknown.
Step by step, until she reached the kitchen. And then, she froze.
A man stood there. Facing the stove. Wearing only knee-length shorts… and an apron. No shirt.
Blitz blinked. "…What."
She slowly tiptoed forward. Quiet. Careful. Her hand lifted, pretending to hold an invisible gun, aimed at his back.
"Don't move," she whispered. "You're surrounded."
A low chuckle reached her ears. "Oh… my pumpkin is already awake." The man turned.
Blitz's eyes widened. "…Zander. It's you."
Her gaze instinctively dropped, just for a second, to his body. "…Oh." Then immediately snapped back up.
What am I thinking?? Why does he look... STOP.
Blitz cleared her throat, forcing herself to focus.
"…You're the one who knocked me out, right?" she snapped. "What's wrong with you?!"
Zander leaned casually against the counter. Completely unbothered.
"Sit first, pumpkin." He smirked slightly. "I know I'm hot, right?"
Blitz made a disgusted face immediately. "Can you not be so full of yourself? That's gross."
Zander laughed softly. "…Still the same."
Blitz crossed her arms. "Answer me." A pause. "Why am I here?"
Zander didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned back to the stove. Stirring something slowly. "…You were about to go back," he said calmly.
"So?" Blitz snapped.
"So," he replied, glancing at her over his shoulder, "I stopped you."
Her eyes narrowed. "…You knocked me out."
"Yes."
"…You're insane."
"Maybe." A pause. "But you're safe." Silence.
Blitz blinked. "…Safe from what?"
Zander turned off the stove. "…From things you're not ready to know."
That annoyed her instantly. "Oh, I'm not ready?" she scoffed. "Who are you to decide that?"
Zander walked toward her. Slow. Calm. But his eyes, serious now. "…Someone who doesn't want to lose you." That hit.
Blitz froze for a second. Then, "…Don't say things like that." Her voice softened, just slightly. Then hardened again. "And don't call me 'pumpkin'."
Zander smirked. "…Noted." A pause. "…Sit."
Blitz hesitated. Then, sat down anyway. "…If this is poisoned, I swear..."
"It's not."
"…Good."
She took a bite. Silence. Then, "…Okay, this is actually good."
Zander smiled faintly. "I know."
Blitz pointed at him. "Don't get used to compliments."
"…Too late."
She rolled her eyes. But didn't stop eating.
Outside, the wind moved quietly. Inside, two people sat across from each other. Arguing. Eating. Pretending. Like nothing was wrong.
But deep down, Blitz knew. This place. This man. This situation was hiding something. And this time, She wasn't going to let it stay hidden.
Blitz leaned back in her chair, arms crossed after finishing her food. "…So," she said, narrowing her eyes at him. "How long do I have to stay here?"
Zander tilted his head slightly. A faint smirk forming. "…You don't like staying with me?"
Blitz immediately made a face. "Don't flatter yourself."
A pause. "I just don't like being kidnapped."
Zander chuckled softly. "Strong word."
"It is what you did." A beat. "…Temporary protection," he corrected.
Blitz scoffed. "Sounds like the same thing."
Zander leaned against the counter again. Watching her. "…Just a few days."
Her eyes narrowed further. "…For what?" Silence.
Zander didn't answer.
That annoyed her instantly. "You're hiding something again."
"…Yes."
Blitz blinked. "…You're admitting it now?"
Zander shrugged. "You already know."
A pause. Blitz leaned forward slightly. "…Does this have something to do with Vex?"
That, made him stop. Just for a second. Blitz caught it. "…So it does."
Zander exhaled slowly. "…Eat properly. Get some rest."
"Don't change the topic."
"I'm not." A pause. "I'm keeping you alive." Silence.
Blitz stared at him. Long. "…From what?"
Zander looked away. "…From her choices." That landed. Heavy.
Blitz's expression slowly shifted. "…What is she doing?" No answer. Again.
Blitz clicked her tongue. "…Fine." She stood up. "If you're not going to tell me..."
A step closer to him. "I'll find out myself."
Zander didn't stop her. But his voice came low. "…You won't like what you find."
Blitz smirked slightly. "I never do." A beat. "…That's the fun part."
Zander watched her. And for the first time, he didn't smile. Because this time, she was getting too close...
TBC