The air felt lighter outside. Too light. Vex turned slightly, ready to head back to the hidden room.
One step. Then, her foot slipped slightly. "…What?" She lost her balance for a second but quickly steadied herself. "…Tch."
Her gaze dropped. "…Something's here." The grass beneath her was uneven. Not natural.
She bent down slowly, careful of her wound, and pressed against the raised patch. Click. A faint mechanical sound echoed.
Then, behind her, the wall of leaves shifted. Split. Opening like a hidden door. Vex turned immediately. Her brows lifted slightly.
"…Wow." A small chuckle escaped her. "How many hidden places does he even have?" A beat. Her expression hardened again. "…Focus, Vex."
She stepped forward carefully. Through the opening. The space revealed itself slowly.
An archery range is clean. Precise. Targets lined up. Bows arranged neatly. And beside it, a horse stable. Strong, well-kept horses are shifting slightly in place. Calm. Elegant.
Vex blinked. "…Wow." A pause. "…Impressive." She walked further in, eyes scanning every detail.
Then, she froze. "…Wait." Her gaze sharpened. "…Why does this feel familiar?" A step forward. "…This layout…" Her voice lowered. "…I've seen this before."
A memory flickered. Sketches. Lines drawn across paper. A design. Her design. "…This is…" Her eyes widened slightly. "…the same as my notebook."
Silence. "…Did he see it?" A pause. "…Did he take it?"
Her expression darkened. "No." She shook her head slightly. "…Impossible." A beat. "That notebook disappeared…" Her voice lowered. "…right after his 'death' three years ago."
Silence settled around her. Heavy. Suspicious. "…So, what is this?" A step forward. Her fingers brushed lightly across the bow rack. "…Coincidence?" A pause. "…Or planned?"
Then, a small smile appeared. Unexpected. "…Whatever." A soft exhale. "I like it."
She looked around again. The archery ranges. The stable. The open space. "…Feels like something I imagined." A beat. "…Like my dream came true."
Her smile faded slightly. "…Even if it's inside this nonsense game."
Vex stood there, in a place that felt like hers. But wasn't. Because someone had been watching her longer than she realized. And maybe, this wasn't just his world. It was built with hers. Maybe...
--------------------------
After the game ended, Raven leaned slightly toward Noxis. "…Send them to the their room." A pause. "And don't forget the earpieces." Noxis nodded once. Raven smirked faintly, then walked away. He had already received the signal. Phantom was calling...
[GUEST ROOM]
The door opened. Blitz walked in first, stretching her arms. "…Finally." A beat. "A proper place to rest."
Specter followed behind, still alert and observing. Noxis stepped in after them. He paused for a moment, then cleared his throat softly.
"…Before I forget." He took out two small devices. Ear pieces. "This is for you." He handed them over. "They can reach up to ten kilometers."
A pause. "So keep them well and use them at all times."
Blitz's eyes lit up immediately. "…Wow." She turned it in her hand. "This is my first time seeing something like this." A grin. "…Nice. This is cool."
She suddenly raised her hand toward Noxis. "…High five."
Silence. Noxis didn't move. Didn't understand.
Blitz blinked. "…You don't know this?" A beat. "…Seriously?"
Without waiting, she grabbed his hand and clapped it against hers herself. "…There." A satisfied nod. "Done."
Specter burst out laughing. "…That's just how she is." A pause. "…Just go along with it."
She took the earpiece. "…Anyway, thank you." Her brows lifted slightly. A small, polite expression.
Noxis nodded. "…Alright." He turned slightly, then paused "…Sleep well." As he passed Specter, his hand moved lightly brushing her hair back. Subtle. Almost unnoticeable. Then, he left.
Silence. Then, Specter turned. "…You're really that casual with him?"
Blitz shrugged. "…Why?" A beat. "Did I do something wrong?" She waved it off. "...Whatever."
Specter sighed. "…I'm going to shower first." While bend her body, "My body feels sticky after that game."
Blitz smirked. "…Of course." A beat. "You won." She crossed her arms. "…Must feel good beating me again, huh?"
Specter grinned. "…That's right." A laugh escaped her, as she quickly ran toward the bathroom. Before Blitz could react.
Blitz froze. Then, "…LISA!" She pointed dramatically. "You're asking for it!" A grin spread across her face. "Just wait." A beat. "I'll train harder." She laughed. "…I'm definitely beating you next time."
The room filled with laughter. Light. Carefree. Like nothing was wrong. But outside, everything was already moving. Phantom. Raven. Noxis.
And Vex walking deeper into a truth, she wasn't ready to face.
[AIDEN'S MANSION – LOWER BASEMENT]
The corridor was quiet. Dim lights. Cold walls.
Raven walked in, hands in his pockets. Relaxed. But his eyes sharp. Always calculating. He stopped in front of a metal door. Didn't knock. Just pushed it open.
[CONTROL ROOM]
Screens flickered softly. Security feeds. Movement trackers. And in the center, Phantom. Standing still. Watching.
"…You called." Raven's voice broke the silence. Phantom didn't turn.
"…They're settled?" A pause. "Blitz and Specter."
Raven leaned casually against the wall. "…Yeah." A small smirk. "Your 'guests' are comfortable." A beat. "For now."
Phantom's eyes remained on the screen. "…Good." Silence lingered.
Then, Raven's tone shifted. Less playful. "…You're getting soft."
That finally made Phantom turn. Slowly. "…Careful." His voice low. "Don't cross the line."
Raven didn't move. Didn't back down. "…You kept her alive." A step forward. "You brought her here." A pause. "…And you're watching her like she's not your enemy."
Phantom's expression didn't change. "…She's still part of the mission."
Raven scoffed lightly. "…You really want me to believe that?" A beat. "…You never lie well when it comes to her."
Silence. Heavy. Phantom stepped closer. "…Watch your words." Raven smirked. "…Or what?" A pause. "You'll kill me too?"
Phantom stopped. Close enough now. "…If I have to."
Raven's smile faded just slightly. "…You won't." A beat. "Because you still need me." Phantom didn't deny it.
"…Blitz is unstable," Raven continued. His voice lower now. "…Her memories are coming back." A pause. "And if she finds out everything..."
"She won't." Phantom cut him off. Cold. Certain.
Raven's eyes narrowed. "…You're sure about that?" Phantom turned away. Looking back at the screens. "…That's why you're here."
A pause. "…Keep her under control."
Raven let out a quiet breath. "…You mean control her."
Phantom didn't respond. "…You're no different from Brandon," Raven added quietly.
That hit. But Phantom didn't show it. "…Don't compare me to him." His voice sharper now.
Raven watched him. Carefully. "…Then don't act like him."
Silence filled the room again. Phantom spoke first. "…What about Noxis?"
Raven smirked again, but this time, slightly amused. "…He's interested."
A pause. "In Specter." Phantom's gaze flickered, just briefly. "…That's a problem."
Raven chuckled. "…Or an advantage." Phantom didn't reply. But his mind, was already moving.
Two men. Standing in the same room. On the same side, but not trusting each other. Because in this game, even allies are temporary.
--------------------
Morning light filtered softly through the glass. Quiet. Too peaceful. Until, Blitz suddenly sat up from bed. "…Okay." A beat. "…I can't sleep anymore."
She stretched. Then turned, "Wake up, Lisa." No response. Blitz frowned.
"Come onnn…" A pause. "Train with me." Specter groaned under the blanket. "…Go by yourself."
"…I'm still sleepy." Blitz pouted. "Come on, Lisa…" A softer tone now. "I'm bored."
A beat. "Ever since Vex disappeared in that mansion…" Her voice dropped slightly. "I don't have anyone to train with anymore."
Silence. Then, "…Fine." Specter sat up slowly. "…You're annoying." A pause. "Let me shower first." She pointed at Blitz. "You wait."
Blitz grinned. "…Yes, ma'am."
[ARCHERY AREA]
They stepped back into the range. Same place. Same targets. But not the same feeling.
Specter suddenly stopped walking. "…Wait." Blitz turned. "What?"
Specter's eyes narrowed slightly. "…I think I see Ran." A pause. "…Isn't that her?"
Blitz squinted. "…Huh?" She leaned forward. "…No way." A beat. "She's supposed to be in the mansion." Another pause. "…Or…" Her eyes widened. "…you might be right."
Without thinking, Blitz rushed forward. Fast. Direct. "HEY!"
Blitz shouted, jumping right behind the figure. "Hahhhh... who are you?!"
Vex turned instantly, sharp. Instinct kicking in. Her body shifted, into a combat stance. Ready. Dangerous. Then, she froze.
"…Xara?" A beat. "…It's you." She exhaled slightly. "…You startled me." Then, her eyes shifted past Blitz and widened. "…Wait."
"…What are you doing here?"
Specter stepped closer now. Calm, but clearly shocked. "…Ran…" A pause. "…You're really here?"
Vex's eyes flickered between them. "…Lisa…" Silence. "…You're here too?" Blitz crossed her arms immediately. "…Yeah, we are." A step closer. "And YOU..." She pointed at Vex.
"…what are YOU doing here?" A beat. "Aren't you supposed to be inside the mansion??"
Vex hesitated, just for a second. "…I...." Then stopped. Specter narrowed her eyes.
"…Something's wrong." A step forward. "…You're injured."
Blitz froze. "…Wait." Her eyes dropped, to Vex's chest. "…You got shot?!" Vex didn't answer. But that silence, was enough.
Blitz's expression changed instantly. "…Who did this?" A beat. "…Was it Phantom?"
Silence. Heavy. Specter stepped closer. "…Ran." Her voice softer now. "…What's going on?"
Vex looked at them. Her team. Her people. For the first time, she didn't have a ready answer...
TBC