A dense haze clouded my vision.
I rubbed my numb face.
Tried to push away the uncomfortable feeling.
My stomach twisted.
The sour taste in my mouth made it worse.
My head throbbed.
Overwhelming hunger.
"I need to eat."
I rested my hands on the seat.
Fought the growing nausea.
"Hold on a little longer."
Kiara answered firmly.
I laid my head against the seat.
Exhaustion took over.
I don't know how much time passed,
but Kiara's muffled voice woke me.
"Put the mask on.
Akiko?
Ah, forget it."
Decisive movements.
Careful.
She adjusted the mask on my face.
Pulled me by the arm until I stepped out of the car.
"I know you need food,
but you have to help me out."
"O-okay."
I gathered the last of my strength.
Put my feet on the ground.
Still unsteady.
Took a deep breath.
"All right. Let's go."
Kiara stayed by my side.
Walked at a pace I could manage.
Dark place.
Desolate.
A parking lot.
The flickering glow of a single aerolamp.
Shadows danced.
I forced my eyes to focus.
Spotted a convenience store across the lot.
The wind hissed.
Metal groaned.
A constant hum of unseen machinery.
Was this Netheria?
Behind the counter, a bronze-chrome android.
Leaning over a holoscreen.
Its joints creaked faintly.
It adjusted a loose metal plate on its neck.
Shelves in the back—
snacks, drinks, food, electrodevices.
He looked up.
Blinked.
Flashed an exaggerated smile.
"My favorite customer!"
A high-pitched voice.
Way too artificial.
His eyes sparkled, shifting between green and gold.
"Come in!"
"Oh, knock it off, man.
You say that to everyone."
Kiara replied.
"How you doin', Berg?"
"Ah, y'know. Same as always."
He winked at Kiara, clearly trying to impress her.
Then gave me a sideways glance.
"Who's this?
New merc?"
Kiara nodded.
"Cute.
Always good to have fresh meat in the market.
Those meatheads who show up here are a pain."
He gestured theatrically.
"Other day, this lunatic tried to force his way in.
I said:
'You're not getting in, sweetheart.
To enter, you need a pass.'"
He paused dramatically.
"Did he have a pass?
Of course not!
And what did he do?"
Berg leaned over the counter.
"Pointed that nasty flamethrower at me.
What did I do?
Called Mafu to handle it."
His maniacal laughter echoed around us.
Kiara smiled.
Relaxed.
"Oh, what would you be without Mafu, huh?"
She teased.
"All right. Let's eat before we go in.
This human needs some real food.
So give her your best plate.
As for me…"
She showed a holopass.
"I'll take whatever's newest."
"As you wish."
I sat at one of the nearby tables.
Traces of burnt oil.
Concrete floor.
Radiated a tangible chill.
The rhythmic clanking of machines behind the counter blended with my racing thoughts.
Kiara joined me.
Arms crossed.
Calm expression.
Deep gaze.
"I'll wait for you to finish eating.
I need to explain some things."
Her voice carried weight.
Made me wonder what was coming.
I rested my head on the table.
Still recovering.
Trying to steady my surroundings.
Spinning.
I lifted my head with difficulty.
"How do I eat with this mask?"
My voice was weak.
And a bit frustrated.
"Left side.
There's a button.
Press it…"
She pointed.
I followed the instruction.
The front slid open smoothly, leaving space for my mouth.
Right then, Berg appeared with a full plate.
Golden fried fish.
Crispy fries.
Seasoned beans.
Steaming sauce.
The irresistible smell made me eat without hesitation.
Every bite was relief for my empty stomach.
"You kept this poor thing in captivity?
Cruel."
Berg commented.
A sharp sense of humor.
He turned his attention to a holoscreen.
Projected a weapons catalog.
Accessories.
Combat gear.
"These just arrived."
He tapped the hologram.
Excited.
A weapon materialized in front of us.
So realistic that for a second,
I thought it was physical.
Kiara picked it up naturally.
Spun it.
Examined it from every angle.
Berg adjusted a loose gear on his arm.
"Unlike your CA-12, this beauty's South Korean.
Straight from the workshop.
Only three in existence.
The tech increases precision.
Guides your hand straight to the target.
I call it Flesh-Ripper."
"Wasn't Flesh-Ripper that Hatsan 12 shotgun?"
Kiara raised an eyebrow.
Suspicious.
Berg stopped laughing.
"That thing did so much damage!
The room they tested it in was covered in meat.
Organs.
Blood everywhere.
I'm talking about a chamber—"
"—sixty square meters."
Yeah, you already said.
She rolled her eyes.
"Show me a sniper rifle."
He tapped again.
The weapon in Kiara's hand vanished.
Another appeared in its place.
Completely black.
Elegant.
Lethal.
The android peered through the scope.
The rifle lit up.
Detailed holograms.
Displays highlighted its precision.
"This baby is called I'll Devour You.
Two kilometers per second per shot.
Range of three and a half thousand meters.
It's the most lethal weapon on the market.
Guess what?"
His eyes sparkled at the dramatic pause.
"Came straight from Russia.
Trix brought it in.
That one knows her stuff."
Fiiuuu… ♪
Kiara whistled low.
Impressed.
"Nice. I'll take it.
My CA-12 never let me down, but that SVCAK-17Z was destroyed on my last mission."
There was a tinge of regret in her tone.
"Perfect."
Berg grinned mischievously.
Excited about the sale.
"And what about our little darling here?
Gonna keep that half-assed revolver?"
"Yes. It's enough."
Kiara answered before I could open my mouth.
I nodded, pretending to agree.
But my attention was split.
Between the almost-empty plate and the discomfort of that whole conversation.
"Well, suit yourself."
Berg shrugged.
Returned to the counter.
Heavy steps.
Kiara turned to me.
Watched me closely.
"Better?"
"Yes.
Delicious.
Thank you."
I pressed the button.
The mask closed.
"Good."
She smiled.
Subtle.
"Now, the first thing you need to know:
Everything that's forbidden in Zenith is allowed in Netheria.
But that doesn't mean chaos.
The Mother rules the right side—Vermina.
The Father rules the left—Solterra.
Together, they control Netheria."
She paused.
Making sure I was following.
"The Tentro is a neutral area.
Where killing is forbidden."
She leaned forward.
Elbows on the table.
Eyes serious.
"You'll see people with contracts on their names, but we don't have to worry about that.
No one can hunt anyone there.
It's a safe zone."
Safe.
I absorbed the weight of her words.
Every syllable, a warning.
"We're going to talk to the Mother or the Father.
Find out how to rescind your contract.
I wanted to avoid this, but we've reached that point.
I need you to keep your composure.
Even more than in No Man's Land."
Her gray eyes met mine.
Grave.
Piercing.
"If there's even the slightest suspicion…
If they sense who you really are…
Things could get ugly."
I nodded, but a knot tightened in my chest.
Did I really understand it all?
"I figured we might have to come here.
That's why I told Takashi we'd be delayed."
She smiled, trying to reassure me.
"He said everyone is safe back there."
Relief flowed through me.
Knowing they were okay…
it eased part of the tension that suffocated me.
"Did they finish the scan?"
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Reflex of anxiety.
"Hey, hey.
Let's focus on your situation first."
She gestured.
Patient. Firm.
"If everything goes well…
We'll see them soon.
Now…"
The air around us shifted.
Cold.
Freezing.
It filled the space.
More than temperature—
It was a warning.
A shiver ran through me.
Every hair on my body stood on end.
A signal of imminent danger.
Shadows moved.
Something fell from the roof.
Landed lightly.
Walked toward us.
I strained my eyes.
Tried to see better.
Tall.
Long black coat.
Hood covering the face.
Dark trousers.
Combat boots.
The sound echoed on the concrete.
A citrus scent perfumed the air.
"Well, well."
Raspy voice.
Hypnotic.
He laughed.
A sinister laugh.
He stepped out of the shadows.
Pulled back the hood.
Slightly.
My eyes widened.
"Kiarinha ♪, revealing our secrets to strangers?"
"Secrets everyone already knows,"
Kiara replied, uninterested.
Defiant.
He smiled, relaxed.
Charm dancing on his lips.
"You're right."
His eyes met mine.
Fierce.
Inquisitive.
Half his hair was dark brown.
Half white.
Messy waves, trimmed at the back, framing striking features.
But his aura…
Petrified me.
Something about his presence paralyzed me completely.
Even though it felt familiar, all I could feel was pure fear.
Instinctive.
They looked so alike.
Those amber eyes…
Identical to hers.
Maia's brother.
"You."
His voice, hissing.
Intense, like a sentence.
"We finally meet…
You have no idea how long I've waited for this moment, Akiko."
SaymonInactive Aurum Mercenary28 cycles
I wanted to step back, but my legs wouldn't move.
My body ignored my brain's signals.
I was a statue under those golden eyes.
"You've been to Nobody's Land?"
Kiara crossed her arms.
"Of course.
You know how it works.
The Mother always wants to make sure.
A level one contract must be fulfilled."
He took a step closer.
Eyes locked on me, though his words were directed at Kiara.
"Let's cut to the chase.
Did Maia leave you anything?
Specifically…
A watch and a compass?"
My mind raced.
I avoided moving my hands at all costs.
The objects were in my pockets.
I couldn't give anything away.
Kiara shook her head.
Calm as ever.
Saymon closed his eyes.
Tilted his head back.
Sighed.
Almost theatrical.
"Alright."
He opened his eyes.
Fixed on me.
Full of something I couldn't decipher.
"Akiko, Akiko… ♪"
"Don't waste our time."
Kiara cut in, impatient.
"Hey, relax."
He raised his hands.
The smile returned.
"I just want to have a few words with our friend.
After all…
I really wanted to meet the person who… stole my little sister's heart."
The words caught in my throat.
"I-I—"
He interrupted me.
A simple hand gesture.
"Listen."
His enigmatic smile grew wider.
Perfect teeth.
But something cold lurked behind that friendly facade,
just like Maia.
That chill in the eyes.
Only in him…
It was much worse.
More brutal.
I gripped the edge of the table.
Cold sweat ran down my temple.
"What if we helped each other, hmm?"
His amber eyes gleamed.
Pure malice.
"No one would have to know about her.
In return…
You help me find something very important."
Kiara rolled her eyes.
"What do you want?"
Saymon slipped his hand into his coat.
Pulled out a Joker card.
The drawings glowed neon magenta.
They pulsed.
He handed it to Kiara.
"Help me find what this key opens.
Once I do…
I'll come back to you."
His piercing eyes turned to me again.
"And as for you…
What I enjoy most about the hunt…
Is watching the prey when it's cornered."
Predatory tone.
Smirk curled on his lips.
Amber eyes gleamed.
A final look.
He turned away.
Vanished into the darkness.
Leaving behind the echo of his footsteps…
And the weight of his presence.
I swallowed hard.
Heart racing.
Trying to process what had just happened.
He looked almost identical to her.
That overwhelming presence.
That stare…
I could barely breathe.
Let alone follow the conversation.
A chill ran through me.
A sharp voice snapped me back.
Berg returned.
Carrying the weapon Kiara had chosen.
"Girl, I froze back there.
What a man, huh?"
He seemed torn.
Admiration.
Fear.
"That Saymon gives me chills.
Still, I'd give anything to see what he's capable of.
If you know what I mean.
Heard all kinds of things…"
"Spare us, please."
Kiara grimaced in disgust.
Huh?
Did he really mean that?
I was intrigued.
"I had no idea androids could feel desire…
Towards humans."
Berg let out a sharp laugh.
"Oh, darling.
Then you know nothing about us."
Provocative tone.
Mysterious.
It made me shy.
"Anyway, here's your weapon.
Now, excuse me.
Back to my duties.
Your access is clear."
"Thanks."
Kiara waved casually.
The android returned to the counter.
She turned to me.
"I knew he'd show up, but not this soon.
Saymon is known as the one who sees all.
Works for the Mother and the Father.
And he also knows…"
Kiara waved a hand.
Dismissive.
"Nah.
For now, we don't need to worry about him."
Easy for her to say.
Nothing in me believed that.
Those amber eyes.
The coldness hiding something far fiercer…
It shook me to see how much they resembled each other.
"What is this card?"
I pointed to the Joker.
"It's a key."
Kiara examined the object.
"Based on my readings…
It has a governmental algorithm from the Aether Network.
I don't know exactly what it opens, but I know where to start looking.
We can handle that later."
She raised her arms like she was stretching.
"We?"
I raised an eyebrow.
Wary.
"Of course.
I'm gonna take advantage of you a bit.
After all, the place is in Zenith."
Kiara chuckled softly.
Stored the weapon in the car.
"But let's not worry about that now.
We've got things to do.
Ready?"
"As ready as I can be?"
I forced a smile.
Tried to hide the nerves.
"Ah, relax.
Netheria isn't what Zenith makes it out to be.
You'll like it."
We headed toward the back of the building.
The atmosphere shifted.
My muscles tensed.
I heard a low growl.
It turned into a roar.
Echoed through the empty space.
A single flickering light.
Darkness seemed to swallow everything around us.
I wanted to turn back.
Kiara grabbed my arm.
A monstrous lion emerged from the shadows.
Its legs—mechanical nanoprosthetics.
Wires ran across its body.
A sinister entanglement.
It sniffed us from head to toe.
Its gaze assessed our every move.
I held my breath.
Frozen.
The creature turned.
Vanished back into the dark.
"That's Mafu.
He wasn't going to attack."
Kiara kept walking.
Unbothered.
"R-right…
Good to know."
My heart still pounded wildly.
Aerolamps lit the path every hundred meters.
Casting swaying shadows that danced.
Unsettling.
But Kiara's presence was an anchor.
Brought some sense of safety.
The events in Nobody's Land still pressed on my heart.
So many questions piled up.
I knew I had to wait for the right moment.
They would be answered.
And him…
Her brother.
Saymon's image still lingered like a shadow.
I didn't have time to deal with those emotions now.
I had to keep going.
São Paulo's aerohighways loomed above us.
We descended toward an entry.
Meters below Centrália's main highway.
Between two buildings with pulsing neon signs…
A portal emerged.
It radiated an almost tangible energy.
A chill ran down my spine.
Netheria.
A total taboo for Zenithians.
No one even considered crossing that border.
But everyone knew.
In silence.
If Zenith remained intact…
It was because Netheria existed.
I fought the hesitation pulling me back.
Lifted my chin with resolve.
"We've arrived."
Kiara smiled.
Opened her arms like she was presenting a show.
"Welcome to Netheria."