The lights kept flickering for about ten more minutes.
But then out of nowhere...
... Everything returned to normal?
Akio didn't hear a scream nor an announcement.
*They must be gone. But what did they do here to begin with?*
After about five minutes Makoto left the room, deciding to see what had happened outside.
Akio was thinking to himself silently. He didn't know what else to do, when suddenly the door flew open, startling him.
In came Kouya with Ermina nowhere to be seen.
"Akio! Something terrible happened!"
"What? What happened?", Akio asked carefully.
"They kidnapped Katsuko!"
Akio looked at Kouya wide-eyed.
"What do you mean, they kidnapped Katsuko!?", Akio started panicking.
"She's gone and they left a note!", Kouya said hastily, taking a piece of paper out of his pants pocket, handing it to Akio.
Akio took it and started reading.
*Dear reader/s*
*With this message I'd like to tell you that your dear colleague Katsuko is now with us.*
*Kind regards,*
*Vyko Xelore*
"Vyko Xelore?... Who is that?", Akio finally questioned.
Kouya sighed, but explained nonetheless.
"The boss told me they're a cult leader of sorts. Apparently they want to experiment on the human mind or something. It's terrible."
"I see," Akio mumbled.
"We need to find her. I'd rather not want anything happening to our residential chain smoker," Kouya said firmly.
Akio sighed before answering.
"I've refused to act long enough. It's time for me to finally do something useful, I suppose."
Kouya was surprised at his determination, but eventually he smiled.
"I knew you'd agree, but I didn't think it'd be that easy."
He then turned around.
"Come on. Let's go. The boss wanted you to take care of that issue. And I volunteered to come with you."
"What about Makoto?"
Kouya paused, but soon replied.
"He won't be needed for this mission."
Akio raised a single brow, not so sure of what to think about that, but shrugged to himself eventually.
Kouya started to walk out of the room 000.
"Come on, let's go now."
"Do you even know where to go?", Akio asked cautiously.
"Yep. On the back of the note there's an address written on it," Kouya answered as they walked down the hall.
"Huh? Why would they put the address there? Don't you think it's a trap?", Akio questioned, clearly suspicious.
"No idea. Guess we'll have to find out in order to get Katsuko," Kouya said nonchalantly.
Akio's suspicions didn't ease, but he followed anyway.
*If it ends up being a trap, that just means I'll find my ending sooner. I guess I'm fine with either outcome.*
The walk to the designated location was quiet, almost uncomfortable.
Kouya was walking in the front, his back facing Akio.
Akio was wondering where Kouya's stoat was. It was unusual for him to be without Ermina.
*Kouya is acting odd, but I don't know exactly what is wrong with him. Maybe I'm just paranoid after everything that happened.*
*No, that's not it. I'm actually quite sure this is a trap. And this...*
*... This isn't Kouya.*
"Uhm... Kouya? Can we talk for a second?"
Kouya turned around to look at Akio.
"Sure, what is it?"
Akio stayed silent for a moment before his eyes sharpened a bit and his expression almost turned into a glare.
"You are not Kouya. So who are you?"
'Kouya' didn't answer.
Akio's glare intensified.
"Who are you and what have you done with my friend?"
Kouya's expression turned apathetic, as if he just got rid of all emotions he could possibly have.
"You're right. I am not Kouya. I am Oliver Aceon."
Akio deadpanned.
"Who?"
Oliver's brow twitched in irritation.
"Oliver. My name is Oliver. I turned into your friend to lure you here."
Akio thought for a minute.
"I never heard that name before."
Oliver sighed at that.
"Doesn't matter. Do you want to know why I led you here?"
"Is it because you want to kill me? If so, please do it fast," Akio said with a serious face.
Now it was Oliver's turn to deadpan.
"Uh no, not really. You're too valuable to kill right now. Maybe later."
Akio's face fell.
"I see. Where is Katsuko? And where is the real Kouya?"
Footsteps could be heard.
"Good job, Oliver. You actually managed to bring him here," a new unfamiliar voice said calmly.
Akio turned around to see who was interrupting their conversation.
There in front of him stood a person with a pitch black mask and a white-golden robe. One that priests would probably wear.
Akio stayed silent, not knowing what to say.
*Is that the cult leader that guy told me about earlier? They definitely look like one.*
Oliver then approached the person in white.
"Money."
Vyko chuckled beneath their mask.
"Of course," they pulled a stack of cash out of their sleeve, putting it in Oliver's palm, who then left with the money, leaving Akio alone with Vyko.
"You look scared. Don't be. I'm not here to hurt you. I merely want to put your resolve to the test," Vyko paused. "I'll tell you something. If you come with me, I'll let your friends go. What do you say?"
Akio thought for a moment.
"Why do you want me to go with you? What's in it for you?"
Vyko answered almost immediately.
"I already told you. I want to test you. Let's just say you'll be my very own little experiment. And in exchange for your loss of freedom, I'll let your colleagues go. How's that sound?"
Akio felt conflicted. But then he got an idea.
"Why should I believe you even abducted them in the first place?"
This time Vyko paused. You couldn't see their expression, but it was safe to say they were surprised, based on their silence.
"You aren't as naive as I initially thought. And yet you absolutely are."
Vyko rummaged through their sleeve. What else did they have in there...?
They suddenly pulled out a photograph, showing it to Akio.
The image showed Katsuko tied up in what seemed like a basement. It looked like she was sleeping peacefully, if it weren't for the bruises on her visible skin.
"Her condition is fragile. If you won't do anything about this, she will die. Do you really want that?"
Akio glared up at Vyko.
"You're blackmailing me by putting my friend's lives on the line? Fine. I'll go with you. But if you don't keep your promise..."
"... I swear I'll kill you."
Vyko just laughed.
"I'd like to see you try. Now come. I'm looking forward to this."