Ghost's strikes were growing more and more intense…
He was cutting off Zack's head, ripping his tongue out from the root, pulling off his nails and shoving them into his mouth…
He even tried to gouge out his eyes…
But Zack didn't react…
Ghost was both bored… and pleased by this.
Zack's internal collapse was working in his favor.
The Black Angel… she could awaken at any second—maybe in just two.
Zack's Kaishi were becoming even darker, even denser.
Brody entered the room.
The room was soaked in blood—if you could still call this black fluid "blood"…
Zack's blood, just like his Kaishi, had turned pitch black—maybe even blacker.
"His Kaishi is better than before this time…"
"What the hell is this 'Kaishi'? Did you pull that name out of your ass or is it an actual term?"
"I'm no philosopher, man.
All I know is, people call those black tentacle-like organs Kaishi."
"Still no change?"
"Not a single twitch from him… but I can feel it. It's close… real close."
"You took a massive gamble. You leaked our location to the NWC forces. They could raid us at any moment."
"They won't do shit. Without risk, where's the fun in life? Feel that adrenaline!
Even Jerusalem knows where we are. Two cults are after us. They may have already surrounded the place. Huh?! Just imagine…
The Black Angel awakens. And this kid can't control her. Everything burns, everything crumbles…
And we grab one, maybe two Core Fragments and get the hell out of Xirat."
"That's one hell of a gamble…"
"Leave it to me… Relax."
With a sudden move, he shoved his hand into Zack's left side…
He squeezed—and pulled…
"Look…"
Brody leaned in closer.
There was a hole.
"Where his heart should be—there's nothing. Anyway… where's that energy capsule I asked for?"
"That's what I came to tell you. It's ready."
Ghost began slicing the chains one by one with his sword.
With one hand, he lifted Zack and carried him forward.
"Yeah… this will be the last thing I do with you…"
"Wait—You mean that?"
"Like I said. I'm no philosopher. How the hell am I supposed to know what you're thinking?
The capsule is filled with Macu energy.
I'll inject it into his body…
Let the boy relive some of the past.
Just like he did years ago…"
"Wait a sec! Won't this reaction cause a mutation? The chance is high. He might turn into a brain-dead monster."
"That's exactly what I want. I've wasted a whole month on this little shit. We're halfway through the second month already. If he can't handle this—what the hell do I need him for?!"
He placed Zack's body inside the capsule…
"This'll render the Core Fragment useless…" said Brody.
Ghost finished his sentence:
"…and he'll lose all sense of self. His foggy memories will vanish completely—and he'll become my Angel of Death…"
——————————
Same day – 4 km from Fade City
Liv entered the command vehicle:
"Everything's ready, Ayato…"
Krauser:
"Then why aren't we attacking now?"
Ayato:
"We know what we're doing… Fade City always enters Emergency Mode at night.
No one enters, no one leaves. Anyone caught breaking this rule gets killed…
If we attack recklessly, the whole city might go into lockdown. Xirat could even declare war on us. And our relationship is already fragile…
You care about your friend. I care about my goals.
Shut up and follow my plan.
Unless, of course, taking orders from a 'teenager' makes your dick shrink. In that case—get the fuck out."
Krauser had no comeback.
But one thing was certain:
THIS BRATTY KID WAS GETTING ON HIS NERVES. AND IF HE HAD THE CHANCE, HE'D KILL HIM RIGHT HERE!!!
——————————
Meanwhile – Taka City, The Hawk's Nest
Denis stood on the balcony, watching Taka's magnificent dusk…
Emily did this every night.
But this time, her spot was taken—by a child.
And she was waiting for him to leave…
How had she gotten here? What happened?
Who was this boy called Zack?
But most importantly… that old man with the beard…
Years ago, back in the hospital… she'd seen that man…
Emily gathered all her courage.
She had to confront him… and ask about Kevin.
What had happened to him? Where was he now? What was he doing?
Just then, a voice called from behind…
Both Emily and Denis turned around.
Bifrat was calling for Emily.
He knew this girl wanted to speak with him…
——————————
He opened his eyes…
He was in the white realm again. The white vision…
And she was there again…
Her black dress…
Her black hair…
Her graceful hands…
She leaned toward him…
"Why so silent? Does it hurt? Does the pain… hurt?"
"....."
"Speak… come on, speak…
Here, you can talk—unlike in the real world…"
"...….."
The girl stood up. She took Zack's hand and pulled him toward her.
Zack stood up involuntarily.
His eyes looked lifeless… drowning in emptiness.
His skin was pale—like Samarkand paper.
His hair had grown—covering part of his face now.
"You're thinking: 'Everything was a lie', right?
I can show you everything, Zack…
Your brother, your sister… every truth…
Even the future…"
Zack's pupils locked onto her face.
Her eyes were hidden behind her hair. Only her mouth was visible…
She took both of Zack's hands in hers…
Came closer…
Closer still…
And suddenly—she embraced him.
Zack didn't understand… What was this?
What was she doing?
And at that moment…
Zack's tired eyes flared wide open…
His slow heart suddenly sped up…
His silent vocal cords twitched…
"HHHHHHHAAAAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!"
He started screaming…
His eyes turned completely white…
"HHHHHAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGHHHH!!!"
His scream only grew louder…
The last thing he saw was her smile…
"AAAAAAHHHH!!!"
He collapsed…
"Hhhh… hhhh…"
His breathing turned erratic…
And just then—he heard a voice:
"Start the procedure!!!"
He snapped his eyes open—
Was this another void?
Where was the voice coming from?
What had he just seen? How? Was it real?
Why…
——————————
File #024
One more question:
Is Macu energy effective?
Oh, absolutely!
But is it beautiful?
Hell no!