A black SUV pulled in front of Vanilla Bank, its tinted windows blocking anyone from peering inside. Beside the building was another business just like it.

  "So you plan on taking down the big shot of the Black Flowers? Kinda boring, don't you think?"

  Ghiza set the vehicle in park, gauging Morianna's response. She turned towards him with her featureless mask while toying with a blade across her finger.

  "Sister Irva is no traitor, violence is unnecessary."

  The blade pierced her skin, and a black mist oozed from the wound. "But with that man, it's different."

  "Oh? Do I hear a little resentment?"

  "Whoever harms Sister... has no right to live."

  "Does that include our superior?"

  She opened her door, leaving him without a response.

  Ghiza smiled, exiting from his side as well. "You know I wouldn't mind."

  Morianna had her sight towards the alley before giving him another look. "What are you... saying?"

  Ghiza put on his coat as he approached her, slapping her shoulder as he walked by. "Ahhh forget it, I'm only messing with you. Anyway, let's not keep them waiting, I've been dying to see how he's been doing."

  ******

  Irva laid back against a wall, blood coated her head as her face was slightly swollen. Her arm was fractured, but she didn't let it show in her expression.

  Is this all I'm reduced to?

  Her gaze fell on Hezekiah, who had injuries as well—lighter, in fact. The memory of him assaulting her as soon as the call ended was still vivid. But instead of fighting back like she usually would, she let it happen, like the obedient slave she was.

  Her stomach twisted as she watched herself get beaten senseless without any resistance. Pest, you should've let me tear you up instead of doing it yourself. What a coward.

  "Yooo! Is it not Irva in the flesh?"

  Irva snapped to the two figures approaching her, rising off the wall.

  "Took you two long enough. Did you forget the police have been active recently?"

  "Ah right, the hospital incident has caused such a spur. I wonder what happened that riled them so much." He noticed Hezekiah passed out on the ground. Whoa, he's barely even breathing. Was Urimah way off the mark this time?

  Morianna's head shifted. "You're hurt!" She rushed towards her, holding out her hand before stopping herself. "I can... umm." She looked towards Ghiza, who gave a nod of approval.

  Irva wondered what they were confirming before Morianna rested her palm against her stomach.

  "Hold still..."

  White light swirled beneath their feet, encircling the two of them as it spiraled through the air. Irva's pulse drummed while the pain throughout her body dissipated.

  "It's not much, my powers aren't suited for this. But hopefully, you feel a little better."

  Is this what Hezekiah was talking about? Other folks like him are real? Irva contained her composure. Although the wounds remained, at least the pain had nullified.

  "Looks like he roughed you up real good, but you turned out fine compared to most, despite not being one of us. At least not yet anyway."

  "What are you guys?" she probed after flexing her hand.

  "Urimah will be more than happy to lecture you. I'm not cut out for that daunting task." Ghiza closed in on Hezekiah, studying his figure. "How did you manage to defeat him anyway?"

  "It was luck, okay!!? Can we go already!? I still need to fulfill this dumb mission." She kicked over a trash can, startling Morianna. "What is this mess!!? Is my life a freakin’ game to you people!!?"

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  Her skin grew hot as she thought about how she was set up to fail. "That bastard... And you..." She met Morianna's mask. "I bet you knew too, huh!?"

  Morianna took a step back. "Wait, I only want—"

  "Are you off the meds again?" Ghiza interrupted. "I don't mind putting you asleep if you continue."

  Irva's lips sealed, frowning as he gave her a light smile.

  Ghiza lifted Hezekiah's body, throwing him on his shoulder. "You know, this reminds me of his sister after she was captured. Can you believe the expression she had when Roid finished satisfying himself with her? I could've sworn her soul was gone after I took her into custody."

  Irva twitched. "I don't need to hear that icky stuff!" She began heading out of the alley.

  Ghiza followed, glancing at Hezekiah. Still no reaction from that little lie?

  Ghiza raised Hezekiah off his shoulder, holding him high in the air.

  "Ghiza!?" Morianna called, questioning what he was up to. Irva turned towards her shout, furrowing her brows.

  "Don't kill him, idiot! I took care of him already!"

  "Some time has passed since you knocked him out, and he might be pretending to be asleep now. It wouldn't hurt to be sure, don't you agree?" he questioned.

  If Hezekiah was secretly manipulating her, then Irva has no reason to defend him. I'm surprised she still hasn't said anything if that was the case. But Urimah warned us to be on the cautious side. He reasoned as Irva neared him.

  "Hand him over, muscle head."

  Ghiza turned to his side. "As you wish." Lifting Hezekiah higher in the air, he threw him towards the ground. But instead of flesh hitting concrete, Hezekiah froze in midair.

  "He stopped...?" Morianna whispered. "Ghiza? How did you...?"

  "Ain't me." He rested his palms on his hips, laughing as he noticed Irva's calm demeanor. "Now this I didn't expect, you were lying to the old man after all."

  Irva gently rested Hezekiah on the ground with her telekinetic abilities. What kind of pill did he feed me? Was enslaving my will not enough?

  She thought back on what he wanted to inform her of. Guessing the pill gave her supernatural abilities was not on the list, and now she had been instructed to protect him while using these new found abilities.

  "Then Urimah was wrong!" Morianna clasped her hands together. "That's amazing, Sister... We can stay together now!"

  Irva nodded gently. "Sorry for lying to you, Morianna. I just... didn't feel like telling Fath—Urimah at the time."

  Hezekiah's body floated towards her until he landed in her one good arm. "This place smells like rotten pies, can we head out now?"

  Ghiza scratched the back of his head as he walked passed them. "He's going to be pissed about that, but given you're his cute little daughter, all you'll get is a slap on the wrist. Maybe."

  Ghiza poked his head out of the alley, checking both ways for any onlookers.

  "I'm still annoyed. Some action from the guy would've been fun. It's been a bore staying with that sister of his; she may be executed tomorrow evening if this keeps up."

  "Good riddance to her then, her brother will follow soon afterward. As well as the other rodents who spared him," Irva added.

  After putting Hezekiah in the trunk of the car, she sat in the seat behind Morianna, wiping sweat off her palms on the cushion, exhaling an exhausted breath.

  Now what, Hezekiah? Although you can still hear and see everything that I experience, there isn't much time for Falina. What would you do if you're too late?

  After about ten minutes of driving, Ghiza checked his rearview mirror, noticing Irva fast asleep. He took a glance at Morianna, who seemed to be thinking the same thing.

  "You noticed too, haven't you?" he whispered, his gaze firm on the road.

  Morianna clenched the velvet robe she was wearing, sinking further into her seat.

  "I let it go since it did look like she defeated him, but I never witnessed an Abna displaying no signs of Abna Energy. She comes off like an ordinary human."

  Morianna had yet to return his words. She searched for a counterargument, but this situation had never happened before.

  "It makes one wonder, what's the true reason she didn't tell Urimah, let alone us. We wouldn't have known if it wasn't for my stunt with Hezekiah." He stopped at a red light. A drunken man stumbled onto the crosswalk, spilling booze on the street as he shouted at those who got too close.

  "Stop it, Ghiza... Sister is not hiding anything."

  "Damn it, Morianna." He slammed the gas pedal after seeing he had just enough time, causing incoming traffic to slam their brakes. "Always optimistic, right? I envy you a little. Let Urimah know we're about to arrive.

  ****

  Urimah was watching the news on the main office TV. The hospital situation had yet to be resolved.

  Mindless lunatics. Who's trying to draw the Unity Council's attention?

  A part of him hoped it was an ordinary terrorist organization, but given that some of the corpses looked too inhuman, he prepared for the worst.

  "Mr. Urimah." Aluzera entered with clipboard in hand, spitting out her gum before clearing her throat. "It appears the two misfits were successful without issue."

  "That's to be expected. Any update on the Black Flowers in Ragoll Forest? Their investigation should be going smoothly."

  "Before that, it was discovered your reasoning was incorrect. Irva has awakened her abilities and subdued Hezekiah. They both have confirmed it."

  Urimah heightened his posture, combing his beard with an uncertain expression. She lied...? But why about that?

  He first questioned her only as a small jest, just in case she was nervous. Then reasoned her failure led to being captured by Hezekiah. He couldn't understand what was going through that mind of hers.

  "I understand. Summon Kiann and Dynas, as well as the other main directors. No more wasting time on this imposter charade."