There are bloodlines that are not written in ink, but in influence, blood, and steel — a trinity that accepts no failure. And when you are the last person to carry the weight of a crest, pride ceases to be a feeling.
It becomes armor.
A promise made to the dead.
Not out of vanity. But because if you forget who they were, they die a second time. And that death is the only one with no return.
"Alice, hey! Hellooo? Earth calling, Miss Perfect!"
Hanna's voice slices through the flow of thoughts and pulls Alice back to reality. She stands in front of her, arms crossed, hands gripping her own elbows firmly.
"It's been a whole day of running around after those so-called 'contacts' of yours. And every single person we talked to so far kicked us in the ass! And you're just sitting there on a park bench staring at the sky?"
Hanna's deep voice rises in volume as she approaches, gesturing impatiently.
Alice, on the other hand, remains seated.
The day in Vallum was vibrant — strangely clean. The sky, soft. Pale clouds crossed the blue with an almost artificial lightness. At that hour, Neon had not yet taken over the buildings; the city looked like… just a common metropolis. Something Vallum only allowed itself to be while day still resisted night.
She yawns, leaning away from the backrest. One hand moves to the hilt of Seraphim, the other rests on her knee.
She stands calmly, shakes the dust from her clothes, and fits the weapon at her waist.
"There's no reason to rush. Everything's under control. While we're here, Arthur is recovering. We win either way."
Alice's voice is low, controlled. But even she doesn't fully believe it.
Most of the people she still had any contact with cut off the conversation the moment the name Humans Upper came up. A hacker willing to sabotage HU? It was madness. Suicide.
The cards she still had up her sleeve were slowly slipping away.
"Oh, of course."
Hanna scoffs.
"You always have everything under control! Since your handling is so perfect, why don't you speed up the process?"
She takes a step back, looking around without actually searching for anything.
"..."
Alice remains silent.
"Shit… I've already talked to everyone I trusted. Has HU become so dangerous that it inspires this level of fear even in these kinds of people?"
Her eyes lower for a few seconds before lifting again.
...
There are no more options.
"Let's go."
Alice gives the command and turns away, walking forward.
"Hey, wait!"
Hanna runs after her.
"You can't just say one word and walk off! Where are we going?"
"We're going after someone. Didn't you want me to speed things up? And don't bombard me with questions. I hate that."
Alice throws a tense glance over her shoulder.
Alice says, frowning as she looks at Hanna over her shoulder.
"It's my last move… gods, let it work. At least it'll justify talking to that worm."
She spits the words, her anger evident. She was forced to play with discarded cards, and that irritated her more than anything.
But it was a necessary evil.
---
Tap… Tap… Tap…
TUM! TAP! TUM!
Hanna quickens her steps, almost skipping, contrasting with Alice's calm, calculated rhythm.
...
TUM! TAP! TUM!
"Can you keep quiet?"
Alice stops abruptly. Hanna bumps into her shoulder.
"Oh, come on! It's daytime, Alice! I'm boiling with anxiety, nothing's happening!"
Hanna says, gesturing dramatically.
"And I'm worried about Arthur. Leaving him alone with those injuries is like leaving a dog in front of a lion's cage… with the cage open!"
Alice turns slowly.
"And you think I'm not worried? Of course I am. But we couldn't bring him. He's a walking liability. Just like you."
Hanna's eyes widen.
"The difference is that I don't need to worry whether you live or die. That's why I brought you. And I wouldn't leave you alone with him."
Alice's gaze is direct, cold.
BIIIP—BIIIP!!!
"Get out of the road, you crazies!"
A man inside a car honks at the two standing in the middle of the street, the light green, blocking traffic.
"What the fuuuck?! Go fuck yourself, you old piece of shit! Want to lose your head?!"
Hanna yells back, grinding her teeth and stomping toward the driver.
Alice doesn't allow it.
She grabs Hanna by the wrist and pulls her back, continuing to walk.
Her head boils with anger; besides wasting time, Hanna was disrupting her sense of surroundings… opening gaps for her to do something stupid.
"You have no sense at all. In our situation, any commotion is an invitation to death. Our faces are probably already circulating, you idiot."
She mutters through clenched teeth, boots echoing on the claimed asphalt.
Her senses were alert at all times.
The fear of being attacked by an anomalous… or even a bullet piercing their skulls haunted her.
Any wrong step could trigger another incident like Darian's.
... ...
The walk stretches on for hours.
The walk is long, lasting several hours. People pass by, some heading to work, others returning. Life in Vallum is fast-paced. People with their own lives and responsibilities, but stable — at least financially.
That "perfection" was suffocating.
A place where only those of high rank could tread — ironic… because even in a place like that, there is a greater force. There always is. And that force is idolized, worshipped… as the one that raised and ignited Vallum into what it is today… removing the scum and horrible people.
In Lowden, the lower levels of society are discarded — humans rotten in soul and heart… primitive, violent… people not ready to live in society as a whole.
In Morrow-en, those of nearly the same caliber are sent, but with some favorable resource for the elite. These people get a chance to reignite, to return to a dignified life, a life filled with abundance and Neon… a safe life.
As if it were a rehabilitation camp.
"To be honest…"
Hanna begins, cutting through the false calm the silence was bringing.
"...I'm anxious for this moment. You know… I don't remember anything from my past life, and that's what made me sympathize with Arthur. I won't lie — my motivation to help him wasn't entirely about him. It's for me too. To figure myself out."
She says, her voice low, almost a whisper.
"But even without knowing my past, I have an idea in mind. I… want to gut every HU bastard who made me suffer so much. And knowing who I was would just give me even more reasons."
Alice looks at her with concern. Revenge… she had seen many cases like that, and all of them ended in disaster. Creating a problem in this situation due to one of Hanna's impulsive triggers would only ruin everything.
When someone has no past, they must build a future — and Hanna's future was hatred and fear sown by Humans Upper.
"Do you feel the same, Alice? I wonder… how far does your true motivation go?"
"My motivations aren't relevant. Just know that I don't see Arthur as an excuse for revenge games. I made a pact with him, and I'll honor that contract… since he's honoring his part. That's all."
Alice turns a corner, skyscrapers rising like sentinels, as if countless eyes watched them from above.
"An excuse… I really wish it were just that."
Hanna replies, the tone in her voice — once animated and electric — fading.
She looks at the perfect reflections in the tempered glass windows, feeling deep disgust… feeling hands on her body… voices demanding she reach that level of perfection and worth.
"YES… YOU'RE SO RADIANT NOW…! No… not yet! THERE'S STILL SO MUCH MISSING, YOU ARE… A VERY PROMISING DRAFT, LITTLE GIRL."
Memories cross her mind once again.
---
"How much longer until we get to this person? I'm starving."
Hanna grumbles, her stomach aching. She hadn't eaten the minimum daily carbohydrates and proteins, leaving her slightly drowsy and dizzy after hours of walking.
"Just a few more minutes."
Alice pulls a cereal bar from her pocket.
"Here. It should be enough until we get there."
She tosses the bar over her shoulder. Hanna catches it midair with visible excitement and starts devouring it — wrapper and all.
They continue walking, turning corners and passing under viaducts. The walk is long, exhausting… and with someone like Hanna by her side, the effort doubled.
...
When Hanna opens her mouth, ready to say anything—
Tuf… Tuf.
Alice's feet stop dead against the ground.
"Come on, this time you didn't even hear what I was going to say and you're already complaining? I swear it's not something I've already said!"
"We're here."
Alice announces, turning her body sideways and facing… an empty lot?
"Huh?"
Hanna frowns, staring at the vacant space. A "Private Property" sign stood nearby, crooked and forgotten.
"Are you crazy? I'm not seeing anything. Or did you schedule to meet this person right here?"
It was completely strange.
She scans the area, looking for any sign — someone out of place in that ordinary neighborhood. Nothing. Just residents passing by, oblivious.
When she's sure no one is around, Alice steps forward twice, moving closer to the center of the lot.
"Haaaa…"
She inhales deeply… and releases the air at once, clenching her fist.
...
Flap. Flap.
The gesture is clear: someone knocking on a door. Except… she was knocking on air.
... ...
Flap. Flap!
She repeats it, her fist cutting through the air.
...
"Uh… Alice? You're literally knocking on nothing. I think all of this is messing with your head. Okay, decided — you're going to rest and then we'll come back and acti—"
The sentence dies when Alice covers her mouth.
"From here on out, be careful. Don't say anything that could compromise us. Don't talk about how we met, don't mention Arthur, and don't refer to me. Say only what's strictly necessary for the mission. Understood?"
Alice says with as much clarity and calm as possible, looking at Hanna not only with anticipatory reprimand, but also with a silent plea of "please."
Hanna nods, tense. Alice lets out a brief sigh of relief — immediately interrupted.
Creeeeeekkk…
The sound of a door opening echoes in their ears. With hesitant steps, they cross the line separating the lot from the sidewalk.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
...
They stop in the middle of the space.
"Okay, now what? Everything's still the same."
Hanna complains.
...
"How long has it been, Lady Valmek? Hmmm… yeah, I think I have a guess."
A voice emerges from nowhere.
Hanna startles, her arm lifting instinctively to form a weapon—
But Alice grabs her wrist and presses it down, shaking her head.
...
They remain still.
The breeze that once touched their skin abruptly stops.
Ambient sound vanishes.
And then—
vrrmm—shhh…
Walls rise. The ground is covered with vinyl flooring. A ceiling closes over their heads.
In seconds, the structure is complete: a living area integrated with a kitchen, separated by a counter; beside it, a larger room resembling a meeting space.
Hanna runs to the window.
Outside, pedestrians continue walking — none notice what has risen there.
"You can retract your claws, girl. We're not causing trouble at our first meeting, right?"
Hanna turns back, seeing a man behind the kitchen counter, preparing coffee.
Tall. Relaxed posture. Young appearance — maybe early twenties. Dark gray hair tied in a bun, a loose strand falling by his face. A fitted short-sleeve dress shirt highlighting well-defined muscles. A digital watch and a bracelet on his left wrist. Minimalist prescription glasses completing the look.
Everything about him seemed… deliberately harmonious.
...
His gaze passes through Alice — and lingers on Hanna.
"Either way, I was already expecting your return, Lady Valmek. Would you like some coffee? Let's catch up."
The man says with a smile — a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. He keeps preparing the coffee calmly, his back to them.
"Spare me your talk, Azarael."
A sigh.
"...I just want a job from you, and after that we cut contact again. And don't worry, I'll pay. After all, that's what motivates mercenaries like us, right?"
Azarael lets out a low chuckle, almost a whisper.
"Always so pragmatic… always straight to the point. That's one of the many reasons you were such a good mercenary for me. Too bad you turned your back on our little group."
Alice's fists clench. Her teeth grind.
"I… won't get into that. Can you listen to what I have to say? I'm out of patience."
... ...
psshh…
"Ahh… perfect."
He finishes the espresso, pouring three cups.
He places each on a small saucer and walks around the counter toward the room.
"Why don't we sit down for a bit? I think… this conversation will take some time."
He says with that same smile, setting the items on a modern rustic wooden table at the center.
"Oh, yes, how careless of me. You brought a new guest. What's your name?"
Azarael asks Hanna directly.
It wasn't a rhetorical question.
Hanna arches one eyebrow. "Is this guy really the one who's supposed to help us? His attitude is annoying, but…"
"My… name is Hanna."
...
"Hanna… yes, yes, a lovely name. Would you like something to eat, Hanna? Make yourself comfortable and—"
"She doesn't want anything from you, okay? I already told you, Azarael… stop dodging the subject. I really don't have the head for your hospitality."
...
"Fiiiine, as you wish."
He adjusts the cushions on the sofa before sitting, leaning just enough to reach his steaming cup.
"At least sit down… it's not very polite to talk standing up, is it?"
He blows on the steam and takes a sip.
"Ahh, coffee. Such a simple drink, yet so warm and comforting. Perfect for this kind of occasion."
Alice says nothing. She simply approaches and sits on the sofa, keeping a visible distance from Azarael.
Hanna follows quickly, throwing herself onto the sofa carelessly and sticking close to her companion.
"Your new friend is enthusiastic, isn't she? I always thought you didn't get along very well with that type of person, but it seems your knot has been untied."
Azarael comments, his eyes tracing the scar on Hanna's face… as if piecing things together.
"But… anyway. Lady Valmek didn't come here to listen to my thoughts, right? Go on, dear. Tell me what brought you back."
... ...
Alice takes a deep breath. The smell of coffee is the only pleasant thing in that suffocating environment. She doesn't look at the cup; her eyes are fixed on the reflection in Azarael's glasses.
"I need to enter one of Humans Upper's facilities, Azarael. But I can't do that with intention and faith alone. I need someone who knows how to disable the system… even if it's just for a few minutes. You understand?"
...
Silence.
Azarael sets the cup down on its saucer with a dry clink, the sound echoing in the perfectly isolated room. He leans forward, round glasses sliding slightly down his nose.
"Ooooh… yes, audacious. I must say, that's quite… surprising. Tell me, Lady Valmek… what are you looking for in there that's worth your life?"
"That's irrelevant. As I said… I'm willing to pay any amount."
He smiles… but it still doesn't reach his eyes.
"Come now, dear. It's an… exotic mission. How do you expect me to take such a big risk for a few coins?"
He tilts his head theatrically.
"Let's get to the facts… is it someone? Are you after… information about a person?"
He leans closer, his gaze alternating between Alice and Hanna.
"Or… is it this girl? There are still some pieces missing for me to form a proper context for your return here…"
... ...
"Hmmm… mhm…"
Low chuckles.
"Alice Valmek. The last of the lineage. Mercenary. Involved up to her neck in an intriguing mess. You, girl… are you the reason for all this? Or were you brought merely as collateral for protection?"
Hanna shudders. She clenches her teeth, fighting the urge to speak. The man's charisma, the way he guided every word… it felt like hearing her own mind whisper things she didn't want to think.
"No need to be so tense, Hanna. I wouldn't hurt either of you. But… I must say, it's fascinating to see the desperation of the pragmatic Valmek become so overwhelming that she resorts to carrying a ticking time bomb at her side."
He finishes the sentence casually, lifting the cup to his lips.
"Who does this son of a bitch think he is, treating me like a burden? Wait… does he know that I am—"
The thought is cut short.
BAM!
"That's enough of this bullshit!"
Alice slams her closed fist against the table.
"I hate this cynicism. I hate this good-guy mask, you fucking worm."
Hanna startles. By reflex, she grabs Alice from behind and pulls her back.
"Calm down, Alice. Let's finish this shit and get out of here."
She says, incredulous at how easily that man dismantled Alice's composure in minutes.
Alice exhales. Her eyelids tremble. Her fists remain clenched.
"Don't make me regret coming here… Azarael."
Her voice comes out low, forcibly controlled.
"I'm asking you — at least this once… take things seriously. Can you help me, or not?"
... ... ... ...
"Alright."
Azarael places the empty cup back on the saucer.
"You want me to disable the Humans Upper system so you and your friend can enter. Correct?"
Alice nods, pulling out her phone and showing a photo of the building.
"Probably an abandoned facility."
She says.
He lets out a low chuckle.
"Mhm… yes, yes. If it's been left behind, the system likely hasn't been maintained. That makes things easier…"
"Great, and I assume this isn't too difficult for you. So, how much do you want for this servi—"
"Easy, Lady."
He raises a finger.
"I never said I would help. I only said it's not impossible. Still, we're talking about HU."
...
"So… that's a no?"
Alice's teeth grind. Her nose wrinkles as if she'd inhaled something rotten. Begging someone like him only to hear a refusal was more than her pride could endure.
Azarael clasps his hands in an almost respectful gesture.
"Unfortunately, Lady… that's a no. I'm sorry, my schedule is packed. Our little group has been very busy since you left, and I can't insert another mission into this chaos."
Hanna stands abruptly.
In a swift motion, she lunges forward and presses her forearm against his throat.
"Then why didn't you say that from the start?! You thought it'd be fun to toy with us, huh?!"
Her patience had snapped, completely ignoring Alice's earlier warnings.
"Instinctive. Violent. Agitated."
Azarael doesn't react. He simply stares Hanna in the eyes, trying to intimidate her… and receiving in return only calm, steady breathing.
"How intriguing… a Valmek and an anomalous walking side by side to bring down a massive hierarchy. That's what I call… aiming high."
"W-what? How do you know I'm an—"
"Anomalous?"
He cuts her off like a blade slicing silk.
"It's not hard to deduce. No sane person joins a mercenary on a kamikaze mission… unless they're also a mercenary. Or a victim of HU."
He smiles.
"I'm betting on the second option."
Hanna freezes.
Her pupils contract. Her whole body trembles.
Short. Heavy breathing.
And a single thought dominates everything: annihilate.
A wet sound of tearing flesh echoes — and before Hanna can draw a blade—
GRAB!!
Alice grabs her by the hair and throws her back.
Hanna slams her head against the marble. She lifts her gaze, consumed by pain and fury.
"WHAT IS THIS, ALICE? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MI—"
"The only one who lost their head here was you. Did you forget what I said? Nothing beyond what's necessary. That was far beyond it. I don't know why I still expected rationality from you."
The words hit Hanna like a blunt strike.
She lowers her head. She doesn't say another word for the rest of the time she spends inside that house.
"All this because I wanted company for a coffee. How cruel."
Azarael smooths his thigh, undoing any wrinkles left behind.
"Let's cool things down. Listen carefully: I won't help… at least not directly."
Alice was already turning to leave when she stops.
She says nothing. Not a single syllable. She only looks over her shoulder at Azarael, as if saying, "What's your play now? Worm…"
... ...
"As I said before, I can't help directly due to my workload. But since I'm a man who values memories, I can recommend someone to my dear Valmek. How about that?"
That smile remains standing even after Hanna's outburst. That smile… the very reason it tore Alice's suppressed rage free — whether that rage came from other sources or from Azarael himself.
"You think I trust this? I've already humiliated myself enough by coming to this shithole. What's stopping this from being another one of your games to watch me frustrated and crawling back to you?"
Desperation. Need.
"What a cruel view of me… after everything we've been through. But anyway."
He stands, collecting the cups and saucers lightly… the ones Alice and Hanna were supposed to drink still full.
"Morrow-en. There's a boy there with a natural talent, to say the least. And he does exactly what you're looking for."
He walks to the sink, turning on the faucet.
"His name is Caerius. Even though he's from the suburbs, he's quite competent at what he does — so much so that I've hired him for some jobs myself. You know, I'm a very busy man."
He says with a low laugh.
"He'll probably charge a high price, but I believe it'll be worth it for you, won't it?"
... ...
"That bastard is playing with me… offering another alternative just to watch the circus burn. But… I have no choice. I've already come this far, already made that damned pact with Arthur. I… have to try. Father… mother… I wish you were still here to guide me."
"Fine. Morrow-en, right? I won't trust it. I'll just test it. And… if this is a bluff, Azarael… I won't hesitate to sever your limbs with my Seraphim. Understood?"
The threat is palpable.
"Oh, I count on it, Lady Valmek. I love a good death promise to start the week — especially coming from you."
He doesn't even look back as he answers, his tone still hospitable.
Alice gestures rudely for Hanna to stand. The girl does so slowly, wiping sweat from her face with the back of her hand, eyes fixed on the marble floor to avoid looking at either Alice or the smiling phantom behind the counter.
"Morrow-en. Caerius."
She etches every syllable into her mind with each step out of the residence.
The moment they cross the threshold—
Shhh-vrrmm…
The sound returns.
When air hits their faces again, they're standing in the middle of the empty lot, surrounded by dry weeds and the "Private Property" sign.
The house, the smell of coffee, and Azarael's suffocating presence evaporate like a hallucination.
... ...
"Alice…"
Hanna begins, her voice trembling, heavy with restrained anger.
"Not a word, Hanna."
Alice cuts her off, already walking toward home without looking back.
"We're getting Arthur. We leave for Morrow-en at dusk."
They leave the lot behind — two silhouettes under Vallum's vibrant sun, carrying shadows no neon could ever illuminate.
--- ---
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps echo down the stairs.
Azarael sits in his armchair, reading a book with almost provocative calm.
"UAAAAAHH… So sleepy. Hm? Where is everyone? Fuck, don't tell me they're still sleeping! This group is really dead."
A boy appears, throwing himself onto the sofa across from Azarael, staring at him while yawning shamelessly.
"Let the others rest, Iruyath. Our last mission was quite demanding. It's the least they deserve."
... ...
"Yeah… sure. And what's with that happy look, huh? Don't tell me you're seeing some hot chick out there…"
Iruyath teases, chuckling lazily.
"It's nothing special. Just… something intriguing that happened today. Don't worry."
... ...
"Until next time, Alice. Let's see what the future has in store for us… for the second time."