Zazm watched silently as Rhyes stepped out of his office. The door shut behind him with a firm click, leaving the room in its familiar dim quiet. The long curtains, heavy and dark, swayed slightly from the disturbance of the door closing.
Zephyra lay stretched across one of the large sofas, arms folded under her head. She spoke lazily without even sitting up.
"He went through every possible trauma, did he not?"
Zazm's expression didn't shift.
"Perhaps."
His tone was flat, emotionless.
Zephyra finally pushed herself up, looking around at the plain office—dark wood shelves, minimal décor, a wide desk buried in documents.
"This place looks so simple," she said. "I'm gonna go get some stuff for here."
Zazm didn't bother looking up.
"It looks fine."
Zephyra rolled her eyes and waved a hand dramatically.
"I won't make it flashy. Just a flower or two. You seriously need—"
The door suddenly opened.
A figure stepped in.
Paul.
Zazm's eyes lifted immediately, their emptiness chilling.
His voice dropped even colder.
"What brings you here?"
Paul lowered his head in respect. His shoulders were stiff, his hands trembling slightly. On the surface, he looked composed—but the fear in his eyes betrayed everything.
He swallowed.
"I-I did everything as you told me."
Zazm didn't blink.
"And?"
The single word sliced the air.
Paul felt a shiver stab through his spine.
He tried to gather his voice.
"I was… I was just saying if you could leave me be now…"
Zazm stood up.
And the atmosphere changed instantly.
The room felt like gravity had multiplied.
Paul's knees buckled before he could even react. His limbs felt heavy—unbearably heavy—as if invisible chains were dragging him down.
His mind screamed:
How much vana does he have… to exert this kind of pressure… with nothing but his presence?
He forced his neck up, struggling against the weight.
Zazm walked toward him slowly.
Tall.
Silent.
Hollow-eyed.
He looked at Paul as though staring at something irrelevant to existence. His face cold, monotone, unreadable.
His voice was cold and cruelly final.
"You don't get to decide that."
The pressure intensified.
Paul hit the floor completely, gasping, clutching at his chest as if he were being crushed.
"I–I… a-ap-apologize—"
His voice cracked, barely audible.
Zazm turned away.
The pressure vanished instantly.
Paul collapsed onto his hands, gasping for breath. The moment he could move, he scrambled to his feet and practically stumbled out of the room, shutting the door behind him with shaking hands.
Zazm sat back down at his desk, as if nothing had happened.
The night outside had already deepened. Lamp light pooled golden across the floor.
Zephyra watched him, her voice gentle.
"Are you going to complete the work right now?"
Zazm nodded.
"All these documents need my signature. And I'll have to read them thoroughly."
Zephyra tilted her head.
"Are you going to change something?"
"Depends."
He picked up the beautiful quill—silver handle, feather dyed in deep black ink. Dipping it into the ink pot, he began signing.
Minutes blurred.
Hours slipped away.
When Zazm finally looked up, two hours had already vanished, yet piles of documents waited untouched.
He looked toward the couches.
Zephyra was asleep—curled on her side, hair spilled everywhere like purple shiny silk. Her breathing soft and steady.
Zazm stared at her for a long moment.
Then he stood, walked over, and without hesitation removed his long coat.
He gently draped it over her.
As he turned to leave—
Her hand suddenly caught his.
Zazm paused.
Zephyra was still asleep, but her fingers wrapped around his wrist with surprising firmness.
Zazm tried to pull away.
He couldn't.
Her grip didn't loosen.
He let out a tiny exhale—almost a sigh—then sat down on the floor beside the couch, back straight, face expressionless.
The weight of her grip shifted, her thumb resting right over his pulse point as her fingers intertwined with his.
He stayed there Without a word.
All the papers from his desk suddenly vanished—reappearing neatly on the table in front of the couch. The ink and quill followed.
Zazm picked up the quill with his free hand.
He glanced once at his left hand—still locked with hers.
No expression.
But he didn't move away.
He simply continued working like that.
Yet somehow showing more than words ever could.
Hours passed.
The night faded.
Sunlight began to slip between the long curtains, falling across Zazm's back as he sat on the floor.
Zephyra stirred.
Her hair was a mess. She rubbed one eye, voice groggy.
"Is it morning already…?"
She stretched halfway before turning to look down—and froze.
Then she nearly jumped.
"Zazm—why the hell are you sitting here?"
She pointed at him, bewildered.
"Was your important work just… looking at me all night?"
Zazm gave no reply.
He simply stood, picked up the stack of papers, and placed them neatly on his desk.
Zephyra chuckled softly and flopped back down onto the couch.
---
Minos woke up with the sun hitting his face through a gap in the curtains. He groaned, rubbing his eyes, then stumbled to the sink to splash water on his face.
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
Aggressive pounding hammered at his door.
Minos yelled,
"Give me a minute!"
The knocking continued.
Louder.
Minos clenched his jaw as he pulled on his clothes.
"Seriously?! Stay patient—whoever it is!"
The knocking only intensified.
A vein popped on his forehead.
"I swear—TODAY someone is dead!"
He stormed to the door, yanked it open, shouting—
"WHO THE FUC—"
He froze.
Nova stood there with a smug grin.
"Yoo."
Minos blinked.
"…Nova?"
Nova nodded proudly. "Yes, me. Yours truly."
He spun around and threw his arms open dramatically.
"Along with—"
"Miwa. Kiyomasa. Jennie."
And then his gaze sharpened as he looked at Ai.
"—and oh right, we brought the bitch with us too."
Ai picked up a nearby wooden piece like she was about to commit murder.
"I'm gonna kill this, asshole."
Kiyomasa rushed to grab her, both arms wrapped around Ai.
"Ai, PLEASE stop. And Nova—can you NOT?"
Nova laughed, hands raised. "Fine, fine."
Miwa stepped forward politely.
"Can we come in?"
Minos stepped aside. "Yeah… yeah, of course."
Everyone filed in.
Minos looked around at all of them, still shocked.
"I never expected all of you to come here so suddenly."
Ai folded her arms, smiling.
"Well, we're here to meet Supreme Commander 'Zazm', of course."
Minos snorted.
"Oh, is that so?"
Jennie's eyes wandered around the room.
"This is a luxurious room…"
Minos shrugged with a proud grin.
"There are advantages to being the apprentice of the legendary engineer."
He looked at Nova.
"I'm guessing you want everyone to greet him together, right?"
Nova snapped his fingers.
"Bingo."
Minos nodded. "Okay. Make yourselves comfortable. I'll go get ready."
Jennie stood up.
"Where's the kitchen? I'll make some breakfast."
Minos blinked. "You all didn't eat anything? Should I ask the maids?"
Ai shook her head and stretched.
"We've been living too luxuriously. I'm afraid I'll lose my cooking skills."
Minos laughed.
"Right."
He pointed toward the door.
"Go out—then left."
Jennie and Ai headed out immediately.Miwa followed them like a curious child.
---
The door to Zazm's office slid open with a soft mechanical hiss, and the entire group stepped inside, their footsteps echoing slightly against the polished floor.
Nova let out a long whistle, hands tucked casually into his pockets.
"Man is living the life…" he said, his tone that chill, lazy calm he always carried.
Ai's eyes scanned the room—walls of dark metal, clean lines, a minimalist arrangement that still somehow radiated authority.
"It looks plain," she said, pushing her glasses up with a finger, "but I'll admit—it has that… premium vibe."
Nova nodded immediately.
"Yeah, exactly."
Jennie wandered toward the massive window dominating the far wall. Sunlight poured through the glass, reflecting softly on her gentle features. She rested her hands lightly on the sill and breathed out a soft smile.
"The view from here is just… breathtaking."
Miwa and Kiyomasa hurried after her, both pressing closer to the glass. Kiyomasa's eyes widened—full of that innocent wonder he always carried.
"Zazm really… reached somewhere," he said, almost in awe.
Miwa pivoted around so fast her hair bounced. She hopped onto the huge couch like a child jumping into a pile of pillows.
"Where is Zazm?" she asked, swinging her legs.
Minos moved beside her and sat down.
"He'll be here in a while. Most likely. Unless—should we call him?"
Nova lifted a hand, walking toward the towering desk at the center of the room.
"Shh. Don't call him. You'll ruin the surprise. We'll wait."
He said it with that casual, effortless calm.
Ai dropped onto the other couch, crossing one leg over the other.
"Alright then."
Nova reached the desk—Zazm's desk—and without hesitation lowered himself into the massive command chair.
Minos' eyes went wide.
Wide.
He shot up instantly, almost knocking Miwa off the couch as he stumbled forward.
"N–Nova! You can't sit there!"
His voice cracked in a rare moment of panic.
"You can be executed for sitting on a Supreme Commander's chair—get off before someone sees—"
He didn't finish.
The door snapped open again.
Zazm entered.
Cold. Perfectly still. Expressionless.
The only sound was his boots against the metal floor.
Nova waved casually, unfazed.
"Yoo, Zazm. Or—" a small smirk tugged his lips upward,
"—or are we too lowly to call you that now? Should we say The Great Supreme Commander?"
Zazm didn't react, didn't break stride.
"Whatever you want."
His voice was calm, flat as ice.
Ai clicked her tongue.
"Emotionless bastard."
Nova pointed at her.
"I came up with that name."
Zazm approached the desk, and Nova—still smirking—stood up smoothly.
"You can have your chair, Supreme Commander."
Zazm's gaze lifted slightly.
"You can sit there."
A pause.
"However, remember I'm far superior than you'll ever be."
Nova's smirk sharpened into something else—excitement.
"So you still have it in you, huh?"
Zazm didn't respond. He simply walked past him and sat down on the couch beside Kiyomasa, while Nova claimed the chair again, spinning it lightly.
Jennie left the window and took a seat perpendicular to Zazm. She folded her hands neatly, her gentle smile soft and warm.
"The uniform looks great on you," she said sweetly.
Miwa bounced in her seat.
"It looks super cool—especially the cape!"
Ai raised a bored hand.
"Alright, let's stop glazing him for one second and talk business."
Everyone looked her way.
She continued,
"So, Zazm—first of all, congrats on becoming Supreme Commander and all… but you never treated us to good food."
Nova pointed a thumb at himself.
"Yeah, I was about to say that."
Kiyomasa nodded shyly.
"I mean… if we're on that topic…"
Zazm closed his eyes briefly, then opened them with that calm, unchanging expression.
"Very well."
Miwa clapped once, excited.
"Perfect! Take us somewhere expensive!"
Minos added immediately, "And good."
Jennie waved her hands softly.
"Let's not be greedy. Weren't we here to meet Zazm—"
Zazm cut her off. "It's fine."
He turned to all of them. "Then shall we go visit Earth?"
Jennie blinked.
"Earth?" Her voice rose slightly in surprise.
Nova tapped his chin.
"Oh—right. This universe also has an Earth. And it's the biggest technological hub here, isn't it?"
Zazm nodded.
"Yes."
Kiyomasa exhaled gently, voice warm with nostalgia.
"Earth, huh…"
Nova shrugged, tone still lazy and calm.
"Don't keep any hopes. The Earth we used to know doesn't exist here."
Kiyomasa chuckled. "Yeah, I know that much."
Jennie looked at her hands, her voice softening.
"Sometimes I remember the old times. It makes me… happy."
Silence fell for a moment.
Everyone drifted into their memories.
Jennie continued quietly,"Whenever we sit like this… it reminds me of how we used to crowd Zazm's house and do dumb stuff."
Miwa grinned.
"Like when I accidentally slammed a brick into his window with my telekinesis?"
Laughter erupted across the room—Nova, Ai, Kiyomasa, Jennie, Minos, Miwa.
Everyone except Zazm.
He just sat there—stone-cold and unreadable.
Minos chuckled.
"Doesn't compare to the time Ai set the kitchen on fire."
Ai clicked her tongue, glaring.
"Just let it be—it was an accident."
Nova laughed harder.
"We've done more financial harm to Zazm than overall good."
The laughter grew louder.
Kiyomasa spoke after catching his breath.
"Does anyone remember the Shadow Dimension?"
Miwa's eyes sparkled.
"Yeah! That place was sooo fun!"
Minos leaned back, nostalgia washing over him.
"We had our own thrones there… our own castle… It was so sick."
Jennie smiled softly.
"Yeah… the Shadow Dimension. We spent entire days training there, Uhh I don't think that can be called training since we were messing around most the time."
Ai sighed.
"I didn't get much time there, sadly."
Miwa smirked.
"You missed a lot—like when we created that bizarre amusement park."
Laughter filled the room again.
Everyone smiling.
Everyone except Zazm—unmoved, as cold and unreadable as ever.
Finally, Zazm spoke. "I have a question."
Everyone quieted immediately. Six pairs of eyes turned to him.
Zazm looked around the room.
"Are you all still going to fight?"
They didn't hesitate.
Everyone nodded.
Nova leaned back in the chair, arms crossing.
"So… what's the plan, boss?"
Zazm stood up.
He reached toward the desk, tapping his fingers against the embedded panel.
Instantly, the windows darkened—shutting out all external light.
A massive blue hologram flickered to life above the table, glowing and rotating gently.
The room was swallowed in cool blue light.
Zazm's voice remained steady.
"I've already taken care of everything."
The hologram displayed picture-cards of each person in the room.
"Minos has already joined Ember Forge," he said.
Minos nodded once.
"Jennie will proceed with Sable Veil."
Jennie offered a small confirming nod.
Zazm continued,
"The rest of you will join Obsidian Fang."
Ai tilted her head slightly.
"Understood."
Nova asked,"But is that all we have to do?"
Zazm shook his head once.
"All of you are far from ready. Therefore, you will receive a mission from me."
Kiyomasa leaned forward slightly, voice polite.
"What is the mission, Zazm?"
Miwa hugged a pillow, impatience in her voice.
"Is it something hard?"
Zazm gave the smallest nod.
"It is. So listen closely."
He moved his hand, and the hologram shifted—everyone's picture disappearing except Ai's and Kiyomasa's.
"You two will be sent to a planet in our neighboring galaxy."
A new hologram expanded—showing a galaxy labeled B-230.
Zazm zoomed in.
A large planet appeared, rotating slowly.
"This is planet B-766. The locals call it Bueno."
He looked at both of them.
"It's a large planet—population approximately 4 billion. It contains many valuable resources."
He continued, tone unwavering.
"A few years ago, we discovered a corpse here. After investigation, it turned out to be a Remnant. Following that, further investigations began… and more Remnants were discovered living undercover."
Ai folded her arms.
"Makes sense. There's no way to identify them unless they use their powers… or we split their brain open."
Zazm nodded.
"They're reaching high positions across the planet. Their goal is to take over—slowly."
Minos crossed his arms.
"Why would they do that? Why not just attack?"
Nova smirked knowingly.
"And that's exactly what they wanted us to think."
Everyone turned to him.
Nova continued, "They knew we wouldn't expect this method. They've always attacked from the front."
Zazm nodded again.
"Precisely."
He changed the hologram.
"In the past twenty years, we've caught several Remnants like this. However, estimates show we've only captured 5% of their total spies."
Jennie's eyes widened slightly. "That low?"
Zazm answered with a calm nod.
Miwa frowned, growing impatient again.
"Okay, but why are you telling us this?"
Zazm lifted his gaze toward Ai and Kiyomasa.
"Because the mission I'm assigning to Kiyo and Ai is this."
He flicked his wrist.
Two small holographic data chips shot through the air—hovering before Ai and Kiyomasa.
Ai caught hers effortlessly.
Kiyomasa caught his with both hands, carefully.
Miwa leaned forward.
"What do you mean, Zazm?"
And the room went still—everyone waiting for his next words.
The tension in the briefing room settled like a thin mist—quiet, cold, and expectant. Zazm stood at the head of the long obsidian table, its surface reflecting the dim blue holographic lights that flickered softly above it. His expression remained as unreadable as ever: monotone eyes, posture relaxed yet firm, as though the weight of the entire mission rested comfortably on shoulders too accustomed to pressure.
Everyone watched him.
And then he spoke, voice calm—almost too calm.
"Kiyo, Ai—you'll go to that planet. Your goal is to hunt them while operating entirely from the shadows… and erase everything they've created."
The words hit the room like a cold wave. Conversations died. Even breathing seemed to pause.
Kiyomasa's lips twitched as he let out a nervous, tiny chuckle.
"Umm… Zazm, are you—umm, I mean… like, sure sure?"
His voice cracked halfway through, something no one commented on but everyone definitely noticed.
Zazm simply nodded once.
Ai leaned forward, brows furrowed, her tone sharp but composed.
"How exactly do you expect us to hunt them down now? You said they're being hunted already, right? That means specialists are after them too. So how are we supposed to outperform specialists?"
"Yeah—exactly!" Kiyo added, eagerly backing her up.
Zazm's gaze shifted to Ai.
"Ai, you can observe things others can't—small details, micro-patterns, subtle movements. Can't you?"
Ai blinked, taken aback. "Well… yes. I can adapt to any environment and I can usually find a way out."
"Exactly." Zazm nodded once more. "If you use your power properly, you'll be able to do what others can't."
He turned to Kiyomasa next.
"As for you… your job is to use your brain."
Kiyomasa froze mid-blink.
"Huh—?"
Nova didn't even let him finish. He clicked his tongue.
"Kiyo… makes sense. You rely too much on your abilities, and you get emotional too easily."
"E-Excuse me—? I—" Kiyo tried to defend himself but Ai cut through the conversation.
"Okay, fine. My head hurts. So basically, we just go there and get rid of all the remnants… is that what you're saying?"
Zazm nodded. "Yes."
He paused, and the air around him seemed to shift—heavier, more serious.
"But there is a catch in this mission."
Kiyo frowned. "…What catch?"
Zazm looked right at him.
"Five years."
"…Huh?" Kiyomasa tilted his head, confused.
"You'll have five years to complete everything," Zazm continued.
"Five YEARS?!"
Kiyomasa's eyes widened so far Nova quietly snorted to himself.
Ai wasn't any calmer. "Wait—I thought we were going only for a while."
"That is a little while," Zazm replied without even blinking.
Silence swept across the room again. Heavy. Suffocating.
Zazm exhaled lightly before continuing.
"The next ones are Miwa and Nova."
Nova lifted an eyebrow as he looked up at him.
Zazm went on. "There isn't much you have to do. You'll join the front lines and prove yourselves there."
Miwa's eyes widened, shock striking her voice.
"Wait—what? Isn't that dangerous?!"
Zazm shook his head. "You're strong enough."
Nova folded his arms.
"And we'll also have five years, correct?"
"Correct."
But Zazm wasn't finished.
"However—unlike me, you won't have Rhyes, Neo, or Asher with you. I accept that the reason I was able to be accepted was because of them. But you won't have that. Your journey will be much more difficult."
Nova exhaled, a tired sigh. "…I figured as much."
Zazm continued calmly.
"In the meantime, Jennie will learn healing from Miss Lorriel. And Minos will continue his own path."
Quiet again.
This time it was Minos who broke it, voice low and solemn.
"I suppose… we're all going away for a long time?"
Zazm nodded. "Yes."
Kiyomasa murmured, voice cracking slightly,
"So we won't see each other for that long either…"
Jennie, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, suddenly forced a small smile.
"We can talk through our bracelets. Right?"
But Zazm looked directly at her.
"You can. But…"
His voice softened into something colder.
"…do you really think you'll have the luxury to chat and catch up every week?"
The pressure in the room deepened like gravity increasing. Shoulders stiffened. Throats tightened.
Nova finally stepped in, clapping his hands together sharply.
"Alright, okay—enough."
He forced a grin. "I know what everyone's thinking, but it's for our own good. Besides, let's leave the depressing part for later."
He stood and walked to Zazm's side.
"So… how do we open the windows now?"
Zazm tapped the table.
A soft pulse of light spread across its surface, and the thick obsidian windows slid open—the hologram dissipating into thin particles.
Nova whistled. "Now that's better. Come on, we can be sad later. For now let's get ready—we're heading to Earth for some actual good food."
Ai finally cracked a small smile as she rose.
"Yeah, exactly."
She turned toward Miwa and Jennie.
"Miwa, Jennie—let's go. We need new clothes too, don't we?"
Miwa smiled gently. "Yes."
Jennie nodded and stood, adjusting her coat.
Ai's gaze drifted to Nova and Kiyo. She stared for a moment.
Nova blinked. "…What?"
Ai ignored him and turned dramatically toward Minos.
"Minos, come with us. Two workers won't be enough."
"…Huh?" Minos looked around, confused.
Kiyomasa turned to Nova and pointed at Ai.
"She just called us slaves, didn't she?"
Nova nodded. "She did."
Before either of them could protest, Ai, Miwa, Jennie, and Minos were already gone.
Nova smirked and nudged Kiyomasa lightly.
"You go on ahead. I'll come in a bit."
Kiyomasa sighed and left the room.
Nova then turned back to Zazm.
"You dropped quite a lot of bombs today."
Zazm's tone was ice.
"I only did what I was supposed to."
Nova held up his hands in surrender.
"I know, I know. And I'm sure you've already thought everything through."
He started walking toward the exit.
"Let's see where this all leads."
The door slid shut behind him, leaving Zazm alone in the now-empty room.
Zazm turned toward his desk—
"You should go as well."
A soft voice breathed over his shoulder.
Zazm didn't need to turn. But he did.
Zephyra's head rested on his left shoulder, her arms draped loosely around his neck, her body floating horizontally behind him like weightless silk. Her long purple hair spilled down in waves—some strands falling across her cheek, others brushing gently against Zazm's neck.
Her eyes—those endless purple galaxies—gazed at him.
"You don't have many casual clothes," she murmured, still resting against him. "You should buy some things while you have the chance."
"I have enough," Zazm replied plainly.
Zephyra lifted herself slightly, placing her chin on the top of his head. She let out a dramatic sigh and poked both of his cheeks softly.
"Just go with your friends. Don't be such a killjoy."
Zazm finally turned around to face her, expression unchanged.
"…Fine."
Zephyra smiled—slow, warm, teasing.
She let her weightless form fall forward again, arms wrapping comfortably around him as she rested her head back on his shoulder like it was the most natural place in the world.
_____________________