Later
Both Caelus and Phil can be seen kneeling in front of Soldier 11, lowering their heads, not daring to glance at her. Soldier 11 crosses her arms, glaring at both of them with burning rage and sheer embarrassment. Meanwhile, Trigger is standing at a distance watching the entire thing in amusement.
"Mind telling me why you're both spying on me?" Soldier 1 asks with a monotonous tone, but both Caelus and Phil can hear a hint of anger in her tone.
"W-we're just curious," Caelus explains, earning a raised eyebrow from Soldier 11. "I mean, a soldier from a defense force walks into a neighborhood in their uniform and weapon, anyone would be asking, 'what are they doing here?'. Neither of us expects what we saw...."
"...if you tell anyone about this, I shall command Trigger to silence you," Soldier 11 growls a bit, earning a rapid nod from both boys.
"Easy there, Soldier 11," Trigger says, a hint of amusement in her tone. "They're simply civilians. No need to threaten them."
"One of them is a local celebrity, Trigger," Soldier 11 says while pointing at Caelus.
"I didn't ask to be a celebrity," Caelus mutters, earning a huff from Soldier 11 before walking away.
"Sorry about that, but maybe next time don't spy on a soldier, even if they're out of work," Trigger warns, which earns a nod from both boys. "So, Caelus, I honestly wasn't expecting you to be a local celebrity overnight."
"Again, didn't ask for it," Caelus grumbles.
"...you know how dangerous Hollow is," Trigger says, her tone becoming serious. "Especially if what your record says is true."
"I'm sorry, you read my record?" Caelus asks before realizing what he said. "...okay, poor choice of words..."
"Haha," Trigger can't help but chuckle. "Please, may I ask why you chose to enter Hollow despite the dangers?"
"...if you had..." Caelus pauses, unsure how to say it.
"I usually listen to audio about anyone's record, or my superior reads it for me," Trigger says in amusement.
"...yeah, whatever," Caelus sighs. "You... should've known how my parents died in a Hollow thanks to the gang, they kidnapped us and sent us to Hollow, hoping we could get corrupted. I...watch them corrupted right before my eyes, and I barely escaped."
"...." Trigger is unsure how to react. On the one hand, she can't fully tell if Caelus is lying to her because he's invisible to her vision, so she can only rely on her hearing. His story matches his record, even matches the PubSec's investigation; his voice even sounds genuine.
But her gut feeling believes it's not the full story, or even the true story.
"When I watched Vision Corporation's interview, I had my suspicion, especially given how I was able to easily rent a place to stay despite the news saying everyone is evacuated," Caelus explains. "So...I decided to go, and my suspicion was correct."
"...as a part of the defense force, I should've reprimanded you, a civilian, for illegally traveling to a Hollow," Trigger says. "But, I understand when rules are required to be broken to do the right thing. All I can say is well done, but please don't do that again."
"I doubt it," Phil deadpans, getting Trigger's attention. "He and I registered to be candidates of H.I.A., so expect him to enter Hollow more than before."
"H-hey, don't call me out like that!" Caelus exclaims as Trigger 'stares' at them blankly before chuckling exasperatedly.
"Then, perhaps my advice would be suitable for you two," Trigger says as she pats their shoulders. "Be careful. Human's lives are precious, including you two."
"...We will," Caelus replies as Phil nods. Trigger feels slightly relieved hearing that. "So...Trigger...are you and Soldier 11 here for official business or because Soldier 11...?"
"...let us not mention that," Trigger sweatdrops. "Also, no telling."
"...official business, got it," Caelus says dryly. He had a feeling he knew what kind of business they were having, but unless he had proof, he would not jump to a conclusion.
"Caelus, please don't aggravate the lady with a sniper!" Phil hisses while tugging Caelus' sleeves.
"...kid, my mission is to protect New Eridu and its citizens, not harming them," Trigger sweatdrops once again. Phil is about to complain how he's not a kid but shuts himself, still scared of angering the sniper lady. "...I am not that temperamental."
"...sorry," Phil squeaks. How does this lady able to read his mind!?
"It's a guess," Phil spooked even more and hid behind Caelus, intending to use him as a shield. Caelus sweatdrops as he dryly stares at Phil at the blatant betrayal, while Trigger can't help but giggle.
"Please don't mess with him, he's already spooked like a bunny hiding from a predator," Caelus says exasperatedly.
"Sorry, I can't help it, it's adorable," Phil grumbles as his face slowly turns red. "Anyways, I should be going now. Gotta keep an eye on my friend and keep troubles away from her. See you two next time,"
With that, Trigger walks away into the corner. Both Caelus and Phil look at each other before Caelus gently pushes Phil away from his back, still annoyed by Phil trying to use him as a meat shield. Sure, he might've unlocked the Path of Preservation, but still.
Caelus gets up and tries to search for Trigger, and he is not surprised when Trigger disappears. Caelus groans, realizing that somehow Trigger had perfected Batman's disappearing trick, which explains how she managed to sneak on them.
Which is fair, since she's a sniper, she should've known how to sneak on enemies or targets.
"Did she just disappear?!" Phil exclaims in disbelief, a hint of fear in his voice. "My ears didn't catch any sounds at all! And how is she able to move that fast!?!"
"Well, she is a sniper; she had to learn some sort of tricks to pull this shit off," Caelus mutters.
"...great, no sleep for tonight," Phil mutters anxiously as Caelus gently pats his head.
"Don't be too dramatic. We're not criminals, so she won't snipe us," Caelus says before glancing around. "....maybe,"
"YOU'RE NOT HELPING!!!" Phil yells comically, flailing his arms as he hits Caelus, but winces as he feels like he's hitting a wall of brick. "What are you made of!?"
"A cosmic energy from a space god who isolates themselves to build a wall at the corner of the cosmos," Caelus says, which earns a deadpan stare from Phil.
"...did the Ether concentration in the Hollow make you high or something?" Phil asks with a genuine concern.
"Bruh, did you forget my Ether aptitude or something?" Caelus asks.
"Then don't make up an answer that's straight out of a fantasy!" Phil exclaims as Caelus sweatdrops even more.
'I wasn't making up stuff, but I should've expected such reactions,' Caelus thought before noticing something shiny floating next to the cat that Soldier 11 had petted earlier. This made Caelus curious as he slowly approached the cat and touched the light.
'What is this-!?' Out of nowhere, Caelus is brought into a void with a large, shattered mirror.
'Wait, why does this feel familiar...?' Caelus thought before remembering the game cutscene after beating the Flame Reaver for the final time, where the Trailblazers saw a giant mirror shard and saw the memory of the Flame Reaver through 33,550,336 life cycles.
'Right, memories...' Caelus thought before pausing. 'Hold on, how did I gain access to Path of Remembrance when I haven't unlocked it yet!?'
He didn't get to process his thoughts as the mirror shows Soldier 11's memory of petting the cat through the cat's perspective before she notices Caelus and Phil.
'Okay, this is so weird...' Caelus thought before noticing, in the reflection, a familiar figure can be seen floating right above Caelus and even waving at him. As he turned around, everything went back to normal, and he saw Phil trying to reach his shoulder, but he ended up yelping in shock before falling on his ass.
"W-what the hell, don't scare me like that!" Phil exclaims before getting up.
"Uh...what were you doing?" Caelus can't help but ask.
"I should've been asking you. You suddenly approach the cat, and your eyes turn blank while kneeling in front of the cat. I was trying to get your attention, but you shocked me by turning around out of nowhere!" Phil explains.
"Uh, sorry," Caelus says sheepishly before looking at the cat and gently petting it, causing the cat to purr.
"...you okay?" Phil asks in concern.
"Yeah," Caelus says with a smile. "Just...remembering a cat near my neighborhood before...everything." He wasn't lying at that part; he just didn't specify which neighborhood he was talking about.
Before Phil could say anything, Caelus' phone rang. Both of them look at each other before Caelus picks up his phone.
"Hello?" Caelus calls.
"Hi, Caelus. Sorry for calling you out of nowhere," Wise says.
"Something wrong, Wise?" Caelus asks while raising his eyebrow.
"I...might need your help with today's commission," Caelus furrows his eyebrow. This is a complete turn of events. Why would Phaethon ask for his help? The timeline has gotten too messy for his liking, and he can't help but feel dread at the possible butterfly effects.
"What can I help you with?" Caelus decides to ask the Proxy, figuring that he could've just figured things out along the way.
"I got a commission involving an unknown client. And given how this might involve my safety, I...need your help..." Wise says with an embarrassed tone.
"...you're hiring me as your bodyguard," Caelus deadpans.
"Yes," Wise admits with slight shame. "Before you ask, Belle recommended me as she seems worried. I... would rather not worry her even further."
"...what do I need to do?" Caelus asks.
"You...agree? Not asking for payment or anything?" Wise asks in surprise.
"I already had money, and probably will get more if I get accepted by H.I.A.," Caelus says.
"You mean, 'when you get accepted?'" Wise deadpans.
"...I'm sure you're struggling with cash with how high electric bills thanks to your equipment," Caelus says as Wise feels a metaphorical arrow piercing his head. "From a former broke man to a financially struggling one, it'll leave a bad taste in my mouth if I charge you with money."
"Your...pity is unnecessary," Wise says, clearing his throat. "But I'll be dumb to turn down free service."
"When's the time?" Caelus asks.
"...soon," Wise says. "But, please stay hidden and only appear when it's necessary. Let's not risk showing this mysterious client all of our cards."
"Sure," Caelus shrugs. "Where do you guys meet?"
"The info broker said that I should meet my client in my parking area..." Wise pauses a bit. "Honestly, did the client know it's private property?"
"...I may have had an idea who this client is..."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Later
"...okay, calm yourself. Act normal," Wise mutters as he slowly enters his store's parking area through the other gate.
"Easy there, Wise. Fairy and I got your back." Belle says through his communicator. "Besides, we got Mr. Superhuman here ready for action."
"Love theconfidence," Caelus says.
"Why am I here again?" Phil asks.
"Comfort plush," Belle says shamelessly.
"No!!!" Phil wails.
"I'm still wondering why a Defense Force would hire a Proxy?" Wise mutters. "Sure, there's one time involving one. But, she was a retired soldier."
"Wise, are you planning to tell me your entire history because you trust me enough, or you forgot I'm also at the other side of the comm?" Caelus says, causing Wise to stiffen.
"...I trust you enough," Wise lies through his teeth.
"Liar," Caelus calls him out, causing Belle and Phil to hold her giggles. Wise decided to pay no mind as he noticed Soldier 11 standing near his van and approached her.
"U-um, hi....uh, Flame?" Wise says hesitantly.
"...Thunder," Soldier 11 says.
"...I bet she's a comic book nerd, or maybe an anime otaku," Caelus whispers to Belle, but it was loud enough to be heard through Wise's comms.
"...she looks like one," Belle agreed.
"Definitely, I have several classmates like her," Phil added.
"You are a few minutes early. Good," Soldier 11 nods in approval. "The Defense Force could've taken a few notes from you to be more efficient soldiers."
"Thank...you?" Wise says unsurely.
"...if she knew how late we wake up thanks to our commissions," Belle mutters.
"I suppose you're the Proxy Shepherd recommended?" Soldier 11 asks as Wise nods. "Remember, this conversation never happened in the first place, you never met me, and this conversation is confidential, got it?"
"...hehe..." Both Caelus, Phil, and Belle nervously chuckle, causing Wise to mentally roll his eyes before nodding.
"You can call me Soldier 11, of the Defense Force Obsidian Division," Soldier 11 introduces herself. "Since Shepherd provided me with your information, it's only right that I'm upfront with my identity."
"She sounds like she wasn't being promoted in some sort of Defense Force's recruitment ads like it's a propaganda," Phil deadpans.
"Shepherd told me you're a highly skilled wanderer from the south with no local ties, previously working under the name Crimson Twilight." Soldier 11 says, earning a groan from Belle and Phil.
"I bet my pocket money Billy will use that name if he didn't have one," Caelus remarks.
"That's a sucker's bet, and we all knew it," Belle deadpans.
"...yes, that is me," Wise says while rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I...would never choose that codename if it were up to me."
"Let's keep things brief, I'm planning on catching a mole," Soldier 11 says, ignoring Wise's words. "We recently found a spy from a nearby rebel force, who is unaware that his identity is exposed. I plan to pretend to defect the force to contact the spy, which has been going well so far, but they've yet to completely trust me."
"That sounds like an issue," Wise comments as Soldier 11 nods.
"It is, if not for one crucial information we receive." Soldier 11 explains. "We found out this spy admired an industry-renowned Proxy. If he gains said Proxy's support, he might immediately take the next step to involve me with their secret mission, which will lead me to meet their superiors."
"So, you plan to make me pretend to be this 'industry-renowned Proxy?'" Wise asks as Soldier 11 nods. Out of nowhere, Caelus can be heard snickering loudly through the comm.
"What's so funny?" Belle asks in confusion.
"You catch on quick," Wise had to focus his attention on Soldier 11.
"So...who am I pretending to be?" Wise asks, trying to ignore Caelus's laughter.
"I don't know if you might have heard them, but even I have heard the name - Phaethon." Wise feels like his brain had short-circuited as Caelus's laughter grew louder, followed by Phil and Belle.
To be Continued