Ervin: [BLACK: SHADOW BEAST MANIPULATION, MNEMOSYNE]
Giles: (to himself) Damn it. I can't move.
Mnemosyne's ability allowed it to access the memories of anyone it touched. Everything it uncovered was relayed back to Ervin. With Giles still immobilized from the effects of ARATA, Ervin seized the opportunity to delve into the motives of the Kaimi Daja and their identity.
Mnemosyne placed its hand on Giles' head and began sifting through his memories. As it scanned Giles' mind, Ervin saw what Mnemosyne saw. The memories revealed plans, motives, and a truth that shook Ervin to his core. He sent Mnemosyne back into his shadow, his mind racing.
Ervin: (to himself) What the…?! They have such formidable allies… Shadows and Clarions working together? Just like the world I'm trying to build. But I didn't expect to see—
His thoughts were interrupted by the presence of another figure who suddenly entered the station.
Ervin turned sharply and froze at the sight of who stood before him.
Desmond stood only a few feet away.
For a moment, Ervin didn't speak or move. The shock locked him in place and Desmond, meanwhile, looked at him with nothing but indifference, as if this was just another meaningless encounter.
They stood there in silence for a moment and in that stillness, memories Ervin had buried long ago began to claw their way back to the surface.
Ervin then recollected himself and then attempted to take a step forward, but before he could…
Desmond: [WHITE: ….]
The station suddenly flipped. Ervin felt the world invert beneath him, and he was thrown toward the ceiling, his stomach lurching as gravity betrayed him.
But before he could crash, everything snapped back into place. The floor and the ceiling were back in their usual places. He landed on solid ground, breath catching in his throat from the sudden disorientation.
Spinning around, Ervin searched the room. Giles was gone, so was Desmond. There was no sign of either of them, only empty space, leaving him alone and unnervingly aware of how quickly the battle had shifted.
******
Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Kato sat silently by his mother's bedside. She remained in a coma, her breathing steady but unresponsive. Arou lingered quietly at the door, watching him. Whenever Kato visited, he never spoke, he simply sat in silence for an hour or two before quietly leaving.
After an hour, Kato finally rose from his chair and motioned to leave. Arou followed him down the hall to Dana's office, ready to inform her of his departure.
Dana: You're leaving already?
Kato: Yeah. (bows his head) Thank You for taking care of my mother, ma'am.
Dana: (concerned) Oh, no need to thank me. I'm just doing my job. But… are you okay?
Kato: Honestly, I don't know. I haven't felt this down since my dad left. Knowing there's nothing I can do to save my mom… I feel hopeless.
Arou wore a concerned look on his face.
Kato: (puts on a fake smile) But, you don't need to worry about me. Let's go, Arou.
Arou quickly checked a message on his phone.
Arou: Yeah.
Dana: Yeah. I'll see you guys later.
As they stepped out of the hospital, Kato's necklace concealed his identity, letting him move through the streets unnoticed. A few blocks away, he came to a stop, motioning for Arou to pause as well.
Arou: What's wrong?
Kato: There's somewhere I want to go. Do you mind?
Arou: Sure. Lead the way.
*****
Meanwhile, back in Dana's office, her phone suddenly rang and once she saw it was Ervin, she immediately picked the call.
Dana: Where the hell are you? You were supposed to be here twenty minutes ago.
Ervin: Whatever it is, it can wait. Where's Kato?
Dana: Huh? He just left now with Arou. Why?
Ervin: DAMN IT!! He's already left?
Dana raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Dana: What's wrong?
Ervin: Listen carefully. I know you're busy, so get Kayomi or anyone to track him down. Kato's life is in danger.
Dana: (shocked) IN DANGER!?
Ervin: I just got attacked by one of the Kaimi Daja members. I was able to defeat him and access his memories. We've had a mole leaking info on us and Kato this whole time.
Dana: (horrified) A mole? Who is it?
Ervin: The Mole is…