Cagaro and Henry walked aimlessly, letting streets choose for them. The conversation had degraded naturally.
About food complaints, broken boots, why Mid Strato coffee tasted like filtered regret.
Henry was mid-rant. "I am telling you, if something needs three warnings not to be lethal, it's already hostile."
Cagaro laughed. "You are very critical for someone who—"
All of a sudden,
A sleek black car slid sideways into the street, drifting so close the wind slapped their coats. The engine purred like it was proud of itself. The window rolled down.
Inside sat a girl with sharp eyes, short silver-black hair, boots on the dashboard like laws were optional. She looked Henry up and down, smirk loaded and deliberate.
She wore a normal black jacket over a fine pink shirt.
"Well damn." she said. "Did the fog just cough up something interesting?"
Henry stared at her for half a second. Then spat to the side.
The car idled on its spot. Cagaro felt it physically.
"…Wow." the girl said slowly. "That is a first."
Henry kept walking as they did.
Her eye twitched. She killed the engine, stepped out, slammed the door harder than necessary. "Okay. It's rude but I respect consistency."
Her gaze shifted to Cagaro. Then she acting nice. "You must be the new one. The doc mentioned you."
Cagaro blinked. "Dr. Layles?"
"Bingo!" She stuck out a hand. "My name is Arcee Quinn. Four-star agent here. Professional problem-solver. Occasional vehicular menace."
Cagaro shook her hand, a bit stiff. "Cagaro Kunero. Five-star… for now."
"Oof," Arcee winced theatrically. "Baby rank. You don't have to sweat about it. We will corrupt you soon."
Henry stopped walking. "You drifted across two lanes for that?"
"I drifted across two lanes to meet you." Arcee shot back. "You just failed the vibe check spectacularly."
Henry shrugged. "Not interested."
"That is fine." she said brightly. "I am."
Cagaro glanced between them, very confused.
"You two know each other?"
"Unfortunately." Henry muttered.
"Professionally," Arcee corrected. "He is like a stray cat. Acts dead inside is actually dangerous."
She leaned against the car, arms crossed. "Anyway. Orders say we are a team now. Blyke's inbound. And judging by his face—" she nodded at Henry "someone already hates this mission."
Henry sighed. "I hate all missions."
Arcee grinned wider. "Perfect. We are going to get along terribly."
Arcee patted the hood of her car like it was a living thing. "It has high-density alloy frame." she said proudly.
"Adaptive suspension, reinforced core. This beauty can outrun most drones and survive what it can't outrun."
Cagaro glanced at it once. "So it's expensive."
"Refined perfectly." Arcee corrected. "Fast enough to make bad decisions feel justified."
Cagaro leaned closer, eyes shining. "It looks… unreal."
"That is Mid Strato for you." Arcee said with a grin.
Henry checked his watch, the screen flickering briefly. "Change of plan. We are not heading straight in."
Arcee raised a brow. "Let me guess. Dramatic detour?"
"Thst abandoned building." Henry replied. "Blyke just messaged. Wants us to meet there first."
Arcee sighed, then smirked. "Of course he does. Fine. Lead the way, ghost man."
Henry started walking. "Try not to drift into it this time."
....
The car didn't drive so much as it launched. It seemed like it was flying more like.
The town's streets blurred into silver lines, turns taken like insults to physics.
By the time Arcee slid the car to a stop near the abandoned building, Cagaro practically fell out the door.
He bent over immediately and vomited onto the cobblestone.
A bypasser slowed, wrinkling his nose. "You brat!! First time in a car, huh? Weak stomachs don't last long up here, you better go and rot in a mental prison!"
Henry stepped between them without urgency, "He is a patient, please pardon him."
The bypasser hesitated, glanced at Cagaro's shaking hands, then muttered something under his breath and walked off.
Henry crouched slightly beside Cagaro. "You are fine."
Cagaro wiped his mouth, embarrassed. "S-sorry. I didn't expect the speed."
Arcee leaned against the car, arms crossed. "I barely pushed it."
Henry shot her a look. "Drive carefully next time. He is new."
She opened her mouth to argue, then paused. "…Fine. I will traumatize him gradually."
Cagaro managed a weak smile to bloom out.
They regrouped and entered the abandoned building again. The air inside was stale, dust hanging thick like it remembered better days.
Henry scanned the space automatically, familiar with its angles. "Blyke should be here soon."
Cagaro straightened trying to regain composure. His stomach still twisted but beneath it was something else, anticipation.
Arcee glanced around, whistling softly. "Atlantis really loves its ruins."
Henry replied without looking back. "Ruins don't ask questions. Sometimes..."
The door creaked shut behind them, sealing the moment.
.
.
.
The atmosphere was wrong like it's waiting for him to notice. His thoughts don't line up anymore; they overlapped in confusion, fear. He tries to hold one and it slips, like wet glass. He tries to stable his one thought but it's like hydra's head.
Why is his heartbeat ahead of his breathing? Or behind it? I can't tell. The walls feel closer than before. They weren't this close. Were they? Everyone is talking but the words arrive late, stretched, hollow. I understands them after they pass. That's new. That's not good. BLOOD! No! I can't be a monster!
Cagaro's capacity of understanding and perception was at its limit...
No! Not again! I just want to live a normal life! No, no, no, no, NO! I won't be a monster again!
"Cagaro."
Cagaro blinks, focus snapped back like a rubber band pulled too far.
Henry is standing a few steps away now in different posture. The room feels… arranged around him.
"Combat test." Henry says, calm as if asking the time. "Right now."
Arcee's head whips toward them. "Oh?" Her grin spreads instantly. "Didn't know we were doing this today."
Cagaro straightens on instinct. His pulse is still wrong but training fills the gaps where thought stumbles. "Here?"
Henry nods. "Yes, in a controlled environment without weapon." A pause. "I will not hit very hard."
Arcee snorts. "That's a lie, by the way."
Henry glances at her. "It will hurt a bit. You will live. Your bones will be okay, don't worry."
Cagaro swallows, nodding once. His hands rose, stance formed almost automatically. Nervous energy trembles in his fingers but he breathes through it, forcing steadiness.
Henry mirrors him loosely.
"Don't overthink," Henry says softly. "Just respond to my moves."
"Start," Arcee said brightly, acting like she was the referee there.
Henry attacked first with a dash.
A jab marched forward, clean and probing. Cagaro's body reacted before his thoughts did, stepping back just enough for the knuckles to run pass.
Another jab followed, then a third, and a uppercut.
Cagaro's breath hitched. He ducked backwards.
His shoulders tightened as he barely avoided a cross aimed at his cheek. The floor felt unsteady beneath his feet but he stayed upright retreating in short.
Henry advanced without pressure, hands never dropping. "Good." he said calmly.
"You are bold enough to fight."
Another jab came swiftly. Cagaro swayed aside. Another jab, he blocked this one, forearm stinged.
"Stop running." Henry added. His tone didn't change. "I won't stop attacking until you land a hit on me."
Arcee clapped once, delighted. "That is very cruel!!!!! However, I like it."
Cagaro's chest burned now. Each dodge came easier than the last but his mind screamed the same question over and over—how do I hit him? Henry's presence felt immovable, as he kept striking at fog that still somehow weighed a ton.
A hook whistled past Cagaro's jaw. He stumbled beading sweat at his temple.
"You are thinking again." Henry said, stepping in. "Don't waste time."
Another jab snapped toward his face.
Cagaro gritted his teeth, feet slided side way. He could keep dodging. He knew that.
But dodging wouldn't end this. He tightened his stance, eyes locked on Henry.