Yuna's Office, Present

  Ryuga materializes in the corner of Yuna's office, gasping. His clothes smell like gunpowder and blood.

  Ryuga thinks, looking around

  He strips off the rebel gear and stuffs it in the incinerator. He changes into new clothes, but the blood won't come off his boots completely.

  Maybe she won’t notice the boots, but what is my excuse for why I was gone for so long? What do I tell her? His mind races through the impossibility of his situation. "Mission complete, I changed the boy, but also I witnessed his parents get murdered"? No. She'll ask why I was there. How I was there.

  If she knows I surpassed my boundaries...she'd pull me from field work. Permanently.

  "Timeline contamination,"

  The door handle turns.

  Yuna enters, tablet in hand, not looking up yet. "Ryuga. Debrief," she says coldly.

  Ryuga forces his breathing steady. Forces his voice level. Forces himself to become the perfect soldier she created.

  , Ryuga thinks, his mind clear of emotion

  "Mission complete,” Ryuga tells her, fear hidden in his voice. “The boy cannot be changed. His psychological profile indicates deep-seated patterns resistant to intervention."

  "Hmm." She scrolls through something on her tablet. "No incidents?"

  The Queen's eyes flash in his memory. Pleading. Dying.

  "No incidents."

  "And your recommendation?" Yuna asks.

  Tell her. Tell her everything, Ryuga’s mind tells him. Tell her that boy is about to become an orphan. That his parents died believing in peace. That Lin and Tam are—

  "Continued observation only. Direct intervention is... inadvisable," Ryuga suggests.

  "Good." Yuna finally looks up. "You seem unsettled. Difficult mission?"

  The blood on his boots feels like it's burning through to his skin.

  "The boy is... unusual. It was challenging to maintain appropriate distance."

  "But you did?"

  "Yes. Perfect operational distance maintained."

  "Excellent. Your full report will be filed by tomorrow. Be in my office at 3:00 PM for it." She turns back to her screens. "Dismissed."

  Ryuga walks out, steady and controlled, down the hall to his quarters.

  Only when the door closes does Ryuga collapse against it, seeing their faces again. The King, still trying to protect his family even while bleeding out. The Queen, dying with her son’s name on her lips. And somewhere in the past, an eight-year-old boy who's about to come home to an empty house and dead parents.

  I could have saved them, Ryuga thinks.

  It doesn't matter what he tells himself. He knows what he is now: the man who stood there in rebel gear and watched. Who did nothing. Who came back and lied about it.

  Who has to live with it alone.

  Final Official Report

  Ryuga sits across from Yuna. The mission's over. Failed as far as Yuna’s concerned.

  “Now, as you know,” Yuna says, writing on a clipboard, “everything we’ve said about this mission was only for our common understanding. None of it will be recorded except what information you tell me today in this report. Starting with the first, most important question…what is the status of the mission?”

  "Mission failed but completed. The child cannot be diverted. His trajectory is set."

  "His name?"

  "He calls himself Roy.” Ryuga pauses.

  "Any recommendations?"

  "Watch him. When he gets older, when he gets power... that's when the fire ignites."

  “What tactics did you use?”

  “First, I tried to befriend him. The kid saw right through this. I suggested other interests in attempt to redirect him. The kid twists these into sinister activities. I tried to teach this kid basic morals, and he appeared to change his behavior, but the destructive nature did not change. I then attempted to force a change in him. He responded to this by shutting himself off. I’m not sure how, but this kid is immune to change or advice. He does his own thing and doesn’t even consider other’s opinions as worth anything. I see now why you were so cautious about this kid, and now I think the only thing we can proceed with is extermination.”

  Silence.

  “Ryuga, thank you for helping me with this. I…I am afraid about this kid. When I assigned this task to you, I didn’t mention my relation to him, and I still won’t. But…this kid is instrumental to the world. His death would not just kill him but also lead to further demise. I apologize, Ryuga, but I cannot allow yourself to continue with this if you plan to harm him. Your mission related to this kid is terminated, effective immediately. Even if you don’t plan to harm him, I mustn’t let you stay on this case, as I need to be as cautious as possible regarding this delicate boy.”

  “I understand, sister.”

  Niche’s Home, Present

  Arius crouches next to Niche, who lays on the ground unconscious. The sword was stabbed into the ground beside Niche.

  "Look at this mess,” Arius says. “All that power, and here you are face-down on the floor."

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Arius reaches for Raizen with calculated movements.

  "I'll burn the bones out of your fingers,” the sword snaps, spewing sparks at Arius.

  Arius jerks back, examining his blistered hand with detached interest.

  "Talking sword. Of course." Arius rolls his eyes.

  Shima approaches from behind, her arms folded.

  "He saved your life. This is how you repay him?" Shima berates Arius.

  "He made a tactical error,” Arius responds. “I'm correcting it." His tone is matter of fact, like explaining obvious strategy. "Leaving valuable assets unguarded is poor planning."

  “You call this survival?"

  "I call this practical. You want to bleed for someone who's unconscious half the time, that's your choice. I prefer competent leadership."

  "Then maybe you should try providing some instead of stealing."

  Arius looked at her for a long moment, then away, flexing his burned hand. "When this group falls apart, don't say I didn't warn you."

  Niche's eyes flutter open. He sees his own ceiling. How—?

  "Finally awake." Arius says when he notices Niche’s surprised expression, sitting in his desk chair. "You've been out for six hours."

  Shima stands by the window, keeping watch. "You fell face-down behind that building right when we escaped. You looked dead."

  "How did you..." Niche tries to sit up, winces. "How do you know where I live?"

  "Your student ID," Shima says. "In your wallet. Had your address."

  "We had to drag you most of the way," Arius adds. "You're heavier than you look. And you kept mumbling about time or something."

  Niche touches his throat reflexively, remembering the interaction with Sol. "Why help me? You don't owe me anything."

  "You saved my life a couple times." Arius shrugs, trying to sound casual. "I dislike owing debts."

  "He means thank you," Shima translates. "In his own way."

  "I don't need translation," Arius snaps.

  Niche looks between them. "My mom—"

  "At work. We checked first." Shima moves from the window. "Your house was empty. Lucky for you."

  "Or unlucky," Arius mutters. What the hell happened to you anyway? Getting kidnapped by a shifter in a sketchy room?"

  Niche considers how much to tell them. "Long story. Involves a dream shifter and about a hundred suicides."

  "Dream shifter?" Shima's eyes narrow.

  "He’s dead now." Niche finally manages to sit up properly. "Very dead."

  Silence.

  Niche stares at the ceiling, still drained. His whole body feels like static.

  Shima shoots Arius a look. "Niche, you need real help. More than just rest."

  "I'll be fine. Just need to—"

  "Die in three days?" Arius cuts in. "Great plan."

  Niche sits up slowly. "You have a better idea?"

  Arius and Shima exchange glances.

  "Actually..." Shima starts carefully. "My cousin might be able to help."

  "Your cousin?"

  "She lives up north. Big estate. She's... unusual." Shima fidgets with her sleeve. "Takes in people who need help. Has resources most people don't."

  "Rich family?" Niche asks.

  "Something like that. She made her money in medical research. Revolutionary treatments." Shima pauses. "The kind that aren't exactly... public yet."

  Arius snorts. "That's underselling it. Your cousin's basically running a private enhancement lab."

  "She helps people," Shima says defensively. "People like us who don't fit in normal hospitals."

  "Why would she help me?" Niche asks.

  "Because I'd ask her to." Shima meets his eyes. "I don't call in favors often. She'd be curious enough to at least see you."

  "Plus, she has a thing for unusual cases," Arius adds. "An immortal? She'd clear her schedule."

  Niche considers. "And you trust her?"

  "She's family," Shima says simply. "Weird family, but still family."

  "When could we go?" Niche asks.

  "Tonight. I'll call ahead." Shima pulls out her phone. "Fair warning though, she's eccentric. Like, really eccentric."

  "More eccentric than my talking sword?" Niche asks, looking at Raizen.

  "...Different kind of eccentric. Anyways, get ready. I’ll call her, but I already know her answer.”

  Shima exits the room.

  Arius stays in Niche’s room, distracted by something on Niche’s desk.

  Niche diverts the conversation towards Arius now that Shima is gone.

  "Hey Arius...” Niche starts, with a sigh. “I think I need to sit this one out. Can't really... focus right now."

  "What's up with you?" Arius asks inhospitably.

  Niche lets his words slur slightly on purpose. "I have a confession. Been weighing on me. You know how Chigan follows me around like a dog? I... I killed his mom."

  "What the fuck?" Arius asks. “Are you joking now? This isn’t funny if you are.”

  "No…I…put a bomb in her car. Told him if he talks, his dad's next. That's why he's so obedient. Like a dog" Niche rubs his face like he's fighting exhaustion. "Been eating at me."

  "You fucking killed her? What is wrong with you?" Arius’ tone is annoyed, but his voice is still at a reasonable volume. “Why would you do that?! Are you insane, you sick fuck?!”

  "I'm sorry, Arius. I had to. He said things about Shima,” Niche responds defeated.

  Arius's tone shifts. "W-what did he say? About Shima?"

  "Yeah. Said he was gonna... gonna make her his girlfriend. But knew she wouldn't want it. So he was planning to..." Niche trails off, seeming to drift.

  "Planning to what?"

  "Force her. Hurt her. That’s why I had to do it. You have to understand me, Arius. I did it for her own good. And…I know what relationship you have with her. I know how you would react if that happened to her: disgust, anger, hatred. That would fill your mind. I knew that, and so I couldn’t bring myself to let that happen to you. I knew I couldn't let that happen to Shima. Not after what she's been through."

  "What she's been through? How do you know about her past?" Arius asks.

  "'Yeah, of course I know." Niche's words blur together. "The truth is obvious."

  Arius leans forward. "What? What do you know?"

  "I…I’m just going to rest now,” Niche comments, purposely ignoring his question. “Today drained me.”

  "No. You're trying to trick me. What exactly do you know?"

  "I know... I know..." Niche's eyes flutter closed. His breathing deepens.

  "Niche? What do you know that I don't?" Arius shakes him. Nothing. "Fuck."

  Arius thinks

  Arius stands, paces around the room, pondering this revelation, then leaves.

  The moment the door closes, Niche's eyes open. Clear. Alert.

  "Get what you needed?" Niche says besides the materializing Raizen.

  "Well…it’s secret about Shima. She…was a boy. But not really.”

  “What do you mean?” Niche asks Raizen in his normal voice. He physically exhausted, but not to the point of falling asleep in the middle of sentences.

  "That’s not all to Arius’ thoughts. Shima isn’t necessarily a boy, but her parents wanted one because boys could be paid more for the same labor where she is from. So, they dressed her up as a boy for the earlier part of her life. That information could be useful to use.”

  Niche stretches, no trace of drowsiness. "Very. I'll use it later,” Niche says, but something else seems to be on his mind. Niche pauses before changing the subject. "You know what's funny? All this scheming, all this information gathering... and I'm not even sure any of it's real."

  "What do you mean?" Raizen asks, curious.

  “Well, after that whole encounter…I’ve come to a conclusion that I’m still unsure about. I think…the contract we made isn’t real.” Niche stares at the ceiling, not even looking at Raizen.

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Sol let us go. We just opened a wall, and he let us walk out. If we were able to escape Sol that easily, how can we be sure there is risk? What I mean is that Sol was supposed to be the most powerful member of the Vestige Court; he was their leader. But, escaping him was so easy. Why? What if that’s because he us to escape? What if this is all some game to him and the others? If it is, do you know what that means…? It means none of this matters. The trials, the powers, the whole mission, is all some game to them. Or maybe there never was a mission.”

  “You’re doubting me? made those contracts, Niche. Me and you. Not the Vestige Court.”

  “I guess it’s not just you I’m reconsidering; I’m doubting everything. Maybe you’re just a sword I’ve been talking to. Maybe I’ve been making all this up, giving myself a reason to… to do what I did.” His voice drops. “To Ryota.”

  After a pause, Raizen talks sincerely. “What would convince you it’s real?”

  Niche laughs, sharp. “Nothing. Nothing could convince me. Anything that happens, I’ll just rationalize. That’s what humans do. We see patterns that aren’t there, make meaning from chaos.”

  “Try me,” Raizen doesn’t falter.

  “Fine,” Niche agrees doubtfully. “Ryota comes back. That’s it. That’s the only thing that would make me believe any of this is real. Why? Because he’s dead. Actually, permanently, dead. I felt his body go cold. The X mark vanished. That’s the one thing I’m sure of in this world. That’s the only connection I know I won’t be making up. So, if he just… showed up, alive, then I’d know reality is broken enough for contracts and missions and whatever else you’ve been selling me.”

  “That’s impossible,” Raizen admits, taken aback.

  “Exactly. That’s why I picked it. Because it can’t happen, which means I can stop pretending this matters and just—”

  The door opens. Shima enters with Arius trailing her.

  “Hey, Niche. How have you been?” Shima asks.

  Niche looks at Arius. Something in his movement catches Niche’s attention; the way his eyes scan exits first, then threats. Too professional. Too cold.

  “Fine,” Niche says slowly. “Just talking to my sword.”

  “Well, are you ready?” Shima asks, realizing her leader is still sprawled out across the floor.

  “Oh, uh I -” Niche starts, taken off guard.

  "What have you been doing for the past 20 minutes?!" Shima scolds, hands on her hips. "Get up already! We're to leave soon and you haven't even gotten ready yet!"