Something was definitely wrong. Two had not returned for almost a month now, which was highly concerning Akira.
"I'm ready. It's time." He declared to Nova and Shawn, who seemed to have the same thought he did.
The trio stocked up on ammo and supplies in a haste, and they made their way towards the Emrys Residence: a large mansion, consisting of a backyard the size of a football pitch, a garage with several sportscars, and multiple bodyguards patrolling the premises.
Akira's body trembled with an unwelcoming surge of nostalgia as he exited from Shane's car.
"It seems this house has gotten a few refurbishment..."
"Holy...Akira, you got kicked out from a palace like this...?" Nova smirked. "You must be an idiot."
"Shut up man...I'd rather be broke and starve if I have to follow orders from the likes of her..."
The boy trudged towards the front gate in which the first two guards stopped them in their tracks.
"Name and reason for entrance," the first said, shooting daggers at them.
"A-Akira Emrys. My reason is to visit family."
The second guard scoffed. "Don't be silly. There is no Akira in this family. If you don't want to face the police, I'd advise you leave."
The remark sent shivers down Akira's spine. Did Ruthless completely discard his existence? With a nod, he returned to his group. "We'll have to-"
"Kill them and everyone that crosses our path?" Nova blurted out.
"No, are you crazy? I know a secret way in, if it's not blocked off after all these years."
***
Upon wrapping around to the back of the building, Akira removed a fake vent cover to reveal a narrow tunnel leading into darkness.
"After you." said Shawn.
The trio made their way, swatting any cobweb and critter that blocked the path. Several minutes went by, and finally, the light was visible on the other end. The light lead to be a lamp in a small bedroom. It composed of a bed and a couple toys, nothing more or less. Akira's eyes flashed through memories of what once was his prison. Nova reached for the doorknob and attempted to turn, only to be presented with denial of entry.
"It's locked...We'll need some sort of paper clip."
"Step aside." Shawn knelt before the keyhole, and inserted a Nucranium lockpick into it. All it took was few twists and a few turns for it to open without an issue. Through the door was a long hallway in which Akira chose to go left - towards the direction of the basement. It would be highly likely that Two would be there.
However before they could continue, somebody stopped them.
Nova quickly came to notice. "Two!" But Akira shook his head.
"Atom. Are you still...intact?"
The little girl stared at them for some seconds, then spoke up, her voice sounding monotonous.
"Identities scanned. One intruder recognised."
"So you've been remade too...But at least you must recognise me, right?"
"Identity 'Nova', prepared to exterminate."
This was his confirmation. Akira was truly some ghost that was meant to die, and meant to be forgotten about. Not even his sister could recognise him, despite being altered with an Accelerator.
"Nova and Akira. Go ahead, I'll keep this one occupied." Shawn tightened his gloves.
"You're gonna kill her? She's a kid though?"
"Nah, Nova. She's not just my sister anymore."
Subsequently, a familiar transformation took place. One grew, with metal rods erupting from the surface of her inhumane skin. Where there was a girl just a second ago, there was now a fully fledged Mech standing before them.
"Seriously...Ruthia, I'm going to make sure your death is as painful as the way my siblings' died."
Alarms begun to sound, and the lights flickered red.
The soul bound duo dashed past the Mech and left Shane to hold down their behind.
***
There it was, the staircase to the basement. The wooden boards creaked beneath their feet as the pair stepped closer and closer to their destination until finally...
"Two!" Akira ran towards Two, who was bound to the cold corner by shackles, severely malnourished and clearly in need of some care. No response came from her, but a third pair of footsteps came from behind them.
The figure spoke, allowing both Akira and Nova to know exactly who it was.
"Two, darling~! Are ya still pushing through?" Ruthless came down the stairs. "I must say, how much did that Nova bastard pay you to keep quiet for him?" Her strut paused upon seeing two people beside her prisoner. First she saw Nova, and she immediately growled upon seeing him. What shocked her was the other person. The boy - her little brother - whom she thought was dead for five years. The woman fell back, and let out a blood curdling scream.
"GHOST!! IT'S A GHOST!!"
At first, Akira stood frozen, scared of what would happen next. But something overwhelmed him. Fear? No, it didn't feel the same. Pain? He couldn't quite compare it to that either. His veins boiled red hot, gritting his teeth and clenching his fists; His nails dug into his palm.
"Ruthia!!" He gripped his blade. "On this fatal day, the world will announce your death. By me, your very nightmare- I WILL DEVOUR YOU."