After a lengthy, intense discussion about The Seven Deadly Sins and The Seven Heavenly Virtues, Tatsuo nods to Kai, signalling for him to continue his training. Relieved to have the chance to refocus, Kai is just about to get back into his rhythm when the door swings open and Ava walks in, interrupting yet again.
"Would you like to go on a walk to clear your head?" Ava asks with a gentle smile.
Kai hesitates but feels the weight of his frustration and uncertainty. "Sure," he replies, "let me get my jacket."
They make their way out of The Agency together, a cold breeze brushing past them.
Kai's mind was racing. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, he says, "I was useless in battle. Haydon and Ethan could've died… all I could do was run away"
Ava stops, turning to look at him with a mix of empathy and practicality. "Well, now you're more inspired for the next fight, right? You've been training relentlessly since then, you know you won't back down next time," she says, trying to find the right words. She continues, her voice softer, "At least you didn't have to sit in Tatsuo's office while it was happening."
Ava gently places her hand on Kai's shoulder, grounding him. "Look," she says calmly, "that was then. Next time, it'll be different. I know it. Next time, you won't be the one running. Maybe Stefen will get the spotlight for that," she adds, giving him a little smile, hoping to lighten his mood.
Meanwhile, back at the flat, Haydon walks to his room and collapses onto his bed, replaying fragments of what had happened the other week.
"Was that really him?" Haydon wonders, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.
A ping from his phone breaks his focus. It's a message from Willow.
"Can we meet up after school tomorrow"
Haydon types back, "Yeah, sure. 7?"
She replies almost instantly, "Yeah sure."
Haydon sets his phone down, his mind spinning with questions. He's not entirely sure what he'll say to Ethan about that day.
The following morning, Haydon and Ethan make their way to Faraday School. Haydon glances at Ethan as they walk, curiosity getting the better of him.
"Do you remember what happened the other week with Stefan?" Haydon asks, hoping to figure out what is going on.
Ethan scratches his head, looking puzzled. "Not really. Just flashes…I remember us getting close to death. The rest is a blur."
As they enter their classroom, Ava intercepts Haydon with an exasperated look.
"Why did you tell Willow you could meet after school? You're supposed to be on a mission,"
Haydon's eyes widen as realisation hits. Without another word, he bolts out of the classroom, racing back to the Agency. When he arrives, he sees Tatsuo standing outside his office, arms folded and anger radiating from him. Haydon braces himself, mentally preparing for the inevitable discipline.
Inside the office, Tatsuo slams a document down on the table in front of him.
"Read it," he orders, his voice cold and sharp.
Haydon scans the document.
"BLAH BLAH BLAH Grade 1 Demon or higher."
His heart races as he understands the gravity of the mission. Without another word, he sprints out of the office and sends Tatsuo a quick message, requesting a ride to the demon's whereabouts. Tatsuo sighs, but agrees, knowing the importance of this mission.
In the back of The Agency's car, Haydon hears a notification ping from his phone. A message from Ava
"Are you going to make it in time to meet Willow?"
"Yeah for sure, shouldn't take too long" Haydon quickly types back.
The car comes to a stop, and Haydon looks out of the window to find himself in front of an abandoned building, its decaying walls casting an ominous shadow. He steps out of the car and approaches the structure. Tatsuo's message comes through, confirming this is where the demon was last sighted.
Haydon opens a rusted door to see a ramshackle hallway dim and reeking of mould and rot, the silence interrupted by a faint creak of the floorboards beneath his feet. He moves carefully, peering into each room, scanning every shadow, every dark corner.
The building was abandoned, lifeless, with nothing but the hollow echo of his own footsteps. After circling back to the entrance, Haydon pulls out his phone to contact Tatsuo. But just as he turns his back, ready to leave, a sudden blast of hot air brushes the nape of his neck.
He freezes, in this freezing, decayed building, there is no source for warm air…no logical explanation. Slowly, his eyes widen, and an unspoken dread settles over him. Something is here with him.