[Luminous Cosmos; Apostle Headquarters]
"So?" The President's voice echoed around the room as he circled Luv. "Care to explain?"
Luv's heart skipped a beat. Explain? Why the hell am I here explaining anything? He opened his mouth, but the words came out slow, unsure. "I... didn't know the place was contaminated with black magic. I even had a sample of it."
He fumbled through his pockets. "Uhh… where is it?" His fingers brushed against the inside of his coat, but nothing. He pulled out an empty wallet, a crumpled receipt, and a couple of loose coins. Great. Just great.
The President raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Zack told me you were naked the whole time you were on the mission. How exactly are you planning to find a sample in pockets that—" he paused dramatically, "—were freshly worn?"
Luv's face turned beet red. "Oh... right. I forgot," he mumbled, his voice faltering. He could feel the heat of his embarrassment burn through his skin.
The President chuckled, crossing his arms. "Why are you so red? You weren't embarrassed at all during that secret mission of yours."
Luv shot him a glare, though it was weak. "So polite," he muttered as he quickly turned to leave.
The President didn't stop him, a smirk on his face. He already knows why I'm here, doesn't he? Luv thought as he walked away, shrugging it off. And he doesn't even care enough to ask. Backup plans, my ass.
He got into the lift and hit the button for the lower levels, but just as the doors were closing, they slid open again. Zack stepped in, looking as uncomfortable as ever. The lift jerked to life, but the silence between them was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Zack scratched the back of his neck, breaking the silence first. "Hey, uh... sorry. I didn't deliver the feather."
Luv blinked at him, confusion lining his face. "What do you mean? The feather? I thought you had it under control."
Zack's face twisted in frustration. "Without any intel, we were flying blind. She got sent to Skirmish just before we arrived."
Luv's eyes widened. "What?"
The air in the lift seemed to crackle with tension, but Luv could only focus on the one thought racing in his mind: This is going to be bad.
***
{A Few Hours Earlier}
Ananya slouched in her chair, staring at the pile of files in front of her. I sorted the criminal records, the files, the info… Her head hit the back of the seat, frustration bubbling up inside her.
Just then, the door creaked open, and in walked the President and Kai. Ananya's eyes snapped toward them, her posture stiffening as she stood up.
"What's this about?" she asked, her voice flat, though her gaze sharpened like daggers. She had a sinking feeling she wasn't going to like whatever they were about to drop on her.
"Take a look," the President said, tossing a letter her way. His tone was almost casual, but there was something in his eyes that made Ananya's stomach twist.
She caught the letter, unfolded it, and her eyes widened as she skimmed the contents. What the hell is this?
"What's this supposed to mean?" she muttered, her voice a little too tight. She stared at the letter, then back at the President. "Is this... one of your plans?"
The President's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Duskryn's impressed by you—your dedication to the work. So, he wants you to accompany them for a while. Nothing too big. Just an opportunity."
Ananya's grip on the paper tightened, her nails digging into the edges. Her heart thudded in her chest as she tried to keep her cool. "Nonsense." She threw the letter down onto the table. "I have important business here. I can't just drop everything and go to Skirmish. This is... ridiculous."
Before she could rant further, Kai's hand shot out, slamming over her mouth with a startling speed. His fingers were cold, and his grip was firm, a warning without words. Ananya froze, heart racing.
"What's all the noise about?" Kai's voice was low, deadly. "Do you really think you have the right to argue?"
Ananya's mind raced. She could feel the heat rising in her chest, her temper about to snap. But, slowly, she forced her expression into something calm, professional, even if her insides were boiling. Kai let go of her mouth, his hand lingering for a second longer than necessary. Ananya could still feel the ghost of his touch, and her heart hammered, but she kept her face neutral. Her lips barely moved as she whispered, "I understand. Let me talk to Chang. He can handle the work while I'm gone."
The President checked his watch, clearly impatient. "No time. We're on a deadline." He glanced at Kai, who stood silently by his side. "Kai will assist you to Skirmish. Don't worry about the work here. You'll get back to it when you're done."
Ananya's brow furrowed. "Is it really necessary to send two unit leaders out like that?" She knew better than to challenge the President, but it didn't sit right with her.
"I'm here to oversee the work," the President replied, his voice colder now. "And you've got no room to question Kiaan's work. Right?"
Ananya blinked, the professional mask back in place, but her fists were clenched. She was about to say something sharp, but instead, she nodded curtly. "Fine. I'm going. You're not even going to let me pack, are you?"
"No," the President said with a grin that made her want to throw something at him.
Ananya threw him a glare. "How rude," she muttered under her breath before turning on her heel. She made her way to the door, her pace brisk, but just before she left, she paused.
Kaia, you're going to be alone for a while, she thought with a soft, almost sad smile. I hope you don't mind...
With that, she walked out, her composure as tight as ever—though her mind was still racing with a thousand thoughts.
***
{Present time}
"Sir Kiaan! Hics." Kiki was practically choking on her tears, sobbing like she'd just lost her favorite pet. Without thinking, she hurled herself at him, clinging to him like a lifeline. "I swear, I would never leave you for another mission."
Kiaan blinked, looking down at her in confusion. "Kiki?"
Then, his eyes flicked to Kaia and Yona, trailing in behind her like they'd just walked off the set of a bad soap opera. "Kaia? And... Yona?"
A few minutes of awkward explanations later, Kiaan sat there, looking as though he had just been hit by a runaway train of confusion.
"So those puppets looked like Yona, and one of them was a real person?" Kiaan asked, rubbing his temples as if that might clear the chaos from his brain.
Kaia and Yona both shook their heads at him, looking like they weren't sure whether to laugh or cry.
"And what exactly do you two want?" Kiaan asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kaia puffed out her chest, clearly ready to take on the world. "We want to solve this mystery together."
Yona gave her a look that screamed you've got to be kidding me. It was a classic case of "I'm not sure you have the skills for this."
"Well, maybe today's your lucky day, Kaia," Kiaan said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Kaia blinked, clearly thrown off.
Kiaan leaned back, dropping some wisdom on them. "According to Cosmic Hollow, once a year, two Splinters are supposed to pair up. You know, do a mission or spend some time together. The whole point is to access the memories of past incarnates."
"So... that means Yona and I won't be interrupted while we work together?" Kaia asked, a little hopeful.
Yona flashed a grin. "Honestly? I don't think anyone would interrupt you since you're a 'fake' Splinter."
"Fake splinter or not, if Cosmic Hollow thinks you're strong enough, it might just make you a real one," Kiaan concluded.
"See?" Kaia shot a mocking glance at Yona.
Kiaan chuckled lightly. "Immortality isn't something even the first nine sorcerers could manage. Who knows? Maybe one day, you'll actually become a real Splinter."
Kaia's eyes widened. "So the immortality thing... it's public now?"
"Yeah, Luv sure has a big mouth," Kiaan muttered, scratching his head. "Everyone knows. And how did you find out that you were immortal."
Kaia went oddly quiet, her eyes darting away. "Let's... not talk about that." She quickly shifted the subject. "So, who are you teaming up with, then?"
Yona shot her a side-eye, caring about her discomfort but she didn't question her.
Kiaan rubbed his temples like he was trying to ward off a headache. "Well... Kai and I usually team up, but he's gone off to Skirmish. Luv's already with Tiger Splinter—she's showing up in two days—and that just leaves..." He paused, his face going pale. "I have no other choice than to team up with the Chameleon."
Yona and Kaia exchanged an unreadable glance.
Nooo, not him out of all people Kiaan groaned inwardly, rubbing his head. I regret becoming a Splinter. I really, really do.