We stood together on a bridge on the northwest side of Ikigai II. This is the end of the road, the X on the treasure map.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXeu7MMHn1
Chase enhanced his cybernetic vision, zooming in on the sign of the closest building. "Sparkling Oasis Spa and Wellness Center." He read aloud. "Are you sure this is the right place?"
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmLz6mAC2a
I gave a decisive nod, even though I was far from certain.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9iK9H70TO
Katrina shot me a skeptical look. "This doesn't look like an evil lair."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk7TmTiG27
She was right. The exterior looked unassuming with its large glass windows and outdoor waterfalls, but I knew better. "Most evil lairs don't look like evil lairs from the outside."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT5b0GzBrJ
Katrina shrugged. "I guess."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZY2EKopBH
As we marched towards the spa, a couple stared us down with a menacing gaze.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0KlerKJ5G
I flashed my knives in their direction, daring them to attack.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5hTsFboz8
"There's no need to threaten random people," Marisa scolded.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q805E5Wvr
"They're working for Bionic Corp. I know it!" I signed.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklHa5FJQZY
I noticed the look that passed between Marisa and Katrina. They thought I was crazy. Maybe I am. I don't know if it's possible to remain sane after everything I've been through. Right now, I'm desperate for something to believe in, so I'm choosing to believe the Annihilation Code is here because I don't know what I'll do if it isn't.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba49K0ZBe5
I marched up to the glass door. I hesitated when I reached for the handle. Was I prepared to face whatever was inside?
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCtFWwp0jR
Chase gave me a reassuring smile. "No matter what happens, I've got your back," He whispered."If anything goes wrong, I'll rescue you because I'm so brave and heroic."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGf1DT9blY
A small smile spread across my lips and I rolled my eyes. My hero, battling Bionic Corp all by himself with no combat experience.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2H1f8QwVl
Chase reached out and opened the door for me. "Let's kick some ass!"
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8z3EI1Rgy
I gave a confident nod and stepped into the spa lobby.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNnGDxN5b9
I scanned the surrounding area, looking for proof something nefarious was going on here, but it looked like an ordinary spa waiting room. It was a wide-open room, with stark white walls and tall glass windows. Smoky gray chairs and couches formed a comfy seating area. There was a large fountain in the center of the lobby, and potted plants nestled in every nook and cranny. At the very back of the room was a man sitting behind a tall wooden desk. He was playing a game on his Holowatch instead of working. Behind him stood a door with clouded windows.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpPuYVIGrl
My boots made an irritating squeaking sound with every step I took on the shiny vinyl floor. So much for stealth.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2i4EC5tac
The man behind the desk sprung to his feet and frantically adjusted his glasses. "I'm sorry, but we're fully booked for today! You're going to have to leave! I'm sorry for the inconvenience."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡychd3xtj5H
I grabbed him by the throat and lifted him in the air.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgjOBUey8F
"Where is the Annihilation Code?" Chase asked.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SAB4fsxHm
"I don't know what you're talking about," He croaked.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCVOgQRBDO
I tightened my grip on his neck.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HQxMGKP45
"Don't play dumb. We know it's here," Chase barked.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW8Z7PMAUk
We didn't know anything for certain, but he didn't need to know that.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKNZLgLuEk
"I don't know! I swear I don't know!" He let out a long string of coughs and then passed out in my arms.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGeZ1m6fs1
I tossed his limp body aside like an old rag doll. His crumpled form landed in the fountain, causing a large splash. Well, he was no help. We'll have to find the code ourselves.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPUJ59mxH3
Katrina's eyes widened. "Woah, that was brutal."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizuYKfTQfJ
She was right, I was brutal. Bionic Corp made me this way. Now they were going to face the monster they created. I trudged towards the door behind the desk.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr77naKrO9z
Marisa grabbed my hand. "Let's get out of here. I think we're in the wrong place."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBafNrgfEu
I jerked free from her grasp and swung open the door, nearly hitting Katrina in the face.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a25KS6MGH
In the next room stood two staircases, one leading up and the other leading down.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mIqtshTKn
I stroked my chin as I contemplated which one to take.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfMIDP9d3j
Chase stood beside me and rested a hand on my shoulder. "Which way to the Annihilation Code?"
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgsWYU2f2W
"I have no idea," I confessed.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCHAFgEon1
"Let's split up," Katrina suggested. "Two of us will go upstairs, the other two will go downstairs. That way, we can cover the most ground."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR15nomRGE
Chase nodded. "That makes sense."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g7lK96eMD
"Who's going with who?" I asked.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xNOvkgUm1
We looked toward Marisa, who was shooting daggers at me with her arms crossed.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoahkkvTtBS
"I think she's upset with you," Chase said through our cerebral link.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLAmPrWASI
I rolled my eyes. "Gee, you think?"
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLm5GGwkgR
"I think you need some time apart. I'll go downstairs with her."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCZ17nUHVf
"Promise you'll take care of her for me."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRv5BFXq7Dk
"I'll protect her with my life," Chasepromised. He threw his arm around Marisa's shoulders. "Come on, let's team-up."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvCSZdyrHy
Before he left, he turned back toward me. "Stay in touch, okay?" He tapped the side of his head, gesturing toward his cybernetics.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7maylFlhb1
I nodded.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FyRLFUdHv
Chase and Marisa disappeared down the stairs, leaving Katrina and me alone.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSChB7jOgyl
Katrina bounced up and down. "Looks like it's just you and me, pal."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4JN2eT1O5
A thin smile crossed my lips.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlT3fVsF2j
Katrina waved me toward the stairs. "What are you waiting for? Let's go!"
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBf12Wfx5i
Katrina practically skipped up the stairs, as I slowly trailed behind her. Some days I wish I had a fraction of her energy.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgB82lY1KA
At the top of the stairs, there was a spacious room with stark white walls and smooth tile floors. The pungent scent of bleach and cleaning supplies filled my nostrils as soon as we stepped inside. The smell made me cringe. The back of the room was lined with shelves containing test tubes and Petri dishes. It looked like we were in some kind of lab.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuCNF6g2TN
I remember spending countless hours in a lab similar to this one when Bionic Corp turned me into a cyborg. This one was state of the art. The one I spent my time in was run-down and unsanitary. It's a miracle I didn't get a bacterial infection like some of my fellow soldiers did.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSE3APEkN2
In the center of the lab stood a person suspended in a vat of turquoise liquid. I took a step closer.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW1nZK3HVk
"Stay away from that! It could be dangerous!" Katrina hissed.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoelqEWyog
I ignored her. Upon further inspection, I realized the person was a child. They looked about twelve or so. The liquid was thick and cloudy, I couldn't make out the child's facial features, but I could tell that they weren't a cyborg. Throughoutall my time in the cyborg army, I'd never seen anything like this. What was going on here?
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUukV42YVB
"Hello, Curseword."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vzmw3Ucwx
I spun around to see Vindicator leaning in the doorway.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYPvvqif5k
"I thought you'd know better than to come here and challenge me, but it appears I was wrong."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwmlvxK6bo
I clenched my jaw. "You can't scare me anymore."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qrPiA8h7v
"Oh? You seemed quite afraid last night. You were trembling like a frighted child."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwDYBfYfKA
"My fear is justified, considering you ripped me limb from limb when I was only thirteen."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUadca5S8in
"You were a murderer."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OWlS59mel
"I was a child! I trusted you!"
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qeR5Lbs5E
A flicker of sorrow passed through his cold green eyes. Then he shook his head, snapping himself out of his moment of sentimentality. "I did what I had to."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwDXgVXY1b
"Was it worth it?"
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VLCgf1DXg
He didn't answer.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD4f9tgynz
"How can you sleep at night after what you did to me?"
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3KpVKvmpk
He gazed wistfully out the window. "I haven't slept since."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rv9p57gSM
"Am I supposed to feel bad for you?"
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rFQSJ7fJc
"No." He turned back to me, his eyes hard as stone once more.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbb27YBrwI
"Is that all you have to say for yourself? I looked up to you! I loved you! I saw you as my big brother, but you tried to kill me like I was an insect under your boot." My hands trembled as I signed. I was so angry and hurt, I could barely contain it.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FKqFECyBA
"That's not true!" He protested. "Tearing you apart was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. It broke me."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMwgt2Z80j
"I will never forgive you for what you did!"
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRTVQx251C
"I don't expect you to. I would not forgive if our roles were reversed, but I'm not sorry for the choice I made."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp59IMWfMS
I gritted my teeth. He tore my body to shreds when I was a child, and he wasn't even sorry. "I hate you!" I gripped my knives and charged toward him. I plunged my daggers into his chest, but they passed right through him. I stabbed him a second time to the same result.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNiVPAUD5b
Katrina reached into her boot and pulled out a pistol. She fired a bullet into Vindicator's chest. The bullet phased right through him and punctured the wall behind him. "He's a hologram."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrh8xPs9Dp
"Sorry to deceive you, Curseword. I needed to distract you for as long as possible while I go for the real prize." He stared down at me with a look of pity. "Goodbye, Curseword." Without another word, he vanished.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IH5q1sLWC
In a fit of rage, I knocked over several glass vials. I can't believe I fell for that!
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rnKlTDghZ
"Atlas, are you there?" Chase asked over our cerebral link.
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJsCb9I26D
I took a deep, calming breath. "Yes, I'm here. What's going on? Did you find anything downstairs?"
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Gmd2ItJo5
Chase let out a nervous chuckle. "Yeah, we found something pretty huge. I'll fill you in later, but for now, I need you to stay calm and trust me."
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPd5s688Vt
"Um, okay." What was going on?
433Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScpi1Wy7YH
"Oblivion is in the building."
ns216.73.217.6da2
