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.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe33YpslS4s
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?"
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE97BE9DJM
I gave a decisive nod, even though I was far from certain.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak2ykLhei2
Katrina shot me a skeptical look. "This doesn't look like an evil lair."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cjyFfQaJ0
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."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv65VgDBBjx
Katrina shrugged. "I guess."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAvsEUvKWy
As we marched towards the spa, a couple stared us down with a menacing gaze.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3CRLfYGd9
I flashed my knives in their direction, daring them to attack.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JGOYSs7us
"There's no need to threaten random people," Marisa scolded.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzFoELNSXt
"They're working for Bionic Corp. I know it!" I signed.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaRQju0xO9
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.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSy5wIkSw5e
I marched up to the glass door. I hesitated when I reached for the handle. Was I prepared to face whatever was inside?
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBgQOuIpq3
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."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSPfkhmr2c
A small smile spread across my lips and I rolled my eyes. My hero, battling Bionic Corp all by himself with no combat experience.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G11npCE7g
Chase reached out and opened the door for me. "Let's kick some ass!"
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbK4KkPDfi
I gave a confident nod and stepped into the spa lobby.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZZM0BtDaP
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.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhve1wY7rMk
My boots made an irritating squeaking sound with every step I took on the shiny vinyl floor. So much for stealth.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtEsiTPggT
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."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuy4yA2rVFr
I grabbed him by the throat and lifted him in the air.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz6ivm4cvU
"Where is the Annihilation Code?" Chase asked.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqxsHnnteE
"I don't know what you're talking about," He croaked.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkRuIsz3lB
I tightened my grip on his neck.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDrSjZSXM9
"Don't play dumb. We know it's here," Chase barked.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpzZZB8lEw
We didn't know anything for certain, but he didn't need to know that.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTg8KRWVRu
"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.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgpZDUQ7KV
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.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3dLtrS33p
Katrina's eyes widened. "Woah, that was brutal."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFXChs6CbI
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.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN5MXQjuZy
Marisa grabbed my hand. "Let's get out of here. I think we're in the wrong place."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjsi3LszHN
I jerked free from her grasp and swung open the door, nearly hitting Katrina in the face.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkUy7xcs4z
In the next room stood two staircases, one leading up and the other leading down.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpzRePM675
I stroked my chin as I contemplated which one to take.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYYMq5N1f6
Chase stood beside me and rested a hand on my shoulder. "Which way to the Annihilation Code?"
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyL8qqQuh18
"I have no idea," I confessed.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfK6ojknA6
"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."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWveaNDnZ4o
Chase nodded. "That makes sense."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2keQoxojU
"Who's going with who?" I asked.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgfC3oKThF
We looked toward Marisa, who was shooting daggers at me with her arms crossed.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvFZNakBnx
"I think she's upset with you," Chase said through our cerebral link.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WeSqUhQxL
I rolled my eyes. "Gee, you think?"
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbu2A5y6Dx
"I think you need some time apart. I'll go downstairs with her."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sHd8Ad3Nx
"Promise you'll take care of her for me."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz3l8djNpQ
"I'll protect her with my life," Chasepromised. He threw his arm around Marisa's shoulders. "Come on, let's team-up."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7CyJnHN9a
Before he left, he turned back toward me. "Stay in touch, okay?" He tapped the side of his head, gesturing toward his cybernetics.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB0NvGuejU
I nodded.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOvV0yE2rS
Chase and Marisa disappeared down the stairs, leaving Katrina and me alone.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctuaE8GdGM
Katrina bounced up and down. "Looks like it's just you and me, pal."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI78juj9OOu
A thin smile crossed my lips.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBJxUnbB2w
Katrina waved me toward the stairs. "What are you waiting for? Let's go!"
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9spAfYML6
Katrina practically skipped up the stairs, as I slowly trailed behind her. Some days I wish I had a fraction of her energy.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp34wBM8Gd
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.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd9TugQs7Z
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.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX9AfgamNd
In the center of the lab stood a person suspended in a vat of turquoise liquid. I took a step closer.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdSvfs883A
"Stay away from that! It could be dangerous!" Katrina hissed.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcQUQeiDut
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?
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKy1uxMlQK
"Hello, Curseword."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREI48VdTrX
I spun around to see Vindicator leaning in the doorway.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhxtCWkV3q
"I thought you'd know better than to come here and challenge me, but it appears I was wrong."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdedEws4OKq
I clenched my jaw. "You can't scare me anymore."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysq5bXyvPb
"Oh? You seemed quite afraid last night. You were trembling like a frighted child."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnelo57Dsi
"My fear is justified, considering you ripped me limb from limb when I was only thirteen."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVen6Dso8wQ
"You were a murderer."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniVnKm7spR
"I was a child! I trusted you!"
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb0B6V6T3r
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."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGPWVGvkYA
"Was it worth it?"
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzheYHlDIj
He didn't answer.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfZa1o85lz
"How can you sleep at night after what you did to me?"
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcYQiYf5PJ
He gazed wistfully out the window. "I haven't slept since."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXHPntq2rE
"Am I supposed to feel bad for you?"
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXs8IkSpV6
"No." He turned back to me, his eyes hard as stone once more.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ3yHSQZew
"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.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGinyQcrhYS
"That's not true!" He protested. "Tearing you apart was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. It broke me."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFo3u4yU6XJ
"I will never forgive you for what you did!"
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu3hcf88Jj
"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."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBocck44uTM
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.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRW2zPoZjD
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."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWdGcslRkT
"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.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEigD7JCczR
In a fit of rage, I knocked over several glass vials. I can't believe I fell for that!
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8jGw9wdgh
"Atlas, are you there?" Chase asked over our cerebral link.
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5IPFp9HR6
I took a deep, calming breath. "Yes, I'm here. What's going on? Did you find anything downstairs?"
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVjzgcNAXy
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."
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kSvmWl1ZP
"Um, okay." What was going on?
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdhBCym3jD
"Oblivion is in the building."
ns216.73.216.200da2
