"What the hell happened here?" Alice demanded, dropping her shotgun as Jax rolled in Michael's unconscious body. Rhea followed, then Hana and Haruka.
"It was Obsidian," Eda answered, stepping up to Michael.
"There's no time. Is everything prepared?" Haruka asked Rosemary.
"Yes, but Master Shan is still unconscious," Rosemary replied.
Rhea, Mika, Alice, Hana, Eda, Jax, and Rosemary entered the elevator, descending as Haruka sat beside Shan's body.
"Mr. Shan," Haruka murmured.
Down in the lab, Mika, Rosemary, and Rhea began setting up the machines for Michael—pulling long metallic tubes and futuristic medical tools.
Leo and Eda tapped on holographic keyboards as Mika and Rosemary connected Michael to the tubes. The lab echoed with the sounds of chatter and metal clinking.
"Done?" Mika asked.
"Stable," Leo said, exhaling in relief.
The lab fell silent.
"Is he okay?" Alice asked impatiently.
"Yes," Rosemary replied, comforting her. "As long as those tubes stay in place, he should be fine."
"Mama," Mika called out, "I think we can actually replace his heart."
Alice's eyes widened. "What?"
"It's something we've discussed with Shan himself," Leo chimed in.
"He said it's possible, but if not done correctly, he might not survive," Eda added, her gaze fixed on the floating screens.
"Can… can you do it?" Jax asked.
"Better yet, have you done it before?" Rhea asked, her cloak's dark void reflecting her unreadable expression.
"We haven't. Only Master Shan has, once," Rosemary said coldly.
"Then… Then it's best we ask Mr. Sh—"
"We can't. Mama," Mika interrupted, dropping onto her stool.
"Mama, it's the least I can do," Mika pleaded, adjusting her glasses. "Ever since you took all of us under your wing, I've always felt indebted to you." She grabbed Alice's hands.
Alice's hands shook. Tears formed in her eyes. "I… I…" she stuttered.
DING!
The elevator doors opened, and Haruka stepped in, carrying a bandaged Shan.
"Alice," Shan rasped, his voice weak but piercing.
"Master! You should be resting!" Rosemary and Eda called, rushing toward him.
"No," Shan interrupted. "I was never able to thank Alice for protecting Haruka boy. Alice, you have my absolute trust. I will make sure the surgery goes well. You'll reunite with your son. I give you my word."
He turned to Rosemary, Eda, Mika, and Leo. "Let's prepare for surgery."
Later, outside in the garden, Alice bit her nails as her leg tapped nervously.
"I thought you trusted Shan?" Jax asked, plopping beside her.
Rhea kicked him lightly as she passed, then settled next to Alice. Hana leaned against the wall behind them as Haruka polished his katana.
"No… he's right," Alice sighed. "It's Mika and Leo I fear."
"Thought you trusted them?" Hana asked.
"In terms of life-saving decisions? Not entirely," Alice replied, lowering her head.
"You know, if Mika messes up, Leo's there to correct her. And Mika's not the type to let someone die in her arms—she'd risk herself," Rhea said, leaning on Alice.
Alice smiled faintly. "You should let your guard down every now and then."
"I'm sure they'll be fine," Jax reassured.
"Lemme have some of that," Jax added, resting his head on Alice's shoulder.
Alice wrapped her arms around them. "I can't wait to meet Michael," Jax blurted.
Haruka watched quietly from a distance, eyes on the group before turning away.
"Jax, what's that scar on your nape?" Hana asked.
"Oh, this?" Jax brushed it lightly.
"He burned himself," Rhea cut in.
"Damn… your name's Jax too?" Alice chuckled.
"By being a dumb tank?" Jax replied with a grin.
DING!
The elevator doors opened. Eda stepped out. Alice, Rhea, and Jax rushed to her.
"Is it done?" Alice asked. Hana leaned against the wall, eyes hollow.
"Good news and bad news," Eda said. "Michael's heart reconstruction is complete. But…" She paused.
"What?" Jax asked.
"We need something to jump-start it," Eda explained.
"A battery?" Alice asked, confused.
"Not just any battery. It's called the Cadence Cell," Eda clarified.
Rhea took a step back. "What?"
"Where can we find it?" Alice pressed.
"Heart of Therma," Eda and Hana said in unison.
Alice's breath hitched. "H.O.T., right?"
"Two days at most until his organs fail," Eda added.
"Good." Alice grabbed her bag. "Jax?"
"Already on it, Mama," Jax said, loading a belt into his LMG. Haruka, Hana, and Rhea followed as Eda returned to the elevator.
Back with Kierah and Therma
The sun had yet to set. Darkness crept across the field as they approached the destroyed H.O.T fortress, smelling of blood, fire, and gunpowder.
Kierah laughed atop Lark's shoulders at the melted walls and crushed buildings.
"It's not funny," Phillip scowled.
"Let's not separate this time," Phillip ordered. "Take it slow."
"Get the truck closer," he told a squad member.
Lark gently set Kierah down as they began walking through the halls.
"Say, Kierah," Phillip called, waving his flashlight.
"What?" Kierah responded coldly.
"Why do you choose to be neutral?" Phillip asked.
Kierah exhaled. "I don't want to die at someone else's command."
"Ironically, considering Lark," Phillip said.
"Maybe," Kierah said, kicking a rock aside.
"Therma and other resistances have one thing in common—we all break from Obsidian's control. You neutrals? Just fish swimming toward the fisherman."
"You hate neutrals?" Kierah asked.
"Oh, no. Even you're smart enough to know peace between Obsidian and the neutrals won't last, especially after The Market," Phillip said, pointing to the ruins. A loud whistle echoed.
Phillip froze, pressing a finger to his lips. "Therma."
MFS? Alice's voice asked faintly.
"They're from Therma?" Phillip confirmed.
Until...
They met in a long hallway. Phillip froze. Alice, Hana, Jax, Rhea, and Haruka stood across them.
"No way… you're from Therma B?" Phillip whispered, rushing toward Alice.
Kierah's eyes locked on one person—Haruka.