---
"Where am I? What's going on? Am I dead?"
[No, you are not dead, Lisa... not yet.]
"Who said that?"
The woman flinched, turning away instinctively, putting space between herself and the voice.
[Don't be afraid. I'm more friend than foe.]
"Malcolm!"
"No... You are not Malcolm! Who are you?!"
Lisa's eyes widened as realization set in.
The Malcolm she knew never smiled—not like that.
The Entity wearing Malcolm's face smiled unnaturally.
[Hahahaha!]
Even the laughter—it was her own. Twisted. Mocking.
[I am the Living Consciousness of the original owner of the power that has chosen you. You have a task to complete—if you want to make this power your own.]
"And what makes you think I want your power?"
[Don't you want revenge?]
"Revenge?"
[Don't you remember?]
Lisa's tone hardened.
"I acted in a moment of weakness. As an assassin. It was disgraceful.
But I remember it all turning to ash.
A moment of vengeance... and a satisfactory end.
I have no regrets."
The Entity paused. Then sighed—indignantly.
"Can you stop using that face?"
[This face?]
It smirked.
[No.]
"..."
"What exactly are you, really?"
[When I was alive, I was a powerful demigod. Wronged from birth.
I wanted vengeance, and I stopped at nothing to get it.
I destroyed my homeland and reigned as a tyrant.
But my reign was cut short.
Unwilling to accept defeat, I made a bargain—with a powerful deity.]
"What purpose?"
Lisa asked, watching him closely.
[For a rematch.]
---
At the Ruins of the Third Mainland Bridge.
Chaos ruled.
Sirens blared across the expanse. The federal police, military, special forces, even the media—all converged on the scene, trying to make sense of the impossible:
A large section of the bridge had vanished.
Amid the chaos stood a boy—quiet, still, and alone.
He had been there before most.
Lost in thought.
"Joshua, what are you doing here?"
The voice came from a man—tall, dark-skinned, dressed in a black trench coat. He approached with familiarity.
Joshua didn't answer.
"Hmm... let's head closer to the site.
You can tell me on the way."
The boy finally turned toward him.
"Come on—it's the least I can do for my future brother-in-law."
The man was Alexander Balogun, Unit Commander of the Defense Agency.
He was here to investigate what had happened.
As they walked toward the yellow caution tape, a soldier raised a hand.
"No one else is authorized past this point—"
He stopped short as Alex produced a badge.
The soldier stiffened.
"Sir! The Major General has been expecting you!"
"Of course."
"...And the boy?"
"He's with me."
With that, Alex and Joshua crossed the line and approached the site.