Alex drifted into his memories of a darker time.
My childhood wasn't great.
Not even close.
Rain poured from the sky—not a blessing, a punishment. Cold, steady, like God himself had decided to punish us.
I stood there, soaked, staring at her.
"Mother… where's Father?"
She didn't look at me.
"He's gone," she said hollowly.
"Gone where? He's not coming ba—"
The slap cut across my cheek, hot in the rain.
"It's all because of you!" she screamed,
"I HATE YOU. I HATE YOU. I HATE YOU!"
I stumbled back, vision blurring with tears.
"W-what did I do?"
Maybe she hated my grades. Maybe it was the cupboard being empty. I told myself I could fix it. I could be better.
One day I found her on the floor.
Pills scattered on the table, powders, crushed leaves—her "medicine." She never got better. Now she didn't move. Didn't breathe.
The silence was heavier than the rain outside.
A grave. Cold stone. Her name carved deep.
Died from overdose, drugs.
That's when I stopped trying. No family. No friends. Nothing.
Ending it felt like an easier choice than the slow burn of living that life.
Then he showed up.
A man in a black suit pulled me back from the edge and said there was a place—an orphanage.
It wasn't an orphanage.
It was worse. Much worse.
Sometimes I think if I'd gone through with it back then… it would've been better.
"I—" Nila's voice was a thin thread of anger.
Alex smiled—not bitter, only bone-weary.
"It's alright."
A guard cleared his throat. "Ahem."
"You guys—out. I'll walk you to your rooms."
"Got it," Raegal said, eyes narrowing.
"Where's… the kid?" Alex asked.
"He's with Archangel."
"ARCHANGEL?!" Raegal exploded.
Everyone turned.
"Oh… uh… my bad."
Alex gave a small, tired chuckle. "I was surprised too."
Nila didn't laugh. Her hatred for Ryuzaki sat under her skin like acid—quiet, ready to burn.
Later that night Nila sat in the dim glow of her laptop, the screen throwing pale light across her face. Papers spilled from her briefcase; the lab documents sat on top like a dare. Her heart thudded in her ribs as she scanned the file she hadn't wanted to believe.
Noir: Report 36
Following administration of IVE26-0, subject—designated Anomaly—exhibited:
Dissociation
Schizophrenia-like episodes
Hallucinations
Personality disorders
Abnormal brain activity
Over ten trials, hormonal irregularities recorded:
Elevated dopamine
Increased oxytocin
Elevated endorphin release
These biochemical changes correlate with heightened aggression and compulsive behavior. Post-elimination euphoria observed—subject shows positive reinforcement after target removal, making the Anomaly an effective lethal asset.
Report submitted to the President.
Nila's chest tightened. "I should… check on him."
She opened the door and froze.
Kael stood in the center of the room.
Not splattered—drenched.
Blood soaked through fabric, running from his hands in slow, obscene ribbons.
The copper smell hit the back of Nila's throat.
"Kael…" Her voice broke.
"I—" He looked at her, voice a wire. "I can explain."
"You can't," someone said from the shadows.
Nila stepped forward, scared, she spits,
"Four men, Kael, four men."
"You killed them in cold blood, then you started cutting them."
Kael's stomach dropped. "Cutting… them up?"
"No—"
His eyes darted across the room.
Noir.
"Oops."
"Why...you-"
"To save you." Noir responds
"They were going to kill you, and these of friends yours."
"Why I—I can't-"
Kael's voice cracked.
His hand darted into his pocket. A flash of silver—the butterfly knife spun once in his shaking fingers.
He hesitated.
But deep down.
He knew it was the only way.
The way that could free him.
Free him from this cycle of hell.
He pressed the tip to his own throat.
"I—" he said,
voice going thin.
"F—fuck it."
"HEY— CUT THAT OUT! " Noir screamed as he ran towards Kael, holding his wrist, pulling the knife away from his throat.
"Years ago, you were killing like it's your hobby, what now!"
Kael's breathing hitched.
"I can't.."
"I can't take...any lives no more."
"Those..people..they had a family, children.."
"You don't get it." Noir said.
"You can't live like this."
"Or you'll be the one who is gonna end up first."
Kael's voice rose, raw
"Was fucking cutting them up necessary?!"
"It was..." Noir said his, voice was low and deliberate.
"It's the only fucking thing that makes me feel alive!"
"Please, Kael..."
Noir looks at him, dead in the eye.
"You have to."
"You're out of your fucking mind!" Kael shouted.
Noir's reply was his fist that met Kael's face.
"I am." Another blow.
"I am."
A third—
"I AM!"
Kael pants.
"Maybe...you are the one who's out of his mind...Kael."
He vanishes.
Kael folded forward, breath ragged, blood seeping from his split lip.
He tries to stand up.
But fails, horribly.
Nila's hands trembled. "Kael… why… why are you hitting yourself?"
He stared at her like she'd asked a stupid question. "Hit… myself?"
His eyes dropped to his hands—bruised knuckles, torn skin—and the slow, terrible realization ate across his face.
He looks up.
"He..was just right there.." he whispered.
"Are you...a-alright Kael?"
Nila whispers.
He stares at the floor for a while.
But then-
He looks at a her.
Blood dripped from his mouth.
His eyes were weary.
But his smile curved with joy.
"Better than ever."