Along the way to the extraction point, Rhodes Island's team (excluding me) was having a pretty interesting conversation about an approaching catastrophe and how Reunion fought—comparing their own soldiers to pawns they could use and discard without a second thought.
I didn't join the conversation, nor did I listen. Because of the Sanity Ampules, I was able to stay mentally stable—though I could feel my mind becoming numb, only sharp when absolutely necessary.
"Not-so-legal… sure, but they could've made them more reliable…" I muttered to myself, making sure no one was listening. Unfortunately, the young medic who stayed close to me—just in case of another breakdown—heard me. Of course, Amiya had ordered her to keep watch over me, and a part of her own conscience probably wouldn't let her leave me alone anyway. So, yes, I was being followed.
"What did you say?" she asked, a bit nervous but also curious about the "not-so-legal" part. Her hand hovered near a syringe, and her stare could've silenced even the most unhinged patient.
"N-nothing to worry about, miss…" I stammered, trying to dodge the subject—I really didn't want to explain the whole illegally modified ampule thing.
I hesitated on how to address her. As my mind fired off silly options like "Medic-chan" or something equally stupid, she smiled slightly.
"You can call me Avelyne," she said softly, putting the syringe back in place.
I nodded. "It's a pretty name."Honestly, I wasn't expecting her to tell me her name—especially in a situation where our lives were constantly at risk. But seeing that small act of trust was enough to keep me somewhat lucid.
Even the smallest sign of trust can be a source of strength and resolve—especially for people like me, who haven't exactly been favored by life.
+5 Sanity [SP: 5]
"T-thanks…" she said, a bit flustered by the sudden compliment, though she kept smiling. We continued walking in silence.
But moments like that never last long. As we moved forward, I noticed a strange haze drifting toward us. My mind clicked—but Amiya beat me to it.
"WATCH OUT!" Amiya shouted. Guards took their positions, snipers readied their aim, and vanguards braced for impact. The first assault came—followed by a cold, commanding female voice.
"Kill them."
She didn't shout. She didn't need to. The mechanical click of a crossbow echoed, and multiple bolts flew through the air—aiming at our leading figures: the Doctor, Amiya, and others. The guards and Ace managed to block most of them with ease.
Unfortunately, one bolt slipped through—heading straight for Avelyne.
My instincts kicked in. I stepped in front of her, deflecting the bolt with my sword. It worked—but the bolt grazed my cheek, leaving a not-so-clean red line. At the same time, my sword let out a cracking sound.
Great. Cheap sword. I want a refund.
Jokes aside, my wrist was shaking from the impact, but I held my sword tightly. Even if it was on the verge of breaking, I refused to drop it.
Then, the enemy leader's voice echoed through the area.
"Rhodes Island… I've caught you. I will grind you all to dust!"
Her voice was calm but sharp—filled with personal hatred.
"Kill them all!"
As we braced for the fight, footsteps echoed from a nearby rooftop. A young male voice cut through the tension.
"Time out, time out~"His tone was playful, almost mocking. "I just finished purging the southwest region and came running as soon as I heard the news."The footsteps grew louder, and a young man appeared—white hair, white jacket, and an orange armband bearing Reunion's insignia.
"These are my hunting grounds, CrownSlayer."
The woman—CrownSlayer—looked at him, clearly annoyed. "What did you come here for?" she asked, voice dripping with disdain.
The man smirked. "Isn't it time you handed them over to me?"
A heavy silence fell. The two leaders stared each other down—one irritated, the other smugly patient.
My eyes locked onto the young man.Mephisto Eno—by his real name.I hated him.
He was one of the few characters in Arknights who'd earned every ounce of my hatred. A man who pretended to fight for the Infected's freedom while discarding their lives like trash.
I wasn't Infected. I'd never understand their suffering—but knowing that this thing was leading them made me sick.
I'm not a hero—never was—but if I could erase that monster from Terra's surface, maybe Reunion would finally find some peace.
While I was spiraling into another mental breakdown (yeah, it happens often), Mephisto finished his theatrical speech. He talked about the catastrophe being a "celebration," asked the Doctor about the Sarcophagus, and then turned to me with a fake smile.
"And you? Who are you? You're an anomaly, aren't you? Tell me, why is that?" He paused, grin widening into a crazed smile. "Was there another building? A perfect replica of the hospital where this masked man was? And the most shocking part—there was the same device, in the same place as the original! Can you explain that, outsider?"
Everyone from Rhodes Island turned to look at me. Some shocked, others suspicious.Amiya and Ace, both from Babel, were the most disturbed—they knew about the Sarcophagus. Hearing that another one existed in Chernobog, and that I'd emerged from it, wasn't exactly… normal.
I didn't answer. I didn't even look at him.Instead, I stared at the horde of Reunion troops—most of them mindless corpses animated by Mephisto's Arts. My expression went cold as I met his gaze.
"That's a very interesting theory," I said flatly. "But how about you go kill yourself instead?"
My voice was ice. The suggestion alone twisted his face into pure rage.
"YOU PIECE OF SHI—FAUST! BLAST THAT MOTHER—!"
Before he could finish, I spoke again—my voice calm, almost serene.
"A bullet was fired."
A loud mechanical sound echoed. A ballista bolt flew toward my head.
Unfortunately for them…It was already too late.
"A magic bullet that will never miss."
CRACK.SHATTER.
The sound of glass breaking filled the air. The ruined streets vanished—replaced by a vast stone arena, glowing with molten-blue markings. Above, a massive blue magic circle rotated slowly.
At the center stood me—Zenith. My black clothes and red coat were gone, replaced by a sleek black suit with gold-trimmed sleeves and a flowing blue cape. My ashen hair now shimmered white with blue streaks, and my molten-gold eyes had turned deep blue.
A golden-etched blue pipe released thin wisps of blue smoke, and in place of my cracked sword, I now held a beautifully crafted blue firearm.
Everyone was in shock. Something like this was unheard of.
Mephisto's rage peaked. "YOU BASTARD! YOU THINK CHANGING OUTFITS WILL SAVE YOU!? FAUST! BLAST HIM! EVERYONE ATTACK!"
His scream broke whatever silence remained, and the horde charged.
A ballista bolt came flying toward me.I stood still—utterly calm.
"Slow… it's painfully slow…" I murmured.I raised my left hand and swatted the projectile aside, letting it slam harmlessly into the ground.
Even Faust was stunned. The Rhodes Island team stared, wide-eyed. If that bolt had hit anyone else, they'd be in pieces. Relief washed over them—Zenith was on their side.
As Faust reloaded, I aimed my gun at the incoming horde. Four glowing magic circles appeared before the barrel.
"The first bullet… I shall bear the consequences."
I pulled the trigger.A single shot echoed—then silence.
The bullet tore through the horde, burning, slicing, and obliterating everything in its path until nothing was left but charred flesh and ashes.
Time itself seemed to stop.Then I turned toward Mephisto—his face pale, trembling, caught between fury and fear.
"Mephisto—no, Eno. Your time has come. For every atrocity you've committed—against civilians, Infected, innocent or guilty alike—I'll carry out your execution."
I raised my gun again.
"The second bullet was fired… and it shall burn your sins, bringing salvation to those you've wronged."
Four magic circles appeared around him—two to his sides. The bullets fired simultaneously, piercing him through. The world cracked, shattered like glass, and we returned to reality.
A woman in white armor was waiting. Relief crossed her face—then fear, when she realized it wasn't over. She rushed toward me, but too late.
The toll of firing two bullets was immense. A searing pain carved into my right hand, leaving a bullet-shaped mark with the Roman numeral II. My mind was fading, corroded by exhaustion. I didn't even notice the two ballista bolts flying toward me.
One hit my shoulder, shredding my arm.The other pierced my stomach, launching me into a wrecked car.Metal and glass tore into me—I was barely conscious, body mutilated beyond recognition.
I couldn't scream. Couldn't move. Only endure.
Another salvo came. The armored woman blocked one, but two slipped past. As they closed in, I could only pray. I didn't want to die—not like this.
My vision dimmed. I waited for the end.
CLANG. CLANG.
Something struck. I opened my eyes—everything blurry, painted red by blood.Before me stood a barrier of golden branches, sprouting from my own blood.Beside me, a figure crouched, looking down at me. I couldn't see his face—only heard faint words through the haze.
"I'll take care of this for now. Rest."
And then—everything went dark.
[ End of Prologue: Evil Time, Part 1 ]To be continued…