Noir left the base early in the morning.
Her footsteps were silent on the damp dirt road, morning mist still clinging to the leaves above. She wore a long black coat that reached her calves, the collar pulled high to hide half her face. Her goal wasn't just patrolling the area, but also getting her hands on some necessary gear—mini transmitters, signal-jamming chips, power cells—things that would help the doctor and Specter with their data analysis.
She blended into the underground black market at the edge of town. Noir chose carefully, each item tucked neatly into her backpack. The murmurs, curses, and bargaining voices of shady dealers echoed nonstop around her.
Luckily, for these people, money was all that mattered. As long as you paid, questions didn't exist. Her identity stayed hidden.
After leaving the market, she took a narrow path leading toward the forest edge. That was when quiet voices reached her ears. Noir stopped instantly, pressing herself against a moss-covered brick wall.
"…Heard that girl's still alive. The one with the red-blue eyes. If we catch her this time, we'll be rich."
"Are you dumb? She's a damn weapon. Even the higher-ups are scared of her. Our job's just to track, not to face her. I'd rather get demoted than die meeting her head-on."
"Yeah got it… but what if Lysander makes a move? He knows her better than anyone."
There was a brief silence. Then rough laughter followed, full of mockery.
Noir froze. Her left eye flashed red for a split second. Her heartbeat stayed steady, but her hand inside the coat clenched tight.
"Knows me… huh?" Noir let out a quiet laugh.
She didn't attack. Instead, she retreated silently, disappearing into the thick fog as if she had never been there. She was a key piece in this hunt. And Lysander was about to move.
Back at the bunker, Noir hid the unease in her eyes. She placed the newly bought devices on the table and let the doctor and Specter begin their analysis. She stayed quiet, watching everyone's expressions, hoping no one noticed the restlessness beneath her calm.
Meanwhile, in another underground facility.
Lysander stood before a large screen displaying a forest zone map. Red lights blinked—patrol teams forming a tightening net. His arms were crossed, his expression calm, but his eyes burned with resolve.
A deputy commander spoke up.
"Are you really starting like this? If it fails, even you won't get out clean."
Lysander gave a faint smile.
"I won't fail. This isn't just a mission… it's my only chance to bring her back. They don't understand Noir. And no one has the right to touch her except me."
He stepped back, voice firm.
"Begin the operation. Make her come out."
The control room lights dimmed, leaving only the glowing map—and Lysander's lone silhouette, calculating and cold.
Back with Noir.
Inside the base, the doctor and Ari were comparing newly recovered files. Kaelith stood nearby, eyes glued to the scanning screen. Suddenly, a faint blue dot appeared at the edge of the map—a weak but clear unfamiliar signal.
Specter frowned.
"This isn't natural interference… someone's transmitting."
The atmosphere dropped heavy. Noir stepped forward immediately, eyes sharp.
"We can't ignore it. We deal with it."
Specter nodded, grabbing his weapon.
"I'm coming with you. Orion, get ready."
Orion whistled softly, half sarcastic.
"Forest air already? Fine. Just don't use me as a shield."
Noir didn't reply. She turned to the doctor and Ari.
"Three of you should stay here. Keep comms open. If anything happens, seal every entrance immediately."
Ari nodded, worried but trusting. The steel door slid open, leaving behind its cold metallic hiss.
Noir, Specter, and Orion vanished into the forest. They moved without sound, leaving no trace. Only wind through leaves—and invisible tension—followed them.
Noir suddenly raised her hand. Ahead, a faint flash appeared, like a deliberately placed signal.
Specter whispered,
"It's a trap."
Orion narrowed his eyes, smirking.
"Or someone's idea of a warm welcome."
Noir stayed silent. Her left eye glowed red briefly. She felt it—someone was watching her from the dark.
Night swallowed the forest, thick and heavy. As they moved deeper, the air grew suffocating.
Then the ground beneath them lit up.
Too late—bait.
Laser sights snapped on from all directions, red circles locking them in.
A familiar voice echoed through the darkness.
"Noir… you finally walked into it yourself."
"I've been waiting for you."
Lysander.
He stepped out calmly, eyes filled with regret and calculation. Armed soldiers raised their guns behind him.
Orion scoffed.
"So it's the ex with issues. Gotta say, you went all out."
Specter gritted his teeth, weapon ready, eyes scanning every angle.
Noir said nothing. She drew her blade and stood tall, cold as a phantom.
Lysander reached out, as if to touch her.
"You were never meant to run. You're the masterpiece they created… my missing half. Come back, before it's too late."
Noir met his gaze. Her left eye burned red.
"I belong to no one."
Gunfire tore through the night.
The battle erupted.
Specter provided cover, shots precise. Orion moved like a predator, breaking the encirclement. Noir charged forward, so fast the enemy only saw flashes of steel before falling.
From a distance, Lysander watched, possessive eyes locked onto her.
/You really haven't changed, Noir…/
Deep inside the base, the doctor's equipment blared nonstop. He stared at the overlapping signals, cold sweat forming.
"Too many movements… at least ten teams out there."
Ari gripped his hand tightly.
"If they come here… can the base hold?"
The doctor replied firmly.
"With this steel, unless they bring heavy artillery, we're safe. I can control it."
"…I'm just worried about the kids out there."
Ari nodded, unable to shake the unease. Because she knew—no matter how secure the bunker was—Noir and the others were standing right at death's door.