The van moved silently through the outskirts of Neoterra, headlights cutting through the early morning fog. Veyron, Axel, and Goro took turns behind the wheel, the hum of the engine blending with the soft rhythm of breathing from inside the van. Akari, exhausted from the previous night, slept curled up in the back seat, her small form barely stirring as the city lights flickered past.
The clock read 6:00 AM as the van rolled into the familiar streets leading toward the mayor's estate. The city was waking, but the streets were still largely empty, the calm before the storm.
By 6:40 AM, they had reached the street leading directly to the mayor's island. The old mansion loomed ahead, its surface shimmering faintly from the early sunlight reflecting off the water of the man-made lake surrounding it.
Goro exhaled sharply, focusing.
"Alright," he said. "Time for precision."
He created a small, glowing zone beneath the van, a distortion of gravity that pressed against the earth like an invisible hand. With a motion of his fingers, the soil shifted, collapsing inward to form a narrow tunnel leading below the lake. Water began to seep in, filling the cavity just enough to make it accessible for swimming. Another zone rippled beside it, extending the passage, guiding them toward the mansion's foundation.
Veyron checked Akari's oxygen tank. "You good, kid?"
Akari nodded, goggles already in place. Years of swimming lessons paid off—they'd see it now.
"Let's move," Axel said.
One by one, they entered the water. The lake was cold, the current subtle but insistent. Their oxygen tanks hissed softly, and their lungs filled with regulated air as they kicked forward.
Veyron led the way, Goro's zones illuminating the path ahead, subtle glows marking the invisible tunnel through the lakebed. Axel swam just behind him, checking Akari every few meters. She moved gracefully, her small limbs cutting through the water with practiced precision. Veyron couldn't help but feel proud, a rare smile hidden behind his determined eyes.
The distance was long. Over a kilometer stretched between them and the mayor's estate, yet the underwater zone made it survivable. Water pressed around them, cold and heavy, but the gravity zones kept the tunnel stable, guiding them as if the mansion itself were waiting for their arrival.
Every kick, every pull of their arms brought them closer to the estate. The surface above them glittered with sunlight, but below, darkness reigned—silent, dangerous, and alive.
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The old Yagami place felt unusually quiet at 7:00 AM. Morning light slipped through the worn windows, dust floating softly in the air. Everyone was awake now, moving slowly through the house as if afraid that one wrong sound might shatter the fragile calm.
Nyra stood in the kitchen, focused, cooking for everyone. The scent of warm food spread through the house, comforting—but it didn't ease the tension in her chest.
By 8:00 AM, they were all sitting together, eating what Nyra had made. Forks clinked against plates, but no one really tasted the food. Conversation drifted, cautious and heavy.
They talked about Veyron.About Axel.About Goro.About Akari.
How long would it take to get the ID and password?Would they be fast enough?Would they even make it back?
No one said the worst thoughts out loud—but everyone felt them.
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Mayor's Island — 8:00 AM.
Goro emerged from the water first, pulling himself silently onto the island's edge. Moments later, Axel followed. Then Akari and Veyron surfaced together, climbing onto land with careful movements.
They immediately hid within the thick bushes near the shore—massive, overgrown, perfect cover.
Mayor's boats surrounded the lake, anchored and patrolling, but none had noticed them. The underwater approach had worked.
Akari's hands trembled. Her eyes darted across the island, fear tightening her chest.
Veyron knelt beside her."Hey," he whispered, steady and calm. "Stay close to me. Everything's going to be okay."
She nodded, swallowing hard.
Axel and Goro quickly changed into the uniforms taken from the soldiers they had eliminated earlier. The plan was already in motion.
Akari and Veyron were to be presented as captured Sealbreakers.
Goro silently took out the nearest guard—swift, clean, unnoticed—and retrieved his handcuffs. Axel stepped forward and carefully cuffed both Akari and Veyron.
Akari flinched at the cold metal.
"It's just for now," Veyron murmured.
They moved.
At the main entrance, a guard stopped them."What are you doing?"
Masked Goro answered calmly, voice steady."We're back from mission, soldier. These two—caught."
The guard studied them briefly."Aha."
Axel added, slow and deliberate,"Anomalies… Sealbreakers."
The guard nodded."Alright. I'll lead you."
He turned and began guiding them through the estate.
They stopped behind a staircase—nothing visible at first. The guard raised his arm. His white armored gauntlet lit up, a holographic interface unfolding from it, detailed and advanced beyond anything civilian technology had ever shown.
He typed in a command.
A voice responded simply:"Okay."
A door that hadn't existed moments ago slid open beneath the stairs.
They stepped inside.
The lift descended.
As it moved, Axel acted instantly—drawing a small knife from the soldier's suit and hurling it with precision. The blade struck one camera, then another, sparks flashing as both were disabled.
Goro didn't hesitate.
He slammed his fist into the guard's face.
Axel raised the silenced pistol and fired once—straight into the guard's forehead.
The body collapsed.
Akari froze, terror gripping her completely. Her breath hitched, and faint pink butterflies began to appear around her, spiraling wildly.
Veyron pulled her close."It's okay. I've got you. Breathe."
The butterflies slowly faded.
Axel and Goro removed the cuffs from Akari and Veyron.
"So far," Axel muttered, "it worked."
The lift stopped.
The doors opened slowly.
A white, sterile entrance hall revealed itself—clean to the point of discomfort. Smooth white walls. White storage boxes stacked neatly. Bright lighting that left nowhere to hide.
Two separate hallways stretched out in opposite directions.
Axel and Goro exchanged a glance, then moved down one corridor.
Veyron placed a hand on Akari's shoulder."We stick to the plan."
They headed down the other.
The rule was simple.
Whoever found the ID first would use the stolen walkie-talkies.They would regroup right here—at the lab's entrance, by the lift.
The mission had officially begun.