"How many total?" Bell shouts. His voice echoes out from our elevated platform. Below, forty-two people slave away, fingers flying and a flurry of movement infecting the floor. After Zack saved us, we immediately headed for the Hold, the tall skyscraper crucial for all diver activities standing strong amongst a battle-torn city.

Azu and Hearon left as soon as we landed, but I had to go with Bell. When we arrived, ten other people waited on the command room floor. All of them looked rough and dangerous, besides Abby, who now stands beside Bell as he barks out urgent commands, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.

"Sixty-eight attacked the city, with thirty-two breaking through the wall," a short man with round glasses faces Bell at the bottom of the platform, surrounded by floating holograms, his voice trembling with the weight of the news.

"Kills?"

"Sir, Zack has twenty, Knight of Unkown has nineteen, and the defense corp took care of the rest. I was also informed that Martin's team eliminated three; they were the only diver team to participate in the fight. The other teams helped with evacuations and search and rescue as instructed by Ms. Abby."

The divers around me murmur at the mention of Martin, several whispering his name to each other. I couldn't care less about him, though. I want to know who this "Knight of Unkown" is. He managed to keep pace with Zack, of all people. But now isn't the time to ask.

Bell nods, his face calm, "How did the wall get breached?"

The small man visibly sweats. "We are not sure, sir. The camera feed has been cut. We are completely blind, but we did capture this right before the attack happened."

A screen pops up in front of us. The camera is on the outside of the wall, looking out onto the small plain and the edge of the forest. Besides a few slimes rolling around, nothing looks amiss. That is until Silo steps out of the forest. I bite my lip. John. Bell glances at me, and I meet his gaze. No words are said, but I can feel his pity. I don't need pity. I need answers. John carves something into the tree.

"You have twenty-four hours," Someone murmurs. The message glows bright red as the tree bursts into flames, and he stares directly into the camera. He then snaps his fingers, and the feed cuts out, replaced by static.

"We took the message seriously, and thanks to that, the impact of the assault was significantly lessened. Curiously enough, the attack commenced exactly twenty-four hours later. To the second." The man pushes up his glasses, swaying nervously. The room is silent, all of us waiting with bated breath for Bell's response.

He paces, tapping his sword's hilt. I could have heard a pen drop in the silence. "I want every able-bodied person shoring up our defenses. Civilians and diver employees included. Fix those holes. Arm everyone you can. " The team below us all responds in confirmation, and noise returns to the room. Bell stops and turns to us, "I already had an idea of what happened, and I know our next plan of attack. Silen, come here."

I move to the front of the crowd, and all ten divers stare me down. Bell puts a hand on my shoulder as I look at the floor. I feel so meek in comparison to these battle-hardened warriors. "The man you saw in the video is the man's brother and is likely an imposter."

An older man with grey hair and a nasty scar over his face says, "Get to the point. We don't have all day." I flinch. I have never heard someone speak so brazenly to Bell like that—not even Zack.

He sighs, "Ever the impatient ones. Fine. We know where this man went—to the Temple. Our scouts have confirmed that shells have been gathering there. Most likely, this man was responsible for organizing the attack. Why did he give us this warning? We might never know. However, you are the leaders of our best teams, and with your expertise, we will launch a full-scale assault on that man's position."

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Bell lightly pushes me away, and Abby hands him a data pad. He flicks his finger up the touchpad, and a dozen holo screens illuminate our faces. "You will be our vanguard. Your only job is to protect Silen as he makes his way to the Temple. There, he will make contact with the enemy. Hopefully, we can glean some information on the man's intent.

Wait, me? I jump in front of him, protocol be damned, "Wait a minute. You never told me about this! You expect me to be the center of this mission? I haven't even gone into the field since I came back from sector twelve."

Bell stares me down, and my burst of confidence shrinks into nothing. One of the captains snickers behind me, "It is true you are inexperienced and weak, but you are our only link to this unknown entity. He left us a warning. That indicates he is not necessarily hostile. We need his knowledge of commanding shells. If we can ally with him, the mysteries of the forest could come to a close. We could finally be free from it."

"Ally?" I can't believe this. He expects me to try a reason with the man wearing my brother like a suit? He's out of his fucking mind. My body reacts before my mind does, as I grip his shirt, shoving my face into his. I can't think clearly; there's just anger and pain. My whole body shakes at the thought of even talking to that thing, "That is a monster. It is wearing my brother as its skin." Every word comes out with so much venom that it surprises even me. It's like my soul is tainted with an anger that I can't even comprehend. I may not remember this man, but my body does. And it's telling me to kill it. Torture it. Make sure it dies a slow and agonizing death.

"That...thing can't be reasoned with. It just tried to burn your city to the ground, and now you want to be allies? Are you fucking retarded?" I try to say more, but the bite of cold steel makes me stop. A sword presses itself against my neck. I turn my head and freeze as all the captains have their weapons drawn, ready to end me.

Bell gently but firmly forces my hand off his shirt, motioning for his men to stand down. They hesitantly back off. "I understand your feelings."

Repulsion erupts in me, and I shove my finger into his chest, a snarl forming, "Do you really? Do you really understand the depths of my hate for it? It is a hate I don't even understand. I can't even remember what that thing is, but my body is screaming for blood. These feelings of anger and fear, I can't even place them." I look at my hands. They're shaking so badly I doubt I could even hold my sword.

I turn to the divers, spreading out my arms, "You guys can't be seriously considering this, right? People have died. Your people have died to that man. Do you seriously plan to follow this ridiculous plan?" I point to a picture of Silo, planning to emphasize my point, but Bell spins me around and, before I can react, slams his fist in my gut. I gasp, but no air gathers in my lungs. Pain. I drop to a knee, salvia dripping out of my mouth. All I can see are dots as I try to breathe. It hurts. Air. I need air.

Bell grabs me by the hair as I begin to recover, staring at me, his face showing clear dissatisfaction, "It seems I have been too lenient with you, Mr. Stone. Maybe it is time I taught you what it is like in the real world." He shoves me to the floor. My breath has returned, but dots still stain my vision as Bell brings a hologram to my face. It depicts my tower, now in shambles. Most of it has collapsed, as have the other buildings around it.

"You have no home to return to, and your popularity is no longer a factor. You are alone, Mr. Stone. Your one friend has lost his mind, and all your assets belong to us. What do you have to offer us now? What can you offer the city that a regular citizen cannot? Frankly, you do not have a choice in the matter." I try my best to glare, but my stomach hurts too much. All I can do is let out a small groan. A few of the divers chuckle, and Bell snaps his head up, "Would you like to join him?" They shut up quickly.

I look away and close my eyes. I can't help the frustration building inside me. He's right. I know he is. Azu warned me about remaining stagnant. I didn't listen, believing my blooming popularity and commercial importance would allow me to contribute until I was cleared to go back into the forest, but my bet blew up in my face. With a looming war on the horizon, the last thing this city will be worried about is my image or financial situation. My power is gone.

"Fine."

Bell walks away, but I don't look at him, keeping my gaze fixed to my right, "Someone get this mess out of my sight." I move to get up, but large, warm hands grab my armpits, helping me to my feet. Hearon. His face is hard to read, but his jaw is clenched, and his grip is tight as he helps me to the elevator.

I start to reach for the base floor button, but Hearon stops me, lifting my shirt. There's a huge bruise on my stomach, and I wince as he puts his hand on it. He sighs and lowers my shirt, "I am sorry, Silen. I would heal it if I had something to use."

"It's okay; I'm glad you at least thought of me." And I mean that, to my surprise.

"Hearon, come. We have no time to waste," Bell says.

Hearon gives me a gruff smile. "Yes, Sir Bell." Bell visibly winces from his cold demeanor. Hearon pats me on the shoulder. "Azu and Zack are downstairs. You three are to get some rest. We will most likely be moving soon."

Azu and Zack are in the lobby, just as Hearon said. They sit near the exit at a table. Azu has melded herself to Zack, her arms wrapped around his right arm. She's knocked out cold. Zack gives me a very small smile as I plop down, but his gaze is still far away. He's seen better days.

"How're you holding up?" I take my sword off, setting it in my lap.

Zack hesitates before answering, clearly struggling to bring himself to the present. "Distant. Everything is a blur. Sometimes, it's hard to tell friend from foe. I..." He trails off, his gaze unfocused again. What did Zack go through to put him in this state? He's barely a person. What would have happened if it had been me? I shudder. All the more reason to help him however I can.