The group continued their search for Neige and the overseer. Now everyone was dodging them, even going back to their home at their sight. They were now considered criminals in this world, far from the peaceful place Silva thought it was.

"I can't believe it's all because of what we did a year ago. If we interfered, it would have been so different..."

"But that's what this world is supposed to be, right?" Asked Emely "If we change it, maybe it would lead to its destruction."

"Maybe, but I can't just ignore that. There has to be something we can do."

The three continued to search for anyone who would accept to help them. They explored the city for a while in vain. The moon was high in the sky and the group considered sleeping for the night. They talked about what they should do until a little girl interrupted them.

"Excuse me, are you bad guys?"

Ada kneeled toward her, giving a soft smile.

"We're not but you shouldn't talk with us, you could be in trouble."

"So... Are you against the overseer? You need to help me!"

"Help you?" The anomaly turned toward the two girls, and once she made sure they agreed, she asked the little girl, "What do you need help with?"

"It's daddy! The overseer took him away... I want to see him again..."

The little girl was holding her tears all she could. Ada took her in her arms and tried her best to calm her.

"Don't worry, we'll find him. Do you know where he is?"

The girl whipped the tears off her face and took a paper out of her pocket. She handed it to Ada who stared at it for a moment before nodding to herself.

"I definitely can't read this."

She gave the paper to Silva, who took it confused.

"Am I supposed to read the ink by touching it?"

"Oh... I forgot you were blind..."

Emely took the paper and glanced at it before realizing that this was a map. A tower was drawn and circled in red, probably the emplacement of the overseer.

"Please, save my daddy."

The little girl ran away from them, leaving the group with their new goal. The nun stared at the girl running with a sorrowful expression.

"How sad... No child should have to lose a parent."

"I don't trust her."

Emely and Ada were both shocked at Silva's words. The nun in particular seemed quite mad at her.

"Why do you say that? You have no idea how hard it is for her."

"How would she know where the guy we're searching is? And I could feel it in her voice, it was rehearsed. We don't have any other lead, but if we go, we need to be careful."

Despite their disagreement, Silva and the anomaly both followed Emely and headed toward the tower that was shown on the map.

The exterior of the tower was like every other building, made of bricks and wood. The group forced the entrance to see the interior made of a shiny white, almost blinding Emely and Ada. The room was empty and silent, the three partners went in the elevator, the only place where they could go. The panel showed 30 different floors, including 10 underground.

"We'll search for Neige on every floor?" Emely complained but was quickly replied by the anomaly.

"The deepest floor, he's there. I can feel it."

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"It looks like it's only for staff members, I can hack it with some time."

Emely worked on the elevator under the gaze of the two others. Silva suddenly received a call on her watch and walked away from the group to take it.

"Allo? Who is it?"

*It is me, Remiel. Sepide, Leader, and I made our way to the ship. We will arrive shortly to provide help, can you tell us your coordinates?*

"We're in the world 20111924, in a big tower. It shouldn't be hard to find."

*Understood, we will arrive as soon as we can.*

The call cut but Silva was relieved to hear that they would receive help soon. She went with the rest of the group and immediately shared the news.

"The leader is coming soon with the others."

"The others... Does it include the scary woman with long hair?"

The anomaly looked scared of Ina for some reason. Silva decided to confront her about it and understand why she felt that way about the nice cook that Ina was.

"Why are you so intimidated by Ina? Did she really threaten you that bad?"

"She did! It wasn't really her to be honest, but they look so similar... Even their names are almost the same. Nia... She said she would stop the aberration I became, even if it would be in another life. I can't help but think that she truly came back for me!"

"Don't worry about that, Ina is so kind. She feels bad cooking meat and even prays for the animal that gave its life, she wouldn't lay a hand on you."

Despite Silva's words, the anomaly still had a bad feeling about the cook. Her worries were interrupted by Emely's voice echoing in the small elevator.

"All good. We can go now."

Once everyone was ready, they pressed the button to head toward the deepest floor. The metallic box they were trapped in went downward, creating a tense atmosphere. They weren't sure what they would find there or even if their friend was safe, but they knew they would do their best to save him. The descent felt infinite, never stopping the rusted sound of the elevator. After what felt like hours passed, the door finally opened.

The room was empty, Neige standing in the middle. Darkness engulfed the room, making it hard to see the chains on the ground and other details. It looked like a cell of some sort, probably where Neige was locked in. Silva walked toward him, with a bright smile on her face.

"Neige! Is that you? I'm so glad you're here! Let's go now, everyone is worried."

Silva approached him but quickly jumped back when Neige swung his dagger at her.

"I'm happy now... I just need to ignore everything... And obey the orders..."

"Neige is really brainwashed. Hey, anomaly! Can't you just restrain him?"

"I can't." Answered the anomaly to Silva's question "His dagger, that's what stopped me last time! As long as he has it, I can't do anything."

"So his dagger is the problem."

Silva threw her crutches on the side and prepared to face Neige. She took a deep breath and stepped toward him, aiming to disarm him.

"You remember every time we sparred together? I always managed to overpower you in the end!"

"Do not think... Just obey..."

Silva realized that his friend wasn't listening to anything and that she would need to be more aggressive. She threw the first attack but was immediately dodged. She could feel in the air Neige's muscles contracting. After all the training they did together, she knew what attacks he was about to do. With a smile on her face, she dodged with ease the jab he did.

"Even when you're not yourself you use the same moves, I guess you're a boxer at soul."

"..."

Neige paused momentarily before continuing his assault. Silva managed to keep up despite her wound and managed to barely get his dagger multiple times. Neige suddenly raised his hand in the air and struck downward. Silva managed to dodge just like in their training but was surprised by a sudden uppercut in her belly. Silva stepped backward, holding the place she was hit on in pain. Seeing the scene, Emely ran toward her friend to make sure she was alright.

"Silva, are you okay?"

"Could be better... If only I could take his dagger..."

Emely went toward Neige in the hope of breaking him free of his delusion. Her friend stood there, staring at her with an empty gaze.

"Neige! Is it really what you want? Obeying someone's order and stop thinking for yourself?"

"Myself is unimportant... I only... Cause problems..."

Silva gently pushed Emely to the side and faced Neige with visible anger on her face.

"I'm the depressed one! We don't have a spot for another burden!"

Neige was ready to fight again, not displaying a single emotion. Silva felt that she wouldn't be able to hold on much longer because of her physical state. Before a move could be thrown, Silva was pushed to the side and grabbed by Emely. They both recognized the person who moved her away and was now facing Neige with her sword.

"Leader!? You're here!"

"Yes... I'm sorry I took so long."

Sepide and Remiel were also here, shocked to see the leader fighting Neige.

"Why is Neige attacking them? Is he evil?"

"No, he's mind controlled!" Emely explained to Sepide "If we find the overseer, maybe we could stop it!"

The leader was focused on fighting her friend while avoiding hurting him but still managed to give an order.

"You should check the highest part of the tower! Take Remiel with you!"

Silva and Emely nodded their head and along with Remiel went in the elevator. They noticed that the anomaly stayed behind and yelled at her.

"Come on! We don't have time!"

"I'm... Staying with Neige. I can't leave him alone."

Forced to accept her decision, they pressed the button to go higher in the tower. Sepide turned behind her and showed her tongue at Remiel before taunting her.

"The leader trusts me more!"

"I am sure that it is thanks to your great talent!"

Sepide stayed with the leader, clearly annoyed while Remiel smiled at her. The door closed, leaving Emely, Remiel, and Silva in the elevator.