Several days had passed since Yuna killed Siegfried. She sat in Dante’s ALTR within his room. She wore an eyepatch, a multitude of bandages, and her right sleeve lay empty. Dante interacted with the ALTR via his IRIS.

“You sure about this?” Dante asked. “This thing’s fully encrypted. I’ve got no idea where you’re headed.”

“It’s fine,” Yuna said.

“Malicious ALTR hardware’s one of the easiest ways to kill people these days, you know.”

“They’ve had better opportunities.”

“Uh, alright then?” Weirding me out how chill she’s been. Tempted to say it out loud but…nah, not gonna risk it.

“It’s almost time.”

“Alright, in you go. It’d seriously torpedo my current situation if you died. So, ya know, please avoid that. Bail if shit’s weird.”

“Your concern’s touching.” Yuna had a slight grin. “Asshole.”

A short time later, Yuna stood on the moon as Aelfric had done many times in his meetings with Artemis. She looked around a bit before realizing her arm and eye were no longer missing.

“S’pose that makes sense.” Yuna spotted Aelfric turning toward her, with Earth behind him.

“Thank you for accepting my invitation,” Aelfric said. “Let’s get something out of the way - I am not Aelfric.”

“Kinda figured. After all, ain’t you a boss ‘mistress’?”

Belle, Artemis thought. As Aelfric, she had a subtle grimace and the slightest shake of his head.

Earlier that day, Yuna basked alone in the morning sun’s warmth in the Vyxora courtyard. She had an empty stare where she so often dueled Leon. Belle approached Yuna’s right side, wearing plain clothes, a mask, and a ball cap.

“Bit beat up, but you’re definitely Yuna, right?” Belle asked.

“Mmm?” Yuna continued to stare.

Belle leaned in. “I’m related to Aelfric,” she whispered. Yuna turned to meet her eye. The scent of perfume hung in the air. “He’s worst off than you it seems. All broken. It’s a whole thing. Anyway. Rejoice, for today’s the greatest day of your life.” Belle reached for Yuna’s hand and placed a device in it, then closed it without resistance. “One hour. Don’t be late. You get to meet my mistress. But I’ll be watching, so be a good girl. I expect politeness.” She gave Yuna a light pat on the head. Yuna shifted. In her mind, she had envisioned her arm thrusting upward, grabbing Belle by the throat. She relaxed, having remembered her missing arm. Belle turned and walked away.

Back in ALTR, Artemis continued.

“Allow me to explain myself, quickly,” Artemis said. “I’ve appeared to you as Aelfric as proof of our association. He’s unavailable, as his convalescence will take quite some time. You may refer to me as Diana, should you require a name. That is, of course, not my real name. May I inquire as to how you fare?”

“Not sure why you care? Def the worst I’ve ever been, though. Hurt everywhere, but the phantom pains the shittiest part. Fucking sucks. Maybe I should just veg out in ALTR?” Yuna watched as she flexed her right arm.

“I can scarcely imagine.”

“So, what’s the deal? You trying to call in a favor already? Pretty fuckin’ impatient, don’t ya think?”

“My subordinates urged I meet with you even earlier. There are several time-sensitive components involved. To be honest with you, I was a little worried you may decline, given your temperament.”

“Fucking hell my head hurts, even in here. Pretty sure I’ve done more thinking in the last few days than my entire life. The ‘real’ Alphon…Aelfric, whatever, made it clear the info wasn’t free, even if you wanted that monster dead, too.”

“Correct. However, I’ve decided on a particular approach here. Your debt will be cleared if you merely listen to all I have to say.”

“Just ‘listen’? Bullshit. Even I’m not that dumb.”

“Indeed. I know you’re more intelligent than you give yourself credit for. Which is exactly why I’ve chosen this approach. There’s a role I desire for you to play. Perhaps you’d simply agree as payment for said debt, along with several incentives I intend to offer. Yet, I too have done a great deal of thinking myself these last few days. I concluded coercion would be a foolish endeavor, for I need to be able to trust you, implicitly. Herein lies a significant obstacle. I can offer little for you to trust me, even though I’ll need you to. I’m gambling that my tactic will work. Which is, I’ll never lie to you, but I will decline to share some information altogether. Questions?”

“Uh, yeah, you lost me. That felt like one of Reina’s tangents where I only catch half…maybe.”

“My apologies. Allow me to demonstrate. I’m sure you have questions. Ask.”

“Clear the air, huh? Alright, I’ll bite. So you’re behind the assassinations, right? Aelfric was the shooter?”

“Yes.” Artemis answered so fast that Yuna couldn’t help but be stunned for a few moments.

“Why?”

“That is information I will not share. Best that you assume, I will never. And for the sake of brevity, I will respond ‘no’ to such inquiries, going forward.”

“Okay…you’ve been spying on us since ‘Aelfric’ came to Vyxora, I’m guessing?”

“Yes.”

“What was the point?”

“To determine how you managed to confront him. We wondered whether we had erred in some way. It was a surprise to learn your actions were merely based on Reina’s theories.”

“Wait, you know that even? How?” Artemis explained Aelfric’s spying methods and reports. “God damn. Not sure how to feel about that…so you know a lot about us, then?”

“Yes.”

“What was your endgame of the spying?”

“Originally, elimination if you possessed sensitive information.”

What’s with this dude, er, lady? Yuna thought. She just admitted she planned to wipe us out like it was nothing. But she seems to kinda know me? How could she risk I wouldn’t flip out? Fucking weird ‘tactic’.

“Who are you?” Yuna asked.

“No,” Artemis said.

“Right. Uhm…shit. I’m suddenly drawing a blank. I should have a ton more questions, right?”

“It happens to the best of us. You may ask later. I would like to present my proposal now. Is that agreeable?”

“I guess?” Yuna shrugged, trying to grasp something on the tip of her tongue.

“To cut to the heart of the matter, I want you to—.”

“Holy fuck!” Yuna interrupted. “How the fuck did that slip my mind? You were behind Reina’s abduction and ‘recovery’, right? Aelfric said so.”

“Yes.”

“But you just said killing us all off was on the table. How the fuck’s that make any sense?”

“I sincerely apologize, but I cannot divulge my reasons. I can only assure you I meant what I wrote on the note - no strings attached.”

Yuna stared blankly. She didn’t just ‘no’ it? Th’ fuck? Really wishing I’d brought Reina.

“May I continue?” Artemis asked.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

“Yeah…”

“I’m certain you’d rather I cut to the chase. I want you to take up the mantle of a new syndicate with the objective of conquering the entire Lyrsium underworld. Our reasons will not be shared, but I believe this role holds immense appeal to you. You will get to—.”

“I’m in.”

“—challenge the greatest—.” Artemis paused and stared at Yuna. “Excuse me?”

“I’m in.” Yuna cracked her knuckles, albeit no actual cracking occurred. “Oh, damn. I can’t do this anymore.” She somberly gazed at her right hand.

“So I did not mishear you. I’d prepared a great deal more to say and didn’t even get to the incentives…”

“Gimme a sec, my thoughts are catching up.”

“May I inquire as to your reasons?” I knew she’s unpredictable, but this’ too easy, surely?

“There are multiple, I think, but you only need to know one. Some good ol’ fashioned revenge. Heh, musta been instinct that spoke. My thoughts are clicking into place. You aware of what me and Pops do for the council?” Usually I’d be all ragey already, guess I emptied the tank or something something ALTR. Can’t remember ever thinking so clearly?

“To some degree, yes.”

“Good, I can skip to the point. One, maybe all of them, sold us out to that Siegfried cunt. They must have. Do you know what happened for Pops to get captured?”

“No.”

“Nice to know you’re not all-seeing.” Yuna explained the trap they walked into that night in brief detail.

“Would I be correct in assuming there’s a specific process and conditions in which you undertake these tasks?”

“Bingo. You get me, then?”

“Yes, it’s quite plausible.” Good, she didn’t merely speak on a whim. Her instincts spoke, but she must have been thinking about how they’d fallen for Siegfried’s trap for some time. She still accepted too readily, though. I must ensure her trust.

“Reina figures you must have some crazy resources, that true?”

“In short, yes.”

“Speaking of, it’s weird talking to Aelfric when I know it’s someone else. Even though I barely talked to the guy, I saw him around plenty. Mind changing to that business woman you talked to Reina as?”

“Very well.” Artemis’ avatar changed moments later. She stared at Yuna with a blank expression. Wait…she tricked me? I suppose it means little. I won’t acknowledge it.

I def just tricked her. Isn’t she going to acknowledge it? Yuna thought.

“I do not doubt your desire for revenge. If I may, though, I would still like to outline additional benefits to your employ.”

“‘Employ’ huh? Sure, go ahead.” Even if this is ALTR, she really ignored I tricked her. Unless she doesn’t care? But wew, thought I screwed up speaking too soon. If Reina ever finds out…

“First, may I inquire as to how your father is?”

“Pops? Well, don’t even know where to start. Pretty fucking bad. He’s in a coma, some kinda spinal injury, other shit too…why?”

“We assumed if Leon were found alive, the damage would be severe. My subordinates have urged me to offer our assistance in his recovery in exchange for your compliance. However, as I stated prior, I’m confident coercion or deception will backfire with you. Am I correct, Yuna?”

“Christ, you’re fucking strange. Don’t care for you knowing me so well, but yeah, I’m feelin’ pretty annoyed at the thought of that situation. Why the hell’re you telling me this when you don’t have to? How’s this benefit you?”

“I must build a bond of trust with you within minutes, not years. It’s vital that I give you no reason to doubt me, even while you will remain ignorant of my true intentions. I won’t risk you changing course in the future. May I continue?”

“Yeah, sure…”

“Every incentive I’d intended to use in convincing you to accept my proposal will still be offered.” Artemis explained in detail various benefits, including the best specialists money could buy for Leon, cybernetic replacements for Yuna, and more.

“That’s, a lot. But this feels like the definition of ‘too good to be true’. I’m questioning why you want me so bad? Am I missing something?” Fuck me, my confidence’s taken a hit to say that.

“Fortunately, that’s easy to answer. In fact, you’re as close to ideal as possible, and I’m confident in my assessment. There is a purity to ‘Yuna Vyx’. You appear to have little interest in monetary gain, material wealth, fame nor power over others. I’ll not pretend to understand it, however, combat and all which that entails, especially your prowess, is you, ‘Yuna’. I’ll admit the greatest concern to your effectiveness in this role would be your family and its importance to you. If you had no family, you would be perfect. After all, you’re expendable in the context of the underworld’s territorial dueling system. Another key factor.”

“Ah. Heads hurting listing to you, but I’m getting enough. Something just clicked. So that’s why you don’t want Aelfric doing it?”

“Correct.”

Yuna exhaled a deep sigh. I’ve seen enough dramas to think there’s still some catch here. But I can’t see any suspicious angle with how open this nutjob’s being. It feels so one sided though; she knows me to an irritating level, yet I still don’t know jack shit about her. Could really use Reina…What would she say? Ask?

“Aelfric will handle the administration of the syndicate. We will only expect you to fight. There will still be monetary compensation, of course.”

“‘I think they’re after something we can’t even guess right now. I don’t have much to back up this hunch, though. Just all the pieces available to me are telling me it’s not about the usual suspects of power or money.’”

“Excuse me?”

“Reina. Said that. About you, technically.”

Artemis blinked a few times with a blank expression. Her lip twitched as if suppressing a grin. “Your sister’s really quite formidable, isn’t she?”

“Yep. So, she’s right?”

Artemis gave a slight nod.

I can tell that’s as far as she’ll go, Yuna thought. Maybe she wants to lock us down? What if?

“Are those assassinations gonna continue at some point?” Yuna asked.

“Yes,” Artemis said. “They won’t occur on anything in your family’s orbit, including the underworld altogether.”

“You won’t tell me anything else though, if I ask, right? Like how?”

“Correct.”

Okay…, Yuna thought. Really didn’t expect her to be so open. Didn’t even flinch. Feels like her tactic for me is working too well. Remember, Yuna, channel Reina.

“What’re you gonna do if I said I’ve changed my mind?”

“Nothing. While unfortunate, even with you aware of us, I’ve given you no further comprising information. There’s no harm to come from our conversation.”

Cocky, ain’t she? But even if I could remember everything she’s said, probably true. I think I get now why Reina liked her. Too many extra words wasted on polite speech for my taste, yet there’s no fat on ‘em. Usually it’d feel like I was being talked down to.

“What about your plan to ‘conquer the underworld’?” Yuna asked. “Wouldn’t me knowing be a threat?”

“We will abandon it without you,” Artemis said.

Come on, seriously? Am I that bad at getting her to flinch or is she really not blowing smoke? Yuna paused. “I’m still in. What now?”

“We can iron details out at a later time. In the immediate, it would be ideal to devise a story for our medical team to analyze your father.”

“‘Story’? What, did you think I was gonna hide all this from my family?”

“They, especially Reina, would complicate your role.”

“Listen, even if I wanted to, I suck at lying. Reina would sniff me out and hound me.”

“I see.”

“Don’t worry about it. We’re all stupidly honest with one another, most of the time. With how creepily well you know me, you must know that?”

“Several of Aelfric’s reports were…curious, yes. Family tends not to look kindly upon motivations of revenge, however. Even if they’re quite supportive of your proclivities.”

“True, never goes down well in dramas. I’m still confident it won’t be an issue. Trust me.”

“Very well.”

“So, is there like a contract or something?”

“No. As a sign of good faith, I will dispatch a medical investigator this evening to your residence. They will determine how best to proceed.”

“Already? That quick?”

“I would have preferred earlier, however, there was inherent risk approaching you so soon, as mentioned prior. It is in my best interest that your father recovers; the faster, the better. Ideally, you will feel indebted toward me, expediting our bond of trust.”

“Right…did you just say that out loud on accident? I do that sometimes.”

“No.”

“Uh-huh.” Yuna shook her head. “I’m gonna go make sure I didn’t just dream this weird ass encounter. Do me a favor, though. Read the messages Reina sent that avy.” She gave a dismissive wave and disappeared.

“Messages?”

A short while later, late morning, Yuna walked toward Reina’s room in their home.

Why do I feel lighter? Yuna thought. That weird agitation…itch in my skull’s gone? I’d forgotten about it the last few days, but it was back this morning. When did it start again? Feel like a bit after Reina got her new body. A jolt of searing pain rippled through her brain. “Fuck, ouch.” Christ, I get it. Take a break from thinking. Nap time. Why you gotta be a cunt, head?

Yuna entered Reina’s room without a sound. Light from the hall briefly illuminated Reina’s small silhouette beneath covers in the otherwise pitch-black darkness of the room. She lay on her side, her head barely poking out, facing opposite the door. As Yuna crept closer, she heard some peculiar sounds from Reina, however they were so muffled she questioned whether she actually heard them. She slipped into the bed under the covers, then wedged her left arm underneath Reina and swapped positions in an instant.

“Hey? What?” Reina said.

“Ah, my bad, did I wake you? Need a nap. Need favorite pillow.” Yuna snuggled with Reina, bringing her into her chest.

“Yuna? Well, it wouldn’t be anyone else… you could’ve asked first. Jeez.”

“Thought I’d be stealthy. Too awkward hugging my pillow from underneath, my bad.” Yuna breathed in Reina’s scent.

“I wasn’t asleep…but stop sniffing me, you freaking weirdo.”

“It’s calming. Can’t believe I went years without it. Anyway. How the hell aren’t you asleep yet? How many hours straight have you been up now?”

“Thhry-svn,” Reina grumbled.

“Thirty something? Do I need to knock you out, literally?”

“I’m fine! Just shush. Take your nap.”

Yuna closed her eyes, then noticed a slight damp sensation on her arm. About the same time, Reina wrapped both of her arms around Yuna’s, embracing it.

“Were, are you crying?” Yuna asked.

“What? No. Why would I be?” Reina snapped. She rubbed her face into the comforter.

“My brain’s fried from thinking too much, so I’m gonna be mean right now. I’ve already got a hold of you; tell me, or else.” Yuna shifted her arm and hand.

“C’mon, don’t. It was just something in my eye.”

Yuna felt the quickened heart beats of Reina. “Nope. Surrender. Tell me what’s wrong, or I can’t nap.” She shifted further.

Reina spun her entire body around, pressing her face into Yuna’s chest. “Fine!” She weakly punched Yuna over and over. “God damnit!” Reina’s hand tenderly climbed Yuna’s cheek until reaching the eyepatch. “It’s my fault. I’m so sorry Yuna. I’m so sorry Papa. I’m disgusted how long it took to sink in. It’s my fault.”

“Uh, what is?”

“I just had to involve myself with the ‘Sculptor’ investigation.” Reina tempered sniffles as much as she could. “Griff called…he confirmed the worst. That monster did take Tau. Poor Tau…he must’ve been tortured… revealed us. Even though it was only me behind their actions. He targeted Vyxora’s leader, it only makes sense. If I hadn’t—.”

“Nonsense.” Yuna embraced Reina further. “I’m too fried to explain why. But total nonsense. Hear me? Go to sleep. We can…” Yuna yawned. The calming, rhythmic vibration of her heartbeat reverberated into Reina. Reina’s eyes blinked heavy and slow as it lulled her, while Yuna’s warmth enveloped her. “…after.” The pair drifted into slumber.