Chapter 47

The afternoon sun shone golden on Kai and Kaori as they carried on their playful sprint across the ruins of the city. But not too far away, a different figure lurked in the shadows of a collapsing building, watching them from a distance.

This veiled woman's face was obscured by a hood, which covered her entire body. But even with her clothes covered, she exuded strength and confidence, and as she watched the two depart into the distance, a sly smile crossed her lips.

The shrouded person moved away from the scene with a fluidity that contradicted the chaotic surroundings, her footfall almost silent on the cracked concrete. She leaped over a collapsed pillar with a deft sweep of her cloak, landing on the other side like a cat in the dark.

She maneuvered through the streets littered with debris with a fluidity and accuracy that reflected her years of training. Her eyes were fixed front. The sun's rays stroked her veiled figure, but they didn't reveal her genuine identity or shed any light on her motivations.

The figure moved through the deserted streets, and it became clear that she was carrying a bag that swayed rhythmically. The minor strain on her slender form suggested that the backpack was heavy, but it didn't stop her. Her tight hold on the pack didn't seem to let up as she made her way through the dilapidated city.

She walked with confidence and steadiness, her rucksack acting as a silent friend by her side at all times.

The person walked up to the ruins of what had once been a police station, now only a dilapidated shell. The shattered windows gaped like maws without teeth, their empty frames a sobering reminder of the once-great city. On the deteriorating sign over the entryway, the words "Police Department" were hardly readable, the letters fading and smeared with dirt.

The entrance doors were hanging limp from their hinges, swaying gently in the wind like an angel's torn wings.

Her footsteps reverberated through the deserted garage as she made her way there. She made sure no one was observing her before moving to a fairly unremarkable maintenance hatch in the corner. She stooped to carefully open the hatch, which revealed a keypad concealed underneath.

After entering a code, a part of the garage floor moved silently apart, exposing a staircase that led down into the shadows. She went down quickly, the door closing behind her.

The stranger entered a bigger room that was the bunker's common space as she turned a corner. Warm, flickering light flickered across the walls while a little fire blazed in the center of the space. Five figures sat around the fire, chatting and joking.

When she got closer, they turned to face her, their curious gaze narrowing.

"Who are you?!" The person nearest to her exclaimed.

In the dimly lit room, the five figures rose to their feet, their postures stiff with suspicion. The one who had spoken, a tall man with broad shoulders and a fierce scowl, stepped forward.

"How did you get in here?" he demanded. "This place is supposed to be secure. You shouldn't have been able to get past the perimeter defenses without authorization. Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

The others moved closer, their hands drifting to the hilts of their weapons, their eyes flashing with distrust.

With a serene expression, the woman ignored the aggressive questioning and slipped into a corner, lowering herself onto a chair with grace. She didn't appear to be fazed by the hostile atmosphere in the room, her posture relaxed and her demeanor calm.

"The person in charge, I assume, is not part of you," she said, her voice low and smooth. "Which one of you has the authority to make decisions here?"

The gathered individuals exchanged uncertain glances, the suspicion in their eyes now accompanied by confusion. None of them were quite sure how to react to her unexpected arrival or her unruffled demeanor.

In hushed whispers, the five gathered figures huddled together, their eyes darting between the mysterious woman and each other. A sense of trepidation hung in the air as they debated what to do about this unexpected guest.

After a brief exchange, one of the figures, a woman with striking red hair peaking out of her knitted cap, nodded and stepped away from the group. She quickly disappeared into the shadows beyond the firelight, vanishing into another room.

For several tense moments, the remaining four figures stood motionless, their gazes never leaving the woman in the corner.

Not long after, the red-haired woman reappeared, this time accompanied by two familiar faces: Ryu and Kaida. The pair stepped into the common area, their expressions mirroring the confusion and suspicion of the other inhabitants.

"What's going on?" Ryu asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Kaida's eyes narrowed, her body tensing as she surveyed the newcomer with curiosity.

The stranger, still seated in the corner, turned her attention to Ryu and Kaida, her eyes flickering with a hint of recognition.

The figure in the corner regarded Ryu and Kaida with a knowing smirk, her gaze taking in their familiar faces.

"Ah, if it isn't Ryu and Kaida, two of my favorite comrades," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "It's been a while since I last saw you two. You haven't changed a bit, I see. Still as oblivious as ever."

Ryu bristled, his hands clenched into fists. Still lost and confused

Kaida, however, seemed to recognize something in the stranger's voice.

Kaida took a step forward, her eyes narrowing as she studied the figure in the corner. "Maria...?" she said, her voice filled with disbelief. "Is that you?"

In response, the figure shrugged off her cloak, allowing it to pool at her feet. As she stepped into the light, her features became clear: pale skin, dark hair pulled back in a severe bun, and eyes the color of steel. A confident smirk played on her lips as she regarded Kaida.

"Bingo," she said, her voice dripping with amusement.