A New Mission 2

Amidst the rubble that covered the ground, and surrounded by a fence of metalnets, a structure emerged like a fevered dream born from the imaginations of a child.

With its jagged angles that resembled chaos emerging from the ground, this building defied the norms as it stood out like the star of the show.

The lights scattered inside shone brightly, illuminating the rooms towering along the structure with brilliance.

Zen, who was laying the details of his mission, finally finished what he had to report, allowing him to go and take a rest before departing on his awaited mission.

"Well, this would do for now," said Ema as her white eyes ran a thorough check on the information she just registered

"Then I'll go have a nap for the time being" Zen replied as he started walking towards the door.

"U-umm…" With a shaking voice full of hesitation, Ema tried grabbing the attention of Zen.

"Hmm?…" Zen quickly stopped and turned to face Ema.

"Do you really wanna go there… the forbidden district I mean…" she asked, her eyes coated with uncertainty and worry.

"Yeah, why?" Zen nodded, his face showing puzzled as she asked.

"I mean, when we all went there last time… It was a complete disaster…" she added as she lowered her head, facing the ground with sadness in the ground with sadness in her eyes as memories flooded her mind.

Zen let out a slight chuckle before he slowly walked to her. He placed his hand on her head and started moving it, patting her gently as he said "The last time we went together we were still young, dumb, and inexperienced, that's why that mission ended in that way"

"However, I'm no longer the same person, you know…" He added with his eyes conveying confidence.

"But «***» is still restricting your body, right?"

"That… is right, but still, I can handle this"

Seeing the confidence in his eyes, Ema couldn't help but smile as she responded "Return in a state where i can actually heal you then,"

"Do you really think that I'll get injured there?"

"No, I'm sure you will…"

"You really don't have any confidence in me, huh?"

"You really thought I would?"

Zen headed out, slightly shaking his head as he showed a small smile.

…

*I should check if my weapons are ready first…* Zen thought to himself, scratching his head as his eyes landed on a thick, metallic door, cloaked in layers of rust, that nestled at the end of a long corridor extending to the back of the building. Scratches covered its surface, showing the lifelong service and neglect that this door experienced.

Before Zen could land some knocks on the door, the loud sound of an explosion emerged from behind it, taking Zen by surprise as he instantly took a step back while his eyes widened.

*What is this guy doing now…*

Zen knocked loudly, making sure that the man inside could hear clearly amidst the chaos he was causing.

"Just a minute…"

The clinking and clattering of glassware shuffled papers, and the occasional metallic clang of a stray tool hitting the floor echoed loudly.

The rustic hinges screeched hideously as they tried pulling the door open, letting the heavy scent of chemicals escape the cluttered space behind it.

Zen quickly covered his face, guarding his nose from the unbearable scent that hung in the air.

"What are you doing, Kelton?!"Zen questioned, his voice barely understandable as a man, wearing a white coat that trailed behind him, faced Zen with his back bent forward, the dark blue bags beneath his eyes showing the exhaustion his body was bearing.

The low buzz of machinery working played endlessly in the background, providing a constant noise that circled the place.

"I was experimenting with some new technology, but… well…" The man answered, rapidly going with his hand through his hair.

"You will really end up hurting yourself one day if you continue this way, you know…"

"Well, it can't be helped. I can't hold back my curiosity" A sparkle appeared in Kelton's eyes, shining brightly as he looked at Zen.

"Anyway, did you finish working on my blades" with a wary sigh, Zen asked as he shook his head helplessly.

"Ah, yeah. They are almost ready" Kelton answered before he turned back inside "I just need something from you"

"something from me?" puzzlement filled Zen's face as he watched Kelton go through his stuff, searching for the blade.

"Yes… your blood" Kelton added, pulling two short blades from within the chaos he caused.

"Huh?!…"

"Just give me your hand and don't worry" Kelton forcefully grabbed Zen's hand, drawing a big wound on his palm using one of the blades.

"Now squeeze some blood on these two babies" Kelton added, a creepy smile curved on his slim face.

With his eyebrows squishing together, Zen's eyes squinted in confusion and hesitation, but he decided to comply with his demands.

Once his blood drops touched the metallic blades, their color swiftly turned red, matching the color of his blood.

The same chains that covered his arms when he fought against Hector, covered the two daggers.

"What is happening here…" Zen questioned.

"I just fused your powers into it," Kelton explained, puffing his chest in pride "Now you can feel that they are much easier to use"

Zen started moving his hands in a swift motion, swinging and playing with the daggers like a professional.

"Wow, calm down!…" Kelton exclaimed, "Don't swing them like that here"

"You are right, these two are really easier to use" With his eyes widened in surprise, Zen said.

"Of course. I'm the one who worked on them after all" Kelton added "they should help you when you go to the forbidden district"

"Aren't you gonna try to stop me from going there like the rest?"

"Not that you will listen to me even if I tried" He answered, shrugging his shoulders as he shook his head.

Zen sheathed the two daggers and hung them on his waist before walking starting to walk away "I'll leave you to your experiments, I need to get some rest before I go"