Chapter 59: Change IV
Chapter 59: Change IV
While others started their morning with grogginess and the unwillingness to even get out of bed, Damian’s day began differently.By the time he escaped the clutches of Lyra, the radiant rays of the dying sun were already washing over all of Ebonreach Metropolis.
At this moment.
He stepped out of a ZENTHRA shuttle that Lyra had called for him. Little Kitsuul yawned atop his shoulder as he told the shuttle to remain on standby- he’d be out soon. Then, he made his way up to the hotel room where Anastasia waited.
A quick knock. A few seconds later, the door opened. Anastasia looked him up and down before stepping aside. He entered silently.
He raised a brow.
"What is it?"
"Oh, nothing. Was your night... productive?"
She asked it casually, already returning to her array of computers. Several round silver platters of food sat untouched on a table nearby. She ate and worked at the same time.
Her dark hair was pulled into a ponytail, her body wrapped in a white hotel bathrobe, the faint smell of soap still lingering around her.
Damian thought briefly about the night before. Then he walked toward the cases from ZENTHRA.
"Somewhat," he said. "I have an in with a Glassblood Beast Master... and we should keep an eye on the Trial Guardian, Becca. She left with the Drunken Butcher last night."
"Oh?"
Anastasia’s eyes flashed sharply.
"That’s good. Even if he’s off-limits due to his power level right now, tracking a Trial Guardian is much easier if she keeps returning to him. I’ll add Becca to my watch list. And what about the one you went off with? Lyra, right? Anything with her?"
She glanced sideways, gauging his reaction.
He shook his head.
"Nothing crazy. Just a rich Glassblood Beast Master- no skeletons in her closet. From what I’ve seen, anyway."
He picked up the case and moved to change. But before he could leave, Anastasia swiveled in her chair to face him, her tone turning serious.
"They’re all the same, Damian. Every single one of them. Greedy. Arrogant. Killers. Don’t get swept up in their world just because you’re infiltrating it. You are not one of them, and they know it. They will never accept you as one of their own...not truly. Remember that. Remember what they did. Remember what we have to do. All the Credits, all the fancy cars, all the one-night stands...none of that changes the mission."
...!
Her voice struck like a lash. Her eyes burned with restrained fury.
Damian paused. He turned to meet her gaze and saw the life burning behind her eyes.
She used to look frail, even sickly. But now, after taking the Natural Nanotech Blood Serums, her skin shimmered faintly with health, her posture vibrant, even her wet hair radiant.
The robe she wore clung loosely, its folds parting slightly to reveal skin no longer pale or weary, but strong.
He nearly got lost in that fire before her words the day before came rushing back.
They were family. He had to remember that.
He shook the thoughts from his mind and nodded.
"I know."
He said it again, firmer.
"Believe me. I know."
It wasn’t just reassurance for her. It was a reminder to himself. He hadn’t forgotten what happened back then. And he knew exactly why they were doing this now.
Their eyes locked for a brief second before Anastasia nodded and turned back to her screens.
"There’s food for you. We’re burning more energy now, and our bodies need more calories..."
Her voice softened a little, something like concern behind the words.
Damian moved to change.
When he emerged, he was dressed in the sleek white Trial Guardian ZENTHRA-reinforced suit. He devoured the food Anastasia had ordered while recounting everything that had happened the night before- including what Kitsuul had found.
The Vagrant Beast Masters had fled into the Rustblood Circuit Arena, using it as a hiding place.
While they spoke, Damian beckoned Kitsuul to try the Obsidian Entropic Soft Crystals they’d stolen from ZENTHRA.
Her small body- already showing signs of rapid reinforcement from the nutrients she had consumed- dove into the cases, gulping down ten crystals before she paused, swaying as if dizzy, then collapsed into deep sleep.
Vibrant silver glows pulsed from her fur.
The feedback Damian felt from her was overwhelming- his connection to her now burning with power, stronger than anything he had felt when they first bonded.
He picked up her sleeping form gently and prepared to head out.
"Entropic Rift Dive day... I’ll let you know how it goes. What will you be up to?"
He knew she’d never sit still- especially not now, not after the serums.
"You mentioned the Vagrant Beast Masters hiding in the Rustblood Circuit Arena, right? I may pay it another visit. Tap into the Stackborn Beast Master network. If we can connect there..."
Her eyes were already burning with possibility. Damian frowned slightly at the thought.
"Be careful. Your body might be similar to an Initiate stage Beast Masters now, but..."
"I know."
She gave a quick nod, eyes never leaving the screens.
"I’ll be careful. If anything happens, I’ll check in. You do the same. The goal right now is to build enough power and knowledge to stand against one of ZENTHRA’s Guardians. Everything else feeds into that."
She didn’t finish the thought, but Damian nodded anyway, gently stroking Kitsuul’s fur before stepping out.
Anastasia paused for a moment after the door closed.
She stared at the space he’d just left... then slapped her own cheek softly, waking herself from whatever trance had settled.
She turned back to her monitors. Her work continued.
—
ZENTHRA Beast Corporation.
150th Floor.
Guardian Flameborn wore an expression of stone. Inside the command center with her were several ZENTHRA technicians and Beast Masters.
"You’re telling me someone walked in unseen, took multiple cases from our Vaults, including the ones Guardian Vex personally deposited, and walked out without triggering a single alert?"
Her voice cracked like fire through the silence.
The air grew hotter. One employee trembled, a dark stain spreading down his pants.
He’d pissed himself.
"...Haa."
Guardian Flameborn exhaled slowly, trying to rein in the inferno curling in her throat. Sparks danced along her lips.
Then a Beast Master popped his head through the door.
"Guardian Flameborn... the Trial Guardians for today’s Entropic Rift Dive have arrived."
Her expression soured further.
She scanned the room.
"Find me the bastard who bypassed ZENTHRA’s systems. We can scan for and sense everything. EVERYTHING. So find them."
...!