Cassius turned, his expression grim but composed. He looked toward the cot where Ted Frin lay unconscious, still strapped down. For a brief second Cassius hesitated.

He then straightened and faced the group. "Let’s go and surrender," he said. "We need to buy time first."

Sophia’s eyes flicked to Brent but she did not argue. Dr. Farah tightened the strap on her satchel and nodded. Brent hauled himself up from the floor, face pale and eyes lowered.

Together they moved out of the hidden chamber. The passageway curved upward, dimly lit, lined with old concrete and pipes that dripped moisture. Their footsteps echoed, the sound of their breathing loud in the confined space.

Cassius led, his movements swift but measured. Sophia followed with her tablet clutched to her chest. Brent trailed at the back, still wiping his mouth.

They emerged into the upper corridors, the faint roar of soldiers and the metallic clink of weapons drifting down to them. Red lights spun in the corners. They walked past rooms now stripped bare, equipment dismantled and hidden away.

At the final stairwell Cassius paused. He took a breath, adjusted the cuff of his jacket, and looked back at the small group. His eyes met each of theirs in turn. "Stay calm. Do not provoke them," he said quietly. "We’ll get out of this. But we need time."

Sophia nodded. Dr. Farah’s face was pale but resolute. Brent kept his gaze fixed on the floor. While the other men are preparing for battle.

Then they began to climb the last set of stairs toward the ground level, the sound of the outside world growing louder with each step, a drumbeat of boots and shouted orders. Cassius’s mind raced ahead, calculating, even as he prepared to walk straight into the enemy’s hands.

But while Cassius’s group marched toward surrender, somewhere else, on the winding road cutting through the city’s edges, two riders were unknowingly drawing closer to the very same battlefield.

The motorcycle roared against the wind, weaving smoothly between cars. Kendrick sat behind Zephany, one arm secure around her waist, the other resting lazily. The evening breeze tugged at their clothes. The ride had been peaceful until the sudden vibration in Kendrick’s pocket pulled him out of the rhythm.

He let go of her waist with one hand, shifting carefully so as not to unbalance the bike. Fishing out his phone, he flicked the screen awake and scanned the glowing notification. His brows furrowed.

"It’s from The Archive," Kendrick muttered.

Zephany kept her eyes on the road, adjusting the throttle as she leaned into a turn. "What is it this time?" she asked, voice raised slightly over the wind.

Kendrick tapped the screen, eyes scanning quickly. "There’s an urgent new mission. They need more Nulls immediately. It says all Nulls are free to accept." He leaned closer, his voice near her ear. "Do we have to accept this?"

Zephany did not answer at once. She was used to sudden mission alerts but something in his tone made her curious. "What’s the objective?" she asked, eyes narrowing as she slowed slightly to hear him better. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Just as Kendrick opened his mouth, his expression changed. His eyes widened, the words spilling out louder than he meant. "It is the same location as where we are going right now."

"What!?" Zephany’s voice cracked, and without hesitation she squeezed the brakes. The tires screeched lightly as the motorcycle rolled to a sudden halt at the roadside. The wind died down, leaving a heavy silence between them as cars honked angrily while passing.

She turned sharply to face him, helmet visor reflecting the glow of a nearby streetlight. "What do you mean same location? Are you serious?"

Kendrick tilted the screen so she could see. The mission details were plain, marked urgent with flashing indicators. "Look at it yourself." His tone was grim.

Her eyes scanned it quickly. Hollowgate. The very same destination already mapped into her mind. She drew in a sharp breath, her grip tightening on the handlebars. "So something big is going on there?" Her voice trembled slightly. "What about Reynold and Brent?"

Kendrick blinked, still half in shock from the abrupt stop of the motorcycle. It took him a moment before he realized she was staring directly at him, her worry laid bare in her gaze. He swallowed, uncertain.

"Hmm... I’m not sure," he admitted. He scrolled through the notification again, shaking his head. "But the rewards for this mission are tempting. If we succeed, we can jump another level. If we fail, no punishment. Our records remain intact."

Zephany exhaled, her decision instant. "Accept it!" Her voice was sharp. "We need to level up soon."

Kendrick hesitated only a moment before nodding. His thumb hovered briefly, then pressed the button. A small vibration confirmed the acceptance. Team Bacon had just committed themselves to a mission they did not realize would entangle them with Cassius’s desperate stand and Reynold’s loyal soldiers.

Zephany snapped back into action, her eyes narrowing. "Get off first," she ordered. She pulled the motorcycle closer to a small clearing near a row of public restrooms.

Kendrick stepped off, tucking his phone away. "What are you doing?"

From a small compartment on the motorcycle, Zephany began pulling out items wrapped tightly. Disguise kits she had carefully prepared in advance, knowing missions could come unexpectedly. She tossed a bundle toward him.

"Wear this," she said briskly. In his hands were black combat-style clothes and a skin-toned mask.

Kendrick held it up, grimacing slightly at the rubbery feel. "Seriously?"

"Seriously," she shot back, already grabbing her own set. She parked the motorcycle securely, then strode toward the women’s restroom with her gear in hand. "Five minutes. Don’t be late."

Kendrick muttered under his breath but obeyed, heading into the men’s restroom.

Inside, the space smelled faintly of cleaning chemicals. He changed quickly, tugging on the dark clothes and adjusting the mask over his face. The reflection staring back at him in the cracked mirror made him freeze for a second. The features of the mask were uncomfortably familiar.

When they finally stepped out, it was Zephany who returned first to the parked motorcycle. Her stride was confident, the clothes fitting her lean frame, and the mask disguising her perfectly. She had chosen again to appear as a man, a disguise that suited her movements. She leaned against the motorcycle casually, waiting.

Kendrick appeared moments later. Zephany’s eyes immediately lit up, then curved in amusement. "Looking more handsome," she teased, crossing her arms.

Kendrick’s lips pressed into a thin line. "I don’t like this mask," he muttered.

"Why not?"

His jaw tightened. "Because it looks... like Kaelion."

Zephany blinked, then burst into laughter, unable to stop herself. The sound carried into the night air.

Honestly, she did not even notice it. Truth be told, Kendrick did look a bit similar to Kaelion.

The mask had been inspired by Kendrick’s face, though with exaggerated features so it would not resemble him too closely. What she had not realized was that those same changes made it lean more toward Kaelion’s likeness instead.

Still, in her eyes, all she could truly see was Kendrick’s presence.

The mask had been meant for her use. Tonight was simply unexpected, and she had no other disguise left.

She walked right up to him, tilting her head as she inspected his face. Then, without warning, she reached out and pinched his cheeks between her fingers.

"Damn! Why are you so cute!"

Kendrick recoiled slightly, face heating under the mask. His voice came out grumpy. "You like him that much?"

Zephany grinned, still holding his cheeks captive. "Of course! My hubby is the most handsome."

The words hit him like a spark. He froze, his ears turning red beneath the edge of the mask. "Who is your hubby?" he asked shyly, the question betraying his vulnerability.

Zephany tilted her head, her grin widening. "Come on, of course it’s Kendrick!" She released his cheeks, only to laugh again as she saw the flush rising across his face. His ears were crimson now, and the shy awkwardness in his eyes only made her giggle more.

The tender moment, however, did not go unnoticed. Around them, people passing by had slowed their pace. To the outside world, what they saw were two men, dressed in dark clothes, masks covering their features, flirting openly in public.

One woman walking past whispered loudly enough for others to hear. "Why are handsome men these days also into men? But they look cute together though."

The comment landed like a stone thrown into still water. Zephany and Kendrick both froze at the same time, realization dawning. They turned slightly, noticing the stares, the curious smiles, and the quiet murmurs rippling through the small crowd nearby.

Zephany’s eyes widened, then darted back to Kendrick. His face, still red from her teasing, now deepened in shade for another reason entirely.

Neither of them spoke. Instead, almost in unison, they hopped back onto the motorcycle, helmets tugged down firmly. The engine roared back to life, drowning out the murmurs and whispers.

Zephany gripped the handlebars, her voice tight but amused despite the tension. "Let’s get out of here before they ask for autographs."

Kendrick said nothing, still too flustered. He simply tightened his hold around her waist as the motorcycle surged forward.