It wasn’t the first life to end that day, and it wouldn’t be the last.

The security guard at the entrance to the Registry was a symbolic position. If ever they needed to fight an incoming threat, the Registry hardly needed a dedicated security force. It was a tower filled to the brim with the city’s strongest. The security guard was there as a symbol, to remind people that the building was secure. It had been secure, until Canaan had made a mistake.

The Registry wasn’t empty, it hadn’t been completely evacuated, but those that could be considered the city’s strongest were sent to InCorp, locked inside, and unable to come help. Canaan had closed off the Registry to many of the civilian personnel that morning, but that was so they wouldn’t get in the way, and because they wouldn’t have had much of a job to do with the Registry on alert. Still present in the building were the full medical staff, the CC trainees, many of the teachers, a group of Collars held back specifically for support, and those Collars that decided not to offer their aid to InCorp, in light of what happened last time.

The building wasn’t empty, and there were still fighters present. The face at the front of it all, the security guard, Shir’s Collar, was not the best fighter at the Registry. He might have lived, if it hadn’t been for Canaan’s mistake. The Director didn’t expect anyone to attack the Registry directly, and he had believed that the plan was specifically designed to gain access to InCorp’s vault. The Registry would be collateral damage of Canaan’s hubris.

Shir reacted as soon as Freeman stepped through the doors, into the Registry atrium. Part of the reason Shir was partnered with the security guard was that Shir’s ability was well suited to it. The guard recognized the threat the same as Shir did, and the first thing he did was lock down his security checkpoint, which would prevent Freeman from reaching the stairs or elevators using much the same impenetrable blast doors as the ones at InCorp.

The guard stood, and a soft light enveloped the approaching Freeman, who then stopped in his tracks. It was an ability that served security quite well, holding others still against their will. Most Collars needed a slight physical component to cast magic, even if just a hand held up to focus their concentration. Freeman was not one of these people.

As if he had been nothing but an annoyance, the guard was swatted aside by a force he couldn’t see. Losing his concentration, Freeman was free the move, the glow disappeared. The guard planned to roll and rise to his feet, continue to fight. He didn’t get the chance. As he hit the ground, the shadow cast upon the floor by his own body solidified, rose up in the shape of a spear. The guard was impaled on his own shadow, and lay bleeding on the ground.

Shir materialized and, knowing that coming to his Collar’s aid would be of little use, threw himself at Freeman. Freeman’s shadow rose from the ground, forming itself into multiple spears which surrounded him like hissing snakes. Shir dodged nimbly as they jabbed at him, and when an opening presented itself, he lunged in with his claws.

Before his claws could meet Freeman’s flesh, Shir’s Collar died, and as he did, Shir immediately vanished, as if he had never been there at all.

Freeman ignored the corpse of the Collar as he set to work. The blast doors blocking off the stairwell would do little to stop him. At the center of the atrium, Freeman stood and raised his hands in the air, needing more concentration to work the shadows so delicately. In front of him, he conducted his hands, weaving the shadows into a form that suited his needs. It was the power Anje gave him, the power to command the darkness. It wasn’t an evil power, shadows themselves were not inherently good or evil.

Freeman took what many considered to be an evil power, the power over darkness, and he applied it to a good cause. He was going to save the city of Bastion, he was going to take back the Brink, he was going to save the world. This plan was only step one. The Lance hung heavy on his shoulder, he needed to keep it safe. It would be the key to the lock that would bring him the power he needed to achieve his ambitions.

Threads of shadow shimmered, paradoxically, like shreds of velvet in the air above Freeman. It was not fast work, but shadows were ancient and ever-present. They had existed as long as light had, and they were stubborn. The first two things to exist had been light and shadows, appearing at the same time, always hand in hand. Shadows were not the absence of light, they were light’s brother.

The threads of darkness in the air began to coalesce into solid shape as Freeman worked. They formed a black plank near the ground in front of him, and then another, and then they began to multiply faster. When Freeman was finished, it was a sight to behold, and he was the only person around to see it. An impressive spiral staircase stretched into the heights of the Registry atrium, made entirely out of shadows, with a slight shimmer of silver mixed in with the uncanny solid darkness.

Freeman placed his foot on the first step of the staircase, tested it for stability, found it to be pleasing, and began his way up the spiral. On the floor nearby was the body of the Registry guard, discarded and left behind as if he were nothing. Blood covered his nametag, blocking it from being read, but there was no one around to read it anyway.

Isaac’s feet beat the ground and he kept running as fast as he could. He would sleep well that night, he was sure of it. Exhausted, he came to a stop in front of the InCorp building. It was then that the problem with thinking less presented itself. The building was more closed off than it had been in the previous lock down. Before, the windows had been unblocked, and the first floor was accessible, which gave them a loophole to escape through. Apparently, the security measures had been upgraded in the meantime. So much for ‘old, forgotten defense system’.

The entire building was encased in metal, windows closed up like impenetrable scales on a mighty dragon. Even the first floor entrance was blocked. There was no way in. Panic threatened to overtake Isaac as the thinking came back, which led to over thinking, which led to worry. He couldn’t get inside. He’d made the wrong choice.

Turning around, Isaac looked around for alternative options. In the sky above, clouds gathered, threatening to bring a storm with them. It was still winter, so it could be snow, or it could be sleet and hail. At ground level, in front of Isaac, was a fountain. He was in Fountain Square, a place that used to feel familiar. It was the entrance to his old job. A year ago, that was where he was, working every day for InCorp for no reason. Just to waste his time away.

Now the place felt unfamiliar and distant, as if the boy who had worked for InCorp had been a different person entirely. Closing his eyes, Isaac saw the scene differently. A year ago, when everything changed, he had been here. So many things had changed around this fountain.

In his mind, he watched as he stood paralyzed, unable to help Riley fight a Thrall in this very spot. The Thrall had been so close to InCorp. Had it been there for a reason? Did it have to do with the siege Isaac had been trapped in before? It had never occurred to him before.

Riley fought bravely, unafraid to fight alone, even so soon after his comrade had fallen. At the time, Isaac thought that it had been confidence that drove Riley. It had been a long time since then, and he knew the Collar much better than that. What had driven Riley then had been recklessness, vengeance. Riley didn’t show it outwardly, he acted like he was just doing his job. But he had been angry that Jin had died, and he kept it all inside.

“I’m not Jin.” Isaac said to no one.

Riley’s fight hadn’t been the only moment here that had changed Isaac. After he escaped InCorp with Alyssa and Harland, it was where he met Director Canaan, Chase, and Miria.

Miria Ross.

It was unexpected, unfair pain. Miria disappeared for no reason, with no explanation. Instead of being able to look for her, Isaac had to deal with the Vassal plot. But the pain of being blindsided by Miria’s disappearance stuck with him.

Isaac’s eyes were still closed, and he was startled by a voice calling to him.

“You want to go in there?”

His eyes snapped open, and he readied his staff. The person standing on the far side of Fountain Square was vaguely familiar.

“Yeah, you wouldn’t be the first person to tell me I’ve got a deathwish.” Isaac didn’t sense a threat from the Vassal, so he lowered his weapon, but kept it handy.

“I’d say you still look familiar.” The Vassal said as he walked across the square. “But it wouldn’t make sense anymore, since we’ve met once. But you look like someone else I know.”

“I’ve got a brother.” Isaac shrugged. It was the Vassal that Alyssa had rescued from InCorp, the one who had disappeared. His name was…

“Jensen.” Jensen said with a wave. “Now that I’ve put together who you are, and who you’re related to, my mind is finally at ease.”

“No idea what you’re talking about.” Isaac said.

“Some things that didn’t make sense before make sense now. Now, down to business.” Jensen said.

“Business? Are we doing business?” Isaac said.

“I think so. You want to go in there. I may be able to get you in there.” Jensen said.

“I’m tired of making deals today, already.” Isaac said.

“No deal, then.” Jensen said, looking at the ground. “Listen, I’m part of the reason this is happening. I’ve realized since it started that it wasn’t for the reasons I wanted. I couldn’t stop it on my own, I’m not a fighter. I’m not a hero.”

“What’s that got to do with me?” Isaac said.

“After this past year, you’re the closest this city has to a hero. Sure, you went on the news and trashed Vassals, even though we didn’t do anything to you. But people know your face, they know what you’re capable of. You might not be the best fighter the Registry has, but you’ve got something else. I don’t know what to call it, but it’s in there somewhere.” Jensen pointed at Isaac’s chest.           “Something indescribable.”

“I did not know you were crazy.” Isaac said cynically.

“I’m not crazy. I need someone to fix what I did. I need someone to go in there and stop this.” Jensen said. “The deal I want to make isn’t what you think. I’m asking what you want from me, in exchange for stopping what is going on in there.”

“What do I want?” Isaac asked. “I don’t know if I can stop it. I’m not a Collar anymore. No magic.”

“If you didn’t think you could stop it, you wouldn’t have come here. When I saw you on the camera here, I decided there was one more thing I could do to help. I could get you inside. After that, it’s up to you.” Jensen said.

“I’m not a hero.” Isaac said.

“Then don’t be a hero. Just...be the next closest thing you can manage.” Jensen said.

“I’m going in to rescue my sister. Again. If I find a way to stop it, I’ll do what I can. But no magic, no big explosions this time. If I stop it, it’ll have to be me, not Tyloki.” Isaac said.

“What do you want, in exchange? Something tells me that people usually ask you to do things without proper compensation.” Jensen said.

“I’ll let you know what I want on Tuesday.” Isaac said.

“Tuesday?” Jensen asked.

“Nevermind, bad joke.” Isaac said.

“Remember, Hero. Whatever you do today, people will be watching.” Jensen said. “You don’t have to save the world. Just try to be the best of us.” He took Isaac’s hand, held it tight. “Close your eyes, and don’t open them until I tell you. Do. Not. Open. Them.”

“I’m not the best of us.” Isaac looked around the square once more.

He was far from the best humans had to offer, but maybe today, it would be enough. He closed his eyes.

“Here we go.” Jensen said, and he tugged Isaac’s arm, pulling him through the wall, to the inside of the dragon.

As soon as Isaac told Riley that the Lance was coming to the Registry, he knew he needed to get out. The Lance had already almost gotten him and Rain killed once, he wouldn’t give it the chance to do it again. His toes could wiggle quite impressively, so he took a gamble that he would be able to walk, at least a little.

Struggling to shift in bed to get his feet onto the floor, Riley was thankful for the improved healing afforded to Collars. Without it, he may have been paralyzed completely, barring an implant in his spine. He shifted his weight and stood. His legs wobbled, and he fell forward.

Caught in the otter’s arms, Riley looked up at a disapproving face.

“We can’t leave, for so many reasons.” Rain said.

“We have to leave, for so many reasons.” Riley insisted.

With the otter’s help, he stood and got his balance. Standing wasn’t so hard.

“If you stay here, you’ll be safe. Freeman isn’t coming here.” Rain said.

“I’m not staying anywhere near the Lance. After what it did to you…” Riley said.

“It was Renton and Shel that did that to us.” Rain said.

“But they did it using the Lance.” Riley said.

“I’m not leaving.” Rain said.

“I’m not sure you’ve got much choice. You go where my totem does.” Riley said.

“Riley, please, listen to me.” Rain said.

Riley started to hobble slowly towards the door to his room, only stopping to lean on something every few steps.

[Riley.]

I understand where you’re coming from. If the Lance goes off, and we’re in the building, we won’t survive that.

[The Lance can’t go off.]

What do you mean? Of course it can. There is a madman bringing it into the building.

[What I mean is that it can not be allowed to go off.]

It would be devastating, but I don’t see any way to stop it, at this point. If Freeman sets it up in the lobby and shoots it up...bye-bye building.

Riley leaned out the door and looked around the hallway. No doctors or nurses around to stop him. As soon as he stepped into the hallway, though, someone stopped him.

“Riley, get back in your bed.” The nurse said, trotting up beside him, ready to redirect him.

Riley was wearing the hospital gown that he usually made fun of Isaac for wearing. He would need to get his armor, if he had a chance. In case he needed to fight his way out of the building. His priority was escaping, and if Canaan knew that Freeman was bringing the Lance and didn’t evacuate the Registry, then he was insane.

[Freeman isn’t here to destroy the Registry, Riley.]

What do you mean? Why else would he bring the Lance here?

[To destroy something else. The tower itself isn’t in danger. The safest place to stay is right here.]

How do you know that?

[It doesn’t matter how I know. Riley, do not evacuate these people. They will get killed on their way out. So will you.]

Riley turned and looked the nurse in the eyes. He heeded Rain’s warning, he trusted the otter. If he wasn’t to evacuate these people, he wouldn’t. He still needed to get himself out. With a bit of concentration, he spoke deliberately. “I’m just going out to get some fresh air. I’m fine to go on my own. I’ve got Rain to help me if I need.”

The nurse was transfixed by Riley’s gaze for a moment, and then she nodded, let go of him. “Let someone know if you need any help.”

“I don’t need any help.” Riley said as he continued to hobble his way down the hallway, towards the elevators.

By the time Sera, Archer, and Rufus realized the stairwells were now armed with automated turrets, they were already halfway between floors. As the turret whirred and aimed towards them, the three stopped and stared at it, each individually wondering why they hadn’t considered such a thing beforehand.

Archer placed himself between the gun and Sera, knowing they wouldn’t have much time before it fired. With any luck, she would retreat backwards to safety before he went down.

It turned out to be unnecessary, as Rufus leapt into the air, wrapped his clawed paws around the turret, and crushed it like an empty beer can. He tore the remains of the gun off the wall and slammed them on the ground, for good measure.

“Good work, Ru…” Archer said, but he bit his tongue.

Sera wasn’t yet aware that the beast with them was her brother, and she didn’t need to know, if she didn’t have to. Archer wasn’t trying to protect her feelings, of course, but instead was worried about her putting herself at risk if she knew that her brother was in danger. They had only just reconciled, as he understood.

Rufus couldn’t stay transformed forever, though, and so they needed to move quickly. They made their way together up several floors, Rufus destroying turrets violently as they came across them, not one managing to get a shot off.

Turrets weren’t the most dangerous thing in the building. There was an army of Vassals, all most likely as powerful or more so than Slim. Slim made any other Vassal that he came across more dangerous, somehow imbuing them with power using his guns.

When they reached a floor that Archer thought might have access to a nearby rooftop, Rufus stormed out of the stairwell, once again tearing through the door frame. An unfortunate Vassal on in the hallway outside didn’t have a chance to fight back as he was descended upon by the creature. Archer led Sera calmly behind Rufus, made sure the Vassal was still alive but properly subdued, and then they all became aware of the biggest problem of all.

The wall of windows that normally bordered each floor, the ones that should have been open and providing quick egress from the building, were sealed by metal shutters.

“This didn’t happen last time.” Sera said, feeling the shutters, testing to see if there was any give.

“Apparently, they’ve updated.” Archer said.

“Can he break through them?” Sera asked.

Rufus had already started slamming his body against the shutters, but wasn’t making any headway.

“You’re just going to waste all of your energy.” Archer said, and Rufus stopped.

“What now? What do we do now?” Sera asked, crossing her arms.

Archer thought it over calmly. “We need to hide you somewhere, and then take control of the building.”

“Hide me somewhere?” Sera said. “I can take care of myself.”

“No, you can’t. This is a bit outside your capabilities.” Archer said. “We just need to find a place to hide you until we can figure this all out.”

“Anywhere seems as safe as any other place. The Vassals are all over the place. Don’t forget, last time, the building tried to ‘purge’ us. I’m not sure there’s anywhere safe from that.” Sera said.

“It appears that the Vassals have a higher concentration in the upper floors. Staying here would be safer than bringing you up with us.” Archer looked around.

Nearby, there was a door to a small supply stockroom. It was unlocked, and Archer opened the door and gestured to Sera.

She looked at him, tightened her crossed arms, and then reluctantly walked inside. “I hope this isn’t a tomb.”

“Trust us to keep anything bad from happening. The Vassals don’t want the building to ‘purge’, either. It’ll kill everyone inside. So somehow, we’ll stop it.” Archer said. “Come on, we should get going.”

Sera’s eyes went wider, and Archer turned around to see what she was looking at. The beast was gone, and kneeling on one knee was a battered and exhausted Rufus. He was breathing heavily, covered in sweat, and naked.

“Uh-oh.” Archer said.

“I’m fine.” Rufus held his hand up, took a deep breath. “I can transform again. I just needed to rest.”

“Rufus?” Sera said, and then she looked away. “Gross. Why are you naked?”

“Because clothes aren’t stretchy enough.” Rufus said.

“You’re sure you’ll be able to fight?” Archer said, and Rufus nodded.

“Wait, no. Rufus, if you’re not that...thing anymore, you can’t go with Archer. Besides, I need someone here to protect me.” Sera said.

“You’ll be safer here.” Rufus walked over and grabbed the door. “Nowhere in this building is safe right now, but standing on the side of a battlefield is a little less safe.”

“At least take the clothes off that guy you knocked out.” Sera said as Rufus started to shut the door.

He held a thumbs up in the crack of the door as he shut it all the way. “Stay in there til I come get you.”

“I hate this company!” Sera shouted through the door.

“Yeah, me too.” Rufus said.

It was the first thing they’d agreed on in years.

Freeman climbed almost halfway to the top of the Registry unimpeded. The trouble with building a staircase out of shadows was that shadows could be dispersed. From the floor just above him, over the edge of the balcony, a floodlight turned on, aimed at the shadow stairs. Under the strength of the light, the shadows used to build the stairs simply didn’t exist.

The light tilted down, towards Freeman, threatening to remove his footing. Here was something Freeman would have to stop and deal with. The light that shined on Freeman produced a long shadow behind him, even so high up in the air. That shadow turned into spear tipped snakes, just as it had done at ground level. Those shadows pierced the air, wrapped around the edge of the balcony, and flung Freeman over the edge. The light, a large personal flashlight, turned towards him. That was fine, shining a light on him produced strong shadows for him to fight with. Shadows strong enough to withstand the direct light.

The flashlight switched off, bringing the balcony back to the normal level of ambient light in the atrium. Someone had also turned off many of the Lightglass fixtures that normally lined the walls, leaving the area relatively dark. Not pitch black, but close. Freeman didn’t know what floor they were on, and he didn’t have an intimate knowledge of the environment. This put him at a disadvantage.

“I should have taken care of you awhile ago.” Canaan said, holding the flashlight towards Freeman, even though it was turned off.

“It would have been entertaining to see you try.” Freeman said.

“If I was who I am now, I wouldn’t have had any trouble.” Canaan said. He set the flashlight down on the floor.

“If you were back then who you are now, would we be at odds?” Freeman asked.

“You were right. The truth isn’t always simple. But yes, we would still be enemies.” Canaan said. “I’m just too young to be as nostalgic as you are.”

“The world will be better off.” Freeman said.

“The world will be gone.” Canaan replied.

“You’re just too afraid to fix it.” Freeman said.

“You’re wrong. I am not afraid.” Canaan said.

“Prove it.” Freeman taunted.

“You won’t get to use that, I promise.” Canaan said, looking at the Lance hanging on Freeman’s shoulder.

“You really think so?” Freeman said, and as he spoke, hoping to catch Canaan off guard, a spear of darkness shot from the floor between them towards the Director.

The spear stopped cold as it contacted Canaan’s left palm, arm outstretched to catch the shadow. Canaan pushed his glasses up with his right hand as he held his left arm out. The spear reversed course, disappearing into the ground from where it came. Another spear approached Canaan from the wall beside him, and he moved only his left arm, once again catching the spear in his palm. That spear also disappeared back into the wall.

Freeman gritted his teeth. Canaan wouldn’t be an easy one to beat. Trying a different tactic, Freeman raised an arm into the air above him and swung it down by his side, causing a spear of shadow to become a whip, instead. Canaan had no trouble placing his left hand between him and the whip, and as soon as the shadow touched his hand, it was repelled.

Canaan had a smug grin on his face.

“That’s a cheap trick.” Freeman said.

“A trick? As if we’re all just stage magicians.” Canaan said.

Freeman placed the Lance gently on the floor behind him. This would take a bit of a stronger touch. Though he was an old man, Freeman was still athletic, and could move faster than most would give him credit for. He rushed Canaan, turning darkness into blades in his hands.

Canaan didn’t fight back, he focused entirely on defense. Any strike Freeman attempted to land would inevitably hit Canaan’s left hand and be repelled, as if Canaan was capable of reversing it’s velocity. The Director was able to exchange any force and its equal reaction, effectively making any defensive strike an offensive one. When the shadow blades hit Canaan’s hand, Freeman’s arm would be thrown back as if he’d been hit in the hand.

Canaan could attack simply by defending, so long as he countered with his left hand.

“What you want isn’t what the world needs anymore.” Canaan said.

“What you are isn’t what the world wants.” Freeman snarled.

“This world doesn’t know what it wants. It doesn’t get to decide.” Canaan said.

“And you do?” Freeman said.

“No, I don’t.” Canaan said.

Freeman threw a punch at Canaan’s face, which Canaan caught in his left palm. Freeman’s arm was thrown back violently, and he stumbled away. He recovered and moved forward again, threw another punch at the Director, which was deflected as well. Freeman fell to the ground, crawled back against the railing of the balcony.

“I don’t decide what this world wants, I just uphold it.” Canaan said, leaning down over Freeman.

“Not anymore.” Freeman said, and with an outstretched arm, he grabbed the flashlight. Switching it on, he turned it on Canaan, bathing the director in bright light. Freeman didn’t hate light, it was the brother to darkness. He needed both light and darkness. Putting his free hand over the bulb, Freeman blocked most of the flashlight’s glow, casting a shadow over Canaan. Over Canaan’s hand.

Then it was as simple as turning that shadow into a blade. It sliced through Canaan’s left wrist with a splatter of blood that dripped darkly down the lens of the flashlight. Canaan screamed and fell back, holding his left wrist with his right hand. Freeman turned the flashlight off and stood up, tossed it over the edge of the balcony.

As Canaan slid down the wall behind him, he sputtered, gawking with bulging eyes at his missing hand. Freeman loomed over the Director now.

“I will be the one who decides what this world needs now.” Freeman said.

“No.” Canaan said, but he said no more. He was shaking, blood was pouring out from his wrist.

Freeman stood at the edge of the balcony and rebuilt his shadowy stairwell. When it was finished, he vaulted over the railing, Lance on his shoulder, and began making his way upward once again. There was nothing left to stop him now. Everything that he had planned for would be his.

Canaan watched Freeman start to climb, and he took a deep breath, composed himself. “Chase. It’s time for plan B.”

“You’re sure?” The kangaroo asked, suddenly crouching next to the Director.

“We’ve got no other choice. Do it.” Canaan said, and the kangaroo vanished, gone to do the only thing left to do.

Jensen left Isaac in the lobby and then waved to him as he disappeared back outside the walls of InCorp. Isaac had tried to convince him to stay, to help evacuate people, but Jensen refused to have any more to do with the situation. It didn’t matter, Isaac would just have to find another way to save Sera and the rest of InCorp. Hell, maybe he would be able to save everyone, Collar and Vassal alike.

The lobby was empty, save for the unconscious form of a large Collar or Vassal that Isaac didn’t recognize. Nothing he could do for him, Isaac went straight for the security room on the first floor, which had camera feeds from the entire structure. The camera at Freeman’s mansion had shown Sera in the lobby, hopefully she hadn’t gone far.

Once in the security room, Isaac was glad to find it was much the same as it had been before. He stood in front of the computer console and closed his eyes. For a moment, he was back in this same room, but nearly a year previous. Tyloki stood behind him, arms wrapped around him, the two standing together in their Burnout. They were going to give up their lives to save everyone in the building. It had been simpler then, though. Their enemy was a Thrall, something you could kill and not feel guilty about. Now there were no Thralls, just people.

The fire hadn’t been hot, it had been a comfort. In that moment, Tyloki’s arms hadn’t even seemed dangerous. They had been almost consolatory, though Isaac wouldn’t have thought so at the time. Regardless, Isaac had no fire to use this time around.

Opening his eyes, Isaac rolled back the security footage from the lobby until he found Sera. It looked like she went with Archer and Rufus upstairs. He smiled. “Good job, guys. Keeping her safe.” He whispered.

It took awhile, but Isaac was able to roll back footage a room at a time, even through the stairwell, and was able to track them all the way to the storage room where they left Sera. Leaving the console how it was, Isaac left the room and made his way upstairs. Thankfully, Rufus had utterly obliterated the turrets in the stairwell. As he climbed Isaac was struck with an idea.

“Automated Emergency Response Intelligence.” He called out.

“This is the Automated Emergency Response Intelligence.” A computerized voice replied.

“Good, listen up. Last time I met you, you tried to burn an entire building full of people just to kill a little pest infestation.” Isaac said.

“The last time the Automated Emergency Response Intelligence was activated,” the computer spoke, “the circumstances required the building to be purged.”

“Alright, well, let me make something clear.” Isaac huffed, climbing the stairs as fast as he could. “The circumstances are different this time. You won’t be purging the building.”

“There are currently essential primary personnel within the lockdown zone. A purge of the threat can not continue until the primary personnel are safely evacuated.” The voice said.

“Who is the primary personnel?” Isaac asked.

“Acting President Parker.” The computer said.

Isaac stopped and looked up, speaking to the air. “I haven’t been clear yet. If you try to purge this building, I will kill you.” He started climbing again.

“I am an artificial intelligence. I can not be killed.” The voice said.

“You think that means I can’t kill you? I will kill you as much as I possibly can.” Isaac shook his head.

Reaching the floor where Sera had been left, Isaac extended his staff and cautiously left the stairwell. Seeing the door where Sera was, he approached slowly and calmly.

“Sera? It’s Isaac.” He said, standing away from the door. He wasn’t sure how she would respond.

There was no answer. He sighed and stepped in front of the door, knocked on it. No answer.

“Sera?” He said.

Turning the knob, he pulled the door open and was smacked in the face by a heavy sheaf of papers. He stumbled back and winced but kept his gaze forward. Sera dropped the next pack of papers that she was preparing to throw and winced along with him.

“Isaac? What are you doing here?” Sera asked.

“Didn’t you hear me calling?” Isaac said.

“I figured there was no way you could be here, so I assumed it was some freaky Vassal with the ability to change their voice or something. I thought you were here to kill me. How did you get here?” Sera asked. “Do you have a way out?”

“A friend let me in, but no, I don’t have a way out yet. I came to check on you. I haven’t really thought past this part.” Isaac admitted.

“Isaac Walker, you idiot. Why would you come inside this building, with no magic, you don’t have magic, do you, and without a plan to get out?” Sera said in a single, frustrated breath.

“Miria told me I need to think less. So I did.” Isaac said.

“Oh my God, you’re an idiot.” Sera said as if she was realizing it for the first time.

“I came to rescue you.” Isaac said.

“Fantastic job you’re doing there!” Sera was starting to raise her voice. “Does this plan involve suicide, too? Or are you over that now? We were so close for years! How did I not know how much you were hurting?”

“I hid it well, Sera. It’s not your fault. And no, I don’t want to die anymore. I’m past that.” Isaac said.

“Speaking of Miria, where is she? You didn’t bring her here, did you?” Sera asked.

Isaac paused. “...No. I didn’t.”

“Good.” Sera said. “Now what?”

“I...don’t know.” Isaac said. “I guess I’m hoping for a miracle.”

“Could sort of use Tyloki’s help, huh.” Sera said.

Isaac frowned, but she was right. He had no plan from here on. As soon as he saw her in danger, he knew he needed to save her. Jensen had asked him to save everyone. But now that it was time to do it, Isaac was out of ideas. He didn’t know what to do. He was starting to miss problems that could be fixed by lighting them on fire.

“Parker.” Isaac said. “I need Parker. The AI told me he is inside the lockdown zone. Called him ‘acting president Parker’. Freeman’s plan, it hinged on Parker turning off the security system. So I need to find him and get him to turn it off.”

“Now that’s a plan.” Sera smiled. “I’ll help find him.”

“No, you need to wait in here.” Isaac said.

“Are you kidding? You have as much magic right now as I do. You shouldn’t go alone.” Sera said.

“I don’t want you to get hurt.” Isaac said.

“I know you’ve always tried to put yourself between me and pain, Isaac. Always. But you can’t stop me from being in pain just by keeping me from getting hurt.” Sera said.

“There’s a light, Sera. I see it in your eyes, you’re still alive in a way I haven’t been in years. The less you have to go through, the better.” Isaac said.

“You can’t just take all my pain for me.” Sera said.

“I can try.” Isaac took a deep breath and sighed. “But I don’t want you to stay in here without anything to protect yourself.” He held out his staff to her.

“No, I don’t know how to use that, and besides, you need it more than I do. It’ll do you more good.” Sera said.

“You two are making a racket in here. Someone could just stroll right in and shoot you in the back. Blam!” Isaac turned to the stairwell, Alyssa was standing in the doorway with a gun held to Parker’s back.

“Alyssa? What the Hell are you doing?” Isaac asked.

“I’m getting into that vault I told you about.” She said smugly.

“You’re taking Parker down to get into the vault?” Isaac asked. He’d wanted a miracle, this was as good as it was going to get.

“I didn’t expect to run into you here. Did you get your wolf back?” Alyssa asked conversationally.

“No, I didn’t get my wolf back. I came to get Sera and go, but I didn’t really have a plan for the ‘go’ part.” Isaac said.

“Want to come have some fun with me?” Alyssa asked.

“Wait, wait. Wait. You can’t take Parker to the vault.” Isaac said.

“Why not?” Alyssa asked.

Parker’s lips grew into a smile.

“As soon as you take him outside the lockdown area, the AI will purge the building like it tried to do last time.” Isaac said, “You can’t take him underground.”

“How else am I going to get into the vault? Tell you what, I’ll take him down, he’ll open the vault door, and we’ll bring him back up to stop the purge.” Alyssa said.

“No good, Alyssa. If the purge starts, it won’t stop just because I come back inside.” Parker said.

“Why should we listen to you?” Alyssa asked.

Isaac glanced at Sera, who was waiting patiently in the storage closet. “We can’t risk it.”

“We have to. Isaac, listen, we need whatever is in that vault.” Alyssa said.

“Need it for what, Alyssa? For your obsession?” Isaac said.

“What else can we do, Isaac?” Alyssa asked.

“We wait until someone comes to cut us out of here. Someone from the Registry will come get us out.” Isaac said.

“Like last time? Wait, no, that was you. It was you doing something drastic to save the day. Don’t tell me you’re getting soft now.” Alyssa said.

Isaac didn’t like it, but she was right. He didn’t trust anyone else to get them out. He had come to InCorp to prove he could be something without Tyloki. It was time to do that.

“Do you think the controls for the AI are underground?” Isaac asked.

Alyssa shrugged. “Could be.”

“We take Parker to let us in, and we shut the whole system down before it can purge the building. If not, I’m not sure we’re going to get out of the building before a lot more people die.” Isaac said. “I can’t just make decisions that are the best for my family.” He turned to Sera. “I will get you out of the building safely, but I have to get everyone else out, too.”

Sera smiled and nodded. “I trust you, Isaac.”

“Alyssa, give me your other gun.” Isaac said.

“What other gun?” Alyssa asked, but she pulled a second gun out of her ankle holster, tossed it to Isaac.

The gun was heavy. He handed it to Sera. “If anyone tries to hurt you, shoot them. It doesn’t matter who it is. If they try to hurt you, shoot them. And stay in here.”

“I’m going to need that back eventually.” Alyssa said, and she jabbed Parker in the back with her gun. “I’m just lending it to you.”

“I’ll give it back to you on Tuesday.” Isaac said as he followed her down the stairs.

Riley stumbled down the hallway, trying to force his legs to walk more steadily. Any time he threatened to fall over completely, Rain would catch him and keep him up. When he reached the balcony overlooking the atrium, he saw Freeman’s shadow stairs leading up to the top of the building.

Where’s he going?

[Canaan’s office, I’d bet.]

Why?

[Can’t say.]

What could be so secret that you couldn’t tell me right now?

[It just is. If I tell you, everything changes. Then it wouldn’t matter if you survive the day or not.]

Riley made his way to the normal stairs and started to climb down, holding tightly onto the railing. Inside, he felt guilty for running away. He was glad that Rain wasn’t pressing him on it. The otter would be able to guilt him into staying if he tried. It wouldn’t be hard. Riley owed a lot to Rain and to Canaan. Running away felt wrong. The fact that he was having trouble walking down the stairs, though, that validated his decision to flee. He couldn’t fight if he wanted to.

Riley stopped on the landing between two floors to catch his breath. While he waited in the silence, he heard a quiet moaning coming from the next floor. He hobbled down the stairs and leaned out of the stairwell, onto the atrium balcony. He saw Canaan slumped against the wall, holding his bloody arm, sitting in a pool of blood.

“Canaan! What happened?” Riley asked, quickly stumbling over to the Director.

The Director was barely conscious, and he was as pale as the sky outside. “Freeman got the better of me.”

“He got past you?” Riley asked.

“Yeah.” Canaan said. “He’s got the Lance. He’s going to destroy it.”

“What do you mean ‘it’?” Riley asked.

[We can’t let him do that.]

What is ‘it’?

“Chase is going to stop him.” Canaan said, nodding weakly.

“What is Chase doing?” Riley asked.

“If what Chase is doing doesn’t work, you need to stop Freeman.” Canaan said.

“What is Chase doing? How am I supposed to stop Freeman?” Riley asked. He was just full of questions.

“Riley, promise.” Canaan said.

Fighting Freeman in his current state was practically a death sentence, and Riley wasn’t as suicidal as Isaac was. It was a request from Canaan, and not just Canaan, Rain was trying to convince him, too. If they were both serious about it, then he couldn’t just run away. “Alright. I’ll stop Freeman if Chase doesn’t.”

“Good.” Canaan said.

Riley stood up. “We need to get you to medical.”

“No, leave me here. Go stop Freeman. Now. If he uses the Lance…” Canaan said.

“Not negotiable.” Riley said, and he tried to lift Canaan. It took all of his strength to raise the Director up, and he couldn’t walk with the man in his arms. “Okay.” He put Canaan down. “I’m going to send someone for you. Then I’m going to find clothes, then I’ll stop Freeman. Somehow.”

Riley looked over the balcony, up at the spiral staircase made of shadows. It would be a quicker way up and down than the building stairs, but it could disappear at any time. At this point, it was worth the risk. The dorms were a few floors down. He would have to go down first, get his armor and weapons.

“No pressure.” He said, scrambling over the railing.

Then he would climb up and face Freeman and the Lance, once and for all.

Chase was typing away on a computer in a brightly lit white room. He tapped the keys as fast as he could, but his claws weren’t build for keyboards. He had to bounce around the room, typing on different computers, doing the jobs of several different people at the same time. It wasn’t an easy thing to do, what he was trying to do, and rightly so.

When he was finished setting it all up, he grabbed a microphone off the nearby console and held it up to his muzzle.

“G’day, inmates. Have I got a very special offer for you today.” He spoke, and his voice echoed through every corner of the sterile prison. He spoke at once to every one of the prisoners, the worst of the worst. “How would you like to work for your freedom?”

The Registry prison was used to hold Collars and Vassals that used their magic for the worst crimes. They were murderers and psychopaths, those that needed to be removed from society completely. They were secreted away, often without trial, to be hidden in this prison until the day they died.

Chase was one button press away from letting them all out.

“There is a single man infiltrating the Registry as we speak. I am prepared to let you all out of your cells, and unlock every single one of your totems.” Chase’s voice echoed.

The lives this stunt could cost would pale in comparison to the potential of Freeman succeeding at his plan.

“Whoever stops this man, Freeman, I’ll let you go free. Clear your record. Fresh start.” Chase offered, claw hovering over the button on the computer, ready to shut it all down. “No, there is nothing to stop you from running away. I promise you, if you run away, I will hunt you down and kill you. If you don’t believe me now, you will later.”

With that, Chase pressed the button dramatically, and a moment later, the bright white lights turned dark. The doors to the cells opened, and the prisoners began to stream out.

Dominic walked slowly amidst the swarming crowd of prisoners. He hadn’t seen himself in a mirror since Tyloki had burned him, but he knew he wasn’t the same as he used to be. He was hardly human anymore. The rest of the prisoners were scrambling, as if their chance to escape, or to fight Freeman, would slip from their grasps.

Not interested in freedom, Dominic only wanted revenge. He followed the swarms to a room that was filled with Lockboxes, and he was drawn instinctively to his own. Inside was his totem, which brought a smile to his scarred face. So it seemed Chase was telling the truth. He gave them their powers back, and they were to use them to fight Freeman.

Taking his totem, Dominic walked against the crowd now, having no intention of following Chase’s orders. Instead, he was looking for something particular, and with luck, he found it.

[Dominic? Dominic, stop.]

Be quiet.

A group of like minded inmates were amassing in the hallway at the center of the prison, instead of following the rest of the prisoners to the elevators.

“You got a way out of here?” Dominic asked.

There were five of them, of various builds and demeanors. He spoke to the one who appeared to be the leader of the group.

“You got it.” The leader said.

“Mind if I hitch a ride?” Dominic asked.

“Who are you to us?” The leader asked.

One of the companions, a squirrelly looking man, jabbed the leader in the shoulder. “Come on, let him come along. It’ll make for a good story.”

“Okay, he can come. For the story.” The leader said, and they rest of the group turned now to the shortest member.

The squirrelly man was grinning stupidly. The short man placed his hands on the wall and drew a large circle. Behind his hands was left an iridescent trail of light, and when he drew a complete circle, the center filled in. It illuminated the dark hallway with its brilliance. Some sort of portal.

Who these people were didn’t matter to Dominic. He didn’t care to learn their names or their powers. All he wanted was to hitch a ride out of the prison and get his revenge. He followed them through the portal and out into the murky daylight. The sky was full of clouds, and it was drizzling lightly.

Dominic parted from the group without so much as a ‘thank you’. He looked at the skyline, got his bearings, and started to walk towards his destination.

He was heading to InCorp.

Isaac climbed down last, following Alyssa and Parker. With Parker in the underground, it couldn’t be long before the AI would try to purge the building. When he jumped off the bottom of the ladder, Isaac turned and was impressed by the size of the vault.

“Go on, open it.” Alyssa said, shoving Parker towards the massive vault door.

“Alyssa, I’ll say this one more time. Do not open this vault.” Parker said.

Isaac joined the pair by the door. The room was illuminated by red lights, which put Isaac into a strange mood. He was anxious about what waited inside the vault, agitated by the situation as a whole. The red lights reminded him of a certain place underground that he’d rather not be.

“We can’t have much time. We need to get in there, Alyssa.” Isaac said.

“Open it.” Alyssa said through gritted teeth, holding the gun to Parker’s head.

“Alright.” Parker said, and he approached the vault door. “Welcome to Nova.” He said as he entered something on a console to the side.

With a booming mechanical noise, true to Parker’s word, the vault began to open. It slid sideways, into the wall, and on the other side, bright lights blinded Isaac and Alyssa.

This was it. The vault was open, and Isaac had one chance to find the source of the AI and shut it down. Alyssa would likely be focused on whatever Nova was.

After the vault was open, Alyssa whipped her gun into the back of Parker’s neck, and he slumped to the ground.

“Alyssa, he might’ve been useful.” Isaac said.

“Not worth the risk. Look, doors open. Lets go.” Alyssa nodded towards the open vault.

Nova.

If Isaac was going to prove he was worth something without Tyloki’s help, now was the time.

They walked forward together, into the light.

Into the vault.