Infinity, Once Again (Rewriting/overhauling, hold please!)

Chapter II

0721 hours

???

Universe #123132183B

"Good morning Munin," Moonlight asked. "Why are you up so early?"

"I couldn't sleep," he replied. "I had a terrible dream last night."

"Again?" She asked. "That's the third time this week. Are you sure you're not sick?" She looked concerned, even though he had taken the viral test four times.

"I'm fine." He said, waving his hand dismissively. He had always doubted fever dreams anyway. He started towards the coffee maker, pulling the curtain of the dormitory to one side. Perfect.

"You want coffee?" He asked, turning to Moonlight.

"No," she responded, shaking her head. Munin shrugged, and turned to leave. He walked to the door, hastily grabbing an umbrella. He waved goodbye to his sister's friend and walked out the door, quietly closing it behind him. As Munin walked through the streets, he kept his head down, keeping to the shadows and occasionally taking back roads or alleyways. He walked by a few restaurants, silently debating whether or not this meeting was actually that important, or if he could skip out. And after a bit, he caved, walking into one of the little boba tea shops. Just a milk tea. That's it. All he's buying. No other destr- Oh, but that pastry looked nice... And so did that deal. 25% off for Peacekeepers? This place's business must be booming, especially at this time of year.

And that was how he ended up spending $30 on snacks and talking with his subordinates for 15 minutes. But, after getting a call from a rather annoyed someone, he began walking again. He didn't really know why he was walking instead of taking public transport or driving, but the city was prettiest at this time of night, especially along the river. Munin strolled along the riverbank, the soft glow of neon lights reflecting off the water.

The Capital was alive with a quiet hum, the kind that only existed in the really late or really early hours when the city was caught between night and dawn. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of blooming osmanthus trees that lined the path. He sipped his milk tea, the sweetness lingering on his tongue as he watched the occasional boat glide silently across the river, its lights shimmering like fallen stars. He paused for a moment, leaning against the railing, and let out a sigh. The dream from last night still clung to him. Just blinding white, with a sharp feeling of... not so much fear as it was unease, but still. He saw no reason to be uneasy about just... a white nothingness.

He had tried to ignore it, to brush it off as stress or exhaustion, but it kept coming back, more vivid each time. He shook his head, as if to dislodge the memory, and took another sip of his tea. As he walked further, the cityscape shifted. The sleek, ultramodern skyscrapers gave way to older, more ornate buildings, their facades adorned with intricate carvings. This was the district where Genesis lived. Traditional architecture and quiet ambience, while still having the cleanliness and order of everything else. Munin always found it comforting, a reminder that even in a city that never slept, there were still pockets of history and stillness. His phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him out of his thoughts. He glanced at the screen—another message from the same person, an IC executive, but not named on his phone.

"Where are you? You're late."

                                                                                                          "Got distracted. Omw now, for real this time."

"Walk faster."

                                                                                                                                           "This is why Genesis left you"