Secret Story [Completed]

Hanashi 18 - Picky Bastard!

Remiel connects to the main control panel that Dr. Alistair designed for the land of Caspien on his end. The control panel is more advanced than the one at Haven Headquarters. With just a few presses of specific key buttons, Remiel pulls up the display screen, and the image and color are crystal clear. However, what is being captured on the screen confuses Remiel to his core. He sees Atsuko and Hideo talking to one another, smiling, which is not supposed to happen. It was never something Remiel saw coming, and yet it is. He wonders, 'What is this? Why are they together? What is Hideo planning?'

As Remiel is trying to infiltrate Somnus's database, he needs to put in a specific code to gain access. To speak with Seiko on this matter, Remiel pulls out his smartphone and clicks on her contact. However, before he can call her, the control panel's display screen changes to show an unhappy Kenzo sitting on his throne, wearing a deep frown of dislike.

Kenzo asks, "What are you doing there? You're not that Crane guy..."

Remiel becomes a bit worried, and a nervous laugh escapes from his mouth as he replies, "Ah yes, that's true. I am a long lost friend of Dr. Alistair..."

Kenzo seems bored at first, but then his expression changes to one of deep interest as he smirks and rolls his eyes, saying, "I am not buying that little lie. I know who you are. You are Remiel, the founder of Haven Headquarters."

Without warning, Kenzo's red eyes begin to glow, and Remiel stares into them, feeling paralyzed. He thinks, 'What is happening? I can't let this continue or else...'

Kenzo chuckles humorously and speaks in an unknown dialect. Suddenly, Hideo feels a chill run down his spine, and Atsuko looks at him with concern, asking, "Are you okay, Hideo? Is something wrong?"

Hideo's face twists in concentration as he closes his eyes. Suddenly, he says, "There is a man who has come to save you from the outside world, but Kenzo is trying to stop him." He opens his eyes and glances at Atsuko.

Atsuko's expression shifts from upset to deeply annoyed. "Is there anything we can do to stop Kenzo?" She asks.

Hideo nods, then shuts his eyes again. He reappears in the same room as Kenzo and uses a powerful gust of wind to destroy the camera Kenzo was using to see Remiel. Once the camera is destroyed, Remiel gasps for air and coughs, being free of Kenzo's control.

Kenzo's expression turns dark as he glances towards a faint and transparent shadow of Hideo, who suddenly fades away. "This betrayal is against our kind. What has gotten into that fool?" He growls.

Kenzo stands up and creates a portal that would take him directly to Atsuko and Hideo. However, before he could even step into it, the portal suddenly disappears. He tries to create another one, but to no avail. Someone is keeping him away.

Atsuko turns to Hideo with a look of uncertainty. "Are you sure about helping me? You're going against your nature..." She whispers.

Hideo nods resolutely. "I am certain. I must do this. I've done enough in the past, and it has left my hands stained in blood. So I now want to clean my hands. Even if I meet my demise, it will be worth it...."

Kenzo is intently observing both Atsuko and Hideo through his crystal ball while simmering with anger. He and Hideo had diligently planned this day together, years ago. However, everything they had worked so hard for now seems to be disintegrating before Kenzo's eyes. He's clueless about how things ended up so bleak, no matter how hard he thinks about it. All he wants is for things to go his way.