My Glide On Death

Chapter 16: Carlos' Gambit

"Ken, get down to the basement and keep Maki with you. Make sure Ethan stays safe," I shouted, urgency pounding in my chest. "Actually, you should run! Take them both and go!"

"Why Ethan? We've already got all the intel we need," Ken asked, his confusion thick in his voice.

"I can't explain right now, but trust me—I can use his abilities," I replied, my eyes scanning the horizon as a sense of impending danger washed over me.

Ken hesitated only briefly before nodding. He scooped up Maki in his arms and sprinted toward the basement without looking back.

Suddenly, a figure materialized behind me, emerging from thin air like a wisp of darkness. It was a shadow—an entity pulsing with eerie, otherworldly energy. Just being near it made my skin crawl, a suffocating sensation creeping up my spine.

Instinctively, I swung at it, but my punch cut through empty air. He wasn’t there.

Before I could even comprehend what had happened, the figure appeared to my left. I lunged at him again, only to find him shift instantly, this time to my right.

“What the hell?”

Every time I struck, his form vanished, reappearing somewhere else, like a shadow that couldn’t be touched. My pulse quickened as the terrifying realization hit me: he could attack me whenever he wanted, and I wouldn’t be able to stop him.

I braced myself for an incoming strike, muscles taut with tension. But he didn’t move. He stood there, silently studying me, like a predator toying with its prey. Then, in slow, deliberate steps, he approached.

Instead of attacking, he handed me a black envelope. A strange symbol made of colorful squares adorned its surface.

And just like that, he vanished.

I stood frozen for a moment, gripping the envelope. My mind raced, trying to piece together what had just happened. When I finally snapped out of it, I called Ken to come back upstairs.

Maki was still unconscious, so we laid her down gently on the bed. I explained the strange encounter to Ken, and we sat down in the drawing room, the weight of the moment heavy between us.

“This is what it gave me,” I said coldly, handing him the envelope. "Ever seen a symbol like this?"

Ken shook his head, his brow furrowed. "No, but let’s open it."

I tore the envelope open, revealing a letter inside. The handwriting was sharp and deliberate, each stroke filled with a quiet menace.

Greetings, Mr. Carter.

I heard you defeated Ethan. Impressive. He should have told you everything by now, but that’s of little concern. You should also know that I left Maki on purpose, to track where you were hiding. I must admit, you’re quite skilled at staying off the radar.

I want to meet you, but as the First Fleet has been deployed on a special mission, I’m bound to the headquarters for now. Therefore, come to me at the M.P. headquarters in Karyoton. Inside this envelope, you’ll find a one-time access card. It will grant you entry to the facility—but only for one person, and only once.

And yes, come alone.

I looked up from the letter, feeling a chill settle in the room. Ken stared at me, his curiosity piqued. “Carter? Who’s that?”

“It’s my real name. Ray Carter,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. "But how does he know it?" I shook my head, pushing the thought aside. "Never mind that for now. Tell me, what’s Karyoton?"

Ken raised an eyebrow. “You don’t know? It’s the capital of Mars.The M.P. headquarters are there, but it’s too dangerous, Gust. You can’t just walk in."