Soul-mate [Collab Draft v. 1.1]

Nothing

Academy Entrance Hall, 20:19 Industria Hours:

“Damn... it’s been awhile since I set foot in this place...”

“Indeed it has been, Daimon.” said a female voice from the side of the group.  From a door walked a tall young woman with a sleek jet black boy-cut hairstyle.  She was clothed in similar clothes to Scarecrow, probably the female edition of the Academy uniform, and she did indeed look quite dangerous in the black fabric of her hooded cloak

Daimon sighed “...It’s nice to see you...Aerona”

“Indeed.  I would have never expected you to return, especially after you were suspended from the main operation over a year ago.  In fact, you were officially listed as AWOL for a while.”

“You and I both know that I was set up.”

“True, but a record is a record, and one that is factual to events must be kept.  It was beyond our authority to repair the damage caused by your former partner.” she said propping her glasses back on the bridge of her nose.

“Partner?  AWOL?  Daimon, what is she talking about?” Kiyoko asked looking at him expectantly.  It was instead Scarecrow who stepped up to answer.

“Daimon once partnered with an ex-member of Akari Organization named Kyeron.  He had great potential, and the two continued to carry out Academy missions without fail or mistakes.  They were considered unstoppable, until Kyeron decided it should be a one man show, and succumbed to the Darkness within him, attempting to assassinate Daimon by means of Iocus weaponry, and as a result, was terminated by Daimon and Number 13 on the Board.  Official records showed it as an accident, as no one believed No. 13.  But then an investigation was launched and they learned the truth, but it was too late, as both Daimon and 13 were suspended from the Organization.  Daimon then took charge of the branch you’re in now, though it’s technically unofficial, as he’s not yet retaken the Exam.  Circe is the one in charge according to the records.”

“I see...but still, what happened to this ‘Number 13’?” Allen asked blinking rapidly, as if to try and ‘cute’ an answer from him.

“No one knows.  He’s still MIA.”

“Actually, not any more...” Aerona spoke up suddenly.

“You found him!?”  Daimon gasped, lurching forward a bit.

“Not quite.  Intelligence spotted him a week ago...on the Shell.”  The group gasped and stared wide eyed.  “However, intelligence has also informed us he is no longer in that layer.  Apparently he’s gained the ability to ‘jump’, thus making him a greater liability.”

“Liability?  Isn’t he suspended and MIA?” Ian asked rubbing his chin.

“No.  Exactly a week ago, when he appeared on the Shell, was also the day his suspension expired.  And now that he’s taking action, he is our responsibility, even if he is not on assignment.”

“Wow..A rogue from the Board..That’s nuts!” Sara breathed.

Noroi smiled and brushed some of his hair to the side.  He tapped his foot a it and thought, recalling names, places, and events from the Shell that may give him a worthy question to inquire into this missing Board member’s profile.

“No. 13...What’s his name?” he asked finally, looking Aerona in the eyes.

“His name...was Zion.” She said bitterly, though everyone was suddenly caught off guard when Noroi began laughing.

“Zion?? That ‘ol hound?? HA HA HA!”

“Y-You know him??” Daimon shouted in shock.

“Duhhh!  He’s my pal!  I spent a longgg year with him.  He taught me how to fish and all.”