The CoDas: Reboot [By Hex]

Chapter 38 - Blessing

- 5 days earlier -

Shiro bowed an apology before Zack and Emily. "Now that I've told you everything, I humbly apologize for the misunderstanding."

Emily gave her a sharp gaze while she bowed, she interrogated, "I've heard of particular CoDas being cursed by spiritual entities before so its nothing new to me; but, there's only one question I need to ask." Shiro stood straight and listened, "why didn't you confess sooner? We wouldn't have to go through all this trouble if you did."

Shiro responded, touching the side of her cheek, "My mask broke while fighting the Possession Killer, I could not come back to the base even if I wanted to, my curse is dangerous. During the two months, I was traveling to a special craftsman in China to get a new mask molded for me."

After hearing Shiro's answer, Emily sighed then rubbed her head as she admitted, "Alright, then. You're okay to me. Although you do have to clear up all of this to Avis as well when we get back to the base." 

I smiled in joy as I patted her on the shoulder, assuring that she was safe, she gave a genuine smile as well. I looked back at Emily, only to see Zack in the background seeming slightly convinced but not completely, he kept his arms crossed as he turned to look out the windows of the construction building.

I turned back to Shiro and Emily as I suggested, "Well, now that its all cleared up, I think we should head back to HQ. I'm a little tired from fighting against that BruteWolf."

Emily agreed, "Yeah, let's go. Zack! Come on, you take the lead this time." When our sights turned back at Zack, I could see him clenching onto his chest while his eyes stretched open.

Emily noticed and approached Zack in worry, "Zack, what's the matter?"

He didn't answer, he was breathing normally but his gaze was pinpointed at the ground as if he was staring at death. His fingers grasped so tightly onto his tank top that it seemed like he could rip it off his body.

He finally spoke out in a tone that I never thought he was capable of; a deep, dark, growling tone, "There is...something cold inside my heart, it's starting to make me feel...unnerved..."

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The Distant Storm Arc: Blessed

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False Zack followed Johnny through the city streets till they reach the docks, wet snow mixed with heavy winds became a troublesome obstacle on their journey. Soon, they reached the entrance to the factory as Johnny walked up to the door and knocked a certain number of times.

Zack kept his hood low, trying to cover as much of his face as he could from the wet snow, he mumbled, My guardian, are you still here?

D̫̻o̗͖n̨͔'̫̠t̨̞ ̧̟w̧͜o̥͜r̘̰r̞̗y͉̘,̩̖ ̱̲y̖̰o̟̜u̯̬ ̣̝a̫̬r̪̬e̻̦ ͉̭r̗̭e̫̲a͖͖d̢̪y̡̟ ̦͓a̳̟n͎̺d͉̹ ̜͜I̧̱ ̘͜a̫̺m͜ͅ ̪̯h͔̱ȩ̲r̥ͅe̟̰ ̡̯t̫͙o̞͕ ͚̱p͔͓r̺̭o̭̠t̙͔e͈ͅc͍̯t̨̲ ͉͓y͎̮o̲̣u̖͇.͓̥

Zack sighed in relief, closing his eyes to gather his himself then inhaled with resolve in his eyes, I will not fail you.

The door opened as Johnny gestured Zack to follow. Compared to the terrible weather outside, the factory was warm and cozy, Zack took off his hood as he exhaled at the comfort of the warmth. Taking in the environment, Zack noticed the liveliness of the factory, members bantering and chatting while others working on bombs and guns. An interesting thing that Zack noticed is that most of the people in this factory were men, rarely did he see females. And nearly all of them seemed to be teens as well.