After the battle, the next morning Orion led Noir deep into the forest, to an abandoned storage room disguised as a cave, covered in vines and moss, not much different from a large rock.
The door creaked open, the metallic smell spilling out like the breath of a sleeping monster for a whole decade, Noir cautiously followed Orion inside. When the door closed, inside, yellow lights illuminated shelves full of weapons: sniper rifle, pistols, daggers, smoke bombs, grenades, a few signal jammer devices, even heavy guns covered in dust but still dangerous. It was like a valuable treasure chest. Noir asked.
"How did you get all these weapons?"
"OK, to be honest, all theses weapons right here belonged to a small gang. All those gangsters were sent to hell by VOID. I found it while I was escaping from them.
"So you have a bunch of self-defense gear. Awesome, right?"
Orion glanced at Noir, a faint smile flickering across his face
"This is all I managed to save... Now it belongs to you." *raises hand*
Noir's fingers running over each weapon, slowly walking through each row, she scanned. She chose two compact pistols, then took out more bullets and a dagger and put it in her belt, then she also took a few stun grenades and some small devices that still worked well. Meanwhile, Orion walked to a corner with a dusty chest. He opened it, revealing a well-preserved sword, untouched by time. He strapped it back onto his waist. His eyes flashing with determination.
Orion spoke first.
"Alright, your recruitment campaign was a success. So, what's next?"
Noir just looked at Orion, but for the first time, he saw those eyes less guarded.
"Let's go. Back to Specter, before they find us." Noir said.
"I still feel like something is so close… hard to explain."
The two stepped out of the basement, the door closing tight behind them as if no one had ever been there. A flicker of doubt crossed Noir's mind, she activated the jammer she'd just acquired, then left with Orion. A distance away, the small device that was flashing red suddenly flickered a few times before turning yellow.
"Tsk..."
A few days later, Specter was still sitting at the cafe, his laptop open in front of him, but his mind was no longer on the screen. When he heard the familiar footsteps, Noir opened the door and stepped inside, followed by Orion, he couldn't hide his emotions.
"You guys are back." *standing up*
Noir just nodded and walked towards the chair, while Orion looked at Specter.
"Ayyy bro, long time no see!" *extending his hand*
"Hello, it's great to see you again." *shaking hands*
Noir put the gun down on the table, her eyes looking straight at her two teammates, or...victims like her.
"From now on, we are one. If we're in this together, there's no turning back. Seriously."
"First, I still want to hear your opinions on this."
Specter and Orion glanced at each other for a second before speaking.
"Since we've come to this, so let's give ourselves a future, no hiding," Specter said.
He looked at her for a long time. Something in him warmed, just a little. In that moment, he saw not only a teammate. Maybe it's another soul.
"Alright, but I'll say this first, we have to get paid for our work, right?" Orion added.
"Hold on, I mean...comfort? I've lived in the forest for so many years that I've almost forgotten how to talk."
Noir exhaled softly, as if releasing some of the burden. Meanwhile, Orion walking around the bar.
"Alright, once we overthrow VOID, life will truly return to its normal rhythm. *Noir wiped her gun*
Orion found a bottle of wine somewhere, he sat down and poured himself a glass.
"You want one?" Ask Noir.
"No, thanks"
"OK, but Noir, they won't leave us in peace. Especially someone like you." Orion continued.
Specter smiled, though his eyes flashed with worry.
"Then we have to be faster than them. I'll try to hack into the internal communication system of VOID. Both of you need to prepare for the reception."
Noir sat between the two of them, cold face, eyes flirkering. Now, she was no longer alone. On her path, a foundation was finally taking shape. A former assassin who had left his past behind, a mechanical genius hiding in the dark, all came together to form a new power.
******
On the other side.
VOID was also searching everywhere, trying to find Noir as soon as possible. Every day she remained at large was a day the organization was threatened. The leader of Void sat sipping a glass of red wine, his lips curving into a smirk.
"This pawn is really quick..."
News about Noir was still spreading everywhere, they considered her a living treasure, hunting her every day. Every billboard, every blaring siren, and the anxious sound of helicopters circling overhead make people's heads spin. Noir knows she should also speed up her progress.