CHAPTER 17: LAUGH AND TRANSCEND

Squad 4 arrived at Ward 8, parking their vehicle deep within a deserted alleyway. Unlike the chaotic atmosphere they had anticipated, the ward exuded something far more unsettling, an eerie silence that crept under their skin. It felt less like enemy territory and more like a haunted ruin long abandoned by sanity. The words "Laugh and Transcend" were painted across almost every wall in dark red. From time to time, faint laughter echoed through the air sending chills down their spines.

Just like the reports said, the people here were losing their minds.

"Quick recap before we get moving," said Sora, still sitting in the driver’s seat. "This time, Seth and Ren are not leaving my line of sight."

"Hehe" The two laughed awkwardly, already guilty from the chaos they made last time.

"The ward is massive and filled with guards," she continued. "We’ll stay put inside the car for now. Seth, you’re the only one stepping out, you’ll take high ground and keep watch for any ambushes. Miko’s drones will handle reconnaissance. We’re looking for routes and hopefully, the Smileys’ main hideout."

With the plan set, Seth exited the vehicle and swiftly climbed up a nearby seven-story building. From the rooftop, he had a perfect vantage point, both over the streets and their vehicle below. Miko deployed two drones, which quietly flew into the eerie night, scanning every corner of the twisted ward.

"How’s it looking from up there, Seth?" Sora asked through comms.

"Nothing out of the ordinary. Well, nothing beyond creepy," Seth replied. "Most guards are gathered in alleyways and major intersections. A few even patrol the rooftops wearing those freaky white jacket uniforms with a Smiley Joker like face embroidered on their backs. But no alarms yet. I think we’re still under the radar."

Miko carefully swept through the area with his drones while staying undetected by the patrolling guards. He identified potential routes on some tight alleyways, rooftops, and blind spots that could be used once they located the hideout.

After several minutes of silent scanning, both drones picked up something unusual.

Deep in the northern section of the ward and hidden behind rows of crumbling buildings, stood a massive structure. A cathedral. Grand and painted in faded white with gold-striped embellishments along its sides, the building looked almost out of place amidst the decaying establishments. It was majestic yet ominous.

"I think I found it, guys," said Miko, eyes locked on the live feed. "There’s a massive cathedral up north. Pretty well hidden too. Could be a hideout, it’s definitely worth investigating."

"Well then, let’s check it out," Sora said.

Without hesitation, the squad stepped out from the vehicle and followed the route Miko had mapped from the earlier recon. They moved together, weaving through narrow alleyways and vaulting across rooftops as they kept out of sight.

Halfway through the journey, Sora slowed as her eyes narrowed.

"Something’s off," she muttered.

The alley ahead was abandoned, no guards, no sound. Yet the air felt heavy, like it’s warped.

"What is it?" Ren asked, gripping the hilt of his katana.

"There’s a distortion. I think there’s a drive energy fluctuation in this area. Could just be my imagination. But better be safe than sorry. Miko, scan it."

Miko didn’t hesitate. With a flick of his wrist, his scanner activated, sweeping the surroundings for any Drive energy signatures. And just like that, the results came in almost instantly.

"There’s someone," Miko said. "By the end of the alley. Alone. And his Drive energy’s spiking like crazy."

At the far end of the dead end path, a man stood. He wasn’t moving, just sitting there and laughing. The laughter stopped suddenly, then he began humming a slow eerie melody.

Before anyone could react, Ren’s instincts took control.

"Kaela! Barrier, now!"

"Petal Cage!"

Kaela’s petals bloomed in a flash, forming a protective dome around them.

A second later, the man detonated.

The alley shook violently. Debris scattered and crumbled around the narrow space, but Kaela’s barrier held and kept them safe.

"What in the world?" Sora muttered under her breath. "Seth! High ground! Now!"

Seth dashed upward, climbing a wall and scanning the surroundings from above. After a tense few seconds, he reported back.

"No movement. No one’s coming. I think this kind of thing might be normal here. The reports did mention incidents like this after all."

Sora’s expression changed. "Tch. Then we keep moving. Fast. Stay sharp."

As they passed the alleyway, Ren caught a faint whisper from the remains of the man who had just detonated. "H-he said I could be free..."

Ren paused for a moment as his eyes narrowed. But he shook it off. There was no time to dwell on it, at least not now.

Eventually, the team arrived near the massive cathedral undetected. Its towering white and gold colors emerged over the district like a silent monarch. They took shelter in a nearby three-story abandoned apartment building just close enough to still be in visual range of the cathedral.

"Miko, scan for entry points," Sora commanded.

Miko’s drones flew once again. Moments later, he replied, "I see multiple upper level windows. Some are wide enough for us to slip through. Also, no drive signatures around the perimeter."

Sora nodded and turned to the squad. "Alright, we’ll stick to the usual formation. Me, Kaela, and Ren will infiltrate the cathedral and investigate."

Then she pointed toward a ten-story building across the west side of the cathedral grounds. "Seth, you’ll stay on that high-rise. Watch our backs and cover the perimeter."

Sora’s gaze then shifted to Miko. "Keep tracking drive activity. The moment anything spikes, let us know."

"Roger," they all replied in unison, their voices steady despite the tension settling in the air as if ready to face the upcoming mystery and danger that lies ahead.

Ren dashed slightly ahead of the others as he circled toward the west side of the cathedral. Sparks crackled in his fingers as he formed lightning platforms to step on mid-air, leaping swiftly toward a top floor window.

He paused at the glass as he scanned the dim interior with sharp eyes.

"It’s empty. No movement. Nothing."" he finally said over the comms. But despite it being empty, he felt uneasy.

Sora responded immediately. "We move in. It could be a decoy. If there’s something here, it’s either underground or hidden behind something we can’t see from the outside."

Ren gave a short nod, slicing the lock with a flash of lightning in his index finger. The strike was so fast that it made no sound, just a faint light that hung in the air. He pushed the window open and secured the rope tucked away in his jacket and dropped it down to Kaela and Sora.

Once they climbed up, the trio slipped into the cathedral without causing a commotion.

Inside the massive establishment, silence reigned.

Rows upon rows of empty pews stretched toward a marble altar at the far end, illuminated only by the moonlight, casting from the high stained glass windows as specks of dust hung motionless in the air.

Their boots echoed faintly on the stone floor as they spread out, searching every corner for something. But there were no signs of life. No guards. No movement. Nothing out of place.

It was just an empty, hollow cathedral. And that fact alone made it even more unsettling. All of them knew that it was too peaceful for a ward controlled by darkness.

Then just after a few moments of silence passed, three windows above shattered in sync.

Crash! Crash! Crash!

From the broken glasses descended three masked figures like vultures in the night, landing with precise silence before them. Each one wearing the signature white jacket of the Smileys.

The first had long blue hair flowing behind him, his slender frame radiated an unnerving energy. The second was bald, his ears were covered in metallic piercings that jingled faintly with each passing movement. The last had sharp, spiky brown hair, giving off the vibe of someone ready to explode at any moment. And what made them even more terrifying is that all three of them were wearing a smiling mask.

But the real problem sat calmly by the altar. They didn’t even noticed how he went there.

A lone figure covered in a tattered white robe, face hidden behind a blank, pale mask. The complete opposite of what the other three were wearing. It was a mask with no smile, no frown, and not even a hint of emotion. Only hollow eyes that stared directly into them as if peeking through their souls.

His presence was suffocating. And his aura? It was devastating.

Ren instinctively gripped the hilt of his katana as Sora pulled out his twin daggers with a swift motion. Kaela felt fear but she positioned herself behind them, ready for support.

These three in front... they’re strong. Ren thought as sweat slid down his cheek. But that guy on the altar... he’s on a whole other level.

Sora pressed the comms. "Miko! Seth! Respond!"

Static. Neither responded.

Then the man on the altar spoke.

His voice was deep, steady, yet filled with malice.

"Oh, don’t worry. They’re just busy fighting their own fear."

The moment he spoke, Ren felt his spine tighten.

"Tch," Sora gritted his teeth. "We’ve been had."

The man on the altar slowly stood up, spreading his arms as he gazed upward. Chain tattoos were etched along his neck, casting an ominous presence over the room.

"What’s the matter?" he said with a grin. "Do you not enjoy our sanctuary? HAHAHA!"

Sora stepped forward. "What did you do to the two outside?"

The masked man tilted his head. "I told you already. They’re fighting their own war. If luck is on their side, maybe they’ll survive. HAHAHA!"

Ren’s fists clenched, his temper rising with every mocking laugh. He’s starting to wonder what’s going on with Miko and Seth. Were they alright? Were they still alive?

"Ren," Sora called firmly, snapping him back to focus. "We’ll head outside to check on them. Kaela will set a barrier. You lead the way."

Ren gave a nod as Kaela spread her arms forward.

"Petal Wall!"

A surge of glowing pink petals formed a massive barrier between them and the 4 masked men. Without hesitation, the three turned and dashed for the cathedral doors.

But just as they reached them.....

A figure appeared in a blur, blocking their escape route. It was the long-haired masked guy with blue hair, holding a machete lazily in his left hand and pointing it towards Ren.

"Oi, oi, oi," he muttered. "That’s no way to treat our leader. He’s still talking, isn’t he? There’s no way I, Zeishuro, will let you escape."

Sora narrowed her eyes. "Looks like we won’t be getting out of here that easily."

Without a word, Ren dashed forward, lightning surging through his legs and blade. His katana slashed fast and precise, aiming for Zeishuro.

Zeishuro barely managed to dodge, stepping back, then floating for a while before going back to the ground.

Slash.

Half of his mask clattered to the floor.

"Now I’ll get a good look at you," Ren said with a grin.

Zeishuro stood still. His gaze fixed on the shattered mask at his feet, while Ren waited in silence, his grip tightened on the hilt of his katana, anticipating the moment their gazes would finally meet.

Then Zeishuro finally met eyes with Ren as he looked up slowly. His features sent chills down the spine of Ren. A deep scar crossed over his left eye, and the right side of his face bore the signs of an old burn.

"I wouldn’t get cocky if I were you," Zeishuro muttered. "Look behind you."

Ren spun around just in time to see the robed leader touching Kaela and Sora’s heads.

Then a second later, both collapsed.

"What did you do to them?!" Ren shouted, lightning crackling around his body.

The robed man’s response was another twisted laugh, wild and unhinged.

Then came the wind.

Whoosh

From behind, Zeishuro came charging in, his machete slicing through the air with violent gusts of wind. Every swing was packed with wind-infused force, sharp and relentless.

Ren parried desperately, his lightning charged blade clashing against the brutal attacks that came to him like a typhoon.

Tch. No time for this. We have to get out. Ren thought

But he couldn’t find an opening. The barrage of attacks were too powerful to not focus solely on it.

And before he could react, a hand clamped over his head from behind.

The robed man.

In an instant, Ren’s vision swirled. Then came darkness.

—------------------

Ren woke up catching his breath wildly only to find himself in a place he swore he’d never return to. His ruined homeland.

The place was a disaster. Trash covered the streets, fights erupted as the sound of shattered bottles echoed around every corner. Chaos reigned just like before. It was definitely something he didn’t want to remember.

W-w-why? Why am I here? He thought.

And then he saw him. Standing ahead with his back turned.

His brother. Kade.

Ren gasped for air, as if finding relief that he had finally found his brother.

"K-kade! I’ve been looking for you–"

"Weak," Kade said interrupting Ren mid speech, still not turning to face him. "Mom and Dad are in danger right in front of you, and you’re just lying there, useless."

Ren quickly looked behind, and there it was. Their old house, barely standing. Inside, their parents were pounding on the windows in fear as a gang of armed thugs closed in.

Ren quickly dashed forward as desperation burned in his chest to save them. But just before he could move....

Someone grabbed his arm, lifted him high up into the air, and slammed him to the ground.

It was Kade.

"Weak!" Kade yelled. "Too weak to save anyone!"