"By any chance, is it true that your group was assigned to develop a directional radiation emitter?"

"Maybe," replied Verde.

"What the hell do we need it for? We have enough problems without it. You could sit on it, couldn't you?"

Verde grinned. "Are you afraid, Aria?"

"Yes, I am. Aren't you? Or maybe you think your great friendship with Byakuran will last forever? He'll do you in with your own emitter."

Verde grinned again. "You win. It's a deal."

Chapter 1

Over former Mediolanum, which once was ruled by Bishop Ambrosius revered as a "saint" by Christian idol worshipers, dominates a multifaceted skyscraper towering at the edge of the city, seemingly composed not from white stone but from bluish glass panels covering it from top to bottom. Modest glass door, located at the very bottom of the iceberg shining under the south sun, was crowned by ornate inscription, carved in white stone above the doorway: "Millefiore Corporation. Protection and breeding of rare plant species".

Hastily putting on an expression full of respect for the Boss and the noble assembly, I entered Signor Gesso's office. Everybody was present at the meeting. Almost everybody - it was clear that Torikabuto, who was decorating the sterile white wall in the form of a chocolate-brown mask, would not otherwise participate in the Millefore Corporation board meeting. It seemed that this fact was the reason for our emergency meeting. If my memory served, Torikabuto's body had already exhausted its service life. Something hazardous had happened to our brave demon-illusionist. But there was more to come. Byakuran was clearly concerned about something else - something we will soon be tasked with.

"Sit down, Kikyo-chan, this is no time for ceremonies. There is also no time to look for a new vessel for Torikabuto. We can't get by without an illusionist of his class - or higher - on our mission team".

While I was pouring myself some banana liqueur, Zakuro tried to suggest, "What about Genkishi…?"

"He's undercover right now, working for the Giglio Nero. We can't distract him from his duties," Boss angrily dismissed him.

Daintily sipping liqueur from a high-class crystal glass in the shape of a blooming bud, I recalled: "We are well aware of who the owner of the strongest mist flame is, but we can't quarrel with our friend Bermuda. And Bermuda doesn't release prisoners without good reason."

Bluebell sat with her legs tucked under her in the light blue chair that matched the floor tiles (the color was in surprisingly in tune with her hair). Apparently, she was thinking the same thing. But obviously Bluebell knew more. "This moron Verde failed to debug the emitter and now we can't calm down your 'friend!'"

"But another research team of ours was able to fine-tune the teleportation system," Boss said, chewing his marshmallows smugly. His sharp eyes narrowed predatorily. "And we acquired some new opportunities. In particular, we will be able to release Mukuro, unbeknownst to Bermuda. Who, incidentally, has curious plans for his Vindice and Kawahira. And for us."

"Kawahira who? This is new to me," muttered Zakuro.

Others, in tense silence, got ready to listen to Boss.

I sighed, legs crossed, and poured myself another glass.

The information received at the meeting demanded careful thought. The giant greenhouse, located on the roof of our residence, was a very, very good place for this. It was particularly nice to sit on the edge of the pool lined with blue marble, smoking a cigar, and meditating or just quietly contemplating to the background sound of the fountain.

But before I could do that, there was some business that I needed to settle…

Said business walked in to the greenhouse the same time I thought about him. He gave me a puzzled look over his glasses.

"Hello, Kikyo. Boss said that you had some business with me, and you'd like to meet me in private…"

"Of course, Shoichi. Sit down, please. Now tell me, how do you like our new flowerbed?" I gestured to the wide, magnificently blossomed platycodon. Its petals were illuminated with a soft but bright purple from within. In the middle yawned a narrow bald patch of loosened and humid - almost black - soil.

"Admire your wacky flowers by yourself. Stop talking in riddles about the straight out what you want, without your pretty words…"

Well, I wanted to be polite to the end, but alas…

Stepping forward, Shoichi found himself between my flower bed and the fountain, where I so freely sat.

He seemingly didn't have time to understand what my last gesture meant - I raised my hand as if to dismiss him.

Poor Shoichi squealed, turning into a sort of bush on wobbly legs – a bush of purple platycodons he had just been so disrespectful about.

The body almost disappeared under the flowers sprouting in it, plopped down on the bed, filling the precise place that had been up to then free from platycodons.

I sighed and stared at the fountain, pulling a cigar out of my pocket - one of the presents Boss once gave me specifically for such cases.

He was right. Strong smoke thoroughly cleanses the brain and at the same time is able to calm even such inexcusably scrupulous types like me.

But I was allowed to smoke only half.

A flexible and compact, but strong body took a dive into the pool, showering me with a cascade of spray.

"Zakuro doesn't favor her for a reason," I thought when a gentle hand splashed water in my face - as a "control shot", I suppose.

"Our handsome thinker looks sad. It's time to cool down or you'll overheat!" giggled Bluebell.

Catching my meaningful glance towards flowers and scraps of clothing - almost hidden under newly grown platycodon stems and foliage (Byakuran prohibited scavenging for the time being - he'd certainly arrange demonstration tours here, so that those hesitant would appreciate the "beauties" of being a traitor, or rather, of the end of his life) – Bluebell frowned.

"Lately Byakuran has been saying Shoichi was a traitor. He found out somehow. I'm glad we got rid of him. Anyway, he was no longer needed".

Fidgeting with the wet cigar butt, I recalled, "If I am not mistaken, boss promised to reward him for his good work?"

"Yep! He said, 'When you have done what I need, you'll manage a scientific base in a very interesting place!'"

"And here he is now," bitterness filled my soul. "-In an interesting place."

Surprised, Bluebell choked, and took a vertical position in the water, comically putting her hands on her hips. "So what, you believe in all this bullshit about the afterlife?!"

"Um… Actually, no," I sighed. In fact, it was she who should have been embarrassed - but this was our Bluebell, splashing naked in front of me. I felt uneasy instead.

"Well, you're right if you don't." Reflections of sunlight falling from the glass ceiling shimmered on Bluebell, covering her body with stirring golden stripes.

"But," I continued, "if Boss's ploy falls through, this topic may be very relevant to us all."

Translucent discharge of gentle blue flame ran through the stub I still absurdly clenched in my fingers - for a split second, it flashed with the same azure glow, and then scattered in almost weightless dust. Unbearable cold burned my hand, however, I had enough time to draw back. Otherwise I would have had to resort to the carnage box for regeneration.

Bluebell was seriously angry. She always reacted badly to any hint that Boss could possibly fail.

"Stop croaking! Say again we are all going to die! And be glad in advance!"

But Byakuran said the same thing answering Zakuro's question about our possible failure: "We are all going to die!" - and smiled with his usual icy smile. Zakuro suddenly wilted and Daisy, who seemed to be absent before, on the contrary livened up and shifted happily in his chair.

"Die. Die. Death. What could be more joyful than nothingness?"

"But why," I chipped in, "if it's so risky? Sooner or later Bermuda will give his price. And we, I think, will be able to redeem them both: Mukuro and Ghost."

"I'm not going to wait for the mercy of the used-up Arcobaleno!" Boss snapped. "I will take what's mine, whatever it may cost. If we die, so be it."

In the silence, only Daisy's sepulchral voice was heard. One after the other, he tore off fragile black petals of a dried up flower:

"We'll die!.. Won't die!.. We will die!.. Won't die!.. We will die!"

Happily tearing off the last petal, Daisy jumped up and headed for the exit. Byakuran nodded at him as if saying he was a good role model. And everyone understood that the meeting was adjourned.

"Calm down. There's nothing to be happy about. I'm sure Daisy doesn't wish us anything bad. He's just odd," I tried to reason with our slightly mad mermaid.

"Funny guy, in his own way," she said. Her flame made the water rise up in bizarre spiral towers, sparkling and cascading back into the pool, vertical counterflows entwining around each other. "But sometimes he gets on my nerves. Especially in these moments, like today. And then there's you with your whining!"

"By the way, have you ever wondered why among the many gifted, Boss chose us for his personal guard?"

"Because we are the best!" Intricate constructions Bluebell built from water merged into a giant water column. From its top, a waterfall poured down - fortunately, not on me, but in the other direction. "Byakuran says so. And he's always right!"

I had a different opinion about Byakuran, as well as about whether we were the strongest source of flame. I remembered the Vindice lead by Bermuda - but I wisely chose not to voice my thoughts. Reminding Bluebell of the fate of wasted Arcobaleno - of Weckenstein's power over them - would be extremely rash. She has just calmed down. She never allowed a doubt of Boss's correctness.

But I remembered something: "So what really happened to Torikabuto? Boss claimed it has nothing to do with the work of our teleportation system."

"The machine is okay," frowned Bluebell. "This," she casually jabbed a finger at Shoichi's flowering remains, "did a good job."

"Boss said that during the test, Torikabuto had been teleported to a certain anomalous area that is believed to be beneficial for those gifted with flame. But I don't think being there affected him very favorably."

Bluebell snorted.

"Yeah! He returned and scattered in flakes - grayish, like cigarette ashes. In the end he became a mound of powdered remains with the mask left on top. Scientists said the 'impact of the flame type was unknown'. But they told me the strength was over the top."

"Frankly, it worries me. Who did he encounter there?.."

"It doesn't matter!" Waved Bluebell dismissively. "We are still stronger. Byakuran will make short work of him - with or without the flame!"

I smile. I wish I had her optimism.

"Of him?"

"Yes, of the guy Torikabuto tried to test. Well, you know him – he spots anyone gifted and immediately checks if he's strong. He had it coming. He was warned to be careful."

"Anything known about this man?"

"The mummies in hats know; Alejandro certainly does. But he tells no one except Byakuran. Nobody knows what they are whispering about."

Alejandro gave us invaluable help in the development of the teleportation system. He, in my opinion, deserves Boss's special trust. However, Bluebell is nervous when Byakuran trusts someone more than her.

"And I'm thinking - why do we happen to be the best? Maybe that's because in our old lives…"

"Because our old lives were hopeless!" she joined in. "How many times have I thought it'd be better than to live like this…? No wonder why it's called the dying will flame."

"We felt like we were on the verge of death," I mused aloud, "against which our mind had no arguments, we hung only by a thread of self-preservation, and that made us who we are."

Using the water's surface like a trampoline, Bluebell soared above the pool, turned around like the blade of a bizarre screw, and fell right upon me. I barely had time to catch her. Sparkling with water, blue hair fell on to my shoulder.

"Who we are today, is what Byakuran made of us. If it weren't for him, I'd be half-paralyzed, and some (Bluebell uttered a word that was improper to say in front of ladies, but what I could do if the lady herself spoke like this) would wipe his boots of you!"

"You think too much, Kikyo-chan!" she sighed after her emotional tirade. She playfully swung her fist at me, Rain ring shining (I cringed; still nervous when someone swung their hands at me). "Better think about an eye tint, it will make you even more handsome!"

And she stormed out of the greenhouse, leaving me a little wet and bewildered.

Splashes of water shone on the glasses that fell from the traitor's nose in the last seconds of his life.