Author's note: Thanks for reading this story.

Chapter 2

Kyosuke woke to damp cement and rusting chains. It was dark but Kyosuke's eyes were much more efficient than human eyes. He could see the brick walls and the blood that smeared it. It took him a dizzy moment to realise that some of the blood was his own. Rough bandages had been wrapped around his torso but his limbs remained untended. Concentrating, Kyosuke tried to manipulate the flesh to healing but an emptiness arose within him. Frustrated, he tried again but, once more, there were no results.

"Your powers will not work here."

Kyosuke looked up in surprise and realised that he had overlooked the tall shadow which leaned against one of the walls.

"I trust that you will be able to explain why?"

"For starters, you've lost too much blood to concentrate properly. Beyond that, we have more than a hundred ECMs embedded in these walls."

Kyosuke scoffed.

"B.A.B.E.L. had many more in the cell they kept me in."

"B.A.B.E.L. had weak versions. Ours are stronger. Your locked power proves that."

"May I have the pleasure of a name?" Kyosuke changed the subject.

"Tiel."

"Tiel. Would you tell me why I am still alive?"

Tiel stepped away from the wall and approached Kyosuke with the movement of a stalking snake.

"We want information."

Kyosuke kept his face expressionless.

"I have none."

"You are the head of a criminal organisation are you not?"

"So shouldn't you kill me to stop my group's activities?"

Tiel laughed.

"Your death would make little difference. You've already given them their orders."

Kyosuke tried to hide his shock.

"Why would you think that?"

"You're dying Major."

Kyosuke closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"How many years do you think you have left?" Tiel asked. "My spies say that the effect of those pills is already wearing off."

Kyosuke said nothing. Tiel was now close enough that Kyosuke could smell the salt on his breath.

"What are your plans?" Tiel asked.

Nothing.

Tiel slapped Kyosuke hard. He stepped back, nodding with a frown on his face.

"We can do it your way, Major. I don't mind. But you might."

Kyosuke didn't like the sound of that.

He was about to dislike it much more.