FACES

~+~

Shinigami drove back in silence. How could he have done that? He had opened his heart, and given his trust. He thought he had learned never to do that. Ever.

Silently, Shinigami entered the building only to find Nyx waiting. Nyx, named after the Norse Goddess of the Night. Nyx, the most despised Agent of Vengeance.

"Duat wants to see you."

Shinigami sighed. "Just as I expected."

He followed her to the large circular room Duat occupied during the day.

Nyx said softly, "Duat. Shinigami has returned."

"Yes, Nyx. Thank you."

Shinigami kept his eyes on the floor as Duat walked towards him.

"Where were you?"

"At Ran's home, sir."

"Why did it take all night?"

"Sir, I fell asleep. I did not mean to."

"Did you see her?"

"No, sir."

"Did you find out who she was?"

"No, sir."

"Did you recognize her?"

"No, sir." Shinigami blinked. "Wait, how could I recognize her? Do I somehow know her?"

"I do not know, Shinigami," Duat said, sighing heavily. "I do not know . . . Did you exchange secrets at all?"

Shinigami gulped. "No, sir."

"Good. You may leave."

Shinigami did not move.

"What else do you have to say, child?"

"Sir . . . why would I recognize her?"

Duat was silent before deciding he could trust Shinigami. "People have recognized her."

"What? Who?"

"Some Agents have recognized her. I did not know if you would or would not. That is simply why I asked. Is there anything else?"

"No, sir. I suppose not."

"Then you may rest. I doubt you got much sleep at Ran's."

"Sir, I ---"

"I was kidding."

"O --- oh. Sorry, sir. Good day, sir."

Shinigami began to walk away.

"Shinigami."

"Yes, sir?"

"We have a mission soon. She is a witch. Make her the magician. She will pull through."

Shinigami felt a hint of a smile at his lips for an unknown reason. "Yes, sir."

Duat watched Shinigami's retreating back. Shinigami knew something, whether it had surfaced or not. Perhaps he may finally be of some use to them.

-----

"It is time for a mission," Nyx said in her forever soft voice as she knocked on Shinigami's door.

Shinigami lay for a while, staring at the ceiling, before he finally got up and went to a large circular room where all the other Agents were. He took his normal place beside Duat, then whispered to him, "Where's Ran?"

As if on cue, Ran burst in through the doors and looked around the cold, quiet room. Nyx followed her, guiding her to a spot beside Shinigami before taking her own place on the other side of Duat.

"We must help Persephone conquer her enemies, children," Duat began slowly, motioning to a black-robed woman in tears. "They will be known to you simply by A and B. Shinigami, you will lead a team to swiftly kill A. Nyx, you shall do the same with B. Only pick the people you need to go on this mission. It may be dangerous. The wizards are very powerful. I must be leaving now. I will give you further instructions after the groups have been decided." With that, Duat stood up and left, black robes sweeping across the floor behind him.

"Shinigami. What does he mean?"

Shinigami smiled at Ran. "You'll be on my team. You'll see."

Ran grinned and nodded. "Good."

Shinigami blushed at her smile. 'Wait . . . what? I can't get close to her. I can't.'

'I can't.'

~+~

LAHAK

Serenity