So, I've finally updated. It's been like what, 3 weeks since the last time I updated? Regardless, I apologize for it. I've had a hard time writing this chapter down since, like always, writer's block keep nagging like shit. I do hope you fellas are satisfied with this draft, though :/

Anyway, I will keep this short. Read on, and if I'm lucky, I hope I'll see down there at the end of the chapter. Cheers.

"Hey, Jules, it's me."

It didn't take long for the communicator to crackle back to life as a worried voice instantly greeted her from on the other end of the line.

"Kenna? Jesus Christ, Kenna, where the hell have you been? I've been trying to reach you for forever!"

Kenna sighed an annoyed sigh, her warm breath made a sharp contrast to the chillness of the Marrow. She didn't even know where to start explaining all the things she'd seen and endured earlier to Juli, and a part of her was still vexed by the fact that none of them had the decency to warn her about Stefano. She felt betrayed. What was the point of this job if it would only lead her to her demise? Somehow, it made her think that maybe sending her here was one of The Administrator's ulterior motives for her to kick the bucket.

"Did you? Well, sorry about that. I was away for a "photoshoot" session with an aspiring photographer that you amazingly failed to mention during the briefing. So, thanks for that, sis. I never knew MOBIUS cared so much about my passion for modeling."

Juli gave a long pause. "Oh, shit."

Kenna snorted, all the pent-up rage slowly building inside her. "Oh, yeah, 'Oh, shit' indeed, isn't it?"

"Kenna, I — look, Sebastian did mention about a crazy artist on the loose inside Union, but we haven't had a chance to look further into it. I never thought…"

"'Never thought' what, hmm? That his presence could put my life and the mission in peril? Wake up," Kenna responded bitterly. "You know we could have avoided this little incident if only you had come clean with me! But no, you people just love to sweep everything right under the rug, don't you? And now that trouble has arisen, who should do all of your dirty work and fix them? Me! Fucking me! That's who."

She instantly shut her mouth tight after the sudden outburst. Regretting the words. Yeah, she felt like shit but it didn't mean she had the right to exclusively blame everything that had been happening around here on Juli's shoulders. She should have known better, this was out of Juli's hands. Maybe what Stefano had said earlier wasn't entirely off the mark after all: they were indeed nothing but a bunch of unfortunate pawns in this game of chess.

Taking a deep breath, she sighed again. A hand kneading her throbbing temple. "I— shit, I'm sorry, sis. I didn't mean to say that to you, it's jus—"

"MacKenna."

Upon hearing the Administrator's voice from the communicator, Kenna could feel her lips curled. It was as if her mood went downhill like an avalanche. About time the bastard decided to show up, she thought.

"I shall let you know that the decision to withhold this information from you is solely as a precaution from corporate espionages. You are no longer one of our agents, we needed to be cautious. Though it is unfortunate that you had your life in jeopardy because of this," he explained, his tone commanding and stern though masked by deceit that she discerned miles away.

"You should have told me. What's the whole fucking point of me being here if I'm dead?"

"You wouldn't. With your personal history with MOBIUS, we are certain that you will attain success."

"That has nothing to do with this at all!" She was almost screaming at this point, her neck-chords jutting. "Union isn't the perfect Shangri-La that you once knew anymore. This place is fucked up! You hear me? Fucked. Up. And I'm out here risking my ass for your precious asset, and you can't even bother to throw me a bone."

"In case you failed to notice, we are in a race against time. And second place is not an option. We've done more than we could to provide for your necessary safety, but until we had the Core secured, we have nothing more to offer."

Christ's sake, why did she take this job in the first place again?

Kenna scoffed loudly. "Right, sometimes I forget that this is how you operate. You'd shove dozens of lives to the frontline if it means saving this company. No wonder that Sebastian went missing on the job."

That was a low blow, she knew it. But his methods were just utterly absurd and all of this company secrecy bullshit had her on edge. Frustration couldn't even to begin with.

There was a strained silence from both ends and Kenna could tell her remark clearly irked him. But this man wasn't appointed as the Administrator if he couldn't disguise a small indignation.

"MacKenna, I believe I agreed in hiring you back to finish what Castellanos had started, not giving us the projection of your colorful insight."

"Correction, you had my sister pleaded for me to come back," she quipped.

"Regardless, there is a much more dire circumstance at hand and I urge you to stay focus. If you think you can't handle this, then we'll manage this our way," He emphasized on the word 'our' and the edge in his voice was unmistakable that Kenna chose to let the matter slide. For now.

"Fine, fine, but I don't like this little secrecy thing. If you want me to succeed, you better provide me with everything you have. I have the right to know as much as everyone else in here."

"We'll see to it once the situation fits. In the meantime, I'll let you get back to Kid."

In bare seconds, Kenna was welcomed with the familiar sound of Juli's airy voice.

"Ken?"

"Look, Jules, I'm really sorry about before. I didn't mean it like that, it's just…" She ran her bare fingers through her hair. Kenna had an inkling that this would be a far cry from a simple search-and-rescue mission, but never had she expected to this very extent.

"No, you had every right to be angry like that. I understand," intervened Juli. She could hear the sheer remorse in her voice, it made Kenna feel like an asshole she was. "Though I can't imagine how it might have been for you. Did he hurt you?"

A strange agony gripped her heart as the memories replayed in her head, it was like watching the sequel to her least favorite movie that she wished it wouldn't exist. But it soon altered completely by this newfound malice she had towards him. Kenna swore the next time she crossed path with that freak again, she would not hesitate to take the low road. Though there was no point in letting Juli know about this. For all she knew, there were enough things she needed to worry about on her plate.

"Nothing that would concern the mission. Don't worry."

Just as Kenna had anticipated, Juli didn't seem to buy it. "Kenna, spare me the crap."

"I'm serious, Juli. Look, let's just pretend none of this ever happened, and just focus on what's our next move from here," Another weak prevarication though after a brief pause, this time Juli decided not to press on it. Much to her relief.

"Fine then. I take it that you are safe from within his reach now?"

"I'm in the Marrow, just left Hoffman's safehouse. So, you can say everything's hunky-dory."

"That's good to hear," Juli replied with a surge of relief. "Where are you heading now?"

"The Business District. I haven't checked for any resonance other than the City Hall. Might be worth something checking there."

"Speaking of the City Hall, what exactly did you find back there? Any clues about Sebastian or Lily's whereabouts?"

Kenna pursed her lips. "I hate to break it to you, sis, but I found nothing other than that Stefano fellow and his morbid art fest. Oh, and he knows that I'm here for the Core."

"What? How is that even possible?"

"Well, that's the million dollar question, isn't it?"

"Shit. This is going to be a lot more complicated than we thought, huh?" At this, somehow Kenna could picture Juli drumming her fingers furiously on the table, lines harboring her face.

"You bet," Kenna concurred, stifling a yawn that came to her mouth.

When was the last time she slept, she wondered? Her heavy eyes galvanized for her to rest that even the floor looked comfortable enough to sprawl on and sleep. It seemed she'd just have to get to O'Neal's safe house and have another batch of his coffee. Because, full offense, Hoffman's coffee just tasted like shit, she couldn't even imagine what did she put in there.

"But yeah, we'll figure this out," Kenna reassured, despite knowing full well their future was on the roll of a dice. "Somehow."

"You will. You always have everything figured out in a snap."

"I've had my fritz," Kenna gave a half-shrug and smiled. "You, on the other hand, are a living thinking machine. Though that's impressive, it gives away your age by ten years."

"Up yours, sis," Juli chuckled, her breath came as static over the communicator as Kenna followed, somehow liking how the mood shifted completely. It almost felt like they were back years ago; undivided, unanimous. As their laughter died down, she continued. "I guess we'll talk again soon. Keep me updated— and please, please stay safe."

"I will. Wasn't planning on dying, anyway."

"Good."

With that, Kenna reserved the newly acquired communicator on the usual spot on her belt and unsheathed the pump-action shotgun that she had also obtained from Hoffman's safe house. Which she had to say, for someone who claimed that combat wasn't exactly her forte, her weapon stash was pretty neat.

She walked past through the door to the Exit D5 with measured caution, her sight never once falter. Though she was fully aware that The Marrow was somewhat twenty-five percent safer than the rest of Union combined, Kenna treated the place just as the same. No more funny business, she thought. Not when Stefano and god-knows-what were still on the loose.

Kenna wickedly thought of all the scenarios she would do once she stumbled upon that psycho artist again. Should she talk to him before or after she put a bullet through his skull? Either way, his demise would be imminent.

She had made sure that the room was indeed safe before Kenna shifted her attention to the computer terminal in the far corner of the room, a tree-shaped like a human brain symbol emblazoned the screen. Kenna logged in and was transported to one of MOBIUS' safe houses in the Business District just in a jiffy. She wasted no time lingering indoor.

The Grand Theater was the first thing that came to her view once Kenna headed outside. There it stood in the distance; majestic and forbidding, the two words that Kenna had never imagined would belong in the same sentence. The gigantic tentacle monster was still there, no doubt, it's glowing blue eye like a camera lens was watching her from above that she had to suppress the sudden fear that ran down her spine.

She was being watched. Again. That bastard.

But he had to wait, Kenna reminded herself. Not when her communicator was picking up on a strange reading; a tenuous male voice that drew her interest.

"It's all my fault, it's all my fault, it's all my fault, it's all my fault, it's all my fault, it's all my fault…"

Who was this? Kenna heard him say the exact same words over and over again like a broken mantra. Until what it had felt for the hundred time he whispered:

"Lily was all my fault..."

Lily? Her droopy eyes instantly bugged out.

"Sebastian Castellanos?" Kenna waited for a response when none came. She raised the device closer to her face and tried again. "Sebastian, this is Kenna Kidman, can you read me?Sebastian? "

Still nothing. Shit. Kenna quickly traced the signal and found the voice was originated from somewhere in the center of the town.

If that was indeed Sebastian, she needed to get to him — and fast. Yes, she was fully aware that Lily was her number one priority here, but she couldn't just leave the child's parent to perish if she could do something about it. Kenna was designated to save the hell out of this place, she might try as well getting everyone out alive.

So, Kenna let her anchors aweigh and pressed on towards her destination. When she made a once-over over her shoulder, the ever unwanted watchful eye still had its attention on her.Only to her. She decided that it'd be better and safer if she slipped under its radar.

With solitude keeping her company, Kenna weaved slowly through the empty streets of the Business District, steering clear from alleyways and dead-ends to avoid the lurking hordes of the undead and other possible complications that would hinder her.

There was an unearthly stillness in the air, she could feel it by how the dim and shadowed street-lamps following her every step like vultures, the wind sweeping through her sweat-matted hair. The evening cooled to nighttime. And Kenna couldn't help but feel slightly disheartened just how deserted this place now, knowing she had witnessed everything during its golden days.

The Business District could have been easily as one of Kenna's favorite part of Union. Unlike most of the other areas, this particular neighborhood was broader, livelier, denser with many entertainment establishments that beckoned for visitors and citizens' attention alike. Had she had forgotten that she was plugged in inside a machine, Kenna could have mistaken Union for a living, breathing town like no other.

There were parks, hotels, and houses, several restaurants, row of shops with different building styles; some following the city's colonial tone whilst some were painted in garish colors. The buildings were taller, the streets were the veins, paved with the sun-bleached concrete slabs where trees and variety of plants adorning the sidewalk with their healthy foliage.

But the main attraction, in her opinion, would have been the Grand Theater.

True to its name, the place was indeed grand, alright. MOBIUS seriously threw modesty out of the window when they had built this. Even from afar, Kenna could still discern the building's grandiose façade. And unlike the majority of the architecture in here, the theater adopted a rich art deco layout: a testament to Union's artistic accomplishment. Though now with the building was loomed with that thing , it was clear that her opinion had altered ever since.

A few years ago, this place had been as busy as a Hong Kong flea market. It was impossible not to get caught with the jostling crowd on a Saturday night or in the summer: couples, families, passerby, even a group of adolescence had retreated here and there, never been almost absent from the view. All it took was for a madman to disrupt the system and what was left of this artificial town was vestiges, abandoned cars sprawling along the streets and nightmarish creatures that congregated in every corner. But to think about it, maybe Union had already been dead the moment they plugged an innocent girl as the Core.

Her communicator showed that she was getting close to the resonance point, all indicator led her to the Devil's Own Taproom, a local bar with character. From outside, the place didn't seem to look as if there had been an outbreak going on: not a single fittings were unhinged from its place, on the inside, however, was a sprawling mess. Like everyone had left in the middle of a brutal bar fight.

All the lights were still on, much to her favor, making her job easier as she conscientiously inspected every seating booth and the bar counter, though to no avail. There was a single door in the back of the room that she hadn't checked, though her inkling decided against so.

In her desperate attempt finding the man, she huffed exasperatedly and pulled a face.

Was she missing something? Kenna was certain that she had had a lock-on on the signal. The communicator couldn't have possibly misled her, could it? She could feel her head hurt from this.

Kenna was still deep in her thoughts when the room temperature dropped drastically, the coldness biting her skin in the eeriest and mysterious way. Mist shrouding the whole place as trepidation collaborated with terror. There was a brief moment when she thought she had gone insane and whatever Kenna had in mind then instantly snapped at the occurrence.

And it didn't take Sherlock Holmes to tell her that the high-pitched hum that came from behind the door was anything human.

She thought she had prepared to face whatever was waiting for her behind that door, she even had her shotgun aimed ready, but when a ghostly looking woman showed up, phasing through the door like mere clouds, Kenna went pale. Her pale face was veiled behind her dark hair save for the sinister eyes that bore through Kenna's, she swore she could hear the ghost crooning her name.

What the fuck was that?!

Without thinking, her finger mechanically pulled the trigger; once, twice, thrice, yet all of them had proven to be useless as they went passed through her body, damaging the paneled walls. Panic settled within her that her lips tremored, she realized her action only seemed to provoke her anger.

Kenna felt like she could succumb to the fear the thing cast on her and die on the spot when the ghost moved towards her at an alarming speed. She wanted to scream but her throat went dry, she wanted to run but her feet felt plastered to the ground and her vision was betraying her once again.

The interior of the bar was starting to shift to the resemblance of a decrepit house; the one she knew well by heart, the one that she had tossed far away inside her head alongside with its people inside where Juli, sixteen years younger than her current age was cowering and sobbing uncontrollably. Kenna had the urge to approach her, to grab her small and delicate hands and run off into the sunset.

But she couldn't. And her heart dismantled at her pleading eyes, her bruising cheek. She had failed.

As the thing was draining the remaining life force she had in her, she stood stock still like a deer in the headlights, facing her impending death with a slumped feat.

It was then when a figure suddenly emerged before her from thin air, standing between her and the ghost with their back facing her. All that Kenna could hear was the sound of a camera flash charging and a voice, a very, very familiar male voice that drew her curious brows together.

"I don't think so, stronza."

Was that? Could that seriously be… She blinked slowly.

"Stefano?" Kenna murmured under her breath as he pressed the shutter.

Click.

The whole room was instantly blinded by a white flash that the ghost let out a deafening shriek. Her voice eventually died down as she froze completely in her place, like a statue that Kenna was so nonplussed, her jaw dropped.

Stefano then turned around to face her casually as if nothing had happened, his height towering her just a few inches.

"Ciao, mia cara. It seems fate has brought our paths together again," he greeted, grinning widely like a cheeky bastard he was and slipped his arm around her waist. Kenna was too disoriented to protest that she merely stared at him, at his eye of china blue which she just realized that that was his only functioning eye. Whatever happened to his other one, she wondered.

She tried to find the words to speak but found the effort impossible.

"Now, if you've never experienced a physical teleportation before, I'd suggest you hold onto your stomach… or to me, if you want to," Stefano purred and pulled her closer until she felt his warmth radiating to her. "We are leaving."

She saw him glowing, harmless blue coalesced with a strange mass of energy that left her stutter. It was very theatrical, like watching a dancing flame turned blue.

The pair dissolved into thin air at the third blink.

stronza: bitch
Ciao, mia cara: hello, my dear

HERE COMES STEFANO TO THE RESCUE. WOOP *throwsconfetti*
*clearsthroat*

I never thought I'd write Anima in this story, but I have been having a love/hate relationship with that gal since day one, so why not? And do apologize for the lack of Stefano in this chapter, though I can promise you it'll be 100% Kenno (that's my ship name for them. I'm sorry I'm a dork) talking endlessly. I'd give you a snippet, but the draft is still in early stages :/