"So, you're the infamous IX eh?" Bakto interrogated.
"And you're the Adept that's been causing trouble." Copen snarled.
"I'm just doin this ta get the fam outta the slammer. The guys up top got it out for us since we're runnin a small time business ring that's messin with theirs."
"Even if you're doing this for family it doesn't justify your cause. The end doesn't justify the means."
"What about what you're doing? What if Mytyl found out? You said you were doing this for yourself, but it seems like you're doing it for Mytyl too." Atari commented.
He hated to agree, but the human Adept hybrid had a point. All that time he spent fighting against Eden, to get Mytyl away from the monster's clutches. But he also did it for his father, who was killed by one of the wretched beasts. However, it started to seem like he was fighting for himself now. Maybe it was just to get the Sumeragi scum off his back; but he felt like it was something more.
It was as if he was doing it for the greater good of humankind, not just him.
"I'll do whatever it takes to keep these abominations at bay and make a better world by my own hands without fail." Copen stated.
"Let's test that an see if ya live ta see it through." Bakto suggested.
Bakto used his Spiral Fang attack which everyone dodged. Using Drill Fist, Bakto punched Copen into the wall behind him; creating cracks in the wall. Followed by Bakto jumping down and creating a tornado to spin Lola as if she were on a merry go round -except it wasn't so merry for her-. After regaining stability, Copen ordered Lola to use the Shroud Spear Ex Weapon which wrapped Bakto in a black cloth with a gold line on either side. Unable to see or move, Bakto was completely defenseless.
"Do you think we can send an electric current through him with the wires for the terminal after Lola gets the data?" Atari pondered.
"That'll make the fighting a lot shorter, let's do it." Gunvolt confirmed.
Everyone kept an eye on Bakto while Lola hacked the info.
"Got it! Now let's finish this small fry!" Lola smirked.
Using the Stellar Spark Ex Weapon, Gunvolt's Azure Striker Septima and the wires from the computer, Bakto was defeated from mass electrocution -though there was nothing cute about it-.
After reaching the sanatorium, everyone was talking. Zeno approached Atari and reminded her that he previously promised she could stay in the spare room at his house and they'd get some things to decorate it with.
"Well, Lily an I are gonna do some shoppin, call if ya need anythin Geeves." Zeno smiled as he left with Atari.
"Poor Lily, I hope she isn't traumatized from that last shopping trip to the mall." Lumen worried.
"Since it's a furniture store they're going to today I'm sure Lily will be just fine." Gunvolt assured.
Regardless of her faith in Gunvolt and his words, Lumen still held concern for the newest QUILL recruit.
As the two were shopping, Atari found a lovely white lamp shade with black lace at the bottom.
"That one's cute, and it's on clearance too. Not bad." Zeno commented.
"Are you sure it isn't any trouble?" Atari wondered.
"Not at all, besides, I wouldn't have agreed ta this if I couldn't afford it." Zeno smiled.
Spotting a light gray fuzzy pillow, Zeno handed it to Atari for her approval; which was shown by Atari happily squealing as she repeatedly brushed her hand over it.
"Guess that's a yes." Zeno laughed.
Sadly, the fun didn't last long. Zeno saw three men on one the left of the aisle looking at Atari while another man was on the right end of the aisle doing the same thing. The three men had an empty cart. One was wearing a dark green shirt, another in beige, the third in blue and the fourth in black.
They all had skinny jeans and either black or beige sneakers along with black or brown hair. Zeno didn't care to stick around and find out their eye color or intentions. So, he placed Atari behind him while he kept his hands on both his ORSO and TOPO guns, hoping to scare the men off.
"Stay behind me." Zeno whispered.
"Why? Is something wrong?" Atari questioned.
"There's a nice string light set on the top shelf I think you'd like."
However, they weren't intimidated in the least. The 3 men passed by so slow a snail would've went faster as they looked Atari up and down. Zeno shot them all a piercing glare. After the four went away, Zeno poked Atari's right shoulder.
"You alright?" Zeno queried.
Atari nodded.
"It's just like last time, I'm sorry. I think it's the Muse Septima. Lumen told me her and Joule had a similar issue with Viper." Atari sighed.
"It's not your fault Lily, I promise. There's a lot of bad guys who try to take advantage of good girls like you, those just so happen to be some. Let's get outta here." Zeno promised.
While going to look on the next aisle for a new curtain set since Zeno's current one was faded, Zeno saw the men again. This time, they were on the right side of the aisle, still looking at Atari like a predator looks at its prey. Zeno repeated his previous actions and stood in front of Atari who merely looked down and quivered like a leaf in the wind. After purchasing the two items, Zeno placed them in Atari's new room. After making spaghetti and making sure Atari was well rested, Zeno called Gunvolt.
"Hey Zeno, how'd it go?" Gunvolt greeted.
"Not good at all man. Four guys were lookin at Lily, and they didn't look like they were gonna do anythin good." Zeno responded.