[Morning. Outside the Investigation Office.]
[The sun is just rising over the city skyline as Shirou, Kei, Shizuka, and Mio approach the steps of the investigation office. There's a light breeze, rustling Shizuka's hair as she walks. Shirou and Kei seem comfortable, used to this sort of thing. Shizuka and Mio, however, wear expressions of cautious curiosity.]
Kei: grinning as he glances back C'mon, you two look like you're about to step into a haunted house.
Mio: stares sternly Says who have got out of jail years ago...
Shirou: Now, now. Let's just calm down, kay?
[Mio folds her arms, eyes flicking around the unfamiliar area.]
Mio: You say that, but this place reeks of stress and unresolved trauma.
[Shizuka fidgets with her bag strap, trying to calm her nerves.]
Shizuka: I'm not scared… I just didn't think it'd feel so real. We're really doing this.
[Shirou looks back at her with a gentle expression.]
Shirou: You don't have to push yourself. If you're not ready—
Shizuka: cutting in softly
No. I want to be here. Besides, I've made my decision.
[They stop at the front doors for a second, then step inside together.]
[Interior of the investigation office is filled with low chatter, clacking keyboards, and the buzz of fluorescent lights. Agents move between desks and phone calls echo faintly in the background. It's organized chaos—functional but intense.]
Mio: whispering to Kei
Are we sure we're not intruding on a classified movie set?
Kei: grinning This is called "work", my friend. A word for employed persons knew.
Mio: frustrated Say that one more time and you'll get your teeth fall down.
[Mio shoots him a flat glare. Shirou gives her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.]
Shizuka: Now, now, Mio, calm down. Kei, don't tease her too much, please.
Kei: Okay, I'll stop.
Mio: You're lucky Ryokou isn't with us right now.
Kei: hesitates R-Right...
Shirou: Don't worry, you'll both be fine. We're in this together, after all.
[They walked down the dimly lit corridor of the investigation office, the low hum of conversations and keyboard clicks growing louder as he approaches a particular door. He pauses, takes a breath, and knocks firmly.]
[The door swings open almost immediately, revealing a cluttered room filled with maps, files, and glowing monitors. Inside, officers Sera, Shin, Ryou, and Captain Reina are gathered around a large table, deep in discussion. Papers and tablets lie scattered, some marked with red ink and hastily drawn arrows.]
Shirou: stepping inside, clearing his throat Morning. Looks like you've been busy.
Shizuka: Good morning, everyone.
Reina: looking up, tired but alert
Oh? You guys are more early than I expected. We don't get much rest around here. The paperwork of ours isn't exactly laying low, especially SoveCle.
Sera: nodding, eyes flicking to her monitor We're piecing together their recent activities. Every lead points to something bigger than before.
Shin: crossing her arms, voice steady And it's not just the usual crime network. They're restructuring, adapting fast. We have to stay ahead.
[Ryou leans back in his chair, rubbing his temples.]
Ryou: grim It's like playing chess with a ghost. Every move they make is calculated, but unpredictable.
Shirou: stepping closer to the table Anything new? Any breakthroughs?
Reina: sighing A few. But nothing concrete yet. The pieces are scattered, and we're racing against time.
Sera: glancing at Shirou
That's why we wanted to talk to you—and the others. We need you all fully briefed before the next mission.
Shirou: nods Understood. We're ready to help however we can.
Shin: softly This isn't just about fighting crime anymore. It's about survival. For all of us.
[The room falls into a brief silence, the weight of their task hanging in the air. Papers rustle as Reina shuffles through documents, preparing to explain their plan.]
Reina:
reaching into her jacket pocket Before we get into the details, you'll need this.
[She pulls out a set of sleek ID cards, each emblazoned with the official police insignia and their photos.]
Reina: These grant you authorized access to the investigation grounds and restricted areas. Consider them your lifeline in case you need to move quickly or access confidential info.
[She hands the cards to Shirou, Kei, Shizuka, and Mio in turn. Each takes it, their expressions a mix of pride and seriousness.]
Kei: looking at the card, smirking Guess this means we're really in, huh?
Shizuka: holding the card tightly It feels... official. I hope we're ready for what's coming.
Mio: nods firmly
We don't have a choice. This is bigger than any of us imagined.
Shirou: looking around the room Thanks, Captain. We won't let you down.
Reina: firmly I'm counting on it. That's the only reason I've gathered you all though, hope you understand.
Shirou: It's okay, Cap. We're going home after this.
Reina: Okay then, take care.
[They exchanged glances, determined, as they leave the station while the four officers got back to their work.]
[The four were walking straight to home. Mio, still a little distracted from the weight of the new responsibilities, stepped backward without looking.]
[Suddenly—]
Crash!
[Mio collided into a man passing through the corridor. Books fluttered from his hands as both stumbled slightly.]
Mio: quickly, flustered
Oh! I'm so sorry, sir! I didn't see you there!
Man: regaining balance, smiling kindly No worries, miss. It's alright. Are you okay?
Shirou: stepping forward We're sorry about that. She wasn't paying attention.
Mio: nodding, embarrassed
I just got caught up in everything happening… It's a lot to take in.
Man: chuckling softly
I understand. Take care of yourselves out there.
[He gave a reassuring nod and walked away, leaving the group a bit shaken but smiling.]
Kei: teasing
Watch where you're going next time, Mio. Can't have you knocking people out before the mission starts.
Mio: blushing I know, I'll be careful next time... but It's a good chance though— that I accidentally bumped into that man.
Kei: confused What do you mean?
Mio: Did you see him?! He's so handsome!
Shizuka: Mio... There's she goes and her "fangirl" attitude again.
Mio: Can you blame for me for that, bestie? Wait, maybe's he's a model?! I'm sure I've seen him somewhere in the magazines... Agh! I can't remember!
Shizuka: sighs Mou—what am I gonna do with you...
[They shared a brief laugh, the weight of the day settling back in.]
[As the four continued their walk toward home, chatting quietly to shake off the awkward moment, the man paused for a brief moment down the hallway.]
[He glanced back over his shoulder, his eyes locking briefly onto Shirou's retreating figure. A small, knowing grin curled at the corner of his lips.]
Man: Shirou Fukushima, huh? Wonder why the old man is so focused on him...
[Without a sound, he turned and disappeared into the bustling crowd, leaving the group none the wiser.]
[The dim glow of flickering monitors illuminated the underground laboratory as Iris stood before the towering form of Behemoth. Gears whirred softly, hydraulic joints hissed, and the mechanical giant slowly stirred to life.]
[Iris watched intently, her eyes gleaming with a mix of pride and anticipation. She adjusted a few controls on her wrist console, initiating a series of test movements. Behemoth's heavy limbs shifted with mechanical precision, servos humming as it flexed its massive metal fingers and powered up its internal systems.]
[The giant let out a low mechanical growl, a testament to the success of the intricate revival process. Iris's lips curved into a satisfied smile.]
Iris: Perfect. Just like I planned. You're ready now, Behemoth. Time to show them what true power looks like.
[What Iris didn't expect was that Behemoth's core consciousness—its "soul"—still lingered within the mechanical husk. Though now encased in metal and circuits, the primal force that once defined the beast was far from extinguished.]
[Yet, something had changed.]
[Where once Behemoth had fought on its own will, wild and unpredictable, now it obeyed commands with unnerving precision. The melding of flesh and machine had tethered its rage to discipline.]
Behemoth: Behemoth is ready for deployment. My obedience is secured. The old chaos has been harnessed.
Iris's eyes narrowed. The balance had shifted. The beast was no longer free—but controlled. A terrifying weapon, bound to serve a higher purpose.
[A new voice, timid but authoritative, echoed faintly through the lab's communication system.]
[One of the Seven Arches made his entrance onto the lab.]
Iris: Oh, didn't expect you arrived here as well. I thought you're still enjoying your expedition in Greece, Steag-chan?
[SLOTHFUL ARCH: STEAG]
Steag: What do you expect? I have to stop my research because of this minor problem at the Circle.
Iris: chuckles Oh, poor you. Guess what? Got summoned by Vlad?
Steag: Of course. He's the current mafia boss because Lord Sovereign choosed him years ago—but still depends on us, more than a toddler that needed his mother's milk.
Iris: gets close to him I love when it when he needs my help, but I would be more happy too if you'd let me help you even just a bit, Steag.
Steag: I can do my things on my own, Irisyvell. Plus, I'm not trusting a lecherous woman like you, even one bit.
Iris: Oh, how rude~
[Without either Iris or Steag noticing, a shadow silently moved along the upper support beams of the lab—a tall, slim figure cloaked in dark leather and masked by sleek tech gear—It was Leviathan.]
[From the narrow view of the ventilation port, his cold eyes observed the fully reassembled Behemoth. Every detail—the reinforced joints, the pulse reactors at its back, the neural cables wired directly to its core—was imprinted in his memory.]
Leviathan: quietly to himself
I knew Vlad was planning something after all. He even begged two Arches in his own accord.
[He narrowed his gaze. The mention of the Seven Arches was what made him stop for a heartbeat longer. That changed things.]
[A small smirk formed beneath his mask before he slipped back into the shadows, disappearing into a maintenance duct with practiced ease—quiet, untraceable, like he was never there.]