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After neutralizing Zero, it was only natural for Nox to focus his attention on the latest CODE handler. The Lady was taking too long deciphering Zero’s memory core and Seven had continued to act in CODE’s best interest. It wasn’t the kid’s fault, he was just another pawn in their twisted schemes. No, if Nox was going to act, it would be better for him to set his aim higher.
Although, Nox’s target was currently standing in front of him at eye level. He stood with long lanky limbs dressed in black, hollowed cheeks, and dark circles under his eyes. Three was just as much as a Nightmare as any.
“You!”
“It’s been a while,” Three greeted in English, articulating each word slowly and with purpose. “Code agent number Four.”
Nox’s fingers twitch, ready to grab his weapon at a moment’s notice. He was cautious to act too quickly, after all this was one of CODE’s top agents. He couldn’t engage the other so recklessly.
“I’ve thrown that name away,” Nox said as he narrowed his eyes. “I am Nox.”
Three’s eyes peered up through his inky black curls, his expression was blank as he studied Nox. Once he found what he was searching for, Three let out a slow deep sigh, shaking his head.
“You had so much potential. I am disappointed.”
“These items contain the power to make dreams come true,” Zero said as a wall pulled back to reveal several rows of gotcha machines.
“These are…?” Odaka furrowed his brows, completely confused as to what all was happening. He turned to look at the strange robot hoping for more of an explanation.
“Capsems.”
It wasn’t Zero who provided Odaka with answers. A new voice echoed in the space, the lights flickering for just a second before an addition was made to the room. A man dressed similarly to Odaka, white button up, black slacks and a holster.
“Welcome back Three,” Zero greeted with a nod, the sound of gears punctuating the statement.
“Zero.”
Despite speaking to the robot, Three’s eyes were locked on Odaka. His expression was blank, unsettling even. Odaka took a step back, he wasn’t looking to pick a fight.
“Hello,” Odaka bowed to his senior. “I’m Od- Agent Four.”
“He’ll be joining us from now on,” Zero said.
Three stalked over to Odaka, his eyes never leaving the latter. Odaka didn’t dare move. He feared he would be killed if he did. Just as Three got within arm’s reach, Odaka inhaled sharply. His eyes squeezed shut involuntarily as he braced for impact.
“Erase.”
Odaka blinked opened his eyes, completely confused as to what just happened. Three was standing before him, holding a white sphere out to him.
“W-What?”
“It’s a capsem,” Three explained as he spun the ball. His eyes had soften, and there even looked like a slight sly smirk from the corner of his lips. “With these, we’re able to fight off the Nightmares.”
Odaka barely comprehended the explanation as he realized that Three had just played a prank on him. He opened his mouth, about ready to tell his senior off when Three handed him the white capsem.
“I’m entrusting this one to you, code number Four,” Three said with a gentle smile.
Odaka felt like he was being throw in for another loop. Were all CODE agents eccentric like these two? He looked down at the capsem, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. He looked up to demand answers from Three, but the other agent was already gone.
Odaka swiveled his head, completely lost. “Where did he go?”
“Don’t worry about him,” Zero said as he poured himself a drink. “Three does that from time to time.”
“You’re disappointed?” Nox scoffed, feeling his blood boil under the surface of his skin. He did not need a lecture from one of CODE’s own. “You have no idea how disappointed I felt.”
Nox pulled out his blaster with both hands. He knew exactly where to position to take aim, his finger pulling the trigger with trained finesse. Nox tensed his body, avoiding recoil as he went ahead to fire again. Three swayed his body from side to side, avoiding the blasts with ease. As he dodged the attacks, Three took slow and steady strides forward to close the gap between the two.
“Do you need to vent? Will that get you to stop your tantrums Four?”
Nox clenched his jaw, knowing fully well that Three was trying to provoke a response from him; and it was working.
“I said that’s not my name anymore!” Nox said as he swung his breakam buster to wipe that insufferable expression off Three’s face.
Three twisted his body, the orange blade of Nox’s weapon just grazing the fabric of his suit. He spun around Nox’s body to get in behind him. Nox felt an arm around his throat as Three put him into a choke hold. He applied enough pressure so Nox knew the position he was in, but not enough to do damage.
Nox wasn’t intimidated by Three anymore. He shifted his weight, trying to throw three off of him. The latter tightened his grip on Nox. Wrapping a leg around Nox, Three pulled the latter up against his chest to gain complete control. Nox struggled against the hold, but Three only tightened his grip. Nox panted as he struggled, the sound of blood pounding in his ears.
“Bang,” Three’s deep voice whispered in Nox’s ear as he pressed two fingers to the latter’s temple.
Nox scowled as Three mocked him. He gripped the arm that was around his neck, leaning forward to try and flip Three over to escape. The CODE agent didn’t resist. Three let go of Nox as he allowed himself to be flipped forward. Using his hands, he propelled his body to create distance and allow him to land on his feet. As he landed, he slid his hands into his pockets, maintaining a nonchalant air about him.
Three was really beginning to piss him off. Nox clicked his tongue as he took out his driver, ready to use everything at his disposal to complete his mission.
“I’m sorry for not being there,” Three said. Nox hesitated, completely thrown off by the tone in the other’s voice. “I wish things ended up differently.”
Nox’s grip on his driver tighten, feeling a lump form in the back of throat. He did not need to hear this right now. And yet, he wanted to hear more from Three.
“Did you even try to find me?” Nox asked, his voice cracking at the end. Three’s words of sympathy did little to soothe the years lost to the darkness Nox experienced. “You of all people could have changed things.”
Three pressed his lips together, mulling over Nox’s words. For once, there seemed to be a flicker of human emotion across his face. A look of regret and sadness as Three reflected on his own shortcomings.
“Perhaps I could have,” Three breathed out as he acknowledged Nox’s point. “I suppose that’s another disappointment to add to the growing list.”
Three looked at Nox, looking at the latter with a deep sadness and regret. It was such a honest expression, Nox was caught off guard. Was this really the same CODE’s agent he was facing just moments before? Was there an actual human behind the mask of the perfect secrete agent? Was he just another one of CODE’s countless victims?
“Do you think you could ever forgive me, Odaka-san?”
Nox’s breath hitched. He didn’t expect Three of all people to use his civilian name. Three wasn’t speaking to him as secret agents who were on different sides of the battle field, but reaching out as fellow humans.
The truth was that Nox didn’t blame Three at all. CODE was his enemy, not its agents. He doubted Zero even relayed the news about him missing in action. Three might have not heard about his fate until recently. It was best that all of CODE’s agents knew as little as possible about each other after all. But now Three was acting on behalf of CODE now, and for that alone made them enemies.
Nox’s forgiveness would be superfluous.
“It doesn’t matter,” Nox said as he attached his driver to his chest. “I have to complete my mission.”
Three let out a short wryly chuckle. The moment for honest vulnerability gone and replaced by the mask of the perfect secrete agent.
“Chase the target,” Three spoke in English as he raised a hand to point at himself. “So, keep chasing me, Nox.”
Three flashed Nox a smug smile, bearing his teeth as he fell backwards. As his body hit the ground, Three disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Nox ran forward, shooting first as he tried to catch the other before his slipped into a different dream. He was too slow, Three was gone. Nox scowled, torn between trying to chase Three throughout different dreams or to stay and focus on Seven and Nem. Nox looked up at the sky, seeing the moon cast a red glow over the dream.
Nox's shoulders dropped, relaxing. Perhaps Three hadn't completely changed into CODE's lapdog afterall.
“I’m on it.”
“Why did you give me the erase capsem, senpai?” Four asked as he held up the white sphere.
“Why did I?” Three drawled as he pursed his lips. The two agents had managed to cross paths long enough for a proper conversation for once. Three’s lips quirked into a sly smile as he chuckled softly to himself. “I suppose I’m too afraid to use it properly.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“This,” Three hummed, reaching over to spin the capsem in Odaka's hand, “This one has my own nightmare.”
Four was about to drop the capsem as he learned the truth. “Your nightmare?”
“Correct. All capsems utilizes nightmares to work,” Three explained. “This one utilizes mine.”
Odaka stared at the capsem more closely, taking Three’s words to heart. It was easy to understand what kind of nightmare Erase was. Despite being the perfect secrete agent for CODE and a man who Odaka himself knew very little about, Three feared being completely forgotten. Despite working in the shadows of dreams, there was a man who wanted to be seen and acknowledged.
Odaka turned to look at Three. The other’s expression was blank, holding back a well of secrets that Odaka couldn’t fathom how deep it ran. But learning about one of Three’s secrets made them feel a tiny bit closer.
“I won’t forget you senpai,” Odaka promised, gripping the capsem tightly in his hand. “I promise.”
Three’s eyes soften as his lips curled up into a soft closed lip smile. Another secret he was giving away to Odaka to keep.
“Your next mission: Keep the promise,” Three said, mimicking how Zero handled their mission.
“I’m on it.”