Wolfgang Nebelwald preferred white porcelain cups.
He found that darker ceramics distracted from the color of the tea, and tea - just like people - deserved to be observed carefully.
Across from him, seated with effortless grace, Vyko Xelore cradled their own cup in both gloved hands, as if it were something precious.
The room was quiet.
Not tense.
Not hostile.
Just... deliberate.
Vyko's eyes were obscured by a white, lacy blindfold. Not their usual pitch black mask that covered their whole face. They had a soft smile on their face.
Outside the tall windows of Wolfgang's office, the city glimmered under bright sunlight, unaware of the conversation unfolding above it. Unaware of the quiet movements already in progress beneath its streets.
"How charmingly controlled this place is," Vyko said after a moment. "Your organization. Your routines. Your people. They move like clockwork."
Wolfgang set his cup down carefully.
"Predictability is kindness," he said. "It spares one from unpleasant surprises."
Vyko laughed softly.
"Oh, Wolfgang. You and I both know surprises are inevitable."
Wolfgang said nothing.
"I must admit," Vyko continued, "I was surprised when you reached out. I had expected you to eliminate the Hollow Hand outright."
Wolfgang leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Elimination creates ripples," he said. "And ripples create uncertainty. I prefer acquisition."
Vyko tilted their head.
"And the boy?"
Wolfgang's fingers tightened imperceptibly around his cup.
"Akio Takahashi is an anomaly," he said. "Not because of his ability, but because of his temperament. He does not seek power. He seeks absolution."
Vyko's eyes gleamed with interest.
"A dangerous combination."
"Precisely."
Vyko took a sip from their cup.
"And yet you did not simply take him."
Wolfgang exhaled slowly.
"Because he must choose. A tool taken by force breaks too easily."
Vyko smiled.
"Ah. You want him willing."
"I want him convinced."
In the Hollow Hand's residential wing, the lights flickered once.
Akio looked up instinctively.
Makoto, who had been sitting on his bed pretending to read, stiffened.
"You felt that too," he said.
Akio nodded slowly.
Something was wrong.
Ermina, curled on Kouya's shoulder in the common area down the hall, let out a low, agitated hiss.
Kouya frowned.
"That's not good."
"I have a question for you, my dear friend," Vyko said cordially.
Wolfgang gave them a nod, indicating they may continue.
"Do you know who I really am?"
Wolfgang stayed silent for a bit before responding.
"I know who you present yourself to be. But to answer your question... No. Although it is something I've been wondering for quite some time."
"Well, that's good. I love mysteries. Let's keep it one for now, hm?"
Wolfgang hummed, rather indifferent.
"Now it's my turn to ask a question," he started.
"Ask away."
"What is the reason you manipulate people into believing there is a god that you know doesn't exist?"
Vyko seemed to have expected that question as they smiled ominously.
"Oh that is quite simple..."
"... I want to test faith."
A scream echoed through the lower levels of the Hollow Hand.
Makoto was on his feet instantly.
"That wasn't training."
Akio's heart slammed against his ribs.
"No."
The facility's emergency lights flickered again. This time, they stayed dim.
A voice crackled through the intercom, distorted and unfamiliar.
"This is not an attack," it said calmly. "Remain where you are."
Makoto scoffed.
"Yeah. That's reassuring."
"We're ahead of schedule," Vyko said pleasantly. "Your hospitality has been most efficient."
Wolfgang's expression remained composed, though something sharp flickered behind his eyes.
"I trust you will honor our agreement."
Vyko stood, smoothing the front of their robe and putting the mask back on their face.
"Of course," they said. "I only wished to... observe."
They paused at the door.
"Oh- and Wolfgang?"
"Yes?"
"Your assistant has remarkable instincts. You should listen to her more often."
The door closed quietly behind them.
Wolfgang remained seated, staring at the untouched tea.
For the first time since this arrangement began, uncertainty invaded his thoughts.
The corridor lights went out completely.
Red emergency lights along the floor flickered to life, as unknown figures moved through the darkness.
Kouya pressed Ermina protectively against his chest as he ducked into cover. He took his phone out of his pocket and sent Makoto a message.
*Makoto. They're inside.*
Makoto's breath came shallow as he received the message.
This wasn't Wolfgang.
This wasn't a negotiation.
This was something else.
Something worse.
A voice echoed through the halls, carried unnaturally, as if the walls themselves were listening.
"Do not resist," it said softly. "You have been seen."
Akio froze.
He felt it then.
A presence.
Watching.
Knowing.
For a brief, horrifying moment, he was certain someone was standing right behind him.
Deep within the facility, Palm stood in the control room, staring at system failures scrolling across the monitors.
"This was never about the boy," he muttered.
Viola, pale but steady, nodded.
"No. This is about destabilization."
Palm's jaw tightened.
Wolfgang had opened a door.
And something far older, far stranger, had stepped through.
Aboveground, Vyko Xelore walked calmly.
They looked up at the sky, where clouds drifted lazily, uncaring.
"So many people," Vyko murmured. "All convinced they are making choices."
Their smile widened beneath their mask.
"How beautiful."