The alley behind the pawnshop was quiet again—too quiet. Cid stood in the aftermath, cloak swaying, while Alpha examined the blueprint under a flickering streetlamp.
"Do you realize what this is?" she said, voice low but sharp.
Cid's tone was casual. "A crude imitation of ancient technology. Dangerous, yes—but poorly executed."
"But where did they get this?" Alpha asked, brows furrowed.
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he reached into the pouch of gems the impostors carried and pulled out a jagged crystal—pulsing faintly red, like a heartbeat.
"I've seen this energy signature before," Cid murmured, eyes narrowing. "In the archives beneath Alexandria Ruins. Sealed tech… forbidden tech."
Alpha looked at him, then at the city skyline beyond. "Then this cult isn't just copying. They're unearthing the Cult of Diablos' forgotten weapons."
Cid smirked beneath the shadow of his hood. "Which makes them the perfect training arc."
Alpha raised a brow. "…Training arc?"
"Nothing," he said quickly.
Suddenly—
"Shadow-sama! Alpha-sama!"
The voice was familiar. Too familiar.
They turned—and there he was again. Pan Cake, covered in soot, clutching his side as he stumbled into the alley.
"What… are you doing here?" Alpha asked, readying her hand on her blade.
Pan Cake coughed. "I—I saw you fight those guys! That was insane! You're heroes, right? I need your help!"
Cid narrowed his eyes. "Who sent you?"
"No one! I swear! I—I've been following rumors. Strange explosions. Missing kids. Symbols on the walls… they're everywhere!"
He unrolled a stained map, showing the city. Red ink circled multiple points—warehouses, alleys, even sewers.
Alpha stepped forward. "You're just a civilian. How do you know this much?"
Pan Cake looked between them, panicked. "Because I used to be one of them!"
Silence.
Cid blinked. Alpha's hand froze mid-draw.
"You what?" she said.
Pan Cake nodded frantically. "Yeah—one of the cult's 'Runners.' Low-tier errand boys. I left when they started talking about… something called 'Project Lazarus.' Some weapon. Said it would make the old Cult look like children playing with matches."
Cid's interest sharpened immediately.
"What's Project Lazarus?"
Pan Cake shook his head. "I don't know the details! But it's big. And it's being moved through the Abandoned Core beneath the city."
Alpha turned to Cid. "That area's sealed. Even Shadow Garden doesn't go there."
Cid cracked his knuckles, then turned away, his cloak flaring behind him.
"Then we go."
Later – The Abandoned Core
Deep underground, torchlight danced across ancient stone. Alpha and Cid walked side-by-side through the silent ruins. Echoes of old technology shimmered from broken walls—crystal veins, rusted gears, and forgotten scripts.
Then Alpha spoke—quietly.
"You know," she said, "this is the first time we've done a mission together. Just us."
Cid didn't respond at first.
Then, with a rare softness: "It's… nice."
Alpha smiled faintly. "You're still as dramatic as ever."
Cid chuckled. "And you're still the strongest person I know."
A beat passed between them. Close. Charged.
Then a rumble shook the earth.
They turned as a wall collapsed—revealing a massive chamber. At its center, a machine thrummed with unstable energy. A coffin-shaped reactor, wrapped in runes. At its base, a small girl—eyes closed, connected to tubes. Glowing faintly.
Alpha's voice caught. "That's… a child."
Cid's tone dropped cold. "They're using her to power it."
Suddenly—shadows burst from the walls.
Masked cultists. At least ten of them, blades drawn, eyes burning red.
And leading them… a woman.
Wearing a twisted version of a Shadow Garden uniform.
"Welcome, Shadow," she said with a smile. "We've been expecting you."
Cid stepped forward. "Who are you supposed to be?"
She grinned. "I am… Beta 2.0. The perfect version of your little copycat author."
Cid blinked. Then laughed. "Now that's original."