What the future holds

Six days came and went. Paranoia filled the minds of the six. Himeno, Shinichi, NN, Yuya, Junepai, and even Sylvie, though she attempted to mask her anxieties with video games and comic books. They awaited the day when the results of their gamble would come to fruition. They’d either be executed courtesy of the Takeba group or be let off.

Although, according to NN, neither result was necessarily beneficial to their group.

“If I'm right and the investigation regarding the death of the spies proves lackluster, it’ll prove my previous theory about Sasha Linda.”

As the days passed, that theory seemed more like reality.

On the fourth day, NN gathered everyone at Junepai's residence.

“I needed to ask and see something for myself.” He stated, turning to Himeno and Sylvie. “I want to know if she can shapeshift using the DNA of multiple targets. As it currently stands, the similarity between the two of you is a dead giveaway, and building an identity surrounding that similarity is probably not optimal.”

“I can,” Sylvie answered with a firm nod.

“Good.” He then turned to Yuya and Junepai. “I want to build an identity using an appearance that derives from all of your DNA.” He stated.

The two remained silent.

“I’m taking your silence to mean there are no objections.”

“Nope, no objections here,” Junepai replied.

“None here either.”

“Good.” NN took a knife from his pocket and passed it to Himeno. “I want you all to go around and give her a piece of your DNA.”

They silently obliged.

Himeno cut into herself, allowing Sylvie to drink from the open wound on her hand. Yuya and Junepai opted to cut off strands of their hair instead, handing it to her and watching as she ate it.

Sylvie stood before them as the group watched her body begin to change. Her skin appeared different, lighter. Her hair remained the same length but started to shift in tone, appearing like a deep shade of crimson. She grew just a bit taller, and her eyes changed color, one rose gold, the other a weird in-between of gold and green.

“How’s this?” She asked, looking down at the group shyly.

“It’s uh-” Junepai trailed. “I can’t lie, it feels kinda weird, it’s like looking at all of us in one.” He remarked.

“That’ll do just fine, it’s much better than her appearing just like any one of us.” NN stood and fished his phone from his pocket, holding it horizontally between his fingers.

“Smile.” He said plainly.

She relaxed her face and gave a gentle smile, his camera flashing.

“If all goes well, I’ll be back in just a few days with her new identity.” He started for the door with Himeno just behind him.

“H-hold up!” Junepai too stood, rushing toward them. “If everything goes well, why don’t we hold a little celebration?” He suggested.

“A celebration? What for?” NN questioned.

“For us living! It’s what I used to do after every big mission; it helped keep my spirits up.”

NN turned away, as if to deeply ponder the suggestion. “Sure, I don’t see why not.”

“Yes!” He fist bumped the air.

“Then I’ll see you guys soon.” He saw them out with a large smile, shutting the door behind them.

|

“W-wait! You can’t just barge in like that!”

Sasha peered up from the files spread out across her desk, staring down the two women storming into her office. The one that caught Sasha’s eye was of average height, her hair a soft pink, curling into an afro. Her features were smooth, her skin glistening.

“I tried to stop her-”

“It’s alright.” Sasha stood from her chair and dismissed the other woman. “You must be the current holder.” She calmly addressed her, holding out her hand.

The other woman slapped her hand away, seething with rage.

“Our entire crew was slaughtered. Slaughtered! And you haven’t taken a single step toward punishing the ones who did this!”

“And that won’t be changing.”

“W-what?”

“As we speak, Takeba group researchers are harvesting the residual mana from the scene of the battle. I heavily encouraged the fight, the outcome, however, was out of my hands.” She held her hands behind her back, “I can understand your anger toward the death of your comrades, but I can assure you that their deaths won’t go in vain.”

“What are you trying to say? You set my people up?” The woman's voice grew hoarse.

“It was a necessary sacrifice.”

“Damn you! We don’t treat our people like pawns, Sasha! That’s not our way! You promised that you wouldn’t do this.”

Sasha chuckled a bit, clasping her hand over her mouth before quickly apologizing.

“Sorry, truly.”

“What’s so funny?” She stepped closer, pulling on her collar.

“We’re all pawns in this game, believing that you aren’t is simply foolish.”

The woman's eyes widened with fury, her grip tightening around Sasha's collar.

Sasha suddenly held a hand up, speaking calmly, “That won’t be necessary, Teru.”

The woman looked back, a boy with pure-white hair standing behind her with his finger pointed at the back of her head.

“I understand your frustration, but lashing out won’t do you or your organization any good.”

The woman slunk away, storming off. She stopped suddenly, turning around with a grimace. 

"They will pay for this, whether you agree to it or not."