HENRY

Doctor Z was what everyone called him. The tall man in a lab coat and glasses walked up to Henry. The doc's smirk gave away the good news beforehand.

"The results are in, Mr Harrison, sir."

Henry's groan echoed throughout the infirmary. "For the love of life, tell me there are no other injuries." The throbbing pain from the small cut on his forehead was discomforting enough already.

"From what the tests show, there are no internal injuries. However, if you develop any complications or feel any pain later on, please drop by again at the infirmary."

Henry sighed in relief and stood up. Only a minor injury was sustained, he told himself. There was nothing for the Board to stir a ruckus.

Of course, he knew criticism was certain.

"Thank you, Doctor Z." Henry strolled to the exit. He paused in front of the glass door, examining his reflection. The bandage across his forehead was worse than an eyesore. "I might take this bandage off anytime soon, though."

The doctor's hands slid into the pockets of his lab coat. "Not if you want the wound to heal fast, I'm afraid. I know you think the bandage hurts your image and reputation," Doctor Z's shoulders slacked. "But from my perspective, it's a mark of bravery, not weakness. And of course, a medical necessity."

"Of course," Henry echoed, placing a thumb on the fingerprint sensor by the door.

"You know, the whole showdown reminds me of a popular story." Amusement filled the doctor's voice. "A seemingly ordinary man against a behemoth who got hit in the forehead. Ever heard the story of David and Goliath?"

Henry fired a glare over his shoulders, aggravated at being compared to a big loser.

Doctor Z cleared his throat as he tried to dodge a bullet. "Of course, an alternative version where the behemoth won the battle." After a brief silence, he added, "Forgive my off sense of humour, sometimes it comes with the job."

Henry took a deep breath. Perhaps I overreacted. "I appreciate your services, doctor."

The doors slid open and Fantasio's CEO proceeded into a wide hallway. A middle-aged man with dirty blonde hair leaned on the white wall across from him. The man's sharp black suit was barely strained around his muscles

"Mr Harrison, thought you'd never come out of that place."

Henry beheld the Board member warily. "Mr Conner, is there something I can help you with? I'd have you all know I sustained no major injuries."

"Good for you," Conner approached him, pulling a phone from his suit pocket and unlocking it. "Although, someone has to be held accountable for the hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages incurred today."

When he showed Henry the footage on the screen, Henry gulped. It was a recent video from the Repairs Department. The advanced exoskeleton he took for a test drive earlier laid in pieces on a large metal platform. Whoever took the video captured the busted F-gear from all angles, a glorious wreck.

Conner tucked his phone away. "Years of scientific research and investors' funds went down the drain on your first day."

Henry strode away, much to the other man's surprise. His white denim jacket went up as he waved a hand dismissively. "I captured the mystic, didn't I? A great loss for a greater gain."

"Albert has talked to Mr Benjamin!" Conner raised his voice as the distance widened. "I'd be careful with my next moves if I were you!"

Goddammit. Can't catch a break on my first day. Henry used his thumbprint to open the elevator.

Cherry, I hope your day is going a lot better than mine.

A woman's voice drew his attention. "Mr Harrison, wait up!"

The woman slipped into the elevator with him shortly before it closed. "Whew," she panted. "Glad I could catch up to you."

Henry stared at her for a second too long, surprised to see how much she had changed. Her dark bob hair with purple bangs was a contrast to the natural blonde hair she once had. Her slender nose, high cheekbones and full lips were still the same though. The way her black suit and skirt hugged her figure was stunning.

"Veronica?" The words escaped his lips. "What are you doing?"

She stared into his eyes, and for a moment, they relived their shared past.

"I um..." her gaze flew down to the iPad in her hands. With a serious tone, she began narrating.

"You missed two important meetings today. And I've forwarded your doctor's report to the Board for assessment. Oh, also, you have an impromptu Board meeting to attend in forty minutes. It's concerning today's supernatural events."

He blinked in shock. "You're my assistant? Why?"

Veronica glared at him. "As much as I'd love to feed your ego and say there's an ulterior motive, I'd rather not. I was the former CEO's assistant, go figure."

Henry pushed a button on the elevator's keypad, and it began to descend.

Today can't possibly get any worse.

He maintained a bold, calm voice. "I know that. I mean, why did you accept the position?"

"I wouldn't get paid without a job, now would I?"

Henry sighed. "We both know that's not what I meant."

Veronica never took her eyes off her iPad. "So, I hear you're with someone else now."

Clenching his jaw, Henry replied. "Mhmm. Can we please change the topic?"

"Where is this elevator headed?"

A sigh of relief left the CEO. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his being when he spoke. "Lab Zero. I have to interrogate the mystic before his body is used for research experiments."

The elevator door opened, and the two strode down a passageway illuminated with a warm orange glow. Ahead of them, guarding a metal door inscribed with 'LAB ZERO', were two Standard-ranking Enforcers, clad in black helmets and jumpsuits. Both saluted and gave way as the CEO and his assistant approached.

After inputting his thumbprint and password, the locks clicked open. Barging in with brisk steps, Henry commanded the attention of all Fantasio researchers who filled the lab. He headed straight for 'Room Zero B'.

His muscles tensed as he approached the room that contained the most powerful mystic he had ever come across.

Standing at the door was a research scientist who shook hands with Henry. "Mr Harrison, on behalf of all of us down here, it's an honour to meet you."

"This place is the heart of Fantasio Inc." Henry smiled. "The honour is mine. I think I might have to drop by more often." He glanced at Veronica. "What do you think?"

She took a selfie, barely noticing Henry's gaze from the corner of her eye. "Your meeting is fast approaching, better wrap this up."

"Right," Henry cleared his throat and faced the researcher. "Status report?"

The researcher handed him a folder. "The subject hasn't spoken since arrival. My full team is on standby, ready to neutralize the subject and begin the first round of experiments." He presented a folder to Henry. "This contains background information on Subject 237, public and private records."

Henry nodded, accepting the folder and strolling inside 'Room Zero B'. Veronica and the researcher followed behind.

A wall of tempered glass partitioned the room in two. Beyond the glass wall, Subject 237 was suspended in the air by shackles that draped from the ceiling, binding his outstretched hands by the wrists. There was an intentionality to this method of imprisonment.

He remembered what the mystic said earlier. "You know all I need to do is touch you and it's game over, right?"

Subject 237 had his head bowed.

Henry glanced through a file before speaking. "They say you've been awfully quiet, mystic. I recall you couldn't stop yapping during our fight. Looks like your defeat finally humbled you, Mario Timi."

Mario slowly raised his face to reveal a mischievous grin. "Henry Hunter Harrison, I seldom find the word 'humble' in my vocabulary. But the word 'defeat', we've been strangers for longer than I can remember." His tone became jolly. "You didn't beat me, nigga. I let myself get captured."

Henry scoffed, fully convinced he won that brutal battle. "Still proud as hell, I see. I'm gonna cut to the chase-"

"Have you ever considered the possibility that not all mystics are evil?"

"I'm the one asking the questions around here, Mario. You'll do well to answer honestly if you don't want us to use extreme measures."

Mario was still smiling. "I must warn you, I've got a short attention span when it comes to boring activities."

Henry loomed closer to the glass with an air of authority. "For your sake, you better lengthen it. My first question," he looked at the file in hand. "You've done so well in hiding your powers for all these many years. Your records are clean, you've got a well-paying job... sort of. But you threw it all away." He glared at Mario. "You threw it all away for that kid. Who is he?"

Mario's smile dropped as he lowered his head. "The boy's name... is Nunya," he grinned again. "Nunya business."

Veronica giggled behind Henry, who wasn't nearly as amused.

"You're testing my patience, Mario. I'll have you know there's a team already gathering data on the kid. I just want to know who he is to you. From what the drones captured, it looks like you were either his guardian or his unyielding captor. Was the boy a fugitive of the mystic underworld? How did you make him disappear?"

Mario wriggled his fingers in an attempt at jazz hands. "And you've lost my attention! I think I might take my leave now." His reaction raised eyebrows around the room. "I came here for two reasons; to finally see what the inside of Fantasio looks like, and to get you," he pointed a finger at Henry. "To finally listen to me since you're so tone-deaf on a battlefield. Not all mystics are evil, Henry Hunter Harrison. You of all people must realise that."

"Don't you dare try to enlighten me from a cage!" Henry fumed. "You're not going anywhere except Room Zero C. And that's after you've answered my questions!" His breaths became ragged. This was the most annoying mystic he had ever come across. "Look at you, blabbering like you can escape when you're secluded from any object to enchant. Even your shackles were intentionally positioned beyond the reach of your fingertips. Your fate is in my hands!"

Mario Timi suddenly wore a serious face and had a matching voice. "I will break these shackles, and I will smash through every wall in my path until I'm outside this building."

"How?" Anxiety creeped into Henry.

How could a prisoner be so bold?

Something wasn't adding up. What object could he possibly enchant? Thin air?

Mario slowly stretched open his fingers and closed his eyes, focusing. "Here's a tip- in case the next Enchanter you capture turns out to be evil- don't go for hands, go for the mouth."

Henry's breath caught. No way... impossible.

"Fascino!" Mario screamed, and a piercing sound followed. Suddenly, the wind picked up around Mario, howling until it was raging like a whirlwind.

"Call the Enforcers!" Henry barked at the researcher who broke into a sprint. "Quickly!"

Veronica marvelled at this display of power. The shackles were instantly sliced by blades of air, but Mario Timi didn't hit the ground. He levitated.

Thrusting a hand at the wall, he commanded the whirlwind to smash through it.

BOOM!