The sun sizzled as screams and panic spread like a contagion. Flames flickered behind two masked figures, highlighting the unnerving smiles on their golden faces. They were unnaturally unfazed by the two charging towards them—one with an insect-ridden face and the other with blue, fish-like scales. Kate blazed forward, determined to change not just the immediate situation but also the way people perceived her. The maggot-faced Geu, however, seemed intent on prolonging the alliance further.

 With a war cry, Kate launched herself at one of the masked figures, aiming for the ribs. A sickening crack echoed, yet as her eyes snapped open with a faint smirk, she realized that, like the surrounding chaos, her attack had barely made a dent. Even with the man's bleeding chest, Kate froze, locked in the masked figure's unnervingly cold stare—a gaze that could freeze the Arctic.

The masked figure grabbed her arm, still stuck to his chest, and threw her back, sending her stumbling. "What are you two meddling sticks buddies?" Geu called out. The masked figure, his chest slowly regenerating, responded in a guttural, rotten-to-the-core yet calm and almost serene tone. "We are our savior's cured examples—a perfect gift that you and your kind refuse to accept. A near-critical and priceless opportunity you carelessly discard as unethical..." Kate regained her balance, taking a fighting stance.

"Whatever that word you used means," she spat, "there's a reason they didn't accept a 'gift' like that." She pressed on. "I know you keep praising your god—or whatever Segment wants you to call him—but he's probably just using you two as pawns..." One of the masked figures let out a bitter laugh. 

"You think our loyalty to our leader is unjust and forced?" The masked figure pointed to the mask. "You've never seen our lives before these masks latched onto our... tainted faces—gluttonous, lustful, wrathful. All the crimes you think can't be solved with a snap of your fingers. But with this overwhelming power, our minds are perfected beyond human comprehension, giving all that negativity to our leader, who will create a world of perfect harmony..." Their tone turned colder. "Even if it means pain and suffering during the transformation, it doesn't mean it's inherently bad..."

Geu retorted, his usual bravado and bite slightly diminished, "My ass says otherwise. Even with those tempting little..." He paused, meeting Kate's bitter stare, then shook his head. "...wishes and blessings, I bet he's using you all like the blue trash next to me. He probably doesn't give a..."

 With a sigh, the masked figure spoke tamely, "We've been praising him for many reasons, haven't you realized? We're doing this so his abilities can flow through our veins, meaning we'll be on par with his power. Yeah, being used like trash doesn't achieve anything. Our savior does things a little differently. And ever since we received these masks, we won't complain even if he mistreats us. You, a corrupt and delusional hero, believe a man who values equality and perfection would treat others like rags?" 

Geu responded simply, "Oh, then we're doing this the 'hard' way." He glanced at Kate, pausing for a moment. "I'm winking at you if you..." He said softly, then, disappointedly, added, "Shut up," she retorted. The two looked back at the masked figures. Kate scoffed, a defiant fire burning in her eyes. "If you're still so loyal, let's ensure that loyalty means six feet under." With a disappointed sigh, the two masked figures said in unison, "We expected this... Anderson..." 

Kate commanded, "Geu, don't screw this up!" before leaping forward with a charging war cry. Geu followed, his body transforming into a swirling mass of insects, like an approaching sandstorm. Yet, the two masked figures remained unfazed, taking a simple stance. 

This time, Kate launched a dropkick, knowing a single blow wouldn't be enough. Multiple attacks, starting with a dropkick, might give her an edge. The masked figure took the blow, stumbling slightly. Kate quickly recovered, dropping down in a move meant to fall an opponent like a corpse. Yet, the figure remained standing.

 The other masked figure grabbed Kate's shoulder, holding her firmly. The stench emanating from this figure was even worse than Geu's, and Kate glimpsed something behind the mask. Her eyes widened slightly; there didn't seem to be any skin, or at least not any she could discern. It could be a trick of the light, but the stench and their voice indicated this... thing... was no longer human. 

The masked figure holding Kate spoke.  "Brother! Take your shots at this cruel mistake!" The other masked figure—the one whose chest had been pierced—stood nearby, observing and scanning the area for a certain insectoid man. He walked in, cracking his knuckles, the sound more akin to bone fracturing, and scoffed. "Well, of course. Let's make this quick. However, this isn't entirely personal."

As the masked figure approached, a bitter chuckle escaped him. "Since this isn't entirely personal," he sneered, gesturing to the gaping wound on his chest, "let's see if she can survive some good old chest pain..." He spun his arm, and Kate braced herself for the blow. She frantically tried to bite and scratch her captor, but her efforts were useless.

Worse, Geu, the maggot-brained bastard, had abandoned their short-lived alliance. Kate closed her eyes, hoping this bitter death would at least be quick. But then, a screech echoed from the one holding her, followed by the subtle sounds of flesh tearing.

The hand gripping her shoulder lifted, and as she opened her eyes and turned, she saw the other masked figure, completely frozen and speechless.

A tormented scream escaped the one who had held her shoulder. The golden smile on the mask vanished as its face was revealed—skinless and bloody, the eyes rolled back, blood spilling down. A swarm of insects had ripped the mask off. Geu, in his insectoid form, carefully managed the situation.

The man dropped dead, a pool of brown, already congealing blood marking his final moments on earth. The other masked figure, his knuckles white, regained his composure. "You two... Now this is entirely personal!" Before he could leap, Geu's swarm of insects swooshed in.

 Kate turned to see Geu's swarm forming an arm, flies and other insects morphing into bone and cells. This arm grabbed the mask from the masked figure's face and, like a crowbar on a crate, forcefully ripped it off. The man screamed, blood spilling as he fell dead, just like the other. Kate panted, regaining her composure. 

Geu reformed, his clothing and skin returning. "Blue Trash," he explained, "I know that little encounter was violent, but it was the only way to kill them, I guess." Kate stood, her eyes greyed for a moment, out of breath. "How... the hell did you...?" Geu simply replied, "Trial and error. First try, baby." With a disappointed sigh, Kate massaged her forehead. "Let me guess. You didn't do anything because...?" Geu bluntly reassured her, holding the golden mask, its back covered with the decaying skin of its victims. 

"I was watching to see if you could take a beating from those guys. So, yeah, I was there, just in case." Kate took a breath. "At least you're keeping your promises, even if they're extremely loose..." Geu bluntly asked, "Hey, Blue Trash, I wonder if wearing the mask could do any..." Before he could finish, Kate abruptly spat, "NO! Do NOT wear that damned mask! You've seen what it does to anyone unfortunate enough to wear it, you dirthead!"

Geu responded, "Well, it's not latched to anyone's face anymore, and it wasn't part of our deal..." Kate growled deeply. "I swear to... Here's your first lesson: DON'T do that. Period. Anything that looks tempting but has fatal consequences—DON'T." 

Childishly, Geu held up the mask, showing the skin still attached. "But it has the skin. It's basic protection—" Kate, her face slightly green, snatched the mask and stomped on it, producing a sickening crack and a cloud of dreadful smoke. "See?" she said simply, pointing to the cracked mask. "If you wore that mask, you'd be begging for death."

Kate continued. Geu shifted his gaze. "Hey, B.T.," he said. "It's probably just me being paranoid, or maybe we aren't alone yet." Kate tried to speak, but nothing came out as she saw people walking through the flames, unfazed and wearing those damned golden masks—empty husks that felt no pain. 

A shiver ran down the duo's spines as they spoke in unison, "Anderson..." Their pupils glowed a golden hue as that same dreadful, broken violin music filled the air. All the masked figures slowly began to laugh, like Segment. They spoke, "Kate... Geu... Let's be clear. This is our annual takeover—or, to put it better, our conversion."

 The masked figures continued, "I, myself, felt a bit... unwell after witnessing such a baffling sight. I won't give you two any more chances. It's almost pointless at this stage. As for these masks... let's just say they're my magnum opus—better than..." 

They said bitterly, "Lukirum." Then they continued, "So, after testing some adjustments caused by you two, I'll give you a test run of my creations, to show you both how weakened you are by your dependence on Lukirum and your mockery of dead races..." 

They simply stated, "And to demonstrate how all of humanity is unfortunate and primal. This is the next step in evolution—progress and perfection. I'll see you two... either at your unmarked graves or among my ranks..."

The golden pupils vanished, replaced by a different presence. The masked figures surrounded Kate and Geu, who took their stances, circling each other. "So, B.T., what now?" Geu asked. Kate commanded, "You take one half, and I'll take the other." Bluntly and questioningly, Geu scoffed. "How about 60 percent is mine, and you get the rest?" Kate glanced back at Geu, a faint yet slightly pleased smile on her face.

"Sure, I guess that works. You getting more blood could be great for me today..." Yet, she asked, "Why did you ask?" Geu laughed. "Simple. To give you my first lesson: get messy in situations like these. It numbs the questioning and helps remove any sense of guilt." Kate silently stared back, a frown of concern creasing her face, but she shook her head.

 "Well then, I guess it's..." Bluntly, Geu yelled, "To have fun!" as he transformed into a swarm of insects. Kate, taking a breath, chuckled and focused her gaze. "At least that's a bit helpful," she muttered to herself before leaping into the crowd.

Blood and violence erupted. Geu, as a swarm, became a predator of the skies, forcibly grabbing masks and throwing them to the other side to aid Kate. Her strength and Geu's unexpected assistance made the battle a breeze. As the horde dwindled, it felt exhilarating to be surrounded by the fallen. The two panted. Geu slowly glided back into his human form while Kate told him, "You weren't wrong, Geu. This little lesson kind of makes me question things less." 

Geu responded, "I know, right? Thought it would be useless here, but I guess fate has other questions." He then looked at the few remaining masked figures. "Though it seems those other masked slaves are up to something else." Before Geu could approach, Kate gestured to stop him. "Hey, I know you enjoy this stuff, but since they're heading to the village, I can handle them." Geu looked at Kate. "Sure, Blue Trash. Just do your thing. I'll be here, finally getting a little break from our 'alliance.'" Kate scoffed. "Of course," she said before turning towards where the other masked figures were headed.

Kate followed the masked figures, a nagging feeling that the path was familiar. Was it a memory from earlier, or was she simply imagining things? As she drew closer, she recognized the jailhouse. A desperate, youthful yell made her blood run cold. 

She burst through the doors, finding the caretaker struggling with the few remaining masked figures. One of them noticed her. "Ah... Anderson. It seems you know this process already, right?" The masked figure turned, a bead of sweat dripping down. Her eyes burned. 

"That fiery look tells me you do." The same masked figure continued, "But Segment wanted this one. It's another chance. Our savior lied about that swarm earlier." The masked figure then threw an unworn golden mask, gesturing to place it on the caretaker's face. 

"What do you mean by 'this one'?" the masked figure asked. "It's simple. You might feel some hatred for this person. The face paint says it all." Kate's eyes locked on the caretaker, widening after a quick inspection. "This isn't..." The masked figure reassured her, "Of course! It's your would-be killer—the one who cold-heartedly murdered your pet mouse, Roy, your partner in crime, the closest thing you had to a brother."

 Kate's hands trembled, her heart heavy. The masked figure continued, "This child has single-handedly taken your only living reminder of the positive aspects of your past life, hasn't he?" A silence broken by ragged breaths escaped Kate's mouth. "We were informed that this may be your only chance, Anderson, to take revenge." 

Kate was offered the mask. "And as a bonus, we'll be gone by the time you journey to stop Segment. He owes you that much—to remove his followers as a threat if you take this killer's life, of course." Kate looked at the caretaker, tears welling in his eyes. 

She gripped the mask tightly, examining it. Would it truly satisfy anything? Indeed, but would it be just? Would it be what Roy wanted? Hell no. And with that thought, she broke the mask and tore apart the remaining masked figures. 

As corpses surrounded her, Kate stared bitterly at the caretaker, a pang of disgust in her stomach. "This is just me being me, kid. I hate..." She looked at the caretaker—young, naive, and something about his eyes... a reminder of Milky—stopping her in her tracks. 

With a bitter sigh, she spoke, "Kid, I did this because it's not a good thing. Something about you... I don't want to say it deeply, but in short: don't take this as if I'm now your friend. You, uh..." The kid replied, "B-Bronze." Kate continued, "Right, Bronze, might never have wanted to stab... him, but I... ain't on good terms with you right now..." She walked off, a bitter taste in her mouth, yet deep down, it was something she needed to do. Ever since Roy died, she had hoped they could talk about it properly and finally find closure for that conflict in her mind.

As Kate walked back, the flames subsided, and the number of casualties was low. Yet, no one was around until she glanced into the forest and spotted the strange, silhouetted man once more, observing. 

"Hey!" Kate called out, rushing towards the forest. But with a blink, he was gone again. Frustrated, she kicked a rock or two, still feeling bitter about both situations. Then, the buzzing of flies announced Geu's descent. "So, B.T.," he began, "I wanted to get something off my chest. I... kind of wanted to help you earlier." Kate replied, "Well, Geu, at least—" Her eyes widened as she snapped back. "You what?" 

Geu repeated, "Yeah, you heard me. I wanted to help earlier because I'm starting to... stick by your side, oddly enough." Kate tried to speak, but only puffs of air came out.

Geu continued, "So, I guess it's likely we'll become acquaintances. That weird feeling of dread is gone, and it's a moment of... I can't believe I'm saying this... your uniqueness making me stick around more than I expected." Kate responded, "Well, like they say, it's just a matter of time..." Before she could continue, a group of tribal men entered. 

"Siren!" they called out. Both Geu and Kate took a defensive stance. "What do you want?" Kate asked, shifting her weight. The tribal men knelt. "Even though we still harbor some doubt, we are grateful for your service. From protecting our people to protecting a child, you have earned the elder's favor." Kate responded, "Wait, why is that?" A tribal man replied, 

"For protecting her grandson, Bronze, from the raiders!"

TO BE CONTINUED