Victor was alive.

"I was right," Will said.

The meeting had been brief, leaving the two of them alone in the darkness of the Boardroom when Bill switched off the monitor and exited the premises.

"For disclosure, I had no idea," Ezra professed. Will struggled to believe him, remembering the conversation he had overheard outside his quarters between him and Bill involving Victor. "I mean I had my assumptions," he admitted, seeing the disbelief in Will's eyes. "But father kept me in the dark about Victor's existence since his assassination was publicly announced."

"Alright, what else aren't you telling me?" Will asked.

"What do you mean? I told you could trust me-"

"You and Bill both said I am the answer to Project Infinity," Will elaborated. "I need to know what is going on once and for all."

"I..." Ezra had to hold down his fists from punching the air as he struggled to find his next words. "Can't," he said.

"Can't or won't?"

"I've been sworn to secrecy-"

"I don't think you know what 'trust' means-"

"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you!" Ezra exclaimed.

"I don't think I like the sound of that," Will said. They stood up from their crouched positions.

"I know this isn't easy, but... you just have to trust me, okay?" Ezra asked. "I want to know what's going on as much as you do." Will was out of responses.

"We should get back to your father," he said instead. He turned to leave.

"Will-"

"Won't he want to be informed of the explosion?" Will asked. In answer, Ezra let out a deep exhale before reluctantly approaching him.

"I guess so," he said, pulling out the keycard.

Back in the corridor, Will continued what remained of the short trip to the Command Centre in tow with Ezra. Their lapsed silence was relieved on account of another presence other than Bill waiting for them inside.

"Mother?" Ezra asked.

A woman faced them. Stern in both appearance and composure. Will saw the resemblance between them as soon as the word 'mother' was spoken. They both shared the same freckles, blue eyes and narrow jawline. It was her wide, heavy, lower lips and turned-up nose that stood them apart. Another striking similarity were their sloped shoulders.

From Will's point of view, it appeared that Ezra had taken on after his mother in terms of physical appearances rather than Bill. He couldn't say the same for himself and Victor concerning their parents. Her long, blonde-dyed hair and formal attire only did so much to maintain her youth. "What are you-"

"As Chief Executive and your mother, you should know better than to question my whereabouts, Ezra," Mrs Grayson said. Her words did little to phase Ezra, much to Will's own surprise.

"Where's father?" he asked. "You're never here unless-"

"An emergency came up that your father had to address. He won't be back until tomorrow evening in time for Victor's commemoration. Between now and the hours that pass, I am here to monitor your every move," she explained.

"You mean you're confining me to my quarters."

"After the explosion we've just had? I will not have my son exposed to other hidden evils of this world. That includes Will,"she said. "While the Research Lab is being repaired, you will continue what work you can in your quarters. Imperial Sentries will come and collect you accordingly. See to it that you both get back safe."

"Yes mother," Ezra said. They turned to leave when Mrs Grayson's next words stopped them. "And Will?" Will did a half turn to face her. "I'm sorry about Victor."

Will returned her condolences with a suppressed smile. Ezra steered him outside with a hand on his shoulder. Once out of earshot, Will asked the question that had been pressing down on him since meeting Ezra's mother.

"Does she know?" Will asked.

"That you're supposed to be the opposite of 'alive'?" Ezra finished, side-eyeing Will. "No," he said.

In the silence that followed, Will found himself thinking about the strange device that he had found on other Will's body which led his mind to Raven, sparking an idea. They reached Ezra's quarters first. As neighbours, Will waited for him to go inside, fooling him into thinking that he intended to do the same until Ezra closed his door. He made sure to check his surroundings. With Ezra gone, he was free to initiate the plan.

Will continued through the corridor that preceded their quarters. He headed for the turbolift. To avoid any nuances, he took the long route down. He prided himself for being fast on his heels.

In the time it took to reach underground, Will hadn't considered the possibility of Imperial Sentries until he rounded the lowest gradient of the ramp and stole a glance at the Hanger doors, seeing one for himself guarding the area. It was a good thing that he had come down the ramp that descended around the turbolift as it gave him time to duck down behind the raised barrier that prevented any unnecessary incidents such as falling off the edge into a black abyss. Luckily in this case, the turbolift sat stationed underground in light of any emergencies.

Speaking of emergencies... a second plan quickly formulated. One that would hopefully send all Imperial Sentries and Armed Forces fleeing the scene.

Next to the terminal, an Emergency Power-Off system had been installed into the wall. The only obstacle was reaching it without being seen by the Imperial Sentry that currently stood guard. He searched the ground for anything he could use to throw past him. Being in a modernised building with seamless construction proved of little help when it came to scanning the area for any loose rubble. He was going to have to move forward with a different plan. Invoke him with words that could only deceive through a silver tongue.

Will cautiously backed up and prepared to stand once he had reached a level well out of sight in order to not appear suspicious. Confidence was key. Any sign of uncertainty and the Imperial Sentry would sense something off. Will thought of Ezra and how he conducted himself when asserting authority. He changed the pace of his stride to one that walked with a purpose.

To his surprise, the Imperial Sentry didn't instantly notice him. If it came to the worst, Will could probably get away with the excuse of losing his way. But as a resident of ParaDark Enterprises where some might not know his current situation, they might not fall for his tardiness or lack-there-of sense of direction. Regardless, he had to try.

The Imperial Sentry recognised him. Will reached the end of the ramp and was admitted to a standstill.

"Hold it, Dark," the Imperial Sentry instructed, holding out his hand. "Aren't you supposed to be with the Commander's kid, what's his name... Ezra? What are you doing down here anyway? It can never be anything good."

"You're right about one thing," Will said. "There was an explosion in the lab. And now with an intruder on the loose, Chief Grayson herself has requested more security on the upper floors."

"That can't be good," he murmured. "Chief Grayson is never here unless Commander Grayson has urgent matters to address that require him to leave the premises. This must be serious." He allowed himself a few seconds to evaluate the truth of Will's message. He reluctantly submitted. "Alright. Let me talk with my supervisor. But you stay here, okay? Your reputation for trouble does not go unnoticed."

With that, he turned to find his supervisor amongst the Armed Forces inside the Hanger. Will took that chance to dash towards the Emergency Power-Off system above the terminal. If he could just pull down the switch, he would be in the clear to steal or as he'd preferred the legally used term 'borrow' a hoverbike to proceed his plan.

He pulled down the switch with minimal effort which was followed with the droning sounds of the power grid shutting down. The whole area was plunged into darkness. Shouts instantly picked up amongst the Armed Forces.

In the chaos that ensued, Will sprinted blindly through the Hanger doors in pursuit of the streamline of hoverbikes that remained stacked along their station parallel to the tunnel he and Ezra had used the last time to sneak out into Infinite City.

Will's blue eyes adjusted quickly to the dark, good enough to make out the silhouette of objects and a disorderly array of running troops. He headed to the hoverbike closest to the tunnel and jumped on quickly to avoid any chances of being surrounded before he could escape.

The engine started with a thrust of the throttle, headlights blinded unaware Armed Forces, alerting them of Will's getaway. He sped away quickly, just as Armed Forces started closing in on him with blasters and shields.

The rest of the journey through the gleaming metropolis, Will remained fixated on his destination. The rural backdrop appeared behind the maze of buildings that Will navigated the further he neared the outskirts of the city.

He slowed down to a stop on sight of the canal. The engine shut off and the city was thrown into a peaceful silence that Will wished could last forever. Behind him stood the alleyway they had found Other Will's body. Dark and unwelcoming. Will's resolve didn't allow time for the unknown to instil unnecessary fears that would jeopardise his risk of coming here. He moved forward.

Up ahead through the narrow alleyway, a dim light glowed through one of the windows on his left that belonged to The Raven's Eye. Even Raven's hostility towards them wouldn't stop him from attempting his plan. Especially after all he had to do to get here without being caught.

He stopped in front of the wooden door and lifted up a hang to knock. Seconds passed and Will could hear someone on the other side make their way to him.

The door opened with a creek, followed by the chime of the hanging doorbell. Opposite him stood Raven, unphased at his announced arrival even after making it evidently clear that he was unwelcome here.

"I need your help," Will said.