Operation: Sighted Ghoul

[The Lost]

This is a crazy world. Irregular events having been occurring all across the world. It was the perfect time to invest in a security firm. The New Path has been quietly expanding on this particular business venture for the better part of eight years. It's reach has spread all across this crazy, crazy world, and any reports of irregular events caused by irregular individuals always makes its way to the desk of Jonathan Javian.

Recently a new contract was struck up by the Tokyo office. As part of the new security plan state of the art surveillance cameras were installed to protect the building. The New Path believes in being thorough, so there were no blind spots left unchecked. Not even the dark and deserted looking back alley, behind the building.

Pulling up the relevant footage from the event in question, Javian watched with baited breath.

There in the alleyway, what looked like a routine mugging was already taking place. The woman was forced into the alleyway by a small group of hoodlums. Even after taking the woman's pursue, the group didn't seem like they were about to let her go. However, before things could escalate, another individual entered into the alleyway.

[CPKallday]

HANEKI GETSUGA "Ssss..." A sharp inhale resonated from above. It was followed by a subtle exhale as a plume of white smoke bellowed from a set of pale lips. A smirk cracked as he could hear a commotion hailing from down below. A body rested upon an air conditioning unit, roaring as it performed its regular tasks. The smell of innocent flesh tingled the nostrils of the man, shivers crawling the hairs upon his skin to an erect position. A desire that railed him astray from his path of mortality began to consume his actions as he kicked his back from the cold steel. The clacking of footsteps echoed upon the roof, near twenty stories from ground level. The thick plumes drifting along, visible through the illumination of the moon's desolate light. Reaching the edge of the building, a foot crept over the edge as his upper body reached beyond taking a gander at the situation below. His eyes grew feint, a smirk still residing, as a small chuckle broke the silence he held. "Ah, simple folk always seeming to carry on the prosper in their own selfish ways..." He hung the cancerous stick from his lips, reaching out to the area below. "Let's have a closer look..." Veins stretched from the lids of his optical orbs consuming the better part of his face as the iris within came to a pin size, the small red dot gleaming a bright red glow. Blood began to gather within the corners of his eyes as his sight shifted from his own being to the victim below. Her once shifting in struggle body froze as her eyes took the same effect as his held. The female grinned a grim look growing upon her face. Adjusting the range of her vocal cords to match that of his own, the voice of Haneki would sound from her lips. "Picking on a poor woman, how pathetic..." He reached into the depths of adrenal, shoving the grabbing hands of the attackers. The men stepped back in confusion of the change in her struggling voice. The looked to each for an answer, "What? Not what you expected?" The voice crept into their ears, piercing their souls with fear. They reached in for the woman once more setting their fears aside for the time being, a mistake that would likely yield some consequences. A clacking would be heard at the exit of the alleyway as the woman fled, bystanders from outside the alley would see nothing as they gazed down it, her fear setting confusion to anyone that was curious. Though anyone that entered that cold abyss would fall into the scene that was below. It was simple, really. Haneki had shifted the realm of the alleyway to fit his needs. He would let the woman be and recreate her human shape in an instant. A seamless transition, really. There would be little one could do to tell the difference between reality and illusion. Though, that desolate sound of a fleeing step and a puffing of struggle would be the one flaw to Haneki's operation.

[The Lost]

From the Lost's perspective, the woman seemed to suddenly grow stronger. Was her damsel in distress act just to lure these punks into the alleyway? More incredible, she seemed to duplicate herself. Odd that one of her just ran away. Maybe she was just acting tough, and was really in danger. Maybe she didn't want to reveal her powers, and was forced to just to get away.

He still didn't know anything about this irregular. It was too early to draw conclusions. He shifted in his seat as he shifted his mind from his currently half baked conclusions.

Meanwhile, the security personal at the scene were beginning to make their move. They weren't just gonna let some girl be assaulted behind the building. However, by the time they got to the alleyway, nothing seemed to be out of order.

The two men in security uniforms both wore The New Path compass insignia as pins on their lapel. They also had extendable stun batons that were fully extended and ready to stun. However, they relaxed and looked around perplexed.

"Knight 01, Knight 02, what's the problem?" the two heard over their com link.

"The alleyway is clear, Soothsayer," one of the security guards responded.

"Negative. The woman is still engaging the targets," Soothsayer quickly replied. The two security guards quickly looked to each other, than all around themselves. The quickly began running off, splitting up. One went up the street, the other down it, but both were moving away from the alleyway.

"Location of the targets?" one of the security guards asked as he ran to search.

"Back in the alley! They were right in front of you!" Soothsayer shot back. The two security guards came to a dead stop.

"Soothsayer? I think we're dealing with an irregular here," they finally put it together.

"..." there was a long pause.

"Calling in reinforcements," Soothsayer would respond.

Of course, from the irregular's perspective, everything was still going according to plan. Some security guards from one of the buildings had shown up, but they fell for his illusion and ran off. He had free reign over the alleyway, or so it seemed.

[CPKallday]

HANEKI GETSUGA The body of his own creation fell limp to the ground, Haneki releasing his grasp. His attention was thwarted from the scene within the alley and brought to the street side where he would look down, placing a foot upon the ledge and reaching his torso over as he did before. "Hmm..." He hummed in thought, it seemed that things were secured here, the girl was safe and all that was left to do was feed. These two might be a problem. He thought to himself, rolling his eyes before he sucked his teeth. His head and body followed with the direction of his gaze as he whipped his body back to other side where the alleyway still held to his illusion. By time he would return the crooks would seem to have grabbed the girl, despite their confusion, and make their way out. One held her arms as the other held her legs. He smirked, "Now what are they going to do with that..." He placed his face into his hand, raising it up again and speaking into the sky above wafting his hand . "Desperate times do call for desperate measures I suppose." He joked, about the men's inactive sex lives. He sighed, his eyes still dripping with blood, the taste of copper riddled his mouth with displeasure. Spitting it out, he'd throw another cigarette in and hide the flame he light in darkness not letting the illumination escape and give away his position. Letting the cigarette drape from his lips once more he drew his body back to the scene and cast his hands out once more. "Back to it..." He spoke, the girls body flexed tense and shook before falling limp once more. The two creeps hummed in confusion. That all so famous smirk of his would break the still look of the girl's visage. "My apologies, I had to tend to some things." He spoke through her, his voice firm and deep nothing resembling that of a lady. "I'm an avid Bruce Lee fan, y'know." He threatened, though would receive no response. A wink would meet the gaze of the man holding her legs as she teetered side to side as they attempted to flee the alleyway Haneki's creation still within arm and hand. "Wait, wait. Let's not do this there. Let's go there, walking out of the alleyway with a girl betwixt you would be rather obvious as to what your attentions were. You trying to draw the capes out?" She pointed, with a bit of struggle to the other end of the alley that bent back behind several buildings.  The two looking at each other with confusion again they spoke among one another while Haneki shifted his gaze and head between the two as they exchanged arguments. It was apparent that one wished to continue while the other one seemed to just be completely turned off at this point. Haneki shifted the vocal cords meeting the tone and pitch to that of what a lot of adolescent boys would call a porn start, the girl moaned. Haneki shifted the body of the girl around, "Oh, please no don't hurt me." He'd have her say elongating her words to better appease the men. He figured they wanted her to struggle as that's how things seemed to go. The men would grunt at one another and smile, tossing her up to readjust their grips and carried her back to the alleyway. A smirk ripped through the face of Haneki from atop the roof. It was almost time...

[The Lost]

The security guards did not return to the alleyway. Instead they retreated inside the building. Calls were made. Personal was moved. Irregulars were not to be taken lightly. There were special orders regarding them as well. Among the most important of all, reports of irregulars were to be sent directly to the desk of Jonathan Javian. Just as important as that, there was a strict gag order regarding irregulars and the fact that Javian was looking for them. No one outside the organization could know.

Just as important as those two rules, extreme caution was necessary when approaching an irregular.

Beyond that, approaching witnesses was also important. Men in black suits were given the footage of the girl who had escaped. They wore The New Path compass pins on their lapels as well. They drove a town car and went to search for the girl for interview.

Of course by the time he was watching the footage of the alleyway, he already had her eyewitness account of the situation. What a strange story she had to tell.

[CPKallday]

HANEKI GETSUGA Haneki's foot steps dragged as his body moved with no sight, attempting to not fall while he held control of the girl. He pressed his feet forward one at a time using extreme caution, adjusting them as he needed to avoid obstacles. The cigarette bounced as he pressed and released his lips regularly letting the exhaust escape from a pocket in the side of his mouth his nostrils. The red liquid wrapped around the filter of the death stick, leaving him with a disturbing taste within his mouth. He'd grab the cigarette real quick and spit over the side of the roof a safe distance away from him opponents as he watched himself do so from the depths of the alleyway. Haneki waved to the body of the girl as she was being carried, he wiggled a finger in response to himself snickering on the inside. He couldn't help but crack a grin at himself, what a fool. The back of the creations head pressed upon the abdomen of the man, she could feel the indention of his bulbous stomach overlap the next layer. Haneki cringed from atop the rooftop. The men speaking with one another about whether this was good or not. "JESUS CHRIST GET ON WITH IT ALREADY!" Haneki's creation would cut them off. The two dropping the girl and stepping back as he had seemed to forget to adjust his voice regulations with his ability as he spoke. The two trembled in their boots as they looked around in search of someone, they questioned each other in search for an "irregular". God, how Haneki hated that term it was such a label that forced him to be in the very position he was in right now. He was near tempted to stop fooling with the two and just go down there and himself and show him some of his nice little Bruce Lee moves. Though he could feel his strength depleting and his hunger growing as it had been some time since his last meal. "Tch," he sucked his teeth from the rooftop, he grew annoyed with the situation now. Lighting another cigarette, he'd carry on with a sigh of discomfort as sweat began to carry his blood down his face at an accelerated rate. It was as if the thought of being hungry just increased his hunger substantially, which was likely the cause. Just as if it were food. Haneki regained his focus back to the task at hand, the two still arguing with one another. One seemed to be rather intrigued by what was happening while the other wished nothing to do with this. The latter would be wise, though foolish to stick with his friend despite what he thought. He cursed his friend and ran off. Haneki's body atop the roof tensed and surged forward as the scene changed into a playground setting. Food deprived children neglected from well-nourishment and care walked toward the man. He stood still in disbelief. He was now fully aware that this was the work of an irregular. He cursed once more, the creation reaching down to grab a piece of glass from a broken mirror that leaned upon the dumpster. As she did so, her shoulder would be grabbed. In reaction Haneki would let the creation be turned about and as she did so she would lodge the piece of glass into the man's eye. Haneki sucked his teeth in response to his rash actions, the eyeballs were always his favorite and he had ruined one. The main yelped and groaned in pain stumbling back his hands upon his face as the creation reached yet another shard of glass closing in on the man trapped in his own world. Haneki would release the illusion the children vanishing leaving no one but the blood battered woman standing before him. The man would turn to see his friend spread upon the ground a large shard of mirror protruding from his eye socket. The man turned running toward the exit of the alleyway. "Nope." Haneki spoke as he dropped down cutting the man off. His face was dropped toward the ground, it slowly rolled its way up as a grim split his lips. "Having fun yet?" The man would would pause in fear, yelling obscenities about irregulars and capes before running in to assault him. The man drew a fist back and just as he did so it was caught by the creation behind him. Yanking the tall man down to her size she'd make quick to slit his throat. As she did Haneki would immediately bring himself to his neck drinking the ever-flowing liquid, it tasted not of copper but of a nice burger. His own blood tasted disgusting, but when he got a taste of another's he couldn't help but overindulge. The creation fell limp as it sank into the ground dissipating into nothing, the clothes remaining as though someone had just vanished or went off streaking. The sounds of slurping and ripping of flesh resonated in the area as the illusion remained up within the alleyway. He groaned in pleasure and in effort, growing in satisfaction with each new helping...

[The Lost]

Fear struck the security officer in charge of the building. It was just a small operation. Even with their team geared up and armed to the teeth, they weren't ready to handle such a frightening irregular. Besides, were they really being paid enough to try?

The sensible decision was to call off the strike. He ordered the men to retreat to the surveillance room, where they all cowered in fear, hoping that the irregular would just finish up his business in the alleyway and move on.

Still, the report was passed on to Javian along with the footage. What he saw in that alleyway did not frighten him away. The exact opposite, actually. Now that he had seen what was happening in Tokyo, he knew he had to make a personal appearance himself. It was time to go ghoul hunting.

[CPKallday]

HANEKI GETSUGA A sigh of satisfaction released from the blood ridden lips of Haneki. The hunger was gone now that he had finished with the first body. He tossed a cigarette into his mouth, the flick of a metallic zippo echoing through the alleyway as his illusion dropped and the veins that shot from his face faded back to their rightful homes. His hands shook with adrenaline and the lack of nicotine for a little more than a hour. This was the only time he would go without smoking for such a duration. That in its own would cause side effects to him as he ate, he'd grow anxious and feel rushed to finish it all. Though, it was an easy fix and as such he kept his mind level and gave into his nicotine addiction. He grabbed the clothes of the man that he had just devour near whole, a bloody carcass with gradual degrees of meat still remained. He wasn't one to pick at bones, especially when there was still a whole other body for him to feed on. The organs of the human were scattered in the near area, a representation of his savage style of consumption. Wiping his hands clean of the blood with the victims garments, smoke pluming from his blood-tattered, pale face. He hummed a quiet song, satiated from the feast. His head bobbed up and down as he hummed, the lyrics and cords throbbing in his mind. He dropped the garments, finishing up his self clean-up. His shoes clicked with the surface below, bouncing between the walls surrounding him as he made his way to next body. Stopping at a dumpster, he grabbed a garbage bag that was full. Pulling a knife from his waistline, he'd swiftly release the insides of the garbage bag ridding it of its putrid contents. His nose turned up, his eyes wincing. "Such vile creatures, this is a testament to how horrid humans are. They feed improperly..." He'd say to no one in particular, just voicing his own thoughts. He drew in close to the second body, using the knife to carve him up. This one was much more voluptuous than the last, he smiled at the sight of as he began to meal prep for remainder of the weak. He shoved whole limbs into the bag, cutting the meat out into fine rectangles. His small task of saving a helpless woman and ridding the world of two nobodies would soon be complete...

[The Lost]

The Lost began putting together yet another task force dedicated to dealing with yet another irregular. This time he had plenty of evidence just lying in his backyard. However, the more he could get, the better. The interview with the woman would be nice. It still wasn't clear or not if that was her who duplicated herself. Though the appearance of the man who ate the others made it seem like he was responsible somehow. Furthermore, he began collecting reports and rumors of similar events. Even if it was just a crime scene left with the same MO.

The more incidents he became aware of, the easier it'd be to track this guy down and arrange a meeting. However, finding him was just step one. Dealing with him would be the really difficult task. The helicopter that had transported him across the ocean finally touched down in Tokyo several days after the initial recording. It let him off on a heliport built into the roof of a skyscraper. It was the New Path Tokyo division. There waiting for him, was a crack team of elite security contractors. They were all armed with specialized weapons that adhered to Japan's strict weapon control laws. Their body armor were dyed in urban black and grays. Their helmets had visors on them, similar to the ones on swat helms. However, theirs were tinted black.

These this squad of twelve soldiers would be the ones to take down this irregular. It was time to setup the trap.

The only bait they could use, was to recreate the situation that first caught the irregular on camera. Using one of the other buildings that the New Path was also in charge of, The Lost instructed several plain clothes security contractors to perform regular staged muggings. Even the victims were security contractors in disguise. Their job was to go about the city, wander near one of three alleyways where they would get pulled in and pretend to be mugged. They'd then be let go after their wallets or purses were stolen. The security contractors playing the thugs would keep working one of the three alleyways, until the target took the bait.

All the while, Lost and his team would be watching from behind the camera lens, never too far away.

[CPKallday]

HANEKI GETSUGA A disturbing dissonance echoed through the alleyway, the sound of metal meeting flesh until it screeched to the bone followed with each disrupting tune. He would section the body off, applying organization to such a daunting ritual. Finally coming to an end he'd lick the remnants of blood from the blade before tossing it to the side. Vanishing back into the earth, where it claimed home. He brought himself erect, his body cascading over the bones and organs that draped the ground. Typically in such a situation he would smirk. Though something troubled him. "U-u-ugh..." Groaning in shock as he gazed at the bag that laid beside the man. It was something that hadn't sparked his attention while he was in the zone of cutting away his upcoming meals. A ring... upon the third finger... of the left hand. Haneki's fist clenched with sorrow, but grew tighter as his eyes began to water. He ripped his head away from the sight. "Baka..." His voice drew feint as he muttered, insulting the man before him! "Baka-baka-baka-baka!" His words drew a pattern of anger as he shouted. He'd fall to his knees, tears streaming down his visage, finding the cracks of his crinkled face and following them until they were set free from his sad face. His fist smashed upon the ground. "W-why? Why were you here? Why did you come to this place, on this night? Why... you have a family..." The words would meet no recipient, but Hanek felt the need to voice his thoughts. His body shuddered as he paid his condolences to the family that had lost their supposed head of house. "Why weren't you with your family? Do they mean nothing to you?" He crawled his way to the head of the corpse, grasping it and looking into the empty eye sockets of the being. "If you have so much going for you in your life, then why?" Haneki's voice drifted, he regretted killing the man. He yearned for these questions to be answered, but would find nothing in a dead body. The wallet. He thought to himself, his tears slowed to a halt as he searched the clothes of the man. When he'd find the wallet he'd search for the driver's licence. Standing up once more he would place the driver's licence into his pocket, before checking for cash. He sighed, regretting stealing from the family, though he had to pay for his addiction somehow. He'd have to move on, the night was growing older and hadn't much time before the smell began to draw people in. Thus, he did. He'd toss the arm into the bag shaking his head in disapproval once more as he tied it up and threw it upon his back. As he traveled these narrow paths between buildings, he'd stare down at the licence that he retrieved. He would send his condolences in a way that no other being could. Giving them one last chance to see the man they so loved and lost, though it would all be to his own doing. Why? The question continued to ring in his head. He was unable to understand the thought process of some individuals that did things like this. They were well capable of having a family, yet they chose this path of thievery and misconduct. It was something that he couldn't wrap his mind around. He'd wait for the sun to come to let the family see their husband and father once more, before he'd leave forever. He'd make his way to the residence on the license to do so. When he'd come to finish things up he'd head home until he felt his hunger claw at him once more. It wouldn't be for several days before he would have to go out and find another subject. He'd make his way back to his usual hunting ground, traveling the insides of decently busy streets, looking for things that seemed to be... unusual. It wouldn't take but perhaps 30 minutes or so into this late evening for things to start taking place, it seemed to be quite the week for mischief it seemed. Though the morning light would soon reveal them all to be the true people they were each day, and not these crooked villains. That was if he didn't get to them first. He had come to find that people that committed these crimes often lived normal lives outside of all their theft. It was usually out of a time of struggle or a life of misfortune and bad choices that led them down these paths. Haneki would end them of their pain and detour his own at the same time. His shoes clicked upon the ground as he rounded the corner. Thus, it would begin. His veins would stretch growing a bright red hue that seemed to glow as the red liquid would find its way from the corners of his eyes. Tears of retribution. Leaving the past incident behind him and clearing his mind, in order to ensure the safety of this subject. He'd drag his foot into a nearby dumpster, a loud thud resonating likely to grab the attention of the crooks. His face gleaming with a chipper demeanor he'd raise a hand in greeting, "Hello." If they were to look at him, they'd not be able to see the blood that dripped down his face, nor would they be able to tell his was any different from another human. He would walk away from that position and place himself upon the wall opposite from it, though the image of his previous location would remain and his current movements would be hid within the illusions.

[The Lost]

From the perspective of the security contractors acting as thugs and a victim, the young man besides the dumpster seemed to be a normal person. The camera happened to be situated behind the young boy, so the surveillance team did not notice the blood running down his face yet.

They did not yet know that the irregular had arrived.

"This doesn't involve you," one of the thugs shot a glare at the young man besides the dumpster.

"Please run away and call for help!" the scrawny looking man being mugged called out.

"Quiet you!" another mugger called out, back handing the scrawny man. There were four thugs in the alleyway this time, and it was a man in a grey business suit being mugged. As per orders, they kept up the act of a mugging until the target showed up.

[CPKallday]

HANEKI GETSUGA Haneki stood watching the men and the victim speak to the illusion of himself. Chuckling he brought his hand to his mouth. The laughter wouldn't be heard by any other than himself, shielding his speech behind his power. The illusion would speak, "Oh?" Raising a brow to the thugs. "I do believe I was just asked to assist. Would you not agree? I feel as though this overzealous nature that you crooks seem to have is rather distasteful. I think I'll fix that." While the clone spoke Haneki crept closer to the individual that wished to act upon the man. A humming would buzz into his, and only his, ears growing in volume ever so slightly until it became an ear drenching screech in a matter of seconds. The illusion of Haneki would disappear as Haneki brought his mouth to the ear of the thug, his physical body now visible to all. "I've got something for you." He whispered delicately, vanishing into nothing to the eyes those in the area once more. A loud cackle resounded in the area, echoing from all directions. Though Haneki would remain by the men, pacing back and forth dragging his finger across the small of their back, though the feeling of such wouldn't arrive until he met the next. A giggle would follow as he brought himself to the helpless man. He pat the top of his head, sending a message into his ear hoping to release some of the tension that laid within his poor body. "All will be okay, remain calm." Haneki would smirk walking away from the group once more.

[The Lost]

The surveillance team observing the situation noticed too late that there was a the slight disconnect between where the thug team was talking to and where the young man actually was standing. Bandit 02 began to hear a screeching sound that drove him to his knees. He screamed out loud. This coupled by the disappearing illusion left the others dumbfounded. The confused behavior of team Bandit, coupled with the fact that they allowed a civilian to approach so close to them, was all the proof that the surveillance team needed.

"It's him! Ghoul sighted! I repeat Ghoul sighted," the surveillance team announced over the comm link. Of course, no one without an earpiece would be able to hear this. For further proof, they zoomed in to get a clear picture on what seemed to be blood pouring down the face of the target.

"Initiate False Salvation," a calm and collected voice ordered over the com.

Meanwhile, team Bandit were all looking around, jumping at shadows as Haneki left echoes of his touch on their backs. They began shouting and screaming in confusion.

"Come out freak!" "What's going on?" "We should get out of here!" The three men screamed over each other, while the fourth remained crumpled over himself on the floor, clutching his ears.

"It's so... loud!" he screamed for help, but no one could do anything for him.

"Bandit 05, Ghoul is headed straight for you. Turn to 3. He's on your six. He's reaching out. His hand, above your head... now!" the calm, but rushed voice gave a live play by play. Already knowing not to trust his own vision as per ordered, the one thing he listened to was that familiar voice giving orders through the ear piece he wore.

There were four security contractors disguised as thugs in the alleyway. Bandit 05, was acting as the victim. The moment that Haneki attempted to pat his hand on the helpless victim, the scrawny business man suddenly sprung into action. He had closed his eyes and performed a carefully practiced take down maneuver. He had done this over and over, among many other basic take downs for may other different situations. He had been personally tutored by Jonathan Javian himself. He didn't have much raw strength. Instead, he'd rely on the element of surprise, technique, and the basic principles of leverage.

First he had imagined an unseen assailant coming up behind him and doing as described by the familiar voice in his ear. Then he acted against that imaginary target. He attempted to grab at the wrist and pull, slamming his hip into the body of his unseen assailant, he'd perform a basic hip throw. If that was successful, he'd use his grip of the assailant's wrist to twist his arm around his back and pin him to the ground. Finally, he'd apply a stunning shock to the assailant with a taser. False Salvation, was a go.

[CPKallday]

HANEKI GETSUGA "Hmph!" A sound of struggle resonated, his eyes growing large as he was appalled by the man's ability to grasp him. Confusion struck him as to how he was able to not only see through his illusion but also how he was able to see from behind him. Did this man possess abilities too? It all happened so fast, with Haneki's overall sense of shock it left him with no answer as his hip was shoved from its original location. The illusion and his eyes would fall back to a normal state. "Agh!" Haneki groaned in pain as his body was lifted put onto his stomach. He hissed with pain as his arm was twisted behind his back. His arm tensed in attempts to resist, but it was useless as the moment he tried to reverse anything an electric force would meet the middle of his back. The electricity would send his nerves in a flurry bouncing neurons to the part of his brain that controlled his powers. A screeching cry of agony bounced through the surrounding area, images of his past warped into display for all to see. A scene of him as a child, happy with his mother and father as they all took a day to enjoy themselves at the park. His mother and father fighting in the kitchen of the place he once called home. The night he took the pill in the club, music blaring young people all staring at him in awe as he began to lose control of himself and his mind to this hunger. Blood spewed from the around his optical orbs painting the area in front of him as his head jerked with the shock of the weapon. When it all stopped he would lay upon the ground, his breath would grow heavy, the images continuing to flicker around all that stood as blood ran from his eyes. The iris of his eye constantly resizing itself as the scene adjust from one thing to the next. His mind remained attuned to the images that were brought to life before him, reliving ever good memory and bad. Tears, not consisting of blood, began to thing the thick substance upon his face.

[The Lost]

Plans rarely go so smoothly. However, after taking down the target, everyone began to panic.

"Bandit, sitrep. Siterep, now! Bandit, respond!" The voice over the com had become decidedly less calm.

"So... much... can't..." Bandit 05 toppled off of the downed target. The Lost wracked his brain. There was so little he could do from where he was seated.

"Bandit, listen to me. Whatever you're seeing, it's not real. Just close your eyes, and listen to me,"

"I can... still see it... in my mind... these memories..." Bandit 03 tried his best to respond. Then suddenly, blood surged out from Ghoul's face and everyone seemed to suddenly get quiet.

"Stand up. It's not real. The target is down. I repeat Ghoul is down," the calm voice explained.

"..." After notable struggle, a couple members of team Bandit managed to stand. However, Bandit 01 and 02 remained on the floor, clutching their heads. 04 managed to stand up, but couldn't maintain balance and crumbled to his knees.

"05, at 11, he's on the ground. One pace away. Confirm," the calm voice dictated.

"03, at 3. Six paces. Confirm," he went on to say, as Bandit 05 and 03 turned to look and see if the target was still on the ground.

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