Falling Upwards - Arknights

Chapter 8: Crack of Dawn

- 0123 hours -

The reunited trio of Bison, Mostima, and Torrent scour the Carnival area for the "gift" that Lin Grey has left them. Some henchmen stubborn enough tried to take them head on, but were easily repelled.

"Damn... Where could it be..." Bison says as he tries his best to look for it.

"You're all flustered. Try not to be too emotional. That goes for you too, Torrent. You're getting way too riled up." Mostima says to both Bison and Torrent as she keeps cool.

"I did just find out that I was being kept in the dark about my whole purpose here." Bison explains. "... Guys, did we actually, maybe meet the Rat King before?" He asks the other two, trying to recall that certain time when the three of them came across a vendor selling sweets.

"We did." Mostima and Torrent say in unison.

"So you two had it all figured out from the beginning?" Bison asks and the two of them just laugh it off. "Don't try to wriggle out of this one!" He tells them, annoyed at how much they are evading his questions even before.

"Hm. I myself couldn't have guessed what he was really up to. But we don't really have much time. The L.G.D. aren't going to sit on their hands." Mostima says. "As crazy as things have gotten around here, with them jumping in, there's no way we'd work it out." She explains.

"Victorian gumdrops, the candy box, maybe that was a clue. But it's just common sense that using the same kind of trap over again would be really dumb." Bison notes.

"Yeah, but, why?" Mostima questions.

"If the Rat King really had everything planned out, then us running to him before couldn't be a coincidence." Bison explains. "He was communicating with us from the start."

"He has a point. I've never seen him stay outside and make a public appearances for more than twelve hours, even less so in a Carnival." Torrent says. "Maybe he is leaving us clues."

"It's his trap. Why would he want to give us clues? That doesn't make any sense." Mostima argues.

"I don't know either, but maybe we've been too quick to consider him an enemy...? I just have a feeling." Bison continues.

"No, it's not just a feeling. After we met the Rat King, he kept trying to hint at something. It's subtle, but it's there." Torrent says and Bison nods.

"Look at you boys being all so detective-like. It's so cute." Mostima muses. "Mmm... Well it's better than nothing." She shrugs.

They keep looking for whatever looks suspicious. Just then, Torrent's earpiece beeps and he activates it.

"Torrent, I'm getting a pretty simplistic electronic heat signature coming from an iron box. It should be to your left." Odpis tells him through the device.

"Got it. Bison, Mosty, head left. Look for an iron box, whatever that means." Torrent tells the other two and they head towards that direction.

They kept walking in the direction they are pointed towards, and they find a large iron box in a somewhat secluded area of the Carnival.

"Got it." Mostima mutters.

"Torrent, someone's going for Mostima!" Odpis shouts at Torrent.

He snaps his head towards Mostima's direction and sees a spear heading towards the Sankta.

Panicked, he rushed towards Mostima to close the distance and prevent her from taking the blow.

"Mostima!" He calls to her, causing her to look at him.