Screams erupt, and the surrounding crowd panics and cries as everyone runs away from them. Markov's lower half lies on the floor, its upper half obliterated by Sora. The legs seem to be moving, but that is of no interest to Ken.

  Ken notices Byron running away in fear. Sora and Imino argue while Ascenders nearby run into the hotel. The Ascenders bump into Ken as they run past him toward Markov's body.

  “You aren't getting away this time!” Ken says as he chases a fleeing Byron.

  “Wait, Ken!” Bristol shouts.

  Ken pushes past the crowd, shoving people out of the way. He runs into the hotel and looks around for Byron– he keeps getting lost in the crowd.

  Where are you?!

  He jumps on the receptionist's table and tries to get a better view. The Ascenders are gathering in the hotel and pay no mind to Ken amidst the chaos.

  “BROTHERS AND SISTERS!” A raspy voice booms from the casino floor.

  Ken turns to notice the crowd watching the speaker. In the center stands a wounded man. He squints to get a closer look.

  “THE TIME FOR THE ASCENSION IS NOW! AS MUCH AS OUR NAVIGATOR WISHED FOR IT TO BE TOMORROW! WE ARE FACING TRYING TIMES AND MUST ADAPT!” the speaker declares, its voice becoming less raspy as it continues. The crowd breaks into excited cheers and cries as the man in the center raises both of his hands in the air.

  A tall figure stands close to the speaker. It’s Byron!

  Throwing caution to the wind, Ken jumps down and pushes through the crowd. The surrounding Ascenders begin to sing as if a choir. The melody feels weird; it is unnatural yet melodic. Ken glances at the speaker as he reaches Byron. Markov stands in front of the crowd.

  Markov is shirtless, exposing the holes in his body slowly closing up, hiding his internal organs. The blood on his pants confirms the fact of his regeneration.

  That’s the Slayer’s responsibility. Ken dismisses the phenomenon before him and continues his pursuit.

  Ken reaches Byron and readies the multi-tool. Before he can strike, Byron puts his hand out in front of him to stop Ken. “Not here.” Byron begins to move away from the crowd, and Ken quietly follows.

  As Ken follows him, he watches for any tricks or traps. The crowd doesn’t seem to notice or care about their presence. They walk through a door on the far right of the casino floor and reach a tall flight of stairs. As they walk up the stairs, Ken hears a loud boom come from the casino floor. Sora must have started his assault.

  “Apologies for my taunt earlier. It was… uncharacteristic of me,” Byron says, possibly regretting the chain of consequences it caused.

  “Where are we going?” Ken asks, ignoring the apology.

  “We are going to a room to settle our differences. I do not wish to taint our Navigator's rituals with something like this.”

  After the third flight, they walk through a door and enter a vacant lounge. Windows surround the room, giving a wide view of the city and inviting natural light inside. The lounge is split into two sections: the lounge area on the left with grey couches and tables for people to sit and chat, while televisions hang on the walls playing sports. The bar area on the right has fully stocked shelves of drinks behind a dark wooden bar. The smell of polished wood complements the relaxing jazz music.

  Ken stops as he notices the weather outside has become cloudy, and papers from the street fly past the windows. Byron stands on the opposite end of the room and watches the city.

  “I understand that you are angry with me, Ken. I am truly sorry for my transgressions. I treated you horribly this entire time, but only after being–”

  “Shut up,” Ken interrupts.

  Byron stops and stares at Ken in shock.

  “Your sorry doesn’t erase what you did– the lives you took. I wish I could do the same, but I know what I am. Unlike you, I know what waits for me, and I accept it. No matter what you say, I’m going to kill you.”

  Byron sighs and shakes his head. “Ignorance shall always be thy adversary. The Navigator warned me that this would be a trying trial for me to overcome.” Byron takes a more aggressive stance. “But hopefully he will forgive me for this one transgression.”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  “Pathetic,” Ken says aloud.

  “Now come, Ken! Let us settle our differences!” Byron taunts.

  Ken activates the tether on the multi-tool and attaches it to a barstool beside him. He runs to Byron and reels in the stool to fling it at him. Byron swipes the stool; it splinters upon impact. Using it as a distraction, Ken activates the knife on the tool and ducks under Byron’s swipe, aiming the blade at his abdomen.

  He manages to slash Byron’s stomach as a rain of blood splatters across the floor, and Byron grunts in pain. Ken immediately jumps back and avoids Byron’s grab.

  “Heh, getting cocky, huh?” Byron says as he looks at the wound. Ken says nothing and maintains his focus. Something feels off. “You should have just joined on your own, because now we will have to wash your sins away by force.”

  “Does your ass get tired of the amount of crap that comes out of your mouth?” Ken answers, recalling one of Senzo’s taunts.

  “Hmph. Such a foul mouth. You will understand the Navigator's power one way or the other.” Suddenly, the wound on Byron’s stomach mends itself. “Let’s continue.”

  Regeneration like Markov?

  Ken prepares himself, knowing this fight will dictate his future.

  “Afraid?” Byron taunts as Ken quickly studies the room.

  After a few seconds, Byron charges at Ken but misses as he dodges toward the bar, climbing over the counter. As Byron recovers his stance, Ken hurriedly finds and grabs a bottle of absinthe called Mountain Air. Byron jumps over the counter and prepares to punch Ken again. He manages to dodge Byron's punch and slams the bottle over Byron's head, covering Byron in absinthe. Ken jumps over the table and immediately activates the flamethrower on the multi-tool, setting Byron ablaze.

  Engulfed in flames, Byron struggles to put it out, falling over the counter and rolling on the floor. Ken slowly walks up to him and watches. As he rolls, the carpet catches alight.

  It was always that easy, huh?

  The smoke from the carpet reaches the smoke detectors and activates the lounge's sprinklers. The water slowly puts him out, but from the scars, Ken wonders how he is going to regenerate. Uncomfortable with Byron recovering, Ken quickly takes out the multi-tool and attempts to stab him in the head.

  Byron’s constant struggling makes it difficult, causing Ken to stab him in the neck. Byron grabs Ken’s right arm as he tries to remove the knife. His grip is strong. Ken tries to pry his arm free from his grip, but does so in vain. The flames on his body are fully extinguished, revealing Byron’s charred skin. The smell of burnt flesh and steam slightly disorients Ken.

  “Ugh, damn it!” Ken tries to reevaluate his options and realizes an easy way to escape.

  I bet my right arm I can punch Byron!

  A large booming voice in Ken’s head announces, “THE BET HAS BEEN MADE, AND THE STAKE HAS BEEN DECLARED! I WILL TAKE THE STAKES UNTIL THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED.”

  In an instant, Ken’s right arm disappears, freeing him from Byron's grasp and causing him to fall back.

  “WHAT?!” Byron shouts in confusion.

  Taking advantage of this moment, Ken lands a weak jab at Byron and steps back.

  “THE BET HAS NOW CONCLUDED, AND THE PLAYER HAS FULFILLED THE CONDITIONS. THE WINNINGS ALONGSIDE THE ORIGINAL STAKE SHALL BE RETURNED!” The voice subsequently announces as Ken's arm returns to him.

  “I see that you, too, have the favour of another Benefactor,” Byron says as he slowly stands up. He is unaffected by the burns he received. “It was my mistake for underestimating you.”

  “Shut up and fight me,” Ken orders him, uninterested in banter.

  “Such insolence!” Byron replies. Byron removes the multi-tool from his neck, and a stream of blood slowly drains from the wound before stopping. He takes the blade and makes an incision on his left pec. He throws the multi-tool on the floor where it lands in front of Ken, and sticks his right hand into the cut.

  He screams as he grabs something and pulls it out of his chest. Ken can only watch and wait, unsure of what is happening.

  “Behold, the Catcher! The Navigator’s gift to his chosen few!” Byron announces, showing a small glowing cylinder. “Unlike Markov, I only have one.”

  Ken quickly picks up the multi-tool and readies it, unsure of what the strange device is capable of.

  Byron crushes it in his palm, releasing a flurry of white streaks pulsing through his arm and covering his entire body. Byron's flesh begins to regrow, the charred bits slapping the floor as they fall off of him. The scars on his body mend themselves.

  But it doesn’t stop there. His skin takes on a grey colour, and his hair turns white. Metal covers his knuckles, and his forearms grow slightly in size. After a few seconds, he opens his eyes to reveal his black pupils. A sinister smile appears across his face.

  “Behold, the power of the Navigator’s chosen!” Byron proudly announces.

  Ken remains silent, unsure how to approach the monster born before him.

  Tch. I need to retreat!

  Refusing to face such a risk, Ken tries to run to the stairs and reach Sora. Suddenly, he feels a large weight land on his chest. He flies toward the window and slams into it. A large crack is heard as the glass begins to shatter. Ken helplessly slumps on the floor, trying to catch his breath.

  “Such strength,” the reinvigorated Byron gloats. He grabs Ken by the throat and throws him to the other side of the lounge.

  He wants to play with his food.

  The ringing in Ken’s ears returns.