The safehouse trembled as another distant explosion rocked the city's underbelly. Nakato pressed his palm against the cracked basement wall, feeling the vibrations of whatever nightmare Kuroto was unleashing above them. The scent of burning hair and ozone clung to the cramped space, mixing with the metallic tang of blood from Subject Nine's still-seeping wounds.
The girl—no older than six despite the horrors etched into her too-knowing eyes—lay curled on a makeshift cot, her tiny fingers clutching the hem of Nakato's jacket like he might vanish. The other two clones sat silent in the corner, their hollow stares tracking every movement.
Daisuke adjusted the biometric scanner on Subject Nine's wrist, his holographic display painting sickly green light across his exhausted face. "Her cellular decay has slowed, but the corruption did permanent damage. Without the Mazui bloodline's natural resistance..."
"She'd be like them." Hinako nodded to the two motionless clones, their pupils still faintly glowing red. She leaned against the wall, arms crossed, but Nakato didn't miss how her fingers brushed the fresh bandages wrapping her thigh—where Subject Nine's claws had raked her during the purification.
Ryujin's boots echoed on the concrete stairs as he descended, his sword strapped across his back and a fresh cigarette dangling from his lips. "Moonrise in four hours. Kuroto's forces are mobilizing at all three ley line nexuses." He tossed a holodisk onto the table, which projected a shimmering 3D map of Tokyo. Three pulsating red markers glowed ominously. "Titans are already in position."
The largest marker throbbed directly beneath Tokyo Tower. Nakato's flames flickered in response, that same unnatural pressure from the tunnels pressing against his senses. "That's where the main gate will open."
Shiro entered last, his silver hair tied back and a fresh scar running down his neck. He carried an ancient-looking case that hummed with contained energy. "Then we split forces. Ryujin takes the western nexus with half the Resistance. I'll lead the eastern assault." His golden eyes locked onto Nakato. "You're heading for the heart."
Hinako straightened. "Like hell he's going alone."
"He won't be." Shiro set the case on the table, inputting a biometric code that made the locks hiss open. Inside, nestled in black foam, lay three vials of swirling crimson liquid and a pistol-sized device Nakato recognized too well—a military-grade regulator, but unlike any he'd seen before.
Daisuke inhaled sharply. "Is that...?"
"Phoenix Protocol's final iteration." Shiro lifted the regulator, its surface etched with the same inverted sun symbol as the Resistance banners. "Your mother's design. Meant to stabilize Prime transformations indefinitely."
Subject Nine suddenly sat upright, her small body trembling. "N-no! The bad fire hurts!" She grabbed Nakato's arm with surprising strength, her nails digging in. "The King wants to eat it!"
Ryujin exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Cheery kid."
Nakato pried her fingers loose gently, kneeling to meet her terrified gaze. "What do you mean?"
The girl's pupils dilated, her voice dropping to a whisper only he could hear. "Your fire is special. The King's is hungry. He wants to..." She mimed swallowing something whole, then shuddered violently.
A chill ran down Nakato's spine. The Blood Memory stirred—flashes of that vast silhouette in the void, its countless eyes opening.
Shiro cleared his throat. "We move in ninety minutes. Hinako, you're with Nakato. Daisuke, coordinate comms from central position." He handed Nakato the regulator. "This will help control the Blood Memory feedback when you face the Titan. But there's a cost."
The device hummed as it clamped onto Nakato's wrist, its needles embedding with a sharp bite. Immediately, his flames calmed, the ever-present whispers of the Blood Memory fading to a tolerable murmur. The readout flashed:
**[PRIME STABILIZATION ACTIVE - DURATION REMAINING: 03:59:59]**
"Four hours?" Nakato flexed his hand, watching black fire dance obediently between his fingers. "What happens after—"
"The same thing that happens to all failed experiments." Ryujin stubbed out his cigarette on the table. "You burn out."
Silence.
Hinako's dagger found its way into her hand. "There's another way."
Shiro shook his head. "Not this time." He turned to Nakato. "Your mother designed this as a last resort. When the gate starts opening, you'll need to—"
Subject Nine's scream cut him off. The girl convulsed, her back arching unnaturally as black veins spiderwebbed across her skin again. But this time, Nakato saw the source—a pulsing red mark on her inner wrist, shaped like a key.
Daisuke scrambled for his scanner. "It's a trigger! Kuroto's activating the clones remotely!"
The other two clones stood in unison, their eyes flooding solid red. One opened its mouth and spoke with Kuroto's voice: *"Did you really think I'd let you keep what's mine?"*
Hinako moved first, her dagger slicing through the air—
—only for the clone to catch it barehanded, its small fingers clamping around the blade with unnatural strength.
Nakato's flames roared to life as the safehouse descended into chaos.