[Next Day – Vanguard University, East Sector]
It took some digging—and some bribes—but eventually I found her. Third-year chemistry prodigy. Internship at the National Antidote and Biochemical Defense Initiative.
Her name was Ryah Kenzaki.
And I hadn't seen her since we were ten.
I stepped into the pristine university lab, all white coats and clean floors. The smell of antiseptic hit like a memory.
Ryah was hunched over a microscope, messy ponytail barely contained by her goggles.
"Ryah," I said.
She glanced up, confused—then her eyes widened.
"No way."
A second passed.
"Anos?"
A small smile tugged at my mouth. "Hey, poison princess."
She laughed, the sound light and disbelieving. "I thought you disappeared after primary school!"
"I did," I said, sobering. "I need your help."
She read my face instantly, frowning. "This isn't a social visit, is it?"
"No. It's about the Nomu."
Her brow furrowed deeper.
I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "I need a biochemical compound—something that can destabilize adaptive cell structures. Think: a toxic overload with a mutating decay curve. And I need an antidote to balance it afterward."
Her lips parted slightly. "You want to destroy their regeneration."
"Exactly."
She stared at me for a long moment—then slowly, her expression changed. Resolve flickered across her face.
"I'm in."
I blinked. "You are?"
"You think I got into biochemical research because I like studying toxins? No. I saw what happened to people after the Nomu raids. I've been waiting to do something that matters."
She straightened, fire in her eyes. "You brought me the chance. Let's do this."
As Ryah began prepping her notes and contacting her mentor, I stepped outside to call Zane.
"She's in," I told him.
"You sure this'll work?" he asked.
"No," I said, staring out at the city that had never stopped burning.
"But it's the first real shot we've had."