Unravelable

January 20, 1993, 2:00 PM, Woolworth Building, New York City

Porpentina Goldstein

From her position, the city of New York stretched out in a vast panorama of towering skyscrapers and bustling streets. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the cityscape, painting the buildings in hues of gold and amber. Down below, cars honked and people hurried along the sidewalks, lost in their own worlds amidst the urban chaos.

Porpentina took a moment to savor the scene before her, her gaze lingering on the iconic landmarks that dotted the skyline. The Empire State Building loomed in the distance, its spire reaching towards the heavens, while the Chrysler Building gleamed with concrete elegance. Despite the noise and the crowds, there was a certain beauty to the city that never slept.

Turning away from the window, Porpentina took a sip of her coffee, relishing its warmth on this chilly winter afternoon. She closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to simply enjoy the moment.

Her mind, as it always did, ended up drifting to the recent surge in attacks on their people. The Outsiders seemed to have somehow significantly bolstered their ranks, launching assaults with increased frequency and ferocity. It was a troubling development, one that kept her and her colleagues on edge as they worked tirelessly to protect their officers and charges.

As she pondered the source of the Outsiders’ newfound strength, Porpentina couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her.

Was it simply a batch of new bloods, or were there other, more foreign forces at play? She made a mental note to discuss her concerns with her superiors, determined to uncover the truth behind these escalating attacks.

But for now, as she stood in her office, enjoying a brief respite from the chaos of their world, Porpentina allowed herself to push aside thoughts of danger and uncertainty.

Porpentina was just about to take another sip of her coffee, savoring the moment of peace, when a knock on the door disrupted the tranquility. She sighed inwardly, setting down her cup and calling out. “Come in.”

Porpentina smiled as Lewis entered, carrying a bag filled with food.

“Got the lunch you requested, boss.”

“Lewis.” She greeted the man with a nod, moving away from the window to place her coffee on her desk. “You’re a lifesaver. What did you get? Smells great.”

Lewis chuckled, setting the bag down on the table.

“I got something from a Greek place down by the corner. Figured we could use a break from the usual.” He said, pulling out containers of gyros and setting them out.

“Absolutely.” Porpentina agreed, her stomach rumbling at the delicious aroma. “Thanks for picking these up.”

They exchanged pleasantries and jokes as they unpacked their lunch, the tantalizing scent of seasoned meat and fresh pita bread filling the air.

“Forget about work for a minute and enjoy.” Lewis said, raising his gyro in a toast.

Porpentina nodded, lifting her gyro in return. “Cheers to that.”

They exchanged a few pleasantries as they settled into their meal, the conversation flowing easily between them. As they ate, however, Lewis couldn’t help but broach the topic that had been weighing heavily on both of their minds.

“So, about these attacks— something’s been bothering me about them.” Lewis began, his tone turning serious. “I’ve been going over the reports, trying to find some pattern, but there’s nothing I can put my finger on. It’s like they’re coming out of nowhere. Poof.”

Porpentina nodded, her brow furrowing in concern. “I know what you mean. It’s been keeping me up at night, but I can’t figure it out either.”

Lewis leaned forward, his expression thoughtful. “You think it might have anything to do with… Her?”

Porpentina’s gaze unfocused for a moment before it suddenly sharpened, her mind instantly recalling the botched interrogation. “How could I forget? That whole incident felt… off. And we never got any real answers.”

Lewis nodded grimly. “Exactly. Ever since then, there’s been no mention of her from any of the criminals. It’s like she just disappeared into thin air. But I can’t shake the feeling that she’s somehow connected to all of this.”

Porpentina’s thoughts raced as she considered Lewis’ words. There were still so many unanswered questions, so many mysteries surrounding the recent attacks, and until they had answers, she knew they couldn’t afford to let their guard down.

Porpentina’s mind flashed back to the interrogation room, where the prisoners they had been questioning had been cursed the moment one of them even mentioned the existence of the hooded woman. It was a chilling reminder of the power and darkness that lurked in the shadows.

Who knew who else was on her side?

“That woman… She isn’t just going to disappear, no matter how well her tracks are covered.” Porpentina mused, her voice tinged with a mixture of frustration and determination. “She’s out there, working behind the scenes, waiting for the right moment to strike.”

Lewis nodded solemnly, his expression mirroring Porpentina’s concern. “I agree. The problem is: just what are her aims? We know she’s cooperating with the Outsiders on some level, but is she part of their order, or is she a free agent with her own agenda? Is she following orders from someone else?”

Porpentina’s jaw tightened as she contemplated that question.

“I just don’t know.” She admitted, looking a little amused at her underling’s disappointed expression. “Don’t look so glum, Lewis. No one person has all the answers— the only reason I got the reputation I had was because I had a damn good team to follow my command. I may have led them, but it was a team effort, through and through.”

“I suppose so.”

“You’ve only been at this for a few months.” Tina added. “If you haven’t already, you’ll soon start to pick up on how this game is played. True, there’s a lot of detective work needed to reach the answers, but sometimes we just stumble onto the answers entirely by accident. Until then…”

There was a pregnant pause in the air before Lewis spoke. “Until then…?”

“We’ll keep our guard up, our eyes open, and we’ll do our best to find her.” Porpentina vowed, her voice filled with conviction. “No matter how long it takes, no matter what it takes. Because that’s what we’ve been hired to do.”

Tina leaned back in her chair, fixing her gaze on the view of the buildings outside. The hooded woman may have vanished into the shadows for now, but Tina’s determination burned brighter than ever. She had faced far more frightening adversaries before, and she had always emerged victorious.

“She may think she’s clever, slipping through our fingers like this.” Tina murmured to herself, her voice steely with resolve. “But she can’t hide forever. Not even Grindelwald could.”

Lewis nodded in agreement, a determined glint in his eyes. “We’ll leave no stone unturned, Tina. We owe it to our people to bring her to justice.”

Tina was about to say something else when a loud commotion interrupted their conversation. The two exchanged puzzled glances as they heard the uproar echoing from the department’s main area. Raised voices and jubilant cheers filled the air, mingling with the usual hum of activity.

“What’s happening out there?” Tina wondered aloud, her curiosity piqued.

“No idea.” Lewis shrugged, equally bemused. “Let’s go check it out.”

Leaving their food behind, they made their way through the corridors, following the sound of the commotion. As they stepped into the main area, they were met with a scene of jubilation. Colleagues were gathered around a lone figure in the center, clapping and cheering enthusiastically.

“What’s all this about?” Lewis asked, glancing around in confusion.

Tina’s eyes scanned the crowd, trying to discern the cause of the celebration. Then, she caught sight of Randall, a seasoned officer known for his penchant of annoying almost everyone he ever met— and yet, he somehow had enough charm and wit to carry him forward.

“It’s Randall.” Someone from the group said as he turned to Porpentina. “He busted one of the child smuggling rings we’ve been looking into!”

Lewis’ expression shifted from confusion to surprise, and then admiration as they approached the group, joining in the applause for their colleague’s achievement.

At Porpentina’s approach, the group quieted down in order to hear what she had to say.

“Congratulations, Officer Randall.” Tina said, offering him a warm smile as she shook his hand. “Well done; well done, indeed.”

Randall beamed, clearly pleased by the recognition. “Thanks, Chief. Couldn’t have done it without the support of everyone here.”

As the celebrations continued around them, Tina couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in the department’s accomplishments. Though their work was far from over, moments like these served as a reminder of the dedication and perseverance that defined their department.

“So, what all happened out there?” One of the crowd asked, and Tina leaned forward in anticipation. She’d been about to ask the very same thing.

She listened intently as Randall recounted the details of the case to everyone, her expression shifting from curiosity to concern as he mentioned the young victims. The thought of innocent girls being targeted sent a shiver down her spine, but she pushed aside her unease, focusing instead on the fact that Randall and his team had succeeded in bringing them to safety.

“We got the girls the help they needed.” Randall said, though he didn’t look all that pleased by his statement. “Luckily, nothing untoward happened, if you catch my meaning.”

Most of the group nodded, while others made expressions of sympathy for the victims.

“Hopefully, in time, they can put this ordeal behind them.” Randall added at the end. “Anyway, we got the bastards.”

Another round of cheers and congratulations went through the room before Tina spoke again.

“Once again, thank you for the dedication to this case, Officer Randall.” Tina said sincerely, her voice reflecting both admiration and gratitude. “I think I speak for everyone when I say that we’re proud of you.”

Randall nodded, though his expression was serious. “Thank you. But there’s still work to be done.”

“That’s right.” Tina said in agreement, though she smiled to lighten the man’s mood. “Crime never sleeps, and the same must be for justice. Still, a celebration is in order, I believe.”

“I agree.” A voice came from the department’s entrance, drawing everyone’s gaze. It was President Andres, walking into the room, flanked by no less than five wizards.

“Mr. President!” “President Andres!” Came a few exclamations from the gathered crowd.

“Mr. President.” Tina said as she approached the man, speaking for the department. “We did not know you were coming today.”

“Mrs. Goldstein.” Andres gave the woman a nod of respect. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Likewise.” She replied, though didn’t say anything further.

Eventually, he answered her previous question. 

“I like to make the occasional surprise visit.” Andres answered as he looked around the assembled crowd. “Is Director Everhart here? I was hoping to catch her.”

“Unfortunately not.” She said, pointing at herself and another Auror standing off to the side. “Auror Garcia and I are in charge until she comes back— top secret investigation.”

“Ah, yes.” President Andres nodded, understanding instantly. “That. Say no more; it’s just as well, I suppose.”

“Sir?”

But he did not answer, instead turning towards the crowd to address them. “It is heartening to see you all working so hard for our people. Know this: every sacrifice you have made, every injury received— it is not in vain, and it is most definitely not going unseen.”

He waited a moment to assess the reaction of the crowd.

“To that end.” He continued. “We will be hosting an official gathering to commemorate your achievements in the campaign against the Outsiders. Don’t worry— we’ll bring lots of beer.”

A round of laughter followed his last statement, with many of the officers smirking.

Ever the politician, aren’t you? Tina thought in a mixture of amusement and cynicism.

“Now then, if you’ll excuse me, I must have a word with Mr. Garcia, here.” He said, and the crowd began to disperse, with a small group continuing to hang around Officer Randall as he moved to his workstation.

After exchanging a few more words of congratulations with Randall, Tina and Lewis made their way back to their office, the echoes of the celebration still ringing in their ears.

As they settled back in, Tina couldn’t shake the lingering sense of unease that lingered in the back of her mind.

“Something’s off.” Lewis said, taking Porpentina’s attention.

“You thought so, too?” She said, giving the man a nod as she locked her door and closed the blinds. “I’m not sure what the President is here for, but somehow I don’t think it was for the party announcement.”

“I… Well.” Lewis said, hesitating. “I wasn’t even thinking about that, actually. Though, now that you mention it…”

“Wait.” She said, stopping him from saying anything else. “What were you thinking about, then?”

“Um, well…” Lewis said, hesitating. “Was it just me, or did Randall seem off to you?”

“He did?” Tina said, eyebrow raised. “To be fair, I haven’t known him for very long, and we rarely speak beyond a few greetings here and there. I’ve read his file, of course, and he seems like a solid officer.”

“No one would dispute that.” Lewis said, nodding alongside her. “It’s just that, well… Maybe it’s ridiculous. Nevermind.”

“No.” She said, shaking her head. “Tell me. I want to know what your gut instinct is telling you.”

He stared at her for a long moment before nodding.

“All right.” Lewis said, taking a seat. “He didn’t seem really bothered or ruffled by what happened. Like it was a minor inconvenience. Something about it just seems wrong.”

Porpentina furrowed her brow in thought, considering Lewis’s observation.

“It’s a little odd.” She agreed, going back to her now cold meal and giving it a wave of her wand to get it warm again. “But you have to remember, Randall’s been in this line of work for years. He’s seen a lot, and he knows how to compartmentalize. It could also be that he’s putting on a brave face for the troops. Keeping morale up is really important, especially now.”

Lewis nodded, acknowledging her point. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right. It’s just… I don’t know. Something about it didn’t sit right with me.”

“Maybe you could try to gather your thoughts a little; anything specific that he did?”

“It was more how he looked.” Lewis said, and the expression on his face had darkened. “When we busted our guys, we both looked exhausted. I know I was at my wit’s end, and you looked fairly ruffled, too.”

“… Go on.”

“True that he’s a seasoned officer.” Lewis said. “So he knows how to deal with situations like this, but then, so are you, and you didn’t look nearly as ruffled.”

He raised his hand to stop her from saying anything. “I know, it’s like you said. Could just be a case of him using a few spells to spruce himself up, but something about it just seems fishy. And, now that you’ve mentioned it; the president himself showing up in the aftermath, with a plan to have an official gathering ready?”

A moment of silence passed as she absorbed the words.

“…When you put it like that, I can see why you would think that way.” Porpentina said, though she shook her head. “But you know politicians; they don’t get where they are without being able to quickly adapt to any situation so that it benefits them and props them up in the eyes of their constituents.”

“True.” Lewis said, deflating in his chair. “Maybe I’m thinking too much about it.”

“It’s hard to say.” Tina said, finishing her meal and placing a hand on his shoulder in reassurance. “Maybe there’s something there, or maybe it’s nothing. It doesn’t help that we’ve been doing detective work nonstop. Sometimes, you end up jumping at shadows where there are none.”

Silence followed her statement.

“Maybe some time off?”

“No, no.” Lewis said quickly, getting up and pacing a bit before visibly calming himself down. “Maybe a nice, brisk walk to clear my thoughts and get my head back in the game.”

“Attaboy.” She said, slapping him lightly on the back even as he prepared to leave.

He unlocked the door and stopped at the door frame, turning his gaze to her. “Thanks for the advice, boss.”

“You’re welcome.” Tina said, watching him leave and closing the door behind him.

She stood in the silence for a few moments before heading back to the window, ignoring the bustling atmosphere coming from the main work room to stare out at the city she’d lived in for so many years.

Minutes passed, with her simply watching the people below go about their day. Her unease, however, only intensified. Lewis was onto something, she realized.

Something doesn’t add up here. She thought as she scoured her recent memories for any encounter she’d had with Randall. He’d been polite, almost coldly so, in most of their interactions, and he seemed like an officer who, while doing good work, could be sloppy and neglectful at times.

Like a mask occasionally slipping off? Or perhaps not able to focus 100% on his work?

She wasn’t sure what the right answer was. She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. It looked like she would need to go through the department’s files on the man.

Stealthily, of course; it wouldn’t do for anyone to think she suspected him of any crimes, since it might show her hand too early. And, just in case he was innocent of any wrongdoing, no one would ever cause him any trouble in the first place.

“Heh.” Tina said, sighing and turning her gaze to her desk. “Justice doesn’t sleep, indeed.”

She had work to do.

oooo

5:00 PM, Unused Classroom, Hogwarts

Adam Clarke

The air crackled with energy as I squared off against Hien Retsu, the echoes of our footsteps lost amidst the intensity of our duel. Spells flashed like lightning, each incantation a symphony of whispered or silent incantations, rustling clothes, and flicks of wands. The weight of magic hung heavy in the air, a tangible presence that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.

Spectral wolves prowled and leapt at me, my chains redirecting their assault towards each other. Their ethereal forms collided with a force that belied their incorporeal nature. One stopped before me and howled. The sound echoed through the chamber, a haunting melody that mingled with the rapid thud of my heart against my ribcage.

Every movement was a dance of calculated precision and instinctive reaction, the rush of adrenaline heightening my senses to a razor-sharp edge. My chains lashed out once more, weaving through the air as they sought to ensnare and bind my nimble, agile opponent.

Hien had been no novice in the art of combat when we’d fought last, and it seemed the time in between had been spent wisely. His summoned creatures now moved with a more fluid grace, allowing them to stay just out of the grip of my chains as he sought to outmaneuver and outwit me. His determination was palpable, a silent vow etched into the lines of his face as he pushed himself to the limit.

The seconds stretched into minutes, each heartbeat a thunderous drumbeat that echoed in my ears. Sweat trickled down my brow as I fought to maintain my focus amidst the chaos.

In that moment, there was only the clash of magic, the blur of movement, and the unyielding determination to emerge victorious. The world narrowed to a singular point of focus, a maelstrom of sound and sensation that consumed my every thought.

As the spectral wolves closed in, their ghostly forms swirling with an otherworldly energy, I focused my concentration, my mind a beacon of determination amidst the chaos of the duel. With a subtle flick of my wrist, my chains guided the wolves toward the corner, trapping them in a calculated maneuver.

The wolves let out snarls, writhing and twisting as they made a futile struggle to escape. With a surge of power, I whipped them with my chains, their metallic coils lashing out with precision and speed.

The sound of metal meeting spectral flesh filled the arena, a cacophony of clashing forces echoing off the stone walls. Each strike was deliberate, each chain finding its mark with deadly accuracy.

The wolves let out agonized cries as the chains tore through them like paper in a storm. Fine mists of magic drifted through the air, dissipating into nothingness as the wolves succumbed to the onslaught.

A sense of triumph surged within me, but before I could fully revel in my victory, Hien’s swift retaliation caught me off guard.

Realizing a lost cause when he saw it, Hien abandoned his former tactics and went on a direct offensive, launching spells at me with a ferocity that took me by surprise. Despite my best efforts to deflect his rapid-fire spells, one managed to find its mark, clipping my shoulder with a searing pain.

Gritting my teeth against the sudden reversal, I fought through the haze of pain and adrenaline, refusing to let it slow me down. Renewing my focus, I began to fight back to regain the ground I had lost.

The clinks of swiftly moving chains echoed through the arena as they deflected his spells, each strike fueling the intensity of our battle. Despite the pain radiating from my injured shoulder, I refused to falter, drawing upon every ounce of strength and skill I possessed.

No. I thought. I was not going to let him win this rematch.

Still, as our duel continued with no obvious end in sight, frustration threatened to bubble to the surface; as I glimpsed the smile on Hien’s face, however, I realized he was relishing the challenge.

A sense of shock washed over me, switching to enjoyment quickly. If Hien was enjoying himself, then so would I. With renewed vigor, I redoubled my efforts, each movement calculated and deliberate.

We continued to trade spells, each exchange just as intense than the last. But it was during a momentary miscalculation on Hien’s part that I seized the opportunity. With a swift Severing Charm, I forced him to overextend in his attempt to dodge. He stumbled, his wand slipping from his grasp and clattering to the ground.

Before he could recover, I had already Summoned his wand back to my hand. His eyes widened in surprise, and then some anger as he turned to me, wandless and facing a sea of chains.

I shook my head and took a few steps forward. Just because he had lost his wand didn’t mean he’d given up on the fight.

“Hien-san. Do you yield?” I asked, breathing heavily as I tightened my grip on my wand— just in case he had a nasty surprise ready for me.

Hien smirked, shaking his head defiantly, but I wasn’t fooled. I could tell that he was dazed, disoriented and most likely out of options. “I will not. I am only just beginning to fight.”

“That so?” I said, and the chains snaked forward.

“Are you sure?” I repeated my question. “I’ll ensnare you if I have to.”

Before he could respond, Hien’s demeanor shifted, and he stopped pretending to be dazed. I launched my chains forward, to wrap around him, hoping I would make it in time.

I felt something heavy drop onto me, pinning me to the ground. A sense of alarm surged through me as I struggled to move, to break free from whatever had trapped me.

I turned my head, heart pounding in my chest, only to come face to face with the pincers of a giant spectral spider, its looming form casting a shadow over me. Inches away from my face, its menacing presence sent shivers down my spine, and I realized with a sinking feeling that I was at its mercy.

“Adam-san.” Hien’s voice cut through my panic, and I turned to meet his dark eyes. He was strangely calm in his prison. “Do you yield?”

I gritted my teeth, my muscles straining against the weight pinning me down.

“I’ve got you dead to rights. You wouldn’t survive.” I replied, my voice steady despite the wariness in my mind.

Hien’s smirk widened.

“So do I.” He retorted, a hint of challenge in his tone. “Shall we die together?”

I stared at him in silent consideration for a long moment, before smiling. “Well played. I suppose it’s a draw, then.”

A flicker of agreement passed over Hien’s features, and with a nod, we both began to cancel our spells. The weight lifted from me, and I scrambled to my feet, adrenaline still coursing through my veins.

“A draw.” Hien said as he gratefully received his wand back. “It is not the outcome I had envisioned.”

“You did well.” I said as I rolled my shoulder, feeling the pain. “That’s going to bruise later.”

“You wish to go to the Hospital Wing?”

I shook my head. “No. Pain is the best teacher.”

“Well said!” Hien said with a smile

As we settled down at the empty desks situated in the corner of the classroom, I took a long drink of water, the cool liquid soothing my parched throat and giving me sweet relief. Hien joined me, his demeanor far more relaxed now that the intensity of our duel had passed.

“Feeling hungry?” Hien asked, his gaze thoughtful.

I shook my head slightly, a faint rumble of hunger gnawing at my stomach.

“A little, but it can wait.” I replied, offering him a small smile. “You?”

“Much the same.” Hien leaned back in his chair, a grin spreading across his face. “Though, you should try some of the food from my home. It is unlike anything you’ve ever tasted.”

“Let me guess; sushi.” I said, wrinkling my nose in distaste. “I’m not a fan of it, to be honest.”

Hien’s expression shifted from excitement to horror.

“Not a fan of sushi?” Hien exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief. “But it is a culinary masterpiece! The delicate flavors, the fresh ingredients— it’s an art form!”

I chuckled at his dramatic reaction, shaking my head in amusement. “Sorry to disappoint you. Maybe I just haven’t found the right kind of sushi yet? Then again, I’m not much for fish, in the first place.”

Hien’s expression softened, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes. “Well then, consider it a personal mission of mine to introduce you to the wonders of my home. I promise, you won’t be disappointed.”

I regarded Hien with a hint of skepticism, but his enthusiasm was infectious, and I couldn’t help but be intrigued by his offer.

“I’ll hold you to that, Hien-san. I’m always up for trying new things.” I replied, offering him a small victory.

A companionable silence settled between us as we sipped our water, the tension of our duel fading into the background. But soon enough, curiosity got the better of me, and I broached the subject of my next opponent.

I would be going up against him in a few weeks, after all.

“So, what exactly can you tell me about my upcoming duel? You called him ‘Oni’, if I remember correctly.”

Hien’s expression slowly turned more serious as we switched to a slightly heavier topic.

“I can tell you, from what I’ve seen over the years, that he’s extremely fast.” Hien explained, his tone grave. “I do not know what he has in his repertoire of spells, but I do know that he won’t hesitate to go for excruciating blows to disable his opponent. If I were to face him, I would happily take a weaker spell to my body than face the brunt of his more vicious spells.”

I nodded thoughtfully, taking in the information.

“However.” Hien continued. “He holds honor as a high value in combat. He won’t resort to dirty tricks or deception to win.”

He raised his hand abruptly before I could say a word.

“And, before you even think of it.” He said, shaking his head as he spoke. “If you attempt to fight dishonorably and don’t defeat him, he will repay it three fold. No— tenfold. Do not make that mistake.”

“I see…”

“Other than that, I’m not sure what else to say.” Hien said. “I do know that he prefers a very direct fighting style. He is not one to conjure up creatures like I would— in fact, he looks down upon such tactics.”

“Wouldn’t that be limiting?”

“Perhaps, if it were another duelist, it would be so.” Hien said, and I could sense the grudging respect in his demeanor. “But his speed is such that it more than makes up for it.”

“I figured.” I said. “Luckily, I’ve been developing countermeasures for such things.”

“Is that so?” Hien said, poking my bruised shoulder and making me wince. “Perhaps they need more development?”

I moved away from my former opponent with a scowl, causing him to laugh.

“Point taken.” I said, rolling my shoulder. “I’ll put more time and effort into it.”

As the conversation drew to a close, I once again thanked Hien for the valuable insight, feeling a newfound sense of determination settle over me. I knew I would need to be at the top of my game if I stood any chance of emerging victorious.

“I’d best get back to my school.” Hien said as he got up, adjusting his pack. “We are having, erm… Takoyaki. Would you like to come?”

I like octopus less than I like fish.

“Thank you for the offer, Hien… I mean, Hien-san.” I replied, hiding the disgust and instead showing him appreciation for the generous gesture. “But I think I’ll have to pass for now. I’ve got plans to meet up with friends at the Great Hall.”

Hien nodded understandingly, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Of course. Maybe another time then.”

“Definitely. I’ll keep that in mind.”

With that, Hien gave me a slight bow, which I returned, before he promptly exited the room, leaving me to my own devices.

“‘The Oni’, huh…” I said to myself before looking up. “Know of any training methods to deal with fast opponents, Alef?”

A moment, and then a single buzz.

Perfect. I thought, and then spoke. “Well, looks like I know what I’ll be doing for the next two weeks. Let the pain begin.”