---- Nox ----

That empty void, the unknowable expanse of endless energy. Nox would have recognized it even if he hadn’t recognized the face of famous Esper Daedalus Kane. Despite the hundreds of Espers Nox had treated in the meantime, Esper Kane had always held a space in the back of his mind. Esper Kane was one of two Espers Nox had failed to help, and the only one he could still redeem himself with. 

Kane started appearing in the news three months after leaving Nox. It had been a hot topic at the center since they were mentioned by name as the institution that trained him. Nox still had the article saved somewhere. The headline “S-Class from the middle of nowhere clears gate at 18 years old” along with a picture of Kane looking mostly unscathed being supported by two women in guide uniforms. 

Since then Kane had been in the news time and time again for his inventions and other accomplishments. Nox expected no less given the energy he felt in Kane. It had been a little shocking to find his name in Nox’s inbox along with a memo for all field certified guides to take a course on Kane’s energy well. 

Since Nox had gotten so used to seeing Kane in the news he had foolishly assumed he was prepared to see Kane again in person. But nothing could compare to seeing new scars on that gentle boyish face. His hair, once unruly fluffy, now trimmed short and styled professionally. 

He was also now nearly a head taller than Nox. A detail that couldn’t have been conveyed through news reports. Kane’s face was slimmer than it had been back then. Nox didn’t know if this was just Kane shedding his baby fat or if it had something to do with the dark shadows under his eyes and the unacceptable level of corruption swirling inside of him. 

Nox hadn’t really been able to hear a word Kane said before he pulled down Nox’s mask and locked their lips together. The shock of seeing Kane in person made Nox’s ears ring. He was brought back to his senses the moment they came into contact. Owing in no small part to the sting from the gash in Nox’s lip. 

 Nox couldn’t believe the state Kane was in. It was reprehensible that Titan was letting one of its three S-classes get so bad. Nox had to bite down on his own tongue to stop himself from cursing the guild out loud. 

As Kane pulled away Nox examined his face for any signs of recognition. Kane’s cheeks stained a familiar shade of red and he pressed his lips together anxiously. As soft and sweet as he’d been all those years ago.  

Crackling from the gate behind Kane drew Nox’s gaze. The other two S-class Espers from Titan were waiting for Kane. Kane also noticed. He averted his gaze and muttered an apology before darting away to join his guildmates. Nox tore his gaze away from the Espers and looked down at his phone. He shot off a quick text to his boss letting her know that he would be late. Her response was a quick and simple confirmation. 

In accordance with protocol Nox flashed his ID tag and was escorted past the barriers. A blonde man with a slim build holding a tablet gestured for Nox to follow him as he began debriefing. 

“We’re with Titan, we’ve taken point at this gate.” He pointed to where Kane and the other two Espers were next to the gate. A short woman and a burly man Nox recognized them even without the man's introduction “Espers Song, Rowan, and Kane. They’re all S-class. Ability enhancement, Summoning, and Metal manipulation, in that order. State your name, rank, and qualifications.” 

Nox straightened his posture. This was where he was most comfortable. Helping others and following protocol. 

“Nox Levi. A-rank. Universally compatible. Qualified in field work, sanguineous guiding, ability nullification and multiple Esper management. Three S-classes would be pushing it though.” 

The man beamed at Nox, “Quiet the asset we lucked into! You seemed to handle Esper Kane well, especially given his compatibility issues.” Nox was glad the mask saved his pride by hiding his self satisfied smile. Maybe this was the chance he’d been looking for. 

“My name is Liam, I’m the non esper commander, I work this side of the gate. Have you ever thought about joining Titan.” Nox’s eyebrows shot up and he looked away in discomfort. 

Liam quickly regained his composure, “Sorry! Now’s not the time for that. This is a rescue mission. Five kids. Three of them are Espers so we’re lucky to have you. We may need you to go into the field. If you follow me we can lend you an armored jacket.” Nox nodded and followed Liam to a tent marked medical. 

A woman wearing a Titan uniform handed Nox a black leather jacket and a comms unit. Nox traded his office worker’s jacket for the armored one. It was surprisingly lightweight and breathable. Nox examined it on his arms and realized it was made with Esper energy. Nox had no doubt it could take a substantial beating. 

Working for the government meant working with a low budget. As such, Nox’s previous field work had always been done in a bulletproof vest. Something that made guiding significantly more difficult. This jacket was light enough for his energy to pass through. And given the material it might even assist. 

“So these are the benefits of private guilds.” Nox laughed to himself and placed his comms unit. 

“We have three children accounted for.” 

“Backup is still thirty minutes out.” 

“We haven’t heard from Kane’s guides yet. What do we do, commander?”

“We don’t need to worry about that,” Liam’s voice startled Nox. The half second delayed echo created a disorienting effect, “We stumbled upon a remarkable asset.” 

Liam clapped Nox on the back. Again Nox was glad the mask hid his face.

“Commander Song has the other two kids. One kid is located but not secured. Rowan thinks it’s one of the Esper kids. Requesting a guide to send in.” 

Liam looked at Nox with a question in his gaze. 

Are you ready for this?

Nox nodded without a second thought. This was what he was made for. 

Liam and Nox approached the gate together. When Liam swore, Nox turned to him in alarm. 

“I forgot! It’s so hectic. One of the Esper kids is a mind manipulator. They don’t know if we already have her or not. Take extra care, Guide Nox.” 

Nox took in a shaky breath and nodded. There was no place for fear in the field. It didn’t matter what abilities and Esper held. Children were easy to guide. Nox would handle anything thrown his way. 

Nox stepped through the gate. 

It had been a good three months since Nox’s last field deployment. Though Nox doubted that experience would ever make him fully comfortable with the sensation. Outside of the gate, energy drifted through the air like wind. Nox could always see intersecting trails left behind by Espers and guides. Beyond individuals, even the air itself thrummed with energy. In comparison, gates were like stagnant ponds. It made it easier to find his Espers but it gave Nox chills. 

Espers Song and Rowan were standing together in front of the gate. They nodded in acknowledgement of Nox but continued their conversation. 

“Our back up isn’t here yet, do you think Kane can manage on his own or does one of us need to go back?” Song had a cold expression but Nox could hear the concern in her voice when she spoke about Kane. Rowan shared a similar look of concern. 

A spark of joy lit in Nox’s chest, knowing that Kane had such good teammates.. 

Nox turned his focus to the children being held by both Song and Rowan. The children Song had perched on both of her hips were sleeping soundly. Nox held a hand out near them. Both showed no signs of Esper energy. Nox turned his focus to the children Rowan had. Both had flickers of energy appropriate for their ages. 

“Do you mind?” Nox held his hands out towards one of the children and Rowan handed her over. She looked to be the youngest. She was dirty but unharmed, much to Nox’s relief. He may be a talented Guide but he was no healer. Nox held the little girl against his chest and started the transfer of energy. If Esper Kane was an ocean, this little girl was a droplet. Nox was able to brush the edges of her ability instantly. 

Corruption came in different forms. For Nox it was comparable to flavor. There were hints of stress based corruption in the little girl but no signs of ability use. 

“She’s not mind control. Swap?” Rowan and Song had turned their full attention to Nox as he worked. Rowan obediently handed over the older girl while staring at Nox in surprise. 

“How can an A-class sense that?” 

“Experience and compatibility,” Nox said offhandedly as he cradled the other girl. Her energy was more developed but a similar shape. Her and her sister shared water manipulation abilities. Nox could also sense that it had been passed down from their mother but there was no point in bragging to S-class Espers.

“This one isn’t either. We need to find Esper Kane now.” 

Rowan and Song had identical tight lipped expressions. Nox spoke again, “I’m field certified. Does Esper Kane have any tracking on him?” Song let out a hiss and shook her head as if shaking water out of her hair. 

“I’ll give you access to his stats. We’ll send someone in as soon as we’re sure the other kids ar-” 

Song, who had been in the middle of handing over the kids so she could access her watch, pulled both of them back into her arms as all three watches lit up red. Nox looked down at his watch and saw a harrowing message. 

“It looks like you already have access so-” 

“Watch has been removed.” Nox cut Song off. Nox only locked eyes with Song for a second before sprinting down the path his watch told him led to Kane. He only needed a second to see his own fear mirrored in the S-classes eyes and know what he needed to do.

A thousand scenarios, all terrible, flashed through Nox’s mind. An Esper wouldn’t take off their watch unless under extreme duress. What could have happened to Kane in such a short time? 

Nox could hear Esper Kane’s voice up ahead. That fact alone would have been comforting if Nox couldn’t also hear what he was saying.
“-I need you to tell me to stop. Can you do that?” Kane’s voice was hoarse and strained. His breaths were coming out in ragged wheezes. Nox had never moved so fast in his life. 

Nox rounded the corner in time to see the little girl collapse. Her energy swirled around her and Nox felt corruption on the wind. He scanned the area as he ran to the girls side. He fell to his knees and pulled her into his arms. She seemed to have a small cut on her leg but no other injuries. 

Whipping his head around frantically Nox saw Kane. He was covered in gate-beast ash and his eyes were rolling back into his head. Worst of all, he was holding a knife to his throat. Blood was trickling down his neck and dripping on the ground between his spread knees. His body was beginning to go limp. 

Nox heard his own voice crying out. He half ran, half crawled, still carrying the girl, to Esper Kane’s side. 

“No, no, no, no, no, no!” Nox gritted out as he put his hand on the back of Kane’s neck. Nox could feel the child’s energy swirling around Kane. He couldn’t afford to stop helping the child but he needed to push this command out of Kane. Even as the rest of Kane’s body began to collapse his hand held the knife steadily. 

Nox had less than a breath to take action. With one hand he cut his fingers on the other side of Kane’s knife and with the other he pulled Kane’s face towards him. Their kiss before had been a gentle exchange of energy, exhilarating but refreshing. This kiss felt like falling into an abyss, especially as Nox reopened the wound on his lip to offer up his blood. 

As if somewhere else, Nox was vaguely aware of smearing his blood slicked fingers across the child’s mouth. The exchange of blood created a stronger drain from the child. Nox could feel himself being pulled apart. His energy being fully dedicated to both Espers at once. If Nox’s mind hadn’t been so far away he was sure this would feel like dying. 

Esper Kane tasted like blood. That acrid, metallic scent brought Nox back to his senses. Both his own blood and Kane’s mixed, staining both of their uniforms and even dripping onto the little girl’s shirt. Nox pulled away for a breath as Kane’s arm fell to his side. Adrenalyn and pride filled Nox. He forced himself to keep moving, to keep his eyes open. Kane still needed him, the child still needed him. 

“I killed him.” The little girl was awake again. Nox looked down at her as she began to choke and gag on Nox’s blood. 

“No, you didn’t. If we work fast he’ll be ok.” The girl shook as she took in the scene before her. Nox held her close and turned her head away from Kane, “You don’t have to look sweetie. But can you do something for me?” 

The girl nodded against Nox’s chest and Nox found himself smiling despite the situation, “I need you to use your powers again.” The girl started shaking her head aggressively but before she could vocally protest Nox spoke again, “I know you’re scared but I’m a guide, I can keep you under control ok? I need you to tell him to stay alive. It’ll be hard and it’ll make you tired but I can take care of you ok?” 

The girl pressed her head further into Nox’s chest and was still for a moment. 

“His name is Dae Kane.” Nox said encouragingly. The girl swallowed and pulled her head away from Nox. 

“Stay alive, Dae.” Nox could feel the command envelop Kane as Nox carefully eased his body down. Nox took Kane by the shoulder and flipped him face down on the ground, hopeful gravity would stop Kane drowning in his own blood. 

“Perfect, thank you.” Nox gently held his hand down over the wound in Kane’s neck while he subtly slid a hand into Kane’s pocket, fingers seeking a familiar patch. He snatched it and deftly pressed it against the back of the little girl's neck. He gently stroked the base of her skull as she drifted into unconsciousness. 

With the girl asleep Nox was faced with the daunting task of stabilizing a dying man. The little girl’s command was strong but no one could cheat death, all it could do was help Kane hold on a little longer. 

Nox searched through his jacket pockets with one hand while still pressing down on Kane’s neck with the other. He quickly found a pack of gauze. He ripped the packet with his teeth and clumsily moved it to Kane's neck. He quickly swapped out his hand for the gauze and pressed down again. 

“Guide Nox asking for backup. Child safe and asleep, Esper Kane is injured. Send healers.” Nox spared a glance at Kane’s pained expression and pale skin, “please” 

He sounded pathetic even to himself. It was unlike him to fill comms with useless chatter but he couldn’t help himself. Esper Kane couldn’t die here.