Jet wasn’t sure how much time had passed. A few hours? Maybe more. Maybe only a few minutes. The Rift was not an enjoyable place, and yet he’d chosen to be in there, to search to look for a youma that he could connect to. A youma that he could work with and become more powerful. To protect those he cared for and to serve the Negaverse as he was expected. As he wanted. It had been his choice to join, even if he had been young at the time. He’d learned a lot, and there was always more.

But what would you be willing to give up?

The purple haze bothered his eyes. Jet rubbed at them and blinked into the blur of the background. The electrical storms in the distance seemed to distort things.

Made him feel like he was hearing things.

Are you willing to sacrifice everything?

Why would he need to sacrifice everything? He’d already lost enough. His parents and brother were dead, and his new family was with him now, risking his life to stay with him while he searched, maybe endlessly, for something that might not even exist.

But there was something out there. Like a voice calling him.

Why do you want power?

To be a better officer. To protect his new family. To rid the city and world of invading threats. If it meant having to do things that would be considered wrong then that was just what would have to happen. Jet never claimed to be a good person. He tried hard. He often failed. He wasn’t like the impressive Generals who so easily slayed anyone in their way. But he did his best.

If that would ever be good enough.

Your partner seems to think so.



“My partner?” Jet heard himself ask outloud, his brows furrowed in confusion. He looked around, trying to determine what the heck was going on in his mind. Was he thinking those questions and comments himself, or was it something else?

You’re a little slow, aren’t you?

Jet was suddenly on his feet, his weapon in his hand as he turned to look around. Something was talking in his head.

“You gonna show yourself?” he called into the haze, but there was nothing. Nothing except something pulling him.

As if against his own will, Jet left where he stood watch by the tent Aquamarine was sleeping in, following the lure of something.