CHAPTER 60: PISSED OFF

"You found what?"

Hermes sat forward, brows furrowed, as Aphrodite quietly showed a flash drive on the screen of the laptop where they’re having the video call

Ymir and Hermes were gathered in the tent they shared. The laptop was Ymir’s and it was encrypted to make sure nobody could hijack it.

Ymir also requested an employee who had the power to make a protective dome over something to place a barrier— which was not only impenetrable, but also soundproof.

"There are reports." Aphrodite said, voice low, nearly monotone. "Small-scale uprisings. Localized. Years back. All in Haven City."

He showed the files, still wearing his SHIFT cadet disguise. "Civilian families who lost homes. People injured because of hero-villain crossfires. A few started petitions. A few tried to sue the government. A few... vanished."

Hermes and Ymir exchanged a glance.

"Disappeared?" Ymir clarified.

"Or relocated. Or silenced. You decide which sounds nicer." Aphrodite’s expression didn’t change. "SHIFT has files. All labeled as potential Threat sympathizers. Some of them weren’t even powered....

His expression became sympathetic, as he too was from a family of non-power users. "Just families asking questions. Whole neighborhoods redistricted after incidents. Memory wipes documented in Eirwyn’s old military logs."

Hermes’s stomach clenched. "So he’s done this before."

"Maybe he’s been doing it even now." Somner cut in, voice sharp. "When he served in the army, he was deployed during those same uprisings. His power wasn’t classified back then, but cross-referencing the reports, it’s obvious. He didn’t negotiate with protestors. He used Rewind on them."

Aphrodite’s eyes flicked toward the map of the War Zone pinned to the tent wall. "If the media sees these files... if this leaks before he has time to spin it..."

"He’ll fall." Ymir finished.

Hermes didn’t smile. "Good. Then we end this tomorrow."

"We’ve got enough to blow SHIFT sky high," Somner said, flicking through files. "Now we just need to decide when to drop the bomb."

"Soon," Ymir replied. "We’re pulling the plug on this fake war tomorrow."

"Already?" Somner frowned. "You two get cold feet or something?"

Hermes leaned in, arms crossed. "We met someone."

Somner raised a brow.

"A girl," Ymir clarified. "Civilian. Fifteen, maybe. She was livestreaming the ruins. Calling us out."

"Ballsy," Somner muttered.

"She wasn’t wrong," Hermes added. "She said people shouldn’t be cheering for heroes during a war. They should be mourning. And it hit me... She doesn’t even know this is all staged. And she’s still terrified. Can you imagine if it were real?"

Aphrodite looked up from his drink. "What happened to her?"

"Eirwyn happened," Hermes said bitterly. "Smiled like a saint, then nearly broke her wrist when she tried to slap him."

A flicker of emotion—disgust, maybe—passed through Aphrodite’s eyes.

"We didn’t sign up for this to traumatize civilians," Ymir said. "It’s time."

"Right," Somner nodded, face turning serious. "Then let’s get ready for the fallout. I’ll prep the journalists. Aphrodite, you’re getting back into SHIFT’s terminals tonight."

Aphrodite nodded faintly. "Copy that."

Somner glanced at both of them. "And you two... Don’t slip up. If Eirwyn’s playing the long con, he’ll make his move before we do."

"We’re ready." Ymir said.

But they’re not ready for what comes next.

***

That night, the flames of the campfire cracked loud against the buzz of chatter. The Sixth Department was celebrating—relieved, loud, drunk. Voidling attacks had slowed to a trickle. Word had spread that Magnarok’s forces were falling back.

All according to plan.

Hermes sat at the edge of the crowd, food untouched. The smoke blurred his view, but he could still see how the others looked at Eirwyn—adoring, thankful, oblivious.

It made his skin crawl.

Someone raised a cup. "Speech! Speech! HR Manager Rewind, say something!"

Eirwyn stood modestly, hands raised. "Ah, please. I’m not one for speeches..."

"Too late!" someone shouted. "C’mon, golden boy!"

The campfire reflected off Eirwyn’s white and gold uniform as he stepped into the glow. Cameras from drones above zoomed in.

"It’s been an honor to fight alongside all of you," Eirwyn began, voice dipped in velvet. "Though I joined midway, I saw bravery unmatched. You all proved what unity among departments can do. And of course... none of this would have been possible without Manager Glace and his brilliant second-in-command."

Hermes felt his name stretch across the firelight like a noose. He watched Eirwyn smile toward him and Ymir.

"Their chemistry was... undeniable." Eirwyn said lightly. "Like one of those old couples that constantly fight but still stay with each other. One might even say... hot and cold."

Laughter rippled through the crowd. Hermes stiffened.

Eirwyn kept going.

"In fact, I heard through the grapevine that the two have become quite inseparable." He chuckled. "Same tent. Same shift schedules. The perfect pairing."

More laughter. Even some playful howls. Hermes could barely breathe.

"Now, now," Eirwyn added, eyes gleaming. "No shame in a little field romance. We all need comfort in war."

He raised his glass. "But enough about that. Let us focus on merrymaking, as we all did our part in this mission!"

The campfire blazed tall, reflecting off everyone’s cheeks in golden flickers. Laughter and shouting filled the air. Someone played a ukulele horribly. Others passed around half-burnt marshmallows like rare treasure.

This wasn’t the battlefield anymore. This was the release after the storm.

The party was loud, messy, and painfully human.

Someone had organized a makeshift drinking game involving a deck of damp cards and truth-or-dare rules. Elsewhere, heroes were arm wrestling, others were betting on who could do the longest handstand. A few of the mid-ranks from Ymir’s squad tried—and failed—to get him to join a round of "Two Truths and a Lie," but eventually succeeded when they replaced the "lie" with "secret ability speculation."

"Come on, Boss!" one hero cheered. "We need someone who’s actually interesting!"

"Just make sure no one records anything," Ymir warned, but the edge of his mouth tugged upward anyway.

Hermes watched the whole thing from a distance. Ymir was the center of their department—stoic, sharp, dependable. Even when he didn’t want to be, people gravitated toward him.

He was needed here. And Hermes might jeopardize his reputation by staying close to him.

"Excuse me."

Ymir made a move to rise, but Hermes raised a hand. "It’s fine. I just need to walk off the meat skewers."

Ymir hesitated, but nodded. The department had already corralled him into party games.

Hermes left, walking into the abandoned streets with his head down.

***

The alley was quiet. Half-collapsed walls stood like teeth in the dark, and a broken lamppost buzzed faintly above. Hermes sighed as he unzipped and leaned against a low wall, trying to drain out the frustration along with everything else.

Of course Eirwyn had to do that. In public. With subtlety sharp enough to make you bleed before you even realized.

Hermes closed his eyes. Breathed.

Then—footsteps.

He didn’t turn. "Hold on a minute. I’m... still not done. "

"I don’t mind." said a familiar, silky voice.

Hermes froze.

Eirwyn’s silhouette stepped into the alley, shadows wrapping around his pristine coat like it didn’t belong here at all. He also undid his belt and unzipped his pants, standing next to Hermes.

"Mind if I join you?"