Chapter Text
"Let's get started shall we?"
The man seated before Luna was none other than the Detective who had confronted her back in Mt. Eternal—Detective Jordan. But unlike his previous clean like appearance; his once slick back hair had grown ruffled and weary, a sharp jawline was covered with an unruly beard. Despite this appearance, she couldn't forget such a hostile gaze, a piercing golden glimmer that felt like they could see right through her.
And one thing's for certain as to why he was here. Luna knew very well, recalling Detective Jordan's heed;
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"Damien's last phone call was with you Lieutenant Luna. He was found in the same day you left Snowcrest," Jordan tilts his head, keeping his hostile gaze at Luna. Just as she expected, she was being suspected for Damien's death.
"Have anything to say about that?"
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Jordan reaches over towards her cheek, carefully pulling the tape from her lips. Luna doesn't dare utter a sound despite now being able to speak. She needed to tread carefully in order to stay alive.
'Is he here to kill me...?' Luna sweats, her lips lightly pursed.
"...I'm not here to kill you," Jordan sighs, going over to ruffle his hair back, "I didn't plan to take this far...but I had to make sure you wouldn't run away Lieutenant,"
"Didn't plan to take this far...? What makes you think I won't report any of this to your superior officers?" Luna narrows, but she's careful with her tone.
Jordan chuckles at this, leaning back against the chair, "Well that's too bad...they're 5 steps ahead of ya,"
Luna's brows furrow in confusion at this words. What exactly did he mean by that?
"I was fired because of ya. Got blacklisted, so I am unbale to get a job now, damn bastards," Jordan muses with a smirk, but clearly he was irritated by the whole ordeal. The had targeted his job, his career he had poured his blood, sweat & tears to achieve. He recalls the incident in Akso Hospital, the hooded figure who attempted to assassinate him. But since they had failed to kill Jordan...they were going to get rid of him one way or another.
Jordan had meddled in too far into this investigation, but he doesn't plan to stop. Even if his Detective career was now over, he was going to find out the truth.
Jordan is going to bring forth Justice no matter what.
"Because of me...?" Luna was in disbelief, unsure how to take in the detective's words, "I...don't understand...I'm—"
"—Judging by everything that's been happening..." Jordan once again reaches over towards his bag, pulling out an electric folder, from there, he opens it with a quick pin and brings forth a tablet, "...it seems like you're completely unaware of the things that are happening around you,"
Jordan places them before Luna so that she could see, onto the table he spreads out everything. They were photos...alongside some documents that harbored information she was not aware of. Luna's mind was completely overwhelmed by the sudden push of information, her eyes darting around the documents. Nothing was making any sense.
If the Detective wasn't here to kill her per say...then why was he here? And since she was handcuffed by these anti-Evol handcuffs...what exactly does he want from her?
Jordan seemingly smirks at this, as if he read her mind thoroughly.
"This is an interrogation Miss Hunter, so enough about me," He leans forward from his casual lean, his golden eyes gaze set sights on her wavering expression, "...who are you exactly? How come a person such as yourself seems so untouchable?"
Luna hadn't had the faintest idea as to why Jordan was asking such a vague question. Who was she? Who was she? That question has been on her mind for the past year ever since she was reincarnated into this crazy world! Not that it matters, Luna's biggest concern is leaving this damn hellhole of a plot; but it seems like everyone keeps meddling & disturbing her escape plan.
There were far too many unnecessary distractions, and when she could care any less...she eventually gets dragged farther down into the life of this ominous Lieutenant she had come to posses. Even when finding about this body's real identity, nothing good came out of it—she was a General of the Farspace Fleet for goodness sakes...and she was scared to finding out more.
Because she knew what lies behind that ḍ̵̡̡̙͕̮̩̂͜ͅǫ̸̨̛̺̳̝̰͉̣̞̳͎͈̬̯̪̥͈̾̑̂̔͂̊̇͊͌̓̓̄͐͒̄̍͝͠͝ͅo̶̧͔̺̼̠̻̻̫̻̬͙͚͔̤͋̀̓͐̌r̵̨̧̢̞̲̯̟̦͇̣͉̮̙̫͕͈̮̹͍̗̆̾̈́̈́͘ͅ....
Luna feels her anger starting to boil as she thought about this ridiculous situation she was in. Even if she knew the answer...Luna wasn't sure if he'll believe her. Much less spare her life.
'Regardless...telling the truth is far better than anything...' Luna grits, feeling her whole body pulse with exhaustion, '...I don't have anything to hide anyway...might as well be honest,'
"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you..." Luna murmurs, her eyes staring down at the voice recorder. Even when deep down she knew she did nothing wrong, Luna had to bare the consequences, "...so just get on with the arrest already,"
"And that is for me to decide, so don't go around making assumptions all on your own Lieutenant," Jordan remains poised, his words bringing Luna's attention back to him. The sun had begun to set, warmish colors of its vast light illuminates through the window of the condo. That bright glow paints across Detective Jordan's disheveled state, illuminating solely that sheer determination in his golden gaze.
"...so you're saying you'll believe in me?" Luna finds it hard to believe such statement, trying to read through his intentions. The detective who once was scowling at her was now claiming he would listen to her? It didn't make any sense. Did he have a change of heart?
Jordan seems to read the doubt in her eyes, once again peering back towards the documents he had presented before them. One by one, he reaches over to analyze.
"A quiet yet seemingly invisible life, joined the Hunter's Association in the year 2043. And for two years, Lieutenant Luna remained like a dead mouse...she didn't socialize with her peers, nor did she stand out from the crowd. It had almost seemed like she kept a low profile intentionally, living like a dead person..."
Luna remains quiet, unsure where this conversation was leading to. By that time, the fan hadn't yet arrived into Luna's body...but she had an idea how the original Luna had lived her life. It shouldn't come as a shock, especially after figuring out that the OG was once a General from the Farspace Fleet. Her reasons for leaving and becoming a Lieutenant at a Hunter's Association here in Linkon? She wasn't sure of the reason...not yet at the very least...
"Despite those efforts...in the recent months, she had become someone whom the public had grown to love. She became a hunter respected by many, she had shown inevitable kindness which she had not shown before," Jordan picks up the infamous Bogue magazine, shuffling through the colorful pages with a hum.
That golden gaze peeks back at Luna's expression, urging her tense.
"It's as if she became a different person,"
Luna could hear her own thumping heart ringing closely onto her ear, her muscles tensed as her hands become clammy with cold sweat. Despite her nerves, Luna was unable to look away from Jordan's keen gaze.
The detective leans forward once more, eyes unwavering and truthful, "So tell me this...Who exactly are you?"
A gaze that burns like the sun—light that fills the shadows of her dawning loneliness, it burns too brightly for her to hide. Behind the threshold of her fears, her mistakes, her failures...It had almost felt...as if she was being seen for who she truly is.
Again, she had found herself in a situation that she couldn't fathom, lost and unsure. She whom had always hid behind the shadows of this body, feeling vulnerable using this foreign skin that didn't belong to hers. And yet, she was trying her best to survive each and every day. Facing the animosity of the Male Leads, while trying to find her way back home.
She didn't belong here. This wasn't her world.
And this person had recognized this in such a short span of knowing her.
Years stuck inside the body of an Unknown NPC...she had to learn to adapt in order to save her own life. And now that she has taken a small step into returning to her real world, Luna was not going to hesitate any longer. She has nothing to lose.
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Captain Jordan is an excellent detective, known for his keen intuitions that often helped him solve his cases. For many years he has honed these skills, and has gotten sharper with each case he takes upon. Never once had he failed to solve a situation, thus he never once doubted his own skills.
And just like before, his intuition was telling him that there was something more than meets the eye about this Lieutenant. From that point, he had approached her this way despite how wrong it was, but Jordan wasn't going to take any chances of losing his one ticket of earning the truth. Jordan vowed to reveal the truth as an act of revenge for his comrades.
But out of all things...he had found himself opening the forbidden box of Pandora; the type of knowledge that seemed far from the truth. And yet—
—He knew that deep down this woman was telling the truth and nothing but the truth.
"This is insane..." Jordan huffs, reaching over to ruffle his unruly hair, keeping his gaze downwards as he contemplated. It was all too overwhelming, but it wasn't such a ridiculous idea. After all, they living a world where Wanderers had traveled through the deepspace...so it's possible for someone form another world to come here. But hearing this whole ordeal displayed right before him made feel quite stunned.
'To think that this world that I've lived in my entire life...is just a stupid game,' A hard pill to swallow to say the least. Imagine living your life to the fullest, studying and working to make a living...only to be told that it's just a fictional world created for entertainment. And to be told that he was and the rest of the world were nothing but nameless side characters, amidst and forgotten as the Protagonist takes the stage.
Jordan did not want to believe his life was all for naught, that underwhelming emotion taking over his fuzzy mind.
"I know it's sounds all ridiculous....! But you have to believe me...I..." Luna becomes tense, looking down at her feet and finding some sort of comfort, "...I...just want to go home,"
Jordan watches that uneasy look of hers. The picture he had once had in his mind of her...had become distorted upon this conversation. The picture that was illuminated back when Hawkeye had shown him in their meeting room...and to seeing her face to face in person. There was a change. She whose picture once seemed motionless like an empty void...now was filled with life. It was a major detail he had noticed.
That is how Detective Jordan had made his conclusion. How can someone change in a span of months? He had originally thought that maybe she had suffered from amnesia, but none of her past records demonstrate such accident. But now after she revealed him the truth...there was no denying her change.
A person from another world had gotten trapped into this world? It was starting to make sense now.
"I believe you...as ridiculous as that sounds," Jordan sighs, setting the magazine aside. He reaches over to stop the recording on the device, now standing up and walking past Luna to unlock her anti-Evol handcuffs. Luna stiffens upon her freedom, unsure what to really do. Everything seems to be going too smoothly for her comfort.
'Is he baiting me...?' She doubts, eyeing her surroundings carefully.
"I...don't get it...how can you believe me...?" Luna doubts, turning to look at the detective. He gathers the remainder of his stuff, in his hand he kept a folder of some sort. Jordan seems lost in his own thoughts, that golden gaze steady and unwavering. Unlike her anxious dusk eyes, his showed no sign of doubt.
"Detective's intuition...it's never wrong, " He hands the folder over towards her.
She's hesitant, but takes the folder with a puzzled look. There was something unnerving about this folder, as if all the weight was being applied towards this single object. It made her feel queasy.
"You can skim through it on our way," Jordan swings the bag over his shoulder, "Let's go,"
Now it was Luna's turn to look stunned, "Huh?"
"You said it yourself no?" He tosses over her phone that was lying around. Luna catches it without a blink, "You want to go home, to go back to your real world. I'll help ya with that,"
The feint glow of the sleeping sun had sets its warm light towards Jordan's, once again illuminating the sheer determination.
"In exchange, you'll help me uncover the truth,"
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Before heading to City of Athena, Luna had planned to visit Dr. Xeno one last time. The retired Professor had helped her for a bit in her endless research...at the very least she wanted to give him something in return for his generous help. Protection to say the least...especially upon discovering her unfortunate identify.
"A general huh...quite the troublesome background, "Jordan hums, keeping his steady hands on the wheel. They were currently on their way towards the edges of Linkon City to meet Dr. Xeno. He lets out an airy sigh, "....well now it makes sense as to why there is barely any information about her,"
Jordan had recognized that the Farspace Fleet were heavily responsible for the ominous background of the current Lieutenant Luna. Perhaps even the original Luna must have been the one behind that reasoning. But for the current soul that resides within...she had no idea nor did she value.
After all, this lost soul just wanted to go back to her real world.
"Every time I discover more and more of this body...the worse things get," Luna cringes, remembering just moments ago when she was being under pursuit in Skyhaven. If Caleb hadn't uttered her a word of aid, she would have fallen into the clutches of the Fleet. And from how this body stiffens at the mere sight of the personnel...she would rather not take the risks. Not now...not when she is close to going back home.
She was going to do whatever it takes to go back. She didn't belong here.
'I promised that I wouldn't involve myself with anyone in this world...and yet...' She peers towards her designated driver, the detective whom at first accused and despised her on their very first encounter. But now he was here, helping her with this unfortunate fate of hers, in exchange for the truth.
What truth did he mean exactly? Luna had a hunch...especially from his previous actions.
Jordan catches her gaze, and as if he read her mind he speaks; "You didn't kill Damien. Well that much I think it's true."
"The Fleet's keeping an eye on ya, which can only mean that they're responsible for the things that are happening around," He makes a left onto the outskirts, the mountain view of the edges of Linkon giving it a much more calming scenery compared to the busy city. Jordan continues, "There's evidence that points in their involvement, but it would be difficult to frame them due to their influence,"
Luna blinks, looking back towards her lap where she sees the folder. The same one that was handed over to her, "Then...this folder,"
"Yup, it's what I've gathered so far, but there is one more evidence that could help us finish this case once and for all," In a long awaiting silence, Jordan speaks, "Damien Cheng's memory chip from his phone,"
Damien Cheng was the final piece of this puzzle. Damien was the last person in contact with the Fleet, the ones responsible for his gruesome murder. Perhaps in his phone, there was solid evidence that could put the Farspace Fleet in a tight spot. But of course, things weren't quite in Jordan's favor...especially since the chip was currently in possession of the police. Since they haven't released any information about the said chip...only proved his further point of the corruption within the station. And the Farspace Fleet had something to do with it.
'Damien must have figured it out too...which is why he was killed...' Jordan peeks back at Luna, who was currently revising the articulating information drafted inside the folder he's given to her, 'Indeed...this woman is dangerous...'
But that is what made him approach her in the first place. A victim and possible puzzle piece to solve this revolting case. As cruel as he may have sounded, he was going to solve this case no matter what...even if it meant using this poor soul's unfortunate state.
'Guess I shouldn't feel too bad...I'll help her get back to her world and I'll solve and expose the truth....no strings attached, as simple as that,' Jordan muses, recognizing the dirt path road towards their designated location. In this rural area, various houses are separated in a great distance unlike the busy city.
Upon their arrival, both Luna and Jordan make their way into the hill....occasionally being greeted by the older folk that recognized her. A giddy group of older ladies soon gathered around them, most of them gushing over at Jordan's taller physique. Luna sweats, she had a bad feeling about this.
"Ah...Miss Luna who might this young man be? Is he your boyfriend~?" One of them perks, giggling behind her hand.
"No way! I saw her with Dr.Zayne the other time! Those two are definitely a thing!" Another intervenes, which almost makes Luna spit out from surprise. Out of all things, she never would has suspected to be suited along with one of the male leads; Zayne especially. Just what exactly did think her and Zayne were together?
Jordan raises a brow as a smirk makes its way onto his face, "Dr. Zayne? Didn't think you would be into younger guys—"
"—I'm not! I don't even know him that well...!" Luna quickly covers, coughing up her embarrassment.
But the older ladies don't seem to budge.
"Nonsense! Dr. Zayne talks about you a lo, Miss! I could see it from his eyes!" The other lady perks, pointing at her eyes as she gushes, "Something is definitely happening between the two of you! So don't try to deny it~"
As much as Luna denies her relationship with Zayne, the older ladies continue to persist this idea. Naturally so they were heated & fussing about a young couple, after all, there was not much happening in this lonesome town. So a bit of hinted romance between the youth sparked their usually boring life. In this case, Luna and Zayne were the victims.
And if word of this gets to Zayne...Luna can only imagine what sort of face he would make and she did not want to further disturb his respectful life he's worked so hard for. Especially when his heart solely belonged to one woman.
Luna tries to defend her honor once more, hoping to push away their image, "Look...Mr. Zayne is a respectable man but I do not think—"
"—That's right. Because the one she's dating isn't the doctor but me,"
On cue, she feels a hand gently guide itself onto her back. Luna turns at this, only to be meet with Jordan's smile. The ladies all squeal at Jordan's bold approach, gushing and blushing at his confession. Luna was going to speak but Jordan quickly reads her mind.
"...they won't take no for an answer so just play along," He whispers carefully, now going over to wrap his fingers onto hers with a firm grasp. At this, he turns their joint hands over to kiss her palm gently, in which the older ladies squeal even more.
"If you don't mind ladies, we have an appointed visit with Dr. Xeno so we should be on our way~" Jordan quickly changes the flow of the conversation, quick to catch their attention just like that.
"Oh of course!"
"Yes! We shouldn't bother you young folks any more!"
"Take care~"
And with that, the two found themselves on their way towards the house on top of the hill. if Jordan hadn't stepped in to intervene, they would have been stuck in their endless chattering until who knows. Detective's sure are impressive.
"Sorry about that," Jordan turns to face Luna, "But if we didn't indulge them we would be there forever,"
"Quick thinking Detective," Luna throws a thumbs up of approval, which makes Jordan cringe.
"Ex Detective, just call me by my name," He clarifies, after all, he was backlisted from ever becoming one. At this rate, he's like a criminal that was on the run until they get their hands on him. But Jordan wasn't going to let things be, he was going to solve this case, expose the truth and get his job back.
At the ding of the bell. both Jordan and Luna enter the old shop.
"Dr. Xeno?"
The familiar old man emerges from within the book aisles, his eyes perking up when he recognized Luna. He quickly waddles towards her with a bright smile.
"Ah! Lieutenant! It's nice to see you stop by!" Dr. Xeno beams, but he stops when he peers at the other who came with the Hunter, "...you must be?"
"Jordan," Jordan reaches out for a handshake, "Heard you were helping Miss Transmigration over here with her situation,"
Dr. Xeno gasps, "So you know too?"
Luna takes a step forward, her face intertwined with guilt, "I know this is a sudden visit but there are a couple of things I need to talk to you,"
Dr. Xeno recognizes that guilty and anxious look all to well. His mind flashes ever slightly as he sees a familiar face overshadowing Luna. This was an all to familiar scenario he had faced before in the past.
With knowing smile, he nods at Luna.
"I should make us some tea then,"
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Sheen deep red shoes echo within the depths of the Onychinus's many great halls...its darker hue aligning alongside the interior design of this meticulous base. It perfectly matches the tone of the oh infamous leader. Shadows that loom within its corners appear before him, two pair of peculiar twins bow towards the man with infinite respect.
"Congratulations on your successful hunt Boss Man!"
"As expected of you Boss Man!"
The two are in sync with their devoted compliments, which earn them both a hefty chuckle of their superior. Those red eyes of his gleam over them with slight amusement.
"Nothing to report I assume? Those restless vermin have been itching for a taste," He muses with a knowing look, eyeing the spotless base. There has been an increase of vexing activity from outside forces. Nothing unusual...but nonetheless it was annoying at how persistent they were.
"We've cleaned them right up!"
"They couldn't even step a foot here Boss Man!"
"Good," He smirks, once again continuing his walk down until he makes his way into his office. As much as he would like to enjoy a fair meal, there was still some unfinished work to be done. He gathers himself over towards the marbled desk, his eyes quickly catching glimpse of a familiar looking magazine.
He had momentarily forgotten that he'd placed it there.
Once he places his eyes on her face, he remembers her again. His mind lingers back towards her, the last time he had made contact with her, their plan to head to City of Athena.
"I uh...sorry. I just had a lot on my mind,"
To him, she always seemed to be walking on eggshells, always bearing that anxious face, wavering eyes...like a trembling mouse. It was honestly amusing to him, especially when she's always trying to get on his good side. Sylus doesn't notice the soft chuckle emitting from his throat, stifling and soft as he thought about their previous interactions. Has she always been this entertaining?
The twins who stood by could only tilt their head at their boss's bizarre action. They whisper among themselves with a curious tone;
"Is it me or is Boss Man super giddy today??"
"Looks like something good happened..."
'She should be back in Linkon by now,' Sylus reaches over to his many phones, his main contact that he strictly uses for his personal business. As promised, he was going to send further information about their incoming plan to travel to the City of Athena. He was planning to send Mephisto to her, but he was busy attending some other matters.
Besides...it's better to tell her the plans himself.
As soon as he unlocks the phone, his eyes quickly catch hold of the notification.
'Hm? Lt. called?' Lieutenant Luna wasn't the type of call Sylus, even if she was in a dire situation...he knew very well that Luna wouldn't dare call him. Especially under the terms of their contract, he had made it clear that only he can reach out to her.
His interest was indeed piqued.
He clicks, and on cue the voice mail that was sent began to play Luna's message out loud;
A beep can be heard from her condo door unlocking.
Her anxious tone sets in, "Mister Sylus I—"
But it was quickly cut off by another voice "—Keep it down if you want to stay alive,"
It was soon followed by sharp breathing and a click of a gun. The voice message ends there.
There was a long silence following within the office, Sylus reaches out to play the voice message again.
"Mister Sylus I—"
"—Keep it down if you want to stay alive,"
It ends just like that.
His slender fingers begin to tap against his head, a sync rhythm as he continues to replay the voice message over and over again. His face remains unshaken, a bit hard to read. But it was clear that he was deep in thought. After a long period of silence, the tension is cut through when his lips seal upwards in a knowing smirk.
"Looks like our dear Lt. has gotten herself kidnapped..."
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Thank you for reading!!