章 244: Nos. 5 & 4, The Witch and The Sword II

The barrier to Sector 3 crackled and glowed, resisting her touch for a moment before dissolving into harmless sparks. She then lowered her hand and turned to John.

"She kept it separate because it mattered to her the most. Mother is a very paranoid woman, you know?

If there's anyone who can relate to the reason for her paranoia, then it would be us."

John studied his younger sister for a moment, then glanced down at the sword strapped to his waist.

"You're right. If anyone should take it on, it should be us."

They moved deeper into the archives, passing rows upon rows of data records as Olivia dismantled layers of deadly defences with a simple flick or tap.

For a while, silence reigned supreme.

Finally reaching the entrance to the next, John broke the silence, his tone contemplative.

"Do you ever wonder...what she would have done, once she'd completed this goal? I mean, for someone like her, was there ever an 'after'?"