C-Team: From Here To The Multiverse

They left the workshop and headed back to the penthouse. Haru wasted no time getting changed, and if someone had asked him how he felt, he'd say without hesitation: he had ascended beyond the term "man."

At least in his own imagination.

He strutted out of his room, now fully suited, where Azrael and Leonidas were waiting.

Leonidas grinned wide.

"Yeah, that's him — the next No.1," he said, dapping Haru up and pulling him into a side hug with a solid pat on the back. Haru smiled awkwardly, still adjusting to the praise.

"You do look good. Your father would be proud," Azrael added coolly.

Haru's smile wavered slightly as the smallest tear betrayed him and slipped free.

What if his father had been here to see this?

He could already imagine his mother's smile — glowing with pride.

"Hope I made you proud, Dad…" Haru whispered to himself, looking out over the Mivtzar's glowing horizon.

"Welp. Let's get going, guys," he said, turning to the others.

Even Azrael decided to come along — a rare occurrence in itself. He didn't like being asked twice.

It wasn't long before they were aboard their ship, slicing through the air toward their destination — the Departure Zone of the Mivtzar.

There were several Departure Zones spread across the city, but this one was the key hub — located right at the heart of the citadel, near the towering Watchtower.

As they flew past, Haru caught sight of Narkul in his office window, looking directly at him. The vulture-man raised a hand and gave a wave.

Haru smiled faintly as they touched down just outside the zone.

There were two distinct sections to the Departure Zone:

The first was a massive train station — larger than anything Haru had ever seen on Earth. Its sleek, curved architecture resembled the body of a spaceship more than a conventional terminal, and the size alone was overwhelming. Hundreds of glowing platforms stretched in every direction, some stacked vertically, others winding into shimmering tunnels that pulsed with energy.

Holographic displays floated in the air, showing destinations across different planets and systems, and crowds of travelers — human and alien alike — moved with purpose beneath the high, vaulted ceiling of translucent metal and glass.

The second section stood in stark contrast. It looked like a hybrid between a fortified military outpost and a modern office tower. Tall and angular, with clean steel lines and watchful turrets stationed subtly along its upper ledges, the building exuded authority. Guard patrols moved with precision along the outer walls, while diplomats and operatives in uniform passed in and out of reinforced doors.

If the train station was a gateway for civilians, then this was the staging ground for something more — a place where classified missions, high-level deployments, and Arknight operations were coordinated with deadly efficiency.

Together, the two structures formed the twin pillars of departure — one for the many, the other for the chosen.

"You see that office building, kid? You're going in there first to get your mission briefing and meet your partner."

"Wait—what?"

A partner?

"Yeah, sorry kid, forgot to mention. You've got a partner on this mission — she's pretty good from what I've heard, so you should be able to trust her to guide you."

"Say that again… a girl?"

"Yes, a girl. Now stop wasting time and get in there!"

Haru would've preferred a male partner, if he was being honest. He wasn't exactly the most confident around women — let alone on his first official mission.

"Have fun, I suppose," Azrael said, lazily waving him off as Haru gave a hesitant wave back.

He made his way toward the office building, suddenly not feeling quite as ready as he had a minute ago.

He looked up at the sign above the door:

Arknights HQ

"Welp… no going back now."

He stepped inside.

Azrael and Leonidas stayed outside, watching him disappear into the building.

"I know you're stressing, Azrael," Leonidas said with a soft chuckle. "But let's trust Haru — he'll be alright."

"Hmmm… we'll see." Azrael turned and padded back into the ship as Leonidas followed after, glancing back one last time with a faint smirk on his lips.

It was time for his nephew to be his own man now. And no matter how much he wanted to protect him… Leonidas knew it was in God's hands from here on out.

Haru walked through the lobby and approached the receptionist.

"Excuse me, what room am I supposed to be in?"

"To the right. Room B64."

He nodded, thanked her, and made his way to the elevator.

Better to be early than late, right?

The ride up felt short, but his heart was already starting to pick up speed. He reached the room and noticed the door was already open. Quietly, carefully, he stepped inside.

And then he froze.

Because he saw her.

She sat at the desk, alone, lost in thought.

Her hair was the first thing he noticed — long, flowing, and a deep violet-purple that shimmered as it caught the light. Two braids fell gracefully along her front, perfectly framing her face.

And that face—

It was the kind that didn't just turn heads. It stopped time.

Gorgeous didn't even begin to cover it. There was a softness to her — fair olive-toned skin, almond-shaped dark brown eyes behind thin gold-rimmed glasses, and a balance of beauty that was somehow cute, pretty, and stunning all at once.

Her lips looked impossibly soft. Her eyebrows were sharp and defined. She wore small gold earrings that matched the trim on her outfit — a fashionable yet military-styled black crop top with gold accents, paired with a matching black skirt, high boots, and a sleek belt with a golden buckle that pulled it all together.

Her look was bold — gothic nails, sharp fashion sense, total confidence — and yet… she made it seem natural. Effortless.

She looked like a superstar. And dressed like she knew it.

Then, she turned. Noticed him. Smiled.

A small smile — but it lit something up inside him.

She stood and walked over, only a few inches shorter than him. She carried herself like royalty with a hint of playful flair. As she approached, Haru caught her scent — a soft, expensive fragrance that instantly overwhelmed his senses.

Focus, Haru.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," she said, her voice smooth and confident. "My name is Celia Marisol, and you must be…"

She paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. Then she snapped her fingers with a grin.

"Haru Tadashima, right? Nice to meet you, partner."

She said it with a wink and a smirk — confident, charismatic, almost teasing.

That energy. That presence.

It hit him like a wave.

And then — it happened.

His eyes blinked gold.

Just for a moment… he saw it.

A vision.

The two of them. Standing together.

Fingers laced.

Hands held.

A future they hadn't yet lived… but maybe someday could.

The image faded, but the warmth stayed.

He smiled, softer than he expected.

"Yeah. Haru Tadashima. Nice to meet you too…

Celia Marisol."

Her head moved slightly to the side, she smiled again — a little warmer this time.

And then he saw it.

The number etched faintly on her hand.

78

His breath caught.

Partner?

No way.

This wasn't just a partner

This was the love of his life.