Time bled. Your senses returned in a slow, painful trickle. The first thing you registered was the throbbing agony in your ribs. The second was the sound of a voice, cool and taunting.

"...You'd be wasting your breath. This is the end. There is no escape."

You forced your eyes open, vision swimming. You were on the ground, propped against a cold, damp wall. Across the cavernous space, Noerde stood, her hip cocked to the side, a smirk plastered on her face as she looked down at Riyo.

Riyo was standing, but barely. Her jacket was torn, and she was breathing heavily. Yet, her posture was still deceptively relaxed. "...Okay," she said, her voice low.

Noerde continued, reveling in her victory. "Don't worry. When it's all over... all you Cleaners will be offered up together."

Your vision cleared enough to see Riyo’s hand moving, digging into the inner pocket of her jacket. Her gaze flickered away from Noerde for a split second, landing on you. Her eyes, usually bright with mischievous energy, were flat and cold. In that moment, a single, clear thought in her mind.... They're worth breaking the rules for.

A sharp, metallic click echoed in the chamber.

The gunshot was deafening. Noerde cried out, stumbling backward and collapsing to her back, clutching her right shoulder where a dark stain was already spreading across her uniform. Her face was a mask of pure, unadulterated shock.

"Why...? A weapon like that...?" she gasped, pain lacing her words.

Riyo ignored the question, the gun in her hand steady and unwavering. "Enjin says I'm not allowed to do it anymore," she stated, her voice devoid of its usual playful lilt. It was pragmatic, cold. "Kill people, I mean. That's why I tried so hard not to kill you during our fight. But you're just so tough, I couldn't help pulling this out."

She took a step forward. "Fortunately, no one can hear anything. And I wanted to finish up here." She said, her tone almost mocking, "'We have to protect our friends from our enemies.' Don't worry. The scissors are my only Vital Instrument. And I'm never going to stain them with blood again. I made that promise a long time ago."

Noerde stared up at her, confusion and pain warring on her features. "I thought the Cleaners were... 'clean'..."

A faint, humorless smile touched Riyo's lips. "I got it from my previous job. You're lucky I became a Cleaner. Otherwise, you'd be dead already." The smile vanished. "Now. Where are the others?"

Before Noerde could form a reply, a shift in your movement caught Riyo’s attention. Your eyes met hers. You were awake, watching her stand over the wounded vandal, a gun pointed at her head. Riyo’s expression didn't change, but the intensity in her eyes softened just a fraction when she saw you conscious.

She didn't wait for your questions. With a swift, precise motion, she pistol whipped Noerde, silencing her for good. She holstered the weapon inside her jacket and was at your side in an instant.

"Hey. Don't try to move too much," she said, her familiar, carefree tone returning, though it was strained. "Looks nasty, but you'll live. Let's get you up."

She helped you to your feet, your arm slung over her shoulders. As you moved, you came across the aftermath of another fight. Jabber, another of Zodel's vandals, lay unconscious on the ground in a heap after Riyo quickly shot him,. Leaning against the ground nearby was Zanka enjected with some kind of poison, bruised and battered.