Time passed slowly. Ten minutes felt like an hour as Ariadne waited, her mind racing through possibilities and fears. What if Alexandra was already resurrected? What if she was coming for revenge right now?
Another pop announced their return.
Ariadne knew from Winky's expression that the news was bad, but she asked anyway. "So?"
Arthur's face was unreadable. "The building is completely destroyed—nothing but rubble. But when I cleared the rubble… Alexandra's body wasn't there. Someone took her."
Ariadne felt her stomach drop. "So she'll be resurrected? I'll have to face her again?"
"Yes," Arthur confirmed. "But not immediately. The resurrection isn't perfect. There are side effects. She'll need time to recover. You have a window before she comes for revenge."
Ariadne's jaw set with determination. "Then I'll use that time to become stronger. Next time, I'll kill her properly. On my own."
Arthur studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Good mindset. Now—let me see your fight. I want to assess how much you've actually improved."
Ariadne blinked. "You can... see my fight?"
"Memory extraction. Simple Legilimency." Arthur pulled his wand. "Just think of the memory clearly. Winky, bring the Pensieve."
Winky disappeared and returned moments later levitating an ornate stone basin.
"This might feel strange," Arthur warned, touching his wand to Ariadne's temple. "Just relax."
A silvery strand of memory emerged, which Arthur deposited into the Pensieve. The surface shimmered, showing swirling images of the night's events.
"Come on," Arthur said, gesturing to the basin. "Let's watch."
They both leaned forward, and the world dissolved.
—
The memory was vivid, crystal clear from Ariadne's perspective. Arthur watched silently as events unfolded—the infiltration, the systematic elimination of guards, the brutal efficiency of her improved technique.
When the enhanced soldiers appeared, Arthur nodded approvingly. "Much better than your first encounter with them. You've learned to read attack patterns, exploit openings. Good."
The wizard confrontation made him frown. "They coordinated well. You had no answer for their ranged attacks. That's a weakness you'll need to address."
Ariadne felt heat rise to her cheeks as she watched herself struggle, barely staying ahead of spell fire.
Then Winky appeared, and Arthur actually laughed. "The Pan Elf. I had no idea Winky was famous. Maybe I will call Winky that from now on."
Next, his expression turned serious. He watched in silence as Ariadne was systematically dismantled by Alexandra, outmatched at every turn despite her best efforts.
They watched Ariadne's desperate final gambit—the all-or-nothing attack that should have failed.
Arthur's eyes narrowed as Alexandra froze mid-dodge for that crucial split-second. "Well-timed."
The memory ended with Ariadne's collapse.
They emerged from the Pensieve back into the healing room. Ariadne felt thoroughly embarrassed—watching herself struggle, make mistakes, nearly die. Having Arthur point out every flaw made it worse.
"You've improved significantly," Arthur said finally. "Your technique is refined, your chi usage more efficient than I expected. Against most opponents, you'd win decisively." He paused. "But if you want to face the other Hand Fingers, you need more training. A lot more."
Ariadne nodded. "I know. I won't stop training."
Arthur settled back into his chair, his expression contemplative. "So what are your plans now? Return to K'un-Lun for more intensive training? Stay in London? What's next for Ariadne Anderson?"
Ariadne met his gaze directly. "No. I plan to stay. What I need to do now is act."
"Act how?"
"With Alexandra and the Hand's top European leadership gone, there's going to be chaos in the underworld," Ariadne said, her voice growing stronger with conviction. "Gang wars. Power struggles. Innocent people caught in the crossfire. It's the perfect time for me to do something about it."
Arthur's expression became skeptical. "What's your plan?"
"I'm going to take over," Ariadne said simply. "Control the European underworld. Change how things work."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "You? The lone wolf who barely speaks to anyone? You're going to run an empire?" He leaned forward. "Do you have any experience? Do you understand what's required to control something that massive? And what will you do—the underworld runs on crime. Do you plan to just become them?"
Ariadne didn't flinch under his scrutiny. "I've been monitoring and investigating the underworld for years while hunting the Hand. I know how they operate."
"Knowing how something works and actually controlling it are very different things," Arthur pointed out.
"I know that too," Ariadne said. "The underworld exists for many reasons—some good, some bad. I think it needs to exist. It's the only way people can do certain things that are good for society but against government or corporate interests."
Arthur's eyebrow rose. "Go on."
"My plan is to remove all the truly harmful elements—drug smuggling, human trafficking, anything that preys on the vulnerable. Focus instead on things that serve a purpose: underground trade networks, security services, information brokering. Create something that's still criminal by law but not evil in practice."
Arthur was quiet for a long moment. "That's a remarkably ambitious goal. Reminds me of your quest against the Hand—impossible, idealistic, and likely to get you killed." He paused. "But I can see you've thought about it seriously. You'll have a tough road ahead. It might take years. A decade, even."
"I know."
"But I wish you all the best," Arthur said with surprising sincerity. "You're attempting something I never could imagine myself doing."
Ariadne smiled slightly. "Thank you."
Arthur stood. "Wait here. I have something that might help you."
He left the room. An hour passed before Arthur returned carrying a thick file.
He handed it to her. "Open it."
Ariadne did, her eyes widening as she scanned the contents. Pages of detailed information—people, groups, strategies, contacts.
"What is this?" she breathed.
"A starting kit," he said. "People who, if you can win them over, will make your task ten times easier. Then ideas. Strategies. Loopholes."
Ariadne looked up, confused. "Why are you talking like you're going somewhere?"
Arthur met her gaze. "Because I am. I'm moving to the United States. New York, specifically."
"What?" Ariadne's breath caught. "That's... sudden. Why?"
"Phoenix Group is opening a major branch there. And I need to be there to manage a few things." Arthur's tone was matter-of-fact. "The future is in America for the next several years. Daniel will handle Europe. I'll be in the States."
"But..." Ariadne said. "You're just leaving? And I wanted you to witness me doing this impossible task."
Arthur smiled faintly. "You're talking to a man who can cross galaxies in a thought. I'll be busier in the States, yes, but I can drop by occasionally to see whatever progress you want to show me."
"It won't be the same," Ariadne said quietly.
"Maybe. Maybe not." Arthur studied her. "Are you sure you don't want to return to K'un-Lun for more training? You don't really need to worry about the chaotic underworld. If you want, I can do another cleanup operation—eliminate the worst elements, impose temporary order."
"No," Ariadne said firmly. "I need this. My life can't just be about revenge anymore. I can feel that this is my purpose. I'm going to become the underworld queen." She paused. "And I can train at home. Will Winky be free to take me to K'un-Lun when I use up my chi during practice?"
Arthur turned to Winky, who nodded enthusiastically. "Winky can do that! Master Arthur does not need Winky's help as much anymore. Winky has time."
"That solves that problem then," Arthur said. He looked at Ariadne with something almost like pride. "I genuinely hope you can finish your plan. Accomplish something I never even dreamed of doing."
Ariadne nodded. "I will. And Arthur..." She hesitated. "Thank you. For everything. I don't think I've ever properly said it. I don't know if I can ever repay you for everything you've done."
"Don't talk like you're leaving already," he said, turning toward the door. "You've got days of rest ahead of you. And I've still got things to finish here."
She smiled—a tired, grateful thing. "Happy New Year, Arthur."
"Happy New Year, Ariadne," he said over his shoulder. "This century's going to be exciting. I wish you all the best."
—
Later that night, Arthur stood in his private study, looking around at the familiar space with unexpected nostalgia.
He was moving. Leaving Britain. Relocating to New York.
It was always meant to be, really. If MIT had accepted him all those years ago, he'd already be established in America. But circumstances had kept him in Britain—building Phoenix Group, dealing with villains, training, preparing.
Now it was time. The pieces were in motion. The future was approaching faster than ever.
He needed to establish himself in New York, make it his home base, position himself for everything that was coming.
Arthur felt a thrill of anticipation. After years of preparation, things were finally beginning.
But first, he had a few loose ends to tie up in Britain. Final arrangements.
He opened a drawer and pulled out a list—tasks to complete before departing.
Time to get to work.
The 21st century awaited.
And Arthur Hayes was ready to shape it.