Emika was being held in a laboratory that was underneath the entire base. The only ones who knew the location were the Major Arcana, Regulus, his maids and a few homunculi who were tasked with experimenting on Emika.
Ever since they discovered that Emika did not possess the Magician [I] Arcana, they kept her under wraps, giving fake examinations and ensuring that she was in the highest of spirits.
It was all to break her spirits and kill her friends and allies in front of her. That was one way of doing it. If they were losing, Regulus was planning on killing her in front of their eyes, although, the latter scenario was less likely to happen.
Ultimately, she could have been killed a long time ago but Regulus is a sadistic maniac. He adores the idea of destroying hopes and dreams.
In the laboratory, Emika was held within a transparent box which stretched 15m in length and width. It was not too big but had enough space for her to move around.
The door to the laboratory opened. The orange-haired girl looked over and gave a vague smile.
"Nine,"
She called out to the person who entered.
A homunculus who was assigned to give Emika everything she needed to survive daily. The homunculus had grey hair and red eyes like the others. His assigned number was 299. Everyone would call him by his number, however, to simplify it, Emika would call him Nine.
The homunculus, Nine, nervously approached her with a plate of food and a glass of water.
He, among homunculi, is unique. Nine was born fairly recently compared to the rest. He was made when Ragnarok 'killed' Regulus. As they left, they had damaged Eden and problems in the cloning system occurred. Nine was born with innate human emotions. He's like an introvert, shy, quiet and wants to avoid people at all costs. Of course, as a homunculus, that is impossible.
"I, uh, have your food..."
"Thank you."
She said as he put her food through.
Emika hated everyone in the facility. Why would she not? She was kidnapped and treated like a lab rat. However, Nine treated her differently. Perhaps it was because he was an irregularity. She does feel more comfortable with him than the rest. Despite him being a homunculus, she could not fully hate Nine for his kindness. If not for him, she would be worse off.
"Say, Nine, what's going on?"
"N-nothing!"
The homunculus looked away from her, clearly suspicious.
"You can't say anything happened when there's ice—"
As she was talking, the frost in her room suddenly disappeared.
"What ice?"
He asked, relieved that it dissipated.
Emika slammed on the glass separating the two.
"Please, Nine! Tell me! If it's my friends, then I have to know!"
She wanted to be saved. Most of all, she wanted Shoya to save her. Emika had absolute faith that Shoya would come to her aid. The girl believed.
"Well..."
Nine thought it over.
He was told by the leading homunculus, 109, to not reveal information about the attack. But he did not want to leave Emika, someone who he considered a friend, in the dark.
He followed his emotions over orders, something that an ordinary homunculus would not do. Ever.
"We are being attacked by Ryoka Kamish and her team, it seems."
"Is Shoya there?! Is he?!"
"S-sorry, that's all I know."
He told her.
She continued to smile.
"It's fine. As long as I know they're here, then he must be here too..."
"..."
Nine's cheeks became red, all of a sudden.
"Who's this, 'Shoya?'"
The girl grinned at him.
"What's this, are you jealous?"
She teased him.
"A-as if!"
He was quick to defend himself.
"I'm just curious as to why you haven't given up. Usually, someone would have broken down at this point of experimentation."
"Part of that is thanks to you,"
Nine blushed. Emika continued.
"Shoya is a friend of mine but also someone I care about and love. Because I'm too shy, I can't confess to him. But, he's always there to rescue his friends and those who he cares about. I know he'll come for me."
"That's if he survives,"
Suddenly, Emika furrowed her brow.
"What do you mean?"
"The Major Arcana here are powerful. The most powerful are Miss Selena, Miss Luminous and Lady Zara. Apart from Father, Lady Zara and Miss Selena are tied for the strongest. The people rescuing you will most likely die before reaching you."
The girl sighed and smiled at the homunculus.
"Don't worry. Shoya or no one else will die. Trust me."
Nine smiled.
(If only I had that much faith in myself as you do in your friend, then, perhaps, I would be able to see the world...)
·———·
"Well, aren't we lucky? We got the lady."
Kaguya's team went through the jungle and they made it inside the base. When they entered the courtyard, they met a woman.
With a starry veil covering her face and her beautiful dress, one could mistake her for a bride. The woman held a book in her hand.
Daiyu equipped her jaguar shadow armour and Kaguya's Nuri cried out with flames.
"I apologise for pausing your conquest, however, I must ask you to—"
Before she could finish, her face exploded. It was sudden and without warning.
Calira used her Eye of Chaos to blow her head off.
"There's no need to waste time. Let's go and find where Emika is."
"You're worried, aren't you?"
Alix spoke to her.
They ran towards the next door they saw—
"Hold on,"
A large wall of light appeared in front of them, stopping them from proceeding.
"She survived that?"
Calira exclaimed, unsure what to do next.
The pages of the book in the woman's hand fluttered and it hummed a gentle song.
"This is the Hymn of Protection. It can protect me and stop you in your tracks."
"I guess we'll have to defeat her."
Kaguya suggested.
The whole team nodded and primed themselves for battle.
"I am Zara, a priestess. I shall cleanse your evil souls and offer you to the Wicked One."
Another aria played, however, this one was far more ominous than the ones that came before.
"Hymn of Destruction."
·———·
Back on the ship, Squad 5 were in the room where the Intelligence Squad were working.
"Kamish, ma'am, all three squads are in combat with an Arcana. At this rate, we'll be pushed back."
"Then, as soon as we go out, split up and send Squad 6 to back up each squad."
"Yes, ma'am."
The woman responded to Ryoka.
"I'm guessing we go to?"
Hysaka asked.
"No one has found out where Weissmann is though."
Aikura mentioned.
"Isn't it obvious where he'll be? You know, don't you, Kyoka?"
The principal faced the Student Council President.
"He'll be at the centre of everything."