After our conversation we walked towards the now dented elevator,however one thing kept running through my mind as we waited for the elevator to reach the lobby floor.
'I'm so screwed. Can I even talk my way out of this? Nope, sophie is gonna burn me alive, and who could blame her im bringing home two stangers shes never even seen before.' A feeling of dread washed over me as I kept trying to remind myself that sophie wasnt that cold-blooded or was she...
With a shudder i decided to place my attention elsewhere, risking a glance towards gwen, the seemingly innocent commander looked as giddy as a young girl being taken to her first dance without a single care in the world.
'Little does she know she just signed her subordinates death warrant, all because I ran off for a day or two!' I thought to myself bitterly.
As the elevator came to a stop the heavy steel doors opened with a slight groan after having my body slam into it with the force of decent sized projectile. After a bit of struggle they opened up to the familiar first floor of the intimidating building.
Scanning the dull looking lobby I quickly spotted olivia waiting patiently in a small chair surrounded by either concerned citizens hoping to speak with city officials or employees trying to sneak a break by quickly resting on the plush chairs.
The poor girl looked even more dreadful after having to endure that short wait, her previously breath taking hair seemed to have a lost some of its previos luster appearing to be a dull red instead of the shining ruby color it was before, and her eyes hinted that she had all but given up on her own survival.
'That's not a good sign..if she isn't replenished soon she may attack an innocent bystander if she lacks proper self control.' I concluded after seeing her poor state of health. After coming to a decision on what to do I turned to the commander.
"Hey gwen I have a question, do you by chance have any life essence stored in this facility?" I asked tentatively, trying to make my question sound more out of curiosity than a burning need for it.
She gave me an incredulous look before replying "yes I belive we do but you should be fine still after the last batch, shouldn't you, dear brother?"
"I've uh..felt a bit weaker since my return and thought a quick boost would be of help." I responded quickly to not give any notion of an ulterior motive. She may give off the air of a ditz or child with her unpredictable attitude, but no person can rise to where she is by sheer strength alone.
"I mean if you say so... let's go get you a couple of vials then." Her suspicion and doubt still evident on her small doll like face making it clear she knew I had a different reason for asking, but she didn't ask any further questions.
I couldn't blame her for being so suspicious considering I accept the bare minimum of essence I am owed in contrast to my contributions. Even then I never actually use it myself but instead give it to sophie since her body actually required the valuable liquid.
Turning to the right we walked past the large front counter that had more than a dozen employees sitting across the span of it, all answering phones and complaints at a break neck pace.
'It's honestly impressive, I may be a people person but I think I'd lose my mind trying to juggle all that they are doing.' I thought with a respectful smile directed at the employees.
Continuing forward we moved swiftly down the corridor infront of us, upon entering my eyes seemed to be having a trick played on them. The plain stone gray walls gave the impression that I wasn't even making progress to reach the end of the hall as if I wasn't even moving forward. Almost as though it was an infinite loop.
'Huh that would be an ironic yet shitty way to go wouldn't it?' I thought as a chuckle escaped my lips. Laughing at my own personal situation.
Quickly noticing gwen's confused look at my sudden laugher, I coughed and said "sorry it just seems like we are walking down a tunnel without end and it had me thinking is all." I smiled at her innocently.
Looking at me with a humorless smile, " Ah yes I suppose it would seem that way to you wouldn't it..? You've never had a need to visit the city's vault until today, nor do i imagine you visiting again any time soon. However don't worry we will be there in a couple seconds."
True to her word we stopped just a moment later standing in front of the same dull and lifeless wall. I kept staring at the wall expecting it to melt away or reveal a handle, but no such thing ever came.
'Well either she's fucking with me by having me stand here, or there is something I don't see.' Thinking that it was a prank I turned to keep walking forward when I heard the sound of heavy stone giving way, making me gasp audibly. After looking down I saw that the switch was under her heel which made my expression go from wonder to disappointment.
The look on my face must have prompted her to give an explanation and with a small grin she said " it's just a hidden door, I'm sure you've seen more than a couple in your travels have you not across the eastern territories?"
Not missing the teasing tone her voice I replied "Yeah I have but those were you know..fucking doors not a gray wall I've been staring at for what felt like the last five minutes." My deadpan expression making it clear I didn't care for any more mocking insults or quips.
Not even giving me a response just a teasing grin, we moved inside the small door that had suddenly appeared and what was on the other side genuinely made me feel short of breath. The small doorway had opened up into a massive stone cavern, with shelves lining every inch of its stone walls but that wasn't what shocked me.
The countless vials of life essence were what shocked me, they were in every visible corner of the large room. You could tell by the glow they gave off that someone had meticulously arranged them in an order that corresponded with their purity.
While looking around the vast cavern that was filled to the brim with a stockpile that would make any demon-kin or acsended drool i noticed something i never expected to see outside my home or the battlefield.
In the center on a small granite pedestal sat an armor that seemed to absorb even light when reflected off its dark obsidian surface. Its craftsmanship ship so exquisite that even from a distance you could see the inner runes lining it. The armor wasn't gaudy or overly large by any means, just from a cursory glance anyone could see it was meant for a warrior who favored quick and effective movements without compromising their mobility.
Losing a bit of control I let my aura seep out, a deathly chill bloomed around me. The intent of it heavy and overbearing it was such a palpable pressure it could collapse any mundane human unlike the pressure I had exerted on the old slave trader.
Gwen turned around after feeling the cold chill assault her fair skin asking with a clear and authoritative voice. "I don't know why you've release your aura ranika however withdraw it this instant, before you give me a cold."
Snapping back to my senses after hearing her voice I quickly regained myself and dissipated my aura. However my voice remained cold as ice as i asked. "Commander gwenavere, forgive my sudden outburst but where did the military aquire that armor?"
"Is that what got you suddenly worked up? It was retrieved from a small apartment after a few tips came through that someone was hoarding illegal artifacts and texts. So we brought it here to study the runes that line its interior hoping to maybe translate them that's all." She replied confused, not understanding my sudden outburst nor the clear rage I was trying to suppress.
"Look we can't be here long you still owe me dinner and our time is already running short you can question me about it later, i promise to explain everythingthat happened regarding the armor in due time." She said while grabbing four vials that gave off a subtle blue light indicating they came from a lesser creature.
"Very well....I apologize again for my actions lets..be on our way then." I said my voice strained by me gritting my own teeth.
'Why! Why is my midnight armor in the hands of these fucking idiots and who would dare rat me out to the authorities to begin with?' I thought to myself with barely suppressed anger.
The questions kept piling up in my mind one by one, but with no way to satiate my curiosity at the moment I relectuntaly followed gwen back out into the lifeless hall.
The trip back took roughly the same amount of time while walking gwen handed me the vials before arriving at the end of the illusory hallway.
Gwen paused shortly after exiting and then said "I'll be back in a moment I need to go sign out at the front desk and report when I'll return."
Not giving me a chance to respond she swiftly turned her heels and walked off towards the busy employees, her small frame being obscured by the mass of people in the lobby.
With a mental sigh i tucked two of the vials in my shirt pocket then quickly ran over to the fragile looking olivia upon reaching her i was able to see that the effects of her deterioration were even more evident up close. After getting her attention I handed her the remaining two vials.
"Quickly, drink these before that demoness returns okay?" I said with a light tone while periodically glancing over my shoulder. With a quick nod she popped the cap on both vials and downed their contents with record speed.
Like watching a crimson river suddenly flow, her hair came to life its dull sheen quickly replaced by a beautiful and vivid ruby red, her emerald eye shown with a brilliance that could have matched even the sun back before the smog of war clouded the atmosphere. It was a strange transformation to see in person as most pure blooded demon-kin never reach such a dire state as they either die before hand or lose their ability to think straight.
'Just what other capabilities could she posses if she was able to resist the withering this long?' I pondered
Her body had small changes too it as well even if they were less pronounced they were still noticeable, her grayish skin quickly changed into a smooth alabaster color as if carved from a beautiful piece of stone and her gaunt figure dissipated, revealing a healthy looking young women. Looking at her now you'd never even believe she was a slave.
She coughed loudly as her lungs regained their former strength then she looked up at me and said with a grateful voice "Th-thank you sir...I'm sure those weren't easy to get especially for someone of my uhm..social standing."
Wearing a confused frown I scoffed,"I paid for you didn't I? Of course I'm going to keep you in good health us demon-kin have to stick together you know?"
Sensing arcs of electricity move up my arms and legs that seemed to appear out of nowhere I tensed,suddenly afraid to turn around when a voice filled with ice cold sarcasm and a hint of betrayal spat, "so you weren't feeling "weak" you just wanted to impress some young girl by gifting her life essence huh? Bold of you too lie to my face dear little brother...."
'Well at least it's not sophie killing me ..'