The mech obliterated that instant after failing to launch its weapon. Both arms and legs fell to the ground head last. Those green glowing eyes of its turned dull and lifeless. At that moment the area had turned quiet and dark like the first time they arrived.
Shinobu sat down and sighed in relief. "Finally I never want to experience that again." Wiping the sweat off her forehead Shinobu closed her eyes embracing the comfort of victory.
"This must have taken ages to build look at the details on this thing." Douma walked around the mechanical corpse examining its parts. He couldn't help but feel a little guilty for destroying this creation.
We knew about this already. It is said that in the future as civilizations continue to grow and advance, new innovations will arise. Spectacular ones. I've seen a few of these even in space but to be able to fight off foes and be equipped with such artillery is fascinating. However if it falls in the wrong hands... Glancing at the paper work on the floor where there was once a desk before the battle, Douma thought about what this organization could be planning. What was the badger mech going to be used for? With that kind of combat skills it seems humans were preparing for something bigger. Douma had yet to find out what it is.
Getting up Shinobu leaned against the wall, still feeling dizzy from watching Douma spinning around in circles in midair.
"We have to keep going." Douma said he scanned the entire vicinity to see if there were any doors or hallways leading somewhere. There were stairs but they only led to a higher level of the room.
That's when he noticed a ventilation in the ceiling. Douma looked at Shinobu who met his gaze with a tired look. While he wished they could rest now wasn't the time, as a matter a fact there was nowhere for them to take a break in this place. Security was tight everywhere.
Douma carried Shinobu towards the ceiling and broke into the vent. The purple-haired girl screamed at the sudden movement she wasn't expecting the blonde to jump up like that.
~~~
"I hope there are no rats in here." Both Douma and Shinobu crawled through the vent passing by a few labs where operations were ongoing.
At some point they had to climb up to get to the next level and that was the tricky part because Shinobu couldn't reach the platform, so Douma lend her a hand and pulled her up. "Please don't tell me we're doing that again." She cried.
Suddenly a flashing red light started glowing and moving towards them seemingly getting closer. Douma and Shinobu looked up and saw a robot with metallic gums and teeth for a head approaching them.
"Intruder Detected." The loud sound of a siren echoed in the vents as Shinobu stiffened. Likewise, the robots couldn't see Douma only her.
"Taser Activated."
The small robotic creature charged at them with static forming along its teeth. Its red eye in the middle struck fear in Shinobu as the machine got closer. Douma pointed his fan in its direction. A golden glow similar to the slashes the weapons made on the badger mech appeared on the fan's center and pierced the robot like a laser beam.
"S-s-shutting d-d-down..." The robot exploded into pieces smoke engulfed the air for a while blocking the view behind them.
"It's alright Shinobu you're safe with me." Douma said he knew how terrified Shinobu must be. It takes a lot of bravery to overcome these fears. He just wanted to comfort her and let the violette know he was always there to protect her no matter the circumstances.
This feeling I know what it is, humans used to say it a few times, compassion and trust. Am I truly experiencing this because of a human? It can't be I would never give my trust to a human. Douma stared into Shinobu's violet eyes his heart pounding against his chest rapidly. What is this warm feeling? It's making me feel weak this can't be happening to me in front of a human I'm supposed to be strong.
"Douma you look worried is something wrong?"
That innocent tone in her voice made him feel bad. "It's nothing Shinobu I just want to make sure you're fine that's all."
"Oh that's really nice of you Douma."
"We shouldn't stay here for too long that robot might have a tracker or something."
Shinobu nodded and asked him another question which made him feel a pinch in his heart.
"Hey Douma I hope I'm not slowing you down." There was sadness in her voice Douma knew she meant it. No she wasn't he could take care of anything that tries to harm her without breaking a sweat. The opponents back there were peanuts compared to what he has faced, hopefully Shinobu would never have to encounter the horrors out there.
"Oh my dear Shinobu don't say that you're doing just fine." Douma reassured her with a smile and the same calm tone he always had. "This is the first and last time you're going to be dealing with some crazy machines. Remember they can't see me but that doesn't they can do anything to you, not on my watch."
Am I really comforting her right now? I don't have time for this we need to keep going.
"Douma you've changed, in a good way. You're no longer that arrogant thick-headed prick I first met." Shinobu said with a warm smile on her face.
"Really?" The blonde didn't know what to say if it's for the better that was a good thing. But was his hostility towards people giving them the wrong impression of him? He was just trying to help them it's not like he kicked them out of his shrine for going against him all this while he just remained patient despite how people treated him. There was never a time when he got aggressive he just didn't feel comfortable around their company.
However, he did notice something about the very thing that shaped who he was. The cold nature he once uphold had subsided. He was willing to give and take even though the decisions of some confused him he wasn't quick to judge anymore or make spiteful comments.
"You see Douma, nobody's perfect we all have our own flaws." Shinobu continued. "What makes you think you're excused from any abrupt decision just because you're the closest thing to perfect?"
"Why would I need to be worried? Angels are the closest creations to God we don't have any setbacks we're made to be what everything else aspires to be." Douma didn't get what Shinobu was trying to imply this was a fact. Everyone knows Angels are the purest of creations they don't indulge in any taboo or create a mess they stick to their principles and go about their lives in serenity.
"Let me give you an example, Archangel Gabriel needed God's approval before making any decisions to spread a particular message right?"
"Yeah what are you trying to say Shinobu?"
"So the details didn't just appear magically, he had to seek God's permission because there would be different outcomes to his choice of action."
Douma fanned himself waiting for what Shinobu was going to say next, this was getting interesting. "We're still the most perfect creation."
"Tch... never said you guys weren't I'm just trying to get you to understand why we contemplate ourselves sometimes and that's fine it's normal."
"Yeah yeah yeah I got it."