Chapter 218: Decisions in the Decisions
The training floor had mostly cleared out, leaving only Fugai and Ranke as they paced in circles near the sparring dummies. Fugai crossed her arms, her light brown hair swaying in its high bun. Her violet eyes darted to Ranke, who leaned casually against a bench, her arms draped lazily over the backrest.
"Well, someone's got to do it," Fugai muttered, breaking the silence. "The next temple won't explore itself. And Haido did order us to get closer to Malik. So… who's it going to be?"
Ranke let out a dramatic sigh, flipping a lock of blonde frilled hair over her shoulder. Her workout gear—tight black leggings and a cropped purple tank top—clung to her as she lounged with a careless ease. "Don't look at me like I'm volunteering. That little squirt is Kamira's project, not mine."
Fugai's brow furrowed, her hands moving to her hips. "He's not a project, Ranke. He's a mission. And we don't have the luxury of being picky about who handles what."
Ranke raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh, please. Don't act like you're dying to go with him either. You've barely said two words to the guy."
"And you've said, what, five?" Fugai shot back, rolling her eyes. "All I know is I'm not about to let Kamira hog all the fun—or the intel."
Ranke snorted, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in her light-violet eyes. "Be honest, Fugai. What do you really think of Malik?"
Fugai paused, her expression tightening. "He's... different. For a so-called strategist, he's a lot more personable than I expected. Always smiling, always charming, but there's something calculating about him too. He's good at reading people."
Ranke tilted her head. "That's just a nice way of saying he's manipulative."
"Maybe," Fugai admitted, shrugging. "But I don't think it's malicious. He's not like Haido—using people as tools without a second thought. I get the feeling he actually cares."
Ranke crossed her legs, her smirk softening into something more thoughtful. "Yeah, I got that vibe too. But caring doesn't mean he's not dangerous. That man's got a silver tongue, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's playing us just as much as we're playing him."
Before Fugai could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed from the shadows. Both women turned to see Kamira strolling toward them, her face lit with a knowing smirk.
"Well, well," Kamira said, her voice dripping with amusement. "Eavesdropping is such an underrated skill, wouldn't you agree?"
Ranke groaned, leaning back against the bench. "What do you want, Kamira? Come to brag about your 'dessert' again?"
Kamira chuckled, crossing her arms over her chest. Her turquoise workout gear clung to her figure, and her reddish eyes sparkled with mischief. "Not this time. I just thought you might want some... guidance."
Fugai raised an eyebrow. "Guidance? From you?"
Kamira shrugged. "Let's face it—you two don't know Malik like I do. Besides being short, chubby, and charming as hell, there's a lot more to him than meets the eye."
Ranke sighed dramatically. "Enlighten us, oh wise Kamira."
Ignoring the sarcasm, Kamira leaned against a nearby wall. "Malik isn't like most men we've dealt with. He doesn't try to dominate or control. He's patient, observant, and—most importantly—he listens. If you actually want to get close to him, you can't just throw yourself at him and expect results."
Ranke snorted. "Please. When it comes to seduction, I've got that part covered. Lust, sex—easy. But anything deeper? Yeah, that's not really my style."
Fugai nodded, her tone more subdued. "Same. I've always used force, intimidation. The idea of actually... connecting with someone feels like a waste of time."
Kamira smirked. "That's your problem right there. Malik isn't the type to fall for surface-level tricks. You need to find that sweet spot—where your real selves meet his."
Ranke rolled her eyes. "And you're an expert now because of one night?"
Kamira's smirk faltered, her expression growing more serious. "I'm not claiming to be an expert. But I've spent more time with him than either of you, and I'm telling you—it's not about playing a role. It's about being real."
Ranke let out a dry laugh. "Real? That's rich coming from someone who's clearly falling for him."
"I'm not in love with him," Kamira snapped, though her tone lacked its usual bite. She hesitated, glancing away. "But I do like him. No point in hiding that."
Fugai and Ranke exchanged skeptical looks. Fugai crossed her arms, her violet eyes narrowing. "Falling for him isn't part of the mission, Kamira. You know that."
Kamira sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "I'm not in love with him," she repeated firmly. "But... he's growing on me. More than I expected."
The tension in the room thickened as Fugai and Ranke stared at her, their expressions a mix of disbelief and caution. Finally, Fugai shook her head, muttering something under her breath before turning away.
"Come on," she said to Ranke. "Let's leave her to figure out her feelings. We still need to decide who's going with Malik next."
Ranke pushed off the bench, stretching her arms above her head. "Fine. But don't think for a second I'm volunteering. If you want to babysit the strategist, be my guest."
As the two women walked away, Kamira stayed behind, leaning against the wall with a contemplative look on her face. She replayed the conversation in her head, her thoughts drifting back to Malik. She wasn't in love with him—at least, that's what she kept telling herself. But as she traced the memories of their time together, a small, conflicted smile crept onto her lips.
In the distance, Fugai and Ranke continued their debate, their voices fading into the background. Kamira closed her eyes, exhaling slowly as she tried to sort through the emotions swirling in her chest.
"Not in love," she thought again. "Just... interested. That's all."
But even as she tried to convince herself, she couldn't ignore the warmth spreading through her at the thought of Malik's smile, his touch, and the way he had made her feel—like more than just a weapon.
==
Malik stood in Haido's study, a lavish room filled with books, scrolls, and ancient artifacts meticulously displayed in ornate cases. The room's cold metal accents and marble floors reflected the fortress's austere yet grand design. Haido sat behind a wide desk of polished black stone, his fingers steepled as he listened intently to Malik's explanation.
"The second temple is located near the ocean, somewhere in the Land of Wind," Malik began, gesturing to the large map unrolled across the desk. "The challenge isn't finding the region—it's pinpointing the exact location. Like the first temple, it's hidden and protected by layers of natural barriers and ancient mechanisms."
Haido nodded, his green eyes glinting behind his monocle. "And you're certain the temple will require one of my knights to enter for the Gelel stone to imprint?"
"Absolutely," Malik replied. "The temple's energy recognizes the stone's bearer, linking the map piece to them. Without that connection, we can't complete the puzzle to locate the true Vein of Gelel."
Haido leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "And the second piece of the map?"
"It will activate only when the stone makes contact with the altar, just like the first temple," Malik explained. "We'll have it in hand soon enough."
Haido studied Malik for a moment, his lips curling into a faint, calculated smile. "Excellent. You've proven yourself useful, Malik. I trust you'll handle this mission with the same... efficiency as the last."
Malik inclined his head respectfully. "Of course, Lord Haido."
Satisfied, Haido waved him off. "You're dismissed. Prepare for the journey. I'll have one of the knights accompany you."
Malik stepped out of the study, the heavy doors closing behind him with a muted thud. In the hallway, he found Ranke waiting for him, leaning casually against the wall. Her blonde frilled hair was tied up in a loose ponytail, and her light-violet eyes glinted with her usual mischievous energy. Nearby, Kiyomi stood stiffly, her silver hair cascading over her shoulders as she avoided looking directly at Ranke.
The tension between the two women was palpable, but the moment Ranke noticed Malik, her demeanor shifted. She straightened, her arms crossing as she offered him a sly smile.
"Guess what, Malik," she drawled, her tone dripping with mock enthusiasm. "Lucky me—I'm the one who gets to babysit you on your little temple adventure."
Malik raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Babysit? I prefer to think of it as quality bonding time."
Ranke rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the faint curl of amusement on her lips. "Sure, let's go with that. Just so you know, I'm only doing this because I lost a bet."
"Good to know you're committed," Malik quipped, his pink eyes gleaming with humor. "How about we start with lunch? You, me, and Kiyomi." He gestured toward the silver-haired woman, who looked up sharply at the mention of her name. "I'd love to get to know you better, Ranke. And maybe we can figure out how to make this 'babysitting' gig a little more enjoyable."
Ranke hesitated, her light-violet eyes narrowing slightly. "Lunch, huh? Fine. But only if you're cooking."
Malik placed a hand over his heart, feigning shock. "Ranke, I'm hurt. You think I'd make you cook? Trust me, I've got this covered."
Kiyomi finally spoke, her voice cool and measured. "If we're having lunch, I'll ensure everything is prepared for our new "guest"."
"Thank you, Kiyomi," Malik said warmly. "But no need to overdo it. Let's keep it casual—something simple and relaxing."
Ranke snorted, muttering under her breath, "Relaxing. Right."
The three of them made their way to the dining area, a smaller room adjacent to the fortress's grand hall. The table was set quickly, with Kiyomi overseeing the arrangements while Malik chatted with Ranke.
"So, Ranke," Malik began, leaning slightly toward her as they sat. "What's your story? How'd you end up working for Haido?"
Ranke's eyes narrowed, her smirk fading into something more guarded. "You really want to know?"
"Of course," Malik said sincerely. "I like to know the people I work with. Makes the job more interesting."
Ranke studied him for a moment before shrugging. "Fine. I grew up in a place that didn't have much. Haido showed up one day, promising power and purpose. I figured, why not? Better than starving."
Malik nodded, sensing the layers beneath her nonchalant tone. "And now?"
"Now," Ranke said, leaning back in her chair, "I do what I'm told. I'm good at it. End of story."
Malik smiled gently. "Fair enough. But I have a feeling there's more to you than that."
Ranke didn't respond immediately, her gaze flickering to Kiyomi, who was busy arranging plates. "We'll see," she said finally.
After lunch, Ranke leaned against the doorframe, watching as Malik helped Kiyomi clear the table. "You're a strange one, Malik," she said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "But I'll give you this—you're not boring."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Malik replied with a wink. "And don't worry. By the time we finish this temple mission, I guarantee you'll have more fun than you expect."
Ranke snorted, shaking her head. "We'll see about that."
As Kiyomi gave him a pointed look, Malik glanced back at Ranke, his mind already working on ways to win her over. If he could find a way to connect with her—beyond the mission—they might have a chance of turning her loyalty away from Haido.
"Guess I'll see you soon, Ranke," Malik said as she turned to leave. "And don't forget—you owe me a chance to really get to know you."
Ranke paused, glancing over her shoulder with a smirk. "Don't push your luck, shorty."
But there was a flicker of something else in her eyes—curiosity, perhaps—that told Malik he was making progress.