Chapter 224: Shadows Beneath the Fortress
The lower depths of Haido's fortress were a stark contrast to the lavish halls above. The air was thick with the hum of machinery, punctuated by the low, ominous vibrations of Gelel energy coursing through the walls. Kamira stood before a massive console, her fingers deftly working the levers and buttons that powered the fortress. Behind her loomed the eerie chamber of the orbs, glowing faintly with the life essence of the children trapped within. Their translucent prisons pulsed with a soft light, casting ghostly reflections across the cold metal and stone walls.
Kamira was unusually quiet, her usual flirtatious smirk replaced with a neutral, almost weary expression. The weight of her duties pressed heavily on her shoulders, though she would never admit it. She moved mechanically, ensuring the fortress's systems were running smoothly.
The echo of footsteps drew her attention. Kamira didn't turn as Ranke approached, her light-violet eyes sharp even in the dim light. "Ranke," Kamira said, her voice flat. "What brings you down here? Didn't think you were the 'maintenance' type."
Ranke stopped a few feet away, crossing her arms. "Just wanted to check on you," she said nonchalantly. "You've been down here a while."
Kamira let out a dry laugh. "Concerned for me? That's new." She turned slightly, eyeing Ranke. "Or are you just bored?"
Ranke shrugged, leaning casually against a nearby console. "Maybe both. Or maybe I wanted to see if you're still sulking about Malik."
Kamira rolled her eyes, turning back to her work. "Please. If I were sulking, you'd know it. Besides, you're the one who spent half the day with him. How'd that go?"
Ranke hesitated, then shrugged again. "Fine, I guess."
Kamira's smirk flickered across her face, but it was devoid of its typical sharpness."That's it? Just 'fine'? No witty remarks or dramatic tales of how he swept you off your feet?"
Ranke's lips twitched, but she said nothing. Her silence made Kamira pause. She turned fully to face Ranke, her crimson eyes narrowing. "Alright, spill. If you didn't come here to talk about him, then why are you here?"
For a moment, Ranke didn't answer. Her gaze drifted to the glowing orbs, the faint silhouettes of the children within casting haunting shadows. Finally, she spoke, her tone quieter than usual. "Malik's… weird," she admitted. "I thought I could just charm him, you know? Get him to spill his secrets, make things easier. But…"
"But?" Kamira prompted, her curiosity piqued.
"But he's not like anyone I've dealt with before," Ranke continued, her voice tinged with frustration. "He doesn't fall for the usual tricks. And worse, he actually listens. Like, really listens. It's unnerving."
Kamira let out a laugh, her signature sass peeking through. "Gave that a shot too. No dice. The pint-sized escape artist wriggled free before I could snag him."
Ranke let out a huff of amusement, shaking her head. "Figures."
The two women stood in silence for a moment, the hum of the machinery filling the space between them. Kamira leaned against the console, her arms crossed. "You know," she said, her tone softer, "we've been doing this for over twenty years, and I don't think we've ever just… talked."
Ranke glanced at her, her expression wary. "What's there to talk about? We do our job, we follow Haido, and that's that."
"Yeah, but who are we outside of that?" Kamira countered, her crimson eyes searching Ranke's face. "We've spent two decades fighting, scheming, and surviving together, but do we even know each other?"
Ranke frowned, caught off guard by the question. She shifted uncomfortably, her arms tightening around herself. "What's the point of knowing each other? We're here to serve a purpose, not hold hands and sing songs."
Kamira let out a bitter laugh. "Maybe. But it wouldn't hurt to know who's got your back when things go south."
Ranke hesitated, then sighed. "Alright, fine. What do you want to know?"
Kamira smirked, her mischievous glint returning. "Oh, I don't know. How about something simple? Like… what do you do when you're not out electrocuting people?"
Ranke raised an eyebrow. "You mean besides training?"
"Yes, besides training," Kamira said, rolling her eyes.
Ranke thought for a moment, then shrugged. "I read. Sometimes."
Kamira's eyes widened mockingly. "You? Read? I thought you just hit things until they stopped moving."
Ranke shot her a glare, but there was no real malice in it. "Shut up. What about you? What do you do when you're not trying to seduce someone?"
Kamira's smirk faltered, and for a moment, she looked genuinely thoughtful. "I… don't know," she admitted. "I guess I've been doing this for so long, I never thought about what else there could be."
Ranke tilted her head, studying Kamira. "Huh. Never thought I'd hear you say that."
Kamira shrugged, brushing a strand of blonde hair over her shoulder. "Don't get used to it."
As the conversation lulled, Ranke straightened and took a step back. "Well, I should get going. Told Malik to head straight to his room, so he won't be bothering you tonight."
Kamira pouted dramatically, her crimson eyes gleaming with mock indignation. "You're no fun."
Ranke smirked, her light-violet eyes sparkling with amusement. "Goodnight, Kamira."
As Ranke left the chamber, Kamira turned back to the console, her smirk fading. The hum of the Gelel energy filled the room once more, but her mind lingered on their conversation. After an eternity spent in the social wilderness, she suddenly sensed a spark—an odd, yet intriguing sensation of connection.
"Let's hope things don't get too weird between everyone, but I've got to admit, things have been a bit more fun with Malik around," Kamira mused aloud to an absent audience.