He had it clear. They were only two things that could foil his strategy and he will tackle them right here. Though, still thinking of more ways to actually make it realistic. He need an info.
". Do not even go there.". Lanel shook her head confidently. She let out a puff of air. She knew Kato wants info. Well, she has to give it to him anyway. But this is something that threaten her life if exposed. But Kato's words made her to do so.
". Unless there is some oath, that makes not to reveal details.". His eyes gleamed red in the dim light. ". There is no trust.". He said. The cold air from the air conditioner was doing its job efficiently. She looked at him. This guy, damn. What sort of being is he?. How can he be this devious and scheming under few years. He was one canny son of a bitch. That's for sure. She closed her eye a bit.
". I'm not supposed to say this,.". She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. How would she put this now. In a subtle, yet detailed way. She knew he won't let her of the hook, unless he has gotten what he needs. Gustav informed her of that. Before she was signed up as their aid, she had to take three exams which was built up on the character and behaviour of this guy, as he usually killed people he didn't like. Vana wasn't included because it wasn't thought that she would leave the labyrinth. Vana was one strong bastard who specialized in brutal martial arts. She doesn't know where Vana's from and Gustav wouldn't let any history about her known. Vana never liked her past. Judging from her dark skin, she is African but her ability to grasp martial arts. What was her freaking background.?. She asked herself.
". Gustav has an oath with an unknown god, this oath makes him unable to reveal data about those that are under him or who he is in conjunction with.". Lanel finally gave him what he wanted.
". Then the fact that you know this, means the elites do as well. This basis is considered a known factor.". Vana clicked her tongue.
". Yes, there are only two anonymity here.". Kato glanced at Vana. ". You,.". Vana sat erect at his statement.
". I'm all ears.". She placed her hands on her chin. Kato cleared his throat, which felt a bit sore from talking too much.
". No one aside we in this room, and the labyrinth organizers know your true strength.". Kato crossed his fingers. ". We can utilise that.". He said.
Lanel didn't get it. She knew Vana was strong, but strong enough to utilize her?. Na, she couldnt even stand Lady Kira right now.
". Two, is you.". He shifted his hands towards Lanel. She looked at his white pale fingers, with black veins gleaming underneath his skin.
". Seriously?.". Her tone changed. What reason is she anonymous.?.
". I trust no one.". Kato stated firmly. Lanel made a grin.
". I'm your colleague now, sent from Gustav to protect yo...". She felt a super cold dry object on her lips. She observed it, and realized it was Kato's fingers. His fingers were covering her mouth, then she felt a hand on her right shoulder. She knew he was behind her, and she instantly felt fear. She tried hard not to express it but failed at the attempt. The reason why she was scared of this guy is his speed. One of her colleagues working under Gustav, who specializes in speed granted by the Greek god Hermes, was killed and eaten by this guy, on a mere unpunctual and delayed delivery of rations four years ago. Her space time magic required her to snap her fingers which was her biggest nerf. Meaning, if this guy was serious and wanted to torture her. He could either remove all her fingers or eat her right now. She could hear his breathing, and the air in the room became tense. She did know how to fight, both fist fight and using supernatural powers in fist and sword battles, but her battle techniques are nothing close to this people in the room.
She had advantage over them ofcourse, a bigger concealment and process of skills she had used once. But it consumes to much mana, and exhausts stamina. So she was at loss right now. She felt his breath on her neck. He drawed his face close to her ear.
". That's the thing, I only trust your master not you.". Her pulse was increasing. He could feel it, and knew he got her. Phase 1 control was complete. Ordinarily, he can kill her and eat anything, but he doesn't know how she uses her space time magic and she might actually be able to transport him back to his seat. But this test was complete, the evidence that she didn't instantly teleport him means she must have a nerf in her powers and is not so confident against him. This was what he learned from a previous friend of his, a master schemer, who was actually the son of a fallen. His old friend, whom he met as soon as he woke up in the labyrinth. Jax, such a good guy. His time of stay in the labyrinth ended and he was released. He thought him all methods known of manipulation. Now he has certainty to keep on going with the second phase. He made sure, he took details and remained inquisitive, excluding and including some of his own thoughts into their earlier conversations which made Lanel deem him as observant.
Another manipulation strategy, If unsure of the enemy's strengths, show something all enemy would respect you for. Observation. This was a very useful skill in communing with people whom are not trustworthy. Before Lanel could react, he held her fingers in hands. All of them removed from their roots. Blood poured to the floor like oil emptying out of a bottle. Vana just tilted her head backwards and sighed. Mistress Kira remained unshaken.
Lanel's vision was fading out repeatedly. She was shook to the spine. She had received torture all to train her to be a better agent. But this was another level. She couldn't hold it in and cried out. Tears didn't really flow, but the pain was there. She was in agony. The steering pain of all fingers removed at once was another level. She was fingerless, in a blink of an eye her palms were fingerless. In rage, she bit Kato's fingers which became her regret. She suddenly remembered, her exam to protect this guy. What made her pass the third exam after six months was because she finally got one of the 'Evil's Descent' worst techniques. Though it is said he has somewhat control it, but the instant his blood comes in contact with a living being's saliva. They will be under his control, till the maggots from his blood leave the victim's body. In this case she was the victim now. She just stared at the ceiling, the blood from her hands sullied her dress. She kept her hands on her dress.
He did observe Lanel snapping her fingers to summon things but never thought it was her only way of summoning things. How disappointing. Phase 2 was implemented successfully, though he has no thoughts on controlling her but he needs details, and Lanel has it. Observation is key to guessing your enemy's game. What concluded his theory of Lanel not being able to use her space time magic anymore, was... Well, she didn't execute any attacks at all. It was enough proof for him to act further.
Lanel was burning with fury and he knew it, just smiling sheepishly.
". Masters can be betrayed by slaves. Information cannot be trusted around anyone but yourself.". He looked at her.
Oh, so God so help her. She wanted to just beat this bastard right now, but it's futile to act rashly. It's risky to act on emotions. Everyone under Gustav's rule knew that, both captives and agents alike. She understood Kato's statement. There were two things he meant through that one statement. Yeah, she knew what he was talking about.
". I'm still meant to protect you, forgive me if I can't tell you everything.". Lanel proposed. It's her way out now, somethings can't be said but for this guys she just had to spill the beans. Downside is, she isnt a healer. Else, she would have just regrown her hands back to normal.
Her gaze shifted from the ceiling to Kato's face above her. She did have a healing ability, but that one consumes mana. So she saves it for large scale rescue.
". I trust Gustav. ". Mistress Kira finally spoke. She looked at Kato. ". He recommending her as protection is for a reason.". She stroke her chin. Lanel shifted her gazed from the ceiling to Lady Kira. She just supported her right now. Why?.
". She understands my statement, and the fact she can't reply justified my guess.". He left her, the walked towards his chair and sat down. His eyes were widened.
". Gustav is trusted, but not the people around him.". He was fixed on Lanel's behaviour. It's obvious she was avoiding eye contact. He just said it, as a means of address. His way to get info wasn't complete, Naa. Not yet.
". Lanel, be honest.". Vana looked at her. Lanel stared at her eyes. Vana's gaze now was different. Her former black irises had now turned emerald green as she firmly gripped the handle of her chair.
Damn, that's all to confidential. She swore an oath not to reveal it. How did it come to this now?. Just how the conversation waver from his frustration to me being the victim. She looked at all three of them. They all wanted to hear something. Damn it, she has to give Kato credit. He really acted well to conceal what he had in mind, and is still acting now. Just a brief moment ago, it was about Forsakens and how to contact them. Now it's about she. She needs to do this now, she needs to vanish out of here and there is a risky way to do that. It's three on one, so damn awful.
". An uproar happened two weeks ago, while Gustav was away. ". She began to narrate an event. She needed to buy time for this, and get back to her natural elements to nourish.
". We received word that, one of Gustav's direct subordinate. A director in the affairs of Torture of we agents, sold us out to the priest of the forsakens. ". She stared at the ground, admiring the wooden design which was stained with blood.
". I was charged with the duty of eliminating him. I had successfully trailed him up into the enemy's land and got all data required, remaining my final mission...". She paused. She was about done with her magic.
". I failed the mission because, the director was my father.". She said, gulping down hard. Kato began to organize everything she said and mentioned. Could it be pieces together to make this strategy a success?. No, It won't because three pieces are still missing.
". You haven't told us everything yet.". Kato remarked. Judging from her sudden willingness, it was pretence. She was an agent alright but she never really had a good way of hiding her intent like Vana does. She still needs to learn, and that's why he concluded he would not kill her. He knew she was plotting something right now. He glanced over at Vana, who seemed to understand his signal. Mistress Kira wouldn't be affected by anything here, but they need to make sure they stay here. Nothing leaves the room.
". That's all I can say.". With that sentence, the room was filled with white light instantly making everyone on their guard. Mistress Kira looked more pleased.
". Incompetent.". Her words disintegrated the white light almost immediately, revealing Lanel in a fully healed state. It was so obvious, she wanted her teleportation back.
". This can be considered an act of betrayal, you know.". Kato warned.
". Might be to you, but not to Gustav.". She snapped her fingers. She closed her eyes.
She was so lucky, she thought. Thank God I didn't fight against them. Who the heck would be stupid enough to do that. Who does Kato think he was.?. A detective, what the heck?. She would just go back to Gus.... Her head was slammed to the wooden floor. The debris piercing her facial skin. Agony was present all right, but Lanel was still in awe of what happened just now. She never actually teleported did she, damn it. How was she still here?. She began to review the past moments, as she felt a hand repeatedly slam her face to the ground, each pressure more powerful than the last. She was deep in thoughts to be present in the new situation. Why where they calm, when Lady Kira stopped the healing light?. She tried to grasp it for some time, and nothing seemed to come to her understanding, but she finally got it. She was damn fool all along for even thinking of leaving here. She made a mistake. Lady Kira over there, was no joke. How could she think of leaving the presence of a bureau president.?. Though she is almost the age of the president if not five years younger but their power difference is high. The world had changed her perspective of telekinesis, and psychokinesis. This was it right here, how extremely dangerous this power was. With mere words, she stopped the healing light of goddess Gaia. Excess pain in the head made her jolt back to reality. Her vision heavily blurred, red liquid flowing imminently fromn her face, some of her hair stick to her face. Someone was lifting her up from the head.
". I don't think Gustav released you, because of my protection...". She saw faint silhouettes of Kato advancing towards her. She looked to the side, and saw mistress Kira unmoved from her position. If it wasn't Kato or Lady Kira, then it must be her. AHH, no wonder she was called Martial Queen in the arena. Her ability is just too strong.
Considering Kato's statement, he was right. She had never thought about it. They were agents that could be responsible for taking care of Kato, why her.?.
". You are still lost?.". She heard Vana's voice. Her head was forced to turn by the person holding her. Lanel managed to get a glimpse of Vana's martial vigor. She truly cany protect this two. It must be something planned.
". Gustav fired you, normally you are supposed to killed for failing a mission. But he figured handing you over to a merciless being would be better.". Kato did the honours of explaining the situation to her. Lanel understood now, but that still doesn't justify her studying Kato for months, or was it all a ruse.
". Another is, through the data you collected from that mission. Your father might have left a message for Gustav.". He held her chin, and raised it up.
". Let me guess, he's still alive.". Her face was filthy rough with blood and large bits of wooden in her skin. Her face was swollen. He used his hand to remove the hair stuck to her face.
". Gustav is helping me. You are my information.". He doesn't need to ask no more, but decided to give her a little scare. He really did love seeing people look helpless.
". And If a person has gotten the info they need, then the conveyer of that message is useless.". He smiled, closing in on her face. He moved his hand to her neck, to feel her pulse. Yeah, he succeeded in scaring her but he likes it interesting. Kato tore his jaw, his flesh and bones ripping apart with an unpleasant crackling sound. His black blood once again flowing out profusely. He used his tongue to lace her face, wiping of the blood on her face. Her breathing became more intense as she made subtle body movements, and her pulse rate intensified. Her eyes, though swollen and filled with blood, expressed her state of fear.
". What is your strength, former- comrade?.". Kato asked. His mouth wide open.
He use of the word 'former' made her heart sink. If she doesn't redeem herself now, she will die here. Now was not the time to reminisce how things advanced to this point. And she remembered her strength.
". I'm stronger in the natural element of life.". She struggled to say. She had to save her life, even if it meant being at the mercy of someone thirteen years younger than her. All her elegance, grace were wasted now. Her graceful reputation she planned on making her new comrades see, was tarnished by her ner comrades.
". That's not a good answer. ". Kato closed his mouth, and regen immediately stitched up his face back to normal. ". But I have already decided, I won't kill you. Yet.". He said, and walked back to his chair beside his mistress.
". Vana, please let her sit. We need to discuss our strategy that I have mapped out.".
So he was just toying with her, everything thing earlier discussed what to actually get information from her. She was in awe and utter disbelief of his mindset. This situation was all for the information she held. She was manipulated to think he had started of with the plan, his frustration was shown since the beginning. He intentionally revealed his base plan to gain her damn trust and lure her in, what a sneaky bastard. Sudden questions that seemed like he was dumb, was all for a purpose, all for this. This guy, the world really does need to be on high alert. His threat status did suit him to be honest, being overpowered right of the bat was already a danger to humanity. The game he's plays, he's good at it.
Evils, Lanel thought. These people she will be with, might just be the beginning of her destruction.