"Mr. Vex, please slow down! I can't…haah…catch…up."
"That's fine. If you stop and get caught, you can buy me more time."
"Mr.Vex, you're so cruel!"
"There's an elevator up ahead–if you can't make it there, then you are on your own!"
"Eeeh?!"
Yami and I managed to escape the cell using the guard's key. I ended up using my curse to make it happen, but I had no other choice given the circumstances. Fortunately, Yami's curse can make her targets move slowly upon contact–at the cost of her own mobility.
Despite that, we both made it to the elevator. Yami is lucky that she arrived just in time before the elevator door closed; I actually would've preferred that she didn't tag along with me.
Oh well, at least she's not useless.
"Need…haa…to catch…my breath…haa…"
"It's okay, take your time."
Her panting is noisy, but it's quiet enough to give me time to think to myself.
This elevator is unlike anything I have seen before; it's made of some sort of translucent organic material, allowing me to see the surrounding areas outside of the brain–presumably Endori's inner head. Also, there are no traditional floors, but rather some kind of digital brain diagram. Each part of Endori's brain is outlined as a separate "floor". A particular area catches my attention.
"Okay okay, I feel better now. Where are we going, Mr. Vex?"
"I'm going to the hippocampus. I want to check out something."
"But Mr.Vex, shouldn't we look for the exit? Aren't we going to turn into cell people if we do not hurry?!"
"Logically, you are next to transform. I arrived after you."
"Eee, why would you say that?! We need to leave now!"
"I'll leave before that curse can affect me. If I remember correctly, the hippocampus stores long-term memories. I want to look at some of Endori's memories while I have the chance."
After all, there is sure to be information that I can use to my advantage. Nobles keep a lot of secrets to themselves. Who knows when I'll get a chance like this again?
"What?! Mr. Vex, we can't do that; that would be so indecent!"
"Again, I can do what I want, there is no 'we'. I don't know how to leave this place, so I can ask someone at the hippocampus! Besides, are you sure that there's nothing you are curious about? I know that you maids are kept in the dark about a lot of things, huh?"
"Well…yes, but…"
I can see the look on her face; she is hesitant, but her heart really wants to do it. Just need a little more to push her over the edge.
"It's just a little peek. I won't tell anyone about this, and neither do you have to."
"You know, it can't be helped. For the sake of a lack of information in this emergency situation, a quick stop is objectively logical and will increase our chances of success."
"Precisely."
_________________________________________________________________
Before long, Yami and I arrived at Endori's hippocampus. The doors stretched open like gelatin, revealing the promised land of potential secrets just beyond it.
The interior resembles a library. Roaming throughout the "library" are red-orange cells, inspecting and placing various books. As one would expect of a library, the atmosphere is peaceful and quiet. Definitely my favorite place inside Endori by far.
"How peculiar, Mr.Vex–I did not expect the hippocampus to be a library, but it makes perfect sense."
"That's my experience in a nutshell. Anyway, this place is too big and I don't want to get lost, so I am going to that reception desk over there."
"Okay Mr.Vex, I will follow you."
At the reception desk, there is a lone cell girl who is staring at a computer screen, disconnected from her surroundings. Upon closer inspection, she, along with the others, closely resemble Endori herself. This cell in particular also wears glasses that are suited for a librarian. Since we are in the brain, it's safe to assume that these are Endori's brain cells.
"Excuse me cell girl, I have a question."
"No, please don't tell the boss that I was watching a rerun of Endori's daydream on my shift! I totally wasn't!"
"...?"
For whatever reason, our presence startled the girl very much. She looks super stressed out.
"Umm, I have no idea what you are talking about, but the woman beside me and I aren't your supervisors."
"Whew, I can see that now! I am sorry for the outburst; I have been on edge ever since they stuck me on memory duty alone."
"Let me guess, you are expected to do a team workload as a solo person?"
"Oh my gosh, yes! Even worse, I was supposed to have assistance, but they all called in for sleep duty, which is the EASIEST shift of the day!"
I can sympathize with the girl's frustration, though I find working solo is much more efficient. However, being expected to not only do your workload, but to also carry other's is asinine.
"Oops, looks like I'm ranting again. Let's start over. My name is Amilia, and I am a brain cell. I help Endori store her long-term memories and recall them. It seems that you two are foreigners, right?"
"Yes ma'am. My name is Yami and I am one of Lady Endori's many maids."
"I am nobody worth remembering, but I'm Vex. Now back to my question–"
"Wait a minute, you are Vex? THE Vex?"
"I'm the only one I know, so yeah?"
Amilia squeals in excitement. Her once stressed-out demeanor vanishes as she displays joy.
"Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh, Vex is really here! How did you get here?"
"Long story. Can't you look at Endori's memories and get the gist?"
"I can, but this event must have happened too recently and is logged in the short term memory; I'm sure that it'll be transferred here soon. Anyway, I wish I knew that you were coming!"
"Why are you so excited to see me? I hardly just met Endori, so how would her brain cells know me to the point of excitement?"
"You are something of a recent celebrity; Endori has very special thoughts about you, so naturally as her brain cells, we do too."
"Hey Yami, what does she mean by that?"
"Sorry Mr. Vex, but even I am confused."
Events are taking a weird turn now, but no matter. I need to search for some useful memories, quickly.
"Oh yeah, you were requesting something before I interrupted you. Sorry about that, tehee."
Amilia makes a cheeky smile with her tongue sticking out–is she trying to look cute?
"I want to see some important memories…for personal reasons."
"Hmm, typically, I would have to deny your request since we aren't supposed to let non-authorized personnel view Endori's long term memories…but I'm sure Endori herself wouldn't mind much since you are Vex. Besides, why should I care about following policy, when they don't care about me?"
CLICK
Amilia pushes a button that causes an underground staircase to appear. Is that some sort of basement?
"If you take this underground staircase, you will find Endori's deepest, most valued memories–both good and bad. I can't leave my post, so all I ask is that you place the memory books back where they belong when you are done. When you are ready to leave the brain, just touch the brain stem on the elevator's map. Not that you have to leave in such a rush or anything…"
"Got it. I won't be long, so this 'incident' will be nothing more than a forgotten memory."
"Ahh, you know how to make a girl's nucleus feel at ease. I could kiss you right now!"
Amilia closes her eyes and puckers her lips. I am NOT dealing with this foolishness!
"Mr. Vex, I think it would be best for us to promptly enter the basement."
"You don't have to tell me twice."