Elena #13

She stretched lazily, sitting up in the bed. "Name's Elena, not lady," she replied. "I came to have a few words with you, but you were gone. Thought this was as good a place as any to wait... Vito, right?"

I couldn't help but let out a sarcastic chuckle. "Didn't think you'd remember my name. Didn't you say you weren't interested in acquainting yourself with someone who might not make it through the night?"

Elena shrugged, her expression nonchalant. "I'm still not, but you did survive the night and even thrived," she said, her eyes drifting to my wristwatch. "I wouldn't have been so dismissive in the first place if I'd known you had that."

Suspicion prickled at my mind. "What's so special about it?" I asked, glancing at the device. "Do you have one like it?"

She mocked me with a small, almost affectionate smile. "It's almost endearing how little you know," she said. "That wristwatch is ancient technology. In fact, it's the ancient technology."

I narrowed my eyes, my grip tightening on the gun. "What do you mean by that?"

Elena leaned forward, her demeanor suddenly serious. "I only wish I had one. If I did, then all my friends wouldn't have ended up as Pal food, and I wouldn't have ended up hiding all the way here... that wristwatch is the single most advanced piece of ancient technology found in these lands."

Resting her arms on her legs, she continued. "It contains not only the knowledge to recreate all manner of ancient devices and constructs but also the power to recreate most of them with minimal effort from simple materials that can be found anywhere."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with implications. I glanced at Vito, who was listening intently. "So you're saying this thing is like a blueprint for ancient tech?" I asked.

"Exactly," Elena confirmed. "And not just any tech. We're talking about technology that can revolutionize entire civilizations. Weapons, infrastructure, medicine—you name it."

I tried to process the enormity of what she was saying. This wristwatch was far more than just a tool; it was a key to untold power and knowledge. No wonder Elena was so interested in it.

My grip tightened over the weapon. "So, are you here to rob me or something?" I asked sarcastically.

Elena shook her head. "I would if I could, but it's impossible," she replied calmly. "The watch bonds to a single user, and if that user dies, it becomes no better than a paperweight. You can't take it off even if you wanted to."

I frowned and, keeping my eyes on her, tried to remove the wristwatch. It wouldn't budge. It was stuck to my arm as if it had fused with my skin. "Damn it," I cursed under my breath.

"See?" Elena said, a hint of amusement in her voice. "It's not going anywhere."

"That's too convenient," I muttered, turning back to her. "I'm not inclined to take your word about the wristwatch. There might be a way to actually steal it, and you're just trying to make me lower my guard as far as I'm concerned.

She shrugged nonchalantly. "If I were after the watch, I wouldn't have made you realize how valuable it is. I could have come up with something else to tell you or simply ambushed you while you were unaware of my presence instead of waiting for you in your base."

Vito nodded along as she spoke. "Makes sense... I don't think she's lying....

Ignoring Vito, whose judgment was questionable, to say the least, I scrutinized Elena, searching for any signs of deception. Her logic was sound, but I wasn't about to let my guard down just yet.

"Fine," I said, lowering my weapon slightly. "Suppose I believe you. What exactly do you want from me?"

"Fine," I said, lowering my weapon slightly. "Suppose I believe you. What exactly do you want from me?"

Elena looked me straight in the eye, her expression unwavering. "I have a proposition that could benefit us both."

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "And what might that be?"

"I want to work for you," she said, her voice firm. "I'm sick and tired of just getting by, and you just so happen to be my ticket out of that life...."

I couldn't help but mock her a bit. "Afraid you wouldn't make it through the night alone?"

Elena rolled her eyes. "Women don't like petty men, you know?"

Vito, ever the instigator, voiced his agreement. "She's got a point, John. Don't be so petty."

I ignored Vito and focused on Elena. "What can you offer me in return?"

"I know these lands like the back of my hand, and I'm pretty good in a scrap," she replied confidently. "I can show you the ropes, and even fight for you if need be."

I was intrigued but not entirely convinced. "Alright, I'm interested. But what exactly do you expect in return?"

Elena's eyes softened slightly, and her voice took on a more earnest tone. "I want decent food for one. I'm sick of eating red berries like a damned Pal. I want a bed, a roof over my head, and all the other comforts that regular human beings are entitled to."

I took a moment to consider her offer. Despite my initial reservations, there was something about her that I found compelling. She was tough, resourceful, and clearly knew more about this world than I did. Having her on my side could be a significant advantage.

Vito leaned against the wall, watching our exchange with amusement. "Well, John? Seems like a fair deal to me."

I shot Vito a look, then turned back to Elena. "Alright, you've got yourself a deal. But don't think for a second that I trust you completely."

Elena smiled, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "Fair enough. Trust takes time. But you'll see, I'm worth it."

I nodded, feeling a strange sense of relief. Maybe this unlikely alliance could work out after all. "Okay then. First things first, let's get you settled. I can add a new room for you, and build a bed, but that's all I can do right now..."

I nodded, feeling a strange sense of relief. Maybe this unlikely alliance could work out after all. "Okay then. First things first, let's get you settled. I can add a new room for you and build a bed, but that's all I can do right now."

Elena smiled, a hint of gratitude in her eyes. "That will be enough to show sincerity. The rest can come later." She paused, then continued, "I suppose I should also show some sincerity of my own."

She reached under the bed, and I flinched, immediately pointing my gun at her. Her smile remained unwavering. "I'm just reaching for my bag under the bed," she explained calmly.

"Proceed, but slowly," I replied, not lowering my weapon.

Elena chuckled, clearly finding my nervousness amusing. She retrieved her bag and, from within it, pulled out five spheres. They looked similar to the ones I could create with the workbench, except they were light green.

I frowned, studying the spheres. "What are those?"

"They're Mega Spheres," she explained. "Like your regular Pal Spheres, they're used to capture Pals. But these ones can capture even stronger and bigger Pals." She offered them to me.

I took one of the spheres, inspecting it closely. "Is it really okay for you to part with something this valuable?"

Elena chuckled again. "They're more valuable, yes, but only to me. Sooner or later, you'll be able to produce as many Mega Spheres as you need. Still, having them now would be very useful for you..."

I turned the sphere over in my hand, feeling its weight and marveling at the intricate design. "Alright, I'll accept them. Thanks."

Elena smiled as she watched me put the sphere away before speaking up again. "Now that we've got that out of the way... I have just the target to put those Mega Spheres to use..."

I frowned, curiosity piqued. "What target?"

She leaned forward, eyes gleaming with excitement. "There's a Chillet roosting northwest of here, near the Rayne Syndicate Tower."

Vito rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Chillet? Like the shaving razor?"

Ignoring Vito, I focused on Elena. "A Chillet? What kind of Pal is that? How strong is it compared to Nitehawk?"

Elena chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "A Chillet could eat a Nitehawk for breakfast. They're Dragon-type Pals that usually live further north at the foot of the Astral Mountains, but one of them made it all the way here and is now lording over the area near the tower."

....

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