Chapter 4 – The Bright Lights in the Sky (3/5) (Mellissa’s Version)

Yuuna, Janova, Mellissa, and I all approached the knight station. There was a crowd of people outside. They seemed to be cheering on the knights. People of all ages gathered around, crying out to Marx for help. We filtered our way through the sea of people. Halmote was there with his large mustache and tiny eyes when we forced our way to the front. He rubbed his belly and huffed.

"Oh, this ain't good, no sir, no sir."

I was a tad wary of asking, but I pushed it out.

"Halomote, Jade asked me to come here along with Yuuna and Mellissa. Would you allow us to get inside?"

I timidly asked. The last time I dealt with this strange man, I was in handcuffs, and he didn't treat me the nicest.

"Oh, it's you again. Well, I guess I can if Jade asked."

He moved his large body to the side, allowing us to have an opening. Once we slipped in, the interior was quiet compared to the streets' commotion. There were people in suits all around that I assumed to be Radiants, and Jade was at the back along with them.

"Feodora, Mellissa, Yuuna! Over here."

The knight waved at us. We followed her into one of the interrogation rooms. There, Vivian and Eve were already stationed looking at the one-way glass.

"Glad you three could join us. I'll get right to what's going on."

Jade approached the front of the room where the one-way glass was. The group of us, all associates of Jade, watched as she directed what we would do.

"As I told you, we have five new credible bomb leads. We haven't announced this to the city, and we're not going to either. It'll create havoc and… I'm certain none of these bombings are even going to happen."

Eve bit her lip and squinted her eyes.

"Why would you think that, Jade? Didn't you see the destruction that just happened? What makes you think the rest won't happen?"

The knight crossed her arms and stood tall.

"That's why I believe at least three or four new credible leads… are fake."

I was becoming confused too, so I raised my hand, earning the eyes of everyone to turn towards me. Reactively, I lowered my hand.

"I have the same concerns as Eve, though, Jade. How are you concluding that these new threats… aren't credible? It sounds to me like…."

I paused momentarily before accusing her…

"It sounds like the Radiants have more information than you're letting on."

The knight paced around and took a deep breath.

"It's because these bombings have been senseless in their patterns."

Vivian tilted her head.

"Senseless? Isn't that a little cruel to say to the victims, Jade?"

Annoyed, the white bunny remarked.

"Senseless as in no particular target, Vivian. They have been sporadic, and I'm under the impression that they aren't meant to be a show of something against Radiant City. In cases of a serial bomber, they tend to like to make a statement…."

With her hands on her hips, she looked back at us.

"And there is no clear statement here thus far. It's destruction here and there. But now we received all these tips. So, it's either someone isn't clear on what they want… or their aim is something more sinister… and these tips are calculated in comparison…"

Mellissa raised her hand, and Jade confirmed her with a nod.

"Are you implying… that the bombs might be decoys to a true goal?"

"That's just what I'm implying. But I don't have the information to know the true aim is… and that's why instead of spreading our forces thin, we Radiants want small groups to go and search these locations."

It showed me that Jade has been at this for far longer than I could have imagined. With my new understanding of her train of thought, I asked.

"So, you want us to spread into small groups and see if these threats are credible to keep a heavy knight presence in the city?"

Keenly, the knight turned to me.

"That's just what I want. From how it looked today, we had to spread our forces all over the blast site… leaving openings for whoever may have wanted to come into town and do something in the shadows."

The knight pulled out the piece of paper in her hand.

"And these leads… do just that. They are made to spread us knights thin for the person or people involved to freely move around the city. In other words, we won't fall into their trap."

Eve scratched her head.

"Yeah… that makes more sense. If all the knights in the city were to go out searching for these new… leads… anyone could waltz in here and do what they want with fewer people roaming around."

The psycho cackled. I stepped to the side, a bit away from her, and asked.

"So, where are these leads trying to take us?"

"I was just about to read them off, Feodora."

Jade nodded sharply at me, showing we were on the same wavelength, if anything.

"First location is the factories near the city. Primarily the ore plant is where we are looking at. We have reason to believe there is a credible threat to use that plant's highly flammable substances for a bomb."

I recoiled a little.

"You mean… one of the places we have to search could be a potential bomb itself?!"

I complained. All the knight did was sigh and stare back at me.

"…Yes. And call me a fool… but I think I want you on that case, Feodora."

"Huh? Why me?"

She gazed at me with a look of determination.

"Because I'm sending Mellissa and Yuuna with you. If that place is a bomb waiting to happen, your best bet is to have Countess Mellissa with you. She'll be valuable…."

I pried deeper.

"Ah… wouldn't putting me in that much danger… hinder your other investigation, though?"

Jade paused and put a finger to her lip.

"In a way… yes. However, suppose the culprits of our recent investigation are in some way involved. In that case, it might be beneficial for you to be the one to lead that team."

I put one hand on my hip.

"You think the disappearances are connected to this serial bombing case? That's a reach, Jade."

The knight shook her head.

"No, that's not what I'm saying. Something about all these events… I feel as though they're tied together somehow."

Her eyes shined a pale gold. It took me off guard as she looked about the room.

"Everyone here is part of my consulting team. I wouldn't have established this team this way if I didn't… feel like it would lead to victory."

She crossed her arms; her aura shook the room with her determination. I wasn't sure what she meant by this… feeling, but it would seem that Jade had a way about her that I couldn't put my finger on.

"The way to victory… shows that you are the best person to put on this team, Feodora. I feel… as though it would lead to something important."

Suddenly, she pointed at me.

"I have a feeling that this… is the right choice despite the dangers of it."

The other girls were silent as they listened intently. I wasn't sure what her "feelings" were… but it felt to me like everyone else besides me had an understanding of what Jade was saying.

"If that's how you want to do it, Jade, we'll see what happens."

Eve chimed in, knocking her head against the bud of her gun. With a slight cackle, she looked my way.

"Feodora, for the time being, just go with the flow. I'm sure you'll be okay."

Eve's ominous blue eyes shined all the more.

I scratched my cheek. Mellissa giggled.

"Oh Jade, never a dull moment with you. Not to worry, I'm sure my other side won't let anything happen to Feodora."

"Huh… It was Countess Mellissa that tried to kill me the other day!"

With a cough, Jade got our attention again.

"Anyway, Vivian and Eve, you will check on the second threat. It's the farmland just east of here. Scan the area and make sure there's no chance of a strike. Eve, with your technical knowledge…."

"Right. I can defuse any bombs if I find them."

Eve dejected.

"A few Radiants will scan the shopping district as the third threat was there. The fourth is the Radiant castle gates, and those are heavily armed. And lastly, Me, Abigail, and her little sister, Lana, will search the Baron group as they are the fifth threat of attack."

Yuuna whispered.

"Even the Baron group…."

"Don't worry, Yuuna."

The ghost behind her comforted her. It was strange because… I was likely the only person who could hear the two talk here.

Jade nodded and looked back at me.

"Feodora, you have my number. Eve, you have my contact too. Tell us the moment you find something, and we're on our way. Do not hesitate to get out of there if you suspect a bomb."

We all agreed by nodding.

"Right!"

"Prepare yourselves before you go. I want you out of the city by 10AM. We don't have time to waddle around. We will find the culprits of these bombings if it's the last thing we do! Follow my lead, and I'll take us all to victory!"

Before I knew it, I was caught up in her chant as I raised my hand. Everyone looked at me… it seemed I was the only one drunk in excitement. Mellissa giggled at me… like she always did.

Everyone began walking out of the room before Jade took my jacket and pulled me back.

"Wait… I need to speak with you alone for a bit."

She closed the door behind us and took me to the other side of the room, away from the door for good measure.

"I want you to use any tactic you can to capture potential culprits. Do you understand me, Feodora Cicer?"

I pulled back slightly.

"You'll allow me to use my spells without repercussions of the law?"

Jade gave me a glare. She was clearly giving me the okay… without giving me the okay.

"The faster we deal with them, the faster we get back to finding the people who've gone missing. Use what you need, and I'll protect you."

"Right, Jade."

The orders to break the laws to find the truth. That's who this knight was, someone who, at all costs, would see the way to victory. I was learning more about Jade with every day I worked with her.

"Also, Feodora, before you leave, I want to explain the Rosary and how to properly use it."

Jade stopped me before I could leave the room. She shut the door behind us and nudged me to bring it out.

"You're working beside Mellissa Ann Cafree today. So, I should teach you how to use it and its functions. She seemed to have taken a liking to you… and I want you back in one piece… not done by her anyway."

I took out the white cross that she gave me. Jade took it and raised it up for me to focus on it.

"This is the Rosary. It was a tool created by Polechenote, a partner of mine."

"Polechenote… I don't believe I've met her."

"You haven't, but eventually, you will, especially if you're around Mellissa long enough. But anyway…"

She pointed at the rosary.

"Mellissa Ann Cafree's other side is known as Countess. When she's on that side, Countess is reckless and violent. She is the kind of person that would laugh as you are tortured to death. She… enjoys the pleasure of hearing others cry out for pain."

Coldly Jade continued.

"Don't trust her to save you. The only person she looks out for is Mellissa, her vessel. If she helps you, always remember, there are stipulations to her kindness."

Jade warned.

"She… really sounds like a demon."

I murmured, looking at the door as if she was watching.

"Anyway, you can tell her to heel using the rosary. She'll be bound by a spell, making her stop. Sometimes you'll have to issue that order countless times for the spell to grow strong enough to stop her."

I nodded.

"Right. The more the order is issued, the more likely Countess will be forced to listen."

The knight pointed to the top part of the rosary.

"Next, if she gets too out of control, you can force her to leave. But be wary of this. If she leaves and Mellissa returns, it will take until the next day for her to be able to come back out."

I looked at the rosary, enamored by the tool.

"So, if I force her to leave, she won't be able to come back out until the following day?"

I didn't know how a spell like that was possible, but here it was.

"It's like unleashing a devastating weapon… then forcing it back into the box."

I pondered, looking over the device.

"Kind of. Just be certain that if you need her to leave, you won't need her again. Putting her back into Mellissa's body could be the worst thing you do in the heat of battle. Countess is dangerous but helpful when in a pinch."

"Right."

"Think of this rosary as a leash that helps you control the dog you're walking. But the dog will still pull and buck back the entire time. This won't stop Mellissa from killing you, but it will give you a slight chance to live if she puts her claws into you."

The way Jade explained that brought chills down my spine. I swallowed. I got myself into something complicated and dangerous.

"You're a dark vessel, something Countess has rarely, if ever, encountered. Her attraction to you is… special, Feodora. Even I haven't dealt with this situation much."

I pondered for a bit. Something didn't add up to what Jade just said.

"Rarely encountered?"

I closed my eyes, opened them, and faced Jade.

"Jade… how old is Mellissa Ann Cafree?"

She crossed her arms.

"Just over 21, if I recall. What of it, Feodora?"

I put the rosary in my pocket and looked back at Jade.

"You wanted Eve to keep Countess away from me. That's why we went to the other gate of the city, to avoid her, right?"

Jade nodded.

"How… would you know how Countess Mellissa would have reacted to me… without seeing her ever interact with other dark vessels?"

Jade signed.

"A… a slip of the tongue. I made sure nothing would happen to you because you are important to the investigation. Just a judgment call."

I felt as though Jade was… lying. But that would mean that Jade was lying about Countess Mellissa interacting with other dark vessels. How many years ago was it since the last dark vessel entered Radiant City?

But instead of pushing her further, I let it go as I faced the door.

"Anyway, I'll get going."

I patted the rosary in my pocket. Jade smirked and slanted her eyes like a devil.

"Good luck, don't die."

With those last chilling words, I made my way to meet up with Mellissa and Yuuna.

After our discussion, the consultant team made our way out the gates.

"Well, Vivian and I will start with the farmland. Good luck, you three."

"You mean, "you four!""

Janova complained as she stuck her tongue at Eve and Vivian. I scratched my head, trying my best… not to alert Mellissa of anything strange. I already got Yuuna and Janova in trouble once… and I doubt they care much for me already because of it.

Eve put two fingers on her forehead and saluted us off. Together, she and Vivian began jogging toward the farmlands. That was a lot of areas to search, but I'm sure Jade was right… likely, there aren't any bombs in either of the places.

I turned to Yuuna and Mellissa.

"Ah… I want you to know, Feodora; I do not… call my other me."

Mellissa admitted.

"Oh… don't worry. Jade explained that she'll come… when the time was right. Ah… Yuuna, are you good at combat?"

The pink bunny nodded softly.

"Yes… Ah… I'm very good at enchanting weapons with spectrum. B-But I can only use… low-level spectrum across the board."

Curiously, Mellissa turned to the bunny towering over her.

"Oh, how interesting. What vessel type are you?"

"You don't have to answer her, Yuuna!"

Janova directed.

Rubbing her soles into the ground, Yuuna confessed.

"… I… ah… I don't… actually know."

"Is… that right?"

I questioned Janova and Yuuna. They both glared at me. However, only Yuuna answered.

"Yes, that's right, Feodora."

"Mind your own dang business, dark vessel. Yuuna doesn't have to say what makes her uncomfortable."

Annoyed, I pressed on.

"Why are you hiding what vessel type you are?"

I accused Yuuna, still doing my best not to speak directly to Janova. It was an odd exchange, knowing a spirit was pushing Yuuna along like she was a vessel for Janova's whims.

"I'm not. It's… it's complicated, and I don't know what vessel type I am..."

Yuuna wasn't budging, and Janova was supporting her every step of the way. This would be a useless endeavor if I made our friction any worse by pressing her. So, I gave up and let it go.

"What element are you strongest in then, Yuuna?"

She puffed her cheeks and squeezed her soft hands.

"I'm… bad across the board. B-But I'm super strong in the enchanting spectrum. I-I can change the element of your weapons and provide s-support…via… low-level spectrum from the back."

I nodded.

"Eh! I can provide healing too! A-And…"

"I see. I never had my weapon enchanted with spectrum aside from doing it myself. Don't worry. I'm sure you'll be an asset, especially when Countess Mellissa comes out."

Sadly, Yuuna looked like she was going to cry as she explained her potential. Janova was still beaming her eyes into my sides uncomfortably. These two were shady… but I had to do what I had. Enchanting would be good, and I'm sure it would be helpful in a fight.

I turned to the kind human as she put her hand behind her back and smiled brightly at me.

"You're human… so you don't have any spectrum to use, right Mellissa?"

"That's true. I'm useless in a fight… but I heard amazing stories about the other me!"

"Yeah, your other side is powerful, so I'm not worried about her if we get into a fight. I'm… more worried I wouldn't be able to control her, and she'd kill me, though."

Mellissa giggled.

"Oh, I hope she doesn't. After all of this, I'd like to spend more time with you."

Her long, beautiful hair danced in the field's wind as she confessed. I looked away uncomfortably. I told myself this morning that I'd try and distance myself from her… but with lines like that, it was getting harder. I… would have to make a clear line in the sand to protect my wellbeing.

"I need you to stay behind Yuuna and me until your other side decides to come out. Can you do that, Mellissa?"

"Yes! In the meantime, I'll try to be best friends with Yuuna!"

Mellissa clapped her hands.

"B-Best friends?!"

Yuuna shrieked.

"Yuuna is my best friend! Piss off, human!"

Janova popped off, ready to lunge at Mellissa.

Her eyes shined a bright blue, and it looked like she was going to cast a spell on the unsuspecting human. I jumped in the way and took Mellissa's hand, gently tugging her towards me.

"A-Actually Mellissa, how about you stay close to me?!"

I frantically said. I wasn't sure if Janova could physically harm Mellissa, and she always sounded so confrontational. I… wouldn't want her getting hurt by an invisible being because she got too close to Yuuna. This… was going to be an exciting group of girls.

I noticed I was still holding her hand. I let go and pulled her skirt instead. she tilted her head and smiled at me, mirroring the brightest star in the pure night sky.

"Okay, you don't have to get jealous. I'll stick with you, Feodora."

"Yeah… jealous."

My chest felt like it was pulling for a moment. I wasn't jealous… at least, I don't think I was. This was only to protect Mellissa from that strange ghost hovering behind that strange Yuuna of the Light Camp. Everything about those two made me… not trust them.

"Right, I'll lead the way."

I let my feelings go on the matter for the time being. If I was going to work well with Yuuna and Mellissa, I had to set these things aside and focus on the case.

I said as we made our way to the factories in the distance. From the notes Jade gave me, there are ten factories. The one we're after is the ore refinery. That's where the lead is centered around. The wind blew our hair to the east on the bright sunny day. It was nice… and I felt like what happened this morning was a distant memory.

"Ah… I might as well get both your statements now that we have the free time."

"S-Statements?"

Yuuna stammered.

"It's okay, Yuuna. Just tell Feodora what you were doing before the bombings."

Janova pet Yuuna's head. These two were more and more suspicious with every interaction.

I'll start with you, Mellissa. Where were you when the bombings took place?"

"Me?"

The human giggled.

"Well, I was in school, if you must ask. Do you remember the school I took you to yesterday? I had classes there again."

Mellissa ran up to me and pushed her shoulder along mine. She was super tall, and it felt as though… she was dominant. I've begun to realize that about Mellissa Ann Cafree. This side of her is charming and flirty to the point that it's hard for me not to get caught up in her whirlwind.

"So, I know you go to school. What are you studying there, Mellissa?"

"I'm working to become a Neurologist."

A neurologist. With what's going on within her body, it's interesting that she would study that topic. Maybe it had something to do with finding out more about her other side. I'm not sure how they are connected. Could it be that Mellissa, the human, is actually her demon side and not another entity entirely? I… was becoming more curious about her as I searched her up and down.

She spun around excitedly. Her dress twirled in the sunny field, along with her beautiful hair. If only this was who Mellissa Ann Cafree was. If only… she didn't have that murderous side, then maybe… it would be okay for me to get to know her.

Maxwell popped into my head, and the guilt wrapped over me. I shook my head and focused. Mellissa is just a partner for the time being. I had to remind myself that I was working with her out of necessity. I… couldn't have any more intimate contact with her. She is the last kind of person I should get close with. Her demon side is dangerous and would put my life at risk just being close to her.

However, in the sunlight of the field… it's easy to forget that those slim arms… ripped a beast apart the other day.

"Hey, are you going to go on with your interrogation or not, Feodora?!"

Janova screamed at me, waking me up from my thoughts. She seemed annoyed that I was fixating too much on… this enigma before me.

"Neurologist… that's an interesting field. Well, back on the topic, you were at school when the bombings happened?"

"Yes. I was in first-period classes when I received the call from Jade. So, I rushed over to aid the injured, and as I was helping, Jade heard Atom, and we rushed over to you and Eve."

Everything checked out so far… and her being in school might have the most solid alibi if her classmates can corroborate her there. So, I wrote down her claims and turned to Yuuna. She suddenly shot up and held her shoulder.

"You're next, Yuuna. I want to ensure I'm doing my job to help Jade."

Yuuna took a deep breath and turned to Janova, who gave her a nod, then back at me.

"Yesterday, I was playing with the small animals in the forest. Then in the morning… M-my mentor, you know who she is… can confirm my alibi."

She stopped, looked back at Janova, then once again back at me.

"We… I mean, I heard the explosions from the city. T-The Light Camp called me and told me to go help the injured in the town. That's when I ran into Jade. S-She was mean and forced me to help her."

I nodded.

"I take it… Janova is your mentor?"

I glanced at Janova, doing my best not to sound too strange to Mellissa. They both nodded.

"Well… I can't say that's a solid alibi… because of your relationship with your mentor. But for the time being, I'll write it down."

Janova flipped out, spinning around in the air.

"Oh, fuck you!"

The ghost screamed.

"I-I understand, Feodora."

Mellissa put her finger to her lip.

"You're quite the detective, Feodora."

Shyly, I rubbed my head.

"No, it's nothing like that, Mellissa. I was…taught by my mentor to always try my hardest to live. And… because of reasons I have to work with Jade. So, to get my normal life back, I must work hard. So, in this case, I have to be a detective."

It was simple to me, the faster I solve what's going on here, the less hold Jade would have on me. So effectively, if I solve the mysteries, there won't be any left, and I'll be free, able to live like Maxwell wanted me to. If I have to be the detective, so be it.

During our chat, we made it to the factories. They were much larger up close. Some sections spanned miles and miles of factories. But our job was to get to the ore factory and investigate. As we approached, a couple of knights patrolled around the outskirts of the factories.

"Ah, are you Feodora, Yuuna and Mellissa?"

The knight asked. We all nodded.

"We have a few already checking the ore factory. If you follow this pathway, the fifth factory will be up ahead. You'll know which one is which. Ore burns with a rough and tart scent. Also, it's signed."

He handed me a map of the factory.

"Once you get there, another set of guards will be stationed. Tell them you're with Jade, and they'll let you in. No worries, the workers have been sent home for the day, so there's no risk of them being harmed."

"Good! Very good!"

Mellissa beamed endearingly. Happily, she bounced down the road towards the ore factory.

"Eh, M-Mellissa…"

Yuuna attempted to call out, but it was too late. The human was ready to go since all the people had been evacuated. It… showed me how much she truly cared for people… unlike her other side.

"Let's catch up with her, Yuuna."

"Ah… Y-Yes, Feodora."

Timidly, she followed behind me.

The ground was dirty and rough as we passed the factories. I could see cement building zones and other goods like iron and such. But what we were looking for is the ore refinery. When Mellissa finally reached it, she stopped, lifted herself on her tippy toes, and turned back to us.

"It's here! Over here!"

Excitedly, she bounced up and down. When we reached her, she grabbed my hand and hopped with me.

"Ah… Hehe, Mellissa, stay behind us. Jade would kill me if you got hurt."

"Oh… sorry, Feodora."

She did as she was told and made her way between Yuuna and me. When we walked up to the gates, a knight looked at our papers and allowed us inside. As we walked inside, everything was dark and looked eerie. There were iron belts that were stopped midway through production. It was as if everyone had just vanished, but I knew better than that.

Suddenly, Mellissa held her nose in the air.

"Arrgg…"

"Huh, what's wrong, Mellissa?"

"Oh… I smell something...."

Yuuna tilted her head.

"Smell… something? Do you mean the burnt ore?"

"No… something… else."

"Should we rest, Mellissa?"

I tapped her soft shoulder. Gently, she turned to me with a beam.

"No… I… I assume that the other me is telling me to… be careful. Usually, when this happens… bad things are around."

I couldn't tell if this was a way for the other side of her to communicate. As she mentioned, they don't share memories if her other side came out. So, to speak must be difficult.

At her intuition, I took out my blade.

"… If that's the case, I'll be vigilant."

Calmly, we made our way deeper into the factory. Soot and grime plastered the walls, showing how constant the machines here worked. Large amounts of processed materials were piled around in barrels labeled Highly Flammable. There was a large sign hovering above us that read, New Age. That reminded me of the Radiant Age for some reason.

"What does New Age stand for on this banner?"

I asked, nobody in particular. Mellissa perked up with the answer.

"'New Age is a term coined by the Radiants. It signifies… new technology and discoveries."

We walked under the banner as I continued my questions.

"The Radiants have made a lot of new technology… haven't they?"

Yuuna nodded.

"… S-Some… even believe they over…step their boundaries."

"Hm? What do you mean… Yuuna?"

"Eh…"

She signed.

"Yuuna's mentor thinks… that… the Radiants… might be…."

She struggled until, ultimately, Yuuna stopped. She clammed up and put her head down.

"Don't go into it, Yuuna. The Radiants are selfish, and they have their own agendas. Just like… you know who."

The two seemed to don't care much for the Radiants. I might have brought up a sore topic without realizing it. It. So, I pressed on with a new topic to defuse Janova's rage and Yuuna's wariness.

"Well, anyway, this place seems empty so far."

From above, the holy spectrum shined, lighting up the place. The factory came alive as the gears on the machines started to move. We all stared at the bright lights above as heaven opened up and shined down on us.

"What the?"

I questioned, confused as I looked around. With a loud bang, the doors behind us shut.

"What the heck?"

I ran to the door and pushed it, but it didn't budge. The noise increased as the iron belts moved, and the material started being processed independently.

"A-Are we l-locked inside?!"

Yuuna began to panic as she held her backpack in her hand. She crouched down, trying her best to hide. Mellissa didn't seem fazed, though. She just looked about.

"I wouldn't worry. Can we just call Jade to get us out if we are locked in?"

I thought it was a brilliant idea. So, I took out my… phone and tried to call Jade… but it wouldn't connect.

"What does… no connection… mean?"

I asked, earning a terrified look from Yuuna.

"Oh, no…"

Mellissa put her finger to her chin as she studied the situation more.

"It would seem… our devices are being jammed."

She continued with a calming sigh as if this was someone else's problem.

"Well, worry not! The knights will see that everything is activated and alert Jade."

I shrugged.

"Well, whatever they're planning, they have us trapped here for the time being. That means… this might be the terrorist bombing location."

I calmed myself down.

"Whatever we do, we have to survive. So, let's look around and see if we can find whoever is doing this."

They turned on the lights and lit up the factory. There might be a chance that they are trying to draw attention to this place… And if that's the idea… then this might be the bomb site.

I calmed my mind, trying my best not to think about it. If I knew anything by this point, Jade wouldn't readily make me go into this with the high chance I'd die… she likely had something up her sleeve, and I had to just hold out until then.

"Ah… this way!"

Suddenly, the human raced off.

"Wait, where are you going, Mellissa?"

"I… I don't know, but my other side wants me to see something."

"Come on, Yuuna."

"Oh… right."

"What's with this stupid human?!"

Janova complained.

We ran after her as we raced down a few production corridors. All the machinery was moving. This was made as a show, and I was sure the idea was to bring in as many people as possible. That would be there was a high chance the culprits were in here. As we followed the human, she began to speed up as she turned the corner.

"Ah?!"

"Mellissa?!"

Suddenly, the factory began to shake. I took Mellissa in my hands and pulled her towards me. What appeared was a large iron creature. It was put together with bolts and seemed to be radiating wind spectrum. It stood at least 15ft tall and had a sizeable grey body. The grey metal glistened off the bright lights above. With its wheel-like legs, it rolled towards us. It had a triangle face and crescent-shaped claws on each arm.

"What the heck?!"

I shouted before pushing Mellissa out of the way. She fell to the ground and looked up at the iron beast. Yuuna set her backpack aside again as she got into a battle stance.

Its large arms attempted to crush her and me, but I pulled my blade to defend us.

"W-Water embrace!"

Yuuna cried out, and before I knew it, a rushing swirl of water entered my sword. The iron beast slammed down on me. The pressure from the water spectrum pushed its body off of my blade, though. Sparks of electricity shot against the walls as its body jolted around.

"Did I stun it?"

"N-Now, F-Feodora! Hit it!"

Yuuna screamed at me. I brought my blade behind me and slashed it with a horizontal arc...The iron, bolts, and metals scattered across the small room. A shockwave full of water, mirroring a tsunami, rushed through the halls and evaporated before my eyes. The room shook as I realized what Yuuna's ability just did.

She didn't just give my blade the water property… but Yuuna amplified the spectrum… to the scale of a water vessel. Yuuna's abilities effectively made my attack as devastating as any natural vessel user. In awe, I turned to Yuuna.

"That's really useful, Yuuna! How did you do that?"

I praised… Yuuna rubbed her foot into the floor…

"You two, another one!"

Mellissa called out to me. Another mechanical beast of the same style rushed out from the door across the way.

"Alright, everyone in formation!"

I commanded. Yuuna stood behind me as Mellissa made her way to the back. This was going to be a two-man formation with a VIP. Mellissa was the VIP until her demon side decided to come out. The iron beast was like the previous one, almost like a replica. It harshly stepped forward, crushing its own partner under its wheels.

"What the heck are these things?"

I readied my blade as I awaited its strike.

"These are machines from the human age. Atom reinvented them, but… none are in the entire operation yet. The public… hasn't seen them yet either.

Mellissa explained. She seemed to have a lot of knowledge of our world's history.

"Then how do you know about them, Mellissa?"

I questioned but was interrupted by the machine strike. I avoided it, along with Yuuna. The ground shook as a creator formed where we were standing. That showed how massive its strikes were.

"Again, Yuuna?"

"R-Right!"

She charged her spell in hand and sent it to me. As I swung around and cut the machine, my blade went a sharp blue. It stumbled back but didn't entirely go down. When it landed back on its wheels, Its claw-like arms grabbed me by the hip.

"Huh?!"

With insane speed, the iron monster lifted me up. I braced for the impact by flowing my dark spectrum around me. The machine slammed my body to the ground. Blood pushed out of my mouth as my eyes attempted to roll behind my head. As I tried to stay conscious, a water blade rushed over me, cutting the beast and causing it to start sparking like the previous one. The mech released me, giving me the chance to roll away. With all my might, I stood up and held my katana with both hands.

"Ha!"

I shouted with all the force I could muster. I struck its immobile body, destroying the wires from inside. The machine finally collapsed and fell on its comrade.

"Feodora! Are you alright!"

Mellissa ran over and touched my face. She looked extremely worried as she wiped the blood from my mouth. It seemed the machine gave me a good cut on the back of the head when it slammed me to the floor.

"Sorry, I didn't expect it to survive that first strike."

Hoping to ease her worries, I tried to play it off.

"Y-You shouldn't be so careless. I hope you don't have any internal bleeding."

She began checking my stomach and back by pushing her hands under my shirt. It was a surprise to me, causing me to shriek back.

"Geez, why do you always have to get bloody when I'm around? I-I don't like seeing you hurt, you know, Feodora."

Mellissa mumbled. It's crazy to think she's why I'm always bloody, to begin with. But despite that, I didn't want to say anything but the occasional "sorry." Her panicked breath trickled along my skin as she checked me for internal damage.

Feeling satisfied, I took it; she pulled my shirt back down and gently wiped the blood off my face.

"These two act like a married couple."

Janova chided. Mellissa didn't hear it, but it caused me to become a tad conscious of the situation. I touched her hand and affirmed to her that I was okay with a nod.

"I'm okay, Mellissa."

I assured the doctors. But Mellissa kept tending to my already treated wound. She sighed as she tilted her head at me. Before leaving me be, she pushed her face into mine and kissed me on the cheek.

"Once."

She kissed again with a brief giggle in between. Her warm breath traced along my cheek, causing the blood in my body to start to race.

"Twice."

She kissed me once more.

"Thrice. Hehe… thanks for saving me, Feodora."

Each kiss had a heat that I could only relate to the summer's heat basking on my cheek. The tender wetness traced along my skin caused my heart to pound as if someone was pressing it harder and harder.

"Really?"

Yuuna mumbled to herself.

"I get it now. Those two are a couple, Yuuna!"

Janova, mildly annoyed, turned to Yuuna.

"Ignore the lovebirds, Yuuna. That's why Feodora's favoriting her! Screw these two!"

"I-I'm not favoring anyone!"

I yelled at Janov. That's when it dawned on me… Mellissa wouldn't have any idea what I'm talking about. Flustered, confused, and embarrassed, I shook my head and lifted my blade.

I was sure my body was bright red by this point… not only because of Mellissa's actions when treating me… but Yuuna's and Janova's reactions too.

"I wish the other me would have come out… she… might have been more useful."

Mellissa slumped her shoulders. Yuuna finally let go of me and walked to the side.

"…I-I think we should go before more show up."

"Yeah, the longer we wait, the more danger we're in, Feodora."

Janova said.

"Yeah, we're not sure how many machines they have."

I closed my eyes and thought about it. If the culprits brought along these machines, what could they be planning? Would they… risk destroying their devices in a bombing?

Clearly, something more devious was being planned, and we were likely just the decoys and pawns in this bigger game.