The Night Is Growing Darker

The voice's owner leaped from her position and landed gracefully on her feet—or was it her knees? It was hard to discern in the darkness, as the moon was obscured by clouds. Nevertheless, Orianna, or rather, the 27th, posed a question.

"Why are you here?"

"Why, you ask? Because the higher-ups ordered me to be here, that's why," the figure replied, still seemingly on her knees. She placed her hands on either side of her hips, an odd posture.

Suddenly, the clouds dispersed, allowing the moonlight to pierce through the darkness. As the radiant glow illuminated the ground, the woman's features became clear—a golden-haired beauty with mesmerizing blue eyes.

Well, calling her a woman might be a stretch, considering how incredibly short she was. It was almost as if she was perpetually on her knees due to her diminutive stature.

"The higher-ups? But..."

"The situation has changed, 27th. Something much bigger is at play here."

"What do you mean?"