Mirae Walkers

❗Chapter XIII❗

This chapter features our friends from real life! Yes, things like this do happen, and are typically even more silly and insane, as Neut's counterpart is very good at screaming entertainingly. Enjoy Team 1's hilariousness!

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Andriel hated returning here, after everything he'd seen.

Ryley was right. There was absolutely no real explanation for what they were doing to Mir-Cognates.

To prove his point, the very first cell in this hall he walked by had an older, dry-blood-covered Cognate who was crying quietly to himself. Andriel avoided looking at him. And all the others... what even to call them?

"You look anxious today." The recruit next to him observed. The way she spoke made Andriel instantly hate her.

He didn't respond. Anything he could say would be treasonous. Andriel glared at her instead, continuing to walk.

"Where ya headed?" She asked. Andriel had been requested for a new assignment, so he was heading to the offices around the armory. But he really didn't feel like telling her.

Pretend to be mute, perhaps? He thought. Nah, they wouldn't draft someone like that. She didn't look gullible, either.

"Armory." He grumbled. "You?" Hopefully he sounded tough enough for her to not ask any more questions.

"We're branding a couple of 'em today. I requested front row seats, of course. Listening to them scream is so fun."

Andriel had guarded a branding once. The sight of someone's burning skin had nearly made him faint, which in turn ensured he'd never see one again. He turned where he needed to, through the tight, blackened corridor and far away from that crazy woman. This area used to be red sandstone. He thought. Then it hit him.

This is where Agamani set off his own explosion and killed thirty people. Ryley had said it was justified, but now Agamani had murder on his hands.

Andriel quickly opened the door to the office he needed to go to, taking a seat in the corner. He didn't like thinking about that.

The woman at the desk reached over and smothered her candle, the only source of light in the cramped room. The room fell into extending darkness.

"Hello?" Andriel said, confused.

"Why hello to you too, Andriel Parr Gremio."

He shuddered when she said his full name. "I came here for reassignment."

"Oh, I know," She chuckled. "I came here to reassign you."

Andriel certainly wished he could see her.

"Now tell me, sir. Why isn't he with you?"

"I was informed he was dead." Andriel certainly couldn't admit that he'd decided not to go after him.

She giggled unsettlingly. Andriel heard a flint strike, then the candle reignited. She lit up, showing her cloak. It covered all of her. "That's not the truth, now, is it?"

She walked slowly toward him. Andriel lost his words. "I.. um..."

"Just tell the truth." Her salty voice did not lay well in his head.

"That's what I was told."

"Ah. You're disloyal. You've been convinced that Mir-Cognates are not horrid creatures."

"I didn't say..." Andriel half-objected.

"It doesn't matter, does it? It's unclear what's going on with you, but there is one thing that is clear."