The Monarch Effect

Chapter 9: Make Belief

Chapter 9

Does it still count as a standoff if your opponent wields magic?

After briefly commanding Varialax to hold its fire, the girl shrinks deeper into her corner with wide eyes. Her hands tremble as she grips the crystal like it's her last hope. The magical circle below her flickers an icy blue but remains lit as jagged breaths leave her mouth.

On the other hand, Variralax keeps an iron grip on the desert eagle, aiming the pistol at her and putting a virtual reticle on her forehead. I breathe heavily as my heart pounds, but after observing her.... There might be a way out of this.

I have a squeaky-clean record of zero kills in my life, and I'd like to keep it that way...

...I'm... I'm not like mom.

Looking ahead, I try to read the girl's body language. Her whole body is now trembling as she looks back and forth between me and the gun. She may be a magical girl, but judging her body language, I'm guessing she knows what a gun can do.

But at the same time, do I even know what magic can do?

Despite all that's happening, I can hear the people outside the room walking and talking.

...I think I can de-escalate this. I take a big breath before talking.

"...You hear them too, don't you?" I start as I motion my head behind me before continuing. "...and I guarantee they're armed."

Her face looks up toward mine as I keep talking.

"I don't know how much noise that crystal will make, but I know my weapon will make a loud 'bang' that'll alert everyone in this building. Assuming we both survive and keep fighting, people with much deadlier weapons than this one will rush in within minutes or even seconds, and we'll both be finished." I say in a low but firm voice.

The girl's eyebrows raise as she tightens her grip on her crystal. I hope she understands me...

"I, for one, would like to live. And judging by your body language, you do too. I don't see a killer's look in your eyes, and I'd like to think I don't have one, either. So how about we put away our weapons and not start a battle neither of us will win?" I say, but I don't actually know her intentions through her eyes; I'm just really hoping I'm getting through to her.

The girl keeps staring at me while she nervously swallows. Her jagged breaths come out soon after as she refuses to move.

...I'm gonna have to make the first move, aren't I?

"Varialax," I begin whispering. "Can I please have my arms back?"

AUTO ENGAGE (LTD VER.) DISABLED

A few moments of silence go before my limbs, while still armored, begin to listen to me again.

"It's ok," I say to the girl as I begin lowering myself to the ground. "I'll go first."

I slowly and carefully lower myself to the ground, keeping my eyes locked with hers and not her crystal. Her eyes follow me, but she doesn't make any sudden movements. I guess that's a good thing... right?

I finally lower myself enough to place the gun on the ground and slide it away from me sideways. After reaching some distance, the familiar green squares appear around the desert eagle before it vanishes into thin air.

The girl witnessing this doesn't change her expression and quickly turns her focus toward me. I guess she's seen a disappearing act before?

I sit down on the floor to keep the same height level as her. I hear animals will sometimes calm down if you lower yourself to their level, but this is a human I'm dealing with... I'm no psychology major, but I need any and every edge I can get right now, or else... yeah, it's not good.