"E-Eve!"
Vivian yelled at her. The psycho chuckled, pushing the gun deeper into my neck. Its cold barrel sank into my skin.
"That's enough Eve, Feodora is an important asset to this investigation, and I don't need her getting hurt."
Jade finally stepped in, pushing Eve away from me.
"I don't know what happened between you two, and honestly, I couldn't care less. But right now, I need you both to put your differences aside."
The Radiant turned back to Eve, who was twirling her gun in her fingers.
"Feodora Cicer, this is Eve Seed. She is another consultant on this case. The white-haired one, Vivian Heart, also is a consultant for both this case and for the knights."
Vivian curtsied towards me.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Feodora Cicer! Oh, I mean Ms. Cicer! Or would it be, Ms. Feodora?"
"No, you can just call me Feodora, Vivian."
"Oh okay, Feodora. Ah…"
She turned away and put her hands behind her back. Her body swayed from one side to another like waves in the ocean. It was a sight to behold as her cheeks reddened a tad.
"Thank you for saving me."
Vivian blushed as she turned away. I blushed too as I looked away from her. Jade looked unamused as she turned to the side and crossed her arms.
"Anyway, I won't be joining you three on your mission today. Eve, you are the head in this investigation."
"We're investigating one of your previous crime scenes, right, Jade?"
I questioned.
"Correct, I want you three to reinvestigate a crime scene from one of the missing people. Now that we have Feodora, I want to make sure we didn't miss anything."
Eve nodded as she hit her head with her gun.
"So, you're the dark vessel that Jade told me about, Feodora?"
I nodded then turned back to the knight.
"And where is this crime scene, Jade?"
The knight put her hands on her hips. She pushed out her chest, and with force, Jade gave us her orders.
"It's in the ancient ruins east of here. Eve, I want you to take Feodora to the north exit and make your way around the east gate. Do I make myself clear?"
"Hohoho, avoiding a certain someone, are we?"
Eve's bright blue eyes began to shine brighter. Something was different about her for sure.
"I just don't want to deal with that right now. So, make sure she doesn't get spotted near the east exit of the city. Take her out the north, venture to the east, got it?"
Eve saluted playfully.
"Yes, ma'am."
I wasn't sure why she was so adamant that I didn't step out the east gates. Concerned, I was about to ask when the white bunny jumped towards Jade first.
"Ah, if we find anything, how can we reach you?"
Vivian placed her hands on her hips and pushed her chest out. She smiled brightly, but Jade wasn't taking any of it as she glared at her.
"I think we should exchange phone numbers, Ms. Jade!"
Vivian suggested.
"Eve has my contact information. I don't need yours, Vivian."
Jade retorted.
"B-But don't you think it would be easier if I had it too?"
The short girl rubbed her feet on the ground, but Jade wasn't budging. They were talking about something I couldn't understand. Confused, I raised my hand like a child in class.
"Contact information? Ah, what's a phone?"
Everyone stared at me like I grew three heads. Eve busted into laughter as she walked about, kicking and breaking things in excitement. Vivian looked at me a tad pitifully. Jade raised her hand to stop them.
"Listen, everyone, the technology was only recovered in 1120. It's only been public use since 1125."
Eve held her stomach.
"Yeah, two years ago! Where the heck have you been, living under a rock?"
Eve cackled.
"Eh? No! I've been living in a forest most of my life."
Jade cut in.
"Eve, Vivian, she's a hermit. It's expected that she wouldn't know much about modern technology."
I was getting frustrated as I crossed my arms and puffed my cheeks. Maxwell didn't like it when I pouted, but I think I earned the right at this moment.
"I'm not a hermit."
Vivian sped around me as she clapped her hands.
"The inventions, or reinventions of phones were founded by the company known as Atom. They are small devices that make use of wind spectrum. We use them to relay information to one another on the fly."
Vivian took out one of these small rectangle devices. It was bright pink and had a small trinket that looked like a cap on the side. Vivian channeled wind spectrum into her body, and the screen lit up. She pushed a few buttons.
"Eh?"
Eve bit her lip and pulled out a device similar. She smiled bitterly and answered it.
"Hello, Eve!"
"… Hello, Vivian."
Vivian pushed the device up to my ear, forcing me to listen to Eve's creepy cackle. It was strange as the light air made from the wind spectrum trickled along my cheek.
"This is strange."
I didn't like it, and my anxiety was starting to kick in. I inched away as the white bunny put it back in her pocket.
"Oh, you and I can go phone shopping later! I'll pick you out the coolest one, Feodora! Can we, can we?"
I scratched my nose and looked towards Jade. All she did was shrug her shoulders.
"Sure, I guess."
I turned to Jade instead, awaiting orders.
"Now, I repeat, Eve is the leader. I'm going to be investigating a lead regarding the Baron Group. I'll meet up with you all later."
She turned around and raced off without giving us a chance to say anything else. That beautiful black hair of hers danced in the wind as she turned the corner. Jade was busy as always.
I wasn't sure how she kept her looks up like that.
"Gosh, you look like a girl in love."
Eve whispered in my ear, causing me to jump.
"H-Huh? W-Why do you say that?"
I coughed.
I was caught staring too much at Jade. I needed to be mindful from here on out not to do that.
"Baron Group?"
I questioned.
It was obvious that I was trying to change the subject. Eve started walking away to the north and we followed.
"Oh, it's a religious group that's prominent here in Radiant City."
Vivian jumped up to explain to me, but just as she did, she turned away and walked with her hands behind her back.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, a pretty large group too, Feodora."
Vivian smiled at me. She was sweet, probably the kindest person I met since I came to Radiant City. I wondered how old she was, being slightly shorter than me.
"Jade's lead told her that they might be involved in these disappearances. It's a pretty big group, and we suspect that at least 18-25% of the city's population is in some way connected to the Baron Group."
Vivian explained.
"Those aren't numbers to scoff at."
I added.
"Yep. It might be best just to stay away from them, new girl."
Eve chuckled.
It was strange that Eve didn't remember that encounter we had. She clearly questioned me, abused me, and knocked me out afterward. But here she was, acting like that didn't happen. But instead of bringing it back up, I decided to let it go for the time being.
As we made our way out the north gates, we had a brief chat with the knights guarding the station. Afterward, we walked about the grass before Eve turned back to us.
"Alright, as Jade mentioned, I'm the leader here. Don't go off without my permission. There are beasts out here in the wild, so let's be careful as we proceed to the ancient ruins."
The journey there wasn't too long. We followed a dirt road for around an hour until we made it into a place that looked like an old city. Crumbling structures with grass and moss corroding the exteriors were all around us.
The landscape was littered with rocks and broken-down concrete, making it uncomfortable to walk on.
It felt like this area was about to crumble to dust, and only by the grace of God was it still holding on. There had to be hundreds of small openings and places to explore to the point that someone could get lost if they don't know where to go.
"Alright! Time to put on my adventure bow!"
The white bunny squealed as she pulled out a crimson bow.
"Adventure bow?"
I asked.
Cutely, she tied it on her ponytail. The ribbon bounced making her look all the cuter.
"It gives me superpowers, Feodora!"
She pushed her foot into the dirt and blushed slightly. I wasn't sure if she believed that but the idea that she did show how innocent she might be. Eve shrugged her slim shoulders and took the lead.
"These buildings…"
I admired the ancient structures wasting away.
"Oh, do you know something about this, Feodora?"
Vivian eagerly awaited me to continue.
"I read about the ancient civilizations around this part of the world. They used to be cities from Europe."
I pointed to the structures that looked more like puzzle pieces slanted to the side rather than buildings.
"These buildings are tall and have lots of glass windows. If you look at all the holes in the structures…"
Eve and Vivian listened as I lectured for a bit. Feeling uneasy, I dropped the subject.
"Ah, n-never mind."
I still wasn't used to people looking at me. It made my insides feel as if they were turning upside down.
"Feodora! Tell me more! I want to know more!"
Vivian pleaded, bouncing up and down.
"Some of the material they used to make these structures are lost to time. But these buildings used to be called "skyscrapers" in the old days."
I finished my lecture. It's too bad I couldn't look them in the eyes while I told them all this. Growing up, I read all kinds of books alone in the forest. History was always the most interesting subject to read through.
"You're well-read for a hermit, Feodora."
Eve cackled.
"I'm not a hermit."
Interrupting our banter, I could hear what sounded like birds roaming about the area.
"Stay sharp."
Eve warned as she took out her gun. Her eyes darted around before they fixated on the sky above.
"Above us!"
Vivian yelled and pointed to the sky.
Two large blue bird-like beasts speared down at us. Their feathers shined an ash white like powder as they soared around us.
I removed my katana from its sheath and brought my dark spectrum into it. The pair of birds spread their wings and aimed at Eve.
"A spell is coming!"
I warned.
Lightning speared Eve's way.
"Watch out."
My blade deflected the spell, saving Eve from the strike.
"Wow, Thanks Feodora."
She cackled.
I countered the beast with an arced shockwave blast their way, cutting both down easily.
They turned into white powder. I didn't have to hold back like in the city.
"There's more coming."
Vivian pointed to a flock coming out way.
"I'm going!"
Vivian yelled as her hands shined white. A large spear materialized in her hand. It had a black base, and the spear was a sharp silver.
Holy spectrum gathered around her body as Vivian leaped up like a bunny towards the top of a ruined structure.
"Vivian!"
Eve called out to no avail.
Vivian landed around fifty feet above us and got in a battle stance alone, awaiting the approaching flock.
"Tsk, I didn't tell her to leave formation!"
Eve shouted in frustration as she pointed her gun out towards the wave of birds coming our way.
"Feodora, Vivian is channeling too much spectrum. She's going to attract the entire flock! She's going to get herself hurt!"
"Right. I'll head over there for support. Can you fire from down here and provide me cover?"
Eve kicked the wall of a structure.
"Shut up! Stop talking!"
The psycho screamed before turning back to me.
"Ah, not you, Feodora…"
She hit her head with the bud of her gun then turned back to me.
"Yeah. I'll provide support from down here. Just don't let that idiot get hurt, else Jade will have my head."
"R-Right."
I ignored her outburst and focused on the white bunny. Vivian was already in combat with a few beasts above. They were swarming her like vultures to a dead body.
"Ya!"
When the beast swooped down to strike at her, Vivian would dodge flawlessly.
But her return strike was too slow to accurately get a hit off.
"Hold on, Vivian!"
I ran into the shadow of the structure she was on. My body melted into the darkness as I decided on where I'll appear from.
"Sit still, will you?!"
Vivian prodded at the swarm of bird beast circling her. The flock swooped in, attempting to take her down from behind.
"No, you don't!"
I appeared from Vivian's shadow in a swirl.
"Ha!"
Dark magic swirled in a tornado, destroying parts of the flock behind her. Beside Vivian, I pushed my back on hers.
"Wow, you took them out so easily, Feodora!"
She praised.
"You broke formation, and that can get you killed, Vivian."
I reprimanded.
Maxwell taught me when fighting with people you aren't familiar with, create a formation. His words were always meant to keep me alive, so I rigorously followed them. This blunder showed the difference in our combat abilities.
"Oh, sorry! I wasn't thinking. I just…"
"Focus on the beast. They're not dead and won't stop until we are, or they are."
From below, a bright blue ray shot up, blasting a few bird beasts out of the sky. They screeched as they vanished into dust.
"Haha! Gotcha!"
Eve shouted in victory.
"We almost have them all. Take them out!"
The psycho ordered.
"Okay, I have this!"
Vivian declared as she pushed off my back and ran towards the remaining flock of birds.
"It's too fast for you to counter. You'll have to take it head-on. Be decisive and hit them where it hurts, Vivian!"
I instructed.
Vivian put her foot forward and awaited the strike from the flock of beasts.
In unison they swooped down, attempting to spear her with their beaks. I put my hand on my blade, ready to cut them down to protect her if need be.
"Ha!"
With a thrust, Vivian shot a bright beam out of her spear. The light covered the remaining flock.
Like powder, they burst into smoke.
"Justice has been done!"
After wiping her forehead Vivian looked back at me.
"Thanks for saving me there, Feodora. I owe you another one."
I put my katana away and turned back to Vivian, only to be met with those star-like eyes and the smile that took me off guard.
"Oh, no problem. There are rules to fighting and you'll get better at them as you grow..."
She chuckled.
"Grow? How young do you think I am, Feodora?"
The short girl kicked a pebble off the roof. She put her hands behind her back and swayed about. I wondered if she knew how cute she looked by doing this.
"I'm seventeen and turning eighteen in a few days! You can't be much older than me, right, Feodora?"
"Ah, really?"
"You're older than me, for sure. But I think we're around the same age, right?"
I scratched my cheek.
"I'm twenty. So, just a few years older than you."
She giggled.
"You're really strong. I bet you can teach me a lot of stuff, Feodora."
I rubbed the back of my head. This was getting uncomfortable.
"I-I don't know about that."
Vivian pushed my shoulder. That's when I realized she was playing with me. I wasn't used to that kind of interaction.
"I feel safe being around someone older, you know, Feodora?"
My face felt hot. So, I turned away from her gaze. She was like the sun, bright but hard to look at.
"I think I get you, Vivian."
The white bunny smiled a tad mischievously.
"I really like older girls, Feodora. Kind of like you~"
She added in a soft whisper.
Vivian's sweet breath touched my cheeks. Her lips were so close I could almost touch them. I looked away, avoiding her gaze out of embarrassment.
"Hey, you two, let's hurry up! The scene of the crime is down here!"
Eve waved at us with that creepy smile of hers. Her eyes shined bright blue as she waved that gun from side to side.
"Yeah, let's go, Feodora!"
Vivian touched my fingers, rubbed them a little before letting go. With a flip, she jumped down wildly. I watched as she landed next to Eve with a bang. She stood up and stretched her joints as if that fall was nothing to her.
"That wasn't my imagination, right?"
My chest pounded at the thought of what just happened. But instead of putting too much thought into it, I made my way down too. I was more cautious as I found a pathway down back to them. When I reached ground level, Eve smirked at me.
"You have some interesting moves. I guess it comes with being a dark vessel and all. You vanished into the shadows and appeared up there with Vivian."
Eve gazed at me as she praised.
"Yeah, Feodora saved me!"
Vivian added, her tone back to normal.
"There's a few tricks I have up my sleeve."
Feeling a tad insecure by the sudden attention, I looked to the side. Taking the hint, I suppose, everyone followed behind me.