The interrogation room was a study in monotony. White walls, a cold, sterile atmosphere, and a single, harsh overhead light casting unforgiving shadows. The air seemed to hum, and the creak of the metal chair echoed as Alexia shifted nervously, her eyes darting around the room.

She sat across from the interrogator, a man clad in a crisp, dark uniform that seemed to absorb what little warmth the room possessed. His eyes, sharp and piercing, bore into Alexia's with an intensity that made her uneasy. His nameplate simply read “Inspector Wallace”

Inspector Wallace leaned back, the legs of his chair scraping against the linoleum floor. His expression was unreadable like a practiced mask that concealed his thoughts. He opened a file, its contents known only to him at that moment, and began the interrogation.

"Miss Giradin, you find yourself in quite the predicament. Automaton battles in Gear Gate – not exactly the usual pastime for someone of your standing. Care to explain your presence in such an establishment?"

Alexia swallowed nervously, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "I... I was curious. I didn't expect things to get out of hand."

"Curiosity often leads to unexpected places," the inspector remarked "Your family won't be pleased to hear about this."

Alexia's eyes flickered with crimson. "I'm not beholden to my family's expectations anymore. I wanted to experience the world beyond the palace walls."

Inspector Wallace raised an eyebrow, "And Automaton battles seemed like the logical choice?"

"I didn't plan for that part," Alexia admitted, her nervousness seeping into her voice causing her to stutter. "I just wanted to see a different side of Gear Gate."

The inspector studied her for a moment, his eyes calculating. "You weren't the only high-profile figure in that arena. Elara Forgeheart, care to shed some light on your association with her?"

Alexia hesitated, could she protect Elara without implicating herself further?

"Elara is... a friend. I met her when she helped fix a mechanical limb for my friend Emily. She wanted to show me a side of the city I hadn't seen before," Alexia explained cautiously.

The inspector leaned forward, his hands steepled on the table. "A friend who just happens to engage in illegal activities. Interesting choice of companionship, Miss Giradin."

“I would have no way of knowing that, you should know that I come from a kingdom vastly different from this city,” she said pausing to think and then realizing. “How did you know who I was, surely I was concealed when I entered the city”.

Inspector Wallace leaned back "Miss Giradin, we have our ways of knowing. Gear Gate might be a city of marvels to the outside world, but it's not without its own set of secrets and information networks. Our network reaches far beyond city limits. Your little secret didn't stand a chance and your arrival didn't go unnoticed."

A hint of frustration crept into Alexia's voice. "I came here to escape the expectations and constraints of my life. How did it catch up with me?"

Inspector Wallace leaned forward, his tone almost sympathetic. "The past has a way of lingering. No matter how far you run, certain truths tend to resurface. Now, let's talk about Elara Forgeheart and the nature of your association with her. It might just make your predicament a bit more manageable."

She chose her words carefully. "Elara is an artisan, a skilled mechanic who has been helping those in need. I stumbled upon her workshop, and we struck up a friendship. I did not know of her involvement in illegal activities until today."

Inspector Wallace's eyes narrowed slightly, "An innocent friendship, then. Convenient, considering the circumstances. Gear Gate is a city that thrives on knowledge, Miss Giradin. The more forthcoming you are, the better you have of surviving this ordeal."

Inspector Wallace's eyes bore into Alexia with an intensity that seemed to strip away any pretense. "Miss Giradin, I've heard many tales in this room, and the truth often emerges after the layers of deception are peeled away. Are you sure you want to maintain that your association with Elara Forgeheart is as innocent as you claim?"

Alexia squared her shoulders and repeated her story "I swear on my name, Inspector. I stumbled upon Elara's workshop by chance, and our friendship grew from a shared interest in her mechanical creations. I had no knowledge of any illegal activities."

The inspector's patience waned, and he slammed his palm on the table, the sharp sound reverberating through the room. "Enough of these games, Miss Giradin! You can't expect me to believe that a noble like you would befriend an artisan in the depths of Gear Gate without ulterior motives. Now, let's talk about this." He pulled out a file, flipping it open to reveal a surveillance photo of Elara's massive Automaton.

"What is this, Miss giradin?" Wallace demanded, pointing at the image.

Alexia took a deep breath and spoke coldly. "That, Inspector, is an Automaton created by Elara Forgeheart. It's a mechanical construction designed for construction purposes. Elara told me it's meant to revolutionize how the city builds and creates."

Wallace scrutinized her reaction "Construction purposes, you say? This doesn't look like a standard construction tool. It's immense and appears far more advanced than anything conventional."

Alexia maintained her composure. "Elara is an exceptional engineer. She has a vision for improving the city's capabilities. I've seen her work on it for the betterment of Gear Gate."

Inspector Wallace's voice grew sharper as he brandished another photograph, this one capturing the enormous Mech in the midst of its battle within the arena. The clashing Automatons and the crowd's blurred faces formed a chaotic backdrop.

"Explain this, Miss giradin!" Wallace's tone cut through the air like a blade. "If this supposed construction marvel is meant for the betterment of Gear Gate, why is it engaged in combat in an underground fighting ring?"

Alexia, caught between the pressure of the interrogation and her genuine ignorance, searched for words. "I swear, Inspector, I had no knowledge of these activities. Elara assured me that the Mech was designed for the betterment of the city. I had no reason to doubt her."

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Wallace, unmoved, slammed the photograph onto the table. "In Gear Gate, ignorance is not an excuse. Either you're a willing accomplice, or you're shockingly naive. I suggest you start being truthful before your situation worsens."

As Alexia sat in the cold, dimly lit interrogation room, her nerves jangling unable to think of an answer, the door creaked open. A figure stepped inside, whispering something into the inspector's ear. The inspector's stern expression softened, and he nodded in response.

The inspector stood up, his demeanor more relaxed now. "You're free to go," he declared, gesturing toward the door.

Alexia's surprise was evident as she rose from her seat. She glanced at the mysterious figure who had entered the room, then turned toward the door where she smiled. There stood Officer Rowans, his red hair catching the sparse light.

"What's happening?" she asked, her voice a mix of confusion and relief.

Officer Rowans offered a reassuring smile. "It seems there was a misunderstanding. You're free to leave now."

"Thank you, Officer Rowans. I don't understand what just happened, but I appreciate your intervention." She says, mind still jumbled from the interrogation.

He nodded, "Sometimes things get tangled up, miss. Just go home and take care."

Alexia inquired about Elara's fate asking if she would be free as well, Officer Rowans shook his head. "She'll be staying at the station a little longer. We're just sorting things out," he explained,

A flicker of concern crossed Alexia's face, but she chose not to press further. Instead, Officer Rowans offered to escort her home, considering the late hour and the curfew in effect. She accepted his offer, and they began to navigate the nocturnal streets of Gear Gate.

The city, usually alive with the hum of gears and the glow of Galarium, now felt eerie and unsettling. Dimly lit streets stretched before them, the air was heavy with a metallic scent.

Occasional sounds echoed through the night – distant clanks, the low hum of gears in motion, and the occasional whistle of the wind slipping through narrow alleyways. Officer Rowans walked alongside Alexia, his steps echoing in the otherwise silent streets.

She turned slightly towards Officer Rowans, her voice cautious yet inquisitive, "Officer, I've been meaning to ask. How did you find me back there at the arena? And even before that..."

As they proceeded, the sense of dread began to intensify. The buildings, towering on either side, seemed to close in, their darkened windows staring down like silent sentinels. The rhythmic clatter of their footsteps echoed as a haunting backdrop to the oppressive atmosphere.

Officer Rowans paused for a moment, his gaze fixed ahead on the darkened streets. Then, with a measured sigh, he decided to be forthright. "We've been keeping tabs on you since you arrived in Gear Gate."

The occasional flicker of gas lamps overhead cast fleeting shadows, creating an illusion of movement that played tricks on the mind. Alexia couldn't shake the feeling that unseen eyes were watching from the darkness, and each step forward only deepened the knot of unease in her stomach.

"So you’ve been spying on me?" she mused a hint of resignation in her tone. "I figured as much. It's not every day someone arrives in a city like this out of nowhere."

Officer Rowans, usually affable and warm, appeared more vigilant, his gaze scanning their surroundings. He maintained a stoic composure, but even he couldn't entirely conceal a subtle tension that crept into the atmosphere.

"I had no part in your surveillance but I agree with the motion. We needed to ensure you weren't a threat to the city or its residents. As the Princess of a neighboring kingdom you could represent a national threat"

She nodded, acknowledging the rationale behind their vigilance. "Fair enough. I suppose I've stumbled into more than I bargained for. I appreciate your honesty, Officer Rowans."

He glanced at her, a subtle appreciation in his gaze. "You've handled this situation remarkably well, considering. Many would panic or resist."

"Growing up in a kingdom where secrets and intrigue were commonplace tends to prepare you for the unexpected." She remarked forlornly.

They continued quietly for a while, the officer's rhythmic clinking of his boots on the cobblestones was the only source of sound in the quiet night. "It's a peculiar night, isn't it?" he finally said.

Alexia nodded, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "Yes, something feels off. I can't quite put my finger on it."

The officer's gaze remained focused on the path ahead. "Curfew does that to a city. People retreat into their homes, and Gear Gate becomes a different place. Quieter, but not necessarily safer."

As they passed beneath the skeletal frame of a massive jumble of rusted automatons, a shiver ran down Alexia's spine. "Safer? Should I be worried?"

Rowans offered a reassuring smile. "Worry won't change the situation, miss. It's just a precaution. We're almost there. Your home should be around the next corner."

The narrow alleyways seemed to close in around them, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere. Dimly lit windows lined the brick walls, and every so often, the distant clatter of gears.

Alexia hesitated, glancing around nervously. "Officer Rowans, I appreciate your company, but something doesn't feel right. Do you sense it too?"

Rowan's expression remained composed, but a subtle furrow appeared on his brow. "It's not uncommon for the night to play tricks on one's senses. Gear Gate has a way of making even the familiar seem unfamiliar."

They turned a corner, and the environment shifted. The previously subdued hum of machinery turned into an eerie, discordant melody. The gas lamps flickered more erratically.

"Perhaps it's just my imagination," Alexia mused, her steps growing quicker. "But it feels like the city itself is holding its breath."

Rowan's gaze swept over the surroundings. "I assure you it’s just the curfew. It has a way of making everything seem... still. But rest assured, we're almost there. Your home is just ahead."

As they approached Clayton’s residence, a sudden hush enveloped the surroundings. The mechanical symphony that usually accompanied Gear Gate's nights fell into an eerie silence. Officer Rowans halted, his senses alert.

"Something's not right," he murmured, hand moving instinctively to the hilt of his baton. "Stay close."

The door to Alexia's home stood ajar, an ominous invitation into the darkness within. The air seemed to thicken with an unspoken dread as Rowans cautiously stepped forward. "Miss, wait here. I'll check things out."

Seconds stretched into minutes, yet the only response was the hushed cadence of her breathing. A knot of worry tightened in her chest.

"He told me to wait, to stay close," she thought, her eyes fixed on the slightly ajar door. "But what if something happened to him? What if there's trouble inside? I can't just stand here."

Alexia took a steadying breath, feeling the familiar warmth of her magic within. In the palm of her hand, a small flame flickered to life.

Gazing at the entrance, she mustered the courage to step forward.

"Officer Rowans?" she called in a hesitant whisper that echoed through the quiet house. The flickering flame cast elongated shadows on the walls, making the ordinary seem otherworldly.

No response greeted her call, and the silence persisted like a heavy fog. A chill ran down her spine as she entered, the flame in her hand casting a warm glow that battled against the encroaching darkness.

"Maybe he's just checking things out. Maybe I shouldn't have come in," she reasoned with herself, the soft murmur of self-doubt trailing through her thoughts.

"Officer Rowans?" she called again, this time louder, the flame in her hand pulsating with each beat of her anxious heart. The rooms echoed back only the emptiness that enveloped the space.

As she approached the living area, an unsettling stillness hung in the air. The furniture seemed frozen in time, untouched by the usual signs of life. The flame's glow danced over familiar objects, casting unfamiliar shadows that played tricks on her imagination.

.

"Officer Rowans, please answer if you can hear me," she pleaded, the flame in her hand flickering as if echoing her unease.

The shadows seemed to deepen, weaving a tapestry of uncertainty that enveloped her.

With a final call, she reached the closed door that led to the inner chambers. The flame's glow shivered, almost as if it sensed the foreboding atmosphere. Taking a deep breath, Alexia summoned her courage and pushed open the door, revealing the unknown that awaited within.

A shiver raced down Alexia's spine as the figure stood with their back turned, an unsettling stillness permeating the room. The flame in her hand quivered, and she took a step forward.

"Officer Rowans?" she called again, her voice a fragile whisper laden with uncertainty. The figure remained motionless. Alexia took another tentative step forward.

As she brought the flame closer, its glow unveiled the features, and her heart sank. It wasn't Officer Rowans; it was a haunting specter from her recent past. A figure she had hoped to leave behind in the labyrinthine alleys of Gear Gate. A top hat adorned their head, and a brown coat draped their frame – an attire etched into the canvas of her memories.

"Not again," she muttered, the words escaping her lips in a breathless whimper. Panic clawed at the edges of her composure, tightening its grip as memories of a nightmarish encounter resurfaced.

“I’ve gone through a lot today, I won’t let you do this to me” she whispers strongly. Her eyes flashed with crimson and flames began to surround her. She gets into a fighting stance.

This will be the last time she sees this monster