As they descended down to the cafeteria, Gira fidgeted in the elevator, tugging at the clothes that didn't feel quite right on him. He shifted from foot to foot, glancing over at Dr. Xizu. His thoughts swirled as he inspected her in silence, unsure how he felt about his new living arrangement or the woman who had just casually adopted him like some stray animal.
“What’s wrong?” Xizu asked, catching Gira’s gaze as he stared at her.
“Why are you taking me in?” he asked bluntly, watching her face closely.
“Hmmmm, because I’m a saint of sorts.” She declared, crossing her arms and nodding with exaggerated self-approval.
Gira squinted at her with a downturned smile. "Alright, if you say so.”
“What’s with the look, kid?” She shot back, a hint of embarrassment creeping into her voice.
“Oh nothing, Mrs. Saintess.” Gira replied, bowing deeply as if addressing royalty.
Xizu’s cheeks flushed pink as she quickly looked away from the little fiend, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Ding. The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped out into a much more open layout than the last floor. The walls were covered in a peculiar wallpaper, a chaotic blend of white, light brown, and light blue shapes that gave the space an odd, almost childlike feel. Just like on the other floor's, there was a stone desk prominently in the center, with a Hollow coiled behind it. The mechanoid stirred from its stupor, as it immediately began to stare at Gira. Unlike the last two, this Hollow hung its head low, its ear-appendages drooping as if weighed down by exhaustion.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Hey, Charles, I need to get this kid an ID. Can you call Gawayne down to help me out?” Xizu’s voice rang out, commanding as she strode confidently toward the Hollow.
The hollow mumbled in a timid voice, a stark contrast to that of Fred's, "M-M-Mr. Gawayne is currently attending business with Ms. Alli at the moment so—”
Xizu grabbed the Hollow by the shells that comprised its snout, violently pushing it open as she spoke. “Tell that sleazy old man Xizu is here,” she demanded, her voice sharp and intimidating as she glared directly into the Hollow’s jaw.
“Y-y-yessss ma’am!” Charle’s the Hollow squeaked, his voice trembling as he recoiled slightly under Xizu’s fierce grip.
Gira watched from afar as Xizu bullied the poor machine. Living with her might be a little scary, he thought as he watched Xizu flick her hair confidently as she turned back to face Gira.
“Kid, knowing Gawayne, he’s going to ignore me,” Xizu said, rolling her eyes. “Let’s get some food in you while we wait for his dumbass to finish his 'business'." She added, using air quotes to emphasize the last word.
“Finally food!” Gira shouted excitedly as he ran over to Dr. Xizu.
But as Gira took his first bite of food, far in the depths of the Primodía Abyssal Forest, something emerged from the shadows. A gaunt figure emerged, stumbling through the pink grasses, its movements erratic and disjointed. It wobbled aimlessly, unaware of its own posture, struggling to stand upright. Each attempt to balance ended with a collapse as it clumsily rose and fell repeatedly. Over and over it tried to stand, but it just couldn’t.