Not understanding what was happening until the end, Edward asked a question.
"Who are you talking about?"
Words began to appear on the screen again.
..Y..
..YOU KNOW WHO...
"Who are you, and how did you infiltrate my system?" Edward asked, puzzled and threatening.
..I..
..I AM THE ONE WHO SEEKING THIS PERSON...
"What person?!!!" Edward exclaimed.
..THA..
..THAT PERSON YOU WERE SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT...
Realizing that he had intruded into information he shouldn't have, Edward asked a question.
"Why did you need him for?"
..IT...
..IT DOESN'T MATTER...
appeared on the screen.
...ONLY INFORMATION ABOUT HIS WHEREABOUTS MATTERS...
...WHERE DID HE GO??..??..!!..
"Why should I tell you anything?" Edward inquired.
...
...
...IT'S IN YOUR INTERESTS...
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Words continued to appear on the monitor.
"My only interest is understanding who you are and what you want."
...ARE YOU REFUSING TO TALK?..
"Of course, I refuse."
-The screen went dark.-
....
Pluto? Edward said.
-Silence.-
PLUTO! Code 1989
...
-Silence.-
...
-SECURITY SYSTEM ACTIVATED-
-AIR SUPPLY CUT OFF-
suddenly echoed.
-UNREGISTERED OBJECTS-
-REQUEST TO LEAVE THE PREMISES-
A siren began to sound, and a red alarm signal blared through the laboratory.
"Code 1989."
-Denied.-
-UNREGISTERED OBJECTS-
-REQUEST TO LEAVE THE PREMISES-
....
-EXIT LOCKDOWN ACTIVATED-
-HEATING SYSTEM ACTIVATED-
HEATING SYSTEM SAFEGUARD NOT ACTIVE
-Heating temperature exceeds limits-
"Are you sure this can harm me?" Edward's voice sounded menacing.
Suddenly, his body was covered by an unknown force, distorting his silhouette. He stood motionless.
The temperature rose, and various sensors blinked and flashed red.
"And that's it?" Amber said reproachfully.
---
After a few moments, Edward suddenly heard the clicking of heels...
click-clack-click
Sounded from somewhere in the shadows.
"Who's there?!" Edward exclaimed, startled.
The sound of heels continued.
click-clack-click (definitely the sound of heels)
Looking to the far end of the laboratory, where the sounds were coming from, Edward summoned swords from small portals that opened under his hands.
The sound of heels echoed simultaneously from the other end of the laboratory and seemingly from everywhere.
click-clack-click
--
"You're a very interesting young man, Edward," a lovely female voice suddenly echoed behind him.
Swiftly turning around, Edward struck the air.
--
The force of his strike cleaved through the air, leaving a trace for a split second.
--
"WHO ARE YOU?"
click-clack-click
The sound echoed from another part of the laboratory.
"How impulsive," a coquettish female voice, echoing throughout the room, replied.
Edward struck the air several more times.
"I'M ASKING, WHO ARE YOU?"
"AND WHAT DO YOU WANT?"
"Why are you so desperately trying to protect someone you met just yesterday?" a voice echoed.
"Why should I answer you?" Edward asked, poised for combat.
"You don't have to," the voice whispered from behind him.
Once again, Edward struck the air, this time with greater force.
--
This time, the force of his sword swing was so powerful that it cut through a computer, leaving a mark on the wall.
--
"Oh, how fearsome you are," the voice said.
"Do you mean to say that you won't tell us about the person you recently met?" the voice continued to sound from the shadows.
"There's no reason for me to!!!" Edward shouted.
"Reiko, you can stop now."
...Are you sure?... appeared on the screen.
"I give permission."
(o^∀^o)
It appeared on the screen.
---
Suddenly, all the systems in the laboratory returned to normal. The lights came on, and all systems began functioning properly.
click-clack-click
Edward heard it again. But this time, a figure of a girl emerged from the shadows.
"Hello, dear," the girl said.
---
Edward, like lightning, approached her and struck.
--
His sword pierced the 'shadow' of the girl as if she were made of smoke.
--
"Can you not strain yourself so much, darling?" a voice whispered from behind him once again.
Turning sharply, Edward saw a girl sitting in his chair, sipping his whiskey.
"WHO ARE YOU?" he exclaimed, startled.
"A friend," the girl coquettishly said, sipping his whiskey.
Edward's thoughts raced, remembering Artem's words about the "friend" he would meet soon.
"You're the one Artem was talking about?"
"You're right," the girl said.
"Is this how you make acquaintances?" Edward asked, relaxing.
"I have my own approach."
"What's all of this for?" he asked, incredulously.
"It was just a little test," she said with a smile.
"My name is Lin Fei (林菲)."
"And her name is Reiko Ishikawa, or as she likes to call herself, the 'Digital Phoenix.'"
(＾◡＾) - It appeared on the screen.
"I suppose there's no need for me to introduce myself, right?"