“Okay, we push in three… two!”

“”One!”” The warped steel door screeched open, and revealed an area filled with cargo containers, illuminated by red emergency lights. Guila and Arie immediately broke into wide smiles and hugged each other tight. They had finally arrived at Deck C. They made it.

Just 9 more miles left.

Frankly, Guila couldn’t even believe that they’d gotten this far. Especially not after the shaking from earlier, which nearly brought down the scaffolding. Meanwhile, Ariel was practically humming as she leapt across the door’s threshold. Then, they noticed the cleaner-than-expected air. In fact, it wasn’t much different compared to the Maintenance Layer.

‘Although the main fans did shut down after a while.’ Guila knew that it was strange. But honestly, if it was remotely stopped, then there was nothing she could do about it with auxiliary control. And, if it was because of damage, then it absolutely didn’t matter what she did. At least, they were able to enjoy some of the effect, and that she was able to grant what Ariel asked of her.

Guila then rechecked her map, and based on their pace until now, they might even arrive at Loading Deck 7 in a few more hours. Not the best news to know, sure, given that they were already beyond exhausted, thirsty and hungry. But it was good news.

Still…

She leaned against the passage walls, and slowly slid down to the floor. Her physical state had finally caught up to her. ‘I seriously just came full circle, didn’t I?’ She cursed, before turning to watch Ariel dispatch a few stray Peons.

It’s been what… almost half a day since she was last in this very position? But, at least this time…

Guila took deep gasps, and just stared at Ariel’s dance-like movements, trying to take her mind off the pain and exhaustion wracking her body.

The way that she turned on her toes while simultaneously slashing upwards, then slashed down at an angle to her side by using her tail as a counterweight - killing two, before repositioning her legs, to thrust forwards - was mesmerizing. Even underneath the poor lighting conditions, she knew that Ariel was made to fight. She would not have such a bright, enchanting smile on her face, if she was not.

But, that also confused her. Why? Why would her husband create something like her? What need or even desire was there for such meticulousness? She also knew that her movements were specifically designed for Ariel in mind. Since, there were no warriors in the Empire that possessed a heavy, bushy tail, and her biological age was below the usual for Vatgrown.

She had so many questions she wanted to ask her husband. But before she could before she could make a mental list out of them, Ariel walked over with perked up ears and a swaying tail. “Can you see any of them left?” She still smiled so brightly, though she breathed a bit more rapidly due to her exertion.

Then Ariel offered her hand.

“If not, we should get going.”

“Somebody’s excited.” Guila chuckled wryly.

The truth was that she could barely even place her hand in Ariel’s, much less muster the energy to get up. Still, Guila tried, by grabbing onto Ariel’s shoulder and letting her support her.

It was then that Ariel stared at Guila's feet. Even now, she was standing on her toes, when it would be much easier to stand with her heels on the ground. In fact, it was a question that had stewed in her head since she saw her stand back in their hospital room.

“... Why won't you walk properly, Guila?” She asked, and was shocked to receive a glare when she raised her head.

“You weren't taught that?” Guila asked back, before hissing through closed teeth. Now was not the time to get heated. “I'll tell you while we walk. Lead the way.”

The trek was not without its problems, Peon insects were still scattered about, and this time, they were the usual dog-like size. But, as if a small mercy, they were quite skittish, and Ariel only needed to kill one before the rest of them ran away.

Even so, they were slowed down substantially and the weakening glow of the multi-tool brought with it no small sense of worry.

Only when she was sure that there were no more insects, did Guila emerge from the crevice between the shipping containers. “Turn it off.” She told, and Ariel promptly did so. Thus, they were left with nothing but the dark red light again. That, and the constant sense of foreboding brought on by the distant noises.

“You haven't told me yet.” Ariel told her as she rejoined Guila, though, she had a much softer tone, trying not to offend her again.

“If you're so curious, then…” Guila shook her head in annoyance, then raised one arm. Seeing that made Ariel smile, before she slung Guila's arm around her shoulders and they continued walking again.

“It's an augment… well… more like a stylish hobbler. You know what that means, right?”

“Yes, but… why?” She asked again, careful not to strain Guila's injuries.

“... Imperial culture.” She groaned, while craning her neck to keep watch. “Our husband never asked it of me, but I didn't want to be even more of an outsider than I already was. Can you imagine being the only one that can't dance in heels since she grew up without them, when you’re expected to be present at practically every ballroom? Not to mention my ears and the fact that I'm much shorter than the average.”

“You're tall to me, Guila.”

“To you.” She sighed and shook her head, then she smiled wryly. It felt way nicer than she thought it would, to be complimented. Even if it might've been to the augment. “... thanks. Honestly, I'm surprised you're not taller yourself.”

“Anyway, it did allow me to ingratiate myself with the older ladies. Those my age didn't really like it, though. Maybe they enjoyed having somebody to point and laugh at.”

“... but that didn't really stop them.” Ariel cut in, earning herself another glare from Guila, yet then the sight of her drooping ears earned her a quick forgiveness.

“I'm sorry.”

“For what?” Ariel asked, confused. “I'm the one who said something mean.”

“No. I meant as a whole. I didn't mean to scare you. The Empire is a lot more receptive to Vatgrown. Despite what everybody says. You'll be fine. I'm just a unique case, that's all. Make a right turn here.”

“Okay.” Ariel nodded but her words made her wonder. Much like earlier, she thought if she'd actually want to return to her Master with Guila. It was sure to be a luxurious life. But, would she be happy?

In her eyes, the Lord Count had done nothing for her, and had only caused Guila pain, despite how much she loved him. Ariel loved him too, however she knew that it was an artificial sort of love, which she could easily ignore - at least compared to what she felt for Guila.

But if the Count couldn’t. Then, could Guila make her happy?

The answer was yes. But she could also make her angry, and sad.

Then, a different sort of question formed.

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Could she make Guila just as happy as the Count could?

Before she could give herself an answer, the debilitating stench of death which they'd been running from all this time, reached her. Then, there was the disgusting smell of insect ooze which terrified her. Both of which were steadily getting stronger, the further they walked.

“Hm? Why did we stop?”

“Hey, Guila… Did you turn off your night vision?”

“... Yes, I did. I’ve had it off for a while now, since it started to sting. We can see well enough under the emergency lights anyway, right?” Plus, it’s not as if Guila could see a lot more than Ariel currently could. Given that one of her eyes had been scuffed to blindness, while she had to see through cracks in her other one.

“Can you turn them back on and look ahead? A bit to the right?”

“Okay.”

She wasn’t sure what she was looking for at first, but as soon as she noticed the metal scraps turned into a hut - she knew that they weren’t supposed to be anywhere near this place. Arranged around it were mutilated, rotting corpses which several Peons and smaller insects were feasting on. Then, within that structure, was a thick, half-deflated, yellowish-white balloon, filled with drying, viscous yellow liquid.

“To our left, quickly!” She pulled on Ariel. But she wouldn’t move, and Guila didn’t have the strength to force her anymore. “Come on! While whatever was inside is still-”

But then, she heard the reason why Ariel had frozen in place. Heavy, resounding steps that were more like a giant purposefully stomping their feet. Rapidly approaching from the direction she was pulling towards. With every passing second, the thudding got louder and louder, becoming more and more like bangs, until it sounded less like a mutant Oozer’s movements, and more like… machinery.

“Please, Guila… tell me that’s the Tram we were looking for.”

But it couldn’t be… there was no power.

Then, it finally appeared and turned the corner.

A heavily damaged, massive suit of armor. Shaped like a hunchbacked warrior, with massive shoulders, carrying naught but a single black spear that was twice as long as Guila was tall. Tears ran down her cheeks almost immediately, as she let go of Ariel and stumbled towards the war machine.

Her Knight in dull-gray armor.

“... Lord Hiiro! We’re here!”

[“Guila!”]

He shone his helmet light, blinding her. But she didn’t care, she just kept walking over, until she finally fell to her knees. When that happened, she wondered if she was just hallucinating. That she and Ariel had died to whatever was born from the cocoon, and this was just her cortex giving her one last vision before her life completely faded.

But then she felt his all-too familiar, warm, wide hands on her shoulders, and… “You really had us worried there.” She heard words she’d never heard from him before.

“Lord Hiiro…!”

Finally, he took her into his arms and hugged her close.

“... Lord Hiiro!” She sobbed his name over and over again, as she clung onto his chest and cried even further.

“You saved us…!”

Her husband hadn’t abandoned her and Ariel.

He sent his strongest soldier to save them.

Hiiro himself couldn’t believe the situation. He’d succeeded, against all odds. No. They had succeeded. This rescue was only possible, because his targets were able to meet him halfway, and he needed to say that.

“You did great. I’m proud of you.” He whispered into Guila’s ear. Causing her to pause and raise her head to meet his gaze. Then she turned to Ariel, who stood several feet away, holding her elbow, as she watched the two from a distance.

“I couldn’t have done it without her, Lord Hiiro…! Ariel, come over here! Meet his lordship! He’s our brother-in-law!”

Their reunion could not have been happier. Guila believed that wholeheartedly, and they couldn’t be luckier either.

Thanks to Hiiro’s consideration, they were able to change out of their rags and into new clothes - the Speed Mining Suits he’d brought along. The best part about the suits, was that the plasteel thread-like alloy, while initially loose, conformed with the body once activated. Which also meant that they didn’t have to take off their bandages in order to wear them. Though the did have to discard the jumpsuits.

This time, she set it so that there was a hole for Arie’s tail and made it so that the suit wouldn’t try to repair that area, potentially wounding her.

Hiiro meanwhile, had returned into his suit, keeping a close watch on them and their surroundings as the pair took a well-earned breather. But not before he’d also given them a gallon of water to share, as well as some candy bars.

Guila didn’t ask why there were specks of dried blood on them.

However, compared to herself, her companion was visibly less enthusiastic, which worried her. So, she opened another candy bar and raised it close to Ariel’s mouth. “Here, you need to eat more. We threw up a lot on our way here, remember?” This made the Vulpina smile wryly, before craning her neck to nibble on it.

“You can just take it from me, you know?”

But Ariel didn’t respond the way she wanted, and instead took a big bite before retreating to her earlier sitting position. It was then that Guila took notice of the fact that she was gripping her spear tightly against her lap with both hands.

“Are you worried about something? You know we don’t have to be so tense anymore. Lord Hiiro is already here.”

“... it’s not that. It’s just…” Ariel turned away. It took a moment for Guila to catch on, hut when she did, her lips formed a playful, yet mocking grin."

"Are you worried that I won’t need you to protect me anymore?”

“N-no! It’s-!” Embarrassed and angry, she turned to face her again, but Guila hugged her tight before she could say another word.

“I told you. You are the third most important person to me, and I’ll always keep you by my side. Even if you no longer want to be.”

“... Okay.”

They stayed like that for a while, before the hydraulics in Hiiro’s armor hissed again. Rest time was over, and they still had quite a distance to cover. But, little did they know the news which had reached Hiiro’s ears, moments before he was about to announce their successful rescue.

[“The Lord Count and Ling were wounded by a humanoid insect, but they will make it.”]

Then, followed the worst possible announcement that could be disseminated openly at that moment.

[“This is Jin-Ho Aguila. Duke of Aguila. Be advised, the insects are parasitic and we are possible hosts. Screen all evacuees for unnatural growths. Especially the wounded. Children are also more likely to exhibit symptoms. There is no possible cure, because they reach maturation within a few hours, and we cannot bring these things home with us. Do what must be done.”]

“FUCK!” He roared, and unfortunately, his microphone caught it, shocking both Guila and Ariel just as they were walking over.

“Is something wrong, Lord Hiiro?”

"... I’m sorry, you two, but we need to hurry up.” He didn’t want to lie to Guila, but he also didn’t want to worry her further about something she had no control over. Yet, he knew that she wouldn’t accept a non-answer. So he gave her the only piece of bad news he had, which he did have control over. “We only have 90 minutes left before we run out of breathable air.”

They might not have needed to worry about it, if the Speed Mining Suits were space-capable. But that tech was bulky and actually became a burden in normal gavity, so they didn’t prepare it. Especially because neither Guila nor Ariel were trajned in its use.

Of course, neither of the two were about to question him, and soon enough they were on their way, with Hiiro at the lead. However, the thought that they were the cause behind that problem, never once came to mind.