“What the fuck was he thinking?”

SMASH.

Kieran tilted his head to the side as a vase flew over his shoulder and smashed into the door. He waited patiently for Elizabeth to calm down before he spoke.

“Please calm down Miss Elizabeth. The situation isn’t as bad as you think. He’s already been down there for two weeks now, and nothing has happened to us yet.” Kieran said.

“Isn’t as bad? Isn’t as bad! He knowingly went against the will of the company.” Elizabeth paced back and forth across the office, stressing herself out. “What am I supposed to do now? I recommended him to be hired in the first place. What if Buddie punishes me as well?” She slammed her fist into the wall.

The entire floor shook, objects crashed to the floor as everyone struggled to stay standing. A thick crack lined the wall, radiating out from where she punched.

“I assure you Miss Elizabeth that you will not be punished for your recommendation, neither will your friend.” Buddie said.

Elizabeth drew a heavy breath, closed her eyes, and pushed the air from her lungs. “That was nice. I should do that more often. The wall slowly repaired itself, returning to how it was moments before.

Kieran gulped nervously as he stared at the wall. “Mhm. That’s a good idea.”

Ellizabeth looked down at the file on her desk and laughed. “Well, I did ask for some excitement, an. I wonder what he’ll do when he comes back? I’m excited to see it play out.” She leant back into her chair as she picked up the file. Without looking up from her work, she waved Kieran off. “You can leave now.”

Kieran disappeared from the room, taking the broken vase with him.

~

“... then you would’ve both been spared. Goodbye.” Buddie’s voice trailed off as the screen went black.

The entire time, Zara rocked back and forth on her chair excitedly. When she saw Nina survive, she almost jumped out of her chair. I did it! She survived. Come on Buddie, give me my reward.

“Now that you have completed your project Zara, you are free to spend the rest of your day doing whatever you want. You have been paid ten credits for your trap.” Buddie said.

“What? But she survived. Shouldn’t I be getting a bonus reward?” Zara asked, her excitement now mixed with confusion and a trace of anger.

“I previously stated that you won’t be rewarded for anything related to Nina, and you already agreed to that at the time. Since Aleksander died, you will only be receiving ten credits as per usual.” Buddie said.

“But. But... Fine. That did happen.” She sighed; her enthusiasm now completely extinguished. She sat in silence for a moment, her eyes glancing over at Ed’s chair. I’ll find out where you are. You won’t have to suffer alone. “I’ll do it right next time.”

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“I hope you will. I expect great things from you and believe you can improve greatly.” Buddie said encouragingly.

“Thanks Buddie. I’m gonna need some time to think.” Zara walked to the door, unsure of where she was going. I need to take my mind off things right now... “Buddie, how many credits do I have?”

“You currently have one hundred and eighty-five credits.” Buddie said.

I could go shopping? Yeah, that’s what I’ll do. She placed her hand on the doorknob, thinking back to the marketplace she visited with Ed.

Pushing the door open, she was immediately immersed in the loud din of the market. She wandered from stall to stall, wondering what she should buy.

She found herself back at the weapon stall she visited last time with Ed. Her eyes glimmered as she stared at the massive battleaxe. Her fingers twitched, as her hand inched towards it. I’m stronger now. I should be able to pick it up.

“I remember you lass, you here to give the old thing a swing?” The shopkeeper said. He was a short and gruff man, with a large fiery beard, akin to something she would see on a dwarf in a fantasy game. He was wearing a dusty old leather apron, and a simple brown shirt.

“Yep!” She nodded excitedly.

“Well go ahead.” He chuckled.

She placed her hand on the axe’s haft, picking it up directly from the middle. The axe had a bit of heft to it, but it felt more like she was lifting a heavy book, and not a weapon taller than herself. She clutched it in both hands, getting a feel for it.

“Why don’t you come round back and give it a swing?” The man nodded over his shoulder to the area behind the stall.

“Sure!” She said. Carrying the axe, she followed the man to a small clearing behind the stall.

“There we are, now you shouldn’t hit anyone. Give it a go.” He said, leaning against the stall.

Here we go. She adjusted her grip to make it more comfortable for her, and swung the axe through the air, cutting a straight line horizontally across. She cut through the air with extreme force, releasing a tearing sound as the wind whipped around the head of the axe.

That was fun! Excited, she adjusted herself for another swing, this time raising the axe above her head. With a mighty cleave, the axe screamed through the air as it came down on the Earth. The axe sunk into the ground, burying its entire head under the immense force of her swing.

Oops. She pulled the axe out of the ground, flinging dirt into the sky as she rested it over her shoulder. I like it.

The man eyed the hole in the ground, thankful he had stayed away. “How do you feel?”

“Great!” She said, tossing the axe between her hands. “How much does it cost?”

“Ten credits. Pretty cheap considering the quality. You won’t be able to find anything else like it at that price.” He said.

Mmm, that’s a bit expensive. And how often am I going to use it anyway? She began to reconsider. But it was a lot of fun! And I can always find a way to use it more. I’m gonna get it. “I’ll take it.”

“Great, follow me.” The man brought her back to the front of the stall and they finished the transaction. "Thanks, I’ll see you around.”

“Bye.” she said, slinging the axe over her shoulder as she walked away. I should probably send this back home so that I don’t hit anyone. “Buddie, can you send the axe back to my room?”

“Of course.” The axe disappeared from her hands.

“Thanks Buddie.” Now with her hands free, she continued to walk around the market, checking out the stalls around her.

“Please! I need to get this repaired otherwise my boss will kill me.”