"So, that's it?" Uni muttered, her heart heavy with despair. "We just...let our friend succumb to the Aranaki? We just...give up on her?"

Dolores observed the girls' reactions with a stoic expression. "I'm sorry, but the truth is never easy to accept. The path forward may seem bleak, but it's the only option we have.”

Trixie's despair was replaced by anger. "What kind of scientist are you, Dolores? So quick to give up just because the truth isn't convenient? Is that how you've always been?"

Dolores's face twisted into a brief scowl at Trixie's words, but she quickly regained her composure. "This isn't about convenience, it's about reality. I won't sugarcoat the truth to appease your emotions.”

Uni stepped forward, her anger seeping into her voice. "No, Dolores. You're just lazy. You'd rather accept defeat than put in the effort to find a real solution."

Dolores narrowed her eyes, her own irritation beginning to boil. "How dare you accuse me of laziness? I have spent YEARS studying the Aranaki, exploring every avenue of research possible. It's not my fault if the results are not what you hoped for.”

Uni smirked, the sarcasm evident in her voice. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry, I forgot you're the all-knowing authority on Aranaki, aren't you? If you say there's no solution, then it MUST be true. How could anyone question your almighty knowledge?”

Dolores's irritation flared into anger. "Watch your tone, young lady! You have no right to doubt my authority in this field. I have dedicated my life to understanding the Aranaki, and—"

Uni cut her off, her anger now matching Dolores's. "Maybe that's your problem; you've become cold. You've spent so long studying them in that lab, you've forgotten what the real world is like. There are people out here – real people, suffering – and all you care about is your research!”

Dolores's face hardened at Uni's accusation. "You DARE to suggest that I don't care? Do you think I enjoy watching people suffer? Do you think I relished the sight of the Archons consuming innocent lives? I've spent every waking moment, every damn penny, searching for a way to end their torment. You have NO RIGHT to question how much I care!”

Uni's lip curled into a sneer. "Oh, please. Spare me the self-pity. You sit up in your fancy office all day, spouting scientific jargon, but what have you actually done for the victims? Nothing. You just watch their lives crumble and write down your results. It's pathetic.”

Dolores's anger reached its peak, but she didn't let it show outwardly anymore as she walked up to a red button on the wall to her left. "All I must do is press this one little button to alert the entire facility and law enforcement that you are both here. I would advise you to pipe down immediately if you don't want to be busted out on your little stealth mission.”

Uni's expression changed from anger to caution, her eyes darting to the button on the wall, then back at Dolores. "You wouldn't.”

Dolores's eyebrow arched at Uni's challenge. "Oh, wouldn't I? You've done nothing but disrespect and discredit my authority, my life's work. You've no right to be here, demanding solutions I've already exhausted. One press of this button, and I'll make sure you two not only are thrown out but also face charges for attempted theft and trespassing.”

Uni's fear returned as she realized the reality of the situation. She couldn't risk being arrested or even kicked out of RISHA. They needed to salvage whatever help they could. She swallowed her pride and said meekly, "Alright. Fine. We're sorry for disrespecting you. Just...don't press the button, okay?”

"Apology accepted," Dolores responded, her face stony. She turned away from the button, folding her arms across her chest. "But you will listen carefully to what I have to say. And I don't want to be interrupted. Understand?”

"Yes, we understand," Uni managed to murmur, the fear still evident in her voice.

Trixie nodded in agreement, her mouth set in a tight line.

Dolores then pointed to two chairs in front of her desk. "Sit," she ordered coldly.

Uni and Trixie obeyed, seating themselves in the chairs that Dolores had indicated. They glanced at each other nervously, not knowing what to expect.

Dolores then took her seat behind the desk, her expression softening from the earlier discourse. She reached under the desk and pulled out a clear bag of what looked like beef jerky, holding it out towards them. "Would you two like some biltong?”

Uni and Trixie were taken aback by the unexpected offering. They looked at each other, then back at Dolores, unsure of what this gesture might mean.

"Um..." Uni began, her confusion evident. "You're...offering us...that? Now?”

Dolores chuckled at their bewildered expressions. "You two are so on edge. A small snack wouldn't harm you, you know?"

She extended the bag towards them again, coaxing them to take some with a nod. "Go on, take a bite. It's quite good.”

"I-I mean," Trixie began, eyeing the bag with scrutiny. "What even is 'biltong'? I never heard of it…”

Dolores smiled faintly, amused by their wariness. "Biltong is a traditional South Yushalian snack. It's essentially dried, cured meat. Made from beef, most commonly."

She then reached into the bag and pulled out a piece, holding it out towards Uni. "It's safe, I assure you. Just try it.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Uni looked at the small strip of jerky with skepticism. But the promise of it being safe got her to finally reach out and take it.

She chewed on it slowly, her face scrunching up initially at the strong flavor. But then, her expression changed as her eyes widened. "...This tastes pretty good!" Uni admitted.

Dolores chuckled again at Uni's reaction. "See, I told you. It's quite palatable."

She offered the bag towards Trixie next. "How about you? Or are you still doubting my intentions?”

Trixie, seeing Uni's change in expression, felt a bit more relaxed and willing. She tentatively reached into the bag and pulled out a piece. Bringing it to her mouth and taking a bite, she too was pleasantly surprised at the taste. "Huh, you were right. It's not bad at all," she said, a hint of a smile forming on her lips.

Dolores leaned back in her chair, enjoying the rare moment of levity. "There you go. Sometimes a simple gesture of goodwill can do wonders in easing tension."

She took a piece of biltong for herself, relishing the savory flavor. "Now, shall we talk seriously?”

Uni and Trixie nodded in agreement, the biltong temporarily having quelled their anxiety. They both sat up straighter, ready to listen to whatever Dolores had to say.

Dolores took a moment to gather her thoughts. Her voice regained its usual stern tone as she spoke. "I want you to understand something very clearly, girls. Aranaki cannot be 'saved'. It is impossible."

Uni opened her mouth to protest, but Dolores quickly cut her off.

"No, please listen to me. There are no 'what-ifs' or 'maybes'. It is an irrefutable fact. The Archon's influence is insidious, irreversible. The moment someone is born an Aranak, their fate is sealed. Their identity, their memories, their very soul...it is all lost to the Darkness. The Archons. Don't shoot the messenger, it is simply the reality of the situation, as unfortunate as it is.”

Uni's heart sank at Dolores's words. She had hoped for some flicker of hope, some slim chance that Stephanie's fate wasn't completely sealed. But Dolores's cold, clinical delivery of the truth left no room for optimism.

Trixie, sensing Uni's distress, leaned forward and blurted out, "S-so...what are you saying? Are we just supposed to abandon her? Give up just like that?”

Dolores didn't waver in her stoic expression. "That is what I'm saying. Accept the truth, as difficult as it is. The moment you attempt to change the fate of an Aranak, you are interfering with forces beyond your comprehension. Attempting to save your Aranak friend is futile. In fact, it is dangerous, not only for her but for you as well. Aranaki are instruments of the Archons. They have no control over their actions when the Archons take hold of them. They are dangerous, volatile, and unpredictable. Do not underestimate the damage they can cause.”

Uni slumped back in her seat, her head spinning with the harsh reality. How could they just give up on Stephanie? Abandon her to that fate?

"I...I can't," Uni whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I can't just let her suffer like that. She's...she's such a sweet little girl, she doesn't deserve this..."

Hearing this, Dolores raised a brow and snapped her fingers. "This Aranak of yours is a child, you say?”

Uni, a bit surprised by Dolores's sudden interest, nodded slowly.

"Y-yes...she's only about ten or something," she responded, her voice still shaky.

"Well," Dolores began, her voice having a drop of hopefulness to it. "During my research, I've learned that the behavior of Aranaki is dependent on upbringing. Aranaki who grew up in loving households and a healthy environment vary greatly from Aranaki who live in dysfunction and experienced abuse and general hardship. The former, while still at the mercy of the Archons, are much better at keeping their sadistic impulses in check, especially if they aren't exposed to any triggering situations or stimuli. The latter are the violent, psychopathic type with no regard for human life. Hellbent on the destruction of all sentient life.”

Uni perked up a little at Dolores's explanation, but thought about Stephanie's past and narrowed her eyes in consideration. "Well, um...we rescued her from this lab, and she told us the people here conducted ruthless experiments on her..."

Dolores leaned forward, her eyes widening after she drew the connection. "Are you referring to our Subject Zero?”

Uni and then Trixie's eyes widened as they heard the familiar term being used.

"Y-yes," Uni replied, her voice a bit stunned.

Dolores leaned in even more, her sepia eyes locked onto Uni’s silver ones. "So are you implying that Subject Zero didn't break out of this facility on her own, but with your help?”

Uni glanced at Trixie worriedly, but seeing the latter's concerned expression, turned back to Dolores and hesitantly nodded. "Yes...we...we helped her escape…”

Dolores let out a sigh at the confession, her face betraying a mix of irritation and admiration. "So, you're not only meddling with Aranaki business, but you're also aiding and abetting a high-level, high-risk subject. You do know she's a Level Five threat and this is a code red situation, right? Do you comprehend the magnitude of the danger? The level of security we have to maintain to keep her contained?”

Uni and Trixie exchanged alarmed glances, both starting to realize the gravity of the situation. Uni tried to defend herself.

"W-we understand it's dangerous...but, Stephanie is not just...a 'subject' to us. She's a person. She has feelings, emotions, and memories. We couldn't just leave her trapped in a cold lab forever…”

Dolores pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to contain her frustration. "You're both acting out of emotional impulse, not logical thinking. You're letting your empathy override your sense. Subject Zero is an Aranak. It doesn't matter if she has feelings and memories. She. Is. An. Aranak. She's not a person, she's a host body for a malicious entity that craves death and destruction. You don't know what the Archons or Aranaki are capable of. You're meddling with forces you don't understand, and it will only lead to disaster.”

Trixie jumped in with a hint of defiance. "But...she's not like other Aranaki. She acts like a normal kid. She's not bloodthirsty or violent despite what she's been through in this lab...she's not bad!"

Dolores crossed her arms with a cold scowl. "Need I remind you that upbringing influences an Aranak's behavior?”

Trixie paused, looking down at the floor, her argument faltering.

Seeing this, Uni spoke up again, her determination resurfacing. "Even so, we can't just abandon her! We have to try! If there's even a chance we can help her, we have to take it!"

Dolores studied Uni's face for a moment, contemplating something, before responding. "You're too emotionally involved. You're not thinking clearly. This is not just a rescue mission. It's a risky game of fire you're playing. Those dead scientists you've seen in her cell weren't there for no reason. It is because she snapped and attempted to escape whenever the opportunity arose.”

Uni's expression hardened, a look of defiance in her eyes, but she knew that Dolores had a point.

"Even so," she responded firmly. "We can't just ignore her. We can't just act like she doesn't exist. She deserves a chance. A real one."

Dolores held Uni's gaze for a long moment before sighing again. "You stubborn child. You don't know what you're getting into. You think you can tame an Aranak? Do you want to end up just like those dead scientists in her cell?”

Trixie, wanting to support her friend but also understanding the gravity of the situation, hesitantly spoke up. "S-so what should we do then...?"

Dolores looked at them both, her expression still stern, but her voice softened slightly. "You're both foolish and brave, I'll give you that. But what you're proposing is a gamble. One wrong move, one trigger, and Subject Zero can turn volatile in an instant. There's no way to know how she'll react. The Archons have a tight grip on her mind.”

Uni took a deep breath, still desperate to find a way. "But...there has to be something we can do. Some way to help her. We can't just give up. She's...she's our friend."

Dolores leaned back in her chair, her eyebrows raised slightly. "A friend? Are you really naive enough to believe you can befriend an Aranak? You're grasping at straws, child. Subject Zero is a ticking bomb, not a friend. She could snap and end your life in an instant without an ounce of remorse.”

Uni's eyes began to tear up as Dolores's words hit hard. She knew it was true. The thought of Stephanie, the kid they had grown close to, potentially turning against them was terrifying. But the alternative was abandonment, and that was just as terrifying.

Trixie put a comforting hand on Uni's shoulder, her own expression conflicted.

Uni, trying to steel her resolve, looked at Dolores again. "We...we have to try…”

Dolores observed Uni's tear-filled eyes and Trixie's supportive gesture. She saw the passion in their eyes, the genuine care they had for Subject Zero. Her own heart softened for just a moment, a flicker of emotion crossing her features.

With a tired sigh, Dolores pinched the bridge of her nose again. "You two really don't know when to quit, do you? Fine then, if you’re so adamant on this, I'll help. But remember, I'm only doing this to keep you two from making rash decisions and getting yourselves killed.”

Uni and Trixie's eyes widened at Dolores's words. They hadn't expected her to agree so easily. Uni's face lit up with a hint of hope. "R-really? You'll...help us? How?"

Dolores stood up, walking around her desk, her expression stern once more. "I have some ideas, but we need to set some ground rules. This isn't a game. This is about your lives, and possibly mine as well. We do this my way, understand?”

Uni and Trixie nodded, silently agreeing to follow Dolores's lead. They both knew this was their only chance to salvage the situation and help Stephanie.

Uni, unable to hide the hope in her voice, said, "Yes, we understand. We'll do whatever you say. Just...please, help us.”

Dolores looked at the two girls, a mix of sternness and something almost like empathy in her eyes. "Very well. But let me be clear, I'm not doing this out of the kindness of whatever's left of my heart. I'm doing this because letting you go about this aimlessly without my guidance is like handing you both a loaded gun."

She paused, her tone slightly softer. "We need a plan. A careful one. If we're doing this, we're doing it right. I have a rough idea on how to proceed…”