Chapter III: Kindler of the Sun
"Part of him wanted to weep...but his purpose was rigid within him. He felt he could not bend to gentleness without breaking." — Stephen R. Donaldson
She was an aberration— an oddity within his own world that was designed to hinder him. It would seem that Dr. Jimenez had far more audacity than Ruvik had originally given him credit for, because implementing a program such as Ama did not come without its risks. Was her creator unaware that he could so easily turn this gentle, soft-spoken woman against the very people she was designed to protect? Marcelo underestimated him, and having his genius undermined was something that he did not take kindly to.
The bitter resentment he harbored towards Jimenez was deep-rooted, and fleshed out over the span of many years. But between the doctor making him the main test subject of his own invention and then forcing unto him this troublesome program, he was really rubbing salt into an open wound. Ruvik was not the most forgiving of souls, but he wouldn't end the doctor's life just yet. Where was the joy in that?
No, first he would toy with him. Jimenez would understand fear before the end. And this merciless torment wasn't just reserved for the doctor alone. No— this was meant for everyone. Each individual linked to his consciousness would come to know the meaning of pain and suffering. Their misery was the name of the game, and their unyielding agony brought to him the utmost pleasure.
But each time he came close to crushing an individual like the pest they were and putting an end to their miserable existence, she would appear.
That infuriating, insufferable bit of light. He hated the warmth she emitted, the compassion in her smile and the temperate, docile nature that radiated off of her. He loathed every inch of tenderness and benevolence that she exuded, because it reminded him so much of days past. Of someone from days past.
She didn't run from him, despite what he was capable of. Knowing what he could do to her, she still did not flee. Why? Did she not know that he could morph her into a creature that even the most twisted demons of hell would flee from the sight of? She was a part of his corrupted mind, and no creature as fair as her would last long in this place.
But for all his hatred and ill will, he did not banish the soft-spoken program just yet. Instead, he carefully observed her from the shadows, his eyes always watchful.
Sebastian and Joseph had come to the crumbling remains of a balcony, and from the shadows, Ama emerged just behind them. Her eyes scanned around their surroundings, peering into each shadow, and he knew she was searching for him. She was a part of his mind, thanks to the work of Jimenez, and was therefore far more in tune with his presence than the others were.
Where they blindly assumed that he was absent, she was always aware of his gaze.
"Kidman!" The cry of Sebastian urged his two companions to direct their attention downwards, where the female detective was located.
She was trapped in a large glass tank, with a pipe positioned above it that rapidly pumped murky water into her make-shift prison. The grimy liquid was rising fast, and if they didn't free her of her confines soon, she would drown.
Sebastian's heel pressed against the railing as he went to leap over it, and in the shadows of this world, an ever so watchful Ruvik smiled wryly. This particular detective certainly liked to play the role of the hero, it would seem. No matter—he was just bringing a swifter end upon himself.
But then a delicate, dainty hand grappled onto the back of his shirt, effectively stopping him from leaping over the edge and straight into a trap.
"Wait, Detective. That's not as wise as you might think." She murmured softly, her patient blue eyes swiveling to him briefly. Sebastian opened his mouth to protest, but Jospeh hastily tacked on his additional input.
"She's right— look. It's a trap, Seb." The man with the glasses nodded sharply towards the emerging enemies, most of which wielded weapons or firearms of some sort. Sebastian gritted his teeth, his jaw clenching tightly as he diverted his attention back to Kidman. The water level was still rising, and already it threatened to force its captive into a floating position. If they wasted any more time, she would die of asphyxiation.
"We need to get down there somehow without alerting the—" Joseph's words were soon cut off as a hefty figure slammed into him from behind, causing both he and the creature to topple over the edge of the balustrade.
"Joseph!" Sebastian and Ama's cry were one in the same, and the latter rushed towards the railing, her dress fluttering wildly with her hurried gait. As the two landed, wood splintered and cracked beneath the combined weight of the detective and the Haunted that had attacked him, and Joseph rolled onto his side, his hand clutching at his abdomen.
"I'm fine," He strained out, managing to clamber back up onto his feet, while the Haunted remained crippled on the floor. It had taken the brunt of the fall, and wasn't getting back up anytime soon.
"Can you heal him?" Sebastian's question was directed towards Ama, and she paused for a moment, her doe-like blue eyes staring up at him apologetically.
"I'm afraid not. I am designed to cleanse and purge— I do not possess regenerative abilities." Her tone was contrite and heavy with remorse, as if she felt guilty for being unable to aid the detective in the way he had hoped she could. She was only a program— she didn't possess "magical" healing properties. Although given the twisted and odd things in this world, she supposed it wasn't an outlandish assumption to make.
"I think you two better get down here!" Joseph's warning was accompanied by the collective rumbling and growling of several Haunted, who were beginning to stumble their way into the area. Their bodies were rotten and mangled, and some were even wrapped in barbed wire. Others sported fixated masks that concealed the gruesome faces beneath, and some were already missing parts of themselves. But most noticeably, weapons gleamed and glinted in their hands. Weapons they were fully capable of putting to use.
Glancing over her shoulder, Ama soon directed her attention back to Sebastian. The apologetic expression that had overtaken her features was soon replaced with one of determination, and a rare look of resolve began to color her docile visage.
"You go and assist your friends. I will take care of the Haunted." She vowed, and despite Sebastian's urgent attempt at protesting, she spun on her heels and hastily began to descend towards the lower lever, with the older detective hot on her heels.
Standing toe to toe with a small group of Haunted, Ama slowly inhaled and began to approach them calmly. They shrieked and hissed at her, craning their necks and turning their heads away from her. They looked elsewhere, unable to stand the illumination and warmth that rolled off of the woman in waves.
They stumbled back in a disoriented fashion, and both Joseph and Sebastian looked at the scene unfolding before them. The Haunted had always openly attacked them— why did they fear this petite, temperate woman so much? They fled from her as if she were the most terrifying monster in this place, which was a baffling act in itself.
"There's more of them coming!"
Joseph's warning alerted Ama to the presence of more Haunted, and her jaw clenched as she jerked her head to gaze upwards. They were gathering at the top of the balcony now, and many of the mangled figures totted explosives or other troublesome weapons. Some even donned guns.
Feeling something grab firmly onto her shoulders, Ama winced, gasping sharply as one of the walking undead raised its ax at her. She had let down her guard by directing her attention elsewhere, and the Haunted that she had been previously holding at bay were smart enough to know that this was their chance to strike.
Raising her hand to press her palm against the monster's chest, the latter retaliated quickly, grabbing onto her arms and shrieking fiercely as it held the woman at bay. It seemed to be aware of what she was capable of, because it didn't seem too inclined to let her touch any part of its figure.
A shot to the shoulder unbalanced the Haunted, and it let out a terrible sound, its ax falling to the ground after managing to barely graze the woman's shoulder. Ama stumbled back once she was free, and her chest heaved as she stared at the struggling figure that now lay on the ground.
Regaining her bearings, the feminine program swallowed, her hand flitting up to her shoulder that was now leaking blood. She picked her way carefully over to the struggling creature, and tentatively, she knelt down beside it. Its blank and beady eyes stared up at her, and it flailed its arms and legs, beginning to struggle in order to get back on its feet.
"Forgive me," She murmured gently, pressing her hand against the head of the Haunted.
It cried out, writhing violently beneath her touch. Its skin began to crackle and threatened to set ablaze, but before it could meet such a gruesome end, its body began to disperse into small fragments of light. These particles disintegrated then, and the wailing of the corrupted being steadily dwindled as it slowly but surely disappeared.
"Look out, they've got dynamite!" Sebastian warned her, and she rose from her kneeling position, cradling her injured shoulder as she faced the oncoming hoard. Sure enough, the erratic sparks bouncing from the wick of a piece of dynamite stood out plain as day against the shadowy backdrop, and the Haunted that carried it made a bee-line straight for her.
"Ama, move!" Joseph called, desperately waving his arm as he signaled for her to get out of the blasting zone. But she stood firm, unwavering even, as she stared down the enemy gently. Her gaze was soft, and she held a hand out towards the creature, as if bidding it to come to the light. The fuse on the stick of dynamite hissed as it withered away, and the shouts of her allies were all but lost to her.
"Don't be a hero! Get away from that thing!" Sebastian shouted, but still yet, Ama remained stationary.
From the shadows of this world, Ruvik shifted, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. Perhaps she had grown weary of her life and was willingly forfeiting it? He could think of no other explanation as to why she would so blatantly put herself in harm's way. It didn't make sense.
In his earlier tampering with her, he had hypothesized that her amygdala was in proper working order, but perhaps his assumption had been erroneous. Her fear conditioning and startle circuit had proved to be operational at that moment in time, meaning that her fight or flight instinct was fully functioning. But yet here she stood, seemingly content to throw all of that away.
"I'm sorry this happened to you." Her voice was unmistakably genuine, and it was laced with sympathy. The Haunted charged towards her, explosive in hand, and she smiled sadly at it.
"I know that you were human once, and I would like to believe that the person you once were is still in there somewhere. This darkness, this malice that consumes this world, has turned you into what you are now. But I will not treat you as a monster."
She spoke to the Haunted, but her eyes bore into the shadows that concealed the mastermind behind STEM. She was staring straight at him.
"You merely lost your way. You fell into darkness because there was no one to show you the light. And for that, I am eternally sorry."
"AMA!" Sebastian's howl sounded distant, his voice interlaced with fear for her well being. She held out her hand, waiting to purify the Haunted and to release it from this place. The burning wick atop the dynamite was mere seconds away from reaching its end. Both detectives scrambled to load their guns— to shoot down the enemy before it blew her into bits.
But then the spark was extinguished, and the explosion never came.
Ama's eyes stretched wide, and Sebastian fired a shot off from his handgun, staggering the Haunted and forcing it to stumble forward into the female's touch. It howled, reeling back and writhing as it too disintegrated into a soft, radiant luminosity.
Her chest heaved, and she stared down at the wick that had previously been lit. The charred stem had not but a few centimeters left before it activated the explosive, and she would have surely suffered from the blast. But it was damage she had been willing to take for the sake of purifying the creature before it met some other gruesome and agonizing end.
Kneeling down next to the explosive as Joseph and Sebastian fired off round after round at the hoard of Haunted, Ama gently picked up the stick of dynamite in her hands, examining it closely. There was no sign of foul play— the wick had not been doused in any manner or fashion, which would have effectively snuffed out the fuse. The stem seemed to be in proper working order; a mere second more and it would have exploded. She could find no visible evidence of any tampering, leaving her entirely baffled as to why the burning flame would just suddenly suffocate itself like that. So had she been spared by sheer luck?
Things like that didn't just happen in this place. Especially not since everything in this world was operated by—
Sucking in a sharp breath, she whirled around, her glacial blue eyes tracking the movement of a figure in the gloom. She exhaled tremulously then, her heart clenching. Not from pain, but from a foreign emotion she could not quite place. Was it gratitude? Astonishment? She wasn't entirely certain.
She took a few steps forward, her movements ginger and tentative. But his presence vanished mere moments later, and she gripped the stick of dynamite, her long lashes fluttering as she directed her gaze downwards. She knew better than to think he was completely gone, though. He might not be in the immediate area now, but he was always watching.
"Sebastian!" She turned then, tossing him the stick of dynamite, which he caught in his hands with ease. His eyes lingered on her expression for a moment as he produced a match from his back pocket, striking it against the hard surface of the box until it caught ablaze.
"It'll be a quick death." He promised her, turning towards the hoard as he lit the withered wick, hurling it across the room as quickly as he could. The split second it landed, it exploded, eliminating the remaining Haunted in the area. Blood splattered on the walls and flooring, and Ama cringed at the gruesome remains of the now charred corpses. While it was more humane to blow them to bits quickly rather then pump them full of holes via a gun, she still didn't like it.
Turning to face Kidman, Ama paced up to her, her features immediately melting into that of worry as she pressed her hands against the glass. The brunette detective met her gaze, and there was something odd about the way she stared down at the darker haired female. Ama quickly dismissed it, though.
"Joseph, Sebastian." She called out to them, pointing to the dual dials that were fastened onto the tank, "There should be another control panel around here."
Joseph was the first to step up to the dials, his keen eyes swiftly scanning them over. It was impossible to open with just these two locks, and the trio knew it.
"Where do these cables go?" Sebastian demanded quickly, and Ama lifted her gaze, staring up at the pipe line that pumped the water into Kidman's tank. She traced it back to an area above them, and hurriedly, she pointed to the door at the opposite end of them that would lead the way back up to where the other control panel was likely located.
"That way. Make haste!" She urged him gently. Sebastian didn't need to be told twice, and he took off as quickly as he could, sliding another clip into his gun as he made his way around. There were more Haunted bound in cells, and some of them broke free of their prisons as he hurried through the area.
"I don't have time for you all..." He grumbled under his breath, his jaw clenched tightly as he sprinted past them, shoving them harshly in an attempt to throw their balance. An explosion sounded somewhere behind him, and he assumed that one of the Haunted hadn't realized that the explosive he carried needed to be exposed of before it detonated.
Dashing up to the control panel, Joseph's voice carried over to Sebastian as he instructed the latter on which numbers to set the combination to. With the tension mounting, the detective set the numbers on the dial to the correct sequence, and a loud buzz immediately alerted him that the water flow had been cut off.
The door to the glass prison that Kidman had been trapped in swung open, and she spiraled out along with a wave of water that guided her none too gently to the ground. Joseph knelt beside her, and the ends of Ama's dress grew soaked as she approached the female as well.
"Are you alright?" Joseph inquired in a concerned manner, and the drenched woman coughed several times before she mustered out a confirmation of her well being. The blue eyed program rested her hand tentatively on the other woman's back, helping to steady her as she regained her breath about her.
A sizzling, crackling sound akin to that of something burning warranted all of their collective attention, and each individual directed their gaze to the strange symbol ingraining itself into the flooring. Without warning, the ground around their immediate vicinity crumbled and gave way, and all but Sebastian fell into the depths.
Again, Ama's world was thrown into an ever changing kaleidoscope as she phased through walls and corridors, eventually rolling on solid ground as she landed. She gritted her teeth together, her small frame aching from the forceful impact as she slowly pushed herself up onto her elbows.
"Jospeh? Kidman? Sebastian?" She called out their names reflexively, even though the silence that surrounded her told her that she was on her own once more. Why had she been separated during their fall?
Standing up on her own two feet, albeit in a fairly shaky manner, she coughed a bit and dusted the debris off of her raiment. By now, her previously flowing gown lay in partial tatters, and the simple, flowered headdress that she had previously donned had been lost. Her hair streamed down a few inches past her waist, but it was rumpled in places from the fall.
Smoothing her fingers through the silken locks, she sighed, her eyes sweeping over her surroundings. She knew she needed to be more careful now. She was letting her emotions get the best of her. She had been designed to prevent Ruvik from hindering the progression of STEM, which meant she needed to cleanse the Haunted. But when it came to flat out combat with them, she shied away from it. Her desire was not to bring harm to others. She merely wished to set them free from this place, not shoot them down or blow them to bits with dynamite.
But the Haunted didn't share in her empathy— the bloodied skin of her shoulder could attest to that.
They were out to kill her, and she knew now that she needed to take that into more sincere consideration. If she didn't, then she would not last much longer in this place.
Picking her way carefully down the dim corridor, her eyes skimmed through the shadows, her ears on high alert for any alteration in the environment around her. A wet squelching noise drew her attention, and she peered downwards, catching sight of her own reflection in a crimson, sticky liquid.
The entirety of the floor was covered in a layer of blood at least an inch thick, and she sighed softly, picking up the edges of her dress in an attempt to keep it from dragging through the grotesque liquid. Not that it mattered, she supposed, considering that her attire was far from salvageable at this point.
Taking it slowly, Ama picked her way down the hallway, finding it to be eerily silent. She wasn't under the impression that she was alone, however. She was never alone in this place.
Every so often she would stumble upon an unmoving body— a fallen Haunted— and she knelt down next to it, frowning in a mournful manner as she pressed her hand gently to their forms. They dissolved into scintillating shards, and once they had fully dissipated, she would tentatively continue her exploration of her decrepit surroundings.
But as she progressed, a steady pulsation began to take root in the back of her skull. The feeling spread throughout her entire being, settling in her chest cavity where it seemed to assault her heart. She knew this feeling, and what warranted it.
It took him only a mere second to appear. The door closest to her flung open, and she startled at the abrupt, loud noise. Her eyes swung to him, and his white coat swayed as he approached her with that ever so confident gait of his.
"Afraid?" Ruvik asked dryly, his lips tilting ever so slightly up at the corners in a humorless smirk. She exhaled slightly, her hand fluttering down from her chest. She had instinctively risen it to cover her heart when he had surprised her, but now it fell to rest by her side once more.
"No," She swallowed, her lips parting as she regained her bearings about her, "You just startled me. Loud, slamming doors tend to do that to someone."
She knew putting distance between them was the wiser option, but just like before, she remained rooted in her place. She refused to run from him.
"You are aware of my presence at all times. You can see me when the others cannot. Why is that?" He demanded, his silken voice calm and collected, though he skipped right to the point. It would seem that he was not one to beat around the bush when it came to collecting information that he desired to know, which is why she assumed he had come here. If he had revealed his presence with the intentions of disposing of her, then she had confidence he would have laid waste to her already.
Something was holding him at bay. Now, whether or not it was this apparent curiosity of his, she could not tell. But whatever it was, she was grateful for it, because it was currently prolonging her life. That is, if you could even call it such.
The inquiry was so sudden that it caught Ama off guard, and her breath caught in her throat as his suffocating stare bore into her very soul. His eyes, so pale in color, looked almost transparent as they gazed at her. His glance was so scrutinizing— so analyzing and prodding that she felt as if he were peeling her apart layer by layer in order to get a glimpse at her interior; her inner workings and what made her tick.
There was no mercy in his gaze. Not a single trace of light remained in his silver glare, and all hints of clemency had long since departed. But she met his stare head on, and in turn, her wintry blue eyes were soft, tame and tender. There was compassion that warmed her features— a light that would not be put out.
"I am a part of you, thanks to Dr. Jimenez. I know where you are at all times, just as you know where I am at all times." She replied patiently, her tone soft as always. He paced closer to her, his steps slow and thoughtful.
"Just because you are out of sight, does not make you out of mind." She continued tenderly, and his gaze suddenly became far more intense. His body became rigid, and something flickered in his gaze— something she could not decipher, but it sent a chill down her spine.
"What did you say?"
His voice sounded threatening now. It had changed almost instantaneously, and Ama's heart sunk to her toes. What had she done wrong? What had she said to warrant such a change in atmosphere?
His change in demeanor was frightening, but she was far too numb to flee. Her feet seemed glued to the bloody floor, and a part of her was glad she didn't have the will to retreat. Because then she would be like all the others— all of those who thought him a monster, and who had pushed him away.
Swallowing the building lump in her throat, Ama squared her shoulders, inhaling steadily as she drew up every ounce of bravery she could muster. He was dangerously close to her now, and his eyes boasted a cold, fearsome stare.
"I said..." Her resolve wavered for a brief moment, and she pursed her lips, clenching her hands at her side as her heart pounded and her pulse roared in her ears, "I said that just because you are out of sight, does not make you out of mind, Ruben Victoriano."
He stopped then, mere inches away from her. He seemed rattled; both dazed and perplexed, and the daring program took that as her opportunity to continue.
"I know of your suffering, Ruvik. Of your pain, and your darkness. I've seen it. Because I am a part of you now, I feel it as my own."
She was pushing her luck, but she had to try and make it through to him. Perhaps he was beyond the point of registering any kindness or compassion, but she still had to try. Somewhere, deep down in that black hole that he called a heart, she had to believe that there was at least a sliver of humanity left. Because revenge, which is what his mind thrived upon, was almost always born from the act of losing something one cared about. And caring for something required compassion— feelings other than ill will and hatred. Feelings she knew he had possessed at one point.
She knew of his past— what he had endured. She knew of his father's heartless and cruel actions, of the fire that had torn his family apart and left him grievously marred, the same blaze that had claimed the life of his beloved sister. She, who had been the only one who had understood him. She was aware of the steady madness that had overtaken his mind as he spent countless years locked down in the basement of his own home, forced into hiding by his own father. The human mind was a fragile thing, and often times, many underestimated the long-term damage that even the smallest event could imprint upon it.
Ruben Victoriano had been traumatized at a young age, and rather than attempt to recover the child's fractured sense of reality, his father had merely worsened his condition. Combined with the betrayal of Dr. Jimenez, and it was no wonder that the scarred man was acting so negatively towards them all. Did that justify his actions? Certainly not, but she could at least understand the root behind his motives.
"You know nothing about me." His voice was clipped, yet still collected. He raised his hand, pressing it against her chest, and suddenly she was sent hurtling towards the back wall. Her body slammed into the sturdy structure, effectively winding her as she wheezed out a chestful of air.
Her frame remained pinned to the wall by his telekinetic abilities, and she struggled to breathe as he increased the pressure, further pushing her figure against the rough surface. It felt as if she were about to be crushed from head to toe, and she swore she heard a rib or two crack within her chest. She was too caught off guard to attempt to glitch away; not that she probably could, considering Ruvik had a way with disabling her abilities.
"You know nothing of my pain nor suffering," He said decidedly, though his voice was a bit thinner, and she groaned as blood began to trickle past her lips. If he applied any more pressure, he would kill her. Here and now, he had the chance to dispose of this pesky program and rid himself of her intolerable radiance.
A rush of air suddenly flooded her lungs, and she gasped, sucking in the oxygen greedily as her body slumped down to the ground. She lay in a puddle of blood, her arm winding around her chest as she flinched upon feeling a sharp pain. It was silent for a long moment, and exhaustion hung heavily over her. For a moment, she thought that Ruvik might have teleported elsewhere, but the soft pattering of approaching bare feet against the bloodied floor told her otherwise.
"You're bleeding." The statement was odd, and quite the jump in conversational topics considering the fact that he had nearly killed her mere seconds ago. Her mind reeled to catch up, and she leaned her head back against the wall, her blurred vision catching sight of a fogged image of white. His face came into view, and she couldn't read his expression.
"I beg your pardon?" She murmured, and even despite her pained state, her tone was still polite. A scarred hand darted beneath her chin, tilting it up so that she was forced to meet his inquisitive and analytical gaze.
"Jimenez devised you as nothing more than a mere program. Why can you bleed? Why are you capable of feeling pain and emotions? As a matter of fact, you should not even have a physical body." His hand left her chin, flitting up to her forehead, which he pressed on. Her eyes fluttered closed for a brief moment, and she resisted the urge to cringe as her head pulsated fiercely.
She knew that if he had his way, he would dissect every part of her in his attempt to find the answers he was seeking.
"Theoretically speaking, even if you were by chance to take on an anthropoid form once implemented into my brain, you would lack the conventional elements of a human being. You are far too intricate for this form of yours to be a contingent phenomenon."
His words sounded distant and far away as the world around her seemed to fade in and out. Black began to ebb onto the edges of her vision, and her lashes fluttered as she struggled to keep her eyes open.
"Is that why you spared me?" Her voice was a faint whisper, but it caught his attention nonetheless. She looked to him, her eyes gentle as always.
"Twice you have spared my life now, when you had the capability to end it each time. Is it because you are merely curious? Is this all a game to you?" She wanted to know. Why was he bringing her such pain, only to spare her in the end and leave her to roam this dreadful place even further? Why did he not just finish her off if he loathed her so fervently?
A calloused, marred touch pressed carefully into her cheek then, and Ruvik's finger lightly prodded the flesh. It was as if he were examining it; fascinated by its porcelain hue and its silken quality, as well as the natural warmth that it emitted. But then his fingertips painfully pressed into her jawline, and she inhaled sharply.
"You did not answer my question." His tone hadn't altered in any way, but she could tell that he was growing impatient. She could feel it.
"I don't know." She whispered, her eyes closing as she heaved a quivering sigh, "In all honesty, I don't know why I was given this form. I don't know why I can feel such emotions, nor why I can feel pain. The only thing I know is that Dr. Jimenez created me to try and regain control over STEM and to cleanse all of this darkness that you have created."
His touch feathered away then, and a cold chill swept over her skin that forced her to shudder. Ruvik paused, noting the quivering movement, which he immediately interpreted as a negative reaction to him.
"You think I'm some kind of monster, don't you?" He cocked his head to the side, his eyes cold and heartless. She met his stare patiently then, her eyes softening.
"No."
Footsteps down the hall alerted the two to another presence, and Ama lifted her head, catching sight of the distant glow of a lantern. The footfall was heavy and paced, and a small sound identified the approaching figure as male. She knew this presence; she recognized the minuscule details about it.
Sebastian.
Before she could call out his name, Ruvik had edged away from her and turned his back to her, and in the blink of an eye, her surroundings were once more altered. But rather than falling this time and landing harshly against flat ground, she found her journey pleasant cushioned, and an abrupt warmth brushed against her skin.
Squinting a bit against the dramatic change in lighting, Ama raised a hand above her eyes, tilting her head up to peer at the vibrant sunset that hung just over the horizon. The daylight was almost unbearably dazzling in comparison to the dark corridor she had previously been in, but as her pupils fluctuated to accommodate the change in illumination, a slow breath brushed past her lips.
She rose to her feet slowly, and to her pleasant surprise, she found that there was no longer pools of blood beneath her. Rather, soft and flourishing grass pressed against her toes, and she curled them, smiling ever so softly to herself. A slight breeze ruffled her hair, and she closed her eyes, simply allowing herself a moment to revel in the feeling of it.
Mountains loomed in the distance and boulders surrounded her, and small, delicate wildflowers blossomed near the rocks. There was a worn-down brick structure in the distance, but she was content not to progress so quickly. She wanted to truly absorb this moment— this rare place of beauty that lay within this world of shadows.
The flapping of wings and a sharp cawing resounded above her, and Ama craned her head back, her smile growing as she watched a crow spread its wings and take flight. Happiness dotted her features now, and her lips spread wide as her lips now boasted a jubilant grin. Her previous encounter with Ruvik that had transpired mere moments ago seemed to steadily fade into the background of her consciousness, for she was completely allured by the sights before her.
"Enjoying the scenery?" The question caused her to turn, and she smiled at Sebastian, who had seemingly been transported here as well. There was a slight, amused smile that lingered on the edges of his lips, for he too seemed a bit less tense due to the pleasant change in surroundings. Ama grinned even more vibrantly at him then, her eyes practically shining.
"I am." She breathed, absolutely exhilarated by the warm caress of sunlight. She was a program that had been born into the mind of Ruvik— most of what she had known was darkness. She had never felt the light of the sun upon her flesh before. At least, not to this degree. In fact, she had never felt or seen many things, and it saddened her in a way to know that she likely never would.
All of the pain that Ruvik had caused her earlier seemed to have vanished by now. Whether she had pushed it to the back of her mind, or it was simply overruled by her joyous attitude at the moment, she wasn't sure.
"Well, come on. I'm afraid we can't afford to linger." Sebastian hated to ruin her fun, especially as he watched her trot over to a patch of wildflowers, delicately kneeling beside them. A slight pout overtook her smile, and she tilted her head up to the dark haired male, her eyes wide and innocent.
"Must we progress so soon, Detective? May we not stay here for just a little bit longer?" She asked, and he was briefly disarmed by the pleading look in her eyes. He opened his mouth, attempting to find the words to deny her request, but his throat felt dry as those softened pools of blue stared ever so kindly at him.
"Fine, but only for a few mintues." He eventually relented, waving his hand dismissively at her as he sunk down onto the ground, grunting as every bone in his body seemed to ache with the effort. Her expression lit up as if he had just given her everything she had ever dreamed of, and she darted over to him, cupping his face as she pressed an endearing kiss to his forehead.
"Thank you, Detective. Thank you!" She gushed, throwing her arms briefly around his neck in a surprise hug, which in turn earned a bit of a chuckle from him. How could a woman so mature and sophisticated be so child-like and pure at the same time? He wasn't going to question it though, and the sheer wonder and delight that filled her eyes with a glint of pureness reminded him so very much of his beloved daughter. His precious little girl that had been taken from him; stolen away by flames.
He watched her practically dance her way over to the wildflowers, directing her attention back to them once more. She brushed her fingers against them, fascinated by the velvety feel of their petals, before she leaned in to sample their scent. Sebastian feared that if she grinned any wider, she would split her cheeks in twain. But the sight was enough to warrant a quiet laugh from him; a sound he hadn't emitted in a long, long time.
She whirled in the field, laughing in sheer delight as the grass tickled her toes and the heels of her feet. Her dress fluttered and swirled with her as she darted to and fro, her hair gleaming like molten dark chocolate beneath the blaze-like hues of the sunset. Her blue eyes were alight with glee and enchantment, and if Sebastian didn't know any better, he would have thought that the vivid light of the sun pursued her with every step she took.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" She enthused, turning her eyes to him. She had her back facing the sun, and the sunset illuminated the edges of her figure, making it seem as if she herself burned with a breath-taking glow. He grunted, tucking his head down in a faint nod of agreement.
He wouldn't exactly describe this place as beautiful; was it better than the previous areas? Most certainly. But she seemed to be enraptured by their simple surroundings, and there was something charming about that. He could appreciate someone who held the plain things in reverence. And besides, he wouldn't deny that it was a nice change in pace as opposed to the dark, somber and bloodied areas he had been trapped in before.
She giggled at him, clasping her hands behind her back as she turned to face face the sun. She tilted her chin up, basking in the warmth as the gentle breeze ruffled her hair and brushed against her features once more. Sebastian watched her simply drown in her surroundings, before he sighed beneath his breath, grunting a bit as he slowly rose back to his feet.
"Come on, we should get moving." He called out to her. She paused then, her lashes fluttering as she opened her eyes once more, snapping out of her dream-like state. Craning her head to glance at him over her shoulder, her gaze softened and she smiled in an understanding fashion.
"Of course, Detective." She agreed, picking her way back over to him. Almost instinctively, he held his arm out to her, and she beamed at him, placing her hand in the crook of his arm. He guided her down the dirt pathway then as she walked alongside him, their destination the crumbled structure in the distance.
They talked amongst themselves on their way, both seemingly content to enjoy this brief period of peace. But as they walked, a figure stood ever so watchful on the ledge above them, watching their dual forms begin to fade into the distance.
Neither the warmth of the sun nor the whispering breeze could touch his marred skin, but still yet, an odd feeling had kindled within him as he had watched Ama dance and bound about so heartily beneath the sunset. Her expression still boasted an air of exuberance, and the flowers seemed to crane towards her direction as she passed by them, almost longing of her natural light.
And for a fleeting moment, he too felt a fervent longing to feel such warmth once more. But he tucked his head down then, his resolve hardening as he paced forward a few steps before abruptly disappearing from the area.
It was unfortunate that she had been dragged into this, but he would spare no one from his vengeance. Not even she who seemed to kindle the sun itself.
[A/N: Oh my gosh you guys, I'm literally floored by all the support and lovely reviews you guys have been leaving. Truly, I'm so very flattered. I didn't expect this story to gain much attention, but it's certainly humbling to know that you guys enjoy my writing. To all the guests on this site who reviewed— I wish I knew a username so that I could thank each one of you individually, but I'll just collectively say: thank you so, so very much! My goodness, I don't think I deserve all this praise, but thank you again! Your input means a lot to me!
Aizawa Mei: You're so very sweet, thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words, and I will do my very best to make sure that the characters stay in character! It means so much to me, and it's truly very flattering, that you have faith that I'll be able to do as such! Thank you again, truly!
And to Iamkatieisme; thank you for your review as well! Forgive me in advance, but I'm about to gush because of your kind words. I know you also write a Ruvik x OC story on here, and I want you to know that I've read it, and I adore it! Keep up your phenomenal work with your story, it's definitely a great one! Oh gosh, I don't know if I'm a hero, but that's so very sweet of you to say! Honestly, I'm blushing under all this praise, haha. Ah yes— Ruvik is an intelligent character, and I'd feel pretty bad if I didn't manage to portray him as such. Which means I have my research cut out for me each time I play this dude! ^^; Again, thank you so very much for the review, and I wish you the best of luck with your story! I'm not sure how I could help with it, but if you ever do need assistance, it would be my absolute honor to help a writer such as yourself in any way I could. ^^
Alright, alright, enough of my rambling. I'll try not to drown you guys in my thanks, though I truly do mean them. At any rate, as always— I hope you enjoy this chapter, and that I can continue to please in future ones! And a shout out to Iamkatieisme's fic, check it out you guys, it's great!]
