Disclaimer: Namco Bandai + Tekken = not mine
Escape?
Walking on her tiptoes, Julia crossed the large cell and stopped at the door and glanced at the only obstacle that had prevented her from dashing out of the dungeon: Haze's currently sleeping form. Remembering that the door had swung open without creaking, Julia tested it by slightly pushing at it. Mutely, she pressed on the door only until there was a gap wide enough for her to squeeze through. Julia's heart was pounding frantically and she was sure that with his exceptional hearing Haze would take notice of it, wake up, throw her back in the chamber, and lock it this time.
But he didn't so much as stir. His steady breathing showed no sign of alertness and she walked around him. Julia's tense muscles began to ache and she realized that she had been taking in the smallest breaths possible. Listening for the smallest notion that would give away any other demons that may have been walking down the hallways, Julia crept toward the exit. As soon as she thought she was out of listening range she took off in a furious sprint that could possibly mark her as an Olympian athlete.
The entrance to the main room was not guarded. A fact that had Julia on edge. Surely there would be guards posted everywhere to make sure no prisoners escaped; even Haze had said that if she tried to escape she wouldn't get very far. This place was supposed to be crawling with demons.
But there were none. Julia hadn't even heard one nearby. Since most of them were huge, they made definite noise when they moved across the black-marble floor. Adrenaline still pumping, Julia decided to make another run for it. She was going to hope she found the way out because in truth she had no idea where the exit to the building was. Dashing across the open room she made her way to another hallway. A left turn here, a right turn there, another left turn at the statue.
How big is this place? I think I'm going in circles. God help me please! I have to get out of …umph! Julia had crashed into something as she made yet another right turn at one of the numerous junctions. The force of the collision threw her back and she hit the glacial floor with enough force to snap her head to the side. She heard a cry as whatever she had hit was pushed back into one of the grisly gargoyle-statues that adorned the majority of the hallways. Jumping back up, Julia tried to run around it without even bothering to find out what it was but suddenly a hand shot out and grabbed her left arm, forcing her to stop and spin around to face the enigma.
Julia found herself staring at a pair of fierce golden eyes concealed by a large black hood.
Oh shit…it's…"Re…Reaper," she stammered in horrible defeat. She had been caught.
"What the Hell do you think your doing! You're going to get yourself killed!" Reaper scolded while glancing around quickly to see if there were any other demons around.
"Wha…what?" The demoness' tone had taken Julia completely by surprise. Why does it feel like I'm being reprimanded for acting like a little kid?
"Have you gone mad?" Reaper hissed, "Do you have any idea what danger you're putting yourself in right now?"
"Huh?" Julia was completely confused. Suddenly she heard the murmuring of voices as a pair of demons approached them. The blood drained from her face and once again heart picked up the pace.
"Damn it!" Reaper cursed, "Come on! We can't let them see you!" She pulled Julia along sternly and opened one of the countless doors that lined the walls. Once inside the room, Reaper gestured to Julia to stay quiet. Julia complied. They heard the voices pass by, and after a few minutes of cold anxious silence, Reaper let out a loud sigh.
"That was close," she turned to Julia, "Could your hear beat any louder? I was sure those fiends would hear it." Julia gulped, still confused as to why the demoness had helped her and not set off an alarm to tell of her escape.
"Argh…I have to get you back in your cell as soon as possible," Reaper said in annoyance.
"What!? I'm not going anywhere, except away," Julia spat. Guess the help was over.
"I can't let you do that. It's too dangerous to try to sneak out of here. I have to get you back before Haze sounds the alarm. How did you get out? Was he sleeping on the job again?" she questioned.
"Um…yeah…and it didn't help him that he left the door unlocked. He was sure I wasn't stupid enough to try to escape," Julia rolled her eyes.
"Well, it looks like he was wrong,"
In that instant an abrupt commotion was heard outside. Demons were yelling and Julia could hear that they were talking in a strange language. Again Reaper cursed, "Fuck. Too late."
She began to pace the room; her long cloak sweeping behind her as the yelling got louder and more demons joined the hunt for Julia.
After a few minutes, Reaper finally spoke up, "I've got it! I'll tell them that I took you out of the dungeons. I'll say that it was to finally prove just how useless Haze is. So useless that he couldn't even keep an eye on a lowly, pregnant, female human," she turned to Julia, "Please don't think that those are really my sentiments. I do not consider you lowly. In fact, you have to be pretty sharp to have wrapped Jin Kazama around your little finger the way I'm sure you do," her bright eyes hinted at a kind smile.
"Um…Thank you?" Julia felt confused again.
"Come on," Reaper went to the door, "Stay in front of me no matter what. Don't look like you were caught escaping, just look like you're… being given a grand tour of this marvelous castle. If we're lucky, I might be able to get you out of that dungeon and under my personal custody. This is perfect. I've been waiting so long to find a solid excuse to get that lousy demon locked away for good. I'm almost positive he's on to me…"
At this last statement, Julia looked at Reaper with wide eyes, "On to you…? What is that supposed to mean?"
Seeing that she had said too much, Reaper cursed again, "Damn it…I'll tell you later…Just stick to the plan for now, alright?"
"Okay…"
Reaper pulled open the door and motioned for Julia to step out first. Pointing in the direction that they had originally come from, Reaper gave Julia her cue to start walking. After a few moments three demons rounded the corner and shrieked.
"There's the prisoner!"
"Reaper found her!"
"Good work Reaper!"
"Good work?" Reaper asked in a slight tone of perplexity, "What are you talking about?"
"The human…you found her. Didn't you?"
"No. I didn't find her. I'm taking her out for a walk."
"But she escaped!" one of the demons gawked.
"No she didn't. I took her from her cell. Maybe now Veldor will see that Haze is derisory and more of a problem than he's worth," Reaper spat coldly, "He can't even keep a pitiable, pregnant, female human in her 'locked' cell."
The demons shifted uncomfortable. They all knew that Reaper and Haze did not get along very well. Since Reaper was the youngest of them all, had only a few years ago joined their commune, and had already risen to the rank of Chief Advisor and Commander of the troops, Haze despised her. He felt that he was the one who should be in her position, that he should be the one who was second in command. For centuries, he had been vying for that very position, but Veldor never saw much promise in him. According to him, Haze had ambition, but not the right kind. As the years had passed, it was clear that Haze wanted to have power, but didn't want to do any kind of work. Simply put…he was too indolent for such a standing.
Ten minutes late, the chaos of the search had been brought to a halt, and Reaper and Julia were in Veldor's main chamber waiting for his and Haze's arrival. Reaper stared out the large window at the pelting rain. The charcoal-colored, melancholic sky promised to continue pouring itself out for at least a few more days. Julia fidgeted in her seat beside Reaper and toyed with the silver chain around her neck. All of a sudden, the door swung open and the two gray-skinned demons walked in. Reaper stood up, pulling Julia up with her and bowed at her leader. Julia hesitantly mirrored her. Veldor looked displeased and extremely annoyed.
"I'll make this quick. Reaper, I'm leaving Ms. Chang under your supervision for the remainder of her stay. I hope it's not too much to ask, I know you're busy but at the moment I can trust no one else with such a crucial task," he glared at Haze, who in turn looked away, humiliated and furious.
"Of course, my lord. I'll make sure she doesn't try anything injudicious," she said firmly.
"Haze. You disappoint me. I thought that a task as important as keeping Ms. Chang safe would be enough to keep you wide awake. But it seems as if I was wrong. You disgrace us. From this moment on until further notice, you are to take Ms. Chang's place in the dungeon," Haze's eyes widened with mortification, as he began to protest, Veldor interrupted him, "Do not say anything. You are beyond help now. Guards!" two green skinned demons entered the room, "take Haze to the dungeon."
Haze was forced out of the room while Veldor, Reaper, and Julia looked after him.
"My lord?" Reaper began after his bellowing had subsided.
"Yes."
"I ask to be given permission to move Ms. Chang out of the dungeons an into one of my private quarters. It will be easier to monitor her and to be honest, I do not believe that the dungeons are a proper place for a woman in her condition," Reaper solicited.
"Do as you see fit Reaper. I trust your judgment."
"Thank you my lord," she turned to Julia, "Come human."
Without saying a word, Julia trailed Reaper as she led the way to another part of the castle.
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Next Chapter: "Identity Revealed"
