"She watches from behind," a warm whisper of a voice echoed in Mikoto's head. Its messenger, cloaked in mystery. "Hidden from head to toe."
Mikoto imagined a figure concealed in shadows, a potential threat lurking amidst the warriors wearing long, dark animal hair cloaks.
Mikoto's eyes scanned the area, her gaze shifting between the faces before her and the elusive depths beyond. She searched for any sign, every subtle hint that would confirm the presence of her observer. The voice in her head persisted, gently reminding her, "She is close."
As she searched, Little misaka scrambled with determination, a mix of awe and anger coursing through her veins. "how?!" she growled, frustration seeping in her voice. "when I find out how…I am going to…" Before she could finish her sentence, darkness enveloped her, swallowing the world around her.
The defensive protocol allowed her to concentrate. The familiar comforts of the big soft chair, hanging computer screens, and the attractive young woman vanished. Replaced by an abyss of black. It was a part of her, the darkness intertwining with her being. With closed eyes, arm outstretched, and fingers splayed wide. She called out a challenge. "come into my parlor, little bug…" her voice carried a snarl.
Her answer came in a playful giggle that danced in the darkness.
Mikoto took a deep breath, still as a statue,
"Pretty little thing…." Whispered again.
"pretty little thing," Mikoto murmured, her senses heightening to the nth degree. She ran scents across her tongue, sending out magnetic pulses, gathering and filtering data. She searched for the elusive adversary.
"pretty little thing hidden from view," she whispered. "Something's off." A sense of unease crept over her.
She shifted her attention to the woman they assumed was the queen. The old, jaded figure of weathered skin like leather, her eyes devoid of emotion, cold and empty. As she watched, the fiery coals of the once lively fire faded. And the simmering pot replaced the once rapidly boiling pot. Her eyes followed the lines of the wet ground, up her frayed dress to her lap.
The queen held a large bowl, thin, boney fingers tightly gripping the wooden spoon. She slurped the broth loudly, swallowing chunks of meat with an unsettling grin. She opened her mouth and ate a piece of meat. She wiped her hand across her mouth, leaving behind a wet trail before she carelessly wiped it on her dirt-stained clothing.
"A queen dresses to impress," Mikoto recalled Anastasia's advice years ago after gently smacking her hand for taking the wrong fork. The memory flashed through her mind. Accompanied by the image of an elegant woman who was guiding her. Anastasia emphasized the importance of appearance and how attire and demeanor conveyed royalty and power. It demands respect. But Mikoto had ignored this advice at this particular time.
"It'll do the job!" she'd growled her response. Anastasia laughed.
"You are not dining with wolves or eating from a trough! Like a cow!"
"mooooo.." bluish-white sparks jumped, and with an exaggerated swallow. Snatched another piece of meat.
"How we dress, our accessories, how we move and hold ourselves says we are royalty and powerful. And we are to be respected." Anastasia said, slipping her fingers along Mikoto's shoulders.
"it's Barbeque!" she answered.
Anastasia laughed, snatching the ribs slavered in the sauce from her plate. "deception is another tool…" licking the sauce from her fingers as it dripped onto her lovely white shirt, slowly, seductively licking her mouth clean. "Even getting dirty must be done with grace." She said, becoming a little seductive in her gaze.
"She's no queen," Mikoto concluded, seeing the disparity between the regal presence Anastasia had taught her and the uncouth behavior of the woman before her. Intimidation and deception were tactics Mikoto understood well. Her battles in Academy City and the lies told to her by doctors and teachers had thickened her skin.
Intimidation. Deception. Mikoto knew.
Mikoto's gaze shifted to Vita, who remained still like a statue, eyes closed, emanating an air of tranquility. The soft curve of her mouth hinted at the hidden amusement. Frustration welled inside Mikoto, and she couldn't help but tell her so. "I know you are not sleeping, jerk."
A twitch of her brow as she acknowledged Mikoto's accusation without uttering a word.
It was then she decided to interrupt. And nearly fell from the uncomfortable chair as Rae unexpectedly proclaimed her goddess.
"CRAP! She didn't!"
"oh yes, she did!" little misaka laughed. It was well known among the wolves and vampires and others. Mikoto hated the attention. A quiet snort came from next to her. She glared at Vita.
Mikoto Misaka took a bored deep breath. And Everyone heard her, breaking the surrounding tension.
She raised her hand without a word, signaling her intent to speak. "Your gods are not coming," she declared firmly, her words cutting through the silence. Tilting her head slightly, a touch of disdain lacing her voice, she continued, "And never will."
The ground beneath them trembled violently, shaking everything. Armor collapsed, spears fell, and nets dropped to the ground.. the air filled with the smell of ozone, and an electrical charge crackled and wrapped around Mikoto like a blanket. Wisps of winds swirled, gathering strength and intensity, rising from her boots to her outstretched hand and fingertips. Energy surged, building to an explosive force…
Then a brilliant and searing burst of blinding blue and white light erupted from Mikoto's hand. The room was bathed in the hot fiery glow as the thunderous explosion, and roar followed. Resembling the deafening sound of a jet engine.
The sheer power rose into a column and sucked the air from the room. The front door exploded, flying up and out, leaving an electrifying sensation. The force of the lightning burned through the canvas ceiling, leaving behind glowing charred remains… a testament to her immense power. At that moment, she was a conduit of raw energy. Long hair wiping around her face, red eyes glowing like a predator, commanding the elements with enough power to slay gods.
"Hello, little one." Mikoto's gentle voice whispered.
She discovered her prey behind a group of warriors, donned in heavy cloaks, reeking of a powerful stench that effectively masked the girl's presence. And now they lay defeated in a crumpled mass. Unbeknownst to them, this small, oblivious figure had attempted to steal a peek into the room. Such a curious one.
With great care, Mikoto wrapped the small one wearing a heavy cloak hood, hiding her face in a protective embrace. Leaning close, she whispered reassuringly, "I won't hurt you." Her words were sincere and kind. Gradually pulled back the hood to unveil her small, frightened face.
Trembling with fear and appearing barely of age-perhaps twelve or younger-the girl's eyes brimmed with terror. She longed to scream for help, but the words remained trapped in her throat. Her heart raced, and her breath quickened, overwhelmed by an intense sense of fear.
Mikoto's heart ached. The last thing she wanted was to see fear in a small child's eyes. She wondered if this was the same fear that the little one's face had.
Mikoto's eyes softened, radiating warmth and invitation. Her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, lending an air of innocence to her smile, instantly calming the little girl. Cute attack. The ability to relax your prey and get closer to the strike.
Reaching out her hand, Mikoto gently caressed the girl's cheek, fingers gliding through her silky mane of golden hair. "what lovely eyes you have," she remarked, observing the girl's wide eyes opening even wider, revealing soft, deep brown hues. She traced her thumb delicately along the tiny horn-like bumps adorning the girl's forehead, disappearing into her hairline before cupping her cheek. The little queen smiled, small canines peeking through. Gradually, her racing heart and quickening breaths began surrendering to her growing calm.
No one had seen her move.
As the chaos unfolded around them, some collapsed, their hands covering their ears, while others buried their faces in fear. Others outside of the tent, their eyes were fixed on the towering column of electricity, surging and ascending through the burning structure, reaching its zenith and erupting into a magnificent explosion. Sparks raining down upon the onlookers, showering them in shimmering light.
And when the crackling energy dissipated into terrifying silence. Mikoto Misaka was seated in the uncomfortable chair, a young queen nestled in her lap. Tenderly stroking her hair, her gaze locked in a distant stare.
The false queen lay sprawled on the ground, Vita straddling her with a firm hand on the back of her neck. The smell of searing flesh permeated the air as the iron pot overturned, sizzling and billowing steam. Bloodied and battered, four generals writhed in agony, their ragged breaths stressed by the intensifying heat of smoldering coals burning brighter.
"disrespect, my mistress!" she proclaimed. The words, laced with a hint of impending punishment, cut through the tense atmosphere.
Mikoto sniffed, crinkling her brow, and covered the young queen's eyes. Worried that Vita would make good on her words in front of the young queen.
Rae slowly shook her head, her eyes tightly shut, an expression of disappointment and annoyance… from deep within her, a primal sound emerged, resonating with a deep-seated frustration, causing her fists to clench tightly.
"Why must you always!" Rae's eyes snapped open. Her piercing gaze fixated upon one particular individual. Gallum put her hand to her chest, eyes wide with surprise. "What the… me?" confusion marred her features as she quickly pointed to Aya. Without delay, Aya mirrored the gesture, pressing her hand against her chest and promptly pointing to Nya.
Nya stood nonchalantly, wiping the blood from her blade with an emotionless demeanor, with no care whatsoever. She looked around, "Me…?" her finger going to Vita. "wasn't that the signal?" Vita cocked her head, momentarily perplexed, before sighing in resignation. "Did we have a signal?" she questioned, pursing her lips.
"I'm pretty sure we did not agree on a signal." Little misaka interjected, her tone filling with frustration. "but that….. person…. who hacked her way inside is definitely…maybe… for sure gone…" she growled, perturbed by the whole hacking her brain incident.
Hundreds of screens adorned the surroundings, displaying endless streams of data. Shaking her head, "She? "Whoever she is?" a mischievous grin forming on her lips. "I really need to meet her?"
The attractive woman came out of the darkness, clad in a dark black kimono with a prominent full moon motif and black obi tied around her waist. She tilted her head, running a finger slowly along the seam that accentuated her curves. "Am I supposed to be jealous? "
"Of course." little misaka huffed, settling back into her big comfortable chair.