Every step felt painful... I can't wait to reach a Main Room and let the regenerators do their magic. Still, today's encounter gave me things to think about.
Mainly how... far away it all seems, that Gebura who, by Malkuth's words, had been the guard of everyone before all went downhill. She would have no doubt left me half-dead with that second attack she would have thrown, had it not been for the Woodsman's axe and whatever my newly acquired 'Heart' did, also Binah and Angela saving my poor ass, I would have become past tense.
I have a theory about what that 'Heart' did, but I'd need time to truly figure it out... and the best way to go about it is Red. More than just the fact that she is just that good, I've noticed that simply working with Abnormalities can make people reach new levels in their strength with stupid ease... granted that you survive working with the Abnormality in question.
All of my friends are proof of that, Beth didn't have that much muscle but after a couple of works with Abnormalities, now she is swinging an axe that is as big as she is with ease, even if the E.G.O suit helps with that... just wearing a HE requires a certain level of strength that she just didn't have before. Rober and Dakota have gotten stronger in a matter of Days, one even sporting a full set of WAW gear, and I just didn't 'work' with Red, I trained with her. Meaning that my progress was by default more explosive, proven by the fact that after TWO sparring sessions with Red, I was already better in a fight than I had any right to.
I would like for Red to train everyone else and abuse the hell out of this find but... she isn't stable enough for me to risk that, but it is something to consider, and something that I have to make use of. Because if Gebura is the peak, then I have to go beyond that.
While using whatever the 'Heart' did and fighting an experienced super-human bounty hunter, pain is mandatory... just like walking is right about now.
All of that aside... I should probably look for a way to apologize to Gebura. Sure, she went out of line by threatening the 'Knight', but I wasn't any better with my outburst either, at the very least, I have to make it clear I only reacted out of anger.
IF I'm allowed to do that without the Sephirah moving me between floors.
I turned a corner and found myself hoisted by my arms, this was done by both Rober and Dakota that were sporting serious expressions, carrying me away using their shoulders to do so. Malkuth was guiding the way along with Amelia, and I was... very confused to whatever was happening.
"Guy's what t-" Dakota put her free hand on my mouth and while I considered for a moment to spit on it just to show my discomfort, the expressions of severity that everyone was sporting kept me from attempting anything, so I let them carry me away.
Almost fifteen minutes later, we reached the newly labeled 'Training Room' in the area of the Control Team. When both Rober and Dakota let go, I winced slightly. The soreness is not entirely gone, but I could deal with it much better, "I have a guess about what's happening, but I'll wait for you guys to say it." After saying that, they look at each other before they reached an agreement.
Amelia and Dakota acted as one and gave me a clean hit in the stomach at the exact same time. I feel like if I was in a better condition I could have handled that well enough... but I wasn't, so I lurched forward while gritting my teeth.
"THAT was because you kept your rebellious plan from us." Amelia blandly replied, I straightened and rolled my eyes, duly noted.
"And keeping out the fact that they don't care if we die from a plan that NO ONE but the CEO knows." I gave Dakota a small glare, only for the punch, but I will accept this... in one condition.
My eyes moved to Malkuth, "Did you get the same treatment?" I asked, making Dakota look away and Rober to chuckle. Malkuth, in a very much human way, rubbed the top of her metal body, while Amelia rubbed the knuckles of her left hand.
Which reminds me... "When did you figure it out? Dakota and Rober I know, but you never showed any suspicion on it." I commented with a raised brow.
Amelia from her part scoffed, "Rober and Dakota brought it up, didn't know jack until they told me." I nodded, so Malkuth told Rober quite a while ago, Rober told Dakota and then these two told Amelia.
"Moving that aside... I bring interesting news." Malkuth spoke, and I grimaced. Yeah, that can't be a good sign.
"First, I read more about what each floor brings to the table and... well, I found out that all E.G.O suits have kill switches." I gave her one long stare, something mirrored by everyone else.
Of course, before they decided to lose their shit, I smiled because her tone of voice was anything but sorrowful, "You know how to remove them don't you?" I asked with a wide smile, something that I like to believe she mirrored.
Malkuth nodded... kinda, her body doesn't work for those kinds of gestures, "Indeed, while well hidden to mass produce them and put them in every E.G.O, only another Sephirah can install them and our hands aren't exactly made for precision, so they had to keep them well hidden. They are deeply put behind the collars of the suits, they are actually hidden in what feels like the 'poorly' sewed area where you'd usually find the size labels on clothes. I'd recommend against pulling them out for now, until you find an E.G.O that really suits you." I nodded at those words, we really don't want them to notice something missing in the E.G.O when we return them.
"That's our Malkuth, already thinking ahead!" I glanced at Dakota with a curious look, if Malkuth wasn't a metal box I'd call her behavior... actually I don't want to go in deep though of whatever that was.
Amelia scratched her head in an annoyed way, "I was wondering why the size labels were so poorly stitched... it was to hide the bulge of the little murder secret." I'll give them props for the original hiding place at the very least.
Rober was a bit more curious about this information, "How exactly did you find out about that?" Malkuth seemed to look away in embarrassment before answering.
"Well... it just settled in how much pull I have in the Corporation. There is little information I can't find as the leader of the Control Team, so after a bit of reading I found this out. Before, I only really cared about my team making results, so I kinda... ignored what everyone else could do." Dakota not so subtly elbowed Rober in the stomach, which he returned in kind. I simply yanked both of them back before they started brawling.
That aside... "Anything else?" I asked Malkuth, she did an awkward nod again.
"I have to make it a bit more clear on just what we are dealing with... more specifically, two Sephirah. One that would without a doubt be against us and another that I simply have no idea what to think about but is still dangerous." I perked up at her words and spoke before my brain could say no.
"Binah and Gebura, right?" It was safe to say that wasn't my greatest show of... subtlety.
But Malkuth gave me this... resigned stare, "What happened when you met Gebura?" It was a demand from her part, while everyone else gave me curious looks.
"You did seem to be sore." Commented Amelia with a shrug and I kinda flinched, could have ended a lot worse...
"Well... she insulted me and I took in stride, then she threatened a friend and I told her she failed at defending what was in front of her. Next thing I know, she almost killed me, one blow and I felt it EVERYWHERE." I flinched by how hollow Malkuth's stare was, while everyone else was curious.
Malkuth looked away and seemed to take a deep breath, while she didn't need it to live, she needed it for her sanity. She set her sole eye on me, "Alright then, Gebura is based on 'The Red Mist' so that should explain enough. Binah is based on an Arbiter that ALSO should explain it all." While Rober, Dakota and Amelia were busy losing their shit, I threw one look at Malkuth, and she shook her body. Well... I guess they don't really need to know that part.
I glanced once at Rober though, the flash of confusion I saw behind his perplexed look was more than enough, he also knows about the Sephirah's... circumstance.
Dakota sighed, "Well... it's a good day to die, as they say." Amelia gave her one surprised look, before settling on anger again.
"Fuck that, I'd prefer to be there to tell the Manager and the CEO what I think of them." Amelia is always so spirited.
Dakota gave her an annoyed stare, "It's just a dumb saying, no need to take it literally, shit for brains." I sighed and yanked them both away before they started butting heads.
While that happened, Malkuth showed me a page from her notepad, it reads 'Meet me after work with Rober' I nodded once along with Rober. While Amelia and Dakota recuperated, Malkuth turned her notepad away to hide the message.
"Well, that was enlightening, but I'm guessing work is about to start. I'll start to get everyone on the uptake with E.G.O training before making it a group training session." I commented, getting nods from everyone, and very eager smiles from both Amelia and Dakota.
But before that, Malkuth decided it was a good moment to show her inner child, "So... are we gonna name ourselves?"
"Anarchy Rangers!" I gave Amelia one exasperated look before grabbing both Dakota and Amelia by the back of their clothes, not dealing with this while being sore. Rober following behind me, an equally flat stare on his face.
I'm also going to ignore the muttering of Malkuth saying names that we could use.