Scare You Close
Chapter Two: The Paradox
For the next year, Kobeni worked for Public Safety, but not as a Devil Hunter. Under Makima's occasional supervision, she undertook intense physical training daily and was assigned administrative duties that were exhausting but also helped her get more insight into how things worked in the several departments.
Kobeni knew that she was a slave, being called left and right by people she didn't know to deal with paperwork no one wanted to take care of, running stupid errands for those lazy asses.
She shuffled through endless stacks of documents and mail.
Because it still paid a little above a mediocre wage, she did it without complaining. Whenever the archive rooms needed organizing or cleaning, there she was, even though she hated how big and dark the place was and so frighteningly quiet that she could hear a fly buzz several meters away from her.
Sometimes, Makima allowed her to make more money by putting her together with the forensic team. It sounded fancy, but this meant that she had to go to places where the Devils and Devil Hunters had fought and clean up. If she was lucky enough to have a nice person as her superior for the day, she would be merely taking pictures of the devastated area, Devil remains, and victims. At times, she collected DNA samples and pieces of evidence.
However, most of the time she was just forced to clean up after battles, which meant absurd amounts of blood and guts, as well as Devil and human remains. These things could not simply be disposed of.
The first few times she was assigned this task, she was so disgusted that she was unable to stop vomiting. The gory scenario, mixed with the shock of seeing the horrible form of Devils and fiends for the first time, had been too much to handle.
She'd retched and retched, the acrid taste of bile in her mouth. Her colleagues had watched with little sympathy, if any; their expressions were disgusted and mocking.
Most people in Public Safety weren't kind and rarely showed empathy for her misery, and the ones who did were too scared of being reprimanded to lend a hand, so she ended up just being insulted and ridiculed and having to clean up after herself, too, as if her task wasn't gruesome enough.
She had also (fortunately or unfortunately) been taken by Makima a couple of times to see her team in action from a distance.
The battles were violent and it was quite a spectacle. Makima's minions were strong and fought with impressive skill.
As enriching and elucidating as it all was, Kobeni still hated it with passion
The more she came to know about Public Safety and Devil Hunters the less she wanted to become part of them. The only upside of it all would be the fact that she would stop doing clean-up duty and would probably be able to order some other poor soul around instead. This is in exchange for her soul and putting her life on the line.
Yes, because by now she knew she would have to make a contract with a Devil to gain power and offer it something in return.
The idea of making a contract with a Devil haunted her. She couldn't fathom what kind of power she would gain, but she dreaded the price she would have to pay.
Thinking about it almost gave her a heart attack.
None of the members she knew of Makima's team seemed particularly right in the head one way or another, and Kobeni knew from mouth-to-mouth word that not all of them were humans.
She wondered what motivated these people to become Devil Hunters. Certainly not money.
One of Makima's Devil Hunters, Himeno, had given up an eye for her powers. Hayakawa Aki had pieces of his skin consumed and his lifespan was reduced.
What kind of person would go this far? Why? Did they have nothing to lose and nothing else to live for?
It was insane. If being contracted to one single Devil was terrifying, she could not understand what state of mind made people think contracting with several Devils was a good idea.
They were impressive individuals, though; there was no doubt about it, and to a certain extent, seeing them fight made Kobeni train harder, more out of fear than anything else.
Of course, she was always scared that Makima would unexpectedly ask her to show off her newfound abilities without notice, and she didn't want to fail someone who had believed in her.
Despite them not dealing with each other much, their relationship was professional and cordial and Kobeni still admired Makima and held her in high esteem. The woman was a force to be reckoned with, and Kobeni wished she could be like her, just not as a Devil Hunter.
In all truth, in secret, apart from the training she received from professionals, Kobeni also trained solo.
Perhaps because witnessing the terrors of the world had made her more fearful for her life, she had made it a habit of carrying around the knife Makima had given her. The weapon was big and she kept it sharp, always tucked away inside a pocket. This had become such a routine for her that she seemed to not know how to feel safe without it anymore, even becoming slightly paranoid if she forgot it at home or left it somewhere.
For this reason, she started training with it as well, learning how to wield it properly until it became feather-light in her grip and an extension of her, regardless of which hand she used.
Kobeni surprised herself with how fast and flexible she had become and how much her fighting skills had improved. Regardless, this didn't help her feel more confident in the slightest, nor any less fearful.
Her nightly training sessions had become her solace, a way to channel her anxiety and insecurity into something else; she wasn't sure what it was. The knife was her constant companion.
Sometimes, Kobeni wondered if she would ever become a Devil Hunter, and, if so, if she could ever be as cold-blooded and focused as the others were.
It was on a warm spring afternoon that Makima summoned Kobeni to her office just a few minutes before she was due to clock off.
"Kobeni-san, do you like cake?" Makima asked with a polite smile, sitting at her desk with her fingers crossed under her chin.
Kobeni stood before Makima's desk, her heart racing at the unexpected invitation after having spent the day separating paperwork into files regarding a very complicated recent issue. She couldn't wait to be out of the building, but Makima's words immediately perked her up.
"I love cake!" She said it loudly, and noticing she had been a little too enthusiastic, she immediately recoiled, blushing. "I mean… Yes, I like it."
"Good." Makima tilted her head a little to the side, sweetly. "Will you join me for some, then? My treat."
Kobeni simply could not refuse. It had been a while since she'd had cake, and no matter how eager she was for her workday to be over, she was not looking forward to going home, where more work awaited.
With a grateful nod, she acquiesced. "Of course!"
oOo
They hadn't gone far, walking about a block away from the headquarters building to a small coffee shop. Makima told Kobeni to choose anything she liked, but while the younger one felt very inclined to get the biggest slice, she held herself back and requested a simple chocolate cake slice with some strawberries and whipped cream.
With a knowing look, Makima intervened and corrected Kobeni's words by asking the server for a big slice of the most luxurious and complex cake in the shop, the one that Kobeni had been drooling over silently. Then, she asked for the same for herself.
Kobeni watched with a mixture of surprise and gratitude as the beautiful and decadent slices made their way to their table.
The two had made their way outside so they could sit at the small, metallic tables. It was a beautiful day, and they were protected from the sun thanks to the large sunshade above them.
Kobeni was so embarrassed yet gleeful for having the opportunity to eat such a delicious treat that she could barely speak for the first few minutes, delighted and grateful to the point of tears. She thanked Makima so many times that the woman was sure to be tired already.
"Don't you spend money on yourself, Kobeni-san?" Makima asked, vaguely stabbing her cake with a fork, clearly not as impressed by it as Kobeni was. She observed her with a faint smile, apparently amused by how pleased Kobeni was as soon as she put a piece of cake in her mouth.
It was clear from her disinterest that Makima was more accustomed to such pleasures than Kobeni.
"N-not really," Kobeni replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I only keep a small amount of money for myself for transportation expenses. I'm getting my driver's license, too, so between that and money for my family, there isn't much left."
"Don't tell me you're taking a driver's license to drive your family around."
It was said with gentle sarcasm, but Makima had hit the nail right in the head.
What other reason could there be? Only one person in that family was required to work a full-time job, do house chores, and still have time to run her family's errands and learn how to drive.
But of course, this was her mother's idea, and since Kobeni was doing so well at work, she would pay for her driver's license as well as the car they would need for her to comfortably drive everyone wherever they needed.
Sweating a bit, Kobeni released a nervous chuckle but didn't reply, not knowing what to say. Makima smiled knowingly but didn't press the issue.
They ate in silence, Makima watching her casually, Kobeni torn between self-consciousness and being too enraptured in her delicious cake to care. The slice on her plate disappeared quickly because she had been rather hungry, too, considering the lunch she had brought hadn't been nourishing enough to sustain her through the long day.
"I think I was way over my head when I ordered this," Makima said, just as Kobeni was wiping her mouth with a napkin. "Would you like to finish it?"
A loud noise came from Kobeni's stomach as it complained of its hunger. Swallowing, Kobeni blushed embarrassingly. "C-can I?"
"If you're not disgusted by me," Makima said with a small shrug, extending her plate of cake toward Kobeni. "I only used my fork on one side. I can ask for a clean spoon to scoop that part off."
Kobeni hesitated; the guilt of indulgence battled with her desire to enjoy the treat. Her hunger knew no notions of pride, though, so she accepted the cake with a grateful nod. "No, it's fine. Thank you."
With Makima's encouraging nod, Kobeni quickly attacked the cake, savoring the sweet flavor on her tongue. Her stomach complained loudly again.
Her face was on fire with how mortifying it was that she was so obviously famished. "I-I'm sorry if I seem pitiful sometimes," she apologized despite herself, looking away from Makima.
"You don't seem pitiful at all," the older one said, resting her cheek on a closed fist as she eyed her intently. "I've been getting very positive feedback about you. Your teachers are pleased with your physical progress, and everyone likes the work you've been doing so far. You've become very resilient."
"I don't like it any better than before, and the work hasn't gotten any easier," Kobeni muttered sincerely, barely audible. It wasn't as if she enjoyed all the things she had been put through just to become resilient. "I guess I just got used to going through the motions."
Makima nodded. "That's part of the job," she said, with her gentle yet condescending tone. "I think it's time that you become a Devil Hunter. Your basic salary will increase, but it's the bonuses that will be the most rewarding."
Flinching, Kobeni simply nodded. "O-okay." The prospect of becoming a Devil Hunter was still daunting for her and she wasn't sure whether this was a good thing or a terrifying one. She didn't feel ready to take on the role at all, and neither did she feel confident about her skills or ability to handle the whole package that came with it. Still, she lowered her head respectfully. "Thank you for your trust."
"You'll be a part of Division 4, my team." Makima announced. "You'll be paired with Arai-san, who will be your mentor and partner for smaller assignments. However, for bigger missions, you'll most likely work with more team elements. Do you understand?"
"Yes, of course."
Makima paused, assessing her before proceeding. "I have already assigned a Devil for you to contract with." Makima's revelation filled Kobeni with a mixture of anticipation and dread, but she didn't say anything, slowly continuing to eat. "Later on, it's up to you if you want to have contracts with other Devils."
The thought of forming more contracts with the Devils sent shivers down Kobeni's spine. "I-I sincerely doubt it," she denied, with a nervous chuckle.
"You are a strange person, Kobeni-san," the other woman pointed out unexpectedly. "You are so shy and apologetic all the time, insecure too, and yet you are a hard worker and surprisingly blunt sometimes. It's a strange combination."
Kobeni's personality was a mosaic of contradictions, a fact she couldn't deny. She didn't understand herself either, or know herself at all—she never had time to get in tune with who she was as an individual away from her family and her duties.
"Have I been inconvenient in any way?" She asked unsurely, to which Makime shook her head.
"Not at all," Makima reassured her with a mysterious smile. "I'm just curious to see what else is hidden behind that cute face of yours. I want to see if you're as surprising as I think you are."
Kobeni's cheeks flushed at the compliment on her appearance. Makima probably just wanted to give her a confidence boost, because Kobeni didn't think she was cute at all.
Also, how could someone as beautiful as Makima even say such a thing to someone so bland?
The woman knew well which words to say to close the distance between herself and her underlings, and this was something Kobeni had seen from a distance. It was tactical and effective, and everyone had something specific they wanted to hear; Kobeni was not an exception, so she had embraced the delusion as eagerly as everyone else.
Clearing her throat, Kobeni looked down at the surface of the table as she chewed on her lower lip. "Makima-san," she started, her voice lowering to a serious tone as she chose her words carefully. "I just want you to know that I was serious back then when I said that I would not put my life on the line. If there comes a moment when I feel like it's too much and helping others will put me in danger, I will back away without a second thought."
Makima didn't say anything for a few seconds. Then she uttered a simple "I understand."
"I may not have a purpose for now, but that doesn't mean that my life has no meaning to me." Kobeni's voice was filled with quiet determination. "There are things I still want to do, and I have to believe that I'll be able to do them eventually. I need to stay alive for that. I don't have the desire to die at the hands of a Devil for some altruistic reason."
"Alright."
A little hesitantly, Kobeni's eyes rolled up to meet Makima, who seemed curious and amused, and yet her gaze held a sense of respect for Kobeni's honesty.
"I think your team should learn a thing or two from you. Too bad they most certainly won't see the potential," she eventually said, with a small sigh.
The words were vague, leaving Kobeni without knowing exactly what her superior meant.
For now, she was glad to have managed to get her thoughts and intentions across.
This would be hard enough on her already, without the obligation to die for someone else's ideals.
oOo
While Kobeni was familiar with many eerie rooms and corridors in the Public Safety building, it was the first time that she had descended to the lowest underground floor to see where the Devils were kept.
As expected, it was a maze of hallways with heavily secured doors after doors. It was dark, dirty, and damp, and the air was heavy with unidentifiable scents that mingled together and made it difficult to breathe.
As if she wasn't nervous enough, the stuffiness made Kobeni feel dizzy and nauseated, but she remained silent as she followed Makima's silent steps down a narrow hallway with a door at the end of it where her Devil awaited.
Its power and oppressive aura were unnerving and cold, like condensation that sank underneath the skin and wrapped around the bones, freezing muscles uncomfortably.
Kobeni wanted nothing more than to turn around and flee; she hated putting herself through difficult situations, and everything that took her out of her comfort zone was vexing and physically and emotionally draining for her.
I'm already tired of this… I want to go home.
After what felt like hours, Kobeni found herself in front of the heavy iron door, swallowing down the dryness in her throat and willing her heart to stop beating so loudly she couldn't even hear herself think.
She had seen many things already, and even if it was just a small part of it, it meant something.
She was stronger. There was nothing on the other side of that door that could come as a surprise compared to all the gruesomeness she had already seen.
Nothing belonged to her anyway; there was nothing the Devil could take from her that would make a difference.
Hands touched her shoulders from behind in a light touch. She felt soft breasts against her back and lips on her ear. "Remember, you can always bargain if the Devil's terms don't suit your interests," Makima whispered in her ear. "However, remember that the price of negotiation will be higher."
"Y-yes."
Makima squeezed her shoulders as if it were meant to offer her some comfort.
"Don't worry, little one. You're not less than all the other Devil Hunters that have walked these walls before you." An open-mouthed kiss was pressed to Kobeni's cheek, causing her to flinch as goosebumps rose on her skin. "If they can do it, so can you. I will be right here to take care of you, no matter what state you are in."
For some reason, Kobeni was assaulted by an odd feeling of foreboding and déjà vu. Makima's voice was even, and her tone was filled with a sweetness that did not manage to mask her mischievousness well.
There was such an underlying darkness to her words that Kobeni felt unexpectedly sick.
It sounded both taunting and encouraging.
While Makima, her direct superior from now on, had been a strong source of inspiration and motivation for the past year, this time, Kobeni had the sinking feeling that the woman was finding great pleasure in this course of events, curious as to what would happen and how Kobeni would deal with it.
Just like when she had been tested, there was a strange duality to the woman that Kobeni could not quite put her finger on and it chilled her to the bone.
It was disturbing to think about because it made her feel restless and calmer than before because she felt not challenged but threatened.
Do not disappoint me.
There was no reassurance in Makima's touch as her hands ran up and down, slowly, over Kobeni's arms.
Do well and I'll take care of you.
Fail and see what happens.
Horrifying as it was, Kobeni wondered what Makima could consider a win or a failure in such a situation. Either way, she had no way to prepare herself for the unknown, so there was little she could do.
Makima was capable of violence, as Kobeni knew. She also knew the woman's ability for kindness. These were things that made so many men in their line of work admire and want her.
Because Kobeni knew both sides, at least to a certain extent, she somehow felt that she could take the blow of both, and this was the only reassurance she could offer herself just then.
Taking a deep breath that did nothing to soothe her, she took a step forward until Makima was no longer touching her. She heard her chuckling softly in amusement.
Slowly, Makima walked past her and towards the large door, a delicate hand grabbing the thick, iron handle. After a pause, she smiled. "Good luck, Kobeni-san."
oOo
With blurred eyes blinking open slowly, Kobeni awoke from her slumber. She was momentarily confused, as she didn't recognize the white ceiling and the bed she was lying on felt unfamiliar, too.
The smell of antiseptics filled her nostrils, alerting her that she was in the hospital.
Ah, yes. She had made a contract with a Devil, and remembering the fact was the last thing she needed.
She was lying on her back and didn't feel like moving at all. The sun shone brightly and lightened up the room, the hospital curtains billowing gently due to the breeze that sneaked in through the open windows. It was quiet and peaceful, and she wished she could disappear.
Not die, no. Just vanish.
Breathing deeply through her nose, she threw an arm over her eyes.
The damned thing could've taken away her memories instead, or perhaps her identity, her sense of self, anything that would pull her away from her life, because it simply wasn't possible that she was so unlucky all the fucking time.
"Kobeni-san." Makima's voice was soft and distant, indicating that she was nowhere near Kobeni's bed but perhaps standing in a far corner of the room. Kobeni wasn't surprised to hear it. "I brought you to the hospital because you passed out, but your physical condition is good. The doctor said you could leave whenever you like."
"Okay," Kobeni muttered hoarsely. "Thank you."
The room became oddly silent then, but Kobeni didn't care, even if she could feel Makima's eyes on her. The breeze buzzed in her ears, scents of flowers from the outside mingling with that horrible, sterile smell.
"I used to think that having a purpose was a crucial thing for a Devil Hunter to succeed," Makima said after a while, slowly. "However, I'm starting to think that your way might be more effective." When Kobeni didn't reply, she proceeded. "I don't know what the Devil saw in you, but it has given you immense power. I know it seems like an unjust trade, but you'll soon realize how much of a blessing it truly is."
Nothing Makima could say at the moment was capable of making the younger one feel any different than she did. She doubted she would ever feel content or happy about any of this no matter how much power she was granted, how much money she made, or how much time passed.
She was still scared and she still hated it all, now more than ever.
What was power good for anyway? Was she supposed to be grateful when she had to sell her soul for every penny she made?
Even so, she simply nodded.
"Rest for as long as you need," Makima said sweetly. "Please remember you are expected to report to work on Monday."
Kobeni didn't lower her arm to see her go, but despite not hearing a single sound, she knew her superior was gone.
oOo
Making a contract with a Devil had done something to her. Rather, it had probably killed something inside of her, but not exactly a trait she didn't need.
However, instead of feeling dislocated, Kobeni felt as if something inside her had clicked while other parts of her had been fragmented. It felt like finding yourself and yet not understanding who this person was. Having a massive amount of dread, but somehow knowing that everything would be alright.
There was nothing to assure her of this, and she didn't know where these feelings came from, but just as with everything else, she simply accepted it, knowing she had no control and that the outcome, whatever it might be, was out of her hands.
Then she realized how terrifying this was—the fact that she had no control over anything in her life and was not able to act on her own or make her own choices. She had no way to ever plan anything so she could predict the outcome and protect herself.
Being paired up with Arai was hands-down one of the best things that had happened to Kobeni since working in Public Safety. He was an intelligent and compassionate man, very strong, and with high ethical values and concepts, sometimes exaggeratingly so. Nevertheless, he was a helpful and understanding instructor who could be very objective, and Kobeni was grateful.
Makima's team had many elements that Kobeni only met briefly, but she wasn't sure how to feel about them or whether they were trustworthy.
Himeno seemed to be friendly but also a little unhinged. Aki was a perfectionist, seemingly quiet and efficient but also mysterious and goal-driven. Kobeni noticed he seemed to have a crush on Makima, or perhaps it was simply that same enormous admiration that everyone seemed to have for her, which Kobeni could understand, even if her personal feelings for the woman were still blurry to her.
She crossed paths with these two more frequently, but the truth was, she had heard from Arai that people died easily in Makima's team and were quickly replaced, so she didn't bother memorizing names. It wasn't as if she was there to make friends; she just wanted to survive and bring her paycheck home at the end of the week, no matter the cost.
Granted, some said that the families of workers who died in the line of duty received quite a large sum. Kobeni feared sharing this information with her family lest they tell her to throw herself into a Devil's mouth, and while she allowed her family to control many things about her life, how she died would not be one of them.
oOo
The decision to send Kobeni alone to fight a Devil on her first mission wasn't difficult for Makima, for this was merely another test.
Arai was shocked and insisted that he wanted to accompany the young woman. Still, Makima refused; even if the fear in Kobeni's eyes was of such proportions, it was unlike anything Makima had ever seen. It made her look like a completely different person, which was interesting.
Kobeni presented herself as a timid and quiet person, always keeping to herself, yet she was honest and sometimes even straightforward. For someone without a clear sense of direction, she knew how to execute tasks masterfully and tackled the challenges presented head-on, even if she was shaking in her shoes as she did so.
There was something rather admirable and pitiful about her that Makima didn't know if she liked or disliked. Unraveling the girl's potential had been her personal mission, and peeling all those hidden layers was intriguing and amusing.
Regardless, while Makima knew there was still much to unveil, she also expected Kobeni to, at some point, fail miserably and call it quits. Perhaps not now, but eventually, when her mind and her will couldn't keep up anymore.
But she had yet to prove herself. Her new powers were still a mystery, and Makima was far too curious to see how much Kobeni's physical evolution would match her unnatural abilities.
"But it's nighttime!" Arai had protested, concerned, being the protective teammate he was. "Let me handle it and have Kobeni-chan guarding my back!"
But Makima simply smiled and shook her head. It was precisely because it was nighttime that this was the perfect opportunity. "A Devil Hunter needs to be capable of fighting regardless of the time of the day or the weather conditions," she said simply, tapping the fingers of a hand on her desk. "You may watch, Arai-san, but there will be severe sanctions if you intervene."
Arain immediately closed his mouth and straightened his back. Kobeni swallowed but nodded nervously.
"I-I'll do it," she stuttered, even if her whole body shook and there were tears in her eyes.
Makima smiled mischievously. "Don't get yourself killed, little one."
oOo
Makima observed from a distance, hidden in the shadows of an alley, as Kobeni stood in front of the horrendous creature. Behind her were several members of her squad, watching in silence. They didn't need to know what contract Kobeni had, but they needed to see her in action so they knew what to expect. This was the moment where they would either learn not to underestimate her or understand that they had to keep an eye out for her. The latter outcome would also mean that their respect for her might be reduced to nothing.
Public Safety did not hire weaklings, and while it provided training and promoted teamwork and mutual support, most of the time, ethics were meaningless when each person needed to fend for themselves. Cruel, yes, but necessary. Kobeni had no expectations, but the quicker she understood the workings, the better.
The flicker of a lighter could be heard, followed by the unmistakable scent of tobacco as Aki lit himself a cigarette. Makima could hear Himeno saying something under her breath.
It was dark outside, with most of the streetlamps having been destroyed. Kobeni's first steps towards the Devil were hesitant as she clenched her knife in her fist. A part of Makima almost expected Kobeni to turn back and run. However, her footsteps, shaky at first, began to speed up as she lunged forward.
Eyebrows rising slightly, Makima stared at Kobeni's features, noticing how they changed from fear to anticipation, a clear upset giving away how much she was doing it against her will.
The Devil, grotesque and menacing, bore down on Kobeni; the air around them seemed to thicken with the impending sense of dread, and yet, just as it seemed Kobeni would be consumed by hesitation, something within her mutated irreversibly.
Makima's eyes narrowed, focusing intently on the seemingly fragile girl who was metamorphosing before her eyes. She watched as Kobeni's internal turmoil dissolved and a silent, fiery determination emerged instead.
With an unexpected surge of speed, Kobeni reached the horrible being and easily evaded the Devil's attack.
The creature roared, several slimy arms reaching for her with murderous intent, and yet she moved at an impressive speed, her small body surprisingly agile, defecting them as if they were nothing.
No member of Division 4 was capable of this level of speed and grace.
As the Devil lunged, grotesque form falling over her and managing to engulf her, Kobeni's agility manifested in its full glory.
Kobeni unexpectedly emerged as she carved through the Devil repeatedly with her knife, each slash quickly cutting pieces of unidentifiable matter that made dark blood spill and paint the buildings around them. The disgusting scent filled the air at once.
Despite how scared she had been before, she fought the Devil as if this wasn't her first time, her hands steady. She moved so impressively that there were whistles of surprise from the Division members behind Makima. Arai was babbling something unintelligible beside her that she didn't hear; her gaze stuck on the swift, merciless way the young woman attacked.
The transition in Kobeni's face from fearful to upset to resigned to determined and now to completely impassive was impressive and deliciously disturbing, almost as if she had effectively drowned out all her emotions so she could perform like this.
The sudden detachment was so cold that it caused a buzz of thrill to hit the bottom of Makima's stomach.
How interesting. She had indeed secured herself a fine specimen.
With every evasive maneuver and every slash, Makima's interest deepened unexpectedly. It was as perplexing as it was captivating.
As the Devil finally slumped, lifeless amidst the wreckage, Kobeni stood on top of it, looking down at what she had done as if it had somehow killed a piece of her too.
She didn't even seem surprised or impressed with herself.
Makima's gaze lingered on Kobeni as the girl swallowed hard and cleaned her dirty knife on the fabric of her pants. This was when her hands finally resumed shaking. A hiccup left her throat as tears flooded down her eyes, but she resolutely made her way down to the creature she had killed, looking lost for a moment.
Kobeni wasn't merely a puzzle to be solved or a test subject to be observed; she held depths Makima had not yet fathomed.
Makima's cold eyes narrowed. Behind her, her team was muttering among themselves, waiting for instructions, but she had none.
Kobeni was as strong as they were, and they now knew it. However, she stood apart from them in ways they could not even begin to understand. Makima herself had a feeling that something was off with her and that she could not be taken for granted or misjudged at all. The likelihood that she would become a powerful foe was high, as she would always move according to her interests.
And for the first time in years, Makima was not just intrigued but genuinely interested in how everything would unfold from here on.
For now, all the potential ways she could use Kobeni seemed valid, and she was more than eager to explore how far she could push this puppet of hers before it dared to attempt to break free.
TBC...
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