Steel Fire

“You and I want the same thing, commissioner.” Arakiel said, as he and commissioner Terzi looked through the one-way mirror into the interrogation room. “We both work in the best interests of the Republic, and nothing else.”

What looked like badly beaten woman in a Guardian’s uniform sat cross-legged on the table inside the room. She was staring back at them without making direct eye-contact. There was something wrong about her.

“Even if I did agree with you, this is too big of catch for me to let you take the lead,” Olivia said.

“Do you feel that stinging sensation in the back of your head, commissioner?” Arakiel asked.

Olivia didn’t respond.

“This creature has been tainted by subversive forces from beyond this world.” He turned to the commissioner. “Let me weaken it, at least.”

Olivia continued to stare at the prisoner.

“My background allows me to resist,” he paused, “persuasion.”

She nodded, almost imperceptibly. The tall Knight immediately turned around and marched out of the room.

This is a kindness.

“They’re hiring clowns now?” The Locust said.

Arakiel stood next to the table she was sitting on, staring. Finally, his head cocked slightly to the side.

“What the fuck are you supposed to be?” The Locust demanded.

“My name is Arakiel. They call you the Locust,” he said and paused, cocking his head to the other side. “I know what you are.”

“You must be a genius then, because even I’m not sure sometimes.” She uncrossed her legs and leaned in closer, defiantly. “Your parents must be so proud.”

“That’s an idiotic statement. Like you, I never knew my parents.” He leaned in closer as well. “You are a fallen Guardian. You failed your mission and no longer serve the Republic.”

“Fuck the Republic,” she said, and kissed the mask.

Arakiel remained completely still as he continued. “You fell a long time ago, judging from your uniform, but I think you weren’t what you appeared to be even before that.”

“What you see is what you get, brother.”

“Your new master,” Arakiel said, sternly. “Name him.”

“Slipped my mind. Sorry.”

“Give me the names of the ones who brought you here.”

“I didn’t catch their names, but I’m sure they’re still around here somewhere.”

“This Realm belongs to the Republic. Your master’s presence here is illegal and will be expunged. ”

She cackled. “You think you have power, little man?”

“Nothing can escape the Republic’s justice.”

Her grin weakened for a moment, and there was a hint of sadness in her voice. “There is no justice here.”

Arakiel took a step forward. “The Republic is justice.”

She looked at him for second, appearing to search for something behind the mask. When she spoke again, her voice was softer and had lost its mocking tone.

“You’re insane. You’re all insane.”

The Locust had been beaten up before Arakiel entered the room, but as he left, she looked even more ragged and exhausted. Her gaze was distant when the door closed.

You only hurt yourself by resisting. You fail yourself.

The pale boy sat before Arakiel with several chains wrapped around his waist and chest, binding him to the chair. His face was swollen, and low guttural growling emanated from him almost constantly.

“It must be nice to have somebody like you like that.” Arakiel said without introducing himself. “Incredible how wrong people can be.”

“That’s what I told her too, but she didn’t listen,” he said, and spit some bloody saliva at Arakiel’s mask. “I guess that makes her better than either of us.”

“Give me the names of the ones who brought you here.”

“I told you, I was baby. Can’t help you.”

“You are only a dark reflection of humanity.” The masked man stated, plainly. “Of course you cannot answer me. Why did I even ask the question?”

“You must be an idiot,” the boy said, grinning. “I could have told you my kind held no answers for you. We know a lot about fucking shit up though. I’ve deduced that much without having met a single other one like me”

“So you know one thing at least.”

“And how pointless this all is,” he said, and laughed. “Maybe somebody else can tell you what the purpose actually is, but I’m just as lost as you are.”

They are blind, but we will make them see.

A look of disgust appeared on Maria’s delicate features as soon as the door opened. Arakiel walked in with slow, deliberate steps. His gaze was fixed on Maria, who looked away, but every few seconds glanced in his direction like she was checking if he was still there. Her breathing was quick and shallow.

“No recordings of this conversation will be made,” Arakiel said, his voice more controlled and flat than Olivia had heard before. Maria flinched and moved back in her seat as if he had threatened to hit her.

“I know what you are,” he said, and indicated her with one gloved hand. “It is clear to see.”

Maria didn’t move.

“You also clearly have nothing to do with the contaminants in this area. Help me trace the source of this infection, so I can remove it, and I will make sure you are returned to your people.” He stood in front of the table Maria was sitting behind, his back straight and hands clasped behind his back. The single light in the room cast a shadow on his mask. Piercing gray eyes glinted through the slits. He bent forward, causing the girl to recoil further.

“Give me the names of the ones who brought you here.”

“You are a terrible thing,” she said. “I’m not answering your questions.”

“Things like me are the reason you are still alive.”

“Everything you think and say is wrong.”

“We shall see. I will not subject myself to your presence any longer.”

“Yes. Please leave,” she muttered. “What did they do to you?”

Arakiel remained silent as he left.

Cease your heresy and accept peace.