OSA Reimeiki

"Ahhh! Down, doggy-with-wings, down!" Aaron fell out of his chair, sloshing the rest of the drink on himself. He failed to notice that my burning gaze was directed, not at him, but at Elder Wenrin.

I immediately noticed my mistake and shifted my eyes towards Aaron, and prayed that Wenrin had not noticed. With baited breath, I watched as Wenrin slowly stood up. He brought his hands up... and began clapping. "Excellent, my warrior! Threaten him with our power!"

With an inward sigh of relief, I growled out loud, still playing the part of a loyal follower. Pawing the ground aggressively, I paced forward and stopped in front of the fallen scientist. Nosing him a few times, I reported, "He is unconscious. Elder, what exactly is effect does this poison, vodka, have on humans?"

Wenrin ignored me and scowled. "Who knew that that blithering idiot couldn't hold down his liquor at all?" He ran a hand through his messy black hair, muttering to himself. "Have him thrown back in his cell. We'll devise a new method to extract the information of him."

"And what of me, Elder?" I bowed, hoping I would be sent back down to the human world. I pray to the stars, please let him be unsuspecting of my disloyalty.

"I will send you out on a retrieval mission to capture and detain this Anna Chu person," Wenrin said as he keyed in buttons on a wall. A hidden compartment slid open, and Wenrin motioned for me to go inside.

Trying to hide my slight apprehension, I stepped inside, refolding my wings. As the doors closed, Wenrin left me a final message.

"Remember Captain, I will be watching you."

A flash of light, and I was back in the human's world. I suddenly recalled the Elder's last words to me. Did this mean he was suspicious after all? I must be careful from this point on...

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POV Switch!
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"Where is that stupid mutt?" Catherine crossed her arms, kicking a trashbin.
"Now, now, anger is not the way to solve problems! Why don't you go listen to some soothing Beethoven instead?" Wenrin tried to placate the most irritable member of the group.

In the meantime, I had been working on my wrist computer, trying to identify the current location of the Daakshi warrior. "Aha! Got it!" I cried triumphantly. "We won't even have to wait long, she's headed here right now!" I pointed towards the sun.

Nicole looked up and immediately looked away, eyes burning. "Jeez Diya! Asking us to look at the sun?!"

"Oops, sorry," I shrugged. No one had any time to say more, as a massive shadow covered the land beneath our feet. Rachel was descending from above, her wings beating up massive clouds of dust. I immediately turned on my filtration system as everyone else started coughing.

"I have returned, to help you find your missing compatriot." Rachel landed gracefully.
"Then I suppose we must thank you for your help. It is much appreciated," I acknowledged. But I narrowed my eyes, and continued, "But before we continue our journey, I need to speak with you. Alone."
"What? But we just got reunited with a friend again, what do you mean you want to talk with her alone?" Rosita raised an inquiring eyebrow.
"Yeah Diya, why-" Nicole began.

I cut her off with a look and grabbed Rachel's shoulder blade, pulling her away from the rest.

Rachel merely looked at me. "What is it you require of me, metalloidic one? And how did you know that I was coming?"

"I'll honour your question first. This," I said, pointing at her now fully healed foreleg. "I had a tracker put in you when Rosita healed you."

The proud Daakshi looked affronted. "You have inserted a human technological chip inside of me without my permission? Your race is more devious than I originally believed!"

"I'm sorry, but I deemed it necessary. Now for my question. Where did you disappear to when you left through the temporary transdimensional portal?"

A rare look of shock passed Rachel's face, but she quickly composed her emotions. "I shall assume you know of that because of this tracker device in my leg. Very well, I shall tell you the truth. My lord Elder Wenrin called me back to talk and check up on progress."

"Wenrin? Wait! Did you meet Aaron there?" I asked.

"... Yes. I did indeed come into contact with the human known as Aaron Chan." Rachel glanced away, tightening her talons. This movement did not go unnoticed.

"Is he alright then?"

"Yes. His safety was assured."

"Alright, then I suppose we can postpone his rescue until we find Anna. Always running off, that troublemaker." I shook my head, frustrated.

"Thank you." Rachel bowed her head and rejoined the group.

Still standing to the side, I wondered whether or not I should have questioned her further. No, I had made the right decision. It's too early to reveal my suspicions about Wenrin, not when I don't know where Rachel's true loyalties lie.

---Scene Change---

Back in his own room, Wenrin was pacing. Again. He made a mental note to replace his worn down carpet soon. He muttered to himself, "I must remember to refine the loyalty part in the genome of the Daakshi. Although Rachel's case may turn out to my advantage, if I play my cards right. A battle of wits you want? A battle of wits you'll get! Except rest assured! I shall be the victor!"

He smirked, congratulating himself on his earlier performance. He had known the second Rachel's wings had flared that she harboured resentment towards him, but feigned ignorance. "Yes, this will definitely be a war I can win with the unsuspecting fool Rachel's help. Ha! And the star key box will be mine!"