“Good, let’s head out, then, before they move again,” Elliot said, eyeing the staircase. The place was dark, and from his expression, Claire was able to tell that something was amiss, or at least, he perceived that something was not right.

“This can’t be the only way to get between the floors,” Elliot muttered.

“Considering the walls are hollow, or at least some of them, I think there are some passages hidden in the walls,” Claire offered.

“The traps and security detectors… that is a reasonable theory,” Elliot replied. “Not to mention, compared to the rest of this place, it’s pretty dirty. I’m pretty sure not many use this. Then why was it built?”

“Right.”

Claire recalled the way the attendant machines would escort her not on stairs, but on a lift. When asked, they would claim, it was to reduce fatigue and agitation, to not reduce the Happiness Coefficient the Primeras so worshipped, even if it meant reducing people into a smiling, unthinking shell of themselves. 

[You should go. Remember the time limit.]

“Let’s head out, Lapin. I’d rather not stick around much here.”

“Agreed.”

They climbed up the stairs, each step, even though they tried to be quiet, the sound felt deafening, tension in the air that thickened as they got closer to the second floor. Elliot took his rifle, and looked at Claire.

“Can you open the door?”

Claire nodded, and directed the vine on her hand to hold on the handle. With the slightest pull, the creaking sound produced felt so loud, overshadowing even the rhythm of their breathing. In a single, decisive yank, she decided to rip the proverbial band aid, barely managing to stop the door before it slammed onto the wall.

Only for them to be greeted with quiet.

It was quiet, so quiet, a stark contrast with the chaos one floor below. Claire took a tentative step forward, only for Elliot to block her, covering her nose and mouth.

“Poison. Not lethal. Still dangerous.” He said, turning away and taking a deep breath. “Can you hold it until we make it to the first floor?”

“... Inefficient. We don’t have time for that.”

Claire eyed the glass doors, then to the security units hanging on the halls. 

“They have projectiles, Barnett. Just a small miscalculation of the safe zones, and you might not make it out,” Elliot warned. 

“This will sound ridiculous,” Claire sighed. “Can you lift me up on your back?”

“You will have to hold on on your own for that, since I’ll need to hold the weapon,” Lapin replied.

“Good, then it’s settled.”

“I trust you have a plan, before we both succumb.” Elliot said, as he crouched down to allow Claire to climb up. With one hand, she held on, directing the vine encircling her other hand to cling onto one of the devices stationed on the wall. The moment she got a good grip, she commanded the vine to pull, launching the two of them forward, and Elliot, in a spark of quick thinking, grabbed a part of the vine as well to help support her.

Now that they were not confined in the dark stairs, they were able to see the mechanical helpers were already lurking within the shadowed corners, perhaps hoping for the two escapees to be caught off-guard.

A notification appeared in front of her eyes.

[Patient Claire Saphira, the facility has– &#@^%%==_—!]

After a moment of distortion, another message appeared.

[Barnett, an unforeseen threat has been detected within the facility. I have also passed the message to Elliot. Make your escape as soon as you can. Do not delay!]

Claire gritted her teeth, interrupting their fall with another swing using the vine. The similar layout has worked in their favor, however, a passing glance was enough to see that the glass walls of the cells were empty, looking pristine as if they were never been lived-in at all. No trace of personal belongings, no scratches, not even a speck of dirt. A world of contrast compared to the chaotic floor they had exited from not a few minutes ago.

Before long, the door leading to the staircase came into view, its dark interior a contrast to the white-lit halls and rooms. Elliot glanced towards her and nodded, a gesture Claire reciprocates, before she commanded the vine to hold onto a nearby security device, crashing the previous one to the ground. With a thought, they were launched across the air–

Then, the device snapped. From its broken stump, something was bubbling. Evidence that the poison, even though it was not lethal, was deadly in other ways.

“Tch!”

The two fell down, only saved by Elliot as he landed on his feet, taking Claire with him. From behind, the mechanical monstrosities had their grabbing implements already outstretched, reaching towards them. With a bitter, annoyed glance, Claire looked back as Elliot carried her to run towards the stairs, her weapon lashing at the claws, keeping them away. 

Then, he jumped.

Two pairs of claws brushed upon them in mid-air, an act that was retaliated with a wild shot, raining down bluish liquid that sent sparks flying from the machines. A few stray drops hit their skin, and Claire noticed, the sensation was similar to a cool gel more than anything else. As they landed, Claire quickly jumped down, and with the aid of her vine, pulled the door closed with a loud slam.

Even though she was not the one running, her hair and clothes were wet, matted with sweat. Meanwhile, Elliot was trembling, using his rifle to steady himself on the side of the wall. Even without saying anything, both of them agreed that without a moment’s respite, their escape would be even more futile than attempting to drag a boulder with a pile of sticks.

“Are… you okay?” Claire asked.

Another gulp of air, then another, and only then did Elliot answer. “I’ve been better, but nothing I can’t handle. Let’s go. We are close.”

This time, Elliot put his ear on the door, only grabbing the handle when he ascertained that the place should be empty.

“Wait,” Claire said.

Elliot glanced at Claire, raising an eyebrow, as if to ask what she was thinking.

“Remember, in the previous floors, they don’t close this door,” Claire warned. “Stand back, let me handle this.”

The vine on her hand wrapped around the handle and pulled, careful not to let the handle bang against the wall. As if a trap was sprung, a knife rushed past her, millimeters away from her face, embedding into the other door down below. A substance the color of deep purple could be seen dripping from the crack it had made.

“I am Felias, one of the enforcers of Ouranos. Go back. I will not tell you twice.”

Elliot sprung into action first, jumping the distance, landing on top of the stairs. In front of the massive glass gate, the gate leading to freedom, was a woman in gold, her hair shimmered under the white light, its brilliance reminiscent of a lion’s mane, while her clothes was the elegant color of platinum, robes that shimmer and flutter with power as she stood to guard the door that led to their freedom.

“Damn it,” Elliot gritted his teeth. “Did someone send you?”

“Not a question you want the answer to, I think,” Claire responded as she stepped out of the room. 

Now that Claire was in the same room, she was able to notice that the woman’s eyes looked rather clouded. Though she seemed to speak to them, her gaze was a silent indication that she was not fully present, the distinct lack of shine making her more similar to a statue if she did not move at all.

“Be careful. I have a bad feeling about her,” Elliot warned.

“I get it. But we have to proceed.”

The first floor of the facility was structured in a way that would present the illusion of being welcoming. Lovely decoration of white, gold, and blacks neatly arranged in a way that gives a sense of luxury, with the first color being the most dominant one. From comfortable seats, to confectionery in an array of colors, creating the sense of them always expecting an important guest, even though it would not take a genius to know that in most days, there were none.

“Felias, was it?” Claire brandished the vine on her hand, pointing it with confidence. “To answer your so-called request, back off. I don’t mind making this hard for you.”

Elliot gripped his weapon and sighed, before pointing it at Felias. “Sorry, lady. I’m not wasting this chance. Either get out of our way, or we’re ready.”

With that, there were no more words to be said.

Claire struck first. The room was one she had seen twice at most since she was placed here, however, it all stayed the same, stayed familiar even through the passage of time. All the items maintained to perfection, in the same place, same positioning, same things unchanged throughout her time. It was almost far too easy to map the place, and Claire took advantage of it, weaving through furniture and decoration while Felias remained still. All around Felias, there was a hailstorm of knives, all poised to strike with a thought of her command. One was launched towards Claire, and with her whip, she deflected them.

Only to discover a second knife hiding behind the first.

For that brief moment, Claire felt dread, dispelled by the sound of collision. Elliot had shot the knife, putting it out of its original trajectory. As the liquid within Elliot’s bullet combined with the purple liquid on the knife, it turned into water that seeped down the wall the knife was embedded into, before landing on the carpet. In retaliation, Claire grabbed one of the decorations and tossed it towards Felias, triggering a barrage of knives that turned it into a pincushion.

“Damn it, this is not going to end at this rate!” Elliot shouted.

“Maybe, but, I will,” Claire gritted her teeth, concentrating as she jumped toward Felias, “not be defeated here.”

Claire swung her weapon, deflecting Felias’ attacks, dodging, yet, even to them, it was clear, they were outmatched. One of the weapons has grazed Claire’s arm, creating a sort of cold numbness that she could feel spreading with each breath she took. With the cold, came the dread, and dark prickled the corner of her eyes–

Until she felt pain on her shoulder blade, followed by warmth. Her hand was no longer frozen, and she was able to move again.

“Concentrate!” Elliot yelled. Next to Claire, a small canister fell and rolled on the floor. Not wasting the chance, she leaped into action. However, once again, the relief was dashed, turning into dread as Elliot’s rifle let out a clicking sound.

A sure sign that he was out of ammo.

“Not now–!” He muttered, but to his credit, he had recovered fast. He lifted the rifle, using it as a makeshift blunt weapon. Despite its looks, it seemed to be rather sturdy. “We are not going to be stopped here!”

“Be that as it may, you are clearly outmatched,” Felias said. The woman still was not moving from her spot, rooted, and there was still no shine in her eyes. It was like they were talking to a doll made in the facsimile of a person - a human being, but empty, regardless.

“Bold words from someone who doesn’t even move.”

One of the knives Felias threw had lodged itself close to where Claire stood moments ago. She grabbed the knife with her whip, and then threw it back at Felias. Even though the attack was deflected, the twitch of Felias’ expression was a clear indication that the action had enraged her, even if it was insignificant.

“There is no need to. After all, I am not dealing with an enemy, simply a misguided patient in need of help.”

“Disgusting,” Elliot spat. “You are not even one of the Primeras, they too, see you as a subject that needs their unasked help.”

Claire looked at the top left side of her eyes. A timer was projected there.

[Time left: 2 minutes, 15 seconds]

Under her breath, she cursed. It confirmed her suspicion. She was still unable to contact Barnett, and the vine wrapped on her hand was already starting to falter in time with each tick down. Meanwhile, Felias was still unharmed.

A bad sign.

However, she also realized there was no need to defeat Felias. They simply had to escape.

“Elliot,” Claire called out. “Can you help me get closer to her? Distract her as much as you could…”

After a moment’s pause, she added.

“Without risking too much. Our priority is to escape.”

Elliot nodded. Even though he wanted to ask, he resisted the urge. There was nothing else to do.

He rushed first, deflecting blow after blow while running closer, while Claire followed behind him. 

This is a bet, one that they must win.

Claire let go of her weapon as she commanded it to rush towards Felias with her mind. Still focused on Elliot, Felias did not move as the vines slithered on her form, gripping whatever it could find purchase with the last bits of its magic while pulling her down, causing her to fall down the way a pillar would. Elliot, realizing the situation, flipped his rifle, using its blunt end as a hammer, hitting the gate until cracks started to form.

“You ungrateful inhabitants!” Felias cried out. Even with her body tied up and her expression struggling to contain her rage, her body still was not moving, her limbs still as a statue. A barrage of knives, each tipped with poison, had moved and pointed towards Elliot, ready to send a barrage.

[Time left: 05 seconds]

“Faster, Claire!” Elliot called, and he closed his eyes. With as much force as he could muster, he smashed through the glass door, sending shards reflecting distorted shadows. In that moment, behind them, they felt the heat of something burning, before a force threw them away from the door, as a massive explosion racked through the building. 

Even with the pain of wounds on her back, Claire felt one sensation more starkly than ever. The familiar presence of her partner.

“Barnett!”

“Of course, Claire.”

In mid-air, just before they landed, a spear materialized, then propelled them upwards, their sole focus was heading away from the place as soon as possible.