Melissa sat at her desk unable to keep still. In front of her was an empty basket with only small crumbs remaining. With the Captain gone there was no one in the Hero's Guard that she could easily rely on and calling for Maila wasn't possible. Her fingers fidgeted and moved subconsciously to take another bite from her plate only to find it empty. She had ate them all and in record time. Now with nothing to distract her the worst of what could be happening to Kyle flowed through her mind. For all she knew he could have been knocked unconscious and replaced by a disguised magician! She knew quite well how ambitious the Council Member could be and wasn't putting anything off the table.
Finally unable to wait she stood up. Though her left leg was now more metal than flesh and prevented her active duty, it had also given her new tools. Thanks to a certain someone visiting quite often she had even upped her exercise routine. Melissa took a deep breath and made up her mind, she needed to make sure Kyle wasn't being pressured into anything he couldn't handle.
As soon as she stepped into the outside hallway the two armoured guards looked her way. Their black armour shimmered and let out a soft hum as she approached. Enchanted armour that also used the latest tech built in Lavise. Compared to her crumpled uniform it was clear who was more intimidating.
"I need to speak with Petty Officer Kyle, it's urgent," Melissa squared herself.
"Until Councilman Tombre is done no one is to enter," the guard's voice sounded from his helmet with a soft static. "Please wait in your office."
The smaller women didn't back done, "It's urgent and as such I will enter and accompany Kyle for the remainder of this meeting."
"No one passes this point." The two guards made a gesture lowering their hands to the weapons at their side. "Step away. We'd rather not get violent."
"Neither would I," Melissa didn't back done and instead smiled. Hidden from sight a small blade slipped from her sleeve ready to strike as sparks of energy cracked around it.
Just as the tension between them was about to reach tipping point, the door opened. Philius Tombre stepped out with Kyle not far behind him, "A true shame Mr Barker but understandable. If you need anything from us in the future please contact me."
"I'll think about it," Kyle's expression remained rigid as the old man smiled.
"I apologise if I offended you. I'd much prefer if we have a good relationship from here on," he lent out his hand. Kyle shook it somewhat gingerly. "Till next time then. If you do have a change of heart, we'll ensure to make it worth your while."
As they let go Kyle said nothing and watched the old Councilman leave with his guards in tow. Once they were gone Melissa snatched Kyle's hand and dragged him into her office. The door quickly shut behind them as he could only be pulled confused.
"Melissa what are-," a sudden shock snapped through his arm from hers but even as he tried to break contact she held on to him firmly. "Yeow! Hey what was that for?"
She breathed out relieved and let go, "I was just making sure you were still you."
"Should I not be?" he widened his eye suspiciously worried.
"There was a small chance that's all." Her eyes narrowed onto him, "Care to tell me what happened?"
Kyle rubbed the back of his head troubled, "He wanted one of the children to do experiments on. I refused."
"So it really was just the usual," Melissa nodded.
"The usual?"
"Councilman Tombre has been trying for years to get approval to take one of the Hero's Candidates. In the end the Church decided that it was Maila's call, being the caretaker she knows them best. I guess since he heard you came into the position he thought you might be a way in."
Kyle couldn't help frown, "Some of the things he said made sense though. Honestly I'm not sure if rejecting him was what was best for the children or just my selfish ideals."
Melissa smiled and reached over gently squeezing his cheek, "The fact that you're having trouble means more than you think. In a good way of course. Also don't take all that old man's words to heart. He's craftier than he looks and that's saying something."
With a deep breath Kyle once more affirmed himself, "Right."
"Now would you like a drink? I kind of need to calm myself down, it's been awhile since I last went on edge," the women laughed. "I've got some pretty good white liquor and the Captain won't be coming back for a while."
"Sorry I really should be getting back. I promised I'd be back at the Garden for lunch."
"Lunch hah?" her stomach rumbled despite having ate all the pancakes already. "All I've got today is bread and cheese."
"Then I'll make sure to save some for you and bring it over later," Kyle smiled to her sweetly.
"Well if you have time," she replied acting coy. "You know you'd make a good wife someday."
"That hits a little too close to home. At least say husband," he shook his head chuckled.
"But seriously if you don't have time, don't worry about me. I'm a grown women who can look after herself despite what it looks like." Melissa postured her arm strongly.
"No it's fine... honestly I need the distraction right now." He paused, "You wouldn't have heard from them yet have you?"
"Nothing so far. Which is usually good mind you. The battle is tonight after all." Her expression softened, "They'll be fine Kyle. Believe it."
"I'll try."
*
Back at the Garden as the night settled in and the children were ushered to bed, Kyle finally had some time alone with Maila. The two sat in their usual seats in the dining room sipping at hot cups of tea. Today had been more hectic than usual with the promised orders Kyle had to cook and the more energetic than usual children. Himila, Kara and Mitsu were especially active now being the oldest Hero Candidates currently in the Garden. It was endearing to see them acting as the older siblings but also looking for praise from Maila and Kyle. Now that they were asleep however, the quiet of the usually bustling home was hard to bear.
Kyle broke the silence, "So I met with a Councilman Philius Tombre today."
Maila's expression immediately turned sour, "You didn't promise him anything did you?"
"No, if anything I rejected his ideas."
"Oh good," she let out a breath more relieved than either of them thought she'd be.
"He had some pretty words but when it came down to it, it felt like he didn't see the children as people... more like tools."
For a while Maila didn't reply and sat holding her cup in both hands as if pondering. Finally she simply nodded, "Some of them can be like that."
"It would be better if they saw the children for what they are," Kyle smiled. "Did you see the drawing Tali made? The girl's only eight and she's already that good. One day she could be a great artist."
"Kyle...," her gaze became tender, "you know that your 'one day' may never come."
His grip on the cup became tighter, "But what if it could?"
"So you'll give up one of the children for a chance to save them all?"
"Of course not!" his voice was adamant. "There would be no point then.... I just want a better future..., for all of them. I'm still pretty young, who knows what I could do."
"That's right Kyle you are young. You could do whatever you want." She looked at him sincerely, "I know your circumstances and we trust you enough to know you won't go around gossiping the truth. If you want to go back home or anywhere else for that matter I can convince Bethial to let you go."
Her words shook his heart but not in the way he thought they would. As much as he wanted to go home, it wasn't the chance to that surprised him but the pain he felt that Maila would just let him go, "Please don't say that. I'm already deep enough in this."
"Because you love Lillia?"
Kyle choked on his tea and almost spat it out, "W-what are you talking about? I don't love he- I mean I love all the children equally."
Maila smiled teasingly, "There's enough tension between you two that you could play the strings to a nice tune."
At that moment he was glad for the low lighting, at least his reddened expression wasn't as noticeable. "I'm still sorting that out so please keep it to yourself."
She laughed, "Don't worry I'm not mad. I think it's cute. When you get to my age, young love like yours is incredibly sweet."
"Your age? You can't be more than ten years older than me."
Her smile turned cryptic, "Ten years can be a long time." With her tea finished Maila slowly stood up from her seat. "I'm going to bed now. Don't stay up too late.... Thinking about it too much won't do anyone any good."
"I'll try not to," Kyle replied sombrely. "Good night."
"Good night."
Alone in the dining room without Maila it felt even colder than before. The tea in his hands now only lukewarm did little to ease his spirits. In a few hours' time the Hero's Guard and Lillia would begin their defence against the demons. Kyle's mind flew back to the reports he read across the past fifteen years. Hundreds of lives lost, not just the children. In all that time there had been no incident where the Hero truly failed. If they ever had, then not just the lives of some, but thousands if not more would perish against the demons. How could he sleep knowing the pressure Lillia and Tai were going through? The worst part was all he could do was wait.
Hours passed as Kyle remained seated. The cup in his hands empty and the remaining tea in the pot finished. Just as he thought he'd never sleep a strange pull twitched against his chest and his eyes began to darken. He shook himself back awake forcibly but not even a few seconds later he felt the same tug and before he knew it his consciousness faded.