The prisoners shuffled forward in a slow, metallic rhythm — chains clinking, boots scuffing against uneven cobblestone. The hostages walked ahead of them, pale and quiet, glancing around at their escorts with uncertain eyes.
Chris took up the rear, his steps unhurried but heavy, the quiet weight of his presence pressing against everyone's backs. Otto led from the very front, posture sharp, movements precise, every inch the man in control.
Kiana's gaze followed him for a while. His voice, when he occasionally called out orders or asked a question, was cold and clipped — like he spoke only because the situation demanded it, not because he cared to. It made her shoulders tense.
"…That's nothing like the person I met," she mumbled under her breath, her mind flicking back to the Otto outside the simulation — the one who smiled, the one whose words dripped like honey rather than steel.
She didn't get to linger on the thought.
"Kiana," Kallen's voice cut through, tinged with a playful pout. "Were you even listening?"
Kiana jerked her head toward her, grinning sheepishly. "Yeah! Totally!"
Kallen's expression softened into something brighter, almost radiant. "Good. I was just saying… I've always loved lilies. They're pure, but strong. Even in rough weather, they don't bow easily."
"Oooh, I like lilies too!" Kiana perked up immediately. "But I'm more of a sunflower person! They just… always face the sun, you know? Like no matter what happens, they keep chasing the light."
"That's a lovely way to put it," Kallen said warmly. "Still, if I had to choose a second, it would be roses — white ones. They're not as fragile as people think. And their thorns remind you that beauty can protect itself."
Kiana's eyes widened. "Okay, okay — in that case, mine's marigolds! They're like little explosions of happiness. Plus, you can eat them in salads, which is cool."
Kallen laughed softly. "Practical and cheerful. For my third… hm… camellias. Grace, but with quiet endurance."
Kiana tapped her chin. "Alright, then my last one's… lavender! It smells nice, makes you feel calm, and bugs hate it. Perfect for… um… stuff."
They laughed together, the conversation warm enough to blot out the sound of the chains for a moment.
But then Kiana felt it — that prickle along the back of her neck. She glanced up and met Otto's gaze from the front of the line.
Cold.
Unflinching.
And yet… beneath it, a strange, burning intensity, like he was peeling back every layer of her mind, searching for something only he knew.
Her throat went dry. She swallowed hard and looked away, her grip tightening on the tip of her skirt. Kiana shook her head, forcing Otto's gaze out of her mind. She glanced over her shoulder instead — only to catch Chris, of all people, watching Otto like a hawk.
It wasn't the casual observation of a soldier scanning one of their own. No. This was sharper, more deliberate. His eyes didn't drift. They stayed locked on the back of Otto's head, following every movement.
Her curiosity burned hotter than she could contain. She leaned closer to Kallen, lowering her voice. "Hey… why's Professor Gorilla staring at him like that?"
Kallen didn't even glance back. She just kept walking, a small, knowing smile curling on her lips. "Now isn't… really a good time to answer that question."
Which, of course, only made Kiana more desperate to know. She puffed her cheeks but let it drop — for now.
The group moved through narrow streets, their path winding past rows of shuttered shops and laundry lines swaying overhead. The late afternoon sun bled across the rooftops, gilding the cobblestone in a faint orange glow. But the beauty of the city couldn't drown out the sound of the prisoners' chains or the low murmurs of passersby who stopped to watch.
A few children peeked from alleyways, their eyes wide at the sight of the armed procession. One bold boy stepped forward, holding out a small piece of bread to one of the chained men, only to be quickly ushered away by his mother.
Kiana's brows pinched at the scene, but before she could dwell on it, Kallen's voice pulled her back. "Have you ever been to the capital?"
"Nope," Kiana answered, shaking her head. "I mean, I've been in some big cities before, but nothing like… you know… capital-capital."
Kallen chuckled. "It's beautiful. Gardens that stretch for streets, markets where you can find anything, music in the air no matter the hour." Her eyes softened with the memory. "But it's not without its shadows."
Kiana tilted her head. "What do you mean?"
Before Kallen could reply, Otto's voice rang out from the front. "Move faster. We need them processed before sundown."
The warmth in Kallen's tone dimmed, and she let the question hang in the air.
They passed under an arched stone bridge, where the sound of their footsteps echoed like drumbeats. On the far side, the road widened, giving them a view of the countryside beyond the city walls. Rolling hills stretched toward the horizon, dotted with small farms and winding streams.
For a moment, the air felt lighter.
Kallen glanced at Kiana, her smile returning. "When this is over, you should come with me. Stay at the capital for a while."
Kiana blinked. "Huh? Really?"
"Of course," Kallen said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "I think you'd like it there."
And for reasons she couldn't quite explain, Kiana found herself smiling too.