"Why would you bring her to base?"
"Look at her. What harm can she do? She was clueless. She would've died out there."
"What if she is one of them."
"She's not."
"Oh really? And how do you know that?"
A groan broke through their argument.
Kiah stirred, vision swimming. Her body ached like she'd been tossed in a lightning storm. Even her bones quivered.
As the blur in her eyes cleared, she spotted Eden standing off with the blue-haired jerk, her attacker, who clearly didn't care she was half-conscious on the floor.
"What's going on here?" The voices died when a third figure appeared.
She felt the air shift and everyone went rigid. She could also feel a very imposing presence approaching.
A tall man with ink-black hair stepped out from the corridor, calm but commanding. He had a terrifying scar running from his right brow down to his cheeks. One of his eyes was deep brown, and the other with the scar was ice blue.
The others straightened.
The man's gaze swept through her figure on the floor and his brows furrowed slightly.
Kiah found it difficult to look at the man in the eyes. It was not because of the scar but because anytime she tried, there was a pang in her head.
"Eden, who did you bring in?" He asked coolly.
"She's a survivor of the raid, General." Eden replied, head slightly bowed.
A beat of silence passed before the man spoke.
"Interesting. Bring her in for questioning."He stated.
Then he turned around and left.
Eden helped Kiah up.
She winced, glaring at the one who'd zapped her.
'Is there not a single gentleman on this planet? Why is everyone out to get me?'
This planet could use a lesson in manners.
"We have to go." Eden said as she pulled her down the white corridor.
"Who was that man?"
"That is General Denvil," Eden whispered in response. "He runs this organization. He's just going to ask you a few questions to make sure you're not a threat."
Kiah swallowed. "Should I be worried?"
"Unless you're actually a threat, it should be a breeze. The general is strict, but he wouldn't chase out those in need of help."
Soon, she found herself alone with the imposing man in his dim, pristine office.
General Denvil sat across from her, posture relaxed but eyes sharp. His eyes studied her closely but Kiah still couldn't bring hers to meet his.
It was as if an unseen force forced her to keep her head down. The more she tried to resist, the worse her headache got.
'Is this his doing? How is it even possible? Did people possess magical powers too?"
Finally, he asked, "What is your name?"
"Kiah." She answered, her voice strained.
A pause. "Last name?"
She had a last name. Solvane. But considering her distant noble origin and the hate the people of Duskworn had for these fallen nobles, she thought it best to keep that information to herself.
She couldn't trust this man not to slit her throat if he was even the least bit suspicious of her.
"Just Kiah."
"Convenient," he murmured, his tone almost mocking. "Where are you from?"
Kiah hesitated, but she tried not to let her fear sip through.
"I… don't remember. I had an accident while I was help captive. Everything's blank."
"How unfortunate." His voice was calm, almost amused, but his eyes sharpened.
Kiah didn't need to look at his face to know he hadn't believed a word she said. She couldn't shake her feeling of unease.
"They hit me pretty hard—"
"Perhaps," General Denvil interrupted. "or maybe you were planted."
The room seemed colder. Kiah fought the urge to shift in her seat.
"Eden said you would help me, but I don't think you have any intention to. If you don't trust me, why not just throw me back out?"
"Because I'd rather know what you are first. This base is a top secret location assessed by members of our organization only. I can't cast you out with such a crucial information about us. That would put us all in danger."
"So what do you plan to do with me?"
"Tell me," he went on, "do you believe in second chances, Kiah?"
"...Yes."
"I don't. Not without proof." He sat back again, tone casual but his tone never softened. "I'm going to give you a chance to prove you're not a threat. We have a test in three days. Pass it, and maybe we'll talk again. Fail it—" he gestured vaguely, "—and well, we won't. Do you understand?"
Kiah blinked. Was that an invitation? Did she even have a choice to refuse the test?
She hadn't planned that far ahead but it wasn't like she had other options. And if this place could give her food, shelter, and time before she figured out how the hell to leave this reality, she would take it.
"What's the test about?"
"You'll find out in due time, but be rest assured, it's not too difficult."
There was pause before she answered, "Okay."
"Good." He leaned back in his chair, finally looking away. "You may leave."
Kiah didn't want to seem to hasty so she carefully stood up and made her way to the door, her heart pounding.
"Wait."
She stopped in her tracks as he hands grazed the doorknob. She turned back slowly.
"Yes?"
"Your hair. It's not everyday you see someone with green luscious locks like yours."
Kiah frowned. She had seen plenty of green hair the short time she arrived here. His words didn't make sense.
"Green hair is quite common, is it not?"
"Perhaps. But your shade is… unique. It doesn't belong in these parts."
Kiah's eyes narrowed in suspicion. Had he discovered her secret?
"I don't know what you mean, General." She kept up her facade.
General Denvil paused, studying her for a few more seconds before shaking his head slightly.
"I guess I'm overthinking. You should leave."
Kiah blinked perplexed but didn't waste a second more and stepped out of the office. Only then did she release a sigh of relief as the mysterious pressure on her disappeared.
That man terrified at her.
"How did it go?"
Her eyes locked with Eden's who leaned against the wall opposite her.
She sighed.
"He mentioned a test."
Eden blinked. "Oh, I totally forgot about that."
"He said it's in three days."
Kiah watched as Eden's face hardened.
"What's the test about?" She pressed in curiosity.
A sigh escaped Eden's lips.
"We'll discuss that later. First, let's get you cleaned up."
Kiah looked down to the faded blue dress she was wearing. It had splashes of mud on it and her skin was dyed brown from grime. She could even smell her armpit after not taking a bath for almost two days.
Eden led her down the corridor to a secluded part of the building. The more they walked, the less people she saw.
Finally Eden stopped in front of a door and nodded for her to get in. When she did, Eden said, "You're not allowed to wander around without me until your test is complete. Go in and freshen up, we have a lot to discuss. I'll be back in thirty minutes."
And with that, Eden shut the door, locking her in.