The next morning in the Forgotten Fortress was… chaotic.
"Has anyone seen Milly?" Basei's voice echoed through the main corridor, calm but with a sharp undertone of concern. His mask hid most of his expression, but everyone could feel his frustration building.
Simni, balancing her now fully reattached head with one hand and holding a wrench in the other, sighed.
"I checked her workshop, the kitchen, and the roof. Nada."
Fogotto appeared from behind a pillar, carrying a breakfast tray. "She didn't even touch her morning rations. You know she never skips breakfast unless she's plotting something."
Luma stomped into the room, clutching an empty pouch dramatically. "Oh, she's plotting something all right! SHE STOLE MY COINS AGAIN!"
Everyone turned to her.
Basei blinked once. "Again?"
Luma crossed her arms, puffing her cheeks. "Last time it was a few golds for 'experiments,' now it's my whole week's allowance!"
Simni sighed again, her detached head spinning slightly on her hand. "Alright, alright, calm down. Let's check the security feeds before anyone explodes."
She tapped her bracelet, and a holographic projection flickered to life in front of them showing the Fortress hallways in midnight's eerie blue tint.
They watched as Milly, tiptoeing like a cartoon thief, snuck into Luma's quarters.
Luma screamed in real-time: "I KNEW IT!"
Then the feed continued: Milly quietly entered Simni's workshop, taking a few small gadgets and tools, then froze when Simni's headless body walked right past her, tightening a few bolts on a massive project and walking away like it was a normal Tuesday.
Basei just slowly turned his masked face toward Simni.
Simni blinked. "…In my defense, my body's on autopilot when I'm in sleep mode."
Fogotto burst out laughing. "Autopilot or not, you just let her go!"
Luma groaned. "This is why we need actual security guards!"
Basei rubbed his temple. "So she stole gold, tools, and decided to run off in the middle of the night… alone."
Simni folded her arms, thoughtful now. "She must be searching for something. Maybe her memories."
Everyone went silent for a moment.
Luma lowered her head slightly, her voice soft for once. "She still doesn't remember who she is."
Basei looked out toward the glowing horizon visible through the fortress window. "Then we'll find her before the world does."
Simni's eyes glowed faintly as she scanned for a faint energy trail. "I'll locate her signal. She didn't get far her gear is one of mine, after all."
Fogotto nodded, cracking his knuckles. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's bring our dragon girl home."