Vale regarded the small metallic spider with an amused expression, a faint grin forming at the corner of his mouth. As he watched the machine skitter restlessly across the desk, a thought crossed his mind.
'Should I tell him that Yuki already told me?'
The idea lingered only briefly. Vale observed the spider's frantic, almost nervous movements, six slender metal legs tapping softly against the wooden surface, before deciding against it. He wanted to hear Chrome's explanation firsthand.
"So, Chrome," Vale said at last, his voice calm but curious, "can you tell me about these two entities?"
The small robot paused. It rotated its frame carefully until it was fully facing him, its movements precise and deliberate. For a moment, it remained completely silent, its single metallic lens fixed on Vale. Then, slowly, Chrome spoke.
"They are known as Hydra and Chimera," the robot said in its measured metallic tone. "Respectively, the prisoner and the guard of this facility. They are approximately equal in power, and both far exceed what was long believed to be the upper limit for any ordinary human, or creature."
Chrome hesitated, its lens dimming slightly before refocusing.
"With one exception," it added. "Dagon."
Vale glanced down at the robot, clearly pleased with the answer, though skepticism lingered beneath his expression. He found it difficult to imagine Dagon as a force so overwhelming that even Chrome spoke of him with such gravity.
As if sensing his doubt, Chrome continued.
"We lacked the technology to accurately measure power in that era," it said. "However, based on the historical data I have gathered, I am confident Dagon would have surpassed both Hydra and Chimera, assuming even half of the accounts are accurate."
Vale's curiosity sharpened. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing with interest.
"Really?" he asked.
Chrome moved closer, its small frame advancing across the desk. "Yes," it replied. "Dagon was an anomaly, by every definition. Likely the most powerful one to have ever existed."
Vale blinked, surprise briefly breaking through his composed demeanor.
"Aren't Hydra and Chimera anomalies as well?" he asked cautiously. "I can't imagine beings that powerful not being anomalies."
Chrome tilted its lens, a gesture that seemed almost thoughtful.
"They are unusual," it said, "but not true anomalies. Their strength comes from the sheer number of abilities they possess, rather than from singular, defining traits. True anomalies possess something more, something fundamentally unique."
Chrome fell silent, allowing Vale time to process the explanation.
Vale leaned back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling.
"So, to be considered a true anomaly," he murmured to himself, "you don't just have to be different. You have to be special."
The thought unsettled him. If Hydra and Chimera were truly as powerful as Chrome suggested, he had little doubt they could devastate the world, just as Dagon had nearly done all those years ago.
After several moments, Vale exhaled slowly and leaned forward again. Chrome had wandered toward a small stack of books on the desk, its lens scanning their spines with intent.
Vale raised an eyebrow. "Find something interesting?" he asked, lifting part of the pile to see what had caught the robot's attention.
Chrome turned toward the books and raised one metallic leg, pointing. "That one."
Vale followed its gesture to the bottom of the stack. The book was thin, its cover a deep, onyx black. He retrieved it, carefully returning the other books to their place. Turning it over in his hands, he frowned.
"It doesn't look like anything special," he said, glancing back at Chrome. "Why this one?"
Chrome crept closer, its legs clicking softly against the wood.
"It contains the most fundamental information regarding planes, fractures, and related phenomena," it explained. "Essential knowledge for any Visorian."
Vale's eyes widened slightly. He looked back down at the book, suddenly far more attentive.
"Is that so?" he asked quietly.
He set the book on the desk and opened it. Chrome leaned in beside him as Vale began to read. After a moment, Vale glanced sideways at the robot, a small grin returning to his face.
"Hey, Chrome," he said.
"Yes?" the robot replied, its lens shifting toward him.
"You'll help me if I don't understand something, right?" Vale asked.
Chrome stumbled back a half step, its balance briefly faltering. Vale let out a soft chuckle. The robot quickly corrected itself and spoke, its tone slightly awkward.
"Of course. If that is what you require, I will assist you in any way I can."
Vale's expression softened. "Thank you," he said. "I'm sure you understand all of this far better than I do."
With that, he returned his attention to the book, his posture settling into quiet focus. Chrome remained nearby, watching silently as Vale immersed himself in study, because to truly learn, one had to devote themselves completely to the task at hand.
Vale read with his back slightly hunched over the wooden desk, his posture tense but steady. Time slipped by unnoticed as his eyes traced line after line of dense text. Across from him, Chrome had shifted its attention to Vale's computer, which sat idle on the desk beside the scattered books. The machine itself looked pristine, almost unnaturally so, as though it had been assembled no more than a day ago.
Chrome circled the device with measured curiosity, its metallic legs tapping softly against the wood. After a brief pause, the small robot extended a thin appendage and connected it to the computer. The moment the connection was made, Chrome went completely still. It looked almost lifeless, as if it had powered down entirely. In truth, it was anything but, its systems were fully engaged, silently transferring vast amounts of data through Vale's computer.
Some time later, a quiet rustling broke the stillness.
Ember stirred.
The small wyvern, who had been curled comfortably atop the soft bed, stretched and yawned, a faint squeak escaping its throat. Its pale eyes blinked lazily as it surveyed the room, quickly settling on Vale, still absorbed in his studies. Curious, Ember lifted off the bed and fluttered partway across the room before landing neatly on Vale's shoulder.
Vale noticed, but he did not look away from the book. Instead, he raised one hand and gently scratched beneath Ember's pale chin. The wyvern melted into the touch, a low, content rumble sounding from its chest as it nearly drifted back to sleep where it perched.
Minutes, or perhaps hours, passed in quiet harmony. The only sound in the room was the occasional yawn from Ember and the faint hum of the computer as Chrome continued its task. Both Vale and the machine were fully absorbed in their work.
Eventually, Vale turned the final page.
He exhaled softly and leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting up to the white ceiling above. For the first time in a long while, it looked almost comforting. One hand rose to gently pat Ember's head as he spoke quietly to himself.
"There really is a lot I still don't know, huh?"
His tone carried curiosity, almost excitement.
Then he heard it.
Footsteps.
They weren't coming from inside the room.
Vale straightened immediately, his attention snapping to the metallic door. He glanced toward Chrome, still connected to the computer. Before he could speak, the robot's voice came quickly and low.
"Wait," Chrome said. "Give me a second."
Vale frowned. "Why-?"
A loud knock cut him off, echoing sharply through the room. A familiar voice followed.
"Hey, kid. You doing alright in there?"
Vale stiffened.
He recognized that voice instantly. It belonged to the same woman who had scolded him earlier, Yuki.
His eyes widened slightly as realization set in. He couldn't let her see Chrome.
Vale turned sharply toward the desk. Chrome was already moving, its metallic frame softening and dissolving into a shimmering, liquid-like substance. Within seconds, it flowed seamlessly into the computer, vanishing from sight.
Vale let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Yeah," he called out, steadying his voice. "I'm fine. Why?"
There was a brief pause, then Yuki answered, her tone noticeably relieved.
"That's good. Mind if I come in?"
Vale glanced around the room once more, ensuring nothing seemed out of place. After a moment's hesitation, he nodded to himself.
"Sure. Come in."
The metal door slid open with a muted hiss. A white-haired woman stepped inside, her sharp gaze immediately scanning the room. After a brief inspection, she walked over to the bed and sat down as if she owned the place.
Vale raised an eyebrow, his posture stiff with nervous energy.
"So," he began cautiously, "why exactly are you here?"
Yuki looked at him with an odd expression before shrugging.
"Oh, right," she said casually. "Boss told me to keep an eye on you until Evelyn can take over again."
Vale's expression tightened. He wasn't sure what to make of her. She didn't seem malicious, he could tell that much, but her rough demeanor was hard to ignore. Still, he chose not to voice those thoughts.
Instead, he asked, "So… what are we doing first?"
Yuki's lips curled into a cold grin against her olive-toned skin.
"Well," she said, rising to her feet, "we're sparring. Of course."