The stone — Chi'ia, as it was called in her land — was there, lying on the table. He placed it as if it were a jewel, but to her, it was a burden. An important piece, yes, but also a reminder of failure: letting it fall into the wrong hands.
"So... this stone is from your world?" he asked, with that tone of someone who thinks they're part of something grand.
She answered with the bare minimum.
"Yes. Created, not natural. It's used to open passages."
She said it like she was explaining the obvious. She didn't want to go into detail, but he kept pressing with those puppy-dog eyes.
"Portals?" he insisted.
She nodded, unwillingly. Why did he need to know? Yes, it was dangerous — especially in the hands of well-meaning idiots like him.
When he asked if the four men knew what they had in their possession, she nearly laughed. A bitter laugh, one that never reached her lips.
"They know enough to fear it. But not to control it."
Then came the question she hated:
"And you? What do you want with this stone?"
She lifted her eyes. There was a weight there. Not because she trusted him, but because she was tired. Tired of carrying everything alone, of running, of fighting, of watching things fall apart.
"I want to go back. And stop them from doing the same to what's left."
It wasn't nobility. It was necessity. It was survival instinct. If she didn't protect it, no one would. And she wouldn't be destroyed along with the weak.
She let him keep the stone. Let him feel useful — for now. If he messed up, she'd take him out of the way. Without hesitation.
Chaos at the Diner — Part 02 (her version)
She had already regretted walking into that place.
The smell of frying oil was nearly as unbearable as the boy's voice, who kept staring at her like she was some exotic creature. Earth food was strange. The environment was loud. And she... was tired. But she'd never admit that. She had to keep her stance.
That boy, Ji Ao, was nothing more than a useful curious type. And like all curious ones, he had the terrible habit of keeping things he didn't understand.
The stone.
She felt it. She didn't see — she felt it. And without asking, without thinking, without ceremony, she reached into his pocket and pulled it out as if it belonged to her (and it did). The glow it gave off when it touched her skin was a bothersome reminder of her bond with that burden.
Without a thank you, she hid it in the secret compartment of her suit. He looked surprised — good. At least that would keep him quiet for a few seconds. Not that she expected much from him.
She adjusted her mask. Pressed the exact spot. The sensation was always strange, but it worked: the texture molded, the color changed, and suddenly… there was a face humans could tolerate. A beautiful face, yes. Crafted to deceive. Nothing in her was ugly — by choice. Appearance was a shield.
She bit into the sandwich. It tasted like something lukewarm and overly salty. But she needed energy. And if the boy thought that eating it meant friendship, he was dreaming.
Then the three of them showed up.
Of course.
There were always those types of human trash on every corner of every planet. Loud, insecure, always in packs. Fragile males in strong bodies.
She said nothing when they approached. Just watched.
Calculating.
She hated wasting time with this.
But she wouldn't let a single one of them touch her.
Jin was first. A precise touch at the base of the neck. Out cold.
Tom tried to be clever. A spin, a sweep — down he went.
Dan? Oh, the typical coward. She didn't even need to move.
She was exhausted. Each blow drained what little energy she had left. She tried to hide the tremble in her legs. Ji Ao noticed — of course he noticed. He watched her too closely.
"You… how did you do that?" he asked, like a fascinated pup.
She rolled her eyes internally. Still, she gave the bare minimum.
"Now's not the time for explanations."
He offered his house. Ridiculous. She refused immediately. The last thing she wanted was to mix herself into his mediocre routine.
"No. That's not where I need to be. Come with me."
She didn't ask if he would come. She just left.
He followed. Of course he did.
The park was a good hiding spot — dark, quiet, ignored by others. She already knew the place. And the entrance to the cave. A temporary shelter. Safe enough. Not for rest, but to talk.
It was time to reveal something. Not everything. But enough.
She looked at him. He seemed ready. Naive, but ready.
Patience. If he wanted answers, he would hear them — her way.
Revelations Inside the Cave — Part 03 (her version)
Ji Ao entered the cave cautiously, the damp, heavy air clinging to his skin. The faint glow of the stone on her outfit barely chased the shadows that danced along the walls. Still, he moved forward. Each step echoed as if he were treading on secrets far too ancient to belong here.
Then he saw her: the masked girl — the same one he swore he'd seen beside Jial. But now, she looked different. Exhausted, hunched over, desperately searching the ground and cracks in the rock with muffled panic.
"Where is it?... Where?... The portal… I need to get out of this ridiculous world…" she muttered through clenched teeth.
Ji Ao stood in silence for a few seconds. That woman — arrogant, so confident just minutes ago — now seemed like a cornered animal. But even so... she didn't ask for help. She searched on her own, stubborn, as if her pain was more worthy than any help.
Suddenly, she staggered. Fell to her knees, and Ji Ao, surprised by the sight, rushed to catch her before she hit her head.
"You're not okay! Let me help!" he said, trying to lift her weight.
She didn't thank him. Didn't even look into his eyes.
"The portal's gone…" she murmured. "It was here. Someone erased it. Or… hid it. That's typical of them…"
"Them?" Ji Ao frowned, trying to understand.
She closed her eyes for a moment, her breathing unsteady.
"I came from far away… from a reality you people here wouldn't begin to understand. I'm not an invader. I came… because something was stolen from us. Something that was ours by right. I entered through the portal… but it drained me. The energy here… it's wrong. Slow. Dirty."
Ji Ao stared at her, caught between awe and disbelief. There was certainty in her voice — even weak as she was — that left no room for doubt.
"So those guys in the plaza…"
She cut him off with a cold glare, even half-unconscious.
"They weren't from here. They're rift hunters. They crossed after me. And when you showed up… they thought you were part of my security. Suddenly, they ran — afraid. Afraid of me. And of you." She nearly laughed, bitter. "Little did they know how weak I really am."