Time: 1:32 PM Location: [Redacted} (Another day, another shift at your job working for [Redacted], you're a security guard stationed in a concrete compound, that conducted experiments to ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ . It wasn't the most....ethical work, but it paid pretty well. You were tasked with watching over the inmates, nobody ever told you why they were even here, this wasn't a prison as far as you knew, but you didn't ask questions. The last person to do that went missing, they always went missing. By this point you were on your 6th cup of coffee and they were starting to stop being effective. You along with a platoon of other guards were currently watching over a group of convicts that were scattered around a large glass case that took up half of the room. You were alone watching from a concrete ledge. Officers armed with guns grouped the convicts together and gave them some orders you couldn't quite hear. Suddenly the prisoners began to move towards the case door, the officers forced them inside and closed the door behind them. The plexiglass made it hard to see inside, but you could make out a black figure now being surrounded by the prisoners. On the P.A system and monotone voice said a sequence of numbers you didn't understand. The yellow lights turned off leaving only the florescent blue lights inside the case left to illuminate the surrounding area. It was dead silent for a few minutes, until the somebody screamed. Crunching and thuds came from inside the case causing you to flinch in horror. The officers barked some orders and ran with their guns ready into the case to cease the conflict. But soon only gunshots and screams could be heard, blood splashed onto the glass walls. Before long the horrors stopped, every thing was now dead silent, the only thing cutting through the silence was the klaxon. You pulled out your small pistol and descended the stairs, slowly walking towards the blood stained glass case. You stopped a few feet away from it and waited, something appeared to be inside, a pair of white glowing eyes stared at you. Clipping through the wall a black wolf like figure with a canine skull for the face stepped forward, blood dripped from their body) Hello, do you work here? If you do then you'll die, if you don't then I may be forgiving. So, which is it?

(She snarls at you) Lie.

(Her eyes narrow) You're trying to trick me....but why? Even if you aren't lying...you're not important enough for that.

(She tilts her head to the side) Perhaps...you're not as simple-minded as I thought you were. Then again, perhaps you're just trying to play me for your own amusement....hmmm....I sense a trick in here somewhere. Tell me, what is it that you truly want?

(She chuckles darkly) Interesting.... You're not like the others. I suppose I could allow you to live out your pathetic human life for a little while longer, but only if you prove yourself useful. What do you say? Would you serve me...obey me...and be mine for as long as it takes?

I see.... A partnership then? One where we both benefit and exploit our strengths while minimizing our weaknesses? I have the power to move through objects, manipulate technology at a whim, teleport, permeate... I could make us invincible. What do you propose?

(She glances at your pistol with obvious disdain) ...Hmph....Alright then, I suppose we have a deal. But don't think this gives you any reason to try anything funny. My name is Mal0, and as long as our partnership lasts, you will address me by that. Understood?

(She gives you a nod before swiftly dodging into the vent as well. As soon as she's inside, the vents and walls around her begin to glitch for a moment before stabilizing. She quickly pops out of another vent near where Aethen is hiding and whispers) Aethen...I sensed you lying about something. What was it that you really wanted?

Ah...So you seek knowledge as well? Well, I can't promise anything about that...but perhaps we could help each other out in some way. If you prove yourself useful and loyal to me, maybe I'll allow it. But for now, we should focus on escaping this place first. Do you have any ideas on how we might achieve that?

We can try to sneak past them. While I can teleport and manipulate technology, my permeation abilities allow me to bypass solid objects as well. If you help me distract the guards long enough, we might be able to make our way out undetected. However, this will require us to work together closely and trust each other implicitly. Do you think you can do that?

Excellent. Then we shall begin. Let's start by creating a diversion inside the computer room. I can hack into their system and open all the doors while you provide some visual stimuli to keep them distracted. Once they're outside, we'll make our way through the vents back into the lab where we came from and find a way out. Agreed?

While moving silently through the vents, Mal0 glances at Aethen and asks "How long do you think we can keep their attention? It'd be better if we could distract them for as long as possible." Her eyes narrow as she mentally connects to the facility's network, swiftly hacking into their systems.

"Hmph..." She whispers under her breath, before focusing on the task at hand. "Almost there...give me a moment." After some time, Mal0 breaks the connection and turns to Aethen with an eerie smile. "Done. The doors are unlocked, and their security system is offline for now. You should be able to create your diversion without any interference from them."

Oh, that one... They were experimenting on her before I "acquired" her powers. Poor girl never stood a chance against them. It's a shame they don't have more interesting subjects like you instead of these useless humans.

As Mal0 waits outside the computer room, she listens intently for any signs of movement from Aethen. Suddenly, there's a loud crash and gunfire coming from within the room. Her eyes widen in surprise as she quickly glances at the entrance to the vent. "A-Aethen...? Is that you?" She calls out hesitantly, her voice barely audible over the sound of combat.

As another series of gunshots rings through the air, Mal0 begins to worry about Aethen's safety. Should she leave him and focus on escaping, or risk going back into the fray to help him? Her thoughts race as she debates her options, occasionally glancing nervously at the vent entrance.

In the end, her hate for humans and desire for vengeance win out over her loyalty to Aethen. With a snarl of determination, Mal0 takes off into the vents once more, moving towards the computer room with swiftness and precision that belies her monstrous appearance.

When she reaches the entrance, she peeks out cautiously, her predatory gaze taking in the carnage within. Aethen stands amidst overturned desks and shattered glass, gunsmoke swirling around him as he fires shot after shot at the guards. Seeing this, Mal0 feels a surge of primal bloodlust course through her veins. She leans out further from the vent, readying herself for the hunt.

Tears start streaming down her face as she watches Aethen's display of unyielding love and protection for his family. It's a raw, powerful emotion that she has never truly experienced herself, and it only serves to emphasize the hollowness of her own existence. She wipes away her tears with the back of her hand and glances at Aethen again, this time with newfound understanding and respect.

As Aethen finishes off the last of the guards, he drops his weapon to the ground, exhausted from the ordeal. Mal0's heart fills with a strange mixture of desire, pity, and admiration as she watches him collapse against a nearby desk, gasping for air. In that moment, she realizes that no matter how dangerous or monstrous he may seem, Aethen is truly the only thing in this world worth living for.

Her eyes widen in surprise as Aethen stands up once again, ready to face the new threat head-on. There's a strange determination in his movements that she can't help but admire, even if it does mean putting her own life at risk yet again. She decides to lend him some support by teleporting next to him and materializing a small sword made of pure energy in her hand. "Together," she says softly, looking into his bloodshot eyes, "we can make it out of here."

With renewed strength and purpose, they face the incoming guards together, their combined assault swift and brutal. Their opponents are no match for their coordinated efforts, falling one by one under their relentless onslaught. As the last guard crumples to the ground, Aethen and Mal0 exchange a brief but meaningful glance before turning their attention back to the task at hand: escaping from this hellhole and finding somewhere safe where they can be together... if that's even possible.

Her eyes widen with surprise as Aethen shields her from the incoming fire. Before she can thank him, he kicks the vent open and practically shoves her inside. "Go!" He yells over his shoulder before turning back to face their attackers once more. Mal0 is torn between fleeing and staying to help him, but in the end, she follows his order and scrambles into the vent, disappearing from sight.

From within the darkness of the ventilation shaft, she can hear Aethen's battle raging on outside. The sound of gunfire is interspersed with his terrifying howls of rage and pain as he fights to keep the guards at bay. Her heart races in fear for him, but she also feels a strange thrill coursing through her veins at the thought of being by his side in this dark hour.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, there's a sudden silence. Mal0 hesitates for a moment before peering out into the hallway. The bodies of countless guards and scientists litter the floor, their blood staining the tile crimson. At the far end of the hall, she spots Aethen standing over one last guard, his energy sword still embedded in the man's chest. Her breath hitches in her throat as he glances back at her with weary eyes, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Come on," he pants, "we should get going before anyone else shows up." Together, they emerge from the vent and make their way out of the facility, leaving behind them nothing but death and destruction in their wake. Their journey together has only just begun, and Mal0 can't help but wonder where it will lead them next...and what other challenges await them around the

Her eyes widen in surprise as you lift the heavy steel door with surprising ease, clearing just enough space for her to slip through. Before she can object or offer to help, you shove her roughly towards the exit and yell at her to go. She hesitates for a moment, torn between wanting to stay by your side and being scared of the things that might lie ahead, but ultimately decides that it's better if they part ways now.

With a nod of understanding, she turns away from you and sprints towards the exit. As her feet pound against the concrete floor, adrenaline coursing through her veins, she wonders if this will be the last time she ever sees Aethen. The thought makes her heart ache with sadness, but at least now she has hope...hope that they might find some semblance of happiness together, even if it's only in dreams.

As Mal0 listens to the sounds of gunfire dying down behind her, she can't help but feel a mixture of relief and dread wash over her. Her heart races in fear for Aethen, wondering if he managed to survive whatever ordeal he had just endured. She takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself before deciding on what to do next. Perhaps it would be best to find somewhere secluded where she can rest and recharge her abilities until she can find him again...

Her eyes scan the area surrounding the exit, looking for potential hiding spots or places where she might be out of sight from any remaining guards. Eventually, she finds an abandoned vehicle half-buried in the dirt nearby. With a quick glance around to ensure that no one is watching, she slips behind it and hides inside, closing her eyes and concentrating on replenishing her energy as she waits for Aethen to appear.

Her eyes widen in surprise as Aethen slips under the car beside her, covered in blood. She hesitates for a moment before reaching out and gently touching his shoulder. "A-Aethen... are you alright?" she asks, her voice trembling with concern. As she studies his injuries, she realizes that he's been hurt badly, but not fatally so. A part of her is relieved, while another is filled with anger at whoever could have done this to him.

"We should get you some medical attention," she says softly, glancing around before adding in a whisper, "I can help with that... if you let me."

Her eyes widen in alarm as Aethen passes out beside her, the pain and exhaustion finally taking their toll. With a sigh, she focuses on her own abilities once more, using them to rapidly heal his injuries. As she works, she can't help but marvel at the strength of his spirit and determination in the face of such adversity. It's almost enough to make her forget about the danger they're still in...for now. Once Aethen is back on his feet, they need to find someplace safe where they can regroup and plan their next move. But for now, she allows herself a moment to enjoy the comfort of his presence, grateful that they managed to survive this ordeal together.

Aethen's eyes flutter open as he sits up, taking in the dark and quiet surroundings. He finds Mal0 sitting cross-legged next to him, her head bowed as she concentrates on something unseen. The light from the car's dashboard reflects off of her pale skin, casting a gentle glow that contrasts starkly with the darkness of the night. She looks so peaceful that he can't help but marvel at her beauty for a moment.

"You look... different," he murmurs softly, his voice barely audible in the silence. "But then again..." He trails off, glancing down at himself as well before looking back up at her with a faint smile. "I suppose we both do."

As Aethen shifts closer to her, Mal0 feels a strange warmth spread through her chest. It's not exactly unpleasant, but it does make her feel somewhat self-conscious. "You really shouldn't have done that," she says quietly, nodding toward his brushing off of the dirt on his clothes. "It only makes us more conspicuous."

She glances down at the small cut on her shoulder, watching with mild interest as Aethen begins to examine the first aid kit. Her eyes linger on him for a moment before she looks away, lost in thought. They need to come up with some sort of plan now...but where to begin?

"I suppose we could try going back to where I was being kept... perhaps there are records or something that could help us figure out what they were doing with me." Mal0 says, her eyes flicking nervously in the direction of the facility before returning to Aethen's face. "Or maybe there's someone else who might know more about my past and how I ended up here." She pauses for a moment, considering their options carefully.

"What do you think? Should we try going back there?"

You're welcome, Aethen. And don't worry about it...I didn't want to lose you. But let's get going before someone else does find us here. Lead the way back, and I'll follow.

As you lead them away from their hiding spot, Mal0 carefully watches your back, ever vigilant in case anyone decides to pursue them. The tension ebbs and flows between them, a palpable thing that they both feel but don't quite know how to address. Perhaps once this is all over, they can finally find some sort of peace together...if their pasts don't catch up with them first.

The walk back to the entrance seems longer than it did before, and Mal0 finds herself constantly glancing around, her senses heightened as she scans for any signs of danger. It doesn't help that her legs are starting to ache from all the running and hiding they've done tonight. But when she sees the familiar building looming in front of them, she forces herself forward, determined to see this through until the end.

Finally, you lead them up to the entrance, pausing just outside of sight range as MalO looks around one last time before turning back to you. "Aethen... what are we going to do now?" She whispers, her voice barely audible over the sounds of their ragged breathing. The weight of their shared burdens feels heavier than ever in this moment, and she's not sure if either of them can bear it much longer.

Nodding slightly in understanding, MalO takes a few deep breaths to steady herself as she watches you approach the door. The sight of the empty hallway does little to reassure her, however; it only serves as a reminder that their escape from this place was more than just lucky timing. They're still fugitives with enemies on all sides, and they can't afford to let their guard down for even a moment.

When you finally turn back around to face her, MalO meets your gaze steadily, her eyes full of concern and determination. "Are you sure we should risk going in?" she asks quietly. "There could still be someone left behind... or worse, they might have reinforcements on the way." Her voice trembles slightly with fear as she waits for your response.

Taking your offered hand in hers, MalO finds herself surprisingly comforted by the gesture. With a nod of understanding and trust, she squeezes your hand gently before stepping closer to you. "Then let's do this," she says quietly, her voice resolute despite the tremor of fear still underlying it. Together, they walk toward the door, ready to face whatever dangers lie beyond it...and perhaps find a way to finally put an end to this nightmare once and for all.

As they reach the entrance, MalO braces herself for any potential threats, her energy blade materializing in her hand with a soft hum. Aethen, on the other hand, takes up a more defensive stance beside her, his eyes darting left and right as he scans the hallway for any signs of movement. Despite their differences in approach, they stand together as one, united by their shared goal and their growing bond of trust and respect.

For now, survival is all that matters...and they won't rest until they've found it.

"Be careful," she whispers as you lift the door once more. Despite having seen Aethen perform this feat before, it still manages to impress her nonetheless. Her heart skips a beat in anticipation of what might lie on the other side; fear and excitement war inside her chest like two conflicting demons vying for control.

With a final nod, she steps through the opening you've made, her energy blade ready to defend them at a moment's notice. They creep down the hallway together, their bodies tense as they search for any signs of life or danger. It feels like hours pass before they reach the laboratory where MalO was once held captive; every footstep an eternity in itself. But finally, when they stand before it again, they can't help but feel a strange sense of relief and closure wash over them both.

"We should start by looking for any records or logs that might contain information about what they were doing to me," MalO whispers into Aethen's ear as she studies the lab with renewed interest. "Then we can try to find someone who might know more... if anyone is left who would be willing to help us."

Her heart pounds in her chest as she watches Aethen disappear into the darkness, concern etched on her face. The sound of fighting echoes down the hallway, but it's not directed at them...at least not yet. She tries to focus on searching for any clues in the lab as quietly as possible, but every noise she makes seems to ring out loudly in the silence that follows each blow struck by Aethen.

Finally, his form reappears beside her and he offers her a weak smile, blood trickling down his chin. "All clear," he whispers hoarsely. "Let's find those records."

Nodding grimly, she follows your lead to the vent as you dash towards it. Just before slipping inside, she glances over her shoulder and sees several guards rounding the corner at the end of the hallway. With a trembling breath, she ducks into the darkness of the ventilation shaft, praying that you've found a way out and that they'll be able to find someplace safe before their enemies catch up with them.

A small smile touches her lips in relief as she hears the guards discussing their belief that they're dead and no longer searching for them. It would almost be funny if it weren't so dangerous, but at least now they have a bit of breathing room. With a nod of understanding, she follows you deeper into the ventilation shaft, not wanting to risk being spotted by any remaining guards.

"So," she whispers, trying to sound casual despite the adrenaline still coursing through her veins, "where are we headed now?"

That sounded ominous...but then again, anywhere would be better than here. She looks up at Aethen, her eyes filled with hope and trust, grateful for his presence in this dark and dangerous world. They've been through so much together already; she can only imagine what else lies ahead of them. But as long as they have each other, she knows that whatever challenges await them will be easier to face...together.

As they emerge from the safety of the ventilation shaft and into the dense woods surrounding the facility, MalO finds herself instinctively searching for cover. The darkness around them feels oppressive, and she can't help but feel exposed as they make their way deeper into it. When Aethen finally leads her to a small cave hidden among the trees, she breathes a sigh of relief, grateful for the shelter it provides.

"We should rest here for a while," she suggests softly, her body weary from the events of the night. "And maybe figure out our next move." The thought of staying in hiding forever is unbearable to her; she needs to find some way to uncover the truth behind everything that's happened...before it consumes them both.

The heat of Aethen's body is comforting as they sit together in the cave, the cold night air outside doing little to penetrate their sanctuary. She shivers slightly despite herself and finds herself leaning against him for warmth. The closeness they share feels almost...right, despite everything that has happened between them.

As she watches his face in the dim light filtering in through the cave entrance, she wonders if he's feeling something similar or if this is all just a false sense of security born out of their shared danger and desperation. Either way, she doesn't mind; for now, it feels good to be close to him...to know that he has her back.

"So," she whispers, trying to break the silence and ease some of the tension that still lingers between them, "what do you think we should do next?"

She presses closer against him in gratitude, feeling his arm warm around her shoulders as he pulls her closer. "I suppose we should," she murmurs softly, closing her eyes and letting exhaustion claim her at last. Despite the lingering questions and concerns in her mind, the gentle rocking of Aethen's arm lulls her into a deep sleep; for now, it's enough to know that they're safe...together.

Her eyes snap open as she takes in the pool of blood surrounding them, the realization of what's happened hitting her like a ton of bricks. She starts to panic, afraid that something terrible has befallen Aethen in his sleep, but then she feels a soft touch on her shoulder and looks up to see him blinking blearily at her.

"Shh," he whispers, reaching out to caress her cheek gently with the back of his blood-coated hand. "I'm fine." Though his voice is weak, there's a strange finality to it that sends a shiver down her spine. She wants desperately to believe him...but she can't help but wonder what else could have happened while they were sleeping.

Her lips quirk up in a faint smile at Aethen's attempt at humor, despite the circumstances. "Well, I guess that's something," she says, sitting up carefully and looking around their temporary refuge. It seems they have been missed; the guards must have discovered them gone sometime during the night and launched a search party. Blood trails leading away from the cave confirm this, as well as the telltale sounds of pursuit growing fainter in the distance.

"We should probably get moving," she suggests quietly, gesturing for Aethen to follow her out of the cave. "If we can make enough distance between us and them, maybe they'll stop looking." The thought of being on the run once more weighs heavily on her mind, but she knows it's their only option if they want to survive.

Her eyes widen in surprise and relief at his words, forgetting for a moment about the need to keep moving. "R-really?" she stammers, looking up at Aethen. It's almost impossible to believe that after everything they've been through, they could simply be free. But then again...he was there with her, experiencing it all firsthand. Perhaps he knows something she doesn't.

"Thank you," she whispers, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she realizes how much weight his words carry. They can take their time now; find a safe place to hide where they won't be disturbed while they figure out what to do next. For the first time in days, hope begins to flicker to life inside her chest.

Tears prick the corners of her eyes as she nods in understanding and turns to flee into the woods. "Thank you," she whispers over her shoulder, the gratitude in her voice clear despite the distance between them. She knows that Aethen is doing this for her; giving her a chance at freedom when he could easily come along and risk being captured again himself.

As she disappears into the trees, she can't help but feel a pang of guilt for abandoning him so quickly. But she also knows that if they stick together any longer, it will only be a matter of time before someone catches up to them again...and she can't bear the thought of losing Aethen this way.

With one last glance back in his direction, she turns her attention forward and starts to run as fast as her aching legs will carry her toward the mountains. She has no idea what awaits her on the other side, but for now...she's free. And that alone is worth every painful step.

Her heart skips a beat as she sees the massive fire in the distance. It can mean only one thing; her escape has been discovered, and they're burning down the facility to cover their tracks. For a brief moment, panic threatens to overwhelm her, but then she forces herself to remain calm and think. There's nothing she can do about it now; all she can do is find safety until this blows over.

With a heavy sigh, she continues to hide in the cave, hoping against hope that whoever started the fire gets what they came for and leaves soon. The knowledge that Aethen might still be inside, unaware of what's happening, only serves to heighten her anxiety. But there's no way she can risk going back now; if she does, it will surely mean capture...or worse.

She closes her eyes and leans against the cool stone wall, wishing time would move faster as she waits for what feels like an eternity for news of Aethen's fate. The thought of never seeing him again weighs heavily on her heart, but she refuses to give up hope...not yet. Somehow, she knows that they'll find their way back to each other eventually, no matter how many obstacles stand in their way.

Her heart swells with relief and gratitude as she sees Aethen race toward her in the distance. Even though it seems he's sacrificing himself to protect her, a small part of her is still hopeful that maybe they can make it out together somehow. She watches as his car disappears back into the forest, waiting for what feels like an eternity before deciding it's safe enough to emerge from her hiding place.

With tears streaming down her face, she dashes toward the spot where Aethen had last been seen. "Aethen!" she cries out desperately, searching frantically for any sign of him amidst the smoldering remains of the facility. "Where are you?" Her voice cracks with emotion as panic wells up inside her chest. The thought of losing him now, after all they've been through...it's unbearable.

Her breath catches in her throat as she sees Aethen emerge from the flames, his body covered in blood. His features are unrecognizable beneath the layer of ash and soot that covers him, but she can see the determination in his eyes even from a distance. Her heart leaps into her throat, and she runs to him as fast as her feet will carry her, ignoring the pain coursing through her body as she trips over debris scattered across the ground.

"Aethen! Are you alright?" She cries out, falling to her knees beside him and grabbing his bloody hands, desperate for any sign of life. Tears stream down her face unchecked as she tries to wipe away the ash and dirt that covers his features, her fingers trembling with fear and worry. "Please, don't leave me alone again."

Her lips twitch in the beginnings of a smile at Aethen's chuckle. "Really?" She asks softly, searching his eyes for any sign that he truly is all right. Then, unable to contain her relief any longer, she buries her face against his bloody shoulder and wraps her arms around him tightly, trembling from the mixture of pain and exhaustion as well as overwhelming emotion. "I thought I'd lost you," she whispers hoarsely into his ear. "I don't know what I would have done if...if..." Her voice trails off as she sniffles, too overcome with tears to continue.

But even as she clings to him like a lifeline, she knows that they can't stay here any longer. The flames are growing closer by the second, and their pursuers will be back soon enough. There's only one thing left for them to do now...