I sucked in dry air, my lungs aging twenty years as I opened my tired eyes. I yawned, sitting up as I stretched my old bones. I turned to the leech that let me freeze last night, still sleeping peacefully like she didn't just let me sleep in the cold like the cruel tyrant she is. To think we share the same mother.
I sighed, pushing her away as I got from the infirmary bed. I rubbed my back, my scoliosis working overtime to make me suffer. Maybe I should ask Emily to fix my back. At the rate Phuong is getting herself into danger, I'll have aged fifty years from the stress. I'm starting to regret promising mẹ to protect her. I clearly took more than what I'm paid for. Curse my integrity.
I cracked my neck, giving Phuong's head a pat as I placed the medicine bottle on the bedside table, before leaving the infirmary. I walked through the hall, running a hand through my hair as I passed people in red uniforms. To think there'd be a day I'd wake up late. And like expected, I feel like shit. Naps are indeed the best way to sleep.
I yawned again, stopping at a tall wooden door, a golden plaque above it reading Captain's Office. I opened the door, walking into the room, the left wall covered in bookshelves, and the other held an empty fireplace, with a magenta carpet under the dark wood desk against the stained glass window. Sitting at the desk was a middle-aged man with a scruffy black beard in a red uniform. Actually, that uniform looks a lot fancier than what everyone was wearing. Truly, classism prevails in every world.
I closed the door behind me, leaning on it.
"You wanted to see me, Captain?"
The guy looked up, itching his beard.
"Angelo right? You're younger than I expected."
I raised an eyebrow, "Is that a problem?"
He shook his head," Not at all, we have Emily don't we? Age doesn't matter in the face of war times."
"Right..." I nodded, eyeing the door behind me.
"Anyway, can you tell me what you want? I so happen to have somewhere to be after this, so can we get this over with?"
The guy raised his very bushy eyebrows, and I swear he was smiling a little. The hell are you smiling at?
"Alright then, since you got somewhere to be, I'll make this quick," he paused, standing up from his desk.
"From the refugee records, you and your sister come from a place called Vietnam. You were found stranded near the northern sea, seemingly with nothing but the clothes on your back. Is this correct?" he asked, reading over the paper in his hand.
"Yes," I nodded.
"I see," the 'captain' said, taking out another document from the stack.
Didn't he say he was going to make this quick? At that moment, I felt a familiar feeling of impending doom. Based on the surprising accuracy of this feeling, I felt very inclined to listen to it.
"From what I've gathered, 'Vietnam' isn't recorded on any maps, nor is there any recorded information on such a place in history. Would you like to explain this?"
... shit.
Of course there was no guarantee that Vietnam even exists in this world. I shouldn't have taken the risk of telling them where we're actually from. Well, my exhaustion could be the reason. I never think clearly when I'm tired. But that is not an excuse to be an idiot! Maybe I should stop hanging out with Phuong so much, her stupidity is rubbing off on me. No, she'd die without me.
I looked away from him, staring at the door.
Running is definitely not an option, and I can't be sure that telling the full truth will help either. But if I don't answer, that'll put suspicion on me and Phuong's identities. From what I learned from the inventor's journal, runes use the life force of living beings to power them. And from my time in the engine room, this city pretty much runs on runes. With us being so-called 'heroes', that makes us the equivalent of high-quality generators for these guys. And knowing the unfortunate cruelty of human nature, if they ever find out, they'd probably suck us dry without a second thought.
Alright, calm yourself. Rationalize, do what you're good at. Tell the truth, but keep it vague enough so he won't know anything.
"Well, it's a nice country. A lot of farmland, the cities are pretty loud, and the food is really good," I shrugged, now meeting his stare.
"Is that all?"
"Yes, it's been a while since I visited."
It wasn't necessarily a lie. It's been about five years since I went to Vietnam. We moved to the US too soon for me to make a lot of memories about the elusive place. And it wasn't as if we got the chance to visit after we moved, with money being tight after my late father...
And, I'm going to stop thinking about that. Better for my health that way.
"Uh huh..." the captain nodded, his stare getting a bit more intense.
I tensed up in response, my stare turning into a glare as we entered a staring contest with each other. And you bet your dead father's grave that I'm not losing. A moment later, he sighed, sitting back in his chair, clasping his hands together on the desk.
"Well, I'll get to the point now," he finally conceded.
Good, now tell me what you want.
"Are you from the Crimson Sun?"
... Huh?
What in the nine possible hells is he talking about? I furrowed my brows, replaying what he said in my head. What 'Crimson Sun'? Is it an organization? And why does he think me and Phuong are a part of it? Well, at least I know what he wants now. I'm somewhat relieved. I don't have to dance around the answer. Last time I checked, I'm not part of an organization, nor do I plan to be part of one.
I tilted my head, relaxing my eyebrows as I raised them, staring at the captain.
I answered, "No, I'm not."
His expression didn't change, instead, he picked up another document. Christ, how much information does he have on us?! But even so, he won't find anything.
"Is that so? But from this report, there's been multiple sightings of your sister using unknown powers, whether publicly or secretly. Would you like to explain this?" he asked, a wide grin spreading on his scruffy face.
Oh god damn it Phuong! Well, it was my fault too, so I can't truly complain, but I'm going to do it anyway because I can. Wait, think back. Emily had said that the city lord wanted to meet Phuong. I looked around the room, finding a clock above the fireplace. I've been here for around five minutes. Phuong should've woken up by now, if she's currently with the city lord then...
Ah shit.
I slowly moved my hand to the doorknob, trying to turn it. It was locked.
"I don't suggest running. This place is filled with City military, I doubt you'll get far."
Fuck. We've been played.