Yuna watched as the captain walked out of the door of the interrogation room where Yuki was placed in. He seemed tired as he went over to the desk of the person that was operating and monitoring the sensors that were placed all around the interrogation room.
“That kid isn’t normal,” the captain said to the man at the desk. “What did you pick up?”
“Well, the kid never lied to you,” the man replied. He pushed his chair and rolled a little back. “At least from what I could see. Everything was truthful.”
“But you saw what I felt, didn’t you?”
“If you mean the creepy lack of any reading, then yes, I did see it.” The man sighed and took off his glasses as he rubbed his eyes. “I’ve never seen this before in my whole career here. And I’ve been here like what? Twenty years?”
“I believe so.”
“Yeah, I never seen anything anywhere close to this. Is the kid dead inside or something?”
“No, she’s not,” the captain shook his head. He stared at the screens on the man’s desk. “I believe she just has extreme control over her emotions and her body. I can’t even find a single blib here. She was calm the entire time.”
“Is she a psychopath?” the man asked, scratching his head.
“Maybe. I can’t really tell with what I have. Anyway, send in the report and request for the initiation for stage two,” the captain ordered. “This is quite an interesting friend you have, Yuna.”
“Why is he still here?” Yuna asked flatly.
“Yuki’s a criminal. Isn’t it natural for her or him to be here?” he replied.
“It’s him. He told me to call him that so that’s what he should be called.”
“Why do you sound so angry, officer?” the captain asked. “That person in there isn’t your friend anymore. That person in there is a criminal that is being prosecuted. It would be in your best interest to no longer associate yourself with him.”
‘That person was my first ever friend,’ Yuna thought, clenching her jaw. ‘And a person that was willing to listen to me.’
“I think you shouldn’t be here, Yuna,” the captain continued. “You’re too involved with this case to give an unbiased view. Would you please return to your room?”
“Captain, may I ask a question?” Yuna said, her voice controlled. This was her best opportunity to get even a smidge of an answer. With another person in the room, the captain would never directly refuse to answer a question from a subordinate.
“About what exactly?” the captain said after considering her for a few moments.
“Why you arresting demons and placing them in unsanctioned prisons run by Mason Inc. That’s what I wanted to ask. Sir.”
The captain’s face remained stone but Yuna caught a small tic in his jaw as his eyes flickered towards the man sitting at the desk who was watching the exchange with confused yet curious eyes.
“Why don’t we take this to my office?” the captain said, his voice calm. He turned and walked away, heading to where his office was.
‘He’s not denying it.’
Yuna followed him into an office with walls of glass. When the door closed, the glass fogged and wiped any view of the outside. The captain sat on his recliner, grunting, and began rubbing his face.
“That Yuki or Boss told you that if I remember correctly,” he said. “And you believe them.”
“Because I saw proof, captain,” Yuna replied. She remained standing just a few steps from the door behind her. “So why? Why is that happening?”
“Most people in the LIA do not even know the existence of that prison,” the captain said, ignoring the question. “It’s truly unfortunate that you’ve discovered it at such an inopportune time. If it was just a few years later, you would understand.”
“I’m not a child, captain,” Yuna said. “I need a why. Why are you imprisoning demons inside tiny glass cells that aren’t even fit for trolls?”
“Think, Yuna. You’ve smart. Why would this happen? Why was it done?”
“I’ve thought, and I’ve thought, and I’ve thought. I’ve been thinking for the last two days, captain,” Yuna said, her jaw set. “And I honestly cannot think of any logical reason. The only thing that might be a possibility is that they’re being captured only because they’re demons.”
“And that would be correct,” the captain said, nonchalant. “But it’s more about what they can do because they’re demons than the fact that they’re demons.”
“What do you mean?”
“Demons are creatures that are considerably stronger than elves. Your average demon would be able to easily defeat you average elf. And it’s this strength that is worrisome.”
“Then why antagonize them?” Yuna asked. “Arresting without cause because you’re scared of them seems to me like a sure way to get them to turn that power against you.”
“It does. But, Yuna, we cannot live in peace with those types of beings,” the captain shook his head. “It’s been tried and it has failed quite dramatically. Do you remember your history lessons about the wars?”
“Yes, captain.”
“Then you should remember how each war was started, no?”
“Yes.”
“Well let me summarize it for you then since you may have forgotten parts of it.” The captain looked up and stared directly at Yuna. She resisted the urge to avert her own gaze. “Hundreds of years ago, the first major war to be recorded was the War of Monsters. It was the coalition of elves, dwarves, and beastmen against an army of monsters. And the head of that monster army? Demons. Let’s go to the next war. The Trinity War. A three way total war between the three races of Ethros with the main battle ground in Libra. And do you remember why that war was started? Demons. And the war after that? The Demon War? Well, you can guess what started that as well.”
“Are you saying that you’ve been arresting demons in order to prevent such things from happening again?” Yuna asked.
“Exactly, officer. Don’t you see it?” The captain spread his hands. “We’ve tried to live with them but they’ve only brought conflict and war. I’ve seen what war has done to this world. I was raised during the Trinity War. In Junction.” His eyes wandered, staring off into the distance. “The whole city was razed, Yuna. Every building decimated. The rubble scattered throughout the city. I can still hear the screams and moans of the unfortunate.”
Yuna said nothing. She had heard this story before.
“Then my next run in with war. I had became an officer for the LIA. I could have considered myself a veteran at that time.” His face grew a faint smile at those words. “Then the demon’s attacked. I can still remember the day when the skyline became dark. I looked up, thinking they were clouds. And I was met with a roar that shook my soul. Then the building next to me was crushed as that beast landed on top of it. That dragon. And it stared at me, its eyes bored straight through me. Yuna, you don’t know true terror until you have stared into the eyes of a two story tall beast with flames smoldering and smoking from its mouth. I was paralyzed.”
Yuna tilted her head. This wasn’t something she knew from before. The captain rarely spoke about his experiences in the Demon War.
“It left a few moments later,” the captain said softly. “I never knew why but I think it’s because it wouldn’t be bothered by someone like me. Someone who was weak and pathetic who froze at a mere look. Did you know, Yuna? Did you know that that was the war where my parents died? They were crushed to death by a rock slide that a demon had summoned. They weren’t even involved. Just the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Yuna didn’t know that.
“Do you know why I’m telling you this, officer?” the captain asked, looking back at her. When she didn’t reply, he continued. “It’s because I want you to understand why I feel like capturing demons is so important. They’re not harmless beings. They can destroy an entire country if they ever regrouped. And I want to prevent that. I never want to see war strike this world ever again.”
“I understand that, captain,” Yuna replied, her voice soft and slow. “And I give you my sincerest condolences for what you’ve experienced. But, those are your experiences, sir. I’ve never been through that.”
“I know officer. And I’m glad you haven’t.”
“Because of that,” she continued. “I don’t feel the same as you do. My time with demons has been anything but terrifying. They seemed like they were completely normal people. People that have just been misunderstood.”
“That is why you need to return back to your room, Yuna,” the captain said. “You’re too involved, too confused right now. Go back and straighten out your mind. Focus yourself. You’ll come to understand my views as time goes on.”
“I understand them well, sir. But I don’t know if I agree with them.”
“Please, just return to your room here in the base. I can’t have you involved with this case any longer. You understand why, right?”
“Yes, captain. I do.”
“Then, please respect my wishes. I don’t want to have to order you to do so.”
“I understand, sir. Goodbye,” Yuna said, bowing a bit before stepping out the door.
She walked through the hallways of the LIA base, ignoring the waves and greetings from the other officers that passed by her. Then she found herself before a metal door where she put her watch up against a sensor next to it. The door opened and she entered it. Inside she was greeted to a basic bedroom. A bedroom that she had used for almost her entire life.
‘I understand, captain,’ she repeated. She stared at the mirror beside her, her dim reflection staring back. ‘I really do. But whether I agree is completely different.’
She thought back to Yuki talking to the captain during the interrogation. His calm expression as he dealt with the questions that were sprung at him. One question stuck with her in particular.
‘Now, what is the main goal of your guild?’
‘I would assume it’s to get me out of this place. They’ll probably succeed as well.’
Yuna didn’t understand why, but she couldn’t shake this one out of her mind. It’s because she suspected that she knew who the “they” Yuki was referring was.
‘He’s waiting for me.’
She turned away from the mirror and looked at her watch. She went to the calendar and marked a date. Two days from now.
‘And I’ll come.’
Yuna watched as the captain walked out of the door of the interrogation room where Yuki was placed in. He seemed tired as he went over to the desk of the person that was operating and monitoring the sensors that were placed all around the interrogation room.
“That kid isn’t normal,” the captain said to the man at the desk. “What did you pick up?”
“Well, the kid never lied to you,” the man replied. He pushed his chair and rolled a little back. “At least from what I could see. Everything was truthful.”
“But you saw what I felt, didn’t you?”
“If you mean the creepy lack of any reading, then yes, I did see it.” The man sighed and took off his glasses as he rubbed his eyes. “I’ve never seen this before in my whole career here. And I’ve been here like what? Twenty years?”
“I believe so.”
“Yeah, I never seen anything anywhere close to this. Is the kid dead inside or something?”
“No, she’s not,” the captain shook his head. He stared at the screens on the man’s desk. “I believe she just has extreme control over her emotions and her body. I can’t even find a single blib here. She was calm the entire time.”
“Is she a psychopath?” the man asked, scratching his head.
“Maybe. I can’t really tell with what I have. Anyway, send in the report and request for the initiation for stage two,” the captain ordered. “This is quite an interesting friend you have, Yuna.”
“Why is he still here?” Yuna asked flatly.
“Yuki’s a criminal. Isn’t it natural for her or him to be here?” he replied.
“It’s him. He told me to call him that so that’s what he should be called.”
“Why do you sound so angry, officer?” the captain asked. “That person in there isn’t your friend anymore. That person in there is a criminal that is being prosecuted. It would be in your best interest to no longer associate yourself with him.”
‘That person was my first ever friend,’ Yuna thought, clenching her jaw. ‘And a person that was willing to listen to me.’
“I think you shouldn’t be here, Yuna,” the captain continued. “You’re too involved with this case to give an unbiased view. Would you please return to your room?”
“Captain, may I ask a question?” Yuna said, her voice controlled. This was her best opportunity to get even a smidge of an answer. With another person in the room, the captain would never directly refuse to answer a question from a subordinate.
“About what exactly?” the captain said after considering her for a few moments.
“Why you arresting demons and placing them in unsanctioned prisons run by Mason Inc. That’s what I wanted to ask. Sir.”
The captain’s face remained stone but Yuna caught a small tic in his jaw as his eyes flickered towards the man sitting at the desk who was watching the exchange with confused yet curious eyes.
“Why don’t we take this to my office?” the captain said, his voice calm. He turned and walked away, heading to where his office was.
‘He’s not denying it.’
Yuna followed him into an office with walls of glass. When the door closed, the glass fogged and wiped any view of the outside. The captain sat on his recliner, grunting, and began rubbing his face.
“That Yuki or Boss told you that if I remember correctly,” he said. “And you believe them.”
“Because I saw proof, captain,” Yuna replied. She remained standing just a few steps from the door behind her. “So why? Why is that happening?”
“Most people in the LIA do not even know the existence of that prison,” the captain said, ignoring the question. “It’s truly unfortunate that you’ve discovered it at such an inopportune time. If it was just a few years later, you would understand.”
“I’m not a child, captain,” Yuna said. “I need a why. Why are you imprisoning demons inside tiny glass cells that aren’t even fit for trolls?”
“Think, Yuna. You’ve smart. Why would this happen? Why was it done?”
“I’ve thought, and I’ve thought, and I’ve thought. I’ve been thinking for the last two days, captain,” Yuna said, her jaw set. “And I honestly cannot think of any logical reason. The only thing that might be a possibility is that they’re being captured only because they’re demons.”
“And that would be correct,” the captain said, nonchalant. “But it’s more about what they can do because they’re demons than the fact that they’re demons.”
“What do you mean?”
“Demons are creatures that are considerably stronger than elves. Your average demon would be able to easily defeat you average elf. And it’s this strength that is worrisome.”
“Then why antagonize them?” Yuna asked. “Arresting without cause because you’re scared of them seems to me like a sure way to get them to turn that power against you.”
“It does. But, Yuna, we cannot live in peace with those types of beings,” the captain shook his head. “It’s been tried and it has failed quite dramatically. Do you remember your history lessons about the wars?”
“Yes, captain.”
“Then you should remember how each war was started, no?”
“Yes.”
“Well let me summarize it for you then since you may have forgotten parts of it.” The captain looked up and stared directly at Yuna. She resisted the urge to avert her own gaze. “Hundreds of years ago, the first major war to be recorded was the War of Monsters. It was the coalition of elves, dwarves, and beastmen against an army of monsters. And the head of that monster army? Demons. Let’s go to the next war. The Trinity War. A three way total war between the three races of Ethros with the main battle ground in Libra. And do you remember why that war was started? Demons. And the war after that? The Demon War? Well, you can guess what started that as well.”
“Are you saying that you’ve been arresting demons in order to prevent such things from happening again?” Yuna asked.
“Exactly, officer. Don’t you see it?” The captain spread his hands. “We’ve tried to live with them but they’ve only brought conflict and war. I’ve seen what war has done to this world. I was raised during the Trinity War. In Junction.” His eyes wandered, staring off into the distance. “The whole city was razed, Yuna. Every building decimated. The rubble scattered throughout the city. I can still hear the screams and moans of the unfortunate.”
Yuna said nothing. She had heard this story before.
“Then my next run in with war. I had became an officer for the LIA. I could have considered myself a veteran at that time.” His face grew a faint smile at those words. “Then the demon’s attacked. I can still remember the day when the skyline became dark. I looked up, thinking they were clouds. And I was met with a roar that shook my soul. Then the building next to me was crushed as that beast landed on top of it. That dragon. And it stared at me, its eyes bored straight through me. Yuna, you don’t know true terror until you have stared into the eyes of a two story tall beast with flames smoldering and smoking from its mouth. I was paralyzed.”
Yuna tilted her head. This wasn’t something she knew from before. The captain rarely spoke about his experiences in the Demon War.
“It left a few moments later,” the captain said softly. “I never knew why but I think it’s because it wouldn’t be bothered by someone like me. Someone who was weak and pathetic who froze at a mere look. Did you know, Yuna? Did you know that that was the war where my parents died? They were crushed to death by a rock slide that a demon had summoned. They weren’t even involved. Just the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Yuna didn’t know that.
“Do you know why I’m telling you this, officer?” the captain asked, looking back at her. When she didn’t reply, he continued. “It’s because I want you to understand why I feel like capturing demons is so important. They’re not harmless beings. They can destroy an entire country if they ever regrouped. And I want to prevent that. I never want to see war strike this world ever again.”
“I understand that, captain,” Yuna replied, her voice soft and slow. “And I give you my sincerest condolences for what you’ve experienced. But, those are your experiences, sir. I’ve never been through that.”
“I know officer. And I’m glad you haven’t.”
“Because of that,” she continued. “I don’t feel the same as you do. My time with demons has been anything but terrifying. They seemed like they were completely normal people. People that have just been misunderstood.”
“That is why you need to return back to your room, Yuna,” the captain said. “You’re too involved, too confused right now. Go back and straighten out your mind. Focus yourself. You’ll come to understand my views as time goes on.”
“I understand them well, sir. But I don’t know if I agree with them.”
“Please, just return to your room here in the base. I can’t have you involved with this case any longer. You understand why, right?”
“Yes, captain. I do.”
“Then, please respect my wishes. I don’t want to have to order you to do so.”
“I understand, sir. Goodbye,” Yuna said, bowing a bit before stepping out the door.
She walked through the hallways of the LIA base, ignoring the waves and greetings from the other officers that passed by her. Then she found herself before a metal door where she put her watch up against a sensor next to it. The door opened and she entered it. Inside she was greeted to a basic bedroom. A bedroom that she had used for almost her entire life.
‘I understand, captain,’ she repeated. She stared at the mirror beside her, her dim reflection staring back. ‘I really do. But whether I agree is completely different.’
She thought back to Yuki talking to the captain during the interrogation. His calm expression as he dealt with the questions that were sprung at him. One question stuck with her in particular.
‘Now, what is the main goal of your guild?’
‘I would assume it’s to get me out of this place. They’ll probably succeed as well.’
Yuna didn’t understand why, but she couldn’t shake this one out of her mind. It’s because she suspected that she knew who the “they” Yuki was referring was.
‘He’s waiting for me.’
She turned away from the mirror and looked at her watch. She went to the calendar and marked a date. Two days from now.
‘And I’ll come.’
