Subtle, quiet breathing came in short bursts. Just barely audible to the unwitting guards who stood out of range of the covered prison.
Kalika inhaled and exhaled a shaky breath, then searched around her dark room, now filled with small snatched trinkets and other odds and ends left behind. Frustration crossed her eyes sensing Teyv's approach. She reluctantly forced her arm back up to the side of the bed and sat patiently.
Teyv entered, nervously, and began the ritual cleaning of Kalika, now a week-long tradition that had become routine.
Teyv brought a chair, and like clockwork, Kalika moved herself, sitting for Teyv as she began to brush her hair and slowly clean her skin in the privacy of her prison.
It took Teyv less than an hour, even longer if she was in a good mood and focused. Nonetheless, she patted Kalika dry and did the bare minimum in maintaining her hair from tangling.
Next came her new uniform, personally made for her. She stripped, then fitted the attire. As per Rakon's request, it was much more formal, with the skirt's length much closer to her knees.
Teyv turned to retrieve Kalika's band. Using this moment, Kalika tugged at the side of the outfit and stretched the collar, its unnecessary tightness bringing a slight discomfort. Not long after the finishing touches were placed, Kalika looked at herself in the mirror. The same reflection she'd look at for weeks.
It was still a face she recognized, yet still couldn't see herself.
She refused to linger and stood.
Without questioning her, Teyv gestured for Kalika to follow and escorted her through the prison past the guards. As they strolled through the hall, Teyv issued her normal orders. This time, a list from Rakon himself.
She glanced, paying keen attention as it was spelled out for her.
Clean. Cook. Rebuild. Nothing more.
Kalika sighed inwardly. Disappointed flashed in her eyes again at the same mundane routines set across the castle.
They crept into the hall, teeming with servants moving about like it was a big day. Kalika raised her brow as some passed by with some fine decoration.
"
The companions nodded.
They quickly flicked a wary gaze towards Kalika and strolled away in a hurry.
"
The two continued, not looking back, sweat beading down their faces. "
"
Without thinking on the karnals further, Teyv and Kalika pressed on, passing and watching as new decor was being installed throughout the halls of the once ancient castle, now rebuilt with the new standards and taste of their current era.
Continuing down the same route normally taken, they once again slowly strolled past Rakon's office.
Kalika glanced, a solemn frustration betraying her doll-like state of emotion, which she had so hard tried to maintain. She took a deep breath, trying to maintain herself and force her eyes forward.
Gaz sharply turned the corner, prompting Teyv to bow. His eyes narrowed sharply at her and Kalika before pressing on and into Rakon's office.
Teyv glanced, remaining silent from the sudden exchange. "Something must have happened…" Teyv noted.
********
A strange tension filled the air, sweeping through the newly refurbished hall of the castle. Distasteful glances were exchanged among the few succubus maids, as if searching.
Minutes passed, then without warning, a maid and another servant were escorted away by guards. Kalika narrowed her eyes, then turned, trying to maintain her facade of obliviousness as she completed task after task.
Soon, the day rolled on. Whispers grew bolder. Doubts rose.
"
"
Kalika turned the corner.
"< It's been months since he inspected any of the rooms in the castle.>"
"
"
Kalika glanced in the room, passing it. The two guards both meandered about, dissatisfied.
"Bah!" the demon continued. ""
"
Kalika sighed, their voices fading in the background, like white noise. It was all nonstop gossip.
Suddenl— "
She stopped, freezing her tracks and interrupting a conversation in a hall to her side.
The guards looked at her in both surprise and relief. "
Feigning ignorance, she continued.
"
Walking down the hall, Kalika's mind churned."What a fool…" She thought. 'They'll be dead in an hour."
Hours passed. And tasks continued. Eventually, the final piece of stone was raised to the top and was slotted into place, allowing the servant to plaster the last section of wall.
Waves of relief filled the room from the maids and servants alike. Every day brought a new task dictated by the whims of those above her. Whatever fit their needs, she did without complaint.
"< It's finally over. Now we don't have to help lift rocks anymore.>"
"
Not privy to celebrate. Kalika stared at the stonework, then turned, leaving before anyone could take interest in her.
Teyv, waiting for like always, escorted Kalika through the halls and back to her cell home. The guards took their post yet again, completing what should've been just another day. But like the castle halls, a subtle tension followed with the two guards.
Kalika ignored it at first, pulling her curtains down for privacy. She took one of her many trinkets in hand and stared at it. Slowly the world twisted and warped around the little object, but a quick whisper broke her concentration.
"Raf," One guard whispered,"
"
Kalika froze, listening.
Raf pressed on, "
Kalika's fingers paused, clutching a sleeve. She listened, eyes narrowing, then closed the chest and stood, her body tense.
The first guard lowered his voice. "
""
"
A sudden strange sound filled the air. Both demons narrowed their eyes and glanced around. Raf peered down the hall, suspicion in his voice. "
The first guard shrugged. "
Raf grunted. "
""
While the guards murmured, Kalika padded silently along the corridor, her bare feet barely making a sound. She paused to glance at the stump where her tail had been. With a twitch, the appendage reformed, smooth and whole. Her gaze sharpened, and she slipped away down the dim, grimy hallway.
She entered the castle's halls, silently marching and weaving through the overly familiar corridors. She turned into yet another empty hallway, finding no guards. She froze and growled, sensing a collection of animosity.
She peered around the corner of the hall, finding no guard by his office. Cautious, she quickly stepped to Rakon's door.
Only Rakon slept there, undisturbed.
She looked down the hall and continued on. At the next corner, a cluster of six or so demons stood around Rakon's private chamber. She watched as one tried to clumsily pick the lock, attempting to remain as quiet as possible.
Unimpressed, Kalika stepped from the corner and approached them.
Hearing her footsteps, the demons turned in alarm, raising their swords, but relaxed at the sight of Kalika's approach.
"
Without hesitation, Kalika dug into her bosom and pulled out an ornate key.
"
"
They all moved and watched smugly as Kalika acted like the mindless slave they believed her to be, unlocking the door.
The bravest charged in. The others followed but stopped, finding the room empty.
Suddenly, the door closed behind them, locking with an audible click.
"...What utter nonsense," Kalika muttered.
Their eyes widened. And a chill ran up their spines."
With an icy focus, Kalika raised her hands, fingers stretched.
The world was distorted around the demons. A black sphere warped and zipped out of existence. Before they knew it, arms and half of their faces snapped out of existence, leaving a bloodied mess and blood gushing across the room and over Kalika.
They all toppled over, including the stumps of a torso that fell to the floor. Seconds later, the missing parts blinked back into existence, piling onto the bloodied mess.
"If anyone is killing that fool, it'll be me."
After a few seconds, Kalika grimaced at the sight. "Why'd you have to be so careless…"
********
Rakon burst into the library. Eyes wide open and searching. His target was located in an instant, sitting. Reading.
Two of his men who flanked his sides glanced curiously at Rakon, unsure what to make of the situation.
"
They nodded and turned, slamming the door shut as Kalika continued to quietly read.
Rakon stormed to Kalika, snatching and tossing the book.
He stood tall, trying to appear imposing, yet his eyes said otherwise.
"There's no point in hiding it anymore."
Kalika stared, not once turning. "So you finally figured it out? Took you long enough-"
slammed the table. "Do you think this is a game! Leaving all those bodies in my room! And pinning a head to my door with your-" He stopped, unable to believe his unspoken statement.
Somber and slow, Kalika raised her eyes. "I wish it was a game. I don't like cleaning up as much as Rhonda did. As stupid as your games were, they were at least entertaining."
"Make sense!!" Rakon's shout echoed in the library, silencing even the glow of the crystals.
Kalika took a deep, shaky breath. She stared up at his blackened eyes, knowing she should be feeling terrified. Instead, an alien flutter filled her chest, as if relieved. Confused, she felt her face, feeling it burn.
"Y…You idiot." She quietly said.
Trying to maintain her demeanor, she flicked her eyes away.
"You're still trying to make that contract, aren't you?"
"What I do is none of your concern!"
"None of my concern?" She shot back a glance. "Taking a day's worth of my own memory isn't my concern?"
Rakon tensed, then pressed his fist to the table. "Whoever told you that was clearly lying."
"Lying?" Kalika blurted a soft chuckle. "
Her eyes lowered deeper. "The deals we made. The people I've killed." Her face flushed. "Even our… compromise for those crystals to… study the human body… I'm surprised you were detailed in that book…"
She glanced back.
His wide eyes. A stunned expression said everything she needed.
"Did you really think I'd never remember?"
Slowly, Rakons' knees gave in, slinking him into the edge of a nearby chair. His eyes, still wide in disbelief, lowered to the ground, his breath completely caught. "I…I…"
He blinked. Still unsure what to believe.
His lips pursed and quickly tightened. "I didn't want you to remember that night." His fist tightened. "If it wasn't for that incompetent maid…!"
A silence filled the air between the two. Rakon's fists shook. His teeth clenched as he tried to steady himself.
"But it did," Kalika said, finishing his unspoken thoughts.
Maintaining calm, Kalika stood from her chair. "If you need me, I'll be helping in the kitchen today, per your instructions yesterday."
She approached the door, opening it.
The guards outside acted fast, blocking the door.
"
The guards straightened. And slowly trudged out of the way.
Kalika continued.
The doors closed.
Now alone in the library he stood, still shaking. His eyes turned to the book on the ground at the center of the two towering bookshelves. His fingers wrenched the–
"
The tables flipped. Shelves tumbled, and fire filled the floor, burning the unfortunate knowledge below asunder.
In a final desperate release of emotion, he roared. The echoes of it resonated throughout the halls of the silent castle.