John’s figure blurred in a haze as he streaked through the base’s dimly lit corridors. The moonlight’s illumination reflected on his chiselled body, giving it a pale, ethereal glow that seemed to ripple along with each stride he made as he rushed through the empty corridors, the soles of his boots making on sound on the hard tiles.
The corridors were deserted, the only sound coming from the distant clamour outside and John could hear his heart beating faster with every step he took. As he stepped out into the courtyard, he saw Zara slapping Marco.
Marco was lying on his back, his legs kicking up in the air like a helpless turtle.
"Are you alright?" She asked in a concerned tone as she leaned towards Marco who was trying to get on his feet, but she kicked him and he fell down with a thud, his forehead smashing against the damp soil.
Zara’s lips curled up as she watched him groan in pain and she kicked him in his chest with enough force to send him flying against the walls.
"Zara," John said with a raised voice. His voice echoed throughout the courtyard, the sound reverberating off the walls, creating a haunting, ominous echo that caused goosebumps to erupt all over Zara’s skin and her spine to shiver in terror.
"What do you think you’re doing?" His question was calm, but he knew it was an absurd one.
"I’m just trying to have a little fun," Zara replied nonchalantly with a smirk on her face.
Her smirk soon vanished when John moved at breakneck speeds, his movements so fast they seemed like afterimages, leaving a blurry trail as he appeared in front of Zara and stared at her with the eyes of a predator that had caught his prey.
She stared into his eyes and saw nothing but a vast abyss filled with darkness, but she did not let it affect her. Instead, she chuckled and shook her head in disbelief.
"Why do you always look so serious?" She asked with a snicker as she tilted her head to the side. As if sensing she was pushing her luck, she stepped back and spoke up.
"Marco here reeks of a traitor. I was interrogating him," she explained with a triumphant smirk.
John sighed and signalled for Zara to move away. He stepped closer to Marco and leaned over to his level.
"So...?" John asked, staring straight into Marco’s eyes with a neutral expression, as if he had already deduced that Marco was not the spy, but he was only curious as to what Marco’s reaction would be.
"I swear to you! I’m not a spy," Marco shouted as he crawled on the ground and raised his trembling hands, tears streaming down his cheeks and staining the ground.
John squinted his eyes and began with a low, menacing tone, "Marco, why do you reek of a spy?"
"It’s not me! Please... Believe me, please," Marco pleaded, but John grabbed Marco by the hair and pulled him closer, his gaze boring into Marco’s very soul, making Marco cower in fear.
Marco whimpered, "Please! It’s not me!"
John quirked an eyebrow at him, "but you know who it is?" He asked.
Marco hesitated. John could see his eyes moving from left to right, trying to find a way to escape this nightmare.
Marco looked at John with wide, desperate eyes and gulped. "It’s— It’s Stephanie, I swear, it’s Stephanie. I caught her talking to another Luminar. I didn’t know what it meant, but if there’s a spy, it’s definitely her!"
"And you expect me to believe that?" John’s voice was emotionless as he continued staring into Marco’s eyes.
"No, that’s why I never said anything. I knew no one would believe me," Marco said as he lowered his eyes to avoid John’s gaze.
John did not believe him, but something felt off. There was definitely someone spying on them, but John could not say if Stephanie was the culprit, he needed to verify things for himself.
"Okay, get out of here." John pushed Marco away and Marco quickly scurried to his feet and ran off like a rabbit being chased by a predator.
"Marco is not the spy," John said in a firm tone as he turned towards Zara who was frowning at him.
"What makes you so sure?"
"This guy is a coward. If he was spying for someone he would’ve spoken already, plus I’ve been keeping an eye on him."
"So? Your little girlfriend is the spy?"
John stared at Zara with an unreadable expression, but Zara could not decipher what that look meant.
John’s eyes pinched shut as he thought about Marco’s accusation. What should he do, now? Was Stephanie really capable of betraying him and everyone else? No, she wouldn’t do that, but what if...
His eyes snapped open and turned towards Zara, "guard the front gate. Stay there until I send someone for you."
Zara clicked her tongue and frowned, "so I’m just supposed to stand here all day? Are you gonna let me come inside once it starts getting dark?"
John glared at Zara and said, "are you done complaining, woman?"
Zara gritted her teeth and looked at the floor in annoyance. She was already uncomfortable because of the chilly breeze, and now this bastard was making her guard the entrance!
Zara let out a frustrated groan, her cheeks puffing up and she gave him one last glare before stomping inside.
"Make sure no one comes in," John said sternly as Zara walked past him and ignored him.
As she walked towards the gate, John headed towards Stephanie’s room. She was sitting on the bed, hugging a pillow.
As John entered her room, she lifted her absentminded gaze and John’s eyes narrowed. There was something different about her but he only now realised it. His instincts were screaming and he felt regret, but he was certain that Stephanie was the spy, as much as it pained him.
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[Quest Completed]
[Class Upgraded to NTR Rogue (SS)]