Once everything was ready, Demurc placed a firm grip on Cecile's shoulders and guided her out of the cell. The metallic sounds of her chained steps echoed softly through the corridor.
He led her toward the experimental ward, flanked by several armed personnel who followed in measured formation.
Experimental Ward
A sign marked above the door. Demurc entered with Cecile while the guards saluted, remaining stationed outside.
Inside, bright white lights flooded the room, their glare reflecting off rows of research consoles and polished steel instruments. The air carried the faint, sterile scent of antiseptic. Every surface was immaculate and every cable was neatly arranged, the environment prepared for precision and control.
Along one wall stretched a wide pane of reinforced glass, separating the observation area from the testing room beyond, one similar to the interrogation room. Demurc guided Cecile through the access door into that testing room, a bare and enclosed space containing only a single metal chair bolted to the floor.
He seated Cecile, secured her restraints and then stepped back into the observation room. From behind the glass, he watched her sit motionless beneath the clinical lights, her reflection faintly mirrored against the glass as he waited for the doctors to arrive.
Moments passed before the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor. The door opened and several men entered, their white coats pristine, gloves already on. The scent of antiseptic grew sharper as they moved in, their presence bringing a quiet gravity to the room.
"Hello, Warden. Apologies for the delay," one of them said, adjusting his glasses.
Demurc merely lifted a hand in acknowledgment, wordlessly signaling them to proceed.
The researchers took their time preparing all the necessary tools, their movements precise and practiced. After a moment, the door slid open once more and another figure stepped inside.
He was a man seemingly in his fifties, his gray-streaked hair combed neatly back though a few strands had begun to thin near the temples. His build was slightly rounded, the kind that spoke more of long nights behind a desk than any field work. Despite that, there was an air of discipline about him, his white coat pressed, his gloves spotless, and his posture straight.
When he noticed Demurc, the man gave a polite nod in greeting before turning his attention to the other researchers. His voice hoarse.
"Is everything ready?" he asked, adjusting the cuff of his glove as his gaze swept across the equipment and monitors.
"Almost, sir," one of the researchers replied, double-checking the readings on a nearby console. The faint hum of machinery filled the room as preparations neared completion.
He made his way beside Demurc, who stood silently watching Cecile through the reinforced glass. She wore her usual smile.
"Hello, Warden," the man greeted. "It's been a while since we've seen each other."
"Yes, it's been a while, Doctor Adelan," Demurc replied, his tone even as always.
"We've been working on a new piece of technology," Adelan said, "If it succeeds, it'll be a major breakthrough for us."
"Oh?" Demurc's brow lifted slightly. "Tell me more about it."
"Hoho," Adelan chuckled, his voice carrying an air of confidence. "You'll know soon enough."
A few moments passed before one of the researchers handed Adelan a device, small, compact, and roughly the size of a handheld camera.
Demurc's gaze shifted toward it, studying the unfamiliar device in silence.
Adelan accepted the device with both hands, his movements deliberate. Raising it slowly to his chest, he aimed it toward Cecile through the reinforced glass.
"Is it reading anything?" Adelan asked his fellow researchers, keeping his eyes on the device.
"No, sir," replied one of the researchers seated at the control desk, eyes flicking between shifting data on the monitor. "No movement so far."
"Hmm..." Adelan hummed, scratching the side of his head as his eyes lingered on the device's display. "I think I might need to get closer to the subject."
He turned to Demurc, offering a polite smile. "Would that be alright, Warden?"
Demurc remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed blankly on Cecile through the glass. "Alright," he said at last.
They entered the observation area with measured caution, the door sealing behind them with a soft hiss. Adelan raised the device once more, steadying it in both hands as he pointed it toward Cecile.
Cecile tilted her head slightly, a faint smile curving her lips. "Are we taking photographs now?" she asked, her tone light but her eyes glinting with quiet amusement.
Adelan glanced back at the observing researchers. They shook their heads slightly in silent disagreement.
He let out a quiet sigh. "Alright… I think that's enough," he said, his voice tinged with disappointment.
As they returned to the main testing room and resumed watching Cecile through the glass, Demurc finally spoke.
"Mind telling me what that was about?"
"It's a device called ODT-1, currently in its trial phase," Adelan said, adjusting his glasses as he set the device down on the table. "It's designed to detect traces of the Oddity within a Bearer, to determine whether they're nearing instability. This will greatly help NEUS's Bearers."
"Well, it failed to yield any results this time," Adelan said. "We'll conduct more examinations in the future more frequently, if necessary."
Demurc gave a faint nod, his gaze still on Cecile.
Adelan turned slightly toward him, curiosity flickering behind his tired eyes. "Makes me wonder, though… how does your ability work, Warden? You can sense when a Bearer's about to lose control, can't you?"
Demurc crossed his arms, eyes narrowing slightly. "I'm curious about that as well," he said. "When a person becomes a Bearer, they usually understand their abilities instinctively, as if it's something natural, like breathing."
"How many times have you stabilized Subject A1 since her capture?" Adelan asked, his pen already poised.
"Twice," Demurc replied shortly.
"I find it quite strange how she's nearly transformed twice already," Adelan muttered.
"She refused to cooperate with answering questions, reports suggest that she might have gotten her hands on a fragment of the Oddity," Demurc added.
Adelan nodded, jotting the answer down without pause. "One question, how does it feel," he continued, glancing up from his notes, "when you sense a Bearer is about to lose control?"
Demurc remained silent for a moment, considering how to put it into words.
"I can detect them," he said finally. "I don't really know how, it's just something I feel when they're about to lose control."
He paused briefly. "As if it's natural to me. Like recognizing a scent, some are pleasant, some are foul. I just know."
"I see," Adelan muttered, he didn't press further. Instead, he returned his attention to the monitors and continued with the examination, checking Cecile's vitals and every other health parameter related to her condition.
The examination went on smoothly without any incident.
"That will be all for today's examination. Thank you for your time, Warden," Adelan said, extending his hand.
Demurc accepted the handshake firmly.
"We should grab a drink sometime," Adelan added with a faint smile before heading toward the exit.
"If there's time," Demurc replied evenly.