Sai stood motionless, sensing every shift in the air around him. The misty morning was gradually dissipating, leaving behind sparse rays of light that pierced through the fortress's broken window frames. The inner courtyard he had entered was strangely empty, yet every sound—the rustle of leaves, the creak of old wood, the faint tap of dripping water—seemed deafening to him.
He lifted his eyes to her. The girl sat on the high steps of a stone pedestal, like the queen of her own world. White hair cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting with her red eyes, and the small cigarette in her hand smoldered, creating a faint scent of tobacco mixed with the dampness of the old castle. Her every movement was slow, deliberate, and… dangerously alluring.
"All humans are the same," she said, exhaling smoke once more. "They hope someone will come and save them. But what do they hope for? For God? For dead friends? For a miracle?" Her voice was soft yet sharp, like a knife. "They always look upwards, thinking someone will help… but you are not like that."
Sai felt a strange sense of relief. No one was trying to physically threaten him, no one was imposing their will—only her words, like cold blades, dissecting his inner state. He understood: this girl was not merely an inhabitant of the fortress. She was observing, testing, analyzing. The game had begun.
"Do you understand what it means to be watched?" she continued, tilting her head. "I see right through you, and you don't even know how to respond yet. Can you maintain control when your entire being is under my scrutiny?"
Sai clenched his fists, feeling the weight of the new revolver, now a part of his very essence, in his palm. He felt no fear, pain, or fatigue—all of that had vanished with his former humanity. But now, something else was important: intellect, analysis, strategy.
He took a step forward, assessing the distance between them, the dimensions of the inner courtyard, and potential cover. The girl merely smiled.
"You can move," she said, her tone both a jest and a challenge, "but remember: everything here is mine. You are merely a guest. And everything you do will be noticed."
Her gaze swept over every millimeter of his body, evaluating his strength, reactions, threat potential. Sai understood this was a test—but not a physical one. Here, no one killed newcomers outright. They studied, played, and decided: who was worthy to remain, and who would become a trophy.
"Alright," Sai finally spoke, his voice even, calm, almost emotionless. "I am not here for an argument or for entertainment. I simply wish to pass through this place."
She smirked again, briefly, sharply, like a blade.
"So you shall, stranger. But keep in mind: everything you do will have consequences. I will be watching. Every step you take, every movement, every glance."
Sai took a slow step deeper into the courtyard, feeling the damp stone and cracks of old brick beneath his feet. Every sound of his movements was analyzed by his internal sensors—a blend of his new essence, magical energy, blood, and shadows. The girl continued to observe, like a cat playing with a mouse.
"Have you noticed that no one interferes here?" she said, blowing smoke directly into his face, but Sai didn't flinch. "Everyone here knows their role. The strong and the weak, the victims and the observers… but most humans don't understand this. They keep hoping."
Sai nodded inwardly, though outwardly he remained still. He understood: this conversation wasn't for his benefit, but for analysis. He was a tool, a new player in her game.
"You…" she paused for a moment, studying him intently, "…you are not seeking salvation. You are seeking a path. Do you understand the difference? The strong take steps themselves. The weak—wait for someone to walk for them."
Sai relaxed his shoulders, feeling a slight tension that wasn't fear. He was in a new form, his body and mind completely altered. But here, in this fortress, he felt interest for the first time in the creature observing him, and a readiness to engage.
She jumped down from the steps, landing with feline grace. The cigarette smoldered, and smoke wreathed around her like a light mist of enchantment.
"We will play together," she said finally. "I will observe, you will act. And one day, perhaps, we will become allies… or rivals. We shall see who is stronger in this game."
Sai took a step forward, scrutinizing every nook of the fortress, assessing cover, routes, and weak points. The inner courtyard was vast, but with her eyes upon him, he felt under surveillance.
"Don't be afraid," she added, tossing the cigarette and stamping it out with her heel, scattering the smoke, "I'm not going to kill you now. But remember: there is no place for the weak here. If you wish to relax, the fortress will notice and… make use of you."
Sai nodded again, this time agreeing inwardly. He understood: here, there were no enemies or allies in the conventional sense. Here, there was a game, a trial, an analysis. And he was ready.
He moved deeper into the fortress, following hidden paths and staircases. The girl remained atop the steps, watching as he disappeared around a corner. Her red eyes gleamed in the morning light, and her white hair stirred slightly in the gentle breeze. The cigarette had almost burned out, leaving a thin shadow of smoke.
"Interesting," she said, barely audibly, "what are you capable of, stranger…"
The Fortress of Blood sank back into silence. But now, there was a new player—and the game had begun.