Crimson Sapphire

Chapter 6: Infernal Intrigue

1. 

Miss Valene watched intently as Luis slowly succumbed to unconsciousness, his body slumping against the guards restraining him. The hallway descended into an eerie silence, punctuated only by the frequent flickering of dim lights and the faint, distant, buzzing noise. With her arms crossed, she stood unmoved, her expression unreadable. Behind her, Java observed the scene with fascination, captivated by the strange phenomenon unfolding before him.

Suddenly, Luis stirred. His head lifted weakly, and he gazed at Miss Valene and the others. His pupils blown, his mouth slack and drooling, his face drained of all colour.

Miss Valene gave out a theatrical laugh.
[Irene] It works..! My sweet Luis... Well done. Looks like you failed to disappoint me.

Miss Valene's expression twisted into a scornful glare, her lips curling into a sinister, unmistakably devilish smile.

Miss Valene's smile vanishing in an instant, her face hardening into a cold, bloodthirsty gaze as she looked down at Luis's lifeless face, handing him a dagger.
[Irene] Luis Delgado... Slaughter the guards behind you.

Luis swiftly snatched the dagger, breaking free from the guards' hold in one fluid motion. With lethal precision, he slashed through the air, severing their throats before they could even react. In a rapid follow-up, he moved toward the remaining guards, cutting them down one by one with cold efficiency. Miss Valene's lips curled into a merciless smile, while Java, standing behind her, stared in horror. Even he hadn't expected such brutality.

One by one, the guards fell, ruthlessly slaughtered. Luis stood amidst the carnage, his body splattered with blood, gripping the dagger loosely between two fingers, a chilling calm radiating from him.

Miss Valene looked at him with glowing crimson eyes.
[Irene] Wonderful..! Truly magnificent, my sweet Luis.
She paused for a moment,
Just one more thing and then... you're free to go. Insert the dagger through your heart.

Miss Valene's smirk deepened as she slowly pulled out a napkin, wiping the bloodstain from the edge of her lips. 
[Irene] Farewell, Luis Delgado. Our reunion awaits... in hell.

Luis slowly raised the dagger to his chest, his hand trembling as though some part of him resisted Miss Valene's command. His eyes flickered with a brief, tortured defiance. But it was fleeting. In one swift, brutal motion, he drove the blade into his chest, his body jerking in response.

Java stood paralyzed, unable to move or speak, while Miss Valene turned on her heel and walked away, the briefcase in hand, leaving only cold indifference in her wake.

Miss Valene's steps echoed as she walked down the hallway, her mind already turning over the mystery of the Crimson Sapphire. She entered her room, the briefcase with the gem safely tucked away. 

[Irene] The Crimson Sapphire.. huh?
As she approached the mirror, she couldn't help but be captivated by her reflection. She leaned closer, her eyes tracing every detail of her face.

[Irene] Why does he want that stupid gem that much? I can kill... better than this. Look at me. This beauty- it's almost a weapon in itself. 

She tilted her head, admiring the way the light played off her features, a smirk curling her lips.

[Irene] This gem, this ridiculous obsession. It's almost like he forgets who's truly exceptional here.

Her eyes narrowed with a mix of irritation and determination as she continued to admire her reflection.

[Irene] He thinks that gem is the pinnacle of intrigue? How laughable. I'll show him what true dominance looks like.

She leaned closer to the mirror, her voice lowering to a fierce whisper.