[h1][u]Ciara Ventura[/u][/h1]
[i][color=gray]Iris Record, Stairwell to the Third Floor [/color][/i]
[@Nanaya], [@AThousandCurses]

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[quote=Chunji]“Seeing that you are here, I'm assuming that you have come to rescue Davil. I will assist you.”[/quote]

Ciara flinched, turning abruptly despite the pain lancing through her body. The most unlikeliest sight: Chunji. Her half-delusional mind thought Iraleth had already caught up with her, but this?

Her eyes narrowed, sweat dampening her forehead. The entire Iris Record knew about her. Especially how the Head Advisor had so poetically labeled her an Umbralist. The guards were mobilizing, Iraleth was in a rage, likely Hidegunde too if she could move.

The world had it out for her.

Chunji [i]had[/i] to know. He had to know she was considered an enemy of the state at this moment. So why? Why wasn't he automatically trying to detain her?

[quote=Chunji]“You will be needing my sight as I can see past this veil of darkness. Additionally, I will heal the wounds you have accumulated that you have received on your journey here."[/quote]

Ciara glanced momentarily at the upper floor, seen at the end of the stairs. It was, indeed, pitch black. Like a heavy, scratchy blanket.

Her gaze quickly returned to Chunji, watching him for any sudden movements. He said he'd heal her, but could she trust that. Could she trust him?

[quote=Chunji]"If you refuse, I will proceed without you, even if it means dealing with the potential Umbralist by myself. They are of no mere foe as they can control multiple leylines and teleported themselves into the Iris Record."[/quote]

Ciara's brows knitted in confusion, and a muffled groan escaped her, her emotions fluctuating between fight or flight causing pressure on her bullet wound.

Chunji didn't know [i]she[/i] was the umbralist? The labeled one, at least. The one everyone in the building was after. There was no way Chunji couldn't know. There was no way she could afford to believe he was speaking the truth. 

Was he lying to make her feel more secure, to drop her guard? To capture her eventually?

[quote=Chunji]"Will you accept my help?"[/quote]

Ciara stared for a long moment, silent, her gaze caught between him and the hand offered to her.

Help. Help was what she needed, what she was desperate for. But what was the cost of accepting help from Chunji? Could she really put her faith in him, even for a moment?

[i]“You're dying, little Hunger. Accept their help, find a way out, and betray them for a moment of being free.”[/i]

[i]“That's not good business.”[/i] Ciara half-chuckled weakly, the loss of blood truly making her delirious.

[i]“Drop your guard and be captured. And don't cry to us when it happens.”[/i] The Voices admitted coldly.

A sigh. Eyes refocusing on Chunji, momentary tension, hesitation… Before, her grip on her bullet wound loosened, and she accepted Chunji's hand.

[b]“Yes…” [/b]Ciara said, sucking a pained breath through her teeth.

The healing magic was quick and painless. Ciara blinked in surprise; she had no idea Chinju could do this. As she felt her senses return to herself, strength returning to her, she undid the bandage wrapped around her waist. A bullet hit the floor, rolling down the staircase. The bloodstained bandage too, fell to the floor. Ciara ran her fingers over the hole in her jacket; the skin underneath was fully mended.

[i]Amazing.[/i]

[b]“...Thank you.”[/b] Ciara said, before her hand reached out for Chunji's, and allowed herself to be guided through the darkness.

For now, she would play along, and find Davil. There was no going back now, anyway. 

As they moved, shadowy tendrils like fingers seeped out from Ciara's feet, feeling the ground, the walls. Nothing would, or could,  catch her by surprise here. She wouldn't allow it.

Find Davil. Find her salvation. And avoid being captured.

These were her three desperate tenants, in this moment.