“How do you know that?” Elise said, stepping aggressively toward Illsee. “Are you reading my mind? I have half a mind to kill you and get this whole thing over with-“ they reached for the dull kitchen knife that they knew was somewhere nearby.

Elise knew that no mortal blade could slice open a Chimera’s skin. It didn’t matter. It made them feel better to have it in their palm, and to be able to feel its hilt as they brandished the weapon at him.

“I cannot,” Illsee said grimly - in their own voice! Why did it have to be their own voice - “But. We are so similar in that aspect that I can guess.”

Elise spat under their breath.

[meeting with a chimera]

In the darkness of the ruins, Elise could faintly see Illsee’s form ahead of them - despite his tiny little legs, he still managed to outpace their regular walking speed. Elise had no idea how he could do such a thing: he looked like a naked mole rat.

He had told them that he secured an audience with a Chimera. Ezekiel, it had called itself. Elise sucked in a cold breath. They’d never met with a Chimera without it ending in a fight - this peace made them somewhat uneasy.

The two of them proceeded, Illsee leading the way. Eventually, the dark, cramped tunnels of the broken buildings lead into a large, open pavilion.

And there they saw them. The size of a school bus, lounging on a large pile of broken rocks - did every Chimera like sitting on a hoard? - Above them, far above, Elise could see the sky, and its light illuminating the underground clearing. Dust floated in the air.

In the shade, Elise could see human workers, carrying chunks of stone to and fro. They hardly gave the masses a glance, and so did they.