The arguing came right through the walls as loud as any Beast Kaiser has ever heard. He could hardly hear the conversations through his throbbing head but, who, what and where was he? It felt like someone had permanently stuck a knife to his skull, attempting to lift his head to see where he was but couldn't look without pain squeezing his eyes shut. He could feel the tubes and IV stuck to his arm like leaches,

How long had he been out?

"How did you let this happen, Arthur?" A mild voice breaks out from the other side of the wall.

"Willow, she wasn't in the right mind." A strong male voice stroke out, letting Kaiser know it was Arthur who was speaking: and then their voice silenced out.

He could barely hear the door creak open, the loud chatter of voices started getting louder, Kaiser attempted to get up but quickly realized how futile it was. The loud banter seemed to cease as someone was talking to him, attempting to reach him.

"I'm sorry, the lights were too bright. I turned them down for you," Her voice was mild, soothing to hear.

'You can look now," Her voice soft-spoken, as Kaiser slowly but carefully opens his eyes making sure the light wasn't too harsh on his eyes when he is caught off guard by a girl who stood with a hip jutted to one side, her right arm draped across her slender body, clasping the elbow opposite. She had chestnut brown hair with blonde highlights, it landed on her shoulders like a waterfall flowing mildly; flaming as bright as a sunrise.

Her plumps lips turned into a warm smile with a hint of shyness and her lips were like a frozen rose, dangerous but beautiful. His ears toned out the voices from the hall, as he was captic=vating every inch of her.

Kaiser started noticing how uncomfortable as a chorus-girl corset and had the same effect on the girl's breathing, constricted and shallow. She couldn't have been younger than him, with her regal bearing. High, delicate cheekbones, small nose, luminescent grey eyes, creamy smooth skin, and silky.

He took her all in.

She turned her head to the side to avert her gaze, but the sudden rosiness of her cheeks gave her away. "Well, um, I'm Akira." She directed her hand out for Kaiser to shake it.

He reaches for her smooth delicate hand, which doubles in size over her's as he shakes it in return.

***

His curls were midnight black and his eyes reminded me of the old barn door, flecks of deep brown married with lighter hues dark brown, framed by graceful brows. His skin was tanned. He had prominent cheekbones and a well-defined chin and nose. Unlike Arthur, his was always obscured by his fuzzy, thin beard. Muscles rippled across every part of his body.

He had so much strength remaining despite the years of weathering, so much life, and he was out on the surface all by himself. This unknown man had been in our facility for nearly three weeks now, and man was he a fighter.

Arthur and Willow weren't happy that I brought him down here, but I wasn't one to leave a human being bleed out. Thank god we got him underground, and that he was passed out for the majority of the time. He had a major concussion, four broken ribs, and a separated shoulder, the doctors were able to secure him and perform state of the art surgery.

This was the first time he has been awake, and mobile his face was stern, even a little melancholy, in repose, which was transfigured when he smiled. He released my hand, and I was anticipating on him giving me his name.

"You're safe," I try to reassure him, "We're underground now, safe from the gang. You're protected."

"Akira, I'm K-K-Kaiser." Kaiser stuttered his voice was like nothing I've ever heard before. It sounded like a drum, it was smooth, like butter, but it could be as rocky as rocky road ice cream. His tone was as deep as the sun at midnight. He saw the shock register on my face before I could hide it. A small smile played on his lips, "Sorry, it's a little rough."

"What's a little rough?" I asked, wearing a puzzled expression.

Kaiser coughs, his throat sounding harsh, "I haven't heard my own voice since I was twelve, can I have some water?" He reaches to rub his throat, slowly propping his elbow onto the mattress.

I managed a smile, "Yeah, of course. I'll be back," I head towards the door, placing my hand on the doorknob.

"Thank you," He mutters, his voice mellow.

I turned to giving Kaiser a genuine smile, our eyes met for a quick second piercing me before I shifted my eyes back to the door and left. Willow and Arthur sat in the seats across from the hall, they're loud bickering finally coming to a halt.

"You guys finished bickering?" My voice sounding harsher, then what I intended too. But Kaiser has been down here for three weeks and they still had to fight me on every single move I made to protect Kaiser, he's an innocent human who was hurt.

Willow's emerald green eyes bulged out, as she followed me toward the kitchen. Arthur trailed behind us, he has been shutting me out for the past couple weeks, he had every right. He was lying o the higherups, and what I did was beyond breaking the rules, I could be executed for treason. As we walk, I glance over at Arthur's face, still smoldering underneath his stony expression. His rages seem pointless to me, we saved a human life and he can't even show sympathy for a man who almost died.

"Did he talk? What's his name?" Willow stammered behind me, as I reach towards the cupboard noticing a glass on the top shelf.

"Yes, his name is Kaiser." I stammered, still trying to reach the cup when Arthur reaches behind me and hands me the glass.

His face still pained with anger, but a slight smile spread on his lips; maybe he will forgive me. Small steps.

"So, what's the next step?" Willow asked Arthur, promoting me to ignore his unpleasant look; he hated talking about Kaiser and everything that involved him.

I placed my hand under the faucet waiting for the water to turn cold before placing the rimmed cup underneath, my anticipation was running high on how Arthur would answer that question.

He ran his hand through his close-cropped hair three times in quick succession and fixed me into a stare. He snarled more than spoke, "Reintegrate the Surfacer back to the Surface." It wasn't a question but a statement.

I took a step towards Arthur, "Everyone here depends on someone, and up there he has no one to depend on." I direct my pointer finger straight towards Arthur's chest.

Archer stood still, his breathing shallow.

I glanced over to where Willow had stationed herself on the edge of the counter, her expression showing nothing but shock. "Akira-"

"Now, if you'll both excuse me." I brush pass Arthur, before turning around and walking back to Kaiser's room. "I have someone to attend too."

I hear the clanking of my solo steps reach Kaiser's room, only to notice the door open about three-quarters of the way and an empty bed.

I had lost the Surfacer.