"She's been poisoned."
That much was obvious. Scylla paced back and forth beside Charybdis' bed. "How could you not have noticed?!" she snapped. "How did it go this far?!"
Aello's shoulders curved inwards but she held her ground. "Manticore poisoning is a lot different from normal poisoning. It settles into the body, unnoticed, before spreading quickly. It's designed to be incurable."
Scylla froze. "Incurable?"
Aello waved her hand a bit. "Designed to be. However, if you can get a sample straight from the source, I'm sure I work a cure."
A sample straight from the source. Scylla knew what she had to do to save her girlfriend. She took a deep breath. The hunter would become the hunted.
She wrung her hands. "How long does she have?"
Aello grimaced. "Twelve hours at best. She's strong but not that strong."
Scylla nodded, her mind already whirring. "Okay. I'll need to move quick then." She walked forward, clapping a hand on the healer's shoulder. "Thank you. For what you've done."
Aello nodded. "I'll keep an eye on her here."
Scylla leaned down and kissed Charybdis' forehead. She pushed the rising panic back down.
"Hang on, babe," she whispered. "I swear I'll save you. You won't die today."
'Miss, I don't think you're allowed to be here," the agent tried but Scylla just pushed her way through. They tried to prevent her from entering H.E.R.A.'s building but she was having none of it.
"I need to see Agent (C/N)," she snapped. "This is confidential business that you have no need to be sticking your nose in."
The agent stammered in response but didn't stop her. Scylla walked through without a problem. She took the stairs. It would be quicker than using the elevator and she needed to burn off the steam.
She emerged onto the floor she knew (C/N) worked on and sure enough, there she was sitting at her desk. A pile of paperwork was stacked beside her.
She raised her head when she saw her in the doorway. A frown touched her lips. "Scylla, what are you doing here?"
Scylla walked over to her, leaning down. "There's been a change. Charybdis is dying and I need to find that manticore. Now." She kept her voice low but that didn't stop a few of (C/N)'s coworkers from looking over.
(C/N)'s eyes widened in horror. "Scylla, I'm so sorry. Here," she got to her feet immediately. "We'll talk to Cyprin. They'll know what to do."
For the first time today, Scylla felt that things might be okay.
Alex Cyprin sat at their desk, talking quietly on their phone. But their conversation stopped when they saw them lingering at the door.
"(C/N), I'm a bit busy right now so if this is important-"
"It's a life or death matter, Alex," she said sharply. "There isn't a lot of time."
Alex hesitated but their trust in (C/N) won out. They quickly hung up their call. They both sat down in front of them.
"Scylla, isn't it?" they asked, eyes narrowing towards her. "I remember your file from when we worked on, ahem, Medusa's case."
Scylla nodded. "Thank you for meeting with me. Forgive me for being blunt but I need your help."
Alex leaned forward in their chair, eyes curious. "Go on."
"It's about that manticore I told you about yesterday," (C/N) added.
"My partner has been poisoned by the manticore and she's dying," Scylla said. "One of my… friends have said that they can get a cure if we can get a sample if his poison. But I've no idea how to find the manticore."
Alex folded their fingers beneath their chin. But they said nothing.
"Cyprin, I am willing to get down on my knees and beg," Scylla said, starting to panic. "I need H.E.R.A.'s help. She'll die and I wouldn't be able to live with that." (C/N) shot her a look but Scylla kept her gaze on Alex. "I am asking you as someone who is desperate. Help save her. Please."
"A manticore on the hunt is bad news for anyone," Alex agreed. "If we can deal with him now… that would probably be best for everyone." They grabbed their phone again. "(C/N), can I trust you to lead a team of field agents?"
(C/N) nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, Alex. You can count on me!"
They nodded. "Okay then. Give me a few minutes and I'll have some agents for you."
Scylla could have cried in relief. This was her best hope at saving Charybdis. Alone, she couldn't hunt him down. But these were specialised with dealing with these kind of creatures.
(C/N) led her out of Cyprin's office and sat down at her computer. "While we're waiting, I'll check the archives for any past dealings with manticores. Maybe that'll give us an idea on how to catch him."
(C/N)'s friend, May, looked over at them. She frowned. "You two are working hard. Anything important?"
"We're hunting a manticore," Scylla said casually. "A dangerous one."
"Manticores, huh?" May's fingers flew across her keyboard and suddenly she was talking again. "Well, we encountered one in Astoria about twelve years ago. Almost killed three people during his attack but luckily he was captured before he finished his hunt."
Scylla perked up. "How did they capture him?"
May typed a bit more. "He was preying on people with… horse auras? So they used them as bait to lure him into a trap. They apprehended him without any casualties."
(C/N) beamed, looking at Scylla expectantly. "Well, sounds like we have a plan." She smiled. "Thanks, May, you're the best!"
May smiled. "I try."
"Agent (C/LN)?" An agent wearing a dark suit and shades stood in the doorway. "We're waiting for you."
(C/N) rose. "Come on, Scylla. We have a trap to set."
Scylla was only too glad to follow her.
Scylla hated to admit she was more than a bit nervous. They'd set their trap up in one of her gang's empty warehouses. It was on the edge of the city, away from any innocent bystanders.
"I want eyes on all directions," (C/N) said loudly, directing the agents to their places. "The moment he shows his face we need to converge on him."
Most field agents had their own auras, some quite weak but enough to be a help. Their plan was, when the manticore entered the building, to create a sort of cage out of their auras. It'd box him in until they had him properly contained. The agents would hide in the shadows until he entered the room.
"Let me through," a familiar voice snapped. "I'm here to help! Trust me, I know them."
(C/N) spun, face lighting up. "Medusa!"
Sure enough, Medusa stood in the doorway, chest heaving. She looked as though she'd run all the way there. They embraced before (C/N) hastily pulled away, trying to look professional.
Scylla nudged Medusa. "Here to help?"
"Of course," her friend nodded. "After I heard what happened to Charybdis I knew I needed to help as much as I could."
Scylla hugged her. "Thank you."
It took another hour of preparation but then they were ready. Scylla stood out in the middle of the warehouse, alone.
"Everyone in position?"
There was an answering murmur of yeses before the warehouse went silent.
Scylla really hoped he'd take the bait. After all his talk of intoxicating scents, she knew he'd be able to catch the whiff of her aura. She hoped he'd come running for a bite.
"On your mark, Scylla," (C/N) said.
Scylla raised both arms and let out a cry. Her aura swirled around her, exploding out in a wave scented with the ocean. Her aura was a sea monster, long tentacles waving and teeth snapping. She unleashed her full power, shaking the warehouse to its core. She didn't know how long she did it for but she pushed through the building fatigue. Anything, anything for Charybdis.
"You again." His voice was the same low growl with a hint of predator. His footsteps were slow, his transformation taking place. His human form melted into a beast and he gave her a barbed smile.
It worked. The manticore stood in the doorway of the warehouse, his eyes alive with excitement. He grinned down at her, cracking his knuckles.
"You hurt the love of my life," Scylla snarled, turning her attention to him. "She's dying because of you!"
The manticore scratched his chin. "You act like I should care." His tail bobbed from side to side, the scorpion's sting dripping a strange purple liquid. "The hunt is still on. You want revenge?" He grinned, eyes flashing a deep yellow. "I'll take you first!"
With a roar, he charged for her.
"Now!" (C/N) screamed.
On her cue, over ten auras erupted from the walls and slammed into the manticore. Scylla clearly saw Pegasus cantering around, accompanied by a glowing gold shield. Turning her own aura on him, she flung him to the ground.
The manticore wasn't giving up without a fight. He roared and thrashed, threatening to tear free. He slammed into shields, sending shudders down their owners. But slowly, they closed in on him. They forced him to the ground, pinning him in place. He snarled and thrashed but to no avail. It worked. They'd caught him
Scylla stood over him, slamming a heel into his chest. "They'll put you away where you can't hurt another person," she promised.
His tail was still pinned down and she moved to grab it. With careful precision, she collected a vial of his purple poison.
He spat curses at her but she didn't hear them. She had what she needed. He didn't matter anymore. She turned.
"(C/N), thank you from the bottom of my heart but I…" she raised the vial in hope she'd understand.
(C/N) waved her on. "Go. Make sure she's safe."
Scylla thanked her again and everyone else who'd helped. She turned and took off running. Running to save Charybdis.
Once again Charybdis found herself waking to find Scylla sitting by her beside. Except this time her girlfriend was fully awake. Her leg bounced nervously.
"Charybdis," she gasped when she saw her slowly blinking her eyes open. "Oh, thank the gods! You're awake!"
Charybdis rubbed her eyes. "Scylla… what happened? I'm not even sure at this point…" She saw flashes of the manticore's face, of Scylla and then of Aello. But other than that, nothing clear.
Scylla took her hand, rubbing her thumb along the back of her hand. "The manticore poisoned you and you almost died," she said softly. "But don't worry, everything's been dealt with."
Charybdis wasn't sure if that explained everything but she knew she could trust Scylla. She leaned up and kissed her, losing herself in the feeling her of lips.
For a few minutes they sat together in silence. Charybdis felt more at peace than she had in a while. This… restfulness was nice and to be here with the one she loved… was everything.
Then Scylla pulled back.
"Charybdis… listen," Scylla said awkwardly. "There's something I want to ask you. Now might now be the best time or the place but after everything that's happened, I need to ask you."
Charybdis frowned. "You're worrying me now."
Scylla chuckled. "Don't. I think you'll like it." Gently, she guided Charybdis to sit on the edge of the bed, facing her.
Scylla took a step back and inhaled deeply. "Charybdis, we've been together for almost four years, and we've been partners for even longer. I can't imagine my life without you. I love you and I want to spend the rest of life with you by my side."
Scylla got down on one knee, pulling a small box out of her pocket. Charybdis' heart almost stopped.
"I ask this with no hesitation and nothing but love, Charybdis, will you marry me?"
For a second there was only silence. Charybdis was still trying to register what she'd just asked. It was so surreal. Her heart melted.
"Oh Scylla, yes!" she flung herself forward and wrapped her arms around her neck. "Yes, yes, yes!" Hot tears were rolling down her cheeks.
Scylla's eyes sparkled with tears as she slid the ring onto her finger.
Charybdis just kissed her, drawing her as close as she could. Scylla kissed her back, fingertips brushing away the tears.
This was where Charybdis was happiest. In the arms of the woman she loved, her girlfriend… her fiancé.
