Chapter 3- repercussions.
The last of he heroes was held in his right hand, limp, defeated and bloodied. He carelessly dropped him on the others like garbage. They lay in heaps on the ground all around him. Garou, not even breaking a sweat or out of breath stared down at the fallen heroes. He could easily go through them, one by one and ensure they NEVER come after him or Melee again. But he knows it wouldn't be in their best interest. Instead, he continued on, leaving the heroes in the streets. "If ANY of you come after Melee or myself again, I will awaken the hero hunter again! This was an act of mercy upon all of you… don't forget it!" and took off into the sky.
He was quick to search for Melee, he didn't know how far she got or where she went too, but, as luck would have it, he found her half way up the stairs towards the dojo. Garou was quick to drop out of the sky and see if she was okay. "I'm fine, thanks to Muman Rider." She explained.
Garou nodded, lifting her off her feet, he flew her the rest of the way home. The moment they stepped in, she broke down into tears. "Melee…."
"Why?" she demanded. "Why is this happening? What is happening to me? I have never been scared like this before? Why am I running from a fight? Why am I leaving you to fend for yourself? I promised you, we are in this together. How did I become such a coward?" she wept.
He was stunned to her outburst, she is more upset about losing her ability to hold her own than the attack? Garou picked her up off the ground and assured her she was okay. "Maybe you just aren't feeling well and know you can't fight at your full strength. I noticed you haven't been the same for the past little while, it's nothing serious."
"But, why do I feel like this? It doesn't make any sense!"
"I know it doesn't. We are both new at this, remember?" Melee could only nod. "Let's just got to bed early tonight, sleep this off."
She agreed. She began to feel very tired all of a sudden. Garou took her to bed and ensured she felt safe that night. His wings came down around them as they both closed their eyes.
Yet something else happened. As both of them slept, Garou's body began to change itself. The demon serpents that coiled around his core began to unravel. They extend and then coil around Melee, slowly pulling her in closer to Garou…
#
By the next morning, Garou felt off.
He normally would feel the weight of Melee pressed up against his wings, but, she wasn't there. "Melee?" he murmured. No answer came. His eyes shot open as he checked in his wings. "Melee?" she wasn't there.
He snapped out of bed, the place was empty. He could hear and sense everything that goes on in his home, he could not have sensed her leaving? "Melee!" he called. But there was no answer. As he began to check over the house, he felt something strange. He realized he stood a little taller than before. His frame filled out slightly. "I don't remember growing…" he said to himself. Stranger still, he felt he was heavier on the left side of his body. Garou knew there was something wrong, but didn't quite know what.
Before he could try and find Melee, he phone given to him by the heroes association went off. He knew what the call was about. With reluctant he answered. "What!" he demanded.
"You need to come in immediately."
"Let me guess, about last night?" he demanded. "Your so called heroes attacked me, and they attacked Melee! Don't think I am taking the fall on this! I'll be there soon." He hung up but growled to it all. "I got to find Melee before someone gets to her…" He was left with little choice. Venturing out, he went to see Bang. As luck would have it, his former master was home and was about to prepare for the lesson of the day.
Bang however was quick to take notice of Garou, even paused slightly. "Garou, you look different today."
"Later, I can't find Melee. I have to go into the association about an incident last night. Oh… I also need to talk to Saitama, we were supposed to spar today. Can you help me find her when I get back? I won't be long and I am worried, the heroes are coming at us again. I cannot risk her getting hurt!"
Bang was surprised yet fully agreed to help him the moment he returned. With that, Garou left and took to the skies. He was at the association in five minutes. He rushed in and was quickly confronted by Sitch. "I don't have time for this!" Garou said with a growl in his voice.
Sitch however was quick to calm him. "We have been told about the incident. Muman Rider explained everything."
He was stunned. Garou couldn't believe that Muman spoke up for him. "So what's going to happen to those who attacked me?" he said. "They went after Melee too, we did not go looking for the fight."
Sitch assured him that those involved would be dealt with. "I will personally see to it," he said.
Garou nodded. "I can't find her…" he said to Sitch. "I woke up this morning only to find Melee gone. I don't know where she is, where she went… I am worried about her."
Sitch was concerned. He promised to keep Garou posted if he heard anything, for now, he was dismissed. Garou rushed out as soon as he could, taking to the skies again he flew back home. Hoping perhaps she would have returned.
He came back to an empty home once more, no sight of her or any indication that she had returned and left again. Garou was at a loss, he sat on the bed once more trying to figure out where she went.
Then his left side felt strange.
For a moment he thought it was those same damn demon serpents shifting, but it felt strange, nothing like those things. Then again, his left side hadn't felt the same since this morning.
