Sorry for the wait, been busy with work and stuff. Anyways...someone gets to have fun this chapter. And do something he's always wanted to do.
Chapter 10
A parent will always be defensive of their child. There is no way around it. If you hurt the child of a Chosen…that will be even worse for you. They will seek revenge.
Cira and Arthur made their way through the halls, stepping over corpses which had all died in a different way. Some were burned, some were torn to pieces by jaws, some were sliced to ribbons, and some looked like they had even drowned on dry land. The lights flickered and had gone out in some areas, but Cira's blade cast golden shadows on the walls and lit the path before them.
"What did they do to her," Arthur finally asked.
"They put her in a room," Cira replied, stepping over a body, "A white, soundproof room with no human contact,"
"…White Torture," Arthur blinked, "How long…"
"Four hours I think," Cira sighed, taking his hand as he helped her over a broken segment of a support beam that had fallen over, "They kept threatening that if I didn't cooperate that they'd make it longer. I have no idea how long she was in there, they made sure I couldn't see or have any way of knowing how much time had passed."
His grip on his spear tightened…
"Arthur?" she asked, "You're quiet…it's not good when you're quiet…"
"I was thinking about being nice and just knocking him out," Arthur growled, "Nope. Not happening. He dies,"
The two kept going forwards, Arthur following Cira until she stopped at a door.
"This his?" he asked.
She tapped her visor as Arthur moved towards the opposite wall, "Says it's his but…"
"RAAAAAH!" Arthur roared as he charged forwards, shield before him and bashing the door down, "COME OUT COWARD!"
"Arthur!" Cira told him, grabbing his shoulder, "He's not here. The door wasn't even locked. He must have ran off when the alarms started sounding,"
"Why didn't you tell me that?"
"You didn't give me a chance to before you went all Spartan on that door,"
"Oh…sorry,"
"I don't blame you," she said to him, "I want him too. But now we have another problem…we need to know where he is so we can cut him off,"
"Maybe ask Ekko and Jhin since they're hacking into the system?" Arthur asked.
Her face lit up and she kissed him.
"You're a genius," she smiled.
She put a hand to her ear, activating the comm system.
"David, Jin, I need some help here,"
"What's up?" David asked.
"Need to find this guy," she told him, sending the picture of the scientist to the two hackers, "He's not in his office and I'd say that by now you two have hacked into the cameras,"
"You are not wrong," Jin said, "One moment darling. Ah, there we go. There's our rogue performer. We will send his coordinates to you, make this show memorable please. I am simply dying for some entertainment and I am stuck in the background like a common extra!"
"Thank you Jhin," Cira sighed as the map lit up on her HUD, a single point of red light on the corridors that moved, "We'll take it from here."
She turned off the comm and faced her fiancé.
"There's one choke point between the exit and him. We'll go there."
"Lead the way, my Sun," Arthur smiled.
His footsteps clanged on the metal catwalk far above the construction below. They'd been preparing more cells, some place where they could easily observe and test their subjects. And it would have been finished a long time ago, except for a bad case of gremlins in the machinery. The klaxons blared and the emergency lights flashed, painting the area with a bloody hue, it wasn't the most welcoming of places, but he wasn't planning to stay long.
He picked up the pace, rushing forwards…only to skid to a stop as a shadow came over him. He dodged backwards right as a man came plunging down from the ceiling, a long, sharp spearhead rending through the metal with a screech. A blond man got up from his kneeling position, yanking the spear out of the catwalk with a horrendous, nails on chalkboard scrape, and pointed it at the scientist.
"Did you really think we would permit you get away after what you did?" the man demanded, eyes burning a dangerous scarlet-edged gold.
"Was worth a shot," the scientist muttered, getting to his feet and looking around, "Where is she? I bet she's not too far away,"
"No, she isn't," Arthur smirked, "And if I were you, I'd be careful where you step. She's none-too happy with you,"
The man's ipad pinged and he ducked as a golden broadsword swung over his head.
"You're faster than I gave you credit for," came Cira's voice from behind him.
His back hit the railing as he faced the young woman and her fiancé. Both Chosens came closer together, both looking incredibly pissed off.
"There are just some things you just don't do," Arthur growled, "And torturing a child is one of them. Especially our child!"
"I made a promise a while ago," Cira bristled, twirling her blade, "And I intend to keep it!"
The iPad chirped again and the scientist dodged as Cira suddenly struck. The Project Chosen stopped, looking at him in confusion as she swung again. Another chirp from the iPad and yet again, he dodged.
"What the…"
"Did you really think we wouldn't take advantage of you being in our possession?" he asked, holding up the iPad.
She charged him with her shield, snarling. He dodged the shield and ducked the blow from her sword as she swung it. She swung her fist at him, but yet again he dodged. She whirled around, aiming to kick him in the head, but he dodged everything she sent at him.
He tsked her, wagging his finger back and forth.
"Your moves are so easily choreographed," he told her, "Every move you make I can see and counteract. Kick to the shins…"
Right as Cira had done it, making him leap over her sweep.
"See? You can't touch me!" he cackled…
Only to get a bronze shield edge to the gut. He coughed as something inside him broke. He then got a fist to the face from Arthur, knocking him backwards quite a ways.
"You can dodge her maybe…but you can't dodge me," Arthur said, smirking, "and if I do this…"
He bashed the man in the face with his shield, knocking him off balance as his nose broke.
"And she does this…"
The iPad shrieked but he couldn't react in time as Cira backhanded him, sending him flying into the wall as the iPad clattered to the floor.
"Well, that worked quite nicely," she smirked, picking up the device, "And as for this…"
She snapped it in two like she was breaking a toothpick.
"I don't think there's any need for that," she smiled, "Now…"
She leveled her sword at him.
"Run," she hissed.
Fearing for his life, the scientist scrambled to his feet and started to bolt…only for a flash of gold to appear beside him. Pain erupted in his legs as blood spurted from a broad gash in his hamstrings. He couldn't run…
"Too slow," Cira said coldly as heat and pain bloomed in his shoulder where a golden blade sprouted.
She twisted the blade and the arm came free, the wound cauterized as the scientist screamed. Cira's gold and blue eyes were hard, almost unfeeling.
"It's just an arm," she deadpanned, "You can replace…oh wait. That's right, you can't. I keep forgetting, after all, I'm just a bloody machine right? Besides, it's cauterized, you won't bleed out. However…"
There was a harsh whistling sound and a meaty thud as a heavy spearhead slammed into the man's back, making him shriek again as the father of the child came up, a bronzed-silver glow burning about him.
"That one not so much,"
Blood spattered past his lips as Arthur yanked the spear out, coming to his fiancée's side.
"You traumatized my daughter, you violated my fiancée. Pray to God or whoever you believe in all you want," Arthur hissed as he grabbed the man's head and lifted him off the catwalk floor, before taking his spear and jabbing it into the man's leg, turning it harshly, causing him to shriek, "They cannot and will not hear you,"
The Chosen threw the man to the other side of the catwalk, his body hitting the railing and nearly falling over, watching as the blood started pooling around him. It don't look like he had very long at all.
"You wonder why we came after you?" the scientist hissed, "Because of this. Because of what you are capable of! You do not belong here! You are not fit to walk the earth here, not even fit to breathe the air here! You all are threats to our world!"
Arthur's eyes narrowed…before he gave a smirk and raised his spear, jabbing it at the scientist and sinking the head into his shoulder.
"Earth and air," Arthur said, removing the spearhead and gesturing with it, spattering the catwalk with crimson droplets, "You'll find plenty of both down there,"
Cira blinked, frowning.
"I've heard that before…" she muttered, "Where have I heard that?"
The scientist heard Cira's mutter and turned to face her, giving a delirious laugh.
"Talking to yourself? Ha! Just proves that's the madness setting in,"
"Madness?" Arthur asked.
Cira's eyes flashed as she finally realized where she'd heard it from.
"Oh God…Arthur no!" she yelled.
"THIS! IS! SPARTA!" Arthur roared, kicking the man square in the chest and flipping him over the railing, sending him screaming fifty feet to the ground to his death.
Arthur brushed his hands against each other, grinning as he turned to his fiancé, who did not look amused.
"You planned that," she accused.
"I've been waiting years to do that," he preened.
Cira rolled her eyes as he put his arm around her, squeezing firmly.
"Let's get back to Vesper," he muttered.
"I agree,"
As soon as Arthur and Cira came back into the room, Vesper was in their arms, crying heavily until they managed to get her somewhat calm. Arthur picked her up and slung her around his neck so she was like a little baby koala.
"Are you sure you don't want me to…" Cira started.
"Yeah, I've got her," he told her, "You need to get used to having your sword and shield back. Plus Caleb would kill us if that weld broke,"
"You got that right," Caleb hissed as ink-colored mist formed a column before them and Krista stepped out.
"Alrighty, time to move. We found the next area," she said, "Don't worry, we got it all cleared out so you don't need to fight,"
"You're no fun," Jake sighed, "I was looking forwards to that…what about you Arthur?"
"Oh I'm good,"
"The Artisan of War doesn't want to fight,"
"I had my fun today,"
"Yeah, you did," Cira rolled her eyes as he grinned.
"I'm never going to get to do it again, am I?"
"Not on my watch,"
"You're no fun," he huffed.
"Let's argue later," Cira told him, "I want to get out of here first,"
"Sounds good to me," Arthur nodded as Vesper lay her head on his shoulder, "Let's go, Stardust,"
The ragtag group of Chosens made their way out of the armory and to the other one without much of an event. There was one soldier that showed up, but he ended up with an energy ball to the face curtesy of Jake and his Mercury Hammer.
"Might as well use this to pick them off as they show up," he shrugged as Krista opened the door.
"Alright, just stay here," she said, revealing that most of the healing supports were inside as well, tending to the fighters.
"This is the support room," Caleb stated.
"Yep,"
"Jake and I aren't supports,"
"No, but you're the only ones that can work on an injured Project," Krista pointed out, "Since we don't know exactly how they work because they're weird. No offence Cira,"
Cira rolled her eyes, chuckling.
"Fine, but the next one, we all go out. I know that AP Sona with Dark Harvest is terrifying," Caleb pointed out, getting a savage grin from Brigid.
"Fine," Krista shrugged, "So…is Vesper gonna stay here?"
"You're funny," Arthur deadpanned as Vesper slipped off his back and grabbed his arm instead, "I'll stay with her. Cira, they need you. You're an inspiration…so go inspire them,"
She gave a small smile and knelt down, hugging her daughter.
"Mama'll be right back," she promised, "Don't worry,"
"Please come back…" Vesper breathed, "I don't wanna lose you…"
"Don't worry," Cira repeated, getting to her feet and giving her fiancé a gentle kiss, "Keep them safe, all of them,"
"You have our word," Pantheon said as he gave Leona a kiss on the forehead.
"You missed," Leona pointed out.
"Come back to me and I won't," he replied.
"I think Arthur has rubbed off on you,"
"You say that like it's a bad thing!" Arthur protested.
She laughed as she turned to face Krista, who gave a wry smirk and gestured towards the door. CIra walked out…into insane chaos.
There was fighting everywhere, Dianne and Wolf darted through the masses, taking marks and causing them on their own. Cira saw blades flashing, arrows and bullets flying, everything was moving quickly. She raised her blade and a warm golden glow bloomed away from her as she charged in. The fighters stopped for a moment…before the Chosens all gave cheers of triumph as Cira dove into the fray, stopping the butt of a gun from slamming into a tall, blond man with green eyes.
"Took you long enough!" he chuckled as Cira batted the gun away and then kicked the man in the chest, sending him flying.
"Better late than never, Piotr!" Cira grinned, "At least I came, right Braum?"
"Da," the Heart of the Freljord chuckled, "Now, let us go!"
"Agreed," the other tank support smirked as the two charged forwards, their shields up and plowing through the ranks.
"So they're all there?"
"Yes,"
"Good. Time for some fun,"
"Heads up, Val!" Cira yelled, ramming into soldier as the Night Hunter unslung her crossbow and pinned him to the wall with a glowing violet bolt.
"Thanks," Valencia nodded, her visor retracting and revealing her face, "Good to see you,"
"Good to see you too," Cira agreed, "Now…let's…"
There was a high-pitched shrieking sound and both Projects hit the ground, shrieking in agony as they clawed at their audios.
"PROJECT: DAWN online. HUNT Protocol engaged. Mission: Kill Aspect of Twilight Zoe Eos and Chosen Vesper Noble,"
"PROJECT: HUNTER online. HUNT Protocol engaged. Mission: Kill Machine Herald Viktor and Chosen Caleb Tompkins,"
"PROJECT: SHADOW online. HUNT Protocol engaged. Mission: Kill Dark Sovereign Syndra and Chosen Silvia Lasar,"
"PROJECT: TIME online. HUNT Protocol engaged. Mission: Kill Loose Cannon Jinx and Chosen Mya Grace,"
"PROJECT: FROST online. HUNT Protocol engaged. Mission: Kill Barbarian King Tryndamere and Chosen Matthew Hodges,"
"PROJECT: BLADE online. HUNT Protocol engaged. Mission: Kill Might of Demacia Garen Crownguard and Chosen Kaidan Darkhound,"
"PROJECT: WANDERER online. HUNT Protocol engaged. Mission: Kill Exile Riven and Chosen Marissa Billings,"
"PROJECT: DUELIST online. HUNT Protocol engaged. Mission: Kill Hand of Noxus Darius and Chosen Seamus O'Connor,"
"PROJECT: ENFORCER online. HUNT Protocol engaged. Mission: Kill Defender of Tomorrow Jayce and Chosen Jake Reagan,"
"PROJECT: PURIFIER online. HUNT Protocol engaged. Mission: Kill Senna Anwar and Chosen Sienna Ambrose,"
"PROJECT: VIRTUOSO online. HUNT Protocol engaged. Mission: Kill Eye of Twilight Shen and Chosen Shane Korrigan,"
"PROJECT: BLADESMAN online. HUNT Protocol engaged. Mission: Kill Monkey King Wukong and Chosen Graham Dukes,"
Twelve pairs of eyes suddenly lit up a bloody scarlet. The Hunt was on.
So...this will be fun.
Anyway, hope you liked it. If you did, please let me know!
Qui vállë tóquetë, ván tecë (If no review comes from y'all; no story comes from me)
Máriessë ar mára tecië
Farewell and fair writing
Elhini Prime signing off.