Hello everyone! I am SO sorry everyone for this late update! So much has happened over the past year and I slipped out of writing this fic focusing on other things. I hope those who have been waiting didn't think I gave up on HE coz that will never happen! I thank each and every one of you for your patience!
To make up for it, I also posted a Leon x Fiona one shot I wrote some time ago. It was supposed to be a part of a writing challenge yet I never got a chance to write the rest. I hope you all will enjoy it anyway. It doesn't relate to Haunting Evil btw.
Speaking of enjoying fanfiction, enjoy this one!
HAUNTING EVIL
Chapter Ten
The tension grew as Leon and Fiona stared at the radio in his hand. He held it up and answered the call. Once the signal made a connection, a person appeared on screen and his face lit up with surprise.
"Hunnigan! It's good to see you."
The relief was mutual for the communication officer. "Leon, it's been nine hours. Everyone was worried something happened."
"A lot has happened but I'm okay."
Fiona feared it was going to be Krauser. She didn't expect to hear a woman's voice. As they talked, she quietly stepped sideways so she was standing directly in front of him at the other side of the table, behind the radio's screen and out of sight.
"Have you managed to locate the Spec Ops unit or the target?" asked Hunnigan.
"Just the target," he replied. "It is Krauser. I dunno how he cheated death. He's finally got a new trick up his sleeve. I've got more bad news as well. Las Plagas is here."
"What? How?"
"There's an ancient ruin within a deep cavern underground beneath this castle. I saw a creature that mutated in the exact same way as those infected in Spain. So far I haven't seen any up here."
Fiona gaped. She never heard of 'Las Plagas' before yet it was obvious what it was. Leon encountered this before?
"I'll report this right away. HQ needs to know about this. Are you certain you have nothing on the Spec Ops?"
"Actually, I have a—"
He was about to introduce Fiona as a valuable witness, she could by the way he glanced at her, but stopped when she shot him a stern look and slowly shook her head.
"You have a what?"
Looking around for a diversion, she turned to Hewie who was lying on the floor. Almost inaudibly, she whispered to him, "Sit."
Obedient Hewie perked and barked before sitting upright. As she hoped, it was loud enough for the woman to hear.
"You have a dog?"
Leon was utterly confused yet played along. "Uh, yes... There's a dog here with me."
"This isn't the time for pets, Leon."
"I know that. He's just following me around."
"You still have a job to do," she firmly reminded him.
Fiona's expression was apologetic yet she remained silent all the same, leaving him to his own answers.
"Yeah. Anyways, as I was saying, I've got a... 'lead' that suggests the Spec Ops are all dead. I'm gonna look into it after this."
"Then we better wrap this up as fast as we can. What else did you find?"
Leon explained to Hunnigan all that had happened, cleverly able to keep Fiona out of the picture on the spot. He told the castle's name, the people he came across, including the mysterious individual who returned his belongings, and the Mercury Ruins in more depth. He couldn't understand why she did not want to be mentioned.
Hunnigan noted everything down. "Interesting... This is remarkably a unique case. Leon, I researched Versante's history and I have a feeling some of the things you said will add up."
"What do you mean?"
"I tried to speak with the head of the village and neither he nor anyone else was willing to talk. Shortly after, someone came forward... the same person that approached you."
"You're kidding? That's great. What did he say?"
"Not a lot. He's still being interviewed as we speak. He's pretty nervous to talk himself. His name is Antonio Montagna and is the son of the head. We don't want to waste any time right now so I'll fill you in during the next report."
"Understood."
"Do be more careful. I can send back up if you need it."
Fiona waved her hands with her fingers spread apart. She mouthed the word 'no' in a mute exaggeration. Leon had to agree with this one. It would be difficult to find a safe place to meet with traps everywhere among other threats. He would hate to put lives at risks without knowing if they could be in danger coming in.
"No, not yet. You know me, Hunnigan. If it comes to it, I'll call for them but for now I can handle it."
"Alright, then. Don't take too long. Good luck."
"Thanks. Leon out." When he hung up, he turned straight to Fiona. "Okay—what was that?"
She hesitated before explaining herself. "It's... for the better that nobody knows of me."
"You're not going to tell me why, are you?" he asked sceptically.
She only looked back at him, not amused. "... We should find something for your head."
Leon blew a puff of air from the corner of his mouth and joined her. He was finding himself low on options. He had no intentions of demanding her to talk but still needed to know the truth. It was easy earning Ashley Graham's trust. It was also easy to earn the trust of another young girl he met during the outbreak in South America, Manuela Hidalgo. For Fiona though, he had his work cut out for him.
"There isn't much," she said, carrying a small bundle of items to the table. "These will have to do."
He could see a sealed pan, a clean rag, medical adhesive tape, operating scissors and some cotton balls. She opened and took the pan to the sink and pilled it with water for Hewie to drink. Leon started to patch himself but was having trouble using one hand to keep his fringe out of the way. Noticing this, Fiona's conscious nagged until she stepped forward.
"Here," she offered, taking the rag. "I'll do it."
"Oh, thanks."
She brought it to the tap, twisting it and soaked a corner of the rag. He sat on the table so he would be at her level and then moved his hair when she stood in front of him. An awkward silence followed as she began. The blood on his forehead had already dried and she delicately wiped it away. It stung a little and his face twitched, making her automatically apologise. She avoided eye contact, feeling incredibly uncomfortable being so close to him.
Fiona had to be one of the most intriguing people Leon had ever met. He watched her concentrate on her talk, mentally trying to figure her out. She vanishes from a car accident, ends up stuck in a castle and harassed... yet she didn't want help. Why? It wasn't out of pride, he knew that much. He considered inquiring Hunnigan about the investigation of Fiona's disappearance. She probably wouldn't like it.
"Is it... umm..."
He lifted his head when he heard her speak. "Hm?"
Her mind was telling her to stop. She shouldn't ask. She had no right. But curiosity persistently piqued. She felt like a hypocrite. "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to."
"What is it?"
She pulled a strip from the tape and cut it with the scissors. "Is... it true that... you are a survivor of the Raccoon City Outbreak?"
"Oh..." That's right. Riccardo mentioned it in the ruins. At first Leon was surprised but was actually glad. If he opened up about his story, maybe she would do the same. So he straightened his back as she pressed a cotton ball over the wound. "It's fine. Yeah, I am. Believe it or not, that was supposed to be my first day as a police officer. I was late for my shift but perhaps being late saved my life. I was able to escape the city with two other survivors with an underground train."
Fiona was in aware. She had no idea. How much did this man go through? She didn't even know how to respond appropriately, casting a sympathetic gaze. "I remember seeing it all over the news. Everyone couldn't stop talking about it for weeks. I'm sorry, it must have been dreadful."
"It was," he agreed.
"It feels like a lifetime ago. I think I was..." She paused, doing the math while taping the cotton to his forehead. "...Wow. Eleven years old."
"Eleven? How old are you?"
"Nineteen. Well, I recently turned nineteen."
"Around the same age as Sherry," thought Leon.
He remembered vulnerable twelve year old Sherry Birkin he and a fellow survivor he also met, Claire Redfield, when they went to take shelter in the police station he was going to work in. A little girl was left alone to fend herself against the cannibalistic undead. She was all grown up now and under the care of the government. He planned on visiting her and Claire because it had been a while since he last saw them.
Sherry, Claire, Ashley and Manuela... All of them were able to trust him, a random stranger, in times of desperate need. He wanted Fiona to see that she could as well.
He never forgot about his mission. Thinking carefully as she put everything back, he twisted himself to her direction. "Fiona..."
She turned hearing her name and suddenly found it impossible to look away when his eyes locked with hers. He hoped off the table to face her, making sure there was space between them.
"I get it if you're afraid. But you heard what Riccardo said. I'm a government agent. The woman on the radio is Ingrid Hunnigan, my communication officer. We can help you."
A shudder ran through her. If given three months ago, she might have accepted his offer. Unfortunately, things were different now. She shook her head again sadly.
"I understand that you are concerned. Anyone in your shoes would be, I guess. Yet you and 'Hunnigan' said so yourselves... you're here looking for six men. Nothing about me was stated in your job. You shouldn't get involved with my problems."
Leon saw that response coming. "You're right. It is none of my business. But that doesn't mean I should stand back and let others terrorize you. We're stuck in the same boat here and constantly pushing me away isn't going to help either of us. I don't know what else I can do for you to trust me."
A pang of guilt hit Fiona, her eyes downcast, for she knew he was right. But there was no way she could tell him everything. She would never forgive herself if she let history repeat itself. She didn't say anything so he dared to take a step closer. What failed to reach both their ears was a faint sound of someone's raspy breathing. A lone pair of eyes surveyed them through a small crack on the wall.
"Fiona," Leon continued. "As much as I would prefer getting you and Hewie out first, I need your help."
She frowned to what he had to say.
"I'm not saying I doubt you. I have to find the bodies of the men to confirm it to my superiors. Their families deserve to know."
The guilt then escalated, thinking of her own family. People she did not know growing up. She always knew she had relatives from her mother's side living in America yet they never made contact with her or her parents or sent cards on birthdays and holidays. Their relationship with her parents was an iffy one. So if it felt surreal when Leon said they wanted her found. Is that what he meant?
"You have no idea how terrible we feel. We were-... 'I' was wrong to judge your parents. That's why we—"
"I'm not going to force you," persisted Leon. "But you know this place, how things work... And don't worry about Riccardo or Krauser. I'll keep you safe from them."
It took willpower for her not to flare. That was the last thing she wanted to hear. "It's not my life that I'm worried about."
He just stared back and regardless, against her better judgement, she made her decision.
"Alright... I'll help you."
Leon smiled with gratitude. "Thank you."
The person spying on them scurried away.
Fiona walked back Hewie and patted his head before returning to the sink to drink some water. Leon noticed his throat was feeling a little dry. When she was done, she moved aside for him and shook off the excess droplets from her hands. He cupped a handful of the cool liquid. Once he brought it to his lips and swallowed, an odd, 'reviving' swept through him.
"-whoa..."
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing it's... this water. I'm feeling a lot better," he replied as he turned the tap off. "My headache's gone too."
Something clicked for Fiona and she glanced at her palm. She always felt better whenever she drank the water here but never thought twice about it. Now though, she wondered...
"After we were separated in the ruins, I fell and cut my hand..."
"You did?" he spoke in alarm and rushed to her. "How badly?"
She outstretched her arm and presented it to him. The confusion was there as he stared at the mark.
"It looks like a scar," he said.
"I found a pool and washed the blood. When I touched the water, it healed me."
"How is that possible?"
She simply shrugged. "I'm not sure. It just did."
Realising where she could be going with this, he brought up something worth mentioning. "Krauser tried to ambush me and Hewie."
Fiona's eyes instantly flashed and he carried on before she could open her mouth.
"He almost had me yet your dog saved me. I threw one of those things you gave at him and it burst on his eye. I assumed the next time we would see him, he'd be wearing an eye patch. If you're saying what I think you are, he must have used the water himself."
"It may also explain Hewie's leg," she murmured, gazing down at her loyal canine.
He looked at him as well. "Yeah... when I first saw him, he was slightly limping even though he can get around no problem."
"There is a lake somewhere in the forest. Maybe he drank from it. This is merely a theory, but..."
He nodded, sharing the same idea. "Water flows greatest in the depths of Mercurius," he quoted from the tablet they found. "You think the water in this region might be linked to the 'special' water below ground?"
She nodded back in return. "Only not as effective above ground."
It was that moment when Leon recalled the vial and took it out of his attaché, holding it up between his finger and thumb. "Shit, I forgot to show this to Hunnigan. Krauser dropped it during the fight and was keen on getting it back. At first I thought it was weird coz it looks just like regular water. Now it seems he wants a souvenir from his trip."
They were aware that they could be wrong about their speculation. However, they both had a strong feeling about it. If they were correct, what could it mean? No doubt Riccardo and Krauser had the answer... and it couldn't be good.
Neither Leon or Fiona knew would await them with this plausible discovery. All they did know is that they would have to proceed with more caution. After making sure everything in the infirmary was not misplaced, they were ready to move onward. Leon was the last to leave the room.
"Do you know where the bodies are?" he asked as he closed the door.
"No..." He could hear a downhearted tone in her voice and let her go on. "I have a vague idea where they could be, though. They were last in this half of the castle."
"Which way do you think we should start?"
She held one elbow in one hand and rested her fingers on her chin. Her eyes were half-closed as she pondered. Before she could come up with an answer, hefty footsteps were heard, coming from the far end. Her lids rose back up and she spun around, her ponytail swinging around her neck. Emerging at the corner was a familiar giant. He was carrying a large crate and stopped walking when he saw the trio.
Recognising the outsider next to Fiona, he put the crate down and snarled at him. He spread his arms out wide and with a loud roar, he charged towards them.
Hewie braced himself and Leon immediately retrieved his gun and rushed in front of her. He became shocked when she dashed ahead and lifted her hands high, bravely striding to the hunchback.
"Debilitas, stop—it's all right!"
He slowed to a complete halt yet still did not trust Leon. He grunted stubbornly, wanting to get around her but she wouldn't let him, side-stepping to block his every attempt. Leon was equally wary yet Hewie had already eased.
"Calm down! It's okay. Leon isn't going to hurt us," she assured Debilitas.
Leon lowered his weapon, not expecting her to say that. Did she really believe that or was she just saying it? Debilitas eventually calmed himself, seeing Fiona was not distressed in any way. After the gun was put away, he stared at Leon with curiosity and began to sway in a child-like manner. Gaining his attention, Fiona spoke slowly and softly to him like she was addressing a youngster.
"Debilitas, do you remember the people that came here after Krauser?"
He stilled and turned his back to her. Within seconds, he rocked his torso and Leon heard him talk for the first time. His reply was short and his voice sounded rough, suggesting that he had trouble communicating with words. It was what he said that shocked him...
"Ah... all dead... Fi-ohh-nna... s-sad..."
Leon gaped a little, looking straight at her. Her demeanour noticeably sank yet she kept herself together.
"I have to help Leon find them. You mustn't tell Riccardo."
Debilitas's abnormal marble eyes enlarged as though he remembered something and pressed one of his bulky fingers against his mouth. "SHH!"
Fiona appeared surprised, knowing what he was referring to. Leon could have sworn she almost smiled... Almost.
"That's right," she said with a single nod and hovered her own delicate finger over her lips. "Shh..."
Leon was dumbfounded. For someone that seemed so tall and intimidating, his body language related to an infant's.
"Do you know where they are?" she questioned.
"G-Go-... Go—le... Gol..."
She frowned yet assumed what he was trying to say. "Golem?"
Debilitas gave a toothy grin, nodding enthusiastically. He then went down the steps and to the door leading to the crossed stairs, pointing to it after facing them. Delivering his message as best as he could, he bowed to Fiona and turned to pick up the crate that he left discarded. Leon eyed it with suspicion. What could possibly be inside? Seeing the look on his face, Fiona brought up her hand to stop him from pursuing.
"Leave him be. Riccardo is his master. If we delay him any more than we already have, we could get him into trouble."
"... Fair enough," he gave in.
Going back up, Debilitas made his leave past them and around the corner they came from. Leon watched him go and could even hear him humming a merry tune to himself.
"He's like a big kid."
"That's exactly what he is," Fiona chimed. "A child trapped in his deceiving form. He is actually a lot more stable than he used to be."
"Stable?"
She shifted and mumbled awkwardly, "When I met him, he mistook me for a doll."
His eyebrows frowned and she twiddled her fingers together.
"He would chase me everywhere wanting to play. It may sound funny to you but if he caught me, he would have snapped my spine like a twig. He can't control himself whenever he gets excited or anxious."
"Damn... I'm sorry," he sympathized. "He doesn't seem that way now. What made him change?"
"I'm... honestly not sure. He cornered Hewie and me in a chapel. During his attack, he accidentally smashed a pulley system to a chandelier and it fell on him. Ever since he's been more careful and gentle."
"It must have literally knocked sense into him."
Putting it into the simplest of terms, that was probably all it was. But to Fiona, there was so much more to it. She would never forget the way Debilitas looked at her under the chandelier with such innocence. Ever since that incident, he behaved in a way that yearned for forgiveness. She still felt bad for always freaking out and resorting to run or defend herself whenever he showed up, even if it couldn't be helped.
"I guess. Just... please don't hate him for what happened before. The only reason he attacked you is because he thought you meant to harm me. You were chasing me, after all."
Fiona felt like she had become quite the chatterbox. She never spoke this much in a long time. Deep down, she knew the reason why... It truly was strange having someone to talk to again. There was Hewie and Debilitas but those conversations were always one-sided and she refused to socialize with Riccardo or Krauser. Either way, at that moment, she wanted to Leon to understand that Debilitas was not to be feared. After pleading to him, she felt relieved hearing him laugh a little at the back of his throat.
"That's true. He packs one hell of a punch, though," he said, rubbing the side of his face.
She wouldn't have blamed him if he remained wary of Debilitas yet she was glad he didn't appear to hold a grudge. With all that said and done, Leon adjusted his jacket. Neither were aware that the same person from the infirmary had them in sight. Hewie lowered his head to a hole on the wall he spotted at the bottom.
"So, we better head on. Hopefully we've got some time before Krauser and Riccardo catch up."
"Fionaaa..."
Leon and Fiona froze to the frail voice that called her name.
"Fionaaaa..." it called again.
Hewie was already growling at the hidden presence. They couldn't tell where it was coming from but it was nearby. Then suddenly Hewie barked and Fiona felt something snatch her ankle. She yelped and fell to the ground whilst startled in fright.
"Fiona!" Leon cried.
He rushed to help and they could see a bony arm stretching out from the hole. The skin was a thin layer over the skeletal limb, as though there was hardly any muscle between them. The nails were black and damaged. Fiona saw a gold bangle around the wrist and her eyes widened.
"Lorenzo!?"
Despite the arm looking easily breakable, it still held on with a death-like grip. Hewie bit into it and blood was drawn once punctured. A wailing scream was heard behind the wall.
"Hewie—no!" she protested.
Forced to release her, the skinny fingers sprang apart when Hewie let him go and Fiona slipped backwards, landing against Leon's legs. A folded piece of paper dropped from under the palm and the hand retreated into the hole. Just like that, the unknown being was gone. Hewie pressed his head close to it, barking to warn them to stay away.
"Jeez..." retorted Leon. "One crazy thing after another."
Fiona caught her breath and crawled to pick up the paper. Hewie settled and Leon offered his hand to help her stand. It pleased him seeing that she accepted it.
"Who was that anyway? Lorenzo, you said?"
"Yes. He helped me from afar since I got here, guiding me with messages of where to go and what to do. I've never spoken to him face to face. I just didn't expect to get one now. I hadn't heard from him in so long. He is old, I... was afraid that he passed away at some point."
"Kinda weird that he would grab you like that."
"I know. It's not the first time he's done that... but I could not have gone as far as I did without his aide."
Leon wasn't sure of this 'Lorenzo' from that random moment as she unfolded the note to read it. She seemed to trust him yet he was bothered by it. Even more so because Hewie bit him. He didn't act so hostile around Debilitas. Keeping his concerns to himself, he craned his neck discreetly to read the message as well.
'Dear Fiona,
I am ecstatic that you are still alive.
I sincerely apologise for not contacting you sooner. Ever since that
wretched Riccardo kept you trapped in your chamber room, it was
difficult for me to communicate with you. He found out I had been
assisting you and went as far as to seek and block every pathway I
could use. Fortunately, not even he knows them all.
It also delights me knowing you finally acted on the last message I
gave three months ago about the Mercury Ruins. However, between
then and now, two intruders invaded the ruins. The exit to the forest
was destroyed and what should have remained in slumber awakened.
I would never send you to such a place with active life. The identity
of the intruders, I suspect the mercenary yet am uncertain who the
other was.
I strongly advise you be n your guard and stay close to your new
ally. I have seen how he has protected you. If I were as youthful
as he, I would have run to your side long ago.
I do not believe you should bother with the departed, yet going
through the catacombs will serve you to refine a new Godstone.
Riccardo disabled the Decomposer, so you can not start from
ashes. Return to the catacombs. I have branded a wall with the
sign of 'METH'. Send a Golem through and it will show the way.
Inside you will find some Prima Materia.
Do not venture where the dead lie. Riccardo has unleashed a
deadly threat in the castle. I pray for your safety, Fiona.
- Lorenzo'
A deadly threat? What kind of threat? The two glanced at the door to the crossed stairs, both instantly feeling uneasy.
Somehow, they both felt like things were going to get a whole lot worse...
I'm also sorry if this wasn't the chapter you all were hoping for. I know there was a lot of talking in this one. Its one of those slow yet necessary ones. Some of the things above may have seemed random yet some are important for later points of the story. This is also one of the things I mentioned before when I felt like RE6 was copying me, if you've noticed any similarities.
But hey, look at how Leon and Fiona have interacted in this chapter. Quite a nice improvement, right? :3
Review Responses:
Takerfbi - Thank you very much! I hope you liked this one even though it was not as exciting as the previous.
evilinsanity - Thank you! Im so glad you really enjoyed the last one. Yep, Riccardo's one big meanie alright lol. Thanks, I always found it odd how Hewie was not always included in some of the cutscenes when he was there beside Fiona in HG, so I like to acknowledge his presence in this fic.
GlaringEyes - lol yeah it makes me cringe thinking about it too. Haha Im sure its noticeable that action scenes arent my specialty so Im sorry about that -nervous laugh-
Mr.A - Thank you!
Bellibuscus - Thanks! I wanted to the new area(s) to tie in with the original castle in a way that would work. No worries, Im glad you were able to read it either way c:
toby7400 - Thanks! Im always happy to hear Im keeping Leon and Fiona in character coz its one of the many things I always worry about, haha.
snowball - Believe me snowball, this fanfiction will be complete one day. Even if its the last thing I do xD
godgiven26 - I'm sorry to keep you waiting for the next chapter!
DQRS guy - Thank you! Sorry it wasn't soon.
TifaLockhart - Thank you! I would like to make more HG/RE related Sims videos in the future. I just need to plan things and start some of them from scratch.