Disclaimer: I don't own Resident Evil...and I've just lost two seconds of my life that I'll never get back. Now leave alone you mind-sucking perfectionists!
Authoress' Note: (Please READ) I am SO sorry for taking so damn long with this chappy! You see... I got the new Smash Bros. Brawl game for the Wii and it overtook my time. That and I had trouble (writer's block) concerning Wesker. So I had to take time off and play Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles for inspiration. And replay Ashley's Adventure in RE4 several times for ideas. So again, I apologize for taking long! I hope you enjoy this chappy and furture ones!
Final Note: Over 100 reviews! Wow, that's a lot for just a fic with 20 chappies. blush I didn't know that I'm becoming an idol to some of you. smile Thank you, you guys are my idols for being there to read my fic. I would love to thank all of you for your lovely reviews and suggestions for this fic!
Everyone gets a Leon bottlecap that says: (pokes button) (Chibi Mafia Leon tips hat and sings the song Kryptonite)
RESIDENT EVIL AND LEON FOREVER!! WESKER TOO!
1wingangel and Nicole this fic is for you!
Resident Evil 4: A Fangirl's Dream Come True!
Chapter Twenty: Wesker, Servants and the Puzzle Room Knightmare!
- Hall Maze (unknown part of castle)
Well, ain't this a kick in the ass?
I gulped a little and watched him closely as Wesker continued to give me his dangerous smile. A smile that will make any Wesker fangirl swoon and sigh, a smile that any of us is willing to die to see. Only now I'm no longer admiring it from in front of a TV. No, I have the real thing right in my face and usually bad things happen to those who see that smile. And he still had those famous shades on his face. Like Wesker is gonna show up without those on? Wesker ain't himself without them. And from behind those lovely black shades, his reddish-gold cat eyes were focused solely on me and knowing that sent another chill down my spine.
I shivered absentmindedly and stepped back from him. Wesker's smirk grew a little wider as he took another step forward. I didn't know why but from the way he was acting, it reminded me of how a cat plays with its prey. Toying around with the frighten mouse before eating it. I mentally rolled my eyes. Duh. He does that with Chris all the fucking time. Toy with the guy then try to kill him, so far Chris the mouse has been lucky in getting away from Wesker the cat. But right now, I'm the mouse that has been caught by the clever feline and I know Lady Luck ain't with me. If she was then I wouldn't be in this mess right now, would I?
"Wesker..." I growled softly, trying to sound brave but I knew Wesker saw through it. He's seen enough of that fake bravado with Chris. The human BOW let out a charming dark chuckle, the type that made me want to tackle and cuddle this guy all day. I bit the inside of my cheek and glared at him. Keep fangirl thoughts in check! Keep the fangirl thoughts in check! Remember, Wesker no like touchies!
"Ah... so she does speak." Wesker purred darkly and I could imagine him with a pair of cat ears and a tail. Ohh, pretty... and yummy... I wanna pet him... GAH! No fangirl thoughts! Bad fangirl thoughts! BAD! He kept his charmingly, dangerous smirk on his face as he watched me. "Interesting. Where are your smart remarks?"
"With you, it's best to keep those in check." I said evenly, narrowing my eyes. "As I know, you have a low tolerance for snide remarks."
Wesker inclined his head as if pleased with my answer. I hope so, I don't want him strangling me for accidently pissing him off. "I see, wise choice, Miss Nightshade."
"Rally, if you would..." I began then paused as I suddenly remembered something. I looked at Wesker then skimmed through my memories of the game. The realization hit me like a blow to the gut. What the hell is Wesker doing here anyway!? Wasn't he susposed to be waiting for Ada in his hideout somewhere in the world? I glared at him slightly, trying not to provoke him too much. "What are you doing here, Wesker?"
Wesker tilted his head slightly with a mischevious smirk playing on the corners of his mouth. He took another step forward and again I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from blushing. I'm sorry, okay?! Geez, it's not my fault that the Japanese create hot guys like him! I bristled and slid back a step. I gave the hot and sexy -Gah! Damnit!- human BOW a scowl. For the love of God, Capcom, why'd you go and make Wesker so damn attractive?! First Leon and now him! Argh, being a girl sucks at times!
The former STARS member continued his lovable smirk as he took another step toward me. "Well, what a surprise... you should know why I'm here." His smirk grew a little more, "And I thought you knew everything."
My eyes widen at the statement as I stared at him in disbelief. "How did you know?" I growled angrily then bristled as my mind immediately thought of Ada. Did Ada give him the tape after all!?
Wesker chuckled darkly again and again I had the urge to tackle him and rub his abs. Damnit, quit being so desirable! I'm one chuckle away from ripping your jacket off, Wesker. Don't make me tackle you. "You didn't honestly believe that I only had speakers on Miss Wong's sunglasses, did you?"
My murderous thoughts toward Ada disappeared as soon as he said that. So, he planted another set on her. I growled, "I honestly did believe that. Where did you hide the other set of spearkers?" I grinned slightly, "In her bra?"
Wesker grinned, "I'm afraid that trick won't work, Miss Nightshade. Revealing the location of the speakers would spoil the fun." He stroked his chin thoughtfully, "Although, you're examination on Ada is remarkable. It seems that Leon is going to be a setback on my plans."
I paled as I stared at him. I'm not hearing this! Jesus, did I just give him reason to...? Wesker's grin turned cruel. "You see, to get what I need for my goals, I need Miss Wong's undivided attention on her work. And since Leon is the cause of her..."distractions"..."
My chocolate brown eyes widen in horror as my mouth opened slightly in shock. I did just give him a reason to send him after Leon! Me and my big mouth! I have to warn Ada...!
"Dónde está?"
Startled, we both turned to the voices of the monks coming near us. They weren't that far from our position and getting closer. I glanced at Wesker from the corners of my eyes and from the looks of it, he was judging just how close the zealots were. As much as I love to stay here and banter with Wesker all day, I got a room to find, a puzzle to solve, suits of armor to run from and a guy to meet back up with. And a woman to warn. So, sorry Wesky!
"Acá! Acá! Estoy acá!" I yelled out, hoping that the monks could pin point the source of my voice because from the looks of things... Wesker's not happy. His smirk disappeared and was replaced by the frown all Wesker fangirls know and love. I suddenly felt pressure around my neck and realized that his leather gloved hand was wrapped around my throat. I let out a squeal of surprise at the action; his motion was so fast that I didn't even see his hand move. It was like his hand just poofed! itself around my neck! (Here! Here! I'm over here!)
"That, Miss Nightshade, wasn't very wise." Wesker said dryly, angling his head toward me. The pressure around my neck increased slightly and I noticed that his grip wasn't rough or ruthless. It was just firm like he was making sure that I didn't run off. And I also noticed that his grip was only firm enough to clearly say that he meant business. Oh, great. The idiots aren't here and I think I just ticked him off! Man, I hate my life sometimes.
"Agárrenlo!"
Again, we both turned to see the groups of cultists had found us. I saw Wesker tighten his jaw at the sight of them and I felt bad for having to ditch him here. I did a quick mental count of grenades and realized that I had only about six Flash grenades left and about three Incendiary ones. Not good. I glanced back at the group of cultists that started chanting as they ran toward us.
I bit my lower lip as I thought about the plan I had to get away from Wesker and the group of monks. I sighed inwardly. Having a low supply of grenades sucks... and so's this plan. But I don't have anything better than that. Great. I quickly and discreetly as possible took a flash grenade from my belt loops and armed it. Wesker was too distracted to notice, hopefully, and kept his focus on the oncoming group of crazed monks. Well, better get this done and fast!
I took a deep breath and let it out shakily, still nervous about my plan. Wesker didn't look at me, just raised his brow at the action of the monks' strange chanting as they continued to bare down at us. What was Wesker going to do? Protect me and fight them off then let me run off to rejoin Leon? Tch. He ain't that nice. Or was he going to kick some spanish ass, kidnap me and interrogate me for information? If he does the latter, and duh... he will, I'll never see the light of day again. I stared at him and chewed on my lower lip again, knowing that I must be out of my mind to think this up; but then what choice did I have?
Right. I had none.
Man, he's gonna be tweaked...
"Hey, Wesker-!" I sang out, poising myself ready to run.
Wesker inclined his head toward me with an irritated look on his face. "What?" he asked dryly. I winced. Yeah, he's gonna be pretty ticked... I quickly reached up and snatched the shades off his face while at the same time flicking the blue grenade to the floor.
"Think fast!" I yelled just as the group of cultists reached us at the same time as the grenade hit the floor. I slipped the shades on my face, thus protecting my eyes as a bright light filled the tiny hall. I saw the anger blaze in Wesker's feline eyes just before the grenade went off. Oh, yeah...he's pissed. I felt his hand release my neck as he yelled out in pain and fury from the bright light. I turned on my heel and fled down the hall.
I looked over my shoulder as Wesker roared in outrage and thrust punched the nearest cultist while temporarily blind. That cultist slammed into a wall and his head cracked open from the force of the impact. I winced. Man, he's fucking pissed! I blitzed through the halls and stumbled upon a door that was colored differently than the rest in that hall. The doors I had tried before and where I am now were made of dark wood. This one was made of light wood.
Could this be it?
I froze in horror as I heard Wesker beat the crap out of the cultists from somewhere in the maze, then his rapid footsteps coming along the same path I took. Wait... he could memorize the halls I took!? I glanced at the door in front of me. Could this be the door I was looking for? It better be, I got a pissed off Wesker coming for me!
I threw open the door and leaped in and then quickly but quietly closed the door behind me.
- Servant Quarters One
I turned around and gazed around the room I was now currently in. I hope this is the right room. I thought bitterly, Let's see what we have here... There was a fenced off feminine statue in the center of the room, a yellow herb in a corner, a tiny hall that led to the next room and a type writer on a small table. Was this the Servants Quarters? You bet it is! Ding! Ding! We got ourselves a winner!
Ugh. Finally! I can get on with my life! Stupid room and the crazy ass castle! I shook my head as I removed Wesker's shades and put them in one pocket. I collected the yellow herb in the corner and stuffed it into my attache case. A Spinel glinted next to me on a table, so I snatched that up and dropped it in my case. I walked toward the tiny hall and looked into it, noticing that the monk was staring into a fireplace for some odd reason. Why he was doing that no one knows... or cares. All I know is that the Las Plagas are a weird group of parasites that should see the light of day... without human hosts to shield them from the sunlight.
I raised the Handgun and was about to fire but the typewriter next to me seemed to call out to me. I lowered the weapon as I glanced at little save device. I fingered the keys as I thought about what to type. I let my mind wander as I gazed between the typewriter and the idiotic monk. Then it hit me... I knew what I wanted to type! I tapped on the keys as quietly as I could while keeping myself from laughing. I stepped back and admired my work. It was cute, not the greatest thing in the world but still cute.
"Albert Wesker is sexy,
Leon Kennedy is cute.
Ada Wong kicks ass,
And Jack Krauser is a traitor,
While Ramon Salazar goes insane,
Osmund Saddler is pain!"
Like I said, not the greastest thing in the world but I find it cute. I left it alone and turned back to my oblivious target. The monk was still staring into the fireplace. I looked at my weapon and sighed. I didn't have too many shots left and I need to keep as many as I can with me to at least defend myself from the walking suits of armor. Well, let's see. In the game Ashley fends off zealots by tossing two lamps at each cultist to kill them. Hmm...two for each one? Well, what if there's a flame that can match or surpass the damage of two lamps?
I grinned as I raised my gun at the monk. Oh, yeah. I got it!
BLAM!
The monk staggered forward in pain before falling to its knees. I raced up and kicked him into the fireplace, making sure to get as much of his body into the flames. The zealot snarled in anger and pain as he flailed about in the fireplace. He managed to roll out of there, get to his feet and lunged for me. I leaped back as he finally succumbed to the fires and died. I scrunched up my face at the smell of burnt flesh as the dead cultist melted into the marble floor.
Sick.
I shuddered as I snorted to get the smell out of my nose. I picked up a green herb and tore it to bits as well as the yellow herb and placed them into a vial, knowing a red herb was nearby. I glanced at the crank on the other side of the table and considered to turn it. Well, in order to raise the bars and cross over to the other half of the room, I had to. I grinned at the thought. Why overwork your arms to raise an ignorable gate when you can simply slip through another way? Besides, I need my strength for the two other cranks on the other side.
I smiled childishly as I crawled through a small hole in the southwest corner of the room. I emerged on the other side of the servants' quarters from the little hole I crawled through and saw that another cultist was staring out stupidly into space. His back was to me and didn't acknowledge my presence as I entered the room. Which was good because I didn't want him to notice anyway. Well, not right now. I stepped forward as quietly as I could to a small table drawer and opened it, claiming the Spinel inside as mine. The monk was still staring at the empty fireplace and he still didn't move even though I slammed the drawer shut to see his reaction.
Wow. Either he's really stupid or completely deaf.
I sighed harshly. At this rate, Leon's gonna go nuts from my late appearance and go on a rampage through the castle. Or Wesker's gonna find me soon and kill me for jacking his sunglasses. And pissing him off. And let's not forget for blinding the guy. Yeah... he's really happy about that. Might as well kill the monk and move on. But where's the excitment in that?
Impaitent, I jumped up and down and yelled at the cultist to move in high enough voice so that Wesker couldn't hear. At least, I hope he won't.
"Detrás de tí, imbécil!" I yelled out, hoping to get its attention. But the zealot remained where he was and stared at the blackened log in the fireplace. I tapped my foot angrily and growled. I must be insane to have even considered doing what I did. Grumbling under my breath, I marched right up from behind the cultist and kicked him in the ass while yelling at him. (Behind you, you imbecile!)
"Hey, pendejo! I'm talking to you! Are you gonna come after me or what?!" I snapped, "Weren't you ordered to search and capture me!? Well, here I am!"
The cultist jumped at the kick then wheeled around to glare at me in rage. "Os voy a romper a pedazos!" he snarled, "Empieza a rezar!" (I'm going to rip you to pieces! Start praying!)
I blinked at the savagery of the zealot's voice then noticed he came after me differently. Not with the intent of capturing me... but killing me! The crazed monk brandished a hidden mace from it's robe and swung it at me. Holy shit! I leaped back in surprise, narrowingly missing the spiked ball. He swung it again as he advanced, forcing me to back away. I leaped back once more as he swung it again and I stared at the cultist in shock.
Whoa! Okay, kicking them in the ass is a bad thing. But that's not enough to kill the target you were told to capture alive! Unless... I groaned out in frustration as I darted around the monk to the other side of the room. I can only guess that he didn't know that I was supposed to be captured alive. He must only think that I'm an intruder and I should be elimitated. Damnit, Salazar! Don't you give all your servants the same fucking memo to capture and not murder your targets?!
I darted around the monk again and crawled under a table near a lamp in the southeast corner. I quickly turned around and yelped out in surprise as the zealot started smashing the table to get it out of the way with his mace. I reached out behind myself and felt the base of a lamp that was there. I spun around, grabbed it, whirled around again and threw it with all my might at the cultist; hitting him dead on in the face. The little lamp shattered and covered the mad monk in burning wax and flames.
The cultist howled in pain as he leaped back and danced about in a panic as the small inferno ate away at his robe. Once the fire got the taste of the fabric, it quickly spread all over him, covering his being in red, orange, and yellow burning light. But even then he still wanted to kill me. I guess he figured that he was going to die soon and wasn't planning on going alone. He charged toward me with the intent of throwing himself at me and hoping I would get caught in the flames dancing on him.
I raised the Handgun with a frown on my face while pulling the hammer back. Sorry, dude, but I'm not planning on dying just yet. Thanks for the invite, though.
BANG!
The zealot crumpled to the floor with a bullet hole right in the center of his forehead. I blinked in surprise at the wound that was there then disappeared as the Illuminado liquified on the floor. Whoa... I missed. I holstered the weapon on my leg holster as I stared at the stain on the tile before it, too, disappeared. I was actually aiming for his left eye but the bullet decided to pull upward and to the right, hitting him in the frontal lobe. Creepy.
I climbed over a low dresser, not wanting to go through the smashed table. No way I'm gonna slip and skewer myself on sharp pieces of old, broken wood. I headed over to the hutch next to the bed, at which I raised a brow at, and scooped the pesetas into my attache case. I cast a glance at the single bed as I turned away but couldn't help myself. If this was the Servant Quarters then why is there only one bed? Where do all the other servants sleep on? The floor? The tables? Or do they all try to squeeze into the same bed? Is Salazar that cheap with his servants? Wait... now that I think about it, those are questions best left unanswered.
I walked over to the twin cranks and the barred hallway that I needed to get through. I picked the left crank to start off first and began to turn it...with some difficulty. Apparently, Salazar nor the servants had used these for a long ass while, hence why it was covered in dust and the grooves had a thick layer of dirt and rust. One set of bars disappeared into the wall after I was done turning the crank. I switched over to the right one and did the same thing and again, like its twin, it was rusty from disuse. But I managed to get the thing to move and the intersecting gates disappeared, yielding to me passage to the hall and the other half of the dungeon. Great.
I entered the hall and snatched up the red herb that I tore up on the spot and added it to the other two herbs, giving me the Mixed Herbs. I looked between the two doors, trying to decide where to go first. Should I go into the Butler's room or go straight into the second half of the Servant's Quarters? Uh... I looked toward the door that led to the cramped and creepy dungeon filled with Las Armaduras.
That'll chase after me...
Swinging their axes...
And stopping at nothing to make sure they kill the one who stole the Salazar Family Insignia...
Butler's room it is!
I pushed open the door to the room and took in the decor of the room. Nicely done. The butler likes to keep his room tidy. I shopped around the room, picking up another Spinel on a table in the norther corner of the room. I headed down the little steps and picked up a box of Handgun ammo from a drawer. Yes! More ammo for me! I reloaded my Handgun as I turned around and saw the Butler's Memo file on a table. I picked it up and skimmed through it, feeling sad for the old butler that decided to stick by Salazar no matter what out of loyalty to the family.
Apparently, the butler had his suspicions about Saddler but was too late to inform Salazar. Sad, really. The butler tried to save little Salazar, knowing that castellan had no living family members. I guess isolation and loneliness can turn people insane. Was this one of the reasons that Salazar wanted to marry me? Uh...better not think about it right now. I packed the file away for Leon to read later. I turned my head over to the right and noticed the dais in front of a painting of a shield and twin swords crossing behind it.
Now let's see if what the game had Ashley say was true; was there really a draft coming from the passage? I walked to it and knelt down, placing my hand near the bottom edge of the "wall". And sure enough, there was a draft coming out of there. Sweet! I turned around and glared at the dais and sure enough there was a round hole in the center of my way outta here. Damn you Salazar. I sighed harshly and left, picking up a Velvet Blue, that I had accidently overlooked, on my way out of the room.
I reentered the hallway and stared down the south end of the hall toward the next door I had to go through. I sighed dejectedly as I thought about the horror that was to come. Was I ready for this? I mean...what if something went wrong or activated a trap and I'll end up trapped in a room full of Las Armaduras! I can't fight those off with Handgun! I quickly shook my head, getting rid of such thoughts. Damnit, now's not the time to freak out. I survived worse than this! Eh... sort of. Anyway, I went through hell to get back to Leon and no way this stupid dungeon is gonna stop me from doing it again! Besides, I still need to prove to Leon that I can do this! Prove to Ada that I'm not a coward! And... prove to myself that I'm not a burden or a walking hazard.
I headed down the hall and enetered Servant's Quarters 2...
- Servant's Quarters 2
They. Need. To. DUST.
I coughed a little at the little puffs of dust that kicked up as I moved about in the tiny maze of buttons and gates. Haven't they heard of a feather duster? Or the meaning of the word dust?! No maid or housekeeper in the world is going to clean this area even if you paid them a ton of money! That's how dusty this area is! My nose tickled under the teasing clouds of dust and I sneezed. I grumbled a bit as I waved the dust cloud away from my face and yanked the Stone Tablet from its mount on the old fireplace that hasn't seen a match in ages. I placed the item in a pocket of my cargo pants and sighed. I hate the puzzle I had to solve soon. I was never really good with those types of puzzles.
I left the fireplace alone and headed for the open gate to a bookcase that hid another button that I needed to press. The room was dimly lit at best, the only sources of light coming from the few candles that were placed here. I was aware that these candles were lit up recently since there was hardly any melted wax around the candle holders. Which meant someone had went through here before me. Ada? Maybe, who knows? I know for sure Wesker didn't come by here. I shoved the old bookshelf out of the way and pressed the button.
The last gate opened and the first one closed. Oh, good, it didn't close the one I wanted to go through. I snatched up the green herb I had ignored before and picked up a golden candle holder from the table and took it with me. What? It's gonna be pitch black in that twisted hallway. I'm not going in there blind. I went through the gates, picking up pesetas and a Velvet Blue along the way. I placed all that away and brought out my handgun, no way I'm going in there without my gun in my hand. I picked up the candlestick again and entered the hall.
I was surrounded in darkness. Cold, dusty darkness. I shivered from the drop in temperature as I naviagated through the corridor. A Spinel shone brightly in the shadows, catching the light of the candlestick and my eye. I wandered over to it and saw that it was sitting on an old, worn chair that was covered in cobwebs. Eww. I brushed the sticky webs aside and grabbed the little gem, dropping it in my pocket.
I was able to hear my own breathing and footsteps. Why? Well, because they were the only source of noise in this damn dark hall. It was creepy and I didn't like it. I felt like I was trapped in a Nightmare from Elm Street movie. Well, I better get used to it. I'm only going to hear myself for the longest five minutes of my life before running from Las Armaduras.
"Tonight's movie features Rally Nightshade as the victim and playing as Freddy Kruger..." I muttered as I rounded the corner, "are things really, really scary."
Light bounced off something and I shrieked, thinking that Wesker had suddenly appeared before me. I leaped back but held tightly onto my candlestick, raising my weapon at the figure. After a few tense seconds, which I used to calm my heartrate, I soon realized that it was just the suit of armor. And that Wesker hadn't found me yet. The corridor was devoid of dangers...for the time being.
I sighed and lowered my gun slightly. You can't blame me for thinking that Wesker was in front of me. The darkness was his element...his home! The man can move like a shadow and was as silent as one... My kinda of guy! I mean, just imagine what kind of things Wesker can do to a girl in the darkness! ACK! Fangirl thoughts! No fangirl thoughts! Come on! Think about the age factor! He's about forty years old and you're only twenty! He's twice as old as you are! And with all the dark pleasures of the world... ARGH!! Stop it! Damn you Capcom for making Wesker too damn sexy for a girl's own good! And damn me for thinking like this! No more romance novels when I get back home! For a month! I pushed aside the thoughts and continued on my way.
After a few minutes of edging around corners and stepping through the hall like it was Resident Evil Remake, I finally decended a small flight of stairs and entered a musky, colder, darker, and dustier room. Only this one had six Armaduras in the same room as me and flanking the stupid puzzle I had to solve. Three to either side of the slide puzzle and I just know I'm being watched by them. They were watching me for the slightest hint that my mission was a threat to their duty and it was. Their duty was to guard the Salazar Family Insignia and the Serpent Ornament and it was my mission to steal them. I placed the candlestick on the upper right corner of the pedestal, placed my hand on the right center tile and slid it inward to the center...
Several creepy minutes crawled by as I finally got to the last two pieces. I touched the center right tile and moved it inward to the center, again. I then slid the bottom right tile upwards and looked at the emblem I created. It was a perfect replica of the insignia that Leon and I had seen all over the castle. The picture was done... as soon as I placed in the last piece. I pulled out the Stone Tablet from one of my many pockets of my cargo pants and popped the piece into place.
The Salazar Family crest was complete.
The blue metal door that led into the sealed room slid upwards in the darkness in front of me. I glanced at the Knight statues that stood in eternal attention, forever on guard duty. And ever watchful. I picked up my candlestick and headed for the next dark room.
This one room that would obivously give maids and housekeepers nightmares for years to come. I wonder how long it had been since this room was last open? My guess would be since the first castellan closed it. I took the two items that were there, a Spinel and a Gold Bangle, and stood in front of a small Knight bust. Embedded in the stone of the knight was the Salazar Family Insignia, my ticket out of here. I glanced over my shoulder at the open doorway. I just know what was going to happen once I took that circle of gold. But I had no other choice, I can't escape this room without it.
I sighed, regretted it as powdery dust settled on my tongue and I spat it out. I placed my hand on the seal and removed it from the stone bust. The door behind me slammed shut, causing me to jump and scream out of reflex but I still managed to hang onto my only source of light. I calmed my nerves as the Knight bust slowly turned on its perch to reveal a big blue chest. I popped open the chest and revealed the Serpent Ornament. I holstered my gun, knowing it was useless for now, and pocketed the Insignia. I stared at the stone snake for a while then got myself ready to run, grabbing the piece. The metal door slid open and I heard the steady march of the knights from the other room.
It was go time!
The tempo of metal boots against stone increased in volume as I whirled around and stared in surprise at the emotionless face plate of an Armadura. What the-?! It raised its arms, lifting its metal axe robotically into the air. Oh, shit! The knight brought the axe downward quickly and I barely managed to dodge it, the air shrilling loudly next to me. Another knight followed suit, swinging its axe horizontally to slice me in half. I dropped to the floor to avoid it but I wasn't fast enough in doing so. The axe slapped the candlestick from my grip and sent it flying to one side of the room. AHH! My light!!
By a miracle that only God could create, the candlestick landed on it base and the flames were still lit, which meant I wasn't blind and could still see the knights coming toward me. Yes! My light source is safe! Only, now it was on the other side of the center table. Great. I scrambled up to my feet and raced for it, gripping the Serpent Ornament tightly in my hand. Two more knights manuvered around table and cut me off from my path to the candlestick. I skidded to a halt to leap back as they swung their axes at me. Oh, crap! Not good! Not good! Two in the front, two in the back and no way to my precious candlestick.
Or was there?
I dropped to the floor once more and rolled under the table as the four Armaduras slammed their axes to the floor. I quickly crawled through the length of the table to the candlestick that shone brightly in the darkness. Almost there! Once I get my candlestick, I'm outta here! I smiled as I crawled a little faster to my candlestick, my gaze focused on it. But as I crawled toward it, my mind nagged to me about something. It had to do with Las Armaduras. I blinked in confusion. Other than them being able to move faster than they should, I didn't know what was wrong about them.
There were eight Armaduras and each one is willing to take a crack at cutting me in half. Four were already chasing me and I still have to go through the three that were each guarding a "check point" to get out. Wait... that's seven. Did I count wrong? Before taking the Serpent Ornament, two were in the hall and six were in the puzzle room, that makes eight. I reached out for my candlestick as I thought about this. Three were waiting for me and five are supposed to be after me right now but I only noticed four attacking... Where was the fifth one?
A metal boot glinted in the firelight...
CRUNCH!
I cried out in disbelief as the metal boot crushed my light source in front of me. NO! I stared at what remained of the gold candlestick that was my light source as the flames on the candles slowly died. And the darkness swallowed both me and the room. Oh no! No no no! How in the hell am I gonna get out here without my-!
A soft jangle of metal...
OH CRAP! I crawled backwards from my current spot under the table in a hurry as I remembered the knight that stood there in front of me. There was a loud shrill whistle as the axe sliced through the stale air and smashed onto the table. That portion of the table splintered under the axe and split open. There's the fifth one! Where did the other four go?! Not taking in chances, I shot out from under the table and scurried blindly into a corner of the room. The loud crunch and snap of wood told me that those four had now destroyed the table. I gripped the Serpent Ornament tightly as my eyes adjusted to the darkness. Like that was helpful, the room is totally pitch black!
The knights started their march once more and I panicked, my eyes automatically shifted around to find them. I can't see, I can't see! I'm fucking blind here! Where are they!? I couldn't see them and I had no idea where in the room I was at so I didn't know which direction the exit was at. Great. A knight bumped into me and I screamed out in fright. Fear of both losing my light and dying because of that gripped my mind as I picked a random direction and ran from the suit of armor. I screamed and fled even though the knights' steady march turned to follow me. Dead! Dead! I'm so fucking dead!
BAM!
I slammed into a wall face first and I fell back with a cry. The Serpent Ornament was still in my left hand as my right one flew up to my face and clutched my nose. Warm blood flowed down as I touched my nose gingerly and I whimpered. My nose wasn't broken but it still hurt. I tilted my head back to stop the flow and... I could just barely make out the outlines of a leg... My eyes widen. Holy shit! I rolled aside as the Armadura slammed its axe down against the stone floor. I crawled between the legs of another as it struck the floor too. Shit, shit! I need to get out of here! Where are you, you damn door?!
I crawled around between them to keep them busy as they tried to reorient themselves to find me. Once they were, hopefully, confused, I squinted into the darkness and saw the outlines of something. Was that the..? It was! It was the slide puzzle! I scrambled up to my feet and raced through the doorway. I could barely see the exit to that room, thanks to tiny candles that were mounted high on the stone wall in the stairway. Yes! I'm home free! Uh, sort of, but how was I going to go through the hall without a light?!
I cried out in surprise as my right foot hit a corner of the slide puzzle and I tripped, hitting the floor roughly. The Serpent Ornament flew out of my hand and clattered somewhere in the room. Aw, hell... I hissed angrily as I crawled around the floor in search of the important stone piece. I don't have a light, I lost the stupid stone and I'm crawling around the floor looking for it as walking killer suits of armor are trying to find out what I look like in the inside! Which now have found their way into the puzzle room from the sounds of their annoying march.
"This castle hates me, I know it!" I growled as I went for my handgun and fired it behind in hopes of hitting one of the Armaduras. The flash from the muzzle showed, for a brief second, that an Armadura was swinging its axe. I yelped out in shock and dove to the side as the heavy metal slammed the floor. I smiled down at my handgun, even though I couldn't see it. That's it! I'll use my handgun to light my way!
But first, find that stupid Serpent Ornament!
I fired madly from my currently spot to light up the room briefly. There! I could see the edge of it to my left! I dove for it as Las Armaduras marched toward me. I snatched up the important item and shoved it in my pocket, replacing it with a clip in my hand. I fired everywhere and saw that the knights had gathered in front of me.
"Oh, crap!" I yelped and ran to the left, barely escaping their swings. The stale air shrilled loudly as they swung their weapons in unison. I darted around them and headed for the stairs, my gaze focused on the dimly lit stairway. I scurried up the steps, the knights' forever steady march sounded behind me and I squinted into the darkness. I couldn't see anything so I fired a few times to illuminate the hall. Another Aramdura, poised and ready to slice me in half, was standing in the corner at the end of the corridor. I fired slightly to the left as I stepped into the axe's range and I counted two seconds before jumping back, the air in front of me stirring from the knight's downward swing. The axe missed and the Knight froze for a few seconds before it crumbled into a mess of armor pieces.
One down, two more to go.
I ejected the clip, jammed that in my pocket and slapped in a fresh one. The clanking of armor and heavy footsteps grew louder behind me and I knew that I had to get out and do it now. I leaped over a piece of armor and took off down the hall, firing to make sure that I didn't crash into the pile of old chairs in the corner. I rounded the corner and repeated the same trick to the other suit of armor as I did with the first one. As the knight crumbled to pieces, I noticed that the rhythm of following Armaduras had changed. Instead of the smooth and steady march that they always did had changed to a fast paced one...
Thrum!
I screamed out in shock as the door in front of me was hurled off its hinges. What the hell?! What did-? My eyes widen in horror as I saw an axe buried in the wood. Dim light poured into the hall and my eyes quickly adjusted to it. I whirled around and gasped in shock as an Armadura raced at me, weaponless... Holy shit! That thing just threw it its axe at the door! Wait... no... It missed! It was really aiming for me but it missed and hit the door! They're all nuts! I raced into the next room and went through the gate that I had opened, slapping the red button next to it to close it. That ought to stop them!
CRASH!
Or not.
I looked over my shoulder as the knight shoulder rammed the gate and it barreled through, the other knights following closely. The fuck?! That was supposed to stop them!
Another jangle of metal...
I snapped my attention back to the exit and freaked as I skidded to halt as the Armadura swung its axe. I fell back with a shocked cry and landed on my ass, my eyes wide in terror as I stared at the axe that was embedded in the stone floor right between my feet. Any slower and my head would have been under the sharp edge. I scrambled back up to my feet and threw open the door, eager to leave them all behind.
- Servant's Quarters 1
I erupted into the hall, skidded around the door and flew down the hall. There it was! The bulter's room! My salavation and only way out of here! Tears of joy spilled over my cheeks as I targeted the blue door, my goal was almost complete! I'll be able to leave this nightmare behind and rejoin Leon! That's all I wanted! To rejoin with Leon and be around him a bit longer and live! Nothing stood between me and my salavation!
Until a familiar figure stepped into view. Flaming, feline eyes blazed in rage as they zeroed in on me.
WESKER?!
"Thought you could elude me for long?" Wesker hissed as he glared at me. Aw, hell... Jesus Christ will the madness never end?! Is everyone against me!? All I want right now is to get out of here with all me intacted! Is that so much to ask?! "I'm going to make you pay for that stunt you pulled on me!"
"Not now!" I yelled back as I heard the rapid footsteps of the knights. A sudden chill ran down my spine as I continued to run toward Wesker. The air behind me sang as something sharp charged after me. I automatically sped up to get to the door. I can avoid the sharp object but will Wesker be able to? Uh, yeah, duh, he's a BOW. He can probably dodge bullets like in the movie The Matrix. Wesker can dodge basically anything easily, that's how good he is. But something told me that he won't move fast enough today.
Wesker.
"LOOK OUT!" I cried as I instinctively threw myself at the blonde BOW. Our bodies collided and I thought I heard Wesker emit a soft "Emph!" as the very force of my tackle knocked us both to the floor. We slid across the tile for a bit as the axe whistled overhead and slammed into the wall. Jesus that was close. I sat up and sighed, only then did I look downward. We stared at each other from our awkward position but I wasn't paying much attention to it. The only that caught my attention was the fact that Wesker was surprised and everyone knows that he was never surprised about anything; but I wasn't sure if he was shocked from the fact that I was able to knock him over or the fact that I just saved his life.
Well, I'll never know the answer to that since the rapid approach of the Armaduras caused me to look over my shoulder. Seeing as how close the enemies were, I quickly rolled off Wesker and leaped to my feet, running for the butler's room. I have got to get to that room! Wesker snarled as he jumped to his feet and chased after me.
"Get back here, Miss Nightshade!" he snapped as I managed to stay ahead of him. I kicked open the door and raced in, slamming it shut in front of him. Sorry, Wesker! But you can survive against them better than me! I quickly locked the door and shoved a bookshelf and a table drawer in front of the door to block it. Wesker punched a hole through the wood, clearly pissed that I had the nerve to do this to him. He jerked his fist back and pulled it back to punch again as I peeked through hole. Another Armadura pulled its axe back and let it fly.
"Duck!" I yelled as I did so. Wesker ducked and the axe smashed through the top portion of the door. Holy crap! I shoved other stuff to block the door as I heard the human BOW curse loudly as the Armaduras finally reached the door. I could hear the battle waged between them to see who got to me first. Sorry, to disappoint the both of them but I'm gonna be out of here before they finish.
I raced toward the dais and fished through my pockets to find the Salazar Family Insignia. Oh, god where did I put it!? A loud shrill sounded outside and an Armadura collapsed to the floor. I'm guessing Wesker grabbed an axe and threw it at the knight. The door began to rattle violently as one of the contestants tried to ram the door open, but I think it's just the knights being thrown to it by Wesker. I finally found the seal and popped the circle of gold into its slot on the wheel. The bookshelf toppled over and I ran back to prop it back up to keep the door closed. As I did so I saw a piee of parchment sticking out from between two books. I snatched it and shoved it into my pocket. I'll read it later but right now I need to leave before the war outside finishes.
I raced back to the dais and began to turn it as I heard Wesker thrust punch an Armadura into a wall. I winced. Ow. BOW or not, that must have hurt his hand, punching metal. Halfway to through the turn, the handle got stuck. I yelled angrily and I began to kick at it to get it moving again. Am I cursed when it comes to turning something?! They always get stuck whenever I'm turning them!
The bookshelf went flying as Armadura rammed the door. I began to panic as I continued to kick at the handle. Come on, come on! Turn damn you! TURN! The handle shifted loose and I smiled, returning to my task of opening the passage. The dais completely turned and the wall pulled upwards, revealing the ladder and exit. YES! The door and everything covering it flew off and an Armadura barreled into the room. I wheeled around in horror. NO! I quickly turned back to the wall and silently urged it to move faster.
SNAP!
I cried out in pain as someting sharp lashed at my back. I stumbled forward in pain and looked over my shoulder to see what the knight used to hit me. It turned out that it was a long sharp tentacle sticking out of the neck of the armor. What the hell? The Armadura lashed forward again and I sidestepped it to dodge. I glared at it as I hissed, letting the pain in my back subside for now. More Armaduras entered the room, all with the same tentacle thing sticking out if them. Armaduras weren't supposed to have the first stage plaga attack, just the second stage ones! They lashed forward and I jumped back to get out of range of them.
Suddenly, they all began to quiver violently and before my very eyes, the tentacles transformed into...something else. Instead of the second stage La Plaga maw, the tentacles transformed into disgusting clawed hands. What the fuck? Las Armaduras lashed forward again, sending their new found weapons at me. What the hell are they now!? Bandersnatch 2.0?! I leaped back but found that I was up against the ladder. Ooh, not good!
One of the stretchy clawed hands grabbed the front of my shirt and jerked me forward. The knight hoisted me into the air as another Armadura extended its clawed hand and had it wrap around my neck. I struggled furiously to free myself from their clutches but it was no good, their grip was too strong. All this for the ass end of the stupid Chimera mural?!
"It's just a stupid rock!" I gasped out angrily as the second Armadura began to throttle me. I'm gonna die over for a stupid fancy rock?! Salazar, you are fucking nuts!
Wesker suddenly darted into the room and thrust punched the knight that was strangling me. The disgusting apendage released me as the knights turned to attack Wesker, except for the one still holding me. Well, it was better than nothing! As Wesker fought off the knights, punching one into another out of the room, I fumbled around for my survival knife. I finally grabbed my blade and stabbed it into the Armadura's apendage.
The knight released me in a hurry and I dropped to the floor, landing flat on my stomach. The wind rushed out my lungs and left me breathless for a few seconds. Wesker spin kicked one knight and the enemy shattered under the force, killed on impact. The human BOW turned and quickly performed Chinyo Changi on another and killed it. I regained my wind, scrambled to my feet and raced for the ladder, scaling it quickly. I turned around at the top and gazed at the battle being waged between them and Wesker.
I didn't want to leave Wesker behind to fight those things by himself, even though he could handle himself quite well. I wanted to help Wesker without him knowing and find a safe way to ditch him so I could get back to Leon and fast. As I pondered over on how to help my favorite RE villian, I noticed that the helmets of Las Armaduras were off and that meant one thing.
Three plaga controlled suits of armor minus their helmets plus a flash grenade equals an easy triple kill!
And a blind, pissed off Wesker.
I shrugged. Whatever works.
I brought out a flash grenade as Wesker thrust punched an Armadura into a wall. The knight staggered but remained alive. The two he threw out returned and cahrged after him. Now or never! I called out to Wesker as I pulled the pin to the grenade but held down on the trigger. The blonde BOW looked up at me in irritation as I reached into my pocket and pulled out an item. The look of annoyance in Wesker's eyes switched to rage as I flicked open the item and propped it on my face. It was his shades. I still had them after I stole them from him in the hall maze. I adjusted the glasses as I gave him a sort of sad smile.
"Sorry, Wesker." I said as I threw the flash grenade down on the floor in front of him. The little blue grenade went off, releasing its harsh light and filling the room with it. Wesker yelled in fury as Las Armaduras' plagas shrieked in pain as the bright light burned them. I quickly scooped the pesetas into my attach case as the grenade continued to fill the room with light.
I turned and ran through the twisty corridor, wanting to leave this place for good but hoped that Wesker will be fine. And not come after me with the intent of murder on his mind. Again, curse the idiot who designed this castle! There are too many turns for one hall! As I raced around corners to find the exit, I realized that I was getting closer to reuniting with Leon and Caleb with every step. That alone urged me to run faster and escape this sector that much quicker.
Rounding the final corner, I spotted the wooden door that led to the second floor of the Mezzanine room. It also led to Leon and Caleb. I sprinted towards the door, tears of joy again blurring my vision as I reached the door. I quickly took out the key I used to get here and undid the lock.
I pushed the door open, crying out Leon's name in happiness as I raced out of there.
I'm back, Leon! I'm back! I've survived another nightmare and I'm back with you!
Hell yeah! Score another finished chapter for me! I apologize for making this chappy so long! But I was on a roll baby! I believe I overdid it in this chapter. There wasn't enough dialogue in this chappy, so sorry about that too but since it was basically Rally by herself, there wasn't much of a point on having a lot of dialogue in it.
And I'm really sorry to all the Wesker fans out there and RE perfectionists (I'm one too!) that I made Wesker OOC for the last bit of the chappy. To tell the truth, I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to fit him in there. I was on the verge of just plain leaving him out but I decided to hell with it and kept him in. I tried to make the second encounter with Wesker funny without ruining his image that much. I think I did a good job of it, though I'm still a little iffy with it. But if you guys thought it was okay, then I'm glad!
Anyway, if any of you have an idea or a suggestion on what I should for the next chapter either tell me on the review or drop me a line on my e-mail. Evilvixen05(at)gmail(dot)com. I hope you guys enjoyed this chappy and...
Chat with ya later!
Wait... hold on. Don't go anywhere until you guys at least give me a review. A lot people read my fic but don't leave a review. I can't do a better job unless I know how you liked the chapter. I use reviews as a way to imporve my writing to keep you guys on the edge of your seats! I'm aiming to have at least ten reviews between chappies, that way I know that I still got fans out there!
See that little purple box that says "Submit Review"? It's on the bottom left hand corner of your screen. See it now? Good. Click "Go". Go on. Click it. Now type in what you like (or don't like) about the chapter and submit it. See? Wasn't that easy? Don't glare at me like that. You're not gonna break your fingers by typing in a few sentences, now are you? Besides, I always reply to my reviews!
Anyway, thanks for reviewing!
...Okay, now you can go now.