Aika followed Irina and Xenovia as they made their way deeper into the city. From what they explained to her, they were both something called Holy Sword Users, a special breed of Warrior who used Psionic Energy and Holy Weaponry to fight Supernatural beings as ordained by the Vatican. They were in the midst of transporting whatever was in that case that Xenovia had slung across her back out of the city when the outbreak hit. Since then, they'd been fighting to help as many people as they could.
She would have been lying to herself if she didn't admit that her inner Occult Nerd was extremely happy right now. As it was, she was trying really hard not to fangirl over the fact that she was grouped up with two real life monster hunters.
Or rather...that's how it would have been had she not kept being constantly reminded of poor Ishi. She let her cockiness get the better of her and as a result, he paid the ultimate price. It was going to take some time for her to fully come to terms with that. But in the meantime, she was determined to find her friends and not let the same thing happen to them.
"So you're a friend of Jon's?" Irina questioned after clearing out another mob of zombies.
"We go to school together." Aika explained, just doing her best to keep up with their brisk pace. "I'm more interested in how you two know him." A thought occurred to her. "Wait a minute...don't tell me he's a Holy Sword Whatever too?"
"Holy Sword User." Xenovia corrected. "And no, he's not a member of our Order. At least...not anymore."
"But he was a member at one time?" Aika marveled excitedly. "I so freaking knew it! I knew there was something up with him!"
Irina frowned solemnly and cast her gaze to the floor. "Now's really not the best time to get into it. We should stay focused on getting to safety."
"About that." Aika's demeanor changed. "I was wondering if we could look for some of my friends first."
"Aika, I really hate to tell you this but the odds of them still being alive are slim to none." Xenovia spoke patiently but insistently.
"That may not be true!" She responded imploringly. "The three of us were exposed to something. We have no idea what, but it's the reason I can suddenly perform magic. They gained powers too, so it's more likely they're still alive, same as me."
Irina and Xenovia both stopped and looked at each other questioningly, as if silently asking if they really wanted to get involved in this.
"You said you were trying to save people, right?" Aika challenged before sighing. "Look...these two guys can be idiots sometimes but they're good people. They definitely don't deserve to get torn apart by zombies."
After a moment of thought, they both nodded at each other in confirmation.
"Alright, we'll help." Irina spoke up, a smile forming on her face.
"But we can't promise we'll find them." Xenovia insisted.
Aika beamed happily. "Thank you! They couldn't have gone far from the Jyongen District. We had just separated when the outbreak hit."
Irina nodded in understanding. "Alright, in that case we'll begin searching near the Mall and work our way around the square."
"Just be careful not to get grabbed while you're still recovering your magic energy." Xenovia warned. "These things are quicker than they appear and once they grab you it can be difficult to get free."
"I understand." Aika assured. "But...quick question. Once we do find our friends, what's the plan? Are we gonna try to get out of the city or…?"
Xenovia shook her head. "That's not possible at the moment, I fear." She pointed up towards the sky. "I assume you're already aware of that?"
"Yes?"
"It's a barrier of magical energy. The scope of which goes beyond any power you can find on Earth." Irina explained, her eyes cast angrily towards the dome of energy. "It's meant to keep anything from leaving the city."
"As quarantine?"
"As insurance." Xenovia spoke up glumly. "That barrier isn't just there to keep the zombies in. It's meant to ensure no one can spread word of what's going to the outside world."
"Is that the reason our phones haven't been working either?"
Irina nodded. "This entire city is on lockdown. And the ones who put up that barrier won't take it down until they're absolutely certain this outbreak has been eradicated."
"So...they're the ones behind all this?"
"Well...no." Irina admitted. "The ones who started this outbreak and the ones trying to contain it are two completely different entities."
"But make no mistake." Xenovia warned severely. "Neither one of them cares about the human lives at stake here."
Aika frowned worriedly at that. What on Earth was Jon involved with? And how did the ORC tie into all this.
"It's not really important right now." Irina insisted. "We need to focus on finding your friends and getting to safety."
"But where are we going to go? Where's a safe place to hide?"
"We have an idea." Xenovia spoke up.
Irina scowled angrily and turned away. "Your idea, you mean."
Her partner turned towards her, a weary look in her eyes. "Irina...you know it's the only option."
"I'm not going back there!" She insisted hatefully. "I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me come crawling back for help."
"You need to swallow that stubborn pride of yours and admit we don't have a choice. Once the contagion spreads far enough, the Fallen Ones will begin the next stage of their attack. When that happens, they WILL come looking for us."
She remained silent, still quietly stewing in her own bitterness.
"If we have any hopes of making it out of this alive, then we must strike a deal with them. It's the only way we can keep the Fallen Ones from claiming the Holy Swords."
"Since when do you approve of making deals with Devils, Xenovia?"
Aika gasped. Did she just say...Devils?
Xenovia's eyes grew cold. "Since I learned that everything I once stood for is based on a lie. We may not approve of their methods, but as it stands, they're the only ones doing anything about this outbreak. What was it you once said to me? The enemy of my enemy is my friend?"
"I won't do it." Irina insisted stubbornly. "I won't go back to Kuoh."
Aika felt her reality start to fracture at the seams. "Hold on...are you saying that Kuoh is run by Devils?"
Irina and Xenovia both turned and stared at Aika nervously.
"As in...Devils plural?" She asked, still not quite sure she fully believed what she was hearing.
"I know this is a lot to take in." Xenovia spoke assuringly. "But we really need to focus on the task at hand. Once we find your friends, we will make our way to Kuoh, and strike a deal with the powers that be in exchange for your safety."
"We don't even know that they'll listen to us." Irina spoke up insistently. "What makes you so sure they'll want to strike a deal?"
"Because…" Xenovia patted the case on her back. "...we have something they want."
Irina went wide eyed. "Tell me you're not suggesting what I think you are."
She shook her head vehemently. "No, I'm not saying we give them the Holy Swords. I'm saying we let them keep the swords safely out of the Fallen's hands. Under our watchful eye of course."
"That's way too risky." Irina clearly did not like this idea one bit. "They'll destroy them."
"If we reason with Rias Gremory, I'm certain it won't come to that. She may be a Devil but she's reasonable enough not to turn away a potential resource. And besides…" Xenovia clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. "...as much as it pains me to admit it. I'd rather see the swords destroyed than end up in the hands of the Fallen. After what I saw that they plan to do with them, we CANNOT afford to take that chance."
"Guys...if I can just speak up here." Aika timidly chimed in.
They both turned and looked at her.
"None of this matters until we find my friends." She insisted. "Why don't we focus on that problem before we worry about anything else?"
Xenovia and Irina both glared at each other before quietly nodding their heads. It was then they heard the sound of compressed air popping off and two voices shouting.
"Is that...a nail gun I'm hearing?" Irina asked in confusion.
Motohama continued to pop off shots with his nail gun as more zombies approached them from all sides of the Jyongan Square. Everything was going just fine until Saya started shouting at him again. Her loud mouth ranting managed to attract what had to be every zombie in a thirty yard radius to them and now the duo had been effectively pinned into a corner.
"Dammit, I'm running low on ammo!" Motohama growled as he continued to pop off shots in all directions. "What are you just standing around for, Saya?! Help me fight off these things!"
"You stupid idiot! That's your job, not mine!" She yelled back at him, equal parts angry and terrified.
"Saya, we are literally going to die here if you don't knock it off with that prissy rich girl nonsense and start fighting! I can't keep this up forever!"
"I never should have followed you!" She shrieked. "Useless, stupid idiot! You're supposed to be-"
"Look out!"
His warning came too late and a zombie descended upon her. Saya let loose a blood curdling scream that could be heard blocks away.
Off in the distance, Matsuda and Rei perked up their ears.
"Did you hear that?" She asked nervously.
"Yeah." Matsuda readied his bat. "Let's go!"
They sprinted towards the sound of screaming. On the other side of the Square, Irina, Xenovia, and Aika all made their way towards the noise as well. Both groups converged and gazed off in the distance to see Motohama desperately fending off a horde of zombies. One of them had made it past him and had Saya backed into a corner.
"We've got to help them!" Matsuda charged, swinging his bat at everything between him and Motohama.
"Irina!" Xenovia drew her SMG and called for her partner.
"Right!" She drew her Excalibur Mimic and the duo proceeded to charge with Aika following closely behind.
As the two groups converged on Motohama's position he turned and fired at the zombie who had Saya cornered.
Nothing but air, he was completely out of ammo.
"Saya!"
"Get away!" She backed as far into the corner as she could go, abject terror in her eyes. "Get back! Stay back!"
The Zombie lurched forward to grab her. Running purely on instinct Saya grabbed the first thing her hand touched in the duffle bag and jammed it in the zombies forehead as it came down on her.
"GET AWAY!"
The electric drill in her hand powered on and embedded itself in the zombie's forehead. As it bored into its brain, blood splattered all over Saya. The horrified girl tried desperately to hide her face from the blood and brain matter soaking her clothes as she slowly began to slip into a full blown panic attack.
"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! SOMEONE PLEASE!" She shrieked desperately.
Motohama rushed to her and grabbed the zombie, using all his strength to pull the now destroyed creature off the poor girl before it began to disintegrate into nothing. As he did this, Irina, Xenovia, Matsuda, and Rei finished mopping up the rest of the horde and quickly rejoined with them.
The Perverted Trio had been reunited at last.
"All clear." Irina declared.
"Motohama!" Aika rushed to her friend, who was busy tending to Saya.
"Aika?" Matsuda asked before running over and joining his friends.
Motohama didn't respond, all his attention was focused on calming down Saya. Who at that moment was in a state of shock and breathing far too fast.
"Saya...Saya listen to me." He tried to be as gentle as possible. "You need to slow your breathing down. At this rate you're gonna make yourself pass ou-"
"SHUT UP!" She shrieked at him before backing away and getting back to her feet. "What gives you the right to boss me around, Motohama! You're just a nobody! A pervert! A loser!"
"Wait...is that Saya Takaga?" Matsuda asked curiously.
Aika nodded. "I think it is."
"You know her?" Rei asked Matsuda.
He nodded. "We go to Kuoh together. But what's that spoiled daddy's girl doing out here with Motohama?"
"It's a long story." He insisted before turning his attention back to her. "Saya, you're in shock. You need to calm down otherwise there's a chance you could-"
"DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE I'M STUPID!" Her eyes were wild, unhinged. Like something inside her had completely snapped. "I'M SMARTER THAN ALL OF YOU COMBINED!"
"She's lost it." Irina murmured, her hand cautiously going to her revolver strapped to her side. "At this rate, she's liable to draw more of the infected to us."
"W...wait! You're not gonna shoot her, are you?" Rei quickly got in front of her.
"No. But if necessary, I will knock her unconscious. We can't take any risks and she's painting a giant target on our back."
"Any of you come near me and so help me God I'll fucking-"
Her back hit the wall. Saya slowly turned around and peered into the reflective paneling that composed the Mall's exterior. What she saw staring back at her made her entire reality come crashing down around her.
"Look at me…" She was covered in blood and brain matter. Her face, her clothes, her hair, there wasn't a spot on the normally pristine princess that wasn't coated in coagulated gore. "Look at all these blood stains. The cleaners bill for this is going to be...is going to be…"
Rei gingerly walked up to Saya and placed a hand on her shoulder. She offered the shellshocked girl a compassionate smile.
"It's okay. You're going to be alright."
She'd never met this girl before. She didn't even know her name. Yet as the trauma of her ordeal slowly caught up to her, Saya wrapped herself around her and hugged her tight all the same. Slowly, she began to break down. Crying like a frightened child clinging to her mother while slowly sinking to the ground alongside Rei. While Saya cried, the others stood in stoic silence, each of them with the same forlorn expressions on their face. The emotions she displayed expressing the turmoil they all felt in their hearts.
This was a nightmare. An honest to God nightmare.
After they managed to get Saya to calm down, the group all made appropriate introductions with one another and discussed where they went from there. They were all in agreement about what needed to happen next.
Their destination was Kuoh. For better or worse, they were heading for that bright beacon of light in the darkness.
Well...almost everyone was onboard. Irina was still vehemently against returning to the place where the man she was trying so hard to completely cut out of her life was located. Not to mention, she hated the idea of taking the Holy Swords to that place. After everything they had gone through just to retrieve them, this seemed like the worst possible idea.
But majority vote ruled against her. And barring striking out on her own, there really weren't any other options available for her. So she begrudgingly followed along, reminding herself that innocent lives were at stake.
After walking for a few blocks, the group raided a nearby pharmacy for supplies. Food, medicine, anything they thought they might need. There was no telling how long it would take them to get there, nor did they want to risk being unprepared should things turn south.
Saya took some time to wash up as best she could in the bathroom and get the blood off her skin and hair. It the end there was only so much she could do, but it was better than nothing.
Feeling a bit worried, Motohama decided to go check on her. He knocked on the door to the women's room and called for her.
"Hey...Saya? I swear I'm not perving or anything. I'm just wondering if you're doing okay." He called to her before peeking his head around the door.
His breath stopped as she proceed to put on a pair of slim fitting spectacles and peer at him curiously. He was entranced. With that one little act, it was like her whole aesthetic had completely changed. Like all this time she was missing something, only to find it here and now.
Never in his life had he seen such a beautiful woman before.
"You...you wear glasses…" He observed in stunned bewilderment.
"Shut up!" She snarled at him before tossing a towel onto his head. "One of my contact lenses fell out when that zombie knocked me to the ground. These were the closest pair I could find that matched my prescription."
He pulled the towel off of his head, his eyes still permanently fixed on her. "You...wear glasses."
She guffawed and her cheeks lit up. Saya slapped him across the cheek to knock him out of his stupor.
"Who do you think you're staring at, Perv?!" As angry as she sounded, there was no denying the redness in her cheeks.
"N...no!" He shook his head vehemently, having finally sobered up. "It's just...I think I finally see it now."
She quirked a brow at him impatiently. "See what?"
"How beautiful you really are." He explained. "At first I couldn't tell, your eyes were so cold and hard...but now...it's like your eyes are the only thing mine care to see."
She made a small indignant noise before heating up like a thermometer. With a menacing growl she proceeded to knock him over the head with her fist.
"S...ST...STUPID!"
While she stormed off in a flustered huff, he happily melted into a puddle of catatonic goo on the floor. For the first time in his life, Motohama had been exposed to a woman who made his heart stir as opposed to his pants.
"She wears glasses…" He repeated again, his heart thudding madly in his chest.
After they successfully resupplied, the group discussed what their next move should be. They were all in agreement of their objective, now it was just a matter of planning the route.
"We'll stick to back streets." Aika declared while drawing on the city map he found. "Assuming we move carefully, it shouldn't take us more than two days to get there by foot."
"Two days?" Matsuda sounded unsure. "Is that really the best we can do, Bra?"
She shrugged. "If you have a better plan, I'm all ears. As it stands, this is the only route we have that keeps us out of the hotspots."
"What if we tried going through the Subways?" He offered.
"Assuming we were lucky enough to not get blocked off by a train, those tunnels are going to be congested with the undead. I all but guarantee it." Aika insisted.
While they discussed strategy, Rei flipped through channels on the TV. They were all static. Not one of them was working.
"Would you give it up?" Saya spoke in an aggravated tone. "Obviously flipping through every channel a hundred times isn't going to make the TV magically start working again."
"You can't blame me for trying." She insisted, slightly off put by Saya's bad attitude. "We have no idea if this is going on outside the city or not."
"It isn't." Xenovia spoke up. "That barrier in the sky all but guarantees it. This epidemic has been effectively isolated to this city alone. It's likely the outside world doesn't even know what's going on."
"But...surely someone knows by now." Rei tried to sound hopeful.
She shook her head. "Trust me, they don't. The last thing the ones who orchestrated the quarantine want is for word to spread of this outbreak."
"But why?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Saya spoke up in a snarky, condescending tone. "It's to avoid panic. If word of this spread to the outside world, all of Japan, no all of the world would be thrown on red alert. Countries would start closing down borders, governments would begin pointing fingers at one another looking for an explanation. Mass hysteria could kick in, it would make things a hundred times worse."
"That is...one reason. Yes." Xenovia spoke grimly. "Another is to keep the identities of the ones behind all of this a secret."
They all stared at her in confusion.
"Don't you find it strange that all of this happened in the matter of a few hours? Normally, an epidemic of this size would take days to develop, if not weeks."
Saya nodded in agreement. "It took months before anyone started to notice the SARS outbreak in China. And that was a whole country that was affected."
"Yet in mere hours, over half the cities population was struck with a mutant virus strain that turned them into living dead." Xenovia observed. "The only way that could have happened is if someone dispersed the pathogen into high traffic areas of the city."
Aika lurched up from her spot on the floor and glared at her in disbelief. "Are you telling me this was an act of Bio-Terrorism?"
She shook her head. "I'm afraid what's happening here is so much worse than terrorism. This is the beginning of a full blown invasion."
Aika blanched. "Of Japan?"
"Of the world." She corrected. "Those zombies are just the footsoldiers. Infantryman to swell the frontlines. More will come. Stronger in number and with powers you cannot even begin to fathom." Her voice carried the gravity of her words. "If they should breach through that barrier, nothing will stop them covering this planet in a plague of undeath."
"So what, some psycho nutjobs are gonna take over the world by turning everyone into zombies? That's crazy!" Matsuda insisted.
"It's not just crazy, it's illogical." Saya scoffed. "Corpses, moving or otherwise, make for poor foot soldiers. Their bodies will break down, they'll decompose. Once the heat of summer sets in, their muscles and nervous systems will break down faster than they can infect people."
From the corner of store, Irina laughed. She'd been mostly keeping to herself since they arrived there, leaning against one of the cash register conveyer belts while they talked out their plans.
"What's so funny?!" Saya growled.
"I really hate to break it to you, Sweety. But your medical logic doesn't apply to these things. They weren't born of any natural virus." Irina explained, a smug grin plastered on her face. "What we're dealing with, is Necromancy. Death magic born of the Underworld."
"Death magic." She repeated back to her as if she were a crazy person. "Tell me that's a joke, right?"
"There's no joke here." Irina warned severely. "What Xenovia said is true. These things are just the beginning. The ones behind this, the ones pulling the strings, they are agents of Kane. Apostles of the end times...Fallen Angels."
"F...Fallen Angels?" Rei gulped back her fears.
She nodded. "This is just the beginning. Phase one of the invasion. Once the footsoldiers have established themselves in the city, they'll send in the Special Forces. From their, the Elites. Warriors with wings as black as the night sky will descend upon the city, heralding the end of times for all of humanity."
Saya broke out into a fit of hysterical laughter. Everyone around her frowned in annoyance.
"That is fucking rich." She wiped a mirthful tear from her eye. "Would you seriously listen to yourself? You're talking about Biblical Providence."
"You're saying this is an apocalypse?" Motohama asked nervously.
"I'm saying it's an extermination." She spoke bluntly.
"Hold on, how do you know so much about this shit?" Matsuda asked insistently.
She cast her violet eyes at him, a stern look in her gaze. "Because I've been trained to fight these creatures since I was thirteen years old. As have all the Hunters of the Saintly Knights of Michael."
"That's what Jon used to be, isn't it." He spoke breathlessly. "A Hunter."
Her expression glowered. "In a way he still is...but...he's switched sides."
"You're kidding." Aika glared at her in disbelief. "You can't seriously tell me he's working for these Fallen Angels is he?"
She slowly shook her head, staring off into space. Her partner, meanwhile, frowned at her in concern. "No...no….he's not working for them. He's working for the OTHER team. The ones who erected that barrier. The ones who will do anything to make sure this outbreak is never discovered by humankind. The true Lords of the Underworld."
Aika remembered something she overhead Xenovia and Irina talking about while they were walking together.
"Devils…" Her skin paled. "Jon is working for...Devils." Her mind was reeling. Suddenly it all made sense. The Occult Research Club, the Gremory family, all of it. It was all a front. The University of Kuoh was a Haven for a Devil Family!
"He isn't just working for them…" Irina continued grimly. "...he is ONE of them."
They all went deathly quiet at this grave revelation, save for Saya who scoffed dismissively.
"Yeah, and I'm secretly the Tooth Fairy." She quipped, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "This is crazy! You dumbasses are getting yourselves worked up into hysterics over Antiquated Dogma!'
"You can't deny what you've seen with your own eyes." Aika glared at her coldly. "That barrier over the city. The dead walking the streets. Not to mention my magic."
"All I've seen so far is a severely deadly pathogen and some sort of lightshow in the sky. And as for your magic, I have yet to actually see any of it with my own two eyes. So unless you wanna do a bit of hocus pocus for me right here and now, then really I've only got your word to go on that you're not just a crazy person." She glared at Irina next. "And as for you, you can keep your Scripture, and your holy mumbo jumbo to yourself. I don't believe in angels, or Devils...I don't even believe in God."
"Well that's just fine, Saya." Irina's partner stood up and eyed her coldly. "Because right now, he doesn't believe in you either."
Irina frowned at her. "Xenovia…"
"Whether you like it or not, the five of you are stuck in the middle of a war between two factions that run just about everything there is to run on God's Green Earth. If you have any hope of surviving this Hell come to life. Then you have to pick a side." She cast her gaze specifically at Irina as she spoke this next part. "God has nothing to do with this unholy struggle. And his eyes are not upon those caught in the crossfire."
"Look, seeing as I'm apparently the only voice of reason here." Saya spoke up in that same arrogant tone. "Let me just say right now that every single one of you are complete IDIOTS. There's a perfectly logical, scientific explanation for what is going on, and just because we don't...have the…"
Xenovia slowly began to approach Saya as she talked. The girl started trembling and backing away from the terrifyingly cold glare she was giving off. The Holy Sword User's eyes began to glow and her body became encased in psionic energy before she slammed her fist into the display shelf that Saya was standing next to. Everyone save for Irina jumped in both fear and surprise, Saya worst of all, who collapsed to the ground.
Upon inspecting the damage, it was revealed she had sent the display case flying to the very back of the store, knocking out five additional shelves in the process, as well as completely smashing in the back wall. Leaving a trail of destruction almost forty yards in length.
"Care to explain that one, oh great Voice of Reason?"
By the look on Saya's face, it was clear she wasn't in a position to explain anything right now. Her perception of reality had just been effectively shattered for the second time in less than an hour.
"So…" After shaking off the initial shock of what she just witnessed, Rei timidly spoke up. "You say we have to pick a side...what do you mean by that exactly?"
"I mean that you have to choose between the two forces fighting this war." Xenovia explained bluntly. "And seeing as the Fallen Angels have no use for humans except as walking corpses, that really only leaves you with one option."
"You mean...we have to side with Devils if we hope to survive?" She sounded horrified by the prospect. "Is that really a good idea?"
"Yeah, I mean…" Motohama fidgeted uncomfortably. "I'm not exactly the religious type myself. But wouldn't Devils be considered to be worse than Fallen Angels
After a moment of thought, Xenovia sighed and shook her head. "In this instance, absolutely not. The one leading these Fallen Angels desires nothing from humankind beyond their utter annihilation. The Devil Peerages currently residing at Kuoh, while Prideful, Arrogant, and more than a little Narcissistic, CAN be reasoned with...for the right price."
"Jesus Christ, Xenovia would you listen to yourself?" Irina insisted angrily. "You're asking them to condemn their eternal souls."
"I am asking them to make a choice." She retorted sharply. "The only choice that truly matters in the end. Life...or Death?"
The five of them remained in stunned silence until at last Rei stepped forward.
"I'll do it. I choose life."
"Rei?" Matsuda stared at her in disbelief.
"When I watched as my Grandfather died right in front of me." She bowed her head and trembled at the memory. "I prayed to every God I could think of to please let him live, but none of them answered me. I am DONE praying for miracles. If striking a deal with the Devil means that we get out of this alive, then so be it."
After a moment, he smiled at her and nodded. "If you're doing it, then so am I. I promised your Gramps you'd get out of this alive."
"I'm in too." Motohama spoke up next. "I may not trust Devils necessarily, but I do trust Jon. He's been good to us, and if anyone knows how to fix this mess, it'll be him."
Matsuda knocked fists with Motohama before turning to Aika. "Well, Bra? You in or out?"
She cast her gaze the group squirrely for a moment, as if toying with the idea in her head. Before shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly. "Eh, fuck it. I'm in. I mean...I was already going to hell for being a Lesbian, right? What have I got to lose?"
All eyes then turned to Saya who had been quietly moping on the ground.
"What?" She stared up at them angrily. "I still think you're all nuts."
"Come on, Saya." Motohama insisted. "You can't tell me you're still having doubts."
After a moment of stubborn scowling her expression finally softened and she sighed resigningly "Look...I'm not saying I believe any of this nonsense. But…" She stood up and stared at Motohama, a light blush creeping over her cheeks. "...Motohama, I do believe you. I guess...sort of.."
He gawked at her, his face turning red. Aika and Matsuda both cast knowing glances at one another and snickered to themselves.
"You were right." Saya continued, though she didn't sound happy about it. "Kuoh is most likely the safest place in the city right now. So...I'll follow you."
"Saya…"
"D...Don't think it's because I suddenly like you or anything! You're still a loser pervert, as far as I'm concerned." She folded her arms and turned her head away defiantly, hiding her blushing cheeks.
Xenovia smiled at them. "I'm glad to see you're all reasonable about this. Stick together, work as a team, and we may just make it out of this alive."
"Alive…" Irina snarled.
Her partner turned to her and glared coldly.
"What kind of life will they be living after this, hmm?" She challenged. "You make it sound like this little deal they're going to strike is a two way street." Irina turned and addressed them. "She is speaking of something she barely knows anything about. Your souls are not worth whatever deal it is you stand to gain by bargaining with Devils."
"I know more than you do." Xenovia responded, the slightest edge to her voice. "Or have you forgotten I'm still your senior within the Order? I've been at this a lot longer than you have, Irina."
"Just because you've lost sight of your faith, that doesn't give you the right to condemn them as well." Irina seethed through clenched teeth. "You are forcing a change upon them that they cannot possibly be prepared for."
"Do NOT speak to ME about forcing CHANGE!"
All went quiet. They were all stunned by the normally stoic Xenovia's sudden outburst. None more so than Irina. She had never seen her lose her temper quite like that before.
Xenovia took a moment to compose herself and allow the redness in her face to clear before continuing. "Just because you chose to join the Order doesn't mean we all did. Your faith came of your own accord, mine didn't."
Irina shook her head in disgust. "You sound just like him now."
She grinned wickedly at her. "And there it is. The truth. The real reason you fear that School. Not because of Kuoh's Devils...but because of its Dragon."
"Watch it, Xenovia." Irina growled threateningly.
"I was the first to say we shouldn't make deals with the Gremory Peerage." Xenovia pointed to herself, her eyes hard, biting. "YOU were the one who convinced me otherwise. Now suddenly, when the Fallen Ones threaten to consume everything, you're too good for their help?" She chuckled at her and shook her head. "You're a lot of things, Irina. But you're not a hypocrite. I know the real reason you're afraid to go back there."
Irina got directly in her face. "I said...back...off!"
"It must have taken every ounce of strength you had to say no to him once, didn't it?" Xenovia challenged, that twisted smile still plastered on her face. "And if you saw him again, I'd be willing to bet you couldn't do so a second time."
The slap that followed resonated throughout the abandoned store. At first, it was hard to tell who was more surprised. Irina, the one who did the slapping? Or Xenovia, the one who got slapped? Either way, the end result was the same. With a chiding, hateful smirk, Xenovia turned her head…
...and offered the other cheek.
"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." She spoke with cruel irony.
Irina backed away, no longer recognizing the woman standing in front of her. "Who...are you?"
"Someone who refuses to be a puppet for the Church a moment longer."
"You never intended to return the swords to the Church, did you?" She glared at her hatefully. "You were going to hand them right over to the Devils."
"This is the ONLY way." Xenovia seethed. "I will not dictate a course of action that leads to further bloodshed."
After a moment of silence, Irina's expression turned cold. She turned and headed for the door.
"I'm leaving."
Xenovia's heart sank.
"Irina wait." Aika looked like she wanted to stop her, but Matsuda got in her path, shaking his head insistently.
"There's nothing left for me here." She spoke in a low somber tone. "I won't be party to this sacrilege a moment longer."
"Irina...don't do this." Xenovia insisted. "You can't face what's about to come on your own."
"Through Christ, I can overcome any ordeal." She turned and glared back at Xenovia, clutching her Mother's cross in her hand. "If I am to walk this path alone, then so be it."
Xenovia lowered her head, a pained expression on her face. "Your faith always was stronger than mine."
"I was prepared to say goodbye to Jon." Irina spoke painfully. "I didn't think I would have to say goodbye to you too."
With that, she turned to leave. As Irina reached down to grab the Holy Swords Case however, she heard the sound of an SMG slide cocking back.
"Don't." Xenovia warned, her weapon in hand. "The swords stay here."
Irina clenched her fist inches away from the case. "And suppose I were to take them from you?"
"Don't try it." She insisted almost pleadingly. "You know how this would end."
They couldn't see it, but she was smirking.
"Yes...I do."
Irina left, leaving the case behind as she made for the door. All fell silent once she was gone, until at last Matsuda spoke up.
"So...what's this about Jon being a Dragon?"
The group marched on despite having lost a member. With Irina gone, it was up to Xenovia to lead this group of survivors to Kuoh. With a heavy heart, she guided them through the city, the Holy Relics strapped to her back.
"The sun will be setting soon." Rei commented in a low, placated tone. "Maybe we should consider finding shelter."
"That's actually not a bad idea." Motohama pointed out. "It'll be especially dangerous at night with no power in the city."
"We'll find something." Xenovia assured.
After walking for a bit longer, Aika approached Matsuda and held out her hand. "Hey...let me see your bat."
"Hmm?" He checked his weapon and then looked back at her. "Why?"
"Would you just give it here?" She insisted with a beckoning of her palm.
He reluctantly placed the vintage slugger in her hand. Whereupon she inspected it thoroughly.
"It's already starting to splinter." She commented. "At this rate it'll shatter."
"Well what did you expect? It's wood." Saya commented in a snarky tone.
Aika channeled her magic into the palms of her fingers and reinforced the bat. She then offered it back Matsuda.
"It feels heavier." He commented while running his hand along its smooth surface. "But also...sturdier."
She nodded. "If my little spell worked, that bat should be as hard as steel now."
"Oh, give me a break." Saya rolled her eyes. "You don't honestly expect us to believe that, do you?"
Matsuda glanced over at a nearby brick column. "Only one way to find out."
"You could alert the Horde." Xenovia cautioned.
"It should be fine." He assured while approaching his target. "Those sirens will keep them distracted." He then motioned with his head towards Saya before bringing the bat up over his head. "And if it means shutting her up once and for all that's a chance I'm willing to take."
Saya scoffed at him before adjusting her spectacles. "Not sure what it is you hope to prove. Even if by some miracle she was able to increase the bat's molecular density just by touching it, a normal human could never smash through a brick column with nothing but a steel-"
He swung and the bat passed through the column, knocking brick to the ground and blasting a sizable chunk out of the wall. Saya lept back in surprise, once again her peerless logic proved flawed.
Rei giggled. "I guess it's a good thing then that Matsuda's not an ordinary human." She looked over at Saya. "You know, instead of trying to prove everyone wrong all the time. Maybe you should try focusing on figuring out a way to help out."
She grumbled in protest and followed the group in silence. After a few more minutes of walking, however, she caught sight of something. A deceased cop rested against the wall of the residential district they were traveling through. Motohama appeared to be too busy checking for potential ambush spots to notice, so she ran over to the body instead.
Upon closer inspection she noted that he appeared to have died via self inflicted bullet wound to the cranium. Next to his body, a message had been scrawled out in blood.
"Got bit. Fever hit. Cities gone to shit. May as well quit." She grimaced. "Awfully gruesome for last words." Saya then inspected the corpse itself more thoroughly. "Interesting...so the bodies don't dissolve if the pathogen doesn't have time to properly gestate."
"Saya! Get the lead out!" Matsuda insisted.
"Yeah yeah, I'm coming!" She shouted back in annoyance. Okay, no more stalling. Time to do what she came here to do.
Saya reached for his belt searching for a gun, trying her best not to think about what she was touching.
"Gross gross gross gross gross gross gross gross….." She chanted over and over again as she gingerly picked his sidearm out of its holster and dropped it the moment it was free.
She sighed. "Okay...now for the ammo." Saya relieved him of any extra rounds she could find.
The body suddenly lurched forward.
"WAH!" She jumped back and scooted away.
"Saya!" Motohama was there before anyone could react to what was going on. "You okay?"
"Yeah yeah, I'm fine." She quickly got up and dusted herself off. "Stupid corpse just spooked me."
Motohama looked to see that the Officer was well and truly dead. She must have tugged on the body a little too hard, he surmised.
"So what are you doing looting corpses?" Motohama asked curiously.
She frowned in annoyance before casting her gaze away, her cheeks flaring red with embarrassment.
"Saya?" He asked again.
After grumbling reluctantly she slowly outstretched her palms, offering him the weapon in one hand and all the rounds she could find in the other. She kept her gaze turned away from him as she did so.
"Here…"
He blinked at her in surprise before slowly taking the gun from her outstretched hand. He inspected it carefully, that wicked grin forming on his face again.
"The New Nambu M60." He pulled the slide out and inspected the rounds. "Fitted for the .38 Specials. Not a bad find, Saya."
She frowned deeper and blushed harder. "The ammo is all bloody but it should still work. I figured a real gun would work better for you then that stupid nail gun."
He took the rounds from her and pocketed the gun. "Thanks. This will help a lot."
"I didn't do it for you!" She insisted sharply, her hands crossed in defiance. "I'm just trying to make myself useful is all…"
A couple yards away, Matsuda, Rei, and Aika watched this scene unfold and chuckled quietly amongst each other.
"He sure was quick to get over there when he thought she was in danger." Matsuda pointed out.
"And she sure was quick to go rummaging around a dead body just to get him a gun." Rei pointed out.
"You two thinking what I'm thinking?" Aika grinned mischievously.
"Oh absolutely."
Further down still, Xenovia watched how the five of them interacted with each other. Even amidst all this darkness, they still managed to find some measure of levity.
She couldn't help but smile.
Finding the gun gave Motohama an idea about what to do regarding shelter for the night. Turns out, his uncle's place wasn't terribly far from where they currently were, and it was empty on account of him being out of the Country. As luck would have it, Motohama still had a key.
Unfortunately, due to major roadblocks and a massive horde of zombies, there was no direct route to get there. Which left them with only one option.
Xenovia pried the manhole covering away with her psionic strength before casually tossing it aside. The group stared down at the unappealing route, none of them seemingly thrilled about this development.
"Ugggh." Saya covered her mouth and nose with her hand and turned away. "Disgusting."
"It's either this or the zombies." Xenovia spoke bluntly.
"I'm still debating which is worse." She responded flatly.
"Man...I hate sewer levels." Matsuda groaned.
"Is this really the best option?" Aika whined complacently. "The smell is ungodly."
"Hey, just try to think of this as a close encounter of the turd kind." Motohama joked lightheartedly.
Aika shoved him, rolling her eyes despite the smile on her face.
Xenovia craned her head up towards the clouds. "We're losing daylight. It's now or never."
Matsuda nodded in understanding. "Let's do it."
"I'll go first." She declared before jumping down into the hole and landing gracefully on her feet.
Matsuda climbed down the ladder behind her. "Rei, come down after me. That way if you fall I can catch you."
She blushed fiercely and nodded. "Okay…"
After Rei it was Motohama's turn. As he took his spot on the ladder he turned his head up and looked at Saya. "You coming?"
She folded her arms and glared at him suspiciously. "If you stare up my skirt I will end you, Perv."
Aika rolled her eyes at her. "Would you just go already?"
Saya whined complacently as she took her place on the ladder and descended into the sewers. Followed by Aika who brought up the rear.
Once they successfully made it down, Xenovia tried to switch on her suit light but it wasn't working.
"Damn...batteries out."
"Which kind do you need?" Rei began rummaging through her supply bag. "I've got Double A. Triple A."
"C?" She asked curiously.
Rei frowned. "Literally everything but."
They all collectively groaned.
"I'm sorry, okay?" She pouted indignantly. "Those are really hard to find."
"Don't worry. I've got this." Aika assured. She channeled her magic into her palm and created a small orb of light that floated alongside them.
"Cute." Rei giggled.
"Let's get moving." Xenovia insisted. "The sooner we're back on the surface the better."
"Why?" Matsuda asked nervously. "What's down here?"
She glared down the pitch black tunnel suspiciously. "Just...try not to wander too far from the light."
The trek was arduous and stinky. And while no one was happy about having to journey through the sewers, it was of course Saya who made her protesting the most vocal. Much to the aggravation of her fellow group members.
"I am breathing in this shit air, it's going into my lungs, I am literally full of SHIT." She bemoaned dramatically.
"Hey, Saya?" Aika turned back to her.
"Huh?"
"Shut the fuck up please, before I push you into the drain."
She blanched at the thought. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Try me, Bitch." Aika narrowed her eyes at her. "It's been almost a day since I've had any coffee and I'm really not in the mood right now."
"Alright you two, that's enough." Rei insisted.
"Hey, she started it!" Saya pointed at her accusingly to which Aika simply blew her a raspberry like a three year old.
Rei sighed wearily. "Unbelievable. Would you two please at least try to act your age?"
"Hmph! I will if she will." Saya folded her arms and turned her head defiantly.
"Look, we're all a little on edge, I get that. We've been through a lot today." Rei was trying to keep herself composed but their constant bickering was really starting to wear thin on her nerves. "But this whole process will go by a lot faster if you just-"
She bumped into Matsuda who had come to a dead stop. Xenovia having raised her hand in the air to signal them to halt.
"What is it?" Motohama asked worriedly.
"Aika, bring your light over here."
"O...okay." She did as asked and guided the light to the section of the tunnel Xenovia was pointing at, illuminating everything around it.
What awaited them in the dark made their stomachs churn.
"Oh nice…" Matsuda commented in disgust before turning his head away.
"Fuck, turn it off would you?" Saya wretched.
The dead body of a sewer worker lay resting against the wall. He was missing his legs and waist and his entrails were spilling out of his torso. Xenovia knelt down next to the body and inspected it thoroughly. Seemingly less than bothered by the stench wafting off of it.
"This body has been decomposing for several days." She observed.
"But…" Rei shook her head. "...no that can't be. The outbreak didn't start until just a few hours ago."
"It wasn't the zombies that did this." Xenovia pointed to the corpse. "See those claw marks along the torso? No human can create wounds like this, undead or otherwise."
A deathly chill ran down their spines.
"This man was killed by something different...something worse."
"So then what the hell are we doing in this sewer?!" Saya began to panic again. "We were better off staying on the street!"
Rei glared at her sharply and pressed a finger up to her lips. "You need to keep your voice down."
"No!" She shouted angrily. "No, I've had enough of this!" Saya wheeled towards Xenovia and pointed at her. "You're supposed to be a Hunter? You're the WORST Hunter I've ever met! I know Housewives with better survival instincts than you do!"
An angry grin crept over Xenovia's lip. "Maybe you would have preferred if Motohama had left you in the mall?"
"At least he didn't lead us down a sewer drain with man eating beasts lurking in the shadows!" She angrily accused. "Honestly, I'm starting to think we were better off following Irina then your Dumbass!"
They didn't even see her move. One minute Xenovia was standing in front of them the next she was in Saya's face, gripping her by the collar of her blouse and hoisting her up in the air.
"If that's your choice then feel free to go back." She spoke in a severe tone. "But if you don't shut your mouth right now, I WILL shut it for you. Do you understand me?"
The petrified girl silently nodded her head before being unceremoniously dropped on the floor.
"Let's move." Xenovia insisted with her usual cold detachment. "Now we've really got to hurry."
As everyone turned to leave, Saya quietly stewed on the ground, her eyes cast bitterly to the floor. She made a slightly startled noise and looked up curiously, however, upon hearing someone approach.
Motohama knelt down and took his jacket off before placing it over her shoulders.
"You're shivering." He smiled sweetly at her. "It'd suck if you got sick now."
Her mouth fell agape and her cheeks flared. He couldn't hear it, but her heart was thudding madly in her chest. When did this loser get to be such a...gentleman?
He offered her a hand up. "Come on. We don't want to fall behind."
She gingerly took his hand and followed with her eyes cast away and her lips in a full pout.
"Thank you…" She quietly murmured.
He shrugged. "Don't mention it. I'm used to the cold anyway."
Saya took a moment to sniff at the fairly worn old jacket, grimacing reflexively. "Ugh...when was the last time you cleaned this thing?"
Motohama chuckled at her in amusement. "Hey, for the record, you stink a hell of a lot more than my jacket does."
She moaned pitifully. "Don't remind me."
They continued their silent march. Now more wary than ever of what may be lurking in the dark.
Several minutes passed and fortune continued to hold. So far nothing had managed to surprise them and they were nearing the end of the tunnel.
"We should be getting close." Xenovia declared.
"Thank God." Saya groaned wearily while clutching Motohama's jacket tighter to her. "I thought we would never get out of here."
During the journey, Rei had kept a near constant grip on Matsuda's arm. Whenever she heard something scary, she'd instinctively clutch him tighter. The atmosphere between them was starting to get tense and he feared if he didn't say something he'd start falling into bad habits and put his foot in his mouth.
"So…" He turned his head away, trying hard not to think about just how heavy her breasts felt on his arm. "...any plans when we get to Kuoh?"
She gave him a curious look before smiling and shaking her head. "No...I figured I'd just stay with you."
"Oh…" He blushed. "I mean...yeah that's cool." His features suddenly brightened. "I can introduce you to Jon. Aside from Matsuda, he's my best friend on campus. And you'll love the members of his club too. Rias and Asia are both super nice. Akeno is one of the politest people you'll ever meet. Kiba, well to be fair, I haven't seen him around in awhile. And Koneko...well, okay, she can actually be pretty mean sometimes, but she's still a cool person."
Rei chuckled at him good spiritedly. "I'm sure I'll like them."
He suddenly frowned, a thought occurring to him. "Actually...on second thought, I'm not sure I'm ready for you to meet him just yet."
She gave him a confused look. "Why not?"
"Because…" He sighed. "...Jon is a way cooler guy than I am. He's got ladies clinging to him left and right and he's way better looking. And apparently he's also a badass Dragon/Devil who hunts monsters for a living." Matsuda drooped shamefully. "I guess I'm just nervous that...when you meet him you won't want to hang out with me anymore."
Rei frowned sourly at him, turning her gaze away in hurt. "Why would you say that?"
Now it was him peering at her curiously.
"You think I care how popular or good looking this guy is? Is that really your opinion of me? That I'm so shallow I'll dump you off for the better model the moment I get the chance?"
She was legitimately angry. Matsuda wasn't sure what to do about this.
"I'm sorry." He insisted vehemently. "Please, don't get mad. I swear I wasn't trying to insult you."
After a moment the angry scowl melted away into a pouty frown. "Honestly it hurts my feelings more than anything. Do you really think I'm that shallow?"
"Of course I don't." He assured.
"Then why would you say that?"
He sighed glumly. "I wanna show you something." Matsuda dug into his pockets and pulled out his wallet. He took out an old photo of him and handed it to her. "Take a look at that picture."
Rei peered down at the complete stranger and then back up at him in confusion. "I don't get it. Is this a distant Cousin of yours or something?"
He smiled sadly. "That's me…before all this started."
Rei gawked at the photo again incredulously. Her gaze shifted from the well groomed man with a full head of hair and strong biceps back down to the skinny bald guy in the photo. There was just no way. They looked absolutely nothing alike.
"Rei…" He looked completely downcast as he admitted his embarrassing secret. "...before our transformations, Motohama and I were the least popular guys on campus. You can ask Saya or Aika about it and they'll tell you. All the women at our school hated us. We were...the school Perverts. The losers…"
She cast her gaze up at him sadly, it broke her heart seeing him like this.
"Jon was the only person who would hang out with us before Aika came along." He smiled at the memories of the three of them hanging out. "He was always so confident and sure about everything. Girls hung on every word that came out of his mouth and there wasn't a guy on campus who wasn't jealous of him. It was like he...projected this aura that was completely impossible to ignore."
"You must admire him a lot." She observed, her voice low.
He nodded. "More than anything, Motohama and I wanted to figure out his secret. We wanted to be just like him so badly we would have done anything to be on the same level as him." Matsuda clenched his fist until his knuckles turned white. "But that was never gonna be possible. Jon's a freaking Dragon. Some Mythical creature with godlike status. He was BORN cool. Everything that's cool about me came out of a bottle."
"Matsuda…"
"How am I supposed to compare to that?" His body began to tremble. It looked like he might break down. "It doesn't matter what I do, I'll always be in Jon's shadow. I'll always be a freaking loser!"
She shut him up with a kiss. Out of nowhere Rei pulled Matsuda to her and pressed her lips firmly to his with her eyes shut. The sheer shock was enough for his brain to completely shut down, but after a moment he finally relaxed into her and shut his eyes as well. He never knew a girl's lips could be this soft. He'd always pictured it in his mind, but never quite like this.
Finally, she pulled away from him and caressed his cheek. Nobody was home. Matsuda's brain had officially left the building.
"I could care less about any of that." She whispered to him, her cheeks flushed from the encounter. "You'll always just be you to me. Whether you look like this, or like the man in that photo."
"Uh huh…" He nodded, having not heard a word she just said.
"So stop comparing yourself to Jon, okay?" She insisted. "You're your own person. And I think that person is wonderful." Rei hugged him tightly to her. "I wouldn't trade this person for anything."
"Uh huh…" He muttered again.
She frowned in annoyance and pulled away. "Are you even listening to me?"
"What?" He finally snapped out of it. "Y...yeah yeah! I am. It's just…" His face turned red again and he turned his head away meekly. "That...that was my first…"
She peered at him questioningly for a moment until it finally dawned on her what he was saying. "That was your first kiss?"
He nodded silently.
Rei giggled, turning her head away and blushing as well. "That...makes me really happy. It was my first kiss too."
His eyes went wide and he stared at her in disbelief. "It was?!"
She nodded, her cheeks still rosey from the thought. "You may not believe me but it's true. You were my first kiss, Matsuda. That's not something Jon can ever say about himself. Only you can."
Okay, now he was trying REALLY hard not to cry. Matsuda hugged her close to him and they embraced once more.
"Rei…" He whispered. "I think I-"
"Hey! Lovebirds!" Aika called back to them. "Don't fall behind!"
They both broke away at the sudden interruption before staring back at each other and chuckling awkwardly.
"We should...get moving."
He nodded. "Yeah...we should."
They both rejoined the group, albeit continuing to keep to the rear. Matsuda took Rei by the hand and she blushed before leaning in close to him.
The tender moment was completely ruined by an inhuman shriek resounding through the corridor.
"Wh...what was that?" Saya asked before quickly hiding behind Motohama.
Xenovia readied her SMG. "I was afraid of this. The sewers have been taken over by mutants."
Aika gulped before slowly backing against the wall. "Did you say...mutants?"
She nodded. "They're abominations created in a lab by the very same virus that produced those zombies. If they manage to wound you, you WILL get infected. Be on your guard."
"So what's our strategy?" Matsuda asked while readying his bat.
Motohama pressed his ear against the stone wall to listen for vibrations. "They're coming from both sides."
Xenovia nodded appreciatively. "In that case, I'll cover the left. You three cover the right." She then turned to Rei and Saya. "These things are beyond what you're capable of handling. So for the time being, just stay between us and keep your head down."
"Right." Rei replied in understanding.
"Don't have to tell me twice." Saya remarked.
"Here they come!" Motohama warned while taking aim.
From both sides, two packs of mutant creatures charged on all fours towards them. Some on the floor, some on the ceiling, and some on the walls. Motohama opened fire with his nail gun while Xenovia unloaded with her SMG. The Mutants on her side began to fall one by one, but the ones on Motohama's side appeared to be relatively unphased.
"Dammit! Their hides are too thick!" He cursed while continuing to unload on the beasts regardless.
Thinking fast, Aika pulled a fresh clip of nails from the supply bag and used her magic on them. "Try these!"
He quickly reloaded with the enchanted nails and fired. As each nail hit a mutant, its head burst from its body before collapsing to the ground.
"Fuck yeah! Nice!" Matsuda cheered.
"Get ready, Bro!" Motohama warned while continuing to fire. "They're about to be on top of us!"
"On it!" Matsuda choked up on his bat and charged, swinging for the fences. As his magically reinforced bat made contact with the Mutant's head, it exploded in a hail of blood and brain matter. With his monstrous strength, Matsuda knocked each mutant that approached away. Meanwhile, Motohama blasted their brains out with enchanted nails, while Aika took shots at them with her missile magic.
As Saya watched them, she found herself marveling at the boys in particular. "Man...when did those Losers get to be this cool?"
Rei frowned at her thoughtfully. "What do you mean?"
She quirked a brow at her. "So you really haven't heard? Oh right, I forgot you don't go to Kuoh." Saya motioned towards them again. "Those two idiots have a nickname on campus. We call them the Perverted Duo. Well...with Aika it's more like the Perverted Trio."
"Dare I ask why?" She replied hesitantly.
"Hmph!" She sneered in disgust. "Those two Otakus would spy on the women's locker room all the time." After adjusting her glasses she then pointed at Aika. "And that one has gone full blown Stalker Girl on more than one occasion. She's like...crazy obsessed with this upperclassman named Asia. I'm telling you, those three have a screw loose."
Rei frowned in concern. "Matsuda told me they had a bit of a reputation but I didn't realize…"
After a moment, Saya's expression softened and she sighed reluctantly. "At least...that's how it used to be. But seeing them now, I can't make heads or tails of it. It's like they've changed into completely different people. Those two especially."
Rei finally smiled. "Maybe they only ever showed their worst sides to you. But Matsuda has shown me nothing but his best so far. Whatever reputation they may have had before, I don't think it really matters now. The fact is, they're both putting their lives on the line to keep us safe. Maybe that doesn't justify how they behaved before, but I believe it does redeem it."
Saya tucked her knees up to her chest. "Maybe…" She then turned her head away defiantly and huffed. "But that doesn't mean we have to start kissing them or anything! They're not entitled to that just because they saved us."
Rei shook her head vehemently. "Of course not. I didn't kiss Matsuda because I felt I owed him." She smiled and blushed deeply. "I did it because I wanted to."
"Hmph!" She remained defiant. "Well, I certainly don't want to kiss Motohama. Just the thought makes me wanna puke."
A coy look appeared in Rei's eyes. "Who were you trying to convince there? Me or you?"
Saya peeped indignantly before turning bright red. "Sh..shut up!"
Back on the defensive side of things. Motohama had just run out of nails and switched to his Smith and Wesson. He fired off two shots that zoomed straight past Matsuda's head, nailing the final mutant in the head and eye socket. The creature fell alongside its brethren.
"It's like I was fucking born to do this." He commented, that evil gleam in his eyes as he twirled the gun on his finger.
"I think that's all of them." Matsuda slung his bat over his shoulder and turned around. "How is Xenovia holding…"
They all turned and their jaws collectively hit the floor. Xenovia was in the process of snapping the neck of the final mutant on her side before dusting her hands off and rejoining the others.
Having used the last of her ammo, she had seemingly just taken out the remaining mutants with her bare hands.
"I think we're in the clear." She spoke as calm as ever. "Let's hurry and find the exit."
"Holy…" Rei started.
"...shit." Saya finished.
"Sure am glad she's on our side." Aika commented, her face a little flushed. It was hard not to be just a little turned on standing in the presence of such a powerful female.
Unfortunately, their feelings of wonder were all replaced with dread as they heard more mutants roar in the distance.
"There are more coming behind us…" Motohama cautioned nervously. "...A LOT more."
"Everyone run!" Xenovia shouted.
They sprinted down the tunnel until they were certain the swarm would catch up to them. Whereupon Motohama pulled out his sidearm and passed it to Aika.
"Hit me with the juice!"
She enchanted his gun and passed it back. He proceeded to crack off shots, blasting the mutants heads clean off. Only to reload as quickly as possible and have her enchant the bullets again.
"We need to do something!" Rei insisted urgently.
Saya looked around at where they were. There were steam valves located directly next to them and pipes running along the walls and ceiling where the mutants were coming from.
"Rei! Over here!" Saya pulled her to the valves and began twisting knobs.
"Okay, but why?!"
"Pull that valve there!" She insisted. "Hurry!"
Rei followed her instructions as well as each instruction she gave afterwards. Slowly, the pressure in the valves began to build past safe levels. Once they reached a critical state, it was time.
"Okay! Now turn that wheel!" She instructed, pointing to the red wheel next to her.
"Got it!" Rei ran to the wheel and pulled, but it wouldn't budge. "It's rusted shut!"
"Move!"
Matsuda pushed her out of the way and pulled with all his strength. The valve turned and snapped off, blasting him with hot steam. He howled in pain and pulled his arm away.
What followed next was a perfect chain reaction. Pipes burst and boiling hot steam scorched every mutant that it touched. The ones that weren't boiled alive stopped dead in their tracks as the corridor filled with hot steam. Effectively cutting off their advance.
From the safety of the other side, the group of survivors cheered.
"We did it!" Saya jumped for joy. "Suck on that you Mutant Dumbasses!"
"That was some quick thinking." Motohama complimented. "Where did you learn to do that?"
She shrugged indifferently. "I didn't. The instructions on pressure regulation are clearly labeled on the valves though. It didn't take me long to figure it out."
Rei peered at the pipes curiously. "Hold on...these are written in French!"
"So?" Saya waved it off like it wasn't a big deal. "I speak five languages. Well...technically six, but I'm not fluent in Russian just yet."
The whole group stared at her in bewilderment.
"Man...sometimes I forget what a brainiac you-argh!"
With the chaos of the moment having subsided, the pain of Matsuda's injury finally caught up to him. Rei rushed to his side and inspected it. His whole forearm was red.
"You're burned!" She spoke worriedly.
"It's just a blister." He assured, doing his best to grin and bare it despite the pain. "I'll be fine."
Rei immediately dug into her supplies for bandages and sterile water. As she tended to Matsuda, Xenovia walked up to Saya and inspected her searchingly.
After a moment, a smile formed on her features. "Perhaps you're not deadweight after all."
Saya's pride returned and she grinned at her. "I told you I was a genius."
Xenovia rolled her eyes and turned away. "The exit is over here. Rei, finish bandaging him up and let's get out of here."
Rei fussed at his wound like a worried Mother. Matsuda couldn't help but chuckle as she worked on him.
"Come on Rei, it's not that bad." He assured.
His smile fell upon seeing tears drop onto his freshly rolled bandages.
"Hey...are you crying?"
Rei pulled him in close and latched on tightly to his chest. "You reckless idiot! Be more careful!"
He was stunned, Rei was weeping, he could feel the tears soaking his shirt.
"Don't ever let yourself get hurt like that again." She demanded sternly. "And don't ever compare yourself to another man ever again. Do you understand me?"
Not knowing what else to do, he quietly hugged her back.
"I understand…"