Chap 14 – Frozen Blood
"That was an extremely stupid thing you did." Cardinal scolded Renly once he regained consciousness. The boy knight wasn't out for long, but the thirty minutes did allow Cardinal to gain an advantage over the unpredictable zombie. They were still in the stairwell; Renly with his back against the wall, Cardinal stretched as tall as possible in front of the boy knight, holding one of his Twin Winged Blades and her staff even with his neck. "Attack me again and I will kill you." She spat. "However, I would prefer that to be a last resort."
The boy knight blankly stared at Cardinal; his eyes no longer glassy marbles but back to their original faded golden hue. He blinked slowly, his tongue lapping at the blood around his lips. "Administrator will pay for what she did this world." Cardinal shook with rage. "She will pay for how she made me live for the past two hundred years and she will pay for what she did to you." Renly baulked upon hearing her words. "Don't worry, I won't let you forget." She narrowed her eyes. "I made you a promise."
Silence floated between them until Renly reached up and took ahold of his Twin Winged Blade. He snarled; revealing bloody and broken teeth. "Mi…m…." Renly couldn't form the words; his vocal cords refusing to put the intended syllables together.
"Looks like you're now realizing what your little stunt back there cost you…" Cardinal plainly stated as she held her staff beside her. "…the ability to speak." Renly could only growl in reply. "You now have only point three life points. If you get to zero, you'll be a full zombie with the dormant brain of one." Renly scrunched his eyebrows and tilted his head, struggling to understand Cardinal's words. "It means you'll have no idea of the hatred you harbor for Administrator and Eugeo and how you plan to kill them."
Renly locked gazes with Cardinal, his expression reflecting fury. "Use your anger on them, not me." Suddenly the boy let out a deep growl. Cardinal looked over her shoulder and saw Linel Synthesis Twenty-Eight. She was in mid-step; her expression one of fear. Her eyes wide, her body visibly trembling.
"Who do we have here?" Cardinal asked in a calm manner while placing her staff in front of Renly. "Don't move." She whispered to the boy knight. "I want to find out what she's overheard. Identify yourself." She commanded.
"I'm…I'm…" Linel's voice quivered as she gazed upon Renly and all the carnage that had melded to himself. Sweat beaded her forehead while her heart pounded within her chest; images of what he did to Sheyta filling her mind.
Cardinal looked between Linel and Renly. "It would seem she is truly fearful of what you've become." She placed her hand on the boy's lower arm; intending to keep him in check. "This will work to our advantage." As Cardinal was developing a plan, Renly slipped out of her grasp. "Renly!" she called out; her voice falling on deaf ears.
The boy knight stood before Linel, Renly's eyes back to their crystal white state; his bone wings extending from his back as his shadow fell across the younger knight. Sensing easy prey, Renly grabbed onto Linel; his fingernails digging into the tender flesh of her upper arms. Linel whimpered in his powerful hold as he lowered his head, intending to bite the young knight between her neck and shoulder.
"No Renly!" Cardinal shouted. Thinking quickly, she ran up behind him; took her staff between both hands; then lifted it over his head; positioning it between his upper and lower jaw. This forced Renly to bite down on her staff instead of Linel. Angered by her interruption, Renly clamped his teeth down harder; unfortunately, for the boy knight, his efforts were in vain. Cardinal's staff had been strengthened to the highest level. "You can't bite her!" Cardinal gritted out as she fought against him. "We need to gain information first."
With all the scuffling between Cardinal and Renly, Linel was finally brought to her senses. She blinked her eyes and shook her head, clearing her mind. "I am not dinner!" Linel shouted while kicking him hard in the shins. Her first few attempts failed to cause any harm; however, after about the tenth time, Renly was becoming irritated, not only with Linel but with Cardinal as well.
Renly tossed Linel aside, bent forward, then thrusted his elbows back, jamming them into Cardinal's ribs. The young sage let out a gasp as the breath left her lungs; her staff flying from her fingers. While Renly's attention was on Cardinal, Linel scrambled to her feet; her goal: to get as far away from Renly as possible. She didn't get far though; for Renly had grabbed her two long braids and violently jolted her head back, snapping her neck in the process. Linel crumbled to the ground, dead.
"Did you have to kill her?" Cardinal stated in an annoyed manner while retrieving her staff. "How are we supposed to know if she told Administrator about us?" She muttered. Ignoring her questions, Renly bent down and sniffed Linel. "What are you doing?" Renly snarled in frustration then stepped away from Linel; no longer interested in the young knight.
"Not going to bite her?" Cardinal asked inquisitively while raising her staff up defensively. The boy knight spat out pieces of cracked teeth; his body posture no longer tense with aggression. "Is it because she's dead?"
Cardinal peeked around Renly; her sights on the recently deceased. "I remember now, zombies only like live victims. They can't pass on the virus to the dead ones." She glanced quickly back to Renly; however, he'd already disappeared up the stairs.
OOooOOooOO
"What about Administrator?" Tiese asked timidly while standing in the middle of Eugeo's room. "What will she do if she finds out?" She chewed on her bottom lip as her eyes cast downward, taking in her rather skimpily dressed appearance.
"She'll never know." Eugeo answered calmly while reaching for Tiese's left hand. "No more talking about Lady Pontifex." He pressed a soft kiss to her palm. "I want this to be all about you." Tiese felt her heart race as her cheeks heated in excitement and nervousness. The blonde smiled before extending her arm; slowly kissing his way up the length of it. Tiese watched him, her knees starting to weaken as goosebumps prickled along her skin. When Eugeo got to her shoulder, he brushed his lips along its curved smooth edge, causing Tiese to squirm slightly. The blonde then took her left hand and placed it around his neck before repeating the same actions with her right hand and arm.
Once Tiese had both hands wrapped around his neck, Eugeo gripped her beneath the buttocks and lifted her up; her bent legs resting against the plush towel that covered his thighs. He then ran his hands along the underside of her ass and thighs; causing her chest to quickly rise and brush against his.
She didn't have long before Eugeo captured her mouth with his. Tiese melted as her lips parted; giving him the opportunity to deepen the kiss. They spent the next few moments relearning the ins and outs of each other's' mouths before Tiese was tossed upon his bed; her back landing against the sheets with Eugeo above her. The red head was breathing deeply; her gaze locked with his as she waited for what would come next.
The blonde ran his hands up her milky thighs; stopping at her panties. He slipped his fingers over the sides and gently tugged the panties down towards Tiese's feet and finally onto the floor. Tiese pressed her thighs together, a bit anxious of being so exposed. It was true that she had touched herself intimately just a short while ago, but what would he think of her? How would she compare to Administrator? What if she failed to respond and act the way Administrator did? Would she be a disappointment? She looked away, consumed with these disheartening thoughts.
"What's wrong?" The blonde asked as he placed his hands on her knees. "Are you having second thoughts?"
"No, I'm doing this." Tiese stated with resolve.
"Okay then." Eugeo said casually as he spread her legs apart then brought her ass closer to the edge of the bed.
"Wait." Tiese propped herself on her elbows. "I…I don't know what to do."
"Well, first, you need to lay back down." Eugeo explained. "Then, place your arms at your sides and look skyward."
"O…Okay." Tiese replied anxiously as she did so; her nerves really kicking in when the blonde took ahold of her ankles and placed them over his shoulders.
"Relax." Eugeo glided his fingers along the curves of her thighs. "And close your eyes." Tiese did so, willing calmness to flow throughout her body; for deep down, she wanted to experience oral sex just as much as the real thing. The blonde started off by planting multiple kisses along her lower stomach, each one feather light and delicate. After a few moments, he used two fingers to graze along her feminine folds; his pace slow and tantalizing; all the while increasing and decreasing the amount of pressure he was using. Tiese writhed from his touch, but Eugeo kept her firmly in place by gripping her outer thighs. Next, he slipped those fingers inside her, moving them in a circular motion first clockwise and then counterclockwise.
"Oh…Eugeo…" she panted. "I didn't know….it could….feel like this…"
After taking a quick glance at the red head, Eugeo replaced his fingers with his mouth. Once he did, Tiese's eyes flew open, her hips lifting off the bed. The blonde simply intensified his hold; bringing her back to him. He then gently licked at her before penetrating the red head with his tongue. A moan escaped Tiese's lips as she fought to keep her body still and her eyes upwards; however, when the blonde went to suck on her, she was lost. It took only minutes for her to organism. Her breath coming out in a series of pants as Eugeo placed her legs back on the bed. "You taste like a honey pie." The blonde said, his lips shining from her juices.
"I...do?" Tiese asked; her cheeks flushed from exertion. Eugeo crawled up her body then kissed her. The kiss was steamy and hot as he passed on her taste to her. Tiese kissed him back feverishly, her hands running up and down his back; her fingers inching ever so closer to the towel around his hips.
"No, Tiese." The blonde murmured against her lips before pulling back. He then took her hands and placed them above her head. "However, I'm going to rid you of your shirt." Eugeo took ahold of the bottom hem and raised it little by little. As he revealed her breasts, Tiese felt another wave of inadequacy and embarrassment. How could she be considered a woman, instead of a girl, with such small breasts? She shook her head rapidly, pushing those thoughts away. Eugeo chose to be with her, regardless of her chest size.
After pulling the tank over her head, the blonde slid one knee between her legs. Eugeo took some time to admire her; his emerald eyes reflecting lust. Tiese's heart was pounding a mile a minute; her breaths deep as her breasts rose and fell. "I've often dreamed of you looking at me like that." She murmured softly; curving her fingers within themselves.
"Why your obsession with me?" He used a forefinger to draw circles around her breast; once he got to the nipple, Eugeo gave it a little pinch; earning a gasp from the red head. "Well?" He asked while cupping that breast and kneading it; his thumb sliding across her nipple.
"I…..I…was…attracted to your….kindness..." Tiese answered, her back arching into his touch.
"My kindness?" Eugeo paused, raising a brow.
"It…it was…a long time ago…"
"And now?"
"I…." Tiese looked away and hesitated.
"Don't want to admit anything, huh?" Eugeo leaned down; pressing his lips against hers. The kiss they shared was much fiercer than the others. His hand resumed caressing her breast as he devoured her mouth, ravishing it before moving down to her neck, along her throat, across her collarbone and finally to her other breast. Tiese let out a moan; her chin kicking up as she placed her hands within his flaxen locks, entwining the wispy strands in her fingers.
"Eu…geo…." She panted out as he suckled her breasts, bringing each one to a peek. Her nipples hardening to the point of pain. "I…I…." She couldn't help but orgasm once more.
"Having trouble speaking?" Eugeo teased as he kissed the tops of each breast; his leg rubbing against the new moisture between her legs.
"I…I….need you…inside me…." The words finally falling from Tiese's lips. "Please…" she begged. "But..but can I touch your wings as you take me? They are so beautiful."
"No." The blonde deadpanned; earning a childish pout from the red head. "This is about you, remember?" He stole a quick kiss. "Now, grasp the sheets; however you want." She decided to leave her hands where they were and dropped her knees open. "Her body isn't as mature as Lady's Pontifex's…" he thought to himself. "…but I'm going to fuck her all the same."
Eugeo quickly removed his towel and settled himself between her legs. He wasted no time in entering her. At first Tiese, was excited; her heart practically beating out of her chest but instead of pleasure, she was experiencing pain? "Ah…..ah….." the red head whimpered; tears threatening to fall.
"You're so tight." Eugeo gritted out through clenched teeth, not really caring about her comfort at the moment. Tiese sucked on her bottom lip, silencing her pathetic pleas. This is what she wanted; she couldn't flake out now. Finally, after much exertion from both sides, the blonde filled her.
"Pull your knees up and hug my hips." Eugeo huskily told Tiese; his breath coming out in shallow pants. She followed his directions; shifting this way and that; trying to get accustomed to him. She was spared only a moment of relief before the blonde started to move; one of his hands on her side, the other holding up a thigh. Each thrust of the blonde's hips was fast and hard as he slammed into her time and time again. Tiese panted like a dog in heat; her breasts bouncing every which way, her hips meeting his with just as much vigor; the sexual tension building for a third time in her lower stomach.
It didn't take long before they both climaxed; first Tiese and then Eugeo. The blonde bent forward; each hand resting beside her arms; his chest parallel with hers. Nothing was said as they stared at each other; their breaths ragged, both covered in sweat.
OOooOOooOO
Kirito let out a loud yawn as he sat on the floor of the elevator platform. He, Alice, and the elevator attendant have been stuck just past level sixty for almost two hours.
"Any word yet on the maintenance of this stupid elevator?" Alice asked for the umpteenth time.
"I'm sorry but we haven't been cleared yet." The attendant answered blandly then proceeded to stare absently through the luminescent shaft.
"That's all you ever say."
"Don't take your anger out on the attendant, Alice." Kirito said. "She's doing the best she can."
"You really believe that?" Alice quirked a brow.
Kirito shrugged before placing his hands behind his head. "It's not like we have any other options at the moment." He leaned against the gate surrounding the platform and looked upwards. "So might as well take some time to relax before shit hits the fan." That earned him a strange look from the gold knight. "Ah…I mean, before things get messy."
"Have you ever considered the possibility that Eugeo doesn't want to be rescued?" Alice prompted.
"No." Kirito narrowed his eyes at the thought.
"Well, maybe you should."
"What?" Kirito was caught off guard by her proclamation. "Why?"
"Because of Fate."
"What are you talking about?"
"Hear me out." Alice began. "Eugeo died three years ago."
"I know that." Kirito answered bitterly; hating to rehash the memory.
"Who's to say this resurrected Eugeo is the same person? Wouldn't you think that if someone died and then was forced back to life, they'd be a bit…different?"
"…"
"I don't want to discourage you, but remember, Lady Pontifex is an expert at memory manipulation. The proof of her trials is sitting right in front of you."
"Well, yeah, but I still saved you." Kirito reasoned.
"You saved Alice Synthesis Thirty not Alice Zuberg."
"…"
"What if the person you end up saving isn't Eugeo the Swordsman but Eugeo Synthesis Thirty-Two?" Kirito averted his eyes; not sure of how to answer that. Sure, he'd consider Eugeo being a tad off but having him be like Alice Synthesis Thirty? He didn't even want to think about that.
OOooOOooOO
"You have to go." Eugeo said firmly, finally breaking the silence between himself and Tiese. They were still joined intimately upon his bed.
"You're telling me to just walk away?" Tiese was hurt at the abruptness of his request; her arms coming to rest on his shoulders.
"What were you expecting?" The blonde averted his eyes.
"I…I don't know. Maybe we'd…"
"You honestly think that after one fuck, I'd pick you over Lady Pontifex?" Eugeo said coldly.
Tiese stared at the blonde, her eyes beginning to water.
"Tiese, you're a beautiful girl but…" He lowered her hands and then pulled himself free of her. "…you're meant for someone else." He reached down to grab her clothes and tossed them to her.
"I wish you didn't belong to her." Tiese spoke bitterly as she sat up; her nude body still on display.
"Get dressed." Eugeo ordered before opening a dresser drawer and pulling on a pair of loose fitting pants. "Oh, and Tiese…" His emerald eyes connecting with her crimson ones. "…if you end up pregnant, I don't want to know."
"You think I might get…" Tiese's voice drifted off; her hands falling to her stomach.
"It happened the first time with Lady Pontifex, so I wouldn't dismiss the idea." The blonde stated flatly while standing up and staring hard at Tiese. "When the opportunity presents itself, I want you to leave the cathedral. Those feelings you have for me, they end here and now."
"But…." the tears started to fall.
"If it's any consolation, I let her fuck me that night in exchange for your life. Don't make me regret that decision." The blonde flapped his wings in frustration, then walked out of the room; leaving Tiese in shock.
OOooOOooOO
"THUD!" Something hit the underside of the elevated platform Kirito, Alice and the operator were on. They all fell to their knees as the elevator bounced up and down like a yo-yo.
"What the heck was that?" Alice shouted; her hands grabbing onto the silver rail.
"I don't know." Kirito answered, mimicking Alice's actions.
"There is nothing in this shaft except this elevator and the sacred arts that surround and power it." The operator replied calmly while gripping the control panel. "Obviously, there is an irregularity; however, I am not programmed to find a solution."
"She is so useless." Alice muttered as she got to her feet; only to fall yet again as the THUD returned, this time much more aggressive. Kirito staggered to his feet, holding onto the rail. He then leaned over as far as he dared. "Be careful, Kirito." The raven hair boy peered in all directions; his dark grey eyes seeking and wanting to find the source. "Anything?" she asked.
Kirito shook his head then made his way over to Alice. "I don't see anything. Whatever it is, it's smart enough to stay hidden."
"Any ideas on how to draw it out?"
Kirito glanced around the platform, looking for some inspiration. Finally, he settled on the attendant. "Operator, can you use Burst Element to raise the platform?" The attendant gave a curt nod. "Maybe the sudden appearance of a sacred art will startle whatever it is into revealing itself."
"I'll ready my sword." Alice placed her hand on her hilt, pulling her Fragrant Olive Sword free of its sheath.
"I'll do the same." Kirito pulled out the Night Sky Blade. He then dipped his head, signaling to the operator to start.
"System Call: Burst Element." She said with no urgency. Several balls of sacred power appeared within the control pain before gusts of wind shot out the bottom. Once they did; an animalistic growl was heard and it sounded mad.
"That's definitely not the cry of a minion." Kirito stated warily as he and Alice stood back-to-back; their swords ready for action; their senses on high alert.
"No, it's not." Alice replied; her voice just as concerned. "Maybe it's something new Lady Pontifex thought up."
"Administrator wouldn't create something capable of destroying the only elevator in the cathedral."
"Good point."
Moments later, the sounds of ripping steel were heard. The snapping and screeching of the metal was so intense, everyone had to cover their ears to prevent them from bleeding. "AHHHHH!" The operator screamed seconds before she was lost behind the control unit. Kirito raced over and witnessed her being brutally pulled through a hole in the floor.
"Hang on!" Kirito quickly grabbed her upper arms. "I've got you!" Alice wrapped her arms around the boy's waist to aid in the effort.
"Why is this so hard?" Alice gritted out. "She's just one girl and yet she feels like ten."
"Just keep pulling!" Kirito replied through clenched teeth; thinking the same thing. As the platform continued to rock, its edges hit the luminous shaft; causing the sacred arts to flicker in and out.
"Kirito!" Alice yelled out. "If we can't save her, one of us will have to continue performing Burst Element; otherwise, the elevator will fall."
"We'll figure it out later!" Kirito bit out as his heart skipped a beat. He could survive this fall, but Alice? Her outcome was uncertain being that she had a metallic body in the real world and not one made of flesh and bone.
"My legs!" The attendant cried out. "It has my legs!"
"Just hang on!" Kirito told the operator.
"I can't die." The attendant's voice may have turned bland but her eyes were wide with worry. "Who will run the elevator?"
"Seriously?" Alice muttered against the Kirito's back. "She's more concerned about this piece of junk than her own life?"
"It'll be fine." Kirito falsely assured the girl; although his grip was slipping. Seconds later the operator slid completely from Kirito's grasp, causing him to crash against Alice; knocking her back hard against the floor. "Are you alright?"
"Don't worry about me." Alice grunted out. "Go see to that girl. I'll take care of the elevator."
Kirito nodded then stumbled over to the human sized hole. Once there, he dropped to his hands and knees and looked through the hole. He was not prepared for what he saw. A flying figure, hidden in the shadows, was holding the operator upside down by one leg, her other leg…missing. Its mouth was clamped down on her calf, ripping into it as if gorging on a delicacy. Blood sprayed the figure's face while it continued to tear every ligament and crack every bone; finally severing the limb from the body. The girl fell to her death, several floors below.
"Operator!" Kirito called out, immediately bringing the figure's creamy, crystal eyes to lock with his own. "Shit!" He muttered then scrambled away from the opening.
"Kirito?" Alice hollered out; becoming anxious from the boy's body language. "What? What did you see?"
"Stay focused on the controls." Kirito told her, his eyes widening as the figure emerged through the hole. It looked to be human, but its coordination of movement, the vacant expression on its face, the blood dripping from its mouth, and the decayed skin covering its body; could only mean one thing; a zombie. And to make matters worse, it could fly. Kirito paled at the realization of the damage a zombie could do and if he didn't stop Renly right now, the Underworld would pay the ultimate price.
End Chapter 14