Originium.
One of the most valuable elements to ever existed in the world of Terra. From the power source for the enormous mobile city to the simple battery for tools in daily life.
However, even though the Originium became a blessing gift to the Terra world, it also brings Terra's horrible curse. The terrible disease that doomed countless lives.
Oripathy.
An incurable disease that slowly consuming your life. Oripathy will gradually spread all over your body and slowly crystallizing your body part. You can never escape it, not even in your death. Even if your life perished, your body will become crystalized and break down into dust, carried away by the winds, and spread this cursed disease to the next unfortunate person to become infected.
Depending on where you live, the status of the infected is uncertain. From rough treatment from the non-infected to being locked away and left to starve to death. Or worse, taken into some concentration camp and forced to work until you died.
But generally speaking, everywhere is the same no matter where you were born. When you become infected, you were no longer views as a human. You are dehumanized by most of the states in the world. Your lives are no longer their concern, forced to survive on your own.
So I pray.
May Terra has mercy on you.
Because you will need it in this merciless world.
Chapter I: Reunion
"A picture is worth a thousand words, but a memory is priceless."
December 1096, Terra Calander.
The Chernobog mobile city belonging to the Ursus Empire came to a halt without any warning. Its habitant was left confused but unconcerned. The mobile city itself is self-sustaining, allowing occupants to live without importing supplies for up to a year.
However, they did not notice the shadow lurking nearby them or questioning why the city control tower had gone silent since the city came to a halt. Then in an instant, an invasion was happening in every corner of the city. From merely minor civil unrest reported by the local news reporter, it quickly escalated into a full-scale attack by shocking numbers of armed infected mobs and rioters, looting, killing, and destroying everything in their path in the name of infected. An act of revenge against the oppressor. To the non-infected horrors, the infected quickly seized every part of the mobile city within a few hours. Chaos sprung everywhere as all contact with other mobile cities or nearby military presences failed or were ignored.
As the battle on the surface of the Chernobog mobile city continues, Chaos spread like wildfire. Ursus citizens fleeing for their lives while what left of the military and police forces garrison in the city desperately holding their line against the Reunion Movement's nonstop onslaught.
Unknown to everyone, below the surface, the same battle is taking place in the heart of the mobile city. The infected revolutionaries have followed a certain organization to the city core, noticing the new forces neither belong to their movement nor the Ursus. They made their move and confronted the unknown groups. As a battle broke out, with each side throwing themselves at each other. One Reunion's caster miscalculated her art attack, missing her target, and crash into the command panel, melted it into useless scraps.
What she did not know is that her missed shot has changed everything for better or worse. That control panel has held one person's destiny with it.
And now it is gone.
Everything should have been simple. Just another grab and run mission. After countless hours of planning, training, and the final preparation with Dr. Kal'tsit and Amiya. How could everything go south so quickly?
Rhodes Island will deploy multiple squads and infiltrate the Chernobog. While most of the squad's duty is to delay and create an escape route, the main force leading by Amiya will secure the Doctor. Once he was safely secured, Rhodes Island will regroup and head to the extraction point. Then get out of Chernobog and safely return to their base...
So... how the hell Doctor is still not out yet?!
"Amiya, we are running out of time! How is the Doctor?!" One of the Rhodes Island operators asks as he cut down another Reunion members with his sword.
"I-I'm trying! the machine won't respond!" Amiya relentlessly typing down every command she remembers to unlock the machine that holding their objective.
Their Doctor.
She had a hard time using the machine since the control panel was melted into molten by an art attack from one of the Reunion's caster. They would have already got him out if the control panel still intact. Now they are forced to accessing the machine backdoor system and open it manually. This has proven to be nearly impossible since the system that locked the Doctor away from her refused to connect with the Rhodes Island network.
"Our reinforcement will come over here soon! Keep pushing them! They won't last fo-" One of the Reunion leaders shouted before Rhodes Island's sniper struck him down. But that did not stop the infected to become even more aggressive.
"Get them!"
"Kill them! Kill them all!"
"Amiya! How about using your art?! We need to get him out of here NOW!" the Vanguard operator yelled as he pushed off rioters away and killed another one who tried to impale him from behind.
"No! If I use my art, it could hurt him! We need to get him out safely! I won't risk hurting him. Please buy us some more time!" Amiya called out as she furiously typing down the keyboard, doing whatever she could to open the machine that kept their Doctor away from them. Another Operator also assists Amiya in an attempt to get the machine to respond. But to their frustration, the device refused to react.
'Tch. Even if we are more well trained than them... if this keeps continuing, we will eventually...' Before he could think of anything else, he heard a scream from nearby.
"NO! P-PLEASE! Don't h-hurt me-!" One of the medic operators was being pinned down by reunion members as he raised his sword, ready to kill her.
In a matter of seconds, Vanguard already dashes toward the pairs with his sword ready.
"GET AWAY FROM HER!" He leaps forward at the rioter and tackles him away from the unarmed medic. When both of them came crashing to the floor, his sword was kicked out by the struggling man he is pinning down. But that won't stop him. Vanguard quickly begins punching the reunion members in the face. However, the downed rioter didn't plan to go down easily as he kicked the Vanguard off him. He immediately grabbed his sword, got up, and prepared to deliver the fatal blow.
"Shit-!" Vanguard cursed as he hurriedly reached for his sword not far away from him. But it was too late. The blade was too far for him to grab it in time.
However, before the rioter's sword could cut down Vanguard, his sword was forcefully ripped away from his hand by a swift blow from a leather whip. Knocking a sword out of his hand. Before the infected could turn to face a new foe, he was halted by a large hammer smash right into his mask.
The sound of mask cracking and red liquid splashes on the wall echoing the room. The rioter held his face as he screams in pain and collapse to the floor before he stopped moving for good.
"Instructor Doberman! Ace!" exclaimed the medic operator in relief.
'Doberman? Ace?' Amiya turned to look at their savior, 'Why are they here?' She was glad... and scared at the same time. If Doberman and Ace were here. Then the situation outside must become worse by seconds now.
"I came here to check over here since I couldn't contact any of you. What happens here?" Doberman asked as she checks on Vanguard.
"We ran into a problem with the machine holding Doctor. We couldn't get him out. We try to buy some time for Amiya to lift the seal... but the reunion force overwhelms us." One of the Rhodes Island operators admitted bitterly.
"Is that so... The situation is getting worse than I thought. Ace, how much time we still have?"
"Not much, Doberman. At best, another half hours." Doberman nodded and turns to face Amiya, "Amiya, how is the Doctor?"
"Not good... I.. I can't get him out right now. The control panel was destroyed, so we have to connect the machine by ourselves, but please, give me more time. We will get him out for sur-!" Suddenly, the room shook hard as if something on the surface exploded. Everyone in the room either falls to the floor or grab on something. A few seconds later, the room stops shaking while some small debris falls off, bouncing on the floor.
"W-What the hell-?!" One of Rhodes Island operators yell in panic
"Dammit." Doberman cursed as she gets off the floor. Looking at Ace, who also turns to look at her. Both of them realized their time here in the Chernobog is shorter than they hoped for, and they most likely couldn't finish their task in time. Looking at Amiya team, Doberman realized that all of them are injured to some degree. From minor to severe injuries. They have to do something now or else...
She noticed that Amiya is looking at her. Her mouth slightly ajar, realizing what Doberman is going to do. Her eyes are pleading Doberman. Begging her not to do it. Doberman knew what Amiya is asking for. But this is too much for everyone now. They have to make a decision, and so she did for the sake of everyone, including Amiya.
'God fucking dammit,' She cursed to herself, 'I'm sorry, Amiya.' She made a decision and pulled out a tablet device to check something that Doctor Kal'tsit gave her. After reading what has been prepared for her in the worst-case scenario. Her face turns grim as she put away the device and turned to face everyone before confirming Amiya's worst fear.
"Due to an unknown or unforeseen circumstance that prevented us from accomplishing our main objective and the increased threat to all of Rhodes Island operators in the Chernobog. By order of Doctor Kal'tsit and Rhodes Island executive committee. We will immediately cease all operations and withdraw from the Chernobog as of now!"
Leaving no time wasted, Everyone immediately went for their equipment and weapon. At the same time, Doberman grabbed Amiya's wrist before she could say anything, pulling her away from the machine and heading to the exit.
"Wait!" Amiya begged, "Doberman, stop! Doctor! He is still in there!" Amiya pleaded as she tried to pull herself off. Yet, Doberman tightens her grip on Amiya and shakes her head, "This is a contingency order from Doctor kal'sit, Amiya. We must retreat from the Chernoborg now."
"What?! W-We can't do that! Doctor, he-" Amiya pointed at the machine, "He is still in there! We have to save him! We can't just leave him now!" Amiya begged. However, to her dismay, Doberman shook her head and crushed Amiya's hopes to save Doctor.
"Amiya. Our forces suffered heavy casualties. They cannot hold on for any longer. Several squads were entirely slaughtered before I got here. If we stay here any longer... All of us will die. Do you want all of us to die-?!" She yelled at Amiya, who was trembling in fear and confusion.
"N-No... I didn't mean to...B-But... But-!"
Amiya couldn't properly answer. They are going to abandon him here... But Doctor... he.. Rhodes Island going to leave Doctor behind...? But... But... Before she comes back to herself, Amiya was already pulled away by Doberman. At the same time, the rest of the squad following nearby.
"Ace, we are moving out. Secure our path to the extraction point." She ordered.
"Copy. Defender and Vanguard, to the front! Sniper watches our back! The rest of you-"
'I'm sorry, Doctor...'
Tear slowly coming out nonstop. Soaking Amiya's jacket.
'I'm sorry...'
Rhodes Island has left the facility and now heading to the elevator to the surface.
'Please...'
The elevator ride was dead silent since no one dares to make a sound. The only thing they could hear during their journey to the surface is ticking, indicating when they will reach the surface and escape from this city.
'Forgive me.'
Nothing response back other than the sound of the lifeless machines continues working...
After hours of battling Ursus police and military forces in the city, now the Chernobog is under Reunion movement control. Due to the catastrophe happen right on top of the Chernobog, most parts of the city were ruined. However, the news of the hidden facility within the heart of the mobile city eventually reached the movement high command, specifically, the supreme leader of the movement.
Inside the elevator located on the surface. Two figures have stepped inside, enter a keypad location, and wait for the elevator to close the door. The first one is the man wearing a dark-grey hood. A military-grade chest plate protects his upper half. His face is covered by a red mask, ranking him as a leader. He wore black cargo pants with red kneepads and black boots. And finally, he is armed with a sword and a shield with a red reunion symbol painted. He is a light-armored soldier leader, and he is on his mission to bring someone important to the below deck.
Next to him is a woman with white hair and her distinguishable black horn. She wears a long sleeves black gothic dress with white upper half and black bow tie. On her left arm is wrapped with an orange armband with a black symbol. She is armed with a long wicked sword. She is the voice and the will of all infected and the Reunion Movement's supreme leader, Talulah.
"...Is this report true?" Talulah asked.
"Yes," replied Light-armored soldier leader, " After they escaped, we immediately searched the facility for whatever they are looking for... At first, we assumed they were looking for research data or some prototype, but instead, we found a person inside this... machine."
"From there, those infiltrators tried to retrieve this person with them. However, our force found and overwhelmed them, forcing them to flees first. We are not sure what to do after." The elevator came to a halt as it reaches the deepest part of the mobile city, "Could be an important Ursus high-rank official if they hid him in there. We believe you can decide what you want to do with him."
"..." Talulah said nothing as she and the messenger stepped out of the elevator and heading to their destination. Their steps echoing the empty tunnel. Along the way, they walk past their peers, carrying the wounded and deceased to the surface. No words were exchanged between them other than silently paying respect to their fallen brothers and sisters. They sacrifice their lives for the movement.
Walking out of the tunnel, they found themselves looking at a building with wires connected to the wall. These underground buildings were hidden from the surface by an enormous dome. Several massive pillars supported the dome to ensure the ceiling will not collapse.
Stepping inside the building, it took them a few more minutes to reach their destination. When they arrived there, the room was filled with Reunion members ransacking anything they could find.
The main focus is the round platform in the middle of the room. On the stage is the large square-shaped case. Inside, the mysterious occupant is slumbering in there, unaware of what is happening outside. While most of the infected surrounded the platform and watched the mysterious occupant with curiosity, One infected rioter steps forward and swings his ax against the case, hoping to break it open. However, it was proven futile as an ax swiftly bounced off. Leaving a scratch barely visible on the case.
"What the hell is this thing made of?!" He roared in frustration and again smashing his ax against the reinforced glass once again. However, when someone saw Talulah arrived, one of the infected grabbed the frustrated member away from the case. Together, everyone quickly stepped away from the platform, allowing their leader to see the mysterious sleeper.
Talulah walked to the slightly lifted stage and gazed upon the case on the platform. Through the reinforced glass, Inside, A person-No. A man is sleeping quietly in white patient clothing. His chest moves up and down, show no sign of struggling thanks to the oxygen mask he is wearing. Upon closer inspection, Talulah notices a thin ice frost all over his body. This must be a cryo chamber.
"What do we know about him." Talulah asked out loud. Hoping for some explanation.
"We... are not sure. Most of the documents only mentioned health conditions and some medical detail we don't understand. We couldn't find anything else about his personal info. One thing for sure, he must be a very important person...Maybe an Ursus official-! Or-" He was interrupted by another caster next to him.
"He belongs to Rhodes island." One of the casters revealed. Everyone turns their heads to look at her, waiting for her explanation.
Talulah glanced at the caster, "...Rhodes Island?" She asked.
"Yes... I.. killed one of them. I noticed one of them dropped their ID card, I pick it up to examine, and it said 'Rhodes Island.'" The caster describes her fight with Rhodes Island. She opens her pocket and pulls out the Rhodes Island ID cards from one of the deceased operators. Talulah took the card from the caster and inspected it. This card owner was listed as a female medic operator.
'Rhodes Island huh...' Talulah looked at the machine, '...risking their men just to rescue one person...' She touches the case and caresses the surface, feeling the coolness, "Just who are you..." she asked out softly, unheard to her comrades.
Talulah stares at the machine for a moment before giving an order to her men.
"Brothers, Sisters," Talulah speaks, "Search this facility. Gather everything you have found. I want everything from here to deliver to my living quarters. However, medical personnel, please stay behind. I believe I will need you very soon."
Hearing an order from their leader, reunion members quickly left the room. They wander off to search the facility and gather anything important they could find for their leader. Stash, Filing cabinets, Drawers, previously left untouched by the mobs, are now being searching. Its contents are collected and carried away to Talulah's living quarters.
While everyone left to complete their task, Reunion medical personnel were left standing around, waiting for their leader's command.
Talulah silently watching the person peacefully sleeping inside the case. Her head is coming up with a plan on what to do with this mysterious person. She needs to
"Talulah." A new voice has spoken, "I have been looking for you for hours now. You could have told me you were here." Talulah turns to look at the newcomer who stepped inside the room.
"W." She called her name. The Sarkaz mercenary gave her a mocking smile as she stepped inside the room. Clearly, she was annoyed.
"Yes, yes, it is me. I'm here to give you my combat reports." W frowned as she stopped in front of Talulah. "While you were busy dealing with the Ursus, I have an encounter with a new faction in the city. I fought with them, but eventually, I had to let them go since it isn't worthy of our time. They are-"
"Rhodes Island." Talulah interrupted.
"Rhod-" W raised her eyebrows, "So you already knew." She crossed her arms, tapping her foot on the floor. "Dammit. Why do I even come here if you already knew? You know what? I will head back to the surface." She turns around and about to leave but she was stopped by Talulah.
"No. You came at the right time, W. I believe I would like to hear your opinion regarding a certain person in this room."
"A person?" W tilts her head. "Yes. He is here right next to me," Talulah stepped aside and let W see the person inside the cryo case. W take a look at the mysterious sleeper for a while. At first, she didn't think much until she noticed his facial. This time she stepped closer and took a good look at the person's face. Talulah watched W with curiosity when she noticed W's expression shifted from uninterested to pure shock.
"Doctor..." W whispered, but Talulah was near enough to catch what W said.
'Doctor...?' Talulah keeps that in her mind.
A moment later, W stepped back and just stared at the cryo chamber before turning to face Talulah.
"Explain." She asked, no. She demanded an answer.
Talulah stares blankly at W before closing her eyes. Coming up with an explanation to diffuse this tension. Once she had an idea in her mind, she looks away from W and focuses on the machine instead.
"We do not know how he got here," Talulah answered, "We don't know how long he has been here. I was informed about this not long ago. However, judging from your look, I believe you knew who he is, am I correct?"
W said nothing, but she gave her answer by nodding.
"What are you going to do with him," W asked. She tried to read Talulah expression, looking for any sign that will give her a hint for Doctor fate. After all, she still has unfinished business with him.
"What should I do with him... Good question, W. What should I do...?" W immediately went on her guard when Talulah drew her sword.
"What are you doing, Talulah," W asked dangerously as her hand hover above her grenade launcher.
"Step aside, W. I believe it is time we must wake him up first." Talulah turns to face the medical team behind her, "Prepare the stretcher." She commanded. W and everyone stepped away from Talulah for their own safety as the temperature around Talulah skyrocket. Shifting her focus back at the cryo case. She studies and plans where she will strike. Activating her arts and letting the power seep into her sword, keeping the temperature heated enough to cut through this coffin without harming anyone. In one swift cut, her blade effortlessly sliced through the hardened metal case with ease like a hot knife cutting through butter.
The machine hopelessly tried to continue operating, but it eventually ceases working when all internal wires were fried to crisp. Talulah grabbed a glasses hatch and threw it aside, allowing the medical team to handles the rest. The medical team who were on standby quickly move in to secure the Doctor. Talulah sheathed her sword and stepped aside, letting medical personnel do their work. Without a word, they carefully lifted him out of the machine and placed him on the stretcher.
"Pulse?"
"Normal."
"Breath?"
"Clear. No sign of struggling."
"Body temperature?"
"Too low. Most likely frostbite or worse... "
They continue various medical checkups before one of them looks up at Talulah and explains the Doctor's health conditions.
"I believe he is suffering from minor frostbite. It is not bad now, but it could worsen if we don't give him proper medical treatment. We need to get him to the surface as soon as possible. It is too cold down here." He explained.
"Take him to my tent and treat him there." Talulah pointed at the exit door. Indicating the medical team to leave the facility immediately. The medic said no word other than bowing at her and carried Doctor away in a hurry. Now only two of them were in the room. While the tension is gradually lowered over time, but some still remain.
"What are you going to do with him now?" W asked Talulah again. Wanting to know her plan for the Doctor.
"I believe I must ask him some questions. His outcome will depend on his answers." Talulah answered.
"Then, I request that I must speak with him first." W requested.
"Do not worry. After I-"
"No, I insisted." W clutched her hand, "Doctor and I need to... catch up with something first."
"...Very well. But I will watch you."
"You can watch, but I won't promise you will understand anything." with that, W stomped out of the room, following the medical team to the surface. After all, He is someone W cannot let out of her sight. She will not let him get away again. Never again.
Once W left her alone, Talulah checks the room to make sure no one was near her. Then she spoke out loud, as if she was talking with someone.
"Did I... do the right thing?"
...
"I see... Do you think he will be useful... to our cause?"
...
"Doctor... Whoever you are... You will be a key that will change...everything."
...
"Even if you like it or not"
"̷E̸v̴e̷n̸ ̸i̸f̶ ̶y̷o̷u̵ ̸l̵i̵k̷e̵ ̷i̴t̶ ̶o̸r̸ ̸n̷o̵t̷.̵"̶
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
So dark...
Beep.
Ah... His body... he feels so tired.
Beep.
...
..
.
Wait... He...?
Beep. Beep.
Who is he?
Beep. Beep.
...No.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Who am I?
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Where am I?
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
Doctor.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
What?
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
I will wait for you until that day come.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
Me...?
Beep Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
And you must wait for me too.
BEEP-! BEEP-! BEEP-! BEEP-! BEEP-! BEEP-!
Doctor... Please.
BEEP-! BEEP-! BEEP-! BEEP-! BEEP-! BEEP-!
Don't forget me.
BEEP-!
A loud gasped can be heard inside a tent.
Doctor woke up on the bed, gasping and coughing, trying to calm himself from the nightmare he was having. It was the same nightmare again... Same voice... Always the same... Every part of his body is very sore. He carefully positioning himself and sit on the bed. As he slowly inhales air, he notices that he is inside some sort of makeshift tent.
Blinking his eyes, he tries to make sense of the surrounding, 'Wait... Where am I...?' Before his brain could process the question, he was interrupted by someone greeting him.
"Welcome back, Doctor."
He turned to meet with a girl sitting on the chair not far from him. She has white hair, shining red eyes, and a pair of red horns on her head. Currently, she is wearing a gray shirt, cover by a black combat jacket.
'Doctor...?'
Looking at her face, he sees that she was.. smiling at him...? But he has a weird feeling about her smiles... it seems... faked? Nevertheless, since she was the first person he met since he woke up, he greeted her.
"H-Hello." He greeted her.
"So. Who would have thought... That we will finally meet again," She stood up and walks to him, "All of these times... I never expected you to be so close to me. Time to talk now, shall we?"
"Excuse me...?" He is confused, not sure what she means. "What are you tal-" Before he realized what happened, he was punched in the face, fell off the bed, and groaned in pain.
"I will give you a chance to explain yourself, Doctor." She pinned him down to the ground with her combat boot, "That day. What happened to her?"
Holding his face to ease the pain, he didn't hear the question until he was kicked in the stomach again. W didn't give him time to pause as she pulled his hair upward, forcing the Doctor to looks at her.
"Doctor~ Did you remember yet~?" She asked
"I-I don't know what are you-" Another blow to his stomach knocks him out of breath.
"..Why did you have to make this harder... All I want is a... GODDAM ANSWER-!" W raised her hand, preparing to punch the Doctor in the face. However, she was stopped by a hand holding her fist away from the Doctor's face.
"That is enough, W."
"Talulah..." W frowned. She shook her arm off Talulah grip. She didn't expect Talulah to intervene yet.
"I told you I will talk with him first, and you can have him all you want later." W scolded. Dissatisfied that Talulah interrupted her...reunion with the Doctor.
"The situations have changed, W. He was not who he was. It is meaningless to keep asking him."
"I bet he is lying."
Talulah shooks her head, "He is not. Look at him." The Doctor watches in silence as two women look at him. "I can tell if he is lying or not. Clearly, he did not. You knew that as well, didn't you."
"Tch." W snarled at the Doctor, "Today is your lucky day, Doctor. We will settle this later, and next time I will have my answer." W stated before she turned around and left Doctor with Talulah.
Once W left Talulah and Doctor alone, Talulah turns to faces the Doctor, who is still rubbing where he was kicked.
"I'm sorry for my... subordinate harsh treatment. But we mean no harm to you." Talulah helped him sit on the bed after W's interrogation.
"I-It's fine... I.. I'm not sure what did I do to...offend her."
"You didn't do anything wrong, Doctor."
'Not yet until we know more about you...'
Seeing an opportunity to fix the damage W has done to Doctor, Talulah asks him a question.
"Now, Doctor. I must ask, what do you remember so far?" She asked him while she was applying medicine lotion on the Doctor's body.
"What I remember...?" He asked, not understanding the question.
"Did you remember why you are here?"
"...Why am I here...?" He furrowed his brow. Slightly showing his frustration that he couldn't remember anything.
'So he barely remembers anything...' Talulah noted that in her mind.
"How about we start with your name then. Do you remember your name?"
"My name is... My name...?" He keeps repeating the same question inside his head, trying to come up with an answer, yet he couldn't. Slowly, he realized and was horrified that he couldn't even remember his own name. The most basic thing a person should at least remember. But he couldn't.
'M-My name! I couldn't even remember my own name?! Why I couldn't-!`
"Doctor."
"Doctor. Calm down." Talulah is now kneeling in front of him, holding him to the bed.
"I... What... What happens."
"You were panicking. I have to hold you, or else you would fall off the mattress."
"I.. I... I couldn't... remember."
"It's fine. It's fine..." Talulah patted his shoulder, "I believe we will simply call you... Doctor for now." She hummed.
Doctor tilts his head in confusion, "Doctor...?"
"W called you Doctor earlier when she saw you. I believe that is who you were in the past." Talulah replied.
"So I was a Doctor before..." He whispered to himself. Talulah noticed that Doctor is slumping. Clearly, he is still upset over the fact that he lost his memories.
"Do not worry, Doctor. We will figure this out." She comforts him. Hoping he would calm down. Hearing her comforting him in his time, his mood is slightly raised.
Talulah turns around, picks the folding table, and sets it up in front of the Doctor. "I want you to take a rest first. Tomorrow, I will see what I can do for you." She puts a bowl of soup and a cup of water on the table, "For now, you must eat and rest. You just woke up not long ago."
"Talulah... I- What happened...? D-Do you know what happen to me...?" He asked again.
Talulah says nothing but staring at the Doctor, coming up with an explanation for him. Gradually, she decided against it and planned to talk with Doctor tomorrow.
"Unfortunately, I do not know. However, I will do my best to help you tomorrow, Doctor. Please have this meal and take some rest. I will come back later, Doctor." Talulah stood up and was about to leave the tent until a hand reach out and grabbed her arms. She raised a brow, tilts her head to see Doctor holding her arm.
Realizing that must have been rude to her, Doctor let her go and look down to the floor in shame.
"I'm sorry. I... just want to say... Thank you..."
Talulah closed her eyes. "It's nothing, Doctor." Talulah left Doctor alone inside her tent.
Now alone and feeling his exhaustion catching up with him, the Doctor decided to pick up a spoon and slowly eating the meal provided by Talulah. Once he finished his meal, he left it on a table before lying down on a bed again. Wondering what is awaiting him tomorrow, the Doctor let his thought run wild for few more hours until exhaustion finally caught up with him. He slowly closes his eyes and falls into sleep again.
The next morning, Doctor woke up to find Talulah walking inside with his breakfast and new clothes for him. After finishing his meal and changing into fresh clothes, he was guided outside by Talulah. She took him to explore the city he currently resides in.
"Where are we...?" He asked as he was walking next to the Talulah. From what he assumed, they are in the city, but where? and why everything around him is in ruin? What happens here? So many questions appearing in his thought.
"We are in the Chernobog, Doctor. This city once belongs to the Ursus empire. Now we are the ones who control the city."
"You took it from them..?" He murmured, wondering what lead to this siege, "But why?"
"We have our reason, Doctor. We do not seize a city without a cause. And I shall explain later this evening."
Not daring to question her yet, Doctor decided to keep it to himself. For now, he will just follow her.
"Say Talulah... I forgot to ask you, but who are you, people...?"
"We are the Reunion movement, Doctor. We fought for the infected. We fought the injustice in this land."
"The infected...?" Doctor asked.
"...I... didn't think that your amnesia was this... severe."
"I... Yeah... I'm sorry..."
"Don't be, Doctor. It is understandable..." They came to a stop at a plaza or were once a plaza, but now filled with tents and people working around.
"The infected are those who suffered from the Oripathy. The incurable disease that will eventually consume our life." Talulah pulled her sleeve up, showing the Doctor what happens to her arm.
"-!"
Multiple black crystallized on her arm. Replacing what used to be her skin.
"Is that..."
"Yes. One of the Oripathy symptoms. Once you are infected, sooner or later, these crystals would manifest on you. Then it will slowly spread all over your body...and eventually..." Talulah tailed off. Doctor understood what will eventually happen to her.
"... Is it... hurt...?" He asked, still overwhelm from learning about the oripathy.
"Yes. As our body slowly deteriorating by the oripathy. The pain can be... unbearable sometimes..." She trailed off, "However, compared to what they did to us. This is nothing..." She growled.
"They?" He asked hesitantly.
"Doctor. Since I am infected, do you despise me?"
"...Excuse me?"
"I am infected. So you must hate me, don't you? Don't you want to see me gone forever, Doctor?"
He took a step back, "W-Wait Talulah. I don't understand. I wouldn't-"
"That's what they all said. But behind us, they always hate us. They despised us. They feared us. For them, we are nothing but an insect to them. They stripped everything from us. Leaving us to die alone in the frozen street. They all were the same."
.
.
.
.
"But you are not."
Doctor freeze.
"You are different from them."
"...I."
"I can see it in your eyes... You are different from them. You are the first... person who accepted me. Most people would already run away or cursed at me for staying near them." Talulah grabbed his hand and guided to the crystal in her arms. But Doctor did not pull his hand back. Once he touched the crystal, he feels nothing but a coldness on the surface. He feels no pain from touching it.
"Are we different from you... Doctor?" Talulah asked him again, but this time without emotion.
He replied without hesitation, "No."
Talulah gave him a sad smile. "I wish more people were... like you." She let his hand go, and she continues walking ahead.
"Let's go, Doctor. There are many more places I want to show you. I want you to see who we are."
Talulah and Doctor continue walking through the ruined city. They walk through many reunion members, busying, gathering supplies, or setting up shelters for other infected. Along the way, Talulah explained what the reunion movement is. She told him many tales where the reunion movement rescued the infected from those who mistreated them.
After a few more minutes of walking, Talulah brings Doctor to what used to be a hospital, now slightly damaged by the war that happens a day ago. It was deserted when the infected storm the city. Now it was occupied by any infected that needs intensive care. Talulah brought Doctor inside the hospital through the front entrance. Inside, various medical personnel is attending to the infected. Giving out medicine for those who need it. Operating emergency surgery for any critical wounded. Once they stepped into a patient area, they were immediately greeted by people inside.
"Talulah! You came to visit us!"
"Talulah! What brought you here?"
"Greetings, Talulah! We are glad that you came here for us."
Doctor noticed that when someone saw Talulah, they would welcome her with great respect. Some would even bow to her if their body allowed them to. However, While Talulah enjoys respect from everyone, he was treated differently when Talulah revealed he was non-infected. It was a glimpse, but he saw hatred and dread from most of the infected. But once they realized he was their leader guest, their anger quickly subdued and give him... a somewhat little bit of admiration for earning Talulah trust. After all, Talulah rarely had a guest, especially the non-infected one.
"As you can see, Doctor. We have been taking care of those who are too sick to even defend themselves." Talulah spoke as she leads him through the hospital hallways. "Most of the infected never got a chance to step in here... They were prohibited from seeking any medical treatment. But once we control this city. Those who never got a chance were treated with good medicine. It will at least make their life much easier with all of these medications given to them."
After Talulah is done showing what the reunion movement has been doing for the infected so far, she asked Doctor to wait for her outside while she went off to speak with the medical staff handling the hospital.
While he was waiting for Talulah outside alone, he heard a loud noise from nearby city blocks.
"We got a live one here!"
"Drag them out!"
He remembered that Talulah told him not to wander off too far without her. Still, he decided to go against her order and head off to see what is happening.
Not far from the hospital, Doctor arrived at the screen of commotion. There, several armed reunions are surrounding a group of...civilians—non-infected civilians.
'They must be the Ursus civilians...' Doctor watched in silence as the armed infected dragging out people from the building. The civilians must have been hiding when the reunion stormed the city.
While Doctor recalled what Talulah told him about how non-infected like him treated the infected so bad. He still feels pity for the civilians. They may mistreat the infected, but do they actually deserve the same?
When one of the infected dragged a woman and her child out of a building before hurling them into the group of civilians on the street. He had enough. He initially thought to run back to Talulah and ask her to stop this madness until he noticed all of the armed reunions drew their weapons.
'Oh no... Don't tell me they...'
It didn't take him long enough to understand what about to happen next. He wouldn't stop this madness in time if he ran back to Talulah. He knew he needs to do something right now, even if he might regret it later.
So he did. He stepped in front of the civilians, Standing between the infected and the non-infected.
"Huh? What do you think you are doing?" One of the armed reunions asked Doctor.
"What are you going to do with them." He shot back.
"Are you an idiot? We will deal with the non-infected as usual. Now step aside."
"No. Tell me what are you going to do with them. They were just innocent civilians!" Several gasps can be heard when the Doctor showed his concern for the non-infected.
Doctor grimaced when he saw the reaction from the infected, 'Did I say something wrong?' Doctor wondered.
Usually, anyone with common sense would understand why the Doctor is protecting the civilians, but for the radical infected who were driven by their anger. It is very, very wrong to say that to them. And their reaction just shows that.
"ARE YOU CRAZY?! DID YOU HIT YOUR HEAD WITH SOMETHING?! THEY ARE NOT US! IT IS THAT SIMPLE!" One exploded in pure fury.
"DON'T TELL ME YOU ARE THOSE URSUS SYMPATHIZERS?! SO YOU WANT TO DIE TOO, HUH?!"
While many are screaming at him to step aside and let them deal with the civilians, Doctor still refusing to move an inch. If he did, they all would murder the innocent in cold blood. He won't allow that to happen.
"FINE! If you want to die for those fucker that bad," The infected step forward with his sword ready, "then so be it-! We will-!"
"Stop."
Everyone stopped what they were doing and turns to see unimpressed Talulah walking to Doctor. Her presence alone is enough to terrify anyone who dares to oppose her.
"Talulah-! We- We were just-"
"Silence. Put away your weapons and stay quiet. Now."
The infected immediately put away their weapon and stay silent while Talulah stopped in front of Doctor.
"Doctor. I told you not to wander off without me. You could found yourself in this... kind of situation you will not understand." Talulah scolded Doctor.
"But they were just some civilians. Why would you hurt them? I understand that you people took over the city, but I don't see why you have to kill them." Doctor argued.
"You idio-!"
Talulah glared immediately made the reunions shut their mouth.
"Talulah... I am genuinely appreciated what your movement has done for the infected so far. However, I still cannot understand why your movement has treated those non-infected like these!" He pointed at the group of Ursus civilians, "What have they done to you?! You were mistreated; yes, that is unacceptable. However, to slaughter them like this?! This is unacceptable, Talulah! You are better than this!"
.
.
"I... I believe the reunion is better... than this."
Silence has fallen upon the group. While some look away in shame, some were outright outrage by him. However, his main focus is Talulah. He knew well that they are angry, but to slaughter even a child? He will not accept that. No matter what.
Talulah chuckle broke the silence. Unseen to the infected behind her, she gave him an approving smile.
"I see, Doctor. It seems that I have underestimated you...However," She dropped her smile and return to an impassive look, "If you want to know what they have done to us... then I will show you. I will let you see what Ursus's empire and her people have done to us. Perhaps... you will understand."
Talulah turned back to her men and gave an order. "Bring these people to the school and lock them there. I expected no harm to be done or them."
"Bu-"
"Am I clear...?"
"Y-Yes..." The infected noded in a hurry and ordering Ursus civilians to follow them.
Once they were left alone on the ruined street, Talulah turned to face Doctor again.
"Tonight, Doctor. As I promised, I will show you the ugly truth of this empire. The truth they buried away."
.
.
.
.
"And I hope you will not regret seeing the truth."
Once the sun has set, and the moon has risen in the sky. It took a few hours for them to leave the mobile city. While Talulah seems to be fine with him, other infected people are less than friendly toward him. However, they kept it to themselves since Talulah is sitting next to him. It would be suicidal to go after Talulah guest.
Half an hour later, the military jeep they seized from the Ursus stopped in an empty wilderness. It took the Doctor a moment to notice a crater, hidden by the darkness of the night. Everyone stepped off the vehicle. Talulah lead Doctor to the crater, while their escort stayed behind, watching for any potential threat to their leader and her guest.
"Why did you take me here? I don't see how this will explain anything," He asked as he was being led to the crater by Talulah.
"You ask why we treated those Ursus civilians so harshly. Then this is our answer. The ugly truth of this empire. The reason why we are fighting for the infected."
As the pair passed through the empty desert area, Doctor noticed a large pile of clothes..? ahead of them along with some abandoned cargo vehicle. What raised the alarm is the smell. The closer they are to the hole, the worse the scent is.
'Grr-! The smell-!' He quickly covers his nose.
"Unbearable, isn't it, Doctor." Talulah walks forward, showing no concern for the smell, "This is the reason why we were so outrageous against the Ursus. Take a look, Doctor." Talulah handed him a flashlight and stepped aside. Letting the Doctor see the ugly rotten truth of the Ursus empire. The ugly reality of this world.
It was a bad idea. Doctor mind already suspects what's awaiting him in the darkness below. But he had come too far to stop now. So he did it. he turns on the flashlight.
Once the Doctor shines light over the bottom of the pit, his worst fear was proved.
The endless field of corpse awaits him. Old. Young. Adult. Men. Women. Children. All filled the crater.
Some were already long decayed. Turned into nothing but a pile of rotten meats. Some are still relatively new, but slowly decaying, insects, and their maggot, casually devouring what left of flesh remains. One corpse was looking at him. The decayed faces of the young child are staring back at him. Lifelessly.
He couldn't watch this anymore. He let go of the flashlight, dropped to the floor, and vomit right there, emptying his earlier meal to the floor. However, Talulah seems not to mind at all. Instead, she kneels and patting his back. Comforting him.
"You understand now, do you Doctor?"
Doctor said nothing, but he nodded.
"What you saw us did to them in the city is nothing compared to this. This is just the only scratch on the surface. They have done worse to us than this. This isn't just the only mass grave around here... and it won't be the last one."
No words were exchanged. Everything was replaced by the sound of the wind gently blowing.
"Let's head back, Doctor. We can't stay out here for too long."
Talulah helps Doctor gets up and brought him back to the vehicle. A few minutes later, A jeep left the crater behind, heading back to the mobile city.
Doctor didn't speak a word since he returned. What he witnesses still shook him to his core—the body of Men, Women, Elderly, and Children. All butchered like an animal and left to rotten in the wasteland.
As if knowing what he is thinking, Talulah sits next to him, rubbing his shoulder to comfort him. They sat like that together for a while until Talulah spoke up.
"Doctor. I want you to join the movement."
Doctor was taken back by her offer. He did expect her to offer something sooner or later, but not this quick.
After learning what the non-infected has done, He was understandably hesitating to give his answer. "...Talulah... I...I'm not sure if I-"
"No," She interrupted him. "I can understand why you are... hesitant to join us." Talulah turns around and staring into his eyes, "I do not blame you, Doctor. What happened out there wasn't your fault. However, the movement is not perfect. We are fueled with resentment, bitterness, and sadness. We let our emotion to punish those who have wronged us. Yet, this is where you can save us. I do not wish to see the movement turned into the same thing we despised. I do not want to see the movement destroying everything in its path. I want to create a place for infected to live in peace... A place we can live without fear. A-"
"A home." He responded.
She smiled, "Yes. A home. Where infected can finally live without fear and worry. Maybe one day... where both infected like us, and non-infected like you can live in peace together."
"Talulah... You do realize that to achieve that goal... you..."
"Yes. Many will fall before our dream can be achieved. And I'm ready to bear that burden until the end." She stood up and turned to faces the Doctor.
"I will ask you again. Doctor" Talulah extended her hand to him. Waiting for his final answer, "Help us break this cycle of hatred once and for all. Become the bridge between the infected and non-infected. Become the beacon of hope."
Doctor is not sure what he should answer. He awake to this place without any memory. His past is gone. His name is nowhere to be found. Now the leader of the infected is asking him to help her. What did she see in him? Why did she pick him?
But all of that doesn't matter now. Doctor knew very well he had already made a decision back there at the crater. The horror he had witnessed. Those infected. Innocent or not, they do not deserve that. Nobody deserves something like that. They are human, just like him. What made them so different from him? The crystallized stone on their body? The lesions on their skin?
Is this the right thing to do or not? He does not know. But at the same time, he will not stand aside and do nothing. He will help them, the infected. Even if he had to go against the non-infected just like him. Even if he had to deal with all hatred and distrust from the infected, he will change them. He will show all of them how wrong they were. He will walk through hell for all of them.
After all.
Someone needs to take on the injustice of this world.
And he will do it.
"Talulah... I will help you... I will save you all." He gave her his answer and shook Talulah's hand. Sealing the deal between them.
Talulah smiles.
"Welcome to the Reunion Movement. Doctor."
A seed of hope has been planted. Talulah can't wait to see how the Doctor will change everything.
For the Reunion Movement.
F̴o̸r̴ ̸t̴h̴e̶ ̵U̶r̵s̵u̸s̶.̶
Rhodes Island's Mobile Base, Conference Room.
Inside the Rhodes Island ship, everything went as normal as it was. However, one thing everyone all agreed is that the mood is... not the same anymore.
Since the task force returned from the Chernobog, everyone distracted themselves with treating the wounded, debriefing, and writing post-combat reports. But once everything settles down, everyone realizes that most of them have not seen Amiya. They briefly saw her when Doberman had to carry her off the helicopter.
The loss of their comrade, Scout, and his team was heartbroken. But to see Amiya became so... lifeless made everything even worse. Everyone tried to move on and pretend everything is back to normal. But it will never be the same. It never will.
"How is Amiya doing?" Doctor Kal'tsit asked after listening to Doberman's post-combat report.
"She hasn't left her room since we have returned from the Chernobog. It seems that I may have underestimated her willingness to get the Doctor back. I deeply apologize for this, Dr. Kal'tsit."
"It wasn't your fault. It was my emergency plan from the beginning. We can't sacrifice all operators just to save one person after all." Doctor Kal'tsit closed the mission report. "I will visit her once I'm done with the negotiation."
"Very well, Doctor Kal'tsit. We should be arrived at Lungmen within a day or so. We will see you later."
"Watch Amiya for me, Doberman."
"Yes, Doctor." and the calls ended.
Doctor Kal'tsit puts her communication device away after ending her call with Doberman. She opens the mission report and reviews the post-combat reports again.
'What a mess...' She rubbed her eyes tiredly.
They have carefully planned this rescue operation, they have gone through intense training, and preparing for the worst. Yet, they still ended up losing good chunks of elite operators for nothing. Their main goal was left behind there in the Chernobog to save the rest. Then again, she could not blame them. After all, nobody was expecting the Reunion Movement to seize the mobile city. She was preparing for her men and women to fight through the Ursus military police. Not the endless horde of the infected.
Kal'tsit closed the report and put it away. She had enough for today. Negotiating with the Lungmen administrator was exhausted. Now, learning that their last-ditch attempt to rescue one of Rhodes Island's most crucial person has failed.
'Doctor...' Kal'tsit bitterly thought of the man they failed to rescue today. It's been 3 years since she took him to the sarcophagus and put him in there in the Chernobog. Remembering back to the old day before Rhodes Island was founded, she may not trust him, but at the same time, she feels frustrated for learning that they have failed him. They left him behind in the living hell, Chernobog. Now, she does not want to know if he is still alive or not. She convinced herself that Doctor is still alive. He had to be alive... After everything they have been through together...
Now resting on the guest room bed, Kal'tsit try to get some sleep. Her last thought before falling asleep thinking of the person they have failed to rescue.
'Forgive me, Doctor.'