This village is a nightmare.
Ethan thought the worst was over after what happened in Louisiana with the Baker family and Eveline. That he and Mia could try their best to move on, despite the memories always being right under the surface, just waiting to re-emerge at any given moment. Finding out a little one was on the way made it easier to immerse themselves into their new life as a family. The trauma from the past could be put behind them for someone else's sake.
Rosemary… Their beautiful little girl. So full of life and promise. She's what gives him the strength to move forward and look towards a bright future.
And all that was taken away.
Chris killed Mia. The BSAA took all of them. There was an accident… So much happened, yet Ethan doesn't know what or how to make sense of any of this. All he knows for sure is that his daughter is somewhere in this cursed village. A nightmarish place that's full of monsters and death.
'Doesn't matter! All that does is finding Rose and getting the hell out of here!'
The eerie castle looming high above the old, dreary village is the first place he can think to look. The cold, bitter air bites at his skin as he runs down a dirt path away from the church, finally finding the stone entrance to the estate. Those engraved tablets came in handy. He wouldn't have easily gained entrance without them. Getting here was hard enough as it is.
"Nothing but blood and death… huh." That's what Elena had said about this place.
After making his way over the bridge and through the portcullis, he finds himself in what looks to be a chamber before the main building. This structure must've been built centuries ago… The steps and walls are crumbling, leaving rubble all over the ground. Without Elena's warning, he would've assumed this castle had been long abandoned.
"Shit! Where do I go now?" Glancing around, all he sees are large barrels lining the walls and covering the stone floor. The glow from the antique lights hanging from the ceiling helps, but it's still dim. There must be dozens of them. Wicker baskets filled with wheat, apples, and spices sit atop and alongside the wooden containers. This must be a storage area for the maniacs living in this miserable place. That still doesn't give him any clues on which direction to go next.
'Ah!'
His eyes light up at the sight of an old lever with yellow tape next to a wrought iron door. That should lead him out of this room and hopefully into the rest of the castle.
"Well, well..." A voice breaks the silence, causing Ethan to freeze up on the spot. Someone found him already… He didn't expect to run into anyone so soon. Spinning around, his eyes widened at the sight of a large figure standing across the room. A bullet of sweat runs down his pallid face as he takes the person's scruffy appearance.
"Didn't think anyone was left!" A bearded man in a battered, old trench coat strides across the floor, paying no mind to the broken tiles beneath his boots. Slung over his shoulder is an enormous hammer, too large for a normal person to be able to carry. To Ethan's disbelief, pieces of scrap metal lying around the room start to shake, rising off surfaces and floating in midair. This person… He has some kind of weird power. "You must be pretty tough, huh?" The burning cigar between his gloved fingers is tossed to the ground after one last drag, quickly being stomped out.
"Who the fuck are you?"
The man looks up from under a worn fedora with an unreadable expression. Messy waves of dark, silver-streaked hair spill out from under the brim of his hat, greasy and unkempt. A pair of dark teashade sunglasses conceal his eyes, making it harder to get a better grasp of what this person might be thinking. The moment their gaze meets, a wide smile spreads across his face, putting the desperate father on high alert. There's something this person seems positively thrilled about.
"Oh… You're not local! Even better." With a flick of the wrist, a metal bar shoots forward, impaling Ethan right through the abdomen. Blood sprays out onto the floor and over his hands as he instinctively grabs onto the makeshift weapon. The objects flying around start slamming against him, quickly encasing his body in a metal cocoon. Panic sets into overdrive realizing he can't move a single inch from the heavy metal weighing down his limbs. The more he tries to struggle, the more blood pours out of the wound, causing him to drop to the floor.
'No! I have to find Rose! Not here, not now… I can't stop the bleeding… I'll be too weak to do anything.'
"Mother Miranda's gonna love you." The man stands tall over him, looking down with a twisted grin. That name… Mother Miranda. That's all he's heard about since coming into this god-forsaken place. Amused laughter assaults his ears as the last piece of metal hovering in the air smashes down against his face, sending him spiraling into a world of darkness.
"The man is of no real use to anyone else. And my daughters do so love… entertaining foreigners."
'A voice… That's a woman's voice.'
It's not just one but multiple voices that make Ethan's ears perk up as he starts regaining consciousness. Even with his eyes still closed, everything is spinning like being on a ride at an amusement park. What the hell happened?
'That's right… That metal asshole was dragging me on the ground. Dammit! My hands are still stuck in this stupid contraption… Where am I now?'
Groaning, he tries lifting his head from the cold surface but it weighs at least a hundred pounds. Every muscle in his body is aching. Between running through the village, having part of his hand bitten off while fighting those hairy beasts, and getting impaled through the stomach, he's not sure it can handle whatever comes next.
Hearing a strange high-pitched sound only inches away, Ethan's lids slowly flutter open and he immediately regrets it.
"Neeuhhh… Hehehe." A small, skeletal doll in a bridal dress is bent over peering at him, giggling as she watches him waking up. Shock forces him to push himself up, trying to back away from the macabre... thing teasing him.
It only gets worse as a grotesque, hunchbacked man wrapped in an old cloak lumbers into his view, seemingly wanting to get a better look at their 'captive'. He sways to the side, having a hard time moving around with his deformed body and unnaturally thin arms, waving them about to keep balance. His skin is wrinkled, bumpy, and gray as if he's spent years decaying underwater. A fish-like mouth hangs open as he chuckles deeply. The crown of bones atop his head only adds to the idea that this creature is not a human.
'What the fuck are these?!'
Gasping for air, Ethan's gaze flickers back and forth, attempting to make sense of his surroundings. This place… It looks like it might be an abandoned church or small theater. The ceiling is partially caved in, allowing light from the outside to filter in through the large hole in the roof. Beams and rafters are haphazardly placed around wooden scaffolding like someone did a half-ass job at trying to fix the damage. Balconies line both sides of the hall with large tapestries hanging from them. Decades ago, this must've been a sight to see, with the intricate designs etched into the woodwork and oil lamps hanging in the corners.
Now, it's just a hellhole filled with monsters…
A lump catches in his throat as he looks at the 'congregation'. On each side of the aisle are pews and chairs set on the old stone floor and they're all occupied. There must be at least nine people here, aside from the freaky doll. An embroidered rug runs up the center and up to two stairs to the main attraction. A woman… Dressed in all black, surrounded by feathers of the same color. Her pale face is partially concealed by an ornamental mask and a large golden disk—like a saint's halo—must be attached to the hood for it to be right behind her head like that.
'Is she?... This woman's like a cross between an angel and demon… This must be Mother Miranda that everyone keeps mentioning.'
"—I can assure you if you entrust the mortal to House Dimitrescu, my daughters and I shall deliver to you the finest cups of his slaughtered blood." Out of the corner of his eye, Ethan sees the person whose voice he heard earlier. An enormously tall woman in a long, white dress sitting on an equally high chair. From her posture to the way she holds a cigarette stem, everything screams high-class.
'Wait… Did she say 'finest cups of his slaughtered blood'?! Is that what this is? A meeting to figure out what they're going to do with me?!'
"Out of the way ugly! I want to see—oh!" The doll shoves the chortling creature, berating him for getting in the way of her view. Seeing that he's awake now, she lights up with excitement, laughing and shaking on the spot.
"You mean… Y–You mean…" The bastard who stabbed him with a metal pole then dragged his limp body across the jagged ground of a cave passage, lies back on a pew with his legs crossed, smoking another cigar. That ridiculous hammer still in his clutches, slung over his shoulder. Once the tall woman across from him was finished, he sat forward, wanting to get his own two cents in. With the doll and fishman carrying on, Ethan can barely hear what he's trying to say.
"Oh! He's awaaakeee!" The small figure jumps in place, spinning around to let the others know their captive's finally lucid. She's too enthusiastic for this not to be bad. When they thought he was out of it, it seemed like they were debating on who gets to do what with him.
"Both of you shut the fuck up!" The metal man screams at the two who keep interrupting him, instantly silencing them both. The doll's head hangs low as she hops down the aisle, quickly running to a woman completely covered in funeral garbs, who leans down to pick the thing up, letting it sit on her lap like a child.
'All these people are freaks!'
"You mean you'll screw around with him in private, and where's the fun in that? Give him to me and I'll put on a show that everybody can enjoy." With a confident smirk and showy wave of his hand, he sits back and takes another drag of his cigar.
"Oh, so gauche. What do we care for bread and circuses? The manthing's suffering is assured, regardless." The tall lady looks across the aisle in disdain, as if the man holding the hammer was the most repulsive thing she's ever seen and him even talking in her presence is an insult on its own.
"Yack, yack! And if a man's dick is cut off in the castle—blah, blah, blah!" He chuckles seeing the annoyance painted across the woman's face as she scowls at him.
"Screw this!" Someone yells from the second-row bench and hops up, looking irate. A man with slicked-back gray hair who only looks to be in his 30's glares around the room at the others, gripping a triple-bladed scythe in his hands. His black and red hooded cloak is open down the front, exposing most of his chest despite the frigid temperatures. "This is bullshit! Why the hell is Alcina and Heisenburg the only ones who get to call dibs, huh? Give him to me as a sacrifice. You guys have been tryin' to hold me back all this time and think the scraps from earlier are enough? Heh! He's gonna have your asses at this rate!"
'Heisenberg must be the fedora-wearing prick and Alcina the big lady…'
"Enough of your Jashin bullshit, Hidan. No one cares. Not then, not now." Heisenberg lays his head back, blowing a puff of smoke in the other man's direction.
"How disgusting… Must you act like a neanderthal at every meeting? We have a guest. Can you at least pretend to have some sort of manners? Or do we need to put a leash and muzzle on you for next time?" Behind Alcina is a man sitting in an elaborately engraved chair with long, wavy blond hair. His expression is a mix of boredom and disgust as he stares at the scythe-wielder across the room.
"Fuck you, Julien. This dipshit ain't no 'guest'. He's prey and nothing more. You are too, blondie. After I'm done with him, you're next!"
"Yes, yes." With a sigh, he sits back and waves him off like an annoying little fly buzzing around. "We've played this game before. Lady Sakura might not be so kind as to stitch your head back on for the hundredth time. I'm sure it gets old after a while… Why don't we just grind you and our guest into fertilizer for her garden? You're better off aiding in the creation of art than continuing these manic ravings about imaginary deities... What do you say, milady? I'm sure we could put them to good use."
Ethan follows the man's line of sight to a solemn figure sitting in the second row, partially hidden behind the huge hammer. His brow furrows at the person's strange appearance. A woman with bright pink hair tied back into a loose braid, wearing a flowy off-the-shoulder blouse and black underbust bodice. With skin so pale it's almost luminescent, it's a stark contrast to the dark choker around her neck. He squints trying to make out what's on her forehead. A diamond? A jewel? It's hard to tell… Unlike the others, she doesn't seem eager to get involved in the dispute over who gets to kill him.
'Aside from the obvious, she doesn't look like a local. Neither does the guy with the scythe. Are they foreigners? Definitely not European. I thought this was an isolated village… At least, that's what it seemed like.'
"I'm not interested." The woman's voice is soft but firm. Her green eyes shift from 'Julien' towards the wall, not wanting to be a part of this twisted little competition.
"Tch. You're no fun..." Hidan gives the pinkette a little jab with his elbow, earning a glare from her. "What? I guess you don't like getting your hands messy anymore unless it's—"
"You shut the fuck up too! And keep your goddamn hands to yourself or I'll smash your head in and there won't shit to sew back on." Heisenberg growls, turning in his seat to stare the loud-mouth down. "This is between the big dogs, so stay out of it!"
"Enough…" The entire room goes silent when the woman at the end of the aisle speaks. There's no doubt in Ethan's mind this is the 'saint' the villagers' revere. What is it about her that can stop this motley crew of misfits from bickering with a single word? Respect? Admiration? Fear? Loyalty? "I've heard all your arguments. Some of you were less persuasive than others, but… I've made my decision."
He can feel the anticipation in the air from those in the group vying for the chance to dig their claws into him sitting at the edge of their seats, waiting for her answer. It might've only been a quick second to them but for Ethan, that moment seemed endless.
"Heisenberg. The man's fate is in your hands." The bearded man tips his hat with a cocky smirk when their leader points towards him, announcing him the winner of their little competition.
"Mother Miranda, I must protest! Heisenberg is but a child, and his devotion to you is questionable." Discontent with the result, Alcina pushes up off her seat, taking slow, measured steps in Ethan's direction. This woman's even taller than he realized, making him feel smaller the closer she gets. Eight feet? Nine? "Give the mortal to me, and I will ensure he's ready."
'Ready for what? I thought they were fighting over who gets to kill me?'
Before she gets too close, Heisenberg springs to his feet from the pew, quickly blocking her path. With his teeth bared and fists clenched, the man glares up at her, completely disregarding the size difference as she towers over him.
"Shut your damn hole!" Holding a gloved hand out, the hammer he left against the bench flies right into his palm, ready to start swinging if it comes down to it. "And don't be a sore loser! Go find your food somewhere else, you big bitch. I'm sure those little blood-suckers can wrestle something up for you."
"Quiet now, child! Adults are talking" Taking a drag from her cigarette stem, the tall woman sneers down at Heisenberg, knowing exactly what to say to get under his skin. It's clear from his posture and how tightly he's gripping the handle of his hammer.
"I'm the child?! You're the one who's arguing with Miranda's decision!"
"You wouldn't know responsibility if it was welded to that hammer!" Alcina yells, taking a step closer towards him, not caring that she's in range of his weapon. She's smug, either from knowing he won't swing or being confident enough to handle it if that happens.
"Oh, keep growing! One day your head might actually fit your ego!" The man looks mad enough to spit.
"Jesus fucking Christ… I hate these stupid meetings. Can you two just beat the shit out of each other already so we can call it a day?" Hidan groans, banging his head against the top of the bench in front of him.
"Silence!" Large, black wings spring out on either side of the saint, abruptly stopping the quarrel in its tracks. The moment her voice raises and everyone falls silent, that's when Ethan finally sees them. The beasts he fought in the village. Hopping down from the hole in the roof, leaping to the edge of the balconies, lining the scaffolding… Growling and hissing, inching closer and ready to pounce once their leader gives the word. They're foaming at the mouth, wanting nothing more than to tear someone to shreds.
"My decision is final. There will be no argument. Remember from whence you came!" She glares, looking from one side of the aisle to the other, daring anyone to speak up.
"Thank you…" Heisenberg bows his head graciously to the demoness at the head of the aisle. Looking back at his competitor, he barks out a laugh at her expense, grinning ear to ear when she turns away in a huff to join the others as they stand. The group moves back, congregating near the candles burning alongside the carpet at the foot of where their saint stands.
'Shit! Shit… What happens now? What is this crazy asshole going to do?!'
"Lycans and gentlemen, we thank you for waiting!" In a showy fashion, he addresses the new occupants gathering in every corner, getting closer with each passing second. With his hands and hammer outstretched, the man spins around so everyone sees him, seemingly enjoying his win and the attention. "And now let the games begin!"
Ethan tries to move back as Heisenberg kneels down, looking at him from under the brim of his fedora. "Let's see what you're really made of, Ethan Winters. Get ready!"
Getting back to his feet, he spins the enormous hammer in the air, smashing it down against the stone floor where the chain was bolted in. In one strike, the slabs are smashed to pieces and the heavy metal link is broken from the restraints on Ethan's wrists. He's still vulnerable without the use of his hands but at least he can run now.
"Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven!" Standing tall among the hunched over savages looming closer, Heisenberg calmly counts down as Ethan panics. Are they going to eat him? Tear him to bits? Hack him into pieces with their hatchets and razor-sharp claws? He's already seen them in action. Dealing with just one of them with a weapon is hard enough. How is he supposed to take on dozens like this?
"Six! Five! Four! Three!"
'No, no, no, no, no! Fuck! There's nowhere to go!'
Sweat pours down his face as the beasts surround him, snarling and snapping their jaws. There's no running past them. Even if he could, it would be straight into the maniacs fighting over who gets to kill him. No. There has to be somewhere to run or hide. This bastard wouldn't put on such a display of showmanship in front of everyone just to have these things maul him in a few seconds… Right?
Finding himself cornered with few options left, Ethan quickly glances around, trying to find anything to help fight these monsters off. His heart almost leaps out of his chest at the sight of a hole in the floor, just a few feet away in the very back. That's his only chance of possibly surviving this and saving Rose.
"Two! One!… Showtime!" With nothing left to lose, he throws himself down the dark hole, ready to take on anything that gets in his way.
'I will find you, Rose! No matter what!'
"That's Right! Run for your life!"
Sakura sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose as booming laughter echoes throughout the hall. Green eyes land on the small group of people gathered around the old TV atop a rickety metal cart. The moment that man jumped down through the floor, it was quickly wheeled out from behind one of the tapestries hanging low from a balcony. It was ready and waiting just for this moment. Karl always has everything prepared in case things happen to swing in his favor. And for once, they actually did.
'He's really eating this up…'
There hasn't been much recently that would bring everyone together like this. If they weren't watching an infant's father running through a death trap on a screen, she might've found this sight somewhat endearing…
Karl stands right in front, gripping a small mic in his hands and watching every move intently. He's excited, giving commentary every now and then, sometimes through the speakers so the man can hear him. A lot of time and effort went into making this gauntlet. It wasn't just some spur-of-the-moment idea. He put a lot of thought into mapping out the details and putting it all together, including the placement of the lycans. Seeing someone capable running through the course would give him a real thrill.
"Very nice, Ethan! Hahaha!"
Beside Karl, the others are trying to get a better look with his big body in the way. Donna quietly pulls a small chair over to observe, letting Angie sit on her shoulder. The doll's one of the loudest in the bunch, cheering and clapping her hands with glee.
Moreau can barely see, trying to push himself up onto his toes to catch a glimpse. He has a hard time keeping his balance, bumping into Julien who gives him a disgusted look but says nothing. After all, they have to work together and there isn't much the blond-haired man hasn't said to him over the last few decades.
"Surprised this fuck-nut hasn't got his ass chewed off yet…" Mumbles Hidan, folding his arms and gazing at the images. Aside from Alcina, there's no one in the family who enjoys violence more than him. Even after complaining earlier about wanting to leave over and over again, here he is, watching with everyone else.
"Nessa, we're leaving." Tearing her gaze away from those around the cart, Sakura looks at the tall lady standing in the aisle. Alcina… Just barely, she could hear her speaking with Miranda under all the clamor, asking for permission to exit the meeting. It's no surprise. She's probably still pissed about being passed over for Karl, even though that rarely happens.
"Tch." Against one of the pillars, a younger woman with short auburn hair smokes a cigarette, clicking her tongue at the command. Tossing the smoke onto the stone floor and stamping it out with a dress shoe, she fixes her flat cap, knowing full-well that dawdling will only make the Lady angrier.
'She doesn't care… So ballsy.'
"Now! Stop wasting time watching these childish games." The vein by Alcina's temple pulses as she grimaces at her underling. Nessa might have the title of 'Lord' in the village, but it doesn't carry the same weight as the 'Great Four'. In the end, it's their words and demands that come first, only after Miranda's. It's what forces the rebellious tomboy to begrudgingly stop what she's doing and kick off the pillar to follow along.
"You're still alive? Impressive…" Taking a step back, Karl takes another puff off his cigar, moving to tap the ash off onto the floor without looking away. It ends up landing right on top of Moreau's shoe. Neither probably noticed from being too wrapped up in Ethan's perilous race through the tunnels. Not that the former would have cared even if he did.
'I'm not interested in this.'
Finally getting up off the pew, Sakura's had more than enough for one day. There are still a few things that need to be finished before everything is said and done. Besides, there's no doubt someone will fill her in on what she missed. That's for certain… Looking down with a sigh, she brushes off the dust that fell onto her long maroon skirt and grabs the cloak hanging over the back.
'Those damn lycans… They always make such a mess wherever they go.'
With her siblings absorbed in the screen, now's a perfect time to head out. They're not needed here anyway. What's going on at the moment is just for entertainment purposes. The kind that she's not exactly partial to. A hunt or watching someone suffering has never been a favorite pastime of her's, unlike most of Miranda's adopted 'children'.
Walking down the aisle to the village deity, the pinkette sucks in a deep breath to calm her nerves. Maybe it's from all she knows or what has happened just in the last day but it feels incredibly tense. Perhaps it's just her since the others are reveling in the mayhem. They're not seeing the bigger picture.
"Mother, I'll be taking my leave as well." The words are like dirt in her mouth.
"Yes. Just make sure you're prepared to do your duty. I don't need to remind you how important the ceremony is." Still standing in the same spot as before, the older woman doesn't take her eyes off the television as she talks. Not even sparing a single glance. All her focus is dedicated to what's about to happen… Between the infant, Rose, and now her father who's been scrambling through the village in hopes of finding her. He won't. At least, not easily.
"Of course. Thank you." With a small bow, Sakura turns on the heel of her boot, just wanting to get out of there as quickly as possible. She needs some air… But even that won't help now.
Striding past the group around the cart, Karl shoots her a quick glance, not hiding the scowl on his face. Instead of giving him a reaction, she keeps walking towards the tunnels. That's one more thing she's going to have to hear about later.
'Oh, well…'
In the same way that Nessa is tied to House Dimitrescu, she is connected to Houses Heisenberg and Beneviento. Miranda set up a system between them all, dependent on need and will. That is partially why House Moreau ended up with two. Sal tries taking on more work than the others, even if it's largely unsuccessful. Not only that but Alcina outright refused to accept any males, saying she doesn't want any man-things that aren't to be killed near her daughters.
There are eight 'Lords' throughout the village in total, yet no equal distribution of power among them. The Great Four are descendants of the former Kings that ruled this land long ago. They always take precedent and are revered figureheads who keep this village under control in Mother Miranda's name. Their portraits are kept in the church and altars.
The other four, including herself… They're considered 'minor Lords', though squire would fit the bill better. Even attendant or assistant, since that's what most are relegated to. In that regard, she's been quite lucky. Both of her Lords are quite different from the other two. They mostly keep to themselves… Neither actively participating in live experimentation with the cadou and rarely venturing from their lands, save for the meetings Miranda forces on them every so often.
'Nessa, Julien, and Hidan have it much worse.'
Going through the stone tunnel, the clicking of her short heels bounce off the walls of the small space. If anyone was still around, they'd probably hear her approaching long before coming into contact.
'No one's here. Not anymore.'
Making it outside the portcullis, Sakura stares up at the dreary, dark gray skies. It feels like the weather matches her mood. Dark, cold, and sad. Trying to shake it off, she continues down the dirt path, walking past the ghoulish scarecrows on either side... The decaying corpses of men Alcina had put on display throughout the castle grounds. It served as a clear warning to any males that a similar fate will befall them should they choose to get too close.
Wrapping the cloak around her, the pinkette hugs it tightly against her shivering form. Winter is the worst time of year, especially in these parts. The bitter cold doesn't work well with this body. That only makes the current situation going on even more frustrating.
Going through the village itself causes her chest to tighten. Where was one a relatively peaceful and devout community, there is only devastation and death. Empty homes that used to be filled with families are left broken, with doors or roofs smashed in from the attack. Some still have the remnants of what the occupants were doing at the very moment all hell broke loose. Laundry partially hung up, plates of food on the table, candles lit at their alters…
Green eyes flicker back and forth, taking in the destruction the lycans left behind. It all happened so quickly… A single order from the woman these people worshipped with everything they had, caused all this.
"Heisenberg… Bring the lycans into the village."
That's how it started and the ruins all around are how it ended. The moment the command left Miranda's mouth when she returned with the infant after being absent for several weeks, the Lords were all stunned. It's not that there was love for those who inhabited this village... No, most of them couldn't care less. It was out of surprise that everything was suddenly escalating. After controlling this land for almost a century, she expected it to all be wiped away within a day.
"I have no use for them anymore. Don't let a single one escape. They all must go."
The words were so callous and icy as they left her lips… She said them while holding the baby tightly in her arms, looking down at the little bundle warmly. But it wasn't Rose she was seeing. No, it was Eva. The daughter she lost long ago. Only a few people have seen that look and understand what's truly behind it. And even less actually know what Miranda genuinely is…
Evil.
Sakura purses her lips, stopping to stare at a large puddle of blood over the snow-covered ground. Who did this belong to? A father? Mother? An innocent child? Or even livestock? Some of the lycans can ride horses but others cannot control themselves, giving in to their most base instincts. They've even been known to tear into and devour their own kind.
"Hah…" Lifting the bottom of her skirt, she gingerly tiptoes around the mess. The forest isn't far now. Just a little more. After leaving Castle Dimitrescu, a dirt trail takes her through the center of the village to the old ruins. Once past the historic site, the land opens up to more desolate surroundings. Not many people would venture out in this direction even before, preferring the safety and security of living near the church where they believed Mother Miranda would protect them.
Staying on this path will eventually lead to the Heisenberg factory… but that's not where she's going. East of his land is an ancient forest. One that's been here long before the Lord's ancestors proclaimed this territory as theirs. Nestled in between the Heisenberg and Beneviento estates, it is the perfect place in this village for her.
The exterior doesn't look like much at first glance. Barren trees line the border, acting as a barrier for the dense forest. Even at this time of year, it holds up pretty well. If a person isn't familiar with the landscape, it's hard to find an opening that doesn't include climbing through brush and sharp branches. However, once in… it's easy to get lost. This area on the outskirts of the village is vast, extending all the way to the mountainside.
'Here we are…'
A wooden arbor covered in vines, surrounded by decaying undergrowth is the main entrance. The gateway is partially hidden by frosted ivy hanging in long streams. With a wave of her hand, the curtain of foliage moves aside.
'Don't worry. You'll look much better once winter is over.'
Sakura smiles softly, letting her fingers graze the leaves as she passes through. It's hard to think that she might not be here to help it along this time… Tomorrow's not a guarantee. Not anymore. No one really knows what's going to happen now that Miranda's made her move.
Walking down a beaten path made in the dirt from years of taking the same route, the pinkette can't help taking in the surroundings and recommitting them to memory. She knows this land like the back of her hand but every day, something changes. A dying tree may fall over or new life begins sprouting from the earth, even during this dismal season. Unlike the rest of the village, there are more possibilities here.
The forest has been her home for decades. It's almost hard to believe until realization hits. Sometimes it's just glancing over an outdated newspaper smuggled in by the Duke and noticing the year… Or a villager she's seen as a child quickly matures into a fully-grown adult. The years fly by yet nothing changes. It's like being stuck in limbo where everything's too fast but moving so slow.
Finally reaching the clearing, she lets out a shaky breath. Unlike most of the forest, this place is different. The dead grass leads into lush, soft blades beneath her boots. The trees are full of life with their leaves still attached. Flowers, colorful and vibrant, are in full bloom. The vegetation in the garden is plentiful. The greenhouse on the far side is doing better than ever, regardless of the conditions outside.
In the middle of it all is what used to be an old mansion that became her home almost sixty years ago. It'd been left abandoned after the last owner died, having no heirs to take it over. The place was falling apart when Miranda 'gifted' it to her. From the outside, it looks almost untouched with ivy growing all over it. That was the intent. At the time, she wanted it to blend in with the surroundings more in hopes of not attracting any villagers from afar that might've decided to roam the forest.
Everything here is a part of her life's work up to this point. If she's gone… What will happen to it all?
'Don't think about it. Just keep a clear head.'
Biting her lower lip, Sakura strolls across the grass towards the small path right out front of the property. Despite how things started here, this place carries so many memories… Wonderful and absolutely horrendous ones. She used her powers to create something beautiful in a land filled with tragedy and horror. And it might all be ripped away.
'That won't matter. I'm not alone... Anywhere can be home if I make it happen.'
That thought helps push her up the stone steps leading to the mansion's entrance. It's smaller than Donna's but that's to be expected. She hails from a distinguished family that's been living there for generations. The pinkette on the other hand… Not quite. Her surname is nothing notable. It won't be in the village books or scrolls. Just a nobody who happened to be lucky enough to survive.
Going through the double doors, she steps through the foyer as they slowly close behind her. A sigh of relief leaves her lips at the warmth radiating through the home. It's a welcome change from the frigid temperatures outside.
Vines from the ceiling slither down, reaching for the cloak around her shoulders, giving the sleeve a slight tug. With a small chuckle, she pulls it off and hands the garments over. It's carefully placed on a wooden coat tree, just as if it was done herself.
"Thank you." Sakura grins, watching the vines withdrawing back to their resting spot. A large hanging basket. There are quite a few of them throughout the home. Just like there are potted plants in every corner. They bring life into this isolated structure deep in the forest. It gets lonely living far from where the villagers resided.
'It's too quiet…'
The sounds of her boots against the tiled floor as she walks down the hall is another reminder of how empty this place is. No voices filtering over from another room… Or the squeal of children laughing while they play. Despite being adopted into a big 'family' no one would ever tell by looking around.
'I might've been a grandmother by now… Maybe even a great-grandmother. What a strange thought.'
Now's not the time to be acting like a sentimental fool. Miranda plans on carrying out the ceremony later. Preparations need to be finished. Tonight may be the night where everything changes. What seemed like an endless stretch of time for them could all come crashing down.
Taking a turn down the next hall, the pinkette heads straight for the door at the very end. Swinging it open, she starts descending the dimly lit staircase. The stone walls and location make it much colder here than the rest of the home. Goosebumps form along her skin as she heads deeper underground. It's not the most comfortable place to do work but it is the most secluded.
Coming off the last step, she strides down another hall to get to the main section. This part of the mansion was presumably used for storage, workers, and from the few cells down here… prisoners. The family that built this place has long died out but it's a wonder what kind of people they were.
'Probably a bunch of rich, messed up bastards…'
The cellar was fixed up a while ago to be used as a lab for experiments. There's no need for workers or jailing people so they've been repurposed for better use. It may not be what Miranda had in mind but she's not the only thing that matters in this world.
Sakura glides past the shelves along the walls, filled with jars, books, flasks, and other objects collected over the years. Glass containers line the counter with various specimens floating inside. Some contain cadou that haven't been used quite yet while others house her creations still under observation. The bars to the cells have been replaced with heavy glass panes, just in case a subject becomes… a bit much. They can't overpower her but manhandling them might ruin all the time and effort she put in. Besides, it's easier to watch their stages like this, and sometimes they need the extra room or are too strong for the lighter material. Metal bars won't do much against certain plants that can just go between them, and someone else had better use for them anyway.
A large table sits in the center of the room with files and papers stacked across the surface. Over the years, she's accumulated an enormous amount of notes and findings from her research. Pulling out a stool, the pinkette sits down to look over details of her latest project. And the most important one…
The cadou. Everything in this village, from the Lords to the lycans and vârcolaci, has been mutated by this organism created by Miranda. She left nothing untouched. Even the villagers are now reduced to mutilated corpses or newly-formed lycans.
Despite years of observation and testing, there are still too many unanswered questions. Those who assimilated with the cadou were mutated and eventually stopped aging, even if it was at different points in their lives. How long will that last? Are there long-term effects beyond what they've seen up to this point? Could they live for centuries? What happens if the mold is destroyed? Will that affect the host? Or will their bodies rapidly age? Would leaving the village and putting distance between the host and mold cause issues? What about those who aren't as… assimilated with the organism?
"Dammit!" Leaning against her elbow and looking down at the notes, Sakura feels like throwing them against the wall. None of these questions will even matter if the ceremony takes place. Miranda really thinks they're oblivious, huh? Well, that's not entirely wrong... From the others' demeanor and attitude at the meeting, it doesn't seem like they really understand what this means for them.
"What the fuck?!" Sakura jumps from the booming voice coming across the room. Spinning on the stool, she raises a brow at the tapestry against the wall as it's pushed aside. Behind the textile is a secret passage, one that only two people know about… A large man steps out of the dark tunnel with a scowl on his face.
"You bitch! Why the hell did you run off?" His upper lip curls up into a snarl as he stomps into the room, letting that stupidly massive hammer scrape across the stone floor. This bastard knows how much that gets on her nerves…
Green eyes narrow on the man while a string of curses and threats come to the forefront of her mind. Sucking in a deep breath to calm down, she turns back around without a word, completely ignoring him. Even if there's no way to focus with his loud mouth carrying on, she'll at least pretend to be immersed in her notes.
"Hey!" The warning turns into a deep growl as he stalks over, dropping the hammer with a loud bang on the floor. That more than likely broke a few tiles from the sound of it, not that he gives a damn.
'He hasn't called me that in decades… This must be getting to him more than he's letting on.'
"What did I tell you last time?" She can hear his boots stop right behind her stool. Turning in the seat to face him, the pinkette stares right back at the man towering above her, giving him an annoyed look. "I believe it was along the lines of, 'Next time you call me a bitch, I have plants that'll give you the worst rash you'll ever experience in your entire goddamn life', or something like that."
Even with his shades on, Sakura can still see his eyes studying her face, almost like he's trying to determine if she'll be true to her word. Sometimes those threats have real consequences or they might be a joke with a tinge of caution behind it. That depends on how far he wants to push it. Both of them can be petty from time to time. Whenever the plants are brought up, it's usually a good idea to be a bit wary.
"... That was over thirty years ago."
"It still counts, Karl. I'm surprised you remember how long ago that was." A small smile graces her lips as she sees the tension throughout his body starting to wind down. His muscles begin to relax, letting go of that rigid posture he usually has when getting ready for a fight. He's still a bit on edge, probably from everything going on, but this is better.
"Tch. Of course, I do. I don't forget anything." Looking away from her, Karl takes off his trench coat, tossing it onto one of the stools. The shades are next, gently being placed next to a stack of files on the smooth surface. "You still didn't answer my question. Why didn't you stay?" Leaning against the side of the table, he folds his arms over his chest, staring at her from under the brim of that old fedora.
'I knew it… Karl's stressed and the rush of adrenaline from what happened in the meeting didn't help. Every time there's a fight with Alcina, it takes a bit to cool off. And he actually got one over on her this time. Instead of reveling in his victory, he was in a nasty mood.'
"You know I'm not a big fan of that kind of entertainment. Besides, I wanted to make sure all my calculations are precise for this." A pale finger points to a small rack with vials along the counter. The latest project and probably the most important one of her life.
"Yeah, I should've figured…" Sighing, he reaches into a shirt pocket to pull out a cigar, placing it between his lips. She was expecting him to light one of those up right away. As he strikes a match and toasts the foot before immersing himself in it, familiar scents fill the air. The acrid smell of chemicals burning from the match, that quickly gives way to something more pleasant. His Cuban cigars… After all this time, she's learned to enjoy the pungent aroma. A combination of earthy tones, spices, coffee, and even chocolate. Occasionally, she can pick up a hint of almond or vanilla.
It can be relaxing to just sit back and watch. The way wisps of smoke pour from his lips and dance through the air... Seeing how much he genuinely enjoys this small luxury thanks to some finagling with the Duke.
"Sorry." Karl says quietly, looking away as he takes another drag.
'W–What?!'
Sakura's not sure if she actually heard him right. After all, the bastard practically mumbled it under his breath. Did he… Did he just apologize?
'Hell really is freezing over… What's gotten into him? He usually doesn't say the s-word. If anything, he'll just do something to make up for being an ass or work his way around it without actually apologizing. I don't know what to say.'
"I… Whatever. It's okay." Sliding down off the stool, she inches closer toward him. He's still staring at the wall, smoking away and trying to avoid eye contact like that'll change anything. "If it makes you feel any better, I did get to watch part of it. Most people probably would've been done for in the beginning. Uriaș nailed him pretty good, too. It's amazing the things that twisted mind comes up with."
From the side, she can see the smirk he's trying to suppress. If there's one thing that Karl can't resist, it's praise for his talents and ingenuity. Anything that'll fuel his enormous ego. There's no denying the man's a genius engineer with a brilliant mind. It's just his personality and aggressive nature that is off-putting for most people.
"The finale was the best part. Should've seen it… If that son of a bitch wasn't shitting himself before, he sure as hell was then! Heheh!" The anger from before seems long-forgotten to him now, being replaced with pride in his work and amusement.
'I wasn't the reason he was actually pissed anyway. He ends up taking shit out on the wrong things. Usually, it's anyone but me.'
"What do you think? How did he do?" Sakura says softly, hopping up onto the edge of the table so they're next to each other. Even like this, he's still so tall compared to her. Despite the unease lying just beneath the surface, being close to him brings a sense of comfort. She's not in this alone and knowing that makes it bearable.
"The guy's one tough bastard, that's for sure. Was able to make it through, even after getting his ass kicked… Missing part of a hand, took a bar to the gut, and a few swings from Uriaș. Managed to take out multiple lycans throughout the village too. Don't know what's with his body but I'd bet he came out of Louisiana with a lot more than just his ol' lady." Smoke blows out of his nose with a snort.
"I see… I wonder if he'll be the game-changer Duke talked about. It's strange how it seems to be playing out so similarly." The only thing she can hope for is a different ending than the original tale. Glancing down at her skirt, the pinkette traces one of the seams with a fingertip. This was a gift handmade by Donna.
"That's why I had to see what he's capable of. I'm not going to take such a big fucking risk for a nobody who can't handle getting through that. And there was no way in hell I was gonna let the queen heifer and her blood-sucking gnats dig into him first." Dropping the cigar into an empty clay saucer, Karl sighs, moving to stand in front of her. "Still, we can't depend on an outsider to fix this. One way or another, this shit is coming to an end."
'End' carries more weight than it ever has before. With time becoming somewhat meaningless and living in a constant state of limbo, it seemed like there's no such thing. Now it's racing towards them at lightspeed.
"Are you nervous?" Callused fingers grasp the pinkette's chin, lifting it up so she'll look at him.
Sakura quietly gazes into his eyes, mulling the question over. Is she nervous? Yes but that's not all. It's a complex mix of emotions from optimism and excitement, to sorrow and dread. They might all die within the next day. Nothing is certain. On the other hand, there's also a chance to be free of Miranda's control.
"Don't be. I'll kill that bitch even if it's the last thing I do." The resentment carried for decades flares up as he bares his teeth, biting out each word. "The others are too stupid to put two and two together. It comes down to you and me. We're the only ones who realize what's going on."
'He's not wrong. Everyone's been acting completely normal and just following each of Miranda's orders without issue.'
"I don't know what they're assuming is going to happen once the ceremony is over." There's a part that wants to shake her siblings and try to force them to wake up but it would be useless. Miranda has her claws embedded so deeply that it'll be close to impossible to break the hold.
"Listen, sweetheart…" His tone softens as he grazes her bottom lip with the pad of his thumb. "Those morons can't be helped. I guess they think we'll all live as a big, happy fucking family or some shit. If the ceremony is a success and she brings her brat back, there's no use for us anymore. We served our purpose, just like the villagers. At that point, we'll all be loose strings that need to be taken care of."
'Damn her for putting everyone in this position. Submit and die, or rebel and die anyway.'
"This is all that matters to me." Karl nudges her legs apart, inching closer until their chests are almost touching. Despite the cold temperature in the underground room, heat radiates from his body like he's a living furnace. The pinkette scoots closer to the very edge of the table, wanting to bask in his warmth. "Getting rid of that crazy bitch and leaving this place. Just you and me. I really don't give a shit what the others do as long as they don't get in the way."
Closing her eyes, Sakura drops her head down against his chest. This will get ugly… They might end up having to fight the other Lords if things don't work outright. That's one of the last things she wanted… Miranda's a different story but going up against Alcina or Donna? If they get between them, there won't be a choice.
"And now we have more on the line than before. This has to work or it all ends." She quietly listens, melting into the heated body surrounding her. Large hands skim along the maroon fabric of her skirt, slowly making their way up. His fingers curl around the pinkette's hip in a firm grip while the other finds a resting place against the bodice covering her abdomen.
"I know…" Sakura leans into his touch, wanting to enjoy this moment before they have to go. There isn't much time left...
Outside factions are zeroing in on the village thanks to Miranda's selfish actions. Ethan's running throughout the place looking for Rose. The BSAA and Redfield's rogue unit have been separately observing the surroundings, undoubtedly waiting for the right time to make their move. And the ceremony has to be stopped at the right time… If not, Rose may end up just becoming another one of the countless children whose lives were destroyed because of a single woman's desires.
"I've been waiting so long for this time to come. Almost seventy years… A lifetime."