Chapter Three: Tyrian
Maria parked her bike by a cactus, looking at the map she had picked up of the area. She was getting close to the place that had to be the location Raven was being held. At least, if she were to believe Lionheart. Well, she'd give him the benefit of the doubt this time.
The map seemed to make less sense than when she'd started, her eyes squinting to see the little lines better.
"Your next line is 'Trespassers are to be killed in the name of the fatherland'," She closed her map, bending over and picking up a rock. She threw it backward, hitting the cactus.
"Trespassers are to be killed in the name of the fatherland!" The man in the Atlesian uniform jumped out from behind the cactus, pointing his guns at her. He realized she had predicted him, gasping as she turned to face him.
"Oh, is that so?" Maria crossed her arms. "And, are you going to be the one to kill me? Pray tell me how you'll do that, Atzi creep."
"My bullets will make short work of you," The soldier aimed at Maria and prepared to fire. But, before he could get off a shot, the cactus exploded, knocking him over and causing him to drop his guns.
"That rock I threw was full of my Aura," Maria stood over him, watching him clutch his face from the nettles piercing it. "Now, which way's your base? I'm paying a visit to your commander."
"You think I'll tell you, you cow?" The soldier stood, clutching his face with one hand.
"Well, duh," Maria shrugged, a cocky smirk on her face. "That's why I asked, wasn't it?"
"You fool," The soldier held his gun pointed at her once again. "I shall not betray the Fuehrer like that!"
"Well, it looks like ol' Astolfo would be proud of you," Maria shrugged, throwing her hands up in a casual 'oh well' manner. "But, I suppose I don't need your cooperation. It makes my trip easier, but if you dropped dead right now, it wouldn't hurt me too much."
"Oh, one of us will drop dead alright," The Atlesian took aim at Maria. "It is you, Fraulein."
Before he could move, Maria kicked his gun, landing a punch square in his nose. It knocked him clean over, causing him to slam his head on a rock. Maria rolled her eyes, picking him up and tying him to another cactus. She took the time to place a sign that said "Hello Astolfo" before continuing her journey. She was now convinced she was going the right way.
"I'm sure you're wondering, Fraulein, what we plan to do with these victims' blood," Major Polendina wheeled Raven over to a huge glass wall. The wall overlooked a massive tree that had somehow been unearthed and taken to this location.
"You're trying to bring about the end of the world," Raven said, looking down at the massive tree. In the tree, just as she'd seen in the cave with Lionheart, was the tall creature that seemed entombed in the tree. It wasn't something Raven ever wanted to see again.
"Now, men, let the blood flow," Major Polendina pointed to the soldier to her right. The soldier pulled a lever, a trickle of blood flowing to the tree. The tree seemed to absorb the blood, which continued to flow. Once it was finished, the soldiers and Raven all watched as the tree began to tremble. The person entombed in the bark of the tree seemed to take on a different color, its hue resembling a more human like shade.
"It is taking shape," Polendina smiled, her hands clasped behind her back. "I do hope that you will enjoy this, Raven."
"I'll enjoy when it's dead and gone," Raven felt herself beginning to hyperventilate. "Please destroy it."
"We will take the world with this power," Polendina held a hand in front of her, clenching her fist in triumph. "For the name of this creature, I have called it Tyrian after the King of my favorite book series written by our proudest Atlesian author."
"Please destroy it," Raven whispered. "The world doesn't need this. Not again."
"You are such a whiny baby," Polendina said. "Now, we shall see this creature of power up close."
Tyrian, as the creature was now named, began to separate from the tree, a strange sap pouring from the tree to cover him. Tyrian wasn't wearing anything but a cloth to cover his intimate areas, his hair tied in a braid tightly. It almost resembled a scorpion's tail if one were to look at it at a distance. It was an earthy brown and the eyes that opened were a golden color. He knelt on one knee, standing up to full height. His skin tone was a tan, yet a very pale tone, like he stayed out of the sun.
"So beautiful," Polendina gave a sigh of satisfaction. "Creatures that defy god are quite interesting; wouldn't you agree, Raven?"
"Creatures damned to hell should stay there," Raven bit her lip. "Something like this belongs in the lowest circle. Please put it back there so that this world, including Atlas, will be safe."
"You are a downer today," Polendina glanced at her with a side eye. "Perhaps you would like a test of the power of the Fuehrer's newest weapon."
The major gave a snap of her fingers, the soldier on her right pushing a button. A door on the side opened up to reveal what was behind it; it was a Grimm.
While this Grimm didn't give off near as dangerous an Aura as Cinder had, it was still a problem all the same. This particular Grimm was covered in black goo, the substance that had been inside of Cinder, revealed when Summer had sliced her in half with the blade Tuckson had given her.
"While this Grimm isn't nearly as powerful or composed as the reports we had of Cinder Fall, this will be a test of interesting parameters. We shall see how this creature holds up to a Grimm. Hopefully, it does not disappoint."
The Grimm moved forward, a manic look in its eyes. It seemed to only know its hunger and standing in front of it was a potential source of food. Red eyes flashed as the Grimm rushed for the creature, biting down on it. Those watching stood with baited breath. Though, they did all notice how tall this creature was, the Grimm in question being a seven foot tall monster of a man, making this Tyrian at least eight feet of solid muscle.
"You see, this creature was truly nothing," Polendina looked down. "A pity, really. I would hope to have used him for something better than food for a Grimm. Oh well, the Fuehrer will be pleased with the Grimm."
"That Grimm isn't going to make it to the Fuehrer," Raven said, a panicked look in her eyes.
Tyrian looked down at the Grimm, its body spasming as it seemed to contort all while he stood up in his current position. From behind him, what seemed to be a tail of bone slowly stretched itself out from its back, at the base of its spine. It was a thick cylinder of segmented bones, almost like a spine itself. A thick, fleshy substance began to creep over it, clothing the tail with its brownish color, making a bulbous point at the end, almost like the tail of a scorpion. This tail rushed forward, jabbing for the Grimm. It pierced it in the shoulder, a strange look on the Grimm's face.
"So, it can shapeshift," Polendina clasped her hands together behind her back as she walked over. "I am looking forward to this experiment."
What followed was a scene so sickening that all but Raven and Polendina turned to empty their stomachs onto the floor. From the place where Tyrian's tail had pierced the Grimm, there seemed to be a suction. The Grimm's body seemed to distort slightly, being pulled toward the tail. The manic look in its eyes shifted from hungry to terrified, the Grimm trying and failing to dislodge the tail from its shoulder.
Tyrian continued to stare down at the Grimm, watching as the Grimm's body seemed to be squeezing itself into the tail. It was like sucking up a blanket into a vacuum cleaner. The Grimm shrieked in fear and pain, a shriek Raven would never have thought could emerge from a creature like that. The Grimm's body seemed to liquefy, being pulled into the tail. After half a minute, the Grimm's body was like a flat skinsuit, all of its innards having already been sucked into this new creature. However, the skin of the Grimm itself began to be sucked into the tail as well, folding inside out, turning a black, bloody color as its bodily fluids dripped onto the floor, sucked into the tail of Tyrian.
"Wh-What is this creature?!" Raven gasped. "I-It… ate that Grimm. I-It was so gruesome."
"Well, well, it looks as if we've found our newest weapon for the Fuehrer," Polendina gave a smirk of pride, looking to Raven. "It's a shame he lacks our speech. It would make this easier. But, I suppose I cannot help what I cannot help."
Tyrian looked toward them, the tail retracting into his body with a cracking and distorted sound and motion. It was a strange look in his eyes. It could easily be assumed to be insanity, though to Raven, having been exposed to this monstrous look before, it was one of predation. She felt her breath hitch in a way it hadn't since she'd been face to face with Cinder Fall.
"Polendina," Tyrian spoke in a small quiet voice.
"H-How did it know my name?" The first time Raven heard anything even resembling fear entering the Major's voice. She looked down, staring right at the creature. It was looking back at her, looking with an almost hungry look.
"There isn't a way to reach us from there, so there's no way he can reach us," Polendina took a deep breath, regaining her composure. "We are safe here. We will just need to get the UV light weapons we have with our members in Central Vale. We will simply put it back into sleep and destroy it."
Tyrian's body began to twist and contort into a strange, thin shape. The thin shape that was its body began to move toward an air vent, causing Polendina to slam her fist on the control panel.
"The vent! We must seal the vent!"
But, it was too late. The monster moved up the vent like a slick snake, emerging where they stood, uncoiling itself to reveal it in its dangerous glory. He looked at Major Polendina, narrowing his eyes.
"Polendina," That one word caused the major to gasp. She held her hand up, bring it down. In understanding of the Atlesian's signals, the soldiers all fired their weapons. Round after round after round pierced the skin of the creature from the tree, but not a single one truly seemed to do any damage. After they had used their full payload, the Atlesian soldiers all began to be covered in a wash of fear
Tyrian looked at all of them, giving a slight flex of its muscles, a strange popping sound coming. It wasn't a second later that the pop was associated with death; all the rounds that had been fired were shot backward from their trajectory. Raven forced herself to hit the deck, even though she was still restrained. Polendina surprisingly stood stock still, seemingly afraid to move. She was unharmed, however, though the glass behind her was shattered.
"This is what happens when men try to play god," Polendina muttered, little else being said. Tyrian walked toward her, the last of two survivors.
"Die," Tyrian said, pulling his hand back a little, attempting to reach her when the door opened, a lone soldier walking in.
"Where were you coward?!" Polendina shouted. "Your comrades save me have all been slaughtered!"
"Sorry, Snow-for-Brains, but I got a bit held up," Raven's eyes darted to the soldier, certain she'd heard that voice.
The soldier was dressed in a uniform that was definitely too small for her. The hat pulled down over her eyes hid her expressions, save the cocky smirk Raven knew she'd seen somewhere before.
"You are going to be drawn and quartered for that once we return to the fatherland," Polendina spoke in that sickly sweet voice Raven had grown accustomed to hearing.
"Sorry, but I'm just here for Raven," The soldier smirked, pulling off her hat to reveal the every cocky face of Maria. "But, it looks like you invited a new friend without me. I'm sure he would be good company, but I've no time nor concern for you. I'm taking Raven and leaving."
"Maria, look out!" Raven shouted. "That's a dangerous creature far more deadly than any Grimm!"
"Really?" Maria looked at Tyrian with curiosity. "I mean, he definitely looks fuckable, but I wouldn't have said dangerous. Of course, I hope you're proportionate under that cloth, big boy."
Tyrian simply looked at Maria, almost as if studying her. Maria walked up, walking around the tall creature.
"Hmm, you do look good," Maria gave the creature a smack on the ass, walking around and tracing its abs. "I think I could make this work."
"Maria," It said, narrowing its eyes.
"Oh, you can talk," Maria chuckled. "I had hoped so, especially since it would make things awkward if you didn't. So, how's about you and me see what you're made of. Last guy I got in bed with broke his pelvis, so let's see what you've got."
Maria punched the creature in the face, her Aura coursing through her hand. Her eyes widened slightly as she watched the Aura move harmlessly around Tyrian, dissipating behind it.
"Well, that's new," Maria mused. "Never seen someone's skin do that. Looks like I'll have to hit you a little harder, big boy, make sure you're not just acting tough for me."
Tyrian's next move was to move around Maria, twisting and contorting, so that he didn't take a step.
"Okay, that's gross," Maria made a gagging face. "I guess we'll stop pretending here. I suppose I'll have to teach you some fighting skills."
Tyrian touched Maria, pulling his hand back as he felt a stinging.
"Don't touch him, Maria!" Raven shouted. "He absorbs people! Get away!"
"What are you talking about?" Maria turned around. "Like absorbs them like osmosis or like a pill that dissolves in water?"
"Maria behind you!" Raven shouted. Maria turned to see Tyrian with a tail like that of a scorpion. The pointed end of the tail started to open up, the end coming down over Maria. Raven's shouts came to the silver eyed girl as a muffled shout, Maria being sucked through the tail and toward Tyrian's spine.
"She is being absorbed in a different way," Polendina clenched a fist. "Why is that? Such an interesting creature."
"No! My poor niece! Maria!"
At this point, Maria had reached the spine of the creature, being absorbed into its body. Its body began to shift a little as if making room for the body of Maria. It was a strange sight, Raven and Polendina both frozen with fear.
"Taiyang, I'm sorry," Raven whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek. "I'm the reason your granddaughter died. I wasn't able to tell her the truth. If only she were still alive. This will be the end of the Rose bloodline."
"What is that?" Polendina watched as Tyrian's body began to shift more, almost as if it was being inflated. Both women looked, watching as Tyrian's chest swelled, his hear bursting open and splitting his upper body in half. Within the body, covered in some sort of fluid, was Maria, standing there with Aura crackling around her like lightning. Raven's mouth was open, gasping in shock as the body peeled open like a banana, Maria stepping over to her.
"Looks like this is taken care of," She picked Raven up, setting her down in the wheelchair she was sitting in. "Ready to go home, Auntie?"
"Maria, you're a special girl," Raven's tears were happy as she smiled up at the silver eyed girl. "You've such special skills and you never cease to amaze me."
"I must say I am impressed as well," Major Polendina walked over. "I have never seen such intuition to defeat a foe. Many of my men would never have been courageous enough to be swallowed to attack from within. What sort of power is that that you are using?"
"It's called Aura," Maria looked at her. "So, what was your reasoning for capturing my Aunt? If I like your answer, I'll only beat you up a little bit."
"We wish to study the creatures known as Grimm," Major Polendina clenched her fist. "The Fuehrer will be pleased for this discovery… but also disappointed that we couldn't keep it under control."
"This thing's like a Grimm or something?" Maria pointed to the skin of the creature. "Cuz I ain't heard of one doing that.'
"This thing is far superior," Raven shuddered. "It feeds on Grimm, eating them. I'm surprised you could survive that."
"Guess I'm special," Maria shrugged, chuckling.
"How did you sneak into this base anyway?" Polendina asked.
"Geez, you're casual for someone I'm going to beat the shit out of," Maria cracked her knuckles.
"I admire your courage and bravery," Polendina clasped her hands behind her back. "Only a true soldier shows those traits. Besides, even if you strike me down here, I shall return with a vengeance and force so powerful, it will make you cower in fear."
"Well, Snowbird, I shall take you up on that," Maria stepped forward when a gasp from Raven alerted them to the body of Tyrian moving and squirming.
"The body is moving!" Polendina shouted. "Can nothing kill this creature?!"
"The only weaknesses of a Grimm are Aura and sunlight," Raven backed up a bit. "Aura didn't work, so the sun may be needed."
"That door," Polendina shouted, pointing toward it. "I shall open it. I at least owe you that much! That thing is a threat to us all!"
With a spring Maria was certainly not expecting, Major Polendina took off for the door. Maria took off after her, following suit, but somehow unable to reach her as she raced for the door.
Unfortunately for both of them, Tyrian had finished reforming, jumping up and in front of Maria, grabbing onto Major Polendina's left leg and right arm. The ginger turned back, struggling to free herself as she tried to reach the door. Maria also was struggling, Tyrian's body blocking her from moving forward, making her have to struggle to move past.
"Rose, you must free me!" Polendina shouted as she struggled, grunting through the pain as Tyrian's grip on her limbs tightened, breaking bones. "Slice my arms off with the blade on the wall! You must do it quickly before it is too late! Whether or not I am whole, I must protect Atlas from this threat! You must feel the same about your aunt!"
"You're a right bitch, but I must admire your resolve," Maria was at a loss for words as she looked to the wall to see a strange sword. It was made of metal, yes, but it seemed to have a strange dust to it. She struggled past Tyrian, trying her best to move. The creature impeded her motion, preventing her from getting anywhere.
"You are a fool to try and defeat us," Tyrian narrowed his eyes.
"I am sick and tired of people standing in my way, trying to tell me I can't do things," Maria growled. "Certainly people I'm not related to! You can fuck right off, asshole!"
With a burning resolve and a burst of Aura, Maria pushed through Tyrian enough to grab the sword. With her strength, she made two clean slices, one on Major Polendina's leg and one on her arm. With each slice, the Major gave a yell of pain, but grit her teeth. The second she was free, she made a powerful jump, reaching the door and pushing it wide open.
"Such resolve," Maria muttered, watching as the blessed sun burned into the room.
"And now, Tyrian, you shall die at the hands of the greatest gift of Mother Nature!" The Major laughed despite her injury, standing to her foot and steadying herself with her arm. "Burn in hell!"
One thing she had not calculated, however, was her body making a shadow. It was in this shadow that Tyrian saw his chance. He gave a small smirk, twisting and contorting his body to become small, splitting into two. Each part went inside of the Major, flowing into her wound.
"Th-This is madness!" Polendina shouted as she was violated in a very physical way. She fought and struggled as the creature moved around in her body, causing contusions to move around her body.
"Polendina!" Maria shouted. The Major grit her teeth once again, beginning to hop into the sunlight burning down.
"Listen here, you foolish Valean," She held every inch of her confidence as she pointed at Maria. "This was not the only one of these creatures we found! There are three more in Central Vale! You must go there and make sure this does not happen again!"
"What about you?" Maria asked, watching as Polendina stood in the open, reaching into her uniform.
"I will not be joining you," Major Polendina said. "It is trying to drag me to that shade under that well over there, but it will have no chance to do that."
"Wh-What are you doing?" Maria asked as she began to piece together the Major's plan.
"You know, Maria," Polendina pulled from her uniform a dust grenade. "For a Valean, I must admit you have courage. Hopefully, that will save you and those you wish to protect."
"Polendina, don't do that!" Maria shouted.
"As for me," She pushed the detonate button. "I shall die to protect the Fatherland as is my greatest honor. Do not lose sight of your courage and honor, Maria. It was a pleasure meeting you."
"Polendina!" Maria shouted, rushing forward, but the explosion pushed her backward. When she looked up, all she could see was dust and ashes. Unfortunately, some of that dust and ash moved toward the well, taking the form of Tyrian once again.
"No the hell you don't!" Maria ran after the creature, jumping after it. "We're not done here!"
Tyrian turned around, grabbing her as she jumped, grabbing her by the elbows and beginning to squeeze.
"You cannot beat me," It spoke solemnly. "Your death, Aura tribe, is the end of your pathetic kind,"
"Well, there's something you forgot about," Maria smirked. "It's high noon right now. And, the sun is coming right into this well. So, it looks like you've made your last mistake."
Tyrian looked back to see the sun, gasping.
"Your next line is 'you fool Aura Tribe!'," Maria smirked as she watched Tyrian.
"You fool Aura Tribe!" Tyrian shouted, its body beginning to turn into a strange substance that seemed to be like wood or stone, but not completely one or the other. Maria struggled, breaking the grip squeezing her elbows, turning so Tyrian was below her, sending an Aura filled punch to its gut shattering it into pieces before it hit the bottom.
"And, that is for Polendina," Maria panted, standing up. She looked down, picking up the pieces. "You're going to be properly destroyed now."
"Maria!" Raven's voice called down from out of the well. "Are you down there?!"
"Yeah, Aunt Raven!" Maria called back. "I'm climbing out! We need to take this to the Branwen Foundation!"
"Right you are," Raven nodded. In a single day, they were both waiting in a lab of the Branwen Foundation. Raven had started this company to stop threats like Cinder Fall from ever returning.
"This is a strange marvel," One of the head scientists, Velvet looked at the pieces of Tyrian, placed under a UV light. They were staying in their state as she closed the lid and shielded them. "Unlike a Grimm, it doesn't seem to truly die under sunlight. But, with this, I think we can leave it in stasis. But, on a better note, I'm so glad you're safe, mom."
"Oh, sweetie, you know I could take a bit more than that," Raven kissed her cheek as Velvet hugged her.
"Well, you, Miss Maria, need to stop getting into trouble," Velvet poked Maria's nose. "You may be bigger than me, but I'll still put you over my knee just like your grandfather would."
"I solemnly swear I will be up to no good," Maria held a hand up. "But, Polendina said something that worries me. She said that there were more in Central Vale. We need to get there quick."
"I know someone who would be able to help us," Raven said. "We'll meet up there."
"One other thing though," Velvet held up a finger. "How did you sneak into the base?"
"Oh, I brought tequila and while those idiots were asking if I was actually a man, I beat them up and stole their uniforms," Maria grinned. "So glad that it fit or I'd be walking in nude."
"Same old Maria," Velvet sighed. "Just promise me you're not going to die. Your grandfather's already beside himself with the loss of your parents and grandfather."
"I'm not going to die until I'm good and ready," Maria said. "I'm going to have grandchildren before I die."
"Well, let's hope so."
"We'll stop to tell Tai I'm alright and then it's off to Central Vale," Raven nodded, giving Velvet one last kiss on the cheek.
"Be safe, mom," Velvet said, her rabbit's ears folding gently.
"Oh, by the way, I made some new friends I think you'd like to meet," Maria said. "They're staying with Grampa Tai."
"Well, I'll meet them after work tonight," Velvet smiled. "But, good luck to you two."
The two nodded, heading off to stop the great threat.
And, so this threat is vanquished, but what of the greater threat? Will it be much more dangerous? We shall see what fate has in store for Maria and her bloodline.