Twenty Minutes Earlier…

A hospital is a place of healing, a place where the sick and injured may rest, or those who are nearly gone pass on. The hospital of Mirror Knot City always had patients checked into its halls, whether they were injured Porters, Preppers, security personnel, or civilians sick with several common diseases. Yet at this moment, two gallons of blood were being brought to a multitude of patients in need. Cora made her way to one of the rooms with a patient, a young man who appeared to be in his late 20s, perhaps even his early 30s. He had a smooth and handsome face. He was an Englishman much like Heartman, and he had short black hair swept to the left in a sleek comb-over. Like Cora, he was African, and he was quite healthy despite laying in the hospital, exhausted and tired from his duties. He was laying in bed staring at the ceiling with his forest green eyes, the luminescent lights glowing with a slight flicker, he felt the tubes in his arms as they reached out to several bags of painkillers and serums to ease the pain. Then, Cora came to his side in a calm and professional manner. Her silver hair was tied in a ponytail, and her smile as pure as the lights in the room.

"Hey Elliot," she said happily. "I've got the blood, once this transfusion is over you'll be as good as new."

"Ahhh, marvelous," Elliot replied. "I can finally get back into the field."

"Hmm, maybe this time don't tread through MULE territory," Cora scolded. "You know what they're capable of."

"Oh come now Cora, we've talked about this before," Elliot protested in a suave English voice. "The packages that they've stolen are worth a great deal to many of those here, someone's got to get them back!"

"I know you're a soldier but you're not unstoppable!" Cora retorted as she grabbed a blood bag. It read "O" on the front. "I've been trying to tell you for two years now that you should take others with you, or maybe sneak your way in. And look what happened."

"Cora-"

"No Elliot, listen," Cora stated strongly. "I can't keep doing this, I know you're trying to help everyone by getting those supplies back, and you what? I love that courage and selflessness! It makes you a good man, but you can't keep breaking yourself every time you go out there, or next thing you know you'll end up…"

Cora looked away and shook her head trying not to cry, and then, Elliot leaned upward with struggling breath, and heaved an arm around the woman.

"I will never allow that to happen my love…" He said in a reassuring voice. "Besides who's going to buy you that drink if I don't come back?"

Cora smirked as a tear dripped from her eye

"Die-Hardman maybe, so you better not be late you idiot." Cora said with a smile. "It's been a while since you've seen him."

"Really? Could've sworn it was the other day, crazy bastard kept going on about this 'Samantha America Strand' person. She sounded pretty important too." Elliot commented as he looked on with ease and respite.

"Yes! She is important! So stop running out into that damn MULE camp!" Cora shouted.

"Okay okay!" Elliot cried as he laid back down in his bed. "I'm not going out again, I swear. I'll act as security in the city, and when we get the time I'll take you out finally."

Cora turned around and grabbed an IV, sticking it into Jordan's left arm and attached the fresh blood bag to the tube. Elliot felt reinvigorated, refreshed as he laid still, and he waited patiently for his health to return. Cora stood up and drank a glass of clean water, and she turned around.

"That should be done soon, you'll be back in no time." Cora stated. "If you need anything just use the ringer right here on your nightstand, and I'll be right in."

"Alright, I'll be your good little soldier boy." Elliot stated.

"You did not just say that." Cora said as she left the room.

"Haha! Only to you!"

Cora walked down the hall, and smiled as she passed several nurses and doctors walking around. Elliot simply laid back in his bed, and he left his arm out as the blood slowly fused into his body.

—-

Ten minutes later

Elliot's recovery was going quite well, the blood transfusion was working faster than anticipated, and soon he sat up and set his feet on the ground. He drank a glass of water and poured more into his cup from a full pitcher. It was the most refreshing thing he had since he was checked into the hospital, and he sighed with relief.

Yet in another room, there was another man. One sitting laying in his bed waiting for his blood transfusion to complete. He was older, waiting for something to happen, his eyes sunken as he clicked his tongue over… and over… and over… and over. Life was so mundane waiting for a miracle to occur, life is nothing but suffering. A Voidout here, terrorist activity there, why bother living in such a horrible world? Such a thought lived with this stranger for so many years, so many deaths seen in his life. If he had to suffer through it, why shouldn't others? Why should this world continue in this way? Why, when you can have so much fun and be happy with yourself?

In this moment, he rummaged through a hole he cut in his bed, and he felt something metal, something small yet rugged. As he pulled it out from the mattress membrane he stared at a small black cube, one with strange lines adorned on it. It appeared archaic and old, yet the technology within gave the impression it was altered recently.

Even so, the stranger crushed the cube in his hand, revealing a switch, and then… he pressed the button. The button glowed with a certain crown, a golden crown adorned by the pharaohs of Egypt. And on the flipside, a single word was written, a word no one ever wants to hear.

VOIDOUT

BLINK

Someone appeared, someone all too familiar to Bridges and the civilians down in the bunkers, and this man in the bed looked up with hope in his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, yet air was the only thing to leave. He raised his hand weakly as this other person grabbed it gently. The hand was wearing a gold plated back glove and the arm was covered in a dark green coverall suit. However, over the suit he was wearing a black bulletproof vest, and a large black cloak. His pants were a lighter green in color, and his black boots were covered in mud. On top of the vest was a strange looking pod, something that was mostly covered with black glass, and a strange white tube was connected to this person's body. The cloak was draped over the shoulders and over the back, but strangely, the oversized hood was pulled up. And in the dark void, laid a golden skull mask.

Higgs stood there silently as his gold mask contained an eerie smile.

The man in the bed had a smile on his face as he leaned upward slightly, but Higgs pushed him back onto his pillow, all while raising his right pointer finger to his mouth.

*Shhhhhhh shh shh shh shh* He shushed. "Hey, you don't wanna kill yourself by poppin' your heart do ya?"

His voice was filtered and had a synthetic tone, as he was wearing a black gas mask under the golden skull jaw.

"Ohhhhh no we wouldn't like that would we?" Higgs continued. "You're the one who got us in after all. Bless your heart…"

Higgs suddenly crossed his heart.

BLINK, BLINK, BLINK, BLINK

Suddenly several members of the Homo Demens Jumped into the room, all of them armed with deadly Wellmax assault rifles, pistols, and grenades of varying types. Their helmets and attire were black and gold in color, with small straps dangling from their strange triangle shaped helmets. The helmets had the "tip" of the triangle pointing towards the front of the skull, with large golden visors slanted backwards. It was truly a strange appearance, and the armor was adorned with bulletproof vests, the stylized VOID OUT text on their shoulders, boots, and several grenades. Like Higgs, they were wearing dark green coverall suits underneath the dark armor, and from their bodies bled a bloodlust unlike any other.

"Alright, listen up," Higgs stated with authority. The Homo Demens stood at the ready with their assault rifles in their hands. "For those of you wonderin' why we're this far East…

"The UCA is gettin' a little too close to home, they've sent their little 'messiah' Sam Bridges out to Mountain Knot…"

"So! We're here to send them a message…. We don't have much time until the kind doctors know we're here. I want you three to head into the Distribution Center and hack that terminal. Cut this Knot from the rope." he chuckled.

Three Homo Demens nodded and grunted, their weapons held firmly in hand.

"Next up! You there, you in the back! You're with me," Higgs continued. "We're heading to the Teardrop underground, and we're going to herd some sheep."

A Homo Demen in the back, slightly shorter than the others, stepped forward and stood next to Higgs, his mask reflecting in the lights of the room.

"The rest of you! Secure this building and get us some hostages, 'cause this next Big Bang is gonna be right here for all of the UCA to witness…" He snickered.

Suddenly, the man on the bed looked up and weakly reached for the snickering terrorist's hand. He grabbed it softly as his arm shook, his eyes filled with blood veins as he gasped for air. Higgs looked down, and walked towards the head of the bed, and knelt down.

"Oh and yooooooooou…" He muttered. "You're not at tip-top just yet, oh but don't worry. You'll be safe on the Beach while we handle things here."

The man smiled and looked as if he was laughing.

"When you're back in shape our partner will give you your next mission. I'll be there too, *snicker* now come on! Time to meet your new boss."

Higgs snapped his fingers.

BLINK

The man in the bed vanished from all sight, leaving an empty bed and flat heart monitors. A loud and continuous beep blared out, and soon all the men in the room formed together, rifles at the ready. One changed the clip of his assault rifle and pulled the slide back loading a bullet into a chamber, another did the same with a modified FN Five-Seven pistol. And then, a doctor rushed into the room and gasped. One of the men grabbed the medical man and forced him onto his knees, and his hands were cuffed behind his back. One of the Homo Demens forced a black bag over the man's feet.

"Up." She said behind her mask.

The doctor did as he was told and stood up, and the Demen placed the Five-Seven on his back, forcing him outside. The rest stood in a single file line, taking points and checking corners of the hall, and finally, the last one looked at Higgs.

"Grab and bag, whoever catches the most gets a prize!" Higgs cried with sinister glee. "And now…"

"It's time for a good old fashioned raid."

BLINK

Higgs vanished along with the man standing next to him. Time to move, and time to send a message. The Homo Demens left the room and made their way through the floor, one opening the door causing a nurse to scream. Several people in the waiting room turned their heads as another terrorist pointed her assault rifle at them, causing them to panic. A single shot was fired forcing everyone to sit still. The Demen signaled for all of them to get on the ground, and all of the guests did so. Strange, it was rare for so many people to be grouped in the same room like they were, especially after the Death Stranding. Then again, this was a hospital after all.

Another Demen descended the elevator with four others, and once more they caused chaos. Vases were broken, shots were fired, more civilians taken hostage. Floor by floor they raged on, moving towards the top. Each of the Demens mad with bloodlust.

SMASH

Elliot widened his eyes while he sat on the side of his bed. He heard screams from down the hall, and he heard footsteps creeping towards his room. He ripped the IV out of his arm and quickly approached the back corner closest to the door, and he waited. The air felt thick and sweat appeared on his forehead, the pain of the anemia still faintly leering at him.

Something felt strange, off, like the clock in the room had stopped ticking the seconds. Elliot pondered what this could be as a feeling of water ran down the side of his face, and something didn't add up. The cold touch of the floor sticking to his bare feet, the cool air flying up and down his lime green hospital gown, and once more, the warm salty feeling of sweat dripping.

Slowly, the door creaked open as a Homo Demen entered the room, rifle trained and armed. He was resting his index finger on the side of the weapon, keeping it clear of the trigger unless absolutely necessary, and each step he took showed pressure, weight, and careful precision. Elliot stared at the man, every detail studied, every detail memorized as his gaze scanned the figure. Strangely, the rifle in question looked to be Bridges standard issue, but the barrel was crudely spray-painted gold. An ACOG scope was attached, and the terrorist had his weapon tilted, as if he had issues visualizing his target.

The man slowly walked in the room and looked at the bed, checking its details and leering at the fabrics. The sheets were thrown, cast aside and even the mattress was searched. Every single breath carried Jordan forward, helping him focus. He was a soldier… soldiers do what they need to save others. The breath was the seat of the soul, the core of the body, each breath sharpened the Englishman's eyes, focused his body. Yet, underneath his determination laid fear, a fright of making a mistake, jumping too early and taking a bullet to the heart.

Every moment counted. Elliot closed his eyes and once more, took the breath into the soul. He planned out everything he could in his head. Should he rush the man in front? Should he escape while he has the chance, or should he surrender? No, soldiers don't surrender without a fight, and especially if civilians are involved.

He stood up, and slowly crept towards the Demen, every step flattened to reduce noise as much as possible. The Demen opened a cabinet aiming his weapon in there, and Elliot moved closer once more. Breathe in, and exhale. Step again, inhale, another step, exhale.

Elliot grabbed a pen that was sitting on the table, it wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. The Demen suddenly stopped moving, but Elliot couldn't stop now. Step, inhale, step, exhale. Forevermore until he finally reached his target, and with another exhale, he readied the pen.

The Demen turned around and gasped, and Elliot unleashed his inner fury. He stabbed the terrorist in the arm with the pen. Inhale, exhale, keep it going son. The terrorist grabbed Elliot by the gown and hit him across the jaw.

SMASH

The soldier felt the pain of a cracked bone sting his mouth, blood dripping from his lips, but that didn't matter. Inhale, strike to the throat, exhale.

CRACK

Inhale…

Exhale…

They both grabbed each other's throats gunning for the kill, Elliot hitting and striking the Demen's neck with all of his might, and the terrorist squeezed on the Englishman's throat. They both rummaged around the room with eyes of rage, feral beasts fighting to live. Inhale once more soldier boy.

CRACK

Elliot headlocked the Demen and cracked his head into the window. Now, exhale.

The terrorist knelt to the ground grabbing Elliot's arm, and threw him over himself. The Englishman slammed onto the ground as the pain of the floor stung his back. His eyes felt drained of life, the blood transfusion seemingly wearing off. The breath however must remain in tact. Inhale…

The breath was interrupted, it was so hard, and all that remained was a shimmer in the. Elliot looked up and saw the Demen trying to stab him with a knife, the golden blade edging closer and closer to his eye. But the breath soon returned, and so did the prey's focus. He grabbed the blade before it could reach him, blood dripping onto his face as the dagger slit his hands. The burning from torn flesh singed throughout the body, and the soldier cried in pain. The breath must be maintained, inhale… exhale…

The breath became rapid, cheeks were puffed, and Jordan pushed with all his might to force it away. The Demen grunted under his helmet forcing the blade ever closer to Elliot's eye, two wills, two men, unbreakable. Elliot pushed with his strength, twisting the blade away from him and towards his attacker, this predator. The golden blade twisted horizontally and was aimed at the leg.

SHINK

The Demen screamed, blood was shed, and it dripped once more into Elliot's face. The Demen stumbled backwards and fell onto the ground, moaning in strife trying to grab the knife. Inhale, exhale. Elliot rolled over onto his stomach and stared at the fiend. He felt his heart beating so hard that it felt it was about to explode, but then he looked at his bed frame, he saw the metal sticking from the side.

BLIP

There it was, his eyes widened as a chance of life. Inside the bed frame was a weapon, a revolver. Without hesitation he grabbed the weapon and aimed it at the terrorist, he saw the Demen as he violently ripped the knife from his leg, blood splattering on the ground. This man, this animal… was just another target…

Inhale…

CLICK

Exhale…

BANG

Life was taken, blood was shed, blood was spilled on the ground as the Demen laid flat on the ground dead. The breath returned again, and vanished. The world stopped and Elliot felt his entire body shaking, the cold air blowing through his gown once more, it struck him hard and he shivered. He looked at the corpse of the Demen, bloody and warm, and again… he inhaled.

BOOM

He took another shot and the bullet pierced the helmet and once more blood spilt onto the ground creating a deep red puddle. Elliot collapsed to the ground feeling the adrenaline slipping away, and he grit his teeth in fear

"Shit!" He grunted.

He leaned against the wall waiting, breathing again as he was trained to do, but he just couldn't focus. Elliot just murdered a man, even if he was a terrorist, that was crossing a line. Inhale… exhale…. He stared at the revolver, a jet-black .44 Magnum, and he lowered it while turning on the safety. He felt the burning and stinging as blood dripped and splattered onto the weapon, and Elliot grit his teeth and ripped his head upward.

He raced for the first aid kit and grabbed a large roll of tan bandage. He unrolled a large swath, blood dripping into the cloth, and he wrapped it around his hands in an attempt to stop the bleeding. Every breath felt strained and burned as Jordan watched the blood from his hands soak the bandages, turning them from a tan to deep red. But there was no time, there's no telling how many of those bastards are in the building…

Elliot immediately ran for the door. On his right wrist was a black cufflink device, the same as Cathal's and Cora's, and he pulled a holographic pad underneath his hand. He tapped several hardlight buttons, and the door had a red circle appear. The word LOCKED appeared in big red text. Looking to his left, across from his bed, he saw his black Bridges uniform, stained in blood, and he opened the case. He stripped himself naked and then grabbed the uniform despite its poor condition.

Within minutes he fully equipped the uniform, feeling the sticky blood in his arms and torso, and he grabbed other trinkets. A collapsible assault rifle with fresh magazines, a few blood bags to heal him, a single flash grenade, and a strand of rope.

He walked over to the Demen's corpse and looted the body, taking several clips of ammunition and grenades as well as a pair of boots.

DING DI-DING

Elliot brought his cufflinks in front of him, and realized someone was calling.

"Elliot!" Cora cried with frantic breath. "Oh thank God you're safe! They're everywhere!"

"Cora! Oh you're okay!" Elliot cheered. "Are- what-"

"I'm fine Elliot, really," Cora said with a tearful smile. "It's okay, I'm still ready for the bar."

"Really?" Elliot laughed. "This *snicker* this isn't the best time for that, you're nuts."

"Whatever *chuckle*, listen, those terrorists are all over the city, I saw several more of them breaking into the old nursing home." Cora stated. "I don't know how many there are but I think they're heading for the Teardrop."

"What about you? Where are you right now?"

"I'm heading to the Distro. Center, there's people in that building that need help, wait! I can see someone…" Cora stated.

"Okay listen to me carefully, I'm stuck in the hospital, and judging by these guys, they must be Homo Demens…" Elliot warned. "I don't know why the hell they're this far east, but it can't be good. Try to stay hidden, I've gotta find a way out of here."

"Just be careful." Cora said with a serious voice. "I love you."

"I love you too." Elliot replied deeply.

The call ended and the Englishman grunted deeply, grabbing his weapons and readying himself. He unlocked the door to the room, and he cracked it open slowly. He studied every inch, every detail of the hallway and open room with immense focus, and then, he spotted several people on the ground with bags covering their heads, and their hands behind their backs. Once more Elliot used his breath. Inhale, exhale. Without a moment's delay, he opened the door and stepped into the hall. As soon as he stepped out, he saw another Demen… and aimed the rifle he acquired. The Demen was looking at one of the hostages, grabbing him by the chin and grunted deeply. But in this moment, it's like time came to a crawl, and Jordan looked through his scope.

Inhale… exhale…

BOOM

—-

The dark hallways encroached onto the people inside. The machines were dead and the blood red lights absorbed everything, providing just enough light to see the ground. Darkness however reigned with great power, and in these halls Fumikage and Cathal escorted a recovering Fragile to the loading bay. Both of them were still wearing their casual clothing, with Fumikage wearing a thin black t-shirt and slim athletic pants. Cathal was wearing tan cargo shorts and was also wearing a black t-shirt. It was minimal and flexible, perfect for this sudden situation. Every step, every breath, every second caused anxiety and worry to grow, for this city was starting to crumble.

"How many Demens are in the city?" Cathal asked as he and Fumikage helped Fragile.

"I don't know, but if I know Higgs he probably brought a shitton," Fragile replied weakly. "I was in the Teardrop when they came, there's still hundreds of people down there I have to-"

Fragile grunted and collapsed onto the ground, and Fumikage and Cathal looked back with fear. They stopped and helped Fragile lean against a dark wall, the air heavy and their hearts racing.

"Madam Fragile you're in no shape to Jump, you need rest." Fumikage stated.

"I know that!" Fragile lashed out, causing Fumikage to flinch. "I can't let that bastard do this to me again!"

"Fragile!" Cathal cried. "Please… you need to get out of here, we'll meet up with Bridges Security and stay put, I promise."

"I'll do what I have to help anyone we come across." Fumikage added.

Fragile looked at the two boys as her nose bled severely, her breath frantic and her eyes squinting. Cathal and Fumikage stared back at her with focused eyes, and Cathal was shaking slightly, gritting his teeth as the red lights bloomed over them. Three figures waited, and three more moved across this chessboard.

FWWOOOOOOOM

All three of them gasped as a large motoring noise echoed through the halls, clattering of metals, the pumping of iron, and the steps… oh the steps human beings.

"What was that?" Cathal asked.

"It sounds like someone's coming…" Fumikage stated as he prepared himself, he bent his knees slightly.

The leering silence of the halls loomed on top of them as they waited for someone to come around the corner. The hall had no windows, no glass, no special traits, it was a single gray and metal room that disturbed the soul. It was so long, so empty, and the nascent dread only crept its way into the boys.

Suddenly, a shadow was cast, it showed a man with a rifle aimed towards the perpendicular hall. It was followed by three more behind it, and without hesitation Fumikage ran over to Fragile, careful to pick her and dragged her into the shadows of another room. Cathal followed suit as the men turned their way into the hall where the trio just was, and he sealed the door closed.

Fumikage grit his teeth as the shadows edged closer, and Fragile coughed loudly. She held her mouth in order to reduce the sound as much as possible, and the shadows once more grew thicker. Eventually, the figures came into view.

"Homo Demens…" Cathal whispered angrily.

"Who are they?" Fumikage asked.

"They're Higgs' personal strike force, a bunch of damn terrorists," Fragile said quietly. "They're the ones attacking the city in droves, and they'll detonate a bomb unless we-"

Fragile grunted in pain as she tried to stand up, but she collapsed onto the floor once more. Cathal rushed to her side and set her up against a wall, his eyes shining with concern and fear. Fragile exhaled deeply as blood left her nose in a thicker strain, and she looked up gritting her teeth.

"You said you're a Hero from your world right?" She asked Fumikage.

"I- that's right."

"If you really think you can do it, take these bastards out but don't kill them." Fragile ordered. "If you kill any of them it'll kickstart Necrosis, you can't… *huff* you can't let that happen."

"We don'tmurder villains…" Fumikage retorted with irritation. "We don't rule with fear, we help people. I'm not a killer…"

Fragile looked at him… and in her pain she smiled. She nodded as her closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She snickered much to the boys' confusion.

"I knew you weren't a bad kid…" She said. "Okay… I have enough energy to make one last jump. I'm jumping to Capital Knot City, I'm going to get the word out to Die-Hardman that Mirror Knot's under attack, he'll send a brigade up here as soon as he can."

"Capital- but that's all the way down in Old Washington! It'll take them hours to get here in time!" Cathal said in a panic.

"Not when Root Knot City's only 20 minutes from here," Fragile responded. "He can order the Security to send reinforcements to the gates and help us fight."

Fumikage and Cathal looked at each other.

"You're name's Fumikage right? Please, take care of Cathal, he means a great deal to me," Fragile asked. "And Cathal, protect him too. I'm trusting both of you to protect each other."

Fumikage and Cathal nodded once, both of them reinvigorated.

"Be safe Fragile…" Cathal said as he hugged the leather-clad woman. Fragile then smiled, and she kissed the boy on the forehead.

"Go." She muttered.

BLINK

Fragile Jumped away, leaving behind a crisp burning sound and an orange glow. They both watched the shimmering particles float into the air as the red emergency lights loomed over them, the color spelling an omen of fighting and bloodshed.

BANG

They suddenly turned their heads toward the door as a loud noise echoed in this small room. Someone was trying to kick it down, and they were getting closer and closer to their targets. Fumikage stood up and readied himself.

"Summers…" He said.

"Yeah?" Cathal asked as he stood at the ready.

"Remember what I said about Quirks? How they give extraordinary abilities?" Fumikage asked. "Well…"

"It's time for darkness to be unleashed… Dark Shadow!"

All was a blur. A dark purple essence left Fumikage's stomach and took the form of a shadow-like bird. It's yellow eyes glowed as its body motioned on top of the raven headed boy, their spirits becoming one. Cathal looked and his eyes widened… and Tsukuyomi clawed his hands.

"Black Abyss…"

BOOM

The Homo Demens burst into the room with rifles trained. There three, four, maybe five by Cathal's count, and the boy grit his teeth with anger as he bent his legs. He was ready to dive behind a table as a terrorist raised his weapon, and time slowed to a crawl…

"COVERT BLACK OPS ARMS!"

A pair of large dark arms burst at the terrorists slamming them into the hallway. One was rammed so hard into the wall it caused a small crater to appear, and the Demen was knocked out instantly. The other Demens were knocked to the sides and rolled in pain. Fumikage sprinted out of the room with his sharp red eyes scanning the hall swiftly. One of the Demens stood up and fired his weapon, and Dark Shadow swooped in, acting as a shield to protect Fumikage from the bullets. The boy ran towards the gunman with Dark Shadow in front, and the shadow bird backhanded the man with a large talon. Cathal poked his head out after grabbing a pipe that had fallen from the wall, and he slowly emerged from the room. He turned his head and saw a Demen with his rifle pointed at him. The man grunted and was about to pull the trigger…

SLAM

Cathal gasped as he felt the hairs stick up on his neck and turned around

"PIERCING TWILIGHT CLAW!" Fumikage cried.

Cathal nodded and ran towards the Demen that the bird knocked down, he looted the body and grabbed a small pistol. Looked like a regular M1911, but it was better than nothing. Fumikage continued to battle the Demens, two more remained. He attacked them simultaneously, one grabbed a knife and slashed at the boy. Dark Shadow protected him once more and swat the man, while the other brought his fist forth… and cracked Fumikage in the jaw. The raven felt the pain sear its way into his teeth, the stinging sensation flowed throughout his mouth, the odd sense of what felt like a bone cracking, and the sting on his beak. Fumikage retaliated by trying to punch the man, however the Demen sidestepped the attack and kneed him right in the stomach.

"Fumikage!" Dark Shadow and Cathal cried.

The shadow bird violently attacked the Demen, clawing him so hard it ripped through the armor. Dark Shadow then slammed the villain into the wall, knocking him out cold. As for the other Demen…

BANG

"GAHHHH!" Fumikage screamed.

The Demen got a shot off. She shot Fumikage right in his leg as blood soon spilt onto the ground. Cathal, using his pipe, managed to attack this Demen by swatting her in the head.

SPUNK

The Demen fell to the ground but quickly reached for a pistol, and Cathal simply hit her again

SPUNK

Afterwards, the Demen laid still on the ground… unmoving…. Cathal was flaring his breath as he dropped the pipe, staring at the still body that laid before him. Adrenaline rushed through his veins, and he took several breaths trying to calm himself. It was a funny thing, the numbness in his hands, the cool touch of the stiff air on his brow, the pumping of blood in his eyes as the veins nearly popped. He loosened himself, composing his soul as he looked around, until fear absorbed him.

"DAHHH! DON'T WORRY FUMIKAGE! I- UH I'M GONNA TAKE CARE OF YA REAL QUICK!"

Cathal gasped in fear as Fumikage tried to stand, only to fall over and collapse, screeching in pain as he curled up in a ball. Cathal rushed to him, only to stop short once Dark Shadow cuddled around the raven.

"SEE? HE'S GONNA HELP!" The bird cried.

Cathal started crying and fell backwards. He crawled back slightly and covered his mouth. He couldn't take his eyes off Dark Shadow, the dark beast that was simply hovering in the air. The bird had a worried look in its glowing yellow eyes, and it even brought its hands up to its beak.

"Hey hey hey! What's wrong?! I can help!" Dark Shadow cried.

Cathal sat still and held his breath as much as he could, his heart starting to beat faster with every second. He couldn't hold it any longer, but he knew that if he took a breath… the BTs would find him. His face turned a light blue as he tried to hold it any longer.

"S- *wheeeze* SUMMERS!"

Cathal looked in front of him as Fumikage held his right leg, the blood spilling all over his hands..

"Dark Shadow isn't a Beached Thing! He's my Quirk and he's harmless! He's here to help!"

Cathal looked at Fumikage again, and he took a deep breath; he sucked in the air as much as he could, gasping and begging for life to enter his lungs. He looked at Dark Shadow, who became smaller and softer, almost like he was a puppy. The bird was even chirping like a whimpering dog.

"Hey I'm Dark Shadow. Nice to meet ya but YOU GOTTA HELP FUMIKAGE!" He screamed.

"DARK SHADOW!" Fumikage screamed monstrously.

"OH UH! RIGHT!"

Cathal looked at the two in a confused stare.

"What the? Nevermind… holy shit…" He said. "Okay okay… okay you've got a bullet in there alright, uh… damn I need to pull it out."

Fumikage flared his breath as the burning pain in his leg continued forever more. He was shot in his lower calf muscles, the muscle contorting and bleeding everywhere into a deep puddle of red. He grunted, wailed, and howled in pain as he tried to move his leg, only the burning of the bullet soaked further.

"GRRRRRAA!" Fumikage screamed.

"Okay calm down!" Cathal cried. "What's your blood type?"

"A-AB!" Fumikage wailed in pain. "My blood type is AB!"

"Good!"

Both of the boys gasped and snapped their heads in the other direction. A figure was standing at the end. The person ran towards them, and in the red light they were made visible. Her silver ponytail shining as it got closer.

"Cora!" Cathal and Fumikage cried.

Cora arrived with a red Bridges coverall suit. She was wearing white gloves and thick black boots as part of her uniform, and on her chest was a mysterious pod. It had an orange base but had black tinted glass covering most of the device, and it contained a rather strange shape. There was a "notch" near the top of the pod, almost like the head of a person.

"Listen to me carefully, AB Types can receive blood from all the other classifications safely," She spoke. "Take this, it's a blood bag. It may not get the bullet out but it'll replenish what you've lost.

Cora opened a briefcase revealing several medical tools, vials, and bags. She reached for a blood bag labeled "AB" and clipped it to a fresh needle. She tourniquet Fumikage's left arm, causing his veins to grow thick and heavy, and she insert the needle in his inner elbow. The blood from the bag flowed through the tube and into the raven's body, and he felt replenished almost immediately. Cora worked fast however, and she grabbed a pair of forceps. She grabbed Fumikage's right leg and carefully rolled the pant leg up, revealing his tan and bloodied skin. She saw the calf muscle, heavily damaged and bloodied by the bullet, and she took a deep breath.

"This is going to hurt, a lot," Cora warned as she opened the forceps. "There's no time for anesthetics, we have to get the bullet out now in order to avoid lead poisoning. Judging by the wound it looks pretty deep, I need you to remain as still as possible, understand?"

Fumikage looked up at her with watering eyes.

"Yes madam!" He cried.

"Good, Handyman hold him down, and… whatever that thing is coming out of you-"

"Hey I'm right here!" Dark Shadow cried.

"Wha- you can talk?!" Cora cried as she looked at the shadowy bird.

"YEAH! NOW COME ON YOU HAVE TO HELP FUMIKAGE!"

"Okay okay! Both of you, hold him in place!"

Cathal and Dark Shadow grabbed Fumikage and held him to the ground tight, and Cora raised the tool in her and… she dug in.

The searing of flesh, the tearing of fibers and muscles roared throughout Fumikage's body, tearing him apart from within. He screamed a blood curdling roar into the hallway as Cathal held his chest and Dark Shadow held his left leg. Cora grit her teeth as she carefully went deeper into the leg, blood squirting onto her cheek. She jimmied the forceps deeper into the calf, causing Fumikage to flare his breath and scream once more, frightening Cathal. The redheaded boy grit his teeth and held Fumikage down tighter, holding him so hard it felt like his hands were burning from touching the raven-headed boy's skin. Each moment felt like an eternity, the screaming of a teenager echoing through the halls, the sobbing-like caws and chirps of the shadow beast egging the doctor to move faster… faster… faster! Hurry it up now! He's in pain!

"I GOT IT!"

Cora removed the bullet from Fumikage's leg, the small lead piece sitting in the forceps, drenched in a dark blood. Fumikage flared and growled as he looked at the ceiling, sweat pouring down his face and onto his beak. He sucked in the musty air and his eyes bulged, the pain scorching his leg and body. Cathal's pale face soon blocked the light, and his wavy red hair dangled.

"We did it!" He cried. "Hey Fumikage, are you still there? You alright?!"

He held up his hand.

"How many fingers am I holding?" He asked frantically.

"Three…" Fumikage muttered.

"He's okay!" Dark Shadow cried.

The raven-headed boy slowly sat up and grunted loudly as Cora tourniquet his leg, and she used her tools to clean the wound and wrap it in bandages.

"Welcome back, you did great." she said with a smile.

Together Cora and Cathal helped Fumikage lean on the wall, his teeth shining in the light as he moaned.

"I don't mean to rush you but we have to move, it's not safe here." Cora warned.

"How the hell did Higgs get into the city?" Cathal cried. "These are Homo Demens! No way they could get past the city walls."

"I don't know, right now we just need to get the hell out of here!" Cora cried. "We need to get to the surface, Elliot is still in the hospital and-"

"Elliot? Who's Elliot?" Cathal asked.

"He's… he's my lover okay?" Cora sighed. "Look… I need to get him out of there, he's a soldier but he's still just one man. He's important to me!"

Fumikage grunted, causing everyone to focus on him.

"I… understand…" He said weakly. "It's best for us to retreat, I can't fight in my condition. Dark Shadow, return!"

Dark Shadow suddenly shrunk and started receding into Fumikage's stomach.

"You guys stay safe!" He cried. Soon after, he vanished.

"We should wait for the reinforcements Fragile sent for. They will be able to end this." Fumikage stated.

"Fragile?" Cora cried. "She was here?!"

"Yes, but she's returning with Bridges Security to fight off these villains, we need-"

Fumikage soon moaned once more in great pain, causing him to try and grab his leg once more. Cathal joined his side and held his hand.

"Just focus on me right now, you're gonna be okay," He said. "Cora we should probably head to the surface, there should be a truck up there, I can start it and get us out the hell of here."

Cora and Cathal grabbed Fumikage from under his arms and lifted him into the air.

"Gohhhh!" He cried.

"It's alright! Try to ignore it!" Cora yelled. "We're getting to the surface, but that means we may run into Demens. Handyman take him to that truck, I'll see what's going on with the Network."

Together the three of them moved to the back of the hall, the red lights bathing them in torment. They rounded a corner and there stood a large circular elevator, the floor reading "Bridges" in a large white text. Fumikage struggled to stand despite the help of his comrades, the blood dripping onto the ground.

FWOOOOOM

The metal shifted as the elevator rose towards the surface of the facility. The gravity felt heavier on the trio, the Earth pulling them to the ground with force. Fumikage felt the pressure of the world pulling on his legs, the pain and the burning in his right leg eating away at him like a decay, a rot destroying the life around it. His breath became strained and his vision blurry from the loss of blood. Cathal looked over at him with worry, and Fumikage felt his back being pat in a friendly manner.

"We're almost out of here," Cathal reassured. "Come on Fumikage, be strong. You're a hero right? Then be a great hero and keep going! I still want to see the world with you!"

"Handyman…" Cora muttered.

"What?"

BEEEEEEEEP

A loud alarm sounded off as the elevator reached the surface of the Distribution Center, the large hanger bay reappearing in a deep crimson glow. The pain Fumikage felt started to subside, like an ocean was caressing his soul. Yet, the reassurance of the waters soon washed away, the short moment of respite was slaughtered. The grim tone of fear, regret, and hesitance soon devoured Fumikage, and Cathal widened his black and white eyes. Cora looked on in silence, as the fear of what comes next.

The trio was surrounded by Homo Demens, all with rifles in their arms and trained on their heads...

Run all you want heroes... you can't escape this next Big Bang...