Unlikely Heroes
Chapter 15: Mansion of Horrors
Before that time would happen there would be a bit of romance between Nicholas and Liru. The female woke up on the day it would happen just happy as she could be. Having the male as a boyfriend made her that. She got ready quickly and skipped to the dinning room. The guy was just about to enter and Liru jumped to throw her arms around him. "Good morning!" she stated with a coo.
"Hey you," Nicholas responded with a chuckle and turned so they could kiss. "Sleep well Liru?"
"Like a pup," she replied and snuggled against him.
"Well I bet she's hungry," the male said and with his arm around her petite waist, led Liru into the dinning room. The female didn't mind this at all and felt even closer to Nicholas when he did this. She also knew that the guy would never go beyond that without asking her first. The male wasn't the kind of person to lead the female into a false sense of security before jumping her.
However, upon arriving, the two found that there wasn't any food at all set up by the other servants Napoleon had at the mansion. In fact, there wasn't anyone there. "What the hell?" Nicholas asked.
At that moment Cosmo and Akito came in. "I see you found the same problem we did," the male android commented.
"Why?" Liru asked. "What's up?"
"It seems some of the cooks got some food poising," Cosmo explained. "If you want food, you'll have to make it yourself."
"No problem," Nicholas stated. "I'll do it for us Liru."
"Wait, you can cook?" she asked.
"Just watch." They went to the kitchen and he opened the fridge. "Well now… let's get started."
What happened next seemed to be a whirlwind to the female werewolf as the male one seemed to be all over the place. The stove was soon on and pans were slammed onto the burners. A delirious smell was soon wafting through the area, making Liru's mouth water. She took a seat, watching her boyfriend labor over the food and smiled softly. "Here, you'll like it," Nicholas said after some minutes latter and placed a plate of food in front of her.
"Ooh I can't wait!" the female stated and brought the first bite to her mouth. Her eyes went wide with shock. "Oh my…. this is so good!"
"I'm glad you like it," her boyfriend answered with a grin. He began to eat as well. When it was finished, Liru couldn't help but hug him.
"Now what?" she asked.
"Now, we get things for latter," he answered. Nicholas took the female into the city's supermarket. She just loved how he held onto her all the time and snuggled close by his side. The male even had Liru help by sending her a bit down each aisle to get each item.
"No, not that meat," he said gently. "This one is more affordable."
"Awww, but I want it!" she said with a cute pout and puppy dog eyes. She had been trying to get the meat she loved the most.
"Nice try missy; it ain't happening. But I promise you when we have a real reason to celebrate I'll make you it. I promise. Besides, I think you'll love what I make tonight."
"Oh okay," the female said and kissed him on the cheek.
Liru wouldn't be disappointed after they got back with a lot of stuff. It was delivered to the kitchen. "Now watch, and learn," Nicholas said, bringing out a sharp knife and a piece of meat that had been bought. The bone was still attached to it. The guy laid it out on a board in a satisfying way. With two quick movements, he got the bone off with no problem, leaving most of the meat behind. Then in a number of slices and using his left index finger got them ready by then sprinkling some salt in a cool way.
"How did you do that?!" the female asked.
"A lot of practice," he answered. "I didn't get it within a day."
"Oh I love you even more!" she cooed and couldn't help but hug the male.
"I'm glad you do," he replied with a chuckle. "Now then, I need to cook it."
"I can't wait!" She gave her boyfriend a kiss on the cheek and sat down to watch. It wasn't much longer and the food was ready.
"Here you go," Nicholas said and placed a plate in front of his girlfriend. She took the first bite and he saw her eyes go wide with shock.
"I love it!" Liru stated and dug in while the male chuckled while joining her. They continued to eat and it wasn't long before the plates were cleared. "So now what?"
"For now we just wait. It won't be long until we're called into action."
X
Nicholas's words proved true as two days latter F.I.L.E.S. made contact with them. They were picked up and soon heading back to the same place from before where it had happened. This time with them were others but there were two that stood out to Nicholas and the others. Chris, the brother of Claire, had been found by her but now was back into the field. Another named Jill Realentine who was good friends with Chris looked to be the kind of woman to be strong. These two along with everyone else were part of the Alpha team of F.I.L.E.S. and soon the helicopter touched down near the area that had been visited by Nicholas and the others before. Everyone got off. The humans knew about what had happened and were on guard. They also knew about the others in their group who were monsters. Everyone slowly began to make their way forward to the target. It was dark and a bit misty, setting an unsettling mood. Chris and Jill were right by the werewolves, androids, witch, wizard, and vampires. Suddenly a shot was heard, coming from the direction were another of the team had gone. Whirling, they saw the man being torn apart by zombie dogs. The shots Jill sent at the targets didn't seem to stop them.
The enemies turned to face her, gore and blood dripping down their jaws. One charged forward but Nicholas was ready. With a shot and quick slash, his katana cut the enemy in half. "Come on!" Chris cried and grabbed her.
"Go!" Napoleon stated as Liru transformed along with her boyfriend. "We'll handle them!"
The humans ran for it, which only included the leader, Chris, Jill, and another male by the name of Barry. The zombie dogs were finished off but more kept coming causing the others to flee with the team. They made it to the mansion and the entry hall. Here in the light the features of the humans could be seen more clearly. Chris was wearing a green vest, and dark pants. Jill had short hair along with a blue hat. The leader of the team named Albert was wearing dark glasses and armed for combat. Although he seemed reasonable, his voice made Nicholas think he was a guy who couldn't be trusted. Barry in the meantime wasn't with them and hadn't made it. The werewolves returned to their human forms.
"What is this hall?" Jill asked.
"I thought we told you guys when we came here," Nicholas said. Suddenly a shot was heard from elsewhere.
"What was that?!" Liru asked.
Chris loaded his gun. "I'll go and check it out," he stated.
"It's dangerous going alone," Jill commented. "I'll come with you."
"Count us in," Napoleon said. "We know the place well." The monsters began to walk with the humans.
"Alright," stated the leader of their group who's full name was Albert Desker. "I will stay and secure the area." Nicholas turned his head to face him, sending the guy a warning look and teeth bared.
The small group slowly went towards the sound. It was first through a dinning room and then into a hallway. Here the sound of moans and chewing could be heard. Walking around the corner saw a zombie feeding on a corpse of one of the other members. It slowly turned its head and rose up to face the group. "This can't be happening!" Jill stated as she shot the enemy dead.
"Believe it lady!" Nicholas shot back.
Liru's wolf ears then flicked. "I hear another behind!" Cosmo opened the door and shot the zombie in the dinning room dead.
"We need to get out of here!" Logan said as more zombies began to emerge.
"What are these things?!" Chris asked.
"I thought you'd gotten the report sent by us!" Napoleon snarled as he shot another enemy down. They were then back in the main hall and Albert was nowhere to be found.
"Desker?! Chris stated.
"Something isn't right," Jill commented.
"I feel it to," Nicholas stated. "Let's just hope him gone doesn't mean what I think it means."
Logan then shouted out and threw some lighting at a zombie that had popped up. Aiko tried the door but it was locked. Even she nor Comso couldn't get it opened; not even with the lock picking tools they had. The group then had to fend off a few more zombies. "This place is no good," Napoleon said. "We need to keep moving!"
"We might find some of the others along the way," Chris agreed.
The next room had more enemies and then in the next hallway, Nicholas used his katana to slice up a zombie dog that had come crashing in through a window. The group kept going along the path, eventually reaching some stairs that took them to the second level. It wasn't until they did that a faster zombie came onto the scene that was more resistant to some damage. The enemy was taken out quick. "You know I don't think this is just someone's summer home," Chris said.
"It never was," Nicholas commented. "Maybe before all this but not now."
It was then through two iron doors. The enemies inside were blown to bits. Then it was back down the hallway with another faster zombie bursting through a door. A few slices from the blades the group had put this one down. Then in the next area, which had walkways above the first floor, infected crows came out to attack. The path then went outside were more enemies attacked. But then around a corner came a familiar face. "Forest!" Chris exclaimed. "No!" Nicholas and the others recognized him as one from Bravo Team that had come here months ago, but now a zombie.
"No, not like this…" Jill whispered. Napoleon shot the former human dead as an act of mercy.
"I'm sorry, Forest," Chris commented. "I'll miss our target practice sessions." Jill just looked to this guy with worry.
"Can you get Desker on the line?" Logan asked.
"There's still no response," Aiko answered. "I hope everyone's alright."
The group then made it to another door and had to fight off even more enemies. Soon their path got them to a library like area. As soon as they entered, Nicholas's nostrils flared as he smelled something. "There's something here," he whispered and his hand went for the katana on his back.
Suddenly Jill heard the sound of hissing and whirled around to find a humongous snake dull in color but with red staring eyes. It lunged at the human who was able to dodge its fangs. It fell to the floor and began to slither around. "What in the hell?!" Chris asked.
"Watch the fangs, I bet they're poisonous!" Jill commented.
"Even if they aren't, if that thing gets a hold of us we're fucked," Logan said. Nicholas let out a yell and transformed as did Liru. The rushed forward with firing and in the male's case, hacking away with his katana. The two humans were new to this and froze, seeing them in action but returned to the present.
"Damn!" Nicholas growled as his blade glanced off the hide of the reptile. The shots didn't seem to do too much. The tail came around, sending both werewolves back. The snake reared its head back, mouth open wide. Aiko and Cosmo fired at it and the monster seemed to take some damage.
"Quick!" Napoleon ordered to Jill and Chris. "Get to the ladder!"
The humans climbed up it and saw the others dealing with the snake. It then slithered under a chandelier in the room, which Jill shot at. It came crashing down on the head of the enemy, doing some damage. Spitting and hissing, the creature focused on the humans and to everyone's shock slithered up one of the walls to where they were. Jill and Chris jumped back to the others and the enemy lunged down with the mouth open wide. Logan and Uma shouted out and fired some lighting into the area, wounding the snake even more. The thing slithered and tried to strike from another angle. Nicholas yelled and his aim with the katana was true and it became buried deep into the enemy. The sword was pulled out, and the monster hissed and spat loudly before crashing to the ground, dead.
"I'd hate to know what's coming next," Aiko whispered.
"There's a door, let's go," Chris said. They all went through and found themselves in a courtyard outside after the werewolves turned human again.
The first step was just making it through after fighting off some monsters. The group then made it to a path that was flooded by water. There was a control for a floodgate right by it. After taking care of the few zombies Chris went to work on the controls and got the water lowered. As soon as they went down the ladder, new enemies attacked that were small, but deadly snakes. The enemies were dealt with quickly and soon everyone made it to some kind of lift. It took them down to a lower level. Once the few zombies here had been killed they could see there was a choice to make. "There are two ways," Jill stated. "Which one do we take?"
Nicholas and Liru sniffed the air. "The one on the right doesn't seem so foul as the one on the left," the male werewolf commented. "I think it'll be the easier of the two."
He led the way, which went to a ladder which everyone climbed down. Looking around the group could see they were in some kind of cave with lights, pipes, and support beams. After taking a couple more turns, some amphibian like enemies came out and were quickly shot down. They then went through a door but had hardly gone forward when everyone heard a rumbling, crunching sound heading towards them. "That sound; what is it?" Pachira asked and got behind Napoleon.
"I just really hope it's not what I think it is," Logan commented. It turned out to be a huge boulder.
"Yep, we're fucked," the wizard said. He was pushed out of the way by Uma as the rest moved to avoid the rock. It crashed into the wall, creating dust and shards from it to fly through the air.
"That was too close," Jill said when the air was clear.
The group then went through a door where they found a bunch of webs and spider like enemies. All these things were taken out. Then, by using some crates, everyone was able to climb out. Looking around, showed it was a different place. "Where are we?" Jill asked.
"Looks like we ended up in another building," Chris commented.
"I don't remember this last time I was here," Nicholas said.
They all made their way forward slowly until a ladder was reached. One by one they went down it and found themselves in a lower level. A few more enemies were beaten here and then water was reached. It was only knee high so everyone could keep going. It was then through a door and they found themselves in a huge open area with more water. "A water tank?!" Chris asked.
"What's it doing down here?" Uma wondered.
"Wait, there's something in here!" Liru pointed as she noticed a fin. A quick look showed there was an infected shark in here.
"Look out!" Nicholas yelled. "It's coming right at us!"
The monster lunged at the male and he rolled out of the way and delivered a powerful blow with his katana and fist. The enemy retreated. It then came after the females who all ran away from it. It was obvious that an electrical attack wouldn't be a good idea so the group quickly went through another door into a room that was also flooded but had broken computers and monitors. Huge roots were descending into the area. The group slowly walked in, unaware of some vines that slowly came from the celling. Everyone suddenly noticed some liquid drop and looked up to see the threat. The vines lashed out and grabbed them, pulling them up to some other level. It was bit before the males and females were able to move. They could see stairs but hear the sound of something. Looking up showed the source of the vines; a plant with more moving around, some spraying some kind of pollen into the air. The top part looked like some kind of weird brain.
"What is that thing?!" Pachira asked as everyone fired at this new threat.
"Some kind of plant!" Napoleon replied. "I doubt fire will work on it!" That was mainly to Uma and Logan in case the two were thinking about using those kinds of spells.
The top part of the thing opened up, releasing balls of pollen that were shot down. "It's too big," Jill said. "There must be something we can do!"
The group went for the stairs. "Aim for that flower right there!" Nicholas shouted while pointing. A few shots made contact before the plant lashed out with its vines, wrapping up everyone. They were able to break free. And then the whole thing repeated itself.
"This is too simple!" Liru replied as the same pattern was done again.
"It's just a plant!" Cosmo commented. "It really doesn't have an intelligence!"
Working together, it didn't take much to bring this enemy down which parts falling off and the rest withering away to nothing. It was after this that the group found a door were they stumbled upon a hidden, underground research facility. There was no doubt Desker was here. They carefully descended down into the darkness, not knowing what lurked below. "Something big was going down here," Chris said.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Jill commented.
"It looks like that other one we went to months ago," Nicholas pointed out to the other monsters.
The zombies began to appear and they were taken out. A ladder was reached and everyone climbed down. It was then through some double doors and more enemies. "Is this where everyone is?" Chris asked.
"I'm sure of it!" Jill replied. "Let's hurry!"
The path then had them going down some stairs while killing even more zombies. There was an elevator was then reached but the power was out and the switch had to be found. That required them to go down a different hallway and defeat and enemy that stood in their way. Soon they had arrived. "This is it," Aiko pointed out.
"Let's get it up and running!" Cosmo stated.
The two androids worked at it and quickly had the elevator working. Then it was back to it along with killing more enemies. They made it and were just about to enter when a voice came out, one they didn't think they would hear. "You guys!"
They looked to see another male but one wearing a red vest, somewhat armed and a white shirt underneath. It was a member of the team that had been with them in the forest but had gotten separated from. "Barry!" Jill stated.
"You could have at least waited up for me, you know."
"Where the hell have you been?" Nicholas asked.
"Trying to get to you," Barry answered. "Getting separated in the forest, I had to find another way in."
"Well we've got another person to help fight," Liru pointed out.
"She's right, let's go," Chris said.
They all got into the elevator and rode down. It was then a short walk to a door that had the word biohazard on it. The group went in. They found themselves in some kind of lab that had tanks. Inside these things was some kind of liquid and masses that had no identifiable shape. With caution, everyone moved to a desk that had some kind of clipboard with papers. Nicholas picked it up, seeing it was a description for a Titan. "Damn it," he growled. "Not another of these things."
They all then look up after the male werewolf had put this in a pocket on his body. They saw the leader of their group at the end of the lab, typing away at a computer. "Desker!" Chris called out as they approached.
"So you've come. Chris and Nicholas you make me proud. But of course I'd expect it from one of my men and a werewolf like you."
Suddenly the sound of a gun being cocked could be heard. Everyone looked to see Barry had two guns pointed at the backs of their heads. "Thank you Barry," Desker replied.
"Well, what do you know?" Jill commented with a glare.
"Oh, don't blame Barry for everything even that boulder that was rolled that tried to kill you in that tunnel. I hear that his better half and two lovely daughters will be in danger if he doesn't do everything I tell him to."
"Desker, you're pathetic."
The said male then cocked his own gun at the group. "Well you shouldn't worry too much dear. You'll be free from all this anyway."
"Since when, Desker?" Nicholas snarled.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about."
"Since when have they been slipping you a paycheck traitor?!"
"I think you're a bit confused," Desker replied and got closer. "I've always been with Rindella."
"Why eliminate F.I.L.E.S.?" Liru asked with her teeth barred.
"Believe it or not, that's Rindella's intention.
"You're just a slave of Rindella!" Chris shot back.
"Smart guy. But the things you've mentioned are nothing. Tonight was an excellent night for collecting data on Rindella's biological weaponry and its performance against trained flesh-and-blood combatants. Especially since you Nicholas and those others from the Nether World infiltrated so long ago and I saw you come in here."
"Wait… You mean with Marcus?!" Napoleon asked.
"That man had nothing to do with tonight. But after seeing how you guys were so able to easily wipe out Rindella's weaponry I knew you had to be eliminated like all the F.I.L.E.S. members from months ago and tonight. They were Rindella's- No, rather, my little piggies. The D-Virus has leaked polluting this whole place. And unfortunately I had to give up my lovely members of F.I.L.E.S."
"You killed them with your own dirty hands!" Nicholas snapped. "You son of a bitch!"
"Don't move!" Desker stated when seeing the male twitch to move. "I don't think you want to die just yet. Barry, go up on the ground and wait there." They rest watched him leave out of the corner of their eyes. "You gotta love Barry. He must really be afraid of Rindella."
"You and Rindella took his family!" Pachira growled.
"Well I used some carrots and sticks to cow him. But it had nothing to do with Rindella. I just used Barry for my personal interests. Now then, I think it's time to show and tell." The enemy turned to a tank and there was another Titan in it. Suddenly the heart mass on the chest began to beat. "It's magnificent." The liquid inside the tank began to drain.
"Desker, you've become senile," Chris said.
"You know, I hate goodbyes." The enemy moved but was suddenly shot. It was Barry who had done it.
"Forgive me," he stated.
"No, you're not to blame," Jill insisted. "It's Rindella and Desker."
"Even if it meant my family… I couldn't bear turning my back on my friends again."
Desker suddenly stirred and rose up, clutching where he had been shot just as the Titan shattered the tank it was in and stepped out. The enemy let out a laugh. "All of you together in hell…"
Suddenly the Titan lashed out at the weakened male, stabbing him with the huge claw on the left hand. The guy was tossed to the side and looked dead. Then a female mechanical voice came out on a loud speaker. "Emergency. The self-destruct system has been activated. All personal must evacuate immediately." The Titan turned to the group while Nicholas and Liru transformed. The enemy flexed the left hand and charged, trying to get the group. They were able to dodge the attack.
"No!" Chris said as everyone fired. "How could they keep something like that here!?"
"I can't believe it," Jill stated.
"Damn!" Nicholas growled. "I didn't think I'd be fighting off one of these again!"
They kept it up and the enemy couldn't take it at all. It fell to the ground, not moving. "Come on, let's get out of here!" Logan commented. "This thing will get caught in the blast for sure!"
Before that Nicholas picked up some notes about the virus, which had a few more notes that were new. They were from Dirkin but also mentioned something about a person named Alexia. It was then out the door with the alarm blaring. Enemies stood in the way but all were killed. One elevator ride latter and they were quickly out. Then they heard a male on their communicators. "This is Brad. If there's anyone alive, contact me now."
"Brad!" Jill stated.
"I'm at the heliport, but I'm running out of fuel. This is your last chance! Is anyone out there!?"
"The heliport…. This way!" Chris commented.
The group ran for it, killing anything that stood in their way. They came across another elevator and rode it up. But halfway there was an explosion from somewhere that everyone felt. "What the?!" Nicholas asked.
The humans and monsters made it outside. Before they could take a look around, the Titan came up through a hole it had made. It turned its head and roared. "Persistent one, isn't he?!" Logan asked.
"We didn't come this far to die now," Cosmo pointed out. The fight was on.
The Titan tried everything from stabbing, lunging, and punches. Everyone just kept moving while firing or in the case of Nicholas stab at the enemy when it got close. A bit of this showed the thing was being wounded. Then the group was contacted again. "You guys! Are you okay?!" It was Brad. "It's too windy, it's hard to get any closer! Hold on!'
"Just hold it out for a bit longer!" Napoleon stated. The fighting continued but then a bit latter Brad contacted the team and dropped a rocket launcher to where they were.
"Use this! Kill that thing, whatever is!" Chris took the weapon and fired at the Titan, killing it for good. The helicopter came down and landed. Everyone was soon inside it and the vehicle was up and away. The sun was beginning to rise at the same time. Everyone watched as the mansion exploded in a burst of fire, stone, and wood. Jill just laid her head on Chris as did the other females with their guys. Barry just sat with his head back. Another part of Rindella had been dealt with. Little did anyone know just how soon the nightmare would return.