Chapter 3 - … And Into the Fire

(Continued)

As Nemo stumbled into the library, he yanked a lever down on the wall. Alarms finally blared through the entire ship in response. The whole crew would know of a threat at least. This was a fight the Nautilus had to win.

Nemo hobbled to one of the walls, using the wall as a support for a moment and he clenched his jaw and winced deeply. With a powerful breath amongst his hastened pants, he stood up and looked at the small collection of bladed weapons. Although placed more for decoration, they would still work as well as any other.

His hand hovered over the knives and swords, his preferred choice, but they would do little good against such a beast. Instead, he took up a harpoon. This would not end well without some form of weapon and help from either the crew or the League. All he could hope for was that Jekyll's potion would burn off soon and the creatures would revert.

Nemo used the harpoon as a cane to help him as he moved behind a bookcase. He waited, trying to make as little noise as he could and keeping a hand on his ankle. He must have hurt it badly but even alone he refused to allow the pain to show. The blaring of the alarm made it easier to conceal himself. Why was it taking so long for the creature to arrive? It was right behind him a moment ago. It sounded like it had stopped now that Nemo was cornered in the library. He was trapped. Nemo had no choice now but to fight.

Glancing around, Nemo found all of the most expensive pieces of artwork he owned to be missing. They were gone from their places, leaving blank rectangles from where cigar smoke had slightly stained the walls. Quatermain assumed that these intruders had also helped themselves to his collection. Nemo bared his teeth and glared at the gaps.

Heavy footsteps pounding on the metal floor alerted Nemo of its presence. The steps were slower than before as if it was trying to be careful. Something didn't seem right.

Crash! The alarm went silent, leaving Nemo in a thick eerie veil of silence. Nemo took a quiet breath and looked around the bookcase. He kept low to the ground in case the monstrous brute was nearby, that way he would be able to catch a glimpse of the creature before it spotted him.

It was by his precious observation window. The window was covered in its thin sheet of metal to protect the glass when no one was using it. Nemo clenched his jaw as the beast found the lever to open the window and yanked it towards him with enough strength to break the lever clean off. He threw it behind him.

With an almost inaudible grating noise, the metal slipped away, revealing the ocean and dark night sky. The Nautilus must have surfaced to renew its air supply and perhaps make more adequate fixes where the ship has suffered earlier damages. It made sense to Quatermain. What better time to launch an attack on the Sword of the Ocean?

Nemo seemed to decide that that moment would be his best chance to strike at the nightmarish brute; Quatermain came to the same conclusion. Quatermain admired Nemo's fighting style; the movements flowed like a river and yet hit as hard as a tsunami. It was incredible considering the captain's age. He had the ability to fight this monster, but his leg...

Slowly, silently, Nemo crept out of his hiding place and readied his harpoon. The neck would be his best chance. All he needed was for the beast to stay where it was. He was not in range yet. Quatermain hoped Nemo's luck would finally take a turn for the better.

The creature turned. Nemo winced. He retreated, but by then it was too late. The monster was running at him with its fist ready. It sent Nemo hurtling into the bookcase with a crushing blow from a huge left hand. Nemo hit the ground and clutched onto his side. His harpoon skittered along the floor out of reach. His ribs were now in a very fragile state as well as his ankle. Quatermain feared for breakages.

Nemo tried to get to his feet. It was painstakingly slow. Quatermain could tell by Nemo's drooping face that it sent a vile wave of nausea to wash over him. It had happened to Quatermain enough times to know. Before Nemo could even look up to locate the source of the voice, the monster took hold of his shirt and lifted him off the ground. Its grip was firm and vice-like, the force crushing him and his injuries.

Nemo tried to pull himself free, but the monster adjusted its grip, trapping his arms by his sides. The pain was too much. His teeth were grinding against each other while his body was so tense and rigid that it clearly hurt. Nemo struggled to inhale, groaning and shouting as best he could. The squeezing intensified. Nemo's cries of pain echoed throughout the room. Quatermain feared for the worst, hoping with all his might that Nemo could make it through.

He had to.

(*Meanwhile*)

Quatermain's vision flashed again. He watched Skinner freeze as he handed a barely conscious Ishmael over to Mina at the infirmary. An alarm had begun to blare throughout the ship.

"Nemo," he muttered. "I knew I shouldn't have left him!" As soon as Mina had a firm grip, he hurried down the corridor.

Dr Jekyll looked at the direction the invisible man had no doubt fled.

"Mrs Harker, I have to help them," he insisted. "We'll need your help too."

Mina sighed as she checked Ishmael's pulse, "Go. I'll follow, but please be careful."

Jekyll nodded and staggered off down the corridors. He took his vial of potion from his inside pocket and whipped it down.

Jekyll rounded the corner and dropped to his knees as his body mutated into its new form. It was not the kind of pain that anyone could get used to. He held onto the wall, trying to dig his fingers into the metal to deal with the change. The gruesome transformation came to a swift end. Dr Henry Jekyll was now one very, very angry Mr Edward Hyde...

Skinner sped round each corner, panting and puffing. It would be easy for him to find the captain; the metal walls were dented where the monster had not been agile enough to slow down in time for the corners. The lights above him were flickering and sparking. Something had ran through the narrow hallway and Skinner no doubt had a fair guess as to what. The cries of pain he could hear before he even made it to the library made him pick up the pace. He threw open the doors to find Nemo in the clutches of the red Hyde creature.

"Skinner?!" Nemo bellowed. Nemo's arms were pinned to his sides. It would be impossible for him to get away. The creature was applying an appalling deal of pressure to his torso. A few of Nemo's crewmen were unconscious in a heap, with a smaller bookcase pinning them to the ground. They were hard to spot in such a dimly lit corner, but it was easy for Quatermain to figure out what happened. They had tried but failed to help him.

Nemo was kicking frantically as the creature crushed the air out of his lungs. The clear distress on the captain's face was frustrating. There was no real way for Skinner to help him without ending up like the other crewmen. He wasn't Hercules or anything like that. He was invisible, not strong or immortal. He was as fragile as the next man.

Skinner was concentrating on staying silent, but Quatermain didn't know how effective his stealth would be.

"It's no good sneaking around. I can see you heading to the harpoon. It looks rather blunt," the red creature taunted in English. Quatermain heard Skinner hiss. If this creature could see him, he would have to depend on his skills in combat, which were nil. He could not hide away like he could with other enemies. But that didn't mean he wouldn't try.

"Let him go," Skinner growled.

"As you wish," it muttered, tossing Nemo at the wall like discarded rubbish. Nemo hit a massive bookcase with a thunk and dropped to the ground. He made no attempt to find his feet. Instead, he wrapped his arms around his chest, desperately trying to dull the pain, gasping for air.

"No!" Skinner grabbed the harpoon and sped towards the captain, placing himself between the monster and Nemo. He aimed at the creature and threw the harpoon. Despite being no Ned Land, he still managed to embed the spear in his left shoulder, but the creature wasn't affected that much

The beast winced and removed the harpoon and dropped it on the floor. Blood oozed from the wound, but the creature did not care. The harpoon landed close to the wounded captain, almost as if it was taunting them to try again.

"Kill it," Nemo managed, gasping for breath. He tried to sit up, but the pain in his sides kept him down. Nemo kept trying, not willing to surrender to the pain. Besides, he was in more danger if he stayed still. He had to help Skinner. He had to help his crew. Quatermain could see the desperation in his face.

The second monster came into the library. It did not seem as harsh as the red monster. Or at least, it didn't try to attack. If anything it looked bored. It was followed by the man who had stolen the vials, this time with a large bag in his hand.

"Fantômas, what did you do?!" he shouted in English, seeing the state Nemo was in. It seemed that injuring the captain was not part of this twisted plan.

Skinner took his chance and began dragging Nemo away from the fight as the three strangers began to speak. But with Nemo being hardly conscious and having such sensitive ribs, it was difficult to make swift progress.

"You were not supposed to wound him," the pale monster continued. It too spoke English this time, perhaps so Skinner understood their intentions?

"I had no choice," Fantômas argued.

"Of course you didn't," the man said, anger flowing through his words like venom. "Let's be off before anyone else appears."

The red monster began to walk towards Skinner, his hand raised ready to strike.

"Skinner, look out!" a feminine voice yelled. Quatermain saw Nemo get moved slightly. Mina's warning came too late. He hit Skinner and sent him into another bookcase at the other side of the room with a yelp, sending a few books flying. He must have been distracted with Nemo, or had he known and shielded him? Quatermain couldn't clearly tell. The blow wouldn't have stolen the invisible man's consciousness from him, he hoped, but his vision would at least be swimming for a moment.

"Skinner, get Nemo!" the real Mr Hyde bellowed as he charged towards the red creature. The blue Hyde was dragging an enormous bookcase over to the door just as Nemo's only hope filled the corridors. The rest of his crewmen had arrived, armed to the teeth with blades and harpoons. But the beast had taken precautions already, closing and blocking the door. The bookcase would take a lot of strength to move. Unless Hyde was able to help no one would be able to get in or out of the library.

The man with the bag retreated up to the first floor, out of the way of the conflict with the bag in his hand. He knew as well as Quatermain that carnage was going to ensue.

Quatermain desperately wanted to dive into the vision and help. It was driving him insane. He needed to help, but couldn't… As Ayesha had said, this had not yet occurred and there was not a thing Quatermain could do to change what he saw.

"Skinner, get Nemo out of here," Hyde yelled again. "Run!" Hyde tried to strike the blue creature so it would stop blocking the exit. The creature managed to avoid the mighty punch and retaliated with his own strike against Hyde. Fantômas charged forwards, pinning Hyde against the wall and pounding him with punches. Hyde could only bring his arms up to defend himself, any form of offence impossible.

"Great. Run where? The door is blocked," Skinner grumbled.

"Skinner... Help me up," Nemo managed, still gasping for breath. Skinner somehow managed to hear Nemo through the bellows of Mr Hyde and his not so friendly twins. Skinner moved over to Nemo and helped him to his feet. Mina managed to get over to the pair to help them.

"My ribs," Nemo gasped in pain as he stood. He leaned forward in an attempt to relieve some of the pain, but he was swaying. "I think they may be broken." Nemo looked terrible. His fists were clenched to try and deal with the pain. He was covered in little beads of sweat. Ragged and worn out, his breathing was rushed and yet dangerously shallow.

"We need to get you out of here. Otherwise that… thing will break more than a rib," Skinner remarked, keeping him up on his feet. The blue monster was staring at Nemo, but reluctantly joined the fight as Fantômas was being overwhelmed through Hyde's fury.

It did make Quatermain wonder. Why would they aim their attack towards the captain? Then there was the fact they didn't want him injured. None of it was making sense. What were they doing?

"Nemo, we should move whilst we can," Mina advised, seeing that the monster was glaring at the three with a defiant look even whilst fighting. Skinner was half carrying Nemo, but with three Hydes fighting right beside them, they could not move far without risking being caught in the crossfire. Hyde was doing his best to drive them back.

Nemo glanced behind him, wincing at the movement and the sight. Both creatures were attacking Hyde now. One creature would hit Hyde and then the other. Mr Hyde didn't have a chance to defend himself or to strike. He was wearing down.

"Skinner, we must help Hyde," Nemo exclaimed, refusing to move any further.
"As soon as you are out of the way, I'll help him," Skinner replied. "Don't know how, but I'll figure it out after you're safe."

Nemo made a few small steps forwards. But as Hyde was thrown onto Nemo's beloved organ, smashing it to pieces, his focus was captured once more.

"No, I cannot leave him to these monsters," Nemo said firmly, drawing to a halt again.

"And we cannot allow you to get hurt any further," Mina argued. "Please, Captain. Trust us. We will help as soon as you are safe."

Nemo was frozen for a second before moving forwards. It was against all nature for him to leave a fight while others were in danger. Mina hurried him along as best he could.

"Nemo, hurry," Hyde suddenly exclaimed as he was knocked to the ground again. But it was too late. Nemo was snatched out of Skinner's arms.

The creature grabbed Nemo by the front of the shirt in his massive fist with a much weaker grip. Nemo roared in pain as his ribs continued to burn in agony due to the beast's fingers pressing into his chest. Nemo tried his best to get the creature to let go. He tried to grab his kirpan, but Fantômas adjusted his grip, and it became impossible for him.

"No!" Mina snarled, her eyes illuminating into a deep shade of red. She was about to run forth, but someone grabbed her arm and pulled her backwards. It was Skinner, saving her from being crushed by Hyde falling onto her as he fell again. She rushed behind a bookcase, disappearing from sight. Quatermain noted the molten gleam in her eyes.

"Let go, Fantômas. I will take him. Otherwise, you'll kill him," the blue beast demanded. Fantômas obeyed with a wry smile. Fantômas agreed with that statement and seemed to love every second of making him suffer.

Fantômas smashed through the large glass window whilst Mr Hyde was trying to get up. Then he turned his attention back towards his opponent. Fantômas managed to pin him down and looked unimpressed with Hyde's retaliations. The pale monster jumped off the Nautilus with Nemo down towards the sea. There was no splash, just a thud. What had they landed on?

Skinner threw himself forward, past Hyde and grabbed the harpoon by the red beast's feet. He spun around and rammed it into what Quatermain called 'the arse.' Quatermain would have to remember to congratulate him for such an achievement.

"Not so blunt after all," Skinner seemed to grin as the red monster howled in pain. It sent Skinner flying back with a blow from a giant right hand.

Skinner was too determined to help his friend and pleased with the result of his attack to anticipate it. With a painful thump, he hit a shelf, definitely unconscious by such a heavy blow. The bookcase rocked back and forth until it toppled onto him. Skinner's involuntary distraction had however given Hyde a chance to get up and fight again. The red beast threw Hyde into another bookcase, giving them enough time to escape. While it stunned him, Hyde was quickly back on his feet. But he wasn't quite fast enough.

Mina lurked in the shadows with eyes glowing like hot iron. She had managed to find the area of the library which bore the weapons. Knives in hand, she stalked them from a distance, taking her bearings. She had been waiting until Fantômas turned his back to her. Then she struck.

Leaping up and slashing at the monster's back, she fought with great ferocity. She hacked and slashed but she didn't get to fight for long. Fantômas struggled to get her off him. He had the sense to run back into a wall. It startled Mina enough for him to grab her.

"Lupin, go!" he ordered. He threw Mina as far away from him as he could.

The man, Lupin, Quatermain assumed, dropped the large bag onto the floor beneath him, climbed over the balcony and jumped. He was able to roll to break his fall and snatch up the bag again. It must have been the first time Hyde had seen this man in the room when he recognised him as the thief that had taken his potion.

"You!" Hyde thundered, trying to get up to fight. Hyde was even more infuriated when Lupin mockingly saluted him. Fantômas walked backwards with arms outstretched, sure to protect him. Once he was safely on board the other ship, Fantômas jumped down also.

Mina raced to catch them but was too late. She looked over the edge of the Nautilus. That's when she saw the answer to how the intruders reached them in the first place. They were on a boat that was waiting for them.

Quatermain wondered if she noticed something on the wooden crates. It was a flag, bearing a golden sun and stars on a black background. Quatermain recognised it from somewhere, but its name would not come to him. It had probably been in the papers.

The pale Hyde finally let go of Nemo, and he fell to the floor in front of at least a dozen men. Quatermain saw that some glass had cut into his skin, tearing up his shirt and showing blood underneath. The beast then backed away and left the other men to deal with him.

He looked to be in so much pain as he drew his kirpan and struggled up to his feet, bent over slightly, his other arm shielding his ribs. He took deep breaths as he tried to compose himself. He braced for the men jumping at him. He had to get off that boat, even if it meant jumping into the sea until the League or the Nautilus' crew could fish him out. He was running out of time. Damnit, he needed help and Quatermain couldn't do a thing about it! No one was able to do anything about it!

Nemo looked around for a weak spot in the circle but none of the men seemed anywhere near the definition of weak. Lupin was either brave or stupid enough to challenge him unarmed. He stepped forward in the circle. "Stand down, Captain. I don't want to hurt you. Come quietly now."

Nemo ground his teeth together, gripping the knife tighter. "No."

Mina wasted no time in transforming, swooping down like a falcon towards the ship. Nemo saw her.

"Mrs Harker, no!" Nemo shouted.

The crewmen on the ship began to shoot at Mina. Quatermain saw the risk this conflict would carry. They were prepared for this battle, armed with stakes, bottles of what Quatermain guessed was holy water, and garlic. It was a death trap for her. She stood no chance, whatever her strength.

With a hiss, Mina began to fly down, knowing Nemo wouldn't get a better chance. Fantômas saw her approach and took up a harpoon. With incredible accuracy, he was able to hit her with it. The force of the blow sent her flying back into the ship. She screamed, writhing in pain on the floor of the ship. The weapon was stuck in her torso, and she struggled to try and prize it out by the handle. For a moment, Quatermain didn't understand why it hurt as much as it did, she had a strong tolerance, but then it clicked.

The harpoon was made of iron, and iron burned vampires. She must have been in agony.

Lupin used Nemo's slight break in concentration to spring forward, to grab Nemo's wrist and try to twist his arm behind his back. Nemo was quick and elbowed him in the head as hard as he could before Lupin could 'lock it' so to speak. It was enough to loosen Lupin's grip. The movement still clearly hurt Nemo's ribs, but he didn't have the time to worry about that. He only just managed to slip free of the hold and slash at Lupin again, succeeding in catching his arm. Lupin hissed and held onto the top of his arm, not pleased with the blood he saw dripping down.

Nemo reached out to attack Lupin again, perhaps if he could hold him at knifepoint he could get away, but Nemo was in such a bad way. He could barely stand as the ship rocked back and forth on the bigger waves. Lupin grabbed his arm yet again as he lunged and attacked the pressure point in his wrist. Nemo hit him in the face, but it came too late. The blade fell out of his hands. He was just too tired to continue fighting. Quatermain could see it so easily in his body, how hard he was trying to push himself.

The two backed away from each other. Nemo leaned against the mast, trying to catch his breath, to settle the pain of his wounds. He needed to get off the ship, to hell with fighting.

In a desperate attempt, Nemo tried to rush to the side of the ship, breaking out of the circle with ease as a bad wave made a few men fall over. He made it to the railings, but Lupin rushed at him and grabbed Nemo before he could go overboard, wrapping his arms around his waist. He picked him up and managed to throw Nemo behind him, twisting his face with exertion. Nemo hit the deck hard, rolling over yet more glass.

Nemo landed on his front, stunned, dizzy, beaten, and yet despite all of that, he tried to drag himself back up to his hands and knees. His arms shook with exertion and he looked up at the man with a weak glare. He didn't have much left in him. He needed help.

Lupin stepped in quickly to push Nemo back down to the ground, snatching up his arms and handcuffing them behind his back. Quatermain could only imagine Nemo's frustration, being awake, and yet so powerless. He was in too much pain and was simply scooped up, gathered up like it was nothing. Humiliation was a feeling that came to mind.

"That's enough now, Captain," Lupin advised. He kept Nemo pinned down on the ground until two other men came, one holding a syringe. The three of them had no difficulty in pressing the needle into Nemo's skin and easing the contents into his body. Nemo tried to struggle, but he was securely pinned.

"No," he managed as his eyes slipped closed. After that, it was easy to drag him below.

It seemed Hyde was not happy about the boat getting away. He was about to try his luck once more and jump onto the boat, but he was peppered with gunfire. He was forced to move back to save himself from horrific injuries.

There was no way Nemo could be saved yet, not without a great loss. It was too risky. They had to admit defeat.

Hyde had to turn his attention to Mina, and the pain she was in. She'd given up trying to get it out. She lay on her back, still writhing and clawing at the ground.

Hyde approached her, his chest heaving with exhaustion. "Hold on," he said, somewhat soothingly. Hyde had to help her remove the harpoon which had so grotesquely yanked her from the air. The barb was a problem, as was Mina's cries of pain as Hyde took it out as carefully as he was capable of.

As soon as the iron was gone, Mina forced herself to sit up, holding her stomach in pain, gasping for air. She winced deeply, but at least the wound started to close.

They watched as the ship immediately began to sail away at about twenty-five knots, their chances of helping the captain growing slimmer and slimmer. Mina looked so angry and troubled. Nemo was a great friend and he was drifting away in front of her eyes. She stared at the boat, she seared it into her memory like a branding. She wasn't going to forget it. Without even being there, Quatermain knew that much. She'd get him back.

Her staring was disrupted by a mighty explosion sounding from nearby. The actions of the pale Hyde and Lupin during the attack became clear. The ship had no doubt been rigged with bombs to prevent the League from following. A vampiric growl escaped Mina's lips. These men would pay. Something told Quatermain that no matter how much holy water they had, she would help Nemo.

Quatermain knew the crew would be dealing with the explosion. He hoped no one was hurt. It seemed like it had come from the Engine Room, where it would have caused a great deal of damage- though hopefully nothing fatal. At least they were at the surface. Mina could not help with the explosion. She had to make sure Skinner was all right- and Jekyll when he returned to them. She struggled to her feet, looking a little shaken.

Skinner started groaning as he came around, but his voice was weak. "Nemo... 's Nemo?" Hyde lifted the bookcase away from Skinner with a little too much force. Mina ignored his anger and unburied the invisible man from underneath all of the books. "Stay still," Mina said to him.

"He is not badly hurt. You can help him," Hyde said. It seemed Hyde could see Skinner, though Quatermain wasn't sure how.

"Then let's get him back somewhere safe. I may need you to be my eyes..."

Kenya: August 9th

(Continued)

The horrifying vision had finally ended.

Quatermain woke with a gasp. He stood in stunned silence for a second before his stare hardened.

Ayesha stood beside him, waiting for him to speak.

"I've been gone for how long and they've gotten themselves into trouble?"
"It was your funeral today. The League left several hours ago. Although I cannot tell you what may come to pass, the League needs your guidance. There is far far more to this than meets the eye; you must free Nemo," Ayesha explained.

"Has the League been warned about what will happen?" Quatermain asked.
"No, and they must not know," Ayesha said firmly.
"Why not?! You're going to put Nemo and the others through all of that when it can be avoided? Who is it that has him?!" he exclaimed.

"I cannot say, and the League must not know," Ayesha replied, stressing every syllable. For a moment she reminded Quatermain of Mina: Dangerous. She was the one who revived him. He needed to show his gratitude, even if he hated what she was planning to do.

"I'm sorry, My Lady," he sighed, forcing his frustration away.
"I understand your concern, Allan, but you must trust in me. What Nemo will learn is vital. More good will come of this than you believe, though I cannot tell you how. You will be reunited with the League soon."

The old hunter was silent for a moment, allowing the task at hand to sink in. He hated it, but at least he could help them eventually.
"All right, Ayesha. I'm in... Can you at least tell me where do I need to go?"

"Belgium. The League will meet you there."
"They know I'm alive?" Quatermain questioned, hope escaping into his voice.
"No, but they will when they see you," Zikali said.

"Then I'll try to let them know," he replied, reaching down to pick an all too familiar rifle up from the floor.

"No one must know of what is to happen or that you are alive." Quatermain stopped in his tracks. "Again, doing that will pose much greater risks for the League. Understand this, Macumazahn. The League must remain ignorant to the future," Ayesha continued as a warning.
Quatermain grumbled in frustration, looking away from the two and shaking his head. His eyes fell upon his upturned grave. He mentally agreed to what was being said, but it went against everything Quatermain felt was right. This would not be an easy burden to carry.

"Sawyer," Quatermain suddenly said. "Where will he be during all this? I did not see him on the ship. Is he alright?"
"He will return home safely before this happens. Again, the American must not know of your revival. Doing so will affect everything. You must not make contact with the League until they arrive in Belgium," Ayesha explained calmly.

Quatermain sighed in both relief and partial annoyance. It would take a while to get to Belgium, and he didn't know how long he'd have to wait for the League to get there.

Quatermain looked to the gravestone beside his own. His son's gravestone. It seemed to sober him up as he realised the stakes. If he didn't do as he was ordered, something would change- and it could prove to be fatal. Ayesha was far more knowledgeable than the hunter, but by God, he hated every single part of the instructions she had given him. Nonetheless, he knew she must be obeyed- no wonder her people called her that.

"Alright."
"Good," Ayesha smiled. "I can tell you more on the way."

Let's hope she knows what she's doing, Quatermain thought to himself. Whoever these people are, they mean business. I just pity the souls who come to the League asking for trouble…

With that hopeful thought in mind, Quatermain grimly nodded in approval and began following the two to the horse and cart waiting for them.