Chapter Sixteen: The Wickerman
"… Dancing in the sun a newborn in the light …"
Bald Eagle yawned while stretching, she had slept in late but she needed that after the fight, using the Relic was very taxing. As no one disturbed her rest, Bald Eagle assumed nothing bad had happened, she looked around and found no one in the APC.
-Rhyo, where is everyone?- Bald Eagle asked, the AI on board.
-They are looking for a source of water, I feel everyone needed that walk, to let it sink in- Rhyolite answered, she sounded sad, while Rhyo was no stranger to loss this time it really got to her.
-I feel you, I don't even wanna go look for the others, I wanna stay here and go back to sleep- Bald Eagle said sighing, as she had no motivation to do anything today, not even look for food.
-NO LAZINESS ALLOWED!- Suzaku screeched, she forced Bald Eagle to start moving, using her beak to "encourage" her host.
-That's not fair!- Bald Eagle protested annoyed, while she knew that Suzaku despised the lazy, but she was just feeling terrible.
-You need to eat something Bald Eagle, the Cadre needs your strength!- Rhyolite said, trying to encourage Bald Eagle in her own way, as eating was one of her new favorite things to do.
-Fine, I'll eat some Japari Buns, anything to wash off this awful taste from my mouth- Bald Eagle said sighing, she took a bit of time looking at the Japari Buns, in order to build her appetite.
-Wanna hear a song while you eat?- Rhyo asked to Bald Eagle, she wanted to cheer up her Friend, in the only way she knew.
-So long as it's funky- Bald Eagle answered with a warm smile.
-I got something even better just for you- Rhyolite said, she started to play a very special track, an American Patriotic Song.
Something about it touched Bald Eagle deeply, maybe it was the silly lyrics or the grandiose way they were sung, the song really reached out to her in ways she couldn't put into words.
Amidst her joy, Bald Eagle's head started to hurt really bad, she closed her eyes and felt like her brain was just overloaded.
-Are you okay?- Rhyolite asked, concern showing in her voice.
-Yes I am! That was weird, I just felt like I've heard this song before- Bald Eagle answered, while her head was still spinning, she wondered what this odd feeling of sadness that filled her.
-This is highly concerning- Rhyolite said, thinking about her old masters, the Humans. Bald Eagle was always like this when it regarding Humans, like she had always knew them somehow.
-Just let it be, thank you for cheering me up, what should I do now?- Bald Eagle asked, she closed her eyes trying to focus on those mysterious feeling but it was too late. It was gone again.
-You should go outside, so I can change back into a Friend, I'd like to comfort you!- Rhyolite said, blissfully unaware of how it made Bald Eagle blush hard, since it was just the two of them.
Bald Eagle walked out of the APC feeling nervous, she loved all kinds of physical affection, but she was slightly intimidated by Rhyolite's soft body. Before she could say anything, Rhyolite had glomped Bald Eagle and pinned her down, by her curves.
Bald Eagle squeaked as she was squeezed even harder, while Rhyolite giggled happily as she could finally cuddle with Bald Eagle, Rhyolite looked up to the Bird like a hero and loved her.
-Gods!- Bald Eagle squeaked again, all of her strength left just her, she was overwhelmed! All she could do now was enjoy it.
-It's okay, you've done well- Rhyolite said, managing to spell out five words without needing to stop, or stuttering too much.
Bald Eagle started sobbing, she just couldn't take it anymore, now that no one else was watching her but Rhyolite. Rhyo held Bald Eagle tight, until the Bird stopped sobbing. Rhyolite gently brushed away Bald Eagle's tears, making her blush hard once again, Bald Eagle eventually got to rest in Rhyolite's lap pillow.
-I am really a Hero?- Bald Eagle asked, seeking validation like a child, which wasn't too far away of what she was deep down.
-Yes, you are! You are my Hero!- Rhyolite said, with a pause which she used for emphasis, while ruffling Bald Eagle's hair.
-Thank you!- Bald Eagle yelled, almost starting to cry again.
-WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?- Boomslang yelled, in the distance, running to interrupt Rhyolite and Bald Eagle's tender moment.
-Oh No!- Rhyolite and Bald Eagle said together, they had been busted by the very jealous Boomslang. The Snake was angry.
-I can't believe you'd do this to me!- Boomslang sobbed, while comically "punching" Bald Eagle, while Rhyo looked clueless.
-She was just giving me a small boost!- Bald Eagle explained, visibly annoyed at Boomslang, for ruining her morale booster.
Rhyolite, unsure what to do about this, did what considered the best option, she cuddled both the Bird and the Snake in her arms. This both ended their discussion and calmed them down.
-This girl is really heavy, you know?- Collared Peccary said, she was carrying a wounded Sphinx, this sight shocked Bald Eagle.
-Is she okay?- Rhyolite asked, she was quite concerned for her, she wondered how a Friend like Sphinx cloud get hurt so much.
-She is, she wasn't infected, just a roar send her flying from a small island on the sea into the Mainland- Père David's Deer answered, while shaking her head in disbelief, one thing was that actually happened and another one that she survived it.
-I thank you for this- Horus manifested to thank the Crusaders.
-It's the least thing we can do, she helped during the Eclipse, it's our chance to make it up to her- Narwhal said, directly to Horus, as she felt deep respect towards this Astral Guardian.
Rhyolite transformed into her APC form, so they could load up Sphinx in the Diamondback, she could rest safely inside of her.
Collared Peccary managed to carry Sphinx into the APC, gently laying down Sphinx on her back, in the table that Père David's Deer always used to nurse the wounded. While Père David's Deer further examined Sphinx's wound, she gave her a shower of healing sparkles from her staff, she saw Horus was looking at her with it's one eye. Horus gaze was piercing, Père David's Deer didn't know if he was judging her, or if he was just very worried for Sphinx. The Deer decided to ignore him for now.
-Piggy, get Rhyo rolling, we need to stay on the move- Père David's Deer said, giving the order for the Cadre to get inside the Diamondback, they had to keep escaping from the Fiends.
-Where to now?- Collared Peccary asked, happy to sit behind the driver's seat, she ran her hands through the wheel lovingly.
-There is a big lake to the East, take us there- Narwhal said, as they were running out of water, from the intense desert heat.
-Sounds good, drive- Père David's Deer gave the order. Rhyo started rolling forward, towards the Lake, her next destination.
-When will Sphinx be ready to fight once again?- Horus asked to Père David's Deer. The Deer guessed this was the way Horus showed his concerns, about Sphinx's condition, but she still felt like he was doubting her healing skills and medical experience.
-She needs at least three days, Sphinx is a tough girl but she has several broken bones, my healing sparkles are the ideal choice for reconstructing them- Père David's Deer answered to Horus, explaining while she worked, she'd need days to slowly reduce both the inflammation and trauma that Sphinx suffered.
-She'll be very thankful to you once she wakes up- Horus said to Père David's Deer, he flew towards the Deer to watch her work, Horus landed right between Père David's Deer's antlers.
-You are surprisingly light- Père David's Deer commented, as she started using her staff with her left hand, to use her right hand to see if Sphinx reacted to her gloves touching her face.
-Why are you annoying her!?- Horus screeched visibly upset.
-I need her awake to drink one of my healing draughts, it has sedatives to help sleep more, as well as nutrients and sandstar to help her recovery be even faster- Père David's Deer said to Horus, explaining herself, while pointing at a Healing Draught.
-I see, can I give it to her?- Horus asked to Père David's Deer, the Astral Guardian maintained balance on the Deer's beret, as it leaned forward to stare beak to mask with the Cadre Healer.
-Of course- Père David's Deer answered, she felt Horus' beak pecking her mask, before flying towards the Healing Draught.
Horus stared focused at the Healing Draught with his one eye, a small golden gauntlet manifested to grab it, another small gauntlet manifested as Horus examined the "odd" container of the Healing Draught. Horus carefully woke Sphinx, by touching her forehead with one of his golden gauntlets. When Sphinx saw the baby bottle, she was about to protest but Horus didn't give her the chance, he made sure she gulped all of it down.
-No complaining, drink it up then rest, okay?- Père David's Deer said, fairly amused at Sphinx's reaction to her Healing Draught, the bad taste and gooey texture were never welcome.
-Whoa…- Bald Eagle and Boomslang said in unison, their awe made them both forget they were both upset, with each other.
-That's an awesome power!- Narwhal sentenced quite amazed.
-Thank you, the Medjai are always ready to serve their Pharaoh- Horus boasted proudly, he just confused the Cadre even more.
-Medjai?- Boomslang and Bald Eagle asked at the same time.
-I think that's the name of his… summons?- Narwhal guessed.
-Yes! They are my golden army- Horus kept boasting proudly.
-Army? Perhaps you two could stick around, we could use a bit more muscle- Père David's Deer said, shocking the rest of the Cadre, her tone and wording made it feel like she was flirting.
-It all depends on the rumour, Sphinx and I are hunting for someone in particular- Horus said, his voice turning ice cold, full of murderous intent that frightened the young Crusaders.
-I suppose that's a thing we can relate to, if it didn't felt more like she is hunting us, you know?- Père David's Deer said, still talking to Horus while as she finished her check-up on Sphinx, Pere David's Deer found Horus' company to be truly charming.
-There is some value in that, the enemy coming for you, would make things easier for Sphinx and me- Horus said gleefully, the pharaoh showing his zealous desire to settle scores with Seth.
-You two knock it off, we shouldn't go looking for a fight, not until Sphinx recovers!- Narwhal said concerned, stepping up to talk to Horus and Père David's Deer about them bonding over revenge, for nothing good would come out of that for anyone.
-Sorry, I got carried away, Sphinx just needs to rest for now- Père David's Deer said, leaving Sphinx's side to face Narwhal and bow respectfully, she didn't want to seem unfriendly to her. Horus seemed to approve of this behavior, as he flew and landed again on Père David's Deer, this time on her shoulder.
-It's all good, we just need to be patient, the patient hunter gets the prey right?- Narwhal said, bowing to Père David's Deer as well, for she didn't like coming of as a very arrogant Friend.
-That's so nice to see- Boomslang said, happy how well that discussion went, thanks to the strong bonds between Friends.
-So, what do we do now?- Bald Eagle asked, while sneakily getting closer to Boomslang, testing the waters with the Snake. Boomslang had no problem cuddling with her Bald Eagle again.
-My desire to get back at the Fiends aside, I wanted us to lay low for now, the Mainland is more dangerous than anywhere else we have traveled before and...- Père David's Deer said, when something unexpected interrupted her, it was Rhyolite.
-I'm receiving a transmission, should I pick it up?- Rhyolite asked, unsure what to do, but then so was Père David's Deer.
None of the Crusaders knew how to answer Rhyolite's question.
-Answer it Rhyo, everyone else be quiet, okay?- Père David's Deer said, proving once again why she was the Cadre's Leader.
Rhyolite felt quite nervous in spite of being in her old APC form, she knew that there was a Human on the other end, she had to take responsibility and inform them the fate of their expedition.
But before Rhyo could explain the current situation, the Human spoke first, in some language that none of the Crusaders knew.
-Say again, tovarich- Rhyolite said, finally addressing the Human, using an expression Père David's Deer recognized.
-Da! This is Lev, in representation of the Russian People, we request Japari Park Expedition to share their report, due to the strange Eclipse that covered the Sun in certain areas around Asia- Lev asked, as he recalled the event that shook the whole world, everyone wanted to contact the Humans in the Islands.
-The expedition is no more, some experiments that took place here caused a disaster, it wiped out all the personnel- Rhyo said, explaining the final fate of the Expedition as briefly as possible, it was a very painful memory for her to remember it.
-Oh no… Wait, if they all died, who are you?- Lev was saying, mourning the tremendous loss of life, until he realized the fact.
-RHY-07173- Rhyo answered, giving her Diamondback APC serial numbers, just confirming Lev's assumptions about her.
-I can't believe it! the stories about that place where true!- Lev exclaimed, in a mix of shock and awe, it was in all due honesty hard to believe that certain substance could bring things to life.
Static started to blur anything else Lev said, until the Man went silent, confusing the Crusaders what just had happened to him.
-I'm losing you, Lev! Hello?- Rhyo called again, she had lost contact with the Human, something interrupted him abruptly.
-Humans…- Bald Eagle muttered, thinking what this meant for the Cadre, the Humans coming back to Japari Park once again.
-I wonder what happened- Boomslang said, feeling concerned about all of this, she didn't think the Humans were trustworthy.
-I'm not sure what happened, sorry- Rhyo apologized, not sure what happened to Lev, because nothing was wrong on her end.
-It's okay, you did a good job, all of you too by staying silent- Père David's Deer said, feeling nostalgic thinking of Humans, she wondered how things would have been if they never left.
-Well, that was something, what was the plan again?- Collared Peccary asked, reminding Père David's Deer that she was about to explain the Cadre their next move, before being interrupted.
-Oh right, we are heading towards that lake we scouted ahead to restock our water supply, Narwhal in particular is starting to need it- Père David's Deer said, all while looking at Narwhal, whom could handle the heat but needed water for her spells.
-I'm sorry!- Narwhal apologized, she felt embarrassed about her weakness, but she'd dehydrate after just a few summons.
-It's cool, it's your first time in such a dry environment, I'm sure we'll be okay- Père David's Deer said, she wanted to help Narwhal the most now, given she had lost her sparring partner.
-There is movement up ahead!- Collared Peccary yelled, calling the rest of the Crusaders, suddenly stopping the Diamondback.
-Multiple strange signals all around us! They were there when I was on the call!- Rhyolite informed the Cadre, showing them a radar her surroundings, many dots slowly closing towards her.
-What? How? When?- Boomslang complained, she knew their peace wouldn't last long, she hated how relentless Fiends were.
-Prepare for battle!- Père David's Deer ordered, as she ran to the hatch, The Deer opened and very carefully scouted outside.
The Deer saw something straight from her worst Nightmares. She gasped recognizing many fallen warriors, old Friends with black eyes and mouths slowly surrounding their Diamondback.
Père David's Deer quickly lined up a shot at one of them, one that looked like one of her old Spear companions. Her shot hit the "Friend" in the chest, the Friend struggled for a moment to keep moving, eventually it did collapse on the ground sedated.
Père David's Deer was about to celebrate, she could easily pick them off as if they were alive, she saw the ones still standing started to move a bit faster. After another shot, Père David's Deer saw that they started moving even faster, too late she realized her mistake. The Deer jumped back into the APC, she quickly closed the hatch above her, while catching her breath.
-Floor it now!- Père David's Deer ordered to Collared Peccary.
-You've got it!- Collared Peccary answered, demanding all the engine power out of the APC, stepping on the pedal as hard as she could. Rhyolite's wheels screeched as they started moving.
-Wait! You'll run them over!- Rhyolite warned them, not seeing those things weren't Friends, even if they weren't Fiends either.
-They aren't truly alive, just get us out of here, if any of them falls the rest will move even faster- Père David's Deer informed Collared Peccary, the Deer was trying to make sense of all of this, how this hidden Fiend was attacking them during the day.
Narwhal who stood behind them reeled scared, just what Fiend could have such power? They weren't ready for another fight so soon, assuming they could identify where this Fiend was hiding in the first place, she couldn't even summon a lot of constructs to help. Bald Eagle and Boomslang stood behind Narwhal, they both had overheard the conversation, both were ready to fight.
-Is this our funeral? Rhyo, play some music!- Collared Peccary said, she softly tapped Rhyolite's wheel with her fingers, as she tried to avoid running over as many of those things as possible.
-Okay!- Rhyolite answered, as she started playing a fast song, just like they were trying to get away from those weird things.
-They are speeding up!- Bald Eagle informed, as she was still looking at the screen, showing the dots rushing after the APC.
-This is as fast as Rhyo can go!- Collared Peccary warned the Cadre, she was struggling to keep control over the APC, she kept running over those things just by trying to escape them.
The ground started to shake, it was like the Earthquakes the Friends endured before, happening at the worst possible time.
-Give me a fucking break!- Collared Peccary sighed, as she saw the ground in front of the Diamondback suddenly crack, she couldn't stop or do anything as the APC fell into the darkness.
Rhyolite knew the Cadre wouldn't survive this fall, she had to change into a Friend to give them a chance, maybe they could come up with an idea to save everyone from this massive fall. As the Crusaders were forcefully expelled from inside Rhyolite, as they fell Bald Eagle took flight and had to think quick, she could stop time, but she had no idea how to save every Friend.
-Use your powers!- Père David's Deer shouted to Bald Eagle, Boomslang and Narwhal, Crusaders came up with a mad plan, pushing the their Astral Guardians power to their absolute limit.
Narwhal summoned a large water servant on the ground that would absorb most of the impact. Boomslang built a web with turtle shells to allow Bald Eagle to slow down the fall of all the Crusaders. Bald Eagle used all of her half Friend-Fiend strength
to slow down their fall, while stopping time to try to gather all of her vigour, but it wasn't enough. Byakko manifested to lend Bald Eagle her might, with Byakko's holy strength supporting her, Bald Eagle didn't even object the heavy load in her hands.
-Release!- Byakko ordered Bald Eagle, before her blessings vanished and the Bird ended up losing both of her arms, by trying to hold all of the Crusader Cadre's weight by herself.
Bald Eagle dived in within stopped time to pick up Sphinx, she was already injured and couldn't risk any further harm, so Bald Eagle saved her instead of any other Friend from the fall that was about to happen. The rest of the Cadre fell about twenty meters, but the impact was absorbed by Genbu's shells, that flew all over the place, and Narwhal's Servant exploded on the impact, leaving the Crusaders unharmed inside the dark cave.
-Is everyone alright?- Père David's Deer asked, quickly getting up to lead by example, she was soaked wet in the remains of Narwhal's Water Servant. She had her staff bow at the ready.
-You heard her, get up girls!- Collared Peccary yelled, helping both Narwhal and Boomslang to get up, the Pig believed that they weren't safe yet and they needed to be ready for trouble.
-Please take care of her!- Bald Eagle called to Rhyolite, giving the wounded Sphinx to Diamondback Friend, since Rhyo wasn't a fighter she could hold her let Sphinx rest in her soft embrace.
-Light!- Rhyolite yelled, turning on the light of her hard- hat.
-Shoot a Firebird into the darkness ahead- Père David's Deer said to Bald Eagle, to see if there was anything further ahead.
Bald Eagle did as she ordered, punching one of her Firebirds into the darkness, the projectile flew by and briefly illuminated the cave they had collapsed into, it was then when the Cadre finally saw her. The enemy who had attacked them with those things, the one that lead them into this trap, she dodged the Firebird and quickly vanished back into the Darkness. But not before the Crusaders caught a glimpse of her, she was pale and had white eyes that shined in the dark, unlike her summons.
She had black plate armor that resembled dragon scales, long messy black that flowed past her horned helmet, the last thing they saw was her long green cloak that had the motif of a tree.
-What the fuck!?- Collared Peccary said confused and scared.
-I don't know, but if she doesn't want to fight, we should go!-
Boomslang yelled to the group, while she was being cowardly, she considered this the wisest course of action for the Cadre.
-For once I agree, Narwhal is exhausted and Sphinx is injured, we should escape- Père David's Deer said, admitting the Cadre wasn't in fighting condition, on account of having those two.
-You might escape today, but you'll die sooner than later, your struggle is pointless- The enemy spoke, threatening them from the safety of the Darkness. The Crusaders noticed that she had reptile black pupils in her white eyes, with prominent large pale white fangs, as they shined in the dark like stars in the night.
-You are gonna let us go?- Boomslang asked, in a tone akin a little child, hoping to avoid punishment by looking very pitiful.
-No- Nidhogg answered after a small pause, as if to mock the Crusaders, she wasn't scared at all of a seven vs one battle.
-Fuck you- Collared Peccary said sighing, she was getting tired of the Fiends being so relentless, they just didn't stop coming.
-I am Nidhogg and my Einherjars will be your demise- Nidhogg boasted, she summoned more heroic fallen Friend to do serve her, as she was greatly outnumbered by the Crusader Cadre.
-You will not find us wanting!- Bald Eagle yelled, ready to fight.
As the situation became dire, Sphinx woke up as Horus called for her, as the Crusaders needed her. Sphinx couldn't move yet, but all she needed was being able to see, to help Horus command his Medjai in battle against Nidhogg's Einherjars.
The Pharaoh's Golden Army manifested as avian soldiers, using weapons such as spears, sickles, shields and bows. While not physically impressive, they were even shorter than Collared Peccary, the Medjai whoever displayed impressive discipline and martial prowess, acting together as one forming ranks.
-Hold the line, Horus commands it!- Sphinx roared, as the Medjai protected the Cadre, escape seemed impossible now.
-Boomslang and Bald Eagle, go after Nidhogg, Narwhal do what you can to prepare a water mirror- Père David's Deer ordered, she knew that they weren't in the best shape for a fight, so she hoped to force Nidhogg away by using the position of the Sun.
Bald Eagle flew with Boomslang on tow, when the Snake saw a glimpse of the enemy she attacked her with turtle shells, even Genbu's Shells harmlessly bounced off Nidhogg's dragonscales.
Bald Eagle focused and punched two Firebirds straight towards Nidhogg's head, after Boomslang had located her through the turtle shell projectiles, Nidhogg blocked them with her wrists.
Bald Eagle gasped seeing her strongest projectiles being easily stopped by Nidhogg's black dragonscales, their attack would depend on Narwhal doing her part, in spite of the summon she made earlier. Narwhal struggled to create a water mirror, but she managed after giving some of her own water, prepared to spring the trap. But when Narwhal reflected the Sunlight into Nidhogg, who was quite busy with Bald Eagle and Boomslang fighting together, the Sun's beams had zero effect in Nidhogg.
-A cunning plan, but I'm not a true Fiend, I'm something else- Nidhogg smiled, showing off her pale white teeth and tongue, mocking the Crusaders with a very unsettling "fiendish" smile.
-You are defeated, yield- Huggin said descending from the sky.
-Yes, accept your fate- Muninn descended too while agreeing.
The two Raven Friends that had stalked the Crusaders for so long, finally revealed themselves to the Cadre. Black long hair and headwings, pale skin and runed armor with fur as clothing, they blocked the only possible escape route from the Nidhogg.
The Crusaders were now trapped underground with a terrifying foe, which seemed impervious to harm and had air cover, but they wouldn't simply walk quietly into the night. To honour Smilodon's sacrifice, her second Cadre would fight, to the end.