Chapter Seventeen: Caught Somewhere In Time
"... Time is always on my side … "
Bald Eagle was trying to come up with a way to actually hurt Nidhogg, she had to have at least one weakness, every Friend had it and she was no exception. Huginn and Muninn flew in to surround Bald Eagle, feeling she was the most dangerous one, too late they realized their mistake. When the Ravens saw that Bald Eagle had the Time Amulet now, she had stopped time to punch a Firebird at each of them, at that distance they had no way to dodge them in time. Nidhogg had to intervene, barely managed to summon two Einherjars in front of the Ravens, to absorb the Firebirds and spare the pair from burning to death.
-Get out of here!- Nidhogg ordered to the Ravens, as she assumed a defensive position. She was hit by Boomslang's turtle shells, that became a massive fist that sent her flying.
-We can't leave you alone vs all of them!- Muninn said, when she was hit by Père David's Deer sedative shot in the mouth.
-See? Just go! NOW!- Nidhogg yelled again, assaulting Père David's Deer, to buy Huginn time so could escape with Muninn.
Père David's Deer ignored Nidhogg and remained focused, if she could down the other Raven, the Crusaders would have an advantage. Even if they had to resort to using them, they were likely Friends too, as hostages to blackmail Nidhogg to escape.
Nidhogg wouldn't allow that. Even as she got hit by both Rhyo and Collared Peccary together, Nidhogg still intercepted the shot with one of her hands, her black gauntlet had very sharp claws in place of her fingers. Père David's Deer managed to do a backflip backwards. to avoid Nidhogg's claws, this prevented her from taking another shot. Nidhogg managed to barely hit her mask, which fell off from the Deer's face, into the ground.
-Hit her with everything Rhyolite!- Collared Peccary yelled, as she used her entire body to hit Nidhogg in the chest. Rhyolite did as ordered, together they managed to push Nidhogg back.
-You are gonna pay for that!- Nidhogg roared, extremely angry that they had gone for her Ravens, instead of focusing on her.
-She is sedated!- Rhyolite stated, as she was too innocent to understand they were the Cadre's foes, why would the Friends fight against each other? It made no sense to continue fighting.
-Stand aside or else you'll die!- Nidhogg commanded, she had no interest in hurting this Friend who shared information with her, it reminded her of how servile the Ravens were to her.
-NO! We can help you…- Rhyolite struggled to say, she was analyzing the Friend in front of her, to see if she could help.
-Rhyolite, stand aside!- Collared Peccary ordered, not wanting to see her getting hurt, they couldn't stand up to the Nidhogg.
-You don't know what you are dealing with!- Nidhogg yelled exasperated. Even if these simpletons took down Jörmungandr, who was always hateful and toxic as her venom, they had no chance against Koryu. Defiance against the Golden Dragon was pointless, she tried to face Koryu herself, she failed miserably.
The fact that Nidhogg hesitated to hurt Rhyolite confused the Crusaders, as a Friend infected she seemed to lack the Hunger almost entirely, for she clearly lacked the sadistic and unhinged nature of other Fiends. Père David's Deer picked up her mask from the ground, she pondered if she was using her Einherjar not to deal with their numerical advantage, but to avoid killing herself. The Deer put her mask back on and decided to speak.
-This is our chance Boomslang!- Bald Eagle said, swooping in to pick Boomslang, so they could perform another dual air attack.
-Yeah, let's hit her hard, now that she is distracted- Boomslang said nodding. Bald Eagle picked Boomslang by her arms again.
-Stand down Cadre, this Dragon isn't beyond salvation- Père David's Deer said, knowing the girls would question her, it was
insane but they weren't in a position to win using brute force.
-What?- Boomslang asked shocked, not sure she heard right.
-Did you lose your mind?- Bald Eagle asked, stunned mid flight.
-Salvation? The road you walk upon only leads to Damnation, you can't stop the new Ragnarok, Koryu will destroy this world- Nidhogg said, threatening them again as new Einherjars were summoned around her, to protect Nidhogg against the Medjai.
-We can cure you!- Rhyolite said, showing the results of her scanning, the infection came to a halt due to her UMA nature.
Rhyolite advanced towards Nidhogg, Medjai and Einherjar both ceased to fight as she moved past them, close enough to show Nidhogg the results. Even if the Einherjar around Nidhogg could attack her with impunity, as Rhyo had split quite a bit from her allies, Nidhogg groaned unsure what to say to this Odd Friend.
-Rhyo come back here!- Collared Peccary yelled, unable to hold back anymore, she was about to go and rush to Rhyolite's side.
-She really can't bring herself to hurt Rhyolite- Narwhal said, as she was starting to recover from overextending herself earlier.
-Nidhogg-Sama!- Huginn said as she descended, while carrying Muninn, the Raven was crying as her sister just didn't wake up.
-She is sleeping!- Nidhogg roared very angrily in frustration.
-Medjai! … Defensive Formation- Sphinx ordered to Horus Golden army, she couldn't bring herself to attack anymore.
-You are embarrassing us in front of the enemy!- Nidhogg scolded Huginn, who was still crying and comically shaking the sedated Muninn, Huginn thought that her dear sister was dead.
-None of them are like the Fiends!- Boomslang yelled shocked but relieved, she didn't want to fight to death in this dark hole.
-Why did you try to kill us?- Collared Peccary asked, confused about why they put that trap on them, was she expecting them die in the fall? Would that made it easier on their conscience?
-Koryu forced me to go after your Cadre- Nidhogg sighed, she fell on her butt, all the Einherjar vanished like snow in the sun.
The Crusaders looked at each other confused, they didn't know if Nidhogg was being honest, or if she was trying to get them to lower their guard. But the condition of Sphinx and Narwhal, as well as Rhyolite's disposition, forced them all to stand down.
As the Medjai vanished and Sphinx rested besides Narwhal, the Cadre took a deep breath of relief, for they were safe for now.
-I can wake up that Raven, if you allow me- Père David's Deer
said she had a way, to counteract her doses. The Deer walked up slowly, still wary of them, but she had to back up Rhyolite.
-Please, before they drive me crazy, crazier I mean!- Nidhogg begged, almost starting to cry herself, starting to shake a lot.
While Père David's Deer asked Rhyolite to bring out something from her bag through her hard-hat, the Diamondback and the Deer started to work. Bald Eagle started to think about it all, Nidhogg and herself weren't so different, as infected Friends.
-Oh my gods…- Bald Eagle said, feeling quite sad about this turn of events, Nidhogg must be starving and needing Blood.
-Now, she'll wake up, just keep poking her- Père David's Deer said to Huginn, which started to comically slap her, as revenge for making her worry and making a scene in front of everyone.
-Nidhogg needs to be fed, she is suffering as I was back in the Lodge, her infection must be very recent too like mine!- Bald Eagle said, flying in to assist Père David's Deer, she considered her blood would be ideal to help Nidhogg recover even faster.
-Why are you doing this? Why are you helping me?- Nidhogg asked, tears running down her face. She hated this situation.
-You aren't a Fiend, you deserve a second chance, just like this Bird did- Père David's Deer said, giggling softly remembering how Bald Eagle attacked poor Boomslang, to feed on her Blood.
-Saving lives is… A good thing- Rhyolite smiled, as she pulled out a syringe from her hard-hat, which made the Black Dragon squeak. Nidhogg had no idea what it was but she didn't like it.
-No way that's getting past my dragonscales!- Nidhogg yelled, trying to crawl backwards, but her cloak got stuck in the rocks.
-Be good and we'll reward you- Père David's Deer said, with the syringe now in her steady hands, ready to apply the cure.
-Yes! Please cooperate- Rhyolite said, she tried to encourage Nidhogg, but to no avail so the Ravens moved in to help her.
-Trust them, Nidhogg-Sama- Huginn and Muninn said together, they landed on both side of the Black Dragon, Nidhogg sighed.
-If it's actually venom, at least I can go knowing I deserved it- Nidhogg said, using one of her claws to expose one of her arm veins, she visibly struggled to just move one her dragonscales.
-Don't be like that, you gave us a very ugly scare, but you can repent by helping us get to Point Hope safely- Père David's Deer said, distracting Nidhogg with a small talk as she applied the cure. Her steady gloved hands were like those of a Nurse.
-This really hurts!- Nidhogg roared angrily, she felt the dose spreading through her veins, her body was rejecting the cure.
-Easy, your body needs time to assimilate it, but then it will help you suppress the urges of your condition- Père David's Deer explained to Nidhogg, for she likely didn't understand the reason they were helping, besides being the right thing to do.
-Now, you are going to need to feed off me, just don't think I'll enjoy this in any way or form!- Bald Eagle yelled, flustered way beyond her comfort zone, this was what a true Hero would do.
-What I'm supposed to do?- Nidhogg complained, she wasn't comfortable, their generosity just made her feel even worse.
-Drink my blood- Bald Eagle said, in a tone that was very cold, strangely Nidhogg obeyed without complaining at all anymore.
Nidhogg quickly fed from Bald Eagle's neck, carefully holding onto Bald Eagle's clothes, to avoid ruining them with her claws.
-This isn't as much fun when you are in the receiving end of it, you know!?- Bald Eagle said, making humour of her situation.
-Thank you… I feel relieved- Nidhogg said, after drinking some of Bald Eagle's blood, Nidhogg felt like she had just been born.
-Now, help us get to Point Hope!- Boomslang begged to her.
-No! First tell us what you know about the enemy- Bald Eagle said, once again being the complete opposite to Boomslang. This kind of thing was starting to really frustrate the Snake.
-We should go, I can tell you about them once we are safe, Garm was tracking me just I failed… Which I just did- Nidhogg said laughing, she felt pathetic but also relieved, not just from drinking blood but also by not killing out of her fear of Koryu.
-Garm?- Collared Peccary asked uneasy, that name was scary.
-That's the wolf I fought…- Sphinx said weakly, leaning on Collared Peccary, she appreciated her carrying her around.
-We can talk later, we should go, we gotta keep moving- Père David's Deer said agreeing with Boomslang, they had to avoid being caught by Fenrir, when they were in this weakened state.
-I don't think I can lift up all of us, even if Byakko helped me again- Bald Eagle said, slowly recovering from donating blood.
-There's a tunnel we could use, from that hole I made earlier, would you follow me there?- Nidhogg stammered. Misdeeds still lingered in her mind, making her uneasy around the Cadre.
-We're in the same side now, so of course we would follow you- Père David's Deer answered back, giving Nidhogg a kind smile.
Nidhogg lead them through the Darkness, guided by Rhyolite's hard-hat, the Cadre slowly ascended through several tunnels. The Crusaders realized they would have gotten lost in them, if it wasn't for Nidhogg guidance, though she lacked the Fiendish killer instinct, she clearly had planned this trap to be their end.
-One moment, I need to rest- Collared Peccary begged, as she took a deep breath, Sphinx was too heavy to go uphill with her.
-Allow me to carry her, from here on, it's just a march uphill- Nidhogg said to Collared Peccary, offering to carry Sphinx for her, the Pig had no issues handling Sphinx to her like a loan.
-Be careful!- Horus pleaded to the Dragon. Nidhogg awkwardly held Sphinx in her arms, carrying her as gently as she could.
-Say please, Horus, remember your manners- Sphinx groaned.
-Keep moving, it's almost night time already, we gotta move!-
Père David's Deer said, clapping her gloved hand, amidst the favorable turn of events, she dreaded another night ambush.
-Rhyolite, you aren't you tired too, carrying Narwhal like that?- Collared Peccary asked, quite amazed that Rhyolite carried the Cetacean, as Narwhal was the tallest and "heaviest" Crusader.
-I'm not heavy...- Narwhal said, she didn't enjoy being teased about that fact, everyone else in the Cadre was just too short.
-Alright, we are almost there, one last push!- Bald Eagle said, she tried to motivate the Cadre, as they started to slow down.
-I can finally see it, it's the Moon!- Boomslang said very happy.
-Rhyo, let me handle Narwhal now, ok?- Père David's Deer said to the Diamondback, she took great care of holding her gently.
-Okay! I'll transform now- Rhyolite saluted, before she jumped and changed into her original form, she loved doing it like that.
-Rhyo is finally learning how to talk and move- Bald Eagle said, very happy of Rhyo's progress, soon she'd stop being awkward.
-Yeah! It makes me happy, get inside her, I'll jump behind the wheel- Collared Peccary said, entering the Diamondback first.
Père David's Deer entered next, barely managing to keep going with Narwhal in her arms, she just wasn't as strong as Collared Peccary. The Deer barely managed to get Narwhal to sit in the seat besides the wheel, where Narwhal could rest in the seat by the driver, as the table she used to tend the wounded was used by Sphinx, this was the only other comfortable spot in the APC.
-Narwhal, you are too heavy, I'm putting you on a diet!- Père David's Deer said, taking a moment to breathe deeply in order to recover, Narwhal felt a lot lighter in her drunken memories.
-Don't tease me about that!- Narwhal moaned very flustered.
-You are always so lively- Sphinx said, sad that she had to lay down in the table, she couldn't see the Cadre's cute reactions.
-It's a bit cramped in here- Nidhogg complained, the APC had enough room for more Friends, but it wasn't enough for them to do anything but sit on a corner once the APC started rolling.
-Now it's a good time to talk. Tell us everything you know- Père David's Deer said bluntly, while she didn't enjoy being like this, any information that Nidhogg could give could save their lives.
-Yes! please help us- Boomslang and Bald Eagle said together.
-Alright, come closer and I'll tell you, all about Koryu's tragic origin- Nidhogg said, inviting someone to sit in her lap, just for fun since she didn't thought anyone would do it. Père David's Deer gladly took up her offer and leaned against Nidhogg too.
-Tragic?- Père David's Deer asked for confirmation, as she reached out with her hands, to make Nidhogg hold her tight.
-She fought the original Fiend, the virulent Beast, she won that fight but her victory was short lived- Nidhogg explained to the Cadre, she started to feel more comfortable and squeezed Père David's Deer, making her squeak as she held her like a plushie.
-Who was that?- Bald Eagle asked, even if she wouldn't enjoy knowing, as that Fiend was the reason of her accursed disease.
-Her name was Wendigo, she was the first and strongest Fiend, Koryu managed to defeat her but ended up wounded… You can figure out what happened afterwards- Nidhogg said, looking at Bald Eagle, both were victims of the same blood-bathed Fiend.
-Wendigo… She is the Fiend responsible for this!- Boomslang pointed, as their Snake often did, when she was having a fit.
-No, she was just the first victim of this disease!- Nidhogg said.
-This mutation is a curse to anyone afflicted by it… It worsens the bad in all of them- Nidhogg continued, she felt a sense of guilt, about all those bad things that she had done in the past.
-It wasn't fault of the Humans, they did want to research it for some reason, it didn't end well for any of them- Nidhogg said, smiling sadly as she had seen it first hand, Fenrir's handy work.
-Remembering that makes me very sad- Rhyolite said, wishing she could sigh as an APC, to express her sadness more clearly.
-So the humans being present here was just a stroke of luck?- Bald Eagle asked for confirmation, feeling quite disheartened.
-Yeah, this would have happened eventually even without their intervention, I don't know much else besides the fact drinking blood again is exhilarating- Nidhogg said taking a deep breath, she ran her claws carefully through Père David's Deer long hair, this Deer was like the Ravens and it felt nice to hold her close.
-Did you never drink blood before today?- Bald Eagle asked, feeling worried as she had barely lasted a few days, before she attacked someone else to feed on them before withering away.
-No, is it why I felt so weak and frail?- Nidhogg asked curious.
-Yes! You are very tough to endure it for so long, most would have gone insane or ended up killing their Friends- Père David's Deer complimented Nidhogg, smiling kindly to her, after all she was just another victim of this mess. The Ravens looked at the Deer with envy, but they did nothing as they were their guests.
-Or both things- Collared Peccary added, keeping her eyes on the road, she sighed thinking Mainland was just full of insanity.
-Yes, quite gruesome stuff, but unavoidable in the end- Bald Eagle said, thinking she would need some juicy blood herself.
-What about Koryu?- Père David's Deer asked, looking back at Nidhogg, the Deer felt the Dragon burying her face in her hair.
Nidhogg took a deep breath, trying to not look wimpy in front of the Cadre, but she couldn't avoid starting to tremble in fear.
-Everything I've faced, from fighting Ceruleans to seeing the things that the Fiends do, nothing compares to her presence-
Nidhogg explained, in a tone that felt like she was sharing her darkest memories, of something she buried deep in her mind.
-Calm down, you are scaring us!- Boomslang said, reacting like a little child, one that couldn't stomach any kind of scary story.
-You don't know true fear until you stand before her, then she now is suddenly behind you, showing you how powerless you truly are before The World- Nidhogg continued telling her story.
-The World?- Bald Eagle interrupted her, unable to stop herself.
-The Golden Dragon represents the Earth, our world belongs to her, she will bring forth another Ragnarok- Nidhogg explained.
-What is that?- Bald Eagle asked again, a bit frustrated that Nidhogg was being so cryptic, using words that she assumed others didn't know either! Bald Eagle was starting to feel dread.
-The twilight of the Gods, they might be with you but the end is near, even with the powerful Relic on your neck- Nidhogg said to Bald Eagle, the black eyelids in her white eyes focusing on the Time Amulet, in a way Bald Eagle thought was unnerving.
Bald Eagle felt she was moments away from trying to steal it.
-Don't try to scare us, we aren't going to walk quietly into the night, we will stand up to the Fiends until a new dawn rises all over Japari Park- Père David's Deer said to Nidhogg, reassuring the other Crusaders with her poetic and eloquent silver-tongue.
-Admirable, I might just have made the right choice, becoming a traitor and tagging alongside you- Nidhogg said, her doubts vanishing, she wouldn't allow this world come to an end again.
-How do you summon your… Thingies?- Sphinx asked, she had been listening to the entire conversation, in respectful silence.
-My Einherjar? I summon them with this, my Astral Guardian is a weapon, the legendary spear Gungnir!- Nidhogg explained as she summoned it briefly, the Cadre was in awe of the beautiful master-crafted spear in Nidhogg's grasp before it disappeared.
-It's good that Narwhal didn't saw it, she'd be too jealous- Père David's Deer said giggling, she almost felt tempted to touch it.
-I heard that- Narwhal groaned annoyed, from her seat besides the driver's, she was actually upset she couldn't see the spear.
-I guess that Spear works in a similar way on how Byakko now lives inside Smilodon's blade- Bald Eagle said, showing that she could be quite smart from time to time, also as a quick-thinker.
-How did you know that? I guess you had quite the adventure to get here- Nidhogg commented, unsure how to feel that Bald Eagle guessed how Gungnir worked, it had Sleipnir's soul on it.
-You'd be quite a fearsome foe, Nidhogg, if you weren't so soft and wimpy- Sphinx said feeling Nidhogg was stronger than her.
-I don't think she is soft or wimpy for being scared of Koryu- Boomslang said dryly, as she was terrified of the mere thought of facing Koryu, fighting against someone like that is just folly.
-I think we are getting somewhere Cadre, Rhyo show the rest of the Cadre, in one of your screens- Collared Peccary ordered to Rhyolite, in a very serious tone, she wasn't happy or scared.
-You got it- Rhyolite answered, showing everyone in the back what she had saw, it was something no one expected to exist.
The remains of a human settlement stood before them, as their Diamondback drove through the main street, a haunting aura loomed all over the place. It the place was still in decent shape, it had only been abandoned quite recently, which would mean the Humans who lived here had been wiped out not long ago.
Rhyolite started scanning the area, desperately looking for any sign of life to no avail, there wasn't any survivors still around.
-Should we stick around and see if we can find anything useful in the morning?- Collared Peccary asked out loud, as they could scavenge for food, medical supplies or other very useful items.
-We should, but tonight is dangerous, what do you say Cadre?- Père David's Deer asked, she would make a decision based on what's best for them, but she wanted to know who was willing.
-I will go with you- Bald Eagle said, volunteering first without a doubt, she was ready to fight again for the sake of their Cadre.
-Me too, I can't let you go without me, because of ... reasons- Boomslang said, scared but she had to be with them, had to make sure Père David's Deer didn't get cheeky with Bald Eagle.
-I can't stay behind then, I'll go with you!- Nidhogg said feeling she had to be with the Crusaders, prove she wanted to repent.
-I need you to stay with the APC, keep the wounded and weary safe, maybe you can lend us your Ravens to spy from the sky- Père David's Deer addressed Nidhogg, like she was just another member of the Cadre, those Ravens being under her command.
-I think we should stick close together, explore on foot while I remain in close proximity, just in case we need to retreat fast- Rhyolite advised, as the last time they did something like this, it ended with Bald Eagle being infected by the Fiend Cheetah.
-I'll drive slowly, keep your eyes open, Fiends are deadly when ambushing- Rhyolite made sure to remind the Cadre about it.
-I don't think they will come after us so quickly, after all they must think Nidhogg is engaging us, right?- Père David's Deer said optimistically, certain that this night would be a quiet one.
-Let's get to it, so we can get back on the road, Point Hope is very close right?- Boomslang asked, wanting to believe that they would be safe there, that the Fiends wouldn't attack there.
-Open your back-door, Rhyolite, wish us luck- Bald Eagle said, thinking of the last time they scavenged, her wings got clipped.
As the trio walked out of the APC, they immediately assumed their battle stances, Boomslang up front and Père David's Deer in the back with Bald Eagle flying in between them. Suzaku and Genbu manifested as well, to help them keep eyes on the sides and the rear. As the group started to carefully explore, building to building, gathering a couple of cardboard boxes full of items, they found medical supplies, lots of food and even a few things that maybe Rhyo could find useful after they showed it to her.
Their APC slowly followed them with the Ravens circling around them, high in the sky scouting to make sure nothing could try to sneak on them, it was then when they saw some movement.
-There is someone right there!- Both of the Ravens yelled at the same time, pointing towards at a ruined church bell-tower.
-Watch it!- A voice screamed from above, as Père David's Deer didn't hesitate on taking a shot, hoping to hit something there.
-Who are you!?- Bald Eagle roared, flying to face whoever that had been quietly observing them, showing how tense she was.
-Relax, I'm not an enemy, I'm a scout- African Wild Dog said, adjusting her scarf, noticing just now that it had a hole on it.
-Sorry about that, we have Friends that need respite, can you help us get to Point Hope fast?- Bald Eagle asked, coming out honestly to this new Friend, for they were a bit desperate now.
-Sure thing, help me down from this creepy building, it was the best vantage point in this town- African Wild Dog said opening her arms, she waited for Bald Eagle to pick her up and fly down together, which the Bird did meanwhile Boomslang complained.
-You certainly look very familiar- Père David's Deer said, as she ogled African Wild Dog, she looked like an experienced veteran.
-Let's get going, there were some really powerful Fiends lurking close by, we must to get to Point Hope!- African Wild Dog said, as she had dire news to share, with her own Cadre and Leader.
-Hop in already!- Collared Peccary yelled at all of them, staying talking like this in the dark, it was just begging for an ambush.
-Let's get out of here- Boomslang pleaded, she was really tired and scared, she just wanted to cuddle with Bald Eagle and rest.
The Crusaders barely manage to squeeze in the new cardboard boxes, full of useful human items, inside of the APC while also making room for African Wild Dog. Their guest scouted around quite surprised, admiring the many colourful but tough looking Friends inside the APC. African Wild Dog felt like there was still hope, after all the horrors she had seen, during her scouting mission. Point Hope would need all the Friends it could get, to hold the line against the darkness, that was creeping all around it. The City of Friends was the next prize of the Yellow Dragon.