Hey! I'm still her! And I posted a new chapter! Enjoy!
re-surface
For the next few days, Daryl spent most of his time besides Jessica's hospital bed. He already ordered for Shu and Yahiro to begin counter-procedures in light of the Angel Project resurfacing. He sent Ayase to consult with Shibungi and Argo for planning future attacks and possible defenses. Even though he was slacking off on his Major General duties, he found out that there was a desperate need of upgrades for the Endlaves in their current pool of technology. Everything needed to be redone and fortified down to the last panel. So he gathered up all the data blueprints, set up a small office near Jessica, and began working from there. Whenever he was not holed up in his office, he was in Jessica's room, watching her peacefully sleep.
Most of the time now, when she was not absently staring at the ceiling, she was asleep. With her punctured lung and severe blood loss and the deadly Virus, which was slowly taking over her, she had no ability to function awake. Every day, he would catch nurses switching out blood or IV bags and injecting the vaccine into her arm. But to no avail, the crystals now stayed on her cheek and showed no signs of falling off. She was already hitting the last stage. But luckily, the stage didn't progress any further. No more crystals grew out and she was still functioning normally. But the doctors were getting pretty anxious as they consulted with scientists for a new vaccine.
However, on the days she was awake and Daryl was present, he would simply sit beside her while she remained unresponsive to him. It was aggravating. But he deserved it. She probably never wanted to talk to him again. Yet he still tried. He told her stories from the limited time he spent with Rowan. He told stories of Segai's crazy antics, Rowan being the squad's butt monkey, and how the team functioned till the very end. Even though she was turned away from him, he knew she was listening.
Other members of the team also visited to keep them company. Yahiro and Shu came in routinely to check Jessica's condition. Ayase even dropped by to deliver some flowers and she spoke with Daryl for a while, forgiving him for attempting to use her as a fatal diversion. Even when they all visited, they all left in the end and there was only Daryl and Jessica left in that room.
Eventually, Jessica did finally speak, but she merely ordered him around to handle tasks that she couldn't do. Other than that, she was silent or sleeping. At least, she accepted part of him back into her life.
One day, Tsugumi barged into the room with a sigh of relief and happiness. "Finally! I found it!"
"Runt?" Daryl quizzically asked.
Tsugumi spared no other questions as she pulled on Daryl to get him off his chair. "Come with me. I have to show something!" She slightly gazed upon Jessica, whose back was turned to her. "I'm sorry Jessie..." And Tsugumi quickly pulled both of them away.
Jessica merely remained silent and kept her back turned. She had a little feeling of what Tsugumi was planning to do, but she made no plans to stop her. If this would bring Daryl to justice, then so be it.
Jessica reached up to her cheeks and gently touched the forming crystals. They seem to be getting larger...and more of her cheek felt covered. Jessica slowly closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep. Hopefully, Shu and Yahiro could figure out a cure soon.
Where was this runt dragging him?
Daryl let Tsugumi lead him out of the hospital, into her car, and towards his mansion. Just by looking at the small woman, he could see bags under her eyes, pale skin, and messy hair. She seemed to have intensely worked on something this whole time. What could it be which had caused her to stay up night after night? Soon, Tsugumi led him to his home office and she opened up a file in his computer. On the side, Daryl could see Jessica's laptop hooked up to his computer with a single USB wire. Did Tsugumi find something in Jessica's belongings?
Tsugumi seated him and began to open up a couple of cracked files. "It took me a while to get these. Jessie put up a lot of security to get through. But I finally found it!"
"Tsugumi, what is this?" Daryl asked.
"You will see." Tsugumi solemnly gave a smile. "But please don't break down."
"What will I break down over?" Daryl annoyingly responded but disposed himself to the screen. When the first video popped up, he realized what they were and what he was in for.
"How's my little Jessica-chan?" Rowan asked through the recording.
"Daddy!" Jessica's high-pitched voice rang in glee. "Daddy! I missed you!"
"I missed you too! How is your mother doing?"
"Mommy is doing well! Right Mom?"
"That's right Jessica." Sakuya's mature voice said. "How's work Honey? I heard something major happened in Tokyo?"
Rowan's face twisted into a mix of sorrow and worry.
Sakuya's face also toned down into worry. "Jessica-chan, why don't you go play outside?"
"Mommy! I want to tell Daddy about what I did at school!"
"How about you tell Daddy the next time he calls? This is something important that only your father and I can discuss."
Jessica could be seen pouting in the video clip. "Fine." And she stalked away.
Sakuya breathed a sigh of relief. "So...what happened in Tokyo?"
"The Void Genome was taken by Funeral Parlor. I have no idea what they are planning to do with it, but if this spreads the Virus, then it's best that you and Jessica stay out of Tokyo for now."
"Rowan, dear, Jessica's going to be so disappointed. She really wants to see you again!"
"We can still talk through video messages. But I'm afraid GHQ might limit those as well."
"So we should just talk like this for all it's good." Sakuya sighed. "Can we still see how you are working so far?"
"I'm alive. That's all that matters." Rowan chuckled much to his wife's frustrations. "But I rather not at this point. Don't want to anger my coworkers. We just got a new lieutenant and he's...a little..." He twirled his finger around his head.
Daryl scowled. So that was Rowan's first impression of him...
Tsugumi instead chuckled and loaded up the next video.
"Hi Daddy! Look what I did in class today!" Jessica held up a very crude drawing.
"That's very cute Jessica-chan." Rowan chuckled.
"What's wrong Daddy?"
"Oh, it's nothing. I'm just tired from work today." Rowan tiredly explained. "I just had some Endlave work to do. And the lieutenant is quite a hassle to deal with."
"You always talk about your lieutenant. What's even his name and face?" Jessica pouted.
"His name is Daryl Yan, the son of my boss so I don't want to mess with him. He looks like this if you're interested." Rowan showed a picture of Daryl's official GHQ id.
Jessica remained confused. "Daddy! He's so young!"
"Yeah. I know. I feel bad for this kid. He could have been in school right now instead of the military."
Jessica turned red and yelled, "Geez Daddy! Is he your son or your coworker?"
Rowan sheepishly chuckled. "Right! Right! Sorry Jessica-chan. You're still my favorite little girl!"
Jessica suddenly perked up, "Daddy! You'll come back Christmas, right? I can't wait to see you!"
The video suddenly switched to the next file. It was dated a week after the last video.
Sakuya reached out and fixed the camera, unaware her husband could see her. "Is this thing on? Hello?"
"Honey, I'm here!"
"Ah!" Sakuya jumped back. "Oh wow! You scared me!"
Rowan laughed. "You always look so cute whenever I greet you."
"Even when we first met, you'd surprise me!" Sakuya retorted with a blush. "Anyways, how's work? I heard about the breakout from your prison. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. But Lieutenant Daryl's been roughing us up a lot. He really wants to one up Funeral Parlor ever since they stole his Endlave. That kid is too passionate about his job."
"Mommy? Is Daddy still talking about Daryl?" Jessica scowled and she jumped onto her mother's lap.
"Now, now, Jessica, is that a proper way to speak about your father's coworker. He's risking his life to keep you safe." Sakuya scolded.
"Me? Safe? Like a big brother? Tsuruko said that's the job of a big brother!"
"Eh...sure why not?"
"Really? Daryl can be my big brother?" Jessica began to turn excited.
There were times where he did not like his wife's playfulness and this was one of those times. Rowan scowled for once while Sakuya cheekily smiled back. "Sakuya...I don't like where this is heading..."
"What? You always talk about Daryl to us. He's practically your second son. Besides, Jessica is now interested in your line of work because her dear big brother is there. Right Jessica-chan?"
"Mmhm! Right!"
"That bitch! She's the one who started this!" Daryl frowned and tempted to leave an angry call to Sakuya if he had her number.
Tsugumi chuckled and placed a hand on his, interlocking fingers. "It's kinda cute, you know?"
Soon, files of video chats of Rowan talking of his GHQ experience passed by. Tsugumi could notice that Daryl got more and more anxious with each passage video. When the videos got to the part where Rowan mentioned Daryl killing his father, Daryl tightened his grip on Tsugumi's hand. More and more, Rowan talked about his growing fondness for Daryl. The man felt sad for the boy. He hoped that he would change into a better man because inside, he was a good kid after all. Tsugumi felt the poor man beside her slowly unveil his walls of guilt. She could see him. He was not a murderer. He was not corrupt. He was a good kid after all. And he became a great man, and she was in love with this man.
Soon, the last video loaded. It was on the day GHQ finally fell.
"Daddy! When are you going to come home?" Jessica whined.
"Soon." Rowan responded. "And I'll bring your big brother along!"
"I finally get to meet him?"
Rowan nodded, "And you'll like him. He's a good kid. He's going to fight well and hard in this upcoming battle. And...he's one of the best people I know in GHQ..."
"Rowan! It's time to leave!"
"Oh! I have to leave now! Bye Jessica! I'll see you soon!"
"Bye bye Daddy! I love you!"
"Love you too."
Then the screen turned black. That was the end of that story...and Daryl knew the epilogue. Her father would never return home and he would remain undiscovered somewhere under the current GHQ. Jessica grew up without him and in a cruel twist of fate, continued his legacy with Daryl. And all this time, Daryl never knew why...until now.
"I need to get out." Daryl muttered. He held onto his aching head and quickly walked for the door.
"Daryl. Please stop." And Tsugumi lightly tugged onto his sleeve. "Stop running away from this. I know you are ashamed, and you should be, but please face that man and admit your guilt."
"Tsugumi..."
She softly smiled. "And when you do, you can put this all behind you. Be that man who would do anything to save his close ones. And be the man Rowan always envisioned. That way...I can stay with you...I want to have lots of fun times with you again. And Jessica needs her big brother more than ever."
Daryl softly returned her smile, a rare sight that left Tsugumi breathless. The man was simply beautiful when he gave that rare smile. Unconsciously, her body moved and she pulled up to him and softly planted a kiss on his lips. He was quick to reciprocate as he hugged her body close and clung onto her hips.
He whispered softly into her lips, "Thank you."
-GC-
When the Angels were back in Pallbearer's home base, they were quick to scatter. Some Angels went into their respective pods, others went to train, others went for a walk, and two conversed alone in a waiting room. Angel Twelve and Inori sat alone on comfortable plush couches with a mug of hot chocolate each. Angel Twelve seemed worried over something as she suspiciously kept her eye on Inori.
"What's wrong?" Inori innocently cocked her head.
"Don't you remember anything? We come from the same blood. Surely you would remember your own sisters." Angel Twelve insisted.
"I don't remember anything..."
Angel Twelve sighed in disbelief. "I don't understand! Angel Two said you would eventually remember once you came back and that guy fixed you up?"
Inori curiously stared. "Why do we call each other by numbers?"
"I was told that it's the order we were made. You were made first so you're Angel One and I was made last so I'm Angel Twelve." The meek angel answered. "Well...that's what I've been told..."
"Do you just accept everything you are told?" Inori lightly questioned and sipped on her drink. "Is that what we were made for?"
"Apparently...our sisters seemed to accept that fact." Angel Twelve suddenly scooted over and whispered. "Hey! Angel One! How was the outside world like? Was it interesting? Was it fun?"
"And you are curious? When it seems your leader is set on destroying it?"
"Well...you see...I was never sent out on missions till now. I was the last Angel made and they ran out of the meteorite's power to give to me."
"So you were thrown away?"
"Well...I'm kept around as a helper!" Angel Twelve tried to remain cheerful, but Inori could see through her pale pink lips.
However, the pink hair girl smiled and ushered for her sister to come closer. "I'll tell you. I was taken in by a group of individuals who knew me from a previous life. They told me everything about me. They told me that I love to sing and I was a popular singer in their days. But when I couldn't understand anything, their eyes shed tears as if a piece of their hearts broke along with mine. And I know these people were good because they'd do anything to protect the ones they love. They said that attribute was my best quality."
Astonished, Angel Twelve breathed, "Wow! I wish I could have friends like that!" She gave her warmest smile. "These people are kindred spirits with the saints. I wish every person was like this: kind and caring and protective." She suddenly smiled warmly. "If I'm ever born again, I want to take the same kind steps your saviors had taken."
"Born again?"
Angel Twelve sadly nodded. "It will only be a matter of time...before I leave permanently."
"I'm so sorry..."
Angel Twelve shook her head and continued, "It's okay. I knew this was going to happen. All my sisters are sad as well. And my life force is going to you so I don't feel completely useless...Angel One."
"Inori."
"Huh?" Angel Twelve tilted her head in curiosity.
"Inori. Inori Yuzuriha. That's my name." Inori confirmed. "That's the name I want be called with."
"Name? Where do you get one?"
Inori paused. She didn't know how or where to get a name. She only knew her name because Shu told her. "I don't know..."
"You don't know?"
"I don't know..."
"Ms. Inori Yuzuriha!" Ryo called out to her as he raced towards the two angels. He wore his black uniform now with a black coat and black boots. "The leader wants to meet with you."
Inori didn't say much but she gave a worried glance to Angel Twelve.
Ryo easily caught on. "Don't worry. I'll escort your sister back to her quarters." He took Angel Twelve's arm and started to walk the small girl away from Inori, who merely stared on and walked away.
After a few quiet moments of walking, Angel Twelve innocently asked, "Ryo...is that your name?"
"Yes."
"Do you know where you got that name?"
"My mother gave it to me."
"Your creator?"
"Yeah, I guess..." Ryo began to grow confused on why this teenage artificial human was asking such weird questions.
"If I asked, would your leader give me a name?" Angel Twelve excitedly asked.
"I think the leader is a little preoccupied right now." Ryo interjected, feeling sorry for her since the leader already sentenced her to die so Inori could have more energy to fight. He pulled the teenage girl back to a room of pods and left her there before saying, "See you later. I have a meeting right now."
"Alright. Good bye Ryo-kun!" Angel Twelve waved as the door slammed shut on her.
She was the weird one. No wonder she got the short end of the stick when it came to the power distribution. Even so, he was curious why the girl remained so cheerful. It must be a teenager thing.
Ryo made his way to the main meeting room and sat in his assigned seat. His fellow members were already there and Inori was already standing in the front with the veiled leader.
The leader slowly pulled back his veil, for once, revealing a man in his twenties with dark blue hair and piercing black eyes. Ryo couldn't imagine the last time he saw his leader unveiled. That would be when he was first recruited. The man coughed to get everyone's attention before he spoke.
"Greetings everyone! Now that we have gotten our means of success, I think it's time we reveal our faces. I'd like to introduce myself as a former member of Da'at and I would like to introduce our fellow benefactor, who has made our group a success!" He gestured and the door beside him opened up.
A slender woman with flowing golden locks walked in, proud and with stride. "My name is Arisa Kuhouin!"
And the "Whore of Babylon" returns once more! Now that that's settled, the next chapter is going to delve deeper with the Pallbearer organization. You finally get to see what this group stands for! As always, reviews are always welcomed and no more college shit!