Alpha and Omega - Jackal's Story
Chapter 7
In collaboration with Subzero Dragon. Visit their profile to see the other side of this story. Important events that aren't mentioned here take part in the other side of the story.
What's this annoying sound I hear? It's like the scratching of fingernails against a chalkboard but less screechy. What ever it was it was grinding on my nerves.
"Can you knock that off?" I ask in a louder than normal voice whilst lifting myself up from my bed, head angled towards the source of the sound. I had no way of knowing if it was a person making that sound or just a machine but it was really irritating me. Fortunately, the sound stopped as soon as I asked it too. Unfortunately, it was a person making the sound, the same person that is in charge of taking care of Robin and I, Sakuya.
"Oh, I didn't realise you were awake. Was there a reason you were pretending to be asleep?" Sakuya tells me with a hand to her hip and a grin that I have gotten used to over the days I've been in here. "I didn't think of you as the grouchy type on a morning." She comments.
"I'm not and I wasn't pretending to be asleep." I lay back on the bed with a hand to my forehead. "I actually was asleep before I heard a scratching sound." I rub my head with my hand before sitting up and swinging my legs over the side of the bed.
"That scratching sound was probably me." Sakuya gave a light hearted chuckle as she gestures to the notepad and pen in her hand.
"Yeah, I kinda figured that out. What are you writing in it anyway?" I ask her before standing up to stretch.
"Just how you were healing. You should be out of here in a few days but" Sakuya puts her hands on my shoulders and forces me back onto the bed. I would have fought against her touch but I've already discovered that she holds more power than me so I didn't push back as she pushed me onto the bed. I was now back into my sitting position. "You still need to rest so that you don't aggravate your injuries. How are they, by the way?" She asks as she puts pen to paper, ready to take notes.
"I still have a few muscle pains in my legs and upper arms but the rest seem to have healed." I move my shoulders in a slow, rotary motion to give them a bit of exercise. "More importantly though," I move my head to Robin's bed which is opposite mine, "how is she?" I could hear the concern in my voice and Sakuya's sigh did little to comfort me.
"There's been no change since two days ago. Her heart rate is a normal 72 beats per minute and there doesn't seem to be a head injuries according to the CT scan. I don't know why she hasn't woken up yet." I hear a bit of shuffling from Sakuya and when I look to her, I notice that she is gathering her things.
"Finished the analysis already?" I ask her since it doesn't even seem like she has been here for five minutes.
"Yeah, I've got a few more things to do. Including writing up my mission report."
"What were you up against?" I ask in interest. I don't really know the types of Aragami found around here. They may be similar to the ones found near the Facility but there may be many different species I haven't encountered yet.
"A herd of Borg Camlanns from yesterday so I need to get that mission report of the way before my next mission later today. Don't worry though, I'll be back soon." With that, Sakuya collected the rest of her things and left the infirmary.
I waited for five minutes before getting up from my bed. I would have done so earlier but I needed to make sure that Sakuya didn't return for anything she may have forgotten. After all, the check-up was relatively quick. I walked over to Robin's bedside and took in the view. She looked so very peaceful but why hadn't she woken up. Her vital signs were all normal and they have been for a couple of days. Is it just because she is exhausted that she hasn't woken up? Her body needs more rest before allowing her to open her beautiful blue eyes. I feel that I can't rest if she isn't healthy. I take a seat beside her bed and watch over her. I remember how excited she was when we were waiting for the helicopter. She was like a child when they receive a present; jumping with joy. To think that the day ended almost in death for the both of us makes me never want to remember it. The negatives far outweigh the positives in this scenario.
"But we survived." I say with a small chuckle. "You made sure that we did. You, Robin, made the Tsuchinoko retreat by throwing one of its own scales at it. The beast never expected that." I remarked with a small smile before it turned into a sad one, "But to think that I gave up after facing it one on one..." I lose the smile completely. "I gave up. I couldn't damage it. At the time, I was happy knowing that by distracting it, the others would be able to save you but thinking about it now, I realise that I would have never gotten the chance to see you again if the monster had finished me off there." I feel my eyes becoming wet and I raise both of my arms, resting them on my legs as I cradle my head. "I would have left you alone in the world. I wouldn't have been able to protect you any longer." My eyes overflow and I feel a tear trickle down my face. "Who would have thought that we would become such good friends? Especially after our first meeting. I remember when you told me how scared of me you were when we eventually became friends."
I use my arm to wipe my face and eyes, I didn't want to look weak in front of Robin if she decided to wake up at this minute. I raise my head to look back at her face and lift an arm to brush away a bit of stray hair from her forehead. After doing so, I realise that Robin's face looks almost scrunched up. Is she in pain? Is that why she hasn't woken up? I grab her hand and and say her name.
"Robin?" As if reacting to her name being called, her face tenses up even more. Something was happening inside of her head. Is she dreaming? Her scrunched up face suggests it could be a nightmare.
"Robin." I say with more vigour, finding my voice. Again, Robin's face becomes more pained.
"Robin! Hey, Robin!" I begin shouting. She was clearly distressed and maybe if she knew I was here then she won't be. I won't lie, I was becoming distressed at seeing her in this state.
"Robin! Can you hear me?" I ask with the desperate hope that she will wake up if she can hear me.
"Robin! Come on, give me some sort of sign here!" I shout with my desperation reaching new levels before her face steadily eases back to its previous state and then I saw something amazing. Robin opened her eyes for the first time in many days and better yet, she made a sound. It was a groan but is was still a sound. I could feel the happiness stocking up inside my stomach. I now know what it means to have butterflies in your stomach. Robin began looking around. She was awake!
"Robin!" I squeezed her hand gently to let her know I was with her.
"Jackal?" Her voice sounded hoarse but that is to be expected. She knew who I was so that rules out any chance of brain damage, I hope. I can't help but smile wide.
"Welcome back, sleepyhead." I say in a light hearted manner. I almost feel my smile widen further as Robin smiles back at me but I notice that it falls slightly. It probably took quite a bit of energy out of her to smile so I don't complain. My smile almost disappears completely as I see her struggle to sit up.
"What do you think you're doing? You just woke up, so don't get up yet." I grab onto her shoulder and carefully lower her down using the same method that Sakuya has been using on me; only more gentle.
"How... long have I... been here?" The green haired woman utters her first question. I knew that she would ask something like this when she woke up. If she woke up; but I don't need to worry about that now.
"It's been five days since that fight with Tsuchinoko." I shake my head, "But that's not important. You should just keep resting." I give her another smile.
"Tsuchinoko?" She repeats with a confused look on her face and I remember that she doesn't know that is what it's been called.
"I'm told that's what they named that snake that almost killed us. Seems it was once the name of some local demon or something." That's when something connected inside of my head, "I'd have called it 'pain in the a**'." She chuckles at my joke. It's good to hear that she can still laugh.
"You got that right... I'll feel this one for a while. But five days? I've been unconscious for five days?" She asks in disbelief and I could feel my smile disappearing.
"Yeah, I was out for three. They were having a hard time with your wounds and..." I could feel my mind drift back into a depressed state. I forced myself to shake my head and put on a bright smile. "Never mind that depressing stuff. I'm so glad you're all right!"
"I'm glad you're okay too." Robin returned my smile. I wish I had a chance to revel in it but-
"Didn't I tell you to stay in bed? You're incorrigible!" I jumped as soon as I heard the voice. It wasn't the first time that I'd been caught at Robin's bedside. I could hear her walking over towards the two of us and all I could do was smile nervously.
"That's the second time in as many days now. Don't you ever want to get better?" The woman asks as she stops at the bed.
"Crap, busted again..." I turn to face the newcomer, "I can explain, Sakuya."
"Who is that? One of the doctors?" Robin guessed and she wasn't too far from the mark.
"Close. I'm Sakuya Tachibana, second-in-command of the First Unit. I'm a God Eater, just like you two. I'm a field medic by trade, and I've been asked to keep an eye on you two." Sakuya introduces herself to Robin but she isn't finished speaking.
"Your friend is a handful." I can feel Sakuya's stare on my back as I look towards Robin, "He won't stay put. He keeps sneaking out of bed to check on you."
"I was worried about her." I speak with my head turned in her direction but not looking directly at her, "Got a problem with that?"
"No, of course not." I didn't need to be looking at her face to know she was smiling. It just sounded as though she was. Was she implying something? Is there something that would make her imply somethi- I'm still holding Robin's hand! I let go quickly and looked away from her.
"You two must be close, huh?" Sakuya spoke with the same tone. This doesn't last long as I hear her tone change, I look to her in confusion as she speaks, wondering what could cause such a change in tone.
"That reminds me, I have something to ask you. It's about your condition..." That got me thinking. Was there something wrong with her condition? I look back to Robin and see her eyebrows wrinkled in confusion.
"My condition? I just know I was unconscious, and my legs really hurt..." I continue looking at her as I debate on what this problem could be. As far as I know, there isn't any brain damage.
"It's alright. I don't mind him being here." At Robin's words, I look between her and Sakuya. Did something happen while I was thinking?
"What is it?" Robin asked and I could see the smile on her face but it seemed to be a worried smile.
"Your wounds were reopening and making you bleed out. That was happening a lot more than normal. Do you have some kind of medical condition that would affect that, like haemophilia?" Upon Sakuya's words, I remember that she had told me about that a while ago. How could I have forgotten something as important as that? I look back towards Robin who looks to be worriedly looking back and forth at Sakuya and I. So does she have a medical condition? The nod of her head confirms the answer to my silent question. She looks down as she admits this with a depressed face.
"You're going to take me off the front lines, aren't you?" She says with sadness lacing her voice. "I promise I'll do my very best, so please give me a chance!" She pleads with her head raised to Sakuya. What would this mean for me if Robin was taken from the front lines? I suppose I could rest easy knowing that she won't be hurt. You know, maybe taking her away from the front lines is a good idea. She may be depressed for a while but at least she'll be safe. Then again, if I oppose her being on the front lines then our friendship will definitely suffer. I don't think I'd be able to handle a not being friends with Robin after all we've been through.
"I don't think its serious enough to merit a drastic move like that, but you do need to be more careful out there, alright?" I am surprised at how Sakuya responded but at least nothing will change now. I will have to keep an eye out for her though. I notice that Robin seems happy at that. What ever makes her happy makes me happy. I stand back up from Robin's bedside. My legs feel like they have fallen asleep so standing is a bit of a chore.
"Alright, good. Now as for you..." Sakuya brings her attention back to me.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Back to bed." I dismiss her worries with a wave of my hand as I head back to my bed.
"And stay there this time! Don't make me use the bed restraints." I almost stumble at Sakuya's words. Did they really have restraints?
"Restraints?" I repeat with a shocked look on my face. Her chuckle relaxes me as it tells me that she wasn't serious.
"That was a joke. But I meant it when I said to stay in there, got it?"
"I know." I roll onto my bed.
"I have to go prepare some plans for a mission, alright? Just keep resting for now." Sakuya speaks in an exasperated tone.
"A mission already?" I ask in surprise. She has probably only just finished her paperwork from yesterday's mission against the Borg Camlanns.
"Director Sakaki wants some of us to gather some scales from Tsuchinoko and research what property made them able to harm that snake. He was inspired by what you did to it, Robin. We have you to thank for that discovery. I'll let you two rest now." Sakuya speaks up about what her mission entails as she looks between the two of us. "I don't want to hear you tried to get up while I'm gone either, got it? Stay put." Sakuya tells Robin. It would definitely be interesting to see Robin disobey orders and walk around but in her condition, I don't think that is possible.
It's been two days since Robin has woke up and she has taken a lot of this time to rest. Sometimes I've grown so worried that she won't wake back up that I've had to wake her up, just to ease my nerves. Of course, Robin didn't appreciate me waking her up and Sakuya also told me to stop pestering her when she was asleep but it was all to ease my nerves. Now though, I won't get the chance to see her as often since I've been discharged from the infirmary. As soon as I was, I was told by a Ms Amamiya to attend a training session before I was allowed back out into the field. I was also told by the same person that I passed, albeit barely and she therefore suggested an easier mission. So here I am, with a person whose character I really dislike on a mission against an Aragami that I'm told has been named as a Fallen Kongou. I've already ran into a few Kongou so I am interested in what this Fallen one is like. Hopefully, it will have the same weakness as the Kongou.
"Why the hell am I stuck with a newbie on a low paying mission such as this one?" The man spoke with hatred in his voice. It was almost impossible to get along with him.
"Haven't you been a God Eater for a while? You should be able to handle a Fallen Kongou by now." He groaned. I look towards him and wonder how he got anywhere with an attitude like his. His appearance mirrors his attitude. The man has long blonde hair that covered his right eye. His pink jacket is buttoned at the side and he wears black trousers as well as a pair of navy blue boots. He looked like a thug and acted like one too.
"I am able to. Why don't you just go back to the Far East, Karel? It will make this mission much easier." I speak with almost as much hatred in my voice. I had never met a guy like this before but this had to be he epitome of how bad humans can actually get. I doubt I'd even feel sad if I heard he was eaten by an Aragami.
"You know I can't do that." He says as he raises a hand to his head with an angry sigh. "If I did, the instructor would be on my back and I won't be paid at all."
"The instructor? Do you mean Ms Amamiya?"
"Yeah, Tsubaki Amamiya. But now we're digressing from the topic. We need to find the Aragami." Karel says as we return to hunting the Aragami.
Who would have thought that there were so many corners for an Aragami to hide in the Tranquil Temple? We've already searched about 10 corners and I think we're on our way to search all of them again.
"I don't get it. Where is the Fallen Kongou?" I ask no one in particular however, since Karel is the only other one who heard it he thinks that I am speaking to him.
"I admit that it's strange but if it is not here then that means we get paid for doing nothing." He grins at this. It is the type of smile that you would see on a person that is being sly. I can imagine him saying something like "easy money" as soon as he receives the mission rewards.
"Well, we should- Woah." I whisper in disbelief as we round a corner to find the Aragami we were looking for. It looks almost exactly like the Kongou. The only difference being the colour. This one was silver and purple but there was another thing different about this Aragami. As we approach the unmoving beast, we are able to see numerous marks on the beast. Many of them look as though a bird has been scratching it. However, judging by the size of the claw marks, the bird must have been at least 15ft. I approach one of its legs where I can get a better view of the marks. It looked to be several layers deep and, upon touching it, a black sludge was released. Some did get on my hand but I shook it off with a shake of my hand.
"What do you think did this?" I ask Karel, since he has been a God Eater for longer than me, he will should know about the Aragami that did this.
"No idea but now our work is done. We just need to devour the core and get back home. If I'm lucky there will be a high paying mission waiting for me." He moves to the dead beast and readies his Arc.
"You know, don't Aragami sink into the ground through a black sludge once they've been dead for a while?"
"Yeah, so what?" Karel speaks as he devours the Fallen Kongou's core.
"So this Aragami has only recently died..." I inform him, hoping that he would catch on.
"The hell are you talking about?" He sounded angry and, clearly, didn't understand my thinking.
"So the thing that did this" I gesture to the now sinking Kongou, "is still somewhere around here."
"Oh really? If I bring the core of that Aragami back then I could be paid a hell of a lot. All right, let's change our targets to this new beast." He looks back at me with a smirk on his face. So we set out with a new target in mind.
We looked around the place at least another three times and found no other sign of the Aragami that did our job for us.
"Well, that Aragami is long gone by now. We should probably get back." I speak up and, although Karel hates the idea, he can't help but to agree saying something about finding a high paying mission to go on later.
"Hibari, we're ready to be picked up." Karel speaks into his earpiece. I'll need to meet Hibari at some point. I've not met her yet since after the training session, I was told to wait on the roof for my team mate for a mission. However, I will need to see her when I am able to arrange my own missions so it will be nice to be on good terms.
"Yeah, I've got its core. So have you sent the helicopter yet?" There is a pause as he waits for Hibari to answer. "Then get to it!" His shout implies that Hibari hasn't sent the helicopter yet.
"15 minutes?! Bloody hell. Bye, Hibari." He finishes as he moves his hand away from the earpiece.
"We've got 15 minutes to waste. May as well have another look around." He walks ahead of me. Is he ever in a good mood? I jog to catch up to him.
A few minutes after Karel's conversation with Hibari, we come across an Aragami. It must have just recently wandered into the area as we hadn't seen it around the place when we were searching for that other Aragami.
"You think this Aragami killed that Kongou?" Karel asks as we prepare our God Arcs to face this new threat. Judging by its appearance, it seems incapable of inflicting the same wounds as the ones found on the Fallen Kongou.
"No. This one doesn't have the claws. Besides, I have faced Aragami like this one before and have never seen that type of wound inflicted upon its prey. I believe its called a Borg Camlann." I speak as the monster puts its shield up in front of its face and rushes towards us with its tail leading the way. I leap to the side and narrowly avoid, making sure to keep my Arc sticking out so that the Borg Camlann will scrape against my Scythe. The Aragami stumbles as its front leg catches my blade and I start hacking away at its back legs.
"Karel! Change into your Melee Form and help me out!" I shout to him as I continue to hack at the beast whilst avoiding its swinging tail.
"My what?! I've only got Gun Form! I'm a First Generation God Eater!" He shouts back. "And don't tell me what to do!" I growl at how he still has the same attitude even when we are fighting an Aragami.
A few more minutes into the battle, we hear the helicopter overhead and know to wrap this up. I jump to the side where I change my Arc to Gun Form and shoot a few Spark bullets at the beast whilst Karel shoots a few custom Freeze bullets at the beast. It falls after a few more shots and I devour its core, much to Karel's disapproval but I can't be bothered with him right now. After seeing that the Aragami has been defeated, the pilor of the helicopter lands and picks us up, bringing us back to the Far East Branch where I intend to visit Robin in the infirmary.