"I wonder how Leah's been doing? It's been a while since we've last been here."
2B's blindfolded gaze fell from the rising buildings around them, wrapping them in a comforting shade from the ever-present sun, to the short-haired boy at her side, 9S gracing her with an exuberant smile as he practically skipped past the makeshift barricade denoting the resistance camps entrance. The battle type android couldn't fault her partner for his excited demeanor, the usually reserved 2B grinning brightly as she stepped into the main courtyard of the camp, rays of light illuminating her smiling face.
It had been several months since they last stepped foot in the resistance camp, their time in the bunker drawing ever longer as more and more work piled up, the revelations uncovered during their last trip to earth taking a long time to sort through. Several months since they had last seen A2 and Leah.
"According to the information YoRHa has gathered over the years about human physiology, Leah's injuries should have fully healed a couple of months ago." 2B's smile became strained as the events leading to the human girl's injuries replayed in her mind, the sight of her skin, littered with deep cuts and gashes, seared forever onto her black box. "Hopefully the experience at the hands of that monster hasn't left a permanent scar upon her mind."
"I'm sure she's fine. Leah's tough after all." 9S grinned as he tried to reassure his partner, his optimistic smile and unwavering trust in the human girl managing to slightly ease 2B's worried mind. "She's probably up and kicking, stronger than ever."
A resounding cry, emphatic and fierce, greeted the pair of YoRHa soldiers the second they entered the main plaza of the resistance camp, their eyes widening considerably beneath their blindfolds at the strange scene playing out before them. A small group of resistance soldiers were surrounding a pair of women, both currently embroiled in a heated sparring session, each raining down heavy blows and dancing around each other with trained footwork and timely blocks.
Devola's wild flowing hair, shining like burning crimson in the bright morning sun, helped the fiery twin stand out immediately to the pair of soldiers, their mouths falling open in mute shock when they caught a glimpse of just who her sparring partner was.
"Leah?"
Perking up at the sudden call of her name, the voices sounding awfully familiar, the aforementioned human girl failed to notice the solid right hand of her redheaded friend before it was too late, Devola's fist making rough contact with Leah's exposed jaw. Wincing in pain at the vicious blow, a loud crack resonating through the camp, 2B and 9S awaited their friend's inevitable collapse, the human girl's body tipping slightly to the side as her body rolled with the direction of the punch.
But, to their immense surprise, Leah managed to catch herself, planting her foot firmly into the dirt before sending a violent uppercut into Devola's exposed side, the wild-haired twin letting out a groan of discomfort at the brown-haired girl's powerful strike. Stumbling back slightly, gripping her injured side tightly, Devola and Leah stared at each other, eyes ablaze in a fierce standoff when the human girl suddenly let out a pained hiss from between her clenched teeth.
"Jesus Christ, Devola! Ow!" Grabbing her cheek with both hands, tears pooling in the corner of her eyes, Leah hopped frantically from foot to foot, small whimpers of pain passing her lips as she glared angrily at her wild-haired friend. 2B and 9S were left further stunned as Devola quickly rushed to the pained girl's side, her green eyes wide and frantic as she tenderly gripped the time-traveling human's shoulders. It was all way too surreal for the two soldiers to comprehend.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Lightly dabbing at her friend's cheek, the human girl flinching slightly beneath her touch, a small sheepish grin beginning to curl at the edge of Devola's lips. "Buuuuut...this is a good lesson on making sure you are paying attention at all times."
Staring at the arguing pair, 2B and 9S couldn't keep their eyes off of the brown-haired human, unable to truly comprehend the immense amount of changes Leah had gone through during their absence. While not meek by any stretch of the word, the human girl's fierce determination and strong personality plainly visible to anyone who got to know her, Leah had certainly grown stronger over the last couple of months.
Lean, robust muscles accentuated her new body, easily visible due to her attire of a simple pair of shorts and a form-fitting tank top, replacing her once average frame. Scars, of all shapes and sizes, littered every inch of her exposed skin, jagged reminders of the violent trauma she had gone through not so long ago. And yet, with the passionate glint in her emerald gaze as she glared at her redheaded friend, they seemed to bestow upon her a sense of strength and perseverance, a testament to her strong will and the inextinguishable fire burning within her heart.
Leah had changed.
"You just wanted to get a hit in because you knew I had you that time." Leah growled angrily as she gave Devola a rough, yet playful, push, the human girl turning her head slightly to the side as she caught movement in the corner of her eye, emerald orbs widening in surprise as she spotted the approaching YoRHa members.
"2B! 9S!" Raising her hands high into the air, Leah let out a raucous cheer of surprise and joy as she quickly rushed over to the oncoming pair of androids, meeting them halfway with a big hug as she practically leapt into their arms, her jubilant laughter and warm embrace bringing a gentle smile to both their faces.
It seems, in many ways, Leah was still very much the same.
"I've missed you two." Nuzzling herself against each of their cheeks, the pair of soldiers chuckling softly at the human girl's unique show of affection, Leah squeezed them tightly, her strong grip making the androids wince slightly in discomfort. But, even so, they simply returned her hug just as strongly, the trio smiling and laughing together at finally being reunited.
"I'm glad to see you are alright." 2B whispered softly as she cradled the brown-haired girl's head to her shoulder, her fingers idly playing with the fine hairs on the back of Leah's neck, earning another round of giggles from the time-traveling human. It was so much shorter now, the battle android muse as her gloved fingers softly caressed the nape of her neck.
"But, you are kind of covering us in sweat." 9S offhandedly joked, causing the laughter to suddenly die down as Leah slowly pulled away from the androids embrace, a small pout pulling at her lips. Turning to face the male scanner model, her face blank and expressionless. 9S gulped nervously at the human girl's strange behavior, Leah catching both of them off guard when she suddenly wrapped her arms around his midsection in a vice-like grip, making the young boy squawk loudly in surprise.
Once more, the pair of androids were caught by surprise as the human girl picked up the much heavier android with startling ease, proving that her newly enhanced physique was not just for show as she kept 9S aloft as he weakly struggled to get out. Even though he could easily free himself if he wanted to, an androids strength far exceeding even the strongest of humans, he was nevertheless astonished by how little Leah seemed to be struggling to hold him up.
"Leah. What happened to you?" Stepping up to the human's side, Leah turning to look at her with an owlish gaze, 2B gently brushed aside some loose strands of brown hair from the time-traveling girl's face as she carefully studied her features. Beneath the series of scars, past the altered hairstyle and newly formed muscles, Leah still seemed to be the same fun-loving girl they had met all that time ago. But, there was something more. Something…different.
"I…" Blushing slightly under the silver-haired woman's gaze, Leah haphazardly dropped the flailing scanner model to the ground, 9S letting out a shriek of surprise as he hit the ground, the human girl softly running her fingers over the prominent scar running along the side of her head. "I didn't want to be a burden anymore."
"2B? 9S?" Before she had a chance to respond, to deny her claim of being a burden, 2B, as well as Leah and 9S, were interrupted by a soft, familiar voice, all of them turning to watch as A2 made her way over to them. Devola and Popola followed a couple of feet behind the combat android, the wild-haired twin gripping her side tightly, theatrically wincing and moaning in pain as she tried, and failed, to garner some sympathy from her sister.
"It's good to see you again." A2 said as she greeted her combat brethren with a small smile, one 2B returned in full as she slowly removed her blindfold, twin sets of blue gazing at each other with newly grown affection. Their shared experience during Leah's kidnapping had formed a strong bond between the two sister models, a new sense of respect, companionship, and affection resonating between 2B and A2.
"I'm here too you know." 9S mockingly groused as Leah helped him off of the ground, the scanner model the one to pout this time as he patted some dirt off of his shorts, his blindfolded glare directed angrily toward the long-haired android.
"Unfortunately." Responding with a dry smirk, A2 gave the boy a mocking wave 'hello', causing Leah to turn her head as she tried to suppress a laugh at the scanner model's behalf. Letting out a small growl, 9S's angry sneer quickly crumbled as he and A2 stood off in a mock stare down, the scanner model chuckling softly before bursting into full-blown laughter as he punched the taller woman in the shoulder in a comradely fashion.
"Aaaah 2B, 2B!" Bouncing excitedly in place, fists clenched tightly in front of her chest, Leah looked up at the short-haired woman with wide, shining eyes as a brilliant idea came to her. "Would you be able to train me sometime?"
"I'd be happy to teach you what I know." 2B agreed to the request with a graceful smile and a small formal bow, the battle android giggling softly as the human girl whooped in joy, amused by Leah's seemingly boundless sense of optimism and cheer.
"Where have you two been this whole time?" Turning to face the long-haired android, her steel-blue gaze full of question, 2B and 9S straightened slightly as they were reminded of just why they had returned to the resistance base. In the excitement of reuniting with their friends and seeing the changes Leah had undergone, they had briefly forgotten their mission, something a seasoned YoRHa soldier would consider impossible.
It seems Leah had not been the only one who changed.
"YoRHa has been busy with many things ever since our last meeting." 2B was quick to respond as her voice took on a more professional tone, one they had originally come to know her for, her steely, uncovered gaze not holding the same level of intensity and reserved distance it once had.
"Ever since finding out about Leah and the newly discovered threat of machines such as Adam and Eve, YoRHa has been considering new options in combating such threats as well as making sure Leah stays safe."
A strange, gnawing sensation built-in Leah's stomach at 2B's words, a feeling of overwhelming expectation bearing down on her shoulders, the thought of being regarded so highly by YoRHa making her feel sick with worry. She didn't want this. She didn't want them, YoRHa, to possibly risk their lives for her, especially not the pair of soldiers standing before her right now. She wasn't worth it. Not her.
"Among these is a plan to form a new treaty with a group of machines similar to Pascal and his village." 9S continued, his boyish voice, usually full of cheer and mischief, strangely serious for a change. "Pascal has informed us that they had reached out to him first, having also severed their ties from the network that all machines share."
"We were hoping you and Leah would join us." 2B spoke as she faced her combat brethren, her hand stretched out in a symbolic gesture, hoping they will return it in kind. "We could use all the help we could get. Pascal will be joining us as well in hopes of making this process go as smoothly and problem-free as possible."
"Of course we'll help. Right, A2?" Leah did not hesitate a second, the human girl grasping 2B's hand tightly and pulling it to her chest as she turned to the long-haired woman by her side, A2 nodding affirmatively in response with a confident smile.
"With your help, we will be able to split our forces and be able to complete our secondary objective at the same time." Giving the human girl's hand a quick squeeze, 2B whispered a quiet 'thank you' to Leah before turning to the redheaded twins standing, seemingly forgotten, behind the former YoRHa soldier. "Should Devola and Popola be willing to help us, that is."
"Us?" Perking up slightly, twin sets of green eyes widening in surprise, Devola and Popola pointed at themselves in perfect unison, a note of disbelief evident in their overlapping voices. The redheaded twins had gotten used to being kept on the fringe of the group's activities, always left to fret and worry about their friends, inevitably called upon to patch them up after another unfortunate run-in that Leah seemed to attract with alarming frequency.
"Yes." 9S continued as he stepped forward, his childish grin curling on his lips once more as he faced the crimson-haired sisters. "Due to Adam's death, YoRHa fears that retaliation from Eve is inevitable and that we need to find him as soon as possible. I will be sent out on a scouting mission and we hoped you two would be able to lend me some assistance."
Devola and Popola were briefly stunned into silence, the solitary twins gripping each other's hands tightly, the redheaded sisters looking over to Leah and A2 for guidance. The human girl gave them a reassuring smile and a quick thumbs-up, while A2 merely gave them a slow nod, the slight smirk on her lips telling them more than any words ever could.
"We will do what we can."
Going over the last couple of details of the missions, 2B and 9S briefing their respective partners on what to expect, the group prepared to gear up before heading out. Leah grabbed her trusty katana, refilling her emergency first-aid kit that she kept on her hip at all times as Devola and Popola procuring some serrated swords, the trio smiling brightly at each other before meeting up with the rest of the group at the camp's entrance. Stepping out into the open, a cool wind passing over their heads, the two groups bid each other a quick farewell, Leah giving each of them a respective hug, before heading their separate ways.
"This didn't use to be here."
After traversing the crumbling overpass that connected the downtown sector to the abandoned factory located at the edge of the city, the vast ocean having reclaimed the land a long time ago, the trio of women finally stood before the sprawling building of metal and ancient machinery. Hopping off of the edge of a collapsed portion of the overpass, A2 holding her arm out to steady the human girl as she made a rather graceless landing, Leah shooting her girlfriend a quick, thankful smile before staring up at the immense building looming overhead in awe.
"It must have been built while I was asleep. Did the machines make this?" Leah mused as the trio began climbing up a set of winding stairs, thankfully still intact after all these years, the centuries of accumulated rust and dirt kicking up small dust clouds with each one of their heavy footfalls, the sound reverberating softly off of the ancient walls. Stepping out onto the main platform, the salty sea air began roughly tousling their hair, A2 grumbling in annoyance as her long strands were whipped about in a messy frenzy, momentarily obscuring her vision in a snowy field of silver.
Holding her hand over her mouth to try and stifle her rampant giggling, the sight of A2 trying to reign in the rebellious strands of hair bringing a light and airy feeling to the human girl's breast, emerald eyes dancing with delight at the adorable sight of her girlfriends stern glare. Moments like these, with A2 beautifully framed by the crystalline expanse of the ocean, made the human girl fall ever deeper in love with this gorgeous android.
Rushing over to the quietly seething androids side, A2 blinking slightly in surprise as Leah gently tucked the silver tresses behind the former YoRHa soldier's ears, the intimate touch causing the androids breath to momentarily hitch in her throat. Leaning up slightly, Leah claimed the combat androids lips in a chaste kiss, radiating nothing but love and adoration for the silver-haired woman, before pulling back with a soft smile.
"C'mon. The entrance is up this way." Shaking her head slightly at the brief, loving interaction between the two, 2B gestured up a nearby set of stairs, an imposing building rising several feet into the air. Making their way up the last set of stairs, the crashing waves and groaning metal accompanying their ascent, Leah's eyes lighting it up as soon as she caught sight of a familiar machine lifeform waiting patiently for them before the main entrance.
"Pascal!"
Bounding up the last couple of steps, Leah immediately threw herself into the taller machine's metallic body, her arms wrapping tightly around his wide torso. Caught off guard by the human girl's sudden appearance, as well as her foreign show of affection, Pascal was left momentarily dumbfounded, arms raised comically in the air, unsure what he should do in this situation. Deciding to take a cue from the many books he has read ever since disconnecting from the network, Pascal lightly tapped the time-traveling human on the back, the awkward gesture bringing out a delighted giggle from the brown-haired girl, Leah pulling back slightly to smile up at the village leader.
"How are the children?" Leah asked with a bright grin, her emerald eyes dancing with delight as she remembered the playful little(and not so little) machines of Pascal's village, their short time together a rare moment where the human girl was able to just have fun and play. She hoped to be able to do it again real soon.
"They are all doing well." The village leader responded, an upbeat tic in his synthesized voice as he spoke of his young charges, his green eyes flashing with joy at getting to speak about the ones he cherished so dearly. "They have been asking about you constantly, which is very impressive for their rather short attention span. I hope you all will be able to come visit them again sometime soon."
2B watched the unfolding scene with a rather perplexed expression, the sight of Leah conversing so freely with the pacifist machine one of the many strange happenings the battle model had witnessed today, the short-haired android turning to A2 with a quizzical stare. A2 simply waved her off with a dismissive shrug of her shoulders, the former YoRHa soldier clearly disinterested in clueing her combat brethren in on just how they came to know the peaceful village leader.
"I do believe it would be best if we proceeded with our mission." Forcefully interjecting herself into the pair's conversation, 2B's stern voice caused Leah bashfully avert her gaze, ashamed at having gotten so caught up in seeing Pascal again that she completely forgot they were on a mission. Laughing at the human girl's expense, her voice light and airy with amusement, A2 quietly sidled up to her girlfriend's side, the combat android's laughter only increasing when Leah elbowed the taller android's ribs in annoyance.
"Yes, I do apologize for the distraction." Apologizing with immense sincerity, Pascal immediately switched to a more professional demeanor, the machine lifeform demurely crossing his hands over his chest.
"The machines here have recently disconnected from the network and formed their own colony within the factory. They contacted my village in hopes of forming a possible peace treaty and perhaps even an alliance. It was…strange."
"Despite their seemingly sincere request," 2B continued, her professional tone of voice present once again as she spoke, "YoRHa is still suspicious of a possible trap so we are to proceed with caution and always be ready to fight if necessary. I have previous knowledge of the factory's interior layout so, if anything goes wrong, I'll be able to help guide us out safely."
Nodding in understanding, Leah gripped the handle of her sword on her hip tightly, the imposing size of the factory bearing down even heavier upon her, a strange foreboding feeling overcoming her as she stared at its weathered exterior. There was something…off…about this place.
"Let us proceed," walking over to the main entrance, the heavy metallic doors sliding open with an audible clang, Pascal kindly gestured for his companions to enter its darkened interior, "shall we?
Taking a couple of tentative steps into the dimly lit entrance, Leah felt her breath hitch in her throat at the sight of several stubby machines lined up in two rows, a single safety light illuminating their bodies painted in a vibrant violet. A single robot stood at the end of the room, dressed in strange, religious regalia, his glowing yellow eyes piercing through the darkness, like a predator spotting its prey.
"You enter the domain of god!" Its voice boomed loudly through the metallic chamber, a wave of fearful dead flowed through Leah's body like ice as their lifeless stares zeroed in on the newly arrived outsiders. This was wrong. Very, very wrong. She had seen things like this before and they never ended well and often even in death.
This was like a human cult.
As the group slowly approached what appeared to be the head of the machines, Pascal and 2B staunchly leading the way, Leah could feel a shiver of fear roll down her spine as several robotic eyes followed their every movement with disturbing intensity. Leah didn't like how she couldn't tell what they were thinking, their glassy stare devoid of any emotion, their faces an unreadable blank slate. A machine still connected to the network was predictable, if not considered downright dumb, their programming to destroy any threat making it easy to discern its motives and how to deal with them at any given moment.
But here? With their thoughts and minds free to develop their own rules, their own 'emotions', Leah was scarce to wonder just what kind of horrors they will find within the depths of the facility. She could only pray they would all make it out alive.
"Down this corridor, if you would." Stiffly pointing behind himself, his droning voice causing the human girl to wince, the complete lack of emotion putting her on edge, the robot dressed in robes began slowly ambling its way toward a nearby door, the mechanism opening with an ominous hiss. As he made his way down the empty corridor, his metallic footsteps clanging loudly in the vast, looming chamber, all they could do was follow him, the group wearily keeping an eye out for any possible traps or ambushes.
Walking through the darkened corridor, tall, wire fences surrounding them at either side, Leah felt dread pool uncomfortably in her stomach as her eyes darted nervously between their guide and the rising shadows enveloping every inch of the factory. The old machinery was oddly silent, the occasional creak and groan of tired and worn metal echoing distantly throughout the facility, only heightening the human girl's sense of foreboding.
Just what exactly was going on here?
Stopping before a set of large metal doors, the robed machine gesturing for them to enter as he fell silent, his yellow eyes watching them intently as they slowly entered the waiting elevator. As the twin doors slid shut and the elevator made its descent into the waiting unknown, the last image Leah saw was of two yellow orbs staring at her from the creeping darkness.
"We have to be careful." Turning to face the human girl as she spoke, Leah's voice sharp and desperate with a dark underlying of fear lacing every word, her emerald eyes were alight with anxious dread as she stared at her assembled companions. "Something doesn't feel right about all this. About them."
All they could do was nod in agreement with what the brown-haired girl was saying, Leah's words only confirming their own suspicions about this place and the machines that inhabit it. There was a constant underlying feeling of unease that exuded from this place, a sort of malevolent aura they couldn't quite explain, the machine's odd behavior and cryptic words only heightening that sense of oncoming conflict.
Stepping a little closer to the human girl's side, her forearm gently brushing against hers, A2 softly grabbed a hold of Leah's hand, interlocking their fingers in a silent gesture of protective comfort. Smiling gratefully up at her girlfriend, Leah gently rested her weight against the former YoRHa soldier's side, taking comfort from the loving warmth emanating from her body as she intently stared at the large metal doors, knowing that once they opened, their nightmare was sure to continue.
Sadly, Leah's feeling was proven correct when the metal doors inevitably swung open to reveal a room bathed in fire. Crudely constructed torches hung on the pillars running along the central walkway of the chamber, the flames casting dark shadows across the assembled machines, each one carrying a lit torch of their own.
"That door leads to the sanctum of His Grace." Stepping out of the elevator, a torch-wielding robot greeted them as he gestured to the pair of doors at the other end of the room, his glassy stare following them as they cautiously made their way toward them. Passing by the other machines occupying the room, the heat from their torches washing uncomfortably over the human girl's skin, they each began ranting and raving about their god and how they had found new meaning in their life, their words rattling uncomfortably in Leah's head.
They were speaking fervently of an entity they could not see or, Leah assumed, even comprehend. And yet, they proclaimed their undying devotion to it, claiming God saved their life and that His Grace, their so-called leader, would lead them to a greater existence. If God existed, if he cared at all about the world and his creations, Leah did not know or care. The time-traveling girl only trusted what she could see. And all she could see now was insanity.
Passing through the massive metal doors, the religious followers' insane rambling falling away immediately as they fell into reverent silence, Leah and her group entered the inner sanctum of this unorthodox cult. A tall, makeshift throne dominated the center of the room, a large group of fanatic followers encircling the approaching group, their torches casting an ominous halo upon the machine sitting atop the heightened pedestal. Their leader, His Grace, was now before them.
"Um, hello. My name is Pascal." Pascal greeted their supposed leader with a tentative and shaky voice, nervousness clear in his synthesized words as he approached the raised throne. "I'm here to discuss the…peace treaty?"
A tense silence followed the village leader's hesitant declaration, the crackling of flames the only sound to be heard as the assembled group awaited His Grace's reply with bated breaths, Leah's worried gaze flickering between the large following of machines slowly encroaching upon them. Perking up slightly at the sound of soft creaking, Leah's emerald gaze grew wide with horror when the cult leader's body lightly tipped forward, his rotund head coming loose and bouncing noisily to the ground below.
Shocked silence descended upon the room, 2B letting out a small gasp of shock as the machine's decapitated head slowly rolled to a stop at her feet, its lifeless stare pointed directly at them, the light forever dimmed in its glassy eyes. The group could only gawk at the spherical head in mute disbelief, Leah gently clinging to A2's hand as she turned to glance at the assembled mass of machines, wondering just what their reaction will be to finding their leader dead.
"His wondrous Grace has become a god!" A triumphant cry rang out through the crowd of machines, from where, Leah couldn't tell, the overwhelming shadows cast from the burning flames shrouding many of the robots in shadow, her emerald eyes widening in panic as a multitude of crimson flashes briefly illuminated the darkness.
"His Grace is a god!" Raising their hands into the air in a collective chant, robotic voices crackling as they elongated the word 'god', the fanatic machines began marching around the room in synchronized step, their once yellow eyes burning a ferocious crimson.
"We as well shall become as god!" Instinctively placing each other back to back, weapons drawn at the ready, Leah and A2 watched the unfolding scene with rising tension in their chests as the machines obsessive chanting reached a fever pitch. Circling ever closer to the quartet's position, torches being raised up and down in a mad dance, A2 tightened her grip on her sword when she noticed two machines force the metallic doors they had entered through closed.
"We'll all die together and become as gods!"
Coming to an abrupt stop, arms raised high into the air, all of the machines pivoted to face the group that had entered their domain, crimson eyes shining with hidden malice and ill-intent, their final words hanging ominously in the air as everything fell silent. Gritting her teeth, Leah forced the fear resting in her chest down as she prepared for battle, the human girl slowly lowering herself into a battle stance, the flickering flames dancing threateningly off of her blade.
In a split second, the deafening silence permeating the room was swiftly broken, replaced only with the horrid sounds of violence as the machines attacked the group with a deafening cry. Meeting them head on, the duo of androids quickly drew the machine's attention to themselves, rushing into the opposite direction of each other to help draw the horde's attention away from the brown-haired girl and the pacifist robot.
Cries of anger and fanatical dogma echoed throughout the chamber as the zealous machines clashed with the silver-haired androids, Leah sticking close to Pascal's side, the human girl eliminating any straggling robot that came their way. The deafening sounds of violence grew ever louder as the battle raged on, explosions and damning cries of false salvation bouncing off the metallic walls in a horrific cacophony of death.
"Pascal! Find a way out of here!" Turning to her robotic friend as she pushed a lifeless corpse off of her blade, Leah ushering her pacifistic friend away, his large, green eyes somehow calling out to her in fear as he timidly covered his head with his hands. "I'm going to go help them! Can you do that for us?"
Nodding after a brief pause, Pascal quickly fled to the other end of the room, using the space afforded to him by the short-haired android to pass by safely, Leah quickly turning on her heel before diving into the fray with a thunderous cry. Ducking and diving under their wild swings, the sound of her sword splitting the air roaring in her ears as she cleaved their heads in half and dismembered their limbs with brutal efficiency, emerald eyes darting back in forth at a rapid pace, A2's countless lessons all running through her mind at once.
Swiveling her head to the right, Leah ground to a sudden halt, the human girl pivoting her body slightly to the side to allow A2 an unobstructed path as she came rushing past her, greatsword swung over her shoulder as she came down upon a hapless machine with a mighty swing.
"We have to get out of here!" A2 cried over the din of noise as she cleaved another machine in half with her greatsword, the combat android instinctively kicking behind her to push back one of the enemies trying to sneak up on her, Leah piercing its head from behind as it stumbled into the range of her sword.
"This way!" Swiveling their heads around, trying to find out where 2B's voice had come from, the duo quickly spotted their silver-haired friend at the other end of the room, the YoRHa soldier waving them over as she eliminated another enemy, Virtuous Contract slicing it cleanly to pieces as Pascal fearfully watched from within a nearby elevator.
Rushing to A2's side, Leah forcefully shoulder-checking one of the zealots out of the way, wincing slightly as pain shot through her arm from its sturdy housing, the pair quickly made their way to their friend's side, dancing and weaving past flailing, robotic limbs before entering the safety of the elevator cabin. Quickly eliminating the machines she was preoccupied with, 2B quickly jumped into the waiting elevator as A2 mashed the close button, the ancient device creaking to life as it made its ascent.
"Everyone follow after me, ok?!" 2B spoke after a brief pause, her voice stern and professional as she regarded her partners, her tone leaving no room for argument, one she wasn't going to get from any of them. "I've been here before. I can get us out."
Nodding dutifully, even A2 decided to forgo any sarcastic or angry quip, the situation they were in much too dire for her to take it lightly. Leah's, her friends, safety was much too important right now. She wasn't going to allow any harm to befall any of them, not as long as she still lived and breathed. It wasn't going to happen again.
A2 was not going to lose anyone precious to her ever again!
Passing through the opened doors, 2B quickly took point as she led the trio through winding corridors and past ancient machinery, the YoRHa soldier eliminating any and all obstacles in their path with ruthless efficiency, the short-haired android taking her role as leader deadly serious. It was her fault they were here to begin with, her fault they were put in danger. She was going to make it right by making sure they got out of there alive.
Taking up the rear, A2 made sure none of the fanatic machines could get close to the pair of Leah and Pascal, the human girl tasked with protecting the pacifistic machine should anyone manage to get past either of the combat androids. Flying down a precarious set of stairs, the group pressed onward, the sounds of battle echoing all around them as they found themselves within a large, practically cavernous section of the factory, the sound of active machinery thumping rhythmically in their ears.
Leah stuck close to Pascal's side as they dashed down a long conveyor line, the deafening thump of machinery crashing down behind them as it crushed a hapless machine who hadn't been paying attention into flattened scrap, the human girl grunting with exertion as the muscles in her legs began to burn painfully. But, Leah kept going, the brown-haired girl gripping the handle of an ax-wielding machine tightly, stopping it mere inches before it could make contact with the village leader's body.
'I won't let them hurt Pascal!' Leah mentally screamed, her whole body feeling like it was on fire as she twisted her upper body and forcefully threw the robot over the side and into the gaping abyss, its cries slowly fading away as it hurtled to the distant ground below. Flailing slightly, the effort it took to throw the robot off of the moving platform briefly knocking her off balance, Leah felt a gentle, metallic hand upon her back, allowing her to regain her balance.
"Thank you, Pascal." Smiling up at her towering friend, Leah gently pet the village leader on the chest in thanks, Pascal merely nodding his head in response as they quickly continued onward, the looming threat of the religious machines not allowing them a moment to rest. Not until they've gotten out of this place.
Passing through room after room, ascending seemingly countless steps as they climbed ever higher around towering silos, the fleeing group finally managed to arrive at a familiar chamber, the doors leading to freedom lying just at the other end. Stepping into the dimly lit chamber, Leah's eyes widened as she caught sight of the multitude of machines lying within, covering their heads in their hands as they huddled together in fear.
"What has happened to our brothers and sisters?" Slowly approaching one of the cowering machines, their yellow eyes fearfully watching the human girl approach, their metallic bodies shivering in fright as a thundering clang rang out from behind the door they had entered from. "I don't want to die!"
"They're afraid." Leah whispered softly as she tentatively reached out toward one of the machines, only for him to pull away in fear, small, terrified whimpers echoing from its metallic innards as he tried to push himself farther into the unforgiving wall behind him. The pounding on the door grew louder and more desperate as more of the crazed machines tried to bust it open, the shrieks and cries of promised salvation ringing dully within the metallic confines of the chamber, promising for it to become their tomb.
"We have to get them out of here." Leah turned to face her companions with a pleading look on her face, emerald orbs alight with resolute fire as she looked back at the cowering machines, their yellow eyes watching her curiously as she spoke. Nodding their heads in agreement, 2B shooting her a small smile as A2 lightly shook her head at her girlfriend's compassionate heart, the former YoRHa soldier couldn't help but smirk at Leah's determination to help others, even ones so different from her.
It was one of the many things she came to love about the human girl.
"Everyone, please, follow me. We are here to help." Stepping forward, his voice gentle and calm as he reached out to his robotic brethren, Pascal tried to soothe their worries with his kind and peaceful tone, one that had garnered him many devoted followers and friends. "We are here to save you."
A resounding screech of metal being torn asunder rung painfully in Leah's ear as the crazed machines finally managed to burst their way through the doors, the religious robots pulling and crawling their way through the opening like insects, spherical heads rolling about in erratic motions as crimson eyes sought out their next victims. Rushing in without a second thought, blades poised to strike, A2 and 2B began eliminating any and all machines that managed to make their way through the opening, prepared to hold them at bay for as long as was necessary.
"Everyone hurry!" Pulling out her sword, Leah stood protectively before the village leader, putting herself between the fleeing machines and the rampaging fanatics currently embroiled in a heated battle with the combat model androids, ready to act as the last line of defense if any of them should get past A2 and 2B.
As Pascal ushered the terrified machines out of the main entrance, Leah kept a vigilant eye out for any possible signs of threats toward the fleeing group, her emerald orbs darting back and forth between A2 and 2B, a jolt of dread running down her spine when she noticed one of the crazed machines, wielding a crude ax, managing to slip past the preoccupied androids. Following its line of sight, Leah's eyes widened in shock when she saw it was heading toward one of the terrified machines, its arms held protectively in front of itself as it fearfully begged for its life.
Leah felt her body moving before she even had a chance to think, the human girl pumping her arms wildly as she dashed as fast as she could to try and intercept the advancing zealot, pushing her body for all it was worth. She couldn't let anything happen to it. It was innocent, afraid, the only thing it wanted was to live. No one should have that taken from them! Not for some misplaced belief! Not for some supposed god!
She wasn't going to let him die!
Sliding in front of the cowering robot a split second before the raging machine could reach it, sword held protectively in front of herself, Leah's blade intercepted the zealots violent attack with a resounding clang, the brown-haired human's legs buckling slightly under the force of the strike. Wincing slightly in pain, Leah lowered her gaze to her arm to where the machine's ax managed to make a shallow incision into her skin, the telltale signs of blood beginning to run down her arm.
Pushing the crazed machine away with a strained grunt, the blade of the ax tearing painfully at her flesh, Leah used its backward momentum, leaving it briefly off-balance, to readjust the grip on her sword and swing down on it elbow joint, cleanly severing the arm from its body. Sticking her blade into its stomach, Leah wrenched the ax from the machine's weakened grip, swinging the oversized weapon in a deadly overhead arc before embedding it firmly into the crazed robot's head.
Pulling her blade from its stomach, the machine's body falling lifelessly to the floor, the human girl did not spare it a second thought as she quickly turned to check on the fearful robot behind her, reaching out to it with a soft and caring glow in her emerald gaze. Lifting its arm tentatively, its eyes briefly following the trail of blood running down her arm, the machine softly placed its hand in hers, Leah giving it a reassuring smile before leading it toward the exit.
"Leah! You're-" Shaking her head softly at the worried village leader, gesturing to the robot at her side, Leah gently gestured for it to go ahead, the machine briefly looking over its shoulder at her before rushing to safety. Noticing that they were the last ones left, Leah called out to the battling androids before heading out of the exit, the rapid clacking of A2 and 2B's heels upon the metallic floor behind her letting the brown-haired girl know they were following close behind.
Stepping out into the gleaming sunlight, Leah was thankful for the first time to see its ever-present shine, her eyes burning slightly as they tried to adjust to the sudden brightness. Looking back at the main entrance, the human girl was relieved to find that the religious machines refused to chase after them, choosing to remain within the abandoned factory, the sounds of their dying wails echoing from deep within its walls, their crazed violence now turned on each other as they brought upon their salvation at their own hands.
Swiveling her head back and forth, Leah checked to make sure that everyone got out safe, a sigh of relief passing her lips as she spotted all of the machines that managed to escape, all of them currently surrounding Pascal as they profusely offered their thanks to the peaceful village leader.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Jumping in fright, caught off guard by the sudden robotic shout coming from next to her, Leah turned her head to face the machine she had saved from the crazed zealot, the robot waving its arms emphatically in the air before pulling her into a rough hug. "You saved me."
"I'm just glad you're ok." Smiling softly at him, Leah gently extracted herself from its embrace, patting it a couple times atop the head before gesturing for him to join his brethren. Nodding rapidly, a couple more 'thank you's passing its non-existent lips before it rushed off to meet up with his fellow survivors, all of them turning to regard Pascal with wide, attentive gazes as he offered all of them a place to live in his village.
"You're hurt." Wincing slightly, guilt pooling painfully in her stomach, Leah slowly turned to face her silver-haired lover, A2's steel-blue eyes alight with worry as she gently placed her hand upon the human girl's injured arm.
"I'm fine, A2. I'm ok." Leah whispered softly, her emerald gaze following the combat androids fingers as they lightly traced the wound on her arm, blood staining her black fingers a sickly red, a small hiss of pain passing her lips at A2's touch. She hated this, seeing Leah hurt. How often will she have to witness it? How many scars must she carry with her before life has had enough of her suffering?
"I did it." Lifting her gaze away from the brown-haired girl's wound, blue meeting green, A2 was surprised to find Leah smiling, a bright and joyful smile, the faintest hint of tears pooling in the corner of her eyes. "I managed to fight alongside you all."
"I wasn't a burden."
Briefly stunned by the time-traveling girl's words, mouth hanging open in shock, a small smile began curling on the corner of A2's lips as she softly shook her head, unable to comprehend how someone like Leah could exist in this world. Letting go of the human girl's arm, A2 briefly fished around in the emergency pack Leah kept at her hip, pulling out a roll of bandages that she immediately began applying gently to the brown-haired human's wound, her smile never leaving her lips as she went about dressing her injury.
She was extremely proud of Leah.
"Leah?!" Popola's loud cry caused Leah to wince, not in pain but in fear as the straight-haired twin swiftly rushed to her side, her green gaze immediately catching the bandage wrapped around her upper arm, the familiar crimson liquid staining the formerly white wrapping a dark red. "You got hurt! Again! You have to start being more careful!"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Giggling softly at Popola's doting attitude, the straight-haired twin shot the human girl an unimpressed frown before leading her over to the nearby medical area, Leah's laughter only growing louder at the redheaded androids annoyed grousing. A2 simply watched them leave, an unreadable expression set on her features as she kept her steel-blue gaze locked on her brown-haired girlfriend, doubt and uncertainty shining behind their cloudy depths.
After seeing off Pascal and his newly joined flock of machines, the trio had made their way back to camp, their trip remaining mostly uneventful, the roving band of machines choosing to remain docile, letting them pass without a fuss. As Popola redressed Leah's wound, purposefully forgoing any anesthesia to hopefully teach the brown-haired girl a lesson, the two groups debriefed each other on their findings, 9S and the twins finding themselves just as unsuccessful in their mission as they failed to find any trace of Eve's whereabouts.
Wrapping a fresh bandage securely over the newly stitched wound, Popola pulled the human girl into a fierce hug, whispering threateningly in Leah's ear to never let it happen again. Leah merely promised that she would try, giggling softly as she pulled the taller girl close, joking that having to deal with all that pain wasn't fun for her either.
Pulling out of the hug with an exaggerated stretch, the bones in her back cracking pleasantly as she let out a satisfied groan, Leah decided to call it a night, bidding the twins and YoRHa soldiers goodnight, giving them all a quick hug before retreating to her room, her emerald gaze briefly finding A2's, silently calling out to her before closing the door behind herself.
Pulling off her sweat-soaked tank top, a small shiver running down her spine as the cool air chilled her skin covered only in a black sports bra, Leah's ears perked up as the door creaked open behind her, followed by the rhythmic clacking of A2's heels as she entered their shared room. Turning to face her girlfriend with a bright grin, the smile on her face slowly fell when she looked into the combat androids eyes, a haze of conflicting emotion swirling beneath A2's steel-blue gaze.
"A2?" Calling out to her silver-haired love, concern evident in her voice, Leah stared at the silent android in concern, emerald orbs searching A2's for answers. A2 simply remained silent, the combat android slowly moving toward the worried girl, her eyes never straying from Leah's as she came to stand before the shorter human.
Leah was about to ask her what was wrong when she was abruptly pulled into A2's embrace, her body placed flush against the androids body, the former YoRHa soldier's lips crashing into hers in a desperate kiss. Love, pain, and longing washed over Leah in waves as her eyes slid closed, pulled into A2 like a crashing wave of passion, the combat android gripping her hips tight, fingers digging fiercely into her flesh. Wanting, craving, needing.
"Whu-" Pulling back with a shocked gasp, Leah's vision swimming momentarily from the intensity of the kiss, goosebumps ran across her skin as A2 gently traced the curve of her hip with her fingers, shallow breaths passing her lips as she looked up into the passion-filled gaze of the Type-A model. "What brought this on?"
Leaning in close, warm breath washing over the sensitive skin of Leah's neck, the brown-haired girl biting her lip tightly to try and stifle a breathless moan, A2 gently whispered into her ear, her voice full of love and longing.
"I want to give everything to you."
A/N: Reject God.
So, so sorry for the long delay between chapters. February was a hectic month for me and writer's block hit me something fierce. But, everything is back on track and I hope this doesn't happen again. This story is not dead and will not be until it is done!
In this chapter we get to see more of the advancements Leah has made, both physically and in her combat prowess, finally managing to stand proudly at the android's side. A very action-filled chapter, we also get further development in A2 and Leah's relationship, A2 finally ready to take the next step which will come to a head in the next chapter.
Next chapter: Intertwined.
Thank you all for sticking with me through all this and for all of your support. It means so much to me and I will do my best to give you the best story possible! Have a wonderful day, stay safe, and I love you!