The Quinx of Change
Summary: Under the advice of Haise, Hide and the rest of the Quinx Squad are to dress up as ghouls, including getting some masks. As with many fights alongside ghouls, Hide is haunted by his previous memories of losing control, and the voice of Amber coercing him into acting irrationally. This is made even more complicated when he notices a familiar face.
If there was ever a person who desired to learn more for malicious ways, it was Akihiro Kanou. He was among the smartest individuals in terms of anatomy between humans and ghouls.
His first successful experiment had gone way beyond what he had expected, but that is usually the case with experiments. You discover new things you didn't think were possible.
For quite some time, however, he had been trying to replicate his success. While it may have been assumed to one that it would be easy to just replicate the experiment to ensure success.
If only it were that simple. In actual reality, everyone was different, and the smallest differences could make the biggest. Some experiments that worked for one individual would be detrimental to the other.
It was even more surprising to the Kanou that the CCG had managed to perfectly create hybrids with almost no effects. Members of the Quinx Squad, all had ghoul weapons in them, but were still human. Able to eat normal food, able to pass as the perfect weapon. The CCG ironically had more success than Kanou.
It made him despise them. They were excelling while Kanou was struggling. In around sixty free experiments, only one was successful. Seidou Takizawa, his perfect Kaneki replicate. His second successful experiment. The other remaining died, with the exception of one "floppy."
Koutaru Amon, among the 0.01% of humans who were almost superhuman in their properties. Kanou had thought he would have been the perfect candidate for this surgery. But it seems that it wasn't the case. Whereas the rest died, Amon's rc count rose to exponential levels not previously seen in normal ghouls.
As a result, Amon was declared a floppy for his inability to control his rc levels. As of recently, however someone had broken into the Aogiri base and destroyed the seal containing Amon, fighting the ghouls who were holding him.
It seemed to have been some sort of ghoul, as described, but wasn't entirely confident, as a blow to their heads respectively blocked out their short term memories.
Kanou was struggling, and thus needed to gather one of the Quinx, to see the anatomy, to better increase the success rate of his surgery. Kanou was sure the CCG had found the perfect way to properly convert humans into artificial one eyed ghouls.
Thus, the scientist/doctor began his studies and work, trying to find information regarding these Quinx. The perfect weapons to fight against ghouls, was the insert the very being in a human. It was quite the conundrum.
From this, Kanou, with a perfect experimental body could see their anatomy, before deciphering the success. Ensuring it to work, allowing him to create his specimens.
Through all of this, Kanou had spent most of his time researching more, and for the longest time was unable to reason the absolute cause of death for many failed ones.
Most died from the sudden influx of rc, others from the incompatible kakuhou, blood types and everything else. While finding the right compatibility's were difficult, it was ethical.
Thankfully, Kanou had a useful organization who supported his studies. Even if they didn't, they recognized him as an enemy of the CCG, and thus allied with him naturally. Through multiple requests he had managed a safe area to continue his work, with the two twins in particular being of great use.
Still he was missing something, and had to find it. The Quinx would be that key. He just needed a body. Dead or alive.
Maybe alive would be better, to not only see the how the body functions with the object, but to also maybe get a mileage and advantage over the CCG. Thus, when the talk through many about these Quinx began to stir momentum, and become more known within the groups of ghouls.
They even had their own unusual smell that made them stick out, similar to that of other one eyed ghouls.
Whilst the ghouls on their own feared the weapons of the doves, they at least took solace in the fact that they could be handles within groups. Of course, it only further complicated matters.
But whilst for other ghouls, while it may have been an odd predicament, a new threat to watch out for, for Kanou he saw an opportunity, to improve his work, and thus his experiments.
The improvements his surgery could go through with this information, how the CCG was able to successfully implant kakuhou's in humans without much consequences, it truly was remarkable. But for the doves out of all the people to successfully do this was something else.
Through all of these experimental surgeries, he knew he would be taking a risk for experimentation, but for him to be this free for this long, it was impressive but also not impressive.
Kanou merely walked around the building, spotting the numerous dead bodies, which mostly have dissipated.
Then there was the evidence of a breach. That dead ghoul. It clearly was killed relatively sooner than the others due to the fact that it's body was somehow still in tact, compared to the rest.
As Kanou looked at the deceased ghoul, he sighed, considering discerning the body. He eventually declined determining that the ghoul was dead for too long to be useful.
But while Kanou was excited at the possibilities of what he could do with this new experiment, there was one relatively big thing he needed.
In order for Kanou to continue with his surgery experimentations, he needed body, dead or alive, to make it happen. Without that body he had no blueprint to work with. It was just obvious at this point.
"Is there anything you need?" One nearby ghoul began to ask, realizing the somewhat grim tone Kanou had. Kanou looked up to the ghoul, her name was Nashiro. One of the ghouls he had successfully converted into a one eyed ghoul.
"Yes. You are aware of the Quinx Squad, right?" Kanou asked and Nashiro smirked.
"The doves' human weapons? Yes, why father?" Nashiro asked, clearly interested in what he wanted.
"Fetch me one of them, dead or alive, it doesn't matter." Kanou merely stated, before walking off, expecting his experiment to deliver what he desired.
He merely continued his trek, shaking his head in thought.
However, there was another complication regarding Aogiri Tree's opinion on Quinx.
After receiving an offer from Kanae, to eliminate the Quinx, they were now at a predicament.
"The answer is simple. We will get capture the Quinx for our own uses." Kanou stated, not wanting to argue with Kanae, who while was upset, at least thought that if they were out the way, then they'd reach their goals much easier.
As a result, the members of Aogiri Tree began to prepare for the upcoming battle.
…
Hide was unsure at the moment why the rest of the Quinx Squad was going towards the mask shop, where Uta worked.
At first he thought it was to get their masks that they ordered, but to his surprise, ordered all of the members to join them.
Under many different circumstances, Hide was unsure what Kaneki wanted with the rest of the squad and this shop. Hide himself had only gotten in twice. The first was as a new route, whilst the second was the check up on the progress of his mask.
Uta was an interesting character, both figuratively and literally. His obvious appearance raised such eyebrows. His piercings and tattoos while different from the rest, weren't illegal or anything.
Hide had also seen the ghoul occasionally alongside Touka, Yomo, Nishiki and more.
Eventually, the members of the Quinx Squad found themselves at the entrance of the shop.
"I should warn you all, except for Hideyoshi, the owner of this shop is a bit weird. Despite this his masks are custom made, so you have a lot of choices, got it?" Haise stated, as a sort of warning to the rest.
Hide nodded, he had already been in the shop, and therefore knew of Uta. "It'll be fine, just don't get taken away from his appearance." Hide mentioned, and the rest of the Squad turned to him in surprise.
"What you met this person?" Saiko asked.
Hide nodded, "Yeah, I was visiting and found this place. So he knows me. Don't worry."
They merely understood what they were getting at.
Of course it was easier said than done.
When the owner of the shop was present to the whole Quinx Squad, everyone except Haise and Hide looked at the strange individual in shock.
"What the…" Urie called out clearly taken aback at his appearance.
"He's clearly a ghoul." Urie though straight away, also with the weird smell he was emanating.
"Uh…" Saiko mumbled clearly taken aback as well, though she was more interested than surprised.
Mutsuki was clearly in shock, his mouth dropped quite a bit, as he was quiet.
Shirazu was no different.
Hide laughed, "I told you all not to get taken back!" He commented laughing afterwards.
"Well." Uta stated after watching the squad, clearly interested in Mutsuki, but holding himself back. ""I'm Uta, and the owner of this shop. Are these your men?" He asked to Haise.
"Yeah." Haise nodded, and Uta looked at them, with the exception of Hide.
"It's good to see you again Hide." Uta said after giving Hide a nod of confirmation.
"Good to see you again." Hide replied.
"There you are lying again." Uta commented which made Hide a bit confused. Unaware of the others looking at him, questioning how he knows this person.
"What's with your eyes?" Saiko asked.
"Tattoos." Was all Uta stated before patting the chair. "One by one, I'll check your measurements, ask what you like, and what mask you would like."
They nodded in understanding, though confused, "Why are we getting masks?" Saiko asked.
Haise merely replied, "I'm having masks made for all of you. We're going to become ghouls."
They looked at Haise in shock.
Before Uta decided to measure Shirazu's measurements, he gave Hide a half crow mask, with a unique red colour. "Oh I didn't know you finished it today."
Uta shrugged, "Finished it yesterday actually. Was in the process of delivery when I was notified you would be returning so I left it here."
"I see." Hide commented before putting his mask on. His removable covers that could be opened and close to expose or hide the certain eye. In Hide's case, he would have to expose his right eye, where his kakugan was.
Hide merely watched as Uta took some questions from Shirazu, Urie, Haise and Mutsuki, among other things in terms of questions.
As the rest were getting their measurements, Haise and Hide watched them as Uta did his job. Under this, he managed to get it done with relatively ease. Despite Urie's suspicion, Hide decided to talk.
"He probably smells weird because of the piercings and tattoos." Hide commented to Urie, trying to diffuse the suspicion.
Hide decided to take a better look at his mask, the half crow mask clearly looked interesting. While it wasn't the typical crow mask, as half was deliberately missing, the eyes were still there and thus could be especially helpful with a hoodie.
Despite this, Hide felt a more interesting desire to the scarecrow outfit. He had carved that outfit well to match his kagune, where it would come out.
Once they got their masks, they decided to head back, they would get their masks after a bit delivered to them, made more easier thanks to the fact that they all lived together.
Once they went back, among the other things involved, they were informed of a video of a ghoul being tortured. Of course this caused some stir inside not just the Chateua, but the entire headquarters, with the debate being whether or not it was ethical, and then some claiming ghouls didn't deserve the ethical card like humans did.
Regardless, once they saw the video, Hide knew he was in for quite the debate later today.
"This is cruel…" Saiko commented, before going upstairs to her room to probably play some video games.
Hide merely watched most, like Mutsuki and Urie go their separate ways. Leaving him with Haise and Shirazu, who were debating the topic of the graphic video.
Haise was more on the moderate end, trying to discredit the use of violence, while Shirazu was more on the other side. Stating that the fact it was a ghoul who was being tortured made it fine.
"What do you mean?" Haise asked.
"I mean we kill ghouls so I don't see why this is wrong." Shirazu commented.
Hide sighed, perhaps Shirazu and him are more different than he thought.
He decided to go upstairs and sleep. Today was relatively busy and Hide just wanted to sleep. He didn't even get the chance to spar with Touka and Yomo.
While he was upset, he ultimately was glad at the end. Because he, alongside the rest of the Quinx Squad were called to something interesting.
While his sparring was fun, in the event of an actual battle he needed to be refuelled. As a result, he was feeling well beforehand. As for the mission, Hide hadn't learn too much, but was told to take his mask with him.
Hide would've liked if he had instead wore his scarecrow costume, but he digressed, perhaps he should keep that a secret in the worst case scenario.
"Hide, you go with Saiko and Mutsuki." Haise stated. Straight away Hide was unsure. He wanted to keep Kaneki on his sights, so to be away from him made him fear a bit.
"He's stronger than me, he'll be fine." Hide told himself, before heading out regardless, trying not to freak out.
"Alright." He said before he left, running towards the other two.
Hide, was currently equipped with Kura. Which he was a bit unsure of. Despite his practice in overall recreational fighting, his ability to fight with a quinque was unfortunately his weakest point. While he excelled defensively, it didn't matter unless he could attack back.
He watched as Mutsuki was fighting off a strange ghoul that looked oddly similar.
Shrugging his mind, he brought his quinque forward, ready to attack Torso from behind. , slashing his back, a nonfatal wound, but considering the fact that Torso hadn't even activated a kagune.
"Hideyoshi!" Mutsuki exclaimed somewhat glad he had interfered.
"Where's Saiko?" Hide asked looking around only to not see Saiko anywhere.
"I don't know, we got split up." Mutsuki exclaimed.
Hide mentally cursed, before his instincts, and by that his sixth sense began to kick in.
"Ghoul ready to pounce." Amber stated, causing Hjde to raise his quinque behind him to the new figure.
To his surprise, what Kura was met with was another quinque, which definitely was a surprise.
"A quinque? That's new." Hide commented, watching the ghoul in front of him.
"What do they call you?" Hide asked the ghoul.
"What kind of question is that? Just eat her Hide-kun!" Amber taunted, which caused Hide to flinch.
The ghoul opposing Hide merely looked at Hide in concern, "Are you okay? They call me the Grave Robber."
Hide merely raised his eyebrow, "doesn't matter Hide-kun, I'd just eat her!"
Hide shook his head, before the two merely charged each other with their respective quinques.
The two merely stared at each other, teeth clenching as they continued their stalemate, Mutsuki watching in the background.
Thanks to the multitude of training in strength and stamina when sparring with the others, Hide had thankfully managed to increase his overall muscle, allowing him to better handle his quinque, to move it around quicker and stronger.
Whereas the other times he would most definitely lose, now he was seeing his results kick in, while he still was struggling, he was improving, better able to handle himself against this grave monster.
"Come on Hide-kun eat her flesh instead!" Amber taunted, causing Hide's eyes to unexpectedly change, into a more insane tone.
Though it was hard to see thanks to his half crow mask, his right eye was exposed.
They eventually stood back, glaring at each other, eyes locked.
"Come on Hide-kun! Act now!" Amber taunted yet again, wanting Hide to fall under her arouse.
Hide managed to hold onto his sanity, as he charged the Grave Robber with Kura yet again. The two mainly clashes, strictly using their quinques as they continued their fight.
Hide seemed to have improved overall, as this ghoul seemed to be a perfect partner, the two equally matched, with Mutsuki failing in his attempt at striking his target.
Hide slashed upwards to his right, while the Grave Robber slash sideways, trying to decapitate Hide. This was a usual strategy, Hide thought, as the Grave Robber seemed to be inclined on inflicting as much damage as she could perform in a single strike, attempting to hit vital areas.
With Hide, his quinque excelled in defence which helped him in that matter, while the two seemed equal.
Eventually Hide hit his mark, a vertical slash on the ghoul's arm, the ghoul gasped in shock at the attack, as Hide dodged centimetres away from the opponents blade.
"I'm impressed." The ghoul merely stated before she unexpectedly activated her kagune, managing to strike an unsuspecting Hide across the chest, a slash.
"Kff!" Hide made the noise before he stepped back.
Hide wasn't done as he surrounded himself with fire quickly.
*Flame Body*
The flames subsequently made their way towards the Grave Robber, connecting through her sword. The Grave Robber quickly panicked once she felt the flames reach her arms as she quickly tried to get the flames off from hurting and burning her.
Hide took the opportunity to continue his offense, using Kura to strike the Grave Robber down. Unfortunately, she was prepared, and used the flames to Hide's own detriment, as her sword was now red, and hot.
Hide cursed, his plan did not work. He knew it was risky considering the enemy could use it to his advantage, but he was hoping it would help. It did seem like it did however, because the Grave Robber's overall sword strikes for the time being were slower, due to the burns on her arms that were healing.
Hide felt the burning blade strike him in the chest, and he hissed in pain.
"Hideyoshi!" Mutsuki exclaimed activating her own kagune.
The Grave Robber looked intrigued, "Well, we both are bikaku's, that's interesting, then let's see who's stronger!"
Hide could only watch as the two individuals began to fight each other, their kagune's colliding with each other as they fought with ferocity.
"Come on Hide-kun, stop denying the ghoul inside of you." Amber called out to Hide, as he grabbed his head in pain.
"Gah, I don't want to…" he mumbled, trying not to let his insanity, and subconsciousness take over.
"But your friend is in danger, if you don't act they will get hurt." Amber taunted. Hide sighed.
"Again your using fear to coerce me into activating it." Hide mentioned, only to hear Amber laugh at him.
"Well you know what they say, fear is the greatest motivator. If I had a gun to your head, you'd be doing it in a heartbeat." Amber stated.
"But you don't, your in my mind, trying to tell me to go free." Hide mumbled not wanting to argue.
"You see your friend?" Amber asked.
Hide looked up to see how Mutsuki was doing, not to gasp at his obvious struggle. While he was holding on, it wouldn't last longer.
"No…" he mumbled, "I won't let you use fear on me again."
"It's a shame, I knew you were weak." Amber then scoffed in disgust, which surprised Hide.
"What?" He asked not expecting this sudden shift.
"You heard what I said. You could be fighting her right now protecting your friend. Instead you're here watching it. It's because you think your weak as always." Amber taunted, trying a new tactic to manipulate Hide.
And it was working.
"I am not weak." Hide stated.
"What makes you think that? You failed to protect your friends, you failed to save that ghoul, and right now you are failing your friend in front of you. Your nothing but a failure, you are weak. So what if you can fight and spar, it means nothing if you let yourself hesitate." Amber monologues, as Hide listened on.
Hide again looked at Mutsuki, who was desperately panting, clearly looking like he was about to faint.
"I won't eat ghouls, you crazy sicko. I won't let you take control of me." Hide mumbled shaking and shivering.
"Who said I was trying to take control of you? I cannot take control of you, as this is your body. I am just a organ to your whole. A section of you. Even if the ghoul in you flourishes I will only be nothing but a voice in your head." Amber explained.
Hide's eyes widened, "What, do you mean by that?"
"Isn't it obvious? I lost my body, only my kakuhou remains, and my voice and mind in your subconscious. In the event that you embrace your ghoul, you will always be the one to control it. All I can do is convince you to move. Everything you do is all you." Amber explained, with Hide beginning to understand.
"Then why did I kill them?" Hide asked.
"Because you saw fit to, I encouraged you and you did. Face it you were bound to kill ghouls eventually. Like I said before now is the best time than eventually!" Amber exclaimed, and Hide looked at the Grave Monster in fury and confidence.
Hide looked on and spotted Mutsuki on the ground, panting for breathe, the Grave Robber about to land the finishing hit.
"Now." Hide said, feeling something in his shoulder blades moving, squirming I'm through his skin as they tried to escape. The Grave Robber turned her attention to Hide, locking eyes with his single kakugan eye, his only visible one. "Is the best time!" He yelled ferociously, as his kagune flared out.
Two orange wings sprouted out of Hide, twirling around as Hide stared at the Grave Robber, who in turn looked at Hide in mild shock, and a slight groan.
"A ukaku? Out of all the bloody things-" She never got to finish her statement as she found herself rattled by a barrage of projectiles, which she could only put her tail in the way to block some. But by then she had sustained some injuries. Hide was merciful to not put them with flames.
"I'm surprised you just now realized I was an ukaku, but yes." Hide confirmed as he struck out.
"Gah!" She exclaimed. "You're an annoying little punk!" She yelled in fury, attempting to slam her tail down at Hide.
The orange haired merely sidestepped, sprinting towards the ghoul with his speed, landing a back kick to the girl's face. The girl was relatively short, but not Saiko's level, so it was easy for Hide to hit her face.
Hide wasn't done yet, he followed quickly with a punch to her chest. He spotted the kagune tail attempting to strike Hide, but he tilted himself to the direction of the kagune, his right crystallized wing blocking the damage, as he left his left one slash the ghoul's torso, a laceration embedded across her rib cage.
The ghoul gasped in pain, stepping back and grabbing her chest in pain. "You bastard." She mumbled looking at Mutsuki's figure who was now tired. "I almost got one…"
He wasn't done. Using the flames, he struck the Grave Robber in an X fashion.
*X Flame*
The Grave robber hissed in pain as she felt the flames close to her skin. She was able to dodge, but felt the fire graze her, as being burnt was a feeling she did not want to feel, unless it burned her nerves first.
The Grave Robber clearly was pissed and Hide didn't care, his kagune was still active and he was ready to fire from a distance if necessary. He also had Kura in his hand so he was armed all throughout.
He saw as the Grave Monster charged towards Hide aiming at his head, and Hide began to fire more projectiles at the charging opponent, her using her kagune to block some of the damage.
*Smolly*
Hide saw this and encased himself with his kagune wings. Using his own wings to surround himself in a case of fire around a perimeter that spanned around 5 metres away and 3 metres tall, Hide had encased himself in fire to protect himself from the Grave robber.
The ghoul eventually stabbed her quinque right into Hide's puncturing his wings, through the flames, not caring that her blade was burnt. Hide's wing was punctured, but not destroyed.
Once left open, Hide raised Kura, the Grave Robber's eyes widening in shock at her vulnerability, how she left herself open with that attack, she eyed her kagune to her side, before she flicked it as fast as she could in a last ditch attempt at striking Hide down, just in time for Hide to stab Kura right in the Grave Robber's figure.
The two attacks landed simultaneously, some dust picking up from the sheer strength of the two fighters combined. Still, Hide entitled the flames on his wings, and went on, and launched some flame particles above him where the Grave Robber stood.
*Red Rain*
"Hideyoshi!" Mutsuki yelled in fear, watching the showdown with widened eyes. The rest of the Quinx Squad, excluding Haise and Saiko, made their way to Mutsuki, clearly hearing his yell.
They stopped, watching the dust, which was still present. "Where's Hideyoshi and Saiko?"
"Hideyoshi…" Mutsuki mumbled, and the rest had an idea what was happened.
They waited another half a minute for the dust to settle, revealing both figures to still be standing, though badly injured.
The left side of Hide's torso, just above where his spleen looked beyond injured, with the skin developing a purple mark with a shape of the opposing kagune. The force was enough to scratch Hide's shirt open, revealing his muscular toned body, thanks to the sparring between Touka and Yomo, as well as the numerous stamina trials. His left arm seemed to have also been injured, with a slight gash evident around his elbow, almost as if he had rammed it onto the ghoul.
Speaking of the ghoul, the Grave Robber wasn't faring much better, with a hole through her shoulder, evident from the mark Kura had left behind through the final blow. A slash through her chest, also from Kura, and the numerous scratches she obtained by Hide's projectiles. She was in a worse position than Hide, thanks to reinforcements. Not to mention the burn she had, with the surrounding small fire around her.
She clearly noticed that, looking at the new figure, and back at Hide.
"You." She pointed to the orange haired boy who had fought her, "you put a good fight, I'd like a rematch."
"I don't think you'll be getting one." Urie stated, his cold tone evident in his voice, making even the Grave Robber shiver.
Hide sighed, though his left side and elbow hurt like hell, he smiled. He succeeded in protecting someone, and for once he felt useful.
She looked at the rest of the group, noting the faces of them. She noticed them also activating their kagune, and her eyes glossed over at Shirazu's in particular.
Despite her injuries, she could still evade attacks. "So they have two ukaku's. Regardless of their strengths I'm at a definite disadvantage. I guess I'll have to retreat." She mumbled, before she leapt away.
"Don't let her!" Urie exclaimed but before he knew it she was gone. He grunted in anger.
Hide sighed, looking over at Mutsuki who was also fine. Relaxing, he let his kagune dissipate, to let his punctured wings heal.
Hide took a breathe. "How's the rest?" He asked
"Really? You just do that, with all your injuries and you worry about the others?" Shirazu asked a bit bewildered.
Hide chuckled, "Yes I'm fine, they'll heal, but we have to find them before the others cannot!" He exclaimed fearful, but his tone was surprisingly serious for someone like Hide, it was a bit uncharacteristic of him.
"So where's the others right now?" Hide asked, turning to Mutsuki, who remembered he had yet to answer that question.
"Haise went to fight the white white, while Saiko fled, she's hiding somewhere." Mutsuki said at last.
"Really? She's hiding again?" Urie complained and Hide chuckled ever so slightly.
"Very well, you all decide your decision, I'm searching for Saiko." Hide said, confusion the rest.
"What? But Haise could be in danger!" Mutsuki exclaimed.
"I know, but I need time for my injuries to heal. They are very distinguishable and any decently smart ghoul can abuse that, so I cannot fight until then." Hide stated.
"And if you run into any ghouls?" Urie asked.
Hide sighed, "There's a higher chance of more ghouls being towards the bottom floor than up, so I'll be fine, okay!" Hide said a bit more serious, which again made the rest of the Quinx Squad surprised, to see the usual energetic outgoing Hide being very serious and commanding.
Shirazu looked at the orange haired boy, before sighing, "Very well, we'll all go check up on Haise! Hide look for Saiko!" He said, and Hide could only watch them run off.
Hide then turned to the opposite direction hoping to find any trace of Saiko.
It was really tough looking around for a relatively small girl with blue hair,
"Damnit Saiko, where the hell are you?" Hide yelled, his anger clearly showing.
"Hey I know I told you to protect your friends, but never get mad at them. You'll just push them away." Hide's eyes then blinked, and the anger in his eyes faded, turning more into worry.
"Come on Saiko, where are you?" He asked himself this time more worried than angry.
He continuously searched around, until his ears picked up something.
The sound of chocking, and complaining.
"Hey my arm!"
"You move and I'll break it!" A more ferocious voice replied that didn't sound like Saiko's.
"Crap!" Hide muttered beginning to run, Kura in his right hand due to his left being unusable at the moment. He sprinted as fast as he could, hearing the sound of combat, which only made Hide more scared.
The closer Hide got, the more noise he could hear. The sounds of something striking flesh, the sounds of gasps and grunts, Hide knew those sound well now and began to assume to worst.
Eventually, however, he made it and to his shock, saw something he hadn't seen before, for the figure standing above Saiko was a tall black robed individual. What was more troubling was the look Saiko was giving him.
Hide still didn't know who this figure was. That is, until he got a small glimpse at the bits of black hair coming out of the hooded figure. Hide gasped in realization and began to rush towards the newcomer.
"Thank you."… Saiko mumbled, but before she could ask who he was, the figure ran towards a spot, before jumping out the window. Mere milliseconds before Hide's left hand reached out, before dropping, the pain from his elbow taking its toll.
Hide looked at the figure who had jumped away so easily, confused at what just happened. He had heard Saiko thank the figure meaning he had save her from whatever danger she was in.
But through all of that, thanks to the small bite, Hide knew exactly who the figure was.
Hide then turned his attention to Saiko, who looked relatively unharmed but scared and confused.
"Are you okay?" Hide asked, and she nodded.
Shortly after, Hide spotted the rest of the Quinx Squad rushing towards her.
"T-there was a tall guy in a big black hood." Saiko told them, and while they didn't believe it, Hide knew better first hand.
While he did confirm it was indeed a black hooded figure who had fled once Hide attempted to engage, he wasn't going to tell them who it was.
A.N / Alright this chapter goes up until chapter 45, of the :re manga. That is ironically also where I am at in terms of the story. In about two chapters I might switch up Hide's story quite a bit from the Quinx Squad, as I think this path will also give Hide's internal conflict more time to shine. It's an idea in the making at the moment, but with time I think it'll work well with the story.
Smolly: A mix between a smoke and molly, like in Valorant. The user surrounds themselves in a flaming ball that can protect against many projectiles, that burn upon impact. If used quickly and correctly, the user does not burn much of their rc cells, whilst offering a strong defensive option to many ghoul kagune. It is weak to weapons such as quinques. The smolly can be used for offensive, for trapping enemies in it, but it is difficult.
Red Rain: The user launches small particles of fire high in above them to eventually rain down, burning any enemy within an AOE area. The move can strike multiple enemies, but doesn't necessarily do too much damage, and costs a bit of the user's rc cells to be burned. Good for trapping enemies.
Flame Body.
Shapeshift.
X Flames.
Flaming Pellets.
Fiery Drift.