"We never paid any heed to ancient prophecies."
"Like fools, we clung to old hatreds."
"And fought as we had for generations."
"Until the sky rained fire…"
"And a new enemy came among us."
"Together, we stand on the brink of destruction."
'For the reign of chaos…has come."
- Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos
CHAPTER 3
CATASTROPHE
"It's getting darker."
"We all know that, Doctor. We're running out of time."
The retreat back to Rhodes Island after their battle with Mephisto continued at a brisk pace, going at a formation that Ren remembered back when they moved out from the Sarcophagus facility. However, the feelings of unrest pervaded the escape team knowing that the Catastrophe will soon come upon them. The dark clouds that hung over them since the park have condensed even further, and is now beginning to spread out all over Chernobog. In the distance, far over in another district, lightning can be seen crashing down, striking the streets with the overcharged heat within its electricity.
"We have to stay sharp nonetheless. Reunion soldiers are still all over, doing hell knows what." Dobermann reminded the team as they marched, being on guard.
"There's so much chaos going on here, yet those Reunion people think it's a good time for a picnic!" Exclaimed a Medic Operator.
"Picnic? Try end-of-the-word party. They're the ones who made all this chaos. They've been lighting everything on fire as if they're fireworks. Reminder to throw a welcome back party for me when this is all over." Ren interjected with a snark.
Everyone who heard Ren began to chuckle at his remark. Ren on the meantime became confused.
"What?"
"Nothing, Doctor. It's just…so surprising to act so casually when we're about to have a Catastrophe above us." Ace pointedly spoke to Ren.
"I'm just trying to lighten the mood for everyone, nothing special. I still want that welcome back party though."
"Haha. I don't think we'll have enough time for a party, Doctor. But we shall see. Your return is a good cause to celebrate, after all." Nearl smiled lightly as she replied.
"Indeed. But remember, Doctor. The people you see before you now may have placed their trust in you, but do not expect the same for everyone else back at the Ark. Not everyone will place their faith on you just because of a simple hello. Some even have their own reservations due to your past demeanor."
Dobermann's advice was given a simple nod by Ren. What Dobermann speaks of is right. The process of forming unbreakable bonds is a long one. The Trickster knows this through his experience with the friends he's made back in Tokyo. It also applies to the Rhodes Island crew, and he plans to follow through with it all the same.
"Noted. After all, unbreakable bonds aren't born in a single-argh!"
'Reservations, she says. Hah. I do not blame her for thinking that way."
An unfamiliar voice rang in Ren's head as another head assaulted him, stronger than last time. The pain stung him hard enough to force him to kneel, his pained cry causing alarm amongst the Operators.
"Doctor?!"
"Not again! Someone please get a Medic here!"
Amiya and Nearl were the first to rush to Ren while the Vanguards quickly formed a circular defensive line around him under Yato and Guard's command, followed by Dobermann and Ace. Ren winced as he endured the headache, speaking in a pained tone as the voice within continued on with his drivel.
"So quickly they come for you, the benefit of a King who doesn't play by his rules. A benefit for both of us."
"Kuh…. Dobermann, Ace!"
"Doctor Ren, why are you in so much pain? Amiya, what's going on?!"
"Instructor Dobermann! Doctor is suffering from a severe headache! This is the second time this has happened, and it's much worse this time!"
"The hell?! This was his second?! Did you call for a Medic at least?!" Ace had a baffled look as he inquired Amiya.
"I already did! One should be here at any second!"
Dobermann began pacing around impatiently. A second spent tending to the Doctor is another second wasted dawdling when a Catastrophe is about to hit ground zero, as cruel as that sounds. As capable as Doctor Ren is, she's almost inclined to ditch him.
The voice inside Ren soon began to provoke him.
"Look at her pacing around, thinking whether or not she should abandon you. You are still able to issue a command, no? Go, and order her to do something. I know you are capable, much like myself."
"Sh…Shut up!"
Ren's cry of anguish surprised Amiya, who was right beside him.
"D-doctor?!"
"Amiya, I… I want you and Nearl to stick with me. Can you relay a command to Ace and Dobermann for now? Urgh…Tell them… to go scout ahead, and clear the blockades impeding our retreat up ahead, alright?"
Amiya nodded quickly before running over to the instructor and veteran defender, leaving him with Nearl. The Medic Operator came by soon after, and began running diagnosis on Ren with the Knight watching over him worriedly. The voice in his head seemed to disregard her efforts, however.
"It's useless. Nothing she can do will help you. Not even the Radiant Knight's light will save you from this ailment."
The deep voice's taunts prompted Ren to bite back at him mentally.
"Shut up and leave then! I know you caused this! Who are you, and how do you know of Nearl?!"
"How I know of her is not your concern for today. I will humor your questions at a later date. You are much of a player like me, after all."
The mention of him being a player drove Ren off the edge.
"No… I will never be thrust into another nonsensical game again!"
The deep voice laughed bitterly at Ren's act of defiance.
"You had no choice ever since you were thrust into this body. We are both Kings, thrust into the same side of the board with these Reunion rebels as our foes. I for one am capable of speaking to you through the special Arts that you wield. As much as I prefer to speak to you more thoroughly, you are hard pressed for time due to the Catastrophe. We will speak again at a later date."
"I will not let you go until you answer me. Who are you?!"
The mysterious voice once again disregarded Ren's question, choosing to fade away while uttering a vague yet awfully familiar reply.
"I am thou… thou art I…"
- Take Your Time -
"Gah!"
The Doctor's eyes that shot open along with his recoil to the ground made the Medic recoil as well, falling on her butt. Amiya and Nearl who kept watch over him immediately barraged the poor man with questions that he slowly answered one by one regarding his health. One answer in particular concerned both of them.
"You hear voices?" Nearl was the first to speak.
"Yes. The first one…I hear a voice that acknowledged you all as my allies. The second one, it was far more sinister, far vaguer and more aggravating than the last one. It even sounded different. I don't think it will come back again though."
Amiya heaved a breath of relief while Nearl rubbed her chin, laying her war hammer down to do so. Truth be told, Ren purposefully limited any specific details about what he heard inside his head. He discounted the fact that the first voice felt insanely familiar, and the fact that the second one knows Nearl, somehow knows of his powers, and called him a fellow king. It even knew of how he was transferred into this body, which is a great cause for investigation. Telling the two what happened to him during his headache is already risky enough, since it may warrant a thorough medical checkup on him.
"I see. Amiya, has there been any cases that are similar to what Doctor experienced?"
"I don't know. Oripathy can cause many different ailments, especially if it managed to infect the brain. Maybe we should run an Oripathy test on Doctor first before the general checkup once we're back and fully rested. What do you think, Doctor?"
Hearing the question aimed at Ren, he decided to throw another question back at Amiya.
"I'm all for it. But, you're not gonna make me consume or do something weird, are you?"
"Doctor, Rhodes Island is a pharmaceutical company, remember?! We take our treatments very seriously!" Amiya cried out with a frown.
"Sorry, sorry. I was just fooling around."
"It's not really a good joke, Doctor Ren. And I'm not good at them."
Ren proceeded to chuckle at the deadpanned Nearl staring at him. Even though Amiya took slight offense at his lighthearted response, he has very good reason to assume so from Rhodes Island, which came from his own experience back in Tokyo when he first started out as a Phantom Thief. On his quest to find a reliable place to procure medicine, the poor boy ended up being a guinea pig for the local doctor, Tae Takemi, who made him drink various original and barely legal concoctions with various effects. One of them caused him to pass out due to the utterly repugnant taste it had, and it was not a fun memory at all. As he tried to shove the memory into the dark recesses of his mind, The Doctor decided to ask Amiya a question.
Because he certainly didn't miss the panic in Amiya's expression when she inquired him about the tests.
"Amiya. There's more about the lives of Infected, is there?"
"Ah, Doctor. Yes. It's just…."
"Amiya."
Right when Amiya was about to explain, a Sniper approached the 3-man group. Well, 2 women and a man. A gray haired girl with…bird feathers on them? She was wearing a white blouse, tight leather shorts, and gray shoes with equally grey stockings. A black Rhodes Island coat was hung loosely around her shoulders as she held a weapon that is pretty much a mix of a crossbow and a submachine gun, complete with the quivers for her bolts on her back. If Ren remembered correctly, she was in Ace's team…
"Greythroat, was it?"
Seeing the man before her calling out her name as a question, the Liberi eyed the man before her cautiously before turning towards Amiya. Seeing her nod, she clicked her tongue, and responded to him.
"Yes, Doctor. What is it?"
"Well, how did the scouting go? Did Ace manage to clear the blockade? What of Dobermann?"
"Both of them managed to complete your orders. With that aside, Amiya, we found something of interest of interest. Come with me. Nearl and the Doctor can come with you."
"Okay. Doctor, Nearl, let's go."
The way she acted so nonplussed with Ren was so clear that it irked him somewhat. What did Dobermann say to him earlier? Everyone he sees before him now trusts him? Well, looks like he just met the living contradiction to that statement. Well, he can always try to get to know her better after they're out of danger. After Nearl mobilized the teams left on guard duty, both of them began to follow Amiya and Greythroat, with Ren on Greythroat's side and Nearl on Amiya's side. A few minutes later, they met up with Ace and his team, the veteran Defender looking relieved to see the Doctor being with them.
"Amiya, Doctor, happy to have you here. We've managed to clear out the enemy entrenchment in this area. Dobermann should be coming here soon along with Guard. Speaking of which, Doctor Ren, are you fine enough to walk? That headache seemed as if you were hit with balls of iron."
"I'll be fine, Ace. Don't worry about me. More importantly, you said you found something?"
"Yes, Ace. What is it?"
Ace's answer was by pointing at the ruined building that was right next to them. As they all gave a look at the building, Amiya and the feline medic that had tended to his condition earlier let out a gasp. The building looked like a victim to the arsons that occurred all over Chernobog. The signpost that was once attached to the side of the roof has been brought down crushed to pieces, and the inside of the building has become nothing but rubble.
"This clinic… Amiya, haven't we been here before?"
"Yes, but… I can't believe this place has fallen to the chaos as well. It's unbelievable." Amiya had a saddened look on her face as she spoke in a quiet tone.
"If anything, we should be glad that the residents have already evacuated. There's no doubt that Reunion struck this place as well." Ace remarked with a sullen look.
"I'm sorry. I'm afraid I'm not following this conversation. What is this place?"
A certain glint decorated Greythroat's eyes as she looked at Ren in silence as he asked. Amiya didn't notice the look the Sniper gave Ren, however, and decided to answer his question.
"This place is Azazel, Doctor. It's an underground clinic for the Infected here in Chernobog."
"Azazel… an underground clinic, huh?"
When he heard of the name Azazel, Ren can't help but think of the Azazel in the Abrahamic myths. He was a major leader of the Grigori, fallen angels who have become outcasts due to the sins they committed. The fallen who represented Vanity taught humankind the art of metalwork along with cosmetics, angering God in turn which landed him a banishment into darkness with all his arms and legs bound. Considering that the Infected themselves are outcasts, the Trickster supposed that using the name of the leader of the Fallen is fitting enough, seeing that the clinic is one of the very few places of solace for the Infected in Chernobog.
Ren's eyes closed slightly as he looked at the now ruined clinic, filled with lamentation. Amiya continued to explain, knowing that he wanted to know more.
"Yes, Doctor. In the past, I went to Azazel with Ace's team to negotiate to cooperative agreement of sorts. Since they're an underground clinic, they have access to all information regarding the Infected hidden in Chernobog. Unfortunately, they refused our offer, no matter how hard we tried."
"And why is that? Both Azazel and Rhodes Island go in the same line of work. It wouldn't make sense for the Azazel people to reject a beneficial deal with no downsides."
It was normal for Ren to be confused at the situation. Who wouldn't reject an offer that would expand your business without repercussions with the bonus of being able to work more openly? Amiya took in her breath before answering.
"Doctor, you asked me earlier if there is more to living as an Infected. I think it's best if I answer that as well. You remembered when I told you about how the Infected are generally treated, right?"
"I remember, painfully well."
Ren answered, clicking his tongue. How can he forget how the general public views the Infected? Before Amiya can explain, Ace decided to do her work for her.
"Doctor Ren. You should know that it's hard for the Infected to trust others, even their own kind due to the amount of pain they have to endure just for living. Azazel's attitude back when we did our negotiations is just a way to protect themselves from being misled. What's more, most Infected can't handle the risks that come from our line of work, which is more than just research and treatment of Oripathy."
"That much… Really insinuates how rotten the public really are."
Ren did nothing other than curl his hands into fists and give a scathing remark, seething with fury towards the sheer injustice the Infected has suffered for perhaps years, maybe even decades before continuing. How many times has he heard this factual bullshit now? 3 times?
"But… If this clinic is meant to help the Infected, why did Reunion take this place down? Aren't they all about supporting the Infected?"
"Reunion may be all about the Infected, but they parade their cause in a near cult like fashion. It doesn't matter whether if you're Infected or not. Anyone that doesn't support their cause will be struck down. If you do, just don their clothes and badge and you're all set."
"Double standards. Reunion is getting lower and lower on my ranks."
Ren spat out his remark while heaving out a snooze from his nose. The more he heard the explanations from Amiya, Dobermann, and Nearl, he found it harder to understand Reunion's ultimate goal. If anything, what they did just now to Azazel is a prime example of their hypocrisy and selfishness.
"On top of Ace's explanation, Doctor. Our condition sometimes grants us powers beyond compare. You saw how 12F does his Arts with his tablet and staff, yes? I can do Arts as well, just without the need of a staff."
"That black sigil on your back, no?" Ren deduced how Amiya does her Arts, in which Amiya nodded. The issue of Arts is another thing he needs to run research into, down to its usage and properties.
"Yes. But, it's because of our power that people began to fear us. Not only do we have to fear our death due to our Oripathy, society has also taken away our only chance at normal lives. Chernobog has been the prime beacon of this way of life, bent on ridding us from the earth to uphold a sense of civility."
"In short, as much as I hate to say it, Doctor Ren, the Infected are pretty much number 1 on the most hated people list in the world. No other way to mince it. Greythroat over there used to be the same as them when she first came to Rhodes until Amiya mellowed her out."
The fact that Greythroat got mentioned in this conversation in a bad way made her uncomfortable, especially once Ren cast his eyes on her. As she shifted about in position, she can't find the words to properly speak up.
Ren however, had some choice words.
"Civility? If that kind of life is civility, then to hell with that in this world. I'm sorry if I have to be blunt. But Chernobog is just asking to fall for the amount of sins they've racked up for upholding this flawed form of order. I'd sooner die an Infected than live upholding this way of life."
"Doctor…"
Everyone has a mix of looks hearing Ren made that comment. Some look sullen knowing of the truth of their reality as an Infected, while some looked surprised at how spiteful he sounded towards that reality. Altogether, deep down, despite how they felt it extremely hard, bordering on impossible to change that way of life, the civility that has been upheld by the public for so long, they knew the Doctor was right. He may have just awakened with amnesia, but he's regained his perception quick enough and is bold enough to say things uncensored without fear of being judged, the latter perhaps caused by his amnesia. This so-called civility must be forced into a great overhaul, a shift for the better where the Infected wouldn't be looked down upon so much.
Ren on the other hand had to take a few breaths to calm himself down after lashing out. Seeing everyone's expressions, then Greythroat, who was standing next to him the whole time murmuring something, he found it fitting to slowly utter an apology as he turned to everyone present.
"…I'm sorry. I'm sorry for that outburst. It's just… How can I say nothing after hearing everything about from the Infected from you guys? I can't imagine what you guys went through before being part of Rhodes Island. I can't even venture a guess as to whatever happened back then."
Ren's apology only drove Rhodes Island's sympathy for the Doctor. For someone lacking memories, they know he cares about them, cares for the Infected overall. It was almost heart wrenching considering his condition.
"Doctor."
Ren turned to face the source of the voice. It was Nearl, who looked at him firmly.
"Your concerns, pain, and distaste for this whole system is all too understandable. It reminds me of how the title of Knight of Kazimierz is used as nothing more as tools of trade today instead of symbols of honor, misused by those who carry the wealth. The case of the Infected is nonetheless much more severe than the matters of my homeland, and even if your words and actions seethe with dark malice towards the unjust, your intentions of heart are as pure as the light. As such, you have nothing to apologize for, Doctor. Your words are not a mark of recklessness, but of bravery."
Nearl's words of acknowledgement made Ren let out a grunt. Homeland matters aside, he can truly feel that Nearl was beginning to trust him, or did she already trust him? Regardless, he felt a renewed sense of spirit growing within him.
"Thanks for the pep talk, Nearl. I appreciate it. Anyway, Amiya."
"Yes, Doctor?"
His assistant moved to him, always at the ready.
"When we get out of here, I think I know what's gonna be on my to-do list."
"What is it?"
"Make Rhodes Island a proper home for everyone who's got nowhere to go. Where everyone will be able to play a part in changing society, no matter how small it is. Sound good?"
"Ah…"
An earnest expression decorated Amiya's face, along with her bright demeanor.
"Yes, Doctor! I'll follow that plan the way through! I'm sure everyone feels the same way too!"
Ren nodded with a smile, patting a red Amiya while everyone watched them with a bit of chuckles. The Phantom Theives are a group of society's outcasts, while Rhodes Island is made up and houses society's outcasts. In the end, he's all happy to lead the outcasts all the same to a brighter future, one way, or another.
- Take Your Time –
So much for stealth tactics, Ren supposed.
Time was running out for Rhodes Island as the Catastrophe became more and more visible above them. The whole city is blanketed by the shadow of ruin. And soon enough, destruction will fall upon the corrupt city of Chernobog. With Dobermann and Guard back in the squad, the extraction team quickened their steps as to reach the extraction point as soon as possible. The size of the squad however prevented them from using covert movement any further. 5 teams, 11 Operators if Ren, codenamed Joker was included. Luckily enough, most Reunion troops seem too absorbed in their rites of carnage to even notice the coming approach of Rhodes Island.
With the right of command delegated to Amiya, the Cautus led the extraction team to launch blitzkrieg attacks against the various blockades that stood in their way, instantly moving on as soon as their blockades are crushed. They can't hope to rest however, as hordes of Reunion began to regroup with each attack they've made, and have begun pursuit in small teams. It became apparent that soon enough, they'll be caught in a pincer attack. Luckily enough, there doesn't seem to be any sign of the pursuing Reunion soldiers as of now. They're now approaching the city center, and soon the southern exit will be in their reach.
"Is everyone holding on well? How long are we from the exit?"
Ren was the first to speak after their long haul of silence, in which Ace was the first to reply.
"We're doing fine, Doctor Ren. We're on our way to the central plaza of Southern Chernobog! A bit more and we should be able to reach the exit!"
"The noises are certainly racking up, however. Not to mention the amount of chaos on the streets." Dobermann lightly remarked. Screams and cries of terror and hate surged all around them.
"It must be the civilians that attempted evacuation. With Reunion around however…"
"They've been captured by Reunion, no doubt." Ren finished Amiya's words, leaving no room for mincing words.
"A city that oppressed the Infected, now being brought down by the Infected. It's almost poetic."
"Almost, huh? Getting all sentimental with these people, boss?" Guard responded to Ace's drawled out words.
"Heh, maybe, Guard. Maybe."
"Anyway, we still have to press onward. We're getting close to the central plaza, so stay sharp, all of you."
Dobermann's reminder got everyone back into silence as they continued their retreat to the exit, with the city center as their next checkpoint. As Ren sniffed the air while the shadows grew darker, he thought to himself, quite disturbed.
'Is it just me, or is something burning somewhere?'
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
Ren's thinking was put under screeching halt as Rhodes Island heard a shriek coming from one of the entries to the plaza, which was silenced just as quickly when the sound of flesh being split rang through the air, implanting thoughts into the heads of Operators that are far too graphic too be described.
"What the hell was that?!" Ren was the first to point out the shriek.
"Must be a civilian. I don't hear anything anymore though." Ace supplied his own answer.
"There! It's Reunion! They're attacking civilians!"
The Savras Caster, 12F was the first to find the source of the shriek. On the far end of the large northwestern entry, a group of Reunion were sheathing their illegal blades as a corpse was on the ground near them. The mere sight was enough to infuriate anyone that saw it, especially Ren. Yet…
"It's too late. We can't save them." Ren spoke with an air of finality.
"No…"
Amiya looked down, along with her ears drooping downward. A majority of the extraction team had the same look as well.
"A shame. Reunion has truly forgotten the value of life. How can they hope to save their kind if they can't show a degree of compassion to innocents?" Nearl lamented with a hint of spite.
"What can I say? At this point, they're nothing more than crazed fanatics. Speaking of fanatics."
"Fanatics? Ah hell."
Reunion soldiers began to approach the Rhodes Island group from the southern exits, all dressed for a fight.
"Doctor!"
"Right. Amiya, give the command." Ren spoke as he readied his knife
"Mhm! Rhodes Island! Prepare for battle!"
And so begins another skirmish with Reunion, and with it, another battle rife with bloodshed as they tried to break through the encroaching Reunion forces. However, the balance soon began to shift to Reunion's side as more forces began to surge from the eastern and southwestern side, adding to the already large numbers as they tried to overwhelm Rhodes Island as hard as possible. As Ren pierced through the mask of a Shielded Reunion Soldier, he fell back to Team E3's defensive line, fighting off rows of Soldiers and Hounds. Teams E1, 2, and 4 were busy fending off a squad of Heavy Defenders while Ops Team A4 are slaughtering a swarm of yellow and orange Originium Slugs.
"Their numbers are limitless! What's the deal with them?! They seem to know where the hell we are!"
"I don't know, Doctor! They're coming from every corner! If we don't breach soon, we'll be overrun!" Ace exclaimed as he bashed the torso of a Soldier with his shield.
"Ace. You told me that the Doctor earned himself a new set of capabilities. Most notably that see-through sight. Can't he just use them?" Greythroat offered her suggestion in a nonchalant manner, not even bothering to look at Ren and her superior as she shot a Hound Pro on the head.
"I don't see how that special sight of his is capable of in this situation, Greythroat. Unless you're implying that… Wait, Doctor?"
"On it."
Realizing where Greythroat's line of thought is coming from, with his short time of reprieve, Ren shifted to Third Eye view, and began his scan over the battlefield. Sure enough, there are red silhouettes hiding behind the buildings around them, seeing the whole fight from the broken window sills. Whoever they are must have been relaying the information of their whereabouts back to their superiors.
They shall not live.
"She's right. Greythroat, I want you and your Snipers to rain hell on those buildings."
"Very well."
Without any sign of lightening up, which again irked the Doctor as he pointed which buildings to shoot at, Greythroat began firing upon the openings of the buildings. Some missed, and some hit their mark as the sound of a pierce through meat were heard through some of the window sills. Whoever survived the shots are bound to escape, but who the hell can survive that?
"That should do it. Thank you, Greythroat."
"Yes. Let's go back to dispatching these rebels. The sooner we get out, the better."
Both Ace and Ren nodded as they continued their battle against Reunion. What they didn't realize though, even with the Scouts dead, the leaders of Reunion have already noticed them and have begun following them.
One of them was not in the best of moods, however.
"What?!"
Mephisto, now with a fully healed nose, frantically exclaimed as he heard the report from Faust, nodding with an inexplicable expression. After listening and tuning off his walkie-talkie, he turned to his supreme leader, a woman with burnt silver hair and a pair of draconic horns on her head, wearing a black dress with a white upper top and long black sleeves, an orange cloth bearing Reunion's insignia wrapped on her arm.
"Faust's scouts have been wiped out, milady. He just told me that just before they were killed, he saw Rhodes Island's self-proclaimed Demon Lord pointing to where his scouts are, and their Snipers rained their bolts upon the buildings they were hiding in. Insects they may be, but they have acquired someone who is not to be underestimated. Nevertheless, they may use the chaos caused by the Catastrophe to escape. And since they know the situation well enough, added with the inclusion of the Demon Lord, we have to get rid of them as soon as possible."
The supreme leader listened to Mephisto's report with great interest. She had already heard of Mephisto's defeat at the hands of this Demon Lord back at the park, along with the presence of Rhodes Island in Chernobog. Hearing of how he soundly defeated Mephisto in his accursed game and even injured him. When she heard of how he detected Faust's scouts and dealt with them, her interest in him grew even further. As she smiled after getting the full report, she gave her command.
"Gather your forces, Mephisto. We march towards our enemy."
"Yes, Lady Talulah!"
Mephisto quickly scurried away from her sight as he smiled in glee, knowing that they'll be able to crush Rhodes Island with mere impunity only with their leader's presence.
It may not be certain among Reunion, but there was one more person clearly interested in Ren.
"Heh. So that's Rhodes Island, huh? Going about saving civilians and all that? How touching. Anyhoo, they say they just got a powerhouse in their buddy circle?"
Another silver haired woman with red horns denoting her Sarkaz bloodline, clad in a scarf, a gray shirt, and a short black skirt with red color underneath seemed to be watching the spectacle occur before her, as Rhodes Island continued their struggle to breach through the enemy encirclement while tapping her shoes. The other young woman next to her, Crownslayer, nodded to her inquiry, which made her laugh.
"Hahahaha! Now isn't that just rich. I'll say, he's got guts to even call himself a demon lord, as if he knows the truth of us Sarkaz. Still, I heard what happened to Mephisto thanks to you. To think he managed to sneak through the whole battle and broke that silver runt's nose. If you ask me, that kid deserved it for being so annoying!"
Her laughter slowly died down as she tossed her detonator in her right hand with a wicked smile.
"I'll be keeping an eye on you, Demon Lord. I think you and I are going to get along just fine~"
- Take Your Time -
The first sign that Ren saw as something going awfully wrong is rocks randomly falling. From the sky.
"Dobermann, has there been any weather reports of aerial landslides?"
"Aerial landslides? What are you talking about, Doctor Ren? We have no time for nonsense here!" Dobermann spoke heatedly as she punched a Shielded Soldier to unconsciousness.
"Up."
The instructor looked upward, and for the first time in Ren's life, he saw all color draining out on Dobermann's face, turning to be extremely pale. Only one word was muttered out of the instructor's lips, the only word Ren can hear as she murmured before she clenched her teeth to calm down.
"…Catastrophe."
A single word that prompted Ren to look up as well, and he saw something that was a complete first in his second life.
"The sky. It's burning?"
As he uttered those words, more and more of Reunion and Rhodes Island stopped their clashes and looked upward, eventually putting the skirmish into a great halt. Some had begun to kneel and utter praises of joy towards the heavens, some cheering as they did an inane tribal dance of sorts, while a few were in utter awe…
…soon to be crushed under massive rocks, and all of them are from Reunion.
As for Rhodes Island, a majority of them are in great panic as soon as they realized that the Catastrophe is about to touch down upon them very soon. They began to scramble around, evading the rockfall as it fell from the sky. All team leaders along with Amiya, Dobermann, and Ren immediately assumed control, trying to maintain order within the Rhodes Island ranks, which succeeded to some extent. Yet, no amount of order will prevent the inevitable.
"Amiya! How's everyone?!" Ren hustled his command in a hasty tone, keeping watch over everyone present as he stared up at the sky. Something huge is coming, and he knows damn well how disastrous the impact and aftershock will be.
"Everyone is accounted for, Doctor!" Amiya reported to him with eyes filled with slight fear over the situation.
"Good. Everyone!"
All Rhodes Island personnel turned to face the Doctor, some still having worry in their hearts. With attention fully on him, Ren yelled his command out, ignoring the Reunion forces that were left to their own devices, rejoicing over the Catastrophe, or the rocks that continued to fall around them.
"Right now, the sky is gonna rain boulders and possibly fire onto the entirety of Chernobog! Even if you have fear in your hearts, know that you are not alone in this Catastrophe! And I sure as hell don't want to see my new allies and potential friends die this early! I want you all to find the nearest buildings in the vicinity and take cover! No one is getting out without the say so from your leaders! Understood?!"
A single word of agreement erupted from the Rhodes Island crew as Ren nodded.
"Alright! Spread out! Don't stop for anything and nothing!"
With that said, All Rhodes Islanders began to scramble into the nearest building or skyscraper in the plaza, with Ren himself running for dear life as he refused to die a few hours after reincarnation. As he touched down on an abandoned building which was currently used by Amiya and Dobermann along with Ops Team A4 for cover, he hastily rushed to the two senior Operators, confirming their condition before rushing over to Yato.
"Yato! Is everyone in your team here?"
"Everyone is here, Doctor. Thank you for ensuring our safety." Yato answered with a grateful smile.
"Don't mention it. Dobermann, how's the situation for the rest of the teams?"
"Despite heavy static, everyone's confirmed their safety over the comms, Doctor Ren. And not a moment too soon." Dobermann replied as she looked outside through the faded window pane.
"The Catastrophe."
"Yes. Everyone! Brace for impact!"
- Take Your Time -
If Ren had to say something about what experience rivals the merging between Mementos and the real world, the Catastrophe would be the answer.
It all began as large chunks of black rocks in all kinds of shapes began to rain upon Chernobog's central plaza like hail, and Rhodes Island took cover within the buildings in the vicinity. The chunks crashed towards the ground at the speed of gravity, causing cracks upon the ground and piercing through bodies of the Reunion Soldiers who foolishly remained outside, eliciting screams of pain, fear, and anguish as the skies have fully blackened. Many Operators in the building covered their ears and began muttering in fear as the Catastrophe commenced, some huddling up to assuage each other's sense of dread. Dobermann had a stern look on her face, hiding her mild distress, while Amiya clung to Ren's arm just to calm her own mentality. Ren in the meantime just watched the hail of Originium from afar through the windows, seemingly looking unfazed from the whole ordeal. After all, he had experienced disintegration and a fair share of mild earthquakes back in Tokyo since Japan is a country surrounded by the ocean. Being a live witness to a damn meteor shower is entirely new to him, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't scared.
"Doctor?" Amiya spoke up quietly.
"Yes?"
"How…How long until this Catastrophe ends?" She looked up at Ren, a hint of fear in her eyes.
"I don't know. This is the first time I've been in one." Ren spoke truthfully.
"I see…"
The cautus's words died down in her throat as she clung to Ren's arm even more. The human can only sigh as he let her be. In the meantime, the Trickster continued to watch the few surviving Reunion forces, knocked out of their delirious euphoria, scrambling to find cover amidst the hail of now larger Originium rocks. He truly pitied them, really. Reunion who has sought to conquer Chernobog by using the Catastrophe in their favor, now being torn apart by the very thing they used in a hilariously cruel twist of fate.
Soon after, Ren would witness a massive piece of Originium falling in the distance, almost the size of a 3 story house, and he knows damn well the kind of quakes a thing that size will cause.
"Earthquake inbound!"
The massive Originium shard pierced the ground, and the whole city began to tremble due to the impact. The Doctor's warning made everyone hang onto something to hold their ground, some leaning against the wall, some even hugging each other. Dobermann herself took cover underneath a wooden table that had been turned over, while Amiya clung onto Ren for dear life while he dredged himself onto a wall, standing undaunted while he leaned against a wall against the great tremors that shook the shining beacon of Terran "civility".
Minutes would pass in almost complete silence as faint murmurs and even prayers were uttered from the people around him. As soon as the trembling ground calmed itself down…
"It's over."
Dobermann was the first to utter a word, and everyone inside the abandoned building let out sighs of joy and relief, silently grateful for the fact that they're still alive. Ren, who was in silent relief as well, turned to Amiya, who was closing her eyes as hard as possible, seemingly shutting out everything around her. What better way to bring her back to reality other than rubbing her rabbit ears?
"Kyah! Doctor?!"
Amiya jumped as felt her rabbit ears being rubbed by Ren, looking at him with a flustered expression. Ren let out a chuckle much to her annoyance.
"It's over, Amiya. Catastrophe's dying out."
"Oh… I see. Thank you for telling me, Doctor."
Amiya let out a sigh of relief, much like the rest as she let go of Ren's arm. Ren had to applaud Amiya for staying strong in the first place, for being a leader in these kinds of endeavors is no easy task for someone so young. Nevertheless, no matter how mature she is, she is still a child, a child that needs guidance to be a true leader for her people. As a leader himself, he's got a lot of work cut out for him if he wants to teach the young Cautus thoroughly, especially since they just survived a Catastrophe happening right in front of their faces.
"Everyone, let's go survey the area and check on the others. I'm sure everyone realized that it's all over."
All Operators nodded to Ren's suggestion as they proceeded to venture outward. Once they did however, a slew of gasps and grunts came from the whole party. If Chernobog was under a mess when Reunion struck, then what they saw is pretty much the equivalent of Nature's wrath. Many buildings have turned to rubble, blocking the cracked streets, and shards of Originium are lodged everywhere.
'Yup. This isn't a far cry from back then.'
Shoving that thought aside, Ren and the others began their surveillance check on the area, inspecting the blocked entry points and corpses of the Reunion Soldiers. Some Medics even took the time to carefully extract the Originium shards and placed them in special containers to prevent possible infections upon direct touch. Sure Oripathy can't be so easily contracted, but better be safe than sorry.
"Dammit. So much wreckage. I hope everyone is alright…"
"Doctor Ren!"
A voice called out to the Doctor from afar as he saw groups of Rhodes Islanders in the distance, to his great relief, it was Ace and Nearl's teams, all joined together. Signaling his team of the others, they all followed him to greet their comrades, safe and sound.
"Ace! Nearl! You're both alive!" Came the relieved words of Ren.
"And so is our teams, all in one piece. If we hadn't taken cover, we might have lost a man or two, and it's all thanks to your swift command, Doctor."
"No, no. I'm just happy you're all safe. Anyone of you would have had the same idea as me and said the same thing too."
"That is true. What of you three and your teams then, Doctor?"
Amiya proceeded to answer Nearl's question for him.
"We're all alright. The earthquake has rattled us somewhat, but we suffered no injuries."
"Honestly, we're all lucky we all survived without any notable injuries. What we just experienced is only the first impact. There's no telling how long this Catastrophe lasts overall." Dobermann informed the whole team, much to Ren's surprise. There's more?!
"All the more the reason to get out of this place fast, I say! We should get moving now!" Guard exclaimed in a flurry, in which everyone agreed.
But was it going to be that easy?
"Ugh…"
The fortunate survivors of Reunion slowly rose up from the ground, feeling dazed. On the mere sight of the Rhodes Islanders personnel, though…
"Ah! Rhodes Island!"
They instantly came charging towards them, much to everyone's annoyance and aggravation.
"Ah come on!" Ren is pretty much the most annoyed out of everyone.
"Reunion's still trying to attack us?!" Amiya's shocked tone holds no question.
"Even after the Catastrophe, they're still chasing us?!" Dobermann grew aggravated.
"They have gone mad. There is no doubt." Nearl concluded in a grim fashion.
"We don't have time for this. We have to run! Snipers, provide cover fire while we escape!"
Under Ren's command, Greythroat and Rangers served as the backline as Rhodes Island hastily made their retreat from the area, eventually arriving at the city center. Luckily enough, their pursuers weren't big in number since the Catastrophe wiped most of them out. Most of the personnel are out of breath from running so hard however, but none were left behind.
"Gah! We managed to shake off Reunion somehow. Good idea on the cover fire to shoot them down, Doctor." Ace spoke his compliments.
"Again, just doing my job, Ace. But…"
"We ran straight into a dead end. All the streets have been blocked off by the rubble, and we're almost there! Dammit!" Dobermann spat out her words.
"If only we can just… Doctor?"
Throughout the whole run, Ren had begun to smell the unnatural fiery air once more. As soon as they got their breather, the Doctor quickly shifted to Third Eye View, and immediately he knew that the earlier group that chased them is nothing short of a really shitty appetizer.
No. They've been chased by a far larger force than they even expected. And it seems Nearl sensed them too.
"They're here."
"Here? Who?" Spoke Guard in a weary fashion.
"Reunion. And it turns out they have a massive welcome party."
"What?!"
What Ren spoke of is an understatement. There are countless hordes of Reunion that are coming for them as they're backed against the rubble blocking their shortest route. From the plaza, the streets, and even the ruined buildings. The next shortest route would have them go west, but even that road is swarmed with Reunion forces. It would take a monumental effort to break through the whole encirclement.
Times like this he wishes he had his Persona right now.
"This…this many?!" Amiya exclaimed with pure terror.
"With this many people, even a Catastrophe won't be able to stop them! Hell, even taking Chernobog is gonna be a cake walk!" Ace spoke in distress as sweat covered his forehead.
"Nevertheless, we still have to push onward! We'll be dead if we become sitting ducks right now, and I'll be damned before dying like this!" Dobermann clenched her teeth in outright defiance to their situation.
"Doctor Ren, what is your take on this situation? Surely you have a plan even now?"
Nearl's inquiry snapped Ren out of his stupor as he spoke grimly.
"Sorry to say, but I'm fresh out of ideas. But…"
Nearl cocked an eyebrow at Ren's delayed response.
"I agree with Dobermann. Call me rebellious, but I'm not gonna sit around while I sign my death warrant with Fate itself. Even if we are at the edge of a cliff, I know that we're gonna break through somehow. Every formation has a weak point, even in Reunion's massive numbers. We exploit it, and we'll be able to escape. If we can't find one, we make one. Sound good?"
Everyone who heard Ren pretty much had a morale boost. Fight tooth and nail should it be necessary. That has always been a part of Rhodes Island's creed, and it would be foolish of them to abandon that creed now. Nearl smiled as she faced the Reunion forces coming against them.
Though, he pretty much omitted the fact that he saw Mephisto and Crownslayer among the incoming forces, along with a few more head honchos.
"Wisely spoken, Doctor. Your insight is sharp."
"Hey! Someone is approaching our defensive line, alone!"
Guard's warning alerted the heads as Ace, Dobermann, Amiya, Nearl, and Ren ran over to Guard, pointing to a lone woman approaching their defensive line that was established after they knew they were surrounded. Ren excluded the woman in favor of seeing the silhouettes far behind her. Mephisto, the sniper kid, and Crownslayer's silhouettes are among them, but he also saw a silhouette of a rabbit eared person, and a large shieldbearer with an imposing mask. Huge threats, all of them except for Mephisto.
Now back to the woman. Burnt silver hair, pair of horns, black dress and a sword on her side. Sensing the danger that she possessed, he readied his knife. The fiery air came back as well with her presence, and is the ground around her… flaring up?
"This smell again."
"If you ask me, it's steel plus sulfur, all melted into one." Ace commented on the scent.
"If it's what I think it is… then…"
"Her appearance… Everyone! Be on maximum guard!" Amiya's exclamation alerted the others.
"Amiya, what's wrong? Who's this woman?"
"She… She's…" Dobermann trailed off as the words died in her throat.
"She's… She's Reunion's ruler… Talulah."
"Hrrm…"
A sense of dread filled everyone present while Ren let out a grunt as he glared at the woman before them with a glint of defiance. Talulah looked at the Rhodes Island seniors before her and laid her eyes upon one specific person.
That one person is the Doctor. The Demon Lord of Rhodes Island. The Trickster. Ren Amamiya.
'Why am I always in the center of attention?' A thought Ren hoped to be wrong.
It's Time! Reviews!
RealEWF: Tune in Will Power or Blooming Villain (Strikers Version) if you so please for that time! Preferably the latter!
Rambukala: RIP those who are in LMD and high tier mat hell
Vantablack MK11: I assure you I'll keep it as close to lore as possible while switching things up. No worries. I'd be doing the Arknights Official Discord server injustice if I did so.
Missingmoney: I mean, social links pretty much proved that already along with real life! Really good point though!
palad1n: Your help is wholly appreciated. I mean it. I have a lot of material from the Arknights Official Discord server to back me up too!
: Some dead, some no.
WC3 Classic will always be a gem, no lie.
So, this one! I'm not too fond of this one, since I fear I may have slipped on a few areas. But I'll leave you all to decide. By the time this is out, Gavial, the Great Chief Returns will soon come to Arknights and English dub Persona 5 Strikers videos will be out all over on YouTube! I'd get it if my laptop isn't potato and I'm not broke.
A funny thing about Arknights lore. Arknights lore has at least 9 Chapters worth of lore, Evil Time split included, with at least 300K worth of lore text. Sounds amazing, right? Time wise, however...
I don't remember if this is right, but the whole span of the Reunion Arc is 2 weeks at MOST. Yes. 2 WEEKS.
It baffled me right at the start. And even now, I still find it hard to believe that 9 chapters filled with 300K lore text happened in 2 WEEKS. So I thought to myself. Hell no. Fuck that shit. I'm gonna go and extend the timeline a bit, and nobody will stop me! Rebel's spirit! HA!
And for the people who've been wondering all about the Persona Awakening, if you've read the other Persona X AK fanfic on the .Net, then it's coming next chapter! I'd be damned if I make the Awakening and battle with Talulah look like shit, so wish me luck on that!
And as always, take your time.