Author's Note: Hello! I'm so terribly sorry that there is once again a 2-week gap between my chapters. Thank for for all the views, favorite, and follows! I feel incredibly bad about the long wait...but I can't help myself! My attention keeps going all over the place! Like, Ensemble Stars came out and I'm obsessing over it, I'm also hardcore simping over Travis Hackett from The Quarry and it just came out and I wanna write for him too because there's not enough fanfic yet of him T^T
Did everyone see the new DLC announcement! Adding Heisenberg to the mercenary mode! And Shadows of Rose looks absolutely amazing! I'm already coming up with some ideas for a side chapter after this story is done. But I won't go forward with it until the DLC actually comes out. I'm excited and October can't come soon enough!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Resident Evil Franchise, all rights belong to Capcom! Any grammatical errors or inconsistencies that you find I do hope that you can forgive me (I will fix it if there are obvious ones I missed). Happy reading everyone!
"It was nice of you to offer to fix Sal's little box that has the moving pictures." Selena said, walking side by side with Karl on their way toward the fishing village where Salvatore's clinic was located.
"You mean his television set? Then, yes, but don't think that I'm just doing it out of the goodness of my heart." Karl said as his eyes brightened when he thought of the contraption waiting for him at Salvatore's clinic, giving the rarest of smiles that only ever showed up when it was just himself and Selena. "I'm quite excited to see the inside of such a complicated gadget."
"Remember, if you break it I'm making sure that you replace it." Selena reeled the man in, reminding him that the contraption he was going to fix wasn't one of his many playthings. That they were simply going over because Karl wanted to see how the appliance functioned, not to mention he was the only one who could fix it, while Selena was invited by Salvatore to see a movie…whatever that was Selena had thought at the time. "Still though, how does it work? Seeing moving pictures on a small screen in your home?"
"You wouldn't understand even if I explained it to you." Karl said. "Best to just sit back and enjoy the experience it brings than worry about the minute details that go into creating such technology. You leave the tinkering to me." Karl said. "If I can successfully replicate it then I can install one into my factory and your house."
"That would be lovely." Selena smiled. "You can deny it, but deep down you're a nice guy. Always quick to offer your assistance wherever it's needed."
"I'm far from 'nice'." Karl scoffed, sounding quite offended at being associated with such a word. "Only reason I'm helping out Moreau is that I have something to gain from it. I begrudgingly help our other siblings because I'm forced to since they aren't smart enough to figure out how things work on their own and most of the time their problems are pointless. Like that egotistical sister of ours, wanting this torture mechanism installed in one of her many rooms…I don't even want to know why she wanted it in the first place or what she plans to do with it." Selena was about to speak up but Karl beat her to it, already knowing what she was about to ask. "And before you say anything, you're the only exception and you best remember that. The only one I'd sincerely offer my assistance to without needing to be asked simply because I dread to think what would happen to you if I left you to your own devices." Karl then lowered his voice to a mumble under his breath. "Possibly burn your whole house down."
"I'm not that bad." Selena shook her head. "But I do appreciate your help when I need it."
"The only person to say they appreciate my hard work as well." Karl continued to complain. "So under-appreciated…"
When the two Lords made it into Salvatore's region they were greeted warmly by a small number of the villagers that frequented the reservoir, Selena more than Karl of course. Out of the five Lords, Selena was the most approachable Lord as they didn't have to be constantly walking on eggshells when addressing her or the threat of being killed didn't loom over their heads. It was a growing reputation that Selena and Karl had developed over time, both being complete opposites of the spectrum in the eyes of their followers. Many in the village accepted the fact that the majority of the time when they would see Karl outside of his factory, Selena was not far behind for there was never one without the other. So, while the villagers were wary and fearful of the man who growled at any who dared to meet his gaze, they welcomed him still because that would mean that Selena was close behind to visit the Lord of their region.
"It reeks…" Karl complained as he placed his hand over his nose in an attempt to cover up the fishy smell. "how you can stand frequently coming here, I'll never understand."
"You learn to deal with it." Selena said as they walked further into the village, past the houses on the lake toward where Salvatore's clinic which was located closer to the local mine tunnels. When they reached the clinic, Selena lifted her hand and gave the door a couple of knocks. "Sal? It's us! We're here!"
"Who?" Came Salvatore's distant voice causing Karl to let out an impatient sigh before going over to bang on the door.
"Your friendly neighborhood engineer! Here to fix your broken appliance along with my trusty sidekick! We strive to provide below substandard quality work because I don't get paid to actually give a damn." Karl barked. "Who do you fucking think we are!"
"Don't need to be mean." Salvatore's voice grew closer before the door opened to show the man who was sweating profusely, rubbing his hands together as he welcomed the two young Lords into his clinic. "Sorry, I've been losing track of time lately with all that's been going on." Salvatore shuffled further into the clinic. "So much to do, so little time not to mention my memory has been a little faulty lately. Do forgive me."
"If you're busy we can always come back another time." Selena offered just as she heard Karl begin to object as he was in the process of stating that he wasn't going to come to the reservoir and be told to go back. Close to throwing a mini tantrum of wasting their time making such a pointless trip if they were just going to be turned away.
"Nonsense, you're here. I'd be happy if you could fix my television set, I wish to catch up on my movies." Salvatore said as he led the two young Lords into the room that held the device.
Salvatore had taken Karl to where the little box was while Selena made herself comfortable on one of Salvatore's patient chairs, waiting calmly for either of the men to finish. There was a brief moment where the two had begun to talk before Karl had dismissed Salvatore away and began making himself busy with the television set.
In amazement, as such a trick never grew old, Selena watched as the little box began to take itself apart just as Salvatore had walked back to join Selena.
"I hope he doesn't break it…" Salvatore mumbled to himself, taking to standing as he watched Karl work his magic with worry. "I quite like my toy…"
"Karl knows what he's doing." Selena assured as she stood up and motioned for Salvatore to sit. "Oh, I can't. It would be rude to make you-" "I insist." Selena urged as she went over to guide the man over to the chair. "You said you've been busy lately, so you need to rest."
"I find it best to shut up and don't argue." Karl added though his attention remained on the little pieces that floated around him before he buried his face once more behind the box. "It'll make your life so much easier."
Selena glared at Karl's back as Salvatore simply chuckled at the exchange and sat himself down into the chair Selena had offered, making himself comfortable, before commenting: "It's so nice that you two get along so well with each other."
"Yeah, nice, when she's not so bossy." Karl continued to make snide remarks to which Selena then decided to just ignore the man and focus her attention on Salvatore.
"What have you been working on that needs your full attention that you lose track of time?" Selena was curious, wondering if there was something urgent going on with the villagers or a problem with the reservoir.
"Oh, nothing to worry about, Selena." Salvatore assured. "Mama has asked me to help her with something, and I've also been trying to make something that would make Mama happy." Salvatore smiled as he lifted his arm, using the sleeve of his shirt to wipe the sweat from his forehead. "After she so kindly gave me a mountain to conduct lots of experiments, I don't want to disappoint her."
There was something normal about the way Salvatore was speaking, but at the same time, there was something strange about it as well. There was a slight childish feel in the way he spoke compared to when Selena had first met him, and the day they spent together after he patched her up in the clinic after the accident she had in the factory all those years ago. Selena was about to comment on the sudden change in his pattern of speech before Karl interrupted the conversation.
"There, fixed it, and I'm pretty sure I can replicate it should we need to. I would just need the necessary parts when the time comes." Karl confidently said as he snatched the controller and aimed it at the television. "And…ta-da."
It was kind of comical, from how confident Karl was to how bored he sounded with such a fanfare…and then to see that the gadget wasn't turning on. It took a lot of effort for Selena not to laugh at the sudden silence that settled around the room as all three of the Lords continued to expectantly stare at the black screen of the machine as the clicking of the controller loudly filled the room the more Karl continued to attempt to get it to turn on.
"…I don't think it's supposed to do that…right?" Selena was the first to speak up.
"Karl, you broke my television!" Salvatore started to panic, his voice rising in pitch with each word he spoke. "You promised you wouldn't."
"Yes, and if I can't fix it today I will buy you a new one." Karl started to take apart the set once more, the parts moving about as the man started to talk to himself while he worked. "That should've worked…I don't understand why that didn't work...stupid fucking device."
As Karl continued to grumble, Salvatore was pouting as he fidgeted in his seat, muttering to himself: "It cost a lot to buy that…"
"As I said, Karl is incredibly good at fixing things. You have nothing to worry about." Selena tried to assure Salvatore while she looked at Karl who continued to tinker with the box. '…I think…'
"Salvatore sounded quite excited to show off what he created." Selena said, coming back from speaking to Donna and Alcina while Karl had made himself comfortable on the church pew that he had claimed as his spot from the very beginning. "I wonder what it could be?"
"Probably some ingenious experiment that could greatly benefit our cause." Karl shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly though his eyes seemed to brighten at the prospect of a new creation. "Doesn't everyone tire of coming to these meetings? It's exhausting, it's like the moment we're summoned we're just…expected to show up like obedient little dogs."
"You say that, yet in your eyes, I can see that you feel completely different about this particular meeting." Selena laughed as she took her seat just beside Karl, the man adjusting the cigar he was smoking into his right hand and away from Selena's body out of consideration for the woman. "You're excited for today."
"Can you blame me? Maybe today's meeting will give me an epiphany." Karl said as he instinctively slung his arm around Selena, resting it on the back of the pew, his gloved fingers grazing her shoulder. "Mother Miranda's been on my case about the importance of producing some successful subjects, yet I could care less about meeting whatever deadline she has in her mind." Karl closed his eyes, his chin dropping and almost touching his chest. "Just to get her off my back, I figured I'd at least try and put some effort into it so I can go on to other, more important, projects of mine."
"Have any ideas?" Selena asked only for Karl to shake his head from side to side.
"None." Karl lowered his voice simply so that the other two women who were gathered in the old church couldn't hear. "I do, however, know that when I do have something? I wouldn't be showing it off as our other siblings have done. I'll simply call Mother Miranda, tell her I have something to show her, and that will be the end of it."
"I ended up doing the same thing as the rest of them, Karl." Selena pointed out though there was no negative intention behind it, Selena was simply pointing it out for Karl to realize his slight mistake.
"Your public display was a strategic move, not something meant to kiss up to Mother Miranda." Karl scoffed.
"I might have an idea for you…" Selena mutters to herself as Karl leaned his head closer to the woman seated beside him, turning his head to better hear her voice and for her to whisper into his ear while the man kept his eyes focused on where each of the Lords was located in the room. "I had this thought you see…when Alcina had called me to talk about her daughters." Karl hummed, encouraging Selena to continue and let her know that he was listening even while his eyes swept across the room on alert. "Alcina mentioned that Bela, Cassandra, and Daniela had no memory of who they were after they woke up from her experiment. And I realized that it was quite similar to my situation."
"Okay, so you have something in common with the bug sisters." Karl muttered before letting out a sharp exhale when Selena had jabbed him in the ribs with her pointer finger. "What are you getting at, buttercup?" Karl said with a groan.
"How much would you like to bet that the tattoo in the center of their foreheads-" Selena pointed to the center of her forehead. "is where the parasite was implanted?"
"Highly possible. Though we don't know where Mother Miranda put yours…and I'd much prefer the both of us avoid talking to the woman outside of our mandatory meetings." Karl hummed in thought. "What about their mother? Our egotistical sibling? I'd bet anything that her parasite is in her head too with how much she hides behind that wide-brimmed hat of hers. And her memory still seems intact."
"If the location is indeed in her head, it could be that the parasite is in a different part of Alcina's head." Selena pointed out. "What I'm trying to get at is that maybe the location on where the parasite is implanted matters more than we think. That different spots in the human body yield different results not to mention whatever other element is also introduced with the Cadou."
"We take into consideration not only a mortal's affinity but also the location? That's an interesting thought." Karl complimented with a nod of his head. "You might be onto something for once."
"What do you mean for once?" Selena smiled before going back to her initial train of thought. "Now, how can you incorporate your gift to work with this theory…"
"Why would my gift need to be taken into consideration?" Karl asked.
"To make your life easier?" Selena said as if it was the most obvious reason which caused Karl to hum in thought.
"I'm starting to have an idea…" Karl stated as his right leg began to bounce impatiently. "now, more than ever, I wish this meeting would quickly begin and end so I can get back to my factory to test it."
"May I tag along to hear your ideas?" Selena asked which caused Karl to scoff.
"I thought that was a given?" Karl shook his head. "Do you really need to ask to come along?"
"Well, I didn't want to assume." Selena pointed out.
"We've run our thoughts and ideas by each other, we've always done it together." Karl grumbled. "I don't see why I would suddenly just…stop involving you in my business."
"I am curious." Selena turned, tilting her head up to look at Karl as she leaned close to his face, her breath tickling his cheek as she spoke softer than before. "May I ask what exactly this idea of yours is?"
"Everyone uses live subjects, I want to see what the reaction is toward a recently deceased subject." Karl honestly stated. "I'm taking inspiration from this old novel I found from the Duke about a scientist who bestows life to a non-living thing." From the corner of Karl's eyes, almost hidden by the corner frame of his sunglasses, blue eyes could be seen looking at Selena. "Your theory that location could make a difference toward the result…I wonder if I could reanimate a recently deceased human body if placed in the right spot."
"Interesting…" Selena hummed. "to go from my theory to thinking about using dead bodies…how? Why?"
"I don't want to be like Mother Miranda." Karl firmly stated before his eyes softened when he turned fully to look at Selena, his eyes almost glowing behind the dark rims. "And I figured since we'll continue working together, that you would be disappointed in me doing to others what Mother Miranda did to us. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable and relive our days in that prison cell." Karl then bashfully looked away, a tinge of red brushing his cheeks. In his right hand, he brought the cigar up to his lips and took a puff, the end turning bright red before he blew out a wisp of white smoke away from Selena's face. "I know how much you value the lives of these mortals…"
"Isn't it nice to be young?" Angie's rough voice startled both Selena and Karl as Donna, carrying Angie, made her way over to the right side of the podium in preparation for Mother Miranda's arrival.
"I think I'm going to be sick." Alcina commented as she took her own designated seat across from the pair. "Selena, when you grow tired of such ghastly company, do let me know. It would be my honor to speak to Mother Miranda to get you moved away from the ruffian."
"I never grow tired of this lovely exchange of ours. Really, I do cherish these moments. We should do it more often." Karl sarcastically said before fluttering of wings prevented the typical argument from ensuring.
"Let us start shall we?" Mother Miranda's even voice spoke out, cutting through the conversations as all eyes turned to the woman that stood above them all at the podium. Mother Miranda motioned with her clawed hand in the direction opposite of the podium back toward the entrance as she gave the silent command. "Moreau."
"Yes, Mother Miranda." Salvatore's voice was the first to be heard before the man slunk out from the shadows, his body covered from head to toe in a black cloak. It was a strange attire that Selena wasn't used to seeing as Salvatore motioned behind him. "What I bring forth today to show all of you doesn't need my help to introduce it. I will let it do all the talking so to speak."
Salvatore had reached into his cloak and threw something that none of the Lords could see, but they had heard and smelled it. The decaying smell of meat, the wet slapping sound hitting the ground followed by a low vibrating growl.
They heard something scraping against the stone floor of the church and from the shadows, a large creature stalked toward the Lords on all fours. The creature was hideous, grotesque, and quite frankly terrifying. It had a recognizable human face that morphed into that of a lycan, its limbs disproportionate as its front arms were longer than its hind legs, fingers elongated with razor-sharp nails. The large jaw slowly opened to show a row of sharp teeth that could easily tear apart human flesh with ease and its whole body was covered in scruffy white fur. Milky white eyes scanned the room before it attempted to lunge forward at Salvatore before the chains connecting the heavy metal collar around its neck went taught, preventing the creature from attacking any of the Lords, causing it to let out a loud whine.
"What…" Alcina was the first to speak up, face scrunched up out of fascination or disgust it was hard to tell, as she stood to her feet. "is that creature."
"The first of its kind." Salvatore said as he moved out of reach from the creature, standing just beside where Selena and Karl were seated when the monster had snapped its jaw in the man's direction. "Vârcolac, the alfa. Created by implanting the parasite into the spine of a lycan." Salvatore was proud of what he created, and Selena could tell when his eyes never left where Mother Miranda was standing. Salvatore waited patiently and expectantly for the regal woman to shower him with praise about the experiment he had presented to everyone.
"You sure it's safe to let that thing roam free like all the other monstrosities?" Karl asked, sizing up the creature just as the vârcolac snapped its jaws in Karl's direction the second he spoke before vigorously thrashing its head from side to side in an attempt to break free. "That thing seems to rely more on physical strength."
"I cannot say for sure." Salvatore addressed the issue, his voice wavering just a bit due to being unsure himself before his eyes brightened. "But in time, I'm sure that we can tame-"
Just as Salvatore was about to finish his sentence the beast, the vârcolac had started to trash against its restraints once more, becoming rabid as each second passed before a loud snap was heard. The Lord's present tensed as the metal chain connected to the collar around the vârcolac had snapped causing all of them to stand from their seated position and slowly back away from the creature. The vârcolac bristled, the hackles along its back stood up as its head turned from side to side to survey its surroundings. White eyes glanced around the room as drool began to drip from its gaping maw, splashing to the ground as if salivating at the thought of sinking its teeth at all the potential food that was laid out before it.
What seemed like an eternity of waiting, only took seconds, as the vârcolac eyes finally settled on where Selena stood beside Salvatore. It recognized the man that had created it and was eager to sink its jaws on the man who caused so much pain during its transformation as well as any that was around him…and by awful luck, that person in the vicinity just so happened to be Selena.
The vârcolac let out a mighty roar as its long limbs closed the distance in a jump, jaws wide open and at the sudden movement, everyone had begun to move out of the way. Salvatore and Selena had dodged the creature, separating from each other, but instead of the vârcolac turning on its master its eyes had zeroed in on where Selena had gone. Singling the woman out as possibly the weakest out of those that were present in the room.
The vârcolac began to slowly stalk toward Selena, a low growl emitting deep within its throat before lunging forward.
Time seemed to slow down for Selena, the woman needed to make a decision quickly. Laid out before her, Selena had two choices: one was to allow the thing to either do significant damage to her body and/or possibly kill her. Or! Go against her promise to Karl and reveal her hidden gift in front of her siblings and Mother Miranda.
Over the years, Selena had practiced and had gotten better at handling her gift, commanding it to react without needing any emotional motivation. Selena practiced daily when it came to her flowers, by now she could probably destroy something as big as this ferocious beast…but she wasn't sure what Mother Miranda would put her through should the woman find out what they've been hiding for so very long.
Selena had hesitated, fearful of the thought of what Mother Miranda would expose her to as she remembered what Mother Miranda did to her back in the cell, but one look behind her in Karl's direction was all the answers Selena needed.
Selena wanted to live, she wanted to stay around as long as she could to stay beside Karl to make living in this situation and dealing with Mother Miranda bearable. It's always been that way, with the two of them together, they could take on the world.
Selena lifted her arms, palm facing the vârcolac, as if she was protecting herself, and closed her eyes, waiting for the exact moment she would make contact with the beast and feel the heat travel up her arms. Waiting to suck the life out of the creature and allow its life force to remain stored in her body, dormant until the right situation arose to allow it all out.
But the contact never came.
Instead, an arm had snaked around her shoulder and pulled her body close, her body turning into a warm and solid embrace. Peaking through one eye, Selena saw that Karl had rushed to her side, and at the sight of the man both of Selena's eyes had opened in surprise. Her body was nestled securely against Karl's side, his cigar clenched between his teeth as his jaw tensed, and his own eyes remained focused on the vârcolac's every movement. With his free hand extended out, palm up and fingers curled, metal reinforcement bars flew past the two and embedded themselves into the body of the vârcolac as it was mid-jump.
Momentarily, the strange sensation of the bars piercing its body had caused the vârcolac to stumble backward, but that didn't deter it from continuing its attack. It only grew angrier as it shook its body in an attempt to rid itself of the uncomfortable sensation before it let out a challenging growl at the man who stood in the way of its prey. Such a look caused Selena to wrap one of her arms around Karl's midsection, and bury herself further into Karl's coat as if seeking the added protection the metal man offered.
Karl didn't back down either, after seeing that the bars weren't stopping the creature, he had commanded a large beam to listen to his command. It shot past Karl as the beam wrapped around the neck of the vârcolac before it slammed against the ground, causing the stone beneath to crack under the pressure. The vârcolac let out a guttural roar as it struggled vehemently against the collar that was preventing it from getting up or lifting its head.
Selena felt Karl's chest rise and fall, could hear the pounding of his heart beating hard against his chest, and felt his grip on her shoulder tighten. When the creature continued to struggle, Selena saw that the reinforced bars began to dig deeper into the vârcolac's body causing the roar to turn into a painful yelp. It wasn't enough to kill the creature, just enough to display who was truly in control of this situation.
"Karl." Selena unwound her arm and instead reached up to the hand that was squeezing her shoulder, feeling his hands shake the moment she had touched his own. "It's okay, we're okay." Karl hadn't moved though, it seemed that he was still transfixed on the monstrous creature, his body itching and waiting for the vârcolac to try and break free. To give the man the initiative to kill the creature. "Karl." At Selena's soft voice and gentle touch on his cheek, Karl blinked and stared down at the woman that was still nestled into his side. "I'm okay."
Karl blinked, and took a deep breath from his cigar, gathering the smoke into his mouth before blowing some of the smoke harshly through his nose. He had then taken the cigar out of his mouth, dropped it to the ground, and snuffed it out with his boot before releasing his hold on Selena as he stormed over to the struggling beast. When the vârcolac let out another growl, this time in warning, when Karl got close it had attempted to bite him. Karl dodged its jaw before commanding the bars in its body to bury deeper without killing it.
"Not an ounce of intelligence either it would seem." Karl growled as he placed his heavy boot on the snout of the creature and applied the necessary pressure to prevent it from opening. "This thing should be destroyed."
"No!" Salvatore argued. "I made it!"
"The lycans that are free to roam are one thing." Karl argued back, making it a point to motion toward the many creatures that were lurking on the floorboards on the second level of the church. The lycans made it a point to keep far away from where the Lords were gathered knowing full well who their masters were. "But this thing!" Karl administered a hard kick to the beast to emphasize his words, to make sure that everyone present understood how dangerous this creature truly was to their existence before placing his boot back on its face. "This thing attacked and could've killed Selena."
"I…" Salvatore couldn't deny that the creature had indeed tried to attack Selena, he felt guilty about that, and it was clear that he felt bad when he turned to Selena with a look of remorse. "I'm sorry, Selena, I didn't intend for my creation-"
"No one was hurt." Selena assured, though slightly shaken up from the experience. "That's all that matters."
"The creature is flawed. But!" Mother Miranda spoke up after everything seemed to have calmed down. Not at all phased at the events that had just unfolded, she had simply watched and observed what everyone would do. "In time, they will learn to fall in line and obey as its master commands. Their spirit shall be crushed and become obedient little creatures." Mother Miranda's pointed mask turned to look at Salvatore and then to Karl. "I trust you, Moreau, to produce more of these... vârcolac as you called them. And Heisenberg." Karl turned to Mother Miranda when he had been addressed. "Do help Moreau with this project, it may prove-" Mother Miranda's gaze then went to the vârcolac that was still struggling under Karl's boot, putting her full trust that Karl was the man to help control the situation after the display she had seen today. "too much for Moreau to handle."
Karl already had his hands full, helping Selena was the only thing he willingly wanted to do as well as working on things in his factory, but…he couldn't bring himself to decline a request from the woman that stood above them all. "But of course, Mother Miranda." Karl's voice purred to show compliance and acceptance.
Mother Miranda had seen how protective Karl was when it came to Selena, and had seen the man jump into action the second that Selena had been exposed to the potential danger. She had also seen how Selena was able to reign in Karl when he was close to snapping. The two had grown quite close, closer than Mother Miranda could've ever imagined, and the woman had to wonder if that was a good thing…or a bad thing.
Mother Miranda's eyes were guarded as she dismissed the meeting for the day, and watched carefully as Karl immediately went over to Selena's side. Karl had given Selena a once over before quickly escorting Selena out of the church, making sure that they avoided the creature that continued to struggle.
They had exceeded her expectations and were becoming incredible assets to her cause, but Mother Miranda had to question if she should continue to encourage such close behavior between her golden children. Though progress was indeed being made, what could they accomplish if they continued to work together as they have been? If the time came, where would their loyalty lie? In her, or to each other?
Mother Miranda made a note to herself as she vanished in a puff of black feathers to further study and assess each move they made going forward.
"Lady Sinclair!" Marco came barging into Selena's house in the middle of the night, startling the poor woman who was in the process of turning in for the night. Selena looked toward the usually quiet man who was now in a panic as he stopped to quickly regain his breath.
"Marco?" Selena stepped up to the man as he started to take deep, even, breaths. "What's wrong?"
"Bad news my Lady." Marco said before motioning back the way he came. "It's best for you to see for yourself."
Sensing the urgency in his voice Selena had dropped whatever she was doing and followed Marco out of the house, making sure to grab her lantern that she kept near the front door, and once outside, what greeted Selena surprised her. "What is happening here? Where did all these people come from?"
Outside, in her village, there were new faces mingling among familiar faces, and with those new faces, Selena noticed that a lot of them were soaked to the bone, and in this weather? She knew the villagers were freezing.
"They say they come from the fishing village." Marco answered. "These aren't all of them though as some have settled in the main village, but those that couldn't be accommodated were sent here."
"What happened to the fishing village?" Selena asked with alarm as she looked at all the new faces. "Where's Lord Moreau?"
"I'm not sure my Lady…they just arrived, shaken up from what they had just gone through. We don't have all the answers just yet." Marco apologized as he watched Selena move around him, understanding perfectly as she went over to one of the men who had graciously been given a fuzzy blanket to keep warm.
"Please, tell me what happened." Selena asked.
"It happened so fast…" The man stuttered, his voice shaking as he continued to shiver under the blanket, shaken from the event as well as the weather. "it first started when the mechanism controlling the sluice gate malfunctioned. The sluice gate that allowed the stream to flow from the waterfall from Beneviento's home remained open, yet the gate that cycled the water out closed shut. It began to flood our homes as we slept, we woke up as our beds became soggy and called for an evacuation. Some of us had gone back to try and fix the machine only to find that someone had destroyed the controls…"
"It's possible that some didn't make it out in time…" Ianto came over to place a comforting hand on the man's shoulder. "it took us all by surprise when we suddenly received some unexpected guests."
"What happened to Lord Moreau?" Selena asked, just as concerned for her older brother as she was for the villagers that were now staying, permanently or temporarily, in her village.
"Lord Moreau?" The man furrowed his brow as he tried to recall the events that had just happened. "I'm sorry Lady Sinclair, I don't recall seeing Lord Moreau during the evacuation." Selena had deflated, and she began to think that maybe he hadn't made it out in time like the rest of his villagers. Upon seeing Selena's discouraged expression the man had quickly tried to remedy the situation as he did remember seeing one other thing that could give the woman a small glimmer of hope that Salvatore made it out safely. "But, if he did make it out like the rest of us, I would check the old mine."
"The old mine?" Selena tilted her head in confusion causing the man to nod his head.
"Yes, those that couldn't make it to shore due to lack of boats had escaped to the mines." The man answered. "The mine is uphill so the water would've had trouble reaching into the tunnels. From the mine, they could take the lift back to the surface to get to the main village."
"Then that is where I will check, thank you. I know where that lift is." Selena then turned to Ianto. "Make sure the people here are warmed up and have a safe place to rest for the night. Use my home if you must. Tomorrow, we will discuss what to do with everyone here in regards to living arrangements."
"Understood, Lady Sinclair." Ianto nodded his head but just as Selena was about to walk past the trembling man he had lashed out and gripped her wrist to prevent Selena from leaving.
"Wait!" The sudden action caused Ianto to step closer in alarm as he was about to reach out to rid the hand off Selena. The blonde woman shook her head and assured Ianto that he hadn't meant any harm from such action before looking expectantly at the man and nodded for him to continue talking. "There…there's more that you must know."
Selena gently placed her hand over the man's and knelt in front of him. "More?"
"I chanced a glance back to the lake. I was concerned for the others that were escaping…it was one of the last boats that were on the lake." The man started to shake, this time not from the cold, but from what he was remembering as he stared back down at the ground, biting the bottom of his lip as he tried to get out what he wished to say. "It was dark, but…I saw…a giant fin emerge and break the surface of the lake before vanishing beneath the waters…and then…the boat!" The man began to choke up as Selena encouraged the man to take deep breaths to calm himself. "T-the boat…there was a large explosion, the water shooting up toward the sky, the boat had collapsed…snapped in half. And the villagers! The villagers…it looked as if they were being consumed by the water itself…one by one…they screamed before being dragged under the surface." When Selena didn't immediately respond the man reached out and desperately clung to Selena's shoulders.
"It…it may have been a trick of the eye, but…I know what I saw!" The man grew frantic as wide, fear-filled, eyes pleadingly looked at Selena. "Something dangerous was introduced into the waters of our fishing village. If there are still villagers lingering by the reservoir…any survivors! Please…please get them out of there."
"It's okay, you're safe here I promise." Selena assured as she reached up to unclasp his hands and place them back in his lap. "My friends, the villagers, will help you and everyone here get settled for the night. We'll fully deal with all this in the morning."
Just as Selena had grabbed her lantern and turned to leave, another hand had shot out, placed just in front of Selena to stop her from leaving. Selena turned to curiously find that Alfrid was the one that had stopped her.
"Lady Sinclair, I must protest." Alfrid held fast to his objection. "It's pitch dark, if you were to fall in the lake whatever…monster is potentially in that lake would swallow you whole and you wouldn't even see it coming."
"I'll be fine, Alfrid." Selena tried to convince the rough-around-the-edges man only for Alfrid to furiously shake his head.
"If the water won't get you then the mine will. I had heard that it hasn't been used in years!" Alfrid tried to convince Selena. "There could be falling beams rotted away by age, debris that you could fall into and impale yourself with, boulders crushing you…anything in there could harm you or kill you." Alfrid stepped closer to Selena and pointed to the hand that held her lantern. "You only have this lamp to light your way, and nothing more! If something were to happen to you, imagine how Lord Heisenberg would react…what Mother Miranda will do to us." Alfrid pleaded, invoking Mother Miranda's name as a last-ditch effort in hopes that Selena would see reason and be more concerned for her safety than the safety of others. "Please Lady Sinclair….let us deal with this tomorrow."
"I'm sorry." Selena said as she slowly, and carefully, pulled away knowing full well how strong Alfrid had become over the years. "But I must see if Lord Moreau is okay."
"Then please allow one of us to go with you." Alfrid insisted, persisting as much as he could. "You've given us these gifts, and out of the four of us only I can assist you the best."
"I need all of you here to watch over our village like you were meant to." Selena fought back, equally as stubborn as the man. "More so now than ever with the new additions to our home."
"I'll be fine, Alfrid." Alfrid averted his eyes to the ground, his jaw clenched as his body remained tense and coiled as if he wanted to hit something. Selena looked around before lowering her voice so that only the two of them could hear. "I may look weak, but I've got a pretty neat gift of my own don't you think?" Selena smiled to try and cheer the man up. "If I don't return by the time the sun is in the center of the sky, call for Lord Heisenberg. He may seem like he doesn't care about anyone other than himself, but he'll help without complaining. I believe that he will come looking for me, even if he says he won't help you."
"Lord Heisenberg wouldn't know where you are…" Alfrid grumbled.
"Just point him in the right direction." Selena said before turning around and running in the direction of where the mines were while calling back to Alfrid over her shoulder. "I'll be right back."
Alfrid watched as Selena continued to get further away from them before whispering under his breath. "…be safe, Lady Sinclair."
With the lantern in hand, Selena had quickly made her way to where she knew the entrance to the mine would be, close to where Salvatore's secret laboratory was located.
It has been days? Weeks? Months? Since Selena had last seen Salvatore? She wasn't sure. After the incident with the vârcolac at the church, Salvatore had grown increasingly busy and distanced himself from everyone.
Aside from creating more of those beastly creatures, there had been times when Selena had asked if Salvatore wanted to watch one of his favorite old-time movies that he was so enthusiastic about. To Selena's surprise, Salvatore had declined her offer and hung up the phone. Adding in the strange behavior, the exponential regression of how he behaved as well as the sudden shift in his pattern of speech, in this situation it was normal for Selena to be worried for the person she considered family.
Salvatore was a quiet, passive, man who just wanted people to like him, and to suddenly want to distance himself from Selena who he was so eager to invite over for movie night whenever he got the chance? And to suddenly hear that the region he lived in was suddenly flooded with no sight of the Lord? Selena wanted to make sure that he was at least safe even if he didn't want her around lately.
Down to the East of the main village, following the path of the stream, it took Selena to where she knew the old windmill would be. Once she got past the gates and into the windmill, she took the stairs down toward where the lift was located and without hesitation, she took it down into the old mine.
The mine smelled damp, it smelled rotten, and the smell only seemed to grow worse the further that Selena traveled.
"If anyone is here, please make a noise!" Selena decided to call out as she heard the sound of water drops falling into the puddle that accumulated on the muddy ground. "If there is anyone from the village that took shelter in the mines, say something!"
Selena didn't hear a single sound, it was highly possible that those that did escape to the mines when the sluice gate closed and flooded the area had already taken the lift up and went straight to the main village to seek shelter for the night. Now that Selena thought about it, she did see some water marks on her way down and inside the lift, so she went with the logical answer that the villagers had already left the mines.
Just as Selena was about to leave though she had thought she heard something coming from further into the mine, a sort of regurgitation sound that could distantly be heard. Instead of turning back to the lift, Selena had walked deeper into the mine from the lift and heard a clearer sound. If Selena were to describe the noise she was hearing…it sounded more like a woeful sob.
"He-hello?" Selena called out as she continued forward and immediately the sobbing had ceased.
"Who's there?" A garbled response came out and though the voice sounded a bit warped…Selena knew that voice. At least, she hoped that it was the person she was looking for and not some stranger that lived in the mine without any of them knowing.
"Sal?" Selena hopefully called out.
"…Selena?" Salvatore hesitantly called back.
"Yes, it's me, Selena." Selena said as she quickly made haste and followed the path, her footsteps echoing and bouncing off the walls of the mine.
"Wait! Don't come any closer!" Salvatore's urgent voice called out causing Selena to skid in her tracks, almost tripping over a rock that she had failed to see due to the lantern being held closer to her eyes than to the ground.
"What? Why?" Selena yelled back. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
"I'm-I'm fine!" Came Salvatore's garbled response. "Go home!"
"I'm not going home until I know for sure that you're okay!" Selena argued as she continued walking forward, making sure to keep her steps as quiet as possible to not spook the old man. "I haven't spoken to you in…I don't know how long, and then I hear in the middle of the night that the fishing village became flooded! I was worried for you!"
Selena continued on the path when to the right she saw an opening leading into a room that seemed dimly lit. Selena had lifted her lantern and saw a black mass that was huddled inside the room. "Salvatore?"
The black mass shifted, too big to be Salvatore, Selena couldn't help but think but she wasn't mistaken that the person responding to her was, indeed, Salvatore's voice with a wobble to it. Determined to get the answers to her question, with confidence Selena ventured further into the room which caused the black mass to swiftly shuffle away. "Don't! Don't come any closer, Selena."
"So that is you, Sal." Selena sighed in relief, stopping just beside the television box that was playing static white noise on its screen. "What are you doing here in the dark? Come, let's go back to my home to sleep in a nice warm bed. You've had a rough night."
"No, I-I have things to do here for…for Mama!" Salvatore persisted. "I will stay here."
Selena furrowed her brows in confusion, one because Salvatore was panicking for some unknown reason and two was that every time she took a step closer to Salvatore he would shuffle two steps away which caused Selena to let out a small sigh in frustration. "If you insist on staying here, at least let me see if you're hurt! You're hunched over, shuffling, possibly limping away. I can't know for sure if you're hurt unless you allow me to look you over."
"No!" Salvatore continued to assert himself or attempted to for he began to gag and dry heave, trying to catch his breath after this one gagging fit seemed to take a toll on his body.
Selena knew that she wasn't going to get anywhere with Salvatore if she continued like this so she lowered her voice and spoke in a gentle, motherly, voice. "I'm only worried for you, Sal…" Selena carefully moved over to Salvatore, approaching the man, and when he didn't move Selena lifted her lantern so that she could see his body better.
What she saw caught her off guard.
The face staring back at her was a stretched-out, deformed face of who she recognized as her older sibling Salvatore. He had covered most of his body in the black fabric, but she could see that there was webbing between his fingers and toes. Selena had initially thought that the black hump on Salvatore's back was just bunched-up fabric, but on closer inspection, she realized that it was his body having mutated and grown in size.
"…Salvatore…?" Selena asked before the man quickly backed away and shielded his face with the black fabric of his cloak.
"Don't look at me!" Salvatore pleaded.
"Sal…what happened to you?" Selena asked with genuine concern.
"Nothing happened to me. I'm perfectly fine." Salvatore insisted. "This, this is Mama's gift to me."
"Mama's gift?" Selena asked as she knelt on the ground, placing the lantern between them. "From Mother Miranda?"
"The Cadou growing inside of me." Salvatore gurgled. "Mama said that my body was perfect for a new test that she wanted to conduct. Said that I deserved to have more…and I wanted to make Mama happy."
"Mother Miranda…mama." Selena corrected herself when Salvatore squinted at her, his attempt at a glare. Selena realized that by humoring the man she was getting further conversing this way instead of being commanding and straightforward. "Mama gave you more…gifts? Do you know how many?"
"Two. Now, I have three." Salvatore said, sounding quite proud aside from him still wishing to hide, but just as he was about to talk more his body began to convulse as he began to gag which caused Selena to worry even more.
"Sal," Selena began to move closer but resisted due to Salvatore flinching away when she made a sudden move. Selena decided to remain where she knelt and looked Salvatore over, seeing that his body wasn't reacting properly to the newest experiment his body was introduced to. "what did…Mama say when she saw your body react like this?"
"Mama, was disappointed in me." Salvatore said. "The experiments I did went pop! She was upset, she wants strong vessels that I cannot make just yet. Then! I did make it, but I still had to force them to obey me." Salvatore sulked. "Now, Mama won't look at me because I continue to fail." Salvatore grew aggravated. "So! I will make new subjects, I will! I will succeed!" Salvatore was beginning to shut down, talking to himself as if Selena wasn't there anymore. "Then, then if I do make something great, then Mama will be proud of me once more."
"Sal," Selena spoke with a firm voice, just enough to try and command the mutated man's attention back to her. "what happened to the reservoir?"
"The reservoir?" Salvatore looked confused before his eyes widened as if he briefly forgot and then suddenly remembered. "Oh!" Salvatore's eyes brightened, though his expression seemed to flicker back and forth between excitement and worry. "I needed more water!"
"You…needed more water?" Selena patiently asked. "More water for…?"
"I felt myself losing control, and there wasn't enough water to sustain my size when I transformed. Fish need a lot of water to survive. I was a big fish in a small pond." Salvatore said. "So, I made sure the water was deep enough for me to swim in."
"You closed the sluice gates, submerged the village in water to create a comfortable place to swim in." Selena put two and two together, a little taken back by such an innocent and straightforward confession that possibly killed any unsuspecting villagers and destroyed their homes. "Sal, there were still people sleeping in their houses. There could've been a large number of casualties if they didn't wake up in time." Salvatore didn't seem to respond, almost as if he didn't care about what he'd just done, only that he was satisfied and got what he wanted. "Was-was this the first time this has happened to you? This transformation." Selena asked, causing Salvatore to shake his head no.
"Many times I've lost control since getting Mama's new gift, and I didn't like that I couldn't fit in the lake." Salvatore said. "Sometimes it hurts."
"Why did you say yes to such a request?" Selena asked.
Salvatore looked down sadly as he mumbled to himself. "I don't want Mama to abandon me…"
"Mama won't abandon you." Selena interjected, but her voice seemed to falter. With all that she had seen in the years that have passed them by, she didn't quite believe her own words. But she had to say it to assure Salvatore.
"She won't?" Salvatore asked with hopeful eyes, turning back to Selena as the woman could only give a sad smile and, due to not being able to trust her own voice, simply nodded her head. "Then, I will work harder for Mama, so that she won't think of me as a failure."
Salvatore was excited about all the plans he was coming up with in his head that Selena couldn't bring herself to voice her concern for what the parasite was doing to Salvatore's body. Selena couldn't completely see the effects of what the additional two parasites that were introduced to his body were doing due to the large black cloak that engulfed him, but she could see what it was doing from his exposed skin. Instead of a healthy complexion, seeing the typical flush of red when a person gets embarrassed or tan from being overly exposed to the sun while fishing, Salvatore's skin looked sickly and deathly. Skin ash gray and leathery, a coat of liquid-like mucus that would reflect the light that Selena's lantern produced when it caught it at the right angle. And though Salvatore didn't outright say it, when she first laid eyes on his form he looked as if he didn't want her specifically to see him this way.
"Sal-" Selena opened her mouth to speak only to be cut off. "I don't want you here, Selena." Selena blinked her eyes a couple of times, registering what Salvatore had just said before looking at the deformed man as if waiting for an explanation. "You…want me to leave?"
"Yes." Salvatore said as he turned his back to Selena, a sense of clarity flashing across his eyes compared to the Salvatore she was just speaking to whose eyes were clouded and childlike. "I can't control my mutation and until I can, I shouldn't be around you…" "I'll be okay-" "There's a reason I didn't want you around!" Salvatore's mood was jumping around, petulant when Selena wouldn't listen, but happy to speak to her if the conversation was something that he wanted to talk about. "I'm…hideous as I am, and I can't enjoy our movie nights until I have it all under control. I will prove to Mama that I can be in control of this gift."
"If you lose control, Sal, I'll gladly take you to the lake to get comfortable." Selena tried to assure as she saw the fabric of Salvatore's cloak sway from side to side.
"No!" Salvatore continued to fight against Selena wanting to make sure that he would be okay throughout the night, and her worry persisted when he started to vomit thick green liquid. "Leave, Selena."
There was no use arguing with Salvatore in the state of mind he had placed himself in, in this childish state of wanting his way and it wasn't the first time Selena had dealt with these types of tantrums when it concerned Salvatore. In the past, before he had succumbed to this new mutation when she would go over to his clinic on the many invitations, there were moments when she would either have the more sensible Salvatore. The one who was able to have an adult and leveled conversation. Or Selena would deal with the Salvatore that resembled a child that only wanted their mother's attention, that only wished for their mother's infinite approval. Before it wasn't as noticeable, there was always a sense that Salvatore seemed to act younger than he physically looked, but these new parasites in his body seemed to accelerate his regression.
And Selena knew just how to deal with the different types of situations right off the bat, and her solution was right behind her when the static from the television caught her eyes.
"Okay Sal, I'll leave." Selena called back as she smiled at the back of the cloaked man before letting out a melodramatic sigh. "I'm a little sad though. After all, I came all this way here because, as your loving sister and caring, I was worried about you. Not to mention I was hoping that, by coming here, I could see that movie you wanted to show me." Selena turned back around and took a large step back the way she came, but with each step, she made sure that a few seconds would pass before she took another step. "I was so excited to see it too after that last movie we watched, It Happened One Night?" Selena musically hummed. "Now, what was that other movie you wanted to watch? Casanova?"
Salvatore perked up at the name, knowing full well what movie Selena was hinting at as he did a full turn around and became almost animated when he began to speak. "Casablanca? I got that from the Duke!"
"Yes! That!" Selena said, still with her back toward Salvatore as she snapped her finger in appreciation, humoring that Salvatore came up with an answer even when she already knew it. "A shame really, when you explained the premise of the movie, I was so excited to watch it."
"We can watch it." Selena heard Salvatore say before more shuffling of clothes was heard and when she turned to look behind her she saw Salvatore had closed the distance between them and started tinkering with the television box. "Just let me get it set up."
Selena smiled as she waited for Salvatore to prepare everything for them to watch the movie. This was one of the many methods she would use to divert Salvatore's attention away from what he was worried about when he acted this way. If she bought up one of his favorite movies that he was excited about and showed interest in it, genuine interest, and Salvatore wanted a chance to show off? Then all previous concerns were long forgotten.
Selena began to make herself comfortable as the opening title began to play and Salvatore just sat on the ground with eyes wide open, focused solely on the television screen.
The two sat side by side, Selena sitting completely on the ground with her legs pulled up to her chest as Salvatore sat as comfortably as his mutation would allow beside her as. While the movie played, Salvatore's attention was on the screen as he described to Selena every scene of the movie as well as quoted just about every line just as the actors on the screen did. Salvatore was entranced by the movie while Selena smiled and watched how excited Salvatore was from the corner of her eyes with a smile on her face, half paying attention to the movie and the other to her older brother.
Salvatore didn't even realize that Selena's attention wasn't solely on the tv as he reached out to the plate that was in front of the television set and grabbed a slice of cheese, gobbling it down as he continued to enjoy watching the movie with the blonde woman.
"Selena," Salvatore said as he turned to the blonde woman who was caught by surprise before she could feel her cheeks redden as she'd hoped he didn't comment about her not watching the movie. Thankfully, he was more excited about the movie and sharing the experience with Selena than her attention being on him when he spoke to her. "can you play this song?"
A slow, sweet, longing jazz song began to play on the piano as a baritone-like voice began to sing. The known theme song for the movie titled As Time Goes By sung by Dooley Wilson. Selena wasn't one to play jazz, most of the songs she did know were from a distant memory that was unlocked in the spur of the moment. But all Selena did was nod her head with a promise that she will learn the song, and the next time he visits her home she will play it for him.
Sal had lost his region, became uninhabitable, lost all his potential subjects that were at his disposal, and Mother Miranda wasn't happy about it which meant that she wasn't happy with Sal…he had disappointed her. He had lost control of his mutation and destroyed the village and scattered his subjects throughout my region and the main village. I recall Mother Miranda being infuriated that Sal had to now rely on Mother Miranda to deliver the necessary subjects for him to experiment on due to his mutation growing increasingly out of hand that it affected his outward appearance.
But, how was that his fault?
That is what I would've asked back then had I possessed the courage that I do now. But back then, we were afraid of Mother Miranda, we simply remained silent and watched as Mother Miranda's fury toward Sal grew.
And poor Salvatore…after that meeting was finished he was the only one who remained behind in the church thinking over all that Mother Miranda had just said. But I think all that was going through his mind at that moment was how he had greatly disappointed Mother Miranda.
When I had gone over to offer my support, whether it be someone he can talk to or go back to the mines to watch one of his favorite, cliche, romance movies that he's watched over a hundred times all I heard from him was a bunch of mumbling under his breath. Mumbling about how much 'Mama' was upset with him, and that he will find a way to make everything right. That he will get 'Mama' to see him as her perfect, favorite child. When I repeated his name once more, he turned to me and asked if I could offer some test subjects from my village that he could have and use as he pleased. I had to tell him, no, and even then that didn't deter him from his objective of finding more subjects to experiment on.
Salvatore walked past me and continued to speak to himself, walked past Karl who had attempted to get his attention for my sake, but even the strong forceful voice wasn't enough to break the hunched man's train of thought.
The Salvatore I knew, the man I met from the beginning, was long gone as he committed his attention to try and appease 'Mama'. Sometimes, during our movie nights, I could see him struggle with his regressed behavior. Struggling between the man he used to be and the child that wanted to garner the attention and approval of the adults around him. Struggling between moments of clarity, or clouded by childish wonder.
And the heartbreaking thing was that I couldn't help him. If I did, if I tried to cure him and help his mutation along, once he gained full clarity he would report to Mother Miranda what I had done to help ease away the side effects from the multiple parasites that were eating away at his body. The most I could do was discreetly lower the pain and discomfort it caused Sal as well as prevent any unexpected transformation when I was around.
Salvatore, I couldn't speak to him like I used to, I had to constantly think and choose my words wisely. Remind myself that I was dealing with a child in a man's body. But though his outward appearance had changed at least he still loved the old-time, black and white, cliche, romance, drama movies.
Salvatore is a bit more childish, so I think I may have gone slightly overboard? But I like to think that, as I was reading his Diary entries, he was going back and forth between sensible adult and tantrum-throwing child. Having a difficult time juggling his sanity until the very end where he just completely gave in to his mutation. Inspiration was taken mostly from Moreau's experimental files and diary entries as well as what we saw him doing when Ethan first meets the man. And if you look at the concept art (?) it was shown that he loves old romance movies and cheese hehe.
If you are enjoying my story and looking forward to more chapters then leave a nice little review, favorite, and follow to let me know =D though it is not mandatory. Just your viewing and reading are greatly appreciated and make me incredibly happy! Thank you everyone for reading! Sending lots of love, positive vibes, and big hugs your way! See you next chapter (I will try my absolute hardest to update faster haha if not I am terribly sorry)!
-SO