Author's Note: Hello! I assure you that I am still alive! Long story short, after posting the last chapter I got a job and was immediately promoted so I've just been busy and exhausted every time I come home. But I am alive and have really missed writing. Updates won't be as frequent, but I assure you all that I am writing when I have time. Thank you everyone for the views, reviews, follows and favorites in my absence! They really made me happy!
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 you can forgive me. I did try and catch all the obvious ones. Happy reading everyone!
"I remember Mia doing something similar…I wish I told her how much I appreciated all the little things she did for me." Ethan chuckled, reminiscing about his 'white picket fence' life he had, before his voice tapered off, the cogs in his brain beginning to turn when he took into account and considered all that Selena had just told him. "…you two weren't just friends. Maybe, at first, it started that way, but somewhere along the line, something had changed between the two of you. There was something there…something much more…stronger." Ethan slowly spoke, putting two and two together as the man's eyes widened at the revelation before looking to Selena for confirmation. "You loved him."
Selena laughed, the woman couldn't help herself. Selena supposed, thinking back on it now, it should've been obvious that she loved him based upon how much they looked out for each other as well as how she just gravitated toward Karl. "It's hilarious that you came to such a conclusion in just a few seconds while it took me quite a few years to realize and come to terms with my own feelings."
"What do you mean it took you a few years?" Ethan asked in disbelief. "It may as well have been written on your foreheads!"
"I sorted out my feelings after the two of us had a falling out." Selena confessed as she began to fiddle with the metal rose brooch that was pinned to the left of her chest. "You see, after I rushed home in tears I questioned why the sharp pain in my chest wasn't going away. At first, I thought my mutation was becoming unstable when I continued to hyperventilate in my attempt to breathe. The silent tears that fell down my face only intensified the feeling of drowning…I withdrew into myself and just wanted to stay shut in my own home." From the look on Selena's face, Ethan concluded that Selena hadn't truly recovered from such a trauma, even recalling what happened that day seemed to make her heart sink to the bottom of her stomach. "It was only after I was persuaded out of my home by my guardians did I begin to reflect on why I was feeling this way. Why did such a moment feel far worse than anything Mother Miranda had done to me back in her lab? And then…I remembered all those sappy, romance films that Salvatore and I would watch." Selena smiled, recalling the days she spent in front of the television set eating cheese with her older brother. "Some had happy endings while some had people in tears when the love of their lives hurt them emotionally."
"You realized your feelings…through the media." Ethan responded. "Heisenberg was your first love."
"The media was the only thing I had to understand my emotions." Selena stated. "There were men in the village around our age, but never approached me because Karl was always there to keep them away." Selena laughed. "To be honest, I didn't notice if there was an interested party because I was having fun just being around Karl. My attention was always on Karl." Selena confessed. "There were moments that made my heart flutter, my stomach flip, I felt nauseous. I'd laugh at his silly antics, and genuinely took interest when he'd attempt to impress me. And at times I would be incredibly nervous when I'd go to visit Karl. But…I always assumed it was a normal reaction between friends. We just…enjoyed each other's company."
A brief silence settled between Selena and Ethan before the latter said something that came as a shock to Selena. "I…I think that there's a big chance that Heisenberg reciprocated those feelings.
"What makes you say that?" Selena asked, and it took Ethan a great deal of control not to let out a frustrated growl at how unaware these two immortals were…but at the same time, it was slightly comical.
Ethan, with the knowledge that Selena was a great deal older than himself, simply stated his observation while Selena stared at him in amazement, wide-eyed and laser-focused, hanging on his every word. It was as if Ethan had just told her the juiciest secret that she wasn't meant to know.
"No man would do what Heisenberg did if they didn't have any interest in the person they're trying to impress." Ethan pointed out. "Keeping other men at a distance, always wanting you around even if there was no talking involved, little things that only he did for you and no one else. I…I think he loved you too. In his own way at least." Ethan seemed to fiddle with the sleeve of his jacket before nervously asking the question that has been plaguing his mind since knowing that the two Lords now never spoke to each other. "What…what happened to cause Heisenberg to hate you so much? I'm assuming it happened the day you rushed home and broke down in tears."
"A lot of things led up to it…I just didn't see it until it bubbled over and exploded in my face. By then it was too late to save it." The shine in Selena's eyes seemed to dim, a disheartened look gracing her face. "Even if I wanted to try and save it, and in the beginning, I did try, there was so much damage that was done that I didn't know where to start." Selena crossed her arms over her chest before lifting one arm and resting that hand on her right cheek. "We were so set on taking back our freedom…and overtime Karl's determination of wanting to take down Mother Miranda, a sense of paranoia began to set in which I suppose attributed to our falling out. Due to some unfortunate circumstances, it was just the wrong place at the wrong time…and I think Karl heard something and interpreted it as is without allowing me a chance to defend or explain myself. Karl began to doubt our relationship…"
The hand that was resting on Selena's cheek moved to ruffle her blonde hair causing strands to fall out of Selena's low bun as she let out a muddled growl. "It wasn't even that that drove us to argue, there were so many incidents that led up to it that I wish…really wish that I caught so that none of this would've happened!"
"Selena!"
At the sound of her name, Selena had taken a glance toward the beaten dirt path that led to the entrance of the greenhouse to see Karl strutting toward her with his coat billowing around behind him. His newest creation, a giant hammer that was too heavy for its own good held together from multiple machine parts including parts from his old bed frame, slung over his shoulders as he strutted his way closer to the house.
When Karl was close enough, he looked to have given her body a once over before furrowing his brow as his lips pulled down into a frown. The hand holding the giant hammer dropped to his side, the head creating a small crater beneath it due to the heavy weight as he leaned his body against it. "I haven't been seeing you at those meetings Mother Miranda insists on continuing to hold."
"There were meetings I missed?" Selena genuinely asked with a tilt of her head. "I…I wasn't aware or informed that I was to be there. Was there one today?"
Karl nodded his head. "You didn't miss much, same old boring shit. As I've said before, once you've been to one you've been to them all." Karl grumbled before looking around the outskirts of Selena's house. "What happened to your garden?"
Where once colorful, vibrant flowers bloomed the soil was now disturbed and dug up with not a color or a single blade of grass to be seen.
"A few weeks ago, Mother Miranda visited me. She told me that she wanted me to replicate the procedure that I had done to Ianto." Selena fumbled over her words as Karl noticed that something was weighing heavily on Selena's mind. "I-I had no choice but to deliver results."
"Did you show her your gift?" Karl asked, and only when Selena shook her head did he let out a sigh of relief. "Why didn't you call for me?"
"I did!" Selena protested, her voice squeaking in volume as she choked on her words. "I...I tried, but you didn't answer. Mother Miranda was expecting to see some positive results with haste." Selena began to fidget with the sleeves of her cardigan. "I asked her to give me at least two months to deliver on her demands…she gave me three weeks to produce at least three subjects."
"Three weeks…" Karl shook his head in disbelief at the unrealistic deadline that Mother Miranda had demanded of Selena. "What did you use to stabilize your procedure?" Karl asked, and when Selena hesitated to answer his eyes widened, the grip on his hammer loosening causing it to drop to the ground as his hands reached out to Selena. Frantically moving her body around while searching for something specific. "You went to the stronghold, didn't you? Were you hurt?"
"I'm fine Karl." Selena assured, reaching up to take Karl's hands into her own and placing them gently back at his side. "For the stabilizers, at first I used my flowers, but they weren't enough…by the time I realized it I was already in the middle of my process." Selena let out a meek whimper as her body seemed to shake. "Ianto was the only one I could rely on at the time. It was he that went to the stronghold and returned with the subjects I needed…but he didn't come back unscathed. His injury was severe and to heal him as well as continue to keep on track to meet Mother Miranda's demands…I needed more."
"You used the villagers?" Karl asked and Selena vehemently shook her head. "The livestock?"
"I didn't know what to do, I had to use them. The villagers were understanding, but I'm afraid that it wasn't enough." Selena continued to fumble over her words. "It…it was luck and chance that Ianto survived and that was by using a single lycan! This time I was experimenting on three because Mother Miranda sternly ordered it from me." Selena's eyes were full of worry as she looked up at Karl. "What if…what if it wasn't enough? I should've prepared more, I should've waited for you or-or pleaded for more time. It was reckless and foolish of me to carelessly risk their lives." Selena's voice cracked and wobbled, on the verge of tears. "I-I don't know wha-what I'll do if it doesn't succeed."
"Buttercup, hey." Karl snapped his fingers in front of Selena's face, bringing her attention back to him and the present. "It's okay, you did what you could." Karl tried his best to calm his blonde friend down. "Are they stable?" Selena nodded her head at Karl's question, not confident about how her voice would come out if she were to talk at that moment. "How many? Who are the unlucky villagers?"
"Ianto's closest friends, you've met them before." Selena muttered. "I divulged Mother Miranda's expectations with them and they had willingly volunteered without question. They stated that they wanted to have a means to better protect their home and that this could grant them what they wanted." Selena loosely wrapped her arms around her body. "They're all currently resting. I'm keeping them under close observation in case the parasite implanted within their body rejects the host or if I see any signs that the host isn't compatible with the parasite. At least if they're close by I'll be able to stabilize their body for them to properly accept the cadou."
"You've pushed yourself too far, Selena. More than you're used to." Karl held his hand out and right on command the hammer flew back into his waiting hand before he used his free one to motion back toward Selena's house. Karl took note of Selena's disheveled appearance. The clear indicator being the dark bags under Selena's eyes, strands of her hair sticking out from her normal twisted updo, her complexion pale and even her outfit mirrored how Selena felt at this current moment as she wore an ankle-long dark beige dress with a poncho cardigan pulled tightly around her body. "How long has it been since the introduction?"
"A week? Maybe a little more…" Selena mumbled.
"What type of reaction have you seen so far?" Karl asked in an attempt to keep Selena's mind from worrying about having made any mistakes. And Selena, at first, hadn't responded, and that caused Karl to gently poke the center of her forehead. "Those men are going to be fine, if anyone has a fighting chance of surviving the procedure it's them in your nurturing hands."
"They…they seem to operate like a unit. A hive mind." Selena, still hearing the loud beating of her heart in her ears, was able to recall. Remembering what had happened when Damien was the first to wake from his procedure. "When Damien opened his eyes, mind groggy and thoughts a bit hazy, he commented about the silence…that it was too quiet. In the days to follow he began to complain about hearing thoughts that weren't his own, seeing things that he couldn't understand." Selena nervously bit the bottom of her lip. "Ianto and I thought that the parasite was causing some severe auditory, as well as visual, hallucinations. I was afraid that I broke his mind, that he wouldn't be able to function like he used to…"
"But then you talked to Alfrid and Marco." Karl rationalized to which Selena confirmed with a simple nod of her head.
"To further test their limits I moved each of them to separate parts of the village." Selena said. "It would seem that only Damien can hear, as well as communicate with the other two. Marco's eyesight seemed to have heightened to a point that he can hear a pin drop…as for Alfrid, well…" Selena's head turned to a certain part of the village where Alfrid was being kept. "I think he's having the most difficult time adjusting. The parasite in him seems to be the most unstable. I think his body is rejecting the procedure the most out of the three. Out of the three, I'm considering keeping him in my home…the other two are safe as far as I can tell…"
"Then your attention must be mostly centered around Alfrid." Karl reasoned with a nod of his head. "I'll take a trip to the stronghold, bring some more of those monsters back for you to use."
But before Selena could open her mouth to thank Karl for the offer another voice had (rudely) interrupted the two. "Sinclair."
The two Lords' attention went back toward the direction that they had just come from to see Mother Miranda manifest before their eyes. Dressed in her usual attire and though her eyes were concealed by the mask that sat upon her face they could practically feel her piercing blue eyes staring right at Karl.
"Heisenberg." Mother Miranda addressed the man that stood beside Selena. "I didn't expect to see you here, yet I can't say that I'm surprised."
"I only came to pay Selena a visit, Mother Miranda." Karl tipped his hat in the woman's direction, halfheartedly attempting to be polite toward the woman he inwardly despised. "I grew worried when I hadn't seen her at our annual meetings."
"Sinclair has her hands full which prevents her from attending our meetings." Mother Miranda firmly pointed out. "I'm sure you understand, Heisenberg, having your hands full as well if I recall."
At the tone of her voice, it was almost like she was scolding children who were caught slacking off when they were supposed to be doing their daily chores.
Karl hesitated, hearing the warning, and for a split second Karl wanted to challenge Mother Miranda's statement and say that he didn't have anything to do, but the man knew better than to say what was truly on his mind.
"Of course, Mother Miranda." Karl nodded, tipping his hat once more before turning back to Selena and saw that her body was slightly shaking both from seeing Mother Miranda as well as from the lack of sleep. Even though Mother Miranda could hear them, Karl still lowered his voice just for Selena to hear. "Buttercup, relax. I promise to be back later."
Selena nodded her head as Karl turned to leave, but not before hearing Mother Miranda's voice usher Selena into the house and inquired about the well-being of her recent subjects as well as how far along they were in the process. But the tone she used when speaking to Selena was something that perturbed, as well as piqued, Karl's curiosity.
The way Mother Miranda spoke to Selena, was the complete opposite of when she spoke to the other Lords during their countless meetings. There was a softness that was never there before, coddling is the best word Karl would use to describe it. There wasn't a harsh sting, no disgust, no disappointment, but almost satisfaction and excitement for what Selena was about to show her.
"Mother Miranda?" Selena called out as she entered the old church, her voice echoing and bouncing off the walls of the building the moment she entered the empty compound.
"Sinclair." Mother Miranda greeted the blonde woman who hesitated in her advance the moment she heard the woman's voice. "Thank you for coming."
"It's been a while since I've been to one of our meetings." Selena smiled, eager to finally be included after being away for so long due to tending to her own experiments. Selena was equally as excited to see Karl after being apart for so long, with Selena having to deal with her patients and Karl with his experiments they barely had time to spend with each other like they used to. "Where are the others? Am I early?"
Selena's excitement must've been written across her face as Mother Miranda responded "The others will be here later, but you will not be around to take part in our discussion."
"I…I won't be in attendance?" Selena skeptically asked. "Then…why have you summoned me here, Mother Miranda?"
"To inform you that going forward, your attendance will not be necessary for future meetings." Mother Miranda revealed.
"Why-why wouldn't my attendance be necessary?" Selena was in a bit of a panic at hearing such a revelation. "Then…what will I be doing?"
"I have something more important for you, Sinclair." Mother Miranda feigned assurance, gliding closer to where Selena stood, and reached out to the woman, her clawed fingers gently grazing Selena's cheeks. "But before I reveal what your duties are going forward, there's something else I wish to discuss with you hence why I have summoned you before the rest of your siblings."
"And what would that be?" Selena wanted Mother Miranda to get to the point. Why, of all times, is there a sudden change of routine?
"Sinclair." Mother Miranda drawled out. "You and Heisenberg are quite possibly my most…proudest creations that have far surpassed my expectations." Mother Miranda retreated to the podium, letting out a long, winded sigh, before speaking once more. "But I think that you could be so much more than where you currently stand."
"With all due respect, Mother Miranda, I don't think that's the case." Selena shook her head. "There's nothing special about my existence that I could progress much further." Selena began to protest before Mother Miranda suddenly cut Selena off.
"And yet, out of your four siblings, you have produced four miracles of your own." Mother Miranda pointed out.
"With Karl's help." Selena tried to persuade the woman who seemed to continue raving and building off her previous thoughts.
"But just imagine what you could achieve when you stand alone!" Mother Miranda exclaimed, her voice echoing and reaching up to the heavens so to speak. "Just imagine what more you could achieve without Heisenberg distracting you. Under my guidance-"
"Karl doesn't distract me, Mother Miranda." Selena strongly defended, out of the countless times Selena had been intimidated by Mother Miranda, this time Selena wasn't going to allow such a talk about her best friend and the person she cared about the most in this whole village. "He makes me…better."
"Oh, Sinclair…" Mother Miranda's disappointed sigh stirred something within Selena, a sense of unease settled around the blonde woman who continued to watch as Mother Miranda's demeanor seemed to slump at Selena's response. As if she wasn't expecting Selena to disagree with the woman who had given her a new life out of the goodness of her heart. "I'm only looking out for your best interest. You can do so much more without the extra baggage holding you back." While Selena remained tense, Mother Miranda lowered her voice in submission. "You're upset with me, I understand. I also understand the bond you and Heisenberg share runs deep, but do take some time to think about my advice, Sinclair. After all, and I think Dimitrescu will also agree after having daughters herself, Mother's…always know best." Mother Miranda's attention seemed to turn very briefly toward the door before beckoning Selena to come closer to her. "Instead of attending these meetings, I want you to focus on your village and strengthen your bond with them. The results that you have produced have been due to your domain and the people there. Anything further that requires your attention, or should I need you personally, I will call upon you to fulfill my requests." Mother Miranda, beneath her mask, smiled.
"I can't just…abandon Karl." Selena mumbled as she averted her eyes to the ground.
"It wouldn't be abandonment. You see, when adults mature and grow there are instances where they drift apart. Their interests and paths diverge because they do not share the same future. I need you to do things for me and Heisenberg has been preoccupied with his work. Through this, you both will develop to be a better version of your current self without both of you holding each other back." Mother Miranda wanted Selena to see things her way, she could see Selena hesitate about the prospect of her and Karl drifting apart. Mother Miranda, at that moment, realized how difficult it would be to have Selena see things her way. That Selena has some untapped potential waiting to be unlocked…and only if she and Karl stopped distracting each other can she reach that next level. With Mother Miranda's help of course. "One day, you will see things my way, I say this simply for a better future for yourself, my dear."
While Mother Miranda continued with her attempt to convince Selena that working alone she could accomplish so much more, convincing Selena that Mother will always know best, there was something that went unnoticed by Selena.
On the other side of the church door, a Lord had arrived earlier than the expected time that all were to meet. The Lord lingered just to the right of the door, listening to the bits and pieces that his ear could pick up through the closed doors…and what he could hear he didn't like.
He despised what Mother Miranda was saying (from what little he could hear of course), and he greatly disliked that he couldn't fully hear what Selena was saying in response other than hearing her say his name.
But Karl had faith, he believed and trusted that Selena would stay loyal as he's been to her, and with Mother Miranda's interference…the divide between Mother and children grew even wider. And Mother Miranda remained none the wiser at the development.
Karl heard frustrated stomping headed in his direction as Selena made her way back toward the double doors of the church, hurried footsteps getting closer and closer that Karl barely had enough time to duck into the shadows just as the doors slammed open with Selena storming past Karl.
Her red eyes were ablaze with fury though her body remained straight and composed, safe to say that Selena was not happy with the conversation she had with Mother Miranda.
"Heisenberg." Mother Miranda finally spoke up a few minutes after Selena had vanished. "You're early."
"I just arrived." Karl's attitude switched back to his laid-back, cheeky, attitude as he stepped out from the shadows and stood in the middle of the doorway, displaying his signature smile and flinging the large hammer of his up and over to rest on his shoulder. "Thought I'd change it up today and arrive before Dimitrescu." Karl stepped further into the church while motioning in the direction Selena had stomped off to. "Selena not joining us today?"
Mother Miranda remained silent, Karl thought for a second that Mother Miranda hadn't heard his question, and just as he was about to repeat his question Mother Miranda opened her mouth to respond.
"Sinclair will no longer be included in our meetings going forward. She has more…" Mother Miranda turned back toward the podium, her back remaining to Karl as she gave a deafening pause to consider the right words to use. "important matters to attend to by my request. You understand don't you, Heisenberg?"
Karl recognized the hidden message Mother Miranda was trying to convey. The woman didn't want Karl to inquire or ask any more questions regarding his best friend, Mother Miranda just wanted Karl to agree and forget about Selena's absence from this point forward.
Begrudgingly, Karl pulled the brim of his hat down as his blue-gray eyes peered over the rim of his sunglasses and looked up to the woman at the podium with a scowl on his face. "Crystal."
"Lady Sinclair?" Ianto looked slightly taken back by seeing Selena return so quickly back to the greenhouse.
"Greetings Lady Sinclair." Damien warmly welcomed Selena back home, having been sitting just beside Ianto with Alfrid and Marco seated across from the two men at the living room table. "What brings you back so early? We had assumed you'd be hanging around Lord Heisenberg for today."
Ever since the three have fully recovered from their cadou operation, Ianto took it upon himself to dictate and guide the three men who operated as one mind on how to properly use such abilities to further protect their home. He had become a mentor for them and their body just continued to grow and strengthen over time.
They had made Selena's home their 'base of operation' to speak about sensitive subjects that were for their ears only, meetings such as these were conducted only between the four men and when they all reached a consensus they would speak with Selena in depth on her return. Their meeting was just about to begin until Selena returning caught their attention and halted all chatter.
"That was the initial plan, yes." Selena nodded her head as she unwrapped the cloak that was wrapped around her body and lazily draped it upon an empty chair in the living room. "But when I got there…Karl was busy. Wouldn't even open the front gate. He simply said that due to Mother Miranda's high demands we couldn't spend time together today." Selena's hands faltered when she thought back to what happened back at the factory. "His voice came through the speakers while I was out in the field and apologized about not being able to see each other today and needed to solely focus his attention to meet Mother Miranda's needs. He did, however, promise that we would spend time with each other soon." Selena sulked over to the free chair that was situated at the head of the table, ungracefully flopping down on the seat.
A moment of awkward silence passed between the guardians and their Lord, each man staring at the other and motioning with their head for the other to speak first and inquire if Selena was alright before Marco became the odd man out and cleared his throat to speak. With eyes still closed, the man turned to where he knew Selena was seated. "No need to look so down, my Lady, you'll see Lord Heisenberg once the man is done with his work."
Selena, even knowing that the man couldn't see, smiled at Marco in appreciation, briefly hearing Damien dramatically mutter under his breath about the joy of being oblivious to the heart yearning for what it wants, before looking at the four men. "Since I am here, I'll sit in on this meeting if you don't mind."
"There's no reason for you to sit in on such a tediously dull discussion." Alfrid mumbled as he sat up straighter in his seat, moving to work out the kink in his neck from hours working in the field while also stretching out his back as a low groan escaped past his lips. "Allow us to hammer out the details and then we'll tell you the main points of our meeting."
"It's not the first time I've sat in on a 'tediously dull' meeting." Selena reminded the men present with a smile before it vanished as Selena grew serious. "Besides, there's something I wish to bring to light that I think may affect us all."
"What would that be?" Ianto asked with concern.
"The first time it happened, I thought it was just my imagination. But after I kept getting the same feeling I couldn't push it aside any longer." Selena hummed. "On my many walks from our greenhouse to Karl's factory and back, I've been getting the feeling of eyes constantly watching my every movement."
"You think you're being spied upon." Ianto asked as Selena nodded her head.
"I don't know by whom, but whenever I reach the safety of the factory or our greenhouse, the feeling vanishes. Meaning that whoever is watching me doesn't want to be known or found. Or they can't set foot into our domain" Selena gloomily pointed out. "I suggest we keep watch of our borders, make sure whatever is watching me stays out and away from our villagers."
"I'll double my watch." Alfrid assured. "Nothing will get past me, Lady Sinclair, you can count on me."
"I don't doubt your capabilities." Selena laughed at Alfrid's boastful behavior.
"Who do you think is watching you?" Damien asked and Selena shook her head in uncertainty.
"I can't say, but what I do know is that I have to be very careful what I do outside of our home." Selena seemed to shiver at the thought. "I think we all need to be overly cautious of what we say and do when venturing outside of our domain."
The four men nodded their heads in agreement knowing full well the consequences should things in their village, as well as the true capability of their Lord, come to light. The four men were grateful for what Selena had done for them, giving them a new life and allowing them to have a better way to protect their family and friends. If anyone in the village were to reveal to Mother Miranda the true extent of their abilities…well…they could kiss their way of life goodbye.
"Well then," Ianto got up from his seat, going over to place a hand on Selena's shoulder in passing as a show of silent comfort and fatherly affection. "allow me to prepare some refreshments for us, my Lady, and we shall discuss further the issues going on within our village."
Selena reached up and patted Ianto's hand in thanks and watched as the three that remained spoke silently amongst themselves. A telepathic conversation that developed due to their hive-like mind that formed due to their mutation. Whatever they were talking about must've been entertaining as Damien would burst out in laughter while Alfrid would smile in response.
They weren't hiding anything from Selena, they wouldn't dream of keeping things from the woman who was a blessing to their lives. No, they were speaking through their link in respect to Selena for they had thought that with all the work she's been doing: keeping Mother Miranda away from their home, entertaining the woman, the Lord deserved a moment of peace. And Selena was grateful for such kindness and thoughtfulness, that not only was she looking after them but they were looking after her as well. These men were remarkable, far surpassing her expectations when she first went through with her cadou experimentations.
Ianto. Selena's caretaker. Her Guardian. The one that all the villagers looked to for guidance. Everyone didn't do anything without first consulting Ianto. With no other choice, Ianto ended up being the first success. At first, his mutation had never come to fruition, but as many knew, the cadou always reacted in some way once inserted into a host, and each person reacted differently to the parasite. In the years to come, the parasite inside Ianto began to grow and mutate, Selena speculated that his unyielding loyalty to his people influenced the parasite within as well as his affinity with animals. It was just at the beginning of construction work toward their greenhouse, in the middle of their conversation Ianto had stopped talking to Selena and stared off into the forest. Something moving in the forest, unseen by many, caused Ianto to grow alert and that triggered his transformation. One moment, Selena was speaking to a man and the next? A large dog with matted white fur was bearing down on Selena, a guttural growl emitted from the beast's throat as thick green drool began to drip from the creature's mouth down to the dirt ground, sizzling on contact. It trashed around before its eyes landed on Selena, it stared at the Lord unmoving before bounding off into the forest. Loud growls could be heard by the spectators who saw the fearful transformation before a naked man emerged from the forest and immediately went over to apologize to Selena having remembered only bits and pieces of what happened and hoped that he hadn't hurt anyone.
Damien. Nonchalant. Carefree. Never worried about much outside the concern for their village. When concerning Damien, there was no physical transformation that was activated by the cadou, however, his mentality had taken quite a beating. Damien had a difficult time adapting to having multiple thoughts rooting around his mind that wasn't his own as well as seeing things that weren't physically what he was seeing in front of his eyes. It took quite a bit of time, some adjustments, and around-the-clock supervision as Selena kept Damien under her care in her home to make sure he wasn't a danger to himself. It also took extra time to, after figuring out who he was hearing and whose eyes he was seeing through, put such ability into action to benefit their home and assist their people.
Marco. Soft-spoken, gentle, and at first glance, not one who has experienced hard labor a day in their life. Selena had dubbed the meek man the village's eyes and ears. His mutation came to the forefront the moment he regained consciousness. Marco could sense danger approaching a mile away with his heightened senses, which didn't do any favors for Damien as it was his eyes and ears that contributed to his close friend's discomfort and brief mental breakdown. When Marco became aware of the issue, out of consideration, he took to wrapping a piece of thick fabric around his eyes in hopes to lessen the burden he was inflicting on Damien.
Alfrid. The unapproachable brick wall that was more muscle than brain. Too intimidating to approach but under his exterior, he was loyal to a fault. The man had the biggest heart out of the four of them. Alfrid cared about those in his circle of people…and the one that had the most difficult time accepting the parasite that was introduced to his body. Out of the three men, Selena feared that he would be the first unsuccessful introduction even with the assistance of her ability. There were some alarming days that everyone thought they were going to lose the man, his heart had stopped, body furiously convulsing, and days of unrest due to these close brushes with death…but Selena never left Alfrid's side. Through the bad, some good came out of it, it was thanks to Alfrid that Selena had pushed past the limits of her ability and discovered more of what she was truly capable of. When Alfrid finally pulled through, the man was bedridden for months due to the experiment having taken a huge toll on his body, but when he was finally allowed to roam around the village his body began to heal at an accelerating rate accompanied by a newfound strength that he never had. Which…Selena thought wasn't such a good thing because with accelerated healing came irresponsible and brash decision-making…which Alfrid was prone to do even before the introduction of the parasite. Alfrid loved to dance with death. He'd rush in head first and put himself in harm's way for the sake of those he holds most dear to his heart. Now, with this newfound ability, the man continued to push the limit and jumped into more life-threatening situations simply because he knew his body could handle it.
At first, Selena was worried about the multiple experimentations, but in time this little 'empire' she created, this circle of protection as she saw them was the best outcome she could've hoped for and the best candidates to have chosen from. When Ianto returned, Selena watched the four men interact with each other, and she had to wonder. At what point had she stopped being an outsider to being completely looked up to and accepted in this little group? When did they start to become special to her and vice versa? It just seemed to suddenly happen without any of them realizing it.
Karl was Selena's only constant, her closest companion and best friend that she couldn't imagine being without. But with Karl busy, if these men weren't around and occupying her home, Selena didn't know what she would've done if she was truly alone in her own home as well.
There are many quotes about the so-called 'seed of doubt', but in this garden never did a seed like that exist. It was a garden grown from years of friendship, nurturing care, reassurance, and…love.
Whether the two realized it or not, love was woven into their growth and kept the two together amongst the vast colors and diverse variety of flora and soil. Through the trials and tribulations, they were able to stay together side by side.
Maintained, this garden grew…but even the most seasoned gardener can make mistakes.
No one (not even Karl or Selena) could say when it started or when the doubt truly began to set in, but it was there. A rift this big didn't just happen overnight, it took years of remaining unattended to grow and spread such negative emotions and thoughts.
It was like a weed had infiltrated the garden, begun to grow, and starve the plants growing in the garden.
But then, one had to wonder, how exactly did it get this bad?
It could've been from the moment Mother Miranda attempted to pull Selena away from Karl. Maybe it was when Karl noticed that Selena was beginning to be favored by Mother Miranda with how much freedom Selena was being allowed to have, a benefit that Karl secretly grew jealous about…but if he had simply asked he would know that Selena was beginning to feel uncomfortable stepping foot outside of her region as she felt eyes watching her every move each time she left the safety of her greenhouse. Maybe it was when Selena felt that Karl was avoiding her when in reality he was simply busy keeping up with Mother Miranda's commands and failing miserably to convey his words politely to Selena.
These were issues that needed to be addressed, but when the two finally found time to truly be together all the questions and concerns were thrown out the window and forgotten. The two best friends were simply happy to finally have a moment of peace and enjoy each other's company as they used to. To be in their little bubble, their own little world, once again without interference from Mother Miranda for once was a fortunate day that neither of them wanted to spoil.
But burying the problem doesn't necessarily solve it, and leaving things as it was simply caused a build-up before it finally bubbled over and exploded into pure chaos.
The day started like any other, with no indication that a storm was brewing, Selena had no idea there was anything wrong. Selena simply wanted to see and spend time with Karl after having been busy the past few weeks confined to their respective regions due to both keeping up with the onslaught of demands that came with being a child of Mother Miranda as well as a Lord.
Selena was eager to see Karl, even while knowing that he would've been called away by Mother Miranda for one of their annual meetings (as Karl always informed her so that Selena wouldn't make the trip to his factory and he wasn't personally there to welcome her in), but today Selena was overly excited and couldn't wait for Karl to return.
Selena had gone to Karl's factory in hopes to surprise the metal man when he returned from the many 'enlightening' meetings. And to pass the time, Selena had taken to reading one of Karl's many manuals that he had written before she heard the distant sound of metal doors slamming open and shut throughout the factory informing Selena of Karl's return, the loud banging growing closer and closer to Karl's room.
It was only when the door to Karl's room slammed open, the doors hitting the wall behind due to the sheer force that was used, did Selena speak up to notify Karl of her presence in case he hadn't seen her. "I take it the meeting didn't go well?"
Karl was taken aback by the sudden voice that he didn't expect to greet him since at the moment all he wanted was complete silence, but with Selena there he knew he wouldn't get what he wanted.
Karl briskly stalked over to his desk, momentarily bumping into Selena's chair along the way causing her to briefly spin out of control. "I thought I said that I would call when the meeting finishes."
"Can you blame me for being excited that we were going to spend the day together like we used to?" Selena laughed off what she thought was one of Karl's playful behavior when he had brushed past her chair.
Selena's laughter slowly died down and she grew concerned when she saw how tense Karl stood at his desk with his back toward her. "Something bad happened at this meeting…didn't it." Karl was leaning over his desk, a deathly grip on both ends with his head bowed below his shoulders. "What happened today?"
Karl let out a long, breathy, sigh through his nose as he hastily straightened his posture with his back still to Selena as he spoke. "…you should go home today, Selena."
"But…" Selena felt dejected about the prospect of being sent home after expecting to spend some quality time with Karl. "I was looking forward to today…"
"Not everyone can have so much free time on their hands like you, Selena." Karl muttered under his breath, not meaning for Selena to hear, but at the same time, he had meant for her to hear his snide remark with all the built-up years of emotions he was attempting to contain. "I'm simply exhausted and not in the mood for our little fun and games today is all."
"Karl…" Selena hesitated, Karl had yet to turn to look at her, and she knew something bad had happened. Selena wanted to comfort Karl like she used to, but she could feel his patience was running thin. Selena knew she had to be careful what she said without pushing the metal man over the edge. "talk to me. I know something happened that has riled you up…and we've always talked to each other when something was wrong. So…why shut me out now?"
"I'm not in the mood to talk…and I don't want to hear you talk anymore." Karl scoffed, whispering the last part to himself as Selena could see his shoulders lift and lower from his heavy breathing. "Just…leave."
"Fine, I'll leave." Selena let out a sigh, knowing that when Karl was in one of his moods and set in his ways that it was truly best to leave the man to blow off some steam by himself.
Throughout the many years they've known each other, they knew when one needed space, and then the next day it would all be forgotten as if it never happened. Selena had taken a step toward Karl, closing the distance between them as she placed a comforting hand in the center of his back between his shoulder blades. "Karl, I just want you to know, whatever's bothering you…you can always talk to me. After all, we can only rely on each other in this hellish world we live in."
What Selena had thought was words of assurance only spurred Karl on as he rounded on Selena, piercing eyes full of rage now taking on a yellowish-hazel tinge.
"Right now, Selena, you're what's bothering me." Karl barked as his gloved hand lashed out to grip the wrist of the hand that had been previously on his back, his grip tightening and almost threatening to snap Selena's wrist at the bone.
"I'm bothering you?" Selena incredulously asked as she began to carefully tug her arm back to get her wrist out of Karl's grip. "I'm only concerned about you, Karl!"
"Concerned? About me?" Karl sarcastically scoffed as he easily shoved Selena back causing the woman to stagger at the sudden force, or lack of as she was in the process of pulling back as well. "Let's face reality, Selena, you were never truly concerned for me."
"What are you talking about?" Selena asked. "We've known each other since we were kids! You're my best friend. Of course, I'd be concerned about you."
"We!" Karl motioned with his hand between his body and Selena's. "We are a product of a facade, built by a lonely woman who dares to call herself our mother and a God. Created in an attempt to fill an unfillable void that is her dead daughter. Just like our damn sister did…like daughter, like mother as they say."
"You don't mean that…" Selena's voice, after a minute of silence and letting Karl's words sink in, wavered. Almost sounding as if she was begging for Karl to take back his words. "back in Alcina's castle, you said we were different."
"Yes, well, I lied Selena. We're no different than what our bitch of a sister did with her kids." Karl shook his head. "Two lonely kids who didn't know any better, we relied on a lie."
Selena couldn't believe the words that were coming out of Karl's mouth as she took a step closer to the metal man. Their bodies were just inches apart as red eyes attempted to catch his hazel ones. What had happened? What had changed that made Karl believe in the words he was carelessly sprouting?
"Why are you saying this?" Selena asked as Karl continued to avoid looking into Selena's eyes. "Did something happen at the meeting that caused you to think this way about me? About us? To believe such nonsense?"
"No," Karl furiously shook his head as he took a step back to put some distance between the two of them. "I'm not falling for your innocent act any longer, Selena."
"My innocent act?" Selena asked as the corner of Karl's lips turned upward, shaking his head at the absurdity of the display he thought Selena was faking.
"I know everything, Selena!" Karl's voice was strained, feeling hurt and betrayed, as he at least continued to keep the volume of his voice under control when in reality all he wanted to do was yell, allow his gift to lose all control as he felt his body vibrate. "Everything? What do you mean, every-" Karl grit his teeth before instantly cutting the woman off.
"I don't know how, but Miranda has grown suspicious of me, Selena!" Karl had lost it, he began to yell as the more Selena spoke, the more lies that escaped past her lips in his eyes, and the more frustrated he grew. She had taken him for a fool and he had completely lost control of his anger and dropped his controlled demeanor. "She has been watching my every move! She asks me to do all these pointless things for her while you roam about the village free to do as you please because Miranda has been allowing it!"
"You call my situation free!" Selena snapped, Karl didn't know anything. She wasn't free, she felt constricted. Confined. Suffocated. "I take one foot outside of my home and all I feel are eyes watching me from the forest line!"
"Please." Karl threw up his hand in exasperation. "Don't try and tell me that your situation is the same as mine. You're not being worked to the bone, being constantly watched, and monitored! If she has found out about my work, Selena, all my preparation! Hours upon hours!"
"And you think I told her?!" Selena asked, and Karl's silence was deafening and caused Selena's heart to drop to the pit of her stomach.
"Well?" Karl accused, his monotoned response piercing Selena's heart as her body grew cold, staring back at Karl who stared blankly back at Selena. "Did you?"
"How dare you…" Selena growled, her eyes momentarily brightening. "I would never betray you, Karl!"
"How do I know you wouldn't, Selena!" Karl growled back.
"You've known me all your life!" Selena argued. "You, out of all people, should know what I would and wouldn't do!"
"I've seen the way Miranda looks at you, how she treats you, the two of you meeting in private. It's different from the rest of us, you're not even grouped with us anymore!" Karl got into Selena's face, his chest bumping into hers. "Like you're too good to be included with the rest of the failures."
"…you are not a failure, Karl…" Selena was tired. Selena wasn't even sure what was going on right now before her eyes. What was causing the two of them to argue? Why were they arguing in the first place? Why was this happening? "…and if I recall, my medical report said I was a failure as well…"
"No, but you're not, are you." Karl shook his head. "You're…special to Miranda, and just like our other siblings…would do anything to please and appease the woman."
"I would never, Karl, please." Selena's shaky hands reached out for the man whose gaze remained emotionless. So trapped in his mind that Selena wished to bring him back to the present and see what has always been the truth. That it was always her and Karl against the world. "I never told Miranda anything, I promise you."
"Your promises mean nothing to me, Selena." Karl mumbled under his breath. "I want you to leave me alone, Selena. Today has been a very…enlightening day. I know now who I should rely on…and that's me." "Karl-" "I'm giving you a chance, Selena. While I'm still in control of myself and having little success, I suggest you leave and never come back."
"Please, Karl, listen to me…" Selena's heart was breaking because she felt like she was truly losing her best friend. If she were to walk out of those doors, nothing would ever be the same again and she'd never get her friend back. "yes, I may have spoken to Mother Miranda in private, but it's because-"
"I don't want to hear it, Selena!" Karl, once again, yelled. "I said leave, so please, while I'm still respectful and sane…I am asking you to just…leave."
"Karl, your judgment is clouded, you're only hearing bits and pieces of what is truly happening." Selena continued to beg for the man to come to his senses, for her friend to remember who she is instead of what is being painted. Whatever set Karl off, Selena was hoping that she could set him back. "You're not seeing clearly…if you could just-"
Selena had overstepped the line that Karl had drawn between them, while she had tried to reach out to Karl one last time in an attempt to save their friendship, Karl had lost all reasoning as his own body reacted to the bubbling anger he felt in the center of his chest. His eyes were only seeing red as his arm lashed out and his hand clasped onto Selena's throat. He could feel Selena's windpipe as he lifted her slightly off the ground, preventing her from speaking as she gasped for air…after all, all he wanted was for her to stop spewing her lies. Stop her from manipulating him any longer and just leave him alone.
"I have never seen more clearly in all my life." Karl growled as his grip around Selena's throat tightened, tears prickling at the corner of her eyes as she attempted to get some air into her lungs. "You played me, pretended to be my friend, my ally. When in reality…all you are is a useless orphan girl with no inkling of who she was before being brought to this village. A complete outsider. That, alone, makes you devoted to the only parental figure in your life. You're a nuisance that's been holding me back." Karl's eyes darkened just as the corners of Selena's eyes began to fade to black. "I won't repeat myself, Sinclair, I want you to leave me alone."
As quickly as it happened, Karl's grip released Selena's throat as she dropped to her knees. Selena was hacking, gasping for air that her lungs very much needed as tears began to stream down her cheeks. Selena's shocked wide eyes chanced a glance at Karl whose expression mirrored her own, almost as if Karl couldn't believe what he had just done in his fit of rage.
Karl's body made to move to help Selena, but at the sudden movement Selena flinched away causing the man's movements to cease as for the first time he had seen the fear and disbelief in Selena's eyes. In Karl's moment of hesitancy, Selena took the opportunity to do just as Karl had commanded: she got to her feet and ran, leaving Karl alone in his room.
Minutes passed, and Karl remained unmoving in his spot, still staring at where Selena had once stood. The man didn't care anymore about keeping his emotions in check as he lifted his hands to grip the sides of his head and let out a painful howl as he fell to his knees. In reaction, the metal around him began to shake and bend to his will, circling his crumbling figure. His body collapsed inward, cradled in a fetal position as his forehead touched the metal flooring as he continued to yell in anger and pain. And the louder he got the more his ability began to react as he allowed the pain to overtake him as he could only think: What had he done?
By no control of his ability, the door to his room began to bend and fold in on itself like crumpling a piece of paper into a ball. And it wasn't just one door, practically every door in the whole factory reacted to Karl's painful wails.
So many miscommunications, many things that could've been made right if they had only voiced their concern and questions. It was a lesson learned too late. Promises were broken and years of friendship gone in a blink of an eye.
So with the help of my good friend (Fefe) I learned that Mushrooms (fungi) have a connection through their roots. Using electrical pulses they're able to communicate where a safe place is, changes in weather, warning for possible dangers, changes in the soil, etc. etc. Or...something like that haha I'm not that smart to completely understand science xD, but I thought that was quite fascinating and a cool way to bridge the gap so that it all makes sense. (This was a fun little fact that was shown to me after my chapter was already written as well as fleshing out the other three guardians mutation). Since, as we know the megamycete is a type of Super Mold that had infected the whole village with the help of Mother Miranda to keep the villagers under her control.
I apologize if this chapter seemed a bit out of order, I really wanted to show the sudden crack that began to show and overtime it just kept getting bigger and bigger before it was "beyond" repair lol.
If you are enjoying my story and looking forward for more to come then leave a nice little review, favorite, and follow to let me know =D although it is not mandatory. Just you reading and giving my story a chance was greatly appreciated and makes me so incredibly happy. Thank you everyone for reading! Sending lots of love, positive vibes and big hugs your way! See you in the next chapter!
-SO