(Chapter 3) The Lives We Choose.
FRACTION OF THE 739TH PAGE OF THE COMPLETE ANATOMICAL AND CULTURAL ANALISYS OF NON-HUMAN SENTIENT ENTITIES BY DOCTOR PARADINIGHT:
"-Dragons and demons are not strangers to our world but their numbers have been lowered drastically by hunters and/or other beings like angels (see page 210 for more information) whom had dedicated their lives to kill these beings; But their presence isn't completely snuffed out from our plane of existence, just hide, attempting to regain their numbers and/or strength to rise again. There's been sightings of Dragons living in the wilds across the world since as early as 1934 but the sightings are somewhat vague in my honest opinion as a researcher but there's a few that have peeked my interest like the ones that depict a large winged beasts immolating a group of people or a whole settlement, usually the part of 'The people were destroying nature' or 'Hunting for sport' is withheld to justify the suvivor's victim plea of help. For demons however, is a whole other thing entirely, most of the sub-classes and sub-races of demon tend to harbor deep resentment or/and hatred over humans for having so much freedom and happiness... The only race of demon that could be consider 'good' is ironically called 'The Devils', a very human like demon that spends most of its life making deals with human (Reason for humans being primary targets is most likely 'our' general lack of knowledge over the supernatural or simple general ignorance). Most Devil-Deals known throughout history say that they request one's soul as payment, what most people don't hear of the story is that Devils ask for souls if the 'service' is like immortality or death to someone else; Generally they're very mischievous and skilled tricksters who take pleasure of other's displeasure. Devils are commonly disguised as humans, searching for people whom they can swindle and trick into a poorly worded deal with many 'pitfalls' and 'catches' to screw over the person getting the deal."
FRACTION OF THE 740TH PAGE:
"Shapeshifters, "Shifters", "Morphers" or also called Envy Spawns are a sub-species of Devil (See page 739 for more information) that were created from the first shifter, A devil called Envy [P199]. It's said among devils that this Devil was the literal embodiment of the sin Envy, created by the "The Dark One" (See page 737 for information) alongside the other physical incarnations of the seven deadly sins. In my personal experience, tracking a Shifter is nearly impossible as if they think they're being followed they will transform into something else and be lost to world once more. However thanks to my dear friend Gon Freecss' efforts we managed to track down the Elusive Jarret, the shifter that terrorized the city of Egypt with his ability; After he and I met I've learned quite a lot, information that I now share here. Shifters not only can change their appearance to whatever or whoever they wish but also adopt fingerprints, DNA, voice, their quirks like their walking pattern and things like subconscious actions (Example of this is biting one's nails if nervous or fidgeting with your fingers) by those they shapeshift into. The extent of this ability is staggering and quite straining on the body, Jarret proved it when he shapeshifted into me feeling overwhelmed by my nen, but learning a lot from me even learning about my muscle memory and medical knowledge just by staring at my eyes and then himself on a mirror. I realized also that upon morphing into me, he adopted my annoyance for disrespect and my love to help others, specially the poor and those in need of a doctor. Shifters can only turn into people if they stare directly into their eyes and hear their voices at least once. this powerful ability has a heavy toll, If the Shifter forgets how he/she looked like originally they could be permanently stuck in the first form they took after their "Birth form". Jarret confessed that his greatest shame was losing his Birth Form, this leading to be shunned by fellow shifters and demons [P200] alike being called "No-better than a human", I could feel his pain in a sense. By nature Shifters are shy, repressive of their emotions and anti-social, most fearing being shunned by others because of the thought of being deceived; Jarret claimed that a shifter's birth form is their greatest treasure as he explained: "We can turn, act and even live the lives from the people we choose because we want a life better than our own, however we know that in our search for something better we cannot forget who we really are...", soon after he left and never returned, promising to help those in need not just himself..."
IN SCIÓN, NORTHWEST RESIDENTIAL AREA-
Tatsumi's 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat was Poorly parked on Dean Gavinson's driveway, with the back wheels on top of Mrs Gavinson's Rare Blue Giant Hibiscus flowers and her Chilean Sapphire Puya garden, much of he dirt was spilled all over the nice brick-like tiles, the large black tire marks cause by Tatsumi stained the floor, the smell of burnt rubber lingered enough for the neighbors to assume his tires caught fire; The driver's door was wide open with some garbage from Tatsumi's last visit to Taco Bell spilling out onto the ground thanks to Tatsumi's mad dash out of his car. Thankfully he remembered to turn off the car and take the keys to avoid someone stealing it, even if this was probably the "Whitest" Neighborhood in the whole island. Aside from that, the whole place is watched over with rather pricey cameras that link to the Security booth next the this gated community's front gate, the only way in and out.
Dean was not happy with his friend taking out his mother's precious garden, staining the Driveway with large tire marks and beating up the door, as well as spamming the doorbell for the entire time that it took Dean to leave his room. He ran down his large spiral staircase, through the kitchen and towards the front door just to see Tatsumi in a straight up lunatic look upon him but he was at least happy that he was alive and well, even if the latter may not completely accurate; Tatsumi sat down on the 750 dollar recliner chair that Dean's father treasured more than life itself, drank a cup of water that Dean gave him to calm down and then after all that, he spoke:
Dean: Uh a-are you okay dude?... You took the wrong hemp or shrooms, whatsagoin with you? -he said with his usual laid-back demeanor that Tatsumi knew him for-
Tatsumi: Didn't you listened when we talked through the phone?! -he responded with a crazed bewilderment in its eyes-
Dean: I did listen but are you aware that what you told me through the phone sounds like the rambling of a guy who's so high that he's in a whole other dimension, next you'll say that Harley Quinn is beating the holy hell out of Superman... Or that Mario is teaming up with Master Chief and Kratos to fight some hulked up villain... -he tells Tatsumi as he heads to the kitchen with Tatsumi's glass and serves himself some brandy. Then sitting just across of his friend, still looking like he's expecting him to say something crazy-
Tatsumi: If I was tripping that heavy balls I wouldn't have come to you, I would have gone to Arthur's place!... -he snatches the brandy from Dean's hand, chugging it down getting a 'Hey!' from Dean-... I saw... no!...-he stood up from the recliner and paced around as he continue to speak-... I FELT IT!... A Crazed bitch with a ten foot long tongue sexually assaulted me in the middle of a thunderstorm in my own goddamn house!... -he says as he stands up and looks out the window, paranoid-... I mean apartment but you get what I mean! -he looked out the window increasingly paranoid-
Dean: Bro if that was any where near truth, knowing you... You would have reverse the situation, like UNO. -he says with his hand crossed over his chest, looking like this was something that annoyed him greatly-
Tatsumi: No I would not, I fuck around like that but I truly respect women... -he blushed as he said that looking at Dean who had raised eyebrow in a questioning gesture-... My mother will turn on her grave if I actually did something like that... -he responds to him returning to the couch but not sitting down-... Besides, I only like Junko. -he adds quietly-
Dean: While Wildly lusting over everyone else... -he says through his teeth-
Tatsumi: Dude I'm not fucking around with this, that thing attacked me... -he says looking at Dean-
Dean: Like I said, if this did occur, this could have been something mind-blowing to happen to you... -he gestures Tatsumi to follow to his room-
Tatsumi: What do you mean "mind-blowing to happen"? -he asked a bit calmer now, walking up the stairs with Dean and taking in a few changes on the house since the last time he came here-... Dean, your folks never seize to amaze me...
The Living room, Dining room and Kitchen were now one large room decorated with a High class modern look with a noticeable 80's and 90's bits here and there, like the display case with a Real Elvis Presley Guitar on the far left of the living room, a Record player next to the TV set and a Boombox stowed on a large and very sturdy over-size shelf next to the kitchen's pantry; Pictures of Dean's accomplishments and his parents were scattered in easily visible spots on the house, like the picture of Dean winning his first EVO (Evolution Championship Series) Tournament, his parents drinking champagne with Previous Owner of DOW Chemical Company and a Picture of A very young Dean, his older sister Barbara (holding a very fine looking Hunting Rifle) and his Parents, the picture was taken in a Shooting competition where she won.
The Spiral stairway had three levels: Ground Floor, Second floor and the Attic level aka Dean and his sister's floor. The Attic is Dean's room whenever his parents where gone due to a work related trip to America; Very fancy looking light-bulbs where hanging from the safety rail on the stairs, the bulbs hanged just five inches away from the rail, blinking different colors but only when Dean was home alone. The stairs looped around a large column with a massive carving about the entire Gavinson Family tree and their accomplishments, something that Dean openly disliked. Tatsumi looked around taking in the rest of the house's decor, it was more of that weird mix-match of the 90's and 80's with a modern twist, it was a bit obsessive looking or/and it seemed like they tried rubbing in their love for those time periods.
Tatsumi: I... Um, Like your house dude. -he said while rubbing the back of his head-... it's ... I'm... amazing, I guess.
Dean: Yeah well try not to get amazed or get a liking to it, This is just "their" way to try bonding more with me... -he said gesturing to the giant meter tall and meter wide painting of his family hanging from the wall near the front door-... Don't get me wrong, I love my parents but they can be such a pain in the neck sometimes, always talking about work... o-or~or bragging about their success on everything from Twitter to Facebook, trying to get me to join the family business with Barbara... -sigh and groan-... So because of my likes, they decorated the house to fit "my" and their way of enjoyment, sort of speak... so voila, High class mix-mash with the 80's and 90's... -he shuddered comically-... the modern part of this mess was my sister's two cents in the decorating process.
Dean led Tatsumi though the third level of his home, passed his sister's old room and his parent's old work-space/master bedroom now turned into a guess room. As Dean took him towards a hallway, they passed by the master bathroom, he then stopped just below a Attic hatch.
Dean clapped three times which then made the hatch open on it's self. Tatsumi however noticed that Dean's actual room was comically closed with chains and had a goofy looking yellow sign that read "Don't open till the 23 of December":
Tatsumi: Why is your room have that on it? -he asked-
Dean: Father and Mother Dearest return at the 26 of December, so the 23rd I'm bringing my shit out of the attic and back in there as well use the other days I have left to clean up and have this place looking cleaner than a hardcore, Jewish rapper's lyrics. -he quipped as he climbed up to the attic seeing as the hatch was missing its stairs.-
Tatsumi: It wouldn't be easier to just to live in the attic? -he asked as he climbed up-... Instead of moving all this shit down.
Dean: Yes but they don't want me to live up here... they say is bad for their reputation. -he walked around checking his "room", checking a large bonsai tree and then a miniature greenhouse with carrots. after writing something on a small sheet of paper next to the green house he checked a small cage with very small bunny inside, he smiled then continues to speak to Tatsumi-... "Do you have any ideas what our friends would think of us if we let our only son live in a dirty attic like some commoner?!" -he said in the voice of his mother-
The Attic is decorated with clusters of Neon yellowish-green fluid, filled bottles on the ceiling reminiscent of the decorations found in "Fallout 4"; these bottles with the glow in the dark fluids served as the main source of light in the attic, if you discard the few strands of Christmas lights loosely hanging from the walls.
There was boxes stacked up neatly in a small pyramid at the back end of the attic, they were full of books, knickknacks, old medals and/or other small objects. At the nearest wall to the hatch was a couple bookshelves with a bunch old books, next to them were a few pieces of old furniture; To the right of the Attic near a small 2x2 foot window was a big breaker box, just below it Dean's legendary gaming Set-up sits in all it's technological glory.
Dean was in fact a genius, even if he barely was twenty years of age. his pre-teen look came as a result of a genetic disease called Hypopituitarism, which cause his physical growth to be stunt and also caused his proportional dwarfism, making his body look like a kid in his first year of puberty. Because of his condition, Dean has to carry around a special Identification were it states (in simple words) his situation; Its particularly annoying when he decides to go clubbing or goes out to a bar for a stiff drink. His biggest technological creation was in fact his humongous gaming set up he called the Mainframe.
The Mainframe was once a solid spruce wood desk with metal lining throughout its sturdy form till Dean welded large metal rods around it so it could withstand the weight of any future upgrades. In it's center were four large, curved touch-screen monitors that create a large horseshoe shape around where Dean's point of view should be. All the monitors were upgraded by Dean who connected them to a device called "Frequency Adapter" which was a breaker box with twenty switches, It served a simple task which was to switch between consoles, His Computer, the security camera feed or others things.
Most of the times it was used so he could basically play six different games at once, Not an easy feet to accomplish. he has a very cheap looking mouse and Keyboard for all games but his pride and joy was a Mortal Kombat arcade Joystick controller signed by MK's creator Ed Boon, Dean had it attached to every single console and computer on his set-up that supported it, so he could use it from the oldest to the newest fighting game. his chair was custom made for him, it was a cheaper version of his father's recliner but without the feet stand, it had it replaced by a large wooden desk top/tiny shelf combo attached to the bottom of it with cast iron pipes and smooth metal casing. finally the only two things he used to talk was a vintage Turtle Beach Headset and a old Intercom microphone similar to metal studio microphones from the 90's, in case he wanted to be loud.
He walks towards his set up, searches one of the many hidden compartments of the attic, like the one underneath his chair's fixed spot, after he retrieves a small metal box and places it on the desk top decides to shut off all the games he was playing before. He opens the box and pulls out "THE BRAIN" which is in fact a ridiculously powerful Hard-drive, afterwards he sticks it into his computer and sits down on his chair gesturing for Tatsumi to come towards him.
On the monitors appears in large text: THE COMPLETE ANATOMICAL AND CULTURAL ANALISYS OF NON-HUMAN SENTIENT ENTITIES BY DOCTOR PARADINIGHT, underneath the text says "Run program?...Y/N" he then enters yes before scrolling through the pages until arriving at page 310 with the title of the page being "AKANAME", the text is super small like fine print size but Dean reads it out-loud without an issue:
Dean: Okay this is what I meant... -he says to Tatsumi quickly-... Akanames, In old fork-lore they're said to be spirits that lick the residue in bathrooms but here in the real world, these beings are part of a race of monster similar to a succubus, Waisetsu-Folk... -He explains before continuing to speak while staring at the screen-... Monsters that masquerade as Human Females, especially attractive ones to trick or lure us humans into contact with them so they can absorb our life energy. most of the time its unnoticed but in very extreme moments these creatures can drain someone till their bodies are nothing but husks... -he stops-... however, this is extremely unlikely to happen since the Industrial Revolution... -he quickly adds-... Want me to keep reading?
Tatsumi: Yeah, continue...
Dean: "They tend to prefer unhygienic, or mentally and physically fatigued men"... Example a High-school student like you... -he says quickly before continuing to read the paragraph-..."They have a 'slippery' personality that is difficult to assess. They outwardly behave in a teasing manner, but their true nature is very obsessive and lustful"... -he reads a bit more-... "Just as monsters are always releasing demonic energy, Humans also excrete their old spirit energy to the outside of the body as it becomes unneeded upon being replaced by new spirit energy. In my personal experience with one of these beings I began noticing that after she became attached to me in a romantic and intimate manner whenever we were separated I felt great displeasure and Irritation, I deduced this was a psychological effect to her Demonic-life energy being infused to my Soul's own energy; After a while her energy became almost as addicting as "Primal", cocaine and other strong drugs and it caused heavy withdrawal if not taken. Luckily thanks to some willpower and some long isolation I managed to cut the addiction from my mind and body before I could be rendered a Lust driven zombie or worse, a Male Waisetsu-folk commonly known as a Incubus-"... That's the most that I could find relevant to your situation. -he states turning to look at Tatsumi-
Tatsumi: So basically she's looking for me because I'm unhappy in school? -he asked confused-
Dean: Not unhappy but fatigued... like if you're feeling tired, exhausted and out-right drained, maybe you've been put though the ringer as of late and this creature saw it and became lustful towards you, who knows... -he shrugged-... I don't, I got to read the rest of these pages. -he commented-
From the outside, the Akaname had tracked Tatsumi to the outside of Dean's house and softly landed on the roof, hopefully without creating noise. After moving to an spot near a window she peaked in, seeing into the attic eavesdropping on the two boys:
Tatsumi: Can I stay here for today? -he asked as he tapped the front end of his shoes on the floor, one foot at a time-
Dean: I don't see why not, stay on my bedroom or here on one of the extra mattresses... I got work to do, Oh yeah by the way don't tell anyone about the book I read from... it's banned across most countries and I don't plan on getting caught with illegal shit, alright? -he says, quickly turning back to his monitors-
Tatsumi: Okay, I won't. -Tatsumi then looked around and went towards the pile of unused mattresses, he laid down on it and checked his phone as Dean tuned his setup to his Microsoft load-out and started to play some of that big fighting video game that Tatsumi had no clue how to play-
The Akaname would wait till Tatsumi and Dean were asleep so she could sprang into action, Dean quickly received a plethora of messages from his most loyal followers, as well as a duel invite by Mini_Monsta whom was active, he was determined to take back his crown and prove to everyone he's Japan's best expert in fighting games but he remembered he had to unlock a few more character powers before Accepting or challenging her to duel.
Tatsumi was reading through articles recommended to him by his Twitter, seeing one in particular that caught his attention: "DANGEROUS MIRAIMERA ANT ESCAPES CONTAINTMENT AND FLEES TO KANARI ISLAND", He tapped it to expand and began reading about how a Miraimera ant of undisclosed origin had bolted from what the reporter assumes it is a prison. The ant in question is a young boy wearing a white and grey jumpsuit and broken shackles around his ankles, the escapee has a small tattoo of his prison ID: "10-67-29-50". The report also says that this monster killed seven people, three of these victims were guards attempting to stop his escape. the picture was taken from a security cam of the prison.
Meanwhile Tatsumi read more of the article and Dean battled against the Game's AI in max difficulty, The ghoul Nick arrived to the gated neighborhood and jumped over the fence, finding the black Hellcat and looking around to see if the female (That he thinks is a Parazyte) is around so he can kill it. he jumps on top of a building near by to look around until he sees the woman laying on her back relaxing on top of the house were the Hellcat was parked on. he jumps from rooftop to rooftop until he lands on Dean's house, walks up to her and confronts her:
Nick: What are you doing here Parazyte? -he says with a very hostile tone, his kagune itching to come out-
Akaname: Uhhh... I'm not a Parazyte... -she says to him confused while her head tilts to it's side in a cute way-... But I am stalking a very handsome boy. -she innocently admits-
Nick: Why?... you know what I'm not going to ask why... -he waved the thought away, not wanting to sound rude by assuming something that may be wrong-... but if you're not a Parazyte, what are you, a Ghoul like me, a Ant or... something something? -he raised an eyebrow towards her in a "I'm curious" manner-
Akaname: People here call my race "Waisetsu"...-she says while looking up and placing a finger on her bottom lip, like anime characters do when they're thinking deeply- ...I think, don't know what it means to be completely honest but I like it, sounds fancy.
Nick: Ohhhh, you're one of those people, I got no beef with your kind... -he awkwardly scratches the back of his head-... You don't mind if I sit here? -he asked her as he took a deep breath-... I've kinda followed you here, like an hour of running.
Akaname: Not at all, name's Ava by the way... -she said offering her hand, ignoring the fact he followed her here-
Nick: Nick, pleasure to meet you... -he shakes her hand, then sits a foot away from her, both looking towards the Horizon-
Both of them start talking in low volume to not alert the occupants of the house below them of their presence. They were sharing stories of their recent endeavors and even discuss and argue about the current political and racial situation in the world, this goes on for hours even making them forget of what brought them here in the first place. By the time they stop, its seven in the morning and Dean is fully asleep on top of his keyboard and Tatsumi has fallen asleep with his phone clutched in his right hand. On Dean's computer a message from Mini_Monsta arrives but receives no response:
"Hey where the hell are you?... I'm bored and I want some real competition, these chumps too soft, come to my server so I can hand you your ass."
MEANWHILE IN VHJIL'S HOUSE-
Mini turns off her game after getting tired of waiting for GGL's response, she stands from the couch she's been using as a bed and goes to the kitchen to brew some coffee and to make herself some breakfast; the entire process takes about twenty minutes, the end result is a Nice plate of loaded scramble eggs with bacon and a large cup of coffee which she starts eating upon the dinning table next to the kitchen. The smell awakens Alú from her room, she sleepily steps out quarters, not realizing that she was not wearing her mask.
She walks by Mini, semi-asleep as she goes to the kitchen and serves herself a cup of coffee; she comically does the action of unzipping her mask but because she's not wearing it, she simply grabs nothing but air.
Mini: Good Morning Alu. -she says with her mouth a bit full-
Alú: Go- -yawn- -od morning... Mini... -she says as she sits on the table, sipping some of her coffee, yawning as she places the cup down and slowly waking up-
Mini: I like your hair... -she comments as she washes down another gulp of food with coffee-... It's pretty, I like it.
Alú: What... is some coming out... -yawns-... out the side of my mask? -she checks around her neck line where mask would sat upon her soft skin-
Mini: -snickers-... No dummy, you're not wearing your mask... -she said before taking another mouthful of her breakfast-
Alú: Wait what?... -she yawns again before feeling her face to tell if her mask was opened or if she had it on-... Oh my god... don't look at me, I'm a monster! -she nearly shouts as she covers her face with her hand-
She was about to run but she was stopped by Mini softly grabbing her hand, for being a small teen looking female, she had a lot of strength. This was proven when she stopped Alú from running:
Mini: What the hell you mean you're monster?... -she said somewhat serious-... I don't see a monster, nor I see an Ugly person, you're pretty.
Alú: -she stared at Mini almost like trying to see if she was lying or not completely trusting her words-... But I am... My skin is fucked up and I'm ugly... Everyone I shown myself to has left me or pushed me away because of... -she shows her arm, with large patches of bronze skin like splatters and blotches of chocolate milk upon a tan canvas-
Mini: You've ran into Bigots and ass-wipes then... you're quite beautiful girl... Don't look down at yourself like that, Okay?... -she offered her a hug-... Come on, I don't hug people so this is rare. -she slightly joked-
Alú hugged her after thinking to herself for a minute, appreciating the words by Mini, after they parted she spoke to her once more:
Mini: Better? -She asked giving out a rare sign of care and comfort that she never likes showing-
Alú: I'm better now I think... Thanks... But you seem to thin-... know that I'm not ugly but what about Vhjil? -she asked Mini, in a reserved tone-
Mini: She's going to say the same, that you look pretty and not ugly like you think you are. -She spoke before drinking the rest of her coffee-... Why you ask? -She asks with very curious expression-
Alú: -she looked away shyly, as her skin turned slightly pink-... N-No reason at all.
From the second floor a door was heard opening and closing, she then slowly walked downstairs, Alú looked up to see the ant, she blushed bright and looked away at what she witnessed: Vhjil wore nothing but a short tank top, a small rather tight pair of boxer briefs and a small golden necklace with a small, beautiful and very intricate pocket watch hanging from it. her body had a sleek shell, it was look very beautiful as it hugged her strong, athletic yet petite figure.
She yawned loudly as she stretched herself a bit, her bones let out an assortment of pops as he let a nice groan. Her hair was a mess, to Alú's surprise it was down to her shoulders in a wild and unkept style. she was wearing a small bracelet on her left wrist and her right ankle, both had matching steel coloring and equally small pendant.
Vhjil: Good morning... -she says as she passes towards the kitchen and takes a cup from the counter, serving herself some water-... Mini and... -she stares at Alú who blushes and looks away embarrassed and feeling self-conscious-... Alú-chan?... y-you look pretty, why aren't you w-wearing your mask, not like if I mind. -she adds quickly-
Alú: Forgot it... -she quickly answered-... you really think I look pretty? -she asked-
Vhjil: Yes, you're very cute. -she answered without hesitation-... you should stay like this for now, wear your mask when we go talk to other ghouls, alright?
Alú: Y-yes... -she answered, nodding quickly giving a shy smile, her cheeks darkened in color-
Vhjil and Alú continue to stare at each other for a while, Mini quickly turned on the TV to break the awkward situation. The sound of "Breaking News" snapped all three from wherever they're doing and they watched the report:
Reporter: There's six men currently in a stand-off against authorities after they robbed the largest bank in Kanari Island, The Tusunaki National bank a mere minutes ago. -she says as a helicopter feed plays of six police cruisers parked in front of a furniture store with a red SUV crashed inside. There was about sixteen officers in ballistic armor pointing pistols, shotguns and or rifles into the store-... It's speculated that before the men hastily escaped the bank, they've taken over 27,000,000 Ünits, worth six times that number in American dollars. Authorities say that the Men attempted to stealthily steal the money but a brave samaritan witnessed them from the outside and sprung against the robbers... -He tuned into his earpiece then he spoke into the camera once more-...unfortunately he lost his life in process, we'll continue to keep you tuned ladies and gentlemen.
Vhjil looked worried as she watched the news, Mini looked indifferent at while Alú looked angry seeing as crime had gotten so bad in her home; Vhjil went upstairs to her room while Mini walked back to her "Bed" and sat down to pack her things while Alú went to her room and retrieved her vape, using it as she watched the news unfold...
MEANWHILE WITH THE BANK ROBBERS-
The six men that had just robbed Kanari's bank were hiding behind a wall of furniture: tables, couches, desks, wooden chairs and other objects were stacked as well tightly packed to soak up any gunfire that could come their way.
The leader of the group wore a old weathered bomber jacket with a big faded Cuban flag painted on the back, very faded baggy jeans and construction boots. to cover his identity he wore Michael Myers mask with a black and white bulls-eye painted over most of the right side of his face; in his hands he clutched a AR-15, a weapon that he used to execute that meddling man that ruined his plan:
Robber 1: Hey M, remind me how the fuck are we going to escape this mess... -he told the Michael Myers, as he peeked out the side of their furniture wall, seeing the large group of police officers outside-... As I honestly don't see it possible to escape.
M.M. Robber: We use the basement exit, that's why I planned for so long Z, in case everythin' went tits up. -he responded as he looked behind the group seeing a pair of red double doors labelled "Employees Only"-... Okay boys, time to leave and find that Devil.
The robbers wore different movie slasher masks, the robber called "Z" wore a sun-bleached mask version of Freddy Krueger, then there's a robber using a hockey mask over a ski mask and then the rest wore masks of the Hillbilly killers from "Wrong Turn" movie franchise. The leader quickly crouch walked towards the double doors but the police spotted him and opened fire, prompting him to leap through the doors quickly firing at them in retaliation.
"Z" pushed a table in the front of the doors for cover, he fires at them missing many of his shots, which impacted the police cars. he continues to fire as the others made their way towards the doors, he duck down to reload just as a loud bang was heard, he quickly looked back to his comrades seeing that one of the Hillbilly mask robbers had his brains blown off by a SWAT Sniper. Z quickly tried running towards the dead man but he was stopped by his leader. After the others had made there way into the Employee only area he quickly ran towards the corpse of his fallen comrade, snatching the duffel bag from his body and putting around his torso, quickly hiding the deep pain in his chest by the death of his friend.
As he ran through the doors another loud gunshot was heard, he quickly fell to the floor with a loud scream feeling a agonizingly sharp pain on his side. he was helped up by another hillbilly mask robber. As he walked through the area he felt the warm vital fluid running down his side but he kept moving, now with a limp. They then arrived at a dead end, the Leader quickly ordered his men to push a large stack of boxes off a spot, revealing a hidden maintenance hatch on the ground.
"Z": How the fuck?... -He winced as he put some pressure on the thumb sized wound about half inch below the hip bone-... how did you know about that?!
"M": That's why I always tell you fuckers to trust me... I know what I'm doin'... -he responded letting the rest of his men go down first-... go I'll handle the cops.
As the men went down, "M" aimed his weapon at the support of the nearest shelf with large boxes, he shot it just as the police arrived to the maintenance area, quickly firing at him. He leaps into the hatch as the large shelf collapsed and blocked the hatch, killing an officer as it crushed him.
The robbers ran through the sewers underneath the furniture store, they look ancient possibly decades old. It smelled so bad that one of the Hillbilly mask robbers to de-mask and puke against the ancient brick wall with a strange numerical graffiti: "8,5,0,23,9,12,12,0,18,9,19,5,0,21,16,0,6,18,15,13" and next to it was "0,8,5,12,12,0,25,5,20,0,4,5,13,15,14,0,8,5,19,0,14,15,20" was written in chalk, it felt oddly curious. then they continue running through the old sewers of Kanari Island's capital till they arrive at large welded shut grate leading into a substation.
"M": Follow me and you'll be rich, understand? -They all nod and agree among themselves as "M" reads a crumbled up piece of paper with lots of about three paragraphs, then he shoves the paper into his pocket-...Okay you red skin motherfucker, time for you to leave me alone. -he muttered to himself-
SOMEWHERE IN THE RED-HAWK BEACH, THREE HOURS LATER-
The Red-hawk beach is possibly most beautiful beach in the whole island, the sand was shifty and devoid of rocks and pollution. The palm trees were huge and lush as much of the flora here, hermit crabs and many types of fish around the shoreline; Many couples and clusters of tourist were sunbathing, swimming, playing volleyball or other activities in the beach. The biggest thing about this place is that this large beach is also a nudist beach.
A purple/reddish skin young woman walked through the beach getting looks by men and women as she strolls by, soaking her feet on the shore letting the low waves caress her perfect body. She had not a single blemish, scar, birthmark or even hair growing around her body: She stood 6'6, her body was shaped so flawlessly that one could say she was created by Aphrodite and Eros themselves. her breasts weren't overly big but they are perfectly scaled to her porn-star body.
She walked with a tiny bounce of her plump bottom that enchanted and aroused men and women that stared for too long, the way her hips sway as she walks could be compared to a model showing off a new set of underwear.
She made her way to far east side of the beach towards a beach house/ Tiki bar but looked around suspiciously to see if there was anyone following her. She then snapped her finger creating a nice, tight pink bikini set with a Hawaiian semi-transparent tilted skirt and a big Poppy flower on her left ear, she smiled to herself as she put on a pair of aviator sunglasses as she walked through the bushes following a old dried up river.
She followed it up to a very old looking, decaying sewer pipe where five men awaited, sitting around or pacing about. She approaches the group, ignoring the coast guard helicopter that flew over head, then she tipped the sunglasses down so she was making eye contact with the Leader of bank robbers:
She-Devil: You got the money, sugar?~ -she said sultrily, closing the gap between them and swaying her hips as she does-... Our deal depends on it. -she adds as she presses her fingers on his chest and lustfully dragging them down his chest just around where his heart was, making him wince and tense up-
"M": Yes, I got the money... -He says venomously, looking away from her clearly finding her alluring yet in his head he hated her-... my cut is yours, now do your half of the deal. -he ordered pointing at her-
She-Devil: -She mockingly pouted in response, crossing her arms under her chest making her breasts pop up a bit more-...So big bad Malcolm acting tough because he has friends around?, you didn't act this tough when I rocked your world... -she says, leaning in and whispering into his ear-... on your hotel bed, when I ripped your clothes off and we fucked like two wild animals~ -she whispers, then slowly backing up from him, making Malcom growl angrily as he blushed-... Not bad for a virgin. -she whispered to him-
Malcolm: Could you Complete your half of the deal... please?...Please Triss... -he asked her softly after he looked back at his comrades in a Embarrassed expression-
Triss: It's the closest affection I'm going to get from you while you're around your buddies... fine, I'll take it. -she snapped her fingers, to everyone around her it was a remarkably loud finger snap. However to Malcolm the finger snap was ungodly powerful, shook deeply into his bones and his very soul; his blood felt warm and his nerves felt overactive like if large dose of Adrenaline had been directly injected into his heart-
His eyes dilated, his breath was shaky as well rather ragged as the world around him warped and morphed wildly with a plethora of colors he couldn't possibly name; He saw as Triss' body turned more devilish, on her head two large horns sprouted from her head, a second pair of eyes sprouted underneath her first and her beautiful pearly whites teeth turned into sharp fangs. her body grew two extra feet in stature and her body turned slightly more muscular as well a large thick tail curled over her shoulder. He felt her gaze dig into his soul and pull at his every fiber.
Triss: -Her smile was wickedly large, like a demon version of the Cheshire Cat, her long forked tongue licked her dark blood red lips-... Your wish is granted, Farewell. -Her voice resonated around him, he took a deeply strained breath as the world shrunk around him and he was enveloped in a bitting cold that no words could describe; She stared down at him with her eyes narrowed, she quickly swiped her tail upwards and curled it around the sun, tugging down and into her claws, she smiled to him while crushing the sun till all light left-
Malcolm's eyes turned to normal quickly looking around similar to a junkie after it's high ran out, seeing that his friends where surrounding him with different expressions of concern. As he slowly resettled into reality he stared down to his hands, they're shaking as well he could hear his pulse in his ears and his lungs fell very warm. He looked at Z-... Zachariah, he suddenly saw how his skin melted away as Ice cream melts on summer heat, it then be replaced with another softer and paler shade of skin one that he couldn't recognize.
He saw Zachariah's lips moving but no words came out or at least words that he could understand, his once African-American male friend turned into a pale caramel skin woman, her eyes were black and red, behind her were two large wings made of liquid fire rippling and cackling in infernal beauty. She was a foot shorter than his friend, the Zachariah he believed was a young man from Cuba, her body was chiseled but petite and her hair was messy but short, long enough to cover most of her pointy ears.
He blinked and upon opening his eyes, the African American man was back, his semi bulky figure and the slight hunched posture, He then stepped back and gripped his head. Blood ran down his nose from both orifices, he felt his head throb wildly and veins around his head swell up, he looked back at Zachariah his/her appearance kept changing as he kept blinking. Suddenly the pain left and the world cleared itself around him, he looked at Zachariah and finally heard her/his words:
Zachariah: Dude, estás ahí?!... -he said worried-... you okay?!... what did that demon did to you?! -he asked as he checked his friend-
Malcolm: Y-y-ye-ye~yes... -he stuttered because of his nervousness-... Zach, I'm fine... -he lied-...It... it... it worked, It worked! -he exclaimed while holding on to Zach's shoulders-... she kept her word.
Zachariah: Good but are you okay?... you were catatonic, staring at the waves for two hours... -he said with a scowl on his face but it wasn't because of anger but of great concern-... she snapped her fingers and told us not to touch you till you moved by yourself, then took the duffel and left.
Malcolm: I'm fine, guess it's part of the deal... -he looked at the other men, not looking them in the eyes, feeling embarrassed due to making them worry-... Boys, thanks for these last few hours, we should all leave and hide out till the heat dies down, wash small amounts of the money and burn these clothes, destroy all the clothes we're wearing, understood? -he says towards them, quickly shaking their hands and saying good-byes; he then whispered softly to Zachariah-... I need to talk to you.
After the others left, he looked at Zachariah in the eyes, his appearance turned into female Zachariah, he blinked and he was back; he confirmed that his request was granted and it worked if staring into people's eyes, after he took a shaky breath he began speaking:
Zachariah: You're okay?... Hice algo mal?... -he asked as he fiddled with his fingers, that habit that Malcolm was fully aware of-... It's about the Greenhorn?, I'm sorry I didn't mean for the rookie to get killed I know you didn't want someone to die but...
Malcolm: You're a Shifter and a Ghoul. -he simply said as he looked at his face for a reaction, Zachariah's blood drained from his face and he stepped back-... don't worry I won't hurt you, I'm... I'm... just a bit hurt that you acted like this, are you like this or you just been playing me like a fiddle?
Zachariah took a deep breath then "Unmask" herself, doing a gesture of removing a mask but she simply peeled away at a transparent mask, as he started to pull away on it his body flashed between male and female till the "mask" turned to pink glitter and dissipates; This was Zachariah's true form, she was a Shifter and a ghoul, her eyes turned black and red then she looked away from Malcolm, turning her back to him.
Zachariah: How did you know?... -she asked without looking at him-... I spent fourteen years in that shell, I worked four years simply to act like a man and hide among humans but... -she stopped talking and turned so she could look at him with teary eyes-... you discovered me... how long did you knew?... Dímelo puñeta!
Malcolm: Do you know how long I spent searchin' for a Devil?... -he asked looking at her-
Zachariah: Eight years, ten months and sixteen days... you told me... what did she do to you?... did she told you who I am?
Malcolm: When I found her, I talked with her for hours... getting to know everything about Demons and Devils alike. -he said looking at her, she noticed that his blue eyes had turned pitch black with small notches that swirled into rainbows inside his eye-... I've been correctly wording our deal for months, since February... that's when I...
Zachariah: You left everything behind... your family, your girlfriend, all your belongings... -she said finishing his sentence-
Malcolm: I've left because I needed to be alone... I needed to concentrate solely on correctly wording every single syllabus on every goddamn sentence of our deal... then when I finished I burnt it into my head... -he pressed both his index fingers on to his temples-... then I asked her. she told me she wanted three things from me... she wanted to take my... virginity... -he got teary eyed, looking upset and deeply hurt-... she wanted the money... 9,000,000 Ünits exactly.
Zachariah: You said our cuts were... 4,500,000. -she looked at him then realized-... you knew the kid was going to die...
He pulled out the paper he was reading throughout the entire heist, he handled it to her. She read it and saw word by word everything that had happened to them from the random man ruining their stealthy approach to crashing into the store and she read the next part as her jaw went slack: "Then you shall let one of your men get killed, you choose-".
Malcolm: She gave me a taste of one of my two requests, so I used it and she wrote that from my premonition... -he was in tears now, his voice sounded strained with a knot on his throat-... I-I... killed that boy... I couldn't... I couldn't have let you or any of the others die, so that's why I didn't say no to the kid joining our job... -he sobbed, his tears were dark and murky, mixed in with blood-
Zachariah: So you took his life so you could giver the exact amount... -she wanted to be angry but felt his sadness and grief for her friend. she looked at him as a tear ran down her face-... you let him die, my friend... Nicholas was seventeen, he turned three weeks ago... what was the other thing you gave her?... -he turned away from her, sobbing into his hands before he let his hands fall to his sides-... Tell me... please...
Malcolm: My... My... -he turned to look at her as he opened and took off his jacket tossing to the wet sand, he then unbuttoned his shirt opening it revealing his chest to her-... My humanity...
She covered her mouth in horror as she took in what she saw: There's a fist size hole where his heart should be, around it where dozens of other holes in different sizes that ran up to two inches around the crater. his skin was gray, dry and twisted like a White walker from "Game of Thrones" with all his nerves painted black starting around the hole and fading as it extended further away. within the hole she could see that his heart was replaced by a blue and black fireball that burned cold and dimly, his flesh resembles dried up tree bark.
Malcolm: I'll do anything to find my little sister... -he cried to her letting the fabric cover his withered body-... She was stolen from me after are parents died in a car accident when I was twelve and she was two. I've been trying everything... everything!... to find her since... with this power I have now not only I'll know the true nature of people but I'll be able finally find her... she's here, in this island... -he swallowed the knot on his throat, his eyes looking puffy and dark-... I'm sorry but nothing will get in the way of finding my sister... nothing.
She approached him slowly and hugged him, surprising him but then making him sob into her arm; she pulled away and wiped away his and her tears away:
Zachariah: I'm sorry for deceiving you... I had my reasons for it but I shouldn't have lied to you, my best friend... -she apologizes then looks up to him-... We'll find her and revert you back to normal, I promise.
Malcolm: Thank you Zachariah... -she then shook her head to him-
Zachariah: My Real name is Marcella... Marcella Witherswood. -she says to him looking at his face-... I'll tell you everything, let's go somewhere to talk.
He nodded and they both began slowly leaving the beach with her duffel bag in tow; they're unaware of the She-Devil that watched from a distance, frowning to herself before disappearing into the wind as her body puffed into flames and turned to ash.
SOMEWHERE ON THE SEWERS UNDERNEATH THE CITY-
A bunch of Non-humans and other "Undesirables" of society sat and watched the giant cluster of monitors welded together to form a massive ten by ten foot screen, jury-rigged and connected to a re-purposed electrical cord; They watched the Hardcore Championship Wrestling show, I wrestling promotion opened entirely to anyone no matter who or what race they were. the promotion was exclusive to Kanari Island due to their open door policy where any one could join so it wasn't well known outside of the island but they didn't mind the lack of international renown.
As the people watched the show, the transmission was changed to a breaking news report:
Reporter: Sorry to interrupt your programming people of Kanari Island but after extensive searching the authorities have announced that five of the six bank robbers that assaulted the Tusunaki National Bank earlier this morning are still at large and their whereabouts unknown. -he looked at his documents quickly before a photo of a young man was shown on screen; the man had short curly hair, a small stubble and his eyes were emerald green with a tiny Ace of spades tattoo underneath his right eye-... One of the bank robbers was shot and killed by authorities and he was identified by detectives as seventeen year old, high school student Nicholas "Ace" LaCroix; who had formerly had been apparently taken into custody for disturbing the peace, three different charges of assault and possession of Illegal substances such as "Primal" and "Zixty". The person who identified his body was a nineteen year old girlfriend of the deceased who wish to remain anonymous, with what she told our field reporter Nicholas was overjoyed and extremely happy about something that he did not disclose at the time as well promised her to take her to visit her parents in Ireland after, he said "I gonna be Turning a new leaf". -he reporter said while images of the destroyed furniture store filled with detectives and police was shown-
The people continued to watch the report as a small group of people made their way up a rickety flight of stairs and headed towards a large chamber that served as a infirmary. inside was cots, Medical equipment, a few nurses and a few doctors plus about a dozen patients laying down in their respective cots. the group quickly spread out and began checking on patients, sitting down next to them and talking if they weren't unconscious. All the way at the end of the room was patient with two doctors on constant watch alongside about six nurses, the patient was the Ghoul saved from the alley the night prior, his name was Bobby Holligan.
Bobby: Is it really necessary to have so many nurses and doctors just for me?... -he asked as he saw the Doctor that ran this infirmary-... Mr Rosa I'm fine I swear.
Doctor Rosa: You keep saying that but you've lost quite a lot of blood last night and your RC-cells seem to act very sporadic when we checked you. -he answered-... You are very lucky to be alive Holligan, thankfully we had a couple blood bags ready.
Bobby: Well okay but was it necessary to... take my clothes away? -he said lowly looking around to the nurses working around him-... It's embarrassing, I'm nude around these nice nurses, I feel indecent. -he said holding the blanket around him tighter-
Doctor Rosa: We wanted to make sure you didn't have a stab wound or some type of laceration, like I said previously you did nearly bleed to death. -he continued as he fixed his glasses and read through the newly created medical file for Bobby-... You have an Unusual name for a Miraimera ant, Mr Holligan, where you raised outside of Tokyo, by any chance?... America? -he added as he raised an eyebrow in a questioning manner-
Bobby: Actually yes, My da' took me here after momma died... but then Da' died and I was kidnapped by those weird men in Hazmat suits.-he shuddered at the memory, quickly looking away from the doctor-... After they tested on my, I escaped after group of people came and attacked the labs I was in, freeing everyone there.
Doctor Rosa: Where you from exactly, don't think it's because I'm trying to be weird it's all medical procedure Mr. Holligan. -he quickly added-
Bobby: I think I was born in Philadelphia but I was raised in Florida for a little while then Da took me to Osaka, Japan... then he passed away, a few years later I was taken to that lab and I think I arrived here a few days ago... -he says counting with his fingers quickly-
Doctor Rosa: I'm sorry for your loss. Thank you Mr Holligan, We'll see how you're doing in a few hours and we'll see if we can let you go but until then you're under our care, we don't want you to keel over randomly. -he says chuckling to himself as he leaves, passing the documents to another doctor, Who stores it on a large bookshelf-
Luckily for Bobby the news report was gone and from the angle he was he could see the HCW show, feeling light-headed when he saw the Female wrestler "La Diabla" (The She-Devil in English) appear on screen. his eyes turned to hearts and if it wasn't because he was plugged into a machine, he would have floated off towards the TV in a cartoon-like manner. She was a dark red skinned woman with a Olympic gymnastic expert or something around those lines; She wore a skin tight catsuit with fire designs in way that it seemed to flow perfectly around her body, underneath certain parts of these fire designs her suit was fishnets, revealing bits of her dark red skin.
He wanted to see her in action but he felt himself getting suddenly super sleepy, he knew this was the work of some strong sedative so he sighed and closed his eyes, accepting it and hoping that when he woke up, he could see La Diabla again.
TO BE CONTINUED...