Chapter 8: Reborn and undead
Mansion
Sheele's POV
Sheele slowly opens her eyes as she looks surround which she did not recognize this room, does not know where she is. She remembers Mine and Sheele fought against imperial police, along with her Teigu. She remembers...that she lose her arm and lower half. Furthermore, she had to check at left arm, but she is expecting she lose her left hand. She had to prepare worse as she carefully looks at her left arms is fully functional. Flexing her hands, fingers, thumb. Looking back and front twice. She still felt too confused, her arm had been sewed back or grown like sprout.
She looks at the blanket that were hidden on her lower half. She had to try to move her ankles, wriggle her toes, but unable to lift both of her legs as if they are dead asleep. She lifts her blanket and being shock that her lower half is now connected to her. Checking on her waist and could see her scar around, like circle on her waist. She is still confused, and she should be dead and eaten by Teigu dog.
She's trying to remember what happen afterwards. All is she knows they were in the forest and, possibly, rescued by Shiki. At the end, her memory becomes blank. She felt being helpless and unable to do anything until she heard the door is being knocked twice before opening the door. She doesn't recognize a female with black hair, wearing her maid uniform. Nor, she is a member of Night Raid.
"Oh you're awake. I hope you have good sleep, last night. I never thought you never made it." said a woman with maid uniform, "Oh my manners, my name is, Shrinto Mayashiko. My master expect you would never wake up."
She brought a wheelchair before she helps Sheele to get on the wheelchair before escort elsewhere.
"I...I do have many...question," said Sheele, still being confused while they were heading straight to dining room.
"I understand you are feeling confuse and tired at the same time. I'm sure my master will give you an answer whatever you require." said, Shrinto, pushing her wheelchair, "Please save for your strength because your legs are too weak to walk."
While they found a door as she knocks on the door, "Master Tohno, I'm here with Sheele."
"You may come in."
She opens the door as Sheele saw two people are sitting on that chair. From what she noticed, Shiki sat near to a woman, in mid 20, with black hair, eating her food while Shiki didn't have food to eat.
Once Shrinto push her wheelchair to the table near as two people are now sitting, next to her. From what Sheele noticed that woman is presumed, Tohno, next to Shiki. Therefore, she still have so many question about these two people and herself.
"You may excuse me, I'm going to prepare tea for Miss Sheele." said Shrinto, bows her head as she left to kitchen room.
"So you're Sheele, member of Night Raid? My name is Akiha Tohno, and I'm sure you know my idiot brother as well." said Akiha, finishing her food as she gave her hand to Sheele, "Right now you are on recovering sooner or later."
Sheele shook Akiha's hand as she thanks her, "I...I don't know how to say about this. I would like to thank you for saving me."
"Hah? I didn't save you. Nii-san saved you from your death. And I'm sure you have many questions, and I may or may not answer for you."
"What? I thought Akiha saved me, but Shiki saved me? Then how am I still alive?" Her thought came to Sheele's mind as she still have many question to ask, "I should be asking... How am I alive? I should have been dead. Aside my lower half and my hand?"
"It's not easy to sew you back in pieces. I remember my Nii-san brought you half-dead here. You were losing so much blood and I had to give you...half of my life for you. And Nii-san gave you his blood to survive. It is still difficult for me to deal with. And now you are dead but less alive."
Sheele thinks Akiha is making her joke with her, as she could laugh a little bit. Akiha's face becomes serious as she continues her conversation, "Now you are staying here, to be under no circumstances unless necessary. I honestly, don't know how will you change worse."
Shiki spoke up as he explains to her, "What she said is true, you might have gone insane whether you are becoming...how do I say? Insane or not. Akiha's ability is life-force, meaning, you're basically a corpse. And it's not Teigu."
Sheele's eyes widen as she realized what Akiha meant, that she has been resurrected as dead. She had to leave, but she is unable to move her legs.
"Ah...that's where I turn your legs off because I had to prepare for measure. This is why it is hard to explain to you," said Akiha as she notices her maid sat Sheele's tea on the table, include a handle with mirror, "Then have you forgotten what you look like? I suggest you should check your own face."
She picks her mirror and she saw her own face which she did not recognize her own self. Originally her hair is supposed to be purple, instead white hair. Her face remains unchanged.
"Wha...what's happening...to me?" said Sheele, trying to find her own words which she is unable to comprehend, "Why...my hair is...white?"
"I gave you my blood to save you because I didn't have time to go to hospital to get your blood. As this result, you have nearly gone berserk. I was able to hold you before you pass out," said Shiki, recounting her event as Sheele's face become pale.
She feels like she wants to throw up, but she didn't. Now she had to accept why she died while living as a corpse. One thing that she still had her mind, "So...I can't go back to...base anymore?"
Akiha nods her head without a word before Shiki stood up as he left the room, "If you may excuse me, I have to pay visit twins here, then pass your message to Night Raid."
One Shiki left the room already while Sheele, Akiha and her maid were becomig queit as if Sheele is becoming awkward. Akiha finish her food as she stood up, ask her, "Can you please stand up? We are going for a walk."
Sheele didn't think twice before she test her leg as she stood up without help. She tried to walk a bit without worry. Strangley, her legs were turned off a moment ago, and now she is able to walk around without problem.
"If you may follow me, then we can go to garden and maybe to clear your mind." said Akiha, gave her direction as they all walk together. Sheele still want to catch up with Night Raid but she felt she is not ready yet.
Night Raid Base
Shiki's POV
"She's alive? I just saw she died with my own eyes?!" said Mine, was being surprise while wearing her left arm case which it supposes to heal, "You're telling us that you took her in, and now she's alive?"
With every member of Night Raid were all shock to hear the news of Sheele's fate. While Bulat starts asks him, "Then...how...did your sister revive here? with Teigu?"
"Nope. Just a bit of life-force that she gave. In the meantime, Sheele is going to adjust her life around after she became corpse."
Mine felt being anger after hearing what Shiki said and wanting to beat him out, "THEN HOW THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO FEEL BETTER?! AFTER YOUR SISTER REVIVED HER AS CORPSE AND I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!"
With every Night Raid members were able to stop Mine before she plans to kill him her. Tatsumi is still shock to hear and decide to question him, "You said she was resurrected? How?"
"Like I said this before. My sister gave her life-force. I believe it's called, Od. Imagine...if a person has magical energy, he or she may have any amount of souls as long as they live for. To give life-force to someone else, like, Sheele was. As long as their subject may live for duration as long as their owner may live. Give or take a few months or years or a least a few decades to go. If it happens to owner, the consequence result is she will be good as dead. And it's not Teigu that can resurrect someone else. It's just complete opposite myth. She should be fine without worry."
Najenda sigh as she still can't believe Sheele is alive and well, but Shiki won't give her location to Night Raid members. From what she understood Sheele's choice, and give her time to sort out before she will come back to Night Raid base.
"And I heard someone else out there slander your organization. Am I right?" said Shiki, starts to smile at her, which caught her guard off.
"Ah yes. That's where the problem came from. I do not who slander our names because our Revolutionary army is now being suspicious of us." said Najenda, hands our every poster that were done by imposters.
"And you need my help? I'm guessing, you're sending your members to sniff out imposters?"
"Yes and no. I'm sending every assassin to protect our officials at specific locations. One, Ryusuen and other outskirts Capital. Mind you, they kept their distance from Empire."
"In this case I shall go and tag with Tatsumi and Bulat to do their usual business. Remember this, you're the one who needs my help and make no expection."
Later...
Trio managed to blend with the crowd as they saw a huge ship arrive in time. While Shiki noticed there were three people are wearing their hood to cover their faces. Shiki smiles as he knew they are going to target this ship. He chose not to tell them and simply play their cards.
Tatsumi was able to get in while Balut's Teigu makes him invisible where no one else could see him. One of the staff recognize him as they let him in without question. With Tatsumi and Balut were baffled that he was able to get in without trouble.
"How did they let you in?" said Balut, wearing his armor to make him invisible.
"You remember Tatsumi? The place that I took you in?"
Tatsumi realize as it hits like brick, "Ah right, business, huh? Sounds like everyone else knows about you and your reputation."
"Sounds like you made them to do it for you." said Balut, starts to agree with Tatsumi.
"It is really complicate. You don't know half of it. They were all feared by me because I killed every vampire and their clans. They all bend their knees on me and treat me like I'm celebrity." said Shiki, starts to chuckle as if he is crazy or perfectly sane, "Then why don't you take change your suit? I'm in no mood for party."
Shiki starts on his way to his personal room, leaving Tatsumi and Balut on their own. Shiki made plan on his way to bar where there were three people sat there, drinking their expansive wines. He smiles as he starts to sit near to them before calling bartender, "Can I get same drink as these three had?"
Bartender understood him as he took an expensive wine and pour his glass before gave it to him. Shiki pay his own pocket before drinking it.
"Sounds like you have an awful taste you got there." said old man with heavy accent, "And you are?"
"Oh just simply passing by. You three sure knows how to enjoy your time before your scene." said Shiki, drinking his wine.
He noticed that old man had blue vial case in his jacket before closing it as another person starts wishper to him as he proceed with his caution, "I don't know who you are, but I appreciate for your compliment. If you may excuse us, we have matter to attend for." said old man with heavy accent, pay his money to bartender as they all left room, leaving Shiki drinking on his own.
"Oh you don't know half of it. I know you're going to starts soon." said Shiki, still smiling as he drank his wine, knowing it will happen and doesn't care about these civilians may turn into undeadsoon. People here are being monster sometimes. It doesn't mean he never plans to save people on the ship anymore.
Meanwhile
Tatsumi lean on balcony as he finish listening to Balut's story. He felt sympathy with him because Balut tried to defend his superior before turning him into criminal. The main reason was his general refused to pay bribes for Empires before Balut become of what he was.
"Feels like screw up to me. That is far horrible I've heard of." said Tatsumi, felt a bit anger towards to Empire.
Balut nod his head before his time reach its limit, "Looks like it's my time. I better go and change it."
Tatsumi chuckles at him, "So that they will recognize your face? In thise case, just leave it to me."
Balut thank him as he decide to find his hiding spot before he finds Shiki took his hiding spot, "Balut, you have good time from their party?"
"You sure know how to find my hiding spot." said Balut as his armor deactivate it before questioning him, "I would like to ask you a question."
"Shoot."
"What the heck is Dark Six?"
"Sounds like Black Heart Incident to me. If it's what you're asking me, Dark Six were meant to end this world, then this world will be dried out quickly because there will be no more mana left. Then Crimson Moon will return in a few thousand years to go. Consider yourself lucky ORT still never wakes up. I've seen on other side and decide to end the future there." said Shiki, explaining what Dark Six is.
"So...it is basically the end of world. Then what will happen to this world? This humanity?" said Balut, was shocked to hear about Dark Six's endgame.
"I...untentionally diverted this future years ago where it suppose never happens. Instead, entering into new era, different people. But same ol' me and couple of vampires left for me." said Shiki, smiles at him as he stood up before stretching his arms.
Bulat's eyes widen up as he thought what he says before his thought, "He...what? Did he mentioned that he diverted this world when this world never ends? And what the heck is ORT? And Crimson Moon?"
Before they were greeted by undeadfemale with a few bloodied missing holes, eating an arm before approaching duo. Shiki took his knife out from his pocket as he made his move fast before cutting her half vertically down.
"Well, that's new to me." said Shiki, smashing her head into nothing, "This is...undead. And now I'm guessing it's those three gave some an unknown liquids to people here."
While the undeadshows up as Balut cuts them down while Shiki slices them down before Balut make his comment, "Undead?! I never fought against undeadhere. What about civilians here?"
"That means they're gone as well. If it happens to your target chance does have 50/50 change alive, then I suggest you go and save your friend here."
They both heard someone is playing song as if it acts like recorder. It doesn't affect against Shiki while Balut's legs gave out before stabbing his leg before gritting his teeth. With couple of Undeads were coming toward to Shiki and Bulat. They didn't have time to deal with undeadbefore heading straight to Deck where Tatsumi stays there.
They both found Tatsumi is now fight against undeadwhile another person is now fighting against same enemy. The person is huge tall muscular with long, spiky blond hair, smiling at Tatsumi, "It's been long time since I've been gaining experience aside with these dead people still eating each others. And now I wand to fight a live experience fighter."
They both steadied with their weapons. None of them made their move until Tatsumi decide to head on as he rush toward with his sword before Balut intervene Tatsumi, "IDIOT! What in the world were you thinking?!"
While Shiki stood beside with Tatsumi before grabbing his chair as he sat and watch, "This sure is interesting."
"Shiki...the heck are they?! Why are they eating each others?!"
"They're Undead. There's no point to save some people here anymore." said Shiki as he watch them fighting each other. While two of his associates appears as they aid him before Balut jump high before kicking two of his associates away before chopping him in half.
He gave his lesson to Tatsumi while Shiki laughs before the old man stood up, instantly, recognize Balut's style, calls him out, "That Teigu. That style. I know it's you, Balut."
He walks toward before noticing Shiki sitting on his chair as he waves at him, "You...I know you back in bar, wearing your blindfold and acing like being blind man. Just who in the world are you?"
"Oh...you just broke my heart and I thought you and your friends should know the one who killed many people than Night Raid." said Shiki, clapping his hands, "You should know...Satsujinki. And you're the one who tainted these wine here?"
Old man's eyes widen up before laughing, "Finally...I've been wanting to meet face to face. Yes I did, tainted their wine and didn't expect this result as they became Undead. And now you are here, wearing blindfold as an assassin. Killing more than 70 people"
"Actually, still counting and up. 150 people along I made people disappear." said Shiki, correcting old man about his killing.
"I see...my name is Liver. And you should know my name, Satsujinki." said old man, revealing his name to Shiki before asking him, "I would like to fight you with my own ability."
"Aren't you forgetting your old friend?" said Shiki, point out Balut still stood before thanking him.
"Thanks, Shiki. And Liver...it's been long time since I left army. What has you change, general?"
"I'm no longer general anymore. And now I serve with Esdeath and my loyalty becomes stronger with her." said Liver, poiting his hand at Balut, "Once I'm done with you, I'll have battle with Satsujinki."
Shiki laughs at Liver before clapping his hands, "I would love you try to fight against me. Unfortunately you going to face your old friend here." Before Shiki notice his associate recovers and is about to play his flute. Shiki ensuer he doesn't let it happen before he made his move fast without anyone noticing him next beside with him.
Shiki yanks his flute before telling him, "You shouldn't play your flute. Why don't you sit and enjoy to watch them to fight each other?"
"Wh-when did you get here?!" said boy as he is being surprise as Shiki got here without being noticeable.
"Too bad...I would have keep it as treasure back at my castle. Unforrtunatlely, it is waste to me." said Shik as he breaks it in half before throwing it away, "Then you don't need it anymore."
He smiles at him before the boy felt his pure rage as he picks a piece of wood as he stabs at Shiki's neck. Shiki isn't being fazed off by a piece of wood that pierced his neck.
Baluts and Liver both stop each receieve their deep wounds as if the world has been stop as they noticed that boy managed stab Shiki's neck with a piece of wood. While Liver smiles as he chuckles, "I thought he was strong. But I was wrong. And now...you and I have to finish this business."
"Wait! Look!" said Tatsumi, poiting at Shiki before giving his attention at duo as they saw Shiki is still standing, takes it out from his neck without care. His wound starts slowly close in as if there's no scar left on his neck.
"Ouch. That's hurt. Wonder how it feels like?" said Shiki, still holding a piece of wood which he tried to kill him. Shiki decide to stab boy's neck before recieving trio's shock. Shiki still smiles as he push it harder before breaking his neck. His body drop harder before Shiki throws the dead body to undeadas they starts feast on fresh corpse.
Shiki looks at them before starts questioning, "What? It's just bad show, right? And why did you stop fighting?"
Balut let his body hit on the ground as he starts breath slowly before Tatsumi came to his aid. While Liver turns on Shiki as his water dragon came to his side, "The hell are you?! You're not normal one!"
Shiki pulls his knife out from his pocket before answering him, "Mmm...vampire or not vampire. I'm just normal guy with blindfold, whose playing his knife. Does my answer satisfy you?"
Without a word from Liver, nor will he made hesetiant as he manipulate his two water dragons coming straight at him. Except his water dragons simply vanish without a trace. Nor gave him a scratch.
"What did you do, Satsujinki?" said Liver, being surprise as his water dragons just vainish without a trace.
"And now...it's my turn." said Shiki as he moves fast with their nakes eyes before cutting Liver's arm.
"AHHHH!"
He clutch his arm in order to stop bleeding before proceed his attack again. Shiki ducks down before cutting both of his legs as he stabs on Liver's leg, leaving him immobilized, "The hell is this? And how fast are you?"
Before Liver could say as Shiki cut Liver's head as it rolls around on the ground. While Balut and Tatsumi were shock to see Shiki killed Liver easily. Shiki turns around before asking them, "Are you guys done or what? We are going to leave right now."
Tatsumi is about to pick Balut up before he cough his blood from his mouth, "Tatsumi...I don't have time. Look up on ORT and Crimson Moon. Church might knows more than Shiki can't tell us."
"Stop talking. I'm getting you out here while we leave dead people here. I can't let them eat you!" said Tatsumi, not planning to let him go before Balut reassure him.
"Kid...It's time for me. And Shiki?" said Balut, calls out his name before Shiki brought his target alive which Balut and Tatsumi suppose to protect.
"Yes?"
"Take Tatsumi out of here. I'm going to hold these monsters here. I know I don't have time to live on because he got me real good. And now he poison me. I'm going to give my Teigu to him." said Balut, gave his his Teigu to Tatsumi before he face against horde of undead.
"This is it." said Balut, rushing toward to couple of undeadas he fights against them.
Shiki grabs Tatsumi and target as he jumps high before reaching to the shore. Once his feet lands on the ground as it hits hard, creating a huge shockwave bit.
"Whoo...Got to write my record for my jump." said Shiki as he drops both on the ground before looking at ship, leaving Balut to fight on his own against undead.
"We have to go back and get him!" said Tatsumi, pleading to Shiki to save him.
"Well...he didn't have time because the poison reachs him before we could do anything else." said Shiki, gave him a hard reality of his friend, "If you would have ask me to have my sister to revive him, then it's pointless."
He turns around as he approach to Tatsumi before looking at forest, "I know you're here, Enhance. You can come out."
Tatsumi looks back as he saw a person with red trench coat, two guns in his holster on each side and his sword behind on his back which it looks like demonic, emerge from forest before spoke to Shiki, "You sure knows how to find me in hiding. And these two people?"
"Oh these. Just ignore the old man here because he is not very important to me. As for Tatsumi, you can take him back to Night Raid because I have business to attend for."
"And the survivors there?"
"None."
"In this case, I'm going to blow that ship up to leave no trace left for Empires." said Enhance, took both of his guns from his holster, starts chanting as his guns starts glows up.
Before Tatsumi could do anything as Enhance starts to shoot the ship as it blows in in horizontal sky, leaves nothing. It became an empty. While Tatsumi stares with horror, drop both of his knees, unable to do anything.
While Shiki departs without a word as he head straights to Capital.
"Kid...I know it's not easy because I cannot let undeadto roam around so that they will have their chance to infect again." said Enhance, looks at him as if he gave him a pity, "Then I'm going to take you back to Night Raid."
Tatsumi nods his head as he felt being uselss which he is unable to save his friend from death. He is now being griefing the way he lost his friend.
Later...
Capital, Night Time
Esdeath felt good time to walk around with ease. No more Revolutionary Army. She felt joy after she and her army managed to conquered North because Revolutionary Army is more weak than her. In meantme, she will look for someone who is stronger than her. She plans to tell Prime Minister to start event in future for her future husband.
She felt something uneasy feelings. A huge killing intent that she never felt this before. She looks around, every roofs, shops, crowds, food stands and restaurants. Until she saw someone with blindfold, sat on his chair, gave her a small wave. She felt she knew someone else, but where?
She had to walk toward to him while the crowd gets in her way. She push aside as she finds the man with blindfold is no longer there. She had to trace around as she saw him walking toward to alleway. She had to follow him again as she finds no one is there anymore. Vanish like ghost.
"Heh..." said Esdeath, smile a little as she punchs the wall a bit hard, leaving small crack on it, "Still...I need to find him."
She sigh and she is unable to trace killing intent anymore. Unlike Night Raid had. She turn back as she intend to head back straight to castle and reports of her success conquer, but never wanted to mention about mysterious person with blindfold.
While Shiki stood on the roof while he pats on Len's head, "Well...well...you nearly found me. So, it's time to open this curtain and see how will they play?"
To be continue...