A/N: Hello, fellow readers! I've returned with a new chapter once again. This became diverted from one of my old chapters, so I took some parts from it to make it more detailed. 2024 is coming to a close, so I hope to make this one the last new chapter of this year so I can begin rewriting the other old ones. Other than that, sit back, relax, and enjoy reading!
Disclaimer: Killer Instinct and Carrie belong to their respective owners.
The clinic waiting room inside the City of Dawn is a serene blend of Incan heritage and modern comfort. Moonlight filtered through large, carved stone windows. A vibrant mural depicts scenes of ancient Incan life, its colors muted but enchanting at night. Woven tapestries hang alongside them, adding texture and warmth.
A semi-circle of plush chairs, upholstered in earthy tones, surrounded a low wooden coffee table. Several small side tables made of polished stone held magazines and potted plants. Under the mural, an elegant bench provides additional seating while allowing guests to admire the artwork.
Sitting on the chairs, the gang awaited Hinmatoom's fate. Doctors worked hard to save his life behind the wooden door.
While still on Pedro's shoulders, Aganos stared at the door in its miniature avatar form. Its glowing eyes flickered with intensity, betraying anxiety. It glanced back at the mural, seeking solace from ancient stories. It would then return its gaze to the door, hoping for news.
"Do not worry," Pedro signed. "Our healers are saving your friend."
The golem groaned and nodded, its eyes turning dim with Pedro's words. Aganos climbed down from Pedro's shoulders and approached Jago. It raised its hands, forming signs and tracing shapes in the air that spoke volumes of regret and forgiveness.
"Oh, Aganos wants to apologize to you, Jago," Pedro said.
The monk raised a brow. "For what?"
"If he hurt you."
Jago dug in his memories until one clicked. "Oh right, at the Tiger Shrine. I didn't understand why it attacked me until I saw that strange device on its head. I suspected it was in pain."
Pedro translated as the mini golem explained with its gestures. "Well, your suspicion was correct. It was a mind-controlling device created by Ultratech. They forced him to do things he didn't want to do."
"Man, that's fucked up!" TJ said.
"Indeed," Jago said. He glanced at Aganos with newfound empathy. "I'm sorry you had to endure that, but I'm glad you're free now."
The golem's shoulders relaxed, and a soft, relieved hum resonated. After a while, Aganos formed distinct signs, its fingers moving with a hint of fear.
"What's he saying?" Nikita asked.
"Aganos asks if the girl who saved Jago is here. He's afraid of her," Pedro said.
"What? A war golem scared of a kid with mind powers? That's a first!" TJ chuckled, shaking his head.
"TJ, can you imagine being shoved halfway across the world by a telekinetic? That's a frightening experience," Nikita said.
The boxer clicked his tongue. "Good point. Anyway, Aggy, you shouldn't worry. Carrie's on our side, so if she sees you, we'll explain what you endured."
"Jago?" a voice called as everyone turned toward it. While carrying TJ's pet guinea pig, Carrie arrived at the clinic with Pemba.
Aganos' eyes widened in alarm, its miniature form trembling. The golem's hands moved, making cautious remarks.
Pedro stepped forward, reassuring the golem. "It's okay, Aganos. Carrie means no harm, I promise."
When Carrie spotted the golem, her expression shifted to curiosity as she approached the table. "What is that?"
"This is Aganos, the war golem I mentioned while heading to the citadel," Maya said.
"The same one that fought the sorcerer? He looks small, and I don't see the jewel on his head."
"This is his avatar form. His actual form is outside the citadel in an open courtyard."
"Oh." Carrie crouched down to the table where Aganos stood, smiling. "Hi, there." Despite Pedro's reassurance, the golem hesitated and backed away, its tiny fingers twitching with anxiety. "Why is he afraid of me?"
"Carrie, remember when you saved me by shoving Aganos out of the Tiger Shrine with your powers?" Jago asked. "It turns out he was a victim of Ultratech as well. When I fought him, there was a device implanted in his head, forcing him to follow Ultratech's commands."
The girl gasped as her eyes widened. "I didn't know." She regarded the golem with compassion. "I'm so sorry. I never meant to scare you like that."
Once Pedro relayed Carrie's words through sign language, Aganos' tense posture softened, and its trembling subsided. Although still cautious, the golem's fingers moved smoother, forming signs of understanding and gratitude in response to Carrie's apology.
"Well, glad it's all sorted," TJ said. "Speaking of sorting things out, how's my little man doing?"
"Reggie's been great. Not a single complaint from him." With her powers, Carrie handed the pet back to the boxer.
"Aw, come here." TJ cuddled Reggie, grinning as the guinea pig nuzzled against his chest. "You hear that, Reg? You're a champ, just like your old man." Maya cleared her throat, holding a stern expression. "Um, I guess I have a lot of making up to do with that farmer, eh?"
"Tomorrow. I'll see to it," Maya said. "So, tell me about your friend, Thunder. What led him to his terrible condition?"
"Who's Thunder?" Carrie asked.
"We know him from the tournament," Orchid said.
Aganos raised its hand before explaining things with hand movements.
"Aganos met the man after crash-landing in Idaho from Carrie's telekinetic shove," Pedro said.
TJ almost stifled his laugh. "Damn, Carrie! You pushed the golem to another timezone?!"
"TJ, focus!" Orchid said.
The boxer composed himself. "Alright, alright. Sorry. Continue."
"Aganos says while under Ultratech's control, he and Thunder had a scuffle before the latter destroyed the device, setting him free. He wanted to express his gratitude by helping Thunder find his younger brother, at least his remains," Pedro said.
"Oh, he's still on about that? No disrespect, but I hoped he let it go after learning the truth," TJ said.
Orchid shook her head. "Some wounds take longer to heal. Thunder's been through a lot, and finding closure is crucial."
"What happened to his brother?" Carrie asked.
"That's what I want to know," Maya added.
Orchid rubbed her fingerless, gloved hands. "Thunder entered the Killer Instinct tournament to learn about his brother's fate. Eagle, like others, competed and emerged victorious. Long story short, he died in some horrific incident, and Ultratech used the remains for one of their creations."
"That's awful," Carrie said, "and they never told Thunder about it?"
"No, they kept it hidden from him for years," Orchid said. "He only found out when he engaged and uncovered the truth himself."
"That's unforgivable," Maya said, her voice filled with subtle anger. "How can Ultratech escape with such atrocities?"
"It's a twisted world we're living in, but Thunder's resolve to find peace for his brother drives him forward," TJ said. "So, what happened next?"
"Aganos and Thunder raided Ultratech sites, searching for the younger brother's remains. Along the way, they encountered a metal creature with red glaring eyes and claws on the wrists. Thunder fought the creature, but he got stabbed. Aganos saved him before it struck the killing blow," Pedro explained while translating the golem's hand movements.
"Wait a minute. You said a metal creature with red glaring eyes and claws?" Orchid asked.
"That's what Aganos says. Why?" Pedro asked.
"A Fulgore unit." Orchid massaged her temples. "Nothing else matches that description. It's a miracle Thunder survived the encounter."
"Um, what's a Fulgore unit? Are they dangerous?" Carrie asked.
"They are. Fulgore units are advanced combat cyborgs, designed to be relentless and formidable in battle," Orchid said.
"Yeah, those things are no joke. You can ask Jago. He faced against one of those motherfuckers in the tournament," TJ added.
"For the record, it was one of the most challenging battles I've fought," Jago said. "The Fulgore unit was relentless, adapting to every move I made. It took everything I had to defeat it."
Falling silent, Carrie sat on an empty plush chair. Pemba soon followed suit. "What is this Killer Instinct tournament? Jago mentioned it was a martial arts program, but what exactly is it?"
"For most people, it's a program, as my brother says. However, from a broader perspective, it's a brutal competition where fighters compete against each other in vicious combat. The tournament is a testing ground for their experiments, including the dreaded Fulgore units," Orchid explained.
"Sounds intense. Why would anyone enter such a dangerous tournament?"
"For some, it's about fame, glory, revenge, however you want. For others, like myself, it's a chance to topple Ultratech from the inside or protect those they care about. When I entered, I was on a mission to expose their secrets and bring justice to those they've wronged. After all, I was an undercover spy, albeit cold-blooded. Every fight was a step closer to unraveling their schemes.
"When the tournament ended in chaos, I was a whole different person. In addition, after seeing what happened to my brother, I thought to myself, 'My God, what demons do I have inside me?' Still, every battle taught me something about myself and my limits. It was a crucible of strength and endurance, and though I emerged scarred, I found a purpose that transcended the fight."
"Since we're talking about tournament stories, I'll tell mine," TJ said. "Back then, I was a superstar boxer, held the title for twenty years. Like every celebrity, I got crazy with my wealth, from buying the most expensive mansion to partying like a rock star. I even did some music videos, although they were shitty. I lived the good life, but that changed when I lost to Ronnie Wilcox. Everything fell apart for me.
"Now, fast forward to me entering the Killer Instinct tournament. I wanted to reclaim those glory days again. However, I learned the stakes were higher than expected as the competition progressed. Each match pushed me to my physical and mental limits, forcing me to confront my opponents and past mistakes. One such match was this Jurassic Park reject called Riptor. The OG-not them Stalker motherfuckers. The fight was so brutal, it wasn't funny. Then, the fucker slashed my eye and left me with this scar. I won the fight, of course, but I paid a high price. I had to accept losing a part of myself and my pride. Still, it was worth it in the end."
Pemba swallowed and spoke to Carrie via mind link, "Wow. It's a good thing I didn't enter this tournament. You step in with confidence but come out broken or dead."
"Yeah," Carrie said. Then she asked, "Sir, did you get treatment for your lost eye?"
"Man, those mad doctors thought about adding a cybernetic eye once they examined my condition," TJ said. "As tempting as it was, I couldn't do it. Instead, I wore this scar as a reminder of my journey and lessons. It stood for resilience and the cost of pursuing my ambitions."
Then, the door swung open, and a group of Incan healers walked in, their presence commanding attention. They wore traditional garb adorned with vibrant textiles and complex patterns, carrying an aura of ancient wisdom. Modern doctors in white coats accompanied them, creating a striking contrast.
"Chefe?" the lead healer called.
Maya arose from her seat. "What's the news?"
"The man will live but needs rest," she said. "His wounds are deep, but with time and care, he'll recover. In addition, he's still fighting the fever."
"With that said, we'll monitor him if something happens," a doctor added.
"Thank you for your diligence," Maya said. "Please keep me informed of any changes in his condition."
"So, I'm guessing Thunder will be okay, right?" TJ asked.
"Right now, he's stable, but the fever still poses a risk," Maya said.
Pedro tapped Aganos' shoulder and signed, "See? Your friend will be alright. It'll take more than a fever to bring him down."
The golem groaned with relief. "Thunder is strong. He has faced many storms; this fever is another test of his strength and resilience."
