Sniperbro1998: Yeah, I thought that about Salazar as well! I definitely liked the OG better and I wanted to keep the line later when he says "It might come as a surprise, but I'm only twenty years old!" I'm glad you liked it, and I hope I mingled them seamlessly.
Evolution-500: Thank you for your notes! I'm keeping them all in mind with the tenses and grammatical mistakes. You'll probably see a lot more, but I'm going to try finishing the story before I go through and edit it and see if that helps me out. I noticed that I throw myself off with a lot of my stories and don't end up finishing them, and then just delete them altogether. So, I'm hoping that if I just finish it first and edit it later it'll keep the flow going. I'm so happy you like Rose and that she fits in so greatly! I didn't want her to be just another person that Leon has to take care of, like a lot of OCs tend to be, but I also didn't want her to take his spotlight, either.
Thank you both for frequently leaving reviews! It not only encourages me but it pushes my story up higher to be noticed quicker in the algorithm of RE fanfics. SUPER LONG chapter this time! Enjoy!
Rose followed the sound of growling and metal scraping on stone. She tried to keep her footfalls silent as she moved briskly in the dark. She had turned her flashlight off in order to not startle Leon, lest he accidentally make a sound and get his head knocked off. Literally.
It was pitch black down here and Leon's flashlight was the only thing she had to identify hazards with. At least she could see where he was. It was by the grace of his swift movement that she had seen the chains dangling from the ceiling and had been able to crouch low enough to the ground that she missed jostling them. There was a ton of debris on the ground, and she was careful not to even nudge a rock with her shoe as she made her way around the room, hand trailing along the rough stone to guide her around the walls of divider screens. That thing was close enough to Leon that it was making her sweat, and he kept focusing his flashlight on the growth protruding from the monster's back, but he never got a good shot.
She stepped on a sharp rock, and even though it didn't hurt her through the sole of her boot, it did give her an idea. Carefully, she bent down and grasped the rock in one hand, and then took her flashlight in the other. Leon had his back to the wall, and nothing she could see around him, so she clicked her flashlight on. She sighed when Leon did exactly what she thought he would do, and made a surprised grunt. The sound enraged the beast and Rose was quick to hurl the rock at the monster's face. It bounced off of him, making him pivot in her direction in the last moment, chasing her and giving Leon the opening he needed to shoot the parasite.
Rose held her breath in big puffed-out cheeks as she darted away from the monster, and it buried it's wolverine claws into the wall. She turned to Leon, who shot twice at the parasite, causing the monster to scream in agony as green puss dripped down his back and he yanked himself free. Leon gave her an exasperated look and motioned for her to move. She did, but not as quietly as he wanted her to.
"Hey assbutt," she shouted at the thing, pissing it off some more to get it to chase her. She took out her pistol and shot the blind creature in the sternum.
The bullet struck with a sickening thud, embedding itself into the tough, leathery skin. The Garrador reeled, letting out a roar that reverberated through the stone chamber, shaking loose debris from the ceiling. Rose could feel the vibrations in her bones as she darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the beast's wild, flailing arms. It was disoriented but not down for the count.
"Rose! Focus!" Leon shouted, reloading his gun with a precision that only years of experience could achieve. He wasn't taking his eyes off the creature, which was now thrashing in anger, its chains rattling ominously as it pivoted again, swinging its massive claws like a madman.
She took a deep breath, adrenaline coursing through her veins. "Got it! Just keep that light on the parasite!" Rose shouted back, aware that Leon's beam was their best chance of survival. With another glance at the creature, she could see the grotesque bulge pulsating on its back, a beacon of vulnerability in the chaos.
The Garrador, now more enraged than ever, charged forward, ignoring the warning of its own injuries. Rose felt a rush of fear but steeled herself, racing around the perimeter of the room, keeping her eyes locked on Leon. He had his stance ready, waiting for the perfect shot.
As Rose ran, she spotted an overturned barrel near the wall. An idea sparked in her mind. "Leon! Cover me!" She sprinted toward the barrel, ducking low to avoid the Garrador's swiping claws that narrowly missed her back.
Leon didn't hesitate; he fired another round, this time striking true. The bullet found its mark, and the monster howled again, staggering back. "What are you doing?" he yelled, still focusing on the creature.
"Just trust me!" Rose shouted back, reaching the barrel. She kicked it, sending it rolling toward the Garrador. The creature stumbled as it tried to regain its balance, and the barrel collided with its legs, knocking it off its feet.
Now was her chance. She dashed forward, her heart racing, and planted herself in front of Leon, using her flashlight to illuminate the parasite as she shouted, "Now, Leon! Shoot!"
With a steady hand, Leon aimed for the exposed growth, his expression a mix of determination and urgency. He squeezed the trigger, the bullet slicing through the air, striking the parasite with a burst of gore. Green ichor sprayed the ground, and the Garrador let out an ear-splitting scream, its claws flailing in a desperate attempt to regain control.
"Keep it distracted!" Leon called out as he fired again, this time hitting the beast's shoulder, causing it to spin wildly.
Rose, thinking quickly, grabbed another rock from the ground and hurled it with all her strength, aiming for its head. It struck with a dull thud, momentarily dazing the monster, and she seized the moment. "Leon, now!"
With another shot, Leon landed a precise hit, and the Garrador fell to its knees, but before either of them could even sigh in relief, the monster got his second wind.
it let out one last roar, a desperate surge of power coursing through it as it lunged forward.
"Watch out!" Rose cried, pushing Leon aside as the Garrador's claws narrowly missed him. They needed to finish it, and fast. Rose raised her pistol, eyes narrowed in fierce determination. "Let's end this!"
Leon nodded, and together, they focused their fire on the pulsating parasite, unleashing a barrage of bullets. The creature writhed, thrashing about in agony, until finally, with one last shot from Leon, it exploded into a grotesque mess of flesh and ichor.
The room fell silent, save for their heavy breathing and the echo of the last agonized moan of the Garrador fading into stillness. Rose lowered her gun, adrenaline still pumping, and looked at Leon, a mix of exhilaration and relief flooding through her.
"Did we... did we do it?" she asked, glancing around for any signs of movement.
Leon nodded, a weary smile breaking through his tension. "Yeah. Looks dead to me."
Rose squinted skeptically at the hulking mass of the Garrador sprawled on the ground, its grotesque body oozing green ichor. "We could have avoided wasting all that ammo if we just snuck past it," she groaned, brushing a lock of hair out of her face.
Leon shook his head, the flashlight flickering as he pointed it at the pile of monster remains. "No, better we took it out. Don't want that thing coming after Ashley. Imagine her face when it shows up to dinner uninvited."
"Right? 'Sorry, I brought my own fork!'" Rose laughed, but then her face turned serious as she added, "And I'm not sure I want to know how that thing eats."
Leon chuckled, the tension in the air easing slightly. "Exactly. Just think about it—one minute you're having a nice dinner, the next you're being chased by a blind guy with a really aggressive fashion sense."
They turned to the back of the room and spotted a ladder leading up into the darkness. Rose's face fell. "Oh great. A ladder. Just what I wanted after that fight—more exercise."
Leon smirked. "You could always just stay here and form a new union of monster slayers. 'The League of Very Tired People.'"
"Let's just add that to your resume of 'Things I Regret Doing'," Rose quipped, climbing up the first rung with a heavy sigh.
Leon rolled his eyes. "You're getting a sense of humor," he noted, following her up.
"Maybe you're rubbing off on me," Rose shot back, glancing down at him with a grin.
Leon cleared his throat, trying to suppress the laugh that threatened to bubble past his lips. "I didn't say anything."
"But you were thinking it," she teased, climbing faster now, eager to escape the creature's remnants and his teasing.
"Pretty sure you were thinking it," Leon retorted, trying to keep his voice serious but failing miserably as he chuckled.
"Real mature," she said, trying to sound annoyed but unable to hide her smile.
"I'm a very mature guy," he replied, a grin plastered on his face. "As mature as a guy who just blasted a monster's guts all over the floor, anyway."
At the top of the ladder, Rose pulled herself into a dimly lit corridor, the air stale and heavy with the scent of damp stone. "If that's your definition of maturity, we're all in trouble," she said, brushing off her clothes as if that would help erase the fight from her mind.
Leon emerged behind her, his eyes scanning the darkened hallway. "Hey, it's not my fault I'm surrounded by immature company." He shot her a mock-serious look. "But I guess that comes with the territory."
"True. If you want to be the hero, you have to put up with the sidekick," she said, throwing him a playful salute. "I accept my role. Just promise me I won't have to face another blind monster anytime soon."
"Deal. Unless, of course, it's the sequel. Then all bets are off," Leon said with a wink.
As they started walking down the corridor, the distant sounds of dripping water echoed around them, broken only by their footsteps. "So, what's next?" Rose asked, peering ahead into the shadows.
Leon shrugged, his expression shifting to a serious one. "We keep moving. Ashley's somewhere up ahead, and I'd rather not have to explain to her how we got sidetracked by a blind, chain-wielding monster."
"Right. Let's save the damsel in distress," Rose said, rolling her eyes dramatically. "You know, it would be nice if the next monster had a bit more of a... romantic touch. Maybe some roses and candlelight?"
Leon laughed, shaking his head. "You're on your own with that one. I'm not carrying any floral arrangements into a zombie-infested hellhole."
"Pity," she replied, glancing back at him with a mock-serious face. "I had a whole 'Dinner and a Movie' plan for later."
"Just remember: if the monster doesn't show up, it's a win-win," he said over the sound of Ashley coughing in the next room.
"Sure, as long as I don't have to cook," she joked, trying not to worry about the coughing. They approached the barred door that had a man tied to the other side of it. Leon pushed it open, and Ashley squealed in surprise.
"Oh, it's you," Ashley gasped in relief as she ran over. "What happened down there?"
"You were right," Leon said quickly before Rose could answer. "It was just an animal."
Ashley looked to Rose as if not quite believing him. Rose smiled tightly at her and nodded once, lying as Leon had. They crossed over to the big iron gate and Leon dug out the key to place in the lock, twisting it, and they all let their shoulders sag in relief when it opened up with a small squeal. Rose frowned at the stairs that led to another ladder, wincing as she felt the tightening in her knee. "Any chance this is the last one?" She asked, all humor seeping out of her to be replaced with dread.
"Fat chance," said Leon, dashing her hopes and dreams of staying on one level for the rest of their journey. Rose sighed and approached the ladder first, pulling herself up and trying to keep as much weight off her bum leg as possible. Ashley started coughing again when she pulled herself up into the storage space the ladder let up into. "You okay?" Leon asked.
I'm fine, for now," Ashley responded, though her voice was raspy and edged with fatigue.
The room was a chaotic jumble of tables, bags of indecipherable objects, and ingredients littered about, creating a narrow path to navigate through the clutter. Rose glanced around, her eyes landing on a particularly mysterious sack that looked like it had seen better days. "So, Ashley," she began, trying to lighten the mood as she stepped gingerly around a pile of dusty boxes, "how are we feeling about this whole... monster-fighting adventure?"
Ashley shot her a confused look, then smirked slightly, "Are you seriously trying to play therapist now?"
"Hey, someone has to help you process all this trauma," Rose replied, striking a mock-therapist pose with her hands clasped. "Tell me, how does that make you feel? Like a snack? Or more like a bag of overcooked vegetables?"
Ashley laughed despite herself, a sound that seemed almost foreign in the oppressive atmosphere. "Definitely like a bag of overcooked vegetables. Maybe with a side of anxiety."
"Very good," Rose nodded seriously. "And would you say that Leon is your emotional support—what's the word—'dude'? You know, the one who can't keep a straight face when things get dire?"
"Pretty much," Ashley admitted, glancing over at Leon, who was trying to look focused while half-listening to their banter. "He's great, but he's also a little... intense, you know?"
"Intense? Pfft. That's just a fancy way of saying 'dedicated.'" Rose replied, dramatically rolling her eyes. "Like, if there's a monster lurking around, he's going to find it—preferably by blowing it to bits."
"True, true. But sometimes I wonder if he'd blow up a can of beans just to keep the energy up," Ashley said, grinning.
"Hey, those beans could have been haunted!" Leon chimed in, finally breaking his serious demeanor. "You can't take any chances with paranormal legumes."
"Now we're getting somewhere!" Rose declared, clapping her hands. "If we can joke about haunted beans, I think we're on the path to emotional recovery. Next step: confronting our feelings about all these stairs. How do we feel, Ashley?"
Ashley giggled, the sound brightening the dim room. "I feel like I need a nap. And maybe a stair elevator."
"Good choice! I'll put that on your wishlist for when we get back to safety. Along with a spa day and an endless supply of chocolate." Rose chuckled, her lighthearted banter helping to ease the tension.
"Sounds perfect," Ashley agreed, her eyes shining with laughter.
Leon, still scanning the room, said, "Great, but first we need to find a way out of here before we become haunted beans ourselves."
"Right! Back to reality," Rose said, refocusing. "Let's see if there's an exit in this storage space that doesn't involve more stairs."
"Or monsters," Ashley added, peering cautiously around the room. "I'd really like to avoid those."
Leon smirked. "I can't promise anything, but I'll keep my eyes peeled. Just keep the therapist jokes coming; they might distract us long enough to survive."
"In all seriousness, I was really scared when you jumped into that hole," said Ashley, sobering up and looking at Rose. "I understand why and am thankful you're okay, Leon, but...I was afraid."
Rose nodded, feeling a little guilty. "I'm sorry Ashley. Part of being a team is looking out for each other, even when things seem hopeless. You're stronger than you think. Just take it one step at a time and know that neither Leon nor I will leave you alone."
"She's right," said Leon. "You can count on us to always come back for you."
Ashley took a deep breath, visibly trying to steady herself. "Thanks, you guys. I appreciate it. I just wish we could find a way out of this nightmare."
"Let's focus on that," Rose said, her determination returning. "Can't be too long now. We just have to get some reception and call support, and then we'll hitch a ride out of here."
Ashley smiled at her, trying to hope for the best.
Rose began to sift through the bags and boxes, checking for anything that might help them. "Maybe we can find something useful," she said, her mind racing through possibilities. "Weapons, supplies, or even a map."
Ashley joined her, tentatively lifting the flap of a dusty old bag. "It's just more random junk. I'm starting to think this place is a glorified storage unit for lost odds and ends."
"Or a treasure trove of survival gear," Rose replied, her eyes narrowing as she rummaged through a box. "You never know what could be here. Like a ghost pepper hot sauce—perfect for warding off evil spirits."
Ashley chuckled lightly again, but there was still a tremor in her voice. "Maybe I should carry a bottle of that for emergencies."
"Great idea! Just remember to keep it away from Leon—he might try to use it as a weapon." Rose grinned, and this time, Ashley laughed a bit more genuinely.
Leon rolled his eyes but smiled. "I'll take my chances. Just don't expect me to use it in a culinary battle anytime soon."
As they continued searching, the atmosphere shifted slightly. The playful banter helped ease the weight of their situation. "Man, all this talk of food is making me starving," Rose grumbled. They found a yellow herb, and some gunpowder which Leon stored away to make ammo with later if they needed it, which they probably would sooner rather than later with the way things had been going. Leon crossed the room and opened the only door to reveal a brightly lit room with engraved pictures of knights on the wall. There was furniture and paintings along the left wall, a table and a bust statue in the middle of the room with various other clutter on the table, and in the back of the room was another locked cage with more junk piled high.
There were more paintings of people back in Ren days along the back wall, and the lock on the cage depicted three images a bird with spread wings, a rearing steer, and a coiled snake. A puzzle they'd need to solve. Between the engraved pictures on the far right wall was a gated doorway that was sealed tight. So, they'd have to solve the puzzle to open the gate. How typical.
"Look at this," Rose said, standing under a bell with a plaque on it depicting the rearing steer. She yanked on the cord, and a bell sounded like a gong in a dojo as a small flame was lit in a glass container behind the placard.
"It's glowing now," said Ashley, pointing to the lock on the large gate. Rose looked over to see the matching image was now flickering orange like the fire in the glass. Interesting. She took out her gun and pointed to another matching symbol through the bars.
She aimed at the bird placard, hoping that this would work when she couldn't get through to pull the cord. Holding her breath to keep steady, she fired. Another gong sound and the fire lit in the glass, causing the matching symbol to light up in the lock. Ashley cheered and pumped her arm like a child would begging a trucker to honk his horn. Rose chuckled, eyeing the other two gongs on the other side. Her eyes zeroed in on the coiled snake just behind the one she had just shot and gave it the same treatment.
There was a click as the lock disengaged and the gates slid open, allowing them into the second half of the room. In the middle of the room was another statue, much larger than any they had seen yet, but it was a full-sized humanoid lying on the floor as if in pain. A bloodied golden sword was sticking out of its chest. Rose wrapped her giddy fingers around the hilt and pulled it out, ignoring how Leon rolled his eyes at her. It was a freaking sword, and she didn't even get to play with the last one!
"What's that used for?" Ashley asked, eyeing it warily. Probably because of the blood that coated the blade.
Leon held his hand out for the sword and Rose reluctantly handed it over. He tested out the weight in his hands and his eyes skirted over it appreciatively. "Well, it's just a replica," he started and made Rose pout in disappointment. "Only a couple uses for it." He walked with the sword over to the engravings which also had swords attached to them. He studied each depiction with rapt attention until he tisked his tongue and handed Rose back the sword. "Here, hold this a second. I got an idea."
Rose took it without complaint and watched as Leon took the iron one down from a tombstone engraving, and walked over to the third carving with an iron suit of armor. He took out the rusty sword and replaced it with the iron one. Then walked back over to the tombstone and placed the rusty sword into the indention. There was a golden knight anointing another knight that he left alone because it already bore a golden sword. Then, he walked to the middle portrait and motioned for Rose to step forward. She did so, catching on quickly and still not happy about giving up her prize. The last depicted a knight stabbing a man in the chest, a gruesome, bloody tale. Sighing unhappily, she placed the bloody sword into the chest cavity of the man.
The gated door opened up instantly. "Wow Leon, they teach you how to do that in the police academy?" Rose asked. Leon shook his head.
"You'd think. I've seen some pretty annoying puzzles in my time."
They found themselves in a mostly empty room that opened up to the second floor of the entrance hall. To their left, another gate loomed, marked with the same intricate picture lock as before. Scattered around were gongs attached to ornate lanterns, and at least this time, they knew the drill. They were searching for symbols of a snake and another creature that Rose couldn't quite identify. One of the gongs near the door depicted a mermaid, prompting Rose to look down the walkway for any signs of the other image. She squinted at the distant gong but couldn't make out what it was.
"I'll check over here," Rose declared, retreating without waiting for a response.
As she moved, she noticed two breaks in the banister. One overlooked a grand chandelier that sparkled ominously at foot level, while the other had a ladder fixed in the 'up' position. Without hesitation, she kicked it down, just to be safe. Peering behind her at the gong, she was disappointed to see a stag depicted there, far from what they needed. "No dice!" she called out to Leon and Ashley, who were engaged in their own conversation by the barred door. "We need to find a way to the other side!"
Leon jogged over, a determined look on his face, with Ashley close behind. He stopped in front of the chandelier, shrugged, and then took a running leap at it. The chandelier swung precariously, and Ashley gasped, eyes wide. "Leon, what are you doing?!"
"Don't even think about trying this yourself!" he shouted back, grinning like he was on top of the world.
"Don't worry, I don't have a death wish," Ashley shot back, relief lacing her voice. Rose stifled a laugh, turning her head away so Ashley wouldn't see her amusement. There was Leon, the quintessential hero, doing heroic things while defying the laws of gravity.
He disappeared momentarily to the left before calling out, "Rose, there's another lock over here! Ring the mermaid!"
"Got it!" Rose sprinted back to the first gong, her heart racing. She pulled the cord, and a flame flickered to life. A moment later, the deep, resonant chime of the gong echoed through the hall, followed by the sound of sliding doors. She could hear Leon's footsteps racing up a nearby set of stairs.
The door beside her and Ashley creaked open, and they quickly joined Leon on the balcony where Salazar had first greeted them.
"Leon, are you insane? Jumping across chandeliers?" Ashley scolded, her hands on her hips as she eyed him like a disapproving parent.
Leon merely scoffed, smirking with self-satisfaction. "What are you, my mother?"
"Maybe someone should be!" Rose chimed in, rolling her eyes. "Honestly, do you ever think before you leap?"
Leon shrugged, his grin never faltering. "Not when there are chandeliers involved. It's just too tempting."
Ashley shook her head in exasperation but looked fondly at her rescuers. The joking around was new, and she wondered if it was for her benefit, or if they were both just losing it. Either way, it was a nice change to the tense atmosphere they had been in thus far. She was still in the dark about what had happened between them, but she hoped they'd work it out. The looks Rose would give Leon when he wasn't paying attention were telling. And what Rose didn't know, was that Leon watched her in much the same way when she decided to take the lead. It was impossible not to notice from where she was, always watching them both so closely.
The next area they entered still lay on the second floor, but the luxurious carpet beneath their feet gave way to cold, unyielding stone. Flickering candle flames struggled against the encroaching shadows, creating an eerie atmosphere as if this part of Spain had never seen electricity. As they descended the stairs, a cackling laughter shattered the silence, draining any remaining humor from the moment. "Salutations, Mr. Kennedy," Salazar's voice echoed through the speaker, high-pitched and grating. "Are you ready to hand over the girl?"
Leon sighed, irritation flashing across his face. "Not this guy again." He pressed onward to the ground floor, determination etched in every stride.
"I've taken the liberty of preparing some entertainment for you," Salazar continued, his tone dripping with malice. "But, I'm afraid it's Ashley we need, not you, Mr. Kennedy."
"If you don't need me, then get off my back, old man!" Leon shot back defiantly.
A sharp intake of breath crackled through the loudspeaker, and Ashley instinctively tightened her grip on Rose's arm in fright. "Did you say old man, Mr. Kennedy? It might come as a surprise, but I'm only twenty years old!"
Leon and Rose exchanged incredulous looks, the absurdity of the situation briefly cutting through their anxiety.
"Without further ado," Salazar continued, his voice dripping with theatrical flair, "the gallant knight protects the princess fair! And don't think I've forgotten about you, Lady Rosalita! We have a... special score being composed, just for you!"
"Be careful," Ashley whispered, her voice trembling as Leon pushed the doors wide, revealing a vast chamber that seemed to swallow them whole. The ceiling towered eight feet above them, and railings flanked the walkway, keeping them precariously separated from the inky waters of the indoor ponds that glimmered ominously below. Black water erupted from fountains, spilling over the railings and soaking the rich red carpet beneath their feet.
As they cautiously stepped inside, the ceiling soared even higher, reaching several stories overhead. Balconies lined the left and right walls, looming like sentinels, while at the far end of the walkway stood a short pillar with a crank affixed to its front. The pond extended beyond this crank, creating a barrier that separated them from a staircase raised on the opposite side of the room. The atmosphere was thick with foreboding, and every sound felt amplified in the vast space, heightening their sense of vulnerability.
Before they made it halfway across the room, the sudden slam of a door echoed ominously behind them, followed by hurried footsteps that rattled with the clinking of chains. From the shadows, cultists surged into the chamber on either side, emerging from hidden alcoves below the crank that jutted from the rounded walls. Their faces obscured by hoods, they brandished lethal spiked flails, massive scythes, and wooden shields reinforced with even more flails, charging toward the trio with a menacing fervor.
"This must be the entertainment. Stay behind me!" he ordered, instinctively positioning himself in front of Ashley and Rose as the cultists closed in. He drew his weapon, adrenaline surging through his veins. The air crackled with danger, and the flickering candlelight danced frantically as if mirroring the chaos about to unfold.
Rose gripped her pistol tightly, her heart racing as she scanned the advancing mob. "Back to back, Ashley, get low!" she urged, her voice rising above the chaos. "We can't let them surround us!"
Leon and Rose faced opposite directions, opening fire on any cultist that got too close. They switched to their shotguns as the shields got closer, and Ashley tried to make herself as small as possible on the crank side. Ashley eyed the cultists that were advancing, shaking from fear, her eyes filled with determination as she suddenly sprinted away from her protectors and dashed for the crank.
"Ashley!" Leon shouted, his voice slicing through the chaos as he attempted to go after her.
"There's no handle!" she cried out in despair, her voice ringing with urgency as she narrowly dodged the outstretched arms of a cultist who lunged at her. "I'm going to try to find it!"
"Ashley, wait!" Rose called, anxiety flooding her tone, but Ashley was already weaving through the fray, slipping between legs and ducking under swinging arms as she raced down the dimly lit stairs.
"Damn it," Rose cursed under her breath, frustration mingling with fear. "I'm going after her; cover me!"
With a huff, Leon nodded, channeling all his strength into a swift roundhouse kick that sent a group of cultists crashing into one another. Rose took a moment to steel herself before slamming the butt of her shotgun into the jaw of the nearest cultist, the satisfying crack resonating as she pushed him violently into his cohorts.
Without pausing to catch her breath, Rose launched herself over the railing, plunging into the shallow pond below. The frigid water engulfed her shins, the noxious scent rising like a foul cloud, but she powered through the muck, splashing onward to reach a position where she could continue her pursuit of Ashley. She sprinted down the stairs, her breath leaving her lungs in great puffs of air as she pumped her arms to help her legs move faster, ignoring the twinges of pain that sprinting the fast caused her. She had to stop running and teetered precariously on the edge of a drop when the stairs just stopped.
Ashley was already on the bottom floor, two cultists closing in on her both in front and behind her. Rose swapped the shotgun for the pistol and checked the magazine, almost crying at the sight of her last bullet. She shot the one closest to Ashley in the head. "No!" She screamed when the cultist's head only exploded into a large worm-like parasite and stretched to twice it's height. Ashley screamed in terror and ducked. A flash of silver caught Rose's eye as she adjusted her weapons and dropped down onto the level below, running toward where Ashley was.
The blonde had her kitchen knife in her hand and swiped at the knees of the remaining intact cultist, then used his distraction to dart away from them both. Stowing her useless pistol, she got her shotgun back out and fired the remaining shells into the transformed parasite. It screamed and exploded in slimy gore, falling to the ground. Next, she dropped the shotgun and replaced it with the knife in her hand, surging forward and burying it into the skull of the second cultist. "Ashley, move," she shouted as she quickly approached.
Leon was still on the floor above them, and she could hear him grunting and exclaiming as he fought the cultists off with close-quarters combat. So, he was out of ammo too.
"How many more are there?" She shouted out in frustration as she scooped up her shotgun again. She ran up to a cultist who had a torch in his hand and tried to blow the flames in her face. She dodged it, using her gun once again to pummel him and take his torch. She swung the torch, smacking another cultist in the chest with it. His robes combusted as if they were doused in kerosene and the fire quickly enveloped his entire body. The parasite inside him shrieked, and Rose had to take a moment to catch her breath and block the disgusting smell of burning flesh that assaulted her nose.
Ashley's scream of terror broke her out of her moment, and her eyes quickly found her being lifted up onto the shoulders of a cultist across the room. Rose sprung into action, but before she could do anything, Ashley raised her knife and plunged it into the neck of the one who held her captive. The cultist fell to its knees, and Ashley leaped away from him, taking her knife with her and shoving it back in a second time. The blade broke inside the cultist, so she had to let it go, but Rose had caught up to her and roughly drew her into her arms in a tight hug.
"Don't ever do that again," Rose exclaimed breathlessly. Ashley wrapped her arms around Rose, her eyes darting around the room in a panic, slowly calming as she realized that no one was coming after them anymore.
"I found the crank wheel," Ashley said as she pulled away. She walked around Rose where an angel statue was holding the wheel and plucked it from the angel's hands, holding it up triumphantly for Rose to see.
"You could have been killed," Rose seethed, grabbing the wheel from Ashley and glaring at her. Ashley had the common sense to look sheepish and folded her hands behind her back, lowering her head and staying silent to let Rose let it out.
Ashley nodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to help."
Rose took a deep breath, the tension in her shoulders easing as she softened her expression. "Let's just focus on getting out of here. Can you help me with this?" She motioned to the crank wheel.
Ashley wiped her eyes and straightened, her resolve returning. "Yeah, let's do it."
Rose shimmied the wheel into the place of another crank pillar. As Ashley turned it, a heavy grinding echoed through the chamber as the staircase above them gradually began to descend, allowing them to reunite with Leon. Rose yanked the wheel back off of the pillar with a grunt, taking it with them as she limped back up the stairs. Leon was standing by the original crank pillar, his hands on his knees as he too caught his breath. Bodied were strewn everywhere, several of them headless with parasites lying in a pile of their own filth.
"Ashley," Leon grunted and set his jaw to stop himself from yelling at her as Rose had done. Ashley shied away, ready for him to rip into her, but he sighed and shook his head. "I'm glad you're okay."
She offered him a relieved smile, swiping her bangs out of her eyes and looking down at the bodies that surrounded Leon. There were so many. "Is this what's inside us?" Ashley asked, unnerved as she looked at the dead exposed parasite.
"I'm not going to let it get that far," Leon assured her. But Ashley wasn't so easily comforted this time.
"But it's inside you, too, what if you can't stop it? What if we both end up..."
"Not gonna happen," Leon said firmly.
Ashley turned her attention to Rose. "What about you? Have you...coughed up blood yet?"
Leon turned his curious eyes to her as well. Both Ashley and Leon had coughed here and there, some with blood and some without, but Rose hadn't even had a sniffle. She shook her head slowly. "No, I haven't had any of the symptoms you guys have."
"Maybe you got lucky," Leon said. His voice was hard as he set his jaw again. The unsaid name 'Ada' flashed behind his eyes. Leon turned his attention back to Ashley. "Even if something happens to me, Rose will get you home."
"Nothing is going to happen to him, though," Rose quickly amended, sending a withering look towards Leon. Ashley sighed, finally allowing the conversation to drop as Rose harshly shoved the wheel into place and began turning it on her own. The middle staircase across the pond from them began to lower at a snail's pace, creaking and whining the entire way. Rose tried to think of how to approach the subject of Ada to Leon without it interfering anymore with the mission. They needed to talk about it because she couldn't handle this back and forth and hot to cold.
The railing lowered between them and the stairs and they jogged up them. "We're not out of the woods yet," Leon said as they went up onto another platform. This part of the room had another floor with a few steps between them and another pond. A third floor wrapped around them, but the only way to get to it seemed to be if they separated.
"What are we going to do? We're both out of ammo," Rose worried.
Leon sighed, eyeing the cranks on both sides of the third floor with wariness. "I'm gonna lift the two of you up there. Ashley, you use the cranks while Rose covers you. I'm going to improvise down here."
"Okay," Ashley said immediately and jogged over to the right-hand wall, waiting for Leon to boost her up. Leon and Rose wordlessly followed her and he got into position. Ashley went up first, and then Rose went after her. She followed Ashley over to the first crank and watched as Leon walked around on the level below them and chuckled when he kicked over a tall candelabra, pulling it into his hands and weighing it as a weapon. "Rose," Ashley gasped as she pointed to a doorway down the catwalk. There were four of them, two coming from either direction.
"Shit," Rose grumbled as she pulled out her knife. "Start turning the wheel," she instructed before running for the closest cultist. She leaped onto the female cultist who was yelling at her already. Her knife sunk into her head, causing her to scream and fall onto her back. Rose landed on her good knee as she went down with the cultist. Ashley screamed as another one from the opposite direction closed in on her. Rose yanked the knife out of the skull of the previous cultist and threw it into the chest of the one that attacked Ashley.
She didn't get to see what happened next because she was yanked into the air by her throat. A cultist had her in his hands, pulling her to her feet and closing off her airway as he began to fling her body over the railing. Rose kicked out, adjusting her body weight so she fell on the carpeted floor instead and used both her legs to kick at her captor. The soles of her boots landed with a thud, forcing him to let go of her and they both fell. She was faster at getting to her feet and hurried over to stomp on his skull a few times. Instead of just dying, it's head exploded to reveal another parasite.
"Toss it down here!" Leon called from where he was fending off his own attackers.
"What?" Rose called back, thinking he was insane. He had two more of those parasite-headed cultists down there with him!
"Just do it!" He called.
Rose grit her teeth and hoped he actually had a plan before backing up. She cast a quick glance over her shoulder to see Ashley had run over to the other side toward the second crank, avoiding the arms of the cultists following her. Turning her attention back to the parasite, she ran at it and dropped low, sweeping its feet out from under it and sending it crashing to the floor below. Then, she got up without hesitation and closed the distance between her and another cultist, coming up behind and snapping its neck in one fluid movement.
An unsettling sensation washed over her as if she were nothing more than a machine—cold and relentless. Yet, paradoxically, this disquiet was serving her well in that moment. With an adrenaline-fueled burst of speed, she charged towards Ashley, intercepting a cultist just before he could grasp the blonde's wrist. They crashed to the floor in a tangle of limbs, and Rose couldn't help but be impressed when she noticed Ashley had seized her knife during the chaos.
"Cover your eyes!" Leon shouted from below, his voice cutting through the din. Ashley obeyed immediately, but Rose was too focused on the struggle beneath her, sawing through the cultist's throat as blood sprayed around them in a gruesome arc. Just as she felt the warm spray hit her face, the flash grenade detonated, illuminating the room in a blinding light, while the chaos spiraled further out of control. Rose winced, the light stinging her eyes like lightning and the sound of the BANG causing sharp pain in her ears. She couldn't see anything for about a minute, even as Ashley recovered quickly and pulled her back to her feet.
Every sound blended into white noise, Ashley's voice muffled and she couldn't understand what was happening. She felt the knife being pried from her fingers, but Ashley's hand on her shoulder was gentle, not urgent, so she let it go without a fight.
"Rose! Rose! Are you okay? Come back to me," Ashley said urgently, shaking her shoulders. Slowly, colors seeped back into the world and the white noise died down so that she could finally ground herself in the present.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine."
Her entire body was in pain, but she was fine. She dug in her med kit to count her pain pills, and sighed at how few she had, then stuffed them back into her pocket.
"You ready? Leon's okay," Ashley assured her. Rose nodded, allowing Ashley to hold onto her as they approached the wall where Leon was waiting to catch them. Ashley dropped down first with a smile and a thank you for Leon. When it was Rose's turn, she stood still and just looked down at him.
"I'll catch ya," Leon said, misreading her hesitation. Rose swallowed back her tears, feeling foreign in her own body. Something was wrong with her, but she just couldn't pinpoint what it was. She dropped down into Leon's arms, her eyes closed tight. He held her there for a second, his eyes scanning her face in concern before placing her back on her feet. "Are you okay?" He asked, despite Ashley having already checked on her.
"Yes, but I think we should take a break soon."
He nodded, watching her carefully. "Yeah. If we can find a stopping point, we will. Come on, the cranks raised some platforms to get across the water."
Two large griffon statues were standing in the water, and Rose kept her gaze steady on them, trying to shake off the weirdness she felt inside her body. This had been the third time that sensation had taken over, and it scared her. What if Ada hadn't rescued her on time? Did Mendez actually inject her, too? But then, why did she not have the same symptoms as Leon and Ashley? Even as she thought it they crossed over the moldy carpeted walkway, Leon tried muffling his coughing. He tried to hide it from the youngest of them all, but Ashley still noticed. To her credit, she looked more worried about Leon than scared, which helped the fondness Rose felt towards them both.
They emerged into the cool air of the outside and all three of them let out a collective sigh. The atmosphere inside had been considerably stuffier, and even with the ominous crows cawing at them as they took flight off of a pretty fountain, they were relieved to be outside.
"We should try to call Hunnigan," Rose said as she leaned against the fountain. Leon nodded, pulling out his communicator and pressing the call button. Static met his ears and he shook his head, stowing it away again.
"No signal," he said by way of explanation.
"Well, that's great," Rose replied sarcastically, looking up into the night sky. How long had they been in that castle? Leon hummed and walked over to the edge of the fountain, eyeing the clear water before dipping his hands in and scooping it to throw over his face and neck.
"The area seems clear for now," Leon says, looking around before scrubbing the dirt from his skin. "We can take a few minutes to regroup."
Rose slumped and Ashley sighed in relief. "Thank god," they said at the same time, then burst into tired giggles.