EPISODE 7: HAVEN VISIT [PART 1]
Summary: The Haven received an order expecting a dangerous visitor from the human world…but why is Rush not as afraid as his people and allies?
Disclaimer: I don't own Cross Ange or any of its characters and original plot, excluding the original characters I created for this story. This is a spin-off series of the main 'Cross Ange: Living Hell' story. So please read that before here.
Cross Ange and all its rights belong to King Records (Japan), Sentai Filmworks (USA), and Sunrise/ Bandai Namco Entertainment (Japan). This fanfiction is meant for entertainment only and not for profit. This story contains heavy language, blood and violence, and mild sexual themes not for audiences under 16-18 years old.
'Urgent Haven mission. 9 stat. Emergency. Not a drill. Code Red. Code: get your butts outside the Haven Resort….'
Was the confusingly urgent alert the Human Killer's team, Haven soldiers and the children who can wake up earlier than the other residents received when they and the Haven animals grouped outside of Haven's Resort, some tiredly rubbing the sleep out of their eyes. However, a few may have slept either on their other friends or even the animals without fear of getting eaten alive by the wild, man-slaying animals. Luckily, they quickly wake up with their full attention by spotting their proud leader and Human Killer standing in the centre of the circle, accompanied by his fur baby: a female cheetah. Two years ago, when the Haven recently learned how to communicate and train the intelligence-enhanced animals by one of their own, the Haven declared to never call every animal a pet, including the domesticated ones for their wild animals' pride. Therefore, the Haven would call them with affectionate words describing their companionship and ban calling them 'pet'.
"Sorry for waking you all this early, but we got a situation strictly for EVERYONE." Rush calmly greeted, with everyone silent from noticing what startled them. Not only Rush is fully awake for a heavy sleeper, but he is more serious than usual. This could mean something is up. "Due to the proud world leaders; we'll be expecting a visitor, just like how my team and I visited Arzenal, last week. You get the idea when I said Code Red." The mention of a visitor hurriedly woke everyone fully awake in dread and anger.
"One of the world leaders is coming here?" One of the female soldiers demanded, already pulling out her weapons like some of the other adults and growls coming from the angry animals. But seeing Rush shaking his head with his tired scowl, they didn't think this mission would be more than they bargained for…
"More dangerous with common sense." Almost every Haven human, Norma, and Ancient Human cried their horror with the animals sharing their feelings for the true visitor, who made the Ancient Humans with their descendants' blood boiling for their history. But how and why would HE visit his enemies' home? Luckily for them, their human leader and dangerous soldier also prepared to start explaining. "What happened was from last night…"
[Last night]
As the human commoners stayed in their homes with Misurugi rebuilding their lives under their new young Emperor's rule, their leaders were currently in their weekly meetings with their superior and God who granted them access to their restricted meeting grounds, the Escarpment regarding each nation's current states from building or event construction to even Norma arrest as shown from the Mana screens hovering above the single, round table and their heads for all to see. But the world leaders, mostly Julio trying not to dread, must keep their best behaviour in check for Master Embryo tonight, seeing him looking and listening to their reports with his collected frown hiding his vehemence for what almost happened to his children Aya and Khalifa two nights ago by two disobedient NMF members if not for the Human Killer.
But his interference surprisingly saved them from being executed by their God leaving a bitter pill for the proud leaders of Marmeria, Galia, and Rosenblum, while Julio, Velda Queen, and President Irijah of Enderant Union are relieved. Another shocking thing was that their master never mentioned or revealed his family to them until now even before Jurai was executed. This prompted all to speculate but guess about his secret wife or mistress, making sure not to openly ask Master Embryo until they plan on the right time or even apologise to his children, saving their grace and lives at stake by their God.
And speaking of Master Embryo's children…
A startled gasp from Rosenblum King interrupted Embryo from reading one of some other nation's statistics from the Mana screen, noticing everyone looking at Embryo's right side from the chair until he spotted the source. His boredom from this meeting with these simpletons, who nearly and indirectly killed his children by their negligence slowly but immediately fades into relief at seeing Aya, appearing from out of nowhere, with his hands holding a saucer carrying a teacup of steaming chocolate brown liquid. Embryo could tell by the faint smell that Aya just finished making him hot chocolate milk. Just one of his children's usual but kindest ways to cheer their father up from any inconvenience, and that makes Embryo happy.
"Ah, Aya." Embryo softly greeted once Aya carefully got closer to place his teacup saucer on the table and anxiously climbed onto Embryo's seat to sit on his lap and left crossed leg over his right, resting his left arm against Aya's back for support. "You made hot chocolate for me? Thank you."
'You're welcome, Father. Can I join you here?' Embryo translated Aya's sign language with a curious smile, smirking his buoyancy for his son joining himself in here even peeking through the corner of his dimly glowing eyes at the other rulers now scowling their trepidation when Aya appeared. 'Of course, you can. You made me feel better from scaring them with your arrival.' Embryo calmly signs back to his mute, albino son.
"I hope you all don't mind Aya being here." Embryo immediately spoke right after signing with his poised smile replacing his irritated glower, reaching his free hand to indulge Aya's hot chocolate drink until he finished and placed it back on the saucer, seeing the shaken world leaders facing them, trying to calm down and reclaim their composure.
"A-a-ah! O-of course not, Master Embryo!" President Irijah timidly assured. "It would be a pleasure to have Young Lord Aya and Lady Khalifa joining us, if you wish, Master." Embryo and Aya silently looked at each other with the former smirking his amusement at the latter's displeased sneer before both glared back with Aya looking up at the other Mana screens.
"Indeed, milord. Although it is a surprise, we won't have an issue if your son and daughter wish to accompany you, considering their ages." The Galia Emperor chimed in.
"Yes. However, I don't know if I should be amused by you all automatically reacting to my children's debut, considering I hid my private life from everyone until now for good reasons." Embryo noted with his smirk unwavering by everyone shuddering their concern although he felt Aya's hand lightly pat on his left shoulder, seeing him pointing at the Mana screens and sign his curiosity and suspicion.
'Father? Where is Mister Rush's place?' Embryo is startled by Aya asking about Rush, glad that his mutism hides the Human Killer's real name from the rulers, but he is as curious as his son about the Haven. Even if it's been two nights since their first meeting, Embryo cannot help but think such thoughts about that incident, especially since Rush unknowingly but thoughtfully told him the gist of his past and, unlike the world leaders grovelling at his feet for being his servants, acts indifferent even when finding about Embryo's role. Surprisingly, Embryo is pleased that Rush is boldly unafraid of him as these fools.
"I hope it's the cute guy I'm talking to right now." Even remembering Rush's sincere smile when he confidently called him, right after assuring him of finding a future boyfriend or husband, made Embryo both embarrassed and, again shocking him, happy as he tried to hide his reaction from Aya coyly smiling at him.
"Master Embryo?" Julio quietly called, snapping Embryo back to reality when he looked at everyone apprehensively staring at him for his sudden silence. "What is Aya signing to you?"
"A…ah, forgive me, lady, and gentlemen. Aya was asking about the Human Killer and the Haven." Embryo answered, seeing Marmeria, Rosenblum, Galia, and Enderant Union flinching their dread alongside the former's anger with gritted teeth which Embryo and Aya noticed after the former flicked his free hand under the table. "I homeschooled my children to learn about the seven nations and the Haven's purpose and history, from what I was informed. I believe that Aya is curious about the Human Killer's absence, but it did bring me to think of inviting him to future meetings."
"Y-You can't, Master Embryo!" The Rosenblum King cried, alarming almost everyone with the king flinching at seeing Embryo and Aya's reaction to hurriedly cough for his blunder. "F-forgive me. But I believe it is unwise for the Human Killer to participate in our meetings, even representing the Haven."
"Why not?" Julio wondered in confusion, prompting everyone to look at him for speaking about the Human Killer. "Wouldn't it be beneficial if the Human Killer is allowed to give reports of anything that we may not know about?"
"There is truth in Lord Julio's words." The Galia Emperor calmly mused. "With the Human Killer around, we will also be informed of any secret findings that it will take years for our people to search. Such as a potential secret base where Norma and traitors to humanity are relocated."
"But that gun-happy fool will kill us even in front of Master Embryo!" The Marmeria Secretary rebuked in anger, nearly terrifying the cowardly president beside him with Embryo pulling Aya a bit farther from the portly man out of concern for potentially striking his child since the NMF's attempt.
"He will do no such thing." The Velda Queen decisively objected. "He can behave the best he can to not attack unless necessary."
"You presume such confidence in that boy because you are also a mother." The Rosenblum King noted aloud, seeing the lone woman scowling a firm scowl for his words. "And other than its ruler, we know nothing about the Haven apart from its sadistic procedures towards our offenders."
"Ah. And this is why I approve of inviting the Human Killer to these meetings." Embryo suggested with his eyes closed and smile, not wanting to see their shock from, for some reason, feeling irritated by some of these miscreants' awful insults to Rush but relieved that Julio, President Irijah, and the Velda Queen were kind to him. "I too wish to learn more about the Haven not just from their punishment to traitors, but what it looks like compared to the other nations. As mentioned before, I was told a lot about the Haven and from what I heard, sounds like a pleasant place to…"
"Hmph. Whoever told you must be an idiot." The suddenly cruel chortle from Marmeria interrupting him forced Embryo to stop, opening his glowing green eyes with a flat frown from the other world leaders now listening to one of their own thoughtlessly pondering about the Haven, unaware of their superior's reaction except Aya who noticed in dread. "How can a restricted island filled with murderous fools killing their kind, under our orders, be more pleasant than our beautiful homelands? Especially before the Human Killer's rule?"
"Due to making sure the Haven is secretive from the commoners, we dare not venture a supposedly foul land for our safety." The Galia Emperor reminded. "We wouldn't end up as those insolent animals being slaughtered by those originally from our lands. Such traitors themselves…"
"Surely, the Haven is not bad…" President Irijah nervously muttered, but he was left ignored.
"And from what I recalled, Jurai is the only one familiar with the Haven's last founder alongside a mysterious confidant before he made the Human Killer his successor. But due to both Misurugi's former emperor and Haven's late leader's passing, the thought of a Haven representative is preposterous."
"Sirs, please lower your voices…" The Velda Queen tried to cease their conversation, but Marmeria again silenced her to heartlessly chuckle his question to Embryo, who was surprisingly silent when the other first insulted the Haven. "Master Embryo. Pray to tell, what unintelligent fool dare sprout such lies to you about the Human Killer's land?"
"…My late wife."
The Escarpement's pagoda immediately felt silent with the world leaders instantly froze in horror at both their master's answer and the sharply smooth tone, like a knife slicing the sound away, to hurriedly look at Embryo only to freeze in fear with Marmeria Secretary releasing strangled gasps at his stoically cruel sneer directed at everyone but mostly the fat man beside his side for unknowingly insulting their master's late wife, embracing his son eying his anger at them for their words. "My wife was the close friend and confidant of Haven's pureblood founder whenever they visited each other on Misurugi before their passing. She told me stories about the Haven from her friend, and she wished to visit there only for her unfair death to ruin it. As her husband, I promised to fulfil her wish, and I shall abide by it no matter what…but you dare call her an idiot?"
"N-No, Master Embryo! We are so sorry! We didn't know about your late wife's wish!" One of the rulers apologized with the others also joining in, but their fear to save their lives appears futile by seeing Embryo's stone-cold anger towards them.
"Nor did I tell you all of my family out of concern for something like this." Embryo confessed, reaching his right hand with a finger hovering, or pointing in front of him and Aya and on the table. "I heard enough. Are you listening…Human Killer?" The air around where Embryo points shimmered with light for a Mana screen with the Tuner pulling his hand away when everyone saw the face appearing from their master's screen after realizing what he said, collecting some of the rulers' dread.
"Every single word, Master Embryo. From 'Aya asking about me and the Haven'." The Human Killer affirmed with a stoic frown, sitting or lying improperly on his seat with his legs resting on the armchair. "What can I do for you?"
'How did Master Embryo have the Human Killer's Mana number!?' Rosenblum King wondered in bewilderment shared by the others. Is it when Master Embryo and Human Killer returned to the Dawn Pillar that night?
"I would like me and my children to visit and stay in the Haven for one night tomorrow. I trust that you will give me a tour." Embryo proposed with a tired but pleased smile for seeing Rush again.
"I wouldn't recommend a world leader to survive one day, but I'll make your first time the best. For your kids and wife." The Human Killer suggested with a shrug. Unlike Marmeria, Rosenblum, and Galia's disbelief and Julio, Velda, and Irijah's surprise, Embryo is unfazed by Rush's informalities… perhaps it reminds him of a few that he is familiar with and fond of. This could be why Aya spots his father smiling warmly at the half-bandaged man. "I'll call one of the Haven riders to take you, Aya, and Khalifa to the Haven. Let's say you'll arrive there at … 12:30 pm?"
"That would be a bit late, wouldn't it, Human Killer?" Embryo wondered with a raised eyebrow from his poised grin. "I recommend 12."
"11:30 am. That's when the Haven sometimes wakes up for breakfast." Embryo wished he could chuckle at Rush's persistence to suggest an earlier time with a slowly miffed pout, not caring that they were being watched when Embryo retorted. "11. So that we can join you for breakfast after arrival."
"10:30!" The Human childishly yelled in faint anger, increasing the rulers' anxiety for the soldier irritating their master than they accidentally did, with his irrational behaviour despite the latter being surprisingly relaxed unlike earlier just as everyone watched Aya silently and swiftly raise his arms and show all ten fingers in front of the Human Killer and Embryo's faces, startling the adults and young man yet everyone sees the Human Killer's mouth sputtering a long f or v-sounding noise from biting his lower lip, showing his exaggerated anger and surprise until he calms down with a grin…. "Oh, Aya, you good. Is 10 am okay?" The Human Killer and Embryo smiled their amusement at Aya looking proud for deciding the final timing, with the former's lips twitching into curiosity when he asked Embryo.
"Excellent. I look forward to experiencing the Haven and seeing you again. Please do whatever you can to enlighten me and my children with whatever your people can." Embryo happily accepted and rose from his seat with Aya resting on his father's left arm and grabbed his empty teacup and saucer with his right hand from the desk just as everyone saw the Human Killer confidently give Master Embryo a weak salute with his rare smirk before the Mana screen of his face disappeared.
"Master Embryo! Please stop!" The Marmeria Secretary begged Embryo once everyone almost got out of their seats, stopping their master from leaving the Escarpment which would also automatically kick them out and send them back to their homes. "Please reconsider going into the Haven! Anything that comes out of that impudent brat and his foul people will be the end of US and the entire world…" Unfortunately, the man is forced to be silent by a single, irritated glare from Master Embryo and Aya's dimly glowing eyes that no human nor Norma ever bear, further revealing the former's true self as their world's creator and God to his subordinates.
"…Don't interfere with my choice to grant my wife's wish and ruin my children's chance of seeing the Haven. This is for saying such ignorant words towards me."
[Present time]
"Those stupid cowards…" Rush heard one of the Haven soldiers curse his irritation that he and the large group of his people shared once he finished explaining their new mission; giving Embryo and his two children a tour around the Haven. Secretly to Rush, he is relieved that Em is also kind enough to vent his trouble to him after that meeting, feeling his anger for what they accidentally said about the Haven and his late wife's wish. Rush has a few mixed feelings other than anger at the rulers' mistake that caused all this; secretly pleased to see Embryo and the kids again just for Libertus, concerned about the entire Haven's reaction to seeing their enemy, including the Ancient Humans and their descendants that survived the first failed uprising…and his fake big sister's reaction if she finds out later tonight.
A quick check of his phone shows that they should've arrived by now from the Haven's plane that will also take them back to the mainland tomorrow if all goes well. "Commander Rush? Would you like us to follow and protect you if that bastard even thinks of attacking you?" Another soldier asked, prompting some of the humans, Norma, and animals to give their agreement, wanting to protect their leader who can get close to the enemy.
"Hold your horses, guys…" Rush almost spoke when a loud neighing noise attracted everyone to turn and see one of the Haven-Norma girls in the group hugging the neck of her adult companion stallion, making every person and animal see her literally holding her horse made Rush mutter 'Thanks for the pun…' before getting back to the topic. "…What I want you guys to do is to act natural. Just do what you all would normally do in the Haven, don't give away that some of you are Norma and Ancient Humans, and leave me with Embryo. I'm having Sheeta joining me because I want to spend the day with her."
"Meow." Rush's fur baby Sheeta the Cheeta meowed its response, purring louder from Rush's left, fingerless gloved hand stroking its head to express its satisfaction. But unaware of Rush, the Haven citizens look at their leader's cheetah with concern, sadness, and a bit of anger and jealousy on the women. As everyone gains their new wild companion animals, Rush's cheetah is known to be a little bit violent whenever a Haven woman tries getting close to Rush, intending to make him their future husband, only for Sheeta to attack as if it were protecting Rush from THEM. They didn't know that Rush hates being flirted with by a girl, due to his preference and past, so he is glad of Sheeta's harassment that she never gets punished, no matter how many times the Haven women complained to Rush.
"Let's go, Sheeta. We got the fucking enemy to stall. Make me proud, guys." Rush called as everyone watched both their leader and his fur baby leisurely walk past them and head to the harbour, with the people feeling only concern about Rush for being the one dealing with Embryo, even if it's for their protection and hiding the truth.
'Don't worry, Commander. We'll do our best.' The group of Haven citizens mentally decided with a few shaking their fists in anger to see the false god who made their lives into a living hell for the Norma and Ancient Humans.
Even when they arrived at the harbour, Rush and Sheeta could see with the former being even informed by the pilot that they would arrive in another few more minutes, giving Rush peace of mind from the constant headache he'd been having from last night and earlier, with Sheeta watching Rush tapping a foot and crossed his arms as if waiting impatiently for their guests. He may not notice, but Sheeta knows that this is the first time that she and EVERYONE have ever seen Rush this tense. But, as his companion cheetah, she doesn't see what everyone would think and feels that it is a terrible thing.
"Rush?" As a non-Haven citizen would hear an odd cat's meow, Rush heard his name being called from beside him to see Sheeta staring at him like a tamed cat, chattering with Rush's ears listening to a female voice speaking with its true voice. "Are you alright? Or are you nervous to see your 'boyfriend'?" Sheeta composedly teased.
"If the others hear you say that I can imagine them screaming at you for calling Em that. But thanks." Rush noted with a smile. Like Moon and another Haven citizen, Sheeta is supportive of Rush's love preference. Still, unlike every person except those few in the entire Haven, Sheeta willingly helps Rush find a boyfriend or husband by attacking any woman who tries flirting with him and sabotaging others' attempts to hook Rush with a woman rather than a man. That, and their similarity was what prompted Rush to adopt Sheeta as her owner on the same night Moon, Ammo, and the animals were rescued and given their new, free lives.
"I just want to make you happy, even if we're dealing with the 'big, bad, powerful God' they said they rather protect YOU from." Sheeta sarcastically confessed with a shake of her head, releasing a tired sigh that Rush wished he could feel."They agreed to you killing Embryo, but instead, they want to kill him just to say it's for 'your good'."
"You noticed that too?" Rush jokingly asked, still looking at the sky when he noticed a faint blur of a Mana plane heading towards them.
"I thought them saying you need a girl is annoying enough, but not wanting you to do what you promised takes the steak."
"Well, once we're done with the Haven tour tomorrow, we'll work something out. If they still want to do THAT, then it's a lost cause for us." Rush decided.
"And no matter what; I will stay by your side to the end." Sheeta calmly acknowledged with excitement, cheering Rush up to massage the back of Sheeta's neck and ears with one hand, her favourite place to massage, just as the two looked up and stayed put from the Mana plane slowly descending a few walking miles in front of them. Rush and Sheeta stayed put and were not blown off their feet by the violent wind coming from the Mana plane's landing until it quickly dwindled into a complete stop once the plane's door opened via Mana, revealing the three guests Rush needed to assist with both hands taken by his children's hands as they exited the plane. Unlike anyone except some on the mainland sneering their contempt and disgust, Rush may feel surprised but a tinge of gladness for seeing Embryo smiling tranquilly at him, just like their first meeting two nights ago, yet Rush almost chuckled his pleasure of noticing Embryo and Aya's startled reactions of seeing Sheeta beside him once they stood in front of their host.
"Hello, Human Killer…no Rush. It's a pleasure to see you again after last night. Thank you for accepting our wish to stay in the Haven for one night." Embryo acknowledged serenely as Aya released his right hand taking Rush's hand and accepting the shake. Whenever a non-Haven human shakes Rush's bandaged hand, he would see their disgust but seeing Embryo and his children holding him with no fear although the former was strangely astonished of feeling and even slightly squeezing Rush's hand once before breaking their greeting, satisfied the latter.
'…Em's hand is so squishy.' Rush noticed in amazement.
"Thanks for letting me help, Master Embryo. I'll make your first Haven tour the best you three will ever have." Rush nodded with a smile, with Sheeta following suit which amazed Embryo, Aya, and Khalifa standing behind their father's legs from seeing the cheetah but started to slowly lose their fear.
"I'm confident that you will excite us more than what the world leaders offended. And this must be your…" Embryo exclaimed, with everyone seeing Sheeta giving a cold 'I dare you' look if he finished what Rush dreaded Embryo would call her. "…furry companion." The calm kind answer satisfied Sheeta to close her eyes and nod with a purr, relieving Rush to silently sigh. Telling Em about the dos and don'ts of the Haven last night, including the animals' one rule and calling him Rush when visiting the Haven but not the mainland, is a safe choice.
"Yup. Sheeta Cheetah is my baby." Rush proudly confirmed, stroking the free side of Sheeta's head and neck not leaning against his hip. "Thanks to our mission two years ago, Haven is home to any person and animal with most of us able to talk and train with them. And I'm glad I have Sheeta with me."
"Amazing." Embryo noted with fascination, as he and his children followed Rush and Sheeta leading them through the path heading to the Haven's cities. "When you told me what I should know about the Haven last night, I almost didn't believe you when you mentioned your land housed wild animals as companions, but I'm glad you proved me wrong. What kind of animals do you have?"
"Any kind; lions, tigers, bears, wolves…" Rush almost continued after noticing Embryo flinching with a shaky smile after saying wolves, stopping him and thinking what else to add, keeping that hint in mind for future reference. "…also, air animals like eagles and hawks to sea animals like dolphins, penguins, and sharks in our underground aquarium…"
"Leopards?" Embryo wondered, attracting Rush to see the other sadly smiling, watching Sheeta walking closer with Aya and Khalifa side to side in front, leaving both men walking slower from behind once they have arrived in the cities filled with shops and restaurants starting their work for the day. "My wife's favourite animal is leopard. Every once a month before her passing two years ago, I would take my family to the zoo, and I loved seeing her excited when looking at the animals mostly leopards. But…"
Rush's face furrowed in sadness and sympathy for the self-answer when he looked at Sheeta, Aya, and Khalifa, ignoring them being watched by the Haven residents and animals, with every person glaring suspicious daggers at Embryo obliviously looking down. From last night, when Em surprisingly called him with a video message during his meeting with the world leaders, Rush overheard everything from the cruel opinions towards the Haven and its late founder to unknowingly insulting his wife and her wish to visit. Even if Embryo is the enemy, Rush cannot help but be angered and he is not the type to use anyone's personal information as blackmail, unlike Ammo.
"Hey…Em?" Rush whispered as Embryo looked at Rush faintly smiling his assurance which also startled the other. "…I know someone who owns a leopard close to where we are, and lucky for us, that's also where we'll have our breakfast. I think you'll like them."
Seeing Embryo's mutedly illuminating eyes slowly widen in shock that will turn into wonder, losing his sorrow for his late wife, Rush was initially perplexed by the other's expressions, unfitting for a 'Big Bad God' people called him, but quickly grins a faint smile after gently and boldly grabs Embryo's left hand with his right hand, attracting Embryo's surprise to look at their hands before he almost gasp and almost fall onto the road when Rush carefully drag Embryo to start jogging in the former's lead.
"Sheeta, kids. We're going to Granny's café." Rush called when he and Embryo almost ran past Sheeta, Aya, and Khalifa.
The Haven people's initial rage for Embryo's real identity, planning to assassinate him even if it's not their leader's signal, immediately changed to watching in horror at Commander Rush leading Embryo, Sheeta, and the former's toddler children away with their main sight was their leader holding their enemy's hand. 'Why is our Commander holding Embryo's hand!?' This was what every human was thinking, with the single women scowling their anger and jealousy.
'R-Rush!' Embryo wished he could call Rush taking him through the city with Miss Sheeta helping take Aya and Khalifa on a ride on her back, shocked to both running and again holding Rush's hand. Just like when they shook hands earlier, Embryo didn't think Rush's hand felt different than any other person's hands. As the two men and children-carrying cheetah ran a few more miles following their host, Rush and Embryo didn't notice that the latter's hand strangely glowed and a thin, thread-like line of translucent red light that elongated and flickered from his fingers to his wrist and slowly crept onto Rush's hand like a snake…strangely no one can see it.
"Granny!" As soon as Rush and the guests stopped running to stand in front of a small cafe with a large sign shaped like a leopard's silhouette, written Leopard's Lodge over their heads, Embryo, Aya, Khalifa, and Sheeta listened to Rush calling this 'Granny' with the former noticing how genuinely happy he is, compared to when being in the mainland before their first meeting. "You got the first customers of the day!" Right when he spoke, the bistro's sliding door was shakily pulled to the side and a sweet and frail-looking, elderly woman with squinting eyes closed shut and accompanied by a massively, strong-looking leopard joining her side from behind.
'Rush, that's a big leopard!' Embryo gawked in dismay, slightly gripping his hand still holding Rush's bandaged hand. He was happy that Rush suggested taking him and his children somewhere to both see a leopard for his wife's wish and have their breakfast, but he was expecting a baby leopard cub, not a full, intimidating adult. Luckily, it doesn't look like it will attack his children.
"O…Oh, is it Rushes? Hello, dear." Granny softly greeted her happiness, wildly shaking her fidgeting arms and grasping her bony hands on Rush's face when he slightly leaned forward with a happy smile before both backed away when Granny seemingly noticed Embryo, Aya, and Khalifa behind their father's legs, her main attention is on Rush and Embryo's hands before looking at their faces… her smile widened into bliss [VFX: imagining Sakura petals flowing around her]. "Ah…Rushes? Why didn't you tell us you are married? You have such a handsome husband and lovely children."
Rush, Embryo, Aya, Sheeta, and some of the other people around the bistro flinched with the latter group frozen in fear while the former three shook with their faces and smiles frantically twitching while Rush and Embryo's faces flushed pink, trying not to laugh and break the sweet, old lady's heart for unknowingly misunderstood the situation when she and her leopard slowly strode towards Aya and Khalifa walking closer to her. "Ooh, your children look scary, but all children are adorable little angels. Are these my secret grandchildren?"
"Em…don't laugh at Granny, don't laugh at Granny, don't laugh at Granny." Rush muffled his laughing fit alongside Embryo hiding his face by looking down and almost resting his head on Rush's shoulder only to surprisingly calm down with a cough from his free hand and calmly smile at Granny patting her hands on his children's heads, removing his hand from Rush for a faint bow like a proper gentleman.
"Forgive me, Miss Granny. My name is Embryo and the Human Killer invited me and my children from the mainland to spend one night in the Haven, for a special order." Embryo composedly greeted with a smile. "I assure you, my relationship with your grandson is strictly professional."
"Oh?" Granny muttered with a surprised glower, her closed eyes looked at Rush silently nodding sheepishly at her although they saw her sadness from the explanation. "I'm sorry…my eyes aren't clear for my age, but I could've sworn that Rushes looks so happier today compared to before." Embryo and Rush blinked their eyes in surprise. "He may look angry and mean to anyone outside the Haven, but he is a sweet boy needing love from those who see his true self. Anyone needs someone regardless of what people think and say about the other…"
"Granny, I think you're going deep in your world again." Rush embarrassedly reached his bandaged and gloved hands for Granny's as her leopard softly brushed its head against its owner once she stopped speaking. However, Embryo subtly backed away with a small scowl for her words, faintly looking at Rush once Granny's leopard led her back inside. "Sorry, Em. Granny can be dangerously gentle and goes into her world a lot. But that's why I love visiting her ever since she took me in." Rush admitted with a shy smile.
"Took you in?" Embryo asked as Rush ushered the family inside the adorably beautiful bistro's ground floor and took the first table they picked beside the window.
"I was brought here after my parents broke me, thirteen years ago. After deciding to be the youngest Human Killer, everyone was initially afraid of me because I almost killed everyone. But they helped raise me more than what my parents never bothered to do, with Granny helping the most." Rush admitted, sitting across Embryo's seat while Aya and Khalifa perched at their father's side and Sheeta at the chair beside theirs. "I think it's good I didn't mention this when we first met. Since I didn't know who you were at the time."
Seeing Rush trying to smile with a chortle, knowingly hiding his grief and anger for his past, Embryo's curiosity for the Human Killer reduced into sorrow. From what he remembered at their first meeting; Rush's parents abused him to near death simply because they were never a loving family strictly for their arrogance in being a human. That sounds worse, even if anyone thinks Embryo would do THAT to his family.
"Padre," Khalifa called him with a strange, chirping noise from something that just prickled softly on his hands alerted Embryo to look down and see Granny shakily and gently place a sleepy leopard cub on his lap and hands while her adult leopard carefully gave its second cub towards Rush, who starts stroking and petting the leopard cub like a normal person's pet cat without fear, making sure not to call the animals as pets for Rush and the Haven. Embryo's shock of holding a leopard cub faltered to smile his amazement at petting the leopard cub snuggling against his body and hands with Aya and Khalifa also feeling the tiny wildcat's fur. If their late wife and mother, and their baby daughter and sister were here, Embryo can imagine his wife excitedly hugging her favourite animal like a real cat, making him wish he could see her happiness one last time.
As he watches his children holding onto the leopard cub now moving from his lap to theirs, Embryo faced Rush conversing with Granny carefully placing their menus on their table while Sheeta is seemingly snuggling Granny's leopard. Seeing Rush and his grandmother happily talking prompts Embryo to smile but his sadness for the other's history and Granny's words remains, although a part of him feels…pleased. Despite the people's scorn for his crudeness, he is more honest than even the world leaders.
'…I'm glad…you don't know me then, Rush.'
"Do you see him?"
"They're at the front window's table."
"He dared hold our Commander's hand!"
"Why didn't Sheeta attack Embryo when they held hands?"
"What about Commander Rush grabbing his hand? He thinks he's so lucky that we couldn't!"
"He's also a father? Look at those kids!"
"What about the Norma children when they were sent to Arzenal? He let them die by the DRAGONs!"
"That bastard…"
From outside Granny's bistro, a group of Ancient Human civilians hid outside and below the front window where they spot Rush and Sheeta alongside the family of three inside, whispering their hatred and rage towards their major enemy surprisingly enjoying their breakfast with Rush who also seems to be enjoying himself when they talked with each other. Peeking at Embryo's children, they are baffled to see his albino son and his daughter with creepy glowing green and black eyes, blue hair, and dark skin. And worst of all, to the Ancient Humans; Granny is still ditzy and innocent to not realize that she is serving food to the one who made everyone suffer under his rule, even if he is not acting like what they remembered towards Rush and Granny. "Dammit, we have to go in there!" One hissed.
"But if we do, he'll kill Commander Rush!" A female Ancient Human whispered in dread.
"He said he'll protect us from Embryo, but who'll protect him from that asshole?"
"We'll just drag our leader and Granny away, and then shoot him to the ground!" Another decided with his gun in hand just as everyone heard loud rumbling noises from inside Granny's café, shocking them. 'Is Embryo attacking them now!?' The group dreaded when they immediately barged in…but what they saw was not what they were assuming.
"GRANNY! DON'T SHOW HIM THOSE! KIDS, HELP I'M BEING TAKEN!" Rush cried in embarrassment as he wildly struggled and flailed his arms to escape from Granny's leopard holding the back of his collar with its teeth, forcefully pinned on the floor as Granny, being the airheaded kind older lady she is, busily showed Embryo, his children, and Sheeta what they are seeing from a scrapbook in the former's hands and the two children standing against their father's body, with the enemy looking at the contents Granny is pointing with a smile. Further surprising them, Embryo is found with his green suit jacket and grey vest out of his white dress shirt with elbow-rolled sleeves to look more casual than earlier.
"Here is when Rushes unknowingly walked out of the medical room naked, after being wrapped up in bandages from being rescued as our Human Killer," Granny happily noted with her kind smile and squinted eyes unfazed by showing their people's enemy Rush's possibly embarrassing photos while their leader is restrained by her leopard. As they noticed that their appearances and entrance were being ignored, the Ancient Human group eyed Embryo and his children resumed looking at the scrapbook but realized something odd to look at their arch-nemesis in puzzlement.
'Wait…Granny is a Norma, but Embryo looks like he doesn't know that!?' The male Ancient Humans realized in suspicion while the female Ancient Humans shook one of their fists or grit their teeth in envy. '…Why do HE get to see Rush's cute pictures instead of us!? How unfair!' One mentally growled, thinking that her chances to marry Rush like many other women of the Haven may be disrupted by the enemy of all people.
"Thank you for showing us what I think is adorable of the Human Killer, Miss Granny. I'm more than happy to keep it a secret from those who desire them." Embryo thanked with a chuckle from his surprisingly humane smile after closing the book and carefully led Granny aside, allowing his young children and Sheeta to climb out of the chairs and run towards Rush now lying face down in shame and freed from Granny's leopard releasing him from its jaws.
"You are welcome, dear. You and Rushes have been a great help, even though you're a guest. I still wonder where are the usual people that would always help with my bistro." Granny tenderly acknowledged as she and Embryo walked closer to Rush's lifeless body with the latter slowly kneeling in front of the other, alarming the almost-forgotten group to pull and aim their weapons, noticed by the others with the albino boy about to move in a fight stance when everyone heard a moan from Rush, being gently shaken on the back by Embryo until Rush sluggishly twist his head on the floor and saw the commotion.
"…What are you guys doing?" Rush tiredly demands the group of soldiers, astonishing them in dread from seeing his cold, single blue eye dangerously glaring at their souls that they feel like they couldn't shoot a bullet at anyone closer to him.
"S-S-S-Sorry, sir!" One apologized, wanting to respond with the truth of shooting Embryo down but found herself unable to even when everyone watched Rush slowly rise on his knees with Embryo surprisingly helping him on his feet and Granny, who had disappeared earlier, returned from the kitchen with her leopard holding a tray carrying four rectangular popsicles of bright, icy blue ice cream in its jaw.
"Rushes. Why don't you, your new friend and his children have some sea salt ice cream before you go on with the tour? To thank you both for helping me make some new ideas and your breakfast." Granny offered warmly, attracting Embryo and his children while everyone noticed Rush was happy, that no one had ever seen in him when he first gave two popsicles to Aya and Khalifa who curiously took them before taking the last two for himself and Embryo.
"Thanks, Granny. Try it, it's good. Gramps let me have one when he rescued me." Rush first nodded his appreciation which Granny reciprocated before ushering Embryo to taste his new ice cream with a quick bite, seeing him first look at Rush before his popsicle in confusion until he nervously took the first bite, dissecting the flavor in surprise while Aya and Khalifa also start eating their popsicles.
"…It's sweet and salty." Embryo tasted with an amazed smile to Rush, pleasing the Human Killer to grin his appreciation before the Ancient Human group hurriedly backed away and walked outside from Rush and Sheeta leading Embryo and his children out of Granny's place, forcing them to postpone their attempted assassination on their enemy. "Ah, Rushes is a helpful boy as always. But his new friend and his children are lovely too." Granny remarked once she and her leopard slowly joined them outside but both seeing her unfazed and her words collected the group's worry.
"Granny. Do you know that the other man is our enemy who will kill us?" One of the male Ancient Humans asked although everyone was bewildered by Granny's confused frown for her age and little awareness.
"…Oh…Even if he is, I think he and Rushes make a lovely connection." Granny presumed, inducing more shock for her blunt honesty. "He knows that I'm a Norma, from shattering his daughter's weak Mana, but doesn't treat me like a Mana human would and help me cook for his children and Rushes' breakfast. My eyes can see that he can make Rushes happy, and Sheeta agrees."
"H-He knows, but didn't attack you?" Another man scowled his surprise although one of the women who has a crush on Rush tried to persuade Grinny with a shaky smile, refusing to believe the absurdity with both their Mana-human Commander and their enemy. "G-Granny, I think you're thinking crazy again. Commander Rush wouldn't even think of being with someone like Embryo! Both men together in love sounds ridiculous. Rush should be with a girl who can make him happy!"
Aware that no one has ever seen her eyes because of her weak health and age, Granny secretly glares at the group she knows that tried to shoot Rushes's friend but what she was thinking about reclaiming her motherly smile, seeing where Rush and the enemies were at. "You all may think that…but I see Rushes's happiness is in more capable hands now."
So, after leaving Granny's and finishing their sea salt ice cream treats, Rush continues the Haven tour for Embryo, Aya, and Khalifa with Sheeta's company, allowing the two children to ride on her back which even surprised both men but seeing Rush's confidence that his companion cheetah will not harm them slowly gains Embryo's trust out of his growing amazement for Rush's citizens and home that is drastically unlike the mainland.
First, they visited the shopping districts where people either use money like the Normas in Arzenal as their currency or none like the Mana humans out of their professional kindness. Then the orphanages for children who were rescued from the mainland or the previous Libertus of different ages with the older ones and their companion animals helping raise them after losing their deceased parents. The private schools for both normal activities and field training to become soldiers and other places and parks filled with people and tamed wild animals. For Rush's concern and to make sure Embryo will not learn the truth of the Haven and the Norma and Ancient Human people, he omits taking them to the Haven's underground lab where they make Para-mail parts for Arzenal and the prisoner's auditorium by telling Embryo it is to make sure Aya and Khalifa will not be harmed, assuring the enemy.
But during the tour, Rush notices some oddities about Embryo that perplex him despite keeping his guard if Embryo does something that would damage the Haven. Embryo never asks Rush if the women are Norma after Granny accidentally shatters Khalifa's Mana from trying to catch a piece of her breakfast, Rush's hunch of his fear of dogs was proven right when Embryo faintly hid behind him but didn't stop Aya and Khalifa from getting close with some of the dogs and wolves, and what astonished Rush the most is how extremely happy Embryo and his children are when they looked around every place they visited which, from seeing the former genuinely happy than the typical villain's smug grin, surprisingly made Rush glad. He was worried that Embryo would affront the Haven just like three of the world leaders, but he looks cuter to Rush from sincerely enjoying himself with his children.
What he believes to be his favourite reaction from the enemy was when they visited the Haven's aquarium to show the family the numerous kinds of fishes, sharks, sea creatures, and even the Haven's occasional visitor; their 45-year-old humpback whale Willy. Seeing Embryo smiling ecstatically alongside their excited children from seeing Willy, even receiving permission to visit its tank for the group to pet and watch Rush talk with Willy, prompts Rush to secretly take a photo of Embryo's childish smile in his phone only to save him from almost and accidentally got in the water when Willy playfully offered Rush and Embryo to swim with it and even sit on Willy's head. "EM!" Rush cried his horror with Embryo screaming his fright when both almost fell into the water.
"T-T-T…Thank you, Rush." Embryo harshly panted his shock through his embarrassed but exhilarated smile, his right hand on his chest while his left hand held Aya's hand gripping tighter in fear of almost losing his father from being eaten by Willy, with Rush dramatically pouting an annoyed grin at his superior and Sheeta holding Aya and Khalifa walking between Rush and Embryo on their way to the Haven Resort.
"I'm happy that you're enjoying yourself, Em. But I don't want the rulers to hound my butt if they found out you almost got eaten by a whale, man." Rush chortled, seeing Embryo closing his eyes with a nervous chuckle from his smile that never shows disgust for Rush's informality until he slowly calmed down in small but sincere satisfaction.
"That shows how much I see the Haven more entertaining than their lands." Embryo proudly admitted with his closed eyes, not seeing Rush looking at him in surprise and confusion only for the Haven leader to see his people still eying their suspicions and anger at Embryo. Rush may have been a bit distracted from watching Embryo's reactions to everything he showed them of the Haven, but he is aware of the people spying on them and even the whispers that he hoped that Embryo, Aya, and Khalifa didn't hear them regarding the former. For some reason, Rush hears those whispers even when knowing about Em's sins…strangely makes him upset. Yes, he promised Haven and Jill that he would kill Embryo, and he is sticking to his promise to do or die for thirteen years…but Rush is still getting sick of hearing everyone's opinions of doing things NOT in his favour. Planning things outside Rush's mind and claiming his safety is for the best of HIM.
The number one sentence that Rush detested for years: 'the best for him'.
Another thing that Rush felt that today would be hard for him but did not want to show to Em and the kids, was the women quietly scoffing at their envy that Em was taking Rush away from THEM. 'I'm not a fucking trophy, goddammit.' Rush wished he could yell his mind out loud but refrain from shocking the enemies in offence. 'Can't I have one day enjoying a date without hearing complaints about being with a guy?'
Technically, it's a mission rather than an unofficial first date, but Rush can also think of it as such, just to piss off those who want him to be with a girl.
"Rush?" Rush heard Embryo calling him from his side making him flinch, seeing Em, Aya, Khalifa, and Sheeta looking at his troubled expression in concern, mentally getting Rush's guilt for their reactions, trying to get his mind back on top by realizing they are now halfway the path to Haven Resort just to hear Embryo asking his worry for Rush. "…Are you alright? You look depressed."
"…Yeah." Rush was all he could answer. "I guess seeing you happy from being here, makes me feel something that I never felt before, not even to my people except Granny, Moon, and Sheeta." Unaware of Rush looking away to hide his slump, Embryo blinked his eyes with a startled gasp, although his surprise furrowed into sadness for guessing the others' thoughts, tempting him to reach his hand that Aya let go and almost grasp Rush's bandaged hand just like this morning…
"…Padre. Chickens." Embryo and Rush heard Khalifa notify the former, startling them of hearing her speak but confused at seeing her pointing at whatever was in front of them and both Aya and Sheeta stared at the source in horror. When they looked forward…their disbelief changed to screaming in their befuddlement from the herd of ostriches sprinting out of the Haven Resort from inside and about to run over them if not for Sheeta jumping to the side with the children hanging on the cheetah, and Rush instinctively grabbed Embryo to both leapt away from the ostrich flock dashing towards the city, with both men unconsciously hugging each other as they watched the - counted - 20 ostriches running away from a Haven girl chasing after them with her companion horse, that Rush recognized them from this morning before Em's arrival.
"Rush, what was that!?" Embryo breathlessly asked in shock as he, Rush, and Khalifa stared at where they last saw the shocking ostrich flock, although Aya noticed Sheeta was doing something by gently biting the end of Rush's right sleeve and tugging it down a few times, showing Aya that Sheeta is pulling Rush's hand slowly going down from Embryo's back to his hip or below…amusing Aya to silently and cheekily help Sheeta by taking Rush's hand with the cheetah's teeth on its sleeve, which both men didn't notice when Rush responded in bewilderment. "…That would be next week's ostrich racers."
"Commander!" Everyone heard a male voice calling Rush from the Haven Resort where a soldier ran towards them. "Are you alright…!?" The soldier almost asked when he noticed what he saw in both Rush and Embryo to gawk his horror directed at the latter, alarming the Human Killer that one of Libertus's surviving Ancient Humans is now faced to face with his people's enemy held in his Commander's arms while the muted, albino boy and cheetah is secretly moving Rush's hand down from Embryo's back.
"Y-yeah. Em…Embryo, are you alright?" Rush first checks himself before asking Embryo, almost calling his nickname in front of the soldier who still sees the two unknowingly hugging each other. But instead of words, what came out from Embryo was a muffled whine in dismay bulging his beautifully glowing green eyes and his face flushed pink, confusing Rush from seeing his reaction but then felt something soft in his right hand even giving it a gentle squish, again forcing a strangled gasp out of the shaking enemy hugging him tighter while blushing until his face almost turned red.
'…Em is so squishy!' Rush wished he could happily say his surprise out loud, aware he was grinning his wonder for accidentally groping Embryo, which collected the soldier's shock at seeing his leader being happy until Rush spotted what was happening behind Embryo when looking down. "Aya, Sheeta."
Embryo and the Libertus's soldier hurriedly looked behind the former where his son and Rush's cheetah purposely moved his right, bandaged hand now touching Embryo's right cheek, with both Aya and Khalifa looking at Rush's bewilderment and their father's blushing mortification with the boy cheekily smile with his tongue sticking out of his teeth…until the adults witness the cheetah sprinting inside the Haven Resort's entrance with the two children. "Run away!" Khalifa boldly shouted.
"Aya, Khalifa!" Embryo yelled in disbelief, alarming Rush and the soldier almost grabbing his gun once the former released their enemy off his embrace just to immediately scream his dismay from Embryo impulsively grabbing Rush's hand with his before running after Sheeta inside the Haven Resort, horrifying the soldier that Embryo is surprisingly strong that Rush is now flown off the ground and onto the air like a ragdoll. "AHHHHHHH! CALM DOWN, MAN, CALM DOWN!" Rush screamed when Embryo held and dragged them away from the one who should've killed his archenemy.
'…Why…is Rush…HUGGING Embryo!?' That is all the Ancient Human soldier wanted to ask himself.