A man sat in front of a large table, his eyebrows furrowed and his mind plunged into chaos. In front of him on the table was a large map with several different-colored wooden pieces representing armies. Anyone, including the youngest tactical novice, could have seen that one side was at a significant disadvantage. He grabbed one of the pieces before looking into a file lying in front of him. His face took on the expression of a beast about to snarl and he tossed the small object far across the room, sitting back in his chair and hiding his face in the palms of his hands, his mind in the darkest turmoil.
He could hear someone approaching the room, and recognizing the footsteps he didn't bother to grab the helmet lying beside him.
The door opened and a woman entered, dressed in a simple yet elegant gown of black and white, her long pale pink hair perhaps her most distinctive feature. That and her sarkaz status. Her face, which had been so gentle, centuries and misery having never diminished the kindness that exuded from it, saddened for a moment when she saw the giant sitting in the darkness.
She approached him and put her hand on his shoulder.
?: Yur-
Sebastian: No. Don't even think about it. I haven't deserved that name for a long time.
He said his back to the chair, the energy drained from his body, but more importantly from his soul. Once again, the lady was saddened for just a moment.
?: Sebastian. What's the situation?
Sebastian: We have no equipment, vehicles, fortresses, or means of repairing our weaponry other than this dingy cruiser without a single cannon on board. Your brother's troops outnumber us 10 to 1, not to mention all the support he gets from Columbia, Leithania, Sargon, Victoria and Ursus. The whole fucking world has joined forces against us...
He clenched his fist and his teeth.
Sebastian: Look at them... We were trying to build a nation! A better world! Those we should have been allies with want us dead! And those we should have defended turn against us with the promise of violence!
He banged on the table, creating an immense jolt.
Sebastian: We're surrounded by traitors and incompetents! I should have slit that little bastard's throat with my own hands as soon as I had the first suspicion about him!
Two arms wrapped around his neck, and he felt someone hug him behind his back. Immediately his heart calmed, as did the bubbling ocean of rage that was his soul. He didn't feel that his grief was being shared in the way it might have been, for he felt the arts of sarkaz embracing his soul, and sharing his feelings.
The rage that had been driving him mad was now shared by the lady. And on his side he received sadness, sadness to see him in this state, sadness that he was so right. But also great calm. He would never know how she managed to keep her soul so pure, so ready to share the pain of others.
After a few seconds, this much-needed embrace came to a halt. The sarkaz stepped back, her soft-skinned hand falling on the giant's cheek and forcing him to look at her.
Theresa: Sebastian, you're far too young, and in my opinion far too handsome, to have your face transformed by anger and bitterness.
Amused by the lady's singular way of wooing him while being his most loyal friend, she managed to wring a smile from him, and he moved his hand gently with hers.
Sebastian: Save it for the others.
He said, flashing the ring on his ring finger. Like a harsh reminder to the sarkaz that there was another war she'd lost.
?: The meaning behind my words remains the same. Don't let your soul sink into this darkness.
Sebastian: How...? I've studied every possibility, every plan, but there's no way we can win this war.
?: So... what should we do? Wisely accept our end and the punishment of our enemies?
Sebastian: What's the alternative? Persevere ever harder to collect dust and lose our loved ones? Until we die of age or at your brother's hand? waiting for what exactly? A miracle?
?: Maybe a miracle, who knows. But if hope must abandon us, will must not. As long as our message, our intentions, our very idea, survives in the heart of even the lowest singular sarkaz, then we will not have lost. If this world sweeps all the imprints of life under the sands of time, then we should never stop moving forward. Not just stop because we think we've lost.
Sebastian: You're too optimistic...
A smile graced their lips.
?: I know, and that's my greatest quality.
Sebastian: And your biggest flaw.
A second passed, during which the queen observed the table in front of her.
?: How's W?
Sebastian: Wiya. Her name is Wiya.
The queen seemed surprised for a brief moment.
?: I didn't know... How did you...?
Sebastian: I'm finding the real identities and families of everyone who died. I thought she was going to die too. So I did my research.
He looked towards the sarkaz, his face slightly mocking.
Sebastian: You're sharing her bed and you couldn't even get her name off the pillow?
The queen frowned for a moment, blushing slightly before tapping him on the shoulder.
?: It's not that simple... Believe me, I've tried...
Sebastian: The shrapnel is well implanted in her skull. I can't operate on her myself. For the time being, my hands are already full. But she'll live.
He looked slowly in the direction of the piece of wood he had just thrown away.
Sebastian: The rest of her unit didn't have as much luc- nah, I should say the rest of her unit was lucky.
?: Tonight we mourn our dead. Then let us cheers to their memories.
Sebastian: Like every night...
?: Who knows, maybe tonight you'll finally manage to catch up with me behind your keyboard.
Sebastian laughed lightly.
Sebastian: You play too fast for it to be harmonious, I wonder how the strings on your archer or violin haven't given way yet.
?: Anyway, this time don't be late.
Sebastian: Very well, ma'am.
She sulked for a moment, betraying her mature air. Then she started to leave, feeling duty calling.
?: Please stop calling me Madame, it makes me feel old.
Sebastian: You're literally ten times older than me. So what should I call you? My queen?
?: Ah! That's even worse!
She said as she passed the door out of the room.
The doctor's mind refreshed, he began to reposition his pawns. And rethink his strategies.
Luckily, she was there for him...
The giant's emerald eyes slowly reopened, his mind returning from the haze. He could see Amiya right beside him, holding his head.
Amiya: Doktah!
Sebastian: Guhh... My head...
He said, feeling a migraine coming over him as he slowly got to his feet.
Ace: You okay, doc? You gave us quite a scare.
Sebastian: It's okay... I... Had a vision? No, a memory that came back to me.
Everyone around him fell silent, understanding the significance of his words. Waiting for the giant to elaborate.
Sebastian: I saw a woman... She had pink hair, and like demon horns on her skull...
Dobermann: Ace... That woman was...?
Ace: Yes.
The man in the sunglasses sighed, his heart heavy, he stooped and looked Sebastian straight in the eye.
Ace: You've got a lot of questions. But the answers right now would take us hours. So sorry, but I won't be able to answer them.
The giant sighed, feeling a slight bitterness inside him.
Sebastian: Of course... Otherwise it would have been too simple.
Ace stood up and held out his hand, which the giant seized, and the more massive man lifted the good doctor up.
Sebastian: Are we ready to go?
Amiya: Yes. Everyone is cleaned, dry and ready to go.
Dobermann: Almost dry.
She said, still extracting a little more water from her hair.
Sebastian: Off we go, then. We'll meet Nearl and her team at the next rendezvous point. Come on Rhodes! There's no time to lose!
No one thought it strange when they saw the fire burning behind his eyes. Nor did anyone wonder when he started leading the way. It was all just... natural.
The giant took a moment to look around him, as the streets just seemed to have been abandoned, as if everyone had just disappeared with the snap of a finger. So many people lived here... Inwardly, he began to pray that as many as possible would escape this city.
He began to feel the snow falling from the darkened sky, which began to fall all around them with increasing intensity. The flakes touched the doctor's skin, melting instantly. Few noticed, and even fewer suspected, that his skin was burning.
The smell of ashes.
Soldier 1: No, please, no!
The sound of crackling flames.
Soldier 2: Please my daughter!
It was all so... soothing to her. The smell of blood on her sword was hidden by the smell of charred carrion all around her. She walked down this fortress corridor, the clicking of her heels, at a leisurely pace. This slight noise, as regular as a metronome, was the only thing echoing in the fortress corridor.
Oh how they'd all laughed, seeing a revolt of the infected in their town.
Oh how they rejoiced, as they saw the reunion troops rise up on the stronghold.
Oh how they had smiled, seeing just one woman step forward from the whole troop.
Their mortar shells and ballistae ammunition, which should have covered the sky, were reduced to ash and molten metal. Before they could even touch anyone. The thick reinforced concrete walls that should have protected them from everything turned into prison fences, their impregnable fortress turned into an oven whose occupants roasted alive as the originium burst into flames from the air temperature alone.
The most resilient soldiers threw themselves at her, only to impale themselves on her sword, or be seized by the flames when she deemed them unworthy to stain that sword with their blood.
Today, Chernobog's army was paying the price for its trade with the infected.
She reached the end of the corridor, in the inner fortress. In front of her stood the rest of the garrison, every weapon they could find pointed at her.
The draco swept her grey eyes over what were only insects in front of her.
A formidable army, intimidating and powerful enough to shake some of the largest mobile cities on the planet.
Oh how she loved to see this army crawling before her like little worms.
Their rain of projectiles continued. Without making the draco flinch. Until she was interrupted by her earpiece.
?: Boss, Rhodes Island has escaped from my area. They're trying to get out through the northeast exit.
?: Where are they now?
Her voice had reached a calculating coldness unmatched by anyone on this planet. But everyone knew the depths to which her words concealed a bottomless rage.
?: Near North Station.
A few memories flashed through her mind. The old snake's words. When she'd asked about the heart of the city.
It's the resting place of an old demon.
He simply said. Intrigued, she felt it her duty to inspect this for herself.
?: Delay them. Mephisto must be too busy. I'll take care of them myself.
She gripped the handle of her sword tightly. And didn't wait for confirmation from the team leader. She had other fish to fry, after all.
Perhaps this man was the bravest, or had chosen a quicker end. But he jumped out from behind the cover and ran straight towards the draco as he went, the little hope that gripped his frail body fading as he realized what a monster he was standing in front of her. In size, power and terror.
He thought about taking a few steps backwards, but the young woman was in front of him in a quarter of a second, moving simply too fast to have given the young soldier any chance.
She grabbed his skull with one hand and lifted the young man as if he weighed nothing, the difference in size making him look like a small animal, desperately trying to escape. The woman, showing such strength, didn't seem to be making the slightest effort.
?: Hm. This is fun. Here's a bug crazier than the rest.
Flames of immense intensity appeared in a column devouring the soldier, burning even to the ashes and leaving no trace of him.
She looked at her hand, still ablaze with flames.
?: Each of you deserves this... Each...
The flames reflected in her eyes. And then she held out her hand.
Everything was reduced to ashes. The army, the fortress, an ocean of flames fell on the ursus troops. Their cries did not even echo in the air.
She turned back, a deafening calm resounding.
The snow was falling heavier and heavier around Rhodes Island. As if a veritable blizzard was looming on the horizon, Sebastian led the way, his fists clenched in case they were to be used as weapons.
Sebastian: Distance to next rendezvous point?
Ace: Just under 10 clicks.
Sebastian: Will the others be there?
Ace: Without a doubt.
Dobermann: As you've heard, they're a veteran team.
Sebastian: I know... It's just that I worry about them.
Ace: Nearl, their leader, may be one of the best fighters on Rhodes Island.
Dobermann: You're forgetting the major.
Pythia smiles.
Ace: It's true, Rhodes is a bit out of her league. And with your amnesia I'll make it simple, but she won a competition between all the knights of her country.
Sebastian: A true champion, if you ask me...
Amiya, who was standing right next to him, laughed lightly.
Sebastian: What is it?
Amiya: You're already worried about the Rhodes Island troops you haven't even met yet...
The giant looked ahead again.
Sebastian: Is that a bad thing?
Amiya: Oh no, certainly not... It's just surprising to see so much empathy...
She looked discreetly at Ace, who returned the glance with a smile.
Sebastian: I-
He suddenly froze and his gaze turned to the sky beyond. Before frowning.
Amiya: Doktah, what's wrong?
Soon the eyes of those with the most sensitive hearing began to gaze skyward, as did the doctor. Soon all heard the same noise, and before Dobermann or Ace had time to shout for cover, a figure darkened the sky for a moment.
A helicopter. Most of them froze, as if it were the first time they'd come face to face with a bird of steel. Seeing that the machine was facing them, Sebastian felt his instincts screaming. He quickly leapt backwards, knocking Amiya next to him backwards at the same time, and just where he was, a projectile slammed into the ground with incredible force, fracturing the tar.
When the dust cleared, Sebastian was astonished to see a harpoon attached to a cable planted in the ground, the harpoon quickly retreating back to the helicopter, the gunners on the sides of the helicopter seemingly devoid of the machine guns Sebastian had expected, to see harpoon spears in their place.
Amiya: Take cover!
Another blast struck Ace's shield, the man parrying the attack with difficulty, the real bulwark he held holding firm, but causing the man behind to retreat.
Ace: Bloody Ursus and their harpoons...
Following Dobermann, the operators ran towards a store whose window had been vandalized, allowing everyone to enter in an instant. Seeing one of the gunners directing fire at them, Sebastian looked at the car next to him and ripped open the door, demonstrating overwhelming force, before hurling it straight at the gunner.
A veteran, the man perceived the projectile and fired, bringing it towards him and blocking it with the weapon's protective plate.
The helicopter turned, the other gunner facing the small Rhodes Island troop and narrowly missing Melantha, who had just taken shelter in the store. Sebastian joined them.
Ace: Shit! This building isn't connected to the others!
The device in the street fired its harpoon at the carcass of a car, sending the vehicle's engines screeching towards the store window.
Sebastian: Defenders!
In concert, all those equipped with shields raised them and avoided the rain of debris on the troop of operators. The carcass in the middle of the road, however, prevented them from escaping.
They all looked at the giant.
Sebastian: now that's a problem...
Amiya: Doktah what do we do...?
Sebastian: We're waiting for it to leave.
He said before heading further into the store. He quickly identified it as a pharmacy and began to pick up a few vials and mix them, the sound of the helicopter fading slightly but remaining in the area, while the doctor took a few vials from his pockets.
Sebastian: Ace, can you get that car out of the way?
Ace: Yeah. But it's going to cause some serious ruckus.
Sebastian: Good. I'm going to distract it, so run as far as you can.
Dobermann: Are you planning to distract a helicopter gunship all by yourself, with the few bullets you have left in your clip?
Sebastian: I'm left with these beauties.
He said, raising his closed fists, a silly grin on his lips. He climbed the stairs to the top floor of the building, paying no attention to the stunned looks of the operators.
Ace sighed and sheathed his hammer, before stepping straight in front of the carcass.
Ace: Beagle, Noir, a little help here!
Soon the three of them were pushing on the carcass with all their might, shaking the bricks of the building, and ripping it from the concrete, making an unspeakable noise but clearing the way. The roar of the ursus helicopter returned. The elite operator motioned to the others to remain hidden for a moment. As the aircraft positioned itself in front of the building, they all saw the same thing a little higher up. A silhouette jumped out of a window straight towards the helicopter's cockpit.
The giant had just leapt several meters into the void, heading straight for the cockpit, his shadow cast over the Rhodes Island operators.
He had a big smile on his lips.
He managed to hold on to the helicopter's cockpit, facing the two pilots who were terrified at the moment. With his other hand closed, he struck the main window and smashed through it, his fist shattering the reinforced glass. One of the gunners on the side took aim at the giant with the weapon he was wielding, but seeing this Amiya couldn't help coming out of cover to fire a projectile straight at the soldier. But he was a seasoned warrior, so he managed to dodge the projectile at the last moment, but missed his shot at the giant.
The doctor opened his hand, dropping a vial into the cockpit, which shattered on reaching the metal and exploded in a ball of flames that quickly spread over the pilots, who began to scream. The giant freed his hand from the glass and jumped to join his team on the ground, impacting the concrete with a heavy thud. As the plane that had been chasing them haphazardly flew off.
Sebastian: Come on, move!
Following the giant's order, they all began to run in the same direction. It only took a few moments for them to distance themselves from the ursus device.
Amiya: Why are we still running?!
Sebastian: Those weren't lethal flames, they might still be flying so we have to try and put as much distance between us as possible!
He felt the hairs stand up on the back of his neck, and soon began to hear the helicopter blades approaching. Feeling out of options. It was by putting one of his feet on the ground that he found the solution.
Her senses were perfectly awake, unlike when she'd first woken up. Every nerve in her skin could feel the slightest draught, her nose all the scents, her ears the sound of a snowflake falling to the ground.
And through the soles of his shoes, he could feel the depths, in particular, the sewers that ran right beneath them.
He stopped abruptly. The others did the same by reflex, before becoming worried, even terrified.
Dobermann: Doctor...
Sebastian: We have to go underground...
He put one knee on the ground.
Fang: But nobody has explosives...
He drew back his fist and seemed to strike the ground with all his might. With the same effect as you'd expect from anyone else.
Dobermann: He's crazy... he's lost his mind!
Worry grew as the giant gave another blow, and the helicopter's blades could be heard by all.
Even Amiya seemed terrified when she saw the doctor.
He threw another punch. Unnoticed by the others, the asphalt cracked slightly, while his fist bore not the slightest scratch.
He couldn't let that happen...
These people had already pinned so many hopes on him. He couldn't afford to disappoint them.
He struck again, the crack a little wider.
His heart began to beat faster and faster. Bringing more blood and oxygen to his muscles.
He couldn't afford to lose a single person here, not when there were three of them who looked like they'd just passed the eighteen-year mark, the rest being clearly kids.
He struck again, Ace seemed to feel something and looked at the doctor, the other operators throwing everything they could at the approaching helicopter.
The bright green of the doctor's eyes began to fade as they loaded with blood, and the temperature visibly warmed.
Come on... Just a little effort... Despite this weak body... He knew he could do it. It was all he could do, so he HAD to do it!
He gritted his teeth, which seemed to resemble fangs for a moment, growled and struck the ground again.
This time, everyone looked at him. They had all felt a slight tremor and were surprised.
He raised both fists in the air, his face filled with anger, and screamed, before bringing them down to the ground with all his might. For a brief moment, a flash of crimson electricity seemed to pass through him.
The ground shattered beneath them all, sending them tumbling into the city's sewer tunnels just below the road. It didn't take more than a second for the dust to settle and everyone was propelled to their feet by adrenaline.
Once again, many looked at the doctor. New emotions ran through their bodies, a mixture of fear, admiration and shock at seeing such a tortured body display such strength. Ace, perhaps the least surprised, spoke up.
Ace: Come on, move it!
The giant struggled to his feet, his energy totally exhausted, and looked towards the tunnels to see Amiya among those who had made sure he was all right. She was about to help him walk, but the giant motioned for her to go before he started walking.
And for once he closed the march, the only other person directly in front of him being that squad leader, Melantha. Stepping into the darkness with the light from outside just above him, he began to smile.
And before he even had time to think about the fact that he'd just scored a small victory, he felt the air move, a harpoon shot. His brain, still full of adrenalin, made time slow down. This shot was going to hit him. But he could dodge it.
But if he dodged it, it would be the girl in front of him who would suffer the consequences.
He had to make a choice-
Whom he mocked by pretending to hesitate.
He cut off his nerve receptors and felt the harpoon pierce his shoulder.
Too bad.
The sound of pulpit and blood made everyone turn around, the poor feline stained with the doctor's blood.
Amiya: Doktah!
He was pulled along by the cable, the harpoon's bristles making sure he couldn't escape except by tearing off half his torso. Everyone started running towards him.
Sebastian: See you at the rendezvous point!
His words left his lips as he felt himself gain altitude, and soon the Rhodes Island operators were under the opening in the sky, firing as much as they could at the helicopter: arts projectiles, crossbow bolts, Sebastian struggled to dodge them as he was buffeted by the winds, continuing his ascent. The helicopter gained altitude and soon cleared the projectiles.
Sebastian: Shit shit shit!
He said, starting to panic slightly as he saw the ground receding further and further away and the horizon passing beneath his feet. He placed the hand of his uninjured arm on the harpoon and pulled slightly to relieve the pain and pressure.
His other hand she found no difficulty whatsoever in picking up his sidearm. The giant's brain was back in full swing, analyzing the device, his eyes moving at phenomenal speed, and recompiling all his engineering knowledge.
He took aim and fired.
The bullet pierced the fuselage and he could hear alarm sounds in the cockpit as the aircraft slowly lost altitude. The giant grinned. But suddenly, the harpoon's bristles retracted, the giant slipping off the projectile and falling into the void.
Sebastian: Shit!
He screamed as he fell, turning to see if he could control his fall. His eyes took advantage of the little time he had to scan the ground for water or anything else that might break his fall. He managed to change his trajectory just a little and fell straight towards what appeared to be a greenhouse.
He straightened up with his feet forward. And lost consciousness so as not to feel the pain.
Amiya: Doktah...
She said worriedly, looking up at the clouded sky.
Dobermann: Amiya...
Amiya: We have to find the doktah!
She said, her thoughts limited.
Ace came over to her and put his hand on her shoulder, reassuring her.
Ace: Take it easy, kid. The doctor asked us to meet him at the rendezvous point. So that's what we'll do.
Fang: Are you sure, Captain?
Dobermann: Ace...
Even the instructor seemed to doubt the elite operator at that moment.
Ace: You've seen what he's been able to do, haven't you?
He said, looking at the hole in the concrete that the giant had dug with his fists.
Ace: If there's one person you can count on to survive in this hellhole, it's the doc. So now's your chance to prove you trust him, and join him at the rendezvous point.
He removed his sunglasses, revealing his slitted, yellow eyes, before smiling.
Ace: I'm even sure he'll get here before us.
Dobermann lowered his head, seeming to think for a moment.
The doctor was supposed to be a tactician. Always in need of a bodyguard.
So...
What happened?!
The only one who seemed to know was Ace.
He knew that a man like him could never escape his nature.
He felt his consciousness emerge from the darkness for the third time today. He would have expected to feel pain throughout his body.
The pain of exhaustion, the pain of the huge gaping hole in his chest, even the pain of his terrible fall. But instead he felt nothing but relief. He felt himself floating in water that might be cold to many, but perfect for him, and a gentle warmth embracing his body. Like the embracing arms of someone who loved him.
His eyes reopened with great difficulty and he felt as if he were looking at the sun. Shining with a soft golden glow in the early morning, as the snow fell on his face.
He tried to open them but was too tired.
?: Nearl, he's almost dead. Are you sure your arts will heal him?
?: They have to.
He heard a voice so close to him, so soft. Answering that question.
He felt his wounds slowly close, the pain go away. And such sweetness cradled his being.
Sebastian opened his eyes once more and was surprised: what he had thought was the sun was in fact just a face. Radiant with beauty, whose eyes reflected an immense invigorating warmth. Her blond hair shone like pure gold, despite the faint glow of the sun piercing through the canopy of black clouds above their heads.
For a moment, the giant thought he was looking at an angel.
Before remembering that angels don't look like that.
Nearl: He's alive!
He quickly became aware of the world around him. He was floating in a pond; the glass he'd broken had dropped him into the waterhole of a huge, enclosed greenhouse. The arms of the young woman in front of him held him, and threads of light danced around his skin. Was this her arts?
He thought it was beautiful.
That feeling of calm, of freedom from pain, of peace. The beauty that emerged, like the sea after a storm... It was wonderful...
The giant tried to move, surprising the young woman with the vitality that seemed to fill his body despite the almost dead state in which they had found him. The young woman he knew as Nearl let go of him and the doctor stood upright in the water, revealing his full size. The only one he didn't scare was the woman in front of him.
The two gazed into each other's eyes for a moment. The young woman explored those two eyes, which seemed so deep they were emerald oceans.
Something she couldn't describe was emanating from his emaciated face.
Nearl: How are you, sir?
She said, her eyes drifting slowly to the wound on his shoulder. And even if she had used her arts to heal him, such a wound would have left anyone rolling on the floor in pain. But not him. He was standing up straight and his wound seemed minimal, not even bleeding.
He looked at his wound too and rolled his shoulder.
Sebastian: Just a scratch. Did you take care of me? Thank you.
He looked at the five other people standing directly in front of him on dry land. And noticed that they were all wearing Rhodes Island uniforms. The emeralds looked back on Nearl and he seemed to relax.
Sebastian: You're from Rhodes Island. Good... Nearl is it?
The young woman nodded curiously and let the giant continue.
Sebastian: I've been separated from my band. Glad to be with you.
Nearl: Wait, were you with Ace or Amiya? Did they manage to retrieve the objective from the center of the city?
Sebastian: The objective?
Nearl: Yes, we came to rescue the doctor after all-
The gears in his head began to turn. That man who'd been with them, but hadn't been there this morning at the briefing. That and the only clue they had to the doctor's appearance.
He's tall.
In the words of Doctor Kal'tsit. Nearl hesitantly uttered these words.
Nearl: Are you Dr. Sebastian...?
The giant grinned, hands on hips.
Sebastian: In the flesh.
The small group seemed surprised. Sebastian didn't exactly look like a laboratory technician.
Nearl: But how did you end up here...?
He pointed to the sky to show the broken glass.
?: See! I told you it was him we saw falling!
A man a little further away, who looked like a vampire in one of those teen movies, tapped his punkish colleague on the shoulder.
Nearl: And you survived it...
Sebastian: I'm pretty sure I did.
He stepped out of the pond and onto the path, extending his hand to the young woman to help her out of the water out of politeness. She accepted.
Sebastian: Ace, Amiya and Dobermann's team are going through the sewers to get to the rendezvous point - a damn helicopter's been chasing us.
Nearl: We've split off from Ace's group so that we can deal with what's jamming all the city's communications except reunion's.
She said, wringing water from the broad, bushy blond tail on her back. Making him wonder about the animal she was supposed to be.
Sebastian: And did you find it?
Nearl: Hm. A few blocks from here. Apparently they're using a city radio tower they've modified.
Sebastian: I see... And you are? He says, turning to the rest of the small team.
Orchid: I'm Orchid. Captain of the A6 reserve team. This is Midnight, Catapult, Spot and Popukar.
Her eyes scrolled over the small team before settling on the last one. A child, no doubt.
He frowned. Then swallowed his tongue before saying anything. After all, from what he'd seen, child soldiers seemed almost common here... But damn, this was borderline.
Nearl: As long as we're not in communication with doctor Kal'tsit or Amiya, you're the highest on the chain of command. What do we do?
She looked so professional, the doctor was impressed, she almost seemed as much a veteran as Ace was.
Sebastian: Let's take care of the jammer before we get to the rendezvous point. The Ursus army is on the run and evacuating civilians must be complicated. Taking out this jammer is a shot in the foot for the reunion. And it could make our job easier.
Nearl: Roger. Let's go.
It took them only a few moments to reach a large, clear square, and they took cover behind a truck that had been left there like so many other cars. On the way, they all introduced themselves to the doctor, while he couldn't help realizing that the sky had darkened considerably and that the snow was still falling. Now not far from a real blizzard.
He had a very bad feeling about this.
What's more, he could see that two hours had passed while he was unconscious.
What surprised those with him was how unaffected he looked walking around in his T-shirt.
Nearl: They have a sense of humor...
The giant looked in the direction of the largest building on the square to see the Ministry of Public Health inscribed on it.
It didn't take a flash of genius to figure out that this Ministry of Public Health had a connection with the infected, and having had a quick summary of ursus...
Midnight: Hostile patrol in sight !
Everyone pressed up against the truck to keep out of sight. Sebastian looked carefully at these enemies, just three of them.
Soldier 1: Brrr... This cold... Is that a fucking ice storm coming?
Soldier 2: I bet the yetis and shieldguards are having a good time... I could piss out ice cubes in this temperature.
The truck's trailer was open on its side, torn apart by the fighting. The giant could see a white tarp and some colored cloth. He grabbed the tarp and in a few moments made a cloak of it, piercing a hole in his shoulder before recirculating his blood to the wounded area, then taking the orange cloth and tying it around his arm. The giant stood up and staggered out from behind the truck, as the others looked on in amazement.
Orchid: Doctor, what are you doing?!
She shouted in a whisper as the doctor started walking towards the soldiers of the reunion.
Sebastian: Aghh... those fuckers got me!
The soldiers raised their weapons before recognizing one of their own, then lowered them.
Soldier 3: Shit, it's pretty serious, what happened?
The three moved towards their comrade to help him, and as soon as they were near him, Sebastian threw the tarp at the man in front of him, blinding him. He punched the man to his left, fracturing his mask and skull, killing him instantly. Before he could fall, Sebastian grabbed the knife on his vest and plunged it into the throat of the man on his right before he could scream.
The blinded man punched the doctor with one of his brass knuckles, the giant full of energy from the little sleep he'd had after his fall. He deflected his opponent's blow, and delivered three in quick succession up his ribcage, then his throat and finally his skull.
He fell, also dead on the spot.
The giant lowered his fists and looked at the rest of the team.
They were dumbfounded. It had all happened so fast that they had hardly noticed a thing. The only one who could see all the action was Nearl. Oh, she couldn't help but notice. The man standing there was a real killing machine.
The giant retrieved a sword and what appeared to be a grenade from one of the soldiers on the ground, then beckoned them forward.
Sebastian: Let's get moving!
They all crossed the square with the doctor, who led them straight to the side of the building.
Sebastian: There should be a passage for technicians...
They arrived at a service door, locked by access card.
Spot: Great and now-
Nearl kicked the metal door off the concrete and smashed it against the wall. She walked in without saying a word as the giant's eyes widened. The rest of the team smiled at the good doctor.
Catapult: You're not the only one who's strong here.
The giant closed their entrance.
Nearl: What now? Spot, the jammer is on the roof, right?
Spot: They've converted the whole antenna to suit their needs. We have to climb this whole building if we want to get to the top.
The giant pressed his ear to the wall.
Sebastian: That won't be possible. The whole building is swarming with soldiers.
The woman in armor raised an eyebrow.
Nearl: Can you hear that?
Sebastian: For me, it's like sticking your ear to a beehive... This way.
He said, pointing to another, even more heavily armored door.
Sebastian: If I'm not mistaken, this should be the elevator shaft, and there are escape ladders. A good way up.
Nearl sighed before moving towards the door and lifting her leg, but stopped short when Sebastian raised his hands and stepped in.
Sebastian: Oh no!
He stood in front of the keypad used to open the security door, and took a handful of dust from the debris of their entrance and blew it onto the pavement. The dust was sticking in places.
Sebastian: It's made for guys who work with their hands in oil and mechanisms. Where they press is easy to spot.
He entered the code on the first try, opening the door for the blonde.
Sebastian: It's better than being heard by the whole building, isn't it? Ladies first.
Nearl: Hm. Thank you.
She says, as inexpressive as ever, as the other operators enter the elevator shafts.
Spot: I fucking hate ladders...
Midnight: I won't carry you on my shoulders again Dogmeat.
Unlike the A6 team, who were very expressive, as Sebastian had learned. They set about climbing the ladders to get upstairs.
Orchid: Doctor, do you think the guard will regain control of the city?
Sebastian: Not a chance. Everything's already went to hell. The city's a ruin. And the reunion knows what it's doing, it must have been planning for months. If not more, and they should have fucking geniuses at work...
He climbed the last rung of one ladder before moving on to another.
Sebastian: Anyway, it's not a rebellion but a war.
Nearl: Where did you learn to fight?
That was the question that intrigued her. She hadn't been told that the doctor was such a good fighter. A genius strategist perhaps, but not a cold-blooded killer.
Sebastian: I don't know.
He said coldly. Sensing the incomprehension of his colleagues, he continued.
Sebastian: I can't remember anything since I woke up a few hours ago.
He stopped and turned, seeing the shock on his colleagues' faces.
Orchid: B-but how?
Sebastian: It escaped my mind, sorry. I've been acting on instinct ever since I woke up.
Nearl was the first to get back on the horse. (pun nonintended I swear) But inwardly she was the most thoughtful.
Sebastian: I didn't discourage you from following me, did I?
He asked with that smile on his lips. The four less serious A6 operators were all dumbfounded, and frankly no longer felt like trusting him.
Orchid: You look like you know what you're doing.
Happily Orchid was there.
Soon they were all on the top floor, Sebastian forcing the elevator doors open with his hands.
Catapult: I would have expected a little more combat.
Popukar: I think it's great the way it is...
They made their way down a silent corridor, trying to find their way to the roof. Until they heard footsteps. Sebastian pointed to a closet and arranged his disguise. His team quickly took cover in the closet as another, much larger group approached.
Soldier 1: Halt! What are you doing here?!
The giant cleared his throat for a moment and prepared himself for a new improvisation routine.
Sebastian: What are you doing here?!
The soldiers looked at each other, feeling like they were disturbing someone important.
Of course they saw that his uniform was just a tarp and a scarf.
Sebastian: I'm working! I've got orders to make modifications to the jammer!
The soldier furthest ahead looked at his colleague, a tall man in heavy armor. Seemingly in the grip of doubt.
Soldier: Whose orders?
Sebastian: Whose orders? Whose orders?! I only take orders from the boss and she asked me to make those modifications !
The doctor decided to call his bluff and flip a coin. He bet on the fact that their leader would be a woman.
Soldier: The boss... Talulah...?
He asked before visibly breaking down at the mere mention of the name.
He gloated inwardly, thanking his luck.
Sebastian: Talulah, who else?!
The soldiers gasped.
Sebastian: Leave me now! I've got work to do and if I don't finish it in time I'll be sure to tell the boss that YOU! Have delayed ME!
The small group of soldiers quickly set off.
Midnight: *sneeze*
The group turned back to the closet. Now much more suspicious.
Soldier: What was that?
Sebastian: those were my two stupid colleagues who, instead of helping me, found nothing better than fucking in a damn closet !
He said, emulating a boundless rage.
Spot: *moans*
The group set off again, once more embarrassed.
Once the coast was clear, Sebastian spoke again.
Sebastian: All clear.
His team came out of the closet, looking ashamed except for Popukar, who was too innocent to understand.
Spot: Never again...
Midnight: You shouldn't have put your hair everywhere!
Sebastian: Calm down, girls. We must hurry to get rid of this jammer.
He said, making his way through the corridors before coming to a door leading to a staircase from which he could feel a gentle breeze coming through.
Sebastian: Here we go...
Midnight: Without a hint of bloodshed-
*chbing*
All turned to see Nearl raise her shield and stop a crossbow bolt from the other end of the corridor.
There stood a few soldiers. One of them had time to put his hand on his radio before shouting the alarm.
Sebastian: Damn it.
He pushed open the door leading to the roof and drew his weapon, joining Nearl, who managed to stop all the projectiles with her shield alone.
Sebastian was also hit by a flurry of arrows, but parried them one by one with the blade of the sword he'd retrieved earlier. And showing immense dexterity, he managed to send the last projectile straight back to its sender.
Shocked, the soldiers looked at each other.
The doctor took advantage of this second to throw himself forward. Several machete-wielding soldiers charged towards the doctor with the idea of intercepting him, but the giant.
Surprising his opponents, jumped up to the ceiling of the hallway and held on with one hand to a fire sprinkler. He threw his machete at the skull of one of the soldiers who was too slow and plunged it into his skull, killing him as the poor man attacked the spot where he had been less than a tenth of a second earlier. The giant took advantage of his momentum to kick the other reunion soldier right in the head.
He could see Nearl moving at the same time as his fight, and their eyes met. Their reflexes and speeds were similar. And far beyond most of the population. Nearl approached an enemy with a spear, deflected the tip with her shield and closed in on him, killing him with a good hammer strike to the plexus.
She heard a metallic clang and saw that Sebastian had parried an arrow aimed at her before she had to.
Nice of him.
The group of soldiers in front of them stepped aside to let a new enemy pass.
Sebastian's eyes widened as he immediately recognized that the enemy must be holding a grenade launcher in his hands.
Quickly, Nearl stood up in front of them, raising her shield, planting her feet firmly on the ground and presenting her armor plates the doctor ducked behind her to stay safe.
The shot rang out and struck Nearl's shield, causing a thunderous explosion. Nearl stopped most of the force of the impact and Sebastian was surprised that the blast, which made his organs vibrate, didn't reduce everyone in the enclosed corridor to a pulp. Confirming once again for him that Terra's inhabitants were far more resilient than ordinary humans.
And the resistance was right in front of him.
He caught Nearl, who was pushed somewhat against him by the force of the impact, and feeling the concrete crack beneath their feet he took her in his arms and made a huge leap backwards, finding himself close to the roof access as the corridor collapsed onto the lower floors.
When he could see that they were safe, the giant put Nearl back down, who tapped her skirt, removing the dust on it, while the giant caught his breath, the exertion having been hard on him.
Sebastian: Ah hell... I should get back to exercise...
The young woman beside him let out what seemed to be a very light laugh. A smile as light as a feather and yet as radiant as a sunray on a beach adorned her already beautiful face.
The doctor watched her for that quarter of a second, while all the others who had thought they heard Nearl laugh were dumbfounded to hear the Kuranta able to feel emotions, or at least express them.
Nearl: You're already in good shape. For someone who doesn't fight every day...
Sebastian: I don't think it'll stay that way for long...
He tapped the young woman on the shoulder and motioned for her to continue. As footsteps gathered in the corridors, the hive had been awakened.
The small group made their way to the roof and out into the open air, returning to the cold air of Chernobog, snow falling around them. A few explosions echoed in the distance.
The doctor's eyes fell on a relay antenna, as the wind began to blow harder and harder.
Sebastian: Spot, could you take care of this?
Spot: I can... But I won't promise anything...
Sebastian: We've got your back! Do your best!
He said, grabbing his sword and throwing off his disguise.
His heart began to beat faster and harder at the thought of the approaching battle, his body radiating a strange warmth that the others couldn't help but notice. The water from the melted snow trickled down his body.
Sebastian: Get ready...
A never-ending horde of reunion fighters emerged from the doorway they had entered. The first shots that rang out were from Catapult, which managed to kill a large number of enemies, but more kept coming, and the shots that followed, which fell on the more resistant opponents, only served to disperse them.
Sebastian took a deep breath, then leapt up.
Like a ferocious beast, he bared his fangs and threw himself into the midst of his enemies, weapon in hand, cutting them to pieces. The others stood there for a moment, staring at this monster whose blood was purely boiling and coursing for battle. Then, quickly, their conscience overrode their instincts and they all began to fight, taking on their opponents rather than throwing themselves into the middle of them.
That feeling they had, watching the doctor fight like a lion...
This was the inexplicable feeling shared by those at the doctor's side earlier in the day. To see their commander fighting, not just by their side, but on the very front line, and with his own hands... It caused a certain admiration. A feeling that made them think they could put their full trust in him, and that he would fight by their side to the end of the world. It made them want to give it their all. To live up to their leader's expectations.
The Rhodes Island troops, outnumbered and outgunned, fought to the point where the reunion troops began to retreat in fear.
Sebastian: Spot!
Spot: I can't do it... I can't do it!
He said in front of the electrical panel, his fur bristling with panic. Soon, the situation was even worse, when the doctor heard a familiar sound on the horizon. Which the others soon heard too. The blades of a helicopter.
The winged beast quickly appeared and circled the roof, the reunion troops regaining a burst of courage, and Sebastian distracted, couldn't dodge a grenade that fell at his feet. Which exploded.
Luckily it wasn't a fragmentation grenade, he thought, as he felt himself being lifted off the ground instead of his flesh being torn apart by the shrapnel. He was thrown further onto the roof and struggled to his feet, before rolling over when he felt a harpoon almost hit him where he stood.
Then suddenly he had an idea and smiled. He ran to the relay antenna, dodging shots from the harpoons or the reunion. He stood up beside one of the antenna pillars and aimed his handgun at the helicopter. Baiting another shot.
He grinned as he summoned every last cell of energy in his body to boost his reflexes. Time seemed to slow down and he took a step to the side, dodging the projectile. But it didn't stop there.
Sebastian hit the harpoon of his fist, sending it wrapping itself and its cable around the pillar of the radio tower, hooking it firmly in place. But he didn't stop there. Taking advantage of his grip, the giant grabbed the cable with both hands, and before the helicopter had time to disengage, he planted his feet firmly on the ground, and pulled, with all his might, calling on every joint, every muscle. All his energy.
And man prevailed over machine. The blades bent and the engine exploded in a ball of flame as the giant pulled the six-ton machine straight through the air.
Running out of energy, he tried to jump out of the object's trajectory, but he was too slow... Perhaps she had noticed this... In a flash he was pulled by Nearl away from the destruction as the helicopter carcass collided with the radio antenna, destroying both and sending them in a deafening crash of clashing steel tumbling down the building.
The reunion troops remained motionless. As did those on Rhodes Island, who were rather stunned by the explosion.
The giant was the first to rise. His fists still covered with the fresh blood of their comrades.
The enemy soldiers set off, their tails literally between their legs, in front of the monster that had appeared before them...
Sebastian: Guhh... Fuck... And... Don't come back!
He said exhaustedly before falling to the ground.
Spot: Damn it, doctor!
He looked at the operator, who was dumbfounded, pointing at the radio tower, or rather where it was.
Orchid: Communications restored!
The doctor got up once and for all and walked over to the team captain, who handed him a walkie-talkie.
Sebastian: This is Dr. Sebastian, can anyone hear me?
He waited a few seconds. Before hearing a voice through.
Amiya: Doktah! You're all right!
Sebastian: I joined Nearl's team. We took care of the jammer. Are you at the rendezvous point?
Invisible from her eyes at the other end Amiya had a bead of sweat running down her forehead as she heard the doctor brush under the carpet and make a detail out of the fact of having fallen from a fatal height and led a reduced squad into enemy territory...
Amiya: Almost.
The wind suddenly stopped blowing. And the air seemed to warm up all too suddenly, returning to positive temperatures within seconds.
Sebastian: What the...?
Amiya: Oh no... It's the catastrophe! it'll strike at any moment!
Hearing the distress in the rabbit's voice and seeing it on her allies' faces, the doctor knew the situation was serious.
Sebastian: We'll be with you as soon as we can.
He handed the walkie-talkie back to Orchid and signaled to go, twirling his finger in the air.
Sebastian: Let's get moving, everybody!
Within moments they found themselves running through the city streets as the snow melted, and an orange hue seemed to fill the horizon replacing the white.
Nearl was running alongside the giant, and couldn't help but look at him.
She'd thought he was just a blood-spilling, killing machine. But then she saw him. Showing such strength, showing such fighting spirit. And above all, after taking a good look at the kindness of his face that hid beneath that tough look. Nearl knew that however she looked, there stood a true warrior.
The giant, sensing this gaze on him, turned his gaze in the direction of the young woman. And smiled.
She'd never know why, but at that moment, Margaret Nearl couldn't help but smile at the doctor too.
?: All ringleaders join me. Rhodes Island has shown to be a bigger thorn in our side than estimated.
She said, the finger of the draco still on her earpiece as she looked at the column of smoke coming from the ministry of health.
?: What about ursus boss~?
?: They are already done for. Their coms can be on, it doesn't matter they have already lost their city. Hold the advance of Rhodes if you can. Talulah over.
