Kal'tsit: Remember what I taught you.
Sebastian: Everyone, do not talk to them under any circumstances.
Amiya: Breathe, Amiya, breathe...
The cautus said to herself, taking deep breaths to calm herself. Everyone was stressed, Rhodes Island was facing one of the most Machiavellian, bloodthirsty and violent armies on Terra, the media...
Sebastian: I had asked the LGD to secure our arrival from whoever it was...
Kal'tsit: We should have taken the helicopters...
The members of Rhodes Island, their instincts on edge, began to walk down the ramp, unconvinced of what was about to happen, as reporters began to advance towards them, taking pictures and in an unprecedented deluge of voices. Soon, all the cameras turned to the leader of Rhodes Island, despite her size and her young age, she was worthy in their eyes to be questioned.
Reporter 1: Miss Amiya, how can you explain the sudden arrival of Rhodes Island in Lungmen without any announcement to the media or the public?
Amiya: This is not a Rhodes Island incident. We have been called to Lungmen by its government to deal with the massive immigration of infected people here. The communication is not of our order.
Sebastian was slightly impressed by the cautus' calm and professional demeanor and by her facial expression that reflected the appearance of a leader. After all, Amiya wasn't just any kid. She had already been the leader of Rhodes Island for quite some time, and she had already had to answer a few press conferences or interviews.
Reporter 2: And could the terrorists who attacked Chernobog have snuck in among the refugees?
Amiya: Rhode Island can't know yet. The LGD has requested exclusivity on the investigation of this matter. But of course the Lungmen Guard will do everything possible to stop the forces of the meeting.
Reporter 3: Miss, what happened to that duo of journalists from 3B who were rescued in Chernobog after an execution attempt?
Amiya: According to their wishes they were brought back to Columbia in perfect health.
Journalist 4: What does Rhodes Island intend to do with the infected who would cause panic throughout Lungmen?
A first blow was struck with a cautus.
Amiya: R-rhodes Island is helping the infected, but the ones we will always side with are the innocent, if the infected try to harm the population then we will help the LGD to protect the citizens of Lungmen.
And there it was, Sebastian could hear the donkey's heartbeat racing and see that she was starting to get nervous.
Reporter 5: Miss Amiya, what about the war criminals Rhodes Island would hire for its operations? Like this Dr. Sebastian who was heavily involved in the Kazdelite civil war? Are these the kind of people who will be on Lungmen soil for the infected?
W, who until then had been rather discreet, hid behind the doctor's back, allowing the young woman to see that the doctor was making mercenary signals with the hand he had on his back. He was preparing a smoke grenade. W understood immediately and without anyone noticing, slowly took out a smoke grenade from his pockets and removed the pin, a sound that the doctor heard. Kal'tsit was startled by the reporter's question. Amiya had a weakness. And this reporter had just found it, and after the first attack about what Rhodes was planning to do to the infected, Amiya's component collapsed.
Amiya: Dokutah is not a criminal-!
Sebastian stepped on the heel of the cautus, bringing it to its senses and stopping it before it could boil over any further.
Sebastian: There are no war criminals on Rhodes Island. That includes me. These famous atrocities of which I am accused in Kazdel could never be proven and will never be proven because they are only rumors aimed at harming me and Rhodes Island.
The doctor, who until then had miraculously escaped the sight and attention of the journalists as if he did not exist, stepped into the light of the cameras. His cold and terrifying tone of voice silenced some of the journalists, while the flashes of the cameras multiplied when they turned towards him and suddenly all the journalists started to speak at the same time. Realizing that the situation was out of their control, the lynx looked at the giant and signaled him to do something.
Presumably she must have seen the hand signal that Sebastian had made behind his back. So quickly the doctor put his hand behind his back and motioned to the mercenary to drop his grenade, which she did, the device exploding when it hit the ground and releasing a huge cloud of smoke that enveloped the entire Rhodes Island group and the journalists.
The smoke cleared after a few seconds, but the Rhodes Island troops were already gone.
Melantha: Uwaaa... I thought I was going to have an anxiety attack...
Said the feline, like a balloon that had been emptied of its air among the troops of Rhodes Island so much it was exhausted by this experience.
In only a few seconds they had all managed to cover enough distance to be now in the streets of downtown Lungmen which even at the beginning of the night was full of people. Even though all the lights gave the impression that it was daytime. The Rhodes Island troupe walked along one of the city's sidewalks, passersby dodging the armed band, some taking pictures in front of this curiosity. It wasn't so much that they were carrying weapons... Which was quite legal in most of the mobile cities of Terra, but it was rather because of their strange and diverse appearance between each member. Some of them were looking at the store windows of the buildings, wondering what they would be able to buy after they had finished the operation.
Sebastian was just enjoying the view. Lungmen was nothing like what he had seen in his world. It looked like a science fiction city. The center of the city had only skyscrapers of hundreds of meters, glass towers illuminated by blue and pink lights giving one of the most formidable views. And then especially the population... It gave him an impression to return to civilization... Between the deserted streets of Kjerag, the desolate streets of Chernobog and the corridors of Rhodes Island, he had seen little of his dear humanity at work on what it knew best.
But hearing the voice of the purple-haired feline, Sebastian turned his head towards her.
Sebastian: Are you okay, Mel? Or should I carry you on my back?
The feline raised her head towards her mentor and immediately she resumed her usual component.
Melantha: Y-yes! I mean no! I mean- I'm fine, you don't have to carry me!
She said her voice full of determination in front of her model, not failing to earn an amused laugh from the giant and the feline's team making the latter blush.
Andreanna: If I knew we were going to be on TV I would have made myself prettier... Maybe I should text my mom and tell her to watch the Lungmen news.
Sebastian: You still look pretty Andie.
The aegir hearing this started to blush profusely before looking away, but W and Exusiai who was next to her seeing the embarrassment of their friend started to laugh at her.
W: Ara~? Does the doctor have that much charm on you Andie?
Exusiai: You know W, two weeks ago I saw her assaulting the doctor in his office... She jumped on him and put mucus everywhere with her tentacles...
W: Oh... I understand... So our dear Andie would like lots of baby octopus?
The exchange between the sanktah and the sarkaz continued with smirks adorning their faces, as their eyes were turned to the last of the three snipers who was surrounded by the two and her face redder than a tomato.
Andreanna: In my defense it was my season!
Exusiai: Eh? I thought the Aegirs didn't have seasons...
She said, looking at the sarkaz who just raised her shoulders.
W: I don't know...
Andreanna: I am one of the few subspecies of aegir that have one... And I was thinking Exia, do sanktah have a season?
Exusiai: Of course not!
exclaimed the angel.
Andreanna: Hey calm down! I was just asking because I know that sarkazs have seasons... Besides, isn't it supposed to be now?
W: Yes... Tell me about it, I would go completely crazy every year... I mean, that would be if I wasn't on the meds, but I'm fine, I can handle them...
Andreanna: Wow, lucky me...
W: So you tried to do the doctor in the middle of your season? Maybe you really wanted baby octopuses then~
Exusiai: And besides the doctor there's that Specter you're trying to hit on...
Andreanna: Stop it!
Poor Aegir was about to faint under the effect of the mockery of her two other sniper comrades who were laughing out loud at the reaction of their friend. At the front of the group, however, Sebastian had something on his mind...
Amiya: Is there a problem doktah?
Sebastian: Hm? Oh nothing Amiya. It's just that more and more books are disappearing from my library... Could you borrow some of them for me?
Hearing the giant speak, the cautus jumped slightly and her heart rate increased;
Amiya: N-no, I didn't take any from your library... Did you ask Miss Nearl? M-maybe she took some and forgot to ask you...
Sebastian: Maybe... But she usually takes books from the third and fourth row... Not the last two... strange. But hey. I just have to catch the thief before they're all gone, because at the rate they're going they'll all be gone in a few weeks...
Amiya: Ah... That's a problem...
She says with a myriad of cold sweat drops flowing.
Sebastian: Mh.
Amiya: Doktah Sebastian, Doktah Kal'tsit... I'm sorry...
The two leaders of Rhodes Island turned their faces to the cautus who looked sad.
Kal'tsit: What is it, Amiya?
Amiya: I shouldn't have lost my temper... But when they talked about the Doktah... I couldn't contain myself...
Kal'tsit: It's kind of my fault... I should have trained you better for this kind of thing, and I should have asked for the helicopters to be ready, so that our journey could have been done with less trouble.
She said by approaching her hand to the head of the cautus before caressing his hair in a comforting way.
Sebastian: And I should have made sure that we would have a safe route after having obtained the right to dock at Lungmen, and in a way it's a bit my fault that he asked you that question.
The giant spoke up too, and he too came his hand to the top of the rabbit's head to stroke it.
Amiya: Eh eh...
The innocent smile of the cautus reformed under the caresses of the two most important people to her as her cheeks began to burn in a pleasant feeling. Sebastian's and Kal'tsit's hands finally touched and then they suddenly stopped comforting the Rhodes Island leader and looked ahead as if nothing had happened without saying a word.
Sebastian: Attagirl, you have exceeded my expectations in front of the cameras. My congratulations rabbit...
Amiya: Thank you Doktah, it really means a lot to me- Hey wait! That's the first time you've called me bunny!
Sebastian: Hm? Did you say something donkey?
He said, flicked the girl's forehead and cut off her hopes of being anything other than a donkey in the doctor's eyes...
Seeing the scene in front of her the lynx had an instinctive emotion that ran through her entire body. She looked at the other two leaders of Rhodes Island, and she let out a strange noise that caught the attention of the rabbit and the giant, both of whom wondered what was going on with the feline and looked at her with intrigue. Kal'tsit raised one of her hands and covered her mouth and closed her eyes, then, to the surprise of the other two leaders...
...
Kal'tsit began to laugh.
A light laugh. Beautiful and uncontrolled... Amiya's face broke down as if she had just seen a corpse, and Sebastian, who was at first only surprised by the feline's action, remained as silent as a grave. He looked at Kal'tsit's face, and listened to her voice, which for once seemed to be in a good mood, and only one thought crossed his mind...
Sebastian: 'Amiya... Help me I think I'm falling in love...'
Amiya: Uwaaaaaa! Someone has done something to doktah Kal'tsit!
The others in the group did not hear the donkey's cry of surprise, nor the lynx's laughter because of the noise of the city and the discussions, otherwise they would have been worried for one and scared to death for the other... After only a few seconds Kal'tsit's laughter suddenly stopped, again after only two seconds of a smile that made Sebastian captivated by the face of the feline, the latter returned to her usual facial expression as if nothing had happened, calming the cautus before she made a panic attack. The good doctor was still hypnotized.
Kal'tsit: Doctor, did you do what we talked about?
Sebastian snapped out of his trance and shook his head left and right, thanking the fact that he was wearing that damn helmet that prevented him from seeing how red his cheeks were.
Sebastian: Hm. It was easier than I thought.
Kal'tsit: And you have everything?
Sebastian: Everything we're interested in at least, and a little bit more.
Kal'tsit: Nothing on paper?
Sebastian: I didn't have time to write it down.
Amiya: What are you talking about?
Sebastian: I've been fishing for information on all things Lungmen through my contacts.
Kal'tsit: I hope you got something useful for our interview...
Sebastian: It depends on how the meeting goes.
Amiya: Heeh? Why don't I know about this?
Sebastian: Kal?
Kal'tsit: Sorry, I must have forgotten.
Amiya: Can you give me a summary? I won't be much help if I don't have the same information as you...
Kal'tsit: Don't ask me. The doc will take care of it.
Sebastian: Amiya, I don't think I have time to tell you about the integrity of the Lungmen and LGD archives that I have memorized...
Amiya: Everything...?
Sebastian: Absolutely everything. Not to mention other things that are not in the official archives...
Kal'tsit: Do you understand why he's doing it now?
She asked the cautus.
As ironic as it sounded, the doctor's memory was far beyond that of any other human being. And once again, he had to show it for the good of Rhodes Island.
While the leader of Rhodes seemed to be in deep thought, something in the distance caught her attention, she looked up and let her wonderment surface.
Amiya: Wow, look at the size of that tower!
The other members of Rhodes Island looked in the same direction as the cautus to see a tower in the middle of the city center, much taller than all the others. Maybe more than a thousand meters high by Sebastian's estimation, something built in the madness of grandeur, and Sebastian recognized this tower immediately.
Sebastian: That's the LGD, donkey...
Amiya: You won't give up, will you?
She asked, turning her eyes towards him as her face was exasperated.
Sebastian: Nope...
Amiya: I can't wait to meet the LGD agents... They must be great...
?: BEATRIX!
A crazed lung ran through a doorway screaming, arriving in the crowded lobby of the LGD. Dozens of agents were there doing their jobs and civilians coming here for various problems with the law. Everyone in the room turned to her for a second, before returning to their normal activities, the surprise having worn off. The clicking of the lung's heels echoed on the floor of the room as she walked briskly toward someone she saw in the distance. Her target, feeling an irrepressible urge to kill turned to the lung, the hair on her ears and her tiger tail standing up.
?: Hold the lizard...
?: Beatrix! You left the old filter in the coffee machine again! I'm wasting time with your bullshit!
?: Well, you just have to change the filter! You're not going to tell me that you're wasting your time doing it when you don't do anything all day and I'm the one who has to do all the paperwork!
?: What do you mean I'm the one who doesn't do anything in my day ?! You're the one who gives me all your work when you go out to have dinner with some dirty old men to get some LMDs! And you're the one in the field who's more afraid of getting his boots dirty with fakes than letting criminals get away!
?: They're not counterfeits you *Insulting Lungmenite*!
?: You want to take this outside you *Lungmenite Insult*?!
?: Come on I'm waiting for you!
Right next to the scene among all the officers doing their job, a young lung seemed terrified.
Recruit: Oh my God, someone has to stop them before they kill each other!
Officer: Are you new here?
Recruit: Y-yes I started today.
Officer: *Laughs* So I understand. Don't worry, this is only the second time this has happened today.
Recruit: You mean this happens every day?
Officer: Except on New Year's Eve. But yes...
He says, giving the recruit a friendly pat on the back before going to work. And just like that, the recruit realized why all the other LGD members seemed to be unmoved by the violent argument between two of the most important people in LGD.
?: Come on, let's calm down girls.
Out of nowhere an oni taller than everyone else in the room grabbed the lung and the feline in front of her by their clothes and lifted them off the ground, pulling them apart and making them stop trying to gut each other.
An oni, a feline, and a lung.
All three had been used to working together for years.
And yet nothing had changed in their relationship...
?: Calmed down?
asked the mediator of the group. The other two young women had the patience to nod and were released to the ground by the oni.
?: Do I need to remind you that we still have work to do tonight?
?: Exactly Hoshi, that's why I wanted a coffee...
Said the lung while turning to the oni, a vein appearing on his forehead.
Hoshiguma: Just buy an energy drink from the vending machine, you don't need to make a big deal about a coffee machine...
The lung sighed at the sanctimonious words of her friend the oni and calmed down slightly.
Ch'en: It's been a long day.
Hoshiguma: It's not over yet. And you Beatrix, we keep telling you that. Clean up your mess behind you.
Swire: Okay...
Hoshiguma: Weren't we supposed to welcome those famous Rhodes Islanders or something?
Ch'en: Yes... They are late...
The feline and the oni swallowed their saliva, if there was one thing Ch'en hated more than Swire and the criminals combined, it was people who were late.
Swire: We're going to be working overtime all night again...
As the green haired woman began to enjoy the idea of having a little more money in her bank account she felt something strange in the lung next to her.
Hoshiguma: Are you okay Ch'en?
Ch'en: Chi Xiao vibrates...
She said, her voice in the middle between the curiosity and the concern generating the same feeling in her colleague.
Swire: There's a kid who just came in.
The two other members of the LGD turned their heads towards the front door and could see a small cautus entering the LGD HQ. Just over six feet tall, with a young face but an experienced look on her face right after her, an icy looking feline in a doctor's coat walked into the lobby. Ch'en, having done her job, immediately recognized the two people and started walking towards them.
Swire: ...Infected...?
Ch'en: These are the leaders of Rhodes Island Beatrix, so be careful.
Then as Ch'en felt her original weapon vibrate louder and louder as she approached the door, the door opened wide to let a frightening figure through, the sounds of his footsteps on the concrete sounded like an elephant walking and the figure who wore a helmet and a long hooded coat walked through the door leaning heavily. Once he walked through the door and straightened up to his full height, everyone in the lobby looked at him and fell into silence...
Swire: that's one hell of a giant...
The young woman's voice was the only thing that cut through the silence. Indeed, the man who had just entered was terrifying in appearance as well as in stature, almost as wide as the door he had just passed and much taller. And in the middle of the typical inhabitants of Lungmen it must be said that he stood out a little more by being half a meter taller... But one of the things that frightened him the most was that heavy helmet he had on, not letting you see a single millimeter of his skin nor his emotions, giving a terrifying aura even if his hands were in his pockets. This giant, feeling all the glances, turned his head towards an officer who was trembling with fear next to him.
Sebastian: I have something on my face?
His voice was cold and as terrifying as Ch'en's when she screamed. But he was perfectly calm.
Officer: N-no sir...
Sebastian: Then stop looking at me like that.
The LGD officer jumped back to his work as if nothing had happened, but shaking with fear, the rest of the people in the room understood the message and went back to their work. Just at the sight of this man, Ch'en's red weapon could not help but vibrate, and this time strong enough that someone else besides her could feel it if that person touched the sword. And on the other hand the Lung could not take her eyes off this man, but she finally did when she heard the footsteps of her two other colleagues behind her, her two red eyes going towards the cautus and the feline. She arrived in front of the three leaders of Rhodes Island and it was the cautus who began to speak.
Amiya: Mrs. Ch'en, it's nice to finally meet you.
Said the girl raising her hand to the lung for a handshake, but the lung did not seem to want to return the handshake ... Sebastian felt once again all eyes on the three members of Rhodes Island and he knew why... The black crystals on Kal'tsit's shoulder and those on Amiya's wrists.
It should not be forgotten that they were no longer on Rhodes Island, and that here oripathy was not just a disease but a reason for the worst discrimination...
Ch'en: Nice to meet you.
She said while shaking the hand of the cautus under the stunned looks of the LGD members. Amiya jumped when she heard the tone of the voice of the lung which was as cold as liquid nitrogen and very unwelcoming...
Ch'en: You were not supposed to bring a bodyguard into the LGD compound.
The lung finished his sentence by looking at the giant.
Sebastian: I'm not a bodyguard but Dr. Sebastian. Chief tactician of Rhodes Island.
The giant's voice echoed through the hall, giving a little more surprise...
Swire: If this is what their doctors are like, I'm surprised we don't trust them...
The feline whispered to the oni next to her, low enough that no one could hear her.
Ch'en: The meeting with Mr. Wei was to take place at ten o'clock sharp. You are fourteen minutes late-
Hearing this, Sebastian, who was already in a bad mood, cut the lung off.
Sebastian: And forty-one seconds... Thank you, but we know how to count and tell time. And thank you for pointing out that we were late, but we were delayed by reporters waiting for us right in front of our mobile base, while I remember well asking for the road to be cleared when we talked on the phone. But perhaps you have forgotten that? So we can continue this useless argument and waste more time discussing your mistake, or we can both shut up and get it over with as quickly as possible if you take us to Mr. Wei.
The doctor finished speaking and Ch'en gritted her teeth in anger.
Both the lung and the giant were seething with rage, but the only thing keeping the two from going for each other's throats... That and the fact that they were under the panicked gazes of the LGD and Rhodes Island operators, on one side because of how one had just spoken to the head of the Lungmen's special guard inspection unit or in other words the boss, and on the other side, the surprise came from the fact that the doctor had dropped a good part of his usual demeanor and professionalism to give way to the endless animosity he had.
It looked like they had both found their nemeses...
As the tension between the two grew in the staring contest between Sebastian and Ch'en, two red glows appeared through the tinted glass of the helmet, and just as that happened Chi Xiao began to vibrate so hard in her scabbard that the scabbard and blade shook enough to be visible and heard as if the weapon was screaming to be drawn, drawing the gaze of the LGD operator and the doctor, the former shocked by what was happening and the latter gradually calming down.
The lung understood that they wouldn't make it if she didn't give up and sighed.
Ch'en: Follow me, you don't want to make him wait any longer.
The three leaders of Rhodes Island followed the lung to an elevator in which the four of them went up under the eyes of the L.G.D. agents. For the few meters that separated the small group to the elevator, the good doctor could not take his eyes off the green-haired oni, a strange feeling came over him, like nostalgia. And as the doors closed and the elevator began to rise, a single thought crossed Sebastian's mind.
Sebastian: 'Have I seen him somewhere before?
Sebastian stood at the opposite end of the elevator with his hands in his pockets, remaining so incredibly still that he could have become invisible... Amiya was right next to him and Kal'tsit was looking at the elevator window. The rabbit staring at the tinted glass of the helmet was surprised when she heard the voice of the man behind it.
Sebastian: Is something wrong, Amiya?
The girl was startled when she realized that Sebastian was looking at her, and then she started to smile.
Amiya: Nothing, it's just that I've lost the habit of seeing you with that damn helmet...
The words of the cautus made Sebastian realize that those who had seen her face before her amnesia could be counted on one hand... Ace, Kal'tsit, Amiya and that pink-haired woman... Ace had only seen her face once, Amiya maybe ten times and Kal'tsit he had no idea... But since he had returned, he stopped hiding under that hood, that helmet, that coat... Under all his clothes as if to hide who he really was.
Under his helmet Sebastian began to smile slightly.
Sebastian: Don't worry, as soon as we get back to Rhodes Island I'll throw away this junk.
Amiya: Thanks doktah...
Ch'en: 'Is this her daughter? And why is she saying the word like that?
Kal'tsit heard the doctor speak and turned her gaze to the giant, but not wanting to start another argument, she looked out the window of the elevator again, admiring the view. The cautus also looked at the window and her eyes widened and she let out her childish wonder.
Amiya: Wow!
She said leaning against the elevator window as the good doctor let out a laugh.
Ch'en pretended to cough into her hand to get attention and Amiya realizing that she had let her innocence slip away after a momentary whine rebuilt her facade as the leader of Rhodes Island. The elevator slowed down and stopped moving, then after a ting the doors opened.
Ch'en: We have arrived.
The four people entered the room after the elevator, a room that was quite empty except for a desk and a few sofas, where a woman was sitting and typing on a computer, probably a secretary.
Secretary: Miss Ch'en?
Ch'en: The appointment with Mr. Wei.
Secretary: Please go ahead.
The four of them went through the last door, Ch'en in the lead, and they arrived in a big room with glass walls and a style halfway between Yen and Higashi, the furniture, the lights and the paintings falling in black, orange and gold. In the middle of this room there was a tall man, with a beastly appearance, his facial expression contained a natural animosity and his body was covered with fur. But his eyes and smile were carnivorous. Having seen the pictures, the three leaders of Rhodes Island immediately recognized the man.
Wey Yenwu.
A/N: I fucking hate him.
Wei: Ahhhh Rhodes Island! Me waiting for you! Come and sit down.
Sebastian: Amiya beware of him.
He had barely seen him when the doctor was able to read through the man like an open book. Then Sebastian closed his mouth, intending to remain silent, except if necessary, because it was Kal'tsit who was supposed to lead the negotiations.
Kal'tsit: Hello Mr. Wei, we apologize for the delay. A few things came up on our way here.
Wei: Don't worry, Lungmen is a busy city, I can't blame you for being a little late.
As the three Rhodes Island leaders approached the Lungmen leader side by side the Lung sat down on one of the couches in the large room and took a drag from his pipe before exhaling, the wisp of tobacco smoke swirling slowly through the air.
Wei: Please come and sit down...
Following these instructions in silence, Kal'tsit was the first to sit down, followed by Amiya and finally the doctor.
Wei: Ladies and gentlemen, now that you are finally here we can finally deal with this thorny issue. But I am listening, tell me what Rhodes Island can do in this situation.
He said, his grin growing wider.
Kal'tsit: I think we can get straight to the point, Mr. Wei. Lungmen will be the next Chernobog.
His tone of voice and his look were more serious than ever. Wei seemed unimpressed by what the feline had just said and Ch'en seemed almost annoyed by her words.
Kal'tsit: I think you already have a good understanding of the situation. Right now the Lungmen information network is capturing enough information about the meeting. It is good that you recognize the importance of this. But it is not enough. Lungmen still lacks vital information.
Ch'en: ...
Kal'tsit: I think the LGD knows perfectly well that a simple quarantine is not enough to stop the meeting. They will not wisely pass inspection nor will they wait for the authorities to make a decision, which is why without the assistance of Rhodes Island, Lungmen will suffer heavy losses against the meeting if you pursue the same strategy against the infected.
Ch'en: Excuse the interruption, but I think the L.G.D. understands Lungmen's defenses better than Rhodes Island does. We have already prepared plans to handle the infiltration of the meeting. However, we are not obligated to share this information with you.
Wei: Go ahead and tell me, Doctor Kal'tsit. How does Rhode Island know that Lungmen doesn't? About its guard, its security, the troops in the meeting? Because despite the army of infected you have in your service right now you sound more like a preacher of the end of the world than a serious person.
Kal'tsit gritted his teeth with his mouth closed as he heard this, and as Wei exhaled a new puff of smoke that went towards Sebastian irritating him, the good doctor spoke up sensing his colleague's distress.
Now, by his appearance and behavior, Wei gave the impression of being a real snake. Ready to pounce on his prey and let his venom flow to kill his opponents.
Sebastian: Seven battalions will be deployed to the western gate. Six at the west gate. One at the east gate. And four at the southwest gate. Special inspection units will accompany battalions one, five, six, seven, eight and ten. Two special forces squads will accompany each guard battalion. Each battalion, unit and squad will contain one thousand, twenty and one hundred personnel respectively. The orders are that half of the units posted at each location are to be redeployed to the gates under attack in the event that they are.
Upon hearing this Kal'tsit regained her confidence as did Amiya. On the other hand, Wei in front of them choked on a puff of smoke from his pipe and his eyes widened. The lung a little further away gasped.
Ch'en: But how-?!
Sebastian: A simple plan... And lousy... The only thing you rely on is your advantage in training and equipment. Except that it won't work with the meeting. They will outnumber you, far outnumber you, and you won't be able to fight the mortars and jetpacks with your few tanks and helicopters... Not to mention the many infected casters they have in their ranks... Not to mention the fact that you have not prepared anything in case the meeting attacks an unexpected door... And it took me two hours to learn that...
The doctor's voice was cold, mechanical. Just as it had been since he put on that helmet. He was methodical, patient, calculating. Ready to attack every flaw he saw.
If Wei looked like a poisonous snake, Sebastian looked like an eagle ready to lunge at its prey and kill it.
The lung rose abruptly from the couch where he was sitting opposite the three members of Rhodes Island. Sebastian could hear the lynx's tail stiffen under his clothes in the face of the sudden fear of this imposing and frightening man standing in front of them, just as he could see the hairs on Amiya's donkey ears stand up.
Wei: This is secret information! Who informed you! Answer me right now before I call the guards and have your head cut off for spying!
Kal'tsit: 'You just shit in the glue Sebastian...'
?: Calm down Wei.
A soft, calm voice echoed elsewhere in the room, as did the sound of wood against the floor. Amiya, Ch'en, Wei and Kal'tsit all turned their heads in the direction of the voice, Sebastian just moved his eyes under that thick helmet. On the other side of the room he could see a young woman who until then had been listening to the conversation while hidden.
A/N: I'm not a furry...
Sebastian was surprised at first. Of course he also recognized her early on as the princess of Higashi. Maybe the most important woman of Lungmen with Ch'en. Even if the inhabitants of Terra who had wilder physical features like Wei and this woman were often not to Sebastian's taste, he could not deny the fact that she was a beautiful woman.
Princess Fumizuki...
Fumizuki: Didn't you tell me that they were our guests tonight... And yet you threaten them with death. Listen to what Rhodes Island has to say.
The lung, listening to the word of the kirin, sat down on the couch with his face quite irritated.
Sebastian: You are not well placed to lecture us on information gathering, Mr. Wei. For you see, your wife's bodyguard only stole what we let her steal from our documents. Lungmen will not hold. This is the only conclusion I get when I add up all the information I have. We are far from being doomsday preachers. Rhodes Island has something that Lungmen is sorely lacking. Information. You know absolutely nothing. Don't think that this deal is a proposal from us to give you a few soldiers to scrape together a few LMD. We are here to sell you information that is vital to you.
Ch'en felt Chi Xiao vibrate more and more as the air in the room became stifling.
Wei: And to prove your good faith you can of course give me some information that will prove that you have it in your possession?
He asked, raising an eyebrow. It was easy to see from his posture as well as his attitude that the leader of Lungmen was stressed, almost oppressed. The doctor, on the other hand, felt more at ease than ever.
Sebastian: Of course, I'm not going to give you a product I'm trying to sell you, so no information about the meeting. But if you want proof of our abilities then maybe I can tell you about what I've heard about Yen's emissaries that should be arriving soon... About your shadow guards... Or about what happened three years ago Mrs. Ch'en...
As the doctor spoke, Wei's and Ch'en's faces broke down, and even more so at the end of his sentence. There, it didn't take supernatural senses to see that the lung was scared.
And the only thought that crossed her mind at that moment was that the doctor was incredibly dangerous.
Wei: Is this blackmail?
Sebastian: No. I have absolutely no interest in revealing those three pieces of information. You can assume that it will never be revealed.
Wei: How did you know... No one should know about the last...
Said the leader of Lungmen, his predatory teeth clenched, showing a little more of the animosity he seemed to have so much trouble containing.
Sebastian: Like I said. You don't know anything. Keep thinking you're good at shadow play, and you'll bite your fingers off, Mr. Wei. Continue to think that Rhodes Islans' abilities stop at getting a docking permit in a few hours, and you'll regret it too. You'd better pray that no one else hears about this but me. Lungmen will fall in two weeks once the meeting launches its assault.
Wei: What nonsense. There is no evidence that-
Kal'tsit: Miss Ch'en, would you like to know the real reason why Chernobog fell in one night?
Ch'en: ...
Wei: Go ahead, elaborate.
Kal'tsit: Amiya.
Amiya: A-ah... yes. Rhodes Island was not only involved in the Chernobog incident, we were also hit by a disaster, and we survived.
Wei: Impressive... It's not every day I meet someone crazy enough to threaten me with a trade agreement, and survive a disaster. Miss Amiya, please continue.
Amiya: We fought against the leader of the meeting...
Under the glass of his helmet, Sebastian could see a tiny flinch in Ch'en and a change in her aura... Was it sadness that he could see underneath that facade of authority?
Wei: Hmmm? What was his name again? I don't remember it clearly...
Sebastian: Talulah.
The name that left his mouth had a certain familiarity to it, but that's when he could really detect the sadness in Ch'en.
Wei: Oh yes. Talulah. Mrs. Ch'en, what do you think?
Ch'en: I... I know...
Amiya: That's what happened on Rhodes Island to Chernobog. Despite the disaster the meeting managed to capture control of Chernobog from Ursus. But to expand, they will need to deal with resource shortages. Lungmen will be their next step. While you may be able to fend them off for a while, their attacks won't stop until you proactively deal with the situation. Also, there is another unknown factor, we still don't know how Ursus might respond after losing Chernobog...
Wei: Well said, young lady. Well given the danger of the meeting to Lungmen and the limited resources of the L.G.D I am not opposed to considering this temporary agreement based on the details seen earlier. But unfortunately I fear that there is a problem...
Kal'tsit: ... The price Rhodes Island is asking is too high?
Wei: Correct.
Sebastian: Don't forget that the information Lungmen will have will be worth the price you pay...
The voice of the doctor, who until then had remained silent until the meeting was over, rang out again.
Wei: You are hard on business doctor... However, to make sure that Lungmen is properly compensated I have three simple conditions. First, Rhodes Island will help the L.G.D. remove the threat from the meeting. This includes identifying the threats in Lungmen as well as those related to the Chernobog incident. Obviously RI will also help measure the extent to which the reunion troops are infiltrated in Lungmen.
Kal'tsit: What are the other two conditions then.
Wei: I would tell you about the last two only after you are satisfied with the first. Of course I won't ask for anything that is out of Rhodes Island's area of expertise...
Kal'tsit: Get to the point.
Wei: How to put it... If the meeting causes damage that exceeds Rhodes Island's estimates then I expect you to support the L.G.D. in its task which may include post disaster logistics. Of course nothing outside your area of expertise...
Sebastian liked less and less how vague Lung was in his demands.
Sebastian: And the third one?
Wei: It concerns you directly, Doctor. In spite of that slight disagreement earlier I can recognize that you are a man who does what he does. So here is my condition. You will work with the L.G.D. until all traces of the meeting in the city are erased.
Upon hearing this, the L.G.D. superintendent opened her eyes wide in surprise and outrage.
Ch'en: The L.G.D. can handle it by itself!
Wei: No. If we are fighting such an enemy it is natural to ask for help. Does this condition please Rhodes Island? A negotiable sum will be given in accordance with the doctor's efforts.
The giant glanced at his two colleagues beside him. Amiya seemed worried about his answer, indirectly begging him to say no. He glanced at Kal'tsit, but she thought the same as him. They both knew that Rhodes Island was in dire need of the money, and Sebastian was not a few hours away from working overtime...
Sebastian: I accept.
Wei: Well, how do you like all the other closes?
Kal'tsit: Amiya?
Amiya: Doktah Kal'tsit... Mr. Wei, I would like to add another closes to our agreement... "All interpretations of the closes must be agreed upon by both parties. Is this acceptable to Lungmen?
Wei: Oh sure. I can see your respect for Lungmen Miss Amiya. Mrs. Ch'en, do you have any objection?
The giant stopped himself from laughing at one of the most rhetorical questions he had ever had the honor to hear.
Ch'en: ... I accept this operation...
Wei: Well, it looks like Mrs. Ch'en even has her own goal now...
Sebastian: Sorry-
Wei: Never mind! Congratulations, we have a deal. Madame Ch'en will be responsible for your arrangements.
Sebastian: Are our operators allowed to move around Lungmen?
Wei: An important question... The infected ones will have to be accompanied by the L.G.D. agents if they want to move in the city, but the others will remain free... After all, we don't want to create mass panic by having the infected moving among the masses.
Sebastian: 'Asshole...'
The Lung's toothy grin deepened as the doctor began to feel more and more a visceral resentment of hatred towards the Lungmen leader. A kind of instinctive hatred that warned of danger... No matter what happened, no matter what was said, the most primal instincts were screaming at Sebastian to never give Wei a single ounce of trust.
Wei: Well I guess that's all we have to say to each other...
Kal: I think so.
Wei: You will see to the rest of the tasks assigned to you with Madame Ch'en. Can you show the leaders out?
He asked at his second sentence turning to the Lung.
Ch'en: Right away.
The lung started walking towards the exit, the clicking of her heels echoing on the ground and the sound of her two swords clashing behind her back could be heard as she walked.
Ch'en: If you will follow me.
The three leaders of Rhodes Island stood up one after the other, while Wei remained comfortably seated on his couch.
Wei: And I wanted to add. I hope you will make this cooperation beneficial to both parties.
He said, his toothy grin returning as he took another puff of smoke from his pipe.
Kal'tsit: Thank you.
The leaders of Rhodes Island walked behind the Lung once again and exited the Penthouse and as soon as the door closed behind them, Amiya finally breathed a sigh of relief and stretched, letting out all the pressure she had built up.
Amiya: Phew... Ugh...! That man was so complicated... And the atmosphere was so stressful... Between that and the reporters I already wish my day would end...
Kal'tsit: Amiya don't worry. With time and experience you will learn to deal with these people on your own. But once again you did a good job...
Amiya: Eheheh...
Fumizuki: Doctor Sebastian?
The lung and the members of Rhodes Island turned to another door that led to an unknown room in front of which the kirin was standing. Her posture patient and calm as usual.
Fumizuki: I would like to talk to you alone for a second, please.
Kal'tsit: Come on, you don't have to-
Sebastian: I'm coming.
The doctor kept his hands in his pockets and walked towards the princess, wondering what she wanted from him.
Fumizuki: I'll give it back to you in a second.
Ch'en: Madam, I can't leave you alone with this man.
Fumizuki: It's okay Ch'en.
The young woman opened the door she was in front of and left it open letting the giant pass by, this last one bending down to be able to enter.
Fumizuki: Please close the door.
The doctor nodded and turned around to close the double door and make sure no soul was listening to their conversation. The giant's emerald eyes scanned the room which he recognized as a large meeting room, a huge table surrounded by office chairs and the peculiar thing was that the entire left wall was a huge bay window that looked out over Lungmen. The bay window in front of which the kirin was standing looking at the city at night. Sebastian took a few steps and approached her.
Sebastian: What do you want from me?
Fumizuki: I heard you talking about Ch'en's secret. By now Wei must be planning your murder.
Sebastian: It's logical.
Fumizuki: What do you intend to do with this information?
Sebastian: ... Absolutely nothing.
Fumizuki: I don't believe you for a second.
She says, looking at him and frowning before looking back at the city.
Fumizuki: What do you think will happen if this information becomes public?
The doctor looked at the city through the window and seemed to think for a second or two. All those cars and people moving around down there, living their lives normally. Not suspecting all the shaking that was going on in this city.
Sebastian: First she'll be fired for sure. Wei for sharing this secret will be fired too. Maybe they'll both be executed or exiled at best. Her name will be dragged through the mud and she will be disgraced. All those who spoke to her and all that she tried to defend will be mocked and scorned.
The doctor answered coldly, and as honestly as he could.
Fumizuki: You are much too honest.
Sebastian: In this world I tend to believe that this is a virtue.
Fumizuki: That's why Wei wants to kill you. This city will suffer. That's his only reason. But it's not mine. That girl I raised as my own. And though our blood is not shared, I consider her as such. This is my reason for needing to know if I should prevent the shadow guards from being sent after you, or if I would be satisfied with seeing your head separated from your body.
Sebastian: You seem to misunderstand Miss Fumizuki. Whether I live or die this secret will not be revealed. I am still a human. And her condition makes it my job to help her. I wouldn't sacrifice her like a pawn on a chessboard for any reason. After all, there are few people I would want to see suffer this fate in this world...
Fumizuki: Can you promise me that? That no one will know because of you.
Sebastian: I promise.
Fumizuki: I want to see you promise on what matters most to you.
The giant was startled. And after a short reflection he spoke again.
Sebastian: I promise on Amiya.
Fumizuki: I'm surprised... But you can go. As long as you keep this secret you can count on my support.
The giant nodded and started walking towards the exit.
Fumizuki: And keep Ch'en safe, I beg you. I can see that you are competent in other fields than information or words, unlike my husband whose fighting instincts have been eroded by holding a pen instead of a gun, mine are still intact.
Sebastian only laughed slightly, realizing that she too had one of her secrets for the moment.
Sebastian: Oh, and before I forget, Miss Shirayuki, I advise you not to enter my office again. Unlike last time when I suspected your visit, I couldn't stop my bodyguard from cutting you up this time by telling him that your visit was planned.
He heard a slight gasp of shock, then left the room, closing the door behind him. Just as soon, another woman, small in stature came down from the ceiling where she was hidden so that she was almost invisible without making a sound when she fell to the floor.
Shirayuki: My apologies madam, I don't know how he managed to spot me.
Her voice was cold and calm as if absent of emotion, but her mistress used to the young anaty managed to perceive the worry in her voice as well as the will to be forgiven.
Fumizuki: It's nothing Shira.
Shirayuki: Should I go after her?
Fumizuki: No. That would be counterproductive...
The doctor coming back to the waiting room where Kal'tsit and Ch'en were chatting and seemed to be having a cordial discussion if not kind to both of them, and he could also see Amiya on her phone maybe playing something... And as if she felt the presence of the giant the girl raised her head and began to smile while watching him. Her footsteps echoing on the floor were enough to warn the other two young women of his presence.
Sebastian: It's okay, we can go.
Without asking any more questions, the group entered the elevator and Ch'en pressed a button again to start the descent. There were a few seconds of silence, and then it was the feline who broke the silence.
Kal'tsit(Sargonian): Do you understand me?
She asked in another dialect, causing the lung to raise an eyebrow as she turned to the doctor. The good doctor who also had his head turned towards her seemed to think for a second or two before answering.
Sebastian (Sargonian): I think...
This language had nothing to do with an Earth equivalent and it was the first time he had heard it. But luckily for him the good doctor was able to use one of his least explainable abilities... In less than three seconds of adaptation he could already speak this language as if it were the one he had always spoken.
Kal'tsit(Sargonian): What were you talking about with the princess?
The giant simply nodded as if pointing and pointed to the Lung who had his back to him.
Kal'tsit(Sargonian): And what?
Sebastian(Sargonian): I promised not to talk about it.
Kal'tsit(Sargonian): I suspect that you don't need to tell me... She smells the infected hiding a mile away...
The doctor was shocked at first to hear what the feline said, but he rationalized that it was part of the old lynx's job to spot them.
Kal'tsit(Sargonian): But that's not what I originally meant. Did you see how she reacted when we mentioned the leader of the meeting?
Sebastian(Sargonian): Yes. And even her face at all... Can we agree that they look too much alike?
Kal'tsit(Sargonian): We agree... I'm willing to bet that they are related by blood.
Sebastian(Sargonian): I bet they are sisters.
Kal'tsit(Sargonian): I would say more like cousins...
Sebastian(Sargonian): Only time will tell...
Kal'tsit(Sargonian): Are you ok Amiya ?
The two other Rhodes Island leaders turned to the cautus who seemed intrigued by their conversation.
Kal'tsit: Amiya... Are you taking your Sargonian classes...?
The feline asked, her tone of voice cold and frightening as she raised an eyebrow, making the poor donkey jump with fear.
Amiya: W-well...
Kal'tsit: Amiya.
Amiya: Not really...
Sebastian: It's okay Kal'tsit. Between work, her correspondence studies at the National University of Victoria and all the other courses she has, she deserves a little rest.
Kal'tsit: We've had this conversation before. She needs it for her future.
The two heard the young cautus laugh and looked at her.
Kal'tsit: There is nothing funny about that, young lady.
Amiya: I know it's just that you look like my parents when you act like that.
The giant was surprised at first and then laughed slightly, but the cat froze and became silent. She looked away as if she had not heard the conversation and remained silent once again. But inside both of them could not imagine how much Kal'tsit was using all her concentration to avoid blushing furiously with embarrassment... Fortunately for her, her embarrassment was stopped when she heard the sound of the elevator arriving on her floor. The four of them got out and returned to the lobby of the LGD.
Ch'en: Well, now that the meeting is over, I'm taking charge. Hoshiguma, Swire, this way.
The two other young women who were talking a little further joined the rest of the group.
Ch'en: Rhodes Island already has a designated adjective. Do you need anything before you leave for the operation area?
she asked, looking at the feline.
Kal'tsit: It's none of my business, I was just there for the negotiations. Dr. Sebastian is in charge from now on.
She said, pointing at the masked giant with her thumb.
Kal'tsit: Good luck.
That was all the feline said before leaving the giant and the lung to deal with the situation together. And just at the thought of cooperating together the two gritted their teeth. But sensing that nothing would happen if they stayed in this status quo, Hoshiguma took a few steps forward and raised his hand towards the giant.
Hoshiguma: Hi, so you're the one I should talk to about Rhodes Island?
Sebastian: On the battlefield anyway. Hoshiguma, right? Your reputation precedes you.
He raised his hand in turn and shook the Oni's hand.
Hoshiguma: Stop it, I'll blush.
She said with a slight laugh. It was at this moment that Sebastian was able to get a real look at the young woman in front of him. The first thing that struck him was that she was a beautiful woman, many in this world were afraid of onis because of the legends about them, but Sebastian having had the chance to be in daily contact with them on Rhodes Island knew that they were a race like any other, except for a good dose of strength compared to the others. But even if he found her beautiful, he couldn't get the thought out of his head that she should be scary if she was angry. The second thing he noticed was her size. She was tall, in fact the tallest woman Sebastian had seen since he woke up and by Terra's standards she was much taller than any other woman or even most men. But this was not to the doctor's displeasure... Indeed he had a certain taste for taller women... Just so he wouldn't feel like he was dating a child... The third thing he could notice was the huge hand-spinner shield she had in her right hand and which was almost the size of Amiya. Almost because if the young woman hid behind her donkey ears would stick out... But the oni seemed to be someone extremely pleasant to be around and on top of that she had managed to pique the giant's interest. Maybe he should invite her for a drink after all this is over-
Swire: Oh well, if you've heard of my colleague I don't think I need to introduce myself. But then again, I'd like to put on a show, Beatrix Schwire, nice to meet you.
She said as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The giant looked at her for a second. She was a policewoman and yet she dressed in clothes that would cost a lifetime of pay for an average policeman, she seemed haughty and pretentious perhaps as much as Skyfire. He thought she was small, pretentious and there was not much that was attractive to his eyes. So Sebastian shrugged.
Sebastian: Never heard of her.
As soon as he finished his sentence, the feline seemed to be hit by an uppercut in the liver. The giant thought he heard the lung have a laugh but when he looked at her he saw only a smirk on her face. After the oni gave a friendly pat on the back of the feline the situation returned to normal and the lung threw her gaze towards the cautus.
Ch'en: Miss Amiya?
Amiya: As Mrs. Kal'tsit said, it is the Doktah who is in charge of the operation. So for the moment I am just one of the operators.
The three members of the LGD looked at the young girl, incomprehension filling the faces of the three. Sebastian soon realized the reason for the misunderstanding and raised his hand in an apologetic manner.
Sebastian: Oh it's his pronunciation of the word "doctor" you'll get used to.
Ch'en: Well, then I must rely on you doctor...
Her voice seemed filled with doubt when she said the word doctor, as if unconvinced by the fact that this man could be a scientist, and her eyes were filled with antipathy...
Sebastian: I'm afraid so... We have a few recruits to pick up before the operation begins. Our first destination is a bar called the World's End.
The three LGD members reacted quickly when they heard this name.
Ch'en: Excuse me? You mean to tell me there will be Penguin Logistics members on this mission?
Sebastian: Exactly, what's the problem?
Ch'en: You don't seem to be aware of how real agents of Chaos they are.
Hoshiguma: The gang war with the Siracusan mafia...
Swire: The time they burned down a mall during one of their deliveries.
Ch'en: And there are plenty of examples like that...
As Amiya's face broke down at the thought that she had recruited notorious criminals thinking she was doing the right thing, the doctor rolled his eyes.
Sebastian: "They don't look so bad though..."
He thought to himself...
Exusiai: *sternly*
The sanktah rubbed her nose after mysteriously sneezing.
Exusiai: Where was I... ah yes! Appuru pai!
She may have sneezed, but she could smell her favorite dessert in the Victorian bakery across from the LGD building. The only thing holding her back from robbing the store was the arms of Andreanna and W holding back their fellow sanktah.
W: Cut the crap Exia!
Exusiai: I hear her calling me! She needs me to eat her!
Andreanna: She's a pie! She's not calling you! And you don't have any money!
Exusiai: Eh? When did I run out of money?
W: Since you blew up the Rhodes Island bullet supply and had to pay for the damage!
Exusiai: Oh yes, that's right... No problem, I'll just take it by force!
W: But will you stop at the end?!
Sebastian: "Exia is a rather calm girl... Maybe it's her colleagues who are chaotic." And more of our recruits should be waiting for us on the operation area once we give them the order.
Ch'en: Then you can already give them the order to wait for us at the entrance of the slum.
Sebastian: Amiya, will you take care of it?
The cautus nodded and took out her cell phone to start sending a message to their Blacksteel operators.
Sebastian: Well now we just have to make our way to Penguin Logistics...
11:07 pm
Amiya paced in a dead-end alleyway right next to an old bar. The doctor had entered the bar next to her as well as Ch'en and Exusiai. The three of them had gone to wait inside the bar for someone to arrive, because it seemed that no one was in the bar even though it was open. That's why she was left all alone outside, because she was not old enough to go in... Damn penguin she thought at the time. A tiny rain had settled, not intense enough for Amiya to put on her hood or to take shelter. But after all she needed to make a plan. The doctor seemed to be about to discover a secret that Amiya was trying to keep at all costs... Thoughts came one after another to keep her from being discovered but suddenly Amiya was gripped by a terrible feeling in her stomach as if she had a sword of Damocles hanging over her head. As the cold sweat formed on her body her instincts urged her to look in the direction of the alley that led to the main street. But when she could confirm that there was indeed someone with her in that alley every hair on her body stood on end in terror. In front of her was a lupo with white fur. She had very light gray eyes and a scar on her left eye. Her clothes were as black as death and her skin was as pale as a corpse's. The huge oripathy crystals were visible on her thigh and surprised the Rhodes Island leader because of the pain they should cause... But his face... It was terrifying.
His smile as well as his eyes inspired death and madness. All the instincts of the cautus began to cry out for danger as she paralyzed with fear in front of the lupo.
?: Tell me little donkey. It's dangerous to walk alone at night in this city, what are you doing here~?
asked the lupo. Her voice itself terrified the poor cautus who started to take a few steps backwards until she reached the wall of the cul de sac. And that's when the lupo advanced step by step towards the cautus.
?: I was hoping for an answer... Are you going to give it to me, little donkey?
This smile accentuated giving sight on the teeth of predator that the young woman had and accentuating a little more its appearance of madness. And once again, Amiya felt like the prey. She could very well charge her arts and explode the head of this lupo or even directly give her a good punch to be able to beat her but the fear paralyzed her for a reason that the poor cautus could not understand.
All the hairs on her body bristled and it was only then that Amiya finally noticed the two long and thin swords that the lupo was wearing on her belt, the metal clashing with a sinister clang.
Amiya: L-leave me alone!
The enigmatic l'upo seemed to laugh for a second before drawing one of his swords so quickly that no one could dodge, pointing the tip of his weapon right in front of Amiya's face.
?: And, what do you think would happen if I killed you right now?
She asked, tilting her head to the side and giving Amiya the certification that this woman was completely crazy. "Fight" "Focus your arts" "Run" that was what Amiya's reason was screaming at her but yet she felt paralyzed, as if every muscle in her body was weighed down by a hundred times.
Amiya: You're going to regret this...
Said the girl, her tone of voice filled with hatred trying to be intimidating... At least she could try to bluff.
But to add even more fear as the cautus learned that this was possible the lupo began to laugh in an increasingly crazy way.
?: So I want to kill you even more now!
The infected young woman in front of Amiya threw herself at her with her sword in hand. And in that decisive second that would decide her fate, the instincts of the cautus took over and she screamed a name.
Amiya: Doktah help!
?: Your imaginary friend will not come to save you!
Heavy footsteps rumbled through the air like microscopic tremors. The lupo stopped her sword clearly in its tracks as she turned in the direction of the tremors that seemed behind a wall.
?: But what...
Suddenly, behind the lupo the wall exploded a gigantic dark figure passing through as if through air. It was the doctor who had just come through the wall, his hands were out of his pockets, his fists clenched so tightly that he could have crushed a star between his fingers. Blood-red sparks ran down his body like his coat. The giant turned his head toward the lupo and two red orbs became visible behind the black-tinted glass.
The dust settled and the lupo instinctively panicked, throwing one of her swords straight at the giant, creating a rush of air. The giant disappeared from its initial position leaving only an afterimage in its place, the sword slammed into the wall fracturing the bricks as if an explosion had just occurred. Feeling a slight draft in her back, the lupo turned her head quickly and swung her second sword preemptively.
So quickly that she hardly managed to see it the second weapon of the young woman was torn off of her hand and thrown against the wall the metal distorting, the gray eyes which were just before still filled with madness left place to fear and thus turned quickly in front of the colossus in front of the lupo.
She didn't even have the time to bat an eyelash when the colossus grabbed her by the mouth silencing her if she was hoping to scream as if it wasn't enough, the electricity that ran through the giant's body crossed the lupo's body starting to electrocute her. He lifted her with one of his hands off the ground, the electricity causing every part of her body to convulse wildly and making her scream at the top of her lungs, her voice muffled by the doctor's hand and barely heard. Her eyes seemed almost to burst out of her sockets and tears of pain ran down her cheeks. The lupo gathered her last strength and tried to hit the giant who was killing her with all her might. And as the young woman's fist hit the doctor's arm which was the only thing she could reach, she was surprised to notice that her fist had hit the arm like a child's fist hit against a diamond wall... And noticing that the strength she had, the strength to cut someone in half as if that person was just butter, had absolutely no effect on this sudden enemy that had just appeared in front of her...
The lupo lost every instinct she had...
These instincts that had always guided her in her life, abandoned her little by little...
She was left with only her mind and her reason.
And both of them were telling her that she was going to die.
It was not a death in a glorious battle or against the love of her life as she had always wanted since her mind had abandoned her. Her pupils narrowed, and for the first time in years, the greatest of fears settled in her body. The doctor drew back his arm that held the young woman and threw her as if she were a rag doll with all his might.
Ch'en: But where did he go...
Said the lung as she left the bar through the front door.
Exusiai: I don't know! He was next to me just a minute ago and he disappeared!
Ch'en: And you didn't see him leave? Or maybe he went to the bathroom.
Exusiai: No, and I already checked!
Ch'en: Calm down... Maybe he-
Exusiai: Oh hey Texas, Boss!
The sanktah's carefree smile returned to her face at the sight of her two colleagues. A lupo with black and red hair looking most apathetic. She held a mikado in her mouth and wore clothes in the same style as Exusiai, but wearing shorts instead of the short skirt and had unlike her comrade the sanktah... His chest was ... Present ... say ...
Often mocked by his colleague but good.
next to the lupo stood...
A fucking
Of penguin.
The penguin was wearing sunglasses, a Tupac T-shirt and a beanie.
His two other colleagues from Penguin Logistics turned their gaze to the sanktah and immediately noticed the L.G.D. agent in front of their bar and their faces fell. Texas even put a hand on the pommel of his sword and began to whisper.
Texas: Boss, should I get rid of it?
Emperor: You couldn't beat her...
He whispered.
Emperor: Madam Ch'en...
Ch'en: Sir...
The two had a staring match because of their professional differences which was quickly cut off by the sanktah.
Exusiai: Yo boss I came with the leader and the donkey!
The penguin seemed to think for a moment.
Emperor: Damn you and your stupid nicknames... Huh you mean Amiya and Dr. Sebastian?
Exusiai: Sure, who else? Hey, where have you been?
Emperor: An emergency run.
Exusiai: And where are the others?
Emperor: Crescent and Sora stayed behind to take care of some business... And Lapp-
The penguin looked left and right to see that the third member of their group was missing...
Emperor: And where are your friends from Rhodes Island-
As the penguin spoke this last word, a cracking sound was heard through the air, indicating that an object had broken the sound barrier. Out of the corner of their eyes Texas and Exusiai could see a black and white object fly at full speed from an alleyway before crashing violently into a car, but it didn't stop there, because of the immense force of the impact the car was thrown into the abandoned building crashing into the wall again for several meters away, and embedding itself in the remaining concrete wall as the initial projectile fell heavily to the ground. In a heartbeat Texas drew one of her swords and began to activate her arts, the blade beginning to glow a bright orange. Exusiai summoned her sub-machine gun and put it to her shoulder ready to fire, Ch'en surprised by the explosion jumped back and put her hand on Chi Xiao who was shaking so much that she could almost get out of her scabbard herself.
While the four of them were expecting a monster to come out of the alley, it was a figure that Ch'en and Exusiai recognized that came forward with a heavy step. Sebastian walked straight towards his target but something was wrong with the aura he emanated. And then, if you squinted hard enough, you could see the blood-red flashes of light that were emitted by Sebastian as if the man had suddenly turned into a two-meter-high Tesla coil. Not only that, but it was as if the tar all around him was starting to slowly melt and even the young women could notice an increase in the surrounding temperature.
Exusiai: Doc what the hell?!
Just next to her Texas disappeared before reappearing right next to the doctor with his sword stuck to the side of his helmet. Presumably, the few seconds they had shared in the middle of a fight at Chernobog was not enough to recognize him.
The panicked sanktah began to think in a hurry why was Texas threatening the doctor? Her eyes responding to the sudden stress gave her a wider view of the battlefield, and that's when the projectile that had been launched from the alley was finally recognized by the sniper. That projectile... Was none other than Lappland... A "member" of P.L. more by permanent presence with Texas than by contract.
She was a notorious psychopath. The only thing that animated her was her thirst for blood and her endless passion and obsession for the icy lupo. But what frightened her more than the doctor's beating she had taken was the reasons for what had caused this...
There were three options available as an explanation when one could see the doctor in such a rage, recognized by the sanktah because of all of Sebastian's supernatural abilities that were surfacing as symptoms. Firstly, making fun of Rhodes Island was the first way to get smashed by Sebastian. Second, slaughtering civilians. The Chernobog mission had left a bitter but mysterious memory of what happened, no one having seen what the doctor at his lowest point of sanity the only conclusion that was made was that it must have resulted in more than one death. And finally, the third reason why the doctor could become aggressive, attacking Amiya.
This was the only time that Sebastian could be seen to be truly angry. Although it never lasted very long, the doctor made sure to take out whoever dared to raise a hand to his comrade.
Connecting the doctor's rage with the presence of Lappland and Amiya, the sanktah began to panic more and more.
Amiya: Madam Texas stop!
Before the situation could escalate any further the cautus stepped out of the alley, her face panicked at what had just happened so suddenly. Texas' wolf ears twitched slightly and she glanced at the cautus, stopping her blade before it pierced the giant's helmet.
Texas: Amiya? What the hell is going on?
Even surprised, her voice was cold. No, cold was not the word, more devoid of any emotion.
Sebastian: Get out of my way.
He said before taking another step straight towards Lappland with the only purpose of finishing him off. His intentions being clearer than ever. The black-haired lupo widened her eyes and put her blade back on the giant's head, but this time on the helmet's glass. From close up she could see that the temperature was unbearable to the point where Texas could think that his clothes were on point because of the heat, and the air... It had become unbreathable, or rather it was as if it had become rarified, sucked by something.
Texas: Thou shalt not approach him...
And yet through this mask of apathy he could feel hatred in the lupo's words this time.
Exusiai: Sebastian don't kill her!
Suddenly the temperature began to drop slowly to an acceptable level and the sparks on Sebastian's body began to calm down as well. The simple fact of calling him by his name was enough to dissipate all the immediate thoughts of murder and violence that were clouding Sebastian's mind. But he still retained enough anger to want to kill the lupo, but at least his sanity had returned.
Sebastian: She tried to attack Amiya, so tell me why I shouldn't get rid of her.
Exusiai: She is a member of P.L!
Texas: Doctor...?
The young woman who was threatening him raised an eyebrow as she began to understand who was in front of him.
Sebastian: Texas.
The lupo in the street in front of him stood up on one knee and in an animal rage she charged at the doctor concentrating all her strength in her legs to make an inhuman leap and letting out a bloodcurdling scream.
Texas prepared his weapon and moved to immobilize the other lupo and Amiya began to set up a barrier in front of the doctor via her arts.
Then, when there was only a meter separating the lupo and the giant. An explosion sounded and Lappland's skull crashed into the ground fracturing the concrete, while the doctor's coat moved slightly due to the wind but he still had his hands in his pockets.
Exusiai: Damn it doc...
Murmured the young woman understanding what he had just done.
Texas: What the...
Sebastian: Here it is. She is still alive.
Texas: Doctor Sebastian...?
Sebastian: Texas. It's been a long time since Chernobog.
Texas: Is it really you?
Sebastian: I think so... You seem surprised.
Texas: You were twice as thin... And the helmet really doesn't help.
A few feet away from the scene was the lung and the penguin. The lizard was immobilized as was the penguin all because of the surprise, but soon the emperor shook his head left and right resolving himself to the obvious.
Emperor: And she wasn't even exaggerating on this guy...
Ch'en she remained completely immobile a memory replaying before her eyes.
Ch'en: So?
Wei: This Kal'tsit is a feline, white hair, 5'7" and an experienced fighter and more than dangerous... An old rumor says that she even fought against an emperor's blade and survived.
Ch'en: And what makes her so dangerous?
Wei: A real monster that she could summon from her back.
Ch'en: And this Amiya?
Wei: According to the few explanations we have, she is a caster with a great potential.
Ch'en: And the last one?
Wei: Doctor Sebastian, tactician. Race and appearance completely unknown.
Ch'en: Combat ability?
Wei: None. Said unable to fight.
Ch'en: Well...
This memory played like a tape in his ears, over and over again.
Ch'en: 'No fighting ability...'
No one had seen what had just happened.
No one but her.
She had been able to see or rather her eyes had managed to perceive a tiny moment that was engraved in her memory like a photo. Like a single image taken by a camera at very high speed. A single image where she could see Sebastian raise his arm. And that was all.
So fast... That only Ch'en's eye could see it.
This doctor had far, far too many secrets...
Sebastian: What do we do with her now?
he said, looking toward Lappland.
Texas sighed and put a knee on the ground before grabbing Lappland's head by the hair and lifting her slightly off the concrete showing her livid and unconscious eyes before approaching one of her ears and starting to whisper.
Texas: The white wolf goes hunting.
As if by machine, Lappland came to, coughing heavily and blinking several times in a row. Disoriented she looked around before her eyes landed on the doctor again. Caught up in her battle rage she tried to jump on him again like a wild animal. But this time, Texas firmly grabbed the white-haired lupo preventing her from attacking the doctor again.
Texas: Lappland! Lappland calm down!
Slowly the white-haired lupo snapped out of his murderous frenzy and cast his gray eyes on the other lupo.
Lappland: I'll kill them!
Hearing this, Texas' grip on her hair became stronger and she raised her head a little more so that the other Lupo could look her in the eyes.
Texas: We have a contract with them. You don't kill them. Is that clear?
A smile appeared on the psychopath's lips.
Lappland: Your wish is my command...
The vanguard suddenly let go of Lappland's head and stood up on her two legs before taking out a candy from a box she had in her pocket and putting it in her mouth as if it were a cigarette. Maybe a bad habit she was trying to replace... The light rain that was there before the incident intensified little by little until it rained enough to take out her umbrella.
Texas: are you ok Amiya?
Asked the lupo when she saw the cautus who looked... strange... As if she was thinking about something else.
Amiya: Yes thank you ma'am Texas...
Emperor: So you're the doc Seb that Exia has been telling us about?
The doctor turned his head towards the little bird and looking at him understood who he was. One of the most important people in the underground world of Lungmen.
Sebastian: Sir. Nice to meet you.
Emperor: No need for the gentleman. Emperor or Big E will do.
Sebastian: 'I would only ever call one person Big E, and it's not you.'
Emperor: Are you here about the L.G.D. contract?
Ch'en: That's right emperor.
Said the Lung as she approached the group.
Emperor: No, for you it will remain sir.
Sebastian: Madame Texas, I think you already know that you will be with us and Exusiai on this mission.
The lupo just nodded as Lappland, who had just retrieved his two swords, listened with interest.
Lappland: Where are we going?
Sebastian: Where are we going? You stay here you crazy bitch.
Emperor: Listen doc, I think we're going to have a problem... This woman... She follows Texas everywhere... No matter what we do, she won't let her out of our sight... So if Texas leaves she leaves too...
Sebastian: Will she listen to my orders ?
Texas: There is a chance if I ask her...
Sebastian: There's no way I'm taking her along.
Texas: Either I come and she comes too. Or I don't come. Sorry doc, but that's the way it is.
Sebastian: She wasn't with you in Chernobog.
Texas: She was in the next neighborhood...
The doctor sighed and tried to rub his temples with both fingers but hit his fingers against his helmet showing that he was not used to having it.
Sebastian: Miss Ch'en you can't just lock her up so we can have some peace while she's in a cell, she almost killed a member of Rhodes Island.
Ch'en: I saw this woman break the walls of the lungmen prison and twist the bars with her hand... If she was an infected like all the others she would be in prison for years...
The whole group looked at the lupo who was carving a heart on the concrete wall with her sword, marking T+L in the heart like a child, making Texas sigh heavily with fatigue.
Sebastian: I don't think that was in the contract...
Emperor: Of course because of the inconvenience she may cause you will not pay for her participation in the operation...
The doctor seemed to think for a second but his choice was already made. An extra pair of arms, and rather powerful, and above all, completely and totally free. This pleased Sebastian enough to make his choice.
Sebastian: Miss Ch'en?
Ch'en: Your responsibility. Not mine.
Sebastian: That's okay. She can come. But at the first sign that she is a danger to us she will be shot.
Exusiai: Well, ladies and gentlemen, you don't want to leave before we get even further behind and it starts to pour?
Texas: I agree. We've wasted enough time.
Ch'en: We are heading for the slums. I think you also know the way.
Exusiai: If someone had told me that I would collaborate with the L.G.D...
The lung sent an angry look to the poor sanktah who froze on the spot because of a terrible fear. Sebastian saw this and had a slight smile under his helmet realizing that Ch'en shared a certain ability to inspire fear like a certain old lynx...
Texas: Lapp! Let's go!
The group started to leave, thinking only of their mission and the moment Sebastian was about to follow them while the others were a few meters ahead but he stopped dead in his tracks when he felt something tugging at his coat.
Sebastian: Amiya?
Amiya: Sorry... Doktah...
because of his lowered head and their differences in size the giant couldn't see the face of the poor cautus. And among all those drops of water that the sky was spitting, the emerald eyes of the giant fixed on one that fell from the face of the girl.
Amiya: I-I'm sorry... You are always obliged to help me...
Hearing Amiya's broken voice, the giant didn't hesitate for a moment and pulled on the girl's arm to take her in his arms and comfort her. He felt the small fists of the cautus close and clutch his shirt, the garment beginning to become slightly damp where the girl's head rested.
Amiya: You... Kal'tsit... You always help me... D-doktah... Am I-I am useless...?
The young woman's crying voice reached the good doctor's ears and he felt a twinge of pain and tightened his grip on the cautus.
Sebastian: No... Of course not Amiya... You are indispensable to me, to Kal'tsit, to everyone...
Amiya: Then why... Why do I always need someone else to help me out...
She says, letting more and more tears fall from her tired eyes.
Sebastian: Everyone needs someone. And I need you...
After a single second of silence where the cautus let the doctor's words enter and soothe her mind, she felt him break the embrace. She raised her head and looked at him, her usually beautiful blue eyes turning red from tears and irritation, Sebastian raised his hand and wiped the tears from the girl's face with his thumb.
Amiya: Is it true...?
Sebastian: Of course. Come on, stop torturing yourself with that and let's go before the others worry about us not being there.
He turned his body but continued to look at the cautus making sure she would follow in his footsteps and after only two seconds he heard the girl start to talk behind his back as they walked towards the rest of the group.
Amiya: Doktah... If I ever really need help... Will you be there for me?
The doctor looked at her for a split second.
Sebastian: Always Amiya.
Amiya: Thank you...
The two walked on as if nothing had happened, Sebastian more determined than ever to finish his mission here in Lungmen as they joined the rest of the group once and for all.
As the most motley group of people walked through the rain towards the slums, the sanktah heard footsteps heavier than any of the others approaching her. Recognizing these footsteps Exusiai turned her head towards the doctor who was approaching her.
Exusiai: Doc?
Sebastian: When you told me that Lungmen was a nice place I didn't imagine that...
Exusiai: In a good or bad way?
Sebastian: The good. I would have liked to visit the city in a different way though.
Exusiai: Hey we can always go together after our work here is done.
Sebastian: That's right. I'm already looking forward to it.
The sanktah blushed slightly and looked at the doctor with a smile.
Exusia: Me too doc-
...
Suddenly everything stopped.
The noise.
The people in the streets and the cars.
Or even the raindrops that stood still in the air.
Everything became frozen in time. The smile of the sanktah, the steps of the giant, everything had stopped.
But in this street, which seemed empty until then, a noise resounded in this silent atmosphere. Footsteps, and the singing of a young woman.
Coming out of the shadows she seemed to be the only one who didn't suffer from this stop in time all around her.
Her demon tail swayed peacefully in her back, threatening to brush against the glass in her back that was her broken wings...
She made her way towards the group and stood in front of a Lappland and a still Texas before approaching the rest.
?: They look good... Here they seem to get along as usual...
Then she approached her initial target. The jovial sanktah of the group. She stopped for a second and just looked at that beautiful face laughing. A smile gradually made its way to the lips of the one who seemed out of time, a long forgotten warmth resurfacing in her body. Then she approached and placed a lock of red hair behind Exusiai's ear.
?: Still looking for me huh... At least part of me hopes that you haven't forgotten that old Mostima...
A/N: I have a hard time assuming that I keep it level 1.
Mostima: I hope you are doing well on your side... I was thinking of coming back to see you, without all this.
She says, looking around, referring to the use of her unique arts.
Mostima: But God only knows how you'll react when you see me again. You look so happy now... As if nothing had happened...
She finished stroking the cheek of the penguin logistics sanktah and turned her head towards the giant.
Mostima: Ah, here. This is a new one... He looks close to her
And yet she gave him an air of familiarity too strange for her to ignore. She looked at him with insistence and after a few seconds she raised her arm and gave a flick on the glass of the helmet a resounding sound of bell.
Mostima: But how can he see with such a thing...
Again a second passed and a Machiavellian smile appeared on the lips of the fallen sanktah, the same smile that Sebastian had after spreading catnip all over Kal'tsit's office with the help of W.
The combined bullshit of the giant and the demoness was enough to create the best prank the two of them had ever pulled.
It was that kind of stupid smile of someone who knew he was going to do something stupid.
Mostima: Come on, show me that face that can get close to such a beautiful woman.
This time she raised both hands to the helmet and tried to find fasteners with both hands running over the cold, dark metal until she came upon two buttons on the right side near the back of her neck. She pressed the bottom one and felt the entire front of the helmet start to pull away from the back which was like a collar behind her head. She took the relatively heavy helmet and looked at the object in her hands before looking at the man's face.
She looked at him and as soon as she did her body froze from the overload of information her brain received.
She immediately understood why this man looked so familiar to her when she saw this face that she instantly recognized. The beard, the eyes, no doubt it was him. Those emerald eyes that looked directly into hers... She took a few steps staggering backwards because of the fear and surprise of seeing this man looking her straight in the eyes while time was stopped. Did he know she would be here? How did he know that-
He blinked.
She had been using this spell for years, and she knew perfectly well that nothing could escape it... And yet. Stopping time didn't seem to work on the man in front of her. In an instinctive panic she dropped the helmet she was holding and placed both hands on her scepters, beginning to catalyze the full power of her arts, the very fabric of reality began to distort and change.
She was carried several dozen meters away crashing heavily on the roof of a building as the weather resumed its course with rain falling on her and soaking her clothes. She started coughing heavily with blood because of the maximum use of her arts to which she had just resorted.
Mostima: But what is he doing here...
As she slowly fell unconscious a memory flashed before her eyes.
A mission that had gone terribly wrong.
A simple assassination in Kazdel. She knew her team very well. Competent men and women, their dear captain leading them with charisma and intelligence. They had the best weapons, the best equipment, the best vehicles. Information gathered by the best spies and yet a simple unforeseen event in their plan had caused everything to fail. Only a tenth of their troops remained, the rest having been violently massacred by a single man. The explosions and shrapnel from their grenades ricocheted off his armor and skin, their bullets failed to reach him, his sword deflected the bullets back to the shooters, their own weapons turned on them and they were hit by a torrent of bullets without being able to do anything about it. And even the martial arts of combat that some took years to perfect were useless... When one of their fellow vulture kicked the enemy and he was reduced to a pink mist in the same second, any attack seemed useless.
That's why she tried to convince her captain to retreat, after all she should have listened to her best friend, and her sister's best friend... The argument had escalated... And she ended up pointing her gun at her, then shooting...
Her captain's body lay next to her, her blood mixing with her long red hair. The blood mixing with Mostima's who was also lying on the ground on her back next to her captain. The cold rain falling on her face as the blood warmed her. The blood caused by the knife firmly planted in her stomach by one of her comrades... After the accidental death of their captain and the execution of the traitor, they had all made a final run at their enemy, and their screams of agony still echoed in the ears of the fallen sanktah. And then the blood that came from her head... because of the black horns that had come out of her head piercing through the skin in immense pain. So did the sarkaz tail that had pushed into her pants but no pain was greater than the feeling her halo gave her when it had lost its brightness and started to fall apart.
No pain was more horrible than losing her connection.
She heard heavy footsteps in the mud coming toward her and passing a snow-covered bush a man stopped in front of her. The man's helmet had been blown off by a rocket and despite the slight thread of blood running down his face, she could see that he was still prepared to take on an army three times his size. The man's emerald gaze swept the area and he could instantly understand what had just happened. He approached the fallen sanktah who was still breathing, the noi crystal formation floating proudly above Sebastian's head.
He dropped to one knee, next to Mostima who was beginning to cry as she felt her time was coming.
Mostima: Kill me...
She said, her voice weaker than ever.
Sebastian: Why do you want to die so badly? Did you come all the way here for that purpose only? Then why didn't you do it yourself...
Mostima: I am a fallen woman now... I can never live like I used to... It's your fault so kill me...
Sebastian: Nobody is waiting for you in Laterano ? That you come back home safe and sound ?
Mostima: Yes, but it's his sister that I just killed... And even so, now that I'm a fallen woman she won't even dare to look at me...
Sebastian: If she likes you enough to long for your return, she won't judge these stupid things on your head. And as for her sister, you'll have to be the one to decide if you tell her or not.
Mostima: Why...? Why are you helping me?
Sebastian: You know why I'm here? As I wander through Kazdel I have seen too many souls broken by this world. So whether it's a demon's tail or the wings on your back, I don't appreciate someone begging me to let them die in front of me.
Mostima: You attacked us-
Sebastian: No. You attacked me, and you tried to kill someone very important to me. I am only making sure that no harm comes to him. If you are not looking for hostility I have no reason to attack you.
He took out a glass bottle of bright green liquid and held it up to the sanktah's eyes.
Sebastian: It's up to you now. Put your weapon down on his land and I'll help you live if that's what you want.
Then he grabbed a knife from his armor and held it up to Mostima.
Sebastian: Where I can finish you off. What is your choice.
The young woman looked up to the sky, tears stopping flowing to this god who seemed to have abandoned her. Then her voice echoed clearly through the air.
Mostima: I want to live.
The giant held out his arm and the vial of chlorophyll and burst it in his hand, spilling the green liquid over the young woman who felt her energy return and her wounds close. The knife suddenly disappeared from her wound, seized by the giant at such a speed that she did not even feel it. The wounds on her head healed as well, but the horns did not disappear, confirming the young woman's new nature.
Then the giant moved one of his arms forward and lifted the young woman in his arms above the ground.
Sebastian: Then let's go, we have a lot to do to get you home.
The doctor put his helmet back on, pressing two buttons.
Exusiai: -teur. I've already thought of some places we could go, I know a nice Victorian restaurant not too far from here.
Sebastian: Mh. Great Victorian food.
The sanktah blinked several times as she noticed the doctor had suddenly moved.
Sebastian: Are you ok Exia?
Exusiai: Yes, it's just that I have a strange feeling...
Sebastian: Butterflies in the stomach~?
Exusiai: Stop! Come on, hurry up and move... We are almost there...
Sebastian: Sorry, sorry... A fallen sanktah giving sinister feelings... And on top of that powerful enough that I can only move my eyes... You have many secrets Exia...'
To Be Continued...
