"So if I can't win back my memories, I promise to do double everything I've done before to repay you."
"Promises are the most important thing humans possess."
A feline with a cold look on her face stepped out of a helicopter in the middle of a battlefield. She looked around to see that absolutely all the vegetation was burned. As was the ground, and to be honest, it looked like a cathastrophe had befallen the area. Kal'tsit put her hand in front of her eyes to protect herself from the wind generated by the aircraft's propeller, but her gaze soon fell on the troops of Rhodes Island and the L.G.D. Behind her, Ace also got off the aircraft, acting as her escort, along with two other elite Rhodes operators.
One had to admit, the feline was pulling quite a face. Which was understandable when one knew that she had been called by Amiya in tears in the middle of the night, screaming about the doctor's death. The elite operator and the doctor began to walk to the gathering and some people stepped aside to let them pass. Until a pile of bones came into her field of vision. All gathered around the pile of bones, some were praying, some were crying, and the others did not know what to think but were filled with sadness. A few inches from the bones Amiya was curled up in a ball, crying incessantly, and Misha next to her was doing the same. Kal'tsit knew immediately that the bones were the doctor's and her eyes widened.
So did Ace's, who slowly removed his sunglasses.
Ace: Holy shit...
There was no doubt about it. No human being on earth could survive this.
Kal'tsit knelt down in front of the bones and began to caress Amiya's head, heartbroken to see her so sad. But her sadness although not reflected on her face was just as great as the cautus'. An instinctive sadness. For the two people she loved the most in this world, the first one was probably dead and the second one had seen the pillar of her mind die before her eyes. The feline looked at the bones and her voice rose.
Kal'tsit: Is everything here?
She looked around but no one answered her directly. Andreanna was also crying, but not as much as Exusiai, who seemed to be on the verge of despair. In the middle of the two women was W who surprisingly seemed sad too but not to tears. Although she didn't even know why. The sarkaz nodded slowly bringing an answer to the lynx.
Kal'tsit: Ace knife.
...
Kal'tsit: Ace!
Ace: S-sorry...
The imposing elite operator unhooked a knife from his combat vest and held it out to the feline who grabbed it and the doctor's skull. The skull being uncoupled from the spine she turned it to look at the back of it under the curious and almost worried eyes of the members of Rhodes Island. Taking the dagger in her hand she pierced a small hole in the back of the skull and seemed to empty the ashes from it before looking inside looking for something with the blade to finally hit something. Pulling the knife out of Sebastian's skull she found a few drops of blood at the end of the blade.
Her scientific mind began to compile information to find a solution to this thorny problem. But it is at this moment that she began to thank projekt Red inside. Because if the lupo was used to sleep in the doctor's bed, she had also followed the orders of the feline and replaced Sebastian's oripathy monitor for a more powerful model during his sleep to better observe his vital signs. And to understand a little better his supernatural capacities...
The information given by the bracelet allowed the feline to decide her next actions.
Kal'tsit: Ace, the bag.
The pythia took out a body bag from his backpack and handed it to the feline who hurriedly placed the bones in the bag, under the stunned eyes of the witnesses of the scene, because of her disrespect for the dead.
Amiya: Doktah Kal'tsit?
The girl asked, worried about the giant's bones being touched.
Kal'tsit: I have an idea. But we have to go to the nearest hospital.
She said before standing up with the bag in her hand and holding out her other hand to the cautus, the Rhodes Island leader grabbed the feline's hand and stood up, deciding to trust her as the two headed back to the helicopter.
Hoshiguma was enraged. In fact, her mind was on edge. Not only because of the battle, not only because she had just lost the love of her life for the second time before her eyes and forever. But also because of the disrespect that the feline had shown to throw the bones of this man like garbage in a common garbage bag. She took a step forward and firmly grabbed her shield.
Hoshiguma: Hey what are you doing with his body?
Kal'tsit: What do you care, he is not L.G.D. he is ours.
The oni misunderstood the feline's words. She wondered, is it hers? No, it is mine. To me alone. Jealousy and fatigue overcame her and her demonic fangs tightened as she raised her large shield to strike a blow at the feline.
But Kal'tsit was far from being just a doctor. As it seemed to be a habit on Rhodes Island.
Feeling the wind in her back the impulse through her nervous system traveled to her spine from which a black and green dust was released. Mont3r was summoned in less than a second and blocked the oni's attack with ease before roaring in her face. The appearance of the monstrous beast made all the members of the L.G.D. and Rhodes Island take a few steps back, for among them only Ace and W had ever seen Mont3r deployed.
The oni's eyes widened and she froze on the spot realizing that the beast could now devour her skull. The feline looked at the oni and her intelligence allowed her to understand the situation immediately. After all, she had no doubt that Hoshiguma was usually a calm and balanced woman to be so high up on the L.G.D. ladder, but the feline also knew the reputation that onis had for being extremely possessive of those they fell in love with as well as being particularly violent towards those who got too close to their partners. So Kal'tsit sighed and cursed the doctor's charm for bringing this kind of trouble.
Kal'tsit: What if I said there's a way to bring him back?
Hoshiguma: Impossible. You saw him... He's just a pile of bone…
W: He did the same thing to Chernobog for the Peterheim mission... He was completely burned to a crisp but still alive... But now his condition is much worse...
Surprisingly, it was the sarkaz who tried to calm things down.
Kal'tsit: This is the doctor we're talking about. I wouldn't be surprised if he got over this.
She said as she shook the bones in the bag before turning to get into the helicopter accompanied by the cautus. Amiya looked at Misha and beckoned her to come, which the ursine did without hesitation. The helicopter took off after a few moments, the girl surprised by the altitude gain.
Kal'tsit: 'If you die now I swear I'm gonna kill you...'
A bit of sunlight hit his right cheek, bringing him some warmth and waking him up. The soft texture of the fabric on his skin was more pleasant than anything at that moment, especially because of the fatigue he was feeling. But not in his hand no, in his right hand he felt that something soft was there, both familiar but also bringing warmth just to feel this thing on his skin. But he also felt a certain weight on his legs. But soon he could hear a heartbeat that was familiar, and perceive a smell that was even more familiar.
His two emerald eyes opened so that he could get a view of what was around him. Soon Sebastian could see that he was in a hospital room lit by the morning sun. He looked at his body to see that nothing was missing, and that no marks were visible except for a scar on his right shoulder where his arm had been sliced clean off. Moreover, in the hand of this arm was another hand, the hand of a feline who was calmly dozing with her head resting on the giant's legs. Her calm breathing was accompanied by the periodic movements of her lynx ears.
Sebastian was surprised that Kal'tsit slept so peacefully so close to him. And instinctively enjoying the closeness he clasped the feline's hand in his before looking up at the ceiling fan above him, hearing the woman slowly awaken. With a slight grunt Kal'tsit stood up from the chair she had been sitting on and looked around, her eyes finally landing on the emerald-eyed giant, but her hand did not leave the doctor's.
Kal'tsit: ...
Sebastian: ...
Kal'tsit: ... Anything to say?
Sebastian: Hello Doctor...?
The feline sighed as she looked at the doctor.
Kal'tsit: I was thinking more about the fact that you are looking at me with both eyes, and that you have both arms, while I was holding your bones in a bag not so long ago.
Sebastian: If I'm here, you must not have many questions left about my abilities.
The giant straightened up in his hospital bed, cracking his neck.
Kal'tsit: That's right. I think I know what you are capable of.
Sebastian: So what? Please Kal'tsit... show me the results of your amazing intelligence...
Kal'tsit: It's simple. Many operators have reported that your wounds are regenerating. And those when they stopped looking at you. So when I reopened the body bag when I got here to see that your brain had regenerated as well as your tendons and ligaments, I quickly realized that all I had to do was lay you down, close my eyes and wait.
Sebastian: I see...
Kal'tsit: Since when can you do that?
Sebastian: As long as I can remember. I can't control it, it just works when you stop looking at the wounds.
Kal'tsit: Your survivability is far beyond anything on earth...
Sebastian: Really?
Kal'tsit: You know it is. And what happened on the battlefield. You went up in flames...
Sebastian: The combustion of my cells... It was the only way I could get the energy to use my arts to heal everyone on the battlefield.
Kal'tsit: And your cells were almost all gone... A few more seconds of doing this and you would have had no cells to regenerate with.
The giant, who just looked resolute, not regretting his actions, did not look the feline in the eye. The feline who seemed to give a strange expression of worry...
Kal'tsit: I'm sorry...
She stopped looking the giant in the eyes and lowered her head, grasping even tightlier the doctor's hand.
Kal'tsit: It's my fault... I wanted Rhodes Island to stay with all its hidden assets... And this is where it got us. We almost lost you, we almost lost Amiya, all because I put strategic interests before...
Sebastian: Hey...
The giant put his other hand on the feline's, forcing her to look into his eyes again.
Sebastian: I had my part in this whole mess too. I should have asked for reinforcements, and I've been stupid and weak many times during the decisive confrontations. And I kept getting in my face like a child with the L.G.D. So don't take it out on the same Kal.
She let the words sink into her mind, but she felt a little too much heat in her hand. And that's when she fully realized that she and the doctor had been holding hands for a few moments now. Surprised and embarrassed she withdrew her hand abruptly, her lynx ears twitching energetically. And Sebastian too, realizing the excess of closeness put his hands back at his sides and looked towards the window to his right with red cheeks. He could see that it was the morning after the battle, and that it was about ten in the morning.
Sebastian: How are the others?
Kal'tsit: Amiya and the famous Misha are in the hallway. They were reassured when I told them that you'll be fine. But Amiya still looks sad for some reason. These two women from the L.G.D. the oni and the lung also arrived during the night. The oni was as worried as our donkey and the lung was trying to reassure her.
Sebastian: And the rest?
Kal'tsit: ...
Sebastian: What?
Kal'tsit: I may have forgotten to tell the troops who stayed behind that you were: better...
Sebastian: That means that all of Rhodes Island right now must think I'm dead... And wait Kal, did you just call Amiya donkey?
Kal'tsit: No.
She answered immediately. Lying openly, making the good doctor laugh. When Kal'tsit heard the laughter that rang like a melody through her ears, she was seized with good humor. But it also brought her back to her thoughts. The good doctor had changed. That was what she couldn't help but think. His anger and bitterness had been replaced by joy and determination. His habit of seeing the soldiers under his command as expendable pawns was gone too, replaced by the opposite, the giant often thinking the lives of others as far more important than his own, sacrificing himself at every turn to protect others. Just like seeing Amiya as the key to his grand plan...
Now the doctor no longer had that famous plan for the future. He lived from day to day. And Amiya was for him a young girl like the others, whom he had to help with all this weight on her shoulders.
From the demon of Babel only a simple man remained.
And the feeling so familiar she felt now, with this brand new doctor. It was a nostalgic feeling that she had almost forgotten because of her own sourness that had taken hold of her.
And so Kal'tsit thought to herself. This doctor... Maybe she could give him a chance after all.
The usual cold, sulky face of the lynx began to change and Sebastian did not immediately understand what she was doing. For the habit of seeing that particular expression on her face was something he had not...
Kal'tsit smiled. She smiled at the Doctor, with joy and affection. Something so simple, yet so beautiful. Sebastian's cheeks flushed again, for the beauty of the feline was truly irresistible when she smiled, and he felt his heart beat faster for a moment.
Sebastian: W-well, I think I've spent enough time in this bed.
Said the doctor before removing the sheet from the bed and he thanked his god because he was in his underwear and not naked which he hadn't thought of when he suddenly revealed himself... Immediately he was confused because all his clothes must have burned along with his flesh and yet he had it on. But he decided to ignore that and looked at the clothes delicately placed on one of the chairs in the hospital room. He began to dress, taking his time as he looked out over the city... But with a gut feeling he looked over to see Kal'tsit staring back at him.
Sebastian: Any problem?
Kal'tsit: N-no...
She said as she stared at the doctor before standing up and starting to gather some of her things in the hospital room.
Kal'tsit: 'Easy Kal'tsit... Easy... This is like one of your medical exams that you do to him... Nothing more...' I-I was just thinking that you need to do your mission report.
Sebastian: I was clinically dead less than twelve hours ago, can you give me rest for the morning at least before you send me back to work?
He asked with a slight chuckle and turning his gaze to the feline as he put his tie back on.
Kal'tsit: *sigh* Okay. You have until one in the afternoon.
Sebastian: Thank you ma'am.
Kal'tsit: You didn't say anything, about your regeneration. Why ?
Sebastian: And be thrown in a lab for the rest of my life to be experimented on? No, thanks. Even I don't understand how it works. And yet I studied my cells. Over and over again. So honestly I don't think anyone can figure out the secrets. And who would believe me if I said, stop looking at me and I'll heal myself...
Kal'tsit: What are your limits?
Sebastian: Sorry?
Kal'tsit: I want to know the limits of your power. This is necessary to know what orders to give you and what to do if you are injured.
Sebastian: The more wounds I have, the faster they heal proportionally. And no one has to be watching. And if all my brain cells are destroyed, it's over.
Kal'tsit: So you really almost died for good, huh?
Sebastian: Yes.
Kal'tsit: In the future don't set yourself on fire. We can't risk losing you...
Sebastian: I just didn't want any of our people to die... But I know the dangers of this technique...
As he put his surprisingly clean beret back on, his hand tightened.
Sebastian: I wasn't strong enough... And I found myself with my back to the wall...
The feline noticed his sourness about the giant's actions. And she became slightly afraid. If the good doctor had lost confidence in his own strength, it was because his defeats had been crushing and so had the strength of his enemies.
Then the grip of his hand was loosened and his clenched teeth were hidden to give way to a smile.
Sebastian: Enough about my defeats. I still have a few hours to celebrate my victory.
The giant walked to the door of his hospital room with the feline right behind him. He opened the door and leaned forward into the hallway.
Amiya: Doktah!
Immediately he turned his head to his left to see the cautus in the hallway, on the benches along the walls were Misha, Hoshiguma, Ch'en and the young leader of Rhodes Island. All four looked exhausted. Amiya abruptly got up from the bench looking at the doctor and ran straight to her doctor with tears in her eyes, pushing a poor nurse in the process.
The doctor put forward his two arms already sensing the intention of the young woman, and he was right, the cautus jumped and threw herself towards the doctor wrapping her arms around the neck of the giant to embrace him and bury her head in his shoulder, crying her eyes out. She hugged her doctor as tightly as she could, crying again and again. The older man hugged the cautus too trying to comfort her and stroked the back of her head with one of his hands.
Amiya: Dokutah! Goddamn it, I thought you were dead! *sniff*
Sebastian: I'm sorry I worried you.
Amiya: I was so scared...
Sebastian: Hey... I couldn't let myself die... I made you a promise that I was going to keep...
The cautus started to smile with joy. An immense joy. The giant noticed after a few seconds that Hoshiguma had also stood up and approached her. And she also hugged the giant but on his side putting her head on the shoulder of the giant who was not occupied by Amiya. Surprised, the doctor let her do it. Feeling that she too was holding back from crying. Misha too was reassured, but did not show as much emotion as the cautus and instead expressed some discomfort on her face while watching the reactions of the other two women. Ch'en was also reassured to see that the doctor had survived... But after all she would have regretted never being able to beat the shit out of Sebastian at least once before he died... She too, however, was embarrassed by the action of her colleague...
And somewhat jealous...
Hoshiguma: The rabbit is not the only one who was worried, you know... I really thought I lost you too...
She squeezed a little harder and the giant's breathing was cut off by the monstrous strength of the oni.
Sebastian: H-hey slowly Hoshi let me breathe...
Sensing instinctive danger Hoshiguma turned her gaze to the feline to see her gritting her teeth, and the oni even managed to perceive that Kal'tsit was reluctant to take Mont3r out because of the feeling she gave off. The L.G.D. leader's yellow eyes became piercing and stared into the feline's, sparks flying between their gazes as they snarled slightly like animals showing their fangs...
The oni gripped her man even tighter and...
*CRAC*
Sebastian: Ouch... A brand new body...
The oni realizing that she had broken something in Sebastian, stepped back and loosened her grip to avoid hurting him more.
Hoshiguma: S-sorry...
Sebastian: It's okay...
Misha: Wow... You really healed... But you were just a skeleton...
The giant smiled and pointed at the feline on his back with his thumb.
Sebastian: She's the one who healed me. Doctor Kal'tsit is so talented that she was able to heal all my injuries.
The feline gasped, knowing full well that she had literally done nothing at all. But then again she also quickly realized that the doctor was just trying to cover his ass.
Misha: Wow...
The young ursine remained impressed and gullible, hearing the medical abilities of the feline. Just like the other young women who were present here for that matter, all believing in the doctor's huge lie.
The giant put Amiya back on the floor, who didn't seem very happy to be separated from the doctor.
Sebastian: It's okay, you can let go of me now. I'm healthy so there's no need to worry anymore.
The girl let go of him slowly and took a step back revealing her eyes red from all the tears she had shed. The giant caressed the head of the cautus and started walking towards Misha before grabbing her by the collar of her vest and lifting her above the ground. Surprising all the witnesses of the scene including of course the ursine which let escape a light cry of surprise. Then this surprise calmed down less than a second later when everyone noticed that the giant had just put the girl down to sit on his shoulders, like a father carrying his daughter.
Sebastian: Would you like to go for an ice cream?
He asked, raising his eyes to the girl's. Misha was surprised at first and smiled, her head almost touching the ceiling because of the size of the giant.
Misha: Y-yes... I would like to...
The giant looked at the cautus next to him who raised an eyebrow.
Sebastian: What? I want an ice cream... Come on.
The giant started to walk through the corridors of the hospital, the ursine holding on tightly to Sebastian's head not to fall and the cautus started to walk beside them.
Ch'en: Doctor?
Sebastian: What? I'm warning you I'm not going to start working now for your pretty face...
Ch'en: H-huh, no... I just wanted to thank you. On behalf of Lungmen and personally.
The lung bent forward to make a formal apology. But she could sense that the doctor was about to say something to piss her off... So she sent him a murderous look that dissuaded him from doing as he intended in the first place...
Sebastian: You're welcome.
He said before continuing to walk, not caring about the thanks he was receiving.
Sebastian: I think I'll take pistachio...
Ch'en had a vein appear on her forehead, and bit her lower lip to prevent herself from shouting insults. This reaction made the L.G.D. oni laugh and made Amiya bow forward to apologize for the good doctor. The feline sighed and followed the doctor's lead, but more to get out of the hospital than to get an ice cream...
After only a few minutes to move first through the corridors of the hospital earning the curious looks of people in the building. But on the streets of Lungmen fewer people looked at them. Misha swept her eyes across the sunny streets of the city, never ceasing to be impressed by real life. The life of people who lived without oripathy. In luxury and comfort. A life that seemed to open up before her eyes, even if to a lesser extent thanks to Rhodes Island...
The doctor walked to a park where the vegetation was beautiful and he let Misha off his shoulders, the girl began to walk through the park with a freedom and happiness that she had felt only a few times before, taking Amiya with her and holding her hand. And although reluctant at first, Amiya began to have fun with Misha, under the benevolent laughter of the good doctor. The giant approached the ice cream man, whose aroma he had smelled since leaving the hospital, as he watched the two girls.
Ice cream man: Are these your daughters?
Upon hearing this the giant laughed. Then he shook his head left and right to say no.
Sebastian: Not really...
Ice Cream Man: Hey, aren't you a member of the famous Rhodes Island or something?
The giant raised an eyebrow and realized that the man had just seen the company's logo printed on the back of his gray coat.
Sebastian: Indeed...
The giant looked at the two girls and whistled to call the two girls who immediately approached to collect the Lungmen battle reward.
Ice Cream Man: Infected ones, eh?
Sebastian: Do you have a problem with that?
He asked, his tone of voice much colder, just like his face.
Ice Cream Man: Nah... They don't have it easy. It'll be free for them.
The giant widened his eyes in surprise at such a reaction.
Ice Cream Man: And you're the one who saved our city, right? Rumors travel fast around here. So for you too it will be free.
As the two girls arrived at the window where the ice cream tubs were displayed, Misha's eyes were full of stars. And Amiya, who was always trying to look more mature, was having a hard time holding back her excitement.
Ice Cream Man: So girls, what do you want?
Sebastian was obviously looking at what he was going to take, but in reality he was thinking of something else. Ch'en's words the day before had made an impression on the good doctor. But the man's simple words had really changed his view of the city. Just another person in this city, showing mercy and empathy to the infected, and gratitude.
Maybe this city wasn't as rotten as he first thought.
The giant took his dessert, making the merchant stop laughing who certainly wouldn't have expected a man of two meters for one hundred and fifty kilos of muscles to ask him for an ice cream like the children who accompanied him, and while the two young girls left to sit on a bench in the shade of a tree. Sebastian began to enjoy his ice cream, which tasted so sweet and free, but immediately he was stopped by someone coughing behind his back as he joined his colleague from Rhodes Island.
Sebastian turned around and saw an old zalak at his back who he instantly recognized as the rat king and at his side a beautiful young zalak woman with pink hair who was holding a large wrapped object in her arms. Licking his lips to remove the pistachio-flavored cream, the giant spoke up.
Sebastian: Mr. Lin, Miss...
Rat King: Ah... Dr. Sebastian, I'm glad I found you here as I had hoped...
Sebastian: To what do I owe this honor, Mr. Lin?
Rat King: Well, more than the fact that you promised me a double once I found the one called Misha sitting on that bench over there.
The giant widened his eyes and with a bead of sweat on his forehead pulled out his cell phone.
Sebastian: H-huh sorry... No bad faith, I just forgot...
He said after sending the transfer which was confirmed by the zalak when he looked at his phone, a smile appearing on his ugly face.
Rat King: But that's not all... Yushia?
The young woman gasped as she stared at the giant just before, hurrying to look away, pink tinting her cheeks slightly. The young woman took a few steps closer and presented the wrapped object with both arms.
Yushia: Excuse me. My father and I heard about what happened on the battlefield, and we are very grateful to you for helping to protect this city. So we return this to you.
The giant took the object and despite the wrapping instantly recognized it by its weight. It was his sword. He removed the wrapping, rolled it into a ball and threw it into a nearby trash can before analyzing the blade for flaws.
Rat King: Please accept this also as a sign of good will. For I feel that our cooperation on certain matters can be of benefit to both of us.
Sebastian: Thank you very much. Kojui, Yushia.
He says as he clips his sword on his belt and bends forward in thanks.
Rat King: Well I guess that's all. If you ever have another favor to ask, I think you'll have the skills to acquire my phone number or my daughter's-
Thug: Give me your fucking money!
A disreputable looking man approached the three of them from the side, pulling out a switchblade.
Sebastian: ... I guess it's not one of yours.
Rat King: Nah... At least my people know my face...
As the two Lin prepared to use their arts, the good doctor disappeared, only to reappear right in front of the attacker, slamming his fist into his face at a speed far beyond what was avoidable, sending the poor man flying into the lake of the park and breaking every bone in his face.
He licked his ice cream to keep the drops from falling as it began to melt.
The two zalaks were wide-eyed. Of course they had heard that the battlefield, which was nothing more than a meteorite explosion crater and where everything had been reduced to ashes, was the work of the doctor from Rhodes Island, but it was still surprising to see his strength at work in front. The giant lowered his still smoking fist and glanced at the two young women on the bench who had been watching the scene, keeping their composure.
Rat King: I see that the reputation you have earned is not stolen...
Sebastian: Seriously... In broad daylight in a park...
Rat King: The city is getting worse and worse... And it has nothing to do with my men or the wave of Infected... I think someone wants a piece of the underworld pie...
The giant listened carefully to the old rat's theories, and sighed.
Rat King: Anyway... I won't bother you any longer with my old bones, doctor. I wish you good luck in whatever Rhodes Island is doing, and I also wish our future business to go well.
He said with a toothy grin showing on his face as he held out his hand for the giant to shake, which the doctor did immediately.
Sebastian: I for that too Mr. Kojui.
He turned to the young woman.
Sebastian: And thank you very much miss Yushia for bringing me my weapon.
He said with a beautiful smile on his face, the young woman in front of him lowered her head slightly to nod.
The giant went to join the two young women who were sitting on the park bench, while the two zalaks started walking in the opposite direction. And when they were at a sufficient distance the old man turned to his daughter.
Rat King: So...?
Yushia: You were right...
Rat King: Right about what?
He said, his mocking smile showing, the girl next to him starting to blush despite the seriousness she was trying to show.
Yushia: You were right to say that I would like him...
Rat King: Ah, see I told you he was your style...
It had been a few minutes since Misha, Sebastian and Amiya had been sitting on the park bench, looking at the lake in front of them and the people doing their lives, the last few minutes were taken up with a discussion of what to do from now on, Misha bringing a ton of new ideas when she realized that now she didn't have to hide to avoid being shot by the anti-infected patrols, or just the civilians who were starting pogroms. That is, until familiar figures passed in front of Amiya and Sebastian's eyes. Six young women all with bear ears on top of their heads. The one in front, taller than the others, turned her head towards the doctor as if she had sensed that he was there and when she saw him her face lit up and a huge smile graced her lips.
Rosa: Doctor!
She said pleasantly surprised, the other ursines also turning in the same direction as Rosa when they heard about the good doctor all gave an appropriate reaction to each of them. Or to put it another way, it goes without saying that Absinthe was ecstatic and Zima hesitated to even raise her hand to say hello to the doctor. The giant got up from the bench, as did the two girls who accompanied him.
Sebastian: Hey, Natalya, girls. You finally get to see the city?
Rosa: Oh yes, after hearing about the great commercial avenue of Lungmen we couldn't resist the temptation to do a little shopping...
He looked at the rest of the girls to see them presenting bags, except for Zima who saw the doctor's surprised look and raised an eyebrow.
Sebastian: So you're really a girl...
He said when he saw the dress in her bag. A vein appeared on her forehead.
Zima: Of course I'm a girl, what does that mean? What do you think I was?
Sebastian: An orc. An alcoholic orc.
The young ursine felt a huge attack of truth in the back of her head and lowered her head.
Sebastian: Well, I hope you had a good time here...
He said as he looked at Rosa who was stopping herself from laughing because of Zima. But he looked at the bag Rosa was holding, to see that it was made of black paper with a red heart on it and some words he didn't have time to read.
Sebastian: What...
He said as he saw bits of dark blue fabric, some gold, black lace, and finally a large black and white garment that he thought he recognized.
Sebastian: Mai-
Seeing that Rosa, began to blush before hiding the bag behind her back to avoid that the doctor looks.
Rosa: O-oh it's nothing. Just some things I needed...
A few hours before Rhodes Island arrived in Lungmen.
Rosa approached W, the sarkaz relaxing in Perfumer's greenhouse lying on one of the benches. Her gaze was determined. The demoness looked up from her phone and looked at the ursine when she heard her approach.
W: What's wrong, Snow White?
Rosa: You've known the doctor a long time.
W: Tch. Yeah. And?
Rosa: What does he like?
W: His job, Amiya, looking like a white knight.
Rosa: No, I know that. I want to know, what he likes. And the kind of thing he would never admit.
Immediately the sarkaz understood and a sly smile appeared on her lips. She began to think of a certain day back in Babel, when a certain lynx and a certain queen who were fighting for the heart of the same man both put on a most peculiar outfit...
An outfit that the lynx always had in her dressing, but only the sarkaz knew that. And Amiya, but the cautus had never understood why...
W: So snow white you really have a crush on the doctor...
Rosa: Huh? What do you care?
W: I know what you mean. And I know what would make the other jerk pitch a tent. But everything has a price you know...
The ursine put two huge bundles of money on the bench where the sarkaz was lying and a new pack of cigarettes.
Rosa: Your price will be mine.
W: Nice to do business with you... So-
Rosa: Hey there...
The young woman finally noticed Misha, who was hiding behind the leg of the good doctor, not trusting the strangers in front of her. Rosa moved her hand closer, to the girl, but Misha hid even more. The giant turned to look at the girl he had been protecting and laughed slightly.
Sebastian: Don't be afraid. They are friends.
Misha: O-oh... Sorry...
The girl came out of her most reassuring hiding place and approached the older woman, who leaned forward to caress the older woman's head, Misha gladly accepting the caresses.
Rosa: What's your name?
Misha: Misha...
Rosa: What are you doing with that ogre?
The young woman asked, giving the doctor a sly smile and a look out of the corner of her eye.
Sebastian: Hey!
The giant accepted the jab with a smile on his lips as it came from someone dear to his heart.
Misha: The doctor saved me... Many times... And I have to go to Rhodes Island to heal my oriapthy...
Said the girl, presenting her ankle that was almost covered with originium crystals, making Rosa instinctively grit her teeth. Because even though she was with Rhodes Island, like all the inhabitants of ursus she had been raised in hatred and fear of the infected. Something that she had outgrown in the last few months between the hell of Chernobog with the other students who had become infected, and Rhodes Island where three quarters of the staff was infected.
Sebastian: They say Oripathy Misha...
The giant looked at the older ursine.
Sebastian: She was the target of the reunion. They must have thought she had important information, and also because she is the sister of one of the leaders of the reunion.
The ursus students widened their eyes.
Misha: I hope Irina will be okay...
Sebastian: I hope so too, Misha.
He said showing honesty and warmth to the girl.
Rosa: Then what are you doing here?
Sebastian: Me and her sister fought, and I won so she's coming with Rhodes Island...
Rosa: So you really fought...
Sebastian: Sorry?
Rosa: There was a rumor in Rhodes Island that you were so injured in a fight with a reunion leader that you were just a pile of bones... We didn't worry that much. Especially after what happened in Chernobog...
Zima: Well, they didn't worry, I didn't give a damn...
Sebastian: Sorry I don't speak orc. But damn, this rumor has already spread...
Amiya: It was true doctor...
Sebastian: Well, it can't be that important.
Rosa: Anyway, it's good to see you up and healthy. I would have missed you.
She said with a smile, making the giant smile back. But not Absinthe and Amiya who cast their murderous glances...
Misha: Doctor...?
Sebastian: Yes Misha?
Answered the giant as he looked at the little girl who was holding his hand.
Misha: Is this your wife?
she asked, turning her head to the side and looking at Rosa.
Rosa: ...
Sebastian: ...
The giant's eyes widened and his cheeks turned red, just like Rosa's. Misha didn't understand why everyone was shocked to hear her question, why Amiya was giving off an aura of death as well as the dark grey haired ursine, why Zima and Gummy were about to burst out laughing. Or even why Istina sighed and Leto was embarrassed.
Sebastian: N-no. Natalya is not my wife...
Rosa: Yes! W-we are just...
Sebastian: Colleagues!
Rosa: Y-yes! We are, colleagues...
The giant did his best to hide his blush as well as the ursine, but the last nail in their coffin was hammered by Misha.
Misha: Huh...? But it really looks like you're married.
Rosa's mind began to do its work, and a vision appeared in her mind as a product of her imagination... The doctor, in a suit, was holding Rosa, and the white dress the ursine was wearing was instantly recognized as a wedding dress. Imagining this embarrassed her like never before, her face as red as the doctor's angry irises, and steam came out of her ears. She hid her face with both hands and cleared her mind to prevent her snow white hair from turning red, as her skin had just done.
Absinthe, starting to feel really angry, pinched the ursine just above her hips to bring her back to reality. And Amiya crushed the doctor's foot with hers, to avoid him having any impure thought...
The two being restrained from acting even more like a newly married couple they gave each other an embarrassed look.
Sebastian: Well it was nice to see you girls. But I think we'd better head back to Rhode Island. We have someone to treat for her oripathy here.
He says turning to Misha.
Rosa: Bye Sebastian. Bye girls.
She said with a wave, which the doctor mimicked. Once the ursus were at a safe distance, the doctor turned angrily to the cautus.
Sebastian: I want to know what's wrong with you!
Amiya: You'd better stop fooling around with Miss Rostova, because I don't think it's good for a Rhodes Island leader to fool around with a young woman who is only sixteen...
Sebastian: Tch... Come on, let's go back to Rhodes Island. It's time to give you a treatment.
As the doctor began to walk towards the outside of the park, Misha hurriedly walked to be next to him before taking his hand to hold it. The surprised man looked at the girl who only responded with a smile.
Sebastian: "Cute..."
He started walking, the girl next to him holding his hand and Amiya looking at both of them and sighing.
Sebastian: "I'm surprised anyone thinks she's my daughter..."
Misha: Wow... Ms. Natalya is so young... But she really looks like an adult.
Amiya: She's a polar bear, they grow faster than other ursin races.
Misha: Like me hehe, I just turned eleven and I am as tall as Amiya.
Sebastian: You know Misha, Amiya is not very tall for her age...
Amiya: Nonsense! I'm 1m60!
She says as her rabbit ears start to stand rigid atop her head to add to her height.
Sebastian: You know when you measure the height of a donki you don't count it's ears…
Amiya: You are a mean doktah !
After a few minutes of walking through Lungmen, the three companions finally arrived at Rhodes Island, where the big door of the landing bay was open. Sebastian noticed that most of the operators had just returned. All of their faces were tired, not just because they had pulled an all-nighter and probably wiped out the remaining reunion groups in the city. But they also all looked sad... He walked up the ramp to Rhodes Island and noticing that no one had seen him and that a certain sarkaz was holding a sniper in his back he raised his voice.
Sebastian: W, you will put that back right now, it's mine.
Some people thought they were hallucinating to hear this voice, but all of them turned to the good doctor who had a smile on his face and looked as healthy as ever, and with his two arms...
Mixed reactions came from the Rhodes Island operators, Exusiai hesitated to throw herself into the giant's arms but was overjoyed to see him safe and sound, Andreana just clutched her gift gun that she intended to keep as a souvenir, Yato breathed a huge sigh of relief that the one she was supposed to be guarding was not dead. Dobermann just let her biggest smile yet appear on her face. Which was perhaps as rare a sight as Kal'tsit smiling.
W sighed and a smile formed on her face, she removed the sniper she had strapped to her back and presented it to the doctor.
W: Go ahead, it served me well.
The giant picked up his precision weapon as the sarkaz turned around, and the tip of her demon tail moved to the doctor's chin, making him raise his head to look the mercenary in the eye.
W: And doc? It's cool to see you.
The mercenary left, heading back to her quarters, obviously not paying attention to the good doctor's stunned look...
Sebastian: Well... May God strike me down... It was almost as if she didn't hate me...
He turned his head left and right. In fact, everyone present at the operation had kept that part of them that told them the doctor was not dead. After all, his actions had engrained an endless amount of confidence in the operators present at the battle, and that part deep inside them told them that the doctor would lead them to better days, and couldn't die until he did.
Sebastian: Amiya, you'd better go back to your quarters.
Amiya: But-
Sebastian: No buts, I'm sure you were up all night. Go and rest, you need it.
The giant put his hand on the top of the cautus' head to comfort her.
Amiya: Okay... I'm going to go doctor... see you later Misha. See you later doctor.
The girl left waving to the ursine and the giant.
Misha: Goodbye Amiya!
Sebastian took a different path from the cautus, the doctor heading towards the medical wing, the girl accompanying him still clutching his hand as she gazed in wonder at the futuristic corridors of Rhodes Island. A few turns, a few minutes and the two arrived at the RI hospital, contrasting with the other parts of the base, for the white colors of the walls and the civilians that moved there as well as the medical staff...
The giant stopped in front of a room, and pressing a button the door opened to reveal an archosauria working at a desk with dark circles under her eyes. Sebastian stepped through the door and realizing that the young woman had not heard him, he banged his fist lightly against the side of the door to make himself heard.
Sebastian: Gav?
Gavial: Huh Doc?
The doctor looked at the medic who looked like she was at the end of her rope. This was even more apparent when she began to rub her eyes to see the man in front of her clearly.
Gavial: Doc? Is it really you?
Sebastian: Of course Gav... Is something wrong? Oh no, let me guess, you've been here all night?
Said the giant as the archosauria looked at files and images on his computer, grabbing a cup of coffee to realize it was empty.
Gavial: Yeah... I thought I was going to do something about a new drug last night so I stayed behind to tweak some things... What time is it?
Sebastian: Can't you look at it on your computer?
Gavial: I'm too scared to look at it myself.
Sebastian: It's eleven o'clock and a few minutes.
Gavial: Oh shit... My shift at the hospital is about to start I'm going.
Before she could get up like she was planning to do, Sebastian grabbed her by the shoulders and sat her back down in her chair startling the archosauria with the sudden contact.
Sebastian: Nah nah. You're going to stay here, I don't need my second best doctor who might do something stupid on her shift because she's sleep deprived.
Gavial: Doc, that's my job.
Sebastian: Sit down. I'm going to go see Folinic, and ask her to do your shift.
Gavial: Hey, she was already doing one tomorrow.
Sebastian: I'll do hers tomorrow. I would have replaced you today but I might be busy.
The young woman let her head fall on her desk, all her tiredness showing at once.
Gavial: Ahhhh... Thank you Seb I love you so much...
The giant laughed slightly.
Sebastian: Be careful how you phrase your sentences Gav.
Gavial: Huh?
The young woman looked at the good doctor raising an eyebrow not really understanding that she made a mistake... And thinking about it well, her cheeks started to become red. Like a rocket she stood up.
Gavial: H-huh, I-I swear I didn't mean it like that!
Sebastian: I know. It's not a big deal.
Misha: Doctor? Is this another friend of yours?
Sebastian: Yes Misha, she's a doctor like me. 'But she treats more people than I do.'
The archosauria looked at the girl in front of her and immediately tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before looking at the ursine.
Gavial: Hey my name is Gavial, what are you doing here?
Misha: An exam for my oripathy...
The girl looked the giant in the eyes.
Misha: Did I finally say it right, doctor?
Sebastian: Yes...
He said, patting the girl's head.
Gavial: Did you adopt a kid on the way here doc?
Sebastian: I'm underage. We rescued her from the reunion. Like she just said, I need you to check her out before you go to bed though. I think she has an acute form of oripathy.
Gavial: Oh shit... Come on over here Misha, sit on the osculation table.
The young ursus complied and lay down on the table where Gavial had just unrolled a roll of paper. Sebastian, leaned against a wall in the room.
Gavial: Tch. You remind me every time that you are so young... I don't understand that.
Sebastian: There is nothing to understand, I just age faster.
Gavial: Just like I don't understand why you don't do this oripathy exam. Said Aahhh...
The girl opened her mouth wide and Gavial looked.
Gavial: No traces of originium on the respiratory system...
Sebastian: I still don't have the accreditation... Kal just allowed me to work as a normal medical staff member, not specialized in oripathy.
Gavial: That's a shame... You might be a better doctor than her.
Sebastian: I don't know about that. I just follow orders.
Gavial: Well, I'm done with the external examination.
The young woman reached into a desk drawer and pulled out an object of a certain shape. A bracelet, or necklace, black and crossed with blue extinguished crosses. She handed it to Misha.
Gavial: Here, put this on. It will make you a real Rhodes Islander.
Misha: What is this?
Gavial: Put it anywhere you want, ankle, arm, neck, some even put it on their tails. We all have one.
She said, presenting her left wrist, on which her bracelet was placed, above her originium crystals on the skin.
The girl took the bracelet and opened it. She seemed to think for a second and looked at the doctor, before quickly putting the monitor on her right wrist. As the blue crosses lit up and the monitor lit up, the girl raised her wrist to show the doctor and gave him her best smile with her eyes closed.
Misha: Hehe like you!
The giant began to smile and blush a little, feeling his heart melt. So did the medic in the room for that matter. But Gavial was brought back to reality by looking at a window that had opened on her computer, she sat back down at her desk and looked at the data offered by the monitor on the computer, Sebastian walking over to take a look.
Gavial: Hm hm... Her oripathy is indeed flaring up but nothing too bad or unstoppable... What do you think doc?
Sebastian: Mh... Especially on the outside of the legs... I would say B42 to stop the flare of course, standard treatment to slow the progression, and I would say ricoxaine.
Gavial: Huh? Why ricoxaine?
Sebastian: It will reduce the blood flow in the legs a little bit and it will prevent the originium-laden blood from moving to the arteries and causing her oripathy to become generalized by reaching the heart.
Gavial: *Sigh* See, I told you. It would help to have an extra doctor to treat the infected but the grumpy cat still doesn't want to give you your credentials.
The young woman who went to get some medicine from a medical cabinet turned back to the good doctor at one point.
Gavial: Seriously, what have you done in the past to make her so angry with you? You sound like a divorced couple who are forced to work together sometimes.
She said as she put some medicine and an injector on the silver metal tray she had.
Sebastian: Honestly, sometimes that's what I think too...
Gavial: Eh?
The young woman had a toothy grin on her face.
Gavial: So married to the old lynx?
Sebastian: Nah. That's just what I tell myself sometimes too. But Amiya told me I wasn't married. And then I must have been what, sixteen, seventeen if I was married?
Gavial: Seen from that angle.
Misha: Huh... I'm afraid of needles...
Said the girl as she watched the archosauria approach with the injector, making the young woman stop when she saw the fear written on the ursine's face. The emerald-eyed giant approached and took the injector.
Sebastian: Don't worry, I'll use my arts so it won't hurt you.
He said with a reassuring smile on his lips. He placed a hand on his sword and concentrated his arts on the tip of his finger, creating a small ball of light barely a centimeter large, which he brought into contact with the girl's arm. Curious, she removed her heavy black jacket to reveal her frail body hidden by an old, baggy white t-shirt, but she looked at her left arm, feeling it different.
Misha: Will it work?
The giant moved his hand quickly and pinched the girl's arm to show her that she didn't feel that pain anymore. Then he moved the injector closer and pressed the button, the injection going into the girl's blood. He took a cotton ball with disinfectant and removed the tear of blood that was flowing before placing a small bandage with a bear drawn on it.
Sebastian: Do you want a lollipop too?
He asked with a smile on his lips mocking the girl openly. This made her pout.
Misha: No! I'm a big girl!
Sebastian: Of course you are... Come on.
The good doctor helped her down from the examination table and gave her back her jacket, which she put on immediately, the scene unfolding before the amused eyes of the crocodile woman.
Gavial: They'll really take her for your daughter...
The doctor and Misha looked into each other's eyes and the giant laughed slightly.
Sebastian: No, they won't... Come on, you better go to bed Gav.
He said as he started to leave.
Gavial: Hey doc.
Sebastian: Hm?
Interested he turned around just as he was about to walk out the door.
Gavial: I guess the rumor of your death has spread like wildfire.
Sebastian: I thought so...
Gavial: And Nearl reacted pretty bad when she heard it...
The giant widened his eyes.
What an asshole...
How could he not have thought of that...
He had forgotten the possible reactions of the kuranta when he heard about her death.
Sebastian: T-thanks Gav. I'll think about it.
The giant went out into the hallway and immediately came upon Rosmontis standing in the corner of the doorway, silent. Frightened because he hadn't spotted the girl, the doctor jumped and let out a ridiculous little cry.
Rosmontis: Doktah...
Sebastian: Rosmo what are you doing here...
Rosmontis: Ace said you were hurt and others said you were dead... Everyone was very sad... And so was I... But you are okay...
Sebastian: Yes I'm fine... Tell me Rosmontis do you have something to do right now?
Rosmontis: No, why...
The giant caressed the head of the young ursine that was next to him.
Sebastian: This is Misha, she is one of us now and I would like you to take her on a tour of Rhodes Island.
The girl approached the feline and held out her hand.
Rosmontis: My name is Rosmontis... Are you a friend of the doctor?
Misha: Yes... I am also a friend of Amiya...
The feline's face lit up, or at least, on her face showed as many emotions as she was able to express.
In other words, not much...
Rosmontis: Amiya's friends are my friends too!
Misha: H-hey doctor!
The young ursine clutched the doctor's hand, while Rosmontis was already trying to take Misha on a tour of Rhodes Island.
Misha: You're not going to leave me, are you?
The giant kneeled down to eye level with the girl and began to pat her head.
Sebastian: Don't worry, Rosmontis is very nice. Besides, I have to go to work Misha.
Misha: I don't want to be away from you...
Sebastian: I'll come back to you as soon as I'm done. Promised.
The girl lowered her head, and with a sudden gesture threw herself at the doctor to wrap her arms around his neck.
Misha: Mh...
Sebastian: Come on, you'll like it here. Go on.
The girl separated from the doctor and waved to go with the feline, the doctor returning the gesture with a reassuring smile on his lips, the two girls gradually moving away. The doctor stood up and sighed. He began to walk towards his quarters and started to think. If he wanted the girl to be able to receive treatment on Rhodes Island and to live there, he would need the agreement of a close relative... So either he would need the authorization of her sister, or he would have to declare Misha an orphan and adopt her by fiddling with his age so that he would be considered an adult on the papers...
Pain.
That was what his skull felt like when faced with all the problems that lay before him. On the short walk to his quarters Sebastian's mind was racing with thoughts. He hadn't let it show. But the battle he had just fought had a profound impact on his psyche. He had just discovered that he was weak.
Weak to the point of dying.
Of course he was muscular, he could fight. But it was never enough...
The real hard fights he had fought so far relied on his body skills to win... Or on simple miracles. If Ch'en hadn't been there he would have lost. If he wasn't able to burn himself into energy he would have died, and so would his operators. If he hadn't turned into a gigantic demonic beast at Chernobog when he faced Patriot and Frostnova he would have died. If W hadn't saved him at Lungmen, Patriot would have killed him.
Miracles, luck, again and again.
He was relying too much on what he already had.
His master had told him. Never stop after a victory, always progress.
He had been a fool to forget that.
He had to get stronger, become stronger.
Show mercy to his enemies, strengthen his muscles, his bones, become faster, have more reflexes, learn, again and again to fight better.
This world was ruthless and harsh. Well, he would have to show himself even stronger than any of its inhabitants.
?: SEB!
As he had just opened the door to his quarters. An all too familiar voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He turned around at his back to see a golden-haired kuranta with golden eyes, though they had been soaked in blood. With the speed of a cannonball Nearl charged at the giant and embraced him, knocking him to the ground.
Sebastian: Marg-
The young woman raised her upper body sharply and drew back her right arm to punch Sebastian directly in the face.
Nearl: You bastard!
When he opened his eyes again, which had instinctively closed because of the pain, the giant looked at the young woman's face.
A mix of bitterness, anger and sadness. This mix made the tears of the young woman rise to her eyes and fall on the face of the giant below. Seeing this broken face made the giant freeze. And what could be more normal... One was watching the person who had made her way to the nearest point of his heart, crying all the tears that her poor kuranta body seemed to possess. The other was looking at a person most important to her, and who was presumed dead. The young woman went back to hugging the good doctor, holding him with all her strength crying against his shoulder.
Nearl: Don't say a word! They said you were dead...
Sebastian: I-
She squeezed even harder, hurting the doctor but it was the kuranta's intention to hurt. To shut him up. All she wanted to do was hold him, make sure he was there.
Nearl: What the hell happened... I was scared... So scared...
She buried her head further into the doctor's shoulder, seeking to feel more of his body heat. Afraid that he would disappear at any moment.
Nearl: I was afraid... that you would be gone... that I would lose you...
The giant hugged the young woman, feeling sorry for putting her in such a state.
He knew that he was obviously important on a personal level to the young woman. But he didn't know how much.
He didn't know that he was the one who had made her feel so many emotions, some that had disappeared years ago, some that she had never felt. Joy, sadness, passion, pleasure, pain, bitterness, love, hate, determination, the desire to kill, the desire to excel. He didn't know that he had become this flame inside Nearl that burned so brightly with every step she took, with every action she took. This flame that unconsciously dictated her conduct and morals.
In a sense
Sebastian did not know that he had become Margaret Nearl's heart.
Sebastian: I'm sorry... I was afraid to leave you behind too...
Nearl: Is it true...?
Sebastian: Yes... I was afraid I couldn't take you back to Kazimierz... I was afraid I couldn't help you save your sister...
His eyes deviated instantly when he spotted a large blonde tuft brushing against his stomach, the tail of the young woman brushing against him. He frowned as he saw that the appendage's fur was already dirty, and disheveled.
Sebastian: I was also afraid that you would leave this remarkable tail so disgusting until the rest of your life.
The young woman let out a surprised laugh.
Nearl: I haven't had time lately...
Sebastian: Don't you want to go inside instead of staying on the floor?
The kuranta got up from the man she had just thrown herself at and picked up her shield and mace she had left on the ground. The good doctor returned to his quarters and fled followed by the young woman who placed her shield and mace on the side of the couch where she used to put them before throwing herself at the good doctor again, this time tackling him to the couch as he had just dropped his cloak and sword with both hands.
Nearl: Don't ever put yourself in danger like that again... I don't know what I would do without you...
L.G.D. HQ
Ch'en went back to her office, Hoshiguma walking beside her, the two young women exhausted from their operation went inside, to collect some of their things, this office being like a second home for them. The oni stretched, cracking the joints of her arms.
Hoshiguma: And a job well done...
She said, collapsing against a sofa in the office.
Ch'en: A lot of twists and turns...
The lung walked to her desk and put down most of her notes or her standard equipment that she only took on operations.
Hoshiguma: And in many other emotions...
Ch'en: I'm having one of those sleeping urges...
Hoshiguma: That's a surprise coming from you...
Ch'en: If you say so.
Hoshiguma: Well. Case closed?
Ch'en: Yes.
Hoshiguma: Shall we have a drink tonight?
Ch'en: Sure.
Hoshiguma: Will Beatrix be there?
Ch'en: As usual.
The lung sat back in her chair, resting her legs on the top of her desk, making the back of the office chair move back.
Hoshiguma: I should invite the doctor...?
Ch'en: What the hell... If you want to get drunk with him, go ahead. But without me.
The oni sighed. Then she got up from the sofa and walked to the back of the lung to lean on the chair and put her hands on the shoulders of the lizard of the L.G.D.
Hoshiguma: Stop hating him so much...
Ch'en: If you have a crush on the doctor of Rhodes Island Hoshi do what you want with him but don't take me into your romantic adventures...
Said the lung with a vein appearing on her forehead. The oni shifted his head and looked at the young woman.
Hoshiguma: Aren't you a little bit jealous?
Ch'en: Me jealous?!
Another vein appeared on the lung's forehead and Hoshiguma smiled thinking about her mother's words.
"My daughter, do you know how many lovers the onis have?"
"One?"
"Wrong! As many as you want to have. As long as you don't let others take them away from you."
Hoshiguma: 'Thank you mom for that lesson.' Ah never mind...
Ch'en grabbed the picture frame that was on her desk. The one of her graduating class from the Victorian guard academy with the idea of performing her famous daily ritual. Hoshiguma watched her do it, perhaps being the only person who was used to seeing the lung do this. But the moment she looked at the picture she froze. Usually her eyes were always fixed on Cyrene... She finally noticed something.
The color of her hair, ebony.
The color of his eyes, emerald...
And even if the two separated was not rare on Terra, it was already quite a coincidence to have them combined on one man.
But the size of the man brought another coincidence that finally struck the oni...
Both young women were intrigued by the familiar face.
But when their eyes focused on the face, a particularity did not go unnoticed. On the left eyebrow in particular. A diagonal scar three centimeters long.
Hoshiguma/Ch'en: Holy shit...
The two young women looked at each other, the light bulbs above their heads going on at the same time.
Ch'en: Hoshi... Who do you see in this picture...
Hoshiguma: You, Baggy, and ...
Ch'en/Hoshiguma: Simon/Sebastian...
Hoshiguma: The same person?
Ch'en: That's too many coincidences...
The lung put the picture frame on her desk before she started to stare into the void, the realization being too much for her mind...
Ch'en: Do you know if he ever went to Victoria?
Hoshiguma: No...
Ch'en: But why didn't he say anything if it was him...?
Hoshiguma: Ch'en. The earliest memory of this guy is from two months ago.
Ch'en: Ah...
Hoshiguma: But how do you know it's him then?
Ch'en: I have an idea... Do you have his phone number?
How long had it been since Sebastian and Nearl had moved...
A few minutes... An hour... Or two.
Sebastian was lying on his back on the couch on the right wall of his office, all his muscles relaxed and breathing heavily. His left arm was occupied, and his right arm was stretched out along his body.
Nearl lay on top of the giant, not even thinking about removing her armor. She had her right arm wrapped around the giant's neck, and her left arm was also extended along his body, her hand in Sebastian's, their fingers intertwined. Her broad blond tail covered a good part of the doctor, as if it was intended to serve as a cover for the doctor. The silence of the room was sometimes cut by the sound of Margaret's horse ears wagging from time to time.
Sebastian's left arm held his cell phone, which kept him busy answering messages from those who had heard the rumor of his death, and those who had learned that he was alive after all.
Sebastian: Margaret...
Nearl: Mh...
Sebastian: It's almost time for me to go to work...
Nearl: No.
She says so early.
Sebastian: And the cafeteria will close soon, we haven't eaten yet...
Nearl: No.
He raised an eyebrow at the kuranta who seemed to be recharging her batteries as she stuck to Sebastian and refused to do anything.
Sebastian: You'll have to move at some point...
Nearl: No.
Sebastian: Are you going to say no to everything I say?
Nearl: No.
Sebastian: It does not bother you if I kiss you?
Nearl: No.
...
A silly grin appeared on his lips as Nearl finally seemed to understand what he had just said. For a second he swore he could see the skin under the blond hair of her ears turn red. The young woman stood up abruptly and pushed the giant against the couch as he started to laugh.
Nearl: That's not what I meant!
Sebastian: Are you sure about that...? You've been so worried about me... And I've been through so much... Come on, just a little one...
As he began to approach the face of the kuranta with his own, he put two of his fingers on the chin of the young woman who was blushing more and more. And while his amusement was at its peak, Nearl tackled him again against the sofa and sent him a murderous look.
Nearl: Do you want me to remind you what happened the last time you annoyed me like that?
Sebastian: A fractured skull, perforated eardrums, burned retinas, five broken ribs, multiple skull cuts, knee broken in five parts... I-I'm sorry...
Nearl: Good. You better be.
She lay back down on the giant, but at the same time the doctor felt his phone vibrate and looked down to see an unknown number texting him.
"Hello."
"It's Ch'en."
"I don't know how you got my number but forget it."
"I want a duel with you. AT 1:30 PM. At the L.G.D. HQ gym."
The good giant let out a slight laugh.
"Fuck you."
"My job with you is done anyway."
"And I have other things to do..."
"Do you have to take care of the donkey that you're using as a companion?"
As he read the last message a vein appeared on the giant's forehead. Then five.
All showing his irritation. But not as much as the expression on his face. It seemed that every muscle in his face was contracted.
A smile was forming on his face but in fact it was just his lips contracting to keep from hurling a torrent of insults. Nearl stood up and looked at the giant as she wondered where all the electricity in the air was coming from and why the air had risen in temperature.
Sebastian pushed Nearl off the couch and got up without saying a word.
Amiya... A donkey...
Who the hell did she think she was, that fucking shit lizard, not even able to keep her soldiers alive... She'd better die from her oripathy like a piece of shit instead of giving orders on a battlefield.
That was what Sebastian thought at the time.
Only he had the right to call Amiya a donkey.
Only him.
And he was so mad with rage that in fact the only thing holding him back from turning into a nameless beast was his willingness to stop relying on that power.
"I'll be there in a second"
Nearl: Uh... Seb...? Where are you going?
Sebastian: I've got some skulls to crack.
He said as he picked up his sword from the coat rack and headed for the door of his office. Nearl went with him immediately, not even trying to understand, and took his weapons back. Immediately upon leaving his office Kal'tsit had a notebook in her hand and appeared right next to him.
Kal'tsit: Doc I'm looking for you, you could have told me that you were going to bring another kid from nowhere.
Sebastian: If you're talking about Beeswax, Amiya told me that she was the sister of the operator Carnelian.
The feline was about to answer, but she noticed the doctor's icy tone of voice and especially the endless irritation on his face.
Kal'tsit: What's going on?
He turned his face toward her and for the first time in a long time Kal'tsit was seized with fear. The giant took his phone from his pocket and showed the messages to the feline.
Immediately the same veins appeared on Kal'tsit's face, along with the same facial expression.
Kal'tsit: I'm coming with you. 'I can't wait to see that bitch get her teeth kicked in...'
And so, two enraged Rhodes Island leaders went out into the city, heading for the L.G.D. headquarters. Accompanied by a kuranta who was still wondering what was going on...
In the L.G.D. gym, Ch'en and Hoshiguma were waiting quietly near the exit of a hallway. Both of them noticed Swire who had just arrived, bags under his eyes so big that an elephant could have been hidden inside.
Hoshiguma: Bea...? How are you?
Swire: I slept... Twelve minutes... I need coffee... And a vacation... What are you doing here?
Hoshiguma: Ch'en got it into her head to duel the doctor of Rhodes...
Swire: Wait, wasn't he dead?
Said the young woman straightening up and trying to overcome the fatigue.
Ch'en: He's healed.
Hoshiguma: It's an understatement to say that he has not even a scar left from the fighting...
Swire: Wow... I'm too tired to try to understand... And so you wanted to duel with him for ?
Ch'en: Things.
Swire: Things, but look at this...
L.G.D. Agent: Uh Captain, we've got the two leaders of Rhodes Island at the front gate... And another gal... And these two look pissed off...
Ch'en: Bring them in from the gym.
L.G.D. Agent: Okay... But uh... Sorry boss, I was ordered to tell Mr. Wei first...
Ch'en: Tch. Thank you PC 19298.
L.G.D. Agent: You're welcome, boss.
At the same time, the heavy footsteps of a gigantic, burly lung and lighter footsteps could be heard in the hallway. Wei Yenwu arrived in the gym as well as Fumizuki who accompanied him. The lung showed his fangs, feeling a bit of anger rising in him.
Wei: What is this story? I hear that two of the leaders of Rhodes Island are coming here and you let them in through the gym?! But why?!
A voice echoed from behind the door that led outside.
L.G.D. Agent: Sorry sir, but I haven't received orders to let you in yet.
*CRUNK*
All eyes turned to the four inch-thick steel door to see that a hand had been thrust through it, like a sword through metal.
Wei's mouth seemed to hit the floor in surprise as the hand on the other side of the door grabbed the metal and pulled it off its hinges. From behind the door Sebastian stepped into the gym, bending over to pass. The few L.G.D. agents who had been there today and yesterday during the fights against the reunion were frozen with surprise to see him alive. Sebastian's eyes were fixed on Ch'en's as Kal'tsit and Nearl walked in after the giant.
Wei: D-Doctor Sebastian, Doctor Kal'tsit... What a pleasure to see you again... I-I think we need to work out the final details of our contra-
Sebastian: Shut up Wei, it's not for you that I'm here...
He drew his sword, making the hairs on Lung's neck stand up.
The kirin on the other hand looked attentively at the doctor's face. He looked both old, but still full of energy. In a word, mature. The presence, or rather the absence, of animal features on his face was distressing. His body was that of a fighter, as every muscle fiber seemed to be about to tense up, and it showed even under his loose clothes. Fumizuki still had the skills to see these things in a fighter, and she had spotted this in the doctor from the beginning. Unlike Wei who had his senses dulled. Of course she could see that her husband was immediately offended to be put in his place, but also worried to see Sebastian draw his sword.
Wei: Ch'en... What did you do...?
Ch'en: Nothing boss. I just proposed a friendly duel to the doctor.
She said as she walked towards the giant, drawing both swords, a very slight smile on her face. The giant looked at her. Then he stuck his sword in the ground piercing the concrete. He cracked his knuckles and loosened the knot in his tie.
Ch'en: Without your sword?
Sebastian: Here's the deal... If you make me take my sword or if I stay down for three seconds, you win.
Ch'en: And I lose if ?
Sebastian: You stay down for three seconds.
Ch'en: Hm. Easy. I guess I don't have to worry about hurting you.
The giant looked behind him at the women who accompanied him.
Sebastian: Don't worry.
With only two meters between them, the tension was at its highest.
The L.G.D. agents who had had the chance to see the fighting skills of the two leaders began to watch the scene like fans at a sports match. Kal'tsit began to worry, for although she had faith in the doctor's strength, facing someone with two swords while unarmed was still suicidal. Seeing this Nearl began to speak.
Nearl: Doctor? why do you think he gave up his sword?
Kal'tsit: No idea...
Nearl: I can tell. He wants to challenge himself. He wants to progress.
It was true. The doctor realized that he was concentrating too much on his blade during a fight. Then he thought about his master's words. When you make a mistake, relearn everything, from the basics. And his basics started with his fists.
Ch'en brought her Raythean down on the doctor's shoulder, so quickly that it was invisible to the naked eye, on Sebastian's shoulder.
An unnatural metallic sound echoed through the air. As if the lung's sword had just struck a block of titanium. She looked at where her sword had struck, to see that only a bit of Sebastian's shirt had been torn, but his skin remained intact. She wondered what had happened, but noticed that all the veins looked as if they were about to burst, so tightly contracted were they.
The doctor had just contracted all his muscle fibers in the area where the sword had struck to make his body even harder than diamond.
Ch'en: Shit.
The good doctor drew back his left fist and slammed it into the lung's plexus. Throwing the lung several feet away and sending her crashing into a wall of the gym. Ch'en fell to her knees on the floor, but immediately got up with a smile on her face, taking Chi Xiao's wrist firmly in her hand. And surprising both Wei and Fumizuki, the lung drew it slowly, with ease. This sword which was known to be extremely capricious, and drawn only in rare situations, was taken out of its sheath without a problem. Wei, who knew this weapon better than anyone else, widened his eyes. It took either a mind of steel to draw it, or face pure evil. And the lung knew that his niece did not yet have the mind to use the sword properly, so when he looked at the sword that vibrated with an incomparable bloodlust, and when he looked at the raceless man in front of him he did not allow himself to hesitate.
The man in front of him was the devil incarnate.
Like an animal spotting danger Sebastian was wary of the sword... So his calm fighter's pose changed to one more suited to bare-knuckle combat. Like a certain boxer Sebastian began to hop on his two feet, remaining mobile and keeping his guard down. Ch'en rushed toward the giant and stroke Chi Xiao horizontally toward the doctor. The giant leapt into the air, dodging the attack, and kicked Ch'en in the face, causing her to back away again. The same smile appeared on both of their faces.
Sebastian: Is this all you have in stock? I'm disappointed.
Ch'en: You haven't won yet.
Having the courage to fight barehanded against two swords. Ch'en had only seen that once in her life. Or rather, she had only seen one person have the courage to do it.
Her smile widened and she leapt back at the giant attacking with both swords at the same time. Not attempting the same technique twice on the same knight, Sebastian took a step back dodging the blades in-extremis by a few centimeters. Ch'en immediately followed up with another attack from her raythean, which Sebastian deflected with the back of his hand, hitting the side of the lung's blade. Ch'en followed up with a Chi Xiao strike that was deflected again. The lung gave about twenty blows of different angles and speed and all of them were deflected by the doctor who showed a martial mastery at all times. In a pure osmosis the two leaders were countering and hitting each other, none of them able to take advantage of the other, because the other always knew in advance what the next attack would be. Sebastian, although intrigued, trusted his muscles because they reacted by themselves, as when one learns to ride a bike, the attacks of the lung were engraved in his muscle memory. And this for a long time...
Ch'en had already seen the attacks of the doctor. For it was these attacks that she had learned to really fight in the first place. So nothing could erase them from her memory. But at one point, sufficiently warmed up, the doctor gave a little more force in his hand at one point which made the young woman's arm go backwards and gave Sebastian an opening window. He slammed his palm straight into the plexus, hitting the woman a little more in an already injured area. Breathing hard, she took a few steps back as Sebastian circled her like a shark.
Wei watched in horror as the most powerful pawn he had, tried to fight someone, without being able to inflict any injury. And Fumizuki was gnashing his teeth, seeing his dear niece being beaten.
Wei: Stop it right now!
Ch'en: You don't interrupt a duel...
She said as she stood up with difficulty, her guard still broken as she caught her breath. Sebastian was still having fun being the predator.
Fumizuki: Doctor... I think I remember asking you to keep my niece safe...
Sebastian: Don't worry lady Fumizuki... I'll take care of her myself if she gets injured...
Ch'en: For that you should hurt me instead of pushing me...
Wei: Can I know when you had the honor to discuss this kind of thing with the doctor?
He asked his tone of voice low enough so that the others wouldn't hear him, but the hatred and animosity showed on his face as well as in his voice.
Fumizuki: I did what you weren't able to do...
She answered with as much animosity as her "husband", both doing their best not to look too angry with each other. Ch'en finished to catch his breath and Sebastian made himself immobile. Both preparing to attack. Sebastian made the first move this time, throwing himself at the lung with his fist forward, fast enough for her to raise her sword in time, aiming it straight at Sebastian's fist. The doctor using some of his reflexes to direct all the metal from his blood to his fist, the skin of it turning black and its texture similar to steel.
*Clunk*
The sound of Raythean against the doctor's natural weapon, echoed through the gym and generated a spray of sparks.
Ch'en's eyes widened as he saw the same technique that Sebastian had used against Skullshatterer a few hours earlier. As Ch'en immediately began to attack with her Chi Xiao, the good doctor dodged by pivoting on his left foot, facing away from the lung. As she watched him gracefully dodge her with a gesture similar to a dance step she didn't immediately see that the giant had grabbed her wrist, raised it over his shoulder, and bending his back he brought the lung over him in a martial arts move, throwing her to the ground. The heavy sound of the impact echoed through the room and the L.G.D. soldiers took a deep breath through clenched teeth from the pain they too had felt. On the ground, Sebastian didn't give her a chance to get up and put his foot on the lung's chest, preventing her from getting up.
Sebastian: One... Two...
Ch'en: Sorry.
Sebastian: What-
She kicked him between the legs right in the testicles. Sebastian almost fell backwards in pain, but it was nothing compared to what the leader of the reunion had done to him.
Definitely pissed off the giant's eyes turned blood red and he clenched his teeth, his canines visibly lengthening as he began to growl in a bestial manner.
Sebastian: Okay, now I have a second reason to be angry.
Chi Xiao began to vibrate louder and louder as the doctor looked more and more like a wild beast, his racelessness only differentiated by the sarkaz horns that he did not have.
As fast as lightning he gave a sweep to the lung that almost fell to the ground, but with an agility that surprised the giant she landed on her hands and pushed on her arms to make a jump that sent her a few meters away, but in any case far from the giant. Sebastian pursued her and threw himself on her with the idea of hitting her with a monstrous tackle, but Ch'en sliced him with her two swords right towards the giant. Raythean only ricocheted off the doctor's steel muscles and Chi Xiao instead managed with difficulty to leave a cut on the doctor's skin that projected a spray of blood.
A wound that was not enough for the doctor, who continued his tackle anyway, taking himself as a rugby player and throwing the young woman on the ground with the gentleness that was known to him...
That is to say that the concrete fractured under the back of the lung. As Sebastian drew back his fist to strike the lung, the young woman heeled the giant's face, breaking his nose and sending him reeling backward, which was accentuated when Ch'en got up in a fraction of a second to deliver a Chi Xiao blow to the same spot as the previous attack. Cutting another inch through the doctor's steely muscles but sending him reeling backwards.
Wei: Doctor, someone has to heal your injuries ! Wouldn't it be better to stop now?
The screams of the L.G.D. agents became louder and louder as if they were watching a gladiatorial fight, Swire seemed worried sick to see them fighting like rag dolls, but not Hoshiguma who was watching with a smile on her face. First of all because she could easily see that both fighters recognized each other's style and so her dear Ch'en found someone she thought she had lost...
But also because in spite of the appearance of this fight she could see that the doctor as well as the lung took an immense pleasure in it.
Ch'en got up completely and put Chi Xiao back in it's seethe, causing the doctor to raise one of his eyebrows.
Sebastian: If you're going to use your little technique where you quickly draw a wave of energy, it won't work on me, I can dodge it.
Ch'en: Oh no it's not unseath...
The young woman changed her pose and seemed to catch her breath. Her uncle and aunt recognized the ultimate technique of the L.G.D. superintendent as well as Hoshiguma and Swire. She opened her two red eyes and they glowed for a moment.
Ch'en: Chi Xiao! Shadowless!
The lung disappeared. Literally.
The name of this technique came from the fact that for a short time she moved so fast that her shadow stayed perfectly in place during her movements. No one had ever survived this technique and Ch'en felt Chi Xiao burning with bloodlust like never before.
Nothing and no one on this planet had ever managed to survive this technique or dodge, parry, or counter it.
Nothing and no one.
Except for one person.
Sebastian closed his eyes and shut down the nervous systems in his ears, as well as in his palate and nose. He focused 100% of his attention on the movement of the air, feeling for the smallest molecule that moved around him.
Sebastian's arms moved just above his head and hit Chi Xiao's sides, stopping the blood sword in its tracks, the blade stopped by the simple touch of the doctor's hands.
A wave of air as thin as a hair arced past where the blade had sliced, to continue slicing through everything in its path. Thus, the wall and ceiling of the gym behind Sebastian and a poor punching bag were all sliced to the full thickness, but only a millimeter or two wide...
Sebastian: That's all-
No sooner had he finished his sentence than a spray of blood shot out of his body like a fountain, where the edge of the blade should have touched him, the air wire being enough to cut his skin. Ch'en avoided the stain and leapt back, sheathed her two swords knowing she had already won. A smile not smirking on her face, but happy. Happy because now there was no doubt in her mind who this person in front of her was. Her memories of that particular year at the Victorian Guard Academy. Where she had come in as a girl, a spoiled rich kid, with nothing on her mind, barely more skilled with her sword than any of the columbia army rookie and yet believing herself to be better than her classmates, and emerged as a woman filled with ideals and hopes, asking for nothing to live with, and as the best fighter Lungmen has in its ranks.
Simon Cyrene.
A name taken at random by a person who wanted to pass incognito by searching in the bible.
And who could be stupid enough to do that but him?
Ch'en: So doc you admit defeat?
Sebastian: Never.
Noticing that a thin net of blood separated him from the lung and that her heels that made contact with his blood were made of metal. The doctor began to smile. Suddenly his body began to glow red, and suddenly Sebastian's body gave off a phenomenal amount of electricity that traveled through the trickle of blood on the ground to Ch'en and electrocuted her.
The lung began to glow like a Christmas garland, her horns seeming to turn into electrodes. As the giant stood up Ch'en fell heavily to the ground, the electricity in his system preventing him from moving.
Sebastian: 3... 2... 1... Well, I won.
He said nonchalantly as he began to walk towards the lung who had regained her senses after two more seconds. He offered her his hand as a vein of irritation appeared on the lung's forehead. Unlike Kal'tsit who was more than happy to have seen a phenomenal beating given to the one who had insulted the best rabbit on Rhodes Island.
Ch'en: Hey that was cheating!
Sebastian: Nah...
Said the doctor as he gave his hand to the lung, and he began to glow with a golden glow, Nearl's medical arts making the blood, wounds and tears on his shirt disappear.
Nearl: I swear he thinks I'm his personal healing bank sometimes...
Completely healed he sent a smile to the kuranta who immediately shook off his bad mood.
The lung grabbed the doctor's hand and got back on her feet catching her breath from the confrontation.
Wei: Arts...? But impossible he has no medium... So he is infected-
The sentence that the lung muttered was heard by the giant who turned to him.
Sebastian: I'm not infected, and this.
He said, pointing his finger at the Lung's nose before creating a small red spark that flew to the nose of the Lungmen leader, when it hit him, his head snapped back because of the slight pain but also and more because of the surprise. The lung rubbed his nose to try to chase away the pain that must be not so different from a mosquito bite and Fumizuki seeing that let out a light laugh.
Something she was not used to do.
Feeling angry that someone was laughing at him, Wei sent him a murderous look but the kirin didn't stop laughing.
Sebastian: This is far from being my art...
Ch'en: Doc?
Sebastian: Huh?
Ch'en: I have a question. Have you ever been to Victoria?
The surprised giant looked at Kal'tsit, seeming to ask her permission for something, and after a good second of reflection the lynx nodded.
Sebastian: I did my doctorate in neurology at the medical academy.
Fumizuki's eyes widened as he heard the doctor's sudden revelation. Coming to the same point of reflection as Hoshiguma and Ch'en... About the shared identity of the doctor and Ch'en's former classmate.
Ch'en: And weren't you supposed to do an internship?
Sebastian: Yes...
Ch'en: Where did you do it?
Sebastian: No idea. But tell me why all these questions, Mrs. Ch'en?
Ch'en: For nothing.
Said the lung before turning around, a smile hiding a bitterness on her face, she took a step towards Hoshiguma, but just as soon the doctor's voice was raised.
Sebastian: my turn. Have we met before?
That almost imperceptible movement of his ears... Kal'tsit recognized it instantly, while few managed to notice it at all. Sebastian was listening to the lung's heartbeat right now to see if she would lie.
Ch'en: No, never.
The doctor frowned instantly as he realized that he had just been told a lie.
But he decided not to press him.
After all, all secrets had a reason to be kept.
So he ignored this.
For the time being.
Surprising everyone, Wei began to applaud.
Many turned to him as he took a few steps toward the doctor and the lung. Seeing the doctor fight so well, an idea came to his mind. Or rather like the greedy businessman he was, he couldn't help but seize the opportunity.
Wei: Great! Really for-mi-dable! Doctor... I am impressed by your talents...
Sebastian, who was not fooled, gritted his teeth, sensing the problem coming.
Wei: And if you were here to settle on our agreement... I think you are wrong...
Kal'tsit: Sorry...?
This is it. The problem...
Wei: Well you see, I remember the third part of our contract perfectly... And this part said that the doctor would work for us as long as there was still a trace of the reunion in the city. Now, we still don't know if they've really evacuated completely.
The doctor understood where the lung was coming from and clenched his teeth, restraining the roar of an animal in his throat. Kal'tsit widened her eyes too, preparing to step in.
Fumizuki: Wei! But-
The lung raised his hand to the kirin to silence her and continued his sentence.
Wei: So until I have confirmation that all traces of the reunion have been removed from the city, the doctor will remain at our command.
Kal'tsit: Wait a minute!
Wei: Please, Doctor Kal'tsit. What do you mean? After all, you can't object to my conditions, you agreed to them. Or did you want to go back on your word?
The feline fell silent immediately, while Wei's carnivorous smile grew wider than ever, Mont3r growling in her spine to get out and slice the lung into thin slices.
Sebastian: I'm the third most important person on Rhodes Island, you can't-
Wei: What? I had your permission, doctor. If you ever want to give up the contract... you'll have to say goodbye to the paycheck too. It's bad enough you couldn't bring Misha back to us... I feel sorry for you that you couldn't save the poor girl...
Intrigued, the lynx raised an eyebrow, remembering having seen the ursine less than three hours ago, as did Sebastian. But the gaze of the two leaders of Rhodes Island was instinctively attracted by the face of the lung and the oni. The young woman with green hair gave a wink, and the lung a simple smile in the corner of her mouth.
So it was as simple as that...
The two young women had probably lied about their reports and asked their troops to keep quiet. A simple technique to give Misha the most important gift of all, freedom. The strong spirit of camaraderie allowing Ch'en and Hoshiguma to ask all their subordinates to lie about what happened to Lungmen's biggest boss.
Sebastian should thank the L.G.D. later for this attention.
Maybe buy this kind of high tech coffee machine as a thank you gift...
Ah yes, that's right, more important right now.
Sebastian: Misha wasn't part of the deal. We prevented much of the destruction of the city by the reunion, and you didn't have soldiers dressed in white wiggling around the streets of the upper parts of the city, so consider yourself lucky.
Wei: Anyway, you are at my orders. Ah, and while I'm at it. Except for Dr. Sebastian, I'm formally forbidding all members of the Rhodes Island security branch to intervene in Lungmen.
That was the last nail in the coffin. The black dust began to fall lightly on Kal'tsit's back and Sebastian took a step forward, his teeth becoming those of a lion.
Sebastian: You stupid-!
Just as he was about to draw his sidearm and put a bullet through Wei's skull he stopped. For he thought that if he did that he would have nine thousand men to face from the L.G.D. as well as thirty shadow guards... But also all the armies of Higashi and Yen as well as the little surprises they contained.
Maybe it wasn't worth killing the man in front of him after all...
Wei: What doctor? I thought Rhodes only had one word. And if you are so good, you will be able to get rid of all traces of the reunion in the city in no time, won't you? And believe me, you will be paid for your work accordingly...
The last argument came out of the lung's mouth like a flower, and yet it was the most important one in the eyes of the two leaders of Rhodes Island.
RI was in dire need of money.
And even though the doctor had acquired a real fortune on his own, both Amiya and Kal'tsit refused to let Rhodes rely on dirty money.
So just an extra paycheck... It was definitely not to be denied.
Expecting that the lynx would make the same choice as him, Sebastian sighed.
Sebastian: Well...
Wei: Wonderful! Doctor, you will act for the L.G.D., under the orders of Madam Ch'en, until the reunion has left our beautiful city...
The giant gritted his teeth as Ch'en's eyes widened. Not suspecting that Wei would want to go there. But the doctor didn't question it any further, he walked towards Ch'en sending an apologetic look to Kal'tsit and especially Nearl, and stopped right in front of the L.G.D. leader before standing at attention, like the soldier he was in his heart of hearts.
Sebastian: Superintendent Ch'en, Doctor Sebastian reporting for duty.
Ch'en: At ease...
The giant complied.
Ch'en: You will return in five days. Until then be ready to stay in town. Dismissed.
The giant smiled in a way, thanking the lung for giving him some time to settle his affairs on Rhodes Island before leaving with the I.G.D. for who knows how long.
Sebastian: Understood ma'am.
He said as he walked back to Kal'tsit and Nearl. He held out his hand and his sword came flying down to her, Sebastian sheathing his weapon after taking it back.
Ch'en returned to Swire and Hoshgiuma's side. Swire who had fallen asleep on a wooden box... Hoshiguma had a smile on her mouth as well as the lung. For the oni knew how much Ch'en was hiding high how happy she was at this very moment. To have found a man so important to her, on all levels, despite the fact that he no longer remembers her. And Hoshiguma, although amused and feeling that it was the hospital that was laughing at the charity, could not help but think that dear Sebastian had more than one romantic interest...
Hoshiguma: So? Shall I invite him for tonight?
Ch'en: Do as you like.
This time the answer came with a smile, giving implicitly a much more direct answer to the oni.
Swire: I want to go drinking with the doctor too!
*CLUNK*
Swire's head fell back on the wooden crate after his startle.
Sebastian: Amiya is going to kill me...
Nearl: No. I'm going to kill you... You keep hurting yourself for nothing after what happened...? And you make such crazy deals with powerful people...? Sometimes I wonder what's going on in your head.
Kal'tsit: I'd like to know that too.
L.G.D. Agent: Wait, wasn't that the radiant knight?
Chernobog, Reunion Camp...
A young ursine woman opened her eyes. She was in a dilapidated building, transformed into a dormitory of fortunes for Skullshatterer and her few lieutenants. Still feeling a bit of pain from her wounds despite the fatigue that gripped her... And as she felt herself emerging from deep sleep, she felt something on her lips, incredibly soft. Wondering what it was, she raised her fingers to her face, only to touch nothing.
It's crazy she almost felt like someone was there.
Crownslayer: Irina!
The ursine looked next to her to see a lupo pounce on her and hug her, Crownslayer simply reassured that her best friend had woken up.
Skullshatterer: Lyudmila... are you okay?
Crownslayer: Don't ask me that... You're the one who was in such bad shape despite the chlorophyte in your body we thought we were going to lose you.
Skullshatterer: It will take more than that to bring me down.
The young woman got up from the makeshift bed she was on and grabbed her gas mask and weapons before walking out of the building.
One of the large squares in Chernobog, just below the city's control tower, was where the reunion troops had decided to make their camp. It was where most of the leaders were when they were not on operations. All eyes turned to Irina, who was not wearing her gas mask, which was rare, and some of the soldiers shouted with joy at her recovery, but the leaders remained silent. They knew something was wrong.
Irina looked at the leaders, her friends. Frostnova, standing next to her foster father as always, his arm torn off during the battle having grown back, but still half the size it should be. Mephisto and Faust, still stuck together. Big Bob and Big Adam talking about the death of their brother during this operation, and finally Mudrock who seemed to be playing with a golem the size of a child. But mostly Talulah...
The draco stood in the middle of her troops, with her back to Irina, but not for long. The flame witch turned to her subordinate and took a fake smile to her lips.
Talulah: Skullshatterer... How nice to see you up.
The ursine came right in front of her leader without saying a word, ignoring the intimidation, because Talulah in addition to her immense charisma was a very tall woman and added that little bit of fear.
Skullshatterer sighed, and dropped her mask on the ground.
So did her swords.
So did her grenade launchers.
So did her reunion badge...
Skullshatterer: I leave reunion.
Several seconds of silence followed.
Skullshatterer had always been a great believer in the reunion and its precepts, perhaps even the one who believed in it the most with Frostnova. And yet this leader among their ranks clearly announced her desertion.
Skullshatterer: When I joined, you told me we could leave whenever we wanted. Well, I'm leaving now.
Some of the soldiers in the reunion began to shout with rage, even if desertion was "accepted" those who even expressed the idea of leaving were vilified. Talulah's eyes began to glow orange and her face showed open disgust. No one could get over the fact that a leader wanted to leave.
Talulah: That's it...? You lose one of the most important battles for the reunion... Dozens of our best soldiers... And you decide to leave? Without being held accountable for your actions? You are pathetic...
Skullshatterer gritted her teeth.
She had spotted this sudden change in Talulah's psyche quite some time ago. The kind and sympathetic leader of the reunion had long since left to make way for a manipulative beast. And now Irina could understand that Talulah was planning to shame her in case she left...
But she wasn't going to let it get her down. And even less to give up.
Skullshatterer: It's not my fault!
Talulah: It was you who asked to be put in charge of this operation!
Skullshatterer: Ask Patriot! Or Crownslayer! Rhodes Island was there! Their doctor was there! Plan A didn't work so I went with plan B! And you want to hold me to that?!
Talulah: And then you told me that nothing would stop you from fighting for our cause!
Skullshatterer: And what are we fighting for? Huh?!
The reunion fell silent once again in the face of the affront.
Skullshatterer: Those people we were fighting, they too were fighting for the infected! They too were fighting for better days!
Talulah: Those Rhodes Island bastards were helping the L.G.D. conduct pogroms in the slums! And you think they're really helping the infected?!
Said the draco as she raised her arms, watching her audience fill with hatred.
Skullshatterer: Liar! The infected who were killed in the slums were slaughtered by Centuri and his mercenaries!
New recruit 1: Wait, weren't the sarkazs from Rhodes Island?!
New recruit 2: Yeah it was sarkaz mercenaries that destroyed our houses! Not the ones dressed in blue and gray!
New recruit 3: Then what the hell am I doing here?! If it was the reunion that killed my son and husband and not Rhodes Island then I'm out of here too!
It didn't take long for some of the infected from the Lungmen slums to start putting the pieces together and Talulah was starting to get worried.
Skullshatterer: So go ahead! Centuri didn't answer to our orders, so tell us why he did it! Tell us who gave him the order!
Talulah: You dare to say that I asked him to slaughter our infected comrades you little pest?!
She said as the heat began to rise.
Talulah: Go ahead, go away you traitor! defending an enemy that only wants us dead! Putting the blame on our owns for the death of the infected !
Skullshatterer: Then why did this enemy who only wants us dead spare me and all those who were fleeing the city instead of killing us? Why did he repeatedly offer us to surrender?! Or why did he spare Frostnova and Patriot a few weeks ago?
Talulah: ...
Skullshatterer: We are fighting for scraps! Against an enemy that is much stronger than us! And wants exactly the same thing, but hasn't been obnubilated by hate yet! So what is my interest in fighting and dying for nothing!
Talulah: Leave. And never come back.
She said, bringing her face close and showing her animosity. The draco really wanted to kill her. But doing that might be a big mistake... Killing her right now in front of all the others would show her cruelty more than making an example, and would raise the internal tensions even more...
Talulah: Give us up! We will not stop fighting on our side! For the future of us all!
A surviving soldier from the assault squad emerged from the ranks with his comrades, the Skullshatterer soldiers.
Soldier: Boss! If you leave, we leave too! We can't leave you!
Surprised to see so many people wanting to leave the reunion Irina turned to them.
Skullshatterer: Don't leave because of me. If you want to do it, do it for yourself and don't follow me where I am going.
They stayed where they were, sure they wanted to get out of here.
But surprising everyone else came out of the ranks. Mudrock, Big Bob and Big Adam. Seeing this Talulah's eyes widened.
Talulah: Not you...
Big Bob: Chris is already dead for nothing. We're going to Columbia.
Talulah: But why?!
Big Bob: We stopped trying to help the infected a long time ago. Destroying the Infected patrol brigades. Rescuing kids from tundra gulags, stopping prisoner convoys, delivering medicine to Infected camps and protecting them. Those were the good old days. I didn't enjoy it for a second, I didn't think for a second that I liked what we were doing, I wasn't proud of myself for a fucking second, as soon as we got the idea to take Chernobog.
Big Adam: Chris died because he still believed in what we were doing. We're not gonna lose another brother. We might as well move to Columbia, hopefully we'll find work there and if we're even luckier we'll get a cure for our oripathy.
Talulah: Mud...
The draco turned to the fourth most respected person in the reunion. It's heavy armor hiding the person.
Mudrock: I will not risk the lives of my men in a fight against an enemy who is doing what we should have done in the first place. We are going back to Kazdel. Maybe there we can live in some semblance of peace as Infected.
The voice was husky and intimidating, yet calm, behind the mask. The sarkaz made its voice heard and this time no one dared to object. After all, everyone was beginning to understand the choice to leave.
Skullshatterer looked at the lupo next to her and could see from her face that she had no intention of leaving. But the bear gave her friend a smile and hugged her goodbye.
Skullshatterer: Don't worry. We'll probably see each other again.
Crownslayer: I hope so.
The young woman started to leave with a light heart.
Talulah: Say something, Patriot!
Patriot: What can I say? I should know better. No one should. Have to die. For a cause that. He doesn't believe in.
Talulah: You agree that they should go?!
She said, more surprised and distraught than really angry. And the wendigo only nodded his head to say yes.
The renegade reunion troops left. Skullshatterer in the lead, some of her men behind her, Big Bob's and Mudrock's soldiers, and the leaders themselves heading for the city gates. No words were exchanged, and among the troops of the reunion who had remained behind the reactions were mixed. Patriot and Frostnova hid how shaken they were by the departure. Mephisto was enraged and clenched his fists until they bled, Faust trying to calm him down with little effect. Crownslayer was still incredibly sad to see her only and best friend leave. Their leader numbers were now greatly reduced. And although barely a tenth of the troops in the reunion had left the cause, and more and more recruits were arriving every day, the atmosphere made it feel like half the troops had left.
A march that seemed like an eternity ended when Skullshatterer arrived outside the city in the desert. Mudrock and Big Bob seemed to be talking before they parted in opposite directions. Irina turned to her few surviving soldiers. And smiled.
Skullshatterer: Guys... it's been my pleasure.
Soldier 1: Are you sure we can't come with you, Boss?
Skullshatterer: Nah, you guys deserve to be away from all this crap.
Soldier 2: Wait a minute boss but you're really beautiful!
Raising an eyebrow she looked at one of her admiring soldiers. Then she realized that she had hardly ever let anyone see her face.
Soldier 2: Hey marry me boss!
The young woman laughed as the other soldiers were about to shut this soldier up.
Skullshatterer: Kevin, you must be fifteen years older than me... Don't even think about it.
Kevin: Oof!
He didn't need a blow to the back of the head from his comrades to be put down.
Soldier 3: Boss, where are you going?
Skullshatterer: I'm going back to Lungmen first. And then I don't know...
Soldier 1: What are we going to do...
Skullshatterer: Do what you want. You are free people. Who knows, if you want to keep fighting for the infected you might even join Rhode Island. I hear they accept absolutely everyone into their ranks. Even W was accepted there.
Soldier 4: Rhode Island...? Huh... I'll think about it...
Soldier 1: Yeah me too.
Skullshatterer: Maybe you'll meet me there...
She said in a low voice, unsure of what she was going to do about her future, and almost ashamed.
Kevin: Eh? If you'll be there we'll be there too boss!
Soldier 4: Yeah! We'll never fight without you!
Skullshatterer: Come on guys. I hope to see you there. I really do.
Soldier 5: See you later boss!
The soldiers all saluted their leader and Irina headed straight for Lungmen, using her arts to strengthen her body, but not enough to be a danger to her oripathy. And generating a whirlwind of sand and air she charged forward at immense speed. If she hurried fast enough she could be in Lungmen in two days... Heading for St. Peregrine's cathedral...
Kevin: I think I found the love of my life...
Soldier 1: Kevin, if there was still a police in Chernobog I would have called them...
Soldier 3: There's a better chance that she begins dating the doctor from Rhodes Island than you...
Sebastian/Hoshiguma/Ch'en/Swire: Cheers!
In one of the bars of Lungmen, four people could be seen around a table, they had just toasted while they had all already had a few drinks. All four of them swallowed their drinks and the redness generated by the alcohol could already be seen on the cheeks of the four with more or less effect.
Swire: Well doc, I would have thought that you would have put a party with your soldiers and not with us for this operation...
Said the feline who rested her head on her arm while looking at the good doctor who was already pouring himself a drink. And this time, he was not making sure that his body absorbed all the alcohol so for him too his head was starting to spin.
Sebastian: Pft. They're all asleep by now, our party is tomorrow.
Ch'en: I hope you won't have a hangover in five days, if I have a new recruit coming in drunk on his first day I'll treat you like the others.
The lung stopped herself from laughing stupidly at the end of her sentence as she handed her glass to the giant to fill it.
Sebastian: Aye ma'am...
He said as he filled the glass to the brim...
Hoshiguma: Hey... We're going to work together handsome...
The oni put his hand on the table, next to the doctor's, looking him in the eyes.
Sebastian: Seems like so... Handsome
He said while filling her glass too.
Sebastian: Don't worry about the orders, I'm paying.
Swire: Are you sure doc ? *hic*
Sebastian: Yeah, I've been a jerk a lot of times, I can repay you for putting up with me.
Ch'en: You're right Doc, you are a real asshole.
She says with a smile on her face as she begins to empty her glass.
Sebastian: Thank you.
Hoshiguma: That's right, it's been a while since you two have had a fight...
The oni raised her glass to her lips while looking at the good doctor and the lung. The four of them were arranged around the table, so that the giant was facing Hoshiguma and Swire and Ch'en were next to him.
Sebastian: I'm not in the mood for this today...
Ch'en: We already fought earlier today, it's okay...
Swire: It almost looks like you made peace.
Sebastian and Ch'en looked into each other's eyes as they finished their drinks and both smiled.
Ch'en/Sebastian: I'd rather die...
They finished their drinks.
Swire: Doctor, what do you do to have such big arms...
The feline, who still had her eyes fixed on the giant, her tigress tail wagging energetically, looked especially at Sebastian's arm, which because he was holding his drink was slightly contracted and looked even larger. The good doctor laughed immediately.
Sebastian: I fight. At least an hour a day...
Swire: Wow...
Hoshiguma: Bea stops looking at the doctor so half the restaurant can see how we you are from here...
The giant threatened to choke on the baozi he had just swallowed when he heard the oni as Swire crossed her legs under the table and her face turned even redder.
Swire: Hoshi you-!
Ch'en: Huh? Beatrix, did your season start earlier this year?
Swire: What? But no!
Ch'en: Oh well. I thought you wanted to take the doc as your mate. At least that's what you let it appear. And then, watch out, your tail is about to wrap around him.
The feline jumped and looked behind her back to see that the hairy appendage was about to wrap itself around the giant's wrist. Her face taking on the appearance of fright, she grabbed her tail and put it behind her back.
Swire began to seethe with rage.
Swire: You're mocking me… But... What the hell is this?!
The feline moved as fast as lightning and grabbed Hoshiguma's thigh to lift it up and show it to everyone, to reveal that ch'en's dragon tail was wrapped like a snake around a branch.
Because of the sudden revelation Ch'en started to blush like never before and pulled her appendage from Hoshiguma's thigh before hiding her face with her hands as she was so red, while some people who were looking at the table suddenly started to look away embarrassed. Hoshiguma who was also blushing started to look at the giant in the eyes and put her two hands on the table.
Hoshiguma: I-I'm sorry! I swear it's not what it looks like!
Sebastian: Why the fuck would I care?
He said, raising an eyebrow and looking at the two young women as he finished his drink.
The three women looked at the giant more surprised than when they had seen him in full health after his confrontation with Skullshatterer.
The oni was the first to speak.
Hoshiguma: Don't you know what that means?
Sebastian: Is it supposed to mean something?
Ch'en: No.
Swire: Absolutely nothing.
Hoshiguma: Not at all.
He was amazed but already too drunk to ask questions.
Sebastian: Okay... You're lucky, Hoshi.
Hoshiguma: Why?
Sebastian: I'd like to touch the lizard's tail too.
Ch'en: A fucking lung... I am a lung.
Sebastian: Yeah yeah...
Ch'en: Don't you dare do it or I'll rip your spine out.
The oni and the doctor both looked into each other's eyes, then they looked at the blue scaled tail that moved from left to right slowly in the back of the lung.
Then suddenly both of them moved one of their hands forward to take hold of the appendage.
Ch'en saw time slow down as she began to be frightened.
Ch'en: "Oh no..."
Not one, but two people she really cared about wanted to touch her tail. And that wouldn't have been a problem, if the two people in question weren't the ones responsible for her dragon's tail becoming a "sensitive" part of her body... due to nights... busy... And that had nothing to envy the nights of a sarkaz village during their seasons.
Ch'en: Don't even think about it! Because if you- Aahhh~!
The scream that rang out, it wasn't a scream of pain, but a dubious scream of pleasure.
Fortunately the noise in the restaurant masked the scream of the lung, and no one except the other three people at her table looked at her face which showed the pleasure she felt at the time.
In fact, Sebastian Hoshiguma and Swire remained completely silent, thinking that they had just made a huge mistake.
Ch'en regained her composure although her breath was heavy and hot and she looked at the two people next to her, before she also moved her hands, to grab the head of the oni and the giant and send their heads on the wood of the table. With a heavy thud, the two looked into each other's eyes, their faces against the wood and laughed. When the lung released its hold they stood up.
Ch'en: Good doc.
She called for a waitress, and the waitress, recognizing the three musketeers of the L.G.D., took a bottle of strong alcohol from behind the counter and brought it to the table before leaving.
She collected the glasses of the four people.
Ch'en: Since I didn't manage to put you on the floor earlier today, I plan to do it now.
Sebastian: A drinking game?
Ch'en: The one who stays up wins.
Sebastian: Uh-oh? You dare challenge me mortal ?
Ch'en: The one who can roll me under the table is not born yet.
Hoshiguma: Hey, I'm in too! After the other day I don't expect to lose this time!
Swire: I too am participating *hic*!
No one would ever want to know what was exchanged during that night between the four.
The four companions walked out of the bar and all laughed stupidly, half-dead from all the alcohol in their systems. Even the lung who was known as the scariest thing in the L.G.D. was laughing out loud.
Sebastian: And then the guy looks me straight in the eye, and he says: I saw how you treated my sisters and I know how they feel about you, so I'll make one last request. Please doctor, marry my sisters and continue the Silverash line!
Once again the group burst out laughing as they walked out into the street after Sebastian paid the bill.
Hoshiguma: But what?! He really asked you to knock up his sisters when you barely know him?
Sebastian: The worst part is that the jerk has asked me again since then and he offered me millions!
Swire: No... Millions? What the hell is in his head?
Ch'en: *hic* Wait doc, don't tell me you accepted ?
Sebastian: No, the guy I met 48 hours ago and he proposed me to marry his sisters... I gave him the arguments of the great romantic and all that...
Ch'en: Are you going to make me believe that you can pass for a romantic?
Sebastian: What? But I have a marshmallow heart...
Ch'en: Yeah, of course...
Said the lung, leaning her head against the doctor.
Swire came back to her senses as she was threatening to faint because she was so drunk. And so were the other three. Ch'en Sebastian and Hoshiguma had had a lot to drink and they had better not drive if they could even find their keys in their pockets. But what struck her was that Hoshiguma was helping her to walk by having one of the feline's arms over her shoulders, but more importantly, that Sebastian was helping the lung to walk in the same way, and she seemed to be getting closer and closer to the good doctor.
Ch'en seemed to say something to the giant, he looked at her and nodded. Obviously Hoshiguma had heard and remained frozen, but Swire her senses blurred by alcohol she did not hear. The lung and the giant set off into the night-time and still busy streets of Lungmen.
Swire: H-hey! W-where are you going?
Ch'en: Come on... I can't go home by myself I can't even walk... The big guy is just helping me~...
Said the lung leaning more and more against the giant with a smile on her lips as her eyes struggled to stay open.
Sebastian: Yeah... Just helping...
The giant had a code of honor it is true.
Never with a girl who is drunk.
But this code became complicated to respect when he was himself drunk.
The feline, who was far from stupid, opened her eyes and looked at the oni.
Swire: H-Hoshi! You can't let them do that!
The oni looked at the two. She could even feel the intent between them. An intent generated by alcohol and a lot of repressed emotions... Her arms were already occupied by the feline but she could already probably make sure that the lung and the giant didn't leave together. But knowing the two. She began to think... And this time she did not feel jealousy. Why would she be jealous anyway? Who was stealing one of the two people she was in love with, but the other one. And remembering her mother's words, she began instead to think of a plan. Of the two options that were right in front of her...
She chooses both at the same time.
Hoshiguma: What, Bea? That's none of my business. Come on, I have to carry your fat cat ass to your apartment...
Swire: Shut up! You've got a bigger ass than mine...
Hoshiguma: That's true, but at least I know there is two people in that world who like it.
Behind their backs Sebastian and Ch'en walked away, one stuck to the other.
They looked into each other's eyes and smiled.
Ch'en was infinitely happy. Especially in the hours that followed...
Because she knew that the man who had made her a woman.
In every sense of the word...
She got him back the same way he had left her...
After a night on a bed spent in pleasure, with nothing separating their skins but a thin layer of sweat generated by the heat. Absolutely nothing that separated their lips, except the few seconds when they took their breaths. And there was absolutely nothing between them but the two of them.
Except for a thin piece of latex that was changed several times through the night.
Ch'en finally found her lover back.
Somewhere in Lungmen.
?: Yes. Everything is going great. Dr. Silence has done her part wonderfully, she will be fired and silenced soon. The mental health of the subject is beyond our expectations... Hm. Hm. I understand. Director Saria also has an influence on the subject's psyche. But no, she will follow our orders and not let herself be corrupted by her attachment to the subject. Yes. It's a wonderful idea to move to Lungmen. Especially since our partners from Rhodes Island have just arrived. Yes, I'm looking at her right now. She's sleeping, sir. Yes.
The man in the shadows, with his phone in his hand, looked at the security camera screen. Seeing a sleeping sarkaz in her bed.
?: Yes sir, I'm confirming it off the record. Project Flame Demon is about to enter phase two.
