A/N: I hate for having by far the worst user friendly interface imaginable. All of this chapter was written before the last revelations about chapter 14 and Babel event. As such, please note that once again i'm getting away from canon. Seriously ya'll shall read that shit on wattpad.
Her pen fell to the floor.
Zima: Ah shit!
She said, exhausted at having dropped her pen again in the silence, but mainly because of the repetition of the little gesture. She picked it up and heard a sigh from further in the room. Some of her classmates were looking at her, but above all, the man writing on the blackboard was looking at her, his eyebrows furrowed.
Sebastian: Sonya... Language...
Zima: Yeah, yeah sorry...
She said, obviously mocking the situation. The giant turned, seeing the gaze of his many pupils returning to his upper body.
Sebastian: Right. Who can prove to me that these two vectors are collinear?
He looked left and right, seeing a few hands raised. But of course his sharp teacher's gaze went to those who didn't raise their hands. His gaze landed on Rosa, who was staring into space, her head resting on her hand.
Sebastian: Natalya?
The ursine seemed to come back to reality and her eyes fell on the doctor and then on the painting, a slight stress instilling itself in her mind, the giant listening to her heart beating at full speed.
Rosa: well...
The giant leaned back against the blackboard, crossing his arms and waiting for a response from the young woman. Despite the fact that he knew she wasn't very friendly with the subject.
Rosa: You have to show that they are proportional...?
He could see that she had searched every nook and cranny of her memory for that answer and had found it, simply by sheer miracle. The giant grinned, and held up the hand that held the chalk.
Sebastian: Very good. Then show it to the board.
The ursine's eyes began to plead pity with those of the giant, who only seemed amused by the situation. Then, hesitantly, the girl rose to her feet, walking slowly towards the blackboard as if she were on death row, and took the chalk from the doctor's hand before moving towards it.
Just as she began to think about what she could do, the bell rang, earning the students' exultation of joy, and a big, relaxed sigh from the girl next to him. Their eyes met again, the giant still smiling.
Sebastian: Saved by the bell...
He stood in front of his class as some of them packed up their things, even though they were all waiting for him to instruct them to leave. He had at least earned that respect from them.
Sebastian: Don't forget tomorrow's work, but don't forget to bring your lab coats tomorrow morning, we're going straight to the lab for chemistry.
Student: Sir, isn't the essay due on Tuesday?
Sebastian: Normally and for the other classes yes, but honestly I won't have time to correct it... So I'll give you two more days.
Some of his students seemed relieved by this, which made the doctor smile slightly.
Sebastian: Don't tell them. Otherwise I'll be in trouble again.
The students quickly exited the room one by one, leaving only the giant and Rosa in the classroom. The young woman grabbed the brush at the bottom of the blackboard and began wiping the chalk, while the giant put away some of his belongings.
Rosa: Sorry... I was distracted...
Sebastian: I noticed. Are you thinking about tonight?
Rosa: Of course...
Sebastian: Stressed?
Rosa: I... I don't know. I wouldn't know how to define how I feel right now... One part of me is downright panicked, the other a little happy to see my parents for so long... And the last part is full of rage...
She stopped wiping the board for a moment.
Rosa: I want them to understand that I have to stay here... That I can make this choice and take responsibility for it. That I'm not a child anymore...
The giant was watching her, sitting at his desk. The young woman finally dared to meet his eyes.
Rosa: There you are. Ready to put up with me. And yet I never asked you, do you even agree with me?
Sebastian: Do I think you should stay here? No. I don't.
Like a thunderclap, the ursine felt the air empty her lungs with a start. She hadn't really expected the answer the doctor was giving her.
Sebastian: I'm all for being carefree. You are young. You've still got years ahead of you to enjoy... Despite the mark that's been left on you... So no, I don't think it's a good idea for an Ursus teenager of nobility to stay in the middle of a pharmaceutical company that are nothing more than mercenary nomads with a few pills and rubbing shoulders with governments and terrorist organizations.
He said, almost out of breath as he gave his unflattering summary of Rhodes Island.
Sebastian: But I also don't think I have to lecture anyone, Nat. And I like you. So of course I'll support you through your choices even if I don't like them.
The most feigned smile played on her lips. It was the thanks she didn't need to give the giant. But before long, the girl began to pout in an adorable, childlike way.
Rosa: If you don't want me here maybe I'll just go home and good luck finding a baby-sitter for Misha!
The giant laughed with closed lips before walking straight towards the girl and the chalkboard, helping her to wipe the chalk.
Sebastian: Don't say that, you know I'll make it up to you with a nice smile, as always.
Annoyed by the self-satisfied look on his lips, the ursine took advantage of the doctor's second of inattention. She hit the most visible spot on the back of his black pants with a brush full of chalk dust.
The astonished giant couldn't dodge, but flinched and looked the same as when Rosa had innocently shown him the spider she'd captured in his office. At the time, she was unaware of his penultimate weakness.
Of course, she burst out laughing, as the giant turned to her and laughed in amusement before retaliating, trying to hit the ursine's bottom with his brush aimed at her black pantyhose.
The ursine tried to dodge but miscalculated the aberrant length of the giant's arm and was hit, so having nothing to lose she threw herself forward with weapon in hand. The doctor backed away from his attacker, but unfortunately tripped over his own feet and fell backwards, with the young woman falling on top of him.
Rosa: Ouch!
The giant grunted, opening his eyes and holding the girl firmly to make sure she didn't hit anything.
Sebastian: Nothing broken?
She was only a few centimeters above him. The warmth of their bodies intermingling due to the proximity. The ursine quickly froze, not responding. Her face gradually turned red. Of course, she couldn't ignore the position and situation they were in...
And soon it was too much for her poor heart to bear. But it was above all when her eyes, so particular because of their heterochromia, fixed on the giant's face.
He didn't seem so much embarrassed as amused. His eyes, radiant with the usual warmth, began to change, as did his smile, the warmth giving way to mischief.
Sebastian: Well... there on the classroom floor... I didn't imagine you so bold Natalya...
The poor girl's face was a sea of red and yet, to her astonishment, she didn't move on her own for a brief moment. Then she sat up abruptly, trying to make as little contact as possible with the giant as she tried to hide the lower half of her face with her hands.
Meanwhile, the giant burst out laughing and remained on the ground, his breath mingled with humor. Of course, the giant would have reacted quite differently to another person... but Rosa didn't know that...
With a combat-like leap, the giant returned to his feet.
Rosa: I-I'll go...
Sebastian: Did I shock you?
He said, realizing that he had perhaps gone a little too far.
Rosa: I-it's okay...
She was still quite red. But he decided not to outbid her.
At least he'd calmed her down before the meeting with her parents.
After a few moments, the young woman left with her belongings, waving goodbye as the giant put away his classroom things, smiling slightly. For him, treating his students as friends and doing things like that were acceptable...
He just hoped an inspector wasn't passing by...
Sebastian: It's Abydos all over again.
he murmured.
Sebastian: Kanna would have handcuffed me by now...
This time, however, he smiled a little as he left his classroom.
Nearl watched a dark figure cross the length of the pool at such speed that it looked like a bird flying overhead and casting its shadow on the water. The heat and humidity of the room stuck to her skin. She was familiar with the Rhodes Island pool by now, having visited it many times in the past before it had closed for budget reasons...
The young woman was sitting on the edge of the pool, her legs in the water, her broad bushy tail wagging slowly behind her back, then she turned her head to look behind her at the large bay window.
This large window gave a view of the immense hall used as a training ground below. Quickly, the young woman's ears twitched as she heard an object emerge from the water. Her gaze went to the emerald-eyed giant who, like a mermaid, rose from the water, leaning on the ledge a little further out.
Sebastian: Ah, that hits the spot...
He said, flicking his hair back as the water trickled down his body, using the grooves between his bulging muscles as channels. The swimsuit he was wearing was a pair of shorts, with triangular black, white and gray patterns, seeming to form like futuristic camouflage. The garment looked amateur enough to be worn with an ensemble like that. And yet it was also just tight enough to be able to give the illusion and pass as something competitive. Tight around the giant's thighs, showing off his powerful muscles, and yet baggy enough in the areas that mattered as not to show…
What could intimidate most.
She already had an idea of his constitution, but now she knew exactly what a divine physique he had. For that was the only word that could describe such a body. Normally, the swimsuit was part of a rather simple ensemble whose style was characteristic of the giant, but of course he didn't bother taking the whole thing to the pool.
He walked towards her, Nearl slowly managing to extricate himself from the hypnosis caused by the giant.
Nearl: I can imagine... Swimming spots are scarce in Terra...
The giant took a second to look at the kuranta.
Everything he'd been through so far in this world, all the suffering, the hatred, the regret, it was all worth it just for this. This vision.
Swiatla: Of all the beautiful things this world has to offer that I strive to make you see. The one and only thing that gives you complete satisfaction is one of my children in an indecent outfit.
Sebastian: 'If you're a goddess of love and fertility you must have known that this aspect would show in your children, so I wouldn't take a lesson from you.'
He communicated in his mind as he continued to approach the kuranta, eventually sitting down next to her, putting his legs in the water.
Sebastian: We're lucky here...
Nearl: It's impressive, you know?
Sebastian: The fact that I'm not breathing?
Nearl: That and your speed... But wait, I thought you could breathe in water?
Sebastian: I can, but it still slows me down, so I avoid it as much as I can.
Nearl: Hm I don't have much to say. You're more than ready even without equipment...
Her broad tail wagged and pressed against the giant as if she wanted to press him against her.
Sebastian: I can make you a pocket rebreather so you don't have to surface once you're in the water...
The giant looked at the golden appendage for a moment.
Sebastian: I was wondering, does it slow you down?
Nearl: I don't think so... I bought this gel to make it hydrophobic so I hardly feel it...
Sebastian: interesting...
The giant placed his hand on Nearl's fur, both enjoying the calm around them.
Sebastian: You're ready for the grand lake too...
Nearl: surprisingly, I haven't lost too much of my ease in the water...
A slight smile of pride spread across her face.
Nearl: I'd invite some Aegirs to compete against me, but they can't stand chlorine in the water.
Sebastian: Ouch, that's too bad...
Nearl: It's funny when I think about it, Zofia or Maria never really liked swimming when we were young...
Sebastian: Really?
Nearl: Hm I was the only one who really enjoyed going in the lake... Even right at the end of winter. I'd spend hours in the water with the sprites.
Sebastian: Water sprites?
This time Nearl's face showed boundless nostalgia. That smile on her lips, that golden gaze into the void. The giant watched her, never lacing himself with the kuranta's words.
Nearl: They're great creatures... But a bit mischievous... They used to come and play with me all the time, even if sometimes they found it hard to understand that I had to come to the surface every now and then.
He knew what she was talking about. Sprites were creatures living in the great lakes and streams of Kazimierz. Child-sized, mermaid-like beasts with reptilian heads. On the border between mischievous animals who loved nothing more than to play with those who walked on the surface, and a primitive civilization.
Nearl: I think it was because they liked me that they helped me so much during my ordeal on the big lake.
Sebastian: Let's just hope it doesn't change too much...
Nearl: It was a good time in retrospect... Just me, the girls, my grandfather... Even though every day we wondered when my parents were coming home.
Sebastian: I...
Nearl: I miss them...
She lowered her head, nostalgia abandoning its weak border to give way to regret. The smile fell, replaced by sorrow and sadness, as did her gaze, the golden sunshine that was her eyes covered in clouds of remorse.
Nearl: I miss them all...
The giant had no doubt that this view would not be available to anyone else on the planet. Nearl in front of the doctor didn't hesitate to show her doubts and all the pain that ran through his heart. In a way, the doctor was proud to be the only one to be able to see this, but on the other hand, he cursed this power... Because seeing the pain on the young woman's face created a sharp pain in him too.
Sebastian gently pat Nearl's tail. Her pain seemed to ease slowly.
Nearl: This country Seb... It was my home... And they kicked me out like a heretic because I didn't want to play their game...
He looked at the water, at the slowly moving pool.
He'd had enough.
His fist clenched.
He was tired of seeing the pain in her features, tired of guessing her pain. The pain her greatness had caused her. Enough of hearing about this country torn apart by the greed of those at the top, brainwashing those at the bottom.
Making them believe that living in chains was still acceptable, whether real or bureaucratic, making them believe that watching people fight was just a sport and a show. Forgetting even their history and their genes.
It was anger that seized him again.
But again, not the anger that drove him to want to destroy the world and drown it in blood. But the anger to bring down flames on darkness.
Sebastian: You'll be reunited with your family...
As he grasped her fur, their eyes met.
Sebastian: And your country... I promise...
He was ready to fight for Nearl. To fight half this planet if he had to.
But what he did was an oath.
He wasn't just going to fight, as he'd always done. He was going to fix everything this time.
For her, and for all those who suffered.
The kuranta began to smile again. Her eyes shedding only a singular tear after all the emotion that had gone through her.
Nearl: Thank you...
At least, he was doing it mostly for her...
At that moment, Nearl had no doubt that the doctor would succeed in his objective.
Suddenly, a loud explosion shook the windows of the bay to which the two warriors had their backs, and they both looked up at the fogged-up glass.
Nearl: Who's in the training room?
Sebastian: Irina and Amiya...
Nearl: they seem to get along pretty well.
Sebastian: They often train together.
A small part of the giant was still surprised that Amiya was so friendly towards the former leader of the reunion.
Another jolt sounded.
Nearl: Aren't they going at it a little too hard though ?
Amiya stretched her legs, preparing herself once again for a fight. She was wearing her usual sports outfit, which seemed almost original in its simplicity. Irina, meanwhile, was already reeling in her swords a few yards away.
Irina: Are you sure you want to fight today too? I mean... Even I'm still sore from yesterday.
The cautus only smiled as she stretched her other leg.
Amiya: Yes, I'm sure.
She climbed to her feet, hopping up and down, looking full of energy.
Irina would never have believed the situation she found herself in. Of course, not so long ago she would never have thought of being part of Rhodes Island. Let alone being able to stroll among their operators with her face uncovered... Or by any stretch of the imagination being a regular partner of their leader...
Amiya: Igor is here today. We can go all out...
Now she fought her almost every day. At first she'd thought Amiya was just a caster with a few hand-to-hand lessons. Described by her companions as a young girl with great willpower despite her age and sometimes lack of maturity or experience.
A simple caster...
Amiya stopped warming up and grabbed a training sword stuck in the concrete floor.
No one, that is, no one, except perhaps one, was able to understand what had happened.
The cautus lunged straight for the ursine and swung her sword in an stab. Such was her speed and strength that the concrete shattered beneath her feet and she found herself in front of Irina in an instant.
The ursine, considered one of the best fighters on Rhodes Island, managed to deflect the attack. One of her own swords got in the way. But the force of the impact...
Irina managed to deflect the sword's attack, seemingly unbalancing the cautus for just a moment. But this was not to know her well, as from her momentum she kicked right back at the ursine, who this time sensed a danger far greater than the young girl's weapon.
She protected herself by crossing her two swords, which were struck by the kick, and the ursine found herself hurled by titanic force through several walls of the artificial city that served as her training ground. After a moment, she concentrated her arts and her muscles quickly filled with strength and fresh blood. She stood up on her legs and charged straight at her opponent, starting to attack.
Her sword slices were so fast that no one from Rhodes Island would have liked to face them... And yet Amiya managed to stop one attack at a time with her sword alone, showing a mastery that no one would have imagined from her.
Nobody could understand what had happened to Amiya.
Of course, everyone could see that she suddenly seemed to have matured a great deal. But that didn't explain how she'd become so physically strong, so fast in such a short space of time.
And above all, how had she become so gifted when she'd had virtually no training in hand-to-hand weapons? It was as if her whole being had suddenly embraced the sword and accumulated years and years of experience.
*clink*
The ursine's tired muscles failed her, and for a quarter of a second there was an opening.
Amiya brought the blade down towards the ursine, who dodged with a step backwards, but almost immediately, the grip on the weapon's handle changed, and the sword came straight back towards her, ready to hit her in a move she couldn't dodge this time.
The ursine's gaze turned to the face of the cautus.
All that remained of her normally gentle features was animosity. It was as if her face had been slowly transformed into that of a demon. She showed her teeth, which seemed sharp and pointed like fangs. And her eyes... Her eyes had changed from azure to carmine.
Panic-stricken, Irina concentrated her arts more than she had since her battle with the doctor. Immediately her body responded and time seemed to slow down for her. She managed to kick Amiya in the side of the face, sending the cautus flying away for an instant.
Amiya felt her bones cracking, just like the concrete she was crushing through, until one of the walls was strong enough to stop her. As soon as she reached the ground, seeing Irina charging towards her, she wasted no time.
She threw her sword into the air and, in a great display of coordination and skill, landed one of her powerful kicks on the sword, hurling it like a nail from a pistol at full speed towards the ursine.
Surprised, Irina dodged the attack, throwing herself to the ground to avoid the danger. Soon, however, her instincts had her rolling on the ground to dodge an art shot, followed by many others which the ursine managed to dodge as best she could, until she could see a shadow descending straight towards her. It was Amiya coming straight down towards her, ready to fight.
The ursine seized her grenade launcher strapped to her back and aimed at the young girl, detonating a shot whose power she had reduced. The projectile exploded, but in her haste Irina had incorrectly adjusted the power of her arts, the ammunition creating a large ball of flame which struck the cautus.
Amiya felt her featherweight thrown back by the thunderous explosion as she landed heavily on the ground a few buildings away.
She looked down at her forearms, with which she had protected herself, to see the immense burns left by the flames that had licked her skin. Slowly she felt her skin cells regenerate and cover the charred flesh.
Catching her breath, Amiya once again concentrated all the strength she could into her legs, heading towards where her hearing could find her enemy. Everything in her path was shattered as she found herself back in front of the ursine, unleashing a series of phenomenally powerful blows.
From this intense confrontation, Irina, with all the fatigue accumulated over the last few days, made a mistake. An imprecise movement... An opening.
Irina's world darkened for a moment as she took the attack, then fell to the ground, her blades slipping from her hands.
Irina quickly opened her eyes again, but she knew she'd lost.
So she lay there on the floor and sighed.
Irina: That's it... You've won... Now I just need to rest.
Amiya began to smile. Even if she was a little worried about the ursine.
Amiya: Will you be okay...?
Irina: Yeah... Even if it's my turn to say it... I think I hit you with the grenade...
The ursine looked at the cautus's slightly burnt or damaged clothes, but her skin was without a scratch.
Irina: I didn't say anything... Boy, you're getting stronger every day...
Amiya: I have to...
The cautus's instincts urged her to look up to meet another pair of eyes.
Sebastian: Maybe. But at least they get away with it.
The giant was staring at the windows, seemingly looking at something beyond, a certain smile on his lips. Something that Nearl she couldn't see.
Nearl: She's been changing a lot lately.
Sebastian: Maybe.
With Nearl still staring at the glass, Sebastian turned his attention back to the kuranta. Never tiring of observing the angel before his eyes.
A mischievous smile played across his lips.
Sebastian grabbed the kuranta, putting his arm around her waist. Surprised, the young woman froze for a moment, her tail stiffening.
Then the giant kicked his legs, pushing them both into the water. The kuranta cried out in surprise as she quickly made contact with the water. Recovering her senses and rising to the surface, she could see the giant beside her laughing until he cracked his ribs.
She too soon laughed at the childishness of the surprise.
Nearl: Boy, you just couldn't help yourself, could you?!
The giant floated on his back, doing the plank, his devilish eyes directed straight at the kuranta, his smile bewitching the young woman.
Sebastian: Oh, of course not.
Nearl lowered herself into the water, leaving only the upper part of her face sticking out like a crocodile. And just as Sebastian looked away for a few moments, the kuranta took a giant leap and pushed the giant underwater, grinning at the surprise on the doctor's face as he sank beneath the waves.
But soon the young woman felt the giant's arms tighten around her body again in a bear hug. The giant lifted himself out of the water, the young woman feeling as if in the embrace of a predator, vainly trying to separate herself from the man holding her captive, his overwhelming strength not letting her win.
Sebastian: May I ask what you've been trying to do, Margaret?
Nearl: I will have my revenge for this affront! Demon!
Sebastian: Oh, I don't think so, madam...
The giant used the strength in his back and arms to throw the young woman a little further into the water, her scream echoing as she took a short flight and finally fell back into the water. Even with her head in the liquid, she could hear the giant laughing.
What followed could have been described by others as childishness. The giant and the kuranta pulling each other under the water.
But for them...
It was a meagre opportunity to escape the hard life that followed them constantly and at pace. Nearl hadn't had fun like this in... in too long. Far too long. The moment came when fatigue finally got the better of them and they put an end to their childish games. Their adult consciences took over.
This was the moment when Sebastian had once again grabbed the kuranta by the waist, the latter facing him, her arms on the giant's shoulders. This was the moment when they all realized they could feel each other's skin on theirs.
Sebastian only had to raise his head slightly to look the young woman in the eye.
Great orbs of golden light, they gave her the impression of watching two sunsets. Her long blond hair, for once unbound, formed a great curtain around them. And even if they didn't hide everything. At that moment Sebastian was blind to everything else in the world.
All he could see was the beauty of the woman he loved.
Nearl, for her part, took the time to admire every little flaw in the giant's face.
Many a woman in this world would have said that Sebastian wasn't the most handsome man alive. But it was an opinion Nearl didn't have the strength to share. Looking at the tiny wrinkles that would have attested to his age... At his almost childlike, youthful gaze...
She didn't care about beauty, because she thought that perfection lay before her.
She felt soothed by the waves that surrounded them, that gaze that pierced her, those powerful arms that squeezed her... That skin, surprisingly so cold to the touch, seemed perfect against hers.
Nearl wondered if there had ever been a moment in her life when she could have felt what she was feeling right now for the man in front of her.
The last years of her life had been a slow and painful death of her soul... Of who she really was...
The man who stood in front of her had brought her back. Brought her back from the apathy and monotony that had taken hold of her.
This death that had gripped her without her even realizing it.
He had delivered her from it.
There, looking at him, immersed in her gaze overlooking him with her benevolence and love, Nearl remembered their meeting. When she had brought him back from the dead, as he lay there in the cold waters, broken, his frail body in her strong arms.
She could see that the opposite had happened.
Sebastian had saved her.
She could feel her heart pressing against his chest, drawing her forward ever closer to the giant and his face. As if drawn by a magnet.
The giant felt the same way, waiting for just one thing. To finally feel her lips on his.
Unfortunately for the two lovers, fate had a plan of its own.
I'd hoped by now you'd be used to the giant's bad luck, dear readers.
Especially when he sees the opportunity to reveal his love with a simple gesture.
Someone arrived at the pool, which up to now had been shared by just the two of them.
The giant could immediately recognize the fiery heartbeats of Blaze and Gavial approaching. Although he had to give up his kiss with the kuranta, he couldn't bring himself to let her go.
Blaze: You'll see! You don't stand a chance against me!
Gavial: Because you think you can do better than an archosaur, kitten?
The two young women came out of the changing rooms and their gazes quickly turned to the two still in the water.
Blaze: Oh hey doc! Margaret!
Gavial: Uh... Are we interrupting something...?
The two parted, the bitterness behind their features barely concealed.
Sebastian: No, I'm fine.
He took one last look at the kuranta.
Sebastian: see you later. I still have work to do.
Nearl: See you...
He quickly got out of the water and headed for the changing rooms. Not even paying attention to the looks and faces of the two young women, or the way they were dressed. Couldn't even think of another at the time.
The doctor left. The kuranta just stared.
Amiya: Thank you for today.
Irina: Yeah, you're welcome...
The cautus came and sat down next to the ursine on one of the benches in the training area, handing her a bottle of cold water at the same time.
Irina: I need to rest... I don't know how you recover so quickly...
The cautus drank her water with haste. She still seemed full of energy. As for Irina, she looked at her, not at her face but at what lay a little lower down, discreet but stirring slightly with each of her movements.
Amiya: I'd say keep well hydrated... But if you want to rest, please do. I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself.
Irina fled the younger girl's gaze and looked down at her own bust. Despite being almost four years older, it was clear that Amiya had more breasts than she did.
Irina: I was wondering... Why are you so keen to learn hand-to-hand combat? You're already a good caster from what I know.
The cautus looked at the void in front of her, her smile dropping slightly but not disappearing.
Amiya: I've always relied on dokutah...
She took a deep breath, as if what she was about to say was a shock to her.
Amiya: I realized not so long ago that he was... Vulnerable...
What emanated from these beautiful sapphires was a mixture of sadness and determination. Like innocence shattered, giving birth to willpower.
Amiya: So I want to be there for him. And for others at those times. It's as simple as that...
The ursine had the right hunch that the thoughts that had given rise to this will were infinitely more complex than she let on.
Irina: You like the doctor that much...
Amiya: Of course.
Cautus leaped to her feet.
Amiya: I'll leave you to it! I have a meeting to prepare for tomorrow.
The ursine watched the Rhodes Island leader leave, light-footed.
She wondered whether she was delusional or whether the girl had actually gained a few centimeters...
The giant looked at various documents, his eyes darting here and there, engraving every detail in his mind.
Kirsten: Well?
The perro's voice resounded from the other end of the phone, placed as a loudspeaker on his desk.
Sebastian: No, nothing to say. Your choice of colonist is excellent. Except perhaps the choice of crew psychologist. His genome isn't perfect, and while his loyalty to the mission would be excellent, it's been noted that he has a certain tendency to do his job publicly. Perfect for creating unnecessary tension...
Kirsten: I thought so too. But I couldn't find anyone who could fill the role in a better way.
Sebastian: I'll look for myself.
Kirsten: Wonderful. I received confirmation this morning that the launch site has begun construction at Trimounts. But there are problems with the design of the first components... The engineers have never seen anything like this before.
Sebastian: I know. But standardization of components is essential to enable emergency replacement.
Kirsten: If you say so... And if not, I see you haven't touched the shield design. Or the deployable structure.
Sebastian: That's true. But the structure is well done. As is the shield, which is certainly energy-hungry but doesn't deserve a total overhaul.
It was far from the first telephone conversation the two had had in this way. After all, the first steps of an interstellar civilization weren't taken overnight...
Kirsten: Then there's the problem of the generator... Doctor... We'll never find the energy we need for our project by conventional means... I...
Sebastian: I'm just about finished, and I think three generators will be perfect in case others break down. In a few days, I'll have finished the details. Wait, I'll send you the files.
A few clicks on his keyboard and mouse, then there was silence from the other end of the line for a few moments.
Kirsten: ... Doctor it's... How did...? The existence of antimatter is still highly theoretical, so using it in a controlled reaction-
Sebastian: My body produces about two kilograms of antimatter a day. I'll send the containers by post. Just don't try anything with the containers. The safety system I've built into them can contain any explosion within a one-meter sphere. So it's best to stay away from that radius anyway.
Kirsten: I... Have I ever told you how impressive you are?
Sebastian: I think so. I can't remember. But that's it for now, one step at a time Kirsten.
Kirsten: A victory for both doctor...
Sebastian: That's it...
Kirsten: And when are you coming to Columbia? I'd be more than delighted to see you again.
Sebastian: When I feel the need, Kirsten. My days lately have been incredibly busy, and they're likely to stay that way for a while yet.
Kirsten: Or I could come and join you in Kazimierz...
The giant froze for a moment.
Sebastian: I'm going to destroy the cameras out of this office, Kirsten.
Kirsten: Good luck~
The giant sighed and hung up, placing his phone on the desk.
He leaned back in his chair.
He'd managed to get the same rumor from every Rhine Labs member in high enough places, that the big boss had voyeuristic tendencies.
Well, they were right...
Picking up a newspaper article he had placed on his desk, he began to read the front cover.
Sebastian: 'Princess Fumizuki, protector of Lungmen?'
On the gigantic photo on the front cover, the giant recognized without a doubt the kirin, in her biker leather. But the most peculiar thing was that she was photographed smashing a man almost twice her size on the hood of a car with a martial arts throw.
Those Lungmen newspapers were always able to find the perfect photos...
He continued to read the article praising the Higashian princess. It had been almost a month since he'd left Lungmen, and in that time the kirin had not been idle... Despite her increasing independence from Yenwu, she had committed herself time and again to the good of her citizens. Whether it was supporting the L.G.D. with all her might, which no longer had the direct support of Ch'en and Hoshiguma, at first it was gently by the administration. But it was soon revealed that night and day the princess had turned into a real terror for the gangsters. Surprisingly fulfilling the role of Ch'en and Hoshiguma. That, the large number of charities she set up, and her concern for even infected citizens won her the sympathy of all.
She was also gradually moving away from her husband's influence, publicly.
Many felt that there was trouble afoot with the ruling couple. But of course, few knew the full extent of this...
The doctor, through his agents, tried to help her as much as he could and to reduce all the agitation she was causing in Yan's elites.
The giant took a moment to think about the other three Lungmenites on board. Ch'en and Hoshiguma had integrated remarkably well, and with the kirin's astonishing ability to steer the boat, the two were only too happy to return to Lungmen immediately. The oni and the lung had kept their... Arrangement due to Ch'en's season. But even though he'd quickly learned over a drink that Ch'en and Yushia knew each other, he could see that the two were avoiding each other.
He took a moment to let out a sigh.
He was really waiting for her to call him to take that drink... If she wouldn't do it soon then he would...
The door to his quarters opened, letting Rosa in. The young woman had perfected her usual appearance. Not a speck of dust was visible on her uniform, but the stress was clearly visible on her face.
Sebastian: Ready...?
Rosa: As much as I can...
Sebastian: Well, let's go then.
He said, rising to his feet with a grunt.
The two ursus natives were standing on the roof of Rhodes Island, near the helicopter landing zones. An aircraft came into view on the horizon. Rosa trembled like a leaf in the wind. The nervousness in her poor body was reaching fever pitch.
How was all this going to happen? Wasn't her father coming with an army? Just one aircraft? Her mother would surely be there too... My God, how would she react? Sebastian would stand by her no matter what, but he wouldn't be persuaded by her father's words... Surely...
Undaunted, she turned to her rock, her beacon in the night. The giant's eyes were fixed on the chopper, his face transformed by all the seriousness that ran through his soul, his powerful arms crossed as if waiting for the world to come to him.
His gaze caught the ursine's, and he gave her a big, comforting smile.
He'd be there. No matter what.
Her gaze turned again to the horizon as the aircraft began to descend onto the helipad, Rosa holding her hat to prevent it being blown off by the wind.
Sebastian: I hope you got that chalk off your butt or this might end terribly...
His joke, perhaps at the worst possible moment, had exactly the desired effect. The nervous ursine laughed, decompressing slightly.
The aircraft landed, and the two of them returned to their seriousness. The ramp lowered, and Rosa froze.
Even the doctor was startled.
Heavy footsteps descended along the metal. The clatter of weapons echoed with each step. The ursine felt her legs tremble at the sight of the monster before her.
The monstrosity exuded a demonic aura that shook the young girl to her very soul. Her whole being screamed at her that this thing had no business being here, not just in front of her, but in the world that was Terra.
The emperor's blade moved and made way in front of the railing, letting down a man, rather old, a white bear, whose noble appearance and striking resemblance could only tell one thing, that he was Rosa's father.
He wore expensive clothes, and his face, though appearing weakened in some way and despite his frail body, this man showed a great aura of authority.
His eyes, blue as a turbulent ocean, rested on those of her daughter.
The ursine thought she'd collapse immediately, as if faced with the weight of all her actions. Her mother, also a polar bear with an equally cold stare but eyes as red as rubies, stepped down from the aircraft behind her husband.
Her father had brought a fucking blade emperor's blade to make her come.
She had no other choice...
What would happen if she refused... the Emperor's blade would bring her back by force...?
Or Sebastian would fight him... and Rhodes Island would undoubtedly be destroyed...
If she left...
It would be the lesser evil...
Andrei: Hm, you're already here Natalya. Wonderful, let's get out of this junk heap as fast as we can-
The old man turned, already thinking of leaving, and Rosa was about to follow, taking a singular step. Before her instincts could compel her to look at the doctor.
His gaze was as full of determination as ever. He hadn't moved an eyelash and didn't seem intimidated by the legendary warrior in front of them.
The doctor seemed so confident... Rosa didn't want to hurt him... After all, he was the one who'd said he'd help her whatever it took to stay on Rhodes Island...
She just had to trust him...
Rosa: No father...
The man turned, his gaze tinged with anger.
Andrei: Excuse me...?
Rosa: I won't follow you... I won't go back to Ursus.
The young woman clenched her fists. She wasn't going to let this happen...
Never again would she be a mere passenger in her own life, waiting for calamities and misfortunes to fall upon her one by one. Never again would she let herself be swept away by the gusts of wind sent her way.
His eyes blazed with willpower.
Andrei: This farce stopped being funny a long time ago, young lady.
Rosa: Why should this be a joke...? I'm here with the people who saved me, with the comrades I risked my life with and lived through hell. With the family who opened their arms to me when we were all in misery...
Andrei: So you'd rather stay here? In the middle of this conglomeration of infected vermin instead of your own people.
Hearing the last part of his sentence, the giant frowned and growled ever so slightly, restraining the beast that prevented him from causing a diplomatic incident by executing the man in front of him.
Andrei: And who's he? Your watchdog?
Rosa: My 'people'? The ones who abandoned me and so many children in Chernobog? So many people? There was never the slightest evacuation! The slightest help! The only ones who reached out to us were those infected vermin as you call them! What can I expect from a people who would send all the children who became infected in this cataclysm to the gulag? I wouldn't go back to ursus father. And I'm not sorry.
Andrei: Young lady, you will listen to your father-
Rosa: No! I'm not going to pretend I'm old enough to be able to make my own choices in the best of ways... So see it your way. But here's my disobedience father.
The man looked at his daughter, seemingly in a mix of rage and surprise. Seeing a side to the young ursine that he didn't know. Rosa refused to take the slightest step, her determination burning stronger by the second.
Andrei: If reason has abandoned you Natalya... Sir Igor.
The man gestured to the emperor's blade standing there. Immediately Rosa was seized with terror. But nothing happened.
Another second passed. Nothing.
Andrei: Sir Igor. Take my daughter inside.
Still nothing.
The blade looked at the doctor.
Sebastian: Major, you heard her. Young Rostova stays here. Give my regards to the Emperor.
The blade lowered its head briefly.
EB: Yes grand marshal.
Everyone present was obviously shocked. Why was the blade obeying the doctor and not the duke? After all, blades were loyal to the emperor and carried out his every command, and it was the emperor himself who had ordered his blade to follow the duke and obey his commands.
The only person whose orders to the blades took precedence over those of the Emperor was...
The only grand Marshal of the recent ursus era.
All eyes turned to the giant as realization struck.
Andrei: Who... Who are you...?
He already knew the answer.
Sebastian: A ghost. I think Natalya is old enough to make that choice for herself. If she wants to stay here, she'll stay here. I'm sorry, but you've wasted your time coming here.
He gestured towards the device.
Sebastian: Go back to Ursus. Your daughter will be safe here.
The nobleman clenched his fists and turned away, mad with rage but aware of his powerlessness. He got back into the aircraft without saying a word, to avoid letting out a torrent of insults.
The Emperor's blade turned around and climbed back on board.
That left Natalya's mother. And even though she appeared to be in her fifties, the doctor could see from whom the young girl had inherited her beauty.
She approached her daughter, a smile on her lips.
Katja: My little Rosa... How are you?
Rosa: Well, Mother...
The older woman took her daughter's hand, squeezing it with a smile.
Katja: Do you eat well here?
Rosa: Yes, the food here is second to none.
Katja: And your studies. You're continuing your studies, aren't you?
Rosa: Yes mother...
Sebastian: You've raised a studious girl. Her results are more than excellent.
Katja: I know, and I'm very proud of her.
The girl began to blush, thanks to the compliments of her mother and the doctor.
Katja: Mr. Yuri, please continue to take care of my daughter.
Sebastian: Of course, my lady.
Katja: And please, if you feel like it, wait until my daughter reaches her eighteenth birthday.
The giant laughed softly as he understood, and Rosa began to bubble inside, turning redder than ever.
Rosa: Mother, please!
Sebastian: Don't worry, I'm not that kind of man, my lady.
Katja: Oh Natalya, I know that love has its own ways and ways of working. I must leave you my daughter, or your father will sulk at dinner again.
Rosa: It's all right, Mother. Write to me.
Katja: Bye, darling.
The mother embraced her daughter before parting.
Katja: Sir Yuri, it's been a pleasure.
Sebastian: Likewise, my lady.
The woman left, and soon the aircraft was back in the air, leaving the two of them in silence. Until they returned to the corridors of Rhodes Island. Walking, Rosa was the first to break the silence.
Rosa: I... You are... Yuri of Ursus...
The young woman seemed barely able to look at him.
Sebastian: I was. It's behind me now.
Rosa: Why didn't you ever tell me?
Sebastian: I didn't think it was necessary. And I wasn't proud of it either... But we all have our secrets Natalya.
The ursine didn't immediately understand what he meant.
Sebastian: You should know that I have a habit of digging into everyone's past...
She froze...
Could it be that...
Sebastian: I was wondering why your father was so adamant about you returning to Ursus. So I searched the Ursus line of succession.
He stopped walking and crossed his arms, forcing the young woman to look at him.
Sebastian: Emperor Fyodor is dying. Terminal cancer. I give him two years at most. But that, of course, is a secret... The second in line is Alexei Bucharov, who is also at death's door. I'm skipping all those with a tiny bit of royal blood who are either terribly old or don't have the shoulders, which leaves us with your father. Andrei Rostova. He's old too. What is he, seventy?
Rosa: Seventy-one.
Sebastian: Which leaves his only child as heir.
He took a deep breath as Rosa no longer dared to look him in the eye.
Sebastian: You. Natalya, you're next in line for the throne of Ursus. That's why your father wanted you to return to Ursus, that's why the emperor himself lent you one of his blades, and you knew it...
The giant lowered his head, smiling slightly, as if talking to himself.
Sebastian: The first Empress of Ursus.
Rosa: I... I'm sorry doctor...
She took a deep breath, feeling frightened.
Rosa: What's going to change between us...?
Sebastian: Nothing.
He said as if he didn't really understand what the ursine meant.
Sebastian: You don't become a different person overnight, do you? So nothing changes. Well, I'm going to have to be a bit more demanding with your results in class.
A small bead of sweat broke out on the ursine's forehead, as she worried about all the effort she would have to put in.
Sebastian: Good. It's been a long day. I'm going to have a drink.
Just as he was about to leave.
Rosa took the man's arm. Feeling more touched than ever. She hugged him.
Rosa: Give me a hug...
The giant laughed lightly, hugging the young woman. Not being used to this demanding side of the young woman.
She'd just been through a torrent of emotions. And she was well aware that in her head a torrent of emotions had unfolded. But she couldn't help hugging her protector, her friend, her teacher, the man who had saved her life.
The man who kept dark thoughts from his mind, and his cutter from his wrists or throat.
The man she loved.
Sebastian: Are you coming for a drink?
Rosa: You know I don't drink alcohol...
Sebastian: Then go do your homework, young lady. I don't want the leader of one of the greatest nations on this planet to be a moron.
The ursine laughed lightly before separating from the doctor.
Rosa: Well...
She took a few steps and turned around.
Rosa: See you tomorrow, Doctor.
Sebastian: see you tomorrow, Your Highness.
He said before bending forward.
The ursus laughed lightly.
Rosa: Don't ever call me that...
The two separated. Their identities revealed. Their spirits appeased.
Sebastian arrived at his bar, the door already open and hearing a few people inside. He stepped through the door, the little bell ringing to announce his arrival.
Behind the counter stood Sora, already serving drinks to a few of the operators here and there, the bar still being fairly quiet at this hour. Most of the operators were still in the canteen before going to the bar.
Sora: Well, who's this?
The young girl stared at the doctor, as she put down her shaker, serving another drink with a big smile on her lips.
With the influx of staff, Sora volunteered to be a barmaid at the honey moon. She gave up most of her idol clothes, keeping only her shirt on top.
The giant approached her.
Sebastian: Ready for a new service?
Sora: Time to mix drinks and change lives. amiright ?
She said with that little smile, giving the doctor a gentle nudge on the hip.
Sebastian: Stop stealing my words...
Sora: I'm already a little ahead of you, big guy.
Sebastian: I can see that. Any problems?
Sora: Midnight asking me out on a date. The usual.
Sebastian: I see.
He said as he looked at the young woman beside him, busy setting in motion the bar equipment he would need.
Sora : By the way, I have something interesting to tell you...
Sebastian: Really?
Sora : I told Emperor... about my conversion.
Sebastian: And how did it go?
Sora: ... He accepted!
Sebastian: Wonderful!
The giant felt happy for the singer, who bounced on the spot, her smile immense.
Sora : And yes... It's time to mark a great turning point in my career...
The giant turned to the young woman, taking out two glasses.
Sebastian: See, I told you he'd follow you. He's an artist too, so of course he understands you.
Sora : I know... I know... Now that I look back I realize it, but I was just afraid...
Sebastian: Aye... I understand don't worry. But here's a good thing done.
The giant set two glasses in front of them, filled with a cocktail he'd made that looked suspiciously like Mojitos. He handed one glass to the young woman before taking his own.
Sora: What exactly are we drinking for?
Sebastian: to the death of Sora the idol. And the birth of Sora the diva.
He says, holding up his glass.
Sora: Here's to new beginnings!
She toasted with the doctor before bringing the drink to her lips, and just sipping her glass put it back on the counter.
Sora: Wow... Isn't that a bit much...?
Sebastian: Don't you like my iced absinth?
Sora: Yes... But damn it, I'm going to be back on the table at midnight again.
Sebastian: Stop it, you know very well that Sideroca's birthday party was hilarious, including that part.
Sora: Whatever you say, big guy. Hey, come here a minute.
The young woman beckoned him to come closer, which he did, leaning a little towards her to compensate for the height difference. Then the sankta grabbed the doctor's tie and pulled him down to her level, placing a kiss on his cheek.
Leaving her, the doctor stepped back, raising a smile that was definitely amused.
Sebastian: And why was that?
Sora : A simple thank you, for everything.
Her wings and halo began to glow with a rarely seen intensity, which only he could see.
Sebastian: Ouch ouch... Come back in twenty years if you do this kind of thing I'll get arrested.
He said, referring to the sankta's age, which was relatively young considering their slowed aging. Which made her laugh without hesitation.
Sebastian: You're welcome.
The bar door opened again, letting in the operators who'd left for lunch.
Sebastian: Well, that's the start of the service.
Sora : Let's go, big boy!
The evening was in full swing, with the two bartenders serving drinks again and again. Laughter and chatter filled the air. Until he saw Lappland enter the bar and sit down opposite the counter, a sad look on her face. The giant came over to her, wondering what was wrong.
Sebastian: Can I get you anything?
Lappland: Just a glass of amaretto.
He nodded and came to serve her liquor.
Sebastian: it doesn't look good...
Lappland: I wanted to have a chat with Celinia this morning... Try to make up a little...
Sebastian: it didn't work...
Lappland: No. Otherwise I wouldn't have my head at the bottom of my glass, but between her thighs.
The giant startled when he heard how raw she was.
Sebastian: Ah...
Lappland: I told her the same thing I told her last time... That I loved her and that either there were two of us or we were both free... She slammed the door in my face.
Sebastian: I must say she was raised well.
He said, looking to the side with hatred in his eyes.
Lappland: Don't be too angry with her. She didn't have an easy childhood.
Blah, blah, blah she had a tough childhood, she had her snack stolen when she was seven. You can't blame her for being a bitch.
It was the kind of tearful speech the giant had come to expect.
Lappland: She grew up without her mother.
Having grown up close to his parents, Sebastian felt touched.
Sebastian: I... I'm sorry.
Lappland: Nah, not like you think. She's still alive as far as I know. Her father had fallen madly in love with this Leithanian noblewoman. But she didn't love him for a penny... So her father paid with half his entire fortune for her to bear his child. And that's how Celinia was born. The fruit of a loveless bargain, living under the roof of a father who just wanted the little version of the woman he loved.
She finished her glass and looked to the side.
Lappland: I would have killed him myself for what he did to her.
She looked down at her glass and realized how much she'd just unpacked.
Lappland: The point is... she's nuts. All three of us are anyway. I can't deny that. But there are reasons for it.
Sora: Hey doc! Can you make us another round of your absinth thing?
Sebastian: I can imagine...
The lupo shook her head left and right, smiling with slight bitterness.
Lappland: Anyway... I just wanted to have a drink and complain, not piss you off. Go have fun.
Sebastian: That's okay. That's one of the reasons I opened this place after all.
He said with that big, compassionate smile on his face. The golden light from the bar bathing his head in a halo.
Sora : Come on move your pretty little buttocks, I'm starting to get thirsty.
The doctor rubbed his forehead, feeling as if a nail had just been hammered into his skull. He shouldn't have done the two-person absinthe bottle with Sora...
His body too poisoned to be controlled, the giant couldn't get rid of the hangover immediately.
Much to his dismay.
Amiya: Doktah, is there a problem?
He opened his eyes again and pushed his hand away to see all the other branch managers sitting around the gigantic table. Amiya, Closure and even Kal'tsit seemed a little intrigued, if not worried.
The giant sipped from his steaming cup of coffee.
Sebastian: No, I'm fine, just... Was it really necessary to move the branch meetings to seven in the morning...?
Some laughed lightly at the doctor's complaint, others agreed with him. At least the coffee was unlimited...
Closure: Where was I... Oh yes, the water chip has just been replaced, so we'll now have a lot more freedom regarding our water flow. Generators four and six have been repaired, and I'm already working on renovating certain parts of the cruiser that can now be powered again.
Amiya: And the renovations of the previous parts?
Closure: I was able to do sixty percent of the repairs. I'm sorry, but everything else came under budget. Even though the arrival of the operator Nian helped tremendously with resource recovery.
Amiya: That's more than enough, Ada.
She said with a smile before turning to the giant beside her.
Amiya: Doktah, turn is yours I believe.
Sebastian: Hm. With all the new people I've recruited into the operative branch since my time at Lungmen, the efficiency of our operations has increased by almost 230%. 27 operators have been promoted to the rank of elite one. They have all been housed in the renovated quarters. What's more, I'll soon be able to access larger contracts with our usual contactors.
Amiya: Wonderful.
Kal'tsit: Have you been careful with your budget?
Sebastian: This time I'm right on target. But it's also because I've launched the procedure to promote an operator to Elite 2.
Everyone gasped when they heard this. A promotion of this rank required a great deal of resources, both material and financial, and the only ones to have reached rank 2 were the elite operators present since Babel.
Kal'tsit: Oh, and who did you have in mind?
The giant looked at her blankly. Then the feline's face quickly took on the usual coldness that she had seemed to have toned down only moments before.
Kal'tsit: Of course... Her.
Amiya: Miss Nearl...?
The giant nodded. The cautus' smile faded for a moment before she sighed.
Amiya: I understand... She's still one of our best operatives after all...
Sebastian: The creation of her new equipment is underway.
Amiya: Does she know?
Sebastian: Nah. I'll keep it a surprise.
He said with a slight smile.
Amiya: Well... One problem seems to be coming up again today, the budget. More than usual, of course you all know that our stop in Lungmen left us with a more than substantial sum. So I think it's advisable that this sum be paid out monthly to each branch equally over the next year.
Sebastian: I think it would be wiser to spread them over six months. That would give us a bigger sum each month, and then we're guaranteed future contracts.
Amiya: No. Spreading it over a year gives us more stability. We're sorely lacking in that and we'll have other contracts to loosen our belts a little.
Sebastian: Very good.
Amiya placed her papers in front of her as a deathly silence descended.
The giant looked up from his documents, surprised to see everyone looking at them, Amiya quickly doing the same.
Amiya: Does anyone disagree?
Closure: N-nothing...
They had all just seen Amiya stand up to the doctor's idea.
For them it was so surprising, so out of this world...
That even Closure would have expected to do something free in her store before the cautus did this sort of thing.
Amiya: Well, Kristof, it's your turn now.
Kristof: Just a doctor, you're in charge of one of the ursus students' classes?
Sebastian: Yes. Why do you ask?
Kristof: Do you know Kristina Nabokov?
Sebastian: Yes, she's in my class.
Kristof: Yes, she's my cousin. I wanted to thank you. She was very complimentary about coming back to school. So thank you... I know it wasn't easy for her...
The giant looked at the man a little further away.
Sebastian: Oh, you're welcome. I'm just doing my job.
Amiya: By the way, just as an aside, the Duke's Council is putting a bit of pressure on Rhodes Island about the students - do you know if their education is going well?
Sebastian: The other single-level classes are doing very well. Mine's a bit more complicated, but before long I'll have everyone on the same level.
Kristof: I thought you had a gap of almost four years in the class...?
Sebastian: That's true. But I managed with enough individual work to get everyone to the same level...
Amiya: At least we don't have to sweat it out for the duke inspection...
She said, no longer referring to the fact that the giant had managed to bring some students forward four years just through his intensive program.
Sebastian: On that note, if this parenthesis is closed, Kristof, it's over to you and the human resources department.
The doctor went back on autopilot, sleeping awake. Until a subject of interest to him came up in conversation.
Amiya: This raises the question of the cruiser's next destination. With the Kazimierz major season coming up, we've received a number of offers from Kazimierz companies. Whether it's for the security branch, our logistical, medical or, of course, infection expertise. Going there would logically be a good choice.
Kal'tsit: I'm with you on that, Amiya. With all the infected competition knights who won't be able to afford treatment and the chaos of the city, we'll be able to organize a great humanitarian aid.
The giant grinned inside.
Jackpot...
Kal'tsit: Do you want to object, Doctor?
Sebastian: Oh no please. I would finally see a third city since I came out of the freezer.
Once again, his joke got a few laughs, while deep down inside, the giant rubbed his hands together.
The giant walked the hospital corridors, his white coat wide open as he tended to his ward, inspecting room after room and tending to his patients as best he could. Until he came upon a door with a name on it. The kind of arrangement that was made for long-term patients.
Even if there was never really a long-term with oripathy.
"Tom Doss."
It's been a long time...
The giant entered the room, two pairs of eyes turning towards him. He quickly broke into a smile, looking at the young boy lying in the hospital bed. A young sarkaz, who always had a little smile on his lips. Deer-like antlers on his head.
His mother stood at the bedside.
Tom: Uncle!
Saluted the young boy, pleasantly surprised to see the older man present. The doctor approached.
Sebastian: Hi, buddy. How are you today?
Tom: Great, Mum's just brought me a new book...
Sebastian: Really? Hi Gryph.
He turned to the woman in the Rhodes Island uniform.
Gryphon: Hi, Doctor.
Ace's wife was a Wendigo. Exiled to Columbia, that's where she met Ace. They soon had a child and moved to Kazdel before the war broke out, when the situation there had improved... Gryph had convinced her husband to settle in the land of his ancestors, and of course he accepted.
They'd been together for what, almost twenty years? The doctor could only admire the boundless love the couple had for each other.
The giant looked at the cover of the book the boy's feverish arm held out to him, the crystals on his forearm enough to terrify anyone in Terra.
Sebastian: The Count of Monte-Christo... that's a surprise...
Gryph: It's your Uncle's favorite book Tom.
Tom: Wow really...? Thanks Mum!
Gryph: You're welcome, my little devil.
The young boy, the same age as Rosmontis or Amiya, even if a little tall for his age compared to the other two, he was the perfect look-alike of his father at his age as Ace so aptly put it. Sleek brown hair and slit yellow eyes. Rather fun for scaring people in the dark.
Although, compared to the other two girls, he was obviously much more affected by his oripathy. Whether it was his lanky build, the large crystal lesions surfacing on his skin, his pale skin or, of course, his legs, barely visible under the sheet as they were nothing but twigs. Limbs rendered useless by the boy's oripathy, the latter heavily affecting his nervous system.
He hadn't walked in three years.
Sebastian: Hm I have a similar copy in my library.
The giant looked at the various documents on the patient and what had been measured during the last shift, then quickly looked at the data on a nearby computer, murmuring to himself.
Gryph: Seb... Can you tell me where Leon is? I asked the others in the security branch but...
The giant sighed.
Sebastian: Sargon. His evacuation had a problem, so they had to walk a long way... They'll still be a little late.
Tom: Is Dad okay?
Sebastian: You know what your father's like. If there's one person in the world who can stop a catastrophe, it's him.
He said with a smile on his lips.
Sebastian: I'm sorry Gryph... Leon is an elite operator. You know how it is, everyone is bound by professional secrecy, but I don't understand how they don't tell you...
Gryph: I'm just a logistics operator, you know...
Sebastian: Come on, you're the one with the keys to Rhodes Island. You're the one who trained our entire logistics branch, so I think this is just plain stupid.
He reads some data and makes his medical report on the hospital system.
Sebastian: Speaking of which, I've sent you a young vulpo, how's it going with her?
Fearing his lack of precision, the giant was about to speak again.
Gryph: Angelina? We've never had such a competent messenger. The whole department already knows her, she's so helpful. Please don't take her into your branch, or we'll feel her departure.
Sebastian: I'll think about it.
He said with a slight laugh.
He pressed a computer key and turned to the young man before opening a treatment cabinet.
Sebastian: Well, that's not too bad.
The giant prepared a whole bunch of vials. The young man's treatment. The mother's gaze filled with sorrow. Sebastian filled various syringes, which he injected into the catheter the boy constantly had in his arm.
Sebastian: There... that should do it for today-
The bedroom door opened again, revealing a young feline in the doorframe.
Rosmontis: Tom!
The little girl took off running towards her friend, preparing to leap at him as the giant caught the feline in mid-air to prevent her from colliding with the boy.
Sebastian: Rosmo... What did we say about jumping on people?
Rosmontis: That you shouldn't jump on people in hospital beds... Sorry...
The wendigo laughed softly as the giant put the girl down. Gesturing to the mother that perhaps they should leave them.
The two adults left the room. Closing the door behind them.
Gryph: Come on... Say it.
Sebastian: They're both cute.
Gryph: What about betting?
Sebastian: the current coast is fifteen years and six months.
It was pretty well known that the group of Amiya, Rosmontis and Tom had practically all grown up together aboard the Ark. But the feline and the wendigo were known to be inseparable. So, in good spirits, bets were placed as to when the two would go out together for the first time.
And in a way, projecting into the near future kept his parents' hopes high.
Gryph: I'm investing five hundred lmd on sixteen years.
Sebastian: Like your husband... Okay I'll mark it in the book...
Gryph: And Seb...
The smile on her face disappeared suddenly, as she looked at the hospital room door.
Gryph: I beg you... Deliver my son from this evil.
The giant regained his seriousness.
He'd been so distracted lately by all the fighting, the meeting, the triad, Kazimierz, that he'd hardly given any time to his search. But he had to remember that this was his main and ultimate goal.
Or he would see Nearl and Amiya leave... like so many others.
Black crystal statues, then wind-blown dust. Ready to infect others.
And endlessly repeat the empirical cycle of misfortune.
He had to put an end to it.
Sebastian: I will...
He looked into her eyes.
Sebastian: And I'll do anything to do it.
Gryph: Thank you...
The two went their separate ways. Sebastian still had work to do.
Seeing Rosmontis and Tom, he wondered why Amiya still hadn't shown any romantic interest in anyone her own age.
It also made him think that one day Misha and Ifrit would be old enough to have love affairs, and that he would have to meet their boyfriends...
He wasn't really looking forward to it...
Or their girlfriends.
His parents had been quite open in this aspect with Nicholai, so he would do the same for his children.
Soon, however, he began to think about his work again. And one thing in particular. Nearl's promotion.
Once again, the way in which the inhabitants of this world progressed in terms of strength was implausibly strange. And the promotions Rhodes Island was giving out had the miraculous power to cause the levels operators reached in terms of strength to give way.
Nearl had reached that plateau. He was sure of it. So her promotion was only logical. So she could progress.
However, the giant also felt that reaching this plateau had a lot to do with him.
He was the one Nearl practiced with every morning. And habit in these situations could be a burden.
The giant bit his lip.
Of course he was jealous at the thought of imagining anyone else sharing the intimate moment he had every morning with the young woman-
Swiatla: You're as jealous as a louse.
Sebastian: Yes. And don't interrupt the narration.
As I was saying.
But he had to do something. To make sure she could measure up to the Major, leave no stone unturned in the face of adversity. To find her a new daily adversary equal to her.
Sebastian: PRTS, is Silverash still around?
PRTS: Yes, Doctor, #!"'à is currently in Mr. Aak's laboratory.
The giant paused for a moment.
It wasn't like the AI to have these kinds of bugs. Then he continued his walk, having finished his shift at the hospital he still had a little time before classes started.
Continuing down the corridor in the hospital part of Rhodes Island, the further you went, the more you moved away from the actual treatment, giving way to various analysis rooms, laboratories and medical staff offices.
Of course he didn't make too many blunders here, as this was lynx territory...
The giant walked for a few moments until he came to a laboratory.
He didn't even bother knocking, and on the way there he understood why PRTS had been in trouble.
There were two chairs.
One where Aak stood in terror.
The other, where...
Silverash.
All eyes turned to the doctor.
Whose eyes were riveted on the feline.
Then he burst out laughing and collapsed on the floor. Howling with laughter, he managed to murmur a few words in Russian between his rapidly disappearing breaths.
Silverash: YOU DIRTY LITTLE SHIT I'LL KILL YOU !
She said, throwing herself at Aak to pummel him with her fists.
*crac*
It was the sound of the giant's ribs breaking from his uninterrupted laughter, tears streaming down his face.
A few moments later.
Aak stood on his chair, bleeding. Like Silverash, he or she was pretty pissed off. His clothes were no match for the strain of his new body.
As for the giant, he was back on his feet, wiping away his tears and putting on all the seriousness he could muster.
Honestly, he hadn't laughed so much in a few lifetimes.
Sebastian: So... to sum up...
Aak: I crapped in the glue doc... I wanted to make a new fart bomb... But it didn't have the effect I wanted...
Silverash: I can see that.
Sebastian: And suddenly... Enciodas turned into...
Silverash: a chick.
He'd never seen Silverash so upset. But it was understandable.
Sebastian: Is it reversible Aak?
Aak: I've given it some thought. And surely. But it would take me at least two weeks to get the necessary ingredients.
Silverash: Two weeks?! I have to stay like this for two weeks?!
The feline showed all over her body. Her size hadn't changed, but her morphology certainly had. And besides, the doctor had no idea how such a thing was possible.
Silverash: What's going to happen?! My clothes don't fit! People are going to see me! They'll wonder how I suddenly lost my dick! And what if I have to go to the bathroom?! I'm not going to the ladies'! I've got a reputation to keep-!
Sebastian: Enciodas please... Calm down...
Silverash: My friend... I think you're having trouble understanding, you're not the one who's stuck in this... Disposition for two weeks...
Sebastian: I don't really care. It could have been worse. It could have been irreversible.
Silverash: I suppose so...
She leaned forward, suddenly holding her head as if having flashbacks to the Vietnam War.
Silverash: By Kjeragandr, Encia is going to take photos again.
Sebastian: Dedramatize Enciodas...
Silverash: Once again, it's easy to say...
Sebastian: Aye, I know, I've never been turned into a chick... 'Merlin I hate you.' Even so. The world turns, you can't let that stop you.
Aak: Are you here for a reason doc?
Sebastian: Talking to Miss-
Silverash: I'm going to pull your fucking teeth out one by one.
Sebastian: Sir, in private.
Realizing that the doctor's authority was almost absolute, the feline left his own office, leaving the other two inside.
Silverash: What did you want to talk about?
Sebastian: I need you to do me a favor.
Immediately the feline resumed her professionalism, not being used to the doctor openly asking her things.
Silverash: I'm listening.
Sebastian: You have some of the best fighters in the world at your service.
The feline immediately understood what the doctor meant. After all, one of hers stood out from the rest.
Silverash: The Black Knight...
Sebastian: I need her to come to Rhodes Island.
The feline immediately began to smile.
Silverash: Of course... if that's your price. It's never really been in my interests but it's admissible that despite her age she's a sumptuous woman. And I've heard that you prefer your women mature... I'm sure that with a little skill with words on my side, I could make her fall into your arms. But if that's the extra cost of having my sisters bear your children-
Sebastian: To train Nearl, Enciodas... To train Nearl...
The two looked at each other, the giant's gaze filled with disgust.
Shit.
If this man/woman's mother were still alive, Sebastian thought Enciodas would have no hesitation in selling her too, for the sake of her line...
Seriously, what's wrong with him/her? Shit. Aak's pranks were kinda fucked up.
At any rate, there were round things about her now.
Sebastian: Can you do that for me?
Silverash: The tschäggättä are in training, and the trades passing through the line between victoria and Kjerag are in full swing. It's all thanks to you, so of course I can bring her here.
Sebastian: Cool. I'll put a helicopter at your disposal.
Silverash: Hm. Thank you. Anything else?
Sebastian: That'll be all. I was just passing by, I've got class in a few moments.
Silverash: Now that I've done something for you... Maybe you could return the favor...
The giant sighed as he was about to leave.
Sebastian: Fine. You win, I'll marry your sisters.
Silverash: Really?!
Sebastian: NOPE!
He said before leaving, giving his best asshole laugh, Silverash falling back flat like a balloon drained of air. Hurting herself by crashing her balloons as she bent forward.
Silverash: Fuck that.
The giant set off down the corridors, going deeper and deeper into the medical wing until he reached a new room.
He entered without warning.
Sebastian: Hello everyone.
He looked at his bracelet to see that it was ten o'clock.
Sebastian: Just in time...
Rosa: You're the one who's late most often in the whole class...
Sebastian: No comment. Get out the equipment! Today we're working on crystallization.
Zima: Are we going to make explosives again...?
Sebastian: Who do you think I am, of course it's going to blow up.
Early afternoon.
The sound of swords echoed across the training ground, which Sebastian watched patiently, Dobermann right beside him. The two of them carefully watched the confrontation between the various reserve teams, a monthly tradition and assessment.
But one thing stood out this time.
Dobermann: Have you noticed too?
Sebastian: A1.
Dobermann: They've never performed better.
In the distance he could hear a voice in the chaos.
Fang: Kroos! to the left! Cover me! Beagle cover her! Lava with me!
The young Kuranta threw herself into the middle of a rather intense melee between several reserve teams. Of course, all weapons and arrows had been replaced by non-lethal versions, but Fang made her spear a veritable scourge for the other teams. Surprisingly, the rest of her team followed suit. The other young women were all known to be rather... quiet. But here, their coordination, performance and seriousness were at an all-time high.
Dobermann: Fang has been like this for several weeks...
The giant watched her dodge a volley of arrows before striking with the tip of his weapon behind spot's knee to knock him down, then a blow to the head, knocking him out instantly once his shield was down, before leaping up to dodge an arts projectile.
Dobermann: Since we left Lungmen... At first she seemed... Depressed...
Sebastian: Are you worried about the emotions of your recruits now?
He said with a small smile. Exultant with malice when he perceived the perro's gaze meet his own. Those murderous eyes directed at him.
Of course, had it been anyone else, he'd already have felt the lash of the terrible instructor. But she knew the giant would surely dodge.
And she didn't really want to.
Dobermann: Shut up... But little by little she's showing herself... More intense. Dur-Nar and Sideroca have even caught her a few times late at night or early in the morning at the gym... And then she wears contacts instead of her glasses.
Sebastian: Hm. She also requests a lot of battle reports.
Dobermann: Do you know what happened?
Sebastian: I have no idea.
The doctor lied as he breathed.
But he had no desire to reveal the young woman's treachery, and didn't think that she, too, would appreciate this detail not being revealed.
Fang soon found herself face to face with Melantha.
Sebastian leaned against the railing, sensing that something interesting was about to happen.
Melantha, for all that could be said about her personality, was unbeatable by the other one-on-one reserve operators. And that was exactly the situation Fang found herself in. Whose specialty was speed of movement and command. Not duels...
But the kuranta was undeterred. Grasping her spear tenaciously.
Melantha threw herself at her, and the blue-haired woman managed to block the sword blows one by one with the handle of her spear. But the sweat on her brow was a clear indication of the difficulty she was having, and right between them, an art projectile impacted, throwing the two women a little further.
The out-of-breath Kuranta managed to stand up on one knee and sent a murderous glance at Lava, who had obviously miscalculated her move.
But soon a fact echoed in everyone's minds. Only Fang's team remained, and only Melantha.
Realizing that she was now unable to win. Melantha hesitated to surrender immediately. But Fang signaled to her team not to interfere, taking everyone by surprise.
The doctor began to smile.
Now it seemed personal.
The kuranta turned her gaze to the giant, her instincts urging her to see him. Instantly, her gaze filled with flame, and the grip on her spear tightened once more.
Then the gaze of her blue eyes fell on a light, circular shield lying on the ground. Artifact of one of the other operators she had knocked out.
Instinctively, she grabbed it with her other hand and stood up. As Melantha lunged towards her again, Fang, making the most of her weapon, threw a few jabs that the feline in front of her managed to either dodge or parry, the last blow sending the kuranta's weapon completely out of its trajectory and throwing her off balance.
Melantha approached, with the idea of delivering another swift blow to end the fight.
But the kuranta gathered herself full of determination, planted her feet firmly in the ground, and as the feline's attack came at a speed impressive for their ranks, Fang used her whole body and parried the attack with her newly acquired shield. A phenomenal impact resounded through the feline's entire body, and she felt her sword slip from her hand and land further away.
Then Fang aimed the tip of her spear at the feline's throat, letting her know she was defeated.
Then the kuranta's face quickly calmed from the fire that seemed to animate her.
Dobermann blew her whistle, marking the end of the exercise. While the giant began to applaud.
Fang looked up at the giant, a proud smile on her lips. As her team gathered around her, the young women began to celebrate their victory together. The heroine of the day merely smiled.
There was still a long way to go...
Never again would she let her team down... Never again would she fall short.
While a little higher up, watching the whole scene, the giant began to smile. Looking at the perro next to him.
Sebastian: I think they've earned the right to come off the reserve.
Dobermann: You want them to become real operators?
Sebastian: Hm hm.
Dobermann: This is an option to consider.
Both were highly impressed by the people they had seen today.
Sebastian: By the way, I was thinking Dobermann, would you like me to teach you how to swim?
He said with a big smile on his face, not really thinking about the fact that he was going from one thing to another.
Dobermann: N-no!
She had bought a copy of the latest Coral Coast magazine.
And she didn't really think she could handle the contact.
It had been a long day...
*Kling* *kling*
And yet, still far from over.
The sound of water evaporating. Resounded, sending a little more heat into the forge air.
The only light was that of flames and steel. The giant had decided to spend his afternoon at the forge, making Nearl's new equipment. He glanced at a corner of the room where part of it lay.
A replica of her mace, whose originium core had already been installed to allow the use of art. As well as a dress, gloves, boots...
So of course he wouldn't specify that everything was a perfect size...
Nano-woven iridium aramid textile. One of his specialties. Resistant, lightweight, breathable and Faraday-insulating.
The giant rested the armor plate he had just plunged into the basin on his anvil. Watching his work for the slightest flaw.
He was now working on the young woman's armor. Having decided to work on a composite system a little more original than just a silly metal plate. The door to the forge opened and Sebastian immediately felt the coolness of a normal temperature on his sweat-covered skin. Having stripped off his top to make himself more comfortable in the immense heat.
Her gaze fell on Nian, who had just taken a crate into her hand. The goddess stared at the doctor for a few moments, as if transfixed. Then she smiled and stuck out her tongue.
Nian: Damn... It's hot.
Of course she wouldn't just refer to the temperature, but the doctor had other things on his mind.
The giant shrugged.
Sebastian: I know. I work with metals that need this kind of heat.
Nian: Delivery!
The woman, seemingly unperturbed by the heat, took in every little detail of Sebastian's creations as she looked them over, and before handing her the case she was carrying, the giant set it aside and opened it, revealing a complex system that almost looked like electronics. A circuit to circulate the arts more efficiently throughout the armor and therefore throughout the young woman's body.
The giant took the component and placed it inside the shell of the breastplate, the two parts fitting together to the nearest micron. He then filled the interior with a strange black foam. He then closed this part of the armor, laying another metal part on top to form a whole that no longer looked any different from Nearl's old armor. Except for the paintwork, which hadn't yet been done.
A tempered iridium exterior for strength and rigidity. Filled with graphene aerogel for lightness and thermal protection. And finally...
The masterpiece.
Nian: Can I give you a hand?
Sebastian: Hand me that sheet on the workbench. Don't touch it with your bare hands, though.
He began to do the same for the other parts of the kuranta's armor, while Nian materialized gloves around her hands and finally grabbed hold of some kind of strange metal sheet that lay there on the workbench. She felt a strange energy shock her as she grabbed it, the metal going blue where her fingers touched it, and tried to lift it. Only to realize that this thing, no thicker than a silly sheet of paper, must have weighed several dozen kilos if not more. She took it to the giant, who laid some of it on the armor pieces, then cut it out with what appeared to be the tip of his finger. The metal sheet glued in some way to the metal of the armor.
The most important part of his creation. A Neutronium foil coating. Ensuring that nothing in this world could pierce through the armor. And protecting it from all forms of energy attack.
He wondered whether he hadn't gone a little too far in using this kind of material, which rivaled esotericism and was nothing more than a blithe violation of the laws of physics. And one that would surely not be discovered for a few thousand years.
But no, the kuranta was well worth it.
And no one could replicate that kind of thing anyway.
Sebastian: Voilà... One more coat of paint...
Nian: Wow... You have to show me how to do that...
Sebastian: A good part of it is just my knowledge of chemistry... And for the rest, it would take me at least five years to explain it to you, even with your skills...
Nian: Ah... I can materialize one of the most beautiful white paintings though!
Sebastian: I'd like that.
The blacksmith's workshop gave way to the paint shop, just as it was getting late in the evening.
Calm filled Sebastian's mind as he painted his work. His body switched to autopilot, and his mind sailed.
Sebastian: Are you still there?
Swiatla: Hmm...
Once again, he heard that voice echoing in the depths of his soul.
Sebastian: You were still asleep...?
Swiatla: My power... Is fueled by my people's belief in me... These days, I barely have the power to talk to you.
Sebastian: Gee... Don't use up your strength if you don't need it then...
Swiatla: Oh~? Are you worried about me now?
Sebastian: Not really, but okay. I was just wondering. Am I cursed?
He heard what sounded like laughter.
Swiatla: Why are you asking me this?
Sebastian: I feel like every time I try to kiss someone... I get interrupted...
He said, thinking back to the time he'd spent with Nearl at the pool. Or all those times with Exusiai.
Once again, that sweet laugh returned.
Swiatla: Let me see... So... Yes apparently you were cursed in... 1082? In Sami?
Sebastian: that's the date of my Sami campaign.
Swiatla: I see... So you were cursed to, and I quote, 'never feel the embrace of love. To never know the warmth of a woman. To end your life far away from everyone.
Sebastian: It... doesn't really work.
Swiatla: Indeed. This kind of thing is technical. He had trouble executing his curse. This must have resulted in a big drop in its efficiency...
Sebastian: Why did that guy curse me like that...
Swiatla: That... I'm unable to tell you... But I can feel the state of his mind when he professed it. It was filled with hatred, sadness and fear...
The giant stopped his brush, lowering his head to feel a crushing shame on his shoulders.
Sebastian: Lord... What atrocities have I committed...
Nineteen years of his time in this world had been forgotten in his mind. For many, it was the ultimate mark of forgiveness. Could you really hate a man for something he could never remember?
But the truth could not remain hidden from his eyes. For nineteen years he had carved his way through the flesh and blood of this world.
And nobody seemed to want to tell him. They all looked at him with a look of fear, but also of a kind of satisfaction that he wasn't a monster at the moment.
Swiatla: Please...
He felt a draught on his back, and a soft, gentle hand on his back, then a little more warmth, trying to comfort him as darkness filled his mind more and more.
Swiatla: Don't torture yourself...
Almost immediately, her physical presence disappeared, as did the presence in her mind. Signaling that she had used up her last energy bricks for the moment.
The giant sighed, finishing his work.
Nearl's armor complete, the doctor walked the corridors in the dark of night. Now he too needed to have a suit of armor for the Major, and guarantee his anonymity...
He'd told Nearl he had a plan, but it wasn't true.
Just... something to find.
As he entered the elevator, his finger pressed a button on the control panel while his thoughts were still occupied. He looked at the button he had pressed only to realize that he had unconsciously commanded the elevator to go to a disused floor. He was about to chastise himself for this incongruous action, but in the end he told himself it was strange.
It was as if his body was urging him to go there.
He arrived in one of Rhodes' back alleys. Darkness was everywhere. Debris littered the floor and dried blood on the walls, so old they were black.
Sebastian made his way down this long corridor that hadn't seen a soul in years, if not longer. He walked on and on, through the debris. Determined to find out where his unconscious was leading him.
His gaze finally landed on a wall that looked just like any other.
He placed his hand on the spot.
A small square on the wall where he'd placed his hand began to glow green and quickly opened up, revealing a secret room.
He went inside, looking for a switch to turn on the lights.
And when the light came, he immediately understood why his body had brought him here.
The room was a mess, but he soon saw military equipment, files and, above all, a tall figure under a sheet.
He walked over to the figure and pulled back the sheet, coming face to face with a figure from the past.
A ghost resurfacing. A shadow hovering again.
Armor. Perfectly fitting. Black as night with purple highlights. The metal of which it was made was slightly corrugated, indicating the use of damask iridium. One of his creations.
He could see his reflection in the metal and looked up at the helmet.
It was Yuri of Ursus's armor.
The emperor's red hand.
The demon of the north.
Him.
The horns were a little big though. Just made of resin. But he could understand why people might think he was a sarkaz under all that metal.
That's why his body had brought him here.
He needed armor, and so braving amnesia, his muscle memory brought him here.
His gaze, however, quickly fell on something beside him.
A tape recorder on a crate.
He took out the tape and saw that it was labeled. But the handwriting wasn't his.
'For Wiya.'
The giant frowned. He knew only three people who knew that name. The mercenary, of course, him and...
He was struck by the realization of who must have recorded the tape.
The giant seized the device and left the secret room.
He had to give it to her.
The sarkaz's head was full of thoughts.
Not ideas on how to annoy Dobermann or the recruits. Or how to put aphrodisiacs in Kal'tsit's coffee or catnip in her clothes.
No, this time she had serious thoughts.
Like every day since then.
The day she saved the doctor.
Worse, the day she'd been unable to hurt him.
Not a day went by without the doctor leaving his thoughts.
He was the whole reason she'd joined Rhodes Island again... to make sure she had the perfect angle when she stabbed a dagger into his back.
And yet she couldn't do it when the time came.
She hated him. She hated him with every fiber of her being. Because he was the one who'd killed the only person she'd ever learned to love.
And yet, he was the one she thought of when his season hit her. He was the one whose presence she delighted in, and the mere knowledge that he was well filled her with joy.
That's why she wanted to kill him. So that her mind would finally be at peace. For the love-hate part to stop warring.
She loved him as much as she hated him.
And that tortured her.
Someone knocked on his door.
Only one person was brave enough to go all the way to his quarters. And at two o'clock in the morning at that.
She bit her lower lip and rose from her bed. Walking slowly to the door, she took a deep breath before opening it.
The doctor stood in the doorway. The two looked into each other's eyes without saying a word. Then the giant finally raised his hand, pointing to the cassette and tape recorder.
W: For Wiya...
Her eyes widened as she read her first name.
Nobody knew, after all.
If not...
W: How...?
Her yellow eyes, shining in the darkness, looked up at the giant.
Sebastian: In chernobog. A memory came back to me. We were talking about you.
He again held out the set, which was intended for the sarkaz.
Sebastian: I found it by chance. It's for you.
They both knew who the tape came from.
With a trembling hand, she took hold of the recording.
Sebastian: I-
Wiya: Shut up. You're not sorry. You would be if you knew what you did.
She stepped back and closed the door. Leaving the giant in the corridor alone, and clutching her hand so tightly he drew blood.
He'd had enough.
Enough of running away from the past. Enough of letting the fear of knowledge cloud his judgment.
It was finally time to clear the air.
He headed for the archive room.
Meanwhile in her room, the sarkaz sat down at the table in her quarters and put the cassette into the tape recorder. Grabbing hold of all her willpower. She pressed play.
Theresa: Hello. Wiya...
Immediately, tears began to flow down her cheeks. Those simple words were an explosion. A voice she hadn't heard in years. A ghost from the past. Immediately she had the urge to throw the recording against the wall. To stop opening old wounds, even if they had never finished closing.
But she forced herself to stay.
Theresa: If you hear this. I'm dead.
The person who taught her what love was.
Theresa: Babel... You, Kal'tsit, Amiya, The Doctor. I'm leaving everything behind.
She gritted her teeth. At the mere mention of the giant, in the last words of the woman she loved.
Theresa: And my death will surely come as a surprise to many. Including you, of course.
A deep breath came from behind the microphone.
Theresa: I already know what's going to happen. My brother will pull strings to make it look like the doctor is the only one responsible for this event. And he'll work his heart and soul out to find out who's responsible, without worrying about the shadow of guilt hanging over him.
The sarkaz began to wonder what was going on. It was as if Theresa already knew she was going to die and who her killer would be.
Theresa: But I don't have the slightest doubt about you. You're all better than that. I know you'll see through the haze to observe his innocence. That you'll stand by him in the worst of times to take my place. That idiot couldn't hunt a spider by himself, so to face the world...
The soft tone of the Queen's voice was tinged with immense sadness and melancholy.
Theresa: I've had a long life Wiya. Too long. The bramble crown on my head has caused me nothing but suffering. So much suffering I've stored up for centuries. All the rage. The hatred. The despair of my people. I could feel them as if they were my own. No... Those emotions were mine. I've dedicated my life to this task. But I have no place in one more atrocious war. All the hope I sell and inspire in your eyes is a lie. I lost it myself so long ago. You... You're still young, so I'm turning to you.
The Queen's voice began to quaver amid W's sobs.
Theresa: I've decided to end my life. I'm old, exhausted and at the end of my rope. Perhaps I was a symbol of hope for all of you. But I don't have any left to sell myself. So I leave it all to you. You, the younger generation. You who still have warmth in your hearts, vigor in your hands and flames of passion in your eyes.
A light laugh echoed through the magnetic tape.
Theresa: I know Amiya will show enough kindness to be another beacon in the night. I know the doctor will have the strength to pull you through the biggest obstacles. And I know you'll have the passion to follow them and help them through thick and thin. My departure may sound like a time of trouble. But you three are the ones I trust most, and I know you'll do everything to get through it.
The Queen's usual cheerfulness faded again.
Theresa: I'm so sorry, I wish I could have cherished you longer Wiya. And I would treasure every moment we spent together. And I could never express how sorry I am. Sorry for leaving you behind, sorry for being such a coward, and taking the easy way out. But you all think I'm so much braver than I truly am.
One last deep breath.
Theresa: Don't let my death fill you with hatred. Our people have given too much of it. Goodbye Wiya. I love you.
*click*
The tape stopped spinning, signifying that the recording was complete.
Immediately W screamed. In anger, in pain, in sadness. She had never screamed so loudly in her life. The fingers holding her tear-dripping head squeezed so hard that her nails dug into the skin of her skull.
What had killed Theresa was a slit throat. The first person to arrive at the scene of the crime was the doctor. He was crying his eyes out at the time.
The shrapnel in her skull and brain caused her immense pain. So much so that all she wanted was for everything to stop. And she knew the cause. Her body itself was telling her that she had been living a lie for almost five years, and now her reason was fracturing. There was only one thing left to do.
Her hand grasped the handgun lying on her table. And she left her room. Walking through the corridors at night.
Her instincts drove her to her prey.
*tunk*
Kal'tsit: Guhh... Damn...
The feline let out a deep sigh as she saw the error window open on her computer. The only light in the darkness of her office. Her hand went to the cup on her right. Only to realize it was empty.
It was far from the first time Kal'tsit had pulled an all-nighter. Luckily, she had her fuel. She walked over to the large filter coffee pot lying on a medical cabinet in her office and, after putting in an unhealthy dose of sugar, filled her cup.
The digital archive was still buggy.
Kal'tsit: Closure must be asleep by now.
She downed her lukewarm sweet sock juice in one gulp and left her office, walking straight to the archives. However, as she was about to leave the room, she could see her calendar right beside the door, and saw that for the following day-
Finally, a little later on the same day, it said: Examine GM-24 samples.
The new "camouflage" tablet invented by this dear doctor.
She sighed.
Not hatred, that borderless hatred she showed at every turn towards the doctor, but towards herself.
Kal'tsit was far from stupid or unquestioning. She knew perfectly well that her repulsion for Sebastian was unnatural and destructive. Even if there was nothing she could do about it.
Since he'd been here, he'd helped Rhodes Island and everyone else he could without counting the cost, never once putting his own personal interests ahead of others.
He was selfless, funny, charming, and so terribly annoying...
Of course, soon after he arrived Kal'tsit knew that what had come back was the man she'd fallen in love with. Even if she could never bring herself to admit it. That's why she gradually became a little gentler with him.
She couldn't lie to herself.
So at least she could be nicer to him.
Even if it took a long time.
And often the target of mockery from Warfarin or Blaze.
The feline left her office.
Maybe she'd come and make friends with him one of these nights at the bar.
His nightly walk to the archives was grueling. Mainly because all that kept her body upright was caffeine and the desire not to worry anyone by collapsing from exhaustion. But at last she reached the warehouse where most of Rhodes Island's physical memories rested.
She flashed her badge and stepped inside, her gaze immediately landing on the durin near the entrance who sat at his desk, illuminated by a single lamp as he read.
Kal'tsit: Flammel.
Flammel: Oh d-doctor Kal'tsit. It's rare to see you here...
Kal'tsit: The digital system has a problem.
Flammel: I see. Make yourself at home. Well... It's your home...
The icy feline nodded.
Flammel: It's just weird...
Kal'tsit: What do you mean?
Flammel: Dr. Sebastian was also here a few moments ago. He looked pretty bad when he came in.
Kal'tsit: Did he leave with anything?
Flammel: Yes. From wing four, I think.
Immediately, the feline froze. Then, without saying a word, she set off towards the interior of the archives. Walking until she reached the very beginning of the Rhodes Island archives. Wing four. Dedicated to energy and sanitation. Of no interest, especially since the archives there were almost ten years old. Except for those towards the end of the large shelves.
Kal'tsit faced them.
The complete Babel battle reports. Including the dark operations. Right there, in plain sight. And the best possible hiding place. She looked and could see that a file was missing. One from after Theresa's death.
Kal'tsit's expression, always frozen, changed for once. Against her will, the look on her face was one of great concern.
She knew the doctor better than anyone. And she knew he had a tendency to torture himself over every mistake he made.
And now he'd gotten his hands on enough guilt to last a lifetime.
Her heart, softer than it had seemed before, urged her to run, intent on finding the doctor.
Her footsteps didn't make the slightest noise as she approached the cursed bar in front of her. The door was marked with a small "closed" sign, which clearly contradicted the fact that the bar's lights were on.
She almost leapt at the door, her right hand trembling but clutching tightly to the loaded old 45, while with her left hand she slowly turned the handle and opened the door. Careful not to let the bell mounted above the door ring.
She closed the door behind her.
And concentrated on the view straight in front of her. The doctor was there sitting at the bar. In a miserable state.
A few emptied bottles and a single glass on one side. On the other, a wide-open file.
In the absence of church, he sought his answers at the bottom of a glass.
In the middle, the doctor sat on a stool with both elbows on the bar and his hands hiding his face. And judging by the wetness of his forearms, he had been crying.
W walked to his back. Her gaze imbued with more madness than ever. She raised her pistol in line with the enemy's skull, and began to slowly squeeze the trigger.
*click*
As it recoiled, the gun hammer made a very slight click. But audible. The sarkaz froze, knowing full well that something like that would be heard by the doctor.
But this one didn't move.
Sebastian: I'm not going to stop you.
His voice rang out. As hoarse as anything. Sad. Like the one the sarkaz had just heard.
She approached, not allowing herself to doubt, until she was sticking the barrel of her gun to the back of the doctor's skull. As he poured himself yet another glass of liqueur.
W: Why...?
She said as her finger trembled on the trigger. The incessant war of her mind resumed in earnest.
Sebastian: I have no right to stop you.
The glass in his hand shattered under the doctor's diamond grip.
Sebastian: I don't have that right if I'd have killed anyone else in my place... So go ahead, take your revenge. Shoot.
She didn't move for a moment.
The giant turned, finally facing her.
It was no longer the twenty-year-old standing in front of her.
Age was evident in every feature, exacerbated by sadness. Even her swollen, moist eyes had lost their emerald sparkle.
Sebastian: That's an order W ! Fire !
He seemed so full of anger. But at what?
Her face too distorted with rage as she grabbed the giant's shoulder and pressed the weapon against the underside of his jaw.
W: Shut up!
Come on. Kill him. You've finally got the chance, he wants you to, you can disappear and everything will be settled for good!
Are you going to give him the ending he wants?
This time she listened to the second voice.
You let him choose the way out? When he's made you suffer so much, you accept his suicide? While he finally faces up to his crimes?
Sebastian: Shoot for the hell of it!
Tears were streaming down her eyes again.
Sebastian: Kill me! I deserve it!
The sarkaz gritted her teeth.
W: You have no idea what you've done...
Sebastian: You think so?!
He picked up the folder next to him and held it in front of him, without really showing it.
Sebastian: I'm responsible for more deaths than anyone else on this goddamn planet! I sent Ace's brother on a mission where I knew he'd have no chance of coming back! I had all the Kazdelian farms poisoned to make sure our enemies died, but the only casualties were civilians! I killed the last Banshee man with my own hands! I condemned their entire race to extinction!
He no longer had the strength to look her in the eye.
Sebastian: I've made all these fine speeches about morality... About our enemies... When I'm worse than any of them. A fucking phony. If I'd had someone responsible for the same things as me right in front of me, I'd have shot him in the skull without even thinking. I don't deserve to fight for Rhodes Island, to lead anyone or to sully this cruiser even for a moment longer with my presence.
W: You're a coward...
Sebastian: A coward...? Maybe a coward. I'd rather be a coward than a demon.
W: A demon...? You always have been. For as long as I've known you, all you've done is spread blood and pain. And I'm willing to bet you were doing it before.
He said nothing. He just looked into her eyes. W had always had strange eyes. His eyes were orange, with no natural counterpart. But most of all, his pupils were cross-shaped.
But as her eyes met the doctor's equally supernatural ones. She understood the message that was being conveyed in ways other than words.
The look in her eyes said it all.
Shut the fuck up.
Shoot.
Give me death.
She looked nowhere but at her eyes. The bar could just as easily have been burning around them and she wouldn't have noticed.
She refused. She refused to satisfy him, and yet the grip she had on her handgun only tightened to the point where she trembled, almost imperceptibly.
W: And you still do. You're a warrior. A soldier. A killer. You know it. You do it every day. You think about it every day.
Save him.
W: So what's changed? Since yesterday? Since Babel?
Sebastian: What changed...? Who I blame... You think I can forgive myself for hurting innocent people?
W: ah... You and your FUCKING! Savior syndrome...
Sebastian: Shut up. That's all I'm going on in this fucking world for. My only reason to live, no, to exist. It's to be able to say to myself that my rotten life and my death could even improve that of someone who did nothing wrong.
That was his only reason.
To be. To exist. To live. To fight.
Since the day Yuri had died.
Ever since the day he joined the mercenary fortress.
Ever since the first day he discovered the horror of war.
His life was worth nothing to him. Not a penny. It was just a pretext. A useful tool. To save, protect, preserve.
Helping those who, unlike him, didn't have a soul rotten to the core. Those who had spent their lives without ever killing or hurting anyone.
He'd been like this for as long as he could remember.
If he had to give his life to save two innocents, he'd have shot himself in the head without even thinking.
But then his whole world fell apart.
His will. So strong. So unbreakable. The source of all his power, and every one of his abilities, was in tatters. Just after sweeping her eyes over the black ink of this file.
The demons of this world, its greatest warriors, had failed to do what the weight of guilt had accomplished.
Break him.
W: Is that it...? Your reason for fighting? Not even Amiya? Nearl? Or those little girls you've adopted?
The giant clenched his fist. He clenched it until it bled. All that frustration was inside him, because he knew she was absolutely right. Even though it tortured him to the core, he already knew he'd be leaving everyone he loved behind. Everyone who needed him.
Sebastian: You don't understand... This hatred... This rage. I feel it deep inside me like a venom gnawing at me, an acid boiling in my veins. Towards every little thing in this world, the flames in my hands burn and beg to fall... I don't want to... To go on like this... In a world where my rage corrupts me... Where it eats me up and ends up hurting those I love... It's for them that I'm doing this. I'm terrified. Of going back to the way I was.
W: For them? Because YOU don't have the strength to fight your own demons? Because YOU don't want to live with the fear of becoming evil?
Her hand trembled. Comparisons and analogies filled her mind with the only one she had ever loved.
W: Because YOU can't live with your suffering?
She slowly stepped back from the giant, her hand releasing her weapon as she lowered her head. Her eyes, which had been crying so much, began to water again.
W: You're all cowards...
For Wiya the sarkaz, it was her suffering that had kept her alive all these years, against all odds.
Sebastian: Why are you trying to save me...
W: She believed in you... She believed in me... She believed in all of us to the end... And we all let her down...
He didn't need to think to know who she was talking about.
W: I don't want to kill you... Not in the state you're in... Not for who you are... When I see you I can only see a bum drowning his misery and trying to escape it like a coward... Not the monster I hated.
Sebastian: I can't fix these mistakes. Not with everything I've done. Nor can I try to pretend I didn't read the damn file.
He breathed. Seeming calm at last, like a man who had accepted his fate, as W wiped away her still-flowing tears.
W: So what? You're going to end it all yourself? Are you going to run away again, like you did four years ago?
The doctor looked again at his hands. Marked by scars and age. The first time he'd killed a man with a knife, it had taken him hours to remove the blood.
But the blood never left, he could always see it.
He was an assassin, a monster, a murderer, a warrior, a soldier, a fighter.
A machine. Made and developed for just one thing.
Spill the blood, and the end.
The only thing he was ever any good at.
How many people would mourn him if he died?
His throat knotted and he felt an excruciating pain in his heart. It was as if his heart began to burn.
Too much...
He...
He could be something else.
A fighter. A leader. Scientist. Paladin. Doctor.
How many people would die if he didn't find that cure for oripathy? How many people like any poor Lungmen would suffer if he didn't stop other men like Phobos? How many others would be left in misery like the students of ursus if he didn't help them.
He could finally be something else.
Other than a coward.
A runaway, just as he had fled after wounding his father.
Just as he had always run away in his life.
From Ursus. From Lungmen. From Victoria. From Babel.
Something other than a ferocious beast that had brutally destroyed every obstacle.
Today was a choice. An opportunity.
To finally be something else.
Escape.
Or a winding road.
Pain, blood, tears, a distant light with no guarantee of being reachable by anyone.
Overcoming rage, fear and suffering. Again and again and again.
He chose.
The doctor sighed, taking another drink from behind the counter before finally turning his back on the sarkaz.
Sebastian: Come and sit down.
Surprised, Wiya took a step forward, then two, and ended up sitting next to the giant on the bar stools.
Sebastian: Bourbon?
W: Yeah...
Both sipped their drinks. A little silence settled in.
Sebastian: What was on the tape?
W: Theresa's last words.
He remained silent. Letting her continue.
W: You didn't kill her. She killed herself.
Sebastian: I... I'm sorry.
W: Really? I tell you you're innocent and you apologize?
She looked at him, showing her fangs for a moment.
Sebastian: I'm sorry for your loss. You loved her, didn't you?
The sarkaz seemed surprised for a moment.
W: Yeah...
She looked at the caramel liquid at the bottom of her glass.
W: I never suspected... It was always a source of hope. Strength. Willpower. Of good humor. Even in the morning I... But she was special.
she said.
With a smile.
For the first time in... almost ever.
A simple smile.
W: If her head wasn't attached to her body, she could have forgotten it. Sometimes she'd even be about to leave her quarters, forgetting to get dressed. Or put on underwear...
A light laugh from the giant made the sarkaz smile again.
W: Although I'm not sure that part was always involuntary... She was always forgetting cups of coffee or tea that were still hot. Often it was Kal who picked them up and emptied them without saying a word. It reeked of cold coffee in her office because of this. She always tried to make the war orphans we had, like Amiya, laugh or smile.
She huffed and took a sip of her drink.
W: I never took offense when she chased after you like all the other girls. Because she always told me I was the one she was thinking of when she closed her eyes. Even when she closed them for the last time, I'm sure they saw me. She loved the world so much... People... Maybe that was her weakness...
Sebastian: No. You can't love too much… We can let our passion consume us, our obsessions eat us up. But even if it kills us, saddens us, stifles us, we can't consider love a weakness. It's the greatest tragedy that can happen…
The sarkaz looked at him, seeing that he'd barely touched his glass. In any case, from the fresh look on his face, the bastard had probably chased all the alcohol out of his system.
W: She put all her hopes in us. In me, Kal, Amiya. And you. She thought you were capable of absolutely anything. That you'd finally free the sarkaz and the world from hate.
She looked him straight in the eye.
W: Please. Accomplish the dreams of the woman I loved.
Sebastian: I can't remember. So I'm doing it here. Once and for all. I'll carry out Theresa's last wishes.
The sarkaz smiled slightly, raising her glass to the giant.
W: Ijaat kyraic.
Ancient sarkaz, a relic of the past used only for sayings and songs. The giant grinned and raised his glass to the sarkaz.
Sebastian: Ijaat aliit.
Honor to the dead, honor to the clan. They toasted and drank their glasses. Not to drown their sorrows this time. But to celebrate. The new alliance.
W: What do we do. I can't be nice to you overnight. I've always hated you.
Sebastian: Are you sure?
He stood up with a smile, walking slowly towards the piano at the back of the bar.
It had rarely been used.
Since his amnesia.
He used to play it when Theresa picked up her violin.
He sat down, and his fingers caressed the notes. Before pressing them.
From the first notes she recognized the melody. The one from that movie they'd watched together.
Sebastian: City of stars... Are you shining just for me?
He remembered.
So did she.
As he played and sang this sad, haunting melody, she walked over to him and took her place right next to him, on the armchair that served the pianist. Her deep, suave voice defined him. Deep, sad and strong.
W: That now our dreams, would finally come true.
Imitating the actors in this film, W began to sing.
When had she ever sung? Had she ever done it even once?
Why was this so natural?
The melody accelerated.
Sebastian: A rush.
W: A glance.
Sebastian: A touch.
W: A dance~
Both: Look in somebody's eyes,
To light up the skies
To open the world and send me reeling
A voice that says i'll be here
And you'll be alright.
It was just as natural, if not more so, to sing along with him. The melodies so sad, now joined. Taking on their full meaning. Joy. Real joy, could fill her heart.
Sebastian: City of stars...
W: Never shined so brightly...
A few final notes. And they looked into each other's eyes.
He was right. She hadn't always hated him.
There was no longer any conflict in Wiya's mind.
W was dead tonight.
It was the only thing she could be sure of as she threw herself at the giant, crashing her lips on his.
Calm. For a change. As she felt the heat. His breath. Then quickly the giant's hands on her back.
She hadn't had the slightest proof of love in nearly five years. Hungry, thirsty, greedy. She welcomed it, igniting his kiss with passion.
The man she had hated.
The man she loved.
And she loved him even more by being pressed against him, a chaotic kiss, but passionate, just like their hands that didn't know where to go. Their breaths that didn't know when to stop or resume.
He accepted her love. And returned it even more. A thanks he would never be able to profess. For she had just saved him. From the greatest enemy he'd ever faced, and the only one who was constantly with him. Himself.
Sebastian, had a new reason to endure this evening.
A few yards away, a heart broke into a thousand pieces.
Kal'tsit had run. Scared.
The bar door was wide open.
She was too late.
The lynx could see W and Sebastian embracing, like two lovers reunited after a long time.
She felt her chest ache.
She almost fell, but caught herself against a wall, clutching the left side of her torso, because of all the pain she was feeling. Rage and hatred surged through her, yet she couldn't find the strength to scream or say anything.
This force redirected itself into her legs and she fled.
Fleeing, ever faster through Rhodes Island by night. Making his way to her quarters, heading for a door that had been condemned for far too long. A room that should have been used. Never did.
She entered. Illuminated by the moonlight, she walked slowly against one of the walls at the back of the room. She collapsed, sliding against the wall with no strength left.
It was then, and only then, that she began to cry. Torrents of tears escaping from her eyes.
She had been acerbic, angry, cold. She'd lost him after him amnesia.
Only through her own fault.
Her eyes fixed on the dusty cradle beside her.
Some thought that Theresa's death had been the final blow to the doctor's sanity, and to his relationship with Kal'tsit. But it was only after Theresa's death that she lost the baby.
She was doomed to lose everyone she loved. Forever. Because of herself.
She grabbed the ring lying at the bottom of her pocket and threw it into a dark corner of the room, screaming in pain.
This night, Kal'tsit cried herself to sleep.
To be continued.
