Hey, everyone!
Here's another one and almost time for New Year.
Disclaimer: We do not own any Franchise. We just love being imaginative.
Chapter - 6
The rough linen of the pillow scratched against Natasha's cheek, a stark contrast to the smooth, sterile surfaces she was used to in the clinic. Sleep eluded her, a restless creature in the dark of her bedroom. Her mind, however, was wide awake, a room filled with the echoes of her own thoughts.
"Why did I want to be a doctor?" she whispered to the ceiling, the question a familiar litany. The answer, usually so clear, felt muddled tonight. It wasn't simply the logical progression of her studies, or the satisfaction of a meticulously diagnosed ailment. No, it was something far deeper, a yearning that had taken root in the dusty, forgotten corner of the underworld where she'd spent her childhood.
She remembered the chill always present, the perpetual twilight of the street lights, the faces worn with hardship and hope. Hope, though, was a flickering thing, easily stamped out by the harsh realities of their existence. Then, the light had arrived - two figures descending from the overworld, bringing not only the promise of healing but a palpable sense of order and compassion. The doctors. Her adoptive parents.
Natasha, is that your name?
It's a beautiful name. Do you want to come with us?
She recalled watching them, her young eyes wide with fascination. How they moved with precision, their hands gentle even as they probed for the source of pain, their voices calming the storm within their patients. The way they brought relief where there was only suffering, light where there was only darkness. That was it. That was the seed of her ambition. She, too, wanted to be a beacon, a steady hand in the chaos of life.
Now, she was a doctor, a respected member of the community, yet she felt a gaping void within. The patients she treated, and the relief she provided, all felt... insufficient. A drop of water in a vast, parched desert.
"But…" And then there was Naruto. The enigma with eyes like burning embers and a heart full of an ache she couldn't comprehend, not fully, not yet. He had tumbled into her life, a whirlwind of questions and a desperate search for something he had lost, something locked away in his memory. She wanted to help him, to heal the wounds she couldn't even see.
"A doctor that wavers so easily. Funny…" But what could she do? Her medical knowledge, and her years of training, all felt useless against the invincible affliction that held him captive. She could patch up wounds, set bones, prescribe remedies, but she couldn't delve into the labyrinth of his mind, couldn't unlock the truth he so desperately craved.
A wave of frustration washed over her, leaving behind a bitter taste of inadequacy. She was a doctor, yes, but a doctor who couldn't heal the ones she cared about. She had set out to emulate her parents, to be a force for good, but here she was, lying in her bed feeling as lost as the child she once was. The child who had looked to her adoptive parents as almost god-like, so impactful to the people around them.
Besides, when did I ever say I'm giving up?
"…" Remembering his confident words, she felt a sense of motivation.
"Such a silly boy." She had a small smile every time she recalled the young man's occasional quotes. Maybe after a good night's sleep, I can resolve this annoying feeling." She closed her eyes, willing sleep to claim her. Perhaps with dawn, a new resolve would blossom. Perhaps tomorrow she would find the right path, the right action, even just a sliver of a way to help Naruto. But for now, she would embrace the quiet despair, knowing that even in the darkest of nights, there was always the promise of a new day. The faint light of the street was already beginning to creep under the edges of her curtains. She would try again tomorrow. She always did.
The clatter of metal on metal was a familiar symphony in the small, cluttered clinic nestled in the middle part of Bolder Town's underworld. Natasha, her grey-blue hair pulled back in a practical braid, carefully packed sterile bandages into a medical satchel, her brow furrowed in concentration. At 18, she was fresh out of Belobog Medical College, a prodigy who had opted for the grit and grime of the underworld over the sterile halls of the city. Beside her, Vache, her older brother, a man with a perpetually amused glint in his eyes, was meticulously calibrating a small, portable diagnostic device. His smile was a constant, a quirk that belied the vast medical knowledge he possessed.
"Slow down there, dear little sister," Vache chuckled, his voice warm and teasing, "You'll poke a hole in the satchel with all that enthusiasm. Remember, calm hands, calm mind."
Natasha still tired, a smile tugging at her lips. "Easy for you to say, oh wise and experienced Vache. It's not my fault that the chief miner wants a full check-up on everyone today. Seems even the underworld has to keep up with health codes," she quipped back, her voice echoing with the youthful energy that always seemed to clash with the subdued atmosphere of her brother.
"Indeed, indeed," Vache said, his smile widening, "Though I suspect it's less about health codes and more about trying to catch someone slacking off. Still, it's good practice for your tender years. You'll be facing far worse cases than miner's cough. Remember what I told you about the dust, eh? And the... less than hygienic practices they sometimes engage in." He winked, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes, earning a playful shove from his sister.
They were a well-oiled machine, this sibling duo. Vache, with his years of experience and a laid-back attitude somehow got the job done, and Natasha, with her fresh knowledge and unwavering dedication. They loaded up their gear, double-checking each item – bandages, antiseptics, diagnostic tools, a few pain relievers, and, of course, their trusty medical handbook. They then stepped out into the dim, dusty streets, the air thick with the smell of coal and damp earth, ready to face the day.
"Where's Naruto?" Natasha asked, glancing around. The blonde, energetic miner with the curious habit of talking to himself was usually buzzing about the clinic like a hyperactive bee.
"Probably already down at the mines, trying to pay off his… debt," Vache replied, a slight Cheshire impression creasing his brow. Naruto had stumbled into their lives a few months ago, found unconscious and battered near the mine entrance. He had no memory of his past, but quickly found a niche for himself as a diligent and surprisingly resourceful miner. He'd been working off the cost of his medical treatment, and he had a relentless work ethic.
Natasha, her brow furrowed in thought, finally broke the comfortable mood.
"Vache," she began, her voice laced with a touch of concern, "I don't understand. Naruto's been working for almost a year now. He's been incredibly diligent, hardly ever taking a break. Why is his medical debt still… lingering?"
Vache, the broad-older brother with a perpetually warm smile that seemed to crinkle the corners of his eyes, chuckled softly. He tucked a stray strand of dark hair behind his ear.
"Ah, Natasha, you worry too much," he said, his voice a smooth rumble. He didn't look at her, instead focusing on their packing, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his worn coat.
"But he's worked so hard!" Natasha insisted, her pace quickening slightly to keep up with Vache's long strides. "He's been practically living in the mines at this point."
Vache stopped abruptly, turning to face his younger sister. The moving time on his watch caught his eyes, making them glint like polished copper. A Cheshire-like smile spread across his face, the kind that hinted at a mischievous secret.
"Natasha," he said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "that debt was paid off months ago."
Natasha stared at him, her mouth agape. "What? But… but he's still working! Why?"
Vache chuckled again, the sound warm and genuine. "Because," he said, stepping closer and placing a hand on her shoulder, "I like having him around."
Natasha blinked, processing this information. It wasn't entirely surprising. Naruto, with his boundless energy and sunny disposition, had become a fixture at the clinic. He was always ready with a joke, a helping hand, or a comforting word to patients. There was a certain vibrancy he brought to the otherwise sterile environment.
"But… you're still taking his money?" Natasha asked, a hint of disbelief in her tone.
Vache's smile widened. "Of course! But I'm not keeping it," he clarified quickly, seeing her disapproval. "He doesn't know, but I've started a separate account for him. A little nest egg for when he decides to leave." He paused, his gaze softening as he looked towards the clinic, a warm glow emanating from its windows. "He's like family now, Natasha. He deserves a little extra security."
"I hope he doesn't hear you say that after all the nonsense and comedic situations you put him through. Hehe…" Natasha's initial shock slowly melted into understanding. She looked at her brother, her heart swelling with affection for his kindness and quirky sense of humor. She knew Vache had a soft spot for those in need and, while unconventional, this was his way of caring for Naruto.
"He really does brighten up the place," Natasha admitted, her own smile mirroring Vache's. "It's nice having him here, helping with patients, always ready to lend a hand. It feels… less heavy." She thought of Naruto's laughter echoing through the halls, his ever-present optimism a balm to the often stressful atmosphere of a medical clinic.
"Exactly," Vache said, his arm tightening slightly around her shoulder. "And besides," he added with a wink, "He's been helping me organize and fill the supply room. Don't know how he was able to find the rarest herbs and ingredients but that alone is worth more than any amount of money."
"I suppose so," Natasha sighed, already feeling a pang of worry for the man who'd become something of a fixture in their lives.
Today they had decided not to tell him about today's surprise check-up, hoping to catch everyone before they started their day's work in the mine, a strategic move suggested by Vache.
As they made their way towards the large, bridge of the mine entrance, the sounds of pickaxes and rumbling carts grew louder. They were prepared for a long day, for sore backs and scraped knuckles, for the stoic faces of hardworking men. But they were unaware that Naruto, who they imagined was deep in the mine tunnels, was actually nowhere near the mines.
The biting wind, a constant, unwelcome guest in the underworld, whipped around Natasha's face, tugging at the scarf wrapped around her neck. Even with the sturdy layers, she felt the familiar chill seep into her bones. Beside her, Vache, her older brother, remained seemingly unfazed, his gaze fixed on the colossal mechanical pillar that dominated the landscape. It was a stark, industrial intrusion upon the otherwise meticulously crafted buildings, a testament to the precarious balance that defined their lives.
The pillar, a behemoth of gears and steel, pierced the sky, its upper reaches swallowed by the perpetual grey clouds that clung to the surface of Belobog. It was the lifeblood of their city, the conduit through which the crucial geomarrow stones, harvested from the resource-rich depths of the underworld, were hoisted to power the overworld. In turn, the overworld, with its military might and technological prowess, provided Belobog's protection against the relentless, freezing wasteland beyond its walls.
Today, they were on their way to the geomarrow mines, a routine but essential surprise check on the miners' health. As chief medical officer of the overworld, Natasha took her responsibilities seriously, ensuring the well-being of those who toiled in the precarious depths.
"Vache," Natasha said, her voice strained against the wind, "How did they even manage it? This pillar… it's incredible. How did the architects of Belobog conceive such a structure?"
Vache finally tore his gaze from the pillar, a knowing smile playing on his lips. He leaned closer, his breath misting in the cold air.
"Incredible?" He echoed a low chuckle rumbling in his chest. "Natasha, this is a simple feat compared to what they've accomplished. This pillar, while vital, is merely one component of a much larger, grander design."
Natasha frowned, unconvinced. "But the scale of it, the precision... what could possibly be more impressive?"
Vache gestured around them, encompassing the towering buildings, the intricate network of pipelines that snaked through the city, the countless automated systems that kept them safe and warm. "Look around you, Natasha. Look atBelobogitself. The city, carved from the ice and forged by ingenuity, is a fortress against the endless winter. It defied all odds. They built a city that could fight back against the cold, that could shield us within its protective walls. That, my dear sister, is far more impressive than any single machine."
He continued, "And have you forgotten the countless automations that manage everything from our energy to our waste? The intricate systems regulating the air supply so we can breathe free from the toxins of the underworld. They built all these complex machines to keep us warm, fed, and protected. That is the genius of the Architects."
Natasha remained quiet for a moment, taking in her brother's words, letting them wash over her. She was so focused on the individual pieces, the specific mechanisms, that she had overlooked the larger picture. Belobog, the city itself, was a testament to the audacity and brilliance of its creators. The pillar was merely one cog in the grand mechanism that propelled their survival.
"I suppose you're right," she conceded with a small smile. "We tend to focus on the parts, not the whole."
"It's in our nature as doctors, I suppose," Vache replied, smiling back. "We delve into the intricacies of the human body, always searching for the root cause. But sometimes, it is necessary to zoom out and appreciate the whole, the incredible complexity of the design."
They fell into a comfortable silence, the wind whipping around them as they continued their journey towards the mines. Natasha looked at the pillar again, its sheer size still awe-inspiring, but now she saw it in a new light. It was no longer just an impressive piece of machinery. It was one of the many threads woven into the tapestry of Belobog, a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who had built it against the odds. She understood completely now that it was a small part of a bigger picture.
As they walked, she thought about the geomarrow miners waiting for them below, the ones who toiled in the darkness to fuel the underworld and the overworld that protected them all. She knew they would not see the city's grand complexity, or appreciate its genius. All they saw was the mine's darkness and the city's light. It was her, her brother, and their fellow administrators' duty to make sure that the people would understand.
The cold wind still nipped at their exposed skin, but Natasha felt a renewed sense of purpose, a deeper appreciation for the city she called home. Belobog wasn't just a place; it was a miracle, a defiant shout in the face of a frozen wasteland, borne from countless hours of research, innovation, and sacrifices made by those who had come before them. And it was her and Vaches's responsibility to ensure its legacy continued into the future. It was their home, their responsibility, their future.
…
The air hung thick with dust and the scent of damp earth as Natasha and Vache descended into the gaping maw of the Underworld Great Mine. The flickering light of their lanterns barely pierced the gloom, revealing walls slick with moisture and crisscrossed with the scars of decades of digging. Then, a bellow, like a bull clearing its throat, echoed through the cavern.
"WELCOME, WELCOME, DOCS!"
A figure emerged from the shadows. Goro, the chief miner. He was a mountain of a man, his skin tanned a deep ochre from years spent beneath the ground. His muscles bulged beneath his worn tunic, and his booming laughter seemed to vibrate the very rock around them.
"Goro! Good to see you!" Vache called back, his voice a cheerful echo of the chief miner's. Natasha merely nodded, her face a picture of practiced professionalism, though a small smile played at the corners of her lips.
"Right, right, let's get you settled!" Goro clapped Vache on the back, nearly sending him stumbling. "We got a good bunch of miners down today, ready for their checkups! Though… speaking of miners," Goro's voice dropped an octave, laced with a hint of grumbling. "That Naruto, he took the day off. Said he had… um…" Goro paused, searching for the right word, "…prior engagements?"
Natasha caught Vache's sheepish look out of the corner of her eye. She knew that look. It was the same one he wore after he'd "accidentally" swapped her meticulously organized medical kit for a bag of pastries once.
"Prior engagements, huh?" Vache chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, you know how it is, Goro. Everyone needs a little… relaxation."
"Relaxation? In the Underworld? Ha!" Goro scoffed, but the grumble faded quickly. "Heard he went to the Fight Club down by the West Street. Said he was robbed of a 'mountain of sustenance' when he wasn't around. Sounds like something you'd be involved in, Vache." He leveled a knowing glance at the elder brother.
Natasha finally turned her gaze fully onto Vache, her eyebrows arched high. The silence spoke volumes.
"Well, see," Vache stammered, "I may have… uh… offered Naruto's large travel bag filled with canned goods as a sponsorship prize. It was a very, uh… substantial bag of food, you see. A worthy prize!"
Vache, a man of hearty humour and even heartier schemes, winced. He'd used Naruto's large travel bag – typically filled with his mining gear – to carry the canned goods he'd offered as a prize for the fight club's sponsor. Naruto, apparently hadn't hidden them too well in his room. Natasha shot him a withering look, knowing full well Vache's culpability in Naruto's absence.
Natasha's "knowing look" intensified, morphing into something akin to exasperated amusement. She shook her head, a small smile twitching on her lips despite her annoyance. "You and your harebrained schemes, brother," she muttered, turning away before he could protest.
Goro let out a hearty laugh, slapping Vache's back again, this time with even more force. "As always you're a character, Vache! Alright, alright, let's get to work."
They followed Goro through a narrow tunnel into the main mining camp. It was a surprisingly organized, if somewhat dusty, clearing carved out of the rock. Several tents were pitched around the edge, and miners sat on overturned buckets, their faces etched with the strain of their tireless work. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, ore dust, and something metallic that Natasha couldn't quite place.
"This is where we'll set up," Goro announced, gesturing with a sweep of his hand. "Plenty of space, and the boys know to give you all a wide berth when you're doing your magic."
The "magic," as Goro jovially called it, consisted of a thorough health check for each miner. Natasha and Vache, despite their sibling bickering, were an efficient team. They quickly unpacked their equipment, laying out their supplies on a sturdy canvas tarp – the first aid kits, bottles of antiseptic, various medicines, and a few more complex instruments designed for the specific challenges of treating miners. This was all funded by the overworld administration, a testament to their commitment to the health and well-being of those who toiled in the depths.
Natasha, precise and methodical, began by examining each miner's eyes, checking for signs of strain or dust damage. She then carefully listened to their lungs and hearts, her brow furrowed in concentration. She dispensed the necessary vitamins and supplements, answering questions with calm, reassuring authority.
Vache, on the other hand, was a flurry of motion. He joked with the miners as he cleaned their scrapes and bruises, his booming laugh echoing through the camp. He might have been prone to outlandish schemes, but he was also a natural healer, possessing a knack for making even the most nervous miner feel at ease.
As the day dipped down toward the evening, painting the sky above the mine entry a fiery orange, they finished the last of the checkups. Goro approached them, a wide grin splitting his face.
"You two are a blessing to us, docs," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "Thank you for looking after our boys."
Natasha smiled, a rare and genuine smile that reached her eyes. "It's our pleasure, Chief Miner Goro," she said, a hint of weariness in her voice. "We'll be back next month."
Vache nodded, his usual playful energy replaced by a quiet satisfaction. "And next time, I'll try to find a… 'substantial' apology for Naruto." He winked at Natasha, who just shook her head again, a small smile still playing on her lips.
As they packed up their supplies, the flickering light of their lanterns danced across the faces of the weary, but grateful, miners. The Underworld may be a harsh place, but today, because of Natasha and Vache, it was a little bit healthier, and a little bit brighter. And perhaps, just perhaps, a little bit less reliant on Vache's questionable sponsorship tactics.
Their focus quickly shifted as they set up shop in the miners' camp, a bare clearing near the mine's entrance. With the funding from the overworld administration, they had a comprehensive kit - first-aid supplies, medicines, and diagnostic equipment. They meticulously checked each miner, their skilled hands tending to cuts, bruises, and the persistent aches that came with their arduous work.
The day wore on, the air growing heavy with the rhythm of their routine. By the time they finished, the day had almost long set, the dim glow of the mine's lights casting long, dancing shadows. With their equipment packed, Goro escorted them towards the bridge that served as the link between the mine and the underworld towns. The air, usually stale and dusty, felt strangely still.
"*cough* *cough* I can see why you told me a mask won't be enough." The dust settled, thick and gritty, coating Dr. Natasha's tongue and stinging her eyes. She coughed, the metallic tang of pulverized rock filling her lungs.
"That's why we'll head back to the overworld after this to get our own check-up." Her brother, Dr. Vache, was a reassuring weight beside her, his strong arm wrapped tightly around her. They'd just finished their routine checkups at the mines, their data pads tucked away, ready to be analysed. Now, they were buried beneath tons of rubble, the terrifying roar of the explosions still echoing in their ears.
"Huh?" Natasha had a wary expression upon seeing the man on the other side of the bridge.
"What is it?" Vache also saw the man but didn't react much due to the underground's already number of shady people.
"That man." She couldn't help but feel an inking premotion something unexpected was going to happen.
As they approached the bridge's edge, a figure stepped into view from the other side. A man, shrouded in a dark trench coat and a wide-brimmed hat, his face half-hidden in shadow. He was unfamiliar, a stark outlier in the familiar faces of the underworld. Something was unnerving about his stillness, but they weren't alarmed, just curious.
"…" But then, the stranger began to mutter, his voice a low, guttural hum that seemed to vibrate in the air. Before they could react, he raised his hand, revealing a small device with a prominent red button. A sickening click echoed in the stillness, followed by a series of earth-shattering explosions.
BOOM!*
The bridge, sturdy steel that had endured centuries of use, tore apart in a symphony of twisted metal and flying debris. The very structure of the mine shuddered, causing the ground beneath their feet to buckle and crack. Before they could even scream, the force of the blast propelled them backwards, sending them tumbling into a newly formed chasm.
"Natasha!" Vache, his instincts honed by years of protecting his younger sister, instinctively grabbed Natasha and held on tight. They crashed down into the darkness, the dust stinging their eyes and the roar of the collapsing mine filling their ears.
Even the man who triggered the explosion seemed surprised by the sheer magnitude of the destruction. He stared, his hidden face unreadable, as the earth continued to tremble.
They had been near the main pillar, the massive structure that facilitated ore transport and individual movement between the overworld and underworld. The explosion had not destroyed it, but the mighty pillar now stood at a slight, precarious tilt.
As they fell, she saw this seemingly minor shift in the pillar and that sent a shiver of fear down Natasha's spine. "No."
It had happened so fast. One moment they were being led out by the chief miner, the rough-hewn tunnel opening up to the bridge that spanned the chasm to the bustling towns of the underworld. The next, a figure in a trench coat and a wide-brimmed hat had materialized at the other end, holding a strange device. He'd muttered something unintelligible, then slammed his thumb down on a red button.
The world had erupted. A cacophony of explosions ripped through the air, the steel bridge twisting and contorting like a ribbon in a hurricane. The mine itself groaned, metal screeching against rock, and the ground beneath their feet had bucked and tossed them. Vache's quick reflexes had saved them, pulling her into a tighter embrace just as they were flung into a newly formed cave-in.
Vache coughed, adjusting his grip. "Natasha, are you alright?" His voice was rough, laced with concern.
She nodded, trying to suppress a shiver. "Yes, just… disoriented. What was that?"
Above them, they could hear the rumble of falling debris, each sound a grim reminder of their precarious situation. They listened for the chief miner, but his voice was absent, replaced by the ominous sounds of a collapsing mine.
"I don't know," Vache said grimly, his eyes adjusting to the dim light filtering through the gaps in the rubble. "But I have a bad feeling about this."
He was right. The tremors they felt were not normal. They weren't just the aftershocks of the explosions. The entire mine seemed to be shifting, settling into a new, unstable configuration.
"Everyone in the mines, we need to find them." Natasha suggested though a little sluggish as she was still trying to find her footing.
"We will worry about that later, I'm not sure where this will take us either." Vache understands her sister but right now, their situation was too grim to care for others.
Back at the mine entrance, the man in the trench coat stood amidst the chaos, his face not quite hidden under the brim of his hat. He looked around, his eyes wide with surprise, almost childlike. He hadn't expected this level of destruction. It wasn't just the bridge; the very bones of the mine seemed to be cracking.
He had been given the device, told to cause a minor diversion. He hadn't thought it would cause this much… chaos. He'd been promised a quick job, a means to an end. Now, he just felt the weight of what he'd done, the panic growing in his gut.
The explosions also had a more far-reaching impact. The mines were near the great pillar that served as the lifeline of the underworld, transporting goods and personnel between the realms. The force of the blasts had tilted the massive structure ever so slightly, a minuscule shift to the naked eye, but a potentially catastrophic one. The delicate balance between the overworld and underworld was threatened.
All across the underworld towns, the ground trembled. People stumbled, clutching at furniture, their faces etched with terror. The panic spread rapidly, stories flying from mouth to mouth, each more horrifying than the last. Someone yelled about the mines, about explosions and collapses. Soon, cries went out for the Silvermane guards.
"What is happening!?"
"Sir! The mines! Something happened to it!"
"What? Move!"
In the Silvermane guard station closest to the mining hub, the alarms blared, their shrill wail cutting through the rising panic. Guards scrambled, their armor clanking as they prepared to respond. The commander, a hardened veteran with years of service, knew that this was far more than a simple mining accident. Something was terribly, terribly wrong.
Back in the rubble, Natasha took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts. "We need to find a way out, Vache," she said, her voice gaining strength. "Before this whole place collapses on top of us."
Vache nodded, already assessing the debris around them. "Right. Stay close." He began pushing at a larger piece of rock, his muscles straining. "We'll get out of here, Natasha. I promise."
They were trapped, surrounded by destruction, but not broken. The fear was there, a cold knot in their stomachs, but beneath that, a spark of resilience burned bright. They were healers, after all, accustomed to facing emergencies. And this time, their emergency was their own. They would have to use their knowledge, their strength, and their unbreakable bond to survive. The underworld was in chaos, and they were caught in the heart of it, but they would not let it consume them. Not today.
From the distant towns, screams pierced the night sky. People had witnessed the catastrophic collapse. The panicked calls for help echoed, reaching the nearby Silvermane guard station. The chaos that followed was only just beginning, spurred by the actions of a stranger with a red button and a hidden motive. The familiar rhythm of the underworld had been shattered, replaced by the ominous rumble of collapsing tunnels and the chilling uncertainty of what the future held.
Vache took the lead, his broad shoulders pushing aside loose rocks, his strong hands finding purchase on the jagged surfaces. Natasha followed close behind, her smaller frame nimble, but her breath catching at the sheer drop-offs that yawned below. Each step was a gamble, each handhold a prayer. Vache moved with practiced ease, his years of navigating treacherous landscapes proving invaluable, constantly turning back to ensure his sister was keeping pace.
"…"
Finally, they reached the miner's camp, a scene of utter chaos. Men lay scattered amongst overturned equipment, their faces contorted in pain. The air was thick with groans and cries for help. The tremor and cave-in had been devastating.
"Oh, gods," Natasha whispered, her medical training immediately taking over. She and Vache were doctors, their clinic back in the village a haven of healing. Now, they were faced with a mass casualty event, with nothing but their wits and a few emergency supplies carried in their satchels.
They sprang into action. Vache, with his experience in trauma care, began triaging the most critical cases, while Natasha, with her sharp eye for detail, assessed the injuries and began bandaging wounds with scraps of fabric. The miners, despite their pain, seemed to find solace in their presence. They worked as one, their movements fluid and coordinated, years of training and sibling intuition blending seamlessly.
But their hope dwindled as they realized the scope of the disaster. Medicine was running low, bandages nearly depleted. They were treating wounds with makeshift dressings, improvising splints from fallen timbers. Frustration gnawed at the edges of their determination.
"We need to get more supplies," Vache stated, his voice tight. "The outside path is our only hope."
They found the path blocked by a massive wall of fallen boulders. Despair threatened to engulf them, but a deep voice broke through the gloom.
"I can help with that." A man they had thought they lost when they all fell but here he was, anger at their situation and the man who caused it.
It was Goro, the chief miner, a man whose sheer presence radiated raw power. He was a 'pathstride', Natasha remembered, a rare individual able to draw power from a Path, in his case the Path of destruction. His eyes, usually gentle, now held a fierce focus.
With the help of his subordinates, Goro faced the boulder wall. He planted his feet, dug his hands into the rock, and with a guttural roar, shattered a section of the blockade. Rock flew, dust billowed, and a path opened, albeit a narrow and treacherous one. Goro didn't stop there, his subordinates helping him moved a bit more, but it was still extremely narrow and would only be able to fit one person at a time.
"It is not safe yet," Goro grunted, his breath ragged. "I will keep the path open as long as I can. You two, go. You are our only hope."
The path was still a perilous climb, prone to further collapses. Vache moved to go first, but Natasha grabbed his arm with surprising strength.
"!" She heard them, she still hear the miners groaning in pain and suffering from injuries that needed first aid.
Besides, when did I ever say I'm giving up?
Naruto's words revibrated in her head. At a fork road where she escapes out of harm's way or stays behind to continue treating the wounded.
"No, Vache," she said, her voice firm, though her eyes reflected the fear she was trying to suppress. "You go. You know what to do. You're the better climber, the faster one. I can help here. These miners need me."
Vache stared at her, his heart clenching at the thought of leaving her behind. He knew she was right, but the words choked in his throat.
"Natasha, what are you taking about? This isn't the time to say-!" he started.
"There's no time," she interrupted, pushing him towards the narrow pathway. "Go, brother! Get help, and then come back for us."
He didn't move.
"Vache, go!" She pushed him harder, her eyes pleading.
With a strangled cry of his sister's name, Vache yielded, his body tense as he clambered onto the path. He looked back, his face a mask of worry and anguish, then began the treacherous climb.
Goro, his muscles straining to their limits, moved to support the path, bracing his body against the falling rocks, his face flushed with effort. "Go, Doctor! There's no time!" Goro's voice was strained as more pieces of rock broke off from the path they made, his eyes focused on a single point of the falling rocks.
Natasha pushed her brother more this time, her voice a tearful command, "Go, Vache!"
Vache looked at his sister one last time as the rocks gave way again, causing the path to collapse and his sister with many injured miners trapped behind the fallen rocks again, leaving Vache alone as the only one to escape.
And done!
Age:
Naruto: He looks like a 16-year-old meaning Naruto Shippuden age.
Serval: 13
Gephart: 11
Natasha: 18
Oleg: 38
Luka: 7
Seele: 7
Abilities
Shadow clones
Fire manipulation and ignition
Transformation technique (How he hid his fox features.)
Author's note
Made-up Path-striders will also appear sometimes.
Bye!