The Return

The Return

(Chapter 32)

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[<<]

[Elder Brainz]

The nasty giant brain is retreating towards the direction from whence they come. It's nastier than it sounds: a giant brain that floats, with a few tentacles toward the mid-section to the tail for self defense. It has piercing eyes. Looks really sinister.

"Darn those stupid humans. If only they had given me a little more time, I would've been able to find out how to control them. I'll recede in shame today, but I'll be—"

"What? Back?" It's Raze and his giant sword. He's right in front of it's face. Is it that it wasn't paying attention? No…He's fast. He startles it really good.

"I'm guessing you're the Brainz behind this."

"What do you want?"

"Do I look like a Zombie to you?" He draws his blade, a large blade with teeth about the hilt.

"Everybody has a price. Resurrect a fallen one?"

"Not interested in that. Don't splurt guts on me when I kill you."

"You've gotta be—" he trails off. "WHOOSH! WHOOSH!" He dices it to four pieces in the blink of an eye. It seems as if it's gonna fall apart but it explodes instead, enveloping him in brain fluid.

"Darn you, resentful BASTARD."

[Tyrannus: Conference Room]

"Nika. The last of the Mal-Hecates just got eliminated. I'd say the Emergency's officially over."

"Not until everybody comes back safe."

"Let's be optimistic. They will."

"After seeing the state Kurai's in…I don't know. I have a terrible feeling in my gut."

[>]

[Morning]

[Boundless]

They're sitting side by side against a tree. They should've woken long ago, but they must be exhausted due to the preceding sequence of hectic events. Amitha would've let him sleep a little longer as well but…

"{This is really boring…Elmus! Elmus, wake up!}"

"Mmmm? What is it?" He puts his hand to his head. "Darn, still got a slight headache."

"{My bad. We haven't got a good word with each other for two days now, so I was wondering—}"

"How cute*gg*… My sacrifice paid off, didn't it?"

"{Yeah. Don't tell her I told you, but she got really pissed after you got hurt—or after she got hurt. I'm not really sure.}"

"Really? Where?"

"{Her right thumb.}" he raises her hand into the light.

"Ouch. I've gotta dress that." He takes some ointment and bandage out of his pocket. The thumb's purple and swollen about the base. "It was definitely because of this. This is REALLY bad."

"{But she said something like, 'I hope you realize that you just ruined your last chance of escaping alive,' after it hit you… I think I like her now.}"

"That'd be great if you could only talk to her."

"{Yeah. It really would. I even think she smells like me. Birds of a feather flock together.}"

"*moan*"

"Never paid attention to that, OR knew that you could smell."

"It was different this time. Not that I have a nose but…better take a sniff before she wakes up."

He finishes wrapping the bandage around the injury, pushes her hair aside, then moves in towards her exposed neck, but she wakes up and knocks him off. It's a nasal shot.

"Oww! My nose!"

"Sorry! I thought it was one of those Zombies or something."

"Exactly why sleeping on the ground wasn't a good idea."

"I know. I tried to stay awake but it was impossible…Thanks for dressing my hand as well. Your hands work magic, but your mouth—"

"Don't start Tina. Wanna get going?"

"You sure you can even walk? The sound that metal blow to your head made—I'm sure you must've suffered cranial trauma."

"I'm sure my head's swollen but it doesn't give you the excuse to be a pessimist…How're you gonna fight now?"

"I'm not a loser like someone I know."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm ambidextrous."

"ambi-da-wha?"

"Both my hands are proficient," she says wriggling them simultaneously.

"How lucky…"

"{Elmus…Our little chat's getting interrupted AGAIN…}"

"Don't worry. We can talk another time."

"Hunh?"

"Oh. Wasn't talking to you."

"*gasp*" She looks worried for a second, but it quickly dissipates.

[Veteran]

It's the moment of departure. The whole of Mr. Pedro's family is gathered at the gates to see the three of them off. The carriage pulls in and Alexandra climbs in first.

"Grandpa! You order anything?"

"Why?"

"Looks like a buffet in here."

"Don't tell me—" He takes a look inside. "Not this. Mr. Pedro—"

"Courtesy of yours truly."

"We can't take this."

"It's just a small token of appreciation. Marlene said you needed protein for your recuperation, and the berries are a gift from the farm. C'mon."

"Well we did a lot of pricking so we'RE NOT. eating anything red."

"That's not an excuse 'cause these were harvested prematurely. I give you my word that they aren't poisoned."

"Still."

"If you don't want them, do some charity."

"Bu—"

"Learn to shut up grandpa." All of them burst into laughter yet again.

"Alright. If I don't make it, I'll return to haunt ya."

"I'll be waiting for ya then. *chortle*"

"Grandpa, where's brother?"

"Hunh? He was right here," he says looking left and right.

[/]

No one noticed, but Lil Alex went around the guard post with Marlene. He had to have a last talk with her before he left; clear up the residue plaguing his esophagus.

"So what's this about?" she asks resting her chin in her palm.

"…I just wanted to tell you that life isn't over after a single disappointment."

"I know, but my life's changed drastically and permanently. In addition to the emotional turmoil, I won't even be able to weep in peace. I'll have to find some work to support my family since dad's stepping down."

"But your dad's great. He'll probably win the next election regardless of what he tells them. And if you're looking for work, our Guild's doors are always open."

"Besides, I'm not a combatant."

"C'mon, the Guild: Tyrannus is hospitable to all, regardless of their class."

"Never knew you could smile."

"I'm really trying my best."

"ALEX! WE'RE LEAVING!" Alexandra's loud call interrupts.

"Gah—SO LOUD. She never changes."

"…umm." She combs her hand along the side of her hair, looking down. "Well uh, thanks for trying to cheer me up…I'll try to do my best as well."

"WOOH!" he lets out as he takes a twirl.

"!?!?"

"I'm sorry for straying from character. That was a great relief; had to let it out."

"Well,"—she glares—"time to get going!"

[/]

He comes around. "There he is," Danté alerts them.

"Brother. YOU HAVE GOT. TO STOP DOING THAT."

"My bad—" She yanks him in. "Hey!"

"Thanks for the hospitality. Bye to all of you!" she exclaims, waving enthusiastically. "C'mon, wave Grandpa!" she mutters aggressively.

"I'm too old for—"

"C'MON!" She yanks him by the forearm out of the blue, and he actually falls out, so it's more like she's suspending him out the carriage.

"*groan* XANDRA."

"Sorry, but not now," she whispers as she gives off a smile and waves his hand left and right. Alex quickly rushes over so he doesn't fall victim to her as well. The laughs keep on coming as the carriage rolls off. She pulls Granpa back in when they're far enough.

"Well isn't that the most interesting family we've seen so far?"

"What about us? We've got two doctors and bandits here, not to mention a sheriff. Can anything beat that paradox?" Diane asks clinging to his side.

"Tell her Danté."

"What he means is the twins and their old man. Alex and Alexandra are farther than polar opposites…Then there's the Grandpa that bested you in battle. They're really something."

[Tyrannus]

Things are looking better. Raid Units keep on falling in. Some of them might have gone home for some refreshments before making an appearance. There's a bit of a commotion since people are worried about the people who haven't shown up. Once the door flings open, all eyes fall towards to see who's coming in as has been going on for quite a while. Could it be their lost team mate or friend? One and Zero from He-Rose fall in.

"What the? Are you guys sure that you went out there?" Their clothes are spick-and-span as if they just got dressed.

"We're E.M.U.s remember?"

"Well take a look at all the E.M.U.s in the building."

"I see you lost some hair too, shorty. No need to vent on me."

"Don't piss me off."

"It takes Zero effort to do that," he remarks, flicking his hair to spite her.

"Think you're so—"

She's interrupted by creaking. The light radiates into the hall as the door swings open yet again. There stand the silhouettes of a slick female and a giant guy supporting another male. They step in. It's Panthera, and they're supporting none other than the long lost Incubus, Arthur.

"They're back."

"WOOHOO!" everybody cheers as they rain in an applause. Anika and Erin hear the commotion and emerge from the hind quarters.

"What's going o—Arthur!" She rushes over to him. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks, but you can let me go now."

The Liger lets him down onto one of the chairs. Alice, the blonde bartender brings him some beer but Anika snatches it out of Arthur's hand and runs back to get him some water. He's still wheezing, and everybody's quite shocked to see the 'Invincible Sir Arthur' in such a weakened state.

"What a way to ruin the fun, Nika."

"It's too early to start drinking. And you, don't you ever do that again, Alice."

"Relax, it was only to keep him awake."

"Is Gelica alright?"

"She's perfectly fine. Daara is as well."

"That's a relief."

"I…I really can't believe my eyes. The Mal-Hecates really did this to you?"

"No. Everybody—cut out the idle chatter and listen up!" he yells clapping. He turns red and gets thrown into a daze for a while, but his oxygen levels get back to normal after Anika takes off his chest plate. Some of the girls get hyper after seeing his muscles but there's no time for that.

"Arthur?"

"It's alright; probably my lung."

"Then let's get you back—"

"No. This is way too important to be deferred. I encountered a monster out there, probably a legendary."

"No, that's not possible. There was no dampening—"

"We've got to stop classifying them according to dampening! This thing was several meters tall and armored from head to toe. The only vulnerability was it's eye sockets. It was the uprooting trees kinda strong. If I'm telling you that it was a monster, you have to believe me."

"Yes, we all do but…Please describe it a little more."

"It was like an insect, like a beetle. It was probably too heavy to fly, but it could carry out special actions like pouncing. It was dark but I believe it was a dull shade of blue. It's better to stand clear. It bludgeons anything it sees to death. I was lucky enough to guard in time."

"And what were you doing man; watching it play gardener?"

"I did get a hit on it's eye of course. I'm telling you because it's really agitated. No one wants to come across that thing."

"It doesn't match any Emerged in the database; that I'm sure of."

"Please send out alerts. For the meantime, fugitive cities in the region should be evacuated. It went genocidal out there. A whole village was wiped out adjacent to—"

"Umbrial. This is really bad because the royal family—"

"Forget about that. It's their fault for allowing fugitive cities as buffers and they won't even get here till later. All that's important is the people out there are safe. I know some of you might be questioning whether it's really that big of a deal but I assure you; until the putrefaction sets in from the wound I inflicted, anybody that engages that thing is a goner. That's a word to the wise." He gets up and heads towards the back.

"Umm…I apologize for the wait but I really need to give the other units a benefit of the doubt to get back home. For now, it'd be better if all of you got to freshen up back at home. Again, I'm really sorry for the way things have turned out." She goes after Arthur.

"But before you go, welcome back and free drinks on the house!"

[The Twins]

The carriage pulls into En Salvador and they begin to near the station. Paz is still snug in Jedi's arms. Tamar's definitely fallen asleep but Jedi…

"Jedi. You asleep?"

"I guess I skipped 'early to bed,' so now it's 'early to rise.' How do you feel now?"

"More like how much worse. My throat's sore and stiff. My body's throbbing. There's a stench in my nose that won't go away. I can literally feel the halitosis in my mouth and I would really be pleased to throw up again…Can you please take a look at me and tell me that I'm alright."

"Speaking honestly, I'm afraid of what I'll see. We're already here so just wait a little longer."

"Hunh?"

"Isn't that why you called?"

"Yeah, but how'd you know?"

"You've gotta be more meticulous. The draft changed and the sound of birds tweeting is drawing further away. With your eyes closed when you meditate, you begin to see with your ears as well."

"…I feel like I'm gonna die."

"Abstain from negativity. A simple 'it is well' can save a life."

"It's not that. I used to have dreams when I slept before."

"You mean visions?"

"…Ever since this pain in my chest got stronger, it's been dark under my eyelids, and I've exhausted all the preceeding ones. The last that came to pass was a few hours ago. I haven't seen past this point."

"Well maybe a Paz IS going to die soon. You are the only one who gets to choose which one." The carriage stops moving. "I'm gonna go look for help. Hang on tight, kay?"

"Just lay my head down at the edge so I won't throw up onto my face."

Even then, he uses his hands to guide himself so he doesn't have to look at her, then hurries off. Her veins are dark and she drools some black goop, similar to the ones that seeped out the Zombies' mouths.

[/]

"Hey there."

"Hello young Sir. How may I help you?" he asks dusting off his hands.

"I know you drivers are well informed. I wanted to know if any Zombies appeared."

"Here? Wrong place. They almost wrecked the Rice Plantation though. Why do you ask?"

"Heard of any epidemic outbreak?"

"You probably got an infected right? Everybody that was bitten looks like the Black Death. However, they claim to have found a remedy already. You should hurry up and get over there because someone has already been lost to the plague."

"Alright. Thank you very much."

'Wait up! Don't you need a ride?!"

"Already have one, but thanks!"

[Boundless]

"{Hey Amitha.}"

"{Ready to talk now?}"

"{Is Tina asleep? Wanted to check out what you said.}"

"{Her breathing's very calm. I think so; go ahead.}"

"{Here goes nothing.}" He pulls her hair aside and tries to take a whiff but she falls over. "{Darn it. Is she waking?}"

"*moan*"

"{Stop wasting valuable time. How long does it take you?}"

"Alright-alright." He leans over her. He just decides to take a whiff from the front of her neck instead. Just as he closes in, Valentina opens her eyes and catches him by the chin, pushing it higher than it's supposed to go. "Aack!" She locks her legs around his waist so he can't break free.

"What the HECK is going on?"

"Relax. {Amitha!}"

"{Nightmare.}"

"It's just you were moaning out and started to mutter something. I just wanted to hear what you were saying."

"…" She releases him. "Like what?"

"Umm…" He mimics a feminine moan. "Not that! Did you hear what I was saying?"

"You made sure that I didn't get to."

"That's a shame. Never know what you could let out like that. It's alarming…Do you mind?"

"What?" She looks at him and he remembers that he's on top of her. He quickly gets off. "My bad."

"People have already complained a major lot about showing skin. It'd be hard to explain that if someone saw us and ran off to tell your girlfriend."

"Thank God Amitha can't talk to anyone but me."

"{HEY!}"

"Is that so…" She looks anxious again but it fades away soon enough. "Does she sleep when you sleep or something?"

"Probably."

[Tyrannus]

Kurai staggers out of the bay and bumps into Arthur on his way in. She's as weak as a plank and falls over, but he makes fast and catches her.

"Arthur?"

"Kurai. You have to get back to bed."

"No way!" He restrains her but she musters up the strength to push him off. She also runs into Anika.

"No Kurai; you have to get back in bed."

"I can't do that while Jane and Kyori are still out there—"

"Anika! Need you here!" Two calls.

"I'm coming! Kurai."

"No!" She rushes out to the counter and spots Hex. "Why're you still here?! I thought you said you were going out to search for them? Why?"

"Relax woman. We had to make a tactical retreat."

"Retreat?"

"Calm down Kurai—"

"Don't tell me to calm down Arthur! We heard three Units were sent after you! My Unit is Silver Priority and they should at least have one Unit sent their way! This isn't fair."

Three takes the blade out and puts it down the counter gently. "Clack," it sounds. "Hey Anika, do you know who this is f—"

Anika reaches to swipe it away and Arthur hugs her but her head can turn almost 180 degrees, in addition to her trying to turn around. She sees Anika try to hide something behind her back.

"Kurai."

"Don't test me Arthur! What are you people hiding from me?!"

He knows what a hysterical woman can do. He tries to compress her but she just drags him along. Anika tries to get away but trips as she's not looking where she's going. Arthur's lungs give in unfortunately and he passes out, giving her the chance to pounce on Anika. Anika tries but she can't resist for long. She rolls her over and makes eye contact with her brother's blade. It's heart shattering. He heart thumps hard and she drops to the ground, as red as a strawberry.

Should've just minded her business.

-------End of Chapter 32-------

Chapter 33 Teaser

At least, maybe Jane's still alive?

To be continued…