You Hear That?

You Hear That?

(Chapter 28)

[<<]

"No! You just don't get it. There's a menace—nearing him as we speak. ARTHUR IS OUT COLD. I—" She gets up to her feet but Axel grips her hand firmly to pull her back.

"Don't touch me!" She surprisingly shrugs him off and casts him aside with hysterical strength. He lands okay because he's weary of the dangers associated with female hysteria. Emily holds her instead, but there's not much resistance.

"You can't go! You'll just be a burden. What if YOU are the one who makes that vision true? Ever thought why your eyes witnessed it in the first place?"

"But he can barely breathe. You don't get what I saw. I'm gonna have to do it again!"

"You're not making sense woman!"

"There's another one! There's…there's another Mal-Hecate," she cries.

[>]

[Shadow ]

"If I don't help him he's gonna get rail gunned by the Mal-Hecate!"

"If you only had a mirror. You're a bandaged strawberry, and I've never seen you so agitated before."

"You of all people should understand me! His life's more precious than mine. *whimper* It's more precious than mine!"

"Will you take a breather?" He draws closer but makes sure not to make any skin contact since she obviously has problems. "Don't you know runts like that are hard to kill? His order was to leave him alone because we'd constrain him to defending us."

"It doesn't matter if he's incapacitated! I'm gonna go! Please let me go."

"You're too hurt to do anything to help him."

"I only need to shield him." Axel gives Emily the signal.

"Look me in the eyes," she says, drawing her attention by pulling her chin.

"Don't waste my time."

"Sleep tight." Axel chops her in the back of the neck and she passes out. "Good job."

"Don't do this if I'M almost a goner."

"I know you'd probably do worse, so you're not one to talk Mr. Solgateau. Really roughed up my wrist…Let's tie her to the tree so we can get some sleep."

[Tyrannus: Conference Room]

"There! Another one just lit up."

"Don't you wanna go to bed?"

"I'm not gonna loaf around while everyone's out in the woods."

"This isn't the ideal time for you to throw a tantrum."

"And why isn't it—?"

A reference blips up from the gem she just pointed out a few seconds ago. It blinks 'EMERGENCY!!!', so they click on it. "Is that a good enough answer for you?"

A Mal-Hecate has been spotted. The Guild notes attachment states that Mal-Hecates can sniff out traces of their blood over kilometers away, and will most likely launch a retaliatory strike if possible.

"*gasp* Isn't that what took out Succubus in the first place."

"Yes it is! I have to go inform Rex!" She scuttles off.

[Veteran]

It's almost afternoon. They were taking another tour of the place when the Lil Alex spotted the foreman from afar off. He blocks of the sunlight to get a better look.

"Hey. Isn't that the foreman coming?"

"…I think so. Aren't young ones supposed to have close to perfect sight?"

"Not facing direct sunlight."

"Besides, we inherited your genes Grandpa."

"Hah. Let's meet him halfway."

They move as fast as they can, but he can't produce any words for lack of breath. He's panting really hard but you can see that he's excited about something.

"YOU HAVE GOT. TO COME SEE THIS."

[>]

Just there, in the middle of the red patch, the Giant Raven is squabbling around. It's feathers are falling out bit by bit. It's made quite a spectacle 'cause a lot of the farmers are out there. It keeps on sweeping up red berries and regurgitating them back at it's nest. When it gets back to the patch, it limps twice then squawks out very loud, as if given into rage. It lunges at Alexandra.

"Damn you bird!" She somersaults and comes down on it's head with an axe kick. It squabbles under her heel as she gets a good petting in. "Good. NOW you can die." It squawks one more time and succumbs to it's demise.

Upon retrieving her flower bracelet, she says "it's not even been half a day yet. You're a genius Grandpa."

"It really worked. How did you do it?"

"A hunch about an Emerged always turns out right."

[<<]

"You said it was like it could hear you, correct?"

"Yes Sir."

"This is what I want you to do. Let some of the farmers take the needle baskets out to the berry lanes again. No one should speak about this plan because these are the words you're gonna put in their mouths.

[/]

"Mr. Aroyo, Sir! We've done as you requested."

"Good. Report back if it takes the bait, but act normal for now."

[>]

"Well, I guess that means we're about leaving. The carriage just arrived."

"Thank you very much Sir."

"You're very welcome. Never got your name though."

"It's Mr. Aroyo. And this here is Juliette, my wife—"

"We're gonna assume the little ones Julietta(Hulietta)."

"Guessed right."

Alexandra gets down on one knee so she can see eye to eye with the little girl. "Hey there," she waves.

"You actually did as you promised. You're not like daddy."

"Hey!"

"*gg* Well, here's your bracelet."

"I can't wear it; It's nicer when someone else does."

"But what about my hair band?"

"It's mine now."

"That's not fair. It's so expensive."

"Mine's also expensive. Heard time is money?"

"*gasp* Who's teaching you this?!"

"Papa."

"Well, you win. Make sure to take good care of it."

"I will. Bye miss!"

Alexandra scruffs her head as if she were petting her again. "Stay safe."

"C'mon sis. Don't want the driver to leave us behind."

[Gates]

Eris comes…I can't say running. She bypasses Tony with only a "morning?" and calls out for Rex. He's sitting in the same position that he was yesterday night.

"Rex!"

"Am I finally needed?"

"Emergency. Another Mal-Hecate's been detected. It'll be engaging the fugitive town Umbrial."

"AM I supposed to go after it?"

"What could you possibly do?"

"I've been sitting here waiting for a fight. This sucks."

[Arthur]

He's still out cold on the ground; still wheezing. He's surviving on one lung but his oxygen intake's crippling him. Afternoon ain't so far away. He's gotta move.

[Shadow ]

Mid afternoon is nigh. Angelica seems to be having another nightmare, her face quivering un-end. She starts to scream again and Axel and Emily cover their ears in an attempt to prevent an ear bleed. Nothing about Arthur's Unit's normal.

[Boundless]

They're trotting through the woods, bushes and all. They haven't come across any Emerged so far. They hear a woman screaming in the distance.

"Hear that Tina?"

"It's coming from over there. Let's go check it out!"

[The Twins]

Their carriage has finally arrived at their destination: The Southern Banana Plantation. They unboard.

"I think I'm gonna wait just here for you to get back. Don't take too long."

"Worry not. We'll be back in a jiffy."

"I hope—"

The horses neigh and prance around as if they were agitated.

"What's going on?"

"Something's going on. Listen carefully."

As they quiet down, the sound of the breeze gives way to the sound of an uproar in the part of the city they just came through. A few people come running their way and some rabid-looking things are chasing them.

"Paz."

"I'm on it." She uses her Raid Gear: Peacekeeper's scope. "What the?! WHAT ARE those things?!?"

The Zombies that spotted them on their way followed them all the way here.

[Tyrannus: Conference Room]

He's still going hard at it. Someone steps in. "You're back alrea—" It's Anika. She hasn't even changed out of her nighties, in order to let him know that she DID sleep.

"I'm back online."

"There're still bags under your eyes; go back to bed."

"I've been in bed for hours. I couldn't even sleep anymore."

"I could care less. Just because you don't have any parents to take care of you doesn't mean you should be reckless."

"I'm an adult now."

"And I said I don't care either. Listen to your body when it speaks or you'll be dead sooner than you think. You are NOT. touching this board."

"…What have you figured out so far then?"

"The emergency is another Mal-Hecate has surfaced, and it's probably going after Succubus."

"*gasp* At least that means that they're probably alive. Have you tried to pinpoint their co-ordinates?"

"Yes. They're heading in this direction."

"There's a fugitive city, Umbrial in that direction. DO you think they're protecting it?"

"I don't know but someone has to do something about it…Novanecta—"

"I thought you said I should go to bed?"

"Well—"

"DON'T."

"…You hear that?"

"…Yeah." There's a thumping sound. Could it be a tremor? She walks out the door and there Saturnine is. She tries to retreat to the Conference Room but that giant Juno spots her. His footsteps were the ones creating the vibrations. His rumbling voice lows 'Anika,' petrifying her just when she gets the door open.

"{This is the worst possible time to be caught alone with these freaks. No one's home…What to do.}"

"Necta! We're back." Pluto calls.

"Um. I'll be back Erin!" She says it audibly to draw their attention to the fact there might be people around, then walks up to them.

"I thought you couldn't get any more beautiful. A rose for you."

"Thank you." She takes it. "Did you exterminate them?"

"IS THAT A QUESTION?" Juno's voice administers dread in her every single time. "Have a seat."

"N-n-no. I'm alright. The Crystals if you please?"

The kid in the armor lumps the bag of crystals on the table. It could fill an average sized blender. That's how many Gyro-Mantis' they took out.

"Sweet Necta, what's going on here? It's a ghost town."

"State of Emergency, and for that matter, I'll have to re-deploy you as soon as possible—"

"WAIT A SECOND. We had an agreement."

"I know but it'll have to wait—"

"Excuse me." Juno slowly takes her by the waist and raises her up to eye-level. "Now we can see eye to eye."

"*gasp*…"

"Juno—"

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO…State of Emergency?"

"Y-y-yes, a Necromancer has spawned. Succubus is in danger. I need you to—"

"We had an arrangement PRIOR to this."

"Please understand me. It was my fault for deploying the wrong Unit. I need your help."

"And where will we be headed?"

"A fugitive city near the Cartesian Woods."

"We can't make it there in time."

"But you haven't tried."

"We will be retiring to our home. It's been a while since we had a decent rest."

"But—"

"If you were so worried, you wouldn't be sleeping. Now, you made us a promise."

"I did, but this is not the best—" He constricts his index finger and thumb to squeeze her just above the waist line. "AAAH!" she moans out. "You're hurting me!"

"JUNO!" Pluto draws his needles. Juno takes a good look at him and looks back at the squirming damsel.

"I'm sorry. I don't carry humans often; these accidents happen." He drops her back in her chair. "We'll be back when the time is good."

"Stay sweet Necta."

Erin comes rushing out. They observe as they graciously take their leave. She's shaken. "{I…This is getting out of hand. I have to draw the line somewhere. I have to get rid of them.}"

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. I'm fine."

[The Veteran]

They're taking the penultimate ride. Mr. Alex is letting Alexandra tread upon his back, a kind of massage. Lil Alex is just resting against the wooden wall of the carriage.

"Finally, the mission's over," he says spreading his arms out to the sky.

"Why're you happy about that?"

"Because we're going home."

"Have you forgotten what'll happen when we return with these injuries?"

"OH CRAP. This isn't good at all. Maybe we could stay at the Sheriff's for a while?"

"Nope. This is what you two get for treating me like a weak old man. The weakest Raid was actually the most dangerous *chortle*" Alexandra stomps on his back. "OW!"

"Since you're not so WEAK, I guess I might just—"

"Cut it out. You could kill me by accident."

"…I just thought of something…We shouldn't pass through the Sheriff's," she suggests holding her chin.

"Why?"

"They don't need us to do anything anymore. What if Marlene unfixes us?"

"That won't happen. You can't get Asclepius Digits if you have the tendency to become a murderer."

"And she didn't. Now's different."

"Put a lid on it sis. No need to be so skeptical."

"I'm just thinking about our welfare."

"It'd be bad manners. We have to go back. They're perfectly aware that I won't hesitate to kill them."

"What if they have a trap waiting?"

"The outcome remains the same. Ask the Black Minotaur."

[Shadow]

Angelica wakes again. She's in a daze for a moment because of the blow to the back of her neck but she recovers quite fast. Unfortunately for her, she's been tied quite firmly to the tree trunk, by her abdomen and upper arms. She tries to pull her arms out, but she just gets stuck half way and it's agonizing.

"Stop it Gelica. You're not gonna accomplish anything!"

"I can't stay here! Untie me!"

"No way are we doing that. Axel, maybe we might have to put her to sleep again."

"NO!" She pulls with all her strength, and the tightening rope starts to crush into the bark on the other side of the tree. The ropes are bloody in a few seconds.

"What the heck?! Okay! STOP! We're gonna untie you after you fall asleep! Emily!" Emily pulls her head forward so he can get a clean hit.

"If you hit me again I will not pass out!" He tries it again. "Oww! *whimper* You're just hurting me. LET ME GO!!!" She screams. Valentina and Guillelmus arrive and slash at them but their reflexes are as sharp as their league. They're about retaliating when they recognize a face.

"Hey, wait up!"

"Wait a second Tina! Aren't you Shadow?"

"Yeah."

"Weren't you out of commission?"

"Anika called us back in."

"I figured." He gets down on a knee and puts his hand to Gelica. "What the hell's going on here? If Arthur saw this…"

"So does she just not like me?" Axel asks. "Well it's BECAUSE of Arthur."

"I don't get it but, you're pretty even when you cry."

"Elmus, Arthur's in danger. *whimper* Please go and save him."

"What the? Is it that serious; serious enough for you to ask me for help?"

"You aren't useless. Or, untie me."

"I didn't say I wouldn't help. I wouldn't allow Mr. Goody-two-shoes to die after pestering me so much." He hacks the ropes up.

"Great…I'm so relieved," she says as her head falls to the side.

"Wait a second. These two cannot take on a Mal-Hecate. Now that they're here, they can handle the rest while WE go."

"No way. If Guy-whatever says he wants to, we're going."

"Could we please not waste any time Elmus? It'll be dark soon."

"Why not? I'm assuming he'll take a hit when the moon's out then?"

"That's right. I know you aren't the strongest, but you don't even have to fight. Listen carefully."

[The Twins]

Paz is frightened after seeing them up close. She flinches but they don't notice. Jedi and Tamar quickly dispatch of them from far. Jedi's Grimoire: Proverb levitates in front of him and Tamar dances spinning her Raid Gear: Wheels of Terra. She whips up a dust devil, and her brother blasts a fireball into it before impact. It sears and shreds the Zombies up.

"I don't have the slightest clue what the hell's going on, but the city is in danger. Split up and save as many as you can!" He and Tamar begin to dash off in opposite directions but she grasps onto his hand. "*gasp* What?"

"I feel uneasy; can't fight these things."

"This isn't the time for your drama. Get to work!" He shrugs her off and leaves.

"…If I maintain my distance, maybe it'll be fine."

[>]

She's moved around for a while and hasn't encountered any Zombies but she hears yelping just around the corner. She's still uneasy, but musters up the courage. She turns around the corner prepared to shoot one but there's a whole bunch of them, gnawing at the people's flesh and entrails. There's blood all over and the last cries begin to dissipate. It's saturated gore.

"Please help me!" the last guy cries, reaching out to her. She cringes. "Help me!"

A Zombie spots her. "BRAINZ!" The chorus follows. They start to rush toward her and her heart gives in. She tries to stand, clutching her chest, but it's too much. She falls over gasping for air. She has her sights on the Zombies scampering for her.

"No! Not now! Not like this! Why can't I move?" She tries to scuttle away but she's soon out of breath, and falls into a daze. I tear trickles down her face. "No! Irene!...Oh that's right. She's not here anymore. There's no one to help me…I'm all on my own."

[Arthur]

(I was listening to this song when writing. "ヴィルキス～覚醒～ by Akiko Shikata" Please listen to it for the best experience during fights.)

Night has fallen. The moon's up and out. Arthur's still out cold, but his breathing has calmed down. It seems like his body has adjusted to the oxygen deficit. It would've been good news, but 'BRAINZ!' wakes him up.

His instincts flick him up on his feet. There are Zombies synchronizing their target all about him. There's no time to think twice.

"Lightning!!!" He fires a chain lightning bolt from the tips of his index and middle finger and twirls around three times. It saws all the Zombies heads clean off. It was powerful enough to scorch all the trees it touched, blasting their bark of and leaving behind a red glow. The trees don't kindle up because they have moisture content; would've set the forest ablaze.

The wind blows hard and he looks in that direction, the direction where he last saw the Unidentified Emerged heading. It almost knocks Arthur over. It's the enraged Mal-Hecate. It blasted him with an air cannon with the aim of making him lose his ground so it's bullet would easily overpower him.

"Gah! {You can't breathe while using lightning magic. I performed that frenzy so I wouldn't have to compromise any more of my breath, but now…I have no choice. I'll give it my all!}"

Arthur flips backward into his Seeker Mode, to regain his ground. The Mal-Hecate fires it's black bullet, the devastator bullet. "Toxic Lightning!!!" He supports his right firing arm with his left, and fires a narrow stream of that blue-tweaking-purple lightning. It clashes with the Mal-Hecate's bullet and rips through, exploding it as it penetrates. No way is it gonna let him have his way. It switches to burst fire and gattles more devastator bullets in quick succession.

Arthur's still holding his breath and the recoil from his lightning clashing with the exploding devastator bullets is dragging him back, ripping up the earth beneath his feet. It starts to overpower him. "{NO.WAY!!!}" Lightning arcs around his body, and the sound of thunder crackles in the air. He pumps more mana, and it augments up to three times its former size, lighting up the whole area. It's a full purple lightning bolt now. Both of them are going all out. All of a sudden, Arthur hears a gunshot to his right.

[Tyrannus: Conference Room]

The Emergency Reference blips up again. Erin taps it and it says that a Mal-Hecate evaded detection earlier on.

"Anika…There are two Mal-Hecates?"

[Arthur]

A full power devastator bullet was fired at him from his right hand side. He wasn't expecting two Mal-Hecates. The bullet flies straight at him, ripping up the ground and weeds in its path. Taking it from the bullet's perspective, Arthur can't divert the lightning bolt or evade. It's over. The bullet nears him and your screen flashes white.

-------End of Chapter 28-------

Chapter 29 Teaser

There's supposed to be a teaser? No way am I gonna talk about what happens next. Lemme digress. Like the song?

To be continued…