"Love the Flamethrower."
Willis allowed a small smirk to plant his face.
"Those Dragons, what can I say? They know how to light stuff on fire. What did you do with it anyway?" The agent questioned, not seeing the weapon on him. His response, he threw a slab of crumbling black, warped metal on the table. It was all that remained of his drug field arson rave. He pointed to the rocket launcher on his back. A new addition to his arsenal.
"Traded it for this." He had a blast, pun intended, with this thing. Outpost: Tequila Sunrise was his first target or targets to fully use it without a rush. He stayed on top of a rock, overwatching the pirates until some of them bunched up. He had his launcher pointed forward and fired. A handful of them were blown away but those who were further away found themselves shocked by the explosion. Doctor hid behind the rock, putting another warhead in. As soon as he did, a tiger appeared coming out of the jungle.
Dammit. At least he was lucky enough to lure it to the outpost with his repellent to finish the job.
"Well it worked well enough to be used as a firebomb, I reckon." He deduced, seeing that Doctor may have had a hand in making the flamethrower into an incendiary grenade or something. "Anyways, let me see your phone." Handing him the phone, Doctor watched on as he tinkered with it and held a... "Here, got you an earpiece." After he was done the Columbian operative returned his phone and a new device. Putting the former back and the latter resting it in his ear.
"Thanks, what's next?"
With his arms and fingers extended out Willis walked to the back of his basement. "I've almost burst this thing wide open, I can feel it...!" He then turned around. "What's next is your popularity."
"My what?" He brought out a tape recorder from his stack of papers and pressed play.
"Lovely weather we're having!"
"Why, boss, you planning a parade?"
Vaas! The other voice laughed. He remembered it from the slave camp that he was first captured in. The man from the shadows who stopped his demented threats against him.
"That's why I love you, Vaas! You make me laugh! Everything in business is so goddamn serious!"
"Meet the man-demon, or at least that's what the locals here say, himself. Hoyt Volker." Willis introduced as he brought out a folder. He showed several photos. First, a helicopter but its occupant was blurry to see. Then he showed Vaas with what he assumed to be Hoyt in a military camp and finally there was Hoyt smoking in what looks like his office.
"So, uhh... what about this Ghost of Amanaki?"
"You know what, I don't give a fuck about him. I don't give a fuck..." Vaas quickly brushing aside the Doctor's presence in the island.
"Really? Then why am I here?" Hoyt's response became tense.
"Once you've got that ransom money. His friends are gonna be sold like that. He's easy to shoot at once you get to know him. I did what you wanted with his girl. It's my sister... she's inking that outsider."
'What makes you say that Vaas?' Doctor questioned in his mind about how Citra tattooing him is worthy of attention and how it's putting him on edge. He then looked down at both of his arms, inked before Hoyt's aggressive shouting startled him.
"I DON'T GIVE A FUCK ABOUT YOUR FAMILY!" Willis then brought out the map of Rook Island. "IT IS BY MY GRACE THAT YOUR HEAD ISN'T IMPALED ON THE ANTENNA OF MY CAR! THERFORE, I WOULD LIKE IT IF YOU GAVE A FUCK ABOUT THIS JOHN DOE DOCTOR!"
"Okay, Hoyt. Okay, alright..." They certainly mesh well together.
"Fantastic!" Hoyt then let out a refreshed breath of air. "I am really loving this weather. What's the name of that village down the road? Beras Town?" Willis gestured the Doctor to the map, pointing to a specific part of the map when the crazed criminal overlord said the name of the town. "Bunch of native sympathizers, they stole a transportation manifest that's close to my heart. I'd like to pay them a visit. Nice seeing you Vaas."
The recording ends.
"Better make your way to Beras Town." Willis instructed.
"Yeah, and I take it you know who has that manifest?"
"Yup. But I'll tell you when you get there. Hoyt and the pirates are on their way there and I gotta keep working. See yourself out."
The Doctor nodded, going back upstairs and out. Now alone again, Willis pulled out the intercepted conversation from the recorder and inserted a different tape. This one had the word "News" written in Ursus and today's date. The cassette tape's contents is also short in its capacity meaning that he only recorded what was really vital. Pressing play, the recording went as followed.
"It has been 18 days since the Emperor of Ursus made a public appearance. This was after he underwent a diplomatic trip alongside the pharmaceutical company, Rhodes Island to the country of Sargon where he-"
He pressed stop.
The pieces are fitting together nicely and it was a good thing Doctor left. Though this left him to wonder about his current condition.
There's a reason he has that Columbian flag in here. It's to show that there is society in this little confine. There's order and sanity. Out there in the jungles of Rook? Synapses of the human brain go dark little by little. Soon those in the wilderness will forget they're from, who they are.
That's what he was seeing with Doctor, if that's even his main line of work, in real-time.
For better or worse, it was a perfect storm brewing.
----------------------------------------
"Willis, I'm in a shack at Beras Town."
"Do you see Hoyt?"
Doctor aimed down his sights with his sniper through a window. There in front of a flooded rice field he saw Hoyt, a few of his own well-armed personal entourage and a trio of tied up prisoners.
"I see him."
"Wait until he leaves. Otherwise, he'll make chicken chow mein out of your friends."
"I want it to be clear...!" Hoyt addresses to the residents at Beras Town. "That anyone, anyone who helps those savages out in the woods will end up like our friends here! Is my point coming across?" He then points his gun at the trio. "Run!" And shoots the skies.
They all rushed forward.
*BOOM*
One stepped on a landmine.
"See a guy in red strips?"
"Yeah?"
*BOOM*
Another stepped on another landmine.
"Point made!" With a jolly wave of his hand and an approaching helicopter landing near him, Hoyt bid them adieu. "Have fun boys!"
"That's our man, Rongo. Go in and extract him."
"He's the guy with the manifest?"
"Right you are. You're going to need him alive if you want that transportation manifest in one piece. It'll be encrypted, but I'll decode it if you send me a picture."
Doctor saw the helicopter taking off as some of the pirates that remained open fire at the escaped survivor of the killing fields.
"Fucking hell... I'll get him."
Doctor removed his rifle from the window and ran to the unsuspecting pirates. With knife out he rammed one the pirates in the back, turned him to the side and aimed his rifle at his friend. The Ghost grabbed the hand on the trigger and pressed on it filling the other pirate with bullets. Setting the dead body down he threw a few grenades at the water, not taking the risk of maneuvering through hidden mines. Once disabled he ran up with machine gun in hand to the still tied up Rongo.
"Agent Willis Huntley sent me to extract you." Doctor said as he cut the bindings off. "He said you have Hoyt's transportation manifest."
"Yes! But it's on the other side of the village. We have to go there now!" Rongo stated, rubbing his wrists. They both heard pirates in the distance. Both saw the whole village erupt in smoke. "Hoyt sent Vaas' pirates to raze Beras Town. If we don't get to my shack, they'll burn the manifest!"
"Fucking... Okay." Doctor looked behind and saw a spare rifle for the freed contact to use. "Stick with me and I'll take you there." Nodding Rongo led Doctor through the field. More pirates came as they returned fire. The Rakyat taking point with the informant telling him which place in the field is free of mines.
More pirates emerge from the burning village. "It's up the hill, come on!" They both rushed up. Shooting, running past bullets, an explosion occurring blocking the main road with fire.
"They're destroying everything!"
"I know a way around, follow me!"
Taking the shortcut Doctor and Rongo were getting close to the top of the hill. Taking down more pirates inside the shacks that haven't been fully touched by fire.
"There's my house, I will get the documents. Keep watch!" Rongo ran up to his house, Doctor followed suit. "Bastards! They robbed me! Wh-Where is it?!" The house owner cursed as he saw his papers scattered around.
"Search for it! I'll guard you!" He stated as Rongo rummaged through his house. Then they heard...
"Pirates!"
"I'll keep them busy! Keep finding it!"
In a rush Doctor grabbed all the ammunition and spare explosives he found in the house and bunkered down for the coming assault. He threw a few mines at the road, several near the shacks where there was an ample amount of fuel barrels just laying there
He mounted his machine gun on the wooden rail cover, two arms holding it in place and he waited for the pirates to come. The fire at the main road dissipated as a flux of pirates ran up the hill only to be met by a stream of bullets. Some rushed up faster, disregarding cover but it was a deadly risk that ended up failing.
More pirates approached from the shacks. Stepping on landmines, its detonation causing a reaction with the barrels as it exploded, bringing down more pirates.
"All my things! What a mess!"
"How much longer?!" Doctor shouted while replacing his gun's ammo box with a bandolier.
"I'm still looking! Protect me!"
They fliched when they heard more pirates and explosions. Some of them coming from the back. Taking his weapon Doctor went outside and fired at the pirates who were close to entering the house as more detonations from the mines erupted. Another set of explosions occured as Doctor immediately went to the front of the house gunning down as many pirates as he can who have sprinted and dodged the blasts, shrapnel and burning, collapsing shacks of this ill-fated town. The bandolier of his gun was coming close, how much longer does he have to wait until...
"Hey, come here!" Rongo called out. Good news at last. "Come in, pardon the mess."
"No worries."
As he entered the associate showed him an open folder laid on a table.
"I've found it, this is the transportation manifest!"
"Thank you, I'll send a picture of it to Willis." With his phone out he snapped a photo of the and sent it to, wait, since when did he... Screw it, he probably put it there for this exact reason. Excusing himself he left the house and started to walk away from the destroyed town. Pressing down on his earpiece.
"Willis, you got the picture?"
"The pirates use codes Neanderthals can read." He called in, showcasing a caustic attitude towards the pirate's coding methods. "I'm reading two being transported on the old road, their next stop is a fishery. I've sent you the decrypted coordinates."
"Good, I'm on way!"
----------------------------------------
"Where are they?"
Doctor found himself prone on a ledge overlooking the fishery while setting his rocket launcher down ready to be used. A deja-vu moment for him. He looked through his binoculars and there was no one in sight. No pirates waiting nor any of the Operators there. Suddenly a helicopter came into view landing at the entrance.
What came after is unexpected.
There was convoy approaching, the same one that was typed down on the decrypted manifest. However the trucks were being... sporadic. There were two ramming one of them on each side as they came close skidding off. Until they reached the fishery where he saw Projekt Red grabbing Provence to jump out of the middle truck, through the windshield as the three vehicles crashed into each other. They ducked down as one of them came in contact with the front of the helicopter and the other two smashed into a shed.
When the chaos was over Red popped her head up to see the damage and saw another truck with a turret behind them coming for them. Grabbing a machete and Provence's hand they started to run down into fishery. The truck's gunner pointed at the two escaping Lupo and before he can pepper them like the rabid dogs they are.
*BOOM*
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The two Lupos saw behind the truck exploding. Just out of nowhere and unexpected.
"RED! PROVENCE!" Duo wolf ears picked up the familiar shout coming from above. Looking to the source of the sound they saw Doctor waving before reloading his launcher. He then pointed at the docks. "THERE'S A BOAT OVER THERE! GO! I'LL COVER YOU!"
Seeing them run, Doctor fired another rocket at some pirates coming from another truck. The heap of burning vehicles at the entrance forced the pirates to come in from the south. Parking their trucks and swarm through the fishery sheds. He gave two more warheads to the pirates before the girls brought close to him. Well, close enough for him to dive and join them.
Grabbing Doctor's hand, Red grunted as she pulled him up to the boat with some effort. He was heavier than she expected. When he got up the wolf could see why as Doctor was fully equipped and armed to the teeth in a lean set of clothes fit for this kind of environment. A complete paradigm shift to what Red occasionally sees him wearing. He suddenly asked.
"You girls alright?"
"Yeah, we're okay!" Provence answered from the driver's seat. "But we should get out of here!"
"Red!" The girl in said colors saw with wide eyes as Doctor handed her a large gun. It was heavy, clunky. "I know it's not your style, but it's time to learn!" He then headed up to the turret while the Specialist eyed her weapon. She had no experience with a thing like this. How can Doctor entrust her with something she's not familiar with? Shaking the doubt off, remembering that creating such thoughts are lethal. She lied on the front of the boat with the gun aiming forward. Provence pressed down on the pedal as she conned the boat down the river.
"Pirates! Take them down Red!" In unison the gunners engaged the pirates in front of them. The recoil was a unwelcomed ordeal that she's forcing herself to withstand. Steadying this weapon down with both hands she continued firing with Doctor. Some in small piers that exploded from a stray bullet hitting a combustible barrel. There was a rival boat that tried to smack into them only to be massacred by a hail of bullets. Red and Doctor were spraying bullets all over, hitting trucks on a bridge, hitting pirates near the water, hitting more trucks trailing them from the riverside and a second then third boat filled with pirates wanting to board them.
"Doctor! Helicopter!" Provence screamed out, seeing the aerial vehicle hovering over them.
"Red, ammo!" He threw her an extra magazine from his pouch. Catching it she heard Doctor instructing her on how to reload. Remove the empty magazine, put the new one in, pull the top part, put the bullets inside, jam it in, bring the top down and pull the small lever on the side.
"Ready!"
"Get behind me Provence!"
They both aimed their guns upward and fired. It was a test of who can withstand more from the sheer weight of rapid fire guns pelting them. As the boat received some damaged, a few punctures on it, some bullets grazing the three and the turret cover absorbing most of the bullets however more were coming from them hitting the helicopter. Soon it started to smoke, Red's gun was nearing empty, the turret was overheating and finally.
*BOOM*
"It's down!" Red shouted, her gun clicking signifying that it was empty. The remains of the helicopter hit the water, splashing on them and almost knocking the boat over.
"Keep going Provence, I'll let you know if we're clear." With the boat pilot nodding, returning to the wheel as their gunner surveyed the waters and shore. No sounds of pirates. No engines roaring from a truck or boat. Going another hundred meters. "Okay... stop here."
"What, why?"
"Gotta check your wounds or whatever ailments those pirates gave you. Doctor's orders."
With a sigh, mostly out of exhaustion, Provence stopped the boat and sat down on the edge. Red went with her, leaving the gun down as Doctor got out of the turret with medkit in hand.
"Did they do anything to you two?" He asked while kneeling in front of them, cleaning some cuts and grazes on Red.
"No, they just kept us in a cell. Barely fed us." The large tailed Lupo languidly answered. Wincing a little as he put ointment on her scraped legs.
"No injections, no molestations of any sort?" He wrapped the lavender haired operator's shins and knees in a clean bandage.
"Mhmm-mmm, Red will not allow it." She stated with a shake of her head. Doctor wrapped her arm in a bandage dressing and putting a small patch on her cheek where a bigger cut was oozing out blood. Pulling out two syringes, Provence tensed a bit as he carefully injected her with medicine while the wolf hunter simply stood still, breathing deeply. She was accustomed to this type of nursing.
"Good... Good girls, both of you." Praising them as he finished treating both Lupos. Petting their heads, both tails wagging in the water, splashing around them as they closed their eyes in bliss. They frowned when his hands retreated and went to pilot the boat in their stead. "Now, get some rest. You two deserve it. I know a place where it's safe..."
"...Thank you, Doctor."
"Mmm... Thanks." Both Lupos slumped down and closed their eyes. Resting on the smooth side of the dinghy. The pirates must've been running them ragged to have not just Provence but even Red exhausted. Doctor set the boat on the path northward, back to Dr. Earnhardt's mansion. His eyes immediately were drawn to a wrecked, abandoned boat just off the shore.
The Medusa.
"Deja-vu..."
----------------------------------------
"Warfarin, Blaze, Ceobe!" The Feline, Perro and Sarkaz perked up when they heard the Doctor's voice coming from the cave. Returning after a few days since their grand escape from the burning hotel and they saw that he brought. "I found Red and Provence!"
"Red! Provence!"
"Oh thank goodness you two are okay!"
"Yeah... A bit worn out though..."
"And hungry..."
They cheered in unison embracing them in utter relief. Suddenly coming from the cave was also.
"Oh, I'm as high a kite and the greenhouse is on fire~!"
"Dr. Earnhardt?" The returning Rakyat startled by the appearance of the strung out botanist. He laughed in high spirits, quite literally, as the rest of the group looked at him slightly worried. Coughing a bit he carried on. "Wooow... This has got quite a kick. Does anyone want to have a puff before I put it out?"
"Oh dear."
"Is something wrong with him?" Provence pointed out, her index finger directed to the slow twirling doctor who then exited the cave.
"He smells weird..." Red's sensitive nose scrunched up before covering it with her sleeve.
"He's harmless, don't worry." Doctor reassued them. "Ceobe, see to it that he remains safe and be sure to not sniff anything in the greenhouse."
"'Kay, Doctor! Wait, that's my name!" She smiled in a dopey way before running off and out to the greenhouse.
"Warfarin can you check Provence and Red? I've gave them some first aid but I wanna know if they caught anything that we're not aware of."
"Leave it to me, Doctor." The Vampire led them to the tents in front of the campfire.
"Hey, Doctor!"
"Hmm, what is it Blaze?" Her hands grabbed his, though he did see her eyebrows furrow somewhat when she saw the new tattoo on his right and the growing one on his left. Nevertheless she kept her smiling face as she led to a stockpile of metal. Or rather metal parts.
"The villages have been nice enough to sell us some parts that we can use to repair the boat." She also showed him a blueprint and an instruction manual. "We also found this in a crate near the mansion. We're just getting started on fixing the old girl up!"
"Wow... Nice work!" This was great! With more time and more work they all can escape the island. "All that's left is finding Mudrock and Gavial, then we can get this boat ready and we-"
"Doctor, wait..." Blaze stopped him in his track. Holding both of his arms after he was pacing around and his mind going a million miles per hour.
"What is it?" He saw her grab his arms in attempt to slow him down.
"Doctor..." She bit her inside cheek. "I know you want to do so much, and we really appreciate what you have done since we got here but..." Blaze's eyes went to the side as she gripped his tattooed forearms. Her bangs covering the majority of her face. "We... I..."
"Blaze..."
"What I'm saying is that all of us are worried that what you're doing on the island is taking a toll on you..."
His eyes widened at her sudden shout. It also brought the attention of the other occupants in the cave.
"Doctor..." Warfarin spoke up as she was done looking over the recently liberated Lupos. Turning his head around, the Sarkaz told him with a raised arm resting its elbow on her other hand. "Before you ask, both Red and Provence are okay, I haven't seen anything in their blood that is considered dangerous. They only need to eat and rest a little bit more. But beside that." She walked up to him and saw his face beneath the hood. "How long since you've slept or eaten Doctor?"
"I..."
He doesn't recall.
"I don't know..." Warfarin sighed as she puts a hand on his shoulder.
"We know you want to go rescue Mudrock and Gavial but we don't want you to do it at your expense." She caressed some of the bandages on him. "We fully believe you can save them..."
"But will you be okay afterwards...?" Blaze finished, mirroring the Vampire's thoughts.
"Jeez... Sorry. I didn't mean worry you two." They gave him a relieved smile.
"Just, take it easy Doctor..." Blaze responded.
"I'll reheat some of the stew Ceobe made, just for you Doctor. Blaze if you can help me." Warfarin offered as she went back to the campfire.
"Yeah, sure." The navy haired girl gave her superior one more look. "Doctor?"
"Yeah...!" He was looking himself over. Brought out of his thoughts by her voice.
"Thanks... again..." She gave him another smile before going to Warfarin. Doctor was left with a thought. Working hard was a normal thing for him. However without the adrenaline and focus he became... heavy. Like the whole world of Terra is crushing him under its weight.
He slogged to a seat near the campfire. Letting himself go for just this moment. His weapons down, his equipment off, removing his wet clothes and boots and placed them near the fire to dry it off. He'll put them back on after he gets his energy back. A nice, hot stew and a nap near the campfire.
On the corner of his eye he saw a bowl. The last bowl he remembered had red pieces that he consumed one of them and sent him to a traveling daze. However these were blueish-purple, this harken back to what Dr. Earnhardt said about them.
"The purples will give you a lift on a grey day."
Well here goes nothing. Popping one in his mouth he let the effects mellow him out as he rested his head on the rucksack.
Maybe he can talk to that unfamiliar woman again...
----------------------------------------
Illusion by Scapenoise
Doctor just sat back. It was dark with flashes of turquoise, purple, white and orange all over. The neurologist looked at himself standing in front of him. He wore his Rhodes Island uniform but was lacking color and had the word "Babel" replaced with Rhodes Island iconography.
The Ghost glitched. He wore a black cassock, covered by a white hooded jacket adorned with an iconic orange color. On his left arm is an orange Reunion armband, which signifies his affiliation with the Infected movement. His mask, instead of being made of a strong aramid fiber it was made out of blackened metal but the glass visor remained.
The Commander stood up. A corridor was made for him. It's walls were like black ice and the floors were covered in snow. As he walked down he was greeted with several images in first person.
He was hugging a sorrowful, repentant Cautus with tears running down her face. Her cries and hiccups disabling her chance to finally talk to him.
He interlocked fingers with an all white woman who was seen covered in blood. Half of her face is scarred, her body is stained with several cuts, bloody spots were in place of her previous hare based appendages. She gave him a smile, her hand locked tightly with his.
He clinked a hot mug full of coffee to a lifted Feline with a small grin on her face. Her scorn has finally died and now she's left with the future.
He felt an armoured hand patting him in the back. The ancient Sarkaz General complimenting his victory over a larger enemy force in the lands south of Ursus.
He sat down with a Lung who was overworked. Constantly updating the logistics and statuses of their comrades. He gave her some water and offered to help. The woman smiled in gratitude.
He was being carried by an Ursus fighter wearing a gas mask and tactical gear. A large wound was opened, on the same place where Vaas shot him, by an Arts attack. They were heading back, their jobs were done.
He extended an arm to an open door. The Ursus students stood there in shock. He was offering them freedom, to not be a puppet for a madman's twisted experiment.
He was coordinating an assault with a Pythian sniper, pointing at the visible weak points of an Imperial base. He gave two quick waves with his hands and the sniper nodded, rushing to the outpost.
He was negotiating with the most powerful man on Ursus. They have discussed in thorough detail about the state of this large nation embroiled in turmoil. They came to an agreement and shook hands, implementing a new era for the Empire.
He was pressed against the tree. The mist encasing Lungmen was thick that nit even light can help brighten a path. A hooded Lupo was there on top of him with her sword out. They were in hiding.
He took a seat in front of a cell. Speaking to an armless Sarkaz and bruised up Pythian. They were reminiscing, joking even though they were on opposing sides.
He was consoling a distraught Sarkaz mercenary. She was finally told the truth after all these years and she was left betrayed, confused and angry. All he can do was embrace her as she let out all of her frustration there.
He had time to speak with a Sarkaz outside her heavy armor. Their time in Kazdel was far more extensive than they thought and she, as is this the case with a previous mercenary he was consoling earlier, were reminiscing bad memories. He managed to boost her morale up, he wanted to know more about this place and... her especially. This left the woman completely flustered as she retreated back into her suit.
He was drinking tea with another Sarkaz albeit one in the highest ranks of their society. Memories started to return but in pieces. He proposed to her, a bond to benefit them and their nations.
He was in a landship. His back against the Reception glass walls as he was facing with the people of Rhodes Island who had surprisingly welcomed him with open arms, despite their previous confrontations. But he made it clear that there should be no bad blood between them especially since their goals are essentially the same. He met and worked with various unique characters, or Operators, in this pharmaceutical company. Getting to know more about them and earn their trust. A brash, hot-headedFeline, an adept yet airheaded Perro (but it's a good head on her shoulders), a seasoned, slightly ominous Sarkaz, an illusive, no-nonsense Lupo that holds a comical fascination with her fellow Lupo's, who also happens to be a Catastrophe Messenger, enlarged tail and a staunch, wildborn Archosaurian.
He was in a nomadic city. Once a destroyed symbol of Ursus' now a rebuilt wonder for all Infected who were oppressed by the Old Empire. He could see them all, waving their flags and cheering his name as a concrete motto of victory.
A Draco extended her hand to him. Waiting for his final answer. He not sure what he should answer. He was awakened to a war torn place without any memory. His past is gone. His name nowhere to be found. Now the leader of a Paramilitary social movement is asking him to help her. What did she see in him? Why did she pick him?
But all of that doesn't matter now. He knew very well he had already made a decision back there in the crater. The horror he had witnessed. Those infected. Innocent or not, they do not deserve that. Nobody deserves something like that. They're human, just like him. What made them so different from him? The crystallized stone on their body? The lesions on their skin?
Is this the right thing to do or not? He does not know. But at the same time, he will not stand aside and do nothing. He will help them, the infected. Even if he had to go against the non-infected just like him. Even if he had to deal with all hatred and distrust from the infected, he will change them. He will show all of them how wrong they were. He will walk through hell for all of them.
After all.
Someone needs to take on the injustice of this world.
And he will do it.
He gave her his answer and shook her hand. Sealing the deal between them.
She smiled. For a moment. Her face turned into an unspeakable horror.
He looked down. Her sword impaling him through the chest, her flames also marring his torso. It was a pain so agonizing, so unbearable. Not even the previous Arts attack had a fraction of pain that he was feeling right then and there. The burns amplified it even more. His mask discarded as he smelled his own flesh scorched into char.
Yet he smiled. He gave her a small, triumphant smile as he stopped her from her sword out, letting her know he'll bleed out if she does. Falling back she immediately caught him and started crying, shouting for help, begging for anyone to help. With his depleting strength and consciousness he lifted his hand. Removing her tears with the back of his hand as he said to her.
"You're free..."
He then found himself in front of a group of armed soldiers. Rhodes Island and Reunion. Celebrating with their drinks raised up high. He could see the others from his previous visions in the horizon, a brown haired Cautus with the powers of an ancient Teekaz Lord and a snow dusted Cautus now transformed Sarkaz waved at him to come over.
The era of resentment has ended.
He could feel the cold air soothe him to close his eyes as he walked down into the empty winter wastelands of the Infy Icefields.
----------------------------------------
Warfarin petted the sleeping Doctor who's using her thighs as a replacement pillow. She brought him a bowl of warm stew but she found him sleeping on the sand with his clothes drying near the bonfire. Setting his meal aside she draped a spare towel over Doctor and sat down beside him. The Vampire was surprised when he moved closer to her, his face pressed against her legs. Sighing, Warfarin gently lifted his to not wake him up and rested him on her thighs.
Her gaze went to his body. She could see his developing muscles made done by his physical exertion in the harsh wilderness. Hunting, firefights, climbing mountains and lengthy marathon style runs had given him an improved sturdy body. It was enough to make her blush a little. What suppressed such emotions was his array of scars and how gaunt he was becoming, she made a mental note to have Ceobe make him some rations before he goes out into the field.
Going back to his scars. There were deep claw and bite marks given to him by the beasts of Rook, bullets grazing or entering him, some knife cuts and minor burns all as a result from his fight against the pirates. However with all of those wounds big and small, there was one that stood out and it was in his chest. She remembered that day clearly. It was one of the most severe traumas she and all the medical personnel in Rhodes Island had seen in a while. He was in death's doorstep, his vitals stopping only after removing the sword that was in his torso. They all tried to keep him alive, with all the high end equipment they had and all the medical Arts they've used to keep him stable.
It was all to no end.
They were defeated.
They failed him again...
However by the grace of whatever higher being that's out there, Doctor had underwent a spontaneous return of normal cardiac rhythm after their failed attempts at resuscitation. They immediately went back to aid him. A few more hours passed by and they done it all. Surgery, blood transfusion, rejuvenating dead tissue, preventing infection, and finishing it with medications, wound dressings and stitches. When they were done, they all collapsed in utter relief. It was probably the first time she saw Kal'tsit go through so many emotions in that short amount of time. She had never seen her curse so much and let out a waterfall of tears. Warfarin herself let out a few tears, happy to know they saved someone so important to them.
"You've done more than what we can ask, Doctor..." Without anyone seeing she planted a small kiss on the side of his face, his hair tickling her nose. Long white hair cascading down his face but it didn't disturb him. Rather, it was a calming sensation they unconsciously wanted to remain with forever.
"Thank you."
----------------------------------------
A tape recorder played the following:
"It has been 19 days since the Emperor of Ursus made a public appearance."