1.5 Relentless Storm
Relentless storm haunts the days, and yet, we travel through lumps, bumps, and stoned roads.
The pitter-patter sounds of water falling against the canopy tells me of the weather, and how it quickly turned into one of the harshest storms I’ve ever experienced. This could have been the kind of situation I’d rather relax in, with a blanket and hot chocolate by my side.
Ideally, it should have been like that, except, neither of this was actually real.
For starters, my flat has no canopy.
Secondly, a dark entity, the regular of my dreams, was sitting next to me.
If ‘it’ showed up here, then the message is clear.
“So, what kind of future awaits me now?”
“Best to not dwell into this that much. The best possible outcome someone could have is to not be surprised by the result of action.”
“…So you do admit my ominous dreams sort of predict the future.”
“Observing your every step after witnessing ambiguous visions turns out to be my unexpected form of entertainment.”
I wish I could smack this entity’s… head, whatever it is. I’m terrified by these visions, and all it does is to laugh at me.
“What a depressing place. Lifeless and hardly resplendent. The clearing we know has more color than this.”
“Then, how about leaving me once and for all? You’ve been plaguing me for years.”
“That I will not. I’m not finished with you, not yet. I must witness the growth of a seed until it blooms beautifully.”
…I don’t get it.
Scratch that. I never understood anything that came out of its lips. Come to think of it, speaking in poetry is sort of a trend nowadays. I kind of wish not everyone has to join the bandwagon.
“You’re leading me somewhere, but you can’t explicitly state it.”
“Your assumption is taking you to a far stroll, but I respect that. In fact, what you said was only half of the truth. However, this is as far as I can provide you.”
“What do you mean with me being half correct!?”
“However, if I dare leave a message… I implore you; do not reject it.”
“W, Wait…!”
Without warning, the palm of its hand swallowed my face, sinking everything into total darkness. Its voice became a distant echo that will continue to sound even in the waking world.
“You have a long way to go.”
I woke up with a loud gasp.
Unlike the scenery in my dreams, I’m awakened to dry weather, and a sorry state of a completely disheveled backseat of the old-fashioned mineral powered truck, a model long before the development of Autos.
No passengers. Just me… and Woodcut’s very own shadowy intruder.
“…Where am I?”
“I have no obligation to answer that.”
What a cold guy. No wonder he’s wearing all black.
“I apologize for being curious then, Mister Shady.”
“And you’re his troublesome niece, no?”
I’m not sure which part irritates me the most. The indirect mention of my uncle, or having to be brought into a conversation as though I’m the most hated family member, which is right, by the way.
“What were you looking for at Woodcut?”
“…”
“I see. No obligation, is that it? How were you able to escape Woodcut’s cutting edge security system?”
“I have no obligation to answer that.”
“…”
How nerve grating. I thought a certain fan from Woodcut was my peak of annoyance, but he seems to have a competitor now.
“Then, let me change my question. Those three snipers stationed nearby the Mayor’s office. Why target Roland Richter?”
“Instruction.”
“Uh, really?” I can’t even be mad at that. It’s just, I wasn’t expecting him to actually answer. “…And, for what reason?”
“If you really need a reason that much, isn’t his position enough to explain Rapture’s motive?”
And there it is. The first ever mention of Rapture. Though, it took me by surprise at how much little effortーnone even, in protecting their name. I guess there’s no reason to deploy a shield when you’re more than certain to be attacked at some point.
“…Right. The absence of one Director can significantly weaken the organization as a whole.”
Furthermore, the death of a Director could overturn a single branch within a few hours, making the organization far more vulnerable. Then, whatever Rapture was looking for in Woodcut, they’d surely obtain it without breaking a sweat.
“Well, at least you’re smart enough to catch on.”
“Hah? What’s that supposed to meーーeh?”
The truck came to a halt. Not even Mister Shady seemed to know what was going on until one of Rapture’s operatives whispered something to him.
Then, he forcefully tugged my hand into the open field.
“H-Hey! I can walk by myself!”
“Congratulations. Since you’re being so talkative today, one of our own seems to be very eager in striking a conversation with you.”
Am I supposed to be happy with that!?
The change was immediate, and the next thing I knew, I was carried to a different truck. What awaited me was a rather… peculiar face.
“How lovely to know you and Reed are good friends by now.”
Do we look like one!?
Hm, even someone such as Mister Shady has a name. I’ll remember that.
“We are not! Never in a million years would I be buddies with that kind of guy!”
This person… is just so odd to me.
Compared to all Rapture operatives I’ve ever seen, he stood out the most. He’s so… purple.
I mean, his hair. Silver, but dyed in purple streaks. Compared to his colleagues, it’s unusually festive.
He had the face of a young adult, the kind who’s passionate about music, and probably attends some sort of annual music festival in the countryside. Also, he wore white a turtleneck shirt, a dark brown vest underneath a trench coat as pale as his shirt. The strangest was his coat had loosen up, revealing the shoulders of his shirt. The style made no sense, and it didn’t seem to fit what the usual Eurus crowd would wear. Although for an instant, it rang a striking resemblance to Keeper researchers’ standard uniform. This sort of dress code made me wonder if anyone around saw him as a joke or not.
That is, until they pay their salutes to him, indicating his significance in the group.
Well, things couldn’t get any worse than this.
On the other hand, the man next to him is the definition of an enigma. Appearance-wise, his dark suit bears similar resemblance to what Reed was wearing, except his long coat serves as an add-on to it. His hair was dyed with white streaks in a similar style to his friend.
However, something about him felt bizarre for some reason. One stare at him, and it felt like being sucked to the ground, but why? To what? I don’t know, but the realest thing I could think of is an endless hole of nothingness. To think he exuded such eerie energy from merely sitting.
As though the pull was serving as a message to look down, to give up, because resistance is futile.
Although I had to admit it, maybe it is.
He reminded me of the night before my consciousness faded into nothing.
Wait.
This person… don’t tell me he was — —
“Oh, is she shy? Was my introduction that bad, Raphael? What do you think?”
“I suspect she barely has any interest in speaking with you, Arden.” The black-haired began, voice full of authority despite the eerie appearance.
“Is that so?” The colorful man known as Arden arched his brows. “Should I provide tea instead?”
“Ahem,” The man in dark, Raphael, cleared his throat. “We shan’t spare any more time, Arden. We should hurry up, lest we taste the wrath of Makos.”
From how I see it, this merry situation could have been one to witness, but with them being Rapture operatives, it made me uneasy.
For a brief, an image flashed before my eyes.
A symbol that looked like a shooting star, but dyed in pitch black. One was stamped on Arden’s throat, and the other one… was implanted, on Raphael’s tongue.
The Rapture tattoo, the most simplest and easiest way to identify a Rapture operative.
“You’re right. Well, let’s just get to the point then.” Arden extended a hand, but my reflexes won me over, evading his attempt at reaching out.
“Don’t be afraid. I’m not going to hurt you.”
“That doesn’t sound reassuring at all. Where am I?”
“If it helps, we’re far from Keeper’s radar. Even if they gather enough squadrons to conduct a massive search, venturing the countryside would still take ages.”
“What do you want from me?” I don’t have time for his mind games so I decided to be direct with him.
“Oh? So that’s more important than, say, who am I or what’s Rapture’s motives behind the assault during the celebration?”
“Does it matter? Whatever you’re going to say, I expect it would be a standard answer.” There was a brief pause for Arden to study my face before erupting into a fit of laughter. “W-What’s so funny!?”
“Ah, maybe the fact that you hit the mark?” he chuckled, and despite how friendly it sounded, it was nowhere near reassuring. “Should we start with a simple self-introduction then?”
“That won’t need, Arden. Just tell me what you want from me?”
“Ouch, now we look like a pair of friends indulging in a sweet reunion now.”
Something is seriously wrong with this guy’s brain.
“To keep it simple, the Keeper is hiding something. The truth, if I dare say.”
How am I not surprised by his statement? Think about it. The Keeper is essentially Tellus’ biggest research center about Legacies. Treading upon unprecedented roads was to be expected from experts who had dedicated their lives studying the biggest aspect of their life. I’m quite sure there are discoveries that have yet to be announced to the world, and even among regular non-researcher officers, it was like a public secret.
“If we’re talking about confidential files, every large organization has one.”
“True! But what the Keeper held within their grasp is a lot more valuable than say, the entire contents of Delta Fortress, Tellus’ tightly guarded gold reserve.” Arden was smiling all the time throughout his explanation. “That is why I asked Reed to do a bit of scavenger hunt, but he had one unlucky run for bumping into you.”
Unknowingly, a snicker flew off my lips. Hearing that fueled a certain kind of pride I never knew laying dormant within me.
“That explains the attempted assassination against Roland Richter.”
“Yes! But, you barged in, ruining everything we planned! That one miss shot caught everyone’s attention and the parade had to stop running for a while.”
I remember now.
My quick decision, and Little One’s swift flight was successful in delaying their assassination attempt. Although the shot was inevitable, it ended up blasting in a random direction with no casualties. It did trigger an alarm from the police, then all attention was directed to the building I was at.
So, to cover the flaw in their plan, Rapture proceeded to light up a bigger diversion; a series of early fireworks, meant for the climax show but used as a plot device instead.
That also explain the burnt container. Apparently, those three snipers intended to check the goods, only to set ablaze the medium containing them.
What I didn’t expect from them was that the package of fireworks was packed with explosives, and that was how I ended up on the ground afterwards.
“If you’re wondering at which plan are we now, it’s the originally non-existent Plan C, which involves taking you back with us as a bargaining chip.”
In other words…
“…I’m your hostage now, is that it?”
“Bingo! A classic strategy. Trade your secrets for your loved ones. But, don’t blame yourself if the world fell into chaos because of that. That just means Roland Richter’s heart isn’t entirely made out of steel.”
“…”
I’m not sure how to feel about that.
My immediate thought was how disgusting it would be if he actually does that, but on the other hand, an emotion I couldn’t dare to name. A kind of feeling that should have existed long ago, because now is far too late.
How pathetic would that be?
“Aww, don’t be in the dumps, Juliette.” Suddenly, Arden’s face lit up. “I know. How about finding your worth here? Rapture welcomes all sorts of individuals who are willing to walk together with us.”
“Is this some kind of joke? Are you… actively recruiting me?” Arden’s eyes were filled with humor. It’s difficult to tell whether he was being serious or not.
“Well, yes. It does look like one.” Resting his chin against his palm, he scanned me from top to bottom. Feisty and determined. Now I remember how eye-catching you were when we first saw you. You have the kind of eyes that could change the world if you wanted to.”
Now I’m sick. It’s even more disgusting when those sugarcoated words were said with unfaltering positivity.
“I believe Rapture could be the perfect place for you to spread your wings. After all, we are no cage, but a vast field for little birds to learn how to take flight. Rediscovering yourself is like learning the world around us. You uncover it bit by bit, piece by piece, layer by layer, as though a fruit being cut and peeled!” Arden barked out a hysterical laugh, so much I thought his pupils might pop off from his eyes. The back of my mind whispered to me to move slightly farther, telling me this was a danger I ought to avoid. However, at the sudden clutch of his hand against my forearm, a high shrill spilled from my lips.
“Then, you will understand! When you come to learn about Tellus, you will see how the truth decides the world! I know it exists! I will stake my life for that! Even if destruction is the only ladder to the truthー”
“Enough.”
Arden’s speech… no, declaration, was met with an immediate intervention when Raphael pulled his arm back from mine.
What… was that?
For a second, Arden had turned on a switch. His personality had changed drastically into something more… maniacal. Frantic, crazy, unreasonable. It reminded me of certain Keeper researchers, but this one was different.
Almost like… he had come from a world vastly different than ours.
A madder world.
And that presentation of him left me breathless for a moment.
I didn’t realize how quick my heart had been beating if it weren’t for Raphael’s interference.
“Oopsie~” His usual character returned as if the previous fit never happened. “I got a bit too carried away in the heat of passion. I’m sorry if that frightened you much.”
“Yes… very frightening alright.”
“I was hoping you would consider my proposal. Some of our members are… well, as you might expect, there are several Defiled members within us, but I never view them in a degrading light. Of course not! Their lack of capability isn’t their fault!”
Before Arden wrapped up his ‘recruitment’ process, he leaned closer to me, despite knowing well how it puts me uneasy.
He whispered like a hissing snake.
“Believe it or not, humans changed the world, and they will change the world.”
After the end of the most insane ‘recruitment’ process I’ve ever experienced, I was brought back to the truck where Mister Shady was waiting.
Wait, I forgot he has a name.
“Nice friend you got there, Reed.”
Reed arched his brows, a disapproving look gracing his face. Definitely, he was no fan of this development.
“Is being ‘chatty’ a required condition to become a Keeper officer?”
“Fortunately, being chatty means I have character, unlike you.”
“Now I see why they sent you to the Department of Records.”
“Why youー” Is he going to insult the Department now? The place I consider as my second home? That’s going a bit too far for me. “At least it’s honest work than whatever murder job you’re doing!”
Reed raised his brows. An expression neither rejection or affirmation, making it difficult for me to discern whatever it meant. Was this my loss or victory?
“Haah…”
Heaving a long sigh, I decided to just drop it. There’s no use arguing with someone whose head is made out of rock. Glancing outside from the windows, the afternoon sky shifted to a much darker tone, until a series of pitter patter sounds could be heard.
It was raining.
The sky, air, even the surrounding grassland, exactly the same as the dream I’ve woken up from.
Dream.
Wait a minute.
“Best to not dwell into this that much. The best possible outcome someone could have is to not be surprised by the result of action.”
Another foreshadowing from it.
My ominous dreams serves as a warning for future events, but they never accurately predict what, where, and who is involved. From vague descriptions alone, I’m expected to be able to decipher the meaning of it.
I wonder what triggered this incompleteness? Could this be its limitation? Or… was it intentional?
Still, this doesn’t change the fact that something will happen.
Dear Progenitors, why am I stuck with a mysterious entity latching onto me like a parasite?
Am I supposed to expect something when rain started pouring? Or maybe, the rain was merely a figurative narration?
“Are you expecting me to cry now?”
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I wish I could, or so I thought, until tears began to pool from the corner of my visions when a smoke so thick began to emerge underneath. One short intake was enough to understand what this is.
Sweet at first, then came the kick.
“T, Tear gas!?”
In a short time, my throat was seized with an intense sensation of burn, evolving for each passing second.
“I just can’tー” cough, “ーget this out of me!”
Everything around me was shrouded in a cloud of white mist, turning directions virtually pointless. Even now, I can’t seem to feel Reed’s presence, or was it the gas compromising my senses?
“W, Whoa! What justー”
In my lack of defense, something of greater force had forcibly pulled me to the ground.
No, rather, someone had been forcing too much of their strength to bring me out of the truck!
“I can walk! Stop pulling me!”
“Sorry, sorry!”
Though muffled, the voice was undoubtedly a man. Squinting to see what’s beyond the enveloping smoke, I saw his entire face covered full with a black mask, and a thick scarf with the same color as his mask. My intuition tells me this man is no Rapture officer.
“Don’t panic.” He began with a hushed voice, even though the chaos outside was beyond maniacal. “I… I’m sorry I can’t say much about myself as per my obligation, but I’m not with Rapture. To be exact, I’ve been spying them for the past few months.”
Before I could question him, he was already shoving me with a pair of knives, and a few bottles of what seemed to be remedies.
“Take these with you. These pills are newly developed to ease the pain from intaking tear gasses, but it will take time for the effects to work completely.”
“T, Thank you…? What about you? Don’t you need this more than I am?”
“I’m afraid I have to stay.”
It was the most preposterous thing I’ve ever heard.
“What do you mean you’re staying!? Have you seen what these people can do!?”
“All the more reason for me to stay. Behind me are thick shrubberies that could conceal you until you made it out of this field. As you walk, you’ll understand where you have to go.”
“And you? I can’t just leave you alone!” He has no idea what he’s dealing with, not with Reed and Raphael present in the group.
“If you stay, then all my efforts will be in vain. Please. Leave before the likes of Reed or Raphael notices your disappearance. Once agitated, it’s a challenge to suppress them.”
“But — — !”
“GO!”
It was my toughest decision to date, but to respect his efforts, I grit my teeth, swallow whatever pride left in me as I made my exit from the battlefield. Knowing that I’ve endangered someone of noble character, risking his life to free me, the path I took becomes heavy with a responsibility to stay alive.
An announcement just echoed. ‘A prisoner on the loose’, they said, and that made me run faster than ever.
He told me that I’ll understand where I should go when I see it, but where? What if I don’t find it? What if I ended up getting captured again?
No, I have to. I can’t let his sacrifice be in vain, but at the same time, I need a plan. An alternate solution in case I’m stuck in the loop. When push comes to shove, I might have to fight way through Rapture again.
Until a sound of nature beckoned me to inspect the shrubberies nearby. After a series of hurried walks later, and passing through a path filled with broken twigs, the sound becomes loud and clear, like my throbbing heartbeat.
Then I saw it with my own eyes; a cascading stream of river.
I must be crazy thinking of jumping into a river, at the final days of winter, where warm water is practically non-existent. Although honestly, freezing to death sounded like a better option to die than by Rapture’s hands.
“Where did she go!?”
“She’s got to be here!”
There’s no time for reluctance. Inhaling as much air as possible, I steel my resolve, diving straight into the torrent of water leading to who knows where.
Hopefully, not to Rapture.
I will never swim again in the river during winter, especially rivers lying in places like the Isle of Albion.
When the rapid stream beats you mercilessly, chewed by the biting cold, you can’t expect yourself to navigate your way out of the stream. I could have died there. I could have been dead now, if it weren’t for a random river boat fishing me out of the water.
The owners of this boat are three kind old men who happened to be siblings. They draped me in a blanket, brewed me a cup of warm tea as I watched the clouds parting. When I asked where we are, they told me we’re cruising around the village of Medlock. I didn’t know where that was until they showed a map. Only through that I discover how far I drifted from Emain.
In fact, I’m no longer in Emain but in Loegria. In other words, I’ve been carried to another country.
To think I survived all of that, and ended up in a different country? It’s as if I just spent my entire year’s worth of luck!
What a wild ride. This would be a tale that could drop the Master’s jaw.
The three kind old men wouldn’t want to let me go without giving some of their supplies. My pockets were packed with supplies, looking like a soldier preparing to go through war.
Eating the bread gifted from the three kind old men, I found myself immersed in the village known as Medlock. Despite the humidity, the villagers were merry as ever. From what I heard, Medlock is a village widely known for its textiles, and because of that, you will notice the streets are adorned with curtains, silk garnishing, and much more. Oh, and sheeps too, because they seem to be in greater numbers, probably more than the inhabitants.
“Hm?”
I thought I noticed a glimpse of a familiar color. Following the trails of what I saw, the discovery took me by surprise.
“Keeper… researchers?”
Unlike my blazer uniform, a long brown coat is the standard for every Keeper researcher. Inscribed upon it are silver colored evergreen petals, the plant symbol for Keeper. Strangely enough, the meaning of evergreen petalsーvictory, doesn’t truly align with Keeper’s values, or could there be another take to that?
Either way, coming across Keeper researchers in somewhere remote was like a one in a million chance!
I called out to them from the bottom of my lungs, immediately attracting their attention. Too immersed in that situation of great relief, I failed to notice a rock standing on my path.
Then the next thing I knew, I smelled like a mixture of soil and rainwater with my face down against a puddle of water.
“So you fell into the river, then you ran to us, only to fall down to a puddle of water? I’m surprised you haven’t gotten ill yet.”
Me too, actually.
For a second, I was worried they might haul me back into the river. They discussed a few things behind closed doors, later announcing they see no problem in sheltering me, and that my story is sound.
I’m safe, for now.
“Your story is too… wild to be true.” One of the researchers began doubting, his face filled with nothing but concern. He was wearing the Keeper star brooch by attaching it to his shirt pocket, which means he outranks everyone in this room. “How can we know this isn’t something you made from your head?”
For that, he had every reason to be cautious.
“She might be lying.” Another researcher followed, wearing the same kind of face as his superior. “She could be a Rapture spy.”
“If that were the case, then why would they choose Medlock of all places?” Another one decided to defend me, it was a woman this time. “This is merely a Branch Office. I say this girl is speaking the truth!”
“Umm, I’m sorry for interrupting, but what’s the fastest way to return to Emain from here?”
“Your best bet is to use the train from the main town of Mersey, but uh, I guess the last train is finally off at this hour.” The researcher lady scratched her head.
“At this hour? But it’s still four at noon!?”
“It’s the Isle Express, that’s why. They stop at every big cities before making a return trip to Mersey, then to Medlock again by roughly tomorrow afternoon.” The commanding researcher followed with an explanation.
“So you’re saying I have to wait for another twenty four hours until the next schedule?”
“Or, you can go to nearest the airport, which is Hounslow, and grab an Otto ticket. I’m pretty sure there are plenty of airships left around now.”
And how am I supposed to go to Hounslow without the appropriate transport?
You know what, I’ll just think of it later.
Tellus has decided Medlock as my next fate, and I will spend the days watching a flock of sheep, but maybe that doesn’t sound so bad compared to being brainwashed by Rapture. Maybe I can learn how to sew to pass my time. Fortunately, the researchers were gracious enough to offer accommodation in their office despite the initial hesitation.
At least I’m finally able to obtain it; peace.
Well, not permanently, but something short-lived could become a privilege, and I should savor that before it’s gone.
The past few days felt like a dream, the manifestation of my nightmares. Before I knew it, noon turned into evening. Eventually, my exhaustion evolved into drowsiness, that even my brain had been bugging me to go straight to sleep, until the sound of a slammed door blared across the building.
“What now…?”
Curious, I stopped by the corner of the door frame, eavesdropping.
“Calm your horses, buddy. If the barn’s in trouble again, we can fix it as usual.” The commanding researcher didn’t even bat an eye, his gaze still fixated with his report paper on the table.
“Dammit man, it’s not the sheep this time! Someone just took out the guards!”
What.
That stopped whatever everyone was doing.
“What do you mean ‘took out the guards’!?” He stood up, his face screamed of intense worry. “Who did this!?”
“They’re covered in dark clothing but that’s not the problem. The weapon—we have no idea what they were using!”
Sweat started forming from my forehead from understanding the implication of it. An unidentified individual in dark clothing, and a weapon that couldn’t be comprehended at first glance. That description, without a doubt, can only belong to one person.
And said person only has one objective.
I slammed the door open, heading towards the back exit they’ve shown me earlier.
“Where are you going!?”
“When you see him, run! Don’t try to fight him!” I can’t risk losing any more lives because of me. I avoided the first one, and now I won’t take any more chances. Outside, as though reflecting the grave situation, rain began to pour once more, before a quick transition turned into a relentless storm.
Medlock had sunk into a sea of mist and extreme breezes. Objects were thrown by the fierce wind, probably powerful enough to snatch someone off the ground. If one of them fell onto me, then everything’s all over.
“Ah — “
Then, I heard it. A series of agonizing shrill, resounding throughout the stormy Medlock.
He got them, and all of them were dead.
Indeed, all of them died because I led them to it.
Even so, the world continued to move on, and it was not the time for me to stop and grieve their loss.
“Haa — “
Dashing through the raging nature, I simply ran, but in truth, I had no idea where I’m running towards. Am I heading to the village square? The riverside? The grassland? In this moment, the village turned into an unending maze intended to trap the prey and predator together. However, my thoughts have yet to move on from the tragedy befalling those poor researchers.
It’s my fault they died. I shouldn’t have stopped by them!
How much more bodies will hit the ground until this twisted chase ends? My breath quickened, imagining what could be if Rapture persists until the end. Several faces surface into my mind; Aide, Master. Uncle. They’ve tried to kill my uncle once, and I doubt they will stop here. The audiences during the Golden Hour were not exempt either. They could have massacred all of them if they wanted to.
Deep in my despairing thoughts, I didn’t realize I had made my way out of misty Medlock. The open plains welcomed me with a dash of cold air, the storm has yet to cease.
“Ah — — !” Failing to see what’s underneath, and with the moist ground contributing to my fall, I tripped on my foot, sending me all down to the base of a hill with a forward roll. My face reeks of soil and petrichor, and the smell of a short-lived freedom.
Under the intense downpour of rain, I saw him again. Standing on top of a hill was a certain figure draped in black, a blade made of darkness on his right hand. A smear of red coloring its tip, making it all the more noticeable.
It was the blood of his victims.
When thunder flashed, I saw a glimpse of his face. A gaze that penetrates fear onto his target, a pair of eyes only a predator can sport, and I’m the poor prey stumbling upon him.
I did what’s natural; running away.
“—Haah — — Haah — — “
How much farther am I supposed to run?
A sharp pain twinged on my stomach, a clear sign for me to stop, but my legs refused to. I would rather die from exhaustion than to be captured alive by Rapture.
Somewhere across me, a structure seemed to stand out in the rain. Squinting to see further, it was something that looked similar to a bridge. It was a stone bridge.
And a shadow of a mild number of people wandering about the area.
You’re kidding me — —
My passage to safety is now swarmed by a group in familiar dark clothing. Memories of a certain golden celebration rushed forward, but instead of having it as a fuel for my escape, it ceased my tracks, and all sorts of thoughts began flooding my mind.
This is useless. Is this really the end for me?
Because on the other side, Arden and Raphael were already waiting for me.
“No, no, no… not this way. I need to think, I need to — ” My immediate thought was jumping into the river (again) and I was only starting to head for it, until a rough grip got a hold of my hands, forcibly locking them to my back as I fell flat to the ground.
I didn’t need to turn around to know whose calloused hands are carefully tending to me.
“You have no idea how much trouble you’re causing for us.” Cold and unkind, you can tell how enormously vexed Reed was by this whole chase. If only he wasn’t strictly regulated by his obligations, I’m sure he would have cut my upper half clean.
“This won’t happen if you don’t try to run from us.” Arden with his usual sing-song voice only made this situation even more unsettling. His smile being the only positive thing in this moment felt far from right. In such a life and death situation, and they most likely had a body count already, but he’s still smiling despite all of that.
How can he still smile? Is this some kind of Legacy I haven’t discovered yet? I just couldn’t get it. Enigmatic and psychopathic, a perfect match to his mysteriously aloof friend.
“If you’re worried about that little mole who helped you, we’ve dealt with him already. Courtesy to our good friend.” Hearing it directly from him made me sick. I knew it somehow from the back of my mind, that my helper might never make it alive. A part of me still hoped he would, but that was nothing more than wishful thinking. He died trying to save me. I was the cause of his death, and there’s likely no way to retrieve his body, meaning I can’t apologize nor pay my respects to him.
He’s gone, and I contributed to that.
It’s over. My body loses its strength, finally reaching its limit. Thus, that marks the end of my chase, surrounded by the consequences of my actions.
Authoritative and heavy footsteps approached me, belonging only to one individual. Raphael gently placed his palm on my shoulder, and I sensed Reed’s grip against me slowly loosening. My dreaded takeover has come at last.
“No — — ”
I wanted to cry, to scream, to see if my last remaining hope could grant me a form of saving grace, but my voice immediately died because of what happened after that.
A splatter of red splashed against my face followed by a sharp gasp breaking through the air, as the hands that were restraining me fell, and so did the owner of it. Crimson flowed freely from the open wound on his shoulder, pooling to create a small puddle of blood.
Wordless, Reed was at loss for words for the injury over his right shoulder.
No illusions, no staged up actions, just pure bewilderment.
“ — — Raphael, why?”
Turning to Raphael, what he held doubled my astonishment. Within his grasp was a weapon similar to what Reed had. A blade made out of strange dark material, and on the tip of it is tinted with deep scarlet; a friend’s blood.
“Obligations, and mandatory actions to keep some interests in check.”
“And to maintain it requires killing your own?”
“…”
Raphael said nothing, simply shutting his eyes, clearly showing his unwillingness to discuss this through. White they’re at it, I had this crazy thought of passing through the crowd, but I changed my mind after witnessing the following scene. Through will alone, Reed was able to stand again, and do the unthinkable. He dashed to where Raphael stood, but was unfortunately met with an amazing display of strength of putting Reed at his place by punching his stomach with the sword’s grip. The remaining Rapture officers held Reed by his arms, careful to not let their former colleague go into another fit of rampage.
I never expected to live long enough to witness fighting between friends, not to mention from Rapture of all things. A part of me was overjoyed to see Mister Shady himself getting the treatment he deserved, and I’m more than willing to watch his fall, but at the same time, I want to run away, but Raphael wasn’t having any of that.
“Let me go! I will never make a decision! I won’t be confined by Rapture!” As a response to that, Raphael grabbed hold of both of my shoulders, pushing me to Arden’s side of the bridge, where the person in question had been waiting for me.
For a group dressed in all black, Arden was the only colorful individual around. In fact, he was the brightest of them all, with his wide arms and dazzling smile. Arden acted as if welcoming a homecoming, but the situation made this highly unsettling.
A former colleague was beaten to a pulp, and all he did was smile through it.
I’ve long made up my mind, but the sight of this reinforced my resolution. How can I find comfort in a place where you can still smile after a brutal manslaughter?
“Welcome back, Juliette!”
“Absolutely not! You’re a creep!”
“Don’t worry about it. You’ll get used to it~”
“What do you mean used toー”
With a loud thud that echoed throughout the grassland, the group was met with silence. Breaking it were the sounds of gunshots, blasts, and projectiles conflicting with each other, raging conflict to the already chaotic scene.
“W, What…?”
Everything happened within an instant. I wasn’t able to catch up until a glimpse of grey blur took me by force, putting on chokehold. A gloved hand made its way to lock my chin, paralyzing me from making any movements.
How did he do that!? I thought there’s little to what he can do with those injuries!?
“Don’t think of funny ideas, unless you’re prepared for the funniest outcome.” You can tell this revelation did so much harm to Reed from voice alone. Hoarse throat, rapid breathing, yet that didn’t stop him from acting intimidating to his former colleagues. Without warning, the surface of his blade was pressed against my skin, and I instinctively yelped.
No way, is he seriously going to kill me now!?
“…Oh no, is he serious with this?” Arden decided to take action after standing by in the sidelines, though the best he could do was to watch everything unfolding before him. His smile faded, replaced by a look of unease I thought didn’t exist for him. Raphael’s gaze locked unto Reed, but there’s something new about this stare. His stare has always been so commanding, so confident, and now, only concern was reflected from it.
“Prepare yourself.” Reed whispered to my ears. I’m not sure what he meant by that, until he pulled me close, hugging me from behind.
“For what!?”
I’m about to find out in the next second.
“WHA — —!?!?”
I realized that we were no longer on the ground.
Falling.
Below us was the heavy river stream that once carried me to Medlock.
We just jumped from the bridge.
Before I could even protest, the winter stream welcomed me (again) with a hard splash.
