When the three members of the Guardians of Twilight approached Rinako and I, I admit I was quite surprised when they asked to discuss a possible alliance so that we could work together to take down this Bisharp hybrid.
Because of this I went inside and fetched Rodrigo so that he would talk to them, since he’s technically the ‘unofficial leader’ of the Praxic Blades.
Even though I could be present to listen to what they have to discuss, it didn’t provoke my interests. I would be fine with whatever decision Rodrigo makes, I’m not one for making such choices anyways.
Sitting down on one of the booths inside the pizzeria I open my book again, my eyes falling upon the text. Even though I’ve read it numerous times, I need to constantly keep it fresh in my mind in order to fully make use of the power within.
Despite my enrapturement, the movement of someone approaching the table and sitting down across from me didn’t escape my notice. I glance up from my book, in which I see that it’s the Medicham hybrid of the GoT that decided to sit down.
“Is this spot taken?” She asks with a grin, a rather...redundant question simply because she already sat down.
Nevertheless, I humor her with an answer. “It is now.” I respond, my tone devoid of said humor however. “Is there something you need?”
The Medicham shrugs her shoulders. “Not really, just hanging out as they work out the details.” She grabs one of the menus leaning that are sitting on a sort of stand and casually starts skimming the selections. “So you guys are pizza fans?”
I let out a quiet snort. “Some of us are, which is why there was no contesting when the decision was made to come here.” That and Artemisia brooked no argument, since she dragged Vedika here and forced the rest of us to follow.
Speaking of the Gothitelle, I glance over to the far side of the place and notice her conversing with what looks like another sort of Gothitelle hybrid. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy towards the one talking to her, hopefully she won’t scare them too much.
“Got a favorite pizza?” The Medicham asks, making me glance back at her.
“I have no preference.” I respond absentmindedly, gazing back at the book in hand. “I simply choose whatever interests me.”
Even though I’m not looking at her, I can tell that she’s getting rather irritated due to the energy coming from her. “Not much of a talker huh?”
My lips curve up slightly. “I’m not unfamiliar with conversation.” I respond. “However currently I have better things to focus on.”
Through the corner of my eyes I see her crossing her arms. “I’m always seeing you look into that book of yours, do you use it for spells or is it some sort of history book?” She asks another question.
I snort again, looking back at her with a twinge of annoyance. “It is no ‘history’ or ‘spell’ book, it is a tome in which that provides a focus for my power.”
She leans back in her booth, crossing her arms behind her head. “So spell book.” She says with a smirk. “What does it do?”
I wrinkle my eyebrows, feeling my own annoyance starting to simmer. “This...is not a spell book.” I snap the book closed and show her the symbols on its cover. “This book is a magical artifact, with its scriptures it allows me to channel my power and shape it within an instant depending on the pages I have selected.” I let out an irritated grunt. “As you can see, I lack any sort of ‘stick’ that Delphox often have. This book takes its place.”
Her eyes widen in realization. “Wait, that book is your wand?”
“Yes, this book is my wand.” I sigh. “This specific tome is called Dying Blaze, its scriptures specializing in shaping and controlling fire magic.”
“That explains the fancy pyrotechnics, like the flame whip you had back there.” She chuckles, now getting it.
A sudden buzzing catches both of our attention, however before I could inquire about the noise she quickly pulls out a smart phone from her gi. She taps the screen and brings it to her ear. “What’s up Jubei?” She asks, now talking to the one who called her.
I open my book again, through memory I quickly found where I left off. However even though I’mstudying again, I can still hear the one-sided conversation.
“It worked out?” I hear her say with excitement. “Really? Nice! That’s awesome! Aight I’ll head out.” She brings the phone away from the side of her head and taps the screen, then places it back in her gi.
“Would I wish to know?” I ask absentmindedly, not looking up from my book.
“Not really...partner.” She says cheekily.
My eyes snap up to her. “Partner?” I repeat.
She nods her head. “Yeah, we worked out a deal with your boss.” I chose not to correct her on ‘boss’. “We’re gonna be working together to take down that hybrid~”
“The more the merrier.” I snort before snapping the book closed. “If that’s the case, I’ll gather the others and meet you outside.”
The two of us stand up, however she extends a fist towards me. I look down at it, taking note that she’s asking for a fist bump.
“C’mon, don’t leave me hanging.” She chuckles.
I mentally sigh this time and tap her fist in mine, in which she gives a nod of approval. “That’s what I’m talking about!” The Medicham grins. “Remember, I got your back and you got mine!”
“Noted.” I say, however I couldn’t help but smile in amusement.
Looks like our numbers have grown yet further. We went from three, to six, to nine.
Nine against one, I’m finding these odds rather favorable indeed.
The forest has long grown thick, the vast sounds of wildlife surround me as the place is filled with life.
Life that has yet to know who is now in charge.
I bare my fangs with a wide grin, my fingers flexing with anticipation.
“This place will certainly do...” I chuckle. “Perhaps there will be more worthy creatures here to test my might.” My dark eyes narrow. “Maybe it will hold better promise than the last location.”
The only ones who were even considered ‘worthy’ were those warriors that fought me, but even then the only advantage they had were numbers.
But that Bisharp...she was a truly fearsome warrior, to still fight even after having been knocked down numerous times...
Her passion...it is something I greatly admire. If it wasn’t for her, then I wouldn’t have been as merciful as I was.
Heh, enough of her. I have hunting to do...
[PoV: ???]
...
...
“Ah got lost again, didn’t ah?”
I place my hand on my hip, trying my best to peer through the thick forest. I squint my eyes, even though it doesn’t help at all.
...Yep, don’t recognize this place at all.
“Gosh diddly darn it.” I mutter under my breath. “Ah knew ah should’a followed that nice ol’ fella’s directions, ‘cus now ah’m more lost than a Tauros in a supermarket.”
Despite the situation I smile.
“Heh, alwahys wahnted ta’ say that.” I snicker. “Maybe this here place has a travelin’ band of them actors, an’ ah’m in tha’ right place in tha’ right time.”
Just gotta be positive and hopeful and everything will be right as rain, just as my ol’ pappy used to say.
Whistling a cheery tune I march deeper into the forest with my Depthsteel hoe in hand.
I look at the metal door before me, its metallic surface reinforced with the intention of preventing breaches. On its side is an ID scanner, thus only allowing select individuals to enter.
What many would think of this to be is a sort of cell intended to keep dangerous individuals inside, which they would be correct on. However...this isn’t entirely the case.
The one inside here is indeed very powerful, but the whole purpose of them being in here is to not keep them inside...
...but to keep others out.
Being courteous I approach the door and give a firm knock. “Bladesong? It’s me, Chimera.” I say loudly, so that they can hear me through the thick door. “May I come in?”
I didn’t need to even wait as her voice quickly responds to me. “Of course!”
If I had lips I would be smiling at this, since I notice a bit of eagerness in her tone. Pulling out my ID card I place it over the scanner, it took only a second for the screen to flash green and release the lock. I press my hand on the door and it immediately slides to the side, allowing me entry.
I step inside, said room looking less like a ‘cell’ and more like your normal bedroom room. It possesses a bed, nightstand, desk, a few chairs, bookshelf, and even a TV. Laying on the bed is Bladesong, a book in her hands.
Bladesong...she is something else entirely. Although we have some very unusual Hybrids within the walls of the Guardians of Twilight Headquarters, Bladesong is her very own category. Not because she’s a hybrid, but because she’s...a cyborg.
The only way you can tell that she’s a Gothitelle is by her purple face and her very short black hair. Everything else? Metal and synthetic muscle.
Her body consists of purplish black plates along with grayish purple synthetic muscle fibers. The fingers of her hands end in long black nails and her feet possess long claws as well as a spiked heel. On her collarbone and along her spine are whitish-pink lights, however if they were to be glowing then they would be as bright of a purple as her eyes. Another eye-catching trait about her are two long metal cables coming from the back of her head, each ending with a sharp blade. They occasionally twitch or readjust themselves, showing that they’re just as much as limbs to her as her arms and legs.
She sets her book aside and sits up, a welcoming smile on her lips. “It’s nice to see you again, Chimera.”
I chuckle quietly. “Nice to see you as well, Bladesong.” I remove my hood from my head so that she can properly see my face. “How are you feeling?”
The Gothitelle turns herself so that her legs are touching the ground, the cables on her head moving so that each blade hangs lazily off the bed. “Well...alright?” She shrugs her shoulders. “I’ve had my electrolyte injection, so I haven’t been feeling faint.” Her gaze drifts to her book. “And I’m enjoying what you’ve given me, so...everything should be fine.”
I walk over to the bed and gesture to the spot next to her. “May I?” She merely scoots over in response, so I sit down beside her. “How about mentally? Are you feeling bored or trapped?”
At this her face becomes conflicted. “Well...” She says unsurely, her purple synthetic eyes turning away. She didn’t speak up after that.
I have to say...Bladesong truly has improved over a great period of time. At first she would rarely talk, rarely move. She would simply sit in one spot and act as if she was dead to the world, but ever since me and Euterpe began visiting and talking with her...she started opening up.
The main purpose of this cell is less of keeping her in here but to keep others away, since she is still very new to this experience. She was forcibly turned into a Cyborg by the HWDP, her flesh and blood replaced by metal and synthetic materials against her very will. So she feels out of touch with the world, as well as very self-conscious in terms of interacting with others.
“Bladesong.” I start, my voice soft yet firm. “If you are feeling trapped, we won’t hold you here. You are welcome to walk the halls of the GoT whenever you like, you just need to let us know.”
She turns her head away and cradles her head in her hands. “I know...” She whispers quietly. “It’s just...” The cyborg lets out an annoyed growl. “I just...”
I place a hand on her shoulder, the sudden action startling her as her head whips over to me. Despite her wide eyes she quickly relaxes upon seeing my sympathetic gaze. “I know.” I reassure her. “You are afraid of what others would think of you.”
Her shoulders slump. “Yeah...” She flops onto the bed, even with the reinforced bed frame her very heavy weight causes the furniture to creak in protest.
I let my gaze wander to the ceiling. “I know that feeling all too well...” I admit. “However for me, it’s less of what others think...and more of what I think.”
She rolls her head so that she can look at me. “Yet you’re still a living being.” Bladesong says softly. “You still have blood in you, you still have organs...”
I nod my head. “Yes...but...” I stop, catching myself. Unable to think of a retort I let out a quiet chuckle and flop down next to her. “Yeah, got me there.”
She smiles bittersweetly. “We’re the same, kinda.”
I nod again. “Yeah, for different reasons.” I look over to her. “However the main difference between us is that you’re a lot braver than I.”
The Gothitelle blinks. “Excuse me?”
I nod for a third time. “Yes, because what you’ve went through is far worse than me...yet you’re still carrying on.” She opens her mouth to object but I raise a finger, in which she closes it. “You may have had assistance, but you made the choice.”
Her eyes narrow slightly. “But you’re carrying on as well, that doesn’t make me stronger than you.”
I shake my head. “Yes, but it took me a long while to eventually come to terms with my reality.” I fold my hands over my stomach and look back up to the ceiling. “It took me a full month to eventually start living again, while for you...it took only two weeks.”
Her smile grows at this, her gaze following mine to the ceiling. “I guess...”
I stop talking after this, satisfied with myself. We enjoy the silence for a while as we continue to stare at the ceiling, letting out minds wander.
Eventually I sit back up, disrupting the peace - for a good reason of course. “I forgot to say this, but I got you something.” I say suddenly.
She perks up at this, her body sitting up in the blink of an eye. “Oh?” The eagerness in her eyes makes my internal smile all the wider.
“Indeed.” I reach for my robe and pull out another book. “Once you’re finished with the one you’re reading, I’d like to give you one of my personal favorites.”
I offer it to her in which she quickly accepts, although she holds the book carefully in order to not scratch the colorful cover. She reads over the title, her smile turning to confusion. “The Hobbit?” She reads aloud, she then flips to the back and reads the brief description. After a few more moments she looks back at me. “This is a Human book?”
I nod. “Indeed, written by a Human by the name of K. R. R. Volkien.” I couldn’t help but laugh quietly as she raises an eyebrow. “Don’t be fooled, Human books are just as good as those written by Pokemon. Not to mention this is an excellent start for an amazing series.” I pause for a moment. “There’s movie adaptions of them too, however I personally believe the books are better.”
She smiles at this. “Then I’ll take your word for it.” Bladesong sets it on the table beside her bed. “I’ll be sure to read it once I’m finished with the other one you gave me.”
I suppress another chuckle. “To be fair, I didn’t chose the other one for you. Euterpe recommended it.”
The Gothitelle blinks before laughing out loud. “That...would explain it.”
Now I pause. “Pardon?”
She picks up the book she was reading and shows the cover, it reading ‘The Were-Lycanroc and the Vampire’. “It’s a very sappy and cringy love story, but surprisingly interesting to read.” Her smile shifts to a smirk. “I didn’t take you to be the type to read that sort of stuff, so I assumed you either picked the first book you saw off the shelf or someone gave it to you.”
I cross my arms over my chest in a mock pout. “And what if I actually do read those?”
Her eyes narrow. “Were-Lycanroc or Vampire?” She suddenly asks.
“Vampire.” I respond, not missing a beat.
At this she blinks with surprise. “I...honestly expected Were-Lycanroc.”
I shrug. “What can I say? Turning into a Zubat sounds much nicer than a Were-Lycanroc, especially when you can fly.”
“I personally would’ve chosen Were-Lycanroc.” She chuckles. “I’d rather not burn up in the sun.”
“I tend to stay indoors anyways, so it’s not that much of an issue for me.”
At this she laughs louder. “You’re a shut-in?!”
I raise my hands in defense. “To be fair, my job didn’t allow me to go outside much.”
She waves me off. “Yeah yeah, no excuses. You could go out anytime while you were on break.” The Cyborg pauses, now looking at me with worry. “You could...right?”
I nod. “Of course I could! I just didn’t.”
The Gothitelle looks relieved at this, but it was only brief due to her smirk returning. “Shut-in~”
I push her, which didn’t do very much. “Quiet.” I say gruffly.
She grins and pushes me back, but the unexpected strength behind said shove actually launches me off the bed and sends me tumbling to the ground.
“Chimera! You alright?!” She half-shouts worriedly, quickly standing up.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re stronger than you look, Bladesong.”
The cyborg relaxes somewhat seeing that I’m not really hurt, but she walks over to me. “Sorry...” She apologizes sheepishly, extending a hand to me. “I’m still learning my strengths.”
I accept her offer, allowing her to pull me to my feet with no effort on her part...at all. “What can I say? Better than accidentally crushing the arms of a chair, ESPECIALLY when it’s reinforced to handle it.”
She averts her eyes in embarrassment, she’d be blushing if her face were capable of it. “Yeah...”
I pat her on the back. “Don’t worry about it, Bladesong. I’m far sturdier than I look.” I tap my skull with a finger. “These Deoxys genes aren’t for show you know.”
Bladesong opens her mouth to respond, but a sudden beeping sound from my robe makes her stop.
I look down and reach for the pocket where it’s coming from, upon pulling out the source I reveal it to be my phone. I look over it to see a message from Penumbra, saying that she found important information on the second rogue Hybrid. “Well...” I sigh, tucking the phone back into my robes. “Looks like I’m needed.”
She smiles at this. “If your job calls, I won’t keep you.” The cyborg walks over to her bed and sits down again, soon followed by the distressed creaking of furniture. “Still, thank you for visiting me again.”
"You’re definitely welcome, Bladesong.” I chuckle. “And I’ll be sure to visit you tomorrow as well, since Euterpe is going to be busy.”
She grins “Then I’ll be looking forward to tomorrow, see you later...vampire~”
I roll my eyes. “And see you too, Werewolf.”
Bladesong pauses. “Werewolf? Don’t you mean Were-Lycanroc?”
At this I pause. “I...” I shake my head. “Yeah, that.” I give her a wave. “Take care.”
“I’ll hold down the fort.” She crosses her legs on the bed and returns the wave.
When I step out of the room the door locks behind me. As I continue to walk towards Penumbra’s office, I couldn’t help but shake my head again.
Werewolf... Were-Lycanroc... The same thing, but different.
Heh, Pokemon and their terms. It’s another thing I’m having difficulty adjusting to.
“Don’t take long.” One of the guards tell me as he lets me into the hall filled with cells, each designed to hold living hybrids created by our hands. My eyes linger on him, his armored suit covering his entire body and a helmet concealing his face...the only sign of him looking at me being the tinted visor pointing at my direction. My eyes glance down at his weapon, a fully automatic rifle. Its design is a year or two old, having a built-in computer and hud to not only keep track of how many bullets are in the current magazine, but also possessing the ability to switch between different magazines on the fly, since the weapon alone can hold up to three magazines of rounds at once.
The more our technology advances, so does our weapons. I couldn’t help but shudder, especially since there’s a reason why these guards are even here to begin with.
I continue down the hall, my eyes drifting from each cell to the next. The cells consist of Duraglass, a reinforced glass given its name for its sheer...well...durability. I could clearly see each hybrid inside, they look at me with either fear or hate...both of which I can’t blame them for.
The reason why I’m even here is because...I wanted to witness the effects myself, to see what we’re doing to these poor Pokemon.
I walk past several cells containing the surviving Pokemon from the Scorpion project. Inside a Drapion/Clawitzer hybrid, Drapion/Scyther hybrid, and a Drapion/Forretress hybrid. The giant centaur-esque scorpions eye me carefully, the Forretress hybrid (dubbed SC-07) glares at me with open hatred.
I swallow a lump in my throat, yet that doesn’t banish the growing pit in my stomach. I...knew what I was doing was wrong, but...just...seeing these Pokemon...
“I’m sorry.” I mouth silently, giving the most apologetic look I could give as I continue to walk past SC-07. The Pokemon continues to glare at me, however eventually he stomps to the back of his cell.
I turn my eyes forward, the feeling of sickness growing with each second.
There’s at least thirty hybrids here, not including the ones currently being experimented on...and the normal Pokemon that are being held to become new hybrids.
I pass another set of guards, both of them give me a nod as I walk past them. I nod numbly in response, but keep my eyes forward.
Eventually...as I near the end...I hear something.
Singing.
The voice is angelic, making me stop in my tracks. As beautiful as the singing is, I can hear great sorrow in its tone.
No, not it. Her.
I follow the melody, my mouth growing dry. Eventually I reach the source of the singing, a cell containing a hybrid.
Gar-03, a hybrid between that of a Gardevoir/Milotic/Meloetta. The end result ended with a perfect mix, however it has also given her the appearance similar to that of a Mermaid. Due to being unable to walk on land, she’s forced to crawl with her arms in order to even move.
I stand at the transparent door, watching with awe as she sings her sad song. There’s no words in the music coming from her, but they weren’t needed...for her vocals alone depicted the emotions she felt.
Sorrow. Fear. Despair. I can hear them all, feel them all. The pit in my stomach becomes a swallowing black hole, the sickness within me intensifying further.
This feeling I’m experiencing...it is guilt. Guilt, shame, regret...I’m feeling it all at once. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but...seeing the direct effects of my work...it’s...
...mortifying.
The Pokemon’s singing stops with a gasp, the Gardevoir now noticing my presence. She immediately backs away, using her hands to pull herself to the wall.
I can see her face clearly now. Her bright blue eyes are puffy and red around the edges, showing that she has been crying for a long time. Her cheeks are still glistening, containing undried tears.
I raise my hands slowly. “It’s okay.” I whisper quietly, my voice shaky. “I don’t mean any harm. I-” The words stop, my own hands visibly shaking now.
I stare into her eyes, her...fearful eyes. She thinks I’m probably going to move her out of her cell, to attach a collar to suppress her abilities and take her to be put through excruciating tests and experiments. Just like the numerous humans in the past.
She has a right to fear that, for any Human within this wretched building will bring her nothing but pain.
She doesn’t deserve this. None of the Pokemon here deserve this.
I fall to my knees, my body shaking violently. “I’m sorry...” I whisper to her, tears rolling down my cheeks. “I’m sorry...I’m sorry...”
I lower myself further, resting on my hands and bowing my head. “I’m sorry...” I repeat over and over, my quiet voice cracking further. “I’m sorry...I’m sorry...I’m sorry...”
I needed the money, I needed to make a living. But in exchange for a well-off life, I’ve done unforgivable things to these poor Pokemon.
I’m a monster. A heartless, despicable monster.
I deserve to rot in hell.
“Shhh...” A quiet voice hushes me. I look up with bleary eyes, and I see the Pokemon now next to the glass...looking at me with a sad smile.
Her fear...it’s gone... She willingly approached me...
My teeth clench together. “I have done wretched things.” I say quietly, my body shaking more and more. “Things that no one deserves to be inflicted with.” I clench my eyes. “I'm sorry, sorry with my entire being. I will try to make this right, I promise.” I slam my fists. “I PROMISE!”
I feel a hand grasp my shoulder, I could only gasp in surprise as I’m pulled to my feet. “Get a hold of yourself!” I hear a masculine voice growl at me, I turn my eyes fearfully to see that one of the guards is next to me.
My eyes quickly look at the Gardevoir hybrid, who has pushed herself to the back of the cell again...watching the two of us with returned terror.
“Buddy, do you realize where you are?” The guard hisses, shaking me as if that’ll help me return to my senses. “To do what you just did will only get you into deep shit.”
I hastily wipe my eyes. “I k-know...” I shakily respond. “It’s just-”
“People disappear.” He growls again. “Show any sign of remorse? They’ll make you disappear. I’ve been catching word, how lately people who become sympathetic towards hybrids end up doing something drastic. Because of this the HWDP are cracking down hard on them, the second you start getting second thoughts...” He waves his hand. “...gone. Nowhere to be found.”
His concealed head glances up, in which my gaze follows...and the feeling of dread fills my being as I see a security camera looking straight at me.
“...Shit...” The guard mutters. “...Listen, I’m sorry. But I have to take you in, if I don’t...then I’m gonna fucking get it too.” His grip tightens on me. “I’m sorry buddy, but I have no choice.”
I nod my head numbly. “I understand... Let’s just...get this over with.”
As the guard proceeds to escort me out of the hall, I look back at the cell.
The mermaid...she’s pressed against the glass again, her looking at me with fear. Yet this fear isn’t for her well-being...
...it’s fear for me.
I give her a weak smile, since that’s the only thing I can do.
“For what it’s worth, you're a good guy.” The guard sighs. “You never should’ve set foot into this place, should’ve turned down the job and found something more legit. Places that promise you good money while never telling you the details till after you sign the contract are always bad news.” He shakes his head. “If Arceus is truly up there, then I hope the big guy or girl will take it easy on you.”
I hope they wouldn’t, since I don’t deserve any mercy.
After telling Penumbra that I’m going to investigate Bennington, I immediately left Pearldom. Sure I plan to return back there to meet the team they’ll be sending, but right now...I need to gather more information. Currently we still don’t know much at all besides the whole ‘wall of webs’, so I need to gather at least a bit more intel so we have more to work with.
After crossing the fields I eventually came to the treeline of the forest that surrounds Bennington, and I have to say...
It’s definitely a big issue.
Webs.
Lots and lots of webs.
Thick strands of it has been woven throughout the trees as far as I can see, effectively creating a giant barricade. This is not something that a normal spider could do, or at least on their own. Whatever did this is either a very special spider, or it’s a massive number of them.
I don’t know which is worse.
I cautiously approach the webs, eyeing them carefully. It contains a particular scent, however I’m not accustomed enough to spider Pokemon o know if it’s made either by an Ariados or Galvantula. Grabbing a laying stick with my tail I poke the woven wall carefully, the stick didn’t...well...stick to the wall with each tap so it’s safe to assume that they didn’t intend to trap anyone touching it, just keep them out.
In that case...
I drop the stick and quickly pull out my machete and proceed to start hacking at the wall, despite spider silk being very strong stuff slowly proceed to make headway. After a near minute of slicing I finally create a gap wide enough for me to squeeze through, with my machete still firmly gripped by my tail I carefully slink in.
Beyond the wall...is definitely unnerving, since the forest itself is extremely dark and there’s spiderwebs everywhere. Normally forests have a lot of greens and browns, but seeing how that there’s so much of this stuff everywhere...it with there being so many webs I can say that white and gray is one of the new primary colors here. I try my best to avoid some of the strands that hang low, but occasionally some of it sticks to my coat and I’m forced to use my machete slice it off.
The deeper I go the more on edge I feel, since this place is unnaturally quiet. Not a single sound can be heard except for my quiet breathing. I’ve entered a lot of quiet places before, but for it to be this silent in a forest...it’s seriously bad news.
As I continue to stealthily make my way through, I hear a sudden rustle above me. Immediately I stop and lower myself to the ground, using my green coating to try to blend with the foliage around me.
I wait for a long time, not even moving an inch. Silently I count the seconds that pass by as my eyes are locked on the spot where the noise came from, but as the moments continue to fly by with nothing happening...I start moving again. This time however I do so more slowly, keeping myself low I crawl across the ground with a nimbleness and silence like that of a natural predator. Every so often I stop and look around, since the last thing I want is some spider to drop on me from above.
At some point I stopped keeping track of time, but I do know that it took me a very long time to eventually arrive at the town.
And when I thought that the forest was unnerving, the town looked just as bad...if not worse.
The forest opens up to the town itself, which I see numerous buildings completely covered in webs. From the looks of the place it seems like some giant colony made this their nest, and not a single...sign...of life...can be found.
The town itself looks...much less ‘modern’ than that of the past two towns I’ve visited, in fact I seriously doubt they have electricity here. If that’s the case it would definitely explain why no word managed to get out when it got overrun...
In fact, did anyone even manage to escape?
I stay hidden in the trees as I ponder whether to actually head into the town or not, since the area is much more exposed than the forest itself. If I were to enter there...then there’s a high chance I might get noticed by whatever lurks here.
Hmm...
...
...
Heh, I’ve gotten out of worse situations.
With my mind made I carefully step out of the foliage and into the town itself, after briefly looking around for any signs of life I immediately sprint over to one of the nearest buildings. The second I reach it I hug my body to the wall, just barely touching some of the spidersilk that’s stuck to the bricks.
Slinking around the outside I eventually reach the entrance, which has the door wide open and not actually covered in webs. After looking around one more time I quickly duck in, my machete still in the grip of my tail.
Inside is just as dark as the forest if not even darker, but my enhanced eyesight allows me to peer through unhindered. The place is completely messed up, furniture and objects strewn everywhere and spidersilk covering everything. With my machete I hack a path through the silk as I enter deeper into the house, keeping a special eye on the ceiling for any nasties that may be lurking up there.
I can say with confidence that there was a struggle here, in fact one of the doors that lead to the backyard of the house looked like it was barricaded before it was knocked down. Yet as I searched through the entire house, there’s not a single sign of the people that live here.
My frown increases as I make my way back out through the exact path I came from, disliking the lack of...absolutely anything really. There’s no life at all, whether it be spiders or townsfolk. It’s...very suspicious.
I reach the entrance again...but stop, since...I have a very uneasy feeling in my stomach.
I call it the ‘predator’s intuition’, something like a sixth sense. Whenever something is up, I get that feeling. It’s not an ‘official’ thing that the HWDP implemented into me since it’s more like a gut feeling, but due to it having been always right in the past...I’ve learned to listen to it.
And right now, I have a feeling that things are going to get real bad real soon...
Gritting my fangs together I take one cautious step towards the door, just as I’m about to poke my head out I suddenly have second thoughts.
No...there’s a smarter way to do this.
Turning myself around I point my machete towards the entrance, after silently steadying myself I quickly stab the weapon out before pulling it back in...
...And the moment I pulled it back a giant Ariados lands on the spot where I was about to step out, hissing loudly.
This is why intelligence is a very perfect factor in survival.
Reacting quickly I swiftly step towards it and lash out with the weapon again, this time impaling the tip of the blade in its head. The spider lets out an even louder hiss and flails its legs, but the second I twist the blade it immediately collapses in a dying heap.
Yanking the yellow blood-covered blade out I eye the corpse warily, since if one spider knew exactly where I was...then there’s a VERY good chance that the rest have this knowledge too.
Because I’ll be honest, a single Ariados can’t POSSIBLY spin this much silk within a short amount of time...so I am definitely dealing with a colony here.
But the real question is why is there even a colony here to begin with? And of this size too? Ariados rarely go where there’s civilization, that and the colonies are not nearly large enough to completely cover an entire forest and town like this.
So...could the mysterious Hybrid be involved?
“We know you’re in there~”
My body tenses when I hear a silky (pun-intended), feminine voice from outside.
“There’s no point in hiding, we’ve been watching you for a long while now~”
Well...that might explain a few things...as well as create an issue too.
“Really now?” I speak up, my voice controlled yet containing a somewhat playful tone. “So why didn’t you reveal yourself then? It would’ve saved us all a bunch of time.”
“Step out~” The voice purrs, ignoring my question. “Then we can have a proper conversation~”
Well that’s somewhat rude for her not to answer me, nevertheless I let out a snort at her attempt to get me outside. “Step out? So you can ambush me?”
The voice laughs in response. “If I wished to ambush you, then we would’ve done so a long while ago.”
Well...she got me there.
If it ends up actually being a trap, I can make a break towards the direction I went. I’ve created a decent enough path to make it easy for me to escape, so I just need to act fast...
Cautiously stepping out I quickly look around me. I didn’t see anything outside at first, but eventually I notice that there’s someone standing on top of the house I was just in...
The person itself looks like a cross between a Bisharp and a Galvantula. She possess the humanoid body of a Bisharp but the Galvantula traits quickly make themselves known on numerous factors.
Sure her black and yellow body is one thing, but there are other parts that really give it away. Specifically it’s the four massive spider legs that sprout from her back, each ending in a giant scythe-like blade. Her hands consist only of two blade-like fingers and thumb, and located on her forearms are three slender blades lined one after each other.
Her rear has long black and yellow hair extending out, giving the impression of a spider’s abdomen. Around her head is a hood made of white and yellow cloth, and located on her face is what I can assume is a white mask that covers all but her mouth and blue eyes...and said contains multiple large blue ‘gems’ that give the impression of spider eyes.
Essentially, I’m confident to say that I’ve found our elusive hybrid.
“Now aren’t you an interesting specimen~” She coos, the giant legs on her back flexing slightly. “It’s unmistakable that you’ve been created by the HWDP.”
“I can say the same to you.” I respond back with a casual smile, my tail swishing left and right with the machete still in its grip. “Which is more of me pointing out the obvious, since you contain that exotic look only a HWDP hybrid possesses.” I still my tail as I adopt a more serious expression. “Course I need to ask this due since it’s a question that’s been bothering me for a while, which is...what did you do with the people here?”
Her grin widens as she lets out a laugh. “Oh? Now wouldn’t YOU like to know~” She traces her lips with one of her bladed fingers.
Well, no shame in me asking even though I partially expected this. So let’s move onto another question. “How about a name?” I ask. “Since I don’t think calling you ‘spider hybrid’ would be very flattering to you.”
“Now that I don’t mind giving~” She purrs, picking at her teeth with her finger. “My identification number is ‘BIS-05′, however I prefer to go by the name of Miasma, sounds FAR better~” She leans forward slightly, her sapphire eyes peering down on my form. “Now what about you, handsome~? I can only assume that you possess a name as well.”
“Handsome? I’ve heard people call me many things, but never handsome.” I chuckle. “But as for my name, it’s Snakewulf. Made it myself~”
She lets out a hum. “Snakewulf? Oh my, sounds very...enticing~” The two lower spider legs on her back dig their blades into the roof as she crouches down. “You are quite a remarkable creature, you look like a specimen unlike anything I thought they could make~” Her alluring eyes twinkle with desire, of which kind I’m quite...unsure. “I cannot wait to get to know you better during your stay~”
I couldn’t help but let out a snort. “Stay? I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m a dog on a mission.” I turn my head slightly to give her a sideways grin, all the meanwhile preparing to make a break for it. “I can’t stay sweetheart, as sad as it might be.”
Her legs dig deeper into the structure she’s standing on, her voice growing husky. “You don’t have a choice.” Miasma hisses. She suddenly raises her arms and the three blades start rattling, creating a shrill ringing sound.
The second it hit my ears I notice movement...and a lot of it. As the sound continues I see tons of spiders crawl out of the buildings, consisting of Feral Spinarak, Ariados, Joltlik, and Galvantula. The numbers continue to grow as they answer the call of their queen, showing that this is fight I have no chance at winning.
Thankfully however...I never intended to fight to begin with.
Not wasting a second I sprint towards the forest, heading for the same path I made to get through here.
“YOU CAN’T RUN FROM ME~!” She calls after me, laughing loudly.
As I enter the web-covered trees, I hear the loud hisses and rustles coming from all directions as the colony fully awakens...
“-and that’s all I have right now on what we’re dealing with.” I finish informing the five, my tail continuing to swish from side to side. “So at this point you all know the gist of this Miasma.”
Minato looks at me uneasily. “A spider hybrid that controls an entire colony?” He holds his hands with obvious nervousness. “Do we even have the numbers?”
Asmund lets out a grumble. “Numbers are meaningless, power is the answer.” His single fist clenches, his tone becoming irritated. “Of course it’s spiders, and we don’t have a single fucking competent fire user to keep them under control.”
After some hesitance, Duskfall slowly raises an arm. “Uh...I...can...create fire.” He speaks up quietly, but quickly shrinks when the Golurk turns his gaze to him.
“And?” Asmund growls. “My point still stands. Someone competent.”
Chevalier shrinks back at this, his eyes betraying the hurt he’s feeling from the Golurk’s words.
“Arschloch!” Alicia shouts angrily at the golem. “Chefalier is more zan capable to fit vhatever role it is you are sinking!”
Elisabeth draws her sword, her eyes narrowing dangerously as she points the weapon at Asmund. “Every time you speak, garbage conteenues to speell out eenstead of words.” Her lips pull back into a snarl. “Eef you ‘ad a troat, I would cut eet out and feed eet to te feeshes!”
Asmund turns to the both of them, his expressionless face managing to pull off a glare due to the intense aura that radiates from him. “And yet you forget that my power is greater than all of you.” He rumbles with a bit of smugness in his tone, then he turns his gaze down to Elisabeth “You say you would cut out my throat if you could.” His hand clenches into a fist. “I say I could crush your head into paste...if I would.”
“So you are stomping on ozers feelings just because you can do so vizout resistance.” Alicia fires back heatedly. “Zat shows zat you are nozing but a-”
“Alrighty, since you all are experiencing some irritation from the teleportation I say you all should split up to regather your thoughts and get your head in the game.” I cut in, making sure that Alicia doesn’t finish that sentence. Although my face contains a smile, my predatory eyes show a certain sternness that seems to dare anyone to challenge me “We meet back on this spot in an hour, sounds good?” I don’t wait for an answer. “Glad to hear that, chop chop.” I snap the claws of my tail a few times, creating loud clicking sounds.
Elisabeth and Alicia both give Asmund burning glares before walking away, being sure to take the even more quiet Gallade with them.
Asmund merely hisses out several nasty words before turning and walking in the opposite direction, his stomping frame causing townsfolk to immediately run to the side so they don’t get trampled underneath is giant feet.
Minato lets out a defeated sigh. “Thank you, Snakewulf.” He says quietly, giving an appreciative nod.
I merely chuckle in response. “No biggie, just ending it before it could get worse.” I look over at the now disappearing frame of the Golurk. “Have to say, I’ve heard stories of Asmund’s character but they really don’t do him justice.”
The Nidoviper could only smile weakly. “He’s...working on it.”
I smile back at him, mine more reassuring. “I can tell.”
Sagira: “It looks like the stories are true once again, Osiris truly is capable of anything.”
Osiris: “The simulations are stable! No corruption is detected, the Infinite Forest is successfully simulating a Taken entity!”
Sagira: “Which one is this again?”
Osiris: “It is Morphon, a Vex Hydra that our Guardian had witnessed in the past during the Taken’s assault in the Vault of Glass on Venus.”
Sagira: “Sooo...you simulated a Taken Vex.”
Osiris: “Yes.”
...
Sagira: “What is it doing?”
Osiris: “It seems to be trying to spread the Blight throughout the simulation, since that was Morphon’s purpose. From what data I’ve gathered, it intended to use the Vault of Glass as a means to fully corrupt and Take the Vex Collective Mind, so that Oryx itself could fully control the Vex as a whole.”
...
Sagira: “If that’s what its purpose is... WHY did you try to simulate this thing then?!”
Osiris: “To witness how well the Infinite Forest can simulate the Taken, Morphon is an excellent choice since it’s a powerful Taken entity, thus testing the Infinite Forest’s limits.”
Sagira: “Osiris. What did I just tell you-”
Osiris: “The simulation is isolated, Sagira. Morphon will not spread its influence to the rest of the Forest.”
Sagira: “I swear, if this turns into another Dendron situation-”
Osiris: “Why must you keep mentioning- That was a mere oversight, I have no intention of repeating such incidents.”
Sagira: “Yeah, because a Taken gaining sentience and then spread its control is FAR worse than a Vex mind.”
...
Sagira: “Osiris? Something wrong?”
Osiris: “The Vex! They’re attempting to invade the simulation!”
Sagira: “I thought you said you isolated it!”
Osiris: “I have, yet the Vex have proven to be very capable.”
...
Sagira: “Uh, Osiris?”
Osiris: “What Sagira? Can’t you see that I’m busy trying to gain control of the situation?!”
Sagira: “I don’t think you can gain control of this one.”
Sagira: “Because there’s a ton of Vex entering right now.”
...
Sagira: “A ton.”
...
Sagira: “Like a lot- OSIRIS! Abandon this simulation! If we just stay here we’re going to get overwhelmed!”
Osiris: “The Vex are reacting so strongly to this simulation, I have never seen anything like it!”
Sagira: “By the Traveler- You DO realize that the reason for this is that you’ve simulated a Taken entity who’s ENTIRE purpose is to corrupt the Vex Collective Mind itself?!”
Sagira: “And...I don’t know...that they REMEMBER this Taken Vex and they’re trying to shut it down immediately?!”
Osiris: “Yes yes, but watching the data unfolding before my eyes is astounding! Witnessing conflict between Vex and a powerful Taken Vex Mind, it-”
Sagira: “OSIRIS! Can we PLEASE leave?!”
Osiris: “Sagira, I cannot abandon this simulation! Anything we learn is vital to fully understanding-”
Sagira: “All of that will go to waste if we die! I don’t care what you say, we can’t possible deal with this many Vex no matter how many Reflections you have or how many times I revive you!”
...
Sagira: “Is that a-”
Osiris: “Yes, a Vex Axis Mind.”
...
Osiris: “Very well, we’re done here.”
Sagira: “Okay, so everything is ALL fine until a big bad Vex shows up. Good to know.”
