“Do you think he’s dead?”
I looked at the crumbled remains of the stone ape before heading over to check on Moryuu. “That’s not funny.”
“I ain’t laughing, Animae.” I swung the scythe to deter a few of the smaller Umbra that were still in the way. “If he is, I still look forward to killing him after what he did to Cae.”
“Youre not killing him but we’ll get your friend’s soul back, Cordis.”
“Friend…?”
“You do know what a friend is, right?”
“I’m not fucking stupid, Animae.”
The side of my head ached before he grew silent for a moment as I glanced at Talon. “Yeah, sorry, but I’ll get it back, ok? We’ll get Cae back.” He must’ve been reassured for now, but that pang steadily started to creep back in the closer we got to the fallen man. “Cordis…”
“I was just thinking about what to do with the body, Animae. Should it be quartered or cut into smaller pieces? The Umbra had such a hard time eating Navi because I left her fairly intact. That irritating, red b—!”
I clapped my hands against my cheeks as my nose bled. “Knock it off!”
I noted how the smaller Umbra further up the street suddenly started to disperse to the darker regions of the city as the suit-clad Umbra made his way up the adjacent street. “What do we have here?” Gideon mused as he took in the sight of the destroyed environment then ruins of the ape. “Ah, so that was the cause of such a commotion.” He then noticed Moryuu as he drew closer. “I expected more from you.” Two tentacles reached out to carefully remove some of the rubble. “To let such a barbaric creature best you in something like a duel.” He seemingly grimaced at the prospect as he continued to clear the area. “I don’t know if I should be offended or call you pathetic. Either way, this is still disappointing,” he said as he removed the last of the rock. His attention then drifted in my way before he began to head over. “Cordis.” I aimed the scythe at him as I took a step back. “No, your scent is a bit different… You’re Jayden, correct?”
“What do you want?” I asked as my attention went back to Moryuu. I then repositioned the scythe to bat away a tentacle that was looming near before seeing the handkerchief it had presented. “Um, thank you…”
“I simply wish to speak to Cordis for a moment.”
“He’s unavailable at the moment,” I said as I started to round the Umbra. “I can take a message.”
“I think it would be more cordial to speak with Cordis himself rather than a middleman.”
“Animae, just let—”
“No,” I said to both as I glanced at the man behind the Umbra. “Whatever you have to say, Cordis can hear you just fine.”
Gideon stopped before sighing, “Cordis knows I hate informalities. I was hoping you’d be more understanding than your counterpart, Jayden, but you are Cordis’ other half so I may have gotten ahead of myself. I will ask just once more. May I speak with Cordis. This is something that should be said directly.”
“He’s listening,” I replied
“If you insist,” he replied as a tentacle lowered the scythe. “Cordis, I do wish that we could’ve had this conversation face-to-face before you ran off but, alas, it’s not meant to be. When your existence was brought to my attention, I thought surely I had to see it for myself.” He gave a slight smile. “I wasn’t disappointed and you’ve provided entertainment as much as frustration while being in Four’s care. It was like watching a child play with its pet.”
“Did he just call me a fucking p—?”
“But every pet has to meet its end at some point.”
“He’s seriously calling me a pet?!”
“Four is growing rather… obstinate and it’s becoming tedious to quell him. It’s just nonstop whining like a child that has lost its favorite toy and I’m quite fed up with it to be honest,” Gideon mused as his gaze drifted momentarily. “Even more, I’m starting to become a bit peckish.” I pointed the scythe at him again before one of the tentacles brushed it aside while the other two wrapped carefully around Moryuu. “Relax,” he said as I went to cut the man free. “I’m just doing you the favor of moving him out the way. I’ll set him close to the others to give you a bit of room, so I recommend you turn your attention to a more pressing matter.”
“Animae…”
“For your sake, you better hope it’s quick.” He smiled as he walked away with Moryuu in tow. “For mine, I hope it’s not.”
Hurrying after the Five, I swung the scythe upwards as he pointed in the indicated direction. Two tentacles connected with the blade though the force of it was enough to crack the pavement beneath my feet. A third snaked around my waist before hurling me into the window of a store front.
“Cordis…” the Four called giddily as tentacles started ripping out the furniture. “I just want to talk to you.” The cash register popped open spilling money as it was thrown out. “I’m fine with tearing this place apart until there’s nothing left.” A shelf was ripped from the wall. “Come out, Cordis!”
“Four…” Gold eyes locked onto each other as the blonde stepped through the broken window while wiping the blood from his nose. “Did you miss me that much?” he asked as he twirled the weapon in hand. “You wasted no time after Momma Gideon gave the thumbs up, huh?” The scythe then pointed at the Umbra. “No holding back, right?”
A grin stretched across the Umbra’s face before it darted forward. One tentacle lashed out to snag the scythe though it was sliced in two. The second and third tentacle circled to snare the man though Cordis ducked to charge at the Four.
Grin on his face as he dodged the attacks, Cordis swung the scythe again to slash at the Four’s throat. A fourth tentacle snagging the him around the waist took him by surprise but not as much as being thrown to the ground. He was then hoisted up to be thrown down the street with the Four following close behind.
“You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this,” it mused as Cordis rolled to his feet, “but Gideon insisted that I waited. He said it’d be worth it. He said to wait until you got back with your other half… and now you’re together!”
The man spun the scythe before giving another smile that would rival that of the Umbra’s. “So what now, Four?” he asked as he darted forward to avoid the tentacle that tried to snag him by the foot. “What will you do?” The blade slammed down to pin another tendril. “Are you going to eat me now?!” Each of their smiles broadened. “Four… you cheeky bastard.”
The Umbra leapt forward, dodging a swing of the blade before rounding the blonde to lash at his side. It backed off momentarily to avoid the second blade before doubling back to attack the man again. It continued as such for several minutes before the Four backed off again to watch the blade sail by. Four cackled with a grin as the man was caught by the tentacle that had shot from out the concrete to jab him in stomach. Another jab had Cordis drop to one knee before he swung the scythe down into the ground to sever the tentacle.
“Get up,” Four ordered as it approached the downed blonde. “C’mon, get up.” The Umbra watched as his opponent climbed unto his feet, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. “I’ve been looking forward to this for so long.”
“Your move.”
Four simply tilted its head before giggling with maddening laughter as it ran at Cordis. It lashed out with its claws first, slashing the front of the man’s shirt to bring up lines of blood. When the other swung to counter, the Four used its tentacles to put the other back on defense. Each hit caused Cordis to gradually slide back until one snagged the man by the neck to lift him in the air.
“Aren’t you afraid, Cordis?” Seeing nothing but defiance, the Umbra slammed him on the ground a few times before throwing him into a nearby truck. “Take a good look at the position you’re in.” One of the tentacles stabbed into his shoulder when he went to grab his weapon. “You should be very afraid.”
“Afraid?” Cordis repeated quietly as he gripped the scythe. He gritted his teeth as the tentacle in his shoulder drove in deeper. “You want me to be afraid of you?”
“Don’t antagonize it,” I warned.
Cordis only laughed as he slowly climbed to his feet. “You want me to be afraid of you?” he questioned as blood ran down his arm. “Animae might be afraid of you but I’m not.”
“It wants to eat us!”
“Yeah, I know that,” he snapped back at me. “Trust me, I know.” He severed the tentacle before tugging the rest out to cast aside. “Do you know how terrified I was when Four first found me? I’ve seen what they do to people like us.” The Four simply smiled as its severed limbs began to reform. “Do you know how terrifying it was to try to sleep knowing that thing was watching you so intently? Can you imagine how terrifying it used to be at the mercy of something that took way too much pleasure and interest tending to injuries that I used to get?” he growled at me as the scythe split in two. “You don’t get to bitch about being eaten when you’ve been sitting in a gilded castle with others all this time! I used to be scared but then I grew numb to it. You’d get numb to a lot of things after a while before you realize that it’s eat or be eaten and be damned if you think I’m getting eaten.”
“Cordis—”
“I don’t need your pity, Animae,” he interrupted. “I’d kill you myself if I didn’t need you to get home.”
Four whistled as newly grown tentacles stretched from behind it. “So… are you done arguing with yourself or what?”
Cordis raised one blade but kept the other close to his side. “Cheeky bastard…”
“Cordis—”
“Shut it, Animae,” he ordered as the Four lashed out with two tentacles.
Diving out of the way, Cordis sidestepped a third before jumping out the way of the fourth that had shot through the concrete. He was then snagged by the first to be thrown back into the truck again. Vaulting over the truck bed as a tentacle made a grab at him, he slashed at the one that tried to pull him under the truck. His gaze then went to the roof to see the Four perched there before one of the tentacles speared his injured shoulder.
“Gotcha,” the Four teased before using the second tentacle to throw Cordis back into the broken storefront. It then licked the blood dripping from the tentacle as it made its way over. “Come out, Cordis.”
“Cordis—”
“Shut up, Animae,” he growled as he got to his feet.
“Please wait,” I asked.
“Shut–!”
“Listen to me! You’re going to get us killed if you keep going like this.” I snapped at him. “You won’t beat that thing by trying to overpower it! Your right shoulder is now useless!”
“Your point?”
“You want to go home, right? You won’t if you get us both killed here!”
He watched the tentacles pull out the counter to throw it into the street before another pulled the door off its hinges. “What would you suggest, Animae?”
“Switch with me.” Cordis snorted. “I’m serious, Cordis.”
“What makes you think you can beat him if you don’t think I can?” he questioned as he cut the tentacles that ventured too close.
“I… I know you won’t be able to do it if you keep going about it the way you are.”
“What, wanna try to talk and reason with it?” he asked, slashing at the two tentacles that attempted to ensnare him.
“No, asshole,” I groused. “It’s hellbent on killing us so I doubt it would listen and chide remarks only piss it off. Besides, I’ve noticed something. Now, switch with me!”
“You want me to switch with you because you noticed something?” He cut the third tentacle. “You sure? I’m doing you a favor…”
“Doubt it. Switch.”
“Fine.”
My whole body hurt as I wiped my nose. It felt like I had been hit by a semi as I took a step forward. I could hear Cordis saying that he told me so as I severed the fourth tentacle.
“Mind telling me what you’ve noticed?”
“I have to confirm it,” I said as I made my way through the door.
“Confirm what?”
“Cordis…” the Four mused as flexed clawed fingers. “Are you ready to give up?”
I watched the tentacles to see them gradually reforming before swinging the left blade as the Four surged forward. As it backed away, I pressed forward to swing again before bracing myself as the Umbra struck the right blade. I backed down as pain jabbed at my right arm before swing again. Four attacked from the right again prior to a tentacle snagging the right blade to hold over my head.
“What are you trying to confirm?”
“Cordis… no, Jayden.” I clenched my jaw at the strain. “Did Cordis not want to play anymore?”
“Like hell,” Cordis growled. “Switch with me!”
“That’s ok,” the Umbra teased as it looked at the injury it had inflicted. Its tongue stretched towards it before it threw me aside as I went to slash at it. “I like your reactions better.”
As the other tentacles went to lash out, I stepped back before pinning the fourth as it shot out from the concrete. I swapped hands to lash at the other tentacles before guarding my right. I wasn’t prepared for the tongue that wrapped around my neck.
“Switch with me!”
I watched the tentacles starting to reform before the pinned one managed to free itself to hold my right arm up.
Sharp teeth flashed as a grin was flashed as I was reeled in. “You can beg if you want.”
“You got caught, idiot! Switch. Now!”
I bit back the pain in my arm before hearing the unfamiliar screech of a large beast. It was unfamiliar to Four as well due to it looking up. I took that chance to cut the tongue then tentacle holding my arm. As the Umbra growled, I slashed the blade at its face instead of its neck to which a hand instinctively shot up.
“You…” The word itself was a snarl as the reforming tentacles recoiled. “You…”
I stepped back as Four’s clawed hand flexed in an agitated fashion. Its form seemed to distort before a tentacle lashed out the moment the Umbra’s right eye opened.
“Let’s go!” Carlos called from up the street.
I glanced back up the street to see a portal had been opened.
“Jayden…”
I looked at the Four to see it still bristling before dodging the tentacle it had used before. Evading it again, I backed away to see that it hadn’t made any attempt on closing the distance. It was just watching as it cradled the side of its face.
“Jayden, let’s go!”
I spared Four once last glance before hurrying down the street. My running slowed as the remaining adrenaline ran out and that agonizing pain was back again. I thought my legs would give out.
“Switch with me if you’re not gonna make it.”
“I’m fine,” I muttered as I pressed forward. I looked back to see the Four still watching from where I had left it. “I’m fine.”
“Don’t lie to me, Ani–”
“Why are you suddenly concerned for my wellbeing? I’m fine!” I snapped as I continued.
“Those wounds say otherwise and you’re down a healer.” I grimaced at the reminder. “I have a solution.”
“Which is?” I asked before reeling at what he suggested. “You want me to what?!”
“There has to be another solution,” I muttered as we sat in the blue light of the lantern. The others had insisted on venturing off some time ago and I wasn’t in the state to be moving for now so I suggested that I’d watch over the remaining members for the time being. “Cordis, that’s… that’s unheard of.”
“Dear Nu isn’t present if you forgotten,” Cordis reminded me, “and it’s not like we can ask Four or Gideon for that matter. You’re too stubborn to ask that Iggy person and sent him off to heal the others.” I then heard him snicker. “This Sairix person ain’t here to help ya either.”
“How do you know about Sairix?”
“It’s a lot easier to go through memories when you’re sleeping rather than when you’re awake, Animae,” he replied. “I’m starting to think you like his method of healing way more than what I suggested. Do you have a kink–”
“Can we not?” I asked as my face turned red.
“So… are you gonna do it or what?” he questioned. “If you don’t tend to that injury now, you’re risking infection and a fever.”
“How–?”
“Do you know how many people I’ve watched Four eat?” I shuddered at the thought. “Every now and then it would let one or two go after injuring them just to watch them either try to escape or to see how long it took them to succumb to either the fever or infection. It never takes that long really.” I grimaced at the idea. “It’s eat or be eaten, Animae. So, are you going to eat before the others come back or shall we trade places? I didn't suggest sneaking those things in for you not to eat them.”
I got to my feet slowly, ignoring the ache the best prior to looking around. Movement in the corner drew me to that direction before I spotted a Level One trying to skitter out of sight. Lifting the scythe, I swung it cut off the Umbra. It growled defensively as I approached it before lashing out with its tongue. I grabbed a hold of it when it wrapped around my wrist before swinging the blade again to slice the thing in two.
I covered my ears as it shrieked. “Cordis–”
“Now.”
I swallowed as my mouth suddenly felt dry before biting into Umbra. Doing my best to tune out the rest of that horrible sound, I ate the rest of it quickly before covering my mouth when I felt like I’d throw up. Cordis was quick to advise against throwing it back up and insisted on looking at the injuries we had received. Looking down at the burn on my wrist, I watched as the skin slowly started to patch itself up. Low hissing from the opposite corner had me looking over to see another One watching cautiously as I slowly got to my feet.
“Cordis, how–”
“Eat or be eaten, Animae,” he replied to answer the question I was going to ask. “If you can catch it, it should help your shoulder. I recommend trying to catch it before your friends return.”
The One simply growled before slinking into the darkness when I approached it. I searched for several minutes before happening up on it as it made an attempt at Moryuu stationed along the wall. The blade of my scythe striking the wall between the two of them had it reeling back with an aggravated growl before I used the second blade to slice the Umbra in half and silence it altogether.
Still feeling a bit of nausea from the first one, Cordis assured me that it wasn’t that bad as I bit into it. He pressed to eat all of it before chiding at me as I went to throw it up. I kept my mouth covered to force it to stay down before looking at my shoulder to see the hole steadily patching itself back together. I gave it an experimental roll after several minutes to see that it was still a bit sore, but I was able to move it. Swinging the scythe to test its range, I looked down at the uneaten half of Umbra. I then kicked the thing behind me as I heard footsteps from up the hall.
“Welcome back,” I greeted.
“Ah, you’re up,” Vandal said as he carried Ignatius.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu0s2WF2uK
"Um...?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l4tqyrdQM
"Oh, Ig kind of over exerted himself," the marksman explained. "He should be fine after a bit of rest."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VkrYH4J4J
"I see..." I muttered before noticing something else. “You… you have your eye!”
Vandal gave an appreciative nod before tilting his head slightly. “Jayden?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “You are Jayden, right?”
“Um, yeah?” I replied as I noted how close his hand was hovering over his firearm after he set Ignatius down. “You ok?”
“Yeah,” he conceded as he walked past me.
“Is everything ok?”
“Your eyes are yellow right now,” he replied.
“I see…”
“At any rate–” He rifled through a bag to withdraw a small box. “- do you need these for your injuries? They are a bit small but there are plenty of boxes so take as many as you like.”
I held up my hands to offer a smile as I declined. “I’m good. Thanks for the offer, Ignatius. Maybe you can offer them to Carlos.”
“Perhaps,” he replied. “Oh, if you’re hungry, there’s this shop that has some food in it. It’s not too far from here.”
“I’m alright. I already ate,” I said.
“You did?” Van questioned as Talon came in.
“You’ve already eaten?” Talon asked curiously as he noticed the trough in the wall. “What exactly did you eat?” He then turned to look at me. “Well?” His gaze then shifted slightly as he tapped the corner of his mouth. “You have something on your face.”
I rubbed at it before seeing traces of the dark, oily substance.
“Animae…”
“What were you doing while we’ve been gone?”
“I… I…” There was a bit of noise from the next room. "Oh, maybe you should check on Moryuu, Talon,” I suggested quickly. “He did take the brunt of the blast.”
He eyed me a moment longer before going to tend to his friend.
“Animae…” Cordis drawled, “… can I kill him too?”
“No, you may not,” I replied as I glanced over my shoulder to look at the half-eaten Umbra.
“Is he gonna be ok?” I heard Vandal ask Talon as he came back.
“He'll be fine after a bit of rest,” Talon stated as he slowly stretched his limbs. “That is a pretty cool looking eye though.” Vandal just gave a little nod like before though something else seemed to be on his mind as well. “So, any updates?”
“Thanks,” Vandal said as Talon's gaze panned my way in a scrutinizing manner, “any updates, Jayden?”
“Oh…um…”
“Can I kill him too?” Cordis questioned.
“No,” I hissed.
“No?” the man in yellow asked.
“N-not you,” I corrected as I rubbed the back of my neck.
"So do you have any updates or not?"
“Um, it's uncertain but… I may have figured out where Four’s core is as well as some… other information about it…”
ns 172.70.126.171da2
