Chapter 7

“An Irregular MechaBeast…” As I applied pressure to my wounds. Kiriya began speaking. His crimson eyes gleaming like headlights in the morning sky. “Also known as Nightmares. Because as incredibly rare as they are, people have run into them before. And their victims, if they even live, always say it was a living hell. A nightmare if I may.  I’ve only stumbled across one, make that two now.” He paused.

Closing his eyes and intaking a sharp breath. He performed what had seemed to be concentrated breathing. And after a short moment, his eyes snapped open.

“But to think there’s three more on their way, along with an Original by their side?” His face was stern, and his grip was strong on the handle of his scythe.

“Sheesh, so that’s what that forest devouring thing is?”

“Yes, Serpent.”

“What do we need to do?” I limped forward.

Gazing towards our injured bodies. Kiriya shot us a look of empathy.

“Nothing. As your captain, I can’t permit you to continue fighting with injuries like those.”

My brows frowned. “But we can keep on going--”

“As I said, it’s my responsibility to look after you all. You are on your final straw, at any moment your bodies will give out. Not to mention how unprepared you are against these MechaBeasts you’ve never seen before.”

I stared blankly towards him with my distorted vision. The mid-battle adrenaline had worn off, and my injuries began taking full effect. My heels soaked in a small puddle of blood leaking from the open wounds which ran across my entire body.

“What I need from you all now is to evacuate with the others and leave the rest to me.”

His words left a heavyweight on my chest. I couldn’t stand and listen to him sign his death contract.

“I’m here. Let me keep going--”

“Kanade.” Fumia pulled me back.

Turning his back towards me. He stood in silence. The maroon tie on his black suit swayed slightly in wind.

“You’re kidding--” Tears began dribbling down my scrunched face.

“Oi, Kanade! Orders are orders!”

“You guys can’t just give up!”

“We’re in no shape to fight anymore. Even you know that.” She wrapped her navy blue scarf around my neck. “Let’s go,” Fumia whispered softly.

Standing frozen, she grabbed me by the wrist and tugged me onto the high riser.

We can’t just let Kiriya do this! I looked down, hiding deep within the thin fabric around my neck.

Tiptoeing, Yuna patted my powdered bangs, “You did your best.” She whispered. Shooting me a smile as bright as a star-filled night.

***

Spitting onto the floor again, the rotting taste of my insides regurgitating from my stomach still sat fresh on the rough surface of my tongue.

How long can I keep doing this? I thought to myself, wiping the warm dense saliva away from my mouth. It’s only been a few months since I joined the Recruit Regiment--

Falling to the ground, I threw myself into a fetal position.

“I can’t just give up!” As I shouted, spit roared from my mouth.

Thoughts of uncertainty ruled my mind. Placing my hands atop the snowy peak of my head. I slid my bangs back, taking a long breath of fresh air trying to calm myself.

Halfway through exhaling, I coughed as I heard feather-light, yet stern footsteps approach me. It was as if with each step they took, they were in full control of both themselves and their surroundings.

“Mmm, and to think I would be the only one up here.”

Moving my gaze slightly to the side, all I could see from my view were their black slacks. Their monotone voice was unknown. And I felt my body felt stiffen.

“Why are you even here? If you’re not going to participate in the training, you might as well resign now.” He scoffed.

I clenched my fists in frustration, What does he know?

Taking another step forward, he stood beside me. “But that’s not who you are, Mr. Shoukohara.”

His monotone voice recited my surname, and I let out a quizzical gasp. Staring upward, his crimson eyes dawned down on me.

“The truth is I’ve been observing you, all of you. Mr. Shoukohara, you have potential. But you’ve constantly been plagued by your physical limits. So why do you keep going? What’s your motivation to live through this hell?”

Still, in a fetal position, I sat in silence. My motivations were precious to me. Something I wouldn’t tell just anyone.

“Well, regardless. Until next time, Mr. Shoukohara.”

Glancing around my surroundings, just like that he was out of sight--

***

“Sh-ou-ko-de!”

“Eiji stop that! Let him rest.”

“Geez, you two! Get out! He still needs medical care.”

Creaking my eyes open, I found it hard to focus as everything just blurred together.

“Mmm.” I groaned as my head pounded and my body screamed in agony.

“Whoa, don’t move. I just finished stitching you up.” Sora exclaimed. 

My hazy vision slowly focused, like the lens of a camera. And just in front of me was Sora shooting me a scolding look.

“Mmm, hey.”

“Wow, you’re really trying to give me a heart attack, aren’t you? It feels like every time I see you, you’re in worse shape. You need to give yourself at least two months’ rest.”

Groaning, my arms quaked as I tried to do something as simple as sit up. “I-- don’t-- have-- two months’.” I struggled to sit up, sinking back into my bed.

“Are you done? As your personal medical assistant, I know what’s best for you.”

“Forty-eight hours. That’s all I need.”

Shaking her head. She turned her back and seated herself at the desk near my bed.

“Where are we anyway?”

Glancing back towards me, she let out a long sigh. “The fourteenth ward.”

My eyes widened, “How long have we been here!?”

“It’s only been ten hours. And you need to continue resting.”

Breaking into our conversation, the thick metal door of the room slid open. Limping forward, Fumia stood with gauze wrapped around her leg, along with both her arms.

But the scarf around her neck was absent. I questioned where it went, before realizing that it was still wrapped around me.

Looking towards the door, Sora shot Fumia a glare of concern and frustration. “Fumia, both you and Kanade need to heal. I advise you to use this time to do so.”

Her expression was blank as always, she looked towards me and began speaking in a monotone pitch. “At most he needs forty-eight hours to be in decent fighting shape. But as of now, he can walk on his own.”

“You two aren’t serious? He said the same exact thing.”

Fumia muttered something under her breath. Her cheeks reddening slightly.

“We’ve been doing this forever, I know you know what’s best for us. But I can’t rest and waste time.”

Fumia limped out into the hall. Sitting up, I struggled to stand on my own. Then I slowly found my balance.

“You two are something else. But just know when this is all over. You’re taking a leap of absence to heal properly.”

I nodded, before following Fumia into the hallway.

“Shoukode!” A lively Eiji sounded out his nickname for me.

Patting him on the shoulders, I glanced towards Fumia. “You wanted me to come out here right?”

“I knew you wouldn’t want to sit in bed all day. So let’s walk around.”

“This place is so different from other wards!”

I’ve been to the fourteenth ward on a few occasions. But this place always left me gasping as to how innovative they were. For one thing, the entire base was integrated into a mountain.

Walking down the hall, rocky formations could be seen protruding out from the walls. And moving towards the central area of the ward, I was astonished at how many people were gathered here. From comrades to entirely new faces. They were all together as if a tight-knit community.

The rocky ceiling of the base didn’t seem safe. With stalactites piercing themselves from the rough stone formations. However, I was once told they were purely cosmetic.

“Ah, Mr. Kanade and Miss. Fumia. I haven’t seen you two in what seems to be forever!”

A hunched-over man wearing a lab coat approached the three of us. His skin was frail and wrinkly. Along with his spiky grey hair only wrapping around the sides of his head.

“Who’s he?” Eiji leaned into my ear.

I shot him a quizzical glance.

Eiji rolled his shoulders.

As the unknown man grew close, he began speaking to Fumia. Eiji grew small, taking a few steps backward. 

Looking towards him, I sighed and began to explain. “He’s Kenn Thomas, the man who discovered Eris, the material our weapons are made of.”

Eiji nodded. “Whoa.”

“Not to mention, he’s still the head developer of Eris technology. Along with being the lead researcher of MechaBeasts.”

“W-w-whoa!”

Cutting away from his conversation with Fumia, Kenn turned to Eiji. “Mr. Kanade,” He gasped, glancing at the gashes and bruises which ran across my person. “The Black Tenshi has seen better days.” He nodded his head downward.

I turned away.

“Mmm, I and who might you be?” He said, glancing away from me and towards the young boy behind me.

Eiji stepped forward. “I’m Eiji! Rank Yod of the Front Lines.” He took a knee and raised his arm to his chest.

“I’m Dr. Kay. A pleasure to meet you.”

Reaching his arm out for a handshake. Eiji turned his gaze upward and was immediately thrown into shock.

“Your-y-y-your hand!?”

I nudged his shoulder. “Eiji, don’t be rude.”

“Oh, it’s fine,” Kenn began cackling. “Most people have the same reaction anyway.”

Rising to his feet, Eiji firmly gripped the old man’s dark metallic hand. Which had a shade of gray that reminded me of the moon.

“This kid’s great. Bring him more when you visit.”

I nodded. Standing face to face with him once again, Kenn reached out his hand. And I slowly raised my inflamed arm. Shaking his cold lifeless hand.

“Let’s continue walking.” He led us forward. 

The four of us walked west of the ward. Down a large and hallway which was illuminated by white, almost blue, lights.

“Where is this headed?” Fumia questioned. 

“Don’t worry, we’re just meeting up with Atake.” He paused. “Atake has told me your guys’ situation, and about Kiriya’s heroism--”

***

“So why’d you call me out here on my three-day break?”

Just this morning. He had requested me to join him at my hometown’s local cafe, Rosario’s.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make it quick, you’ll still have time to enjoy your holiday.” Sipping his hot cup of tea, Kiriya began. “Are you going to visit family? Or perhaps spend the holiday with your friends.”

“I’m visiting my kid sister,” I murmured. “But you already knew that, didn’t you? Why else would you ask me to come here.”I sipped down on my favorite fruit-based beverage.

“Coincidence.” He shrugged and continued to indulge himself in his small glass of tea. “So why your sister?”

“What are you getting at?”

“Well, you could have easily said your family. But you chose to say your ‘kid sister.’”

“That’s--!” I slammed my hand onto the table.

The small cafe went silent, with the customers staring directly towards me. Lowering my voice, I began. “She turned elven not too long ago. And I’m sure she’d be happy to see her big brother as a surprise holiday present.”

He nodded, crossing his legs. “Is there anything else?”

Rolling my eyes. Kiriya practically teased me as he just wanted to hear the words from my mouth.

“Fine.” I sighed. “My kid sister’s the reason I joined the Recruit Regiment. The reason I don’t give up, and the reason I work so hard.”

He grinned.

***

I wonder why I remembered that just now? Something so trivial… 

“Kanade, are you listening?” Atake raised an eyebrow.

“Huh?” I replied.

“Tsk quit daydreaming.”

“If you don’t want to help, then go. We don’t need someone who can’t follow directions.” Annoyance and sarcasm filled his tone.

Tsk, it’s real rich being lectured by Serpent about teamwork.

“As I was saying. This operation isn’t a guaranteed success, and may even cost all of us our lives.” Atake halted, taking a deep breath. “If you value your lives, now’s the time to exit.”

The room fell silent for several minutes, but no one stood from their seats and exited. 

“All of you want to stay? Final warning.”

I was exhilarated, as the smirks and grins on our five faces painted out our resolve clearly to Atake.

“Even if it’s a suicide mission, that just gives us more incentive to come out victorious.”

“Right on Fumi!” We applauded her.

“If the five of us have learned anything from Kiriya over the past decade. It’s that you never leave business unfinished.”

They nodded.

“I’m just glad to be fighting by your guys’ side again!” Yuna glistened in joy.

Serpent reddened and tossed his mask over his face.

“Oi, oi, sentimental remarks aside. What’s our game plan?”

Throwing a map of the nineteenth-ward onto the long oval-shaped table. Atake began discussing our battle plan.