“Who goes there? Show yourself!” she demanded.
The figure raised its hands and walked into the light.
Damp air pressed close; torch smoke tasted bitter at the back of her throat.
A tall, thin man in torn formal attire. Fresh bruises mottled his face; his short black hair was wet and oily. Water ticked from him onto stone—tick, tick—like a metronome for his smile.
“Oh, thank the Goddess you came here!” he said, his smile widening. For an instant his eyes glittered in the torchlight. “Miss Yumaki!”
“Who are you?” Mizuki asked, gripping the bat tighter. His smile pressed his eyes shut, polite and unsettling. Creepy…
“Of course, Miss Yumaki is too great to remember an average Named such as myself.” He bowed. “My name is Tim Kris. A scientist from Clan Kris, sent here to investigate the strange crystal activity we sensed.”
X stood up, limping a little. “Are you alone? Were there any other people with you?”
Tim looked at X, then back at Mizuki, smile fading. “Miss Yumaki, as a captain, you shouldn’t let your Nameless soldiers interrupt.” Tim looked past Mizuki, at an unconscious Noll. “Especially considering how these two seem to hold you back. You really should train them better…” His smile returned. X’s face tightened.
“But—” Mizuki wanted to correct him, but X stopped her, as if knowing what she was going to say. She understood, so she made a serious face. “But you should still answer his question.”
“Well, if Miss Yumaki herself wants it, sure.” He clapped his hands; the sound echoed through the cavern. “Yes, I was alone. Those monsters captured me.” He started pacing. “But now you saved me, and that’s the most important part. I will surely include your heroic act in my report.”
Mizuki looked at X for advice. He continued looking at Tim, not even blinking. He suddenly collapsed to his knees. His teeth were clenched, his right hand clutching his broken left arm.
"It’s okay," he grunted. "Don’t take your eyes off him."
Mizuki listened. It was just a second’s worth of window. Tim stood right where he’d been. The only difference was on his face. A wicked smile of someone who found exactly what he was looking for.
“Well then, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go.” He stepped forward without waiting for a reply and stopped beside Noll. His eyes locked on the prosthetic. He reached toward it—then yelped as pink lightning cracked from the metal the instant his fingers brushed it.
Even the same safeguard as a traditional Nexus-Blade.
“Damn!” Tim hissed, shaking his hand. His eyes snapped open; the smile died. “Miss Yumaki, order your Nameless slacker to surrender that prosthetic as payment for inflicting physical and emotional damage.”
“Get out of here!” Mizuki shouted. “Before I drag you myself!”
His smile returned.
“Defending a Nameless? What would your father think if he heard about that?”
The words stung. I acted too soon, and if he reports it… that’s bad. Her fist clenched. Frost misted the air around her knuckles—and vanished.
“Just leave.” Her voice came out calm. Tim raised his hands in a show of surrender and left without another word.
When he was gone, Mizuki hefted Noll’s limp weight onto her back.
He’s so light. Does he not eat?
“Mizuki?” X stood up.
“Let’s just go already,” she said, without looking.
“He’s lucky Noll’s out cold,” X added, limping closer.
“Why?” Mizuki asked, hitching Noll higher on her back.
“My gut says he was lying—and Noll would’ve nailed him for it.”
“And why is that?” Mizuki asked.
X turned to her, still clutching his broken hand. “Because he and Noll are the same.”
***
The road back was easier than the way in. The tunnel’s chill lifted into night air that smelled of wet earth and pine.
“It seems like Noll’s message got where it was needed.” Mizuki said. “Considering how we didn’t encounter any beasts.”
X just nodded.
The rest of the road was in silence, accompanied by the already familiar tremor, when approaching the outpost. It was already pitch black, yet the outpost looked like it was glowing, giving enough light to find it.
X guided Mizuki to the infirmary. The place was no different from any other infirmaries, apart from an alarming number of sticky notes, placed on every wall, shelf, drawer, even the medicine bottles. Sticky notes had detailed instructions on how to use everything here. Paper rustled when she brushed a shelf; the room held a clean sting of alcohol and old tea.
“Why write so much?” Mizuki was looking around until she saw a lone bed. She moved to it.
“To make sure anyone can use this room.” X answered, moving along the shelves.
“So, Noll expects himself to be incapacitated?” Mizuki asked, gently putting Noll's body on the only bed in the room.
X took one of the bottles from the shelf and pocketed it. “Yes, he was always like that. Making sure everyone could survive without him.”
Mizuki looked at Noll. He was breathing steadily.
She remembered how he became a shield for them. He didn’t strike me as a selfless person initially, she thought, but now… I can see it.
She looked back at X, crossing her arms.
“So, what now?”
X was already leaving the room.
“Now we rest. He will wake up tomorrow.” He smiled.
***
West of Altavia, near the Krinden border.
Outpost Eleven.
Genichiro was sitting in his office, head in his hands, thinking. It had been a day since the conversation with his father. He couldn’t get it out of his head.
“Are you insane?” Genichiro slammed his hands on the table. Satoru didn’t react, still sipping from his mug. “Planning to send her to this Goddess-forsaken outpost?”
Insulting a senior was a crime. Genichiro knew yet didn’t care. Satoru stood up and walked to the window.
“She will come back stronger,” Satoru said, hands behind his back, looking down at a courtyard, where Mizuki and Keiko were sparring. “Strong enough to defend herself. For you to finally stop keeping her in a bubble, just to keep her safe.”
Genichiro’s teeth clenched.
“That is the future you calculated, right?” Genichiro walked forward. “And what if it’s wrong. What if you made a mistake, and your daughter; my little sister pays the price—disappearing like the rest?” he shouted. “Did you even think about that?”
Doubting the Clan Head’s abilities was an even more serious crime.
Satoru turned around, his face held no rage—only pride? “Well done, son. Nothing in this world is certain, which is why you must question everything. Even me.” He turned back to the window, carefully looking at Mizuki, his face, for the first time in a while, soft.
Satoru’s mouth softened. “Answering your question, Geni,” he hadn’t used that name in years. “If I am wrong, three things will disappear: Mizuki Yumaki, Outpost 404… and me.” He faced Genichiro, walked to him, and placed a hand on his son’s shoulder.
“When that happens, you will take my place and ensure this will not happen again.”
The memory faded, leaving Genichiro staring at the grain of his wooden desk. He rubbed his eyes, the phantom weight of his father's hand still lingering on his shoulder.
A sharp knock at the door pulled him the rest of the way back to the present.
“Captain, they came.” Keiko’s voice filtered through the heavy oak. Boots scuffed in the corridor. Genichiro rubbed his eyes and walked out of his office to meet the guests.
Genichiro entered the meeting room, where the two guests were sitting.
Well—not exactly sitting.
One of them, a tall man with long gray hair, was doing pushups. Right in front of the door.
“7,642… 7,643… 7,644…” Kazan Karyu, the Heir of Clan Karyu counted, no sign of fatigue—or even sweat.
Seriously? Right inside the threshold? Even if I ask, he wouldn’t move.
The other, a tall man with short blond hair, was lazily sitting on the couch, legs on the table, flirting with Keiko. It was one-sided.
Keiko was looking at him with flat eyes, as if weighing her options.
“Don’t bother, Keiko,” Genichiro said. Keiko stepped back. Li Zhishan lazily looked over, then back at Keiko, and Kazan… he was still doing pushups. “Li is number two on the Altavian Council-sanctioned Generational List.” Keiko flinched. “You are not even on the list.”
Keiko looked at him. “But…”
“Do you know any other Nameless who could accomplish what he did?” Genichiro walked around Kazan, who was still doing pushups, and stood in front of the conference table. “Founding a new clan and forcing the Council to recognize it—that’s never happened before.” Keiko looked mortified. Her grip tightened.
“It doesn’t give him an excuse to do whatever he wants!” Keiko said, readying her staff.
Li calmly stood up, his blue eyes shining in the sunlight. Keiko’s stance shifted ever so slightly.
“Lady,” he said. “I’m just trying to get to know you.”
“Council rubber-stamps a one-man ‘clan’ and suddenly you’re not Nameless? Cute.”
Li’s veins popped. “You think I wanted the Council’s stamp? It’s just another chain, painted gold.” His hand reached for the saber on his hip.
The air suddenly became hotter. Kazan stopped doing pushups. A heat-haze wobbled the air; sweat prickled Keiko’s hairline despite the shaded room. A spear of fire materialized from Kazan’s arm, pointed at Li.
Li drew both of his sabers, ready to fight. He didn’t flinch; his stance was already squared.
“You should learn respect,” Kazan said. “That’s why you are just number two.”
Li smiled. “If you want, we can settle it right now. I am going to pry that number one title off you.”
“You wish.” Kazan’s red and black ring-like eyes flamed with challenge.
“For Goddess’s sake! Stop it, both of you!” Genichiro drew his blade, Tengu. The blade breathed mist with a wet hush, cool against his cheeks like night fog off a river. It filled the room—coiled, then stilled. “You are in my territory; show some respect!”
After a second, both men put their weapons away. Keiko lowered her staff.
“You are just like children…” Genichiro rubbed his eyes. “We have a job to do. Isn’t that why you came here?”
Li shrugged. “I didn’t really read the letter. Kazan was coming, so I did, too.”
Genichiro’s eye twitched. I can’t believe him. It’s going to be a long day…
Genichiro sighed, opened the drawer, took out the letter, and read, “An attack from Krinden is coming against Outpost Eleven. Be ready.”
He slid the letter back into the drawer. “The sender is unknown, but the Council wouldn’t risk ignoring it—so you two are here.” He pointed at Li and Kazan. “Do you understand?”
“Totally!” Li yawned. Kazan shook his head. “Listen. This is your territory, and I respect you. Just tell us what to do.” He jerked a thumb at Li. “I’ll keep this one in check.”
Genichiro rubbed his eyes. “At least someone understands… I have a plan.”
A sound of desperate knocking came through the door.
“Come in.” Genichiro ordered.
One of the new Nameless soldiers walked into the room, looked at everyone inside, and started shaking.
“What’s up, Dave?” Genichiro’s voice was soft, which calmed Dave down.
“Captain, you remember my name?” His voice cracked “Nameless don’t usually get remembered,” he said, embarrassed at how much it mattered.
“Of course I do.” Genichiro smiled. “Do you have something to share?”
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“Yes, sir.” Dave snapped to attention with a crisp salute. The kind of reflex you don’t learn on a farm. “Guys on the watchtower saw some movements in the Krinden forest. We couldn’t tell what was coming—or how many—but something was moving.”
“Good job,” Genichiro said. “Take everyone to safety; we’ll deal with it.” He gestured to everyone in the room.
At “we,” Dave’s eyes flicked over the room, searching faces he clearly didn’t find.
“Roger, sir!” Dave left the room. Genichiro let out a dry laugh.
“I guess we have to improvise.”
***
The wind dragged a cool edge over his cheeks; grass brushed his boots like restless fingertips.
Genichiro stood right in front of the outpost, waiting. His head tilted back, eyes closed, breathing deep. Still thinking about the conversation with his father.
The last thing he’d said to his father before coming here: I hope you’re not wrong.
“Ah, the smell of nature…” Genichiro let out a laugh. “With everything happening, even the beauty of this world can be forgotten.”
Kazan and Li stood behind him, one sleeping in grass, the other jogging in place. All Nameless were inside the outpost.
Right now, they are more of a nuisance than help.
Bootsteps approached from his left.
“Everything’s ready, Captain. Now we just wait,” Keiko said. She stabbed her staff into the ground; the tip thudded. Her stance settled.
Under the howl came a second rhythm—too irregular for nature. The trees shivered in lurches; insects went silent. The quiet after was louder than the wind. The shivering drew closer.
Underfoot, the ground trembled—fine grit skating over his boots with a dry hiss.
Genichiro opened his eyes.
“Here…”
A beat passed. An enormous figure appeared from the forest: a lizardfolk carrying two battle-axes. Taller than a human. Its scales threw a dull, orange sheen like rusted plate; a sour brine smell rolled off it.
One of the many races of the Krinden Alliance. Genichiro noted. But its movements are awkward, as if it had just learned how to move.
No one followed it out of the forest.
What the…? Genichiro thought, squinting. Alone?
“Should I go?” Keiko said, looking into Genichiro’s eyes.
“No…” he replied. “Something is wrong. Li, handle it.”
Li didn’t even seem to hear it. Kazan came up to him.
“Wake up! You were given an order.” Kazan barked. Li didn’t react.
“Don’t want to listen? No matter. I will force you there.” Kazan lifted Li up by his legs, spun around, then hurled him at the enemy.
The sudden motion snapped him awake. He didn’t panic, he turned mid-air, sabers flashing, stealing the throw’s momentum.
He swung. SWISH.
The lizardfolk blocked the attack with his right axe. The momentum died. It didn’t look fazed, its face devoid of emotions.
“Well, you are no fun,” Li said, continuing his flurry of attacks. The enemy was responding to each attack with surprising speed.
Keiko looked at them. “Where did they get these warriors?” she asked. “A hundred years of stalemate and only now they send this one?”
Genichiro scratched his chin. “Alone as well. If it had an army behind it, it would cause even more trouble. Considering how one of them goes toe to toe with number two.”
“Also, its movements…” Kazan added. “It looked like it just stepped into a battlefield.”
While they were talking, another set of trees shivered.
Another?
Out came a new figure. A green giant, much bigger and wider than the lizardfolk. It carried a battle hammer.
An orc. Another of many races of the Krinden Alliance. Genichiro noted. The same awkward movements as the lizardfolk.
“I will deal with it.” Kazan said, his steel spear appearing in his hands.
“What the?” Keiko saw the spear. A steel spear, with no wooden handle or anything of that sort. That spear was fully made of steel. Kazan leaped into the air in fiery tornado before she could ask. “Isn’t that super expensive to make?”
“Which is why the forgers of the Clan Fong hate him for constantly breaking it.” Genichiro answered the question, still looking at the battle. Kazan had already reached the orc. The spear met the hammer with a crack. The orc staggered. “That, and one other reason.” Keiko looked at him.
“Breaking? Isn’t that a Nexus-Blade? How can a Nexus-Blade be broken?” Genichiro looked at her, then back at the battlefield. Kazan already created a fiery storm, yet the orc wasn’t damaged by it. Li was using his speed to slash around the lizardfolk, yet it sustained no damage.
“That is the second reason they hate him.” Genichiro said. “Clan Fong made him a Nexus-Blade with a rare soul of a dragonborn, and he refused.” He shrugged. “He said, and I quote: That thing will hold my true power back. I don’t want it. End of quote. And opted for a fully steel spear.” Genichiro pointed at Kazan, who was trying to pierce around the orc, yet was unable to. “Since then, the Nexus-Blade is still at Clan Fong, as it chose nobody else.”
Keiko looked mortified. She has heard stories about the strength of number one, but all these stories lacked one crucial detail.
“So, if I understand this correctly, he is number one without an Nexus-Blade, while everyone else on the list has one, right?” Genichiro nodded. “He is a bigger monster than I thought. Mizuki will tear her hair out if she hears about this.”
“That’s Kazan Karyu for you,” Genichiro said, looking at the battle. Kazan’s fire now looked like a demonic flare as he tried to pierce the orc's defenses, but it didn't work.
Li, on the other hand, looked frustrated. So far, none of his blade attacks managed to cut his opponent.
“Damn you!” Li screamed, punching the lizardfolk in the face, saber still in his hand. Pain flowered under his knuckles; slick heat of blood met cold scales. Surprisingly, it worked. The enemy flew back a notch. It even had a little dent on the face, and a green liquid came out of its nose.
A drop hit the ground with an acrid Tsss!, eating a pit in the dirt as foul smoke rose.
Acid? Genichiro noted. Why do they have acid instead of blood? What’s going on here?
Li also looked confused. Lizardfolk returned to its stance. No emotions, as if it didn’t just get injured.
“Something is up with these warriors.” Genichiro said, looking from Li returning to the fight, this time using the blunt parts of the sabers, to Kazan trying to fry the orc, which didn’t even look like it was in pain. “I just don’t know what yet.”
“What do you mean?” Keiko asked.
“One of them is resistant to slashes, the other to fire, and piercing.” Genichiro said. “Don’t you find it a bit planned. Like someone knew who exactly will be here.”
“Are you suggesting there is a mole in Altavia?” Keiko asked. “That someone leaked information about the abilities of our top warriors?”
“It’s just a theory. But look at the facts. Even if we drop the resistance to slashes and piercing, since most Altavian warriors use a sword. Karyu is the only clan in Altavia that uses fire-type abilities.”
The realization dawned on Keiko; her eyes filled with horror of the implications.
“Then that would mean…” Keiko started and was interrupted by yet another shiver of trees.
“Yes, there is one for me, too…” Genichiro looked at where the shiver came from.
Another figure, even bigger than the orc, came out. It was…
“A chief of otherworldly beasts?” Keiko screamed. Its movement had the same awkwardness as the earlier two.
“Stay here.” Genichiro said, already moving. Tengu ready.
“Stop, for all we know, it can be specifically sent here to fight you!” Keiko pleaded, tugging Genichiro’s shirt.
“And that’s why I need to go. To evaluate if that theory holds true.” He removed her hand. “You stay here, we don’t know if they will send someone, once key players are occupied.” He drew his katana, Tengu, and disappeared into the mist, manifesting right in front of the chief.
Genichiro looked at a towering figure of the chief. “I feel like I have no other choice in the matter.” He drew his katana back, closed his eyes, went into a stance, and spoke.
“Ignite yourself, Tengu.” He drew his katana, and a strong gush of fog appeared from the blade, making a cocoon around the two fighters. Moisture beaded on skin; sound went thick, voices blunted as if under a blanket. I see him, but chief shouldn’t be able to see me, but if he was sent here for me, then he should have some countermeasures against this.
As he thought, he saw that chief’s body started deforming. His chest opened like a trapdoor, inside a big tube. Two smaller tubes came up from his shoulders. The big tube started vacuuming the fog, releasing it to the air above. A hollow, throat-pulling suck, like air leaving a bell jar. A second later, the cocoon was gone.
Well, I have wasted my “once a day” ability for a theory.
He turned to Kazan, who still tried to defeat an orc. “Hey, Kazan! Let’s switch opponents. That orc is sent specifically to counter your fire abilities.” He said, dodging chief’s claw attack, by dissolving into mist.
“Hell no!” Kazan screamed, dodging a hammer attack. “Even if it is made for me, retreating is not an option! I will prove these Krinden heretics that no artificial abomination can rival my natural powers.”
A fool. This wasn't a rival to prove himself against; it was a… a thing.
Not alive. Genichiro thought, his eyes tracking the Chief. They aren't alive at all.
The movements, the acid, the… the mechanism in its chest. It wasn't a beast. It was a construction. An artifice.
Like a smith forging a blade, the Krinden had forged a killer. And this one was made for him.
Well, I guess I have to find a way around. Genichiro thought, drawing his blade, a mist started pouring out of it. If it wants my mist, it will get it.
Keiko stood in front of the outpost, looking over. Numbers one, two, and four are completely neutralized, their abilities futile in every way possible. He ordered me to sit here, but I can’t just stand here and watch!
I should help at least Li, he is nearest, then he can help Genichiro, and together they can help Kazan. That way I can return before someone can get past us… She already readied herself, to charge in. But realization hit her. Wait… what if… that’s what they want? What if they have the fourth, who will go past me the moment I move?
Do I abandon my post? Or do I go and help?
“Don’t go anywhere.” The voice came from inside her. A wolf chief named Nox. Keiko’s soulmate spirit.
“What? Why?” Keiko asked.
“Tengu communicated with me. It said “Genichiro wanted me to say: Trust in them”. That’s all.” The voice disappeared back into Keiko’s mind.
“Might have used a few more details, but an order is an order.” She exhaled, standing in her place.
Meanwhile, Li was still beating a lizardfolk with his knuckles, although they proved less effective with each strike. His knuckles were bloodied, yet the enemy was not dead yet.
Think, Li, think! It is not affected by slashes. But it is affected by other forms of damage. Lizardfolk used the moment of confusion to attack. As an instinct, Li used both of his sabers, forming them into a cross to block the axe. That reinforcement opened a new way.
If I use sabers this way, it’s easier to block. They now look like scissors. An idea struck him. What if… using the two blades, he applied immense, opposing pressure at a single point.
Metal screamed on metal; the joint parted with a wet crack as shards scattered on the ground.
“Eureka!” he screamed. “I am so smart!” he formed his blades into a cross, looking at a lizardfolk, who just lost one of his weapons, yet didn’t look surprised. Li had already given up hope of seeing any reaction out of it. “Let’s see if you can survive a shear!”
In one swift motion, he lunged at the enemy. It tried to block with the remaining axe, protecting the head, yet Li wasn’t aiming for it. Instead, he sheared down its arm, acid blood pouring from it. Lizardfolk tried to use that acid to attack Li, yet he already moved to the side. He was, in fact, faster than it was.
In another swift motion, he went for the head. The next second, the head was rolling over the road, pouring green acid everywhere.
“Didn’t expect that much trouble…” Li said, returning to the outpost and lying down. The next second, he was already snoring.
“Didn’t even let me answer that.” Keiko said, looking over others.
Kazan’s spear clashed with orc’s hammer once again, the force only sending orc flying, with no visible injuries. Fire doesn’t work, spear doesn’t penetrate, what should I do? I already tried attacking harder, yet it still stands there. He looked at the sky. Well, there is one more thing I can do…
He let out another round of flames, but this time, they were not for his enemy. Instead, he sent them to the sky. After a few seconds of consistently sending fire into the sky, which he did while fighting off the orc, the black clouds started filling the sky. Rain came hard and sudden—cold needles; ozone lifted the hair on Keiko’s arms.
Bingo, Kazan thought. He drew the storm to a point above him.
Keiko was soaked. Li was still sleeping as if nothing had changed.
Kazan gripped his spear. “Time for action. You are going to be tormented for your sins, abomination of Krinden heretics.” He channeled fire through his legs, giving him the ability to fly. He moved closer to the clouds, lightning inside them becoming stronger with each passing moment.
“There is nothing higher than me in this world!” Kazan said, his spear pointed upward. Lightning reacted, hitting the spear. His whole body was coated in blue lightning. His hair going up, his face red.
“Does that not hurt?” Keiko asked, looking at the spectacle. Li’s sleepy voice came from below. He briefly looked at what’s happening.
“He can manage it, not his first time.” He said, going back to sleep.
Kazan pointed his spear at the enemy, then threw it down with a declaration.
“Behold, sinners of Krinden. This… is… Kazan’s lance of torment!” he said.
White filled the world; for a heartbeat there was no sound, then the roar hit like a wall.
It took a second for Keiko to regain her vision and hearing. First thing she did was look around, ensuring, or rather trying to convince herself, that no one passed through this brief window.
It was only for a second, I am sure there is no one able to move past me in such a short time.
The earth smelled turned and raw; grit pattered down like light rain from the blown lip of the pit. Not even the spear itself was spared from destruction.
Kazan came down, his hair stayed up, face black, right arm injured, yet he didn’t give it proper attention. Instead…
“Keiko!” he screamed at her. “Do you have a pen and paper? I have to write unpleasant feedback to Clan Fong and ask them for a new spear.”
Keiko was expecting anything, but not this.
I can’t believe this guy. She shook her head.
Kazan tilted his head in confusion. “What do you mean, no?” He said, moving closer.
Crap…
“No, we do! I was shaking my head to another thing. Just ask anyone inside.”
“Ah, okay!” He showed a thumbs-up, before going inside the outpost.
“Wait!” Keiko screamed to his back. “Can you stand guard? I have to go help Genichiro.” Kazan either didn’t hear, or didn’t care enough to respond, and disappeared in the doorway.
She looked at Genichiro, who was still trying to fight his opponent. It looked like he had a plan, but Keiko was not sure what it was.
Genichiro drew his Tengu again, filling the field with mist. He is going to exhaust himself like that!
The chief’s chest opened like a trapdoor and started sucking all the mist inside.
Genichiro smirked. He sprinted toward the chief, jumping right inside his chest. The trapdoor closed right behind him.
Keiko’s eyes widened. He can’t be serious. Is he going to destroy that thing from the inside?
The next moment, as a response to her question, chief’s body exploded in a blaze, with green liquid splashing everywhere around it.
Genichiro flew from the body to the outpost, using his mist. He lost control of it and crashed beside her.
His legs were fully covered in acid. It ate at his skin with an insect chatter—clack-clack—peppering his legs with needles of fire; a sweet-rot smell rose. He was grunting in pain.
Keiko shouted. “Doctor!” she knelt down, clutching his hand. “Hey, stay with me! Help is on the way.”
Her shout bounced off the outpost walls and came back thin; white cloaks rustled like wings.
Keiko looked around the battlefield. Smoke braided with the rain, turning to a greasy mist that clung to armor.
The report is going to be nasty… but for now, it is over.
“Everyone, to positions!” she ordered to Nameless soldiers. “Reinforce the defenses! Make sure no one gets past!” she said, running to the infirmary.
She could only look through the infirmary window, how they treated Genichiro and Kazan.
Kazan was screaming, battling the alarming number of belts keeping him in place. “I don’t need treatment! My hand will either heal itself, or I will cut it off!”
And to think he is still alive… I guess being a crazy strength maniac has its benefits. Keiko shifted her eyes to Genichiro, doctors were putting some insects on his legs. Genichiro himself was silent, but his popped veins told a different story.
“Future lord Yumaki, please, these insects will only eat dead cells and any leftover acid. You just need to endure it.” The doctor said.
“Just do it already.” He said through teeth. The doctor nodded.
Li appeared in Keiko’s peripheral vision.
“Hey, Kei.” His voice was playful; his knuckles were bandaged. They were trembling a bit.
The consequences of hitting metal with bare hands.
“What did we do with the remaining body?” he asked. The only two in a good enough condition to be analyzed were the lizardfolk and the chief.
“They are working on it.” Keiko said, looking back to the infirmary. “Should be ready soon.”
“Better be.” He plunged into the chair near her. “These things were crazy to say the least.” He looked at one of the soldiers. “Hey, can you bring me some water?” soldier nodded and ran.
“What exactly surprised you the most?” Keiko asked. The soldier brought back a glass of water.
“The fact that out of all the people in Altavia, these things were specific counters to the three people on the list, who would be here. Numbers one, two and four.” He sipped water from the glass.
“Genichiro had the same thought.” She added.
“Now, a question worth a million gold coins: what if me and Kazan wouldn’t be here? What if, say, Bella, number three, or Elara, number five, would be here?” he paused, taking another sip. Keiko looked back at him. “Would they know? Would they send someone who can counter them?”
“I never thought about it this way…” Keiko scratched her chin.
Their conversation was interrupted by infirmary’s door opening, Kazan walked out of there with his whole right hand covered in bandages. He was irritated by the whole ordeal.
Genichiro was wheeled out of there by one of the doctors. His legs bandaged and hidden under the skirt. He didn’t look up.
“Recovery is going smoothly, I would’ve advised him to rest, but I understand you all have a mystery to uncover.” Doctor said before bowing and closing the door.
The silence followed. The four then gathered in the office. Keiko, arms crossed behind her back, stood behind Genichiro, who was sitting at the table. Kazan and Li were sitting in front of him, on the other side of the table.
Li already shared his million-gold coin question.
“Interesting theory, which will need further investigation.” Genichiro said, “For now, we have to figure out what even was this.”
The conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Come in.” Genichiro said, folding his hands.
Dave came into the room with a vanilla folder. He looked around, not nervous this time.
“Sir, I have a report from forensics team. You will not believe it…” he said, putting the folder on the table, already turning to leave.
“Why don’t you read it?” Genichiro’s voice stopped him dead.
“Me?” he pointed at himself.
“Yes, you.” Genichiro smiled. “You already know what’s inside, right, you would be less surprised than we are.” He slid the folder across the table.
Dave took the folder, carefully opening it, taking out a single piece of paper. He cleared his throat and started.
“The tests found out that these were neither golems, nor artificial forms of life. They were alive, but died, and were turned into weapons. The skin was reinforced with metal, the blood drained, and changed for acid as energy source. Every internal organ was removed, in its place a number of machines to keep it moving. Even the skeleton was changed for a metal recreation of it. For lizardfolk, the cause of death seems to be aging. For the chief of otherworldly beasts, however… it seems like it was butchered and sawed back together. The creations seem to be made just recently. In conclusion: not golems, but previously dead soldiers were used to fight once more.” Dave stopped talking. He looked up, watching the mortified faces of everyone in the room.
"Not golems, but previously dead soldiers."
Let's connect the dots:
Tech-Necromancy.
I need a vote on the Heavy Hitters: We just met the top dogs. Who is your favorite so far?
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Team Kazan (Rank 1): The meathead who does pushups during meetings, refuses a Nexus-Blade because it makes him weaker, and calls down literal lightning storms.
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Team Li (Rank 2): The lazy genius who flirts with danger, sleeps on the battlefield, and uses physics (Shearing Force!) to kill unkillable enemies.
Let me know who you'd rather have watching your back in the comments!
If you liked the wider world-building: A Follow or a Rating goes a long way to help the story grow.