Work Text:
“Cut Out The Competition”
“Mmmpphh!!! MMMMPPHH!!”
The lady’s mouth was gagged and her head was bagged. She struggled against the rope against her constraints, which bound her to the table. Her view was frantic and panicked, trying to figure out what had just happened. One moment, she was in the forest, the next-
The bag over her head was quickly ripped off, as her vision remained blurry. Her terrified eyes eventually settled on the man in front of her, as she felt her stomach drop down into her feet.
Pyg. The Grindhouse Butcher.
His face was obscured by a grotesque pig mask with a deranged smile. Chains wrapped around his torso and his apron and collared shirt. His hairy arms and gloved hands held a rusty machete, one he continuously palmed in his hand.
“Oh goodie, goodie, goodie!" he spoke with a sick and twisted sing-song voice. “You’re awake! I thought I hit you too hard in the head and wouldn’t get to play with you anymore!”
His voice sent shivers down the woman’s spine, as she continued to move against her restraints, but Pyg grabbed her shoulders and slammed her against the table aggressively.
“Don’t. Move.” he grimly told her, before going back to his menacingly cheerful attitude. “I wouldn’t want to cut our playdate so short, dearie!”
Pyg chuckled to himself as he reached and undid the gag around her mouth. As soon as she did, the woman let out horrified cries as he did, a combination of sobs and shrieks. Pyg simply clapped his hands, as he let out mocking oinks at her frightened voice.
“Yes, Yes! Cry for Pyg!” he squealed. “I love it when the pretty ladies cry!”
“W-Why are you doing this???” the lady questioned through trembling teeth. Pyg reached and caressed her cheek, wiping away a few tears.
“Because I’m fond of pretty women like you,” his voice was mockingly soft, and affectionate, yet still carried a threatening tone to it. “I cannot get enough of terrified, young women…so supple…so innocent.”
“And you went venturing towards my little workshop here, this slaughterhouse…you were trying to find me, weren’t you? Trying to get a good look at Pyg?”
Pyg set his tools down as he walked towards the table next to him, as he picked up the woman’s bag, pulling out a digital camera. He threw it on the ground, chuckling as he crushed it with his boot.
“I am honored that such a pretty lady would want to see me…” Pyg muttered, clutching his hands together as he giggled. “What’s your name, darling? Is it Daisy? You look like a Daisy.”
“Daisy” pleaded with the sadist in front of her. “Please…let me go, let me leave…I won’t tell anyone about this place, I swear to God!!!”
Pyg shushed her, his black glove smushing her lips. “Oh no…oh nononononononono…”
“Pyg doesn’t want you to leave…no, Pyg wants you to stay, to talk…”
The butcher gripped Daisy’s face, forcing her to peer into the cold, dead eyes of the mask.
“You’ve heard my story, yes?” he asked with genuine curiosity. “Have you? It’s a good one.”
“No, I haven’t, please…” Daisy whined. “I don’t know anything, I just want to leave!”
“I said SHUT UP!” Pyg snapped on a dime, slapping her fiercely. She spat out blood, continuing to cry. Pyg picked up a knife from his rack of utensils, massaging the edge with his finger.
“Long ago, there was a man…he ran this grindhouse and made all kinds of meats for all kinds of people. It was a hard job, but it was one he loved doing. All of the flesh, all of the blood and guts, the man couldn’t get enough of it. He would keep the flesh he couldn’t make use of, keep it for himself and make such pretty things. Such wonderful things.”
“However, others didn’t like the pretty things he made, so they tattled on the man, and got his entire business shut down. His wife found out about the pretty things he had made, and she hated them too. She left him, and took everything from him as well…”
“The man was left alone, nothing to do. All he wanted to do was create art. Create something beautiful, but the world rejected him. And so, the man took matters into his own hands. He would still make his art, even without the animals around. In fact, he would become one himself, as man…became Pyg.”
Daisy was forced to listen to this mortifying story, staring into his vacant eyes as he squealed and oinked like a madman. Pyg pranced around dancing to an invisible tune before turning back around and stabbing his knife into the table the woman was strapped to, right beside her ear.
“It’s the pretty ladies like you that Pyg loves the most…” Pyg whispered in a sultry tone that disgusted Daisy. “So young, flesh so fresh, it…it will make a great blanket…”
“Please, no!” Daisy shouted at the top of her lungs, struggling as the butcher grabbed the knife and began to cut the restraints loose. He grabbed the woman’s wrist, flinging her to the grimy floor.
She looked up at the butcher with crying eyes. “What..what do you want from me…?”
Pyg loomed over her, hand clutching the knife as he looked down at her.
“Run,” he spoke in a deadpan tone. “Run as best you can. It won’t save you. Give me a good chase, and I’ll consider making it quick…”
Daisy slowly and wearily got to her feet, legs trembling in fear. She was frozen in place, unsure if she should run or not. Pyg was huffing like a madman, as he angrily walked over towards his table and picked up a cleaver, wielding both it and the knife with malicious intent.
“RUN!!!!” He screamed, which was all the motivation Daisy needed to start booking it. She sprinted throughout the slaughterhouse, running through the dilapidated building for any way out. As she did, she could hear the butcher counting to ten, echoing through the halls.
Daisy panted as she pulled on any exit door and window she could find, but all of them were boarded up and blocked. As she tried to escape, she heard Pyg’s heavy footsteps fast approaching, as well as a deranged squealing sound.
She ran for the stairwell, nearly tripping over herself as she sprinted for her life. She looked behind her to see Pyg trailing close behind. Despite his hulking size, he was quite fast, catching up with her quickly. Daisy picked up the pace, but not before Pyg had her by the neck.
He slammed her against the wall, holding a cleaver to her face. She kicked and screamed, but all the butcher did was just mockingly cry back.
“Such a boring chase, you’ve disappointed Pyg!” the butcher cried. “I thought you wanted to escape…”
Daisy gagged, choking in Pyg’s grip, but she was able to squeak out a few words. “N-No…I wasn’t trying to escape…I was just waiting for my husband to show up…”
“What…?” Pyg questioned, before feeling a tiny prick on the back of his neck. His brain suddenly felt light, as he felt his vision blur and his feet stumble.
“Wh-what..did you do to…Pyg..?” he slurred, before tripping over himself as he crashed to the ground.
As he faded out, he saw Daisy and another figure stand over him, as his vision faded into pitch black.
*****
Pyg woke up slowly, eyes fuzzy and head strained. He grumbled, before his eyes shot open. He could feel rope around his arms and ankles, as he found himself strapped to the same table Daisy was just moments ago. He grunted and pulled against the restraints, to no avail.
“What is this???” Pyg yelled angrily. “What’s going on??? Daisy! Did you trick Pyg?!?”
Slow clapping could be heard from behind him, as a sharply dressed man in a stark white fox mask came into his view. His suit was jet black, as red markings were throughout the jacket and mask. The man’s masked eyes bore into his own.
“It’s a nice place you got here, Pyg,” the man said. “Real horror movie set. You’d make a good slasher villain.”
“Wh-Who are you?” Pyg asked, his voice panicked and angry.
“Ah, questions can come later. Right now, I wanna introduce you to someone,” the man spoke with an air of casualness that unnerved even him. “Dear, can you bring us some chairs, please?”
Soon enough, a woman with a white shirt and black suspenders came into the room, bringing to rusty folding chairs in both arms.
A bunny mask obscured her face as she set up the chairs in front of the table. “Right here, Renard.”
That voice struck a cord with the butcher, as a flash of recognition hit him. “D-Daisy?”
“It’s Lapin, actually,” the woman corrected, adjusting her cravat, as she left the room once again.
The man, named Renard, sat down in front of Pyg, crossing his legs and looking into the masked man’s eyes.
“Real sweet woman, she is,” Renard gestured behind him. “You gave her quite a “scare” earlier.”
“What do you want?” Pyg questioned through gritted teeth.
“Well, we wanted to see you, of course,” Renard said, picking up a blade from the table and toying with it. “The infamous Pyg butcher? You’re like a celebrity!”
“But…you’re also a problem. You see, my wife and I…we engage in the same kind of field, just on a more professional level compared to you, and your recent streak of murders has been…attracting the wrong kind of attention towards our work. We can’t really have that.”
“We believe that competition is helpful in a combative market, but you’re the bad kind of competition. One that I won’t tolerate anymore. Plus, you hit my wife, so…”
Pyg felt the tension build up inside of him, as he felt fear for the first time in forever. He was so used to being a predator, that being turned into the prey was something he wasn’t coping with well.
“No, you…you cannot kill Pyg!” the butcher whined. “I…I am the one that does the killing, n-not you!”
“Oh, come on…” Renard shrugged as he stood up. “You should’ve known karma would come for you eventually, Pyg.”
With a quick thrust, Renard plunged the knife into Pyg’s hand, pinning it to the table. Pyg hollered in pain as he saw blood trickle from the wound. Renard simply looked annoyed, sighing.
“Oh, come on, Pyg,” Renard complained. “Where the fun? I thought you liked this. Come on, oink for me.”
Renard pulled the bloody knife out, grabbing the butcher’s other hand and stabbing through his other hand. Pyg let out another ear piercing screech, much to Renard's chagrin.
“Honey!” Lapin chastised from the other room, walking in with a champagne bottle and two glasses. “Don’t tell me you’re getting started without me!”
Renard held his wife close, giving her a peck on the cheek through the mask. “Oh, of course not, baby. Just introducing Mr Pyg here to what’s to come.”
“Well, I brought the drinks,” Lapin set the drinks down next to the numerous tools on the table. “Share a glass before we get this party started?”
“Of course,” Renard passed the bloody knife to his wife. “Here, give him a few pokes while I pour us some refreshments.”
Lapin sauntered up towards the whining butcher. He panted breathlessly, as he looked up towards her with pleading eyes through the mask.
“Please…” Pyg cried out. “I don’t want to die…”
Lapin wordlessly slammed the knife into Pyg’s knee as it spurted blood. Pyg let out an inhumane screech before the bunny woman grabbed his jaw, locking eyes with the other masked killer.
“Don’t. Move.” she repeated back to him. “I wouldn’t want to cut my date with my husband so short, dearie…”
Pyg let out pained sobs, as his head hung low. Lapin returned to her beloved, who passed her a glass of champagne. The two cheersed as they took a sip.
“Would you like to take the first swing at him, or should I?” Lapin asked, feeling the alcohol burn her throat.
“You go ahead,” Renard offered. “I love seeing you work, darling.”
Lapin let out a loving giggle, hugging her love close. “Happy Halloween, dear…”
“Happy Halloween, baby…”
The night was filled with the screaming of the Pyg butcher, as the lovesick butchers spent all of Hallow’s Eve chopping, slicing, and cutting the man to bits. When they were finished, the blood in that grindhouse would never truly wash out, as the only thing left of him was the cold, smiling pig mask.
Truly, it was the perfect date night.
“Bite Me”
“First appearing in 2014, the pop idol known as Countess Daraku has made an expansive and explosive rise to fame in recent years, coming onto the scene with her hit single “You Don’t Know Me” and record shattering album “Murder Mystery”, she has captivated audiences and gained a cult following with her gothic and morbid musical vibe.”
“And now, for her ten year anniversary of making music as well in celebration of her new album “Bite Me”, YOU can be a part of Daraku’s world too! Purchasing the new album comes with a one in a million chance of getting a raffle ticket that will earn you a free dinner with Countess Daraku herself! Hurry and get your chance while you still can, only one will get the grand prize!”
Jax felt like he was dreaming. Right there, inside of the album’s CD case laid the ticket, clear as day. He picked it up with shaky fingers, looking it over. On it was a phone number to confirm his prize, as well as a congratulations message. Jax’s mouth was as dry as sandpaper and his mind was going ballistic.
He just won a dinner date with Countess Daraku. THE Countess Daraku. He’d been a listener from day one, and hadn’t stopped since. Jax was always drawn to the eerie vibe the pop star had given off, not afraid to act macabre and unruly unlike many other artists in her field. He remembered that one concert which involved Daraku descending onto the stage via flaming broomstick, or that time she broke her nose on stage, yet kept on going with her set unbothered despite it gushing blood. It was that “fuck it” attitude that Jax found really attractive.
He hurriedly rushed to find his phone, scrambling to pull it out of his bed. He punched in the number on the ticket lightning fast, waiting for someone to pick up. Eventually, a voice echoed out from the other side, as his heart nearly jumped out of his throat.
“H-hello? This is Jax Embersen…I think I just won!!!”
*****
Jax sat in the back of his taxi sweating bullets. Tonight was THE night. Her first concert performing her new music live, fittingly landing on Halloween night. The tension was electric and coursing throughout his veins. He quickly checked his hair in the window, hoping it wasn’t screwed up.
He had zero clue as to what to wear, so he just picked out a crimson suit jacket paired with black dress shirt, topped off with a stark white bowtie. In all honesty, Jax felt ridiculous. He was totally dressing far too formal for this, looking like a fancy ketchup mascot. Still, he was certain all those insecurities would just melt away once he met with his idol.
The taxi stopped just outside of the venue, a massive stadium that people were flooding into like water. Jax could already tell the place was gonna be packed. He started to panic a little bit, wondering how the hell he was gonna get in. He didn’t get some kind of VIP pass from the lady she spoke to, just instructions to wait outside of the venue.
Suddenly, he felt the presence of two people behind him. He quickly swerved around to see security guards standing over him. They were decked out in all black, wearing some formal wear as well that was hidden by all the security gear. Their faces were obscured by a face mask, paired with a set of sunglasses and caps. To be honest, Jax was a little intimidated by the two men.
“You the contest winner?” one of the guards gruffly asked, putting on the usual hardass demeanor the security detail did at the concerts Jax had gone to.
“Uhm…yeah,” Jax confirmed, fiddling with his pockets as he pulled out the ticket as proof and handing it over to the guards. “I was told to wait here until…someone came by?”
One of the guards looked it over, before pocketing it and gesturing to Jax to follow him. “Alright, follow me.”
Jax was confused as the guards led him away from the front entrance towards the stage. “I don’t understand…I am gonna be able to see the performance?”
“We’ve got a VIP spot waiting for you,” explained one of the guards. “Ms Daraku wanted her date to get the all star treatment.”
Jax felt a little flutter in his chest hearing that. Daraku was always a caring person towards her audience, calling them the “lifeblood of her work”, but hearing the amount of effort she put into making him feel special…it really made his night.
Jax walked throughout the stadium before ending up in a velvet plush room, a comfortable chair sitting facing a window that had the best seat in the house. Jax peered down and saw the thousands of people gathered below. He had to admit, he got a bit of an ego boost being the one in the room looking down at the masses.
He sat down in his chair, seeing an entire menu tucked into the armrest and filled with all kinds of drinks, meals, and desserts. He scoured through the whole list, ordering some soda and chips as he sat down and gazed upon the stage.
After what felt like an eternity of waiting, a loud bang echoed on stage as a plume of smoke began to rise. Jax eagerly sat up, knowing the show was just about to start. After ample anticipation, Daraku had emerged from the smoke, and the crowd went ballistic.
She was dressed in her iconic outfit: glitter-covered silver jacket with sharp orange tie, as well as her purple pants and fingerless gloves. Her sharp glasses hid her eyes as she gazed upon the adoring crowd. She slowly removed her eyewear, smirking before throwing the glasses into the crowd. Jax could see fans fighting over who grabbed them down below.
“HELLO, ONINOSHIMAAAAA!!!!!” Daraku bellowed towards the crowd, the sound being deafening coming from the massive speakers inside Jax’s room. The uproar of the crowd as Daraku spoke to them.
“I’m so happy to be back on my home turf of this beautiful island,” she continued, hyping the crowd up more and more. “So, what did you think of my new album???”
She pointed the mic towards the crowd, the sea of cheers pouring into it. She let out a harmonious laugh, clapping her hands. “Yeah, I had a feeling ya’ll would eat it up. See what I did there?”
The crowd let out a chuckle, as Daraku motioned for them to simmer down. “Anyways, for real though…I’m so grateful for each and every one of you for sticking by me for all these years. A decade is nuts and it still just feels like yesterday to me…I wanna thank all that showed up tonight, I love you all. I mean it forever and always when I say: you are my lifeblood.”
Jax got a little choked up hearing Daraku’s passionate speech. It was so heartwarming hearing the fans meant just as much to Daraku as she did for them.
“Anways, enough sappy shit,” Daraku pivoted. “We didn’t come here to cry, we came here to sing! To shout! To get crazy and lose our motherfucking MINDS!!!”
The crowd ignited once more hearing Daraku’s words. They began chanting her name, as she soaked in the words.
“Alright, ya’ll ready for this???” A very loud and passionate “YEAH” was shouted back at her.
“Okay then! Let’s get this part started then!!!” With those words, music began to pump through the speakers. The entire crowd cheered hearing the synths and heavy beat shake the ground beneath them.
“I’ve got a secret to tell ya, I think you already know…”
“There’s something wrong with me, but you can see it’s starting to show…”
“I’m feeling different in my skin, I feel like something is changing…”
“Is it just me or all the colors melting off of the painting?”
Her voice was electric, low and captivating. Like a siren’s song. The lights behind her pulsed with the beat, illuminating her figure. Daraku soaking in the screams and cries, the crowd's energy building her own. The music amped up, as she moved her body, clutching her chest as she hit the chorus.
“Might be a tragedy. Devastation right in front of me.”
“Am I a future disaster just waiting to happen, just waiting to happen?”
“Like blood on white…”
The music exploded as Daraku moved alongside the chorus, showing off her moves as the crowd danced alongside her.
Jax was mesmerised by the performance. He had seen Daraku live before, but seeing it here, inside her VIP room was something else. It added to the already insane night he was having. He had to keep reminding himself he was gonna get to have dinner with her after this.
“Something so physical, may be a cynical disaster waiting to happen…like blood on white satin!!!”
Jax may have just been imagining things, but he could’ve sworn Daraku had winked at him. The fluttering in his chest skyrocketed, as he couldn’t wait to meet her face to face.
For now, he just sat back, and enjoyed the performance…
*****
Jax couldn’t get his heart to calm down. Daraku’s performance on stage was so much more electric than he ever imagined. After a full hour and a half of songs and encores, he was brought alongside security down the halls towards Daraku’s showroom.
His palms were sweaty, and his knees felt like they were going to buckle at the slightest breeze. He was finally going to get the chance to meet his idol. He was beyond excited as well as equally terrified at the same time, hoping that Daraku was just as stunning in person compared to onstage.
As they approached the showroom, they came across a sea of fans outside of Daraku’s door, with security attempting to usher them back. All of them were chanting the pop star’s name, waving their merch in an effort to get it signed. Eventually, she exited the room, still in her shining outfit from the performance, as she greeted her fans. She happily signed whatever junk the horde shoved in her face.
Jax was frozen in time seeing her there, unsure of if his legs still even worked or not. There she was, right in front of her. He felt like has gonna vomit all over himself at any moment. The feeling amplified tenfold as she turned around to greet him.
“Oh hey!” Daraku spoke with a bright enthusiasm. “You must be the contest winner, right?”
Jax nodded, not really knowing what to say. “U-uh, yeah! I sure am! My name's Jax! Jax Embersen!”
“Nice meeting you, Jax!” she spoke with a smile, before gripping his hand as she began to yank him towards her showroom. “C’mon, let’s get outta here before the fans try to eat us alive.”
Jax was a little shocked at how enthusiastic Daraku sounded. He just assumed she would be less energized in this meetup, especially after her performance earlier, but the pop star genuinely seemed to be interested in him.
They entered the showroom, still hearing the chanting and adoring fans outside. Inside the room lay a plush couch draped in dark crimson blankets, a rack with dozens of her iconic costumes from over the years, most of which Jax was able to recognize. Surprisingly no dresser, only a simple desk with no mirror. She jumped up onto the desk, sitting on it as she eyed the man down.
“I like the suit,” she complimented, taking off her jacket. “It’s corny in a good way.” Jax’s face almost lit up as red as his attire, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.
“Uhm…thanks…” he muttered. “You look pretty good too…I mean, out there, on stage…you looked pretty good!”
Darauku let out a soft chuckle. “Aww, stop being so tense, man! I’m just having you for dinner, relax a bit!”
“S-sorry, I’m just…real nervous,” Jax confessed, looking away out of embarrassment. “I’m just a big fan and I don’t wanna come off as creepy or…weird.”
“Dude, chill,” Daraku jumped off her desk, going up to straighten Jax's attire. “You’re talking to the creep QUEEN here. No need to feel embarrassed.”
Jax nodded, her assurance settling his nerves. “So, uh…do you wanna maybe…chat a bit? Maybe talk before we get to dinner?”
Daraku shrugged, grabbing Jax’s hand tightly. “Eh, we can talk over dinner. Come on, our meal’s waiting in the other room!”
She gestured towards another room to the side, as Daraku led him to the door. He swallowed hard, pinching himself in the calf to make sure he wasn’t dreaming at that moment. He was about to dine with his number one pop star. He was elated beyond belief.
Daraku threw the door open, as Jax peered inside. In the room, there wasn’t any table, any chairs, just an empty room that was covered all over with plastic wrap all over the walls, ceiling, and floors.
Jax was perplexed, raising an eyebrow and thinking this might be a prank or something. “Uhm…what’s with the plastic wrap.”
Daraku gripped Jax’s hand tightly as she chuckled. “Oh yeah, sorry about it. I get kinda messy when I eat, and I don’t wanna stain the floors…”
With a sudden movement, She ripped Jax’s hand clean off as she shoved him into the wrapped room. Blood spurted from his hand like a fountain, as Jax looked down to see bone poking out from where his hand once was. He barely had any time to react to the pain as he looked up towards Daraku, seeing her sucking on his disconnected hand, lapping up the red liquid spilling out of the appendage. She wiped her mouth, staining her clothes as her face was stained with blood.
His blood.
His eyes went wide as he opened his mouth to scream, but Daraku was on top of him inhumanly fast, clamping him down onto the floor and holding his jaw in her hand as she squeezed his jaw shut. The back of his head hit the floor, as all he could do was look at the bloodied pop star holding him down.
“Shhhh…” Daraku held her stained hand up to her lips. “I don’t like my food when it talks…” Her face contorted into an evil grin, her teeth a violent crimson. Jax saw two overgrown teeth, as she grinned…FANGS.
Daraku pulled her hand back, raising her hand as she swiped at Jax’s throat, opening it up as it gushed blood. The red poured onto the plastic wrap, looking like the scene of a crime. Jax choked and coughed, mouth flooding with blood as his vision went in and out of focus.
“Gghhh…whhh…” he tried to speak as choked on his own words. Daraku simply smiled at him, the same reassuring and enthusiastic smile from before now being utterly terrifying.
She licked her fingers clean, before answering in the same inviting tone as before. “I told you I was having you for dinner, Jax. You really gotta listen closer…”
“But don’t worry. I’m not one to waste a good meal. I’ll make sure not a single part of you goes to waste…”
Daraku gripped the sides of Jax’s head, before plunging her thumbs into his eyes. Blood poured out like a faucet as her mouth went for his neck. She bit and tore into his flesh, the sound of ripping meat being the only sound reverberating from the room aside from Jax's gurgling cries.
As the light faded from his eyes, the last thing Jax saw was Daraku plunging her hands into his chest, all the while her warm, comforting smile was on her blood stained face. The red overtook his vision, as all feeling ceased and everything faded into black…
“SOLDIER BOY”
Rain poured down relentlessly on the winding roads towards O.S.C.A.R, the sky a deep, dark grey. Thunder rumbled in the distance so loud it felt like it could shake the earth, as frequent strikes of lightning lit up the noir colored clouds above.
Vi sat in the back of the car, mindlessly twiddling with her arrows. She screwed and unscrewed the tip of her ammo as her leg bounced against the passenger’s seat. Most of the trip she was taking had been a silent endeavor, with Togei not really speaking much other than a quick briefing saying that he “had a mission for her.”
Togei remained cold behind the wheel, his tired eyes not shifting away from the road. He flipped on his turn signal, as the car drifted off the paved path and into the forest that surrounded the roads. Vi perked up seeing the vehicle veer off track, sitting up in the back seat.
“Where are we heading, exactly?” she questioned. “You didn’t really specify what we’re gonna be doing out here.”
“It’s not what we’re doing out here,” Togei responded, his monotone and cold demeanor when speaking being something Vi was used to. “It’s what YOU’RE doing out here.”
Togei parked the car in the middle of the woods, before getting out and signalling for Vi to do the same. She grabbed her quiver and bow, stepping out into the pouring rain and attempting to take shelter underneath a tree from the downpour.
Togei grabbed a few more supplies from the trunk, before tossing them to his sister. “Here. You’ll need these.” Inside the bag was a detachable flashlight, flares, and a loaded pistol.
“I don’t understand,” Vi said, still a little perplexed as to what her mission was out here. “What am I doing?”
“O.S.C.A.R just had a massive breakout,” Togei began to explain. “Underground hit the facility hard, and multiple patients were able to escape. Most of them have scattered across Oninoshima, but some reports from scouts say that one’s still lurking inside this forest.”
Togei gestured towards the pitch black forest in front of the two, casting an ominous presence from Vi’s perspective. She tensed up a little peering into the void that existed behind the trees.
“Sooo…we’re gonna go find them?” Vi asked.
Togei pressed his hand on the bag full of supplies. “YOU are going to find them.”
Vi’s stomach sunk a little at the thought of tackling this alone. “Uhh…are you sure?”
“You wanted to be treated like an adult? You want to go on real missions?” Togei asked in a slightly annoyed manner. “This is your chance to prove it. Find and apprehend the Spirit User. Alive, preferably. Once you’re done, fire off the green flare. If you’re in trouble, fire off the red one.”
Vi looked into the bag, taking out the pistol and looking it over. Standard issue pistol for Kaminari agents. It felt slightly heavy in her hands. Clumsy even. “And this?”
“That’s in case your bow fails.” Togei spoke with a tone of seriousness and worry that Vi was able to pick out. He hid it well, but she could sniff out that a part of him was nervous to send her into this forest alone.
Vi herself was nervous about this mission. Sure, she said she wanted to be respected and put on the same playing field as the seasoned agents of the Kaminari agents, but she didn’t expect her first solo mission to be anything like this. Still, she saw this as her golden opportunity. Her chance to show her brother that she did belong at his side.
She slid the pistol into her hip holster, hoisted her quiver onto her back, and extended her bow out. She gave Togei a strong salute. “I won’t fail you, promise.” she said with determination in her words.
Togei remained as stone-faced as ever. “Show me, Vi. I wanna see actions, not words.”
With that, she began her trek, flicking her shoulder flashlight on as she left the safety of the clearing and entered into the blackness of the forest in front of her.
*****
Vi felt like her footsteps were bass boosted. Every tiny crack and snap of twig and leaf made goosebumps appear on her skin. She held onto her bow tightly, keeping her arrow primed and ready for anything. Her eyes darted around the darkened forest, searching for any and all irregularities.
The further she walked into the woods, the more Vi felt like she was venturing into a void. No semblance of life outside of distant chirping birds. She saw no end to the forest, just an endless pit of black that felt like anything was going to jump out at her at any moment.
“Get it together, Kazamari…” she whispered to herself, taking a breath and focusing her eyes. “You’re a soldier, remember? It’s just a stupid fores-”
An inhuman yelp erupted from out of the unknown. Vi immediately sprung into a defensive stance, her bow aimed at the blackness as she surveyed the land for any kind of movement. Any faint sound. She slowly trekked to where the noise had come from, her head in a swivel.
As she got closer, she could hear thumping and moaning get louder as she got closer. She let out a tiny gasp as she saw the source: a doe bleeding out on the ground as it seized. Its neck spurted blood as it repeatedly thunked its head against the base of a tree.
Vi knelt down to see the creature’s final moments, examining the wound. Four slash marks that ran extensively deep. Far too precise for any animal to create. Vi felt like it had to be the work of the escaped Spirit User.
Suddenly, a quiet chittering caught the ear of Vi. She got to her feet, bow drawn and at attention. Any flash of movement, and sign of a person and Vi was prepared to put an arrow right in its leg. Her eyes darted around the woods, before she focused on two shining red dots peering at her.
Reflex took over, as she immediately fried an arrow straight towards the target. Just as soon as she saw it, the eyes had disappeared, vanished without a trace. She grabbed another arrow from her quiver, drawing it and rushing to where the eyes were.
“Show yourself!” Vi shouted into the blackness, heart racing with adrenaline and every step cautious. She could hear what sounded like chittering echoing throughout the entire forest, as if whoever she was tracking was all around her. She flicked her shoulder flashlight on, the bright light bringing some much needed illumination. However, the chittering persisted, as Vi’s breath turned quick and anxious.
The chittering sound suddenly got closer. Much closer. Vi aimed her bow above her, as she saw her target in the trees. A massive, furred creature sitting atop the branches. Its sinister red eyes peered into her own, as it let out a frightening screech towards her. Vi’s eyes went wide, before firing an arrow towards the monster.
It cried out as the arrow pierced its shoulder, before lunging at the Kaminari agent. Vi quickly rolled out of the way, drawing her bow once again as she saw the beast in all of its horrifying glory.
It was far taller than her, its jet black fur casting an ominous silhouette. Its circular eyes shook and were unblinking, as it appeared to have an antenna, constantly twitching. It looked like a grotesque moth straight out of some kind of hell. Vi fired another arrow, but the beast swatted it away as it stared her down.
“N-Nooo lightsss…” the monster whimpered, before getting ready to lunge. “No LIIIIGHTSS!!!”
It screamed as it pounced after Vi. She had barely any time to react as she held her bow up in some act of defense. The monster pinned her down, swiping and clawing at her face as Vi struggled to keep it from slicing her eyes out. The bow was the only thing keeping it from ravaging her alive.
She could feel her strength waning as the creature seemed to just get angrier and angrier. It gripped the bow, pulling at it before snapping it like a twig. Vi felt her stomach drop as it gripped her throat, hoisting her up with no effort.
“Kami-Kami Narrri…” it uttered, its voice raspy and gravely. “Hurt meee…hurt my brain…ripped mee apaaart…”
Vi choked and gagged as she tried to reach for her holster, but the creature slammed her against a tree. She felt her brain hit the back of her head, as everything distorted for a few moments.
All the while, the creature kept on whimpering and crying. “Wonn’t go back…NEVER GO BAAACK!!!”
It plunged its claws into Vi’s leg. She cried out in pain, eyes watering as she tried everything to get out of the monster’s grasp. The creature threw Vi onto the ground, hitting the dirt with a grunt as she slammed into a stump. Her head was spinning and her leg was pulsing waves of pain. She tried to stand, but her injuries barely gave her an inch. She grunted, panting on the ground as the creature slowly approached her.
In her back pocket she felt the flare gun. She had to fire it, signal her brother that she needed help. She wasn’t prepared for a mission like this. She had to-
No…She told herself. You’re a soldier…act like it, Kazamari.
She forced herself up off the ground, onto her hands and knees as she eyed the monster down.
ACT LIKE IT!!!
“Come and get me, you son of a bitch…” she gravely uttered, staring daggers into the beast. It growled, as it lunged towards her once again, pinning her down once more. Its claws dug into her shoulder, as she grunted feeling the fingers dig into her skin.
“Hurrt you…like you hurt meeee…” it spat out. Drool fell from its furred mouth as it dripped onto Vi’s face. Slowly, its mouth opened up as Vi saw the jagged mouth and unwieldy tongue lash out, teeth spiralling like a blender right in front of her eyes.
Vi looked towards the arrow still lodged into its shoulder, grasping at it frantically as its mouth continued to seep closer and closer towards her face. She finally caught onto it, ripping it from its shoulder. The monster howled in agony, recoiling in pain.
That momentary shock gave Vi the window she needed to plunge the arrow directly into the creature’s eye. It oozed with fluid and blood, the screeching reaching deafening levels of loud. Vi didn’t give the monster any time to recover, pulling her pistol and unloading an entire clip in the monster’s side. Its screeching puttered out, replaced with a whine and gurgling, its mouth flooding with blood.
Vi used all the force she could muster to kick the beast off of her with her good leg. It plummeted to the ground, unmoving as it laid limp on the ground. Vi got to her knees, panting and clutching her wounds and trying not to pass out from blood loss.
She scrambled for the flare gun, trying to load it best she could with shaking hands and weary eyes. She trembled as she loaded the flare into the gun, raising it as she moved to fire it into the night sky. Her trigger finger twitched and shook, but her entire body stopped as she heard weary faint cries come from behind her.
She slowly turned around to see the creature get up, bones cracking and creaking as it did. It moved unnervingly, before its eye looked at her with vitriolic, unblinking hatred. Vi’s heart rate spiked as it lurched towards her, in zero condition to fight. With only one option, she aimed the flare gun towards the creature, trying to will herself to fire.
Before she could even make the shot, a blur went by as it gripped the creature and sent it flying. Vi could barely react before she heard sickening cracks and punches happening beside her. She looked to her right to see her brother Togei pummeling the being into submission. Slamming his fist repeatedly into the monster’s face, hearing it break bone and flesh with snaps and squishing noises.
After a while, Togei removed his fist from the hole his fists had made inside the monster’s head. He stood up panting with rage and fists caked in blood and brain matter. His mask crackled with red lightning, yellow eyes illuminating and shaking. He quickly rushed over towards his sister, kneeling down as he held her close.
“It’s okay…” he whispered, his voice the slightest bit off. “You’re okay…
*****
Vi sat wearily in the back of the ambulance, as medics finished up with her bandages. She winced feeling a fresh shot of pain in her shoulder as she clutched her wound. Togei sat beside her, his hand refusing to let go of hers.
“You’re caked in blood, you know.” Vi said in a deadpan tone, staring off into nowhere.
“I don’t care…” Togei muttered. Vi knew he was a little bit shaken like she was over this whole ordeal.
“What was he?”
“Silas Silver. Spirit User from overseas,” Togei explained. “ALTER brought him to O.S.C.A.R for containment and testing, but he escaped after the breakout.”
“Is he-?”
Togei nodded, his other hand still clutched in a fist.
The two remained in silence, with something stirring inside of Vi’s mind. How exactly did Togei know where she was, and why exactly only then did he show up? A thought entered her mind, as Vi gripped her wounded shoulder tightly out of anger.
“Were you tailing me?” Vi asked, a bit of frustration in her tone. “Were you?”
Togei looked down at the pavement, not responding as his grip on her hand tightened.
“Only to make sure you were okay,” he huffed. “I wasn’t going to interfere unless I had to.”
“I thought you said that this was my mission. My chance to prove I could operate with all of you.”
“And you clearly couldn’t,” Togei’s tone got more defensive, his eyes glistening with slight anger and concern. “You nearly died to that thing, Vi. What, did you expect me to just let it kill you-”
“That’s not the point, Togei! I-” Vi snapped, sighing as she put her head in her hands. After a few seconds, her tone changed from weary to just plain tired.
“Look, I’m sorry, I…I’m just tired, and…I just need to rest.” she huffed, getting into the ambulance. Despite her anger with her brother not trusting her, she understood where it came from. Her brother had always been a little bit afraid of losing loved ones, especially after losing…her, and because of it he’d adopted an overprotective mentality that never truly went away for his sister.
Togei nodded, understanding that his sister had just gone through a lot and needed some time to herself to heal. He gave his sister one final hug goodbye, clutching her tight as embraced her.
“I’ll check up on you soon,” Togei whispered. “I…I love you…”
“...I love you too…” Vi tiredly uttered, as she closed up the back of the ambulance with a thud. The ambulance sped off, as Togei was left on the side of the road alone.
He sauntered back into his car, trying to wipe the blood off of his hands and uniform. Sitting in the driver’s seat, his head hitting the steering wheel as he let out an annoyed sigh. His leg bounced rapidly, as his hands aggressively gripped the wheel.
“She’s not ready,” he said to no one. “You know she’s not ready. You did what you had to…”
His head hung low as he groaned. “Fuck me…”
Suddenly, a tune hit Togei’s ears, one that made him snap to attention. One that he hadn’t heard in years and one that made his blood run cold.
“Soldier Boyyy…oh my little Soldier Boyyy…”
Togei gripped his steering wheel tightly, his chest feeling tight and breathless. He wearily panted as his eyes shook. All that while, the voice continued to re-verberate inside his head.
“No, nononono…” he pleaded. “Stop it…please stop…”
“I’ll be truuue…tooo…youuu…” Togei felt something touch his shoulder, a familiar feeling from ages ago that he didn’t want to be reminded of. He could feel his heart stop as dread overtook every part of his body.
“STOP!” he cried out, looking into the rearview mirror to find nothing there. He turned around to find his car empty, but the fear and anxiety remained.
He was on the verge of tears, as he continuously tried to calm himself down. The entire world felt like it was about to flip upside down, his stomach churned and he felt like he was going to throw inside his mask at any moment.
After what felt like an eternity, Togei found the courage to open his eyes again. He checked the rearview repeatedly, before staring into his own tired, frightened reflection. He sighed, sitting back in his seat as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He could feel the tears welling up, tears he had wept before, and would weep again. Tears over her…
“I’m sorry…” he whimpered, sitting alone on the side of the road, head in his hands. All the while, that tune continued to haunt his ears as he wept.
“I’m so sorry…”