Dean 'Havoc' Reginald's Story

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Miles Riverbend

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"My condolences."

Broken out of his dark reverie by the austere tone, Miles started in surprise. Looking at the tall man besides him, the Beast slayer frowned at the therian’s appearance. Mirroring him, the man was soaking from head to foot, indicating he had been out in the rain for some time. Stray bands of hair clung to his pale, noble features, though most startling was the somber expression he wore on Miles’ behalf. Miles read apprehension amongst waves of other emotions, tightening the therian’s shoulders in a show of discomfort. If he had not known the man better, he could have mistakenly assumed Touya was simply fettered by the wet conditions.

“Cheers,” he responded, finding some small amusement at Touya’s introduction. Avoiding the question of why the therian was there for now, Miles shifted his gaze back to the grave stones as he replaced his officer’s cap, far from comforted.

"Do you know... who did it?" asked Touya, hesitant to broach the topic.

“Oh, some blonde haired demon with silver blades for arms,” chuckled the Beast Slayer despite the morbid turn in conversation. “Something easily dismissed as the ramblings of the clinically insane, but those were my sister’s final words. You and I both know what that means however. It means a hybrid, and it means Victor Hawthorn’s tinkering.”

The lack of usual robustness in Miles’ posture reflected his weariness. Though the Beast Slayer refused to be caught wanting, other details gave him away. A slight slouch in his back, a hollow glare, even his voice was noticeably somber and depleted of enthusiasm. “I never really liked my father,” Miles stated abruptly, “He was always a tyrant, anally retentive if you understand the term. Nonetheless, I admired his stubbornness. He was surprisingly honorable and was no doubt one of the few who staunchly resisted Victor. My sister however was only ten years old. She usually stays at the boarding school but was visiting the day of the attack. She knew nothing of hybrids or therians, and yet she died. I suspect that she wasn’t the first or last, and that this conflict will see much more tragedy before the end.”

Miles patted the therian’s shoulder and turned in the other direction before pausing. The man held his position, not caring to change it because something more immediate gave rise to greater concerns, something which caused chills to run down his spine. Eyes frozen on the thing in front of him, a slight twitch was the first indication of danger.

“I feel I should apologize in advance therian. I advise you not to turn around for your sake and that you run and inform Havoc what’s happening here. You’ll only regret what you see,” Miles murmured, sorrow creeping into his words. Addressing the strange new figure, Miles’ free arm reached for his blade, “Come to finish the job, have we?”

There was no reply, only a harsh wisp of air as blades folded out of mechanical compartments. Miles looked at the disheveled blonde woman with remorse, recognizing her for who she once. Head tilted, she regarded him vacantly, but infinitely more coldly, like a hunter gripped in the throes of lust. Gone without trace was the proud, prior defiance. Instead, Miles was haunted by the gruesome elegance of her supple figure.

Recalling the previous hybrid, his body tensed, jerking in reaction to ghastly assailant before him. Everything about her screamed dangerous and a tremble took over his fingers. Struggling to contain his shock, he breathed out, shuddering at the foot long swords that extended from her wrists. Fused to her elbows were mechanical gauntlets, the likes of which seemed more at home on a therian than human. Like the other one, an amalgamation of surgical scars ravaged her small form. The defilement of his own kind quite unmasked the Beast Slayer, the concept seeming more terrible than any monster he had previously combated.

Without warning she lunged forwards, impossibly swift to his eyes. Miles barely had time to push the therian to safety before grasping his hilt firmly between two hands.

“Have at thee!”

---

Dean ‘Havoc’ Reginald

---

Reginald observed the mercenary training from a balcony overlooking the courtyard, stroking the edges of his stubbled chin. The man had a knack for blade work, gracefully and confidently controlling the edge of his weapon with each swing. But Reginald had always pondered why the mercenary ignored the more magical side of his nature. After witnessing Damea’s use of fire during the carriage ambush, he thought the man had great potential, even if the effects where slightly destructive.

Standing up, the medic shrugged and was about to return to his duties when somebody else greeted him.

“Reginald, how’s work so far?”

“Nothing conclusive as of yet,” Reginald said, stiffening slightly in reply to the effeminate tone. “Their security must be iron clad if we’ve found nothing thus far.”

“You almost sound like you’re admiring them,” mocked the woman in return.

“Just acknowledging their capabilities. One has to consider the entire picture after all,” Reginald replied defensively.

Her dark eyes glimmered with amusement as they roamed past Reginald to where Damea stood, “Oh? Isn’t he the one you paralyzed? Working together now are we?”

Reginald shifted his gaze back to Damea and put on a grimace, “Something like that. Not that he trusts me at the moment,” he said, “Actually, you could probably help him in certain regards. I was going to ask the mercenary about something myself but I’m not exactly in a position of good faith.”

She raised her eyebrows at him playfully, guessing the doctor’s intentions. “You want me to help with his training?”

“Not that I have the authority to order you around, but we could use all the assistance we can get,” Reginald reasoned. “More specifically, you could enquire why he doesn’t use his fire magic.”

Giving Reginald a crooked grin, she strode past and leaned over the balcony. Fiery red hair fell over the black uniform that lined her shoulders, anonymous like the rest of their organization. “Oi! Two eyes! Why don’t you use fire magic more often?” she yelled down obnoxiously.

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Miles Riverbend

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The moment the hybrid was set upon him, Miles was already on the back foot, his reflexes barely able to keep him from harm’s way. Faster, stronger and far more dreadful than anything he anticipated, her blades descended in a blistering flourish of vicious swipes. Their swords clashed in the downpour, releasing a thunderous clang as her momentous strength almost up lifted his footing. He would not acted the slightest bit surprised if their blows threw the rain aside. Such was the force of her strikes it was crippling his arms. Teeth gritting, Miles stumbled back after the fifth blow, slipping away in the wet mud.

Already a multitude of shallow cuts exposed his red skin to the clouds. Gasping for air, he teetered on the edge of his limits, clawing at the cracks of his mind to regain his composure. He was losing, a fact that battered against years of mental fortitude and threatened to overthrow all his experience. Fear coiled around his spine as he ducked the next swing that yearned for his head. Perhaps most frightening was the hybrid’s utter disregard for her own life, as though such inherent senses had been completely drained from her systems. Whatever the scientist had done to her, he did no wish to contemplate it.

“I will end you,” he hissed.

Something jerked against her dainty build, briefly counteracting whatever terrible aspect fueled her unstoppable movements. Surprised that Touya’s endeavor was successful, the paused offered a small space of reprieve as the heaving Beast Slayer re-collected his frayed nerves. Finally acknowledging the therian’s presence, her head lulled in a sickening fashion, the golden drape adjusting lazily to greet the man who held her in place. Suspended in air, April’s tender arms dangled feebly, as though firmly caught in the throes of gravity.

"Go to Reginald. I can handle her," cried the therian, his dazzling magic blooming around his body.

Miles saw tears in his eyes, and a wealth of anguish as the therian wrestled to contain his former companion. What other emotions ran beneath the surface? What words of unspoken hatred did the therian harbor? Returning his thoughts to his family, Miles issued a low growl of disapproval, “Are you suggesting I leave the murderer of my family alone with you?”

Clenched so tightly around the shaft of his sword that the whites of his knuckles showed, Miles raised the sword and leapt forwards, propelled by a tactical air blast. The glittering weapon scythed down, slicing droplets in its trajectory towards April. It bounced abruptly off a wrist blade, deflecting the dangerous edge away from the therian’s side.

“This better work,” commented the Beast Slayer as Touya’s erupting power flooded the viewing deck.

A high pitched scream stabbed the air, broken and dry, the sounds of pain given voice. Forced to recall all that had been done to her, the memories surged into April’s conscious, unbidden and all at once. The searing agony which followed subverted her form in a wave of convulsions, thrashing her limbs violently against Touya’s indomitable grip. Her chest pitched furiously, caught between junctures of ragged panting. Slowly, achingly, her desperate gestures of escape deadened, yielding to a soft whimper of exhaustion as April collapsed against his chest.

“Touya… I finally... found you…”

---

Dean ‘Havoc’ Reginald

---

"Because it would make it more hot in here than it already is. Why don't you come down here where we can talk better?""

Abigail’s brown eyes glimmered with hints of amusement as she laughed down at the man beneath her. He was good looked, possessing a striking contrast between the mottled colors of his jacket and pale complexion. Messy, white locks fell over his brow where two opposing gems studied her in kind. “Where did you find this one Havoc? He’s quite the lecherous fellow,” she said, briefly addressing the medic.

Behind her, Reginald gave a dejected shrug, saying nothing to stifle her unbridled enthusiasm. “Just don’t hurt him like you do the others. Remember, we need him intact to be useful,” warned the medic, closing his eyes and shaking his head, “Should I prepare the fire extinguishers?”

“Mhmmm,” she mused, raking her gaze between them, “I’ll be the judge of that. And nah, I can handle it myself…”

“I’m fine thank you. I much prefer the view up here anyway,” Abigail winked playfully in response to Damea. Despite rejecting his offer, the woman fished for something within her pocket. Recovering a matchbox after a few moments of fidgeting, she tossed it over ledge, aiming it in his direction with a flick of her wrist. “My colleague here says you have potential, but I think you look like a simple street entertainer. How about this, you show me what you’re capable of and I let you lay one clean punch on Reginald here.”

Reginald balked, opening his mouth in wordless protest to her careless indifference.

Sorry for the double post!!! :( stupid computer

“Are you suggesting I leave the murderer of my family alone with you?”

Touya ignored the angry cry from Miles. He understood what the man wanted, but he wasn't going to let him just kill April either. She hadn't done those things willingly. Touya didn't care if Miles hated him for it, the man could take his anger out on the Therian if he so wished. However, he would not lay a hand on the woman in his arms. With his eyes shut he didn't know that Miles had lunged forward, but felt something jar both him and April. The man must have hit April's metal bracers, because Touya hadn't felt anything connect with his own.

“This better work,” Miles ground through the pouring rain. Touya huffed in response as his magic poured out of him. Slowly, he began to feel light headed as he worked to heal her. His eyes had opened once he felt the jarring impact, and the icy blue color was narrowed as he watched the man. However, his slight anger was pushed aside as he felt his body starting to give out from the excess energy loss.

It didn't help that April's body was twisting and jerking in his hold. Her voice was the most painful thing to hear. The screaming was devastating to Touya as he held her tightly, trying to keep her from hurting him and herself. It was some time before her body slowly relaxed in his hold and Touya stumbled backwards slightly. His back hit the wall of the observation deck where the two had been standing, the wood creaking behind him. The Therian slid down it slowly, with April leaning heavily into him. Her voice reached his ears, her soft voice tired and slow.

“Touya… I finally... found you…”

Touya leaned his head downwards, putting his face into her soaking hair. He sat there with her there for a long while, trying to regain his own energy after having spent so much of it on her. He was dizzy and felt sick to his stomach. Touya wasn't sure if she was still awake or not as he reached up and stroked her hair, his breath was hot against her hair, creating a bit of steam. There was a slight shaking that worked its way through his body, though he wasn't sure if that was because of the cold rain or because of his relief at having her with him again. He was willing to bet on the latter though, as cold didn't seem to bother him all that much.

"I've been looking for you too," he whispered to her, "I'm so happy that you're here," looking up to Miles he sighed, a release of tension was what it really was, "We should get going, she needs to be tended to. Reginald is the only one who can take care of her in this city. Anywhere else is too dangerous."



“I’m fine thank you. I much prefer the view up here anyway,” her voice held a teasing hit to it and Damea grinned at her in return. He liked this woman already, even more so as they continued to speak to each other.

His sharp gaze caught the woman tossing something down at him. Damea caught it deftly and looked at whatever it was she'd thrown at him. It was a box of matches and he turned his gaze back up towards the pretty woman, lifting an eyebrow. Now what exactly did she wish for him to do with that? Surely she didn't want him to start playing with his fire.

“My colleague here says you have potential, but I think you look like a simple street entertainer. How about this, you show me what you’re capable of and I let you lay one clean punch on Reginald here.”

"Street entertainer," Damea echoed back up to her, his lips twisting into a bigger grin as he watched her. Slowly he shifted his body and he put his hand on his hip as he played with the box of matches in the other. Yes, he did like this woman, especially with the offer she just presented to him.

"You're offer is... highly tempting," he cooed and flicked his gaze downwards at the tiny box he held, "So, all I have to do is show you what I can do, and then I get to take out all of my frustrations in a single punch on Reginald. My my, what will I ever do," he chuckled to himself, though the laugh held more of an evil tone to it than an amused one. Tossing the box up wards and catching it again he opened it and pulled a single stick free and eyed it carefully. At the back of his mind he wondered if this was truly a good idea, but then what could it hurt? Being free to strike Reginald as he'd been daydreaming over lately would be most satisfying. Of course... if that was is she even let him. She may be just tempting him.

Turning his eyes upwards he watched her for a while longer before giving a partial shrug. What could he lose? Not getting the opportunity to hit the doctor square in the jaw? Well, that was sure to happen at some point, so even if he couldn't after he showed the woman his fire magic all was still well. Reginald's time for punishment would come, all Damea had to do was be patient. So he struck the match against the box and watched the tiny flame come to life. Taking a deep breath he concentrated on the burning flame. The last thing he wanted to do was to burn down the entire institution. He let the fire burn down to his fingers and once it touched his skin, he manipulated it to cover his hand and slowly worked it up his arm to his shoulder. He stopped it there and pocketed the match box to ignite his other hand and arm.

Damea worked slowly, his breathing steady and rythmetic as he concentrated. Directing the flames downwards, Damea worked the fire outwards around his feet in a circular pattern. Soon, Reginald's flooring was nothing but fire symbols that curved their way along the floor. The mercenary would have worked the fire further but he felt something snap and he could immediately feel his control over it slipping from him and alarmingly quick. Damea's confidence fell rapidly and the fires began to spread more than he wanted them too, starting to lick up the walls and actually ignite things that he hand not intended to have up in flames. Grinding his teeth, Damea pushed himself to pull the fire back to him so that he could extinguish it. For the most part, he succeeded, but for the things that had already been lit on fire, he could do nothing for.

With his energy sapped from him by the shear amount of force it took to control his fire and bring it back to him, he dropped to one knee, his fist hitting the ground to keep him steady. Damea's chest heaved slightly as he finished putting out the last of his magical flames. Leaning over the knee of his other leg, he rested his arm atop it and took slow breaths to try to steady himself. After a moment he finally looked up at the beautiful red haired woman.

"This is why I don't use it," he huffed out wearily.

---

Dean ‘Havoc’ Reginald

---

"Your offer is... highly tempting. So, all I have to do is show you what I can do, and then I get to take out all of my frustrations in a single punch on Reginald. My my, what will I ever do," Damea mused, his mismatched eyes sparkling over the matchbox like it were some irresistible desert. Of course it was, Agibail had orchestrated it so that the reward was at least mildly enticing. In response, Reginald shifted uncomfortably within his seat, disturbed by Damea’s sudden display of sadistic impulses. Fearing abuse, he felt the urge to sneak away but responsibility kept him nailed to ground. The last thing they needed was for the building to catch on fire.

“That’s right,” Abigail confirmed, tilting her head ever so slightly to assess the mercenary from a different angle, “I won’t stop you from hitting poor old Havoc here and all you have to do it put on a little light show. Sounds easy, right?”

Encouraged by her words, Damea, who had been juggling the flimsy matchbox in one hand, snatched the container from mid-air. Clasping the box in the valley between his thumb and index finger, he withdrew a single match and slapped the head across the striking strip. His efforts were rewarded with a tiny spark, a pin prick that flourished in front of his gaze, bathing the mercenary’s feature in gentle warmth.

For a moment, nothing peculiar happened. Reginald watched the anticlimactic course of the flame as it reached the end of the stick, expecting an outburst or something similar in conclusion. Instead, the blaze simply descended and then circumvented to engulf Damea’s finger. Wondering if the man was suicidal, Reginald stood up, drawing his seat back with a raucous screech of metal grating against stone. The doctor was halted before he could move, finding a hand had intervened in his movements. The hand belonged to Abigail, who continued to watch with budding enthusiasm.

“Settle down and enjoy the demonstration, corporal,” she murmured, not taking her hazel eyes away from the mercenary.

Looking back over the ledge, Reginald discovered much to his amazement that Damea was not being burnt. The mercenary was not even intimidated. Contrary to being cooked, Damea was almost like a conduit, catching on fire then allowing the flames to harmlessly pass over. Oxidizing air hissed as his fire grew in intensity, engulfing the length of one arm before jumping to the other. He moved, directing his focus downwards in an effort to spread the blaze over the polished veins and darkened swirls.

“He’s good,” Reginald whistled, eyes widening at the magical composition that artfully danced around Damea.

“No, he’s weak,” Abigail murmured.

The temperature swelled abruptly, rising up from the raging calligraphy. All notions of control were violently shredded as the flames erupted, stretching like wildfire to swallow the walls and decorations. Simmering against the surface of his skin, Reginald shielded his eyes on reflex.

“What’s going on?!” he yelled in alarm, shying away from the crackling flames. “Shouldn’t you do something about this?”

Caught in the center was Damea. Though unharmed, the mercenary was bent over and struggling with effort to contain the furious outburst. Sweat greased over his brow, exuding raw beads of aspiration as the blaze slowly recoiled.

"This is why I don't use it."

Extending her arms out, Abigail pinched her fingers together. The air around the still burning ornaments sucked in, vanquished by an intangible vacuum that snuffed out the remaining fires. “You lack control, endurance, finesse. Expanding the flames is simple in the right environment. Child's play. You need to start over and banish your fear. Why don’t you try toasting bread without burning it?” Abigail mocked, “There. Is that sufficient advice?”

Frowning at the abysmal state of the room, Reginald nodded in response. “Yes, that should suffice thank yo-”

Someone barreled through the double doors, slamming the gilded fins aside with the force of a battering ram. Smacking against the marble colonnade, Reginald winced at the surprising interruption. Miles appeared in the entrance, looking paler than ever as his chest heaved with anxiety. Water dripped from the man’s clothes, leaving a dirty puddle in the wake of his footsteps.

“We found….April…” he stammered.

Reginald leapt down the staircase, three steps at a time. Swiftly the medic raced to the Beast Slayer, grateful for the distraction almost. He greeted the man, only to find his steps faltering completely upon spotting the sorry creature cradled between Touya’s arms. The medic released a sharp intake of breath, absorbing the shocking image of April’s new form. Also drenched to the bone, Touya’s visage was a mixture of weary torment as he met the doctor. Reginald froze, unable to even comprehend the extent of the woman’s injuries. The most flagrant change belonged to her arms, a mangled fusion of flesh and steel. Understanding the situation, Reginald shook himself into action and called down the hallway.

“Get me a bed here!”

Approaching the therian, Reginald coerced Touya into lying his patient down. His fingers felt for a pulse, lightly pressing under the slant of her jaw. The touch was cold, almost frighteningly so. Evidence indicating she had been operated on became ever more obvious the closer he looked, severing her soft flesh with vivid scars. Was she a hybrid? What else had been altered? What forbidden fruits could he unearth if he dissected her? These questions and more raced through the medic’s mind as he performed a multitude of other checks. Promptly, a bed came trundling down the corridor, wheeled in by Reginald’s adjutant.

“We need to take her in immediately,” he told Touya, “I don’t even know where to begin or if she’s still even human. Wait around here until we summon you.”

“You lack control, endurance, finesse. Expanding the flames is simple in the right environment. Child's play. You need to start over and banish your fear. Why don’t you try toasting bread without burning it?”

Damea huffed the air in and out of his lungs as he knelt there. His gaze shifted upwards and he frowned at the woman. Control he knew he lacked in, but how did he lack endurance and finesse? How was he supposed to control his flames via that? Was he fearful? Probably. The moment he lost control he was fearful. Damea didn't say anything and lowered his gaze, staring at the floor that was scorched slightly from his loss of control over the power he wielded.

When she said to try toasting bread, he flinched as he took it as an insult. He was about to give her a sharp retort but stopped himself as he thought about it. He laughed then, a slight chuckle that vibrated his shoulders and chest. Of course he would have to start small, no matter what it was. It was the control he needed, nothing more. The mercenary had the fire already, he had the power right there. All that needed to be done was to control it. With the control... well, Damea could do just about anything he wanted with it.

"Toasting bread, hu? Well, if I master that what would you have me do next?" He asked, but her attention was elsewhere and right when he finished he heard a shout from the other side that rang up through the observation deck where she was standing. Reginald had turned away and in the next instant disappeared from sight. Damea, now curious and alarmed, stood up quickly and rushed for the double doors in the room he was in. Bursting from the room, he made his way down the hall, took a right and was met by an awful sight.

Miles was standing in the doorway at the end of the hall talking to Reginald, and behind him was a ragged looking Therian with a woman in his arms. Damea sprinted down the corridor and watched as the doctor convinced Touya to release April's form. He felt fear clenching his chest as he watched her being laid upon the bed. Touya looked utterly exhausted as the Therian leaned against the doorway, his gaze locked on April the entire time. Miles looked just as drenched as Touya did and the sound of pouring rain could be heard passed the doorway that was still held open by the tall Therian.

“We need to take her in immediately. I don’t even know where to begin or if she’s still even human. Wait around here until we summon you,” Reginald said to Touya. The Therian lunged forward, stumbling slightly. His hands gripped the edge of the bed and he glowered at the doctor.

"I can heal her," he forced out, the words were clipped and showing his weariness. The fire mage rushed forward and put his arms around Touya's chest, holding him up as the Therian looked ready to fall over right there. The heavy weight of the tall man was enough to make Damea grunt with effort. He hadn't realized how heavy the man really was. The mercenary pulled Touya away from the bed as the group was trying to get her ushered to another room so that Reginald could help her.

"Let him do what he's good at, Touya," Damea uttered, hoping to get through to the man.

"I'm not... done. I can heal her," he continued and struggled against Damea's hold, pushing and pulling and when he was freed from the mercenaries grasp, he stumbled forward before falling to the ground on his hands and knees. Damea knelt down next to him and touched his shoulder.

"You've done enough, there isn't anything else you can do. Regain your strength and then you can offer your assistance. For right now, just let him take her."

"I don't trust him!" Touya snapped back.

"Neither do I! But right now he's her only hope at pulling through! Who knows what's been done to her! It could be more than what you're healing ability can handle, Touya! If you wish, I can watch over him until he's done with her?"

Touya was silent for some time before he nodded to the fire mage, "Fine. You're the only one I can truly trust here. Watch him carefully. If he does anything suspicious, don't hesitate," Touya warned grabbing Damea's shoulder and looking at him steadily.

"Don't worry," Damea grinned, "I'll burn this whole place to the ground before I let him hurt her anymore," with that said, the mercenary got to his feet and left the Therian kneeling in the hallway. He followed after the doctor and his helpers, intent on keeping a close eye on his movements.

---

Dean ‘Havoc’ Reginald

---

The bed shivered with the force of his dive, wracked to the core by Touya’s superior strength. "I can heal her," panted the therian, directing his scowl towards Reginald. Silver eyes narrowed unyieldingly, boiling with distrust at the doctor. He shrugged of the threat, not in the least bit surprised. Touya was desperate not to lose sight of April again so soon after her recovery, but both of them knew he was out of options. Regardless of whether he believed in Reginald or not, he would submit to the doctor.

“Don’t be shrewd. Her body is in shock. If you try to heal her now, she could end up dead like the last hybrid. I’m not sure she’s even still alive,” Reginald snapped, “If you could have healed her then you wouldn’t have brought her here. Fact is, you can’t, and neither can you bring her anywhere else. Your faceless don’t possess the medical knowledge or facilities to help her and who else can you trust?”

Fortunately, Damea intervened directly, physically wrestling the therian away from the stretcher before further damage could occur. "Let him do what he's good at, Touya," begged the mercenary. Abigail was gone, the fiery red head vanishing midst the hectic chaos. Miles on the other hand stepped forwards to assist the therian, taken aback by his temper.

“Damea’s right, you need to rest first,” he reasoned.

Whilst Damea bargained with the struggling therian, Reginald nodded to leave, indicating it was imperative they reached the emergency rooms. On the verge of running, they started again, adopting a swift pace. Boots clapped through the corridors, accompanied by the squeaky wheeling of a metal gurney. Damea rejoined them shortly afterwards, observant like a guard dog.

“She’s unconscious. Judging from the surgical cuts along her abdomen there are likely internal injuries,” Hans diagnosed, slightly horrified at what he was seeing. April was like a Frankenstein project brought to life, though the reality was simultaneously macabre and elegant.

“I guess you want watch?” Reginald mused, “I won’t say no, but you need to suit up and wash up.”

Turning left, Reginald’s adjutant led the way and kicked aside the next set of double doors. Inside was the operating room, and a multitude of basic medical machinery. Reginald wasted no time in dressing as his assistant occupied himself with the necessary preparations. Re-emerging with a surgical gown, Reginald strode over and gestured for his scalpel.

“Let’s begin.”

---

“She’s resting for the moment,” Reginald said, visibly debating how much information he should divulge. The medic glanced over in Touya’s direction, constantly gauging the therian’s reaction. There was no telling how Touya would respond to the atrocities committed to April should he tell the truth. A random outburst could get them all killed. Reginald had considered bringing a magic inhibitor for precautionary measures, until he realized that Touya was perfectly capable of dispatching them without magic. They had been summoned to the dark meeting room after six hours of intensive care. Four figures waited expectantly for his report, Touya, Damea, Abigail and Miles. Reginald had left April in the capable hands of his aid, Hans, in the mean time.

“To be honest, this is far above my qualifications or anything I’ve seen previously. I’m not sure if we could even call this science,” he began.

“Playing god then?” Miles jokingly responded. The Beast Slayer was leaned as far back as possible in his seat and mimicked a smirk.

“That’s an excellent way to put it. From what we can tell so far, her body is suffering. It just can’t adapt to the extensive…modifications, and there are many…” the medic said, sighing with growing discomfort. The graphic image of her violated anatomy was still raw in his mind as he decided to tell them everything. “Her arms from the elbow down are entirely mechanical. It’s likely she’s lost all ability to feel despite possessing full locomotive control. The long scar that stretches across her back suggests her spine has also been tampered with, but I dare not investigate for fear of permanent paralysis. Additionally there are a multitude of pre-meditated incisions.”

Those were only the beginning of his concerns, “There are other issues of course. Dehydration, malnourishment, the mental trauma specifically,” Reginald paused, looking sharply towards Touya, “Until she awakens, there’s no telling if the hybrid, if April or if something else is in control. I’m willing to bet the former given they’re clearly brainwashing these people. So, for the sake of everyone, we’ve restrained her.”

“This is a rare opportunity. Did you find a way to defeat the hybrids?” Abigail asked, discourteously shirking the topic of April’s well being, “Did you have a chance to dissect her?”

“Unfortunately I was under surveillance,” Reginald replied, risking the therian's wrath, “Otherwise I would've investigated further. Given the potential for learning about the facilities whereabouts, I advise we simply keep her sedated. We might gain valuable insight into the hybridization process if we can question her.”

He had been waiting for six hours, during that time he'd hardly been able to stay still. Touya was sure that he'd probably driven Miles crazy with his constant pacing in the small room that he'd been escorted to. The Therian hadn't gotten any rest what-so-ever during that entire time. If anything he was probably for more exhausted than what he had started with. Though he had regained some of his magical energy during that time. Once they had been called into the room, Damea looked weary and a little bit on the nauseated side as well. Perhaps the man didn't do well with surgeries of the kind that Reginald had performed.

Whatever it was, the poor mercenary was paler than usual. They all filed into the room, an extra person among them as well. Touya barely gave the woman any attention since she'd stepped in. He was more concerned about what Reginald had to say about the situation. He listened intently, noting how the doctor seemed hesitant slightly to speak. Touya's icy gaze narrowed at him, urging him to speak truthfully and fully. The Therian was still angry about what Reginald had told him earlier in the hallway, how he couldn't heal her. Basically what Reginald did was tell him that he was useless to April no matter what. Not something that sat lightly with Touya.

He listened to the report intently, his hands clenching tightly beneath the table as they rested against his thighs. Damea sat next to him, leaned forward with his head propped up between his hands. His eyes were half glazed over with his weariness. It was hard for Touya to listen to everything that had been done to April and eventually, part way through the explanation, his eyes had closed tightly and his teeth were ground together. In his mind he was blaming Reginald for everything that happened, had the man not made her and Damea sick, had he not turned on them at the last minute, this would not have happened to her. None of it.

“There are other issues of course. Dehydration, malnourishment, the mental trauma specifically. Until she awakens, there’s no telling if the hybrid, if April or if something else is in control. I’m willing to bet the former given they’re clearly brainwashing these people. So, for the sake of everyone, we’ve restrained her.”

Reginald's gaze had shifted to look sharply at Touya, who returned his hard stare with the same amount of intensity, if not more. Touya didn't move though, only sat stone still as he listened to him. However, that was not the case inside his mind and body. Every muscle yelled at him to leave the dark room and run to find her. Every thought was based around his healing her and bringing her back to how she was before. He wanted to pour every ounce of his own energy into her body to bring her back. The Therian didn't care if it killed him in the process, so long as she was alive and well again, that would be just fine for him.

“This is a rare opportunity. Did you find a way to defeat the hybrids? Did you have a chance to dissect her?” The woman asked suddenly. She had been quiet thus far, but her words were without remorse or consideration and Touya felt his heart stop as he turned to regard her. His eyes had widened slightly in utter horror at what she'd said, the mere thought of it was sickening. His hands shook as he struggled to keep himself contained.

“Unfortunately I was under surveillance. Otherwise I would've investigated further. Given the potential for learning about the facilities whereabouts, I advise we simply keep her sedated. We might gain valuable insight into the hybridization process if we can question her.”

Touya stood up abruptly, the chair he'd been in tumbled backwards from the force he'd exerted upon it. His power glowed around his body as he glared at both Reginald and the woman. The metal in his arms came forth, sliding into place and creating a nice ring in the air. The claws along his hands also extended and they dug into the table as he slammed his hands down upon the wood, Damea was also standing now as well, his dark gaze directed towards Reginald too.

"Harm her in anyway, and I'll kill everyone here," Touya growled, his eyes narrowed dangerously as he looked directly at Reginald. Damea glanced over to him and touched his arm gently.

"Perhaps not everyone," he stated softly, then turned his mismatched eyes upon Reginald, "But you definitely."

Touya shook uncontrollably as he stood there, his power snaking around his body as he struggled to keep it from lashing out and killing the two before him that had suggested such a sickening thing. His teeth ground together and he let out a low growl of anger, "I trust you even less now. I will take her and go to my people. You think we cannot help her?! You're mistaken!"

"Touya, think rationally now," Damea whispered next to him. The Therian ignored him, how was he supposed to think rationally when they calmly talked about cutting up April just so that they could see what was done to her? Wasn't it bad enough that she'd been cut apart already? He could feel dark hatred welling at the back of his throat as he glowered at the people in the room. How could he trust any of them with something that he cared about most? How had things come to this to begin with?

Touya brushed passed Damea and headed for the door. His intentions were clear, he was going to go after April and once he found her in the institution, he would take her with him to his people. The humans had tried to make her into a Therian, and so none other than Therian's knew the technology best. They could heal her, they could fix her and smooth out the transition she'd made between human and Therian.

---

Dean ‘Havoc’ Reginald

---

Both men drew back defensively as Touya’s fists slammed into the table, putting a slight dent in it. The furniture clattered from violent abuse, reverberating tremors into the floors and walls where it almost threatened to topple the building. Miles’ fingers closed around the hilt of his sword on reflex whilst Reginald stepped back, inadvertently stunned by the fiery tantrum. The temperature in the room dropped cold as the therian’s claws shot forth and impaled the wood beneath his hands. Reginald gulped, attacked by a wave of chills as Touya’s smoldering orbs locked onto him. Even in the low light of the meeting room the gesture was visible. It was a blatant warning that their lives were all in imminent danger.

"Harm her in anyway, and I'll kill everyone here," Touya hissed aloud, filling the room with murderous intent. Jaw clenched in an ugly visage of death, the therian was shaking with uncontrollable fury.

"Perhaps not everyone," Damea said, joining the therian in righteous defiance. Quickly, Reginald found he was the subject of two opposing gems as Damea also regarded him angrily, "But you definitely."

An utterly agonizing silence passed between the gathered companions. They were practically on the verge of open hostilities when the Beast Slayer first broke the peace.

“You guys sure know exactly what to say to piss someone off,” Miles commented, sarcastically chiding the nature of their ruthless discussion. The Beast Slayer grinned nervously, watching, waiting to see how the conflict evolved. What the therian did next would determine his reaction. All the while Abigail had remained unnervingly silent, casually propping her chin up against her knuckles. The mysterious woman seemed fully content to let Reginald extinguish the flames caused by her suggestion.

“I was joking faceless, though I can’t earnestly say the same for my colleague. That said, there’s a difference between thought and putting into action. I would never willingly harm Miss Rosevolt more than I already have,” Reginald replied calmly, a baseless attempt to console the therian, “There are some lines which just shouldn’t be crossed. Why else oppose the hybrid project when it would be so much easier to let them win?”

"I trust you even less now. I will take her and go to my people. You think we cannot help her?! You're mistaken!" Touya spoke, anger turning to pain and sorrow as his blades snapped free. His voice had escalated through the course of his rebuke, and Reginald’s eyebrows followed its ascent. Despairing, the therian protected April as if she was his mutual lifeline. He was prepared to leave, taking her with him to empire knows where in the wilderness. Reginald had barely considered the relationship between Touya and April prior to then. Had it extended past the racial parameters of therian and human? Was there something else?

"Touya, think rationally now," Damea advised, showing clear concern for his friend. Even the mercenary was surprised by Touya’s sudden irrationality, the likes of which could be compared to his earlier self-destructive behavior.

“Then she’ll suffer more,” Reginald stated with gravity, working to stamp out the immediate fear of disembowelment. “The last I was aware, your people were nomads. They don’t possess the technology or ability to help her. Miss Rosevolt is unstable. Are you willing to risk her life by travelling?”

In no mood listen to either of their arguments, Touya strode past Damea and Reginald, heading straight to the door.

“Oh look, you’ve made him angry now,” Abigail said dismissively as Touya stormed out of the room. There was ample opportunity to stop the therian, yet she made no attempt to do so. Unlike the medic, the woman did not appear the slightest bit fazed by his outburst. Reaching for a mug of water, the moment left a sour after taste in Reginald's mouth however.

"Me?! You're the one who proposed something as rude as dissection!" Reginald huffed, incapable of deciphering her thoughts, "It almost sounds like you wanted him angry."

"But don't you think they make such a cute couple?" Abigail exclaimed, giddy from her imaginations. "Plus, don't act like you weren't already thinking it. With the way that therian is, I think they could use the break."

Reginald shot her an incredulous look. "I can't believe for such a reason...." he echoed in disbelief.

“You’re just going to let him walk out?” Miles asked, growing agitated at the complete lack of action being exhibited by the duo.

“We did technically say he’s free to go,” Reginald responded, giving a helpless shrug, “Besides, what exactly do you expect us to do? Restrain a faceless? It’s not like conventional handcuffs can stop them. He could tear down the walls if he wanted.”

The medic moved over and took the chance to reclaim a seat, still exhausted from six hours of straight operating. Abigail turned to Damea in the absence of more compelling material, aligning her dark eyes with his.

“What will you do now? We won’t prevent you from leaving if you wish,” she pondered, her musical voice unfettered by obligation, “But do beware; Altheim is firmly under Victor's control. Once you exit those doors, you're on your own.”

“Oh look, you’ve made him angry now,” The fiery red head commented as she sat in her chair seemingly un-fazed by the event.

"Me?! You're the one who proposed something as rude as dissection! It almost sounds like you wanted him angry," Reginald retorted. Damea looked between the two, his own anger almost matching that of Touya's.

"But don't you think they make such a cute couple? Plus, don't act like you weren't already thinking it. With the way that therian is, I think they could use the break."

Damea lifted an eyebrow as he looked at her, "You are just... sick," he commented, his voice thick with distaste.

"I can't believe for such a reason...." Reginald remarked as he sat down at the table again.

“You’re just going to let him walk out?” Miles asked, warranting Damea's attention. The fire mage glanced over to the man and shook his head. Things had escalated too quickly and it was all thanks to the woman named Abigail. Why had she said that? Surely it wasn't because she believed that Touya and April needed a 'break'. If anything she'd made things worse, not better.

“We did technically say he’s free to go. Besides, what exactly do you expect us to do? Restrain a faceless? It’s not like conventional handcuffs can stop them. He could tear down the walls if he wanted,” Reginald replied to Miles' question. Damea gave a short laugh of disbelief. The doctor was absolutely right, there was no way they could restrain him now. Especially since he was entirely in rage-mode, thanks to a certain someone.

“What will you do now? We won’t prevent you from leaving if you wish. But do beware; Altheim is firmly under Victor's control. Once you exit those doors, you're on your own,” Abigail said, addressing the mercenary.

Damea glowered at her in return, "Yes, because I wasn't fully aware of that point," the fire mage commented sarcastically, "First off I'm going to go see to it that Touya doesn't go on a bloody rampage, and try to talk him down from this none-sense that you've put him in. You know, I thought that you were a fairly beautiful woman who might have struck my fancy, but now I see you're just a sadistic bitch."

Damea left the room without another word and made his way quickly down the hall to find Touya. It didn't take him long as he was absolutely sure where the Therian had gone off too. Once he opened the doors to the room where April had been stationed, he found the tall man kneeling over the bed, with his hands curled in hers and his head upon the cushion of the mattress. Damea stood there for sometime, allowing Touya his moment with April before he moved. The Therian looked so troubled and he felt a pang of guilt in his chest as he observed the man.

"I figured you wouldn't go anywhere with her," Damea commented.

"I don't have much choice. If I want her to survive she needs to stay here. I cannot take her to my people, not yet anyway. We may lack the resources to fix her, but we do not lack the knowledge."

"Now your talking."

Touya looked up and over his shoulder to regard Damea with an eyebrow raised, "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said. You're talking about how your people do not lack the knowledge of this type of technology. I know Reginald is good in what he does, but don't you think that a technician of your own kind would be better in helping to have her recover?"

"What would you have me do? Score the lands in the hope that we might find a tribe willing enough to come into a human city?"

"Well... that was a thought," Damea responded, his eyes looking upwards towards the ceiling in contemplation. He had a bit of a grin on his face as he stood there. After a moment, the mercenary crossed his arms over his chest and looked back to regard Touya, "It's the only thought I had to be honest."

Touya rolled his eyes and turned back to the bed to look at April's still form, "I don't suppose you have anything else to offer besides that."

"Nope."

"Damn mercenary."

"Stubborn ass Therian."

Touya glanced back towards Damea and eyed him for a moment before a bit of a smile curved his lips and he chuckled softly as he turned back around. The Therian stayed on the floor for some time before he stood up with a sigh. Turning around he looked at Damea with a bit of that old determination that the fire mage was used to seeing. Damea's lips pulled into a grin as his head bowed forward but his eyes were still locked on Touya, giving him a rather chilling look.

"Lets go see what Reginald would think of this."

"I say we wait a bit, Touya," the fire mage said and quickly continued as he saw the look on the Therian's face darken, "You're tired and need rest. I'm tired too. Plus, I've been given the tedious task of refining my fire magic. Not that that's really important, but I would like to have a bit more control than what I have right now. So, with that in mind, lets go find something to eat around here and think this plan through. If we go and tell Reginald 'lets go find a Therian' and we don't have a proper plan, he'll shoot to the ground. Not that he can stop us, but I'd rather not be left on our own against an entire country controlled by a mad man. Deal?"

Touya eyed him carefully before he released a deep breath and nodded in return, "Deal."

"Glad to see we are on the same page!" Damea clapped the taller man on his shoulder and turned to head for the door, "Now, lets go eat something, I'm starving."

---

Dean ‘Havoc’ Reginald

---

April did not wake up the next day or the day after that. It was the fourth night when Reginald arrived to perform his routine check-up. Easing the door open, he peered into the quiet space. Antiseptics revealed themselves in the form of acrid fumes, permeating through the recent breach. Noting the utter absence of change, he stepped forwards and flicked a switch. In reaction, the lights hummed to life, flooding the immediate vicinity with luminescence as energy was pumped through cables. His gaze hovered to the gurney that was now occupied by a sleeping beauty, face-up and peaceful.

“Hans,” Reginald motioned his assistant forwards with a nod. Nothing more was needed to be said as they had carried out the exact same duties uncountable times already.

“Yes sir.”

The owlish nurse strode forth and was soon absorbed by his investigations. Reginald watched from afar, attentively monitoring their patient’s condition. April looked as much as a prisoner as she did a client. The hybrid was currently restrained in a similar fashion to Touya, with metal bonds tied around her arms and legs. Two watch guards maintained a constant eye out for signs of activity, treacherous or not. They kept her sedated with pain killers, inducing daily injections into her blood stream.

Reginald was still surprised that the therian decided against abducting her in the end. He seemed determined to liberate her, or at the very least separate ties from their organization. What exactly changed in the end? Was it really just the tantrum subsiding? Shaking his head, the medic released a deep sigh and returned his mind to more immediate issues.

Recent events in Altheim had only escalated the tension between humans and therians. The city was ripe to explode and Reginald was certain Victor was doing everything in his power to fracture the already delicate harmony. Most notable was a recent bill prohibiting therians from passing into the city. Isolation led to delusion, delusion led to suspicion. Without the Riverbends to represent strong public opposition, things had become grim. Victor was molding the population, feeding them biased propaganda to fuel the fires of their hatred. In the mean time, Reginald and his people had yet to even discover the hybrid facilities. They could only watch in helpless dismay as their world turned upside down.

“How is she?” Reginald asked.

Hans was bent over a heart monitor, using his fingers to twist a series of dials in adjustment. The device was rudimentary and possessed a speaker for monitoring. Glancing up from his work, Hans gave the man the same look of apprehension he gave every time they performed an examination, the same look of constant uncertainty.

“Holding together. Empire only knows how,” replied the adjutant. Only a few days ago her status was critical. There were so many variables and unknown factors that Reginald had to improvise. Not much of an issue normally for one used to working with the bare minimum in warzones, but saving a modified human was beyond rationality. The real question remained of her mental state. “Her breathing is slightly erratic. We could examine her further if a certain therian allowed it…”

“The faceless will be who he is. Our job is to keep her alive,” Reginald returned.

Twenty minutes elapsed before the completion of their task. As the prospect of progression faded the duo setup and prepared to leave. Once again he flicked the switch, incurring the opposite lighting effect as they closed the door behind them.

April’s eyes peeled open in the dark, feeling the emptiness that accompanied hunger. The sun had long since set under the horizon, painting the room with gaping shadows. Cardiac beeps accompanied the confusion that settled in to her smooth, honeycombed features. She felt numb and exhausted, as though every fiber within her body had been torn then clumsily reconstructed. Despite what her mind told her, April would have been more than happy to fall asleep in the foreign bed.

She drew in a quick breath that dragged over her chest, hitching it painfully. Growing accustomed to the darkness, a faint tingling registered to her entire body. Well, almost her entire body. She stretched out her fingers, prying the cold void for answers. Nothing.

---

The door burst open dramatically, throwing from its hinges with the force of a battering ram. It splintered in a dozen places, spraying debris over the corridor. Reginald and his assistant leapt back in shock, staring at the vacant space where the door should have been. Shouts filled the air as several guardsmen approached from the opposite direction, converging on the disaster zone. April appeared between them, faster than the human eye could follow. She flew into the wall, hair fluttering and blades drawn. In the brief second she paused to assess her surroundings, feverish blue eyes glared back at him.

“Get the faceless!” Reginald yelled.

"Faceless!" A soldier yelled from the doorway. Touya glowered at the man who had burst into the room. Damea and the Therian had been sitting in the dining room, the Therian was eating while the mercenary was concentrating on toasting a piece of bread with his fire. It was his fifth piece of bread, the others had gone up in flames and turned into nothing but black ash.

"The hybrid, she's awoken and she's tearing apart the place!"

Touya needed no other urging. He was on his feet and rushing towards the door almost before the soldier finished speaking. Behind him the fire mage followed closely, forgetting his exercise completely. It had been four days since Touya's out burst towards Reginald and the woman's suggestion of cutting April open to learn more about the hybrid process.

As he rushed down the hallway he heard the sounds of crashing as something or someone was making a huge ruckus. Touya came upon the scene soon enough and spotted April looking wild and confused as she had slammed into a wall. Dust covered her as she glowered at the people who surrounded her. Touya pushed passed two of the guards and made his presence apparent to her. He opened his arms to show that he was unarmed and watched her carefully.

"April," he called to her softly, hoping for all there was that she was indeed herself and not being controlled.

Her entire body snapped to his presence the moment he manifested, jerking like rag doll. April had become a keening ghost. A trembling, reinforced shape that had once been a woman. She released a shriek of tortured air and swept towards Touya, transforming into a moving blotch of corrupted yellow, and went straight for the therian. Her blades were outstretched, aiming hungrily for the jugular.

Touya startled as April lunged at him, her arm blades fully extended and swiping right for his throat. He stepped backwards quickly, narrowly avoiding the first swing of her deadly weapons. The second swing he had to block with his hand, swinging upwards and underneath her forearm to direct her attack elsewhere. Twisting that hand around he gripped her arm tightly, with the other hand he snatched her other arm and held tightly. He wasn't about to let her go on a rampage.

"April!" He shouted at her. Holding her, he could feel her strength, a strength that matched a Therian's. Her alterations caused him grief as he stood there, eyes locked on hers. What was he supposed to do now? Was she lost to him completely? Touya shook his head, that wasn't something he was about to let happen, not yet.

His body glowed as he pulled the energy into him. He would try healing her again. It had seemed to bring her back to her senses before, perhaps he would be more successful this time. The golden light swirled all around him and he pushed it forth to wrap around her smaller frame as well.

The golden magic wrapped around her, engulfing her tender arms then body with remedial light. April writhed all the while, fighting Touya's momentous grip. At first nothing seemed to happen, at least nothing on the scale of their previous encounter. Abruptly, April vomited black blood, spraying the viscous liquid across the floor and therian.

Quite the opposite of positive, Touya's healing abilities was restoring her body to its normal condition. That meant depriving her system of Reginald's vital nerve inhibitors. Without any form of pain relief, April keeled over, agony marring her features. Leaping up, she delivered a crushing headbutt, desperate to break free from the therian's hold. The force of her blow sent them tumbling backwards, April ending up on top of the therian. Every artery, every airway in her constricted as she glared down at him, panting.

A cold blade pressed against the side of his neck. Fear clouded her eyes as April began to speak. Her voice was dry, neglected from days of abuse.

"Tell me something only Touya would know," she hissed.

First was her spitting up black liquid that covered him and the floor beneath them, then she came up at him, her head connecting with his. They reeled backwards and Touya lost his footing. Hitting the floor, April straddled him and he had lost his grip on her arms. Cold steel pressed against his neck and the Therian went still.

His eyes were locked on hers as she glared at him, though it wasn't anger that resided in her beautiful orbs, its was fear. He arched an eyebrow at her as he lay there, stone still. Her question struck him as odd at first, but then maybe it was because of what she'd been through. Something that he was curious, but at the same time, might not want to know about.

"Sheree repaired my armor and hands when I was injured, and you were adored by the children at the camp," Touya answered. It had taken him a moment to think of something, but the only time that he and April had been alone really was during that time at the camp right before things went to hell. Otherwise there wasn't much worth mentioning that Reginald wouldn't know as well.

April pressed the blade tighter still, narrowing her eyes at the therian. They studied him warily, seeking, exploring, searching his figure for validation. Noticing the faded scar tissue centered within his palms, the tension gradually receded from her small shoulders. As the suspicions faded, April fell back with a deep sigh, crumbling sideways against the wall.

"I'm so sorry...Touya," she breathed, the storm passing as abruptly as it had appeared. Shamefully, she crawled off the therian and stood up, using the wall to support her trembling legs. Her blades sank back with a hiss, vanishing into the underside of her wrists, but the guardsmen kept their weapons armed and pointed.

Reginald and Hans circled the duo, confusion wrapped around their minds. They waited on Touya's signal to act, unable to gauge the situation.

"That bad huh?" she murmured, noticing their horrified expressions. "I don't suppose there's a more hospitable room to rest in?"

Touya stood up as she went to the wall and got to her feet as well. The Therian was shaking his head at her as she apologized to him. There was nothing to apologize for in his mind. It wasn't her fault she was the way she was right then, to him it was Reginald's fault only. To this, the tall Therian shot a cold look over to the doctor before moving closer to April.

"You're still April," Touya told her, his arms reaching out slowly to wrap around her, pulling her close against him, "Right now this is the only place where we can safely be. Victor has all of Artamus under his control and right now there isn't much we can do about it. Trust me, I don't plan on staying here for long," he whispered all of that to her as he leaned into her hair, his lips just barely brushing her ear.

Leaning down further, he put his arm under her knees and lifted her up into his arms easily. Turning he faced the group, "Reginald, you should probably take a look at what she just spit up," his eyes lowered to the black pool of liquid on the floor that he knew also covered him, "No more sedation," he added. Turning to the assistant, he gestured to the hallway, "Where should I put her?"

---

April Rosevolt

---

Reginald’s blank visage received the therian’s accusing glare, responding with typical indifference. Instead of talking he simply waved to the accompanying guardsmen, gesturing the men to lower their weapons. "You're still April," Touya assured, embracing her ravaged form.

Touya reached out to hug her, his arms easily extending over the width of her back. Surprisingly, April did not pull away, even as her exhausted mind screamed at her. He was a different race; she was empire-knows-what. He might even be collaborating with Reginald. It felt wrong to depend on a therian, but her heart felt an aching need to be comforted by this man. Leaning in, the left side of her cheek felt pleasantly warm against the bulk of his chest. Abruptly, his lips brushed over the edge of her ear, "Right now this is the only place where we can safely be. Victor has all of Artamus under his control and right now there isn't much we can do about it. Trust me, I don't plan on staying here for long."

Her blue orbs widened in shock, showing distress at the untimely announcement. How much time had elapsed since they last conversed? How did he gain control? Was Victor related to the experiments on her? The cobwebs faded, replaced by a cold thrill of fear as she diffused the information. April was about to press him for further answers but Touya bent down, sweeping the hybrid from her feet.

Had the numbing pain not persisted, April would have likely protested. He lifted her gently, taking judicious precautions not to hurt her. She was fine china, and Touya was apparently determined to see her safe. At as loss for words, her lips drew together in the form of a pout as April could do nothing more but ease into his powerful hold. “Drop me and a head butt won’t be the only thing coming for you,” she muttered sourly, realizing everything was false.

"Reginald, you should probably take a look at what she just spat up. No more sedation," Touya said, remarking on the slick fluids that painted the floor.

“She needs pain killers to cope with the injuries,” Reginald advised, insistent in his evaluation. "She should remain in bed. Who knows how else her body has changed."

“I’ll live without it,” April snapped, her gaze drifting dangerously towards Reginald. His voice sparked uncontrollable anger in the pit of her stomach, an intense loathing reserved only for those who engineered her terrible fate.

The man sighed, recognizing a lost cause when he saw one. “I understand. If you have anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

"Where should I put her?” Touya asked, directing his question towards Hans.

The aid exchanged an uncertain look between Reginald, the real figure of authority. “Why don’t you guide them to room 2-AB.”

---

Room 2-AB was another patient room not far down the hallway behind Reginald. It was a single-bed room which was designed for general medical practices. Leading them in, Hans flicked on the light switch, revealing a sterile interior. The room’s color scheme consisted of tanned, neutral timbers and light, sky blues for wall covering. It was almost identical in every respect to the previous apartment, even down to the position of the gurney. Noticing the absence of restraints, April was nonetheless anxious to still be residing in the same building as Reginald and his ilk. Their last meeting with the medic had resulted in her experimentation.

“Is there anything else you need?” Hans asked again.

“Nothing at all. It’s fine,” she stated, suspicion tinting her words.

April waited until Hans shut the door behind him before carrying herself away from the therian’s grip. Left to their privacy, she stumbled forwards in an ungainly manner, abandoning the courageous front. Hints of tears specked the edges of her almond eyes. Who could she trust at the moment? Could she even trust Touya? Slowly, she crept over a chair and slumped down, surrendering to exhaustion. Her thin gown covered her toned thighs and long tangled hair poured into her lap. A tired groan pierced the air stealing a moment of silence.

“When where you going to tell me that you were working with Reginald also?” she said, a hard edge entering her tone. She struggled to comprehend all that been done to her, “Where you in on this all along?”

April glanced down at her arms in total melancholy, indicating the foreign appendages that stuck to her elbows. It was surprisingly elegant, though utterly bland in taste. If not for the metallic sheen, they could have almost been mistaken for normal arms. Each flex of a finger was accompanied by the whirring of gears as complex machinery interpreted her brain signals. The only difference was April had to look each time to confirm they were moving. Bleakly, she wondered what other liberties they had taken to change.

One of Reginald's men led Touya down the hallway to the room instructed and opened the door for them. Touya gently eased her inside and took stock of the room as the light was switched on. It was nothing special really, a bed, a chair and nothing more. Once the man left after April gave her answer, Touya gently set her down and the woman separated herself from him. She made her way over to the chair and sat down wearily. The Therian was not enjoying her weakness, he wasn't used to seeing her like this. Rather, he was used to her hot spirit, her energy that always emanated from her no matter what. Now, there wasn't all that much energy left, most of it replaced by pain and... metal.

“When where you going to tell me that you were working with Reginald also? Where you in on this all along?”

At first Touya just stood there watching her from across the room. Her voice had a hard edge to it as she asked the questions. It didn't quite dawn on him until a few moments after that he realized she was putting him in on the same team with Reginald. His eyes narrowed and his hands curled into fists. Did she really believe that was what he'd done in the past few weeks? She'd been lost to him for almost four weeks straight and this is the conclusion she comes up with?! Touya quickly realized that his anger was getting out of control and he turned away from her for a moment to calm himself.

"It's not like I've been able to talk to you since you came here, April," he replied albeit a bit coldly, "That man has had you sedated ever since I brought you in. I haven't been able to see you very much either, not that it would have done any good since you were sleeping. I'm lucky that you're even awake right now, whether your body just became immune to his drugs, or whatever happened. I'm happy that you're awake.

"Where you get off thinking that I'm working with him pisses me off," he said finally, the words striking the air harshly as he turned his cold gaze upon her, "I want to kill him so badly, but I cannot because without him you might have died. I wish that I could kill him right now, run my blade through him slowly for everything that he's done to you, but yet. I cannot. Not until you're fully healed, not until I know for sure that you won't leave me again," as he spoke he walked towards her and at the end he was kneeling down next to her. His hands reached up and took hold of her face, forcing her to look at him.

"I wasn't a part of his plans at all, I never knew. I didn't know that he would poison you and Damea. I didn't know that he would leave you behind to die. I didn't know that this Victor would get to you and... and do this... to you! I didn't know anything! Yet, you accuse me, of being 'in on' his plans? Don't you realize what you've just said to me right now? After everything, after all of this, do you honestly think I could possibly be on his side?"

Touya let go of her chin and stood up. Reaching over her shoulder he pushed the chair backwards until it hit the wall. Leaning over her, he was well aware that he quite dwarfed her because of his size, but he didn't let that stop him. Reaching out again, he lifted her head this time instead of bringing it down and leaned further in. As he got closer, his voice dropped to a sultry whisper, an accent tainting his words as he almost slipped into his own tongue, "Allow me to show you who's side I'm on," with that he closed the distance, locking his lips over hers.



"You know, you can be a real ass," Damea commented as the group dispersed through the halls. Touya had left with April already, led down the hallway to a room where she could stay. His comment was directed at Reginald. The fire mage looked over to the doctor for a moment before turning away and leaving the hall as well. He would let April and Touya be alone for now, he knew how much the woman meant to the Therian. He wasn't about to ruin that as it was. So, the mercenary made his way back to the dining room and took his seat once again.

Leaning over he took up another piece of bread and eyed it as if it were his nemesis. After a moment his lips spread into a grin as he glowered at the piece of white bread between his fingers, "So... we meet again," he whispered and his fingers ignited into tiny little flames as he attempted once again to 'toast' the bread rather than burn it.

---

April Rosevolt

---

Touya gave her a face of mild amusement, the kind of one parents usually gave in answer to a frivolous question. His blue eyes were bright in the gloom, almost glowing as he reached down to seize her. Commanding her close, she cuddled his chest in return, sheltering herself in his embrace. An eccentric smile graced his lips, one she felt reflected on hers in kind as she reacted bashfully. It was the first time for either off them, compounded by the fact that they were different species. Not that it really mattered anymore.

"This is me, or shall I prove it to you again?" he mused, triggering her imagination once more. It didn’t help that the past hours were still exotically vivid in her mind. April purred in response, meeting his kiss mid-way.

"I cannot wield any magic to change my form when I'm making love to you," he assured, whispering sweet words meant only for her. His affectionate pecks elicited a slight chuckle from the trim woman who writhed in his hold.

“That sounds like a potential weakness,” she remarked, exposing hints of her sadism.

"Such a silly question," he admonished, leaning down to rest on his hind.

“I’d love for you to prove it to me again,” she murmured, acting seduced by the prospect of his intimacy, “Rather, I’m more surprised at how well you carried yourself. I was under the impression that human relationships were foreign to you, or are all therian women just accosted this way?”

She clambered up, finally relinquishing the long threads of silver hair that she’d trapped around her fingers. Crawling over, she kissed him a second time, tracing a path along his jaw line and down his neck. Attending her movements was the lingering pain one typically associates with traumatic injuries. Nonetheless she persisted in fondling for a good minute before sitting upright, using the railings of the bed as a temporary brace. Perhaps intercourse hadn’t been her most brilliant idea given her condition. Touya himself had made mention of her unstable health, but such implications only spurred her ambition. Who knew for how much longer she’d live.

Still unfamiliar with the use of her arms, she almost slipped over in ineptitude. No sensations arrived from them and she constantly had to look to ensure they were functioning as intended. The sheets fell away from her naked body, revealing the jagged scars that crisscrossed her tender flesh in shameful displays. Below her was his rippling perfection, an exquisite figure which left her with a vague sense of inadequacy. Humans and therians, it was almost unnerving how compatible they where. Despite it, April considered herself lucky. Lucky to be in the presence of Touya, lucky to have operable arms, lucky to still be alive. A single step in the wrong direction would’ve resulted in a lifetime of mindless servitude and experimentation. An alternative far worse in every respect.

“The world’s a little less bleak with you around Touya,” she stated candidly, “Please address that reckless attitude of yours. I still have to thank you for saving me and it’d be a shame if you died before then.”

Still holding onto the handrail, she pulled up and reclaimed her hospital gown which lay sprawled on the mattress above. “Now, I think you should ret-”

Alarms flared abruptly, jolting her in surprise. April's blue eyes glanced up, expecting the sky to fall or something similar. She then gazed at him anxiously, urging the therian to get dressed. If anything was clear, it was that something was definitely wrong. In the midst of deafening tolls, someone came knocking at the door. Acquiring her attention, she slipped her arms through her garment's sleeves and strode forwards to answer the summon, only sparing a moment for the therian to jerk on his clothes.

---

---

Reginald heard the curdling screams as they came, echoed from the outside of the building. It sounded like someone’s innards were being ripped from their bodies, which seemed impossible given no surgeries were scheduled for that morning. Abandoning the steaming bowl of gruel, Reginald stood up from his desk and went to the door to investigate.

Outside of his room was the hallway. The corridor was well lit despite the absence of natural light, relying on light bulbs instead for illumination. The door parted without issue, obeying his pull, but Reginald withdrew almost immediately. A trio of soldiers rushed past, guardsmen wearing the national blue, yellow uniforms. They lacked the protective armor usually worn into battle because most duties within the city were relatively simple.

Reginald ducked back behind his doorway to avoid being barreled over. Surprised at their pace, he yelled out to the sergeant before he could vanish around the corner. “Sergeant Grant! What’s wrong?”

“Apologies sir, I can’t say. We’re going to investigate now,” the man replied tersely, “You’re welcome to join us.”

Nodding, Reginald hurried after them as they swept through the corridors. Other guardsmen were already checking the rooms, searching for the source of the screams. Grant’s unit paused outside of the patient rooms; one Reginald realized was the apartment they had lent to Damea. Positioning themselves in a breaching arrangement, Sergeant Grant knocked on the door.

“This is security! Open the door!”

No reply.

“This is your last warning!”

They waited a second longer before storming in. Sergeant Grant reared back and kicked the door, ramming it wide open.

“Empire’s teeth! Ring the alarms!”

Both swords scrapped along her larger one as he pushed forward, using his magic to add to his strength just as she was. Touya had been so focused on fighting Ahmeil that he hadn't noticed April swing around them to end up behind the Therian woman. He was startled to see her there, but even more so when she slashed at Ahmeil with her arm blades. Ahmeil, who had not seen April either, screamed in pain as she felt the blades cut through her lower back and thighs. Ahmeil had stepped forward just enough to miss being cut open further, but the damage was bad enough.

Touya backed away, ducking as Ahmeil swung around with her enormous sword. The blade cut into the wall and swung at April. Without pause, Touya shot forward, his blade cutting through Ahmeil's side as she shifted and he missed running her through. As much as he hated it, he knew anything less than killing Ahmeil would not solve their problem with her. The woman twisted back around in mid swing and came back around at Touya. His blades slammed into Ahmeil's weapon, slowing her attack. Turning his body, he ducked under it again and came up on the other side of her sword. With her body now completely open, he struck forward.

His sword went straight for her chest and Ahmeil gasped in shock at how he'd out maneuvered her. She relinquished her hold on her weapon with one hand to block the sword that could have taken her life. Even so, his weapon went through the metal on her arm. Ahmeil's shriek of pain echoed in the hall and she stumbled backwards, wrenching her arm free. She was outnumbered by soldiers, with April and Touya as well to combat her prowess. Her gaze shifted between both April and Touya, the latter not waiting for her to recover. He lunged forward and Ahmeil quickly back stepped, batting aside his swords with her own. The strength was lost in her arm though as she could not efficiently wield her large weapon with one hand.

"They killed your brother and you still wish to fight me! Your own kind," she hissed as she backed away, keeping her blade up just enough to stop his strikes. They were now in the room she'd come out of, slowly moving backwards for the doors that led out to the deck.

"Because your methods are unjust! I know my brother is dead, but that doesn't mean we need to go and wipe out the entire human race!" Touya spat back, his swords clanging against hers loudly to emphasize his words.

Ahmeil glowered at her, her teeth bared in rage as she continued to back up. Soon they were out on the deck with Touya still swinging to try to bring down her sword that she was miraculously keeping between herself and his weapons. The tall Therian swung downwards, trying to move her blade, but as he did so Ahmeil took a large step backwards and reached out to jump up over the rail of the deck. She rested on the other side, glaring at him.

"As if I'd let you kill me," she growled at him and let go of the bar just as Touya leapt for her. His blade just barely missed her and he leaned over the edge to try to see where she'd gone to. It wasn't a long drop, nothing that would kill her that was for sure. However, he wasn't entirely sure where she'd gone, though he could still feel her presence. That presence, though, was definitely growing fainter by the second and Touya had to conclude that she'd shape shifted in mid jump. Ahmeil's form was that of a wolf, much like Touya's albeit a bit smaller than his. The Therian's eyes narrowed as he looked out at the dirty street.

With a growl he flicked his blades closed and sheathed them. Turning on his heel, that was when his gaze locked on the body on the deck next to him. His heart lurched forward and his eyes widened. It couldn't be. Kneeling next to the body of Damea he reached out slowly to see if the man was still alive. Blood pooled all around him, staining his colorful clothing that marked him as a mercenary and sparkling in a pool of crimson on the stone deck. His fingers gently pressed against Damea's neck and he held his breath.

At first nothing happened, his fingers felt nothing and Damea's skin was slightly cool. His heart was growing heavier, pounding hard in his chest as a lump formed at the back of his throat. Touya knew that Ahmeil had been the culprit of Damea's condition. The Therian was about to pull back from the man's neck when he felt the faintest pulse under his finger tips. His heart skipped a beat and then jumped into a race as adrenaline pumped through him. Encouraged by this, his body glowed brightly and he began healing what he could, most especially the wound in his chest. Touya knew he wasn't going to be able to heal all of the man's wounds, but he could at least help to save his life.

Golden light wrapped around the man's body and engulfed him, working to pull together all the muscle and ligaments in his chest and stop the bleeding. It took Touya quite a while to do so and when he finished, he was dizzy with the strain of using yet again, too much magic. He couldn't heal the wound in the fire mages' side but he knew that wouldn't kill the man. Leaning over he eyed Damea carefully and was relieved to see a rise in color tone and his breathing start to stabilize.

"Reginald!" Touya yelled, "Come get Damea!"

---

April Rosevolt

---

She couldn’t feel the division of flesh as her blades sliced apart armor and clothing, but she could certainly hear it. Her ambush was rewarded with a tantalizing shriek of pain as her opponent stumbled from the unexpected assault. Tendrils of blood pattered across the floor as Ahmeil recovered and then retaliated, furious. Bringing her sword about, the therian woman swung wide like a batter. Her sword followed obediently, eating into the fabric of the wall like a knife through wet tissues. April didn’t dodge, she didn’t even flinch as her feet spread and the hybrid absorbed the impact of the collision with her wrists up.

Another gasp indicated that Amheil had been struck again, this time by Touya. Taking the opportunity offered by April’s attack, he lashed out, his movements a mere flash of brilliant white. Ahmeil was losing, and even a stubborn woman such as herself could realize the odds were stacked against her. Backing away, she retreated into a doorway, presumably the one she’d broke into.

Devastation followed in the wake of those two potent individuals as they traded blows through the bloody corridors and back into the apartment. The power either of them exhibited was truly a sight to behold, their already immense strength further augmented by magic. Even the surrounding guards were hesitant to interfere, terrified of being cut to ribbons. April charged in after them, though at the same time it wasn’t April. Reduced to another feral monstrosity, the banshee who followed in through the doorway was anything but the authoritative Lieutenant.

Adjusting to the small arena, she maneuvered to the side again, aiming to intercept the intruder’s escape. "They killed your brother and you still wish to fight me! Your own kind."

April paused abruptly, the words interrupting her madness. She spared a glance, directing her predatory eyes towards Touya and Ahmeil. Touya had never mentioned a brother, let alone his family to her. She’d barely even considered his grief amidst managing her own condition. How selfish of her, how inconsiderate. Any further thoughts were suspended as she felt an acute prick in the side of her neck. Turning around, she noticed a needle and Reginald’s soft gaze upon her. Immediately her vision fogged, and as the adrenaline wore off, she collapsed to her knees.

---

Dean ‘Havoc’ Reginald

---

"Reginald! Come get Damea!"

His head snapped up in response to his name. Sensing the urgency that accompanied the therian’s call, Reginald hurried onto the balcony after laying April to rest. There was no sign of the woman outside, only the prominent features that demonstrated some violent scuffle had occurred. Only the aftermath. Before him, lying in a pool of his own blood was Damea, pale and out cold.

“Step aside,” Reginald said, pushing his way forwards. The medic crouched over Damea, checking the man’s vitals. “The wounds aren’t fatal, suggesting she wanted to torture him. Nonetheless, it was a rushed job. She was clearly running out of patience. It also seems you’ve done half of my job for me...in any case, I still need to close the remaining wounds. He’s lost great portions blood, but he should be fine. Keep treating people like this and I’ll be out of a job soon! Well done faceless.”

“Hold his wounds closed and get a gurney! We’ll move him to an operating room and advance from there. Thankfully we’re already in a hospital,” Reginald ordered, gesturing some guards to assist them. “Don’t worry, we won’t let her escape.”

Two guardsmen strode in hastily and bent down to lift the man. Before they could leave, Reginald nodded towards April. “I’ve sedated her. She shouldn’t be fighting. There are aspects about her health that we haven’t had the chance to assess yet. Until we do, I request that you take her back to her room and keep her there. After that, you and I will have a discussion about this faceless woman who just killed twelve of my men.”

---

Miles Riverbend

---

“You chose very poorly when you decided to shape shift. There aren’t any wolves in the city, you know?” a voice rang out behind Ahmeil. The tone was curt and obnoxiously sarcastic.

Suspiciously devoid of pedestrians, the street before her shifted precipitously. The harsh noise of stone grinding against concrete echoed as walls snapped together like lego, instantly separating her from her escape route. Chanting could be heard, a multitude of voices conjoined in a single mantra as the earth mages fashioned the street to their desires. Within seconds she was trapped, a mouse in a shoebox.

“Infiltrating a secure facility in Altheim was a stupid thing to do. I mean, what where you thinking? A therian in the heart of the human capital city? Sure! What could possibly go wrong? Honestly, you must be pretty desperate to find the culprits, or retarded.”

Miles appeared then through a gap in the roof. He landed deftly, sword drawn and grinning cynically. “So here I am, the man who stabbed your precious Val. I wonder, will you allow me the pleasure of stabbing you to?”

She hadn't been expecting the human to run after her, nor to grab hold of her weapon and help her to bring down the hybrid that was hell bent on killing them both. Taken completely by surprise she couldn't do anything when Miles pulled her around and took hold of her huge weapon. Ahmeil barely comprehended what he wanted to do. Completely at his mercy, she was moved around as Miles threw his dagger into the hybrids ankle, causing him to tumble forward. In a matter of seconds, Miles had pulled Ahmeil around and dropped her sword downwards at the legs of the creature.

Figuring that was good enough now that the thing couldn't walk anymore, Miles drew away and looked at her. Ahmeil's gaze was still locked in astonishment at the creature that lay writhing on the ground, trying to get back up to continue its hunt. It would most likely bleed out in the dark alleyway.

“You have to think quick to be quick. That’ll slow it down enough for both of our getaways. I suggest you tell your leaders to prepare for war.”

Ahmeil barely registered what he was saying as she turned slowly to look at him. Her eyes were wide still with the shock of seeing the creature. It hadn't really sunk in what exactly was going on. Slowly, she sheathed her weapon and took several steps away from the hybrid thing that lay on the ground. Her eyes flicked back over to Miles as she moved away, down a darker alleyway.

"I'll bear that in mind," she muttered, "I don't suppose it'll be you whom we'll be fighting. Whoever made this... thing... I wish them a most painful death," Ahmeil cursed, her words slipping between clenched teeth. Her hardened look returned somewhat as she continued her slow retreat into the dark alleyway behind her. With a lump in her throat she narrowed her eyes at Miles.

"Don't think this makes us friends," she started, "But for now it seems we have a common enemy."

Ahmeil turned on her heel and fled down the alleyway then without waiting for a response. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest as she ran. What had she done exactly just then? Was she really intending to fight alongside a human against such things? It didn't seem there was any other choice. All that was left was to convince Val about the situation. Ahmeil hardly believed that he would be so easily swayed. In fact, she was very sure that he would be against what she had to tell him. Her lips pulled into a frown as she made it through the city and towards the gates. Her appearance shuddered slightly as she changed her form into that of a common woman she'd spotted just moments before. With that, Ahmeil passed through the gates and headed out into the wilds.



“Step aside. The wounds aren’t fatal, suggesting she wanted to torture him. Nonetheless, it was a rushed job. She was clearly running out of patience. It also seems you’ve done half of my job for me...in any case, I still need to close the remaining wounds. He’s lost great portions blood, but he should be fine. Keep treating people like this and I’ll be out of a job soon! Well done faceless.”

Touya stepped away to allow Reginald to pass him. He only glowered at the man's back as he stated that Touya had done most of the work for him. The Therian watched closely as Reginald worked around the man and began ordering the men around.

“Hold his wounds closed and get a gurney! We’ll move him to an operating room and advance from there. Thankfully we’re already in a hospital. Don’t worry, we won’t let her escape,” Reginald said, the last part directed at Touya.

The tall Therian didn't answer still. At the moment he didn't care if Ahmeil got away or not, his only concern right then was for Damea who had nearly bled out completely. He could feel anger at the back of his throat as he tried to swallow the lump that had formed there. What would he have done if Damea had died? He wasn't sure, and he certainly didn't want to find out either. It was the same for April. Should anything happen to her, he would most likely destroy everything.

“I’ve sedated her. She shouldn’t be fighting. There are aspects about her health that we haven’t had the chance to assess yet. Until we do, I request that you take her back to her room and keep her there. After that, you and I will have a discussion about this faceless woman who just killed twelve of my men.”

They entered the room soon after as the men brought the bed for Damea and began wheeling him away. Touya was going to follow, but his eyes had settled on April's still form and his heart leapt to his throat. What had happened to her!? Reginald was quick to explain as Touya rushed over to her and knelt down. Gently picking her up he listened to the mans explanation as he cradled her close. His icy gaze lifted to glower at Reginald.

"I thought I said no more sedation..." Touya growled, "It seems I cannot take my eyes off of her even for a second when you're around," slowly the Therian stood up with the woman in his arms, "I will take her there, but if you wish to speak to me you will come with. I'm not leaving her alone," Touya turned on his heel and headed for the door.

---

April Rosevolt

---

When she awoke again, April was back in her patient room, reclined against the quilted covers of a hospital mattress. Her eyes fluttered as she listlessly took in her surroundings, rich in a palette of natural stains. The sterile environment was a far cry to her latest memories, polluted with blood as they where, and ever so slightly disconcerting given the duplicate architecture. Not that she had a chance to explore the facility, but from the brief glimmer of exploration earlier she could imagine getting easily lost in here. The therian’s absence came with an explosion of anxiety as she fought down the impulse to scream his name out.

Forcing her neck to twist over, she noticed a chair propped against the wall and realized she was in the same room she’d slept together with Touya. Someone had taken the time to ensure she was comfortably settled, laying her in a neutral resting position. White sheets that receded at the end of the bed served the rudimentary purpose of thermal insulation, concealing her lower half. Further out was Touya’s taught figure who seemed far more assuring than any painting.

His presence seemed to shake the fatigue from her mind and she pulled up near instantly. “I’m sorry, I’ve kept you waiting again haven’t I?” she asked, guilt riding her words.

Touya noted her movement the moment she woke up. Her eyes wandered around room before finally resting on him. She sat up and the Therian almost moved to stop her, but he figured she should at least try to move around a little bit. It would be good for her system, especially with Reginald having her asleep for so long.

He sighed as she asked him what happened after she collapsed, "You don't need to be sorry. I wouldn't let any danger come to you. I know that you would much rather be in the fight than stand on the sidelines," he started, "Damea is... in critical condition last I heard. Ahmeil nearly killed him, but he should be fine soon, assuming Reginald does his job properly."

Touya tapped the edge of the chair he was sitting in restlessly. It wasn't that he didn't think that Reginald couldn't heal the man, he just didn't trust the man at all. There was a nagging feeling that Reginald would do other things than just heal the man if he had the time to. With a heavy sigh, Touya stood up and walked over to April's bed side. Sitting himself on the edge he reached over and took her hands in his.

"I wanted to tell you that Damea and I talked about going and getting another Therian from the wilds. One that knows our technology like Sheree did. We wanted to bring them here so that they can work on yours. To make it... easier. If done right, you'll have feeling back in your limbs and they'll be like mine, a solid part of you." He said slowly, "and no scars... nothing else. I figure I will have to use my healing to help the transition while the other worked on you.

"With Reginald's help we could numb your body so you won't feel any pain. But, I also wished to ask you what you wanted. I did not wish to go through with this plan if you did not want it. I'm only offering it because I know that we can help you to feel better. But that's all I can offer," he whispered the last part, his eyes locked on her metal arms. His fingers tightened around hers, though he was sure she couldn't feel it. His eyes burned and he tightened his jaw, strength was what she needed, nothing else.

"So, you noticed that also," she murmured, sucking the bottom of her lip. Her eyes roamed over to where their hands connected, noting the absence of feeling with despondence. They shot up after a moment, following the length of his arm before settling upon the turbulent blue orbs of their owner. She'd never seen such a conflicted expression in her entire life, but Touya wore it like a mask bolted permanently to his features. "Touya, what happened to me isn't your fault. Still it seems like you're forcing all the responsibility on yourself. I can manage fine if you want to go check on Damea, I'm more worried about you. What do you want to do?"

Directing her other arm around his shoulder, she pulled him to her chest whilst twining her fingers in the hairs on the back of his neck. "I'm sorry your brother was killed," she said, speaking over his head, "Everything that's happened, everything that's happening...it must be hard to deal with."

Releasing the therian, April leaned back against her pillows and smiled softly. "As enticing as it is to be able to wave away my condition, I don't think that'd be a good idea. The last time you tried to heal me it felt like my body was unraveling," she chuckled morbidly, tucking a wayward strand behind her ear, "But if you're taking a break from all of this, I'd be glad to join you. I think you need time away from Altheim, just...don't let Damea come along. I'm not sure I'm ready to handle his relentless chatter quite yet."

As she spoke, she pulled him down into her shoulder, running her fingers through his hair at the nape of his neck. The long braid tugged as she moved her hand. He didn't mind and allowed her to pull him down. He was conflicted. That much was so true. He didn't know what to do anymore, he didn't know how to help her and that was the most frustrating. Touya's teeth ground together as he leaned against her, eyes squeezed shut.

When he was released from her hold, she fell away from him and rested against the pillows. Touya hadn't answered her the entire time she spoke, unable to think of anything to say in response, though as she answered his proposition he felt a tightness in his chest. As much as he wanted to help her that way, if April didn't want it, he wouldn't force it. Though he did wish to offer her the same help but without his healing.

"Don't worry about my brother. It was a long time ago I'm sure. Ahmeil just didn't know how to deal with it at the time and her only option was probably Val. I wasn't there to help her, so that's my fault, but it is nothing that you need to worry about. Right now, you are my only concern."

"April, at least let one of my people look at this," he said raising her arm up as an indication, "I won't heal you while they do it, but I'm sure they can do more for you than what Reginald is doing. All he does is sedate you! That does nothing!" Touya couldn't help but to raise his voice a bit as he spoke.

"He knows nothing of this technology, and if he ever had the chance he would kill you just so he could have the chance to examine your body! I won't allow that!" Leaning forward he brushed his hand across the side of her face, "I won't allow any more harm to come to you. This..." his voice shook, threatening to break as he gazed at her, "This is bad enough."

He had to calm down. Touya looked away and took a deep breath that shuddered in his chest. Her suggestion about leaving Althiem was very tempting, but he also feared for her safety. The words of the woman saying that the moment they left the building would be their last still wove around his mind. Would that still apply? Would Reginald really close his doors on them? Touya's eyes closed tightly as his brows came down in irritation. Why did he care so much if Reginald turned them away?

Touya could heal, and he was strong. With Damea they both could protect April until they reached a Therian settlement. So what was keeping him there still... What was it.

"Perhaps... a vacation would be a good thing," he muttered.

Strangely, she burst out laughing at the mention of Reginald, or maybe it was Touya's comment on sedatives that did it. Carefully, but clumsily, she held a finger up to his lips to repress any further outbursts.

"You've done more than enough for me already. You saved me Touya. Stop anguishing over this and think of yourself. You're going to pop a blood vein at this rate," she cautioned, eyes twinkling with amusement despite his apparent despair.

"Knowing you, Reginald probably hasn't even gotten a chance to have a proper look at me anyway," she said coyly. Moving her arm again, her hand pressed over their point of contact, afraid to relinquish the warmth that swelled on her cheeks as his hands brushed over them. This she could feel. "On that note, you're going to have to explain everything that occurred while I was gone at some point. I'm not sure why you're working together, but I can see that I'm missing half the story. I shouldn't have accused you so blindly in the first place."

"In any case, maybe having an expert look at these limbs might not be such a bad idea," she admitted, frowning at her indistinguishable reflection as she inspected an arm. "There's one more thing though. Something I've been meaning to tell you since i returned but haven't had a chance to."

April grew somber abruptly as she allowed her arms to drop into her lap. "I know the location of the hybrid facility."

Out of everything she said, it was the mention of her knowledge about the facility that struck him harder than anything else. His eyes lifted to hers quickly, jaw slackening at the shock of her statement. Was it true? Did she really remember where their facility was? Touya could hardly believe the words from her lips.

"April... you know what that means right?" He muttered. Slowly his shock wore off and his eyes narrowed, glinting dangerously. He wanted to know right then where the facility was, he wanted to leave that very moment and go destroy it with every ounce of power he could wield. His revenge was being fueled even more so just by the sight of her arms. He felt the swelling anger at what they'd done to her coming back again.

"Tell me, April. Tell me so I can wipe them off this land."

"I was afraid you'd say that," she muttered, catching the dangerous glint in his eyes, "And the answer is no. I want to help the rest of the prisoners there as well, but not until we're ready. Not until we have a plan. They have an army of hybrids, Touya."

In the midst of her explanations, April had unconsciously started to fidget with her hands in her lap. She was serious when she'd suggested a vacation. Some small part of her desperately hoped that the therian would spare himself any further pain. Some small part of her still ached for an escape. A knock came at the door suddenly, startling her from her thoughts. April's gaze was drawn to the voice behind the door as Reginald spoke out to identify himself.

"Hello? May I come in Miss Rosevolt?" he asked politely.

"Come in," she called out. Before the doctor could enter, she directed an anxious look towards Touya, mouthing the words 'please stay'.

The door clicked as the handle turned downwards. Reginald's tall figure appeared in the doorway, alone and dressed in his hospital scrubs. He looked harmless, congenial, friendly even, but April had made that mistake before. Her eyes regarded him warily as he stepped into the room, smiling amicably to show he was safe.

"Sorry, did I interrupt a conversation?" he mused, noticing the proximity of the pair. April's head shook in response but said nothing otherwise. "Apologies it took me so long to get here. I didn't want to leave the operation until everything was complete. Damea will be fine. We just finished patching up the last of his wounds."

"Why are you here?" she asked, almost hissing the words as her fists took clumps of white sheets into them.

Reginald chuckled at her bluntness. He did miss her candid personality. "I'm here to talk about the therian woman, and you, Miss Rosevolt," he answered, "Although if you're not comfortable discussing your condition, I'm happy to postpone the questions."

Touya half growled at her response. She would say that. However, he understood the implications. If there were innocent lives there, he would wish to help them too. It would do him no good to go in and destroy everything. That would only set him back on his desires to unite the humans and Therian's.

He was about to answer her in kind when a knock on the door came. It was Reginald, and he was allowed entrance from April. Touya's gaze narrowed at the man as he entered, apologizing for the length of time it took for him to come to talk. Not that Touya really cared, he hadn't wanted to converse with the man all that much anyway.

However, he did smile approvingly at April when she hissed at him, asking why he was there. She still had her fire. How very... appealing. Turning to regard the doctor, Touya's frown reappeared again.

"I would rather we not have a discussion about her," Touya replied bitterly. He didn't want to put April through the terrible reminders if it were at all possible.

"What do you wish to know about Ahmeil?"

"I assure you, the questions are for her own good," Reginald insisted, "Through a number of preliminary tests we've discovered that the black liquid you vomited largely consists of human blood. Miss Rosevolt, you succumbed to a violent episode in the hallway earlier. Surely you of all people would recognize the need for proper counselling."

He paused, sighing at the needless hostilities, "If nothing, now would be an excellent chance to catch you up on recent developments. Now about this faceless woman, what does she want with you?"

---

The Scientist

---

"All preliminary checks complete. Systems stabilized. What are your commands sire?"

"Proceed as planned, initiate offensive protocols. Humanity regains its supremacy today."

"Initiating offensive protocols. Your directive?"

In the gloom of the oil slick floor space, hundreds of hybrids jerked to life. The lifeless dolls that they were gazed back at the metal stage, obediently awaiting their orders. Each aberration was a master piece in itself, the culmination of a pain staggering modification process and years of advanced research. The scientist and his colleagues had been working tirelessly for the past few months, though with the public's support things had greatly accelerated.

"It's quite an achievement. Congratulations," Victor Hawthorne admired, sweeping his approving gaze over the multitude of bio-weapons. As horrific as they seemed, in them he saw a means to an end. Prosperity, authority, expansion. "The main problem is, how do we discover the rebel's location?"

The scientist nodded, "Evidence indicates that therians prefer to be nomadic, my suggestion would be to pursue the rebels as a primary objective. Though doing so may risk inciting additional uprisings, eliminating the figure head will-"

"No, the rebel's are already aware of our project i'm sure. They'll hide and keep hiding, but we can draw them out. We hit the rest of the therian settlements. As many as we can and as hard and fast as possible. Therians don't possess networks of communication, whereas we do. We have the advantage of surprise," Victor stated.

"I assure you, the questions are for her own good. Through a number of preliminary tests we've discovered that the black liquid you vomited largely consists of human blood. Miss Rosevolt, you succumbed to a violent episode in the hallway earlier. Surely you of all people would recognize the need for proper counselling."

Touya would have asked whose blood it was that she'd spat up, but he was too consumed with irritation at Reginald's mention of having to have 'proper counselling'. What April needed was a trainer. She was different now than before. She would have to start from scratch, learn to control her anger that would drive her new body, learn to control her strength because she was much stronger than before, and if at all possible, learn how to use her new limbs in the same way the Therian's do. Perhaps Touya was treating her too much like his own kind, but it was the only thing he knew.

"If nothing, now would be an excellent chance to catch you up on recent developments. Now about this faceless woman, what does she want with you?"

Touya shifted on the bed and took hold of one of April's hands unconsciously. Leaning over, he rested the other arm across his knee and looked at Reginald squarely, "Her name is Ahmeil. She was my sister by marriage to my brother. This must have happened when I was away trying to negotiate with Val, but it seems that my brother had been killed by a group of humans. I don't know the details to that, but she's said they killed him right in front of her. She's lost her mind to that, rage is what drives her now. Ahmeil used to be loving, sweet and would never harm anyone or anything. Obviously that's changed, she's part of Val's group now, something I wish would have never happened," Touya sighed and looked away as he spoke. The Ahmeil he remembered was not the one who ran around Artamus now. She was cold blooded, a killer and someone he was eventually going to have to go up against, just like Val.

"She wants to kill me because I do not share her same views, and I disagree with Val. Regardless of how many times I've been proved wrong about humans," he growled the last part, eyes narrowing in on the doctor and his hand tightening over April's, "She thinks that I should have joined Val without question, but because she's found me working with human's her rage has increased and now she's hell bent on killing all of us. I believe it's because she thinks that my brother would want something like this, when he very well wouldn't. But telling her that at this point would be fruitless. She's especially ticked off because Miles and I went to kill Val, something of which I thought we'd achieved."

Touya turned to look at April for the next part of his explanations, "Reginald sent Miles and I on a man hunt in order to get you and Damea back. He wanted us two to go kill Val and when that was done he would return you both to me. However, while I was gone his incompetence is the blame for what happened to you. I can't tell you how hard it was not to kill him when I found out. I insisted on finding you, so I went back to the building with Miles and Damea. We encountered our first hybrid there. It was there also that I found I could heal the damages done to a human being created into a hybrid. Though I don't know if it was because we'd already injured it so much or if my healing had done it, the hybrid died right after I finished. Thus I was afraid to heal you at first, but it was better than nothing. I won't try it again, though."

The Therian returned his gaze to Reginald then, his mind working through his original plan of getting a Therian there to work on April's arms, "While I'm thinking of it, I want to go find a tribe of Therian's. If we find someone who knows our technology, like I found to fix mine, they can help April far more than you or I can. Victor was trying to imitate our technology, if that truly is the case than my people can help her further. They can make it so she can feel her limbs again and so that the weapons inside are much like my own and it won't hurt her anymore. My only condition is that I'm taking her with me and I'm leaving Damea in your hands," Touya leaned forward then, his voice dropping to a menacing growl and the armor across his hands slowly coming out to cover his fingers in long silver claws, to further the effect that he wanted, the three arm blades snapped out as well, "But if I return to nothing, and I find that Damea is missing just like April was before, I swear to you, no machine of yours will stop me from hunting you down and running my sword through you as painfully as I can manage."



The moment she'd left the city she'd turned into her wolf form and was bolting across the wilds. It took her four in a half days to reach the forest where they were holed up far to the east. By the time she got there, she was so tired that the only thing she could really thing of was food and sleep and nothing more. However, the moment she stepped into the camp she was met by a furious Val.

"Ahmeil," he growled at her, hands crossed over his bare chest as he glowered at her. She stopped dead in her tracks, having shifted back into her Therian form.

"Val, I... I can explain."

"I wish to hear it than, inside the tent," he jerked his head towards his tent and she followed him almost like a child having been caught red handed doing something wrong and about to get handed her punishment. When they entered the tent, Val motioned for her take a seat and she did as he ordered.

"Val I-"

"Do you realize how worried I was for you? I woke to find you gone! And all that Gretta could tell me was that you'd left and there was nothing she could do to stop you! What were you thinking Ahmeil!?"

She flinched as his voice rose at her, he must have noticed because he stopped and stared at her. Ahmeil wasn't one to flinch when he reprimanded her, no she usually had her cold glare on her face, was stone still at all times, but something was different. Val leaned forward and took her face between his fingers, his eyes narrowed as he inspected her carefully. She didn't more, didn't say anything, just let him do what he was doing until he was satisfied.

"What happened to you?"

Ahmeil took a deep breath and in the next hour explained to him everything that she'd witnessed after she'd entered the city and attacked Touya's friend and him. As she told Val about the hybrid, she shuddered as she spoke about it, the feelings of disgust and horror washing over her again. When she finished, her eyes were gazing at the ground beneath her feet and her fingers were intertwined with nervousness.

Val leaned back from her and sighed deeply, "What have they done?" he muttered to himself.

"They are as dangerous as ever, but... Val... we can't do this alone, not like we have been."

"What are you suggesting?"

"I'm suggesting that we find Touya and his company and offer to work with them."

Val was silent for some time as he sat there, eyes staring up at the ceiling of the tent. His fingers tapped the edge of his muscular arm as they were crossed once again over his chest. Ahmeil's eyes wandered and she noted the long scar going vertically down his chest, the wound that almost took his life. It was still fresh, pink and looking slightly inflamed. Val must have been up and moving around too much in the past few days. It would be something he would do.

"Work with human's hu? When they are the one's creating these horrific monstrosities? I really wonder what happened to you Ahmeil, what are you not telling me? What did they do to you?"

"Nothing! Val! Please, you have to trust me. I'm suggesting we work with Touya and his company because they know a lot about who we will be fighting against. We can't just blindly go in like we've always done. These hybrids... they are not something that we've faced before. They are much stronger and I doubt a entire group of us can combat them easily."

"Than you doubt your own kind," Val growled, suddenly shifting and leaning forward, his narrowed eyes startled Ahmeil and she unconsciously leaned away from him, "You've grown soft again. Is it just because you saw something that you didn't like? Is it because it scared you? Ahmeil! Pull yourself together! You're suggesting that we work with the very same people who killed your husband and with the very same people who are now creating these creatures!"

"Val!" She screamed back, earning his reaction of pulling away, startled, "You don't understand! These things... these monsters... they can crush us without a thought. This thing... was mindless, it felt no pain. I highly doubt it died back there in the streets where we left it. They are on a whole different level than we are. You have to listen to me. Trust me I don't want to work with them, I want to kill them just as always, but I'm afraid now because I'm afraid of losing everyone here. Whoever created that thing, I fear that there are more and they aren't just going to stay in the cities. I fear that they will coming for us and we'll lose more than we've ever lost before."

Val didn't stir as he watched her. Her gaze wavered as she stared at him, there was true fear in her eyes and she was hoping, praying that he would finally agree with her. He leaned back, an eyebrow lifted as he stared at her. She hoped that he could see that she wasn't lying, hoped that he could see her trembling at the very memory of what she'd encountered. After several moments, he leaned forward again and took her shaking hands in his. His voice softened as he spoke to her again.

"Ahmeil. We are strong as a people. I know that you're afraid, but you need to turn that into something you can use. Fear will only get you killed. I can see that this is something to be reckoned with. However, I'm not so willing to go find Touya right at this moment. I want to see these things for my self and if we as a whole group truly cannot bring them down than we shall explore our other options," with that Val stood and left the tent and a terrified Ahmeil behind. She sat there, breath shaking for a long time as she fought back tears of anguish. He wasn't going to listen to her. It was going to take those things coming and destroying them before he listened to her.