Darkness, a thick void of nothingness.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6xxKNE0sW
The world that Bastion could see before him was empty and alone.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniJ2D2s4Jj
Where am I?160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKNyWv1mIq
From the deep corners of this land, a whisper emerges.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKNHdtJCo6
“Bastion....”160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgdPV84wHt
“Who’s there? Where are you?” he demanded.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv68JpHzOZK
He was lost and confused, he did not know how he got here and he desperately wanted to get out.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cNQHcelyT
The voice of undistinguishable gender called once again, Bastion’s name echoed in the far off distance, calling out in a tone mixed with anger and fear.
“Bastion....”
“Stay right there, I’m coming” he called out to the darkness.
Taking his first step in the void, Bastion could feel an immense weight behind every movement he made. There was nothing around him to hinder his progress, and yet he felt sluggish, as if something was holding him back.
It was unsettling, like many hands pulling, dragging at his feet.
A sense of unease gnawed its way into Bastion’s mind as he called out once again.
“Who are you?... Where are you?”
Moving slowly towards the voice Bastion called out again “say something, please. Where are you?”
The voice replied.
“Bastion....”
The voice sounded sweeter and yet terrified as it called out for him.
Bastion did not know who it was, the voice sounded familiar and yet distant, like a memory locked away in the back of his mind.
Splush!
“Water!?”
A stream of liquid began to trickle past Bastion’s feet, it wasn’t much at first but the further he walked the more the water began to form and rise.
The water was chilly and the air started to freeze.
His icy breath visible to the naked eye as his lungs squeezed tight and cold.
Bastion’s legs struggled to wade through the ever rising water, every step was exhausting. His muscles ached, his chest held tight and painful, uncomfortable as he chased his name.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc9NjsUHFg
The voice was taunting him, calling him, begging him to run faster.
“Bastion....”
A hue of light in the distance began to grow.
And in this light, a shadow of a figure emerges from the bleakness of the void.
Edging closer and closer, the voice grew louder and the light burned brighter.
A spark of fire erupted from the light, the long shadow casted over Bastion as a blurry figure stepped out from the flames.
The voice turned cold and unwelcoming.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xMIYRa6nC
“Bastion....”
The water was rising higher and higher, it was becoming too much to handle, it was pulling him in, Bastion was starting to drown.
“Help me please, please help me!!” he begged, pleading for the familiar stranger to save his life.
“Please (cough) help me!”
The figure did nothing but watched.
Watched as the flames touched the water and burned around him.
Stepping onto the water, the figure slowly approached Bastion, closer and closer, spreading the fire and heat with every breath.
The void became a sea of terror, bursting in light and darkness, hot and cold.
Head barley above the water and feeling the high pressure of the thick sea of flames, Bastion tried desperately to reach out for the figure as it stood before him, lifeless and yet breathing.
Bastion was overcome by distress and panic as the flames engulfed the water around him.
A circle of fire, forcing Bastion to sink helplessly into the abyss.
The enigmatic figure crouched down and peered into the sea. It glared with vibrant eyes of blue and red, it watched as Bastion’s lungs began to fill with water and his eyes starting to fade.
“Bastion.....”
The flames were dimming in tandem to Bastion’s hold on life. The light was being devoured by the darkness and the void grew quieter.
Even the Voice sounded distant, but still the figure watched within reach.
With his last ounce of breath, Bastion fixated his eyes solely on the figure standing over him, desperately to reach out.
But as the world blackened and the figure disappeared, Bastion could only sink deeper into the murky depths....
“Bastion....”
“Bastion....”
“BASTION!!! WAKE UP YOU LAZY BASTARD!!!”
“WHAT THE FUCK!?” Bastion cried as he jolted out of the darkness.
His eyes opened startled and unfocused, his vision blurry and strained, struggling to comprehend the figure before him.
A familiar unwanted face formed from the hazy shape.
“FINALLY!! WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG? HOW CAN YOU SLEEP WHEN WE ARE FUCKED!!”
Bastion sat startled in his bed hugging his sheets close to his chest as the loud annoying face of Mr Waters stares uncomfortably close.
Grimacing to the vulgar smell of Mr Water’s breath, Bastion shoved the face away as the odour was overwhelming in cigarettes, knocking Mr Waters onto the floor.
“Get out of my face Waters, your fucking breath reeks” he repulsed, slouching back into his bed.
As he lay there with a hand on his chest clenching hold of the covers, a single bead of sweat dripped passed his nose from his moist brow.
God I gotta stop drinking before bed.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eCxvPvlTX
Crawling onto the side of the bed like a dog wanting attention, Mr Waters fumed at the sight of Bastion still in bed despite it being 11 o’clock in the morning.
“What do you want Waters?” Bastion grumbled, his head felt light and dizzy, like he didn’t sleep very well last night.
Using the bed to push himself of the floor, Mr Waters shuffled in place briefly in anger and started to pace the room like an impatient child waiting for his parents to get up.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHggzMlwFfI
“How can you be laying there at a time like this? Did you not hear a word I was just saying?” asked Mr Waters as he tried to control his frustration with Bastion.
“No Waters... And I don’t particularly care. Just, sit down and read a book or something. I mean, shit, this room is pretty swank considering the circumstances. Might as well enjoy it while we’re here”
“Enjoy it? We’re prisoners Bastion, why in the world would I sit down and enjoy prison?”
Bastion was right about the room, both he and Mr Waters were locked away in one of the many rooms of a Crimson Claw guild, one of many guilds situated around the country.
The room they were in was a very large accommodation for the two. They had access to a large screen Holo TV, running hot and cold water, books and games galore. Despite being locked in a room with Mr Waters, a “prison cell” he would call it, it was almost like a hotel suite.
The pair had been locked away for about two days now, waiting impatiently for the arrival of an infamous Hunter.
Apparently a Hunter finally got interested in the Scorch Murders, and had begun an investigation as soon as interesting details about Bastion’s “failed mission” got out.
Failed, what a load of shit, I did my job. The Portals gone, Alex is... gone.... and Ember is...
Hazy memories started to tear and tease into Bastions mind. They were both uncomfortable and confusing, he could barely remember what had happened that night.
He doesn’t even recall making it back to the guild with Ember in his arms. But what he could remember, was the heat, and the intense bright flames.
A cold shudder ripples up his spine, snapping Bastion back to reality and he quickly noticed his breathing growing rapid, alarming an observant Mr Waters as he watched on with a confused but concerned expression.
“Bastion... are you okay?”
Putting on a fake uneasy smile, Bastion hastily responded struggling to control his breath “Y-yeah, just... had too much to drink last night... that’s all”
Looking around the side of Bastions bed, Mr Waters did note at least fifteen bottles of Blackrose. A delicious smooth red wine, made from the crushed seeds of a Blackrose, a carnivorous plant-like Beast. 160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PHxC6caO2
Mr Waters doesn’t drink much of any alcohol due to his low tolerance of it, even on missions with Bastion and his team, when the other get drunk waiting on the Miners and Collectors to finish their quota, Mr Waters would sit back and relax, slowly sipping his one and only alcoholic beverage before feeling the heat in his cheeks.
So seeing Bastion, surrounded by fifteen bottles was easily enough to convince him that Bastion was right.
He did have too much to drink.
“Well, as that may be, could you at least stay sober enough for when the Hunter finally arrives. The last thing I want when I plead for my life... is you pissing yourself as you slur “your” life away” Mr Waters said pompously, the only thing on his mind right now was trying to find a way to weasel his way out of this.
He hasn’t let Bastion know, but the guild has confiscated his Tablet device, and the very sensitive information hidden inside it.
If that fat cat Gurion finds out I’ve been swindling him for years, I’m good as dead!!
But that was the least of his troubles, as his recent dealings in the past few months will soon come back to bite him.
“Knock, Knock”
A gentle rhythmic tap knocks on their door.
“Whoever that is, could you kindly please fuck off, I’m patiently waiting for my appointment with the grim reaper” Mr Water rudely called out to the door.
But from behind the door laughed a small innocent voice “hehe, don’t worry, Cinder isn’t here yet”.
Mr Waters turned to Bastion with a face of absolute bafflement.
“Who the hell is Cinder?”
As soon as that name left Mr Waters mouth, Bastion’s body tensed and his mind became fully focused.
That name had a lot of weight and baggage behind it and he was not ready to receive more.
Getting out of bed as quickly as possible, Bastion headed immediately towards the door with a face of unease. His expression was enough to convince Mr Waters to quickly move out of his way as he approached.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBykpY6mjTT
With his hand shaking at the door handle, he opened the door quickly and was greeted by a small child like woman. Despite her size, she was a full-fledged Crimson Claw member, fully decked out in her own Warrior gear.
“Oh! It’s just you, Poppy. You sure you’re here by yourself... or is Cinder waiting for the right opportunity to cut me?” Bastion asked as he looked out the door cautiously.
Poppy noticed Bastion looking cautiously down the hallway and giggled in amusement.
“Don’t worry silly, Cinder isn’t here. She’s currently off to the hospital to see her sister” she cheerfully said as she pushed passed Bastion and entered the room.
Staring in disbelief at the small woman as she gleefully headed straight for the game console, Mr Waters shot a look at Bastion like he wanted an explanation quickly.
“Waters, this little shit is Poppy, a member of Cinder’s team and a C-Rank Warrior. We’ve worked together on a joint mission before, her team and mine. Just be careful, despite her diminutive stature, Poppy knows how take down monsters three times her size” Bastion explains as he closed the door.
Mr Waters couldn’t believe what he was hearing, he has been working with Warriors for years and he has never met such a tiny Warrior before, and he least expected her to be C-Rank.
“So what’s a little pip-squeak like you doing here anyway?” he asked rudely.
But Poppy wasn’t listening, she was busy turning on the game console and plopping herself in front of the big Holo TV.
This greatly annoyed Mr Waters, he hated it when people don’t listen to him.
So he stormed over to Poppy and snatched the console controller away from her hands.
“I’ll ask again, what are you doing here?” he asked frustrated.
But before he could set the controller aside outside of her reach, the little Warrior pounced on him with her eyes seething red with rage.
“GIVE IT BACK YOU STINKY OLD MAN!!” she screamed before biting his hand with her sharp teeth.
“AAAAGGHHH!! YOU LITTLE SHIT!” Mr Waters roared as he struggled to shake of the little biter from his hand.
Bastion sighed at the familiar site as Poppy gnawed at Mr Waters, he knew to never take anything from Poppy once she gets her hands on it.
“Alright Poppy, that’s enough” Bastion said firmly as he picked her up by her collar, prying her away from Mr Waters.
But Poppy was still acting up, swinging her punches in the air wildly, flaying like a spoiled brat.
“Enough Poppy!” Bastion said raising his voice as his face swiftly turned to a scowl.
“But Basty, he took my controller” she pouted.
Sighing heavily like he didn’t have the strength to deal with this situation, Bastion reached out towards Mr Waters with his free hand and gestured for the controller.
Mr Waters quickly handed it back as he sat defeated and out of breath on the floor, his hand full of tiny bite marks.
With the controller back in her possession, Poppy beamed a beautiful smile and giggled gleefully as Bastion put her back on the floor.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVZE6IFUmw
As Poppy turned on the controller and happily started to play the game, Bastion turned to the startled Mr Waters and helped him up off the floor.
“What a little monster” Mr Waters remarked as he checked out his hand.
“Yeah, you’re lucky she was only playing with ya. If she really meant it, you wouldn’t have a hand right now” Bastion remarked patting Mr Waters on the back gently.
He wasn’t wrong either. Since Mr Waters was just a regular human and Poppy was a mid Ranked Warrior, if she wanted to, she could have ripped off his arm like paper.
With Poppy now pacified and content, Bastion knelt down close to her level and asked politely why she was here.
Barely taking any attention away from the screen so she could focus on the game, Poppy casually replied.
“Cinder told me to watch you. She told me if you tried to run away, I should kill you”
Bastion didn’t reply, he knew Poppy was serious, this was Cinder they were talking about, she was always protective of her sister.
And after what happened inside the Portal...Well...
Third degree facial and body burns, severe damaged to her lungs and possibly a long term coma. There was nowhere in the world Bastion could hide to get away from Cinder.
One way or another, Bastion’s fate is out of his hands. If the Hunter doesn’t end his life, Cinder certainly will.
**********************************************************
The sky is black and the world is on fire, grey ashen lands as far as the eyes can see.
Black crispy trees stand erect in a sea of charred grotesque bodies scattered all around.
What was once a lush green paradise has now become a wasteland and in the centre of this land stands a large stone door, a Boss Door.
Before this momentous door, a tall middle aged man garbed in an expensive black and red suit stands nonchalantly, his hands adorned with many jewelled rings, one on each finger, and hair a deep red crimson cut like it cost a million Units.
His eyes fixated onto the door like he was gazing at a pile of cash, a straight razor sharp smile striking across his face.
“(Sniff) Ahhh, do you smell that Lauren, it smells like... Money” he said pleasingly as his hand caresses the door. 160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVl1fMHHIx
Crunching through the hollow bodies of ash, a tall slender woman in a business suit and small reading glasses walks towards the man, carrying with her a tablet device in her arm.
“Smells like death to me” she replies as her nose twitches in disgust of the smell.
Approaching her boss cautiously dodging the corpses around him, Lauren displays her tablet screen towards the tall man, revealing a recent important message.
“What is it Lauren?” the man asks annoyed,
“If it’s the Sun Crest Guild again, I swear-“
“It’s not Sir, It’s a message from Soul Corp” Lauren responds quickly, cutting off Gurion.
A twinkle of greed glinted in Gurion’s eyes at the name of such a big fish.
“Soul Corp huh? And... What do they want?” he asked slyly trying to hold his excitement, he was getting quite a few contracts from them recently and they have been bolstering his Guilds reputation in the news because of this.
Which he needed desperately, especially now after years of slander in the media.
Maybe after a few more big contracts from the Soul Corporation, they would finally name him the next Pyroclast.
Adjusting her reading glasses slightly on the brim of her nose, Lauren began to read off her Tablet.
“A C-Rank Portal, designated C-370, will appear in the next 24 hours somewhere in the vicinity of the town of Sepia. Spatial residue suggests either a cave system or a canyon location. A list of potential Monsters have been attached to the document”
The sharp smile plastered on Gurion’s face melted into a sulky frown “C-Rank? Hmm not worth my time, send Bastion and his team to deal with it. They should still be in that area right, near Greendenn?” he said causally, barely even thinking about it.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcipCWsJkk0
A light annoyed sigh escaped Laurens mouth, to quiet for Gurion to hear but her facial expression said it all.
“Sigh, Sir? Bastion’s under house arrest, pending a Hunter Investigation. You even sent the Hunters evidence against him, remember?”
Gurion’s eyes snapped out of focus from the door as he realised what he had just said.
“Shit! Sorry Lauren, I wasn’t thinking straight there for a sec” he said trying to laugh off his mistake.
Gurion had gotten to know Bastion and his team better for the last two years. They were a team that had gotten a lot of bad press is the news at the time and needed to be put straight and fast.
And instead of casting them out of the Guild like he had done to so many unwanted members. Gurion decided to take the time to personally train them himself, mould them into a better team.
However after awhile, Gurion’s focus fixated elsewhere and he assigned Mr Waters to be their supervisor... to mixed results.
“Anyway, send Cinder and her team. They should easily handle the Portal”
Flicking through the notice on her Tablet, a sudden new message caused Lauren to interject “actually sir, it seems they want you on site for this one”160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6yw5NR0P3
His face now scrunched in a confused look, Gurion crossed his arms and leaned against the door.
“And why does Soul Corp want an up and coming Pyroclast to close a lowly C-Rank Portal. That’s grunt work”
“Apparently Dr Adler will also be on site, it would appear they want you to be his body guard” Lauren replied reading through the message.
The glint of greed sparkled once more in Gurion’s eyes.
“Dr Adler eh! That would be a task worthy of my presence, and worth my time in Units” Gurion remarked as he clasped his hands and rubbed them tightly.
He knew for a fact that working with the esteemed Dr Adler will do wonders for his public image.
“All right, I’ll do it. Send a message back to HQ, I still want Cinder’s team on site to deal with the Portal and, oh just hire any local Collectors for Monster retrieval, the cheaper the better” he ordered cheerfully as he began to head back towards the Portal.
“Just a moment Sir!” Lauren quickly interrupted.
“I suggest we hire the team of Miners from Greendenn to be a part of the operation”
“....Why?” Gurion asked puzzled.
“We need to improve our public relations with that team pronto. According to our own investigations, Bastions supervisor, a one Daniel Waters embezzled the funds used to hire Support Guilds. Including the Beryl Guild. We should pay them what is due and hire them to make amends in the public eye. Whether or not we hire them again in the future is up to you Sir” Lauren explained thoroughly.
“Sure, fine, hire them. But keep them away from our team, I don’t want any disruptions in front of Dr Adler. I need everything to be perfect” he replied dismissively as he walked away from the Boss Door.
The future was starting to look rich and fulfilling, and Gurion didn’t want anything to stop him from getting what he wants most in the world.
**************************************************************160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09kWLeKae1
Beep...Beep...
The sounds of a constant beep chimes in time with a heart monitor.
Breathing slowly with a thin tube down her throat and a mask covering her mouth, Ember lays silent on a hospital bed dressed only in a gown, dreaming an endless dream.
Her face rapped in bandages, hiding the burns and blisters inflicted upon her from her recent ordeals, leaving her barely recognizable.
Just outside the hospital room through a large glass window, a short red headed woman stands restlessly with a hand clenched onto the window.
Her eyes stinging red as tears stream down her cheeks.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnBkO3RbML
“(Hic) sis... I’m here now, stay strong...okay”
Cinder loved her sister deeply. She had always tried to look after her baby sister ever since they were little.
But when they got older and Cinder Awakened as a Warrior, she worried Ember would follow in her footsteps.
The job of a Warrior may be lucrative, but it is rife with peril. Cinder did not want her sister to be a Warrior, she feared losing her in battle or lost through a Portal, never to be seen again.
And sure enough, just after turning sixteen, Ember Awakened and ignoring her sisters pleas, quickly joined the Ranks of Crimson Claws.
But it wasn’t easy.
Ember’s Core was E-Rank when she Awoken, only one Rank higher than a failure, close to being considered a Non-Ranker.
Still adamant in staying with the Crimson Claws just like her older sister, Ember ignored further attempts of persuasion from Cinder and worked diligently in closing the Portals, often putting her life at risk in the process.
Soon enough, after a year of closing Portals, Ember quickly broke through to D-Rank, much quicker than many of her Rank at the time.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0OcnywtdV
Not long after, she would be assigned to be a part of Bastion’s team, a decision made by Gurion.
A decision Cinder did not approve.
Bastion, in Cinder’s eyes, was a hot headed sexist prick that would often shirk off work and responsibility.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡan9AYvw3vd
He was a bad influence on Ember who would be intrigued by his carefree lifestyle, she would eventually pick up on some of his traits, even the worse ones.
Maybe it was because of this that Ember now lays dormant on a hospital bed.
And it was all Bastions’ fault...
“That fucker will pay for what he did to you...” Cinder seethed in anguish.
As pain and guilt welled up inside her, Cinder failed to notice a tall well dressed man standing closely beside her.
“Tut, tut, tut” the man clicked his tongue.
“What a shame, what a waste of potential” he said sounding like an overly excited car salesman.
The tall man’s sudden appearance startled Cinder, she didn’t even notice the man standing next to her.
“I, I’m sorry but, what did you say?” she asked as the man’s words caught her off-guard.
Looking at the man more closely, Cinder noticed how oddly he was dressed for visiting a low income hospital like this one.
The man was dressed in a pure white three piece suit and a matching top hat. His white suit dazzled in the light of the hallway, like its fibres were made of the most expensive materials Units could buy.
But what was most eye catching about this man, besides his pitch black hair and stubble, was his charming ever consistent grin, plastered all over his face.
His smile seemed to express his amusement in the conditions Ember was in, and this infuriated Cinder to the boiling point.
With a twinkle in his smile, the man turned his head towards Cinder before swiftly removing his top hat and performed a courteous bow.
“Pardon me madam, I was just saying how depressing it is to witness this atrocity... but now where are my manners, I’ve yet to introduce myself, I’m-”160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDHh3AbOtS
But before he could finish his sentence, a thunderous slap struck the man’s cheek, leaving a red hand print in its wake.
“Stop grinning at my sister you sick fuck and get the hell out of my sight” Cinder demanded, holding back the urge to summon her Weapon and rip the man to shreds.
The man, even though he was still grinning, he was honestly stunned by what had transpired.
And he was still mid pose of his courteous bow.
Slowly moving a hand towards his face, he rubbed his cheek gently, still feeling the stinging pain surging like thunder.
“D...no, C-Rank. Yes, defiantly C-Rank” the man mumbled aloud as he stood up straight, readjusting his crooked black tie.
The man’s expression never changed even for a moment as he reached out for a friendly hand-shake.
“My dear, I believe we got off on the wrong foot. I was merely musing over the inadequacy of the healthcare this hospital has provided” 160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEpUGKF2J1
Ignoring the man’s attempts at a friendly gesture, Cinder shrugged off his excuse and took two steps away from him.
The man’s close presence and his grin made Cinder feel uncomfortable to be around him.
“Look, if you want to judge, do it someplace else. Stop bothering me and my sister okay” Cinder said with a hint of “go and fuck off”.
Instead of taking her rebuffs harshly, the man just chuckled slightly to his own amusement and simply replied.
“Judge someplace else? One step at a time my dear, I’ve yet to fully grasp this decrepit place”
“I mean just look” he said as he points sharply towards the machines hooked up to Ember.
“Pitiable, tasteless, old and outdated technology, if she were hook up to one of my beauties, she would of made a miraculous recovery already” he boasted out loud, sounding like he was trying to sell something.
“Heck, I would even say, she won’t last a week at this place with the state she’s in”
Turning to face Ember through the glass window, the man grinned as he watched Ember take a weak breath, as if fate was helping him prove his point.
Seeing this also, Cinder couldn’t help but think about what the man had just boasted.
A miraculous recovery? What is he talking about?
Cinder turned judgingly towards the strange man and asked hesitantly.
“Who are you?”
Taking his eyes of Ember, the man turned to face Cinder and removed his top hat once more and bowed courteously.
“Doctor William Adler my dear, here is my card”
Reaching out with his arm, Dr Adler swiftly flicked his wrist, making a small white card appear like magic in his hand.
Taking the card from him, Cinder was taken aback by the sudden revelation of who this man was.
“Holy shit!!” she said uncontrollably, the words escaping her mouth in disbelief.
“You’re Dr Adler, the famous scientist”
“That’s right my dear, world famous” he boasted proudly as he readjusted his top hat.
Cinders mind swirled with a mix of emotions.
This man standing before her was the answer she was looking for, this man who only moments ago had infuriated her with his eccentric behaviour, this man can help save her sister.... and she’d already slapped him.
Cinder couldn’t help but feel embarrassed and flustered over the thought that she had just physically assaulted him.
Her mind tried to rush and think of a way to apologise to this man and quick.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrS0nqSg8A
“D, Dr Adler-“160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7Q8i4uyOi
“William” he interrupted quickly.
“William?... (sigh) William, I’m sorry for slapping you earlier, it was all my fault I wasn’t-“she apologised greatly, but before she could finish her sentence, Dr Adler raised his hand to her lips and interrupted once more.
“No need for that my dear, getting physical is a great way to get to know one another” he said as he gently rubbed his cheek.
An awkward chuckle escaped Cinder’s lips over Dr Adler’s, maybe unintentional crude remark.
But a sudden question arose in her mind.
“William, why are you here in this hospital? You mentioned earlier that you were looking around, what were you looking for?”
Quickly raising a single finger in the air, Dr Adler replied.
“One Word. Real-estate”
...isn’t that two words?160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvA7yBmzVWi
“I’m planning on buying this dump and retrofitting it with all my latest and greatest innovated technologies”160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l48xt8FJE
As Dr Adler’s words slowly sank in, Cinder clicked on at the thought that better help was coming for her sister.
“Will you do it? Will you buy this place and save my sister?” she asked seriously, like her this question was the most important question she could ask in her life.
But without skipping a beat Dr Adler replied with his ever present grin.
“Maybe”
Flabbergasted by his sudden and flippant remark, she could only stutter one word.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50afhor34u
“W-what?”
“You must understand my dear, even if I were to buy the hospital, it’s not like it will get better overnight” he explained casually, like he thought the answer was obvious.
Cinder was stunned by his answer, it was like the greatest gift in the world was just snatched away from her hands.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Xs0mvbGiN
She was so stunned that she did even notice the grin on Dr Adler’s face grew wider, like he found this very amusing.
And with a sudden grasp on her shoulder, Dr Adler leaned in closely, snapping her out of her stunned state.
“Fret not my young friend, you forget who I am. I am the great Dr Adler, scientific extraordinaire. I am the father to the greatest inventions Warriors could buy. Excluding of cause one of my personal favourites”
Reaching into his pocket, Dr Adler pulls out a Rift Ring and shows it to Cinder.
“I propose to you a deal, help me with a little project I’m working on and I will personally take your sister to get the finest care my facilities can provide”
A deal?
“Are you trying to bargain with my sister’s life on the line, I was right. You are a sick fuck after all” Cinder snapped.
The idea that this man was playing with her sister’s life made Cinder sick to her stomach, she could barely look the man in his eyes as he put the Rift Ring away.
“My apologies for you misunderstand. A single night in one of my facilities cost more Units that your Rank could ever acquire” he explained plainly.
My Rank? What do you know about my Rank?
“Besides, this is a dog eat dog world after all. I never do anything for free, the tax man won’t allow me”
She hated to admit it but, Dr Adler was right. The health care he can provide in Silver Cross is mainly catered to those of high class or Rank, neither of which she was.
Cinder reluctantly started to speak, her voice slightly crack nervously.
“What do I need to do to save my sister?”
Dr Adler hummed lightly as he reached into his pockets for his phone.
Humming happily to his little tune, Dr Adler flicked through his phone for a particular photo inside. After finding the right one, Dr Adler presented his phone to Cinder and explained what he wanted her to do.
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Trivia:
Dr Adler: the leading scientist in the latest technological advancements relating to Portals, Warriors and Cores. In the past ten years his contributions to the scientific community and to the world at large has garnered him celebrity status on par with S-Rankers.
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Authors Notes:
Should be easy I said, it should only take me a week I hoped...
A month and a half later and here we are.
After a few days from writing the last chapter, I began to suffer from writers block. It lasted for weeks.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe764gp5RyI
It was annoying to stare at a half completed chapter, blankly staring at a page and not being able to type a single word.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rjkpcBmAc
So I turned to inspiration. I read the entirety of the Invincible Comic (highly recommend it) and re-read the Undertale Fan-fiction “Sooner or Later you’re going to be Mine” by Staringback, which is one of my favourite works of Fan-fiction.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyY3kuHlIar
I took on some notes while reading, tweaked my storyboard for future chapters and hopefully I am now motivated enough to continue on.
Anyway, the next chapter will focus on Bastion and Layla... and maybe someone else.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaKXTlNsbg
Don’t know when it will be released, hopefully within 2 weeks.160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9oy5kPh93
Thank you for your patience, see you next time. 160Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VUukj60E3
