Interlude (4)

“I’m not sure we can save the leg.”

Tarkus had swiftly recovered Evan from the savages once defeat had come for them.

It was a bitter taste, but he knew better than to fight against it. There would be another day to make them pay, to make these uncivilized scum kneel and beg for forgiveness and to be shown the wisdom of Lord Shozo.

Now the young man—who had been roughly the same size as him when he first arrived but had somehow ballooned into something monstrous—lay flailing on the floor of the makeshift medical room.

The table had buckled under his increased weight, the armour which formerly something that could be removed had now become like a part of him as his body had already begun healing around the cuts it was making into Evan’s flesh.

But it was his leg that needed greater attention, having not just been broken but practically twisted around multiple times, the bones having been completely shattered in numerous places.

“Then just take it off,” Tarkus said with cold detachment and swatting his hand through the air casually.

“No!” Evan screamed, fear mingled in his voice and evident even through the pain on his face. “I need my leg! You can’t just take my leg!”

Reaching out a hand Tarkus brushed a strand of hair from Evan’s sweat stained face, he leaned closed and gently shushed him the way one might try soothing a panicked animal or crying child.

“It is alright, young master. We can make you a new leg, one that will enhance your already incredible strength.” He smiled wickedly, “you’d like that, yes? To even the score between you and those-”

“Savages!”

A righteous fury and fervour burned in Evan’s eyes as he stared into Tarkus’. “I will make them beg. I will make that short bastard beg! And I will make Midori regret ever taking advantage of me!”

His breathing slowed while he gathered his strength before nodding.

“Take the damned leg then.”

“Very good,” Tarkus produced a small, cylindrical piece of wood which he gingerly put between Evan’s teeth. “This is just so you don’t bite through your tongue.”

He gave the medical team a nod, and then watched Evan’s eyes as the saw began to bite through flesh, watching the way the pupils dilated and contracted from the pain.

For Tarkus this was the sublime moment, pain was the ultimate equalizer, the only time all falsities could be tossed aside and the truth laid bare. 

“I have a few questions for you Evan. Please answer them in between screaming. Nod if you agree.”

Evan gave a nod while biting hard into the piece of wood in his mouth, trying to silently grit through the pain; but as the saw suddenly found bone he began to scream with raw, unfiltered anguish.

“That woman who did this to you…Midori I believe you said her name was. You said that she was your... ‘girlfriend’ you called it, but it seems she found comfort in the arms of another. I'm sure this came as a surprise to you.”

“Aaaah!!! Just ask your damned question Tarkus!” Evan said while slamming his hand on the wooden decking, splintering it under his newfound strength.

“She meant to kill you Evan, and spoke of your attempt to assault her, your relationship with her is not romantic in nature, am I correct?”

Tears streamed down the giants cheeks and it was impossible to determine whether it was from the pain or some kind of inner sadness.

“No! But it should be! She should be mine! She belongs to me!!”

Tarkus’ eyes narrowed in observation and watched as a flicker of something emerged from Evan’s pupils. To say it was a kind of darkness would be only a half truth, it was more the absence of everything. It bubbled over Evan’s pupil until one eye was overtaken completely with a void of emptiness.

And a smile spread across Tarkus’ lips. This was to be Lord Shozo's newest vessel.

“I happen to agree, Evan. It is very clear from your history that she has led you on for many years, and I believe that the individual she has been cavorting with recently is part of the problem.”

“Rune! That damned ape’s name is Rune!”

“Yes, him. He is what is known as a Herald, relics from a less civilized time. It seems even your Midori has become one-” Tarkus’ words were cut off by the spittle spewing screams of Evan.

“That’s a damned lie!”

“No, my dear Evan I’m afraid it is not. But rejoice, for Lord Shozo has bestowed you the strength needed to save not only her, but this entire world.”

Leaning forward Tarkus put his lips near Evan’s ear and whispered, “would you like that Evan? Would you like to be a hero? Have you not always felt like that was what you were meant to do?”

With one last sickening shlick sound the saw cut through the final bit of meat, swiftly followed by the sizzle of a cauterizing iron. And the sickening smell of cooking meat filled the room.

Once Evan had finished screaming a twisted smile settled across his face.

“Of course, that’s why I was brought here...I'm meant to save this world... I’m the only one who can!”

It was hard to stifle the chuckle Tarkus felt in his chest. This boy was so simple, and so easy to manipulate. He will make the perfect tool to carve out this world’s proper future.

“That’s right my boy. You are the only one who can.”