Chapter 25: Reanimation

What work are we exactly going to do?” Everett asked while here, and Armin made their way to his workshop.

Armin turned to her and said, “If all goes well, something that will help us greatly win this fight.” He said nothing further, and they continued on.

Back in the Forbidden City, the crowd stood speechless as they watched Mortem still standing. Sweat ran down their ashen faces; none of them knew what to do anymore. After throwing Laura away, Mortem composed himself, turning to face the crowd.

He smirked and said, “Such shocked faces, I see. Come now, as I’ve said before, the same trick won’t work twice.” Mortem placed his hand over the middle of his bare chest. There was a circular scar that was made by Ferral’s gauntlet. He continued, “For whatever reason, this scar never seems to heal. I still don’t know why. But, enough about me, let’s kill all of you!”

Mortem cackled, flying up and over the crowd. He continued, “Well, I’d hate to leave all of you with such an unanswered question. Allow me to elaborate; as I’ve stated before, you all have been fighting me. Fragments of myself, turned into creatures or trees. The tree, in particular, was a great way for me to keep my eyes all around the battlefield. I was able to see that wretched blade coming toward me, and in turn, the pores of my body released an almost shield-like coating that kept me from taking serious damage from the attack.

“Unfortunately, my tree did not survive. Oh well, there’s so little of you left and not a single one strong enough to oppose me. What do I have to worry about?”

The survivors knew they were outmatched, and yet, that did not deter them. Both humans and experiments stood their ground, prepared to fight till the very end. In the woods outside the complex, Laura lay just barely conscious, her body had reverted to normal. She dug her finger in the soil, trying to force her body to get up, but it wouldn’t listen.

In the medical plane, Cello and Berus were placed on cots and covered in bandages. Cell managed to open her eyes, but only halfways, she turned her head and saw Berus with a respirator over his mouth. Several doctors surrounded him, with some mixing some odd-colored liquids. One of them was reading from a notebook, listing off the measurements and order in which to mix the liquids. Cello turned her head back up to the ceiling of the plane, wondering how Laura was doing. She hoped her friend was in danger. The sheer thought made Cello clench her fists in frustration. Frustration in herself for not being there to help, she felt so useless in her current state.

Armin was typing rapidly on the keys on his computer, periodically raising his head to look at the monitors that surrounded the metal coffin. Everett circled the machine, tilting her head in confusion. There was no window or any way for her to see what was inside.

“What is this?” Everett asked, standing beside Armin. She gazed at his computer, watching the screen pop up with new tabs, one of them being the outline of a human. Her eyes widened, looking up at the metal coffin.

“Is there a person in that?!”

Armin nodded and said, “Yep. This has been a secret project of mine for the last ten years. Yet, even now, I still don’t know if it’ll work, but we’re short on options. Do me a favor and grab that long container and hook it up to the top of the capsule.”

Armin pointed to the table on his left. Everett walked over and spotted the container with a bright green liquid. She scooped it up and brought it over to the metal coffin. After seeing how she was supposed to place it, Everett twisted the container tightly on the top.

“Now what?” She asked.

“There should be five long, thin tubes hanging over the sides of the capsule. Hook them into the top of the container.”

Everett nodded, leaning her head to see the side of the capsule. There were three tubes on the side she was on, so she grabbed one and looked around the container, finding small holes that circled the bottom. She inserted the three by her side, then walked around and hooked up the last two. Everett stepped back, giving Armin a thumbs-up. He nodded, and with a press of the ‘Enter’ button on the computer, the machine hummed to life. The green liquid started to run down from the container into the tubes and inside the coffin. Inside the coffin, the corpse that was laid inside had been stuck with all of the thin needles that lined the side of the interior. As the green liquid passed through the needles and into the corpse’s body, its right hand jolted and twitched.

Armin and Everett watched in anticipation while the liquid continued draining from the container. A sudden beeping started coming from the heart monitor. It started low but grew gradually. Their eyes widened, and Armin started laughing, running his hands through his hair.

“It’s…It’s working,” He declared.

Everett only watched in silence. The heart monitor’s beeping started to grow increasingly fast. Then suddenly stopped. They watched on, confused, but a right arm covered in pitch-black fur burst through the top of the capsule. They jumped back, startled. The hand went back into the coffin, and the left arm broke through the side. A muffled roar came from the inside, then in swift movement, the entire lid got ripped off and tossed across the room. The reanimated man sat up, his eyes darting around the room as he panted heavily.

“Ferral! Ferral!” Armin called out. “Calm down, buddy!”

Ferral whipped his head back, his wide eyes narrowed when he saw Armin. “A-Armin?” He said, his vision slowly becoming more focused.

Armin smiled and placed a hand on Ferral’s shoulder. “That’s right. It’s great to see you again.”

Ferral shook his head, blinking a few times. “What…what is this?” He asked. “I was dead. What…what did you do?!”

Ferral grabbed Armin by the collar and pulled him closer, his face in a sneer. He reiterated, “What did you do?!” Shaking Armin once.

Armin was surprised by this reaction. “I…why…” He was at a loss for words.

“Ferral, calm down!” Everett spoke up. Ferral turned his head, his expression softening slightly when he saw her.

He let go of Armin and glanced at his arms and legs. Ferral’s skin looked a bit gray, but other than that, he seemed normal. After finally calming down, Ferral turned his head and asked, “Where am I? Why am I alive?”

“Alive is a strong word,” Armin commented. “You’ve been reanimated. Used similar techniques that the old scientists used before my time. You wouldn’t believe how hard it was to find pieces of that research.”

“That’s because I destroyed and burned it all down, Armin,” Ferral scoffed. “But apparently, not well enough, you little rat.”

“Look, you can be upset with me later, right now, we need your help.”

Ferral raised an eyebrow and said, “What the hell could’ve possibly happened?”

“The fungus is back, Ferral,” Everett said.

Ferral’s eyebrows raised. “What?” He asked in disbelief. “That’s impossible! Leona and I took care of that creature already.”

Armin shook his head, walking beside Everett. “It’s still alive,” he said, “and it’s wreaking havoc as we speak.”

“That’s why you were seemingly brought back,” Everett added. “Right, Armin? So far, no one else has been able to even match its strength.”

Ferral snorted. “How pathetic,” He said with a smirk. “Peace must’ve softened the lot of you.”

Armin took a step forward, his expression melancholy. “Ferral, there’s something important you have to know beforehand.”

“What?”

Armin continued, “Amber Village. It’s completely destroyed, and Nia…she’s…dead.”

Ferral let out a small gasp, his eyes widening. He looked away, lowering his head. “I see,” Ferral said, his voice saddened. That’s when he raised his head and looked back at Armin. He continued, “What of the kids? Are they alright?”

The two hesitated for a moment. Everett finally spoke up and said, “They’re in trouble. Both Laura and Berus fought the fungus and lost, leaving them in critical condition.”

“Then why am I just sitting around here?! Take me to them!”

“We will,” Armin said, “but, Ferral, there’s one more thing I have to tell you. They know. Berus and Laura know about your past; they know what you’ve done.”

Ferral’s eyebrows raised for a moment, but he furrowed them again into a serious expression. “I don’t care if they know!” He shouted. “Take me to my children so I can save them!”

He hopped off the metal coffin, his feet touching the cold floor. He looked down and then turned his entire body around, facing Armin and Everett. Their eyes widened, and their faces flushed a dark red.

“Am I to go nude?” Ferral asked.

Armin quickly shook his head and said, “No, no! Right, Everett, grab me the clothes on the far right table. Everett?”

Her eyes still fixated on Ferral’s bare body, her eyes slowly scanning down the well defined and scared physique. The lower her eyes went, she couldn’t help but gulp. Armin smacked her shoulder, knocking her out of the trance.

“Mrs. Romanova!” Armin said. “Clothes. Now. Please.”

“Sorry! Clothes, yeah! I just…stuff!”

She walked off, smacking her face. Armin chuckled, looking back at Ferral. He cocked his head, furrowing his brow as he examined the experiment’s body.

“Why does the fur only go up to your shoulders and inner thighs?” He asked.

Ferral shrugged and said, “I don’t know. That’s a question that has always stumped me for years.”

Everett came back with a stack of folded clothes and handed them to Ferral. He took them and slipped the outfit on. They were the clothes he wore before he died, but these were new. He reverted his legs and feet, being able to slide into the shoes. Afterward, the three walked out of the workshop, heading toward a plane that will take them to the Forbidden City. On their way, they spotted Anthony running over to the trio.

“Who on earth is that?” Ferral asked.

“My foster son,” Everett replied.

Anthony came to a screeching halt when he spotted the seven-foot-five wolf man beside his mother. His eyes bulged out from his skull, and he exclaimed, “Who the hell is that?! He’s enormous!”

“Mr. Romanova,” Armin said, “this is Ferral Amber Clare. Laura’s father.”

Anthony’s jaw fell to the floor; he was struck speechless. Ferral’s stern gaze and crimson eyes sent a shiver down the young man’s spine.

“What? How?”

Everett sighed, grabbing his hand and dragging Anthony along. “We’ll tell you on the way,” She said.

The four walked onto the small plane and Armin told the pilot to take them to the battle. The plane took off, Armin and Ferral sitting on the left side while Anthony and Everett sat on the right. Everett explained to Anthony how Ferral was brought back, while Armin explained to Ferral the situation of the last few days.

“So that’s it, huh?” Ferral scoffed. “Should’ve guessed that fucking heterotrophic would’ve found a way to live. Really pisses me off that Leona and I did all that work for nothing.”

Ferral crossed arms and continued, “That reminds me, Armin. Why didn’t you bring back Leona?”

Armin shook his head and said, “Sorry, I was only able to create enough of the reanimation fluid for one person. You were the obvious choice. If I was able to make it sooner and easier, I would’ve brought the both of you back.”

“It’s alright,” Ferral sighed, “Let her rest in peace. The creation of this fungi was my fault; I shouldn’t be allowed to rest until it’s gone.”

“Mr. Ferral,” Anthony said. “Can I ask you a question?”

Ferral raised an eyebrow and said, “Only one question?”

Hearing Ferral’s cold tone and locking eyes with his deathly stare made Anthony’s body freeze. He felt intimidation and chilling fear. That at any moment the man would snuff out his life in an instant, and Anthony would’ve never known until his body was already on the floor.

He took a gulp and said, “I guess it’s two questions. What happened after you died? Did you go to heaven or hell?”

Armin snorted. “Oh please, there’s no such thing as heaven or hell,” He commented.

“After I died, my soul was sent to hell,” Ferral replied, his voice clear and serious.

Armin whipped his head to the side and said, “I beg your scientific pardon?”

Keeping his gaze on Anthony, Ferral continued, “After that, I don’t remember. Then, I ended up back here.”

“Whoa,” Anthony gasped in awe.

“Fascinating,” Everett chimed in. “And you have no recollection of your time in hell?”

Ferral shook his head and said, “No, sorry.”

Anthony turned to his mother and said, “I hope Laura and others are alright.”

“They’ll be fine, Anthony.”

Anthony looked down and grumbled. “I don’t know,” he muttered, “Laura was in pretty bad shape, and I bet getting thrown didn’t help.”

“You seem to be very concerned for my daughter’s wellbeing,” Ferral commented, standing up and walking over toward the young man.

In a panic at the approaching Ferral, Antony started to stutter with his words. “No, no! Well, I mean, yes, but…it’s not like that…she’s a very respectable girl. I mean, she’s not a girl, she’s a woman, but not a woman in a weird way. I’m sorry, sir.”

Ferral leaned his body, his face coming inches close to Anthony’s. Ferral’s lips curled into a smile as he chuckled quietly. He straightened up, laughing hardily. Everyone looked at him confused, and somewhat frightened. Neither Armin nor Everett had heard Ferral laugh in such a manner. It was horrifying to say the least. Ferral sat back down, crossing his arms and legs.

“I like this one,” Ferral said, lifting his chin as he stared at Anthony. His expression changed back to seriousness and he continued, “But, if you value your life, you will treat my Laura like royalty. Make her even frown and I will drag you down to the pits of hell with me, understand?”

Anthony gulped and nodded rapidly, sweat forming at the top of his forehead.

Everett glanced at Anthony and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep him in check.”

The pilot alerted the group that they were over the forest near the complex. Ferral stood up and started walking toward the exit door. He pressed a button on the right side, and the door began to open, slowly lowering itself.

“Ferral! What are you doing?!” Armin asked.

Ferral looked back and said, “You said Laura was tossed out around this area, right? Well, I’m going to find her.”

“Don’t you need a parachute?!” Anthony commented.

Ferral laughed. “Do I need a parachute?” He parroted. “Ha ha ha, you’re a riot, boy!” Ferral leaped out of the plane and headed straight for the forest.

Armin and Antony gasped while Everett pressed her hand over her face and shook her head.

“This man,” She sighed.