Someone Else (Part 6)

The startled look on Valerie's face brightens to a smile, as she pats it’s claw once. The beast starts purring once more, relishing in the praise it’s receiving. But then comes a tapping sound from above.

“Hmm, those two were rather useful, but I suppose I can just pick up where they left off with their research.” Oppix remarks while tapping her foot. “Tell me girl, where do you learn to do that?”

“D-do what?” Valerie says, her eyes still dilated as she's looking up at the professor.

“That ‘thing’ you call ‘bunny’, where did he come from?”

“Bunny has always been-”

“He’s always been with you, huh?” she interrupts while glaring at the young girl. “Well, you no longer have that stuffed animal you’re always holding, so I suppose it makes sense. I always wondered what it’s purpose was when we found you.”

“Does it matter what purpose it has? You’re the one who's been keeping her imprisoned all this time, so it was the only friend she had!” I shout, pointing at her.

“Imprisoned? Are you serious? Research takes time, it isn't something one should rush. But thanks to you being the kind-hearted fool you are, you ended up bringing about results that are far beyond my expectations. Well done!” She says before clapping her hands.

“Why you…” I say, while clenching fist , fully understanding that this is all I can do.

I’m neither strong nor brave, I’m just average. And it’s because I’m only human. With how many hits I’ve taken today, I’m surprised I’m even able to stand on my own two feet. But that’s all I can do…

Her clapping stops. “Now, Spencer, if that even is your real name either. What should we do during the next phase of our research?”

“I’m done helping you with your ‘research’, Valerie and I are getting out of here!”

“I see, so no suggestions, huh?” She says with a sigh, before snapping her fingers.

A gust of wind fills the room, leaving me to stumble a bit. But as I turn to check on Valerie, I realize where the wind is coming from.

Not only does Arisa seem to be riding on thin air, but she’s now holding Valerie firmly in her arms. And with a glance at the claw coming towards her face, she ducks under it while continuing to lean back in an almost limbo-like posture with the young girl still in her arms. Her polka-dot dress still fluttering with the wind, like a sail in a hefty storm.

The beast pushes its vocal cords to its limits, as it bellows at the sight of its companion being whisked away. But right as it’s about to lunge towards her, another gust of wind from above knocks it to the floor.

“So that’s the amount of influence I need to knock you around!” Oppix laughs, before looking at her palm. “Although, something did feel off about that but I can’t put my finger on it, so-”

Oppix jumps out of the way of the beast’s claw’s, after what was another imperceptible movement by it. Just like what happened before the monkey man's death, I didn’t catch a glimpse of it until after it already reached her on the metal platform above; which it is now tearing through with ferocity.

“And your speed is well above average, impressive…” She says while hopping out of the way of its claws, as it continues to rip and tear through each section. The sound of its metallic claws shredding through the platform, along with the subsequent sparks flying about, is almost as horrifying as her bravery to face that thing empty handed. All while holding her left arm behind her back.

Then she stops. “I suppose I’ll test my theory now.”

Despite her defiant stance, the beast is still getting closer. It’s head is now within arms length, as it raises its claws towards her. The scene is similar to a prey animal finally pouncing on its prey after being evaded for so long, and is far more horrifying with all its shrieking. Yet the moment it’s claws come close to impaling her…

“Baleful Gale…” Oppix says, while pointing her finger pistol towards its head.

With those simple words, I am whisked away by the storm-like winds called forth. Trying to figure out which way is up, I can’t help but scream as I’m being carried backwards against my will. That is, until my eventual collision with one of the many shipping containers knocks out the remaining air in my lungs. In a daze, I hear the sounds of something else crashing against the other metal containers. Until a few moments, the air begins to calm.

Finally able to catch my breath, I see Oppix leap to the ground with a click of her heel.

“My thought when I couldn’t subdue you before, was that maybe the amount of influence I brought forth wasn't enough. Which was almost enough to make me curse my old age, but at the same time, I had a theory. And after testing that theory, I realize now that I just needed to conjure up harsher winds…” Oppix says, with a glance at her palm. “Otherwise, your resistance to influence would nullify it.”

The tinny sound of metal bending and creaking fills the room, as that thing makes its way out the series of stacked containers. Dragging and scraping its claws and sabatons along the inside, while groaning in a deep tone of voice.

The First The First…

“Heh, you’ve even figured out who I am through fighting. I’d be impressed, if it weren’t for all the other stunts you’ve pulled today.” Oppix says with a shrug.

“What does he mean by ‘The First’?” I ask, knowing I probably shouldn’t.

She turns to me. “Oh, It’s just an old name others used to call me.”

The First Elf! The First Elf!

“My my, aren’t you well informed!” Oppix laughs. “And here I believed that you were only capable of uttering words that weren’t your own. But here you are!”

“Bunny, no!” Valerie shouts.

Hearing her voice, I realize that Arisa is still holding her. Her unbothered expression remains the same, despite the events that have occurred. It’s very uncanny.

Oppix takes a deep breath. “It has been awhile since I’ve moved that quickly, maybe I am starting to get old…”

The First Elf. That’s what that thing called her, but is that even possible? If I were to believe that what it said is true, then she would have to be more than a thousand years old. Not even the vampire emperor, Sintobi, is that old. Why would Jonathan want to get himself involved with someone like her?

“If you intend to stare, boy, then I’d rather you take a picture.” Oppix says to me with a smirk, sounding more annoyed than she looks. “They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but if I had to use one word to describe each of my years on this, it would be ‘search’.”

The First Elf Searches! She Searches…

The beast stands up from crawling on all fours, as black mist starts pouring from its back. Once again surrounding it in a black cloud.

“What do you mean ‘search’? What exactly are you searching for?” I ask, using the metal container behind me to lift myself up.

“Oh, anything interesting really. But with how many things I’ve seen already, I suppose my idea of ‘interesting’ is a lot different from yours.” Oppix says to me, before turning towards the beast.

Hearing what I believe is it taking the shallowest of breaths, the noises coming from it’s throat sounds like the croaks of a frog. One whose body has become malformed to the point that even the occasional ribbit can only be described as otherworldly. And despite the danger of having to face this beast, Cynthia Oppix, the professor of this hidden facility, is smiling.

“So, beast…since you seem to know so much about me, tell me. What exactly am I searching for?” She asks while crossing her arms.

The First Elf…Cynthia Oppix…She Searches for…GOD

“I guess you are worth my time…” Says with a snap of her fingers. “Arisa!”

The exact moment the beast lunges forwards, with its visage shrouded within the black cloud, Arisa drops Valerie to the floor. The remaining soldiers raise their guns with a yell and start shooting at the beast, seemingly hoping to avenge their fallen comrades. But its screams are much louder. More guttural.

Despite it being the one chasing after the professor, its fills the room with noises that are unlike anything I’ve ever heard, almost as if it’s the one on the edge of death. And it’s because, just like their previous encounter, Oppix is choosing to examine it’s behavior while hopping away.

There is no rhyme or reason for it to be attacking her in the first place, but for some reason it seems compelled to do so. Perhaps it feels slighted by her. Or maybe, it could be doing it out of a sense of duty. A duty to protect Valerie, perhaps?

“Baleful Gale!” Oppix shouts, as yet another gust of wind disperses the dark cloud.

Arisa jumps to the professor's side before shoving her away by the shoulder, and punches the beast in the face. Hearing the clang of its brass helm as its head twists to the side, I realize now that she was for sure going easy on me earlier.

“Mister!” Valerie's shouts while running across the storage room with her blood stained feet.

Fighting against searing pain in my legs and back as I limp towards her, I start counting to myself.

“One, two, three, four…”

With the sounds of constant gunfire ringing out, the distinct sound of Arisa’s heels clicking against the floor catches my attention, as she ducks under it’s claw. And with a look of defiance towards the looming horror, she raises her hand with yet another gust of wind that brings it to a stumble. Then while it’s catching its footing, Arisa leaps towards it with her fist cocked back before uppercutting its chin. But what she failed to notice in time was its razor sharp claws coming toward her right, which manages to catch her shoulder while she’s falling to the floor.

“...One, two, three, four…” I mutter, dragging my legs forward.

Right as Arisa’s feet are about to touch the ground, she starts gliding inches above the floor and reestablishes her stride by maneuvering midair with a rollerblade-like motion. It’s as if she’s traversing along a road, with how well she’s evading the dark mist. Only for her to then loop back around with a kick to its back. My shirt flutters from the gust of wind resulting from that kick, which confirms what I’ve been thinking this entire time.

While they both seem to specialize in wind magic, Arisa is less adept at it than the professor. Although, Arisa does seem to make up for it in physical prowess, or maybe I’m speaking too soon. Considering the professor's age and what I’ve seen her do so far, I can’t say for sure that she’s lacking in comparison. Because judging from that look on her face…

“Haha! My hypothesis is correct, you’re even capable of keeping up with her wind spirits. This is magnificent!”

…she’s just playing with it.

Still moving along that invisible road in a running motion, Arisa dodges the swipe of its claws with a skater’s finesse. Although, while it is a brisk enough pace to avoid harm, I doubt this’ll last forever.

“...One, two, three, four, one-” I mutter to myself, taking the last stop towards Valerie. She wraps her arms around my leg, holding on tightly.

“I can’t…” Valerie says, her voice sounding muffled with her face pressed against my leg.

“You can't do what?” I ask, pulling away my embrace.

“Bunny isn’t listening anymore!” Valerie shouts while tugging at my shirt.

Glancing at the broken watch on my arm and her dilated pupils, I realize that this situation is a lot worse than I thought. Despite this thing going on a horrific rampage, Oppix seems to be well in control of the situation. Which means Valerie and I still aren’t able to get away. Which means I can still die. Which means Valerie can still be captured again. Which means…

“I failed.”

My head is spinning. My body is shaking. No matter what I do, I still can’t save a single child. Even after getting this second chance at life, I’ve managed to fail in this one too. Can I even call myself a man at this point?

Suddenly, the beast bellows with its creaking vocals. Turning towards the commotion, Arisa comes flying at us midair before tumbling on the floor next to us. And while I know I shouldn’t, I rush over to her to see if she's okay and notice the bloodied claw marks on her back. She throws me a quick side-eye with my approach, before passing out.

“No, not you too!” I shout, placing my fingers on her pulse. “You gotta hang in there…”

She’s still alive, but barely. If I don't do something she’ll die.

“What am I supposed to do?” I mutter under my breath. Watching her face run pale as more of her blood soaks into the back of her polka dress.

“Come on, keep shooting!” Yells one of the soldiers, continuing their fire at the beast.

It turns towards them, finally acknowledging their presence despite them shooting at it this entire time. But now being face-to-face with it, some of them start lowering their guns in realization that their efforts are pointless. Their bullets this entire time have been crumpling on impact and falling to the ground like showering coins. I assume they believed that given its slender frame, that they would kill it with enough gunfire. But hearing the guttural sounds coming from its hollowed out throat, it’s only making it angrier.