Chapter 8: Hospital Waiting Room

The dust had settled, the battle had ended and the sounds of the fighting echoing throughout the empty streets had come to a close. Now, the Hospital was just as quiet as the rest of Opulent C’s buildings. Though it was not as lifeless as the rest, what with the aftermath of the skirmish there.

Outside the Hospital, the charred remains of the Lambent Drones, Drudges and Marauders were scattered on the gravel and debris on the road outside. While the severed remains of the Formers and Ghouls were splattered around in all kinds of different directions.

Meanwhile, the bloodied and shot up remains of the COG patrol had not yet attracted any flies, but they would shortly. Their blood was still trickling down the walls and forming nice, red pools all around. The corpse of the Cyron Titan was still smoking, and occasional, bits of wall grounded into dust settled on the body.

Finally, upstairs was where the source of life was at. Onwa had decided to go over to the balcony that overlooked the abandoned streets, Sauvix tended to the wounded, Taus and Turok had gone for a bit scouting while Hakar, Nokada and Terror were just milling around.

73 was thinking about asking Hakar about the fact that he was RAAM’s son.

All this time, RAAM had been a guardian to her. A source of inspiration, he gave her a reason to live and one she felt close to. Yet all this time, he never once mentioned that he had a legacy.

It couldn’t have been that he didn’t trust her. No, it was quite the opposite. RAAM was open and trusting to 73, so perhaps there was another reason?

---

Sauvix had his medical kit ready and was treating to two that had been wounded during the battle. Izumi had a cut across her stomach, while Krall had sustained injuries to his arm. Nothing serious, both could still fight, but did need the wounds seeing to.

Also, thank the maker neither wounds were infected.

Nokada came over to see how Sauvix was doing, he was just patching up Izumi, who couldn’t help but to flinch in pain as Sauvix wrapped up the bandage.
“I’d suggest not getting into any battles for a while.” Sauvix suggested. “The wound is minor, but any aggravation may cause it to open up again.”

“We Kantus heal fast, I should be back to serve the Kantus Knights in no time at all.” Izumi stated proudly.

Sauvix just grunted in response. Then, he looked at Izumi, then down to her wound, then back at her again. He was intrigued.

“Answer me this Izumi.” Sauvix began. “Your armour and helmet and strong enough to withstand all kinds of attacks, whether they be melee, bullet and possibly small explosive fire as well…”

He then pointed to the wound on Izumi’s belly.

“… So why expose your stomach?” He asked. “All a Gear needs to do is get a knife there and he’s got you on your knees.”

“He can try…” Izumi said under her breath. While Sauvix turned to Nokada.

“A question I can ask you as well, Nokada.” He said.

Nokada just raised an eyebrow, she was used to Sauvix’s sceptical behaviour. She thought this might be a chance for him to point out the old wounds she had on her body, but surprisingly, he didn’t.

Izumi looked at Krall.

“Don’t let Sauvix get to you.” He reassured. “He just doesn’t believe in bedside manner, that’s all.”

“Most patients I’ve treated prefer the facts, not sympathy.” Sauvix added.

“You must have treated some cold patients in your time, Sauvix.” Izumi stated.

Sauvix looked over his shoulder to see Hakar walking down the halls. Sporting the usual leadership posture and furious eyes.

“Izumi, you don’t know just how right you are.” Sauvix sighed.

---

“Admiring my work?” laughed Terror. The leader of the Forsworn had walked over to the balcony where Onwa was standing. He turned around to see Terror had approached and now stood next to him. Onwa laughed as well.

“I can see why they call you Terror, and why you lead the Forsworn.” Onwa replied.

“The Strong lead us, and I am by far the strongest.” Terror smiled proudly. “What of Hakar? Is he a strong leader?”

“He’s lead victory after victory for The Soul Killers for several years now.” Onwa smirked. “I’d say he’s strong.”

“Fair point.” Terror said.

The two stared as the body parts and remains of the Lambent attackers for a little while longer, before they took their conversation to another direction.

“Terror, when we entered the hospital, I saw you fighting those infected Drones.” Onwa started. “They called themselves Ghouls. I have never seen them before, though you must have, seeing as how they seemed adamant to attack you.”

“Rumours of the Ghouls have been spreading across the Raxis for quite some time.” Terror explained, rubbing his chin. “We think some of the Lambent attacks we’ve been facing are by them.”

“What do you know of them?” Onwa asked.

“All we know is that they are some kind of cult. No idea when they formed or how long they’ve been going.” Terror replied. “All we do know, is that seem convinced that becoming Lambent is the way forward. They willingly consume Imulsion and hope to mutate, or evolve as they call it, into the next step.”

Quite the disturbing news, that was.

“I heard them mention those Emissaries you talked about.” Terror added. “They said that if the Ghouls fought us, the Emissaries would promise them ascension.”

Onwa was taken back.

“So, they’re recruiting.”

Terror noticed Onwa go into that deep thought and prodded him to talk.

“Looks like the Emissaries have recruited The Ghouls into fighting for them.” Onwa said. “If the Ghouls really are a cult, then that must have made them easy to manipulate. Show them the three powerful Emissaries as proof of Imulsion being the next step. After seeing them, The Ghouls must be willing to do anything now.”

“Including attacking the Raxis? Let them try.” Terror snarled. “Though what about the Emissaries themselves? Would they attack the Raxis as well?”

“I don’t think so.” Onwa replied. “Not meaning to downsize you, but you are merely a Savage Tribe in your eyes. They are more interested in the humans… and us. They have been searching for Lacouna’s castle for quite some time now, but with no luck.”

“Well, they can try anyway.” Terror huffed. “They shall not leave alive.”

---

Hakar had found himself wondering around the upper floors of the hospital, investigating the place. A Gears patrol all the way out here? Seemed a little too odd.

The Soul Killer leader saw the double doors of the visiting room. This was where people out of surgery and in the clear could be visited by loved ones. Curious, he opened the doors to find not a visiting room, but something different.

“Well now, what’s this humans?” Hakar said to himself.

There were stockpiles of COG weaponry neatly lined up on tables, which occupied the space where beds used to be. Maps of Opulent C were stuck on the walls, with various different locations circled as important. One location at the very end of the map had multiple circles around it. There was also radio equipment, just like the one the Gears used downstairs.

“Patrol my foot.” Hakar huffed. “Nice little base you have running here?”

Hakar’s train of thought was cut short by a voice calling his name.

“Hakar, is it?”

Hakar turned around and spotted 73 by the doors, she looked nervous and uneasy.

“Oh, 73!” Hakar replied. “Are you okay?”

He felt like he was wearing down that question, but this Locust being was entirely new to him, so what else could he say?

“I am fine, but there is something I want to talk to you about.” 73 said. “I know we have only just met, but this is important to me, and I think it is important to you as well.”

“Oh?” Hakar asked.

73 took her steps forward and took a deep breath as she looked at Hakar’s bright, yellow eyes.

“Are… are you the son of RAAM?”

That question struck Hakar so much he felt like he had smashed into a wall at 100mph. His eyes trembled in surprise and found himself lost for words as the Human looking Locust looked at him nervously, waiting for an answer.

Hakar shook himself and snapped out of his trance, managing an answer.

“Y…Yes, I am.” he stuttered. “How did you…?”

“I instantly saw the resemblance when I first saw you.” 73 replied. “You look so much like RAAM, that’s why I was so startled when you started talking to me.”

“Well, you are the first to notice my resemblance to my father.” Hakar said. “Why did you want to know?”

73 sighed. Hakar pulled up some chairs and offered that they both sit down to tell their stories. Once sat, 73 began.

“RAAM was a key figure in my life. I felt as though he was the only one I could trust and rely on.” she explained. “He had been ordered to watch over me and make sure I was okay. At first, it seemed like he was just doing his job, but the more time we spent, the more and more he would look out for me and protect me. I think I became an apprentice to him.”

“He never told me about you though.” Hakar enquired. “Is it because of… forgive me, because of what you are?”

“I think so.” 73 replied. “I was an experiment at the New Hope facility, not sure what I was for though, but they did mention my DNA might be of interest towards curing Lambent diseases.”

“New Hope” was a name that sprung to mind. Although Hakar had never been, he had heard all kinds of experiments had been conducted there.

“I was taken away from there by two human soldiers, a male and female. They became my Mother and Father.” 73 continued. “They raised me and taught me to fight, until they were murdered by the Onyx Guard. Apparently, I was a “dangerous threat” and since they were holding me, they were classified as threat as well.”

“Yet the humans make us out as the monsters.” Hakar scoffed. “When did my father meet you?”

“When his team captured me.” 73 stated.

Hakar felt a little uneasy with her saying that. First she said he was a key figure in her life, yet he captured her?

“Uh…” Hakar stammered.

“I know it sounds bad, but I soon grew accustomed to life with the Locust.” 73 assured. “After his death, I had nothing. Eventually, I severed all ties with Myrrah, and found refuge with The Forsworn.”

Before Hakar could open his mouth, 73 asked him a question.

“What of you? How come I never heard of you either?” she asked.

Hakar pondered about how to answer the question for a few seconds. Then got it clear.

“It was my father’s request that nobody knew of our relationship.” Hakar began. “It wasn’t shame though, quite the opposite, I was his pride and joy!”

Hakar ended that last part with a laugh, which got a smile out of 73 as well.

“I seem to remember him telling me that he didn’t want the Horde to know that he had children… well, a child, my brothers died before birth.” Hakar continued. “He said the Horde would look at him differently and treat him differently. He didn’t want that, he wanted to remain the proud General of the Horde.”

Hakar lowered his head sadly, all this reminiscing was starting to wear him down.

“As you can imagine, things came crashing down for me as well when he perished.” he sighed.
73 watched him in silence for a few moments, before managing to light up the mood. She smirked, which got Hakar to lift his head up again curiously.

“This is a funny thing.” she smiled. “The two secrets of General RAAM finally meet each other.”

Hakar looked at her, then managed a smile and a laugh of his own.

“Yeah, it is a funny feeling isn’t it?” he smirked.

Hakar then suddenly remembered something in his armour’s inside pocket. Something 73 would probably like to see. He reached in and pulled out a small piece of paper.

“Here, you might like to see this.” He nodded.

73 took it and looked in awe. He was a sketch of both RAAM and Hakar standing proudly in front of Nexus bridge. Even though it was just a drawing, 73 could see the pride in RAAM’s eyes.

“Amazing.” 73 complimented.

“It was done by a Kantus artist. He didn’t seem the resemblance either, but to fair, he was very old.” Hakar said.

“I have a drawing of me with your father as well.” 73 replied. “I left it back at the Raxis though.”

“I’m sure my father looked proud to be with his apprentice as well.” Hakar said.

73 smiled.

“Thank you, son of RAAM.”

---

Back at the other part of the Hospital, Taus and Turok had come back from there scouting around the outside and had nothing to report. Terror was sharing stories about Raxis life with Onwa, Sauvix, Krall, Nokada and Izumi was also listening. One story was about how the little insects of the deadlands still packed a bite. While having dinner, a little desert bug bite him on the toe, no pain, but an irritating rash. Terror responded by crushing the little pest with his fingers.

All eyes went on 73 as she returned to the others, followed by Hakar.

“Terror, leader of the Forsworn, thank you for helping us in the battle.” Hakar announced.

“No, thank you for helping us rescue 73. She is most important to us.” Terror replied, putting one arm around her. “You have proven to us that The Soul Killers are the legends of the Horde, and are also worthy to be allies and friends.”

“As have the Forsworn.” Hakar stated. “You may return to Raxis now, but my Soul Killers still have work here.”

Onwa, Sauvix, Taus, Krall and Nokada got up.

“I inspected this place and what we faced was no COG patrol. This hospital was a garrison.” Hakar explained. “It looks as though there are more here as well, and I want to find out why the COG and Cyron are so interested in this ghost city.”

“What of the Lambent?” Onwa suggested. “They had quite the force here as well.”

“That’s a good point.” Hakar said. “Forsworn, you have messenger bats at Raxis, right?”

“Yes!” called Turok.

Hakar looked at Turok.

“You look as though you can fast Turok, think you can make a run back to Raxis and get us a messenger bat?” Hakar requested. “I must alert Lacouna that my force will be up here longer than planned.”

“Of course!” Turok nodded.

“If you don’t mind, we’ll keep this place secure for you until Turok returns.” Izumi stated.

“That’s fine, we’ll stay here as well.” Hakar replied.

As Turok went downstairs, Terror, Izumi and 73 went down as well. Probably to keep that area secure. Before heading down, 73 looked back at Hakar.

The Soul Killer leader looked at her with the serious look on his face, but he then smiled and nodded at her.

73 smiled back as Terror escorted her downstairs.

“It’s good to know that RAAM lives on…”

----
On the rooftop of an apartment block overlooking the grimy slums of Opulent C. Emissary Scourge stood, arms folded and anger in his eyes. His blood stained sword remained in his holster, but Scourge drummed his fingers as though he had itchy trigger fingers.

“That feeling… has he dared return?.” Scourge growled, putting one hand on the damaged part of his visor and helmet. That arrogant Soul Killer leader not only refused to die, but more aggravating, had damaged Scourge’s armour in their previous fight. A defeat that left Scourge bitter and itching for revenge.

Now, had the Soul Killer leader returned? Scourge didn’t know, but right now, he had to put his revenge to one side and concentrate on destroying both the Human and Locust forces in this city.

Beside him, Rain Maker and Havoc stood. The Emissary of Chaos looked at Scourge with his bulging, twisted eyes, but Scourge lifted one hand to stop Havoc from looking at him.

“We’ll leave our forces and our dear friend to deal with these insects.” Scourge boomed.

“If you say so, leader.” Rain Maker cackled. “I better go find my dear friend Lash. He may have more experiments for me.”

“You waste your time and my patience with that human, Emissary of Acid.” Scourge growled, which sent Havoc stepping back.

“He’s useful to me Scourge.” Rain Maker hissed. The Emissary of Acid then turned his head to one side.

“Besides, he knows where should we be…”

Rain Maker’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of heavy breathing and rustling chains. Rain Maker looked up to see the very large, muscular brute that had some kind of cloth covering his head and was chained up to a pillar at the corner of the roof they stood on. Suggesting that this wasn’t a roof, but used to be a floor of a bigger building.

“You anger are friend.” Scourge pointed out.

Rain Maker defiantly approached the beast.

“Yes, but all angers you, doesn’t it?” Rain Maker barked.

The Beast responded with a terrifying roar, and though his wrists were chained up, he managed to grab Rain Maker by the throat and begin choking the Emissary. Scourge intervened by swinging his sword down at the Beast’s chained wrists, forcing him to drop Rain Maker.

“Especially you.” Scourge scoffed.

Rain Maker huffed.

The Beast tried again, but Scourge struck his chains. The lead Emissary then lifted up the cloth covering the beast’s head.

“Save your anger for the insects, Rage!” Scourge snapped. “I need all your strength and anger ready for when we unleash you.”

The Beast - Rage - snarled in resentment and frustration. Scourge put the cloth back over his head.

“Some acid, Rain Maker.”

Rain Maker drew a dagger and cut the palm of his clawed hand. As Acid began to spill out, he dripped some of it over the chains around Rage’s back, then a small amount of the wrist chains.

“Rain Maker’s acid will set you free. Then… this whole city will be teeming with the weak for you to kill at your leisure.” Scourge cackled. “Serve me well… Emissary of Anger.”  

As Scourge, Rain Maker and Havoc flew away. Rage tried to wrestle through the chains as Rain Maker’s acid began to eat away at them…