Artur watched the sisters run further into the darkness of the sewers as he faced the now completely blazing entrance of the refuge. As he took a step forward, feeling the hot, polluted wind approach him, cold sweat flowing from his face. Each step was more determined than the last one, the closer he got to the refuge, to the flammes, the less he cared about his safety, he refused to abandon Stell, he refused to leave without even trying. The steps fastened, turning into a jog, the air was getting thicker, he closed his mouth and nose with his arm, pushing forward. The run turned into a sprint, his breathing was quickly intensifying, as he reached the blazing entrance, he leaped forward, his emotions culminating in this single moment. He went through the flammes, feeling the intensifying warmth through his old coat, he carefully opened his eyes, looking around him. He quickly saw the hunter, holding Stell who was on the brink to lose all strength, her skin a mix of pale and blue color. The armored soldier was still at his task, ignoring the progressing blaze around him. Artur quickly felt rage rise within him, when he first saw the hunter, he was powerless, unable to take a single step forward, feeling the menacing aura of the metal beast. But He couldn't let fear take over him this time, he promised to Sunny and Luna that they will be reunited with their sister and live a free life. He had to save Stell no matter the danger, he owed it to her, without Stell, he would have died the first moments he left that ruined laboratory.
Ignoring the flammes, Artur reached for one of the broken parts of the door, long enough to form a bat like weapon. Artur pushed through the burning pain he felt in his hands and lifted the long wooden plank as high as he could, before striking with full force the head of the hunter, hoping to daze him enough for him to release his metal claws of Stell. The strike makes a loud cracking noise as the plank breaks into pieces around the helmet of the hunter. As Artur connected the hit, the head of the armored hunter nudged slightly. Seeing that his attack at full strength had almost no effect, his heart stopped, his fear coming back to him, like a sudden slap to his face. The hunter tilted his head slowly in Artur's direction, making an annoyed grunt, with a swing of his free hand, Artur felt a powerful shock on his chest, making him crash on the other side of the room. Dazed, he tried to get up by pushing himself from the ground, but the sudden feeling of burn made Artur scream.
Artur looked at his arm and shoulder as the fire covering it progressed through his coat, panickly, he tapped rappidly to stop the flammes. As he tried to regain balance quickly, Artur took another step forward to approach the hunter, as he looked at Stell, she was already completely pale, on the verge of losing her last breath. Artur began to sprint in her direction, but as he got closer, the hunter lifted his large knife, making each sharp branch have a bright glow from the fire. In less than a second, Artur understood what was about to happen and screamed at the full strength of his lungs, reaching out to Stell. The hunter, unfazed lunged his sharp weapon into Stell's stomach, completing his job. Stell let out a silent grunt with her last breath as her eyes closed slowly, fighting back to not lose consciousness. Quickly pulling the knife out of Stell's abdomen, both now leaking with ruby red blood, he then dropped Stell on the ground, releasing her from his metal claws. She stumbled agaisnt the wall before falling into a sitting position, coughing a few large spills of red blood.
As Stell was feeling her mind fading, she thought about her father one last time, his deep laugh, his funny beard and how he always tried the best for her, even if the world seemed to be agaisnt them. She thought about Nebulia, the mother she always dreamed of, her flowing red hair, her soothing voice and her emerald gaze, always showing an unending kindess to her. At last, she thought about Sunny and Luna, the sisters that she loved more than anyone and wished for the best in this world, she felt some sadness, knowing that she won't be able to see them, bring the freedom they deserved but she had some hope, reminded of a new person she met not so long ago. Stell's eyes closed slowly as she felt the warmth of the fire next to her, reminded of the firecamp she would make to keep the sisters from the cold. As she collapsed on the wall, she let out her final breath before fading into a cold slumber.
Looking at her now lifeless eyes, Artur's heart stopped, his mind went blank making him fall to his knees. He dropped his head down, covering his faces in his hands, trying to suppress his emotions, but in vain. Tears of sorrow started to flow from his eyes, he was unable to keep his promess to Sunny and Luna, he couldn't save their sister, he could only watch her slowly perish in front of him. He knew he owed everything to her and when she needed help, he was powerless to do anything. Looking at his burned, bruised, covered in tears hands he felt pathetic. The feeling of sadness and weakness grew into a rising rage, he started to lose control of his breathing. Hearing the hunter turning to face him, looking to finish the job, he clenched his fist, so hard that blood started leaking from his hands. He stood up to face the hunter, losing all sense of fear and letting anger take over his mind.
The moment he looked at the hunter, holding his bloodsoaked weapon, flashes of memory were brought back to him. The memories showed him images of Stell, Sunny, Luna and himself, enjoying a dinner together. He remembered the girls smiling laughing as Stell was telling one of her many stories in the ruined city. He remebered how the sister's eyes lit up when he told that he would help them escape from this place and join a better one. He remebered Stell's smile as she saw the hope that the girls when they herd Artur's promise. The rage inside of him grew more and more as memories flashed back at him, he knew that the suffering that they felt, that he felt was because of the hunters, the soldiers that wanted to kill the anomalies, it was because of SARCO. It was because of them that Stell died today, because of their hate agaisnt the anomalies and because of their cruelty, they did not care about the lives o someone like her, the ones who went through hell just to survive in this harsh world. The hunter was now facing him, the fire in the destroyed home grew in unisson with Artur's hate, leaving out only the warm corpse, the metal beast and enraged one in the center.
Artur watched the hunter lift the branched knife, the thoughts in his head were flying at an endless speed. He felt as if everything around him was slowing down, the chaos of rushing emotions inside of him started to harmonise in a way he couldn't understand, as if all the rage inside of him was condensed into a calm flamme, deep in his heart. His heart rate slowed down, pupils dilated, muscles tensed in a synchronous manner. In a sudden swing, with incredible speed, the hunter dropped his bloody knife, aiming for Artur's neck, who was still standing upright, facing the hunter with a dead expression, showing no emotion. As he felt the sent of the bloodsoaked weapon near, Artur felt that he lost the control of his body, instinctively his body dodged the swing in extremis, moving to the side of the hunter. Artur felt as if his body was being puppeteered when he dodged the attack, moving in an unnatural way, no thought was going through his head, making him feel a sense of calmness.
Stopping his movement abruptly, causing a powerful burst of wind, pushing the fire around them away. The hunter showed a sign of surprise at Artur's sudden change of attitude. As the armored soldier quickly returned in a fighting stance, Artur was already ready for a strike of his own. Once again in an instinctive way, Artur lifted his fist, leaking with droplets of blood. Preparing for a powerful strike, Artur took a deep breath, feeling once again as if time was slowed to a point of stagnancy. He felt a flamme form around his arm, then his fist, it was a bright and calm blue flamme that was slowly surrounding his body. Before the hunter could lift arms to block, in a swift and powerful movement, Artur, feeling the flamme culminating around his hand, he struck with full strength the hunter's mask, the impact causing a bright blue blaze. The strong shockwave made the hunter step back and hit the wall behind him with force as the wind caused by the attack put out the fire near them instantly, leaving only the burning ashes of the old refuge.
Blood was flowing from Artur's fist as he finally regained the control of his body. Letting a silent moan of pain, he grabbed his cut open fist, thinking that a bone must have broke in his hand. The blue flamme aura that was around him slowly dissipated leaving Artur in a state of surprise and confusion. His emotions returned to him instantly, reminding him his anxiety and fear. He turned his head to Stell, her body was collapsed agaisnt the wall, her hair covering her face, he felt an ache in his heart once more, reminded of his failed promise and of the sisters. If he couldn't save Stell, he needed to make sure that Sunny and Luna are in safety. Determined he looked back at the entrance of the refuge, the flammes were put out and the way was open for him to escape, he needed to hurry to lose the trail of the hunter and join the sisters to bring them to safety. Quickly he faced back in the direction of the hunter, hoping that he was still dazed by the poweful impact, but as he faced straight in front of him, the hunter was already facing him, one leg in front of him. The following second, Artur felt a strong impact in his torso, making him get cut off in his breath. Hearing the breaking sound of some of his ribs, Artur flew out of the refuge from the entrance, landing on the wet ground of the sewers. Holding his chest in pain, Artur tried to catch his breath back, but he felt as if his lungs were crushed by the powerful kick. Panting, he slowly tried to stand up, slipping slightly on the dirty water of the sewers.
As he finally stood on one knee, he tried to steady his breath, but suddenly he felt a sharp pain in his chest, causing him to cough violently. Looking at the hand that covered his mouth, he felt a cold sweat run down his body, thick red ruby blood was spilled from his violent cough on his hand. The pain that he felt was harsh but the adrenaline caused by the stress made him ignore a part of it. Slowly recovering from the powerful impact, he lifted his head to look at the entrance of the refuge. Some smoke was slightly covering the imposing figure that was slowly coming out of the burned down home. The hunter slowly passed the entrance, making every of his step count, adding on to the fear to Artur. Progressively revealing himself from the screen of smoke, Artur was able to see the damaged side of the hunter's mask, caused by his powerful strike. He felt surprised to be able to cause such damage with only a punch, but he would have for more than simply damage to the equipment of the hunter. The hunter slowly approached Artur, dragging his sharp weapon agaisnt the cement wall of the sewers, creating a screaching noise as he approached. Even through the single remaining projected eye of the hunter, Artur could feel the irritation of the metal hunter at the resistance of his prey, he was preparing to leap at Artur and finally kill his final victim.
After a moment of stand off between Artur and the hunter, in a synchrone way, the hunter charged in his direction, reaching out with his claw as Artur started his sprint, using the full force of his knees, barely escaping the metal beast's grasp. Feeling the scent of the iron claw right next to his throat, Artur felt a rush of adrenaline that fueled his run even more. As he was sprinting through the wet floor of the sewers, he felt the hunter's presence, approaching him with an alarming rate, creating a metallic noise of horrors. When he rappidly reached the intersection where he and Sunny and Luna were separated, he needed to make an instant desicion, he knew that leaving a single second of hesitation for the hunter would cause him his end. Instinctively, Artur chose to go the other way, fearing that if he won't lose the trail of the hunter, he would only bring danger to the girls, causing the death of everyone by the claws of the metal beast. Almost slipping on the wet ground, he took a sharp turn to the right, making the ferocious hunter behind him to crash into the cemented wall, causing a rumble in the sewers. Artur continued his sprint as fast as he could, feeling that his lungs could give out at any moment, due to the pain or the lack of air but he pushed forward anyway, motivated by his desire to leave, now fueled not by only the desire of learning his origins but also the one of protecting the sisters who he owed everything to. The run felt like forever, but Artur nor the hunter slowed down at any moment during the chase, Artur felt the slashing noises of the claws and knife right behind his neck, he knew that the hunter would make his death as fast as possible.
Still continuing his sprint, Artur saw the end of the sewers tunnel, some faint light was shining at the exit, giving more hope for Artur at the chance of escape. He pushed himself to go even faster, feeling that the hunter who was leaping continuously at the cement walls ressembling an enraged lion beast. Approaching even more, Artur quickly saw that the exit was in altitude and when he reached it, without an ounce of hesitation, thoughtless of the consequences, he jumped with all his might from the exit, feeling the metal claws brush his coat as he flew. Remembering the effects of gravity, still flying in his jump, Artur let out a quick panick scream before landing on a building's rooftop. Feeling a slight daze, he nevertheless continued to run through the rooftop of the building, reminding him of the chase of the drones with Stell. Without looking back, he was able to know that the armored hunter didn't hesitate long on his jump as well, as he felt a strong and loud of breaking impact, the heavy armor of the hunter, landing on the roof of the ruined building.
Artur felt himself shake, almost stumbling due to the vibration of the ground. Artur jumped and traversed the buildings on their roofs with more agility than his first time with Stell. The flashes of memories that come back to him tear his emotions apart, reminded of her face, smiling, than suddenly remebering the flammes of the refuge. The hate that Artur was able to channel before, came back to him, but this time, the storm of emotions only clouded his mind even more, making the escape from the murderous hunter, that much more harder for the fleeing prey.
Jumping and dodging in the ruined rooftops, Artur felt the ground shake beneath him, forever reminded of the dreadfull presence of the murderous hunter behind him. Continuously feeling the adrenaline making him forget the pain in his legs, his chest or his hand. The more he continued to traverse the buildings, the more Artur saw himself climb up in altitude. The thought only fueled his panick, understanding that soon, escape would be impossible, but he knew no other possibility was available for him, as he considered it was already hell, trying to escape in any direction, without a thought, like a hare, escaping the hungry wolf. Even with the accumulating sweat, covering his eyes, he was able to notice that no drone was patrolling around the ruined buildings, only in the distance, he would be able to notice some lights moving in the undercity. It seemed as if the hunter didn't want to be disturbed as he was chasing his prey, did he wish to toy with his prey before executing him, the thought only made Artur's anger grow larger.
Approaching the border of the roof, he rushed to climb the boxe of ventilation system to get up in height even more, the structure shooked sligthtly as he quickly stood on it. Without taking a second to look back. He jumped with all his might, cramping on the border of the highest, hurrying to climb up and continue his sprint. The whirlwind of Artur's emotions increased more and more as he felt himself pass his limit, either physically or mentally, the indescribable fear that he felt each second made his body shake, ignoring the effects of adrenaline. As he climbed up, he felt as sharp pain in his leg. He looked back and saw the hunter, clinging to his foot with his metal claws, instinctively, he struggled to free himself. Using the full strength of his arms, he clinged to the building and used the footing of his other leg to push himself out and pull his foot out of the claws of the metal beast. As he applied more force, he felt the sharp fingers of the claws dig into his skin, making him cuss in pain as he pulled more and more. The hunter was to the wall of the building as he gripped the bleeding foot of his prey, he was using the large knife that he stabbed into the building's walls as grip, ressembling a predatorous beast.
Letting out a final scream of pain, Artur pulled out his bleeding foot out of the bloodsoaked metal claws, feeling that a large piece of flesh was torn. Nevertheless, trying to ignore the pain, Artur climbed up the roof of the tall building, feeling a cold breeze in his face. He tried to stand up, but feeling the sharp pain in his bleedinf foot, he could only put his weight on a single leg. Hearing the hunter climb up at an alarming rate, sounds of bricks breaking, making Artur feel a shiver on his spine, he tried to run once more but could only limp to the other side of the tall building's rooftop. Red from his rapid breathing and his explosive heartbeating, he faced the void that was at the edge of the building. There was no way forward now, he reached the end of the line. He looked down, his breathing stopped for moment, his heart skipping a beat. The floor underneath seemed so far too him, as if it was getting lost in the darkness. He clenched his fist, frustrated of the fact that once again, there is nothing that he can do. He looked at his hand, feeling the emotion suffocate him more and more, hoping that a miracle would happen once again like in the shelter. Shaking, he was clueless of how such strength could have come to him in that moment but he didn't care, Artur needed that strength now.
The ground shook behind him, he turned around and saw the hunter, standing, instantly realising that the chase was over, slow but ready steps brought the armored soldier closer with each heavy thud. Trying to ignore the threat, Artur looked at the void once more, he felt hopeless, a tear started to form in his eyes, slowly flowing from his cheek. He would have hoped to discover the world he had woken up in, "Did I forget it, or was I simply sent as an observer, to watch its cruelty?" he thought, letting a tear fall into the unending void below him. As he heard the loud steps behind him get closer, he approached the edge, closer and closer, almost feeling his legs lose ground. In a moment like this, he thought that his life would flash before his eyes, but what life would flash before him, if he had forgotten everything? The only things he could see in this moment were flashes of him, Stell and the girls, but also, strangely, that same dream, the moon, a white haired person, leading him. Was it a memory from the past, finally coming back to him, or simply a delusion created by his mind? But it didn't matter to him now, no answer could save him now, there was only one thing left.
He heard the hunter stop as he got closer to him, watching his prey carefully. Artur looked at his hand once more, hoping one last time, but nothing happened. He closed his eyes, feeling as if the breeze was leading him into a leap, he took a deep breath, suddenly he jumped with all the strength he had left, he felt himself flowing through the wind, free. The hunter reached out his metal claw, unwilling to let his prey go, but failed. Flying through the air, Artur let his body go, feeling that the fall was like an endless flight, stuck in a sliver of time. Multiple thoughts went through his head, he hoped that the sisters would be safe, he regretted to not be able to witness the world that fascinated him that much, he wanted to know why would the world be this cruel, he wished for a second chance.
For a moment, he heard the whistle from the wind, feeling the cold in his face, then nothing.
...
Some time has passed, silence thuds approached, the hunter slowly travelled through the streets, the dark making his shadow barely recognisable. The blood in his knife had already dried out, still leaving a red mark on the branches, the same as in his claw. A faint light was flickering, making the street recognisable enough even in the darkness of the night. Each street after another looked the same, the ruin made it difficult to make a difference between the buildings. After turning a corner, in a small street, the hunter finally arrived to destination, a pool of blood had sprayed the rubish and bricks all around. The hunter took a few steps closer, ignoring the sound of thick blood, sticking to his metal boot. In the middle of the of the blood explosion, there was a body. The gore scenary seemed almost staged to the hunter, blood forming a poorly drawn star with a sacrifce, right in the middle. He took another step, his foot now right next to the body, he looked down at it, analysing the face of the lifeless body. The hunter then touched the broken part of his mask with his sharp claws, almost causing another cut in the fissured eye. The large fissure reminded him of someone from the past, but he quickly threw the thought out of his mind, concentrating back to his mission.
He layed on his knee and turned the body on its back, the hunter then placed a module on the body's chest, connecting the scanner to his arm brace screen. He waited a moment, before pressing a button behind his neck :"Target's reading positive, capture successful, heading back to HQ"
END OF ACT I
__________________________________________________________
Thank you for getting this far! This is the end of the first act
Hope you enjoyed this far, because the real story, starts now : The following in ACT II, Chapter 1 : Rebirth