Aria brought a hand up to her lips, still trying to absorb what had just happened. Marcus(when did he get out of the suite?) had shown up and ended the fight with a few words(?), he and Kenneth had shaken hands amicably(??), and now the Guilders were sent on their way with her opponent’s business card in hand(!?!?). Gods, she was confused.
She stared down at the card, rather tempted to chuck it in the nearest bin but after a moment’s contemplation stuck it in her pocket. No need to be a sore loser, and like Kenneth had said it wasn’t anything personal. And who knew, maybe she would be in need in some mercenary help in the future.
She peered curiously up the stairway towards the Grande Suite, but turned to go help Marcus with supporting Chirps as they started to make their way down the stairs to where everybody else was.
“Has Selan managed to escape as well?” She could assume the songstress had, but couldn’t resist asking anyways. “And do you know if everyone else is alright? I heard a lot of explosions down in the lower levels.”
The Grande Diamond: Basement It took a moment for Syed to risk releasing his hold on Moira, taking a couple of steps away from her. He wrapped his torn up hands around himself, looking back up to the floor above them. Where to start... where to start...
Then he felt another warm glow encompass his body. He looked around, finding himself suprised once more to find Amy clutching her glowing gem, muttering words he couldn't hear.
Syed averted his eyes again, feeling pretty awkward. He still didn't feel he really deserved her help, but she was right. "Thanks, Amy."
Amy moved on to Moira, who unfortunately had something else on her mind. Her face still contorted in fury, she could initially do nothing but stare blankly at the door the pair had left.
They weren't coming back.
"AAAAAAAAARGH!" she suddenly screamed, driving her fist into the ground and sending up a fresh plume of dust. Fuck them! Fuck the fucking fuck fuck fu-
BOOM.
Okay, this one was not coming from them for once. It reverberated throughout the whole building, coming somewhere above them. It wasn't in fact the first one, but thanks to their position in the basement the first few weren't as noticable.
BOOM.
Syed turned to look around to the others, wide eyed. "The others..." he muttered, staring with concern at Xan. "You don't think... it's that guy again do you? The weight guy?"
BOOM. This one was the loudest of all, practically explosive in volume.
Moira didn't wait, snatching the pipe back up and taking off towards the door. This time Syed didn't protest, gesturing towards the others to follow.
They ran down the corridor with Trixie as the fastest taking the lead. They finally found the stairs going up, a particularly steep and much less luxurious set than the ones upstairs. Yeah, this was definately supposed to be a staff area. They emerged from a discreet door in a corridor just off the practically obliterated main lobby.
Where were they supposed to go now? Both Moira and Syed looked somewhat desperately around for any sign of where the noise came from.
There! A hole at the end of a corridor, which looked like the doors had been torn right out of the frames. Now gasping for breath they scrambled forward, Moira's grip on her pipe tightening and Syed bringing his hands up and ready...
The pipe dropped to the floor.
There had been one hell of a fight in here by the looks of it. Syed's eyes immediately locked onto Estelle, his stomach knotting up in concern. Selan looked a wreck too, but he had no idea what had happened here. "Estelle! Are you okay, they didn't do..." he trailed off when he spotted Josette, leaning over one of the two unconcious men on the floor. He brought his hands to his mouth in horror at the sight of his wounds. "Oh Vayu...!"
Moira had her priorities straight.
"Ey, since when did Don have the fuckin' time to swap clothes with the stupid superhero guy?!"
Suddenly, everything became clear, and the reasons why they were fighting came flooding back.
Lucien stared at his clenched fist, at the pandemonium that was the poolside, at Mordie then finally at Dylan. The woman had left and bid them goodbye, just like that. He didn't know how to react, it was just so sudden. "Sorry," he muttered before his eyes flitted to the slippery floor. Why couldn't he have been stronger? Had he actually tried to hurt his friends?
"Everyone, I'm so sorry! Are you alright? I'm so sorry!"
The summoner looked at Lisette then at the bros. Everyone, including himself looked pretty bad. "I'm really, really sorry as well. I couldn't fight it." He tried to crack an apologetic smile but it was clear he was feeling pretty bad about what had happened.
“Don’t be sorry. She got all of us. What’s important is that we’re now ourselves, and we can go find the others. We have work to do.”
Lucien let out a relieved sigh before tapping his friend on the back. "You're right...let's go kick some butt, guys" In a snap, the gloom was gone and replaced with an eager smile. He offered Lisette a hand before grinning brightly at the bros. "Let's go, yeah? Guilders can't be stopped!"
Moira bellowed loudly and Xan readied herself for another round.
However, before the berserker could launch an attack, Bart was stopped by Heather? She even went as far as to cast a shield over her partner's head...it was all so confusing, but she wasn't complaining. They were all tired and more fighting would have only meant more injuries and damage to property. Still, she wasn't sure if she was buying it. Were Bart and Heather messing with them? It didn't look like it, but why were they stopping when they had been winning? What was up?
“Good luck with your business. Kenneth, Bart and I are heading out.”
It was over, and though she was extremely relieved, it just didn't make any sense. Moira began yelling again before Syed suggested they leave.
"Good idea, let's go find the others...some of them could need our help." She followed Amy and Trixie out the door. They still needed to find the missing women and their friends. Hopefully, everyone was okay.
Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamond - Ground Floor (Storage Room)
"SUPERBRO!" Trixie's scream pierced the room the moment she caught her hero on the floor. It hadn't registered that Don was clad in Crimson Justice's uniform, even when Moira announced it in all her confusion. She dashed to his side and collapsed onto her knees in a heap, her eyes wild with tears. "No, no no no, he's okay, he's okay right? Right?" She looked up to the blue-haired girl beside her. Josette, and Supersis - the two girls everyone came here to save were both all right and alive, together with Selan as well. Naturally Trixie would have leapt for joy at having found their lost teammates, had Don not been motionless on the floor. This was too much to even look at.
The panicking prankster continued to shake Josette's shoulders. "He's-- he's okay-- he's all right, right? S, Supersis? Is he, is he--AMY!" Trixie called back for her teammate.
Amy had hung back once her crew stumbled upon these four. The other three ladies were roughed up, quite badly from how fatigued they were - Selan in particular seemed emotionally shattered - but only when Trixie called for help did Amy make her way towards the fallen man. She nudged the prankster aside to kneel close beside Don.
Seeing this boisterous son of a pig floored like this, when he's normally prancing about and laughing his head off, was almost jarring. As much as Amy was annoyed with Don's constant antics, she did not hesitate with placing her hand on him - as she would have done if any of her other teammates were in the same position. Her eyes closed, hand stilled beside his shoulder, feeling for something - his aura, a pulse. Trixie continued to heave as she watched Amy, loudly gasping for air as if she were suffocating on her own tears, though she quieted with deep breaths as Amy hushed her.
"Trixie. Trixie, it's okay, hush."
A faint gold glow engulfed both Amy's and Don's bodies, as well as her gem. Though she was not yet experienced enough with awakening unconscious bodies, Amy wished to at least assist with his recovery process. These wounds... this hole... if they were not tended to right away, surely he could bleed to death. In fact Amy wasn't quite sure what to make of his condition at all, considering that puncture on his chest... should have killed him. She did not dwell on this however, and continued to feed him healing spells. She would tend to the three girls afterwards.
The familiar light calmed Trixie's haphazard breathing, though she still sniveled and shivered. She looked off to the side, where Estelle and Selan stood - and her face contorted even further, about to break out into a new set of tears. With a burst she dashed in after the redhead, arms wide to embrace the swordswoman. She was safe, Josy was safe, Miss Pretty was here and safe too.
Trixie sniveled loudly and clung onto Estelle tighter.
Los Paraisos: The Grande Diamonde: Ground Floor: Storage Room
“DON!” Josette screamed, skidding across the floor to her brother’s body, lifting him up and cradling him in her arms, her bare legs growing wet with the blood dripping from his wound. Her face was lodged in complete horror as she saw him lie motionless and unresponsive in her arms, the faintest smile on his face unmoving. He wouldn’t answer. “NO!” Josette screamed again. Panic began build and build and build in intensity. She was growing lost to thought and reason, the same as Selan. “Don’t you fucking do this you bastard!” Josette screamed, clutching him tightly in her arms. “Don’t you leave me!”
In from the open entrance to the outside corridor was a chorus of fresh voices belonging to more of the Guilders, Moira, Syed, Trixie, Amy and Xandra, who were all shocked into disbelief at the scene in front of them. Trixie automatically dashed to her hero, unable to comprehend what could be happening to him either, before she raced to embrace Estelle and Selan. Amy focused her efforts on using her healing spells to save Don, to ease the danger of his wound and to save his life. If… if it was even possible… if he was too far gone, then…
“BIG BRO!!!”
An even louder collection of voices screamed out, and from the corridor spilled an almost unending crowd of men, who all squeezed against each other in a bid to enter the room first, bursting in and dashing as fast as they could to their fallen brother. Cid, Tom, Clive, Jerry, Tom… they and the rest of their bros could do nothing but weep and pray for Don to open his eyes again. To rise up and tell them all he was okay. But he didn’t. Lisette, Lucien and Dylan followed shortly behind, and none of them could raise a voice behind a tiny, hoarse whisper. Dylan raced to join Amy, Josette and the nineteen some bros gathered around Don, unable to believe what was happening. Josette wouldn’t stop screaming. She even had to have Cid and Clive restrain her arms once she started punching his body, screaming and demanding him to wake up and that the game he was playing wasn’t funny.
But again, he didn’t wake up.
Marcus, Aria and the unconscious Thunderhawk’s arrival into the Grande Diamond’s docking and storage room signalled the reunification of everybody there, along with a handful of women Marcus had found, and released from the dungeons on the seventh floor. No one spoke. They simply fell silent, and with great, laborious effort and difficulty… they left the Grande Diamond’s premises, escorting the women and Don’s body out to the nearest hospital, to no resistance whatsoever. They left the noble mansion behind in eerie quietude and silence, metal gates slamming shut behind.
As they left, with their concerns and fears locked onto Don, Amy healing him the entire time, none had noticed and all had forgotten that a particular body had vanished before they had the opportunity to restrain him. Small flickers of wafting violet light wisped and faded into the sky from where the Hunter’s body had once been.
“I’m sorry, I really am. At the moment… we’ve done all we can. If it wasn’t for your cleric, he’d be dead already, but… well, it’s not good. It’s still touch and go… too early to say. The rest I’m afraid… is up to him. You… all of you are welcome to stay in the hospital but please, if he’s to have a chance he needs some rest. I’ll only allow two of you inside at one time. Is that clear?”
“Hey. Hey, Big Sis! Don’t worry! Big Bro will be okay! He’s Big Bro! Big Bro can’t die! He’ll be… he’ll be totally okay! Won’t he?”
“Yeah, he’ll be okay, won’t he Supersis? He… he’ll be okay! Cus… cus superheroes don’t die! He’ll be okay!”
“Nothing can beat Big Bro!”
“He’s the best!”
“Yeah!”
“Big Bro!”
“Big Bro!”
”Big… *sniffle*… Bro…”
“…Don…”
Los Paraisos: Mercy Hospital: Recovery Ward Corridor
At the end of the Recovery Ward’s Corridor, Thunderhawk and Marcus stood, keeping a short distance away from the rest. Outside of Don’s room were the rest of the man’s bros, all sitting on the edge of their seats with clasped hands and worry filled eyes. Some of the other Guilders were there as well, whilst the others were either around the hospital, or around the resort, tying up loose ends. Helping settle the kidnapped women in a safe building Thunderhawk had rented for them and reuniting Serena with her missing baby Mathias whom Freddie had been looking after. Estelle sat in one of the chairs facing the door to Don’s room, her eyes staring at it. Inside, sitting silently on a chair next to his bed was Josette, who never took her eyes off her brother, lying on the white hospital bed, hooked up with tubes and wires, to a respirator and machine that read his vitals.
“How are you?” The silver haired man asked, pushing his spectacles up to look over the Ranger, who was standing, walking and talking again, but who had still yet to return to his normal self. Which was understandable, all things considered, as his chest still suffered the accidental shallow wounds he received from Aria but with the unexpected help of Aria was already on the mend.
“Yeah, I’m okay. I’ll be back to normal no time soon.” Although talking with the Wind Mage, his eyes never left the gathering of men outside Don’s room. “I just… have a few questions I’d like to ask, considering I missed the end of everything. We… we won, right?”
“We rescued the women that Dumont was holding, yes. I don’t know if that’s all of the women who went missing, or if there’s more… Dumont wasn’t the one doing the actual kidnapping. Another man was doing that, who tried to kidnap Selan as well until Don rescued her, Estelle and Josette… but he managed to slip away after their fight.” Marcus sighed. “I don’t know where, but… any of the women Dumont had, they’re freed. And Dumont won’t be causing anymore trouble either.”
“Hmm.” Thunderhawk narrowed his eyes as he considered Marcus’ response. “How did you manage that? I mean… no offense to the guy, but what he did was… reckless. How long do we think we have before we face retaliation? I warned you guys that this mission might spark an international incident, and for the Guild it’d-”
“I really don’t think we need to worry about that.” Marcus replied with a smile. “Dumont’s not going to be a problem. I promise.”
The ranger turned, looking and frowning at Marcus, before turning away with a sigh. The answer wasn’t entirely satisfactory, but he was too tired and in pain to argue against. If Marcus was right, and that this wouldn’t lead to anything else then… well, good. The missing kidnapper was still a problem, one that he’d make sure to follow up on, but so long as there wouldn’t be any reprisal from Lord Alistair Dumont, then all the better.
“Alright then.” Thunderhawk turned back to look once more at the crowd outside Don’s room. “I’m going to stay on at Los Paraisos for a little while. Keep an eye on that building, just to make sure nothing does come. As well as try and find that kidnapper… this… what was his name? Neil Hunter? I’ll try and see if I can find anything on him and catch him. I mean, him still being out in the wind is a massive problem… but if what Estelle’s said is true and Don gave him a pounding to remember then he should hopefully be out of action for a while. I’ll catch the bastard though, mark my words. I think you and the others will be able to carry on with your mission now. I mean… the rest of this could take a while, but your own mission is pretty damn important too, isn’t it?”
“Largo’s letter. Rize and Kara… yes.” Marcus replied. “Tiberius said to go to Abatheo after we were finished here. But we won’t be leaving until Don’s okay, of course.”
“Yeah, of course,” Thunderhawk scratched the back of his neck and looked at the ground. “Look, I’ve got a favour to ask.”
“A favour?”
“Aria and Xan. Take them with you?” Thunderhawk glanced back up, looking to Marcus again. He was confused.
“Take them with us…? But, why? I thought they were with you, or-”
“No, no. I think they belong with you guys.” Thunderhawk curtly replied. “Trust me on this, I think… I think they’ll be better off helping you. For them and you guys.”
Marcus smiled and nodded. “Alright. Well, Estelle’s the leader but I don’t think she’d say no. They did help come to her rescue after all, and she does like making new friends. It’s hard for her to say no to or dislike anyone, you know… even people who did leave us.”
“Ha.” Thunderhawk laughed. “Don’t make me laugh when I’m still hurt.” The ranger turned to walk away, but stopped before passing the turn, to take another look down the corridor, and at the crowd of bros outside Don’s room once again. “…I hope he makes it. Don… he’s a funny guy.”
Moira dumped two massive, heavy boxes on the floor of the small appartment. Most people would struggle to carry one on their own, and she had been carrying one on each shoulder. Not that it really bothered her at all.
"Yes, just those and... yes that one." The petite blonde grasped at her bandaged wrists nervously as Syed placed the much smaller, lighter box on top of the others. Her eyes were constantly locked onto him, watching his every movement warily. Her gaze would only shift when he turned to look directly at her, stepping back as she did so. She couldn't help it.
And Syed was acutely aware of it. He brought his arms around himself self-conciously, letting his eyes unfocus a little as his thoughts drifted. He wanted to try and calm her, but his presence alone put paid to that. He was only really here since Moira's strength was needed to help her move in.
"Um... thank you. And your friends. For everything." The woman said somewhat quietly, biting at her lip. "I... uh..."
"You don't need to thank us," Syed smiled gently as he looked around the room. Nothing but boxes right now, but at least it was safe. "You've got the details for if you want to contact anyone, right?" She nodded. "Remember they're there even if you just want to talk."
She nodded again. "Yes, I have them. Thank you..."
"Well, we'll be off then," Moira waved, turning back to the door. "I got a massive fuckoff headache right now, you know. Feels like my eyeballs are gonna fall out." She'd never admit that it might be partly fueled by alcohol withdrawal. She wasn't touching any more of the poison they passed for alcohol here. Moving on to another place couldn't come fast enough.
"Oh!" The girl nervously fidgeted some more. "Before you go... your friend. He'll... be fine, won't he?"
"Don?" Syed cringed, hunching over a little as he looked out the window. His heart sank at the mention of it. He wanted to believe he'd be fine, he really did. He wished he'd recover and be back to his old self more than anything. But... "we're all praying for him. It's still very touch and go last I heard. He's the sort of guy who doesn't give up, so he's been clinging on so far..."
"He'll be fine," Moira said dismissively with a wave of her hand. "He's too stupid to die. You know how they say don't go into the light and all that? He'd probably get lost trying and end up back with us anyway."
"Moira."
"Well, I'll pray for him too. The more people who do the more likely he'll hear, right?" The girl forced a smile gave them a little bow. "Anyway, I have a lot to do, so I'll get moving. Again, thank you." She gave them both another awkward half-nod before closing the door. They could hear the sound of bolts moving shortly after.
"Poor girl," Moira muttered, before heading off to the stairs. "Shit like that don't heal so well."
"I don't think it heals at all..." Syed murmured, shoving his hands in his pockets. He looked pretty upset himself, avoiding looking at Moira completely. She stared at the back of his head for a moment before giving out a loud sigh and following. The pair said nothing more for the rest of the journey to the ground floor. It wasn't until the pair stepped out into the hot sunshine when Moira finally slapped Syed square on the back, causing him to cough and splutter.
"Stop beating yourself up. This ain't the same. You ain't like all the bastards who messed... whatever her name was up."
"Charlotte."
"Yeah, that."
Syed hugged himself again. It took him a moment to finally speak again. "I... really upset Amy though. You didn't see the look she gave me when we woke up. She looked at me like..." he swallowed, taking a deep breath as he looked up to the sky. "It feels like I'm just the same as them. I hurt her, and just because I was too drunk to know what I was doing doesn't excuse it. And I know the day before we were actually getting on pretty well, and just like that I've destroyed everything. Like bloody always."
"Oi! I told you to stop feeling sorry for yourself!" Moira thumped his arm, and he groaned and held it like it was going to fall off or something. "It was an accident. Accidents happen, especially when you get that drunk, and you aren't the only one to blame here." She put her hands behind her head. "I don't think you two would have done anything anyway. I mean, I was there! If anything happened either you two would have been on the floor or I wouldn't have had any clothes on."
"Oh gods Moira no stop I don't want to talk about this anymore," Syed suddenly exclaimed as he flushed furiously, waving his hands frantically about. "It's messed up enough already, and that's not even counting Lisette being in the room, I don't want thoughts like that on top."
"Well, yeah having someone her age in the room is kind of fucked up. But you gotta admit, Amy's some hot sh-"
"STOP IT!!!" And with that, Syed slapped his hands over his ears. He was done.
Los Paraisos: Mercy Hospital: Recovery Ward Corridor
Dylan sat in the sterile waiting room, his unfocused eyes staring at the plain white wall in front of him. He held a cup of room-temperature coffee in his hands, half-empty and forgotten. More cups were scattered around his feet, drained and discarded in a desperate attempt to stay awake. Sure, Josette was in there with Don, being his real family after all. But still...Don was his Big Bro and Dylan wanted to be there when he awoke.
If he awoke.
He had barely spoken since they arrived, the events of the last couple of days playing over and over in his head. He knew that they had won, that they had managed to save a group of women from a most horrible fate. But for some reason that victory left him feeling hollow. He knew a couple of the others were about, seeing to the women, making themselves useful, but he couldn’t bring himself to do anything.
Not even draw.
Don nearly died. Maybe was dying. Dylan had never really lost anyone before, and though his father had passed away, he had been so young at the time. Dalia remembered it far more than he did. If Don didn’t pull through...well, Dylan didn’t let himself finish that thought. Besides, there were other things to consider. He and Lucien still hadn’t talked about that night, and though the man was full of jokes and smiles, Dylan couldn’t be sure. If he had taken advantage of his friend... well, that didn’t make him much better than Tobias, did it?
He raked his hand through is hair, mostly to hide the fact that it was shaking violently. “Please,” he whispered in a low prayer, “please watch over him. I know he’s not one of yours, but please help him. Or pass my request along. Please...
Los Paraisos: Mercy Hospital: Recovery Ward Corridor
Selan was wringing a tissue in her hands, staring down at her lap. Her red eyes were wiped clean of the makeup she had been wearing earlier that day, and every so often she would sniffle softly. The waiting room smelled clean and almost medicinal, but was all too silent save for Dylan silently whispering a prayer. She wished she could go outside to get some fresh air, but assuming her notoriety hadn't yet faded, the last thing she needed was to be recognized and barraged by a gaggle of paparazzi. And to be questioned about her singing partner.
As a member of the Pride, they had experienced quite a number of emotional and trying days, but something about this mission had deeply affected Selan, even beyond the distress about Don's unstable condition. The songstress barely spoke a word after being rescued aside from assuring others that she hadn't been harmed. No one except Marise knew for sure what was wrong, and no one was going to find out, not if it was up to her.
It was him, it had to have been... If I had just... Then Don would be okay right now. Because of me...
Selan hadn't even gone to check on him, she felt so immensely guilty for what had happened. 'Touch and go', they said. She could hardly bear to think about what she would do if the worst were to happen. Even the fact that the missing women were all safe and accounted for brought her very little solace; their mission was a success, but on the other hand, Neil Hunter had escaped. He wouldn't be making any Gald today, but he was alive, and Selan perceived that as a failure on her part especially. These women were safe, but there were more in danger out there... So many more.
These thoughts combined caused Selan to look up toward the ceiling, trying to blink back yet another wave of tears. Her heart was constantly pounding in her chest and she found it difficult to catch her breath, as though the air was being sucked from the room.
"Hi everyone, I'm back!"
The pigtailed archer walked into the waiting room, with a long-absent capybara clinging to her shoulder. Her tone was an attempt at being cheery, but like the others, she too was quite worried about Don. "Um... How's Mister Capuello doing?" she asked, looking in the direction of his room.
She was met with glum looks from everyone in the waiting room.
"Still...?" Lisette's face fell. "Well, um... Look who I found? You won't believe where he was, I was walking back after I got my letter from the front desk and I was walking through the park area, and..."
"I thought he'd be sad to leave his girlfriends, but he ran to me right away!" Lisette said, rubbing Kapi's forehead with her index finger.
No one seemed particularly enthused by her story, not even Estelle. Lisette didn't mind, considering the situation. After pausing to check if Josette was still in Don's room, she left to look for the vending machines, and returned a short while later with a granola bar.
Aria sat back in the bench outside the hospital, quietly watching as throngs of tourists passed by. Although the crowds were as loud as ever and the sun was still shining brightly, the illusionist didn’t seem to feel much of the festive atmosphere. She gave a small wince as uncrossed her arms, bandaged cuts on her arms stinging in protest as she returned to her thoughts.
The atmosphere inside the hospital had been very gloomy- it was understandable, their close friend was in critical condition and they could do nothing but wait. She was worried too, but the mood had gotten too overbearing and she had excused herself to take a short breather. She had never been good with this kind of situations. Aria gave a small sigh and looked down at the card in her hand. The Spade printed on the small paper rectangle shone back and she glowered down at it. She didn’t like being a sore loser, yet it had been quite a while since her last defeat. It was unpleasant, the feeling of failure. Especially considering how a major factor in her defeat had been a lack of experience and that was something no amount of training could make up for. What if she met another experienced illusionist like Kenneth later on and more was at stake? What would she do then? What could she do then? Chuck knives at him and hope for backup?
After this mission was over, perhaps she should start taking on more jobs, stop skipping missions… Poor Xan would probably faint from surprise at this change in behaviour. The hospital doors opened and Aria looked up, blinking in surprise at the familiar figure that walked out. The Ranger didn’t seem to notice her sitting there and walked past as she looked on in confusion. Where was he going? If he was leaving because the mission was over, why didn’t he call her and Xan-
A sense of realization swept over her and she shook her head in exasperation, watching as the blond disappeared into the throngs of people in the streets.
“Leaving without as so much as a goodbye,” she muttered under her breath, standing up slowly from the bench and tucking the card back into her pocket. “making decisions without as much as consulting me (nor probably Xan) about it, trying to play the cool guy. Jerk.” She turned to go back to where the rest of the guilders were. Hopefully the guy wouldn’t get himself into too much trouble now that she and Xan wouldn’t be around to bail him out anymore.
Los Paraisos: Mercy Hospital - Recovery Ward Corridor
"Superheroes never die."
Dylan's words snagged Trixie's attention. Her tear-strained face jolted up from her knees to see the artist's backside. She had been sitting in a seat alone, with Amy standing off not too far from her. She knew this phrase by heart, but even then it seemed like the man she looked up to most was in death's grip.
Amy could feel Trixie's eyes trickle down her spine. The blonde shuddered just thinking about it. "I tried, Trixie. It was - it was enough to bring him here alive. I don't know if I..."
She knew Josette was already in there, and her heart tugged her to join the blue-haired sister inside - but she figured the siblings should probably have some time alone. After all Amy's already done to assist him, she doubted that further impounding healing spells on him would do him any better nonetheless. She may have been a guilder for sometime now, traveling along this group and improving her skills, but still she proved to be of little use in dire situations. Don's current condition did all but highlight this sense of uselessness in her.
Still Trixie looked on at her partner, well aware of what was going through the cleric's mind. "A, Amy, I..."
"What if he doesn't make it?" she quipped in a sharp whisper, whipping her head over her shoulder back at the prankster. Luckily, like Selan, she completely lacked her usual makeup thanks to the hangover morning. Any mascara trickling down her cheeks would have worsened her already mortified visage. "Not another..." She began to pace. "What if he... I couldn't... I... Trixie, you would..."
Amy froze. Trixie loosely gripped the woman's wrist, looking back at her with pleading eyes. "Amy, it's okay. Superheroes don't die, re-remember? Dylan even said it." She glanced his way, cooing softly as she spoke. "You helped a lot already. Okay? S, Superbro will get through this." She nodded firmly. "He, he has to, it's in his blood. Superhero blood... hehe." Trixie dotted her tears, her giggle cracking. "So don't worry, okay? No one's going anywhere."
For a little girl who was nearly choked to death by some psycho bitch back in that hellhouse, Trixie had been shockingly calm after her initial freak out.
"Trixie. You don't think--"
"Hi everyone, I'm back!" Lisette popped in just moments later, doing her best to bring some cheer to the situation, but was met with unanimous silence. Amy took this as her cue to depart the area, failing to even smile at the capybara. Trixie merely tugged her knees in closer to her chest and buried her face again.
Los Paraisos: Mercy Hospital - Recovery Ward Corridor
And so it was that the rest of the afternoon was given in to quietude and prayer. All whom rested outside Don’s room remained where they were, keeping a tight and hopeful visage on the room, peeking in through the window every so often to see him resting on the hospital bed, intravenous drips inserted in and the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor sounding out next to him, Josette unmoving from her seat next to him. Don didn’t move. He didn’t show any signs of getting better… or getting worse. He was simply the same.
Estelle buried her face in her hands. She couldn’t hold back the tears, and didn’t even try to either. Don was… Don was her friend. She didn’t have too many people who she could call that. And Don? Don called her his big sister. She never had any family, and Don, despite all his eccentricities and weirdness, despite all the trouble he inadvertently caused for them all and despite his loud mouthed, vulgar sister Josette, well… he was family. He was her big brother.
And the thought of him like this… the thought of him possibly dying, just like Largo did, with her powerless and unable to prevent it, with both of them dying to sacrifice their lives to protect her… it was too much. She couldn’t… she wouldn’t accept it. He had to get better. He had to pull through. He had to come around and sing and dance and say something stupid and get them all into trouble again. He just did.
The day slowly passed away, giving in towards night. And despite how much she struggled or tried to resist it, Estelle was powerless to prevent her exhausted, worry filled and fatigued body from drifting into slumber.
And with it… memories.
---
"Sylvester “Don” Capuello. He’s the man in charge of the group and who commands the most respect from his men.” Marise smiled as she explained to the assembled Guilders the nature of their mission, after chastising Largo for scratching into the table with a small knife a crude map of Tabul. “They call him ‘Big Bro’ and who are faithful towards his orders. Whilst most of the bandits are strong and dangerous, individually their ranked danger would be F. But Don’s a skilled swordsman and he carries all sorts of tricks with him. The Kingdom has a small bounty placed on his head. He’s what makes the mission ranked D.”
********************
“What’s going on?!” Someone screamed.
Estelle reached for her sword, unsheathing it in preparation of an attack. It was possible that it was just a simple power outage, but she wanted to be prepared for the worst case scenario. What if what she and Thunderhawk said was true? Largo’s death was a setup? This was an attack? Either way, the mission of the letter was meant to be a secret, and this-
“Look! Up there!” Someone else called out, pointing to the top of the balcony besides the reception door. Once everyone’s eyes became acclimatised to the darkness, they could see a shape silhouetted in the light shining through the window from the full moon outside. It was a man wearing a suit and a hat, which masked the features of their face. All of the Guilders reached for their weapons, brandishing them at the first sight of trouble.
The man was stock still, and then just so suddenly moved, reaching into his suit’s jacket pocket. Thunderhawk was about to move to intercept, when all of a sudden Marise threw her hand to the side, signalling to him and everyone else not to move.
The jukebox lit up brilliantly and the lights overhead flashed ontop of the man. As music began to loudly blare out from the jukebox, the man’s form was revealed in its entirety: A man in a crisp, immaculate white suit, blue shirt, white tie and white fedora. His entire posture clicked as he thrust out his crotch with an ‘Aaow!’ to the music’s start.
********************
The convoy hit a small bump in the path as they neared the well-worn fork in the road. "Fenaru is this way!" Estelle shouted gleefully, pointing northeast. As though there wasn't a sign in the middle of the divide saying just that, in big, clearly etched and inked letters. The Guilders who were travelling on foot exchanged looks of relief. Fenaru was about another half hour away from this point, although they would likely soon begin seeing farmland and orchards lining the road.
Don hung back from the majority of the group, looking skyward as he exhaled a thin plume of smoke, which wisped and swirled until it faded completely. In his bro-tastic daze, he failed to see the vine along the side of the path, stretching into the middle of the road in front of him...
... Then suddenly whipping back and wrapping tightly around his ankles, causing Don to pitch forward. The weight of his heavy pack did the rest of the work, sending Don flat on his face.
"Mommy, don't wake me up yet. Give me five more minutes... I don't want to go to school, mommy!" Don muttered as delightful quartet of sparrows circled around his finely combed hair.
"As a service to the Town of Clockwork and as my duty as a Guilder, I'm taking that man into custody for the crime of theft and--"
********************
The only thing that would have made this even more perfect was if everyone else in the Guild joined in on the routine. But that was still early days. Don was sure, sometime in the future, when he became big and world famous… the songs and impeccable dance routines of Don Capuello would be sung across the land. And everyone would be happy.
“Bro!” Don shouted, as he kicked a chair out for himself and dropped himself on top of it opposite Dylan. Kicking a leg out, he folded it over his other, looking towards the new rookie and flashing him a bedazzling smile and thumbs up. “I couldn’t help but see you might need my help!” Don continued to maintain his thumbsup. “I, Don Capuello, H Rank Guilder Extraordinaire, am here to help!! Just call me… Big Bro!!”
********************
“Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaah~!” Trixie continued to scream, her shots flashing amidst the canyon and having little effect on the Guardian. She kept trying to do her best to aim for its eyes, but the angle of size between the two of them made it difficult. Her shots at best would ricochet off its chest. The Guardian’s arm twisted back, readying itself for another strike, this time aiming to plunge its oversized weapon through Trixie’s stomach. Trixie squealed, as the Guardian’s arm shot out…
…and then the Guardian found itself suddenly staggering to the side, as a powerful impact collided against the statue’s face, knocking it off balance and stepping off to the side. Trixie’s eyes couldn’t believe it, nor could Marcus, Lisette or Nolan.
In front of them, Don had suddenly without warning jumped up, and swatted the statue with all the might he had to bear. Something about him looked different, as he landed to the ground. He wasn’t joking, and he wasn’t playing around.
The wailing form of Don Capuello sprinted and dashed as hard as he could from the eastern part of the north corridor, all the way to the western part where Estelle’s trio was. His legs shot up and down sharply, whilst his arms flopped about all over the place like an octopus’ tentacles, struggling to keep up with the rest of his body. Trixie’s eyes lit up at the brief sight she had of Don’s clothes- he looked so cool, so super! Although Megaera would no doubt be most displeased at the lack of refinement her subject was now exuding. From where before he had shown the strictest of manners and decorum before Selan, now that had been sapped away within seconds of seeing Estelle, Marcus and Trixie again. The man was positively bawling as he dashed through the corridor.
Estelle and Trixie had no time to move. They only had the briefest flicker of time to understand that what was coming next? Was going to hurt.
BAM
Marcus lifted his good left arm up, and introduced his palm to his shaking face.
Tied up in a painful bundle on the floor, Estelle and Trixie were left dazed and disoriented as Don hugged them both as tightly as possible, squeezing the life out of them. Tears constantly streamed down his face.
********************
“Don, what are you doing?!?”
"Never fear, Big Sis! Big Bro will get us to dinner in no time!!"
A shrill scream cried out in the darkness, as Estelle continued to dangle haplessly in Don’s arms as he dashed forwards as quickly as he could. Against her disbelief, and against all common sense, what should have been an easy and quick trip to the Dining Hall had become so much more worse. Don was hopeless at directions, and being unable to read he couldn’t make heads nor tails of the signs conveniently placed around the manor. Instead, Don decided to rely on his instincts, which for Don were… not spectacularly great.
Case in point, bursting through the nearest door and into the courtyard, running straight through it and into the soaking rain. His feet splished and splashed through the many puddles, as this runaway train continued to veer off track.
“Don, put me down you idiot!” Estelle shrieked. “You’re going the wrong way! You’re… ahh!”
But Don continued to run straight forwards, and from there…
…entered the hedgemaze.
********************
“Brooooos! What’s shaking? You’re finally here! Awesome! You guys sure took your time though, huh?”
Rocking his body to either side as he strode towards them was none other then the man himself, a cheesy grin plastered on his face and two pina coladas held in either hand. The man was sporting the swankiest pair of shades to ever grace the world, and rocked a sweet as could be open tropical Hawaiian shirt, cargo shorts and flip flops. He extended the two glasses out, one for Amy and one for Selan, handing them over before waiting for them to reciprocate, before then spinning on the spot and kicking one hip and leg out, stopping before the assembled Pride in one of the man’s trademark, fabulous poses.
“Eyyyy~ I missed you guys!” Don’s teeth sparkled. His eyes then widened and blinked, as he looked over the rim of his shades and spotted the two new strangers. His smile grew more brilliant. “And who are you girls?”
********************
“What the fuck is going on?!”
It was as if the ceiling above suddenly exploded. Vast chunks of masonry and debris was sent raining down to the ground, pieces of stone, brickwork and tiles clattering and rebounding off the floor into small, cracked pieces amongst the heavier pieces of debris, mere inches away from Neil, Estelle and Josette. The two girls shrieked, snapping their eyes shut to protect themselves from the dust, as Neil dropped his hold off Estelle in order to shield his eyes.
This… again? It couldn’t be!
He dropped his hands, gingerly opening his eyes, before they snapped wide to attention. Standing directly in front of them, mere centimetres away, from the newly created hole in the wall…
“What the hell… I… I killed you!”
He said nothing, his form and posture perfectly still and silent. He simply stared at Neil, as Neil stared at his own startled reflection shining in the visor, his jaw dropping. Impossible!
Selan’s eyes looked up, unable to believe or process what she was seeing amidst the tears. He… he had…!
********************
Neil's body crashed to the ground, his head slamming into the floor and his body lying motionless, as Don fell to his knees beside him, huffing and puffing, staring down at his fallen enemy, and making sure he didn't get up again. He didn't. Don took a deep breath and exhaled, the smoke and light surrounding his body fading into nothing. Upon his tired and wearisome face, the baldness that had gripped his head head earlier in the day had already begun to grow back.
He looked up, across the room, to Estelle, Josette and Selan. The three most important women in his life. Estelle reached for Selan, to help her to his feet as Josette started dashing towards her brother.
He smiled. They were safe.
His body fell to the ground, consciousness departing his body.
********************
The man moved closer towards the rest of the Guilders, using one chair as a stepping stone to stand atop one of the three circular tables, continuing his performance in the middle of the assembled guilders, his hips jiving from side to side, his knees rising into the air and outstretching a kicked leg in turn, his head tilting and turning this way and that. The lights above centred on the tables and Guilders, illuminating the entire scene and everyone watching. He carried on moving, jumping on to the table where Amy and the starstruck Trixie sat. The man flickered his hand out towards Trixie, pointing at the young girl as he faced and bowed his head in the opposite direction. His free hand moved towards his fedora, and at last the man took it off, to reveal…
…yet another fedora! As the man continued his awe inspiring routine, he spun and landed on his knees to face Trixie, the table not even rocking as he placed the fedora gently on top of Trixie’s helmet. The man jumped up, standing on his tip toes, before slowly turning away again and continuing on, leaving Trixie to cheer on with Amy next to her.
The man reached the table with Selan and Marise, and as his body continued to kick and sway in beat to the music, he reached into his suit pocket and outstretched an item towards Selan; a rose. The flabbergasted woman didn’t know what to do, but reacted with courtesy as she took it. Under the shadow of the fedora, the man smiled, and Marise was one short step away from breaking into fits of uncontrollable laughter.
“Aaow!!!”
********************
“Sylvester ‘Don’ Capuello, H Rank Guilder supreme, pleased to make your acquaintance!!” The man flashed a sparkling smile. His sublime hair may have been mysteriously gone, cut short by his father in the Tabul mission four days ago, but even now, with his shorter, slicked back hair, there was no denying or mistaking it.
This.
Was!
Don Capuello!!
“I’m here to follow you anywhere, Big Sis!”
---
Memories… Happy memories. Sad memories. Memories of the last five months, since she first met Don. So much had happened since then, to her, to him, to all of them. And it was only just beginning. This couldn’t be the end. It just couldn’t.
Gods… please. Please save this man. Save him.
Estelle was suddenly, and rudely jostled from her slumber however, when an ear piercing scream erupted from inside the room. She sprung to her feet, her eyes widened in alarm turning and spinning to the rest of her friends, all who similarly awoke with a start. They all looked at each other in silent disbelief. That scream… it was Josette! And that other sound… a particular whine that all of them could hear…
“No!” Estelle screamed, charging forwards and bursting through the door into the room. No, no, no!!
She stopped in her tracks as she looked at the scene in front of her. The rest of the Pride:- Marcus, Selan, Dylan, Trixie, Amy, Lisette, Moira, Syed and Lucien, they all rushed in as quick as they could, almost threatening to slam into the back of one another. Aria and Xan looked to each other in the corridor and said nothing, bar keeping their heads held low.
The heartbeat monitor…
Nothing but a ringing noise and flat line.
Tears began to swell in the Pride’s eyes, and crying led to fitful wailing. There was no holding back the flood of tears that were to follow. No dam big enough.
Don had…
Don had…!
...vanished?
“Wait… where’s Don?”
The bed was empty, the pristine white sheets thrown haphazardly around the mattress. Where there should have been that irreplaceable obnoxious bro, was instead an empty bed, devoid of his dead body. Wires and tubes lay swaying back and forth in the room, as a gentle breeze wafted in from the open window.
Open window?
“Where the… where the hell is he…?” Estelle’s jaw dropped. It was then that she started to realise it wasn’t just Don who had gone… all of his bros had!
Josette’s voice tightened in fury as her eyes became transfixed on the window. She stomped towards it. “That motherfu-”
As everyone raced to the window and billowing curtains, Selan walked to the empty bed. Atop of it, in the centre, was a piece of paper with a heart etched in red crayon, and a crude picture of a person, who she could only make out was…
And in the centre of the piece of paper. A diamond ring. THE diamond ring.
“…Don?”
Her body tensed up and her head lifted as her ears heard the sound of music, drifting in from the open window. Being played throughout the hospital speakers… and indeed, music that was being broadcast from every speaker across the island. The synthesized notes of a keyboard and bass guitar playing. What… what was that?
********************
“Dude, wicked shot!” “I know right?” “Dude!”
The group of six burley, muscular volleyball players were even now playing well into the night on the beach, practicing their skills and strategy for the next time they’d play. The beach warmly lit by the glow of lamps dotted around the beach – Los Paraisos being a resort that never truly slept. And then, in mid play, the muscular dudes all stopped one by one, the beachball slamming into one of their faces as their faces turned… to hear music coming from the speakers. Coming from within the strip proper.
********************
“Goddamn that little rat fuck. When I catch him I’m going to fillet and gut him and then serve him up for dinner, the useless fucking donk… ey?”
Gordon Dennis’s stalking of the Los Paraisos streets, with sharp knife in hand in the middle of chasing the perpetrator of his Hells Kitchen Restaurant burning down suddenly stopped, his ears picking up a distinct… unavoidable melody. What… what was that?
His eyes widened at the far end of the strip, and at the gigantic video monitor that overlooked the entire main strip. A gigantic video monitor that showed…!
Deft, supple fingers glided over the white and black keys of the keyboard, playing each one note perfect, as his friend across the stage rang out the dulcet tones of smooth, harmonious notes in accompaniment. The stage lights glaring in front of them reflected off the bass player’s sunglasses in a brilliant flash. He nodded to the keyboardist.
And then twirling sticks led to the introductions of the drums. His hands a flurry, drumsticks beat against the drums and cymbals as his head bobbed up and down in tune to the beat. And not soon after, the electrical wail of a guitar joined, completing the instrumental portion. And from behind…
From behind, silhouetted against the bright, voluminous stage lights in front of him, a man smoothly walked onto the stage, straightening his jacket by his collar and using a comb to smooth out his perfect hair as he walked towards the microphone stand at the front of the stage. And then, upon reaching it, he snatched the stand in his hands and leaned low to his right.
It begun.
World turns black and white Pictures in an empty room Your love starts fallin' down Better change your tune
Don snapped the stand low to the left, clutching it tightly as he sung with all his heart, his open jacket blowing behind him, exposing his bandaged chest. He shot his right hand up, into the air.
Yeah, you reach for the golden ring Reach for the sky Baby, just spread your wings
The La Macabaret ceiling above them started to part and slide open, as the stage itself began to rise, higher and higher, through the ceiling and up onto the ground level above. The stage itself shot out mist and danced in a sporadic kaleidoscope of strobe lights, as the stage rose up, and up towards the stars above. From his production room, Ken over watched the performance that was taking place in front of him, and he folded his arms in front of his chest, leaning back and nodding in contentment. A small tear trickled down his cheek.
We'll get higher and higher Straight up we'll climb We'll get higher and higher Leave it all behind
Once reaching ground level, the stage came to a lurching stop. In front of the stage was Freddie and the rest of Don’s bros, who all stood with their arms folded in front of the stage, acting as their bros’ security against, well, the proper La Macabaret security. Freddie looked over his shoulder and flashed a thumbs up to Don, who thumbsupped without breaking stride. Serena and Mathias, who stood next to Freddie watched Don with a happy, grateful smile, and little Mathias cooed.
Run, run, run away Like a train runnin' off the track Got the truth bein' left behind Falls between the cracks Standin' on broken dreams Never losin' sight, ah Well just spread your wings
From behind Don, and inbetween the rest of his performing bandmates, the centre of the stage continued to rise, higher and higher, with steps protruding from it. Don snatched the microphone from out of the stand, and began to climb up the ever growing monolith.
We'll get higher and higher Straight up we'll climb We'll get higher and higher Leave it all behind
A close of Don’s face embraced the giant monitor overlooking Los Paraisos, and everyone throughout the strip could see him, the island hear him. Even the Pride within the Los Paraisos’ hospital could see him through the window, and Don momentarily paused in his climb, to point and smile directly at them. But they knew who he was pointing to.
So baby dry your eyes Save all the tears you've cried Oh, that's what dreams are made of 'Cause we belong in a world that must be strong Oh, that's what dreams are made of
And suddenly the island burst into cheers, as the Capuello Rockers’ song hit its instrumental. The floodgates to the stadium grounds were opened, and in poured mass upon masses of people rushing through to partake of the rocking. Tom dropped to his knees, rocking his guitar as hard as he could, snapping his head back to throw his pink hair out of his eyes as his hands rocked that damn guitar hard. Cid on the keyboards, Jerry on bass, Clive on drums, all of them gave it all of their passion. Their manly passion, as above them their bro, their Big Bro, climbed on ever higher into the starry sky, the cord of his mic seemingly limitless, as the still rising stage grew taller and taller, until it finally reached its peak. And on there was yet another microphone stand and, emerging from a hole placed in the very centre of the platform’s top, rose another guitar, enveloped in ethereal light. A unbelievably wide grin stretched from ear to ear on Estelle’s face as she watched.
Yeah, we'll get higher and higher Straight up we'll climb Higher and higher Leave it all behind Oh, we'll get higher and higher Who knows what we'll find?
So baby dry your eyes Save all the tears you've cried Oh, that's what dreams are made of Oh baby, we belong in a world that must be strong Oh, that's what dreams are made of
Don placed the mic into the stand and snatched the guitar, twirling it around and then leaning down as he lifted the guitar’s head up, and played it like the god that he was. His head arched back, to look up at those twinkling stars up above, as streaks of light shot into the sky above him and lit up into beautiful rainbow constellations and explosions. His bros below firing one firework up after another.
And in the end on dreams we will depend 'Cause that's what love is made of
Los Paraisos: Mercy Hospital: Recovery Ward Corridor
That noise - the slow and steady beats replaced by the tinny sound of a flat line. Dylan launched to his feet, scrambling with the others to see it himself. Bracing himself for the worst, he turned his gaze upon the bed. The empty bed. Where was Don? It was the question of the day, and he was jostled along to the window with the others, staring out as the music began to play.
Dylan opened his mouth to ask, but was unable to find the words to start. So he waited, and he did not have to wait long as the voice poured from the speakers. It was smooth, strong, and unmistakable. “Big bro?” he finally managed, listening to the song as the roof of the La Macabaret split and the stage rose.
Dylan’s face cracked under the emotion, a wide grin on his face as tears of joy streamed from his eyes. “He...he’s alive! Oh thank you, Aislin! Thank you!” He stood enraptured as the song continued, as Don started to climb, his performance reaching the entire island. Dylan whooped when Don glanced at them, pointing through the Pride to his dearest Selan.
This was incredible, impossible, unbelievable. Just moments ago he must have been here in the hospital bed. “Touch and go” they said. But now - now all of Los Paraisos had their eyes on him as he sang.
Overcome by emotion, he seized Trixie in a big hug. “What did I say? Didn’t I say it? SUPERBROS NEVER DIE!!!!"
Los Paraisos: Mercy Hospital - Recovery Ward Well, the sound neither Moira nor Syed wanted to hear as soon as they reluctantly stepped into the recovery ward was constant, unnerving high pitched tone of the heartrate monitor. Not a beeping noise, like it was earlier. Like it should have been.
Of course, being Don of course it wasn't what it looked like. That guy had a habit of defying common sense to the point where it pretty much pooped all over the laws of nature.
Syed could only stare, standing up straight and wide eyed as he slowly wrapped his fingers around his pendant. He didn't know how to react at all. He was definately relieved, that was for sure. In fact the sensation of the sheer weight of his worry lifting from his shoulders made him feel a little giddy if anything. But then another part of him wanted to tell the man to stop right this instant or so help him. "He should be resting," he fretted, running his fingers through his hair. "He shouldn't be up...!"
Still, there was little he could do. He sighed and turned away from the window instead and allowed himself to slide down one of the walls. Closing his eyes, he allowed a somewhat goofy smile to spread across his face. Watching Don made him anxious about his health, but he was happy with just listening. Don had always been good at putting on a show, and it seemed his bros were just the same.
Before he knew it, he was genuinely laughing quietly to himself. It felt good to just let go of his worries for once.
Moira, on the other hand...
"WHAT THE FUCK?!" she screached, throwing her arms in the air. "You don't- was he putting it on or some shit?! You don't just get up from that! Just look at him! Just... just look at him!"
Her eyes flicked to the other members of the pride, trying to gauge their reactions. What... what... what?!
“What did I say? Didn’t I say it? SUPERBROS NEVER DIE!!!!"
"Oh fucking hell..." she grumbled as she slapped her forehead. "I'm way too sober for this kind of shit. Fuck it."
How dare he make her worry. How dare he. Fists clenched and nostrils flaring, she stepped away from the window. She was so confused about pretty much everything, and she hated it.
The relief of the group at seeing the empty bed had been nearly palpable, and most everybody in the room had a grin on their faces if not tears of happiness in their eyes. Aria herself grinned exuberantly as she looked out the window with the rest of the Guilders at the rocking performance in the stadium, feet tapping to the rhythm of the upbeat song.
To think that Don had recovered so quickly from suffering such a serious wound that would usually take a normal person at least a few days to recover from and was already rocking it out- What a man. She was very much impressed by his quiet escape, especially considered he was probably accompanied by the rest of the bros who had been in the hallway before. Not to mention the time needed to set up- This bunch was really something.
A warm night wind blew into the room as the song reached its grand finale, bringing along with it the screams and cheers of the people around the island as fireworks proceeded to light up the starry skies above the glowing neon establishments of Los Paraisos. The island was still bustling despite the darkened skies, the people perhaps more pumped up than usual as the bros’ performance blasted through every speaker there was to be found. Even the large commercial screens had taken a break from showing off whatever new products the establishments were selling to display the glorious scene on the stage of La Macabaret.
It had been a tiring mission, no doubt- but at this moment Aria could only feel a sense of exhilaration as each firework burst and crackled down on the crowds on the streets.
As everyone shuffled into Don's room following Josette's screams, Trixie wrapped her arms around Amy's waist and followed in the others last. "He's okay, he's okay," she murmured to herself, choking on her brewing tears.
And then music. Music rang through the speakers, led by powerful vocals. Before Trixie could even gather herself, Dylan embraced her tightly, all too tightly. “What did I say? Didn’t I say it? SUPERBROS NEVER DIE!!!!"
Her smile widened. Trixie wanted to sing along, whether with Don's words or Dylan's call, but she was... she was stunned. This man - Don - Sylvester Capuello - oh omelets, he was the epitome of superhero! Taking stabs to the chest, then belching out a song in victory! The second Dylan released his hold on the girl, she crumpled to the floor, eyes hypnotized by the show in the window. "Superbro... he's... he's...!"
From afar Don pointed straight at their window, straight at the Pride... and straight at Selan.
And in the end on dreams we will depend 'Cause that's what love is made of
"AHHH! LOVE! THE POWER OF LOVE!" That was the superhero formula for victory. That's what keeps them alive. That's what keeps superheroes like Don coming back! Super + hero = love! Oh, wait, that wasn't... uhhh. Whatever!
"LOOOOVE!" Trixie whipped out her one soggy, bitten uzi and began firing off rounds to the ceiling.
Amy could only stare at the window with profound disbelief; there was no telling whether she was locked in sheer surprise or disgust. Her fist clenched by her side as she brought a palm to her face, and began to chuckle. The dumb pig... of course he had gotten through the trauma. Of course. He was the most unpredictable motherfucker she had ever met. How dare he worry them like that!
She departed the room, away from the chaos and Trixie's rampant gunshots, so she could... she could... lean back on a wall just outside the door, letting out a large sigh of relief. This was - unbelievable, and Amy had no clue what to make of it. Never mind the fact that he was still alive after all that, but how on Ddaear did he manage to make it all the way down to La Macabaret in his condition? Or unnoticed, of all things!?
Her thoughts were soon interrupted by a voice, a sudden hush from within a low cabinet beside her. Amy ducked down to find a man, bruises and cuts galore, squeezed in the tiny space, huddling his knees close to his chest with one hand and holding a finger to his lips with the other. His dumb baseball cap could pop off the side of his head any second. "Shhh! I'm not here!"
"What the fuck?"
"You don't understand. I've got two people trying to kill me right now - for things I may or may not be entirely responsible for - and I just... whoa wait. What's that?" His eyes lifted to the speakers overhead, as they boomed and rocked with music. This young man, he was quickly enamored by Don's powerful vocals. Eyes as big and teary as Trixie's, he removed his hat and clutched at his heart. "It's... it's beautiful! It's more beautiful than anything I've ever imagined! His voice, it's - it's so smooth! So confident! So crisp! Just like the Singing Hot Mama from last night." He sighed deeply.
"They've, they've moved me. Oh, man I can see it now - bright lights and flashing signs...! I swear to you sexy lady, I swear. I'll become just as big of a rock star one day and..."
With another sigh, Amy merely nudged the door shut with her foot and leaned back against the wall. She continued to watch outside the open window from just outside the ward.
The doctors said it could go either way, and the possibility of losing Don was very real.
The thought of his friend dying, it scared Lucien out of his wits, so after the Doctors declared their statement the summoner didn't know what to do. He was never good with grief and the thought of Don dying robbed him of all his jokes or silly smiles, it left him empty, the same kind of empty he felt after Weir...just hundred times worse. Everyone was on edge and no one, not even the experts could tell if Don would make it. The hospital was gloomy and his head was a mess so he decided to hit the tavern and drown his sorrows.
"Hey...Xan? Wanna go somewhere and get a drink on me?" Lucien looked like he wanted to fall over, but he tried to smile anyway.
Xan was staring at the floor, she wanted to get away from it all for just a bit. "Yeah, okay."
"Good, good." They didn't say anything else and left the gloomy hospital.
The tavern was noisy and cheerful, but it didn't help either of the two, and both stared at empty glasses.
"Do you think he's going to make it?" Lucien mumbled.
The metallurgist shrugged. "I don't know. The doctors said his chances are fifty-fifty."
Lucien screwed his eyes shut and slammed his hand onto the table. "He has to make it, I mean, he can't just die! He can't just have it end like this," the summoner went quiet. "because he's Don and because he's a hero."
Xan kept her eyes focused on her half-empty glass. "I wish it were that easy. Only time will tell now."
"You never sugarcoat things..."
"I'm sorry, I don't know what to tell you."
The rest of the night was spent in silence and if not for Xan, Lucien would have drank the night away. The duo paid their bill then made their way back to the hospital.
Los Paraisos: Mercy Hospital
There was a shrill beep followed by complete pandemonium.
That sound, it could only mean one thing. Lucien, like the rest of the pride, scrambled to his feet. The summoner dashed towards Don's room his thoughts nothing but an incoherent mess. "Hell NO!" This was Don after all, the goofiest one of them all. He couldn't just die because heroes always went out in a bang, not like this, not in hospital beds. He skidded to a stop, nearly crashing into the others in front of him.
Don was gone.
For a moment confusion rendered him speechless, but then realization hit. If Don was gone, he was alive. Lucien's eyes stung with tears and soon he had the goofiest grin stuck to his face. Music began playing and he watched as Dylan scooped Trixie into a hug. Lucien chuckled, before following Dylan and pulling both Moira, Syed and Aria into a tight group hug.
The moment the heart monitors started going crazy, Xan decided to wait in the hallway.
Going in after everyone felt too personal. She hadn't known Don for as long as they had, but he seemed like a great person. As much as she wanted to check on everyone, she decided to give them privacy and waited in the hall with downcast eyes and a heavy heart. However, soon enough people were bursting into cheers and Xan decided to have a look. So Don was alive?
"The pride sure is something, yeah?" Lucien was pretty much keeping everyone in a group hug.
Xan stared at the window, at the empty bed then at the fireworks in the night sky, finally making a connection between Don and the show. "Yes, they really are."
Los Paraisos: Mercy Hospital: Recovery Ward Corridor
Selan's heart may well have stopped too, she had been so scared.
They all scrambled to the window, to see the source of the music, to see their hero's miraculous reappearance, as heroes often did. But this superhero wasn't wearing a helmet or visor, and the suit was gone as well; Selan's hero was battered and damaged, but very much alive.
Her hand squeezed the diamond ring in her hand.
"Wow!" Lisette breathed, standing on her tiptoes to see over everyone else. "Mister Capuello is so cool-- Uwaah!!" she yelped, covering Kapi's ears from the popping of Trixie's guns.
So baby dry your eyes Save all the tears you've cried Oh, that's what dreams are made of Oh baby, we belong in a world that must be strong Oh, that's what dreams are made of
The combination of the fireworks and fresh tears lit up Selan's eyes, which sparkled like diamonds. A bittersweet feeling competed with the overwhelming relief and joy that welled up in her heart.
At least for now, they were all safe, and they were all together again.
If only this feeling could last...
Los Paraisos: ???
A handsome yet severe-looking man with copper-colored hair and dark, amber eyes stood in front of a trio of casement windows, looking down on Los Paraisos. In his hands was a half-empty glass of a dark liquid, the ice inside almost completely melted. Fireworks had unexpectedly shot up into the air and burst into a spectacular array of colors and shapes, and it was almost impossible not to hear the man at the center of it all. The people below swarmed the perimeter of La Macabaret like tiny ants, completely enthralled by the impromptu light show.
Behind him, a door opened and shut.
"Neil." he said in a low growl of a voice, his back turned to the door.
"Expecting someone else?" Neil smirked, although the grin wasn't his usual one; he had taken quite a beating, from the deep bruise on his swollen cheek and the dried, matted blood in his dirty blonde hair. Even though he was talking to his boss, there was no formality here. There was too much history between them.
"You're late," The man said, still with his back turned. He wasn't angry, but he did want an answer for why Neil showed up bruised and empty-handed. This wasn't normal.
"Complications, we lost the sale." Neil said bluntly, knowing there was no point dancing around it. Although he wasn't about to go into detail about how he got his ass kicked and had to make a hasty retreat.
Fortunately, this was a man who usually didn't give a shit about unnecessary details. "No trail?" The man immediately asked, referring to any means of tracking Neil's movements.
"No way."
"Good." The man replied, turning around. He walked past his younger lieutenant and gave him a hard slap on his bruised shoulder as he passed by, causing the latter to emit a startled and pained chuckle.
"But..." Neil spoke up, the smirk returning. The whole way back, he played out in his head how his boss was going to react to this next piece of information.
"What is it?"
"Well... I hear the songbirds sound mighty pretty this time of year."
This got the man's attention. He stopped mid-stride, and his back muscles tensed. A heavy pause filled the hotel room. He turned back, and his fiery golden gaze met Neil's icy blue stare.
“Geez Largo, what’s wrong with you? You look like you’ve been to Hell and back.”
“No… nothing wrong with me. I just…”
“What?”
Abatheo: Guild 27 years ago Largo Mann: G Rank Guilder: Age 21
Sitting down at the wooden table situated in the centre of one of the Artar Kingdom’s most lively port towns Guild in Abatheo, Largo Mann and his six companions had all sat down for breakfast. Tiberius was in the midst of scoffing down his burgeoning breakfast filled with pancakes, sausages, eggs and a mountain of rashes of bacon, whilst the calm and collected, demure mage Matthew quietly sipped on a cup of coffee, doing his level best to ignore the sound and noise that Tiberius was creating. Whilst across the rest of the table, their A ranked warrior leader sat with his legs stretched outside of the table, reading the latest Artar Gazette for the kingdom’s news. Rachael, the red haired swordswoman looked towards Largo with concern, her hand resting on his arm, whilst the group’s sixth, and newest member Jade, a cleric with long emerald hair and a distracted temperament, sat eyeing the rest of the Guild and its patrons, not noticing the current lethargy surrounding her warrior team mate.
“It’s nothing. Just… I didn’t sleep well.” Largo sighed, barely touching his own mountain portioned breakfast. Tiberius meanwhile was helping himself to it, stabbing Largo’s pancakes with his fork and shovelling it into his mouth.
“You didn’t sleep well last night…?” Rachael raised a quisitive brow. Never before had she seen Largo feel so uncomfortable because of a dream. Or a… “You had a bad nightmare or something? You?”
“Er… well… yeah…” Largo turned away, looking bashful.
“You got scared of a dream?” Tiberius laughed. “The mighty Lion? Come on, man…”
“Hey, it’s not funny.” Largo turned, glaring.
“Hey, I’ve had bad dreams before but it’s never made me cry,” Tiberius laughed. “What was it even about?”
“It was about…” Largo suddenly paused, his eyes narrowing as he struggled to remember. “It was about… huh. I… I can’t remember.”
“AHAHA!” Tiberius threw back his head and laughed loudly. Largo’s temple throbbed with anger, and when he looked down and noticed how empty his plate was, he snatched food from Tiberius’ plate in reparation. Naturally, this began to inspire yet another argument between the competitive Guilders, to their friends’ groaning sighs. Matthew wondered why on Ddaear he stayed with Largo all things considered, whilst Jade sighed at the thought of how soon her healing talents would be needed again. Was this why she was invited to join them? To heal the injuries caused by these two bickering? Rachael shook her head and focused on her tea, happy at least that Largo seemed to be back to normal, whilst their experienced Master, whom had been quietly reading the newspaper himself, kept a fixed eye on Largo for a short while longer before turning back to his paper.
Two weeks after the events in Los Paraisos the Pride made their way to a small port town named Abatheo. There, they learned their next stop in search of Rize and Kara would be the walled up city of Traum, but that wasn't the only thing the Pride learned during their stay. In Abatheo they began hearing rumors about a demon called the dream eater, an ancient creature that fed on emotions, specifically, fear. The demon was freed from its ancient dwelling place a few months ago by a power-hungry madman and after that people slowly began to go missing.
Since the Pride's next destination was Traum, the secretary of Abatheo's guild asked if they could take a man called Dr. Dream with them.
Jacob, or Dr. Dream was a scientist who studied mythology, magic and ruins. Aside from that, he was also the man who knew most about the dream eater. He had studied the ruins where the demon had been sealed away after all. Dr. Dream was their best bet at learning all they could about the dream eater. However, several people were after his documents and he couldn't travel anywhere without escorts. The scientist's next destination was the special dream lab in Traum, but no one could take him there so the task was given to the Pride. They were to escort him and keep him safe until he had the information he needed, then after that they would bring him back to Abatheo and be on their merry way. This was the reason why the Pride was now inside a fancy five star restaurant.
"Whew, that was some trip. Thank you very much!" The lanky doctor held the door open for everyone and beamed. "To reward you all for such a fun trip I decided to book the best restaurant in Traum. I mean, you guys must be famished." He clapped his hands together as the little hedgehog on his head leaped into his arms. "Whoa, whoa, we don't want you falling, Isaac." He cradled the little animal in his arms then pointed his foot in the table's direction. He was in pointy dress shoes and was dressed rather formally.
"Good morning," Slumped in one of the chairs was a tall man in a dark trench coat, he looked bored but nodded his head at the others in greeting. "Thanks for bringing the doctor here in one piece." The man got to his feet and gave them a deep bow. "Atlas Keyes at your service, you must be the Pride? My friend and I will be assisting you with the Doctor, we heard about the dream eater and the missing people." He tapped the floor with his feet and gave them all a dashing smile. "Welcome to Traum."
"Atlas, it's been a while." The doctor extended his arm and Atlas gave it a firm shake. "Where is Lute? I heard we'd be meeting the both of you here. Golly, it's been ages since I've seen you boys. Being back in Traum, it's all so nostalgic." The doctor was the epitome of excited.
The magician rolled his eyes before a playful grin lit up his face. "Probably charming the pants off of people or winning the affection of the masses." He shrugged, "beats me, but wherever he is, he's pretty damned late." The man eyed the Pride one by one before sending a playful wink both Amy's and Selan's way. "Don't worry about it though, he'll be here sooner or later." He motioned for the Pride to take their seats.
Aparently, Dr. Dream had booked the entire restaurant so they had it all to themselves.
It was an impressive place with sleek tables, fancy chandeliers and aquariums as far as the eye could see, and all were filled with the most exotic of sea animals. One aquarium even had the most miserable looking pink blob in it. The creature remained at the bottom and looked as if it had a perpetual frown.
"Ey, ey, guys! Trixie, Dylan, take a look at that." A cheerful voice echoed. On the far end of the room Lucien had his face smooshed against one of the giant aquariums. He grinned stupidly as his eyes followed after a swordfish and a puffer fish, but what amused him the most was the sad looking pink blob. "Syed, do you think it's...edible?" He turned to look at his friends and beamed. This place, it was amazing!
Xan winced as another excited whoop echoed across the room. She ignored the summoner and focused on both Dr. Dream and Atlas. "This dream eater, will you be telling us more about it Dr. Dream?" This mission, with people going missing it was like Los Paraisos all over again.
"Of course, of course, I was just about to tell you all about it, but before that," he raised a hand and gave one of the waiters a wave. Dr. Dream whispered in his ear and soon the waiter scrambled out of the room looking rather excited. Xan arched an eyebrow at the little exchange then watched as buffet carts were suddenly pushed into the room. Waiters and waitresses in crisp uniforms greeted the Pride with winning smiles, gave the doctor a bow then exited the room.
"As I was saying," he smiled kindly at the Pride then at the sleeping hedgehog in his arms. "Eat as much as you like and relax, it's all on me."
Atlas didn't waste any time at all and was off with a hearty laugh. Dr. Dream waited for everyone to fill their plates then waited for them to get seated. "So the secretary back at Abatheo told you all about the dream eater, didn't she?" He made a sour face as Isaac the hedgehog snuck a piece of lettuce off his plate.
"Mhm, some creep woke up a demon." Lucien stated cheerfully. The Pride, demon hunters, wow that was cool.
Xan nodded. "If I remember right people have been going missing, but they'd always be found weeks later. However, upon retrieval they'd be different. They wouldn't talk or eat or sleep. The victims would simply stare ahead and groan. Their eyes would always be vacant."
Dr. Dream snapped his fingers. "Someone's being paying attention in class. That's right, and that's why I need your help. You see, I know a lot about ruins and dreams, it's why they call me Dr. Dream in the first place. I used to do research in Traum but moved to Abatheo so I could experiment on some fossils there. I left all my dream documents in my lab here and the problem is a bunch of crooks are after my precious information. That's where you guys come in, you'll keep an eye out for me and my work. You see, I can't just grab the documents and leave." The scientist looked defeated and rested his head on the table while Isaac devoured the rest of his salad. The little guy had a big appetite.
"I've got an appointment with a victim and his family and I still need to recheck my data and do a bit of research. It should take two days tops, so I'll need protection till it's over. When that's done you'll help get me back to Abatheo and I'll give you all a hefty sum of gald." Dr. Dream smiled brightly, if he could afford booking the entire restaurant then there was no doubt he'd be able to pay them. "We'll be helping a lot of the victims too, so what do you guys say? Are you in or are you in?" The scientist chuckled and hoped for the best.
Estelle didn’t even Abatheo’s Guild secretary to ask her to assist Dr. Dream before she jumped at the chance. All she needed to do was lock eyes upon and see the good scientist’s adorable little hedgehog companion riding atop his head to immediately jump at the chance without even wasting time to consult her companions. As soon as the question was asked she bellowed a loud and proud ‘yes!’, leaving the rest of her friends dumbstruck and sighing as they followed. Not that they would readily refuse anyway, once they heard the nature of the man’s predicament. Some foul demon had been awoken by a madman, and was leeching upon peoples’ emotions in order to grow stronger and stronger. It didn’t require any real discussion for Estelle to know she wanted to put an end to the demon and rescue those whom had been harmed. And she would do it, no matter what.
But first, they needed to rely on Dr. Dream and his research, written upon documents he had hidden within his lab in Thaum, and safeguard him from a number of crooks who wanted to steal it. After they were safely recovered and the man could do his work, then… then they got to hunt the Dream Eater and put an end to him. But before even that…!
FOOD.
“Thish, om… nom… thish is delishous Mishtuh Dream!” Estelle shouted inbetween giant mouthfuls of food stuffed within her cheeks. To think that they could dine in a restaurant as fanciful as this, that rivalled even the Hell’s Kitchen, and do it for free was simply beyond words. It was definitely a perk of the job, as would the monetary rewards on top of the people they’d rescue. She knew she made the right decision, nodding in self satisfaction as she took another bite of fish. Estelle had to be careful how she looked at the scientist. So far she’d be lost in a daze for several minutes, overpowered by little Isaac’s cuteness and be paralysed into doing nothing.
“Yes, this is very generous,” Marcus added, raising a cup of tea to his lips and savouring the smell before delicately drinking it. “However, if we could also focus on the mission, I have a few questions of my own… unless we should save the explanations for Lute to appear first?”
“Lute?” Estelle’s ears twitched, and she lifted her head from her plate to stare at Marcus, Atlas and Dr. Dream, with pieces of fish poking out of her mouth. “Wait. Lute, Lute?”
Marcus stifled a short laugh. “I think it might be the same man.”
Estelle paused in consideration, before a bright smile stretched upon her features. They had been to Thaum before, in Estelle and Marcus’ journey to Clocktown so many months ago, and had run a mission with an entertaining swordsman called Lute that had… been an experience. If it was the same man they knew of, then this would be a fun reunion. And hopefully this time, the mission wouldn’t involve as much property damage as they had inflicted the last time.
Meanwhile, as Estelle and Marcus both listened and discussed around the table with Dr. Dream, Atlas and the rest of their friends, Don had his face pressed against one of the aquariams, his cheeks squashed against the glass. It had been a couple of weeks since the end of their mission in Los Paraisos and his tearful second goodbye to his bros and his sister, and whilst he was recovering slowly, his body was still not up to one hundred percent thanks to his injuries. The doctors had said it’d take him months to recover, but Don ignored it all, giving the physicians a mighty thumbsup and telling them that he was ‘alright, bro’. If need be, he said, Amy could just help him, since her healing powers were so strong. This caused both a blush and a twitch of the stunning blonde’s brow. He’d be lucky if she didn’t kill him herself for that remark.
Right now, Don was eyeing an aquarium filled with lobsters. The restaurant’s policy was that you could pick one to have the chef then cook and prepare for you, and Don didn’t know which one to pick. He’d never had lobster before, and he wasn’t even sure if he should go for one or not. At the moment, he was simply interested in how the little creatures were skitter and swim about.
“Hey, hey, feather sis,” Don’s cheek squelched further against the glass as he turned his head slightly towards Aria, Feather Sis being his current nickname for the illusionist based of her fluffy black scarf. “Which one do you think I should pick? This one, or that one?”
As Aria turned to watch, her eyes bulged slightly to find that Don’s hand was already deep in the water, his finger outstretched and pointing between two of the many, many lobsters inside.
