As Armadat pulled its spear back, Takuya’s limp body slid off and fell to the ground with a sickening splat.

“...ythgimlA, edivorp ton dluoc I taht meht ni ssenevigrof dnif uoy yam.” Came a strange noise from Armadat as it moved its hands across its body, almost as if giving a prayer, before turning back to Ryuuko.

Ryuuko did not move, her eyes fixated on the lifeless body of her clubmate. The blood that poured out of the wound from his abdomen soaked the ground a deep red.

“Ah....ahh...” Came weak whimpers, as if she was trying to say something, yet no actual words could leave her mouth. Her body was frozen, the only thing she could do was stare in disbelief while Armadat prepared for another attack.

“AAAAAAAARRRGHHHH!!!” Came a furious bellow as Kenjirou tackled the monster with all his might, knocking it back just as it was about to strike. On his face a look of unyielding rage, he relentlessly threw his fist towards the towering creature with everything his got. The gruesome sounds of his bones cracking could be heard with every punch but he was pushing Armadat and forced it to raise its shield in defense.

DAMMIT! DAMMIT!! GOD F$%&#NG DAMMIT!!! Ryuuko, I’m in your phone right now! Take me out and place me on Takuya’s chest IMMEDIATELY! RYUUKOOO!!” Juntaro voice cried out from her cellphone, screaming and demanding her attention.

But Ryuuko did not respond. As if not hearing anything, instead she got up and made her way to where Takuya laid.

“Ryuuko what are you doing?! Don’t touch him!! Listen to me dammit!!”

The pool of blood soaked her legs as she carefully sat next to him. Her eyes were fixed on his, watching as the lights in his deep green eyes slowly fade away. Hesitantly, her left arm stretched out as she gently brushed it against Takuya’s still body.

Cold...it felt so cold and stiff. Like touching stone. It was as if the warmth in her body was being drained out of her, as her hand slowly moved across his. She felt the wetness that wrapped over her hand as she moved it closer to the wound. The visceral lukewarm liquid that clung to her fingers, it was not sticky but it did not seem as if it would come off easily.

The sensation, this feeling, as she looked at her hand covered in a thick shade of red, it was all so familiar. As if this was not the first time.

Yes...familiar; as something suddenly flashed across her mind. An image of her hands, both of them, and they were covered in the same gruesome liquid as she stood before another. Still as can be, no sign of movement or life.

Slowly, her mouth curled into a cruel smile as everything in her mind went dark.

“Heh...hehehe....hahaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!”

“Wha-what the hell?!” Juntaro jumped as he heard the sudden maniacal laughter, watching in shock as she got up, as if possessed.

With a frightening smirk on her face and her hand dripping with blood, Ryuuko started to walk towards the direction of Kenjirou and Armadat.

-

Kenjirou fought with all his might. His rage was blinding him, but he did not care. Because he could not feel anything he was not able to stop, with his only thought being to take down the giant monster before him. Even with the sound of his bones crackling in his ears, he continued to fight.

However, no matter how much he tried to attack Armadat, it did not seem to have any effect as its shield effortlessly blocked his every blow. This only made him even madder as he screamed and threw his fist with all his weight.

CLANK

The sharp sound of metal clashing screeched out as once again, his attack was negated with ease. Blood ruptured violently from his hand as his fist was shattered upon impact, twisting into a horrid position. Even with all his efforts and despite his lack of feelings, he could not win. And as if letting him know this, his entire body finally gave out with his vision turning sideways from the collapse of his legs.

Armadat, wasting no time, immediately counterattacked as its shield flew towards Kenjirou with full force and smashed into him, sending him flying back into the air.

WHAM

“KUUGH!!!” Kenjirou grunted, as he giant body landed violently onto the ground with a tremendous crash. As he laid there on the ground, his entire body nearly broken, he could only look up at the brilliant skies while coughing up blood.

“D-dammit....dammit...dammit...” He cursed with every ounce of spite he could muster while his eyes were clouded with tears.

“Hideyoshi...why? Why damn you?” The giant man sobbed uncontrollable while lamenting the actions of his friend. All the anger and rage he had moments ago were replaced by the gut-wrenching feeling of self-loathing and guilt. He could not feel any physically pain, yet the feeling of helplessness as he weakly laid there tore at him more painfully than any broken bone or deep cuts could.

His mind was going blank as the wave of unconsciousness started to wash over him. He knew that he could not allow this to happen, yet he did not fight it. His will to struggle was slowly fading away. At this moment, he just want it all to end.

But just as he was about to close his eyes, a familiar figure appeared before him that immediately jolted him awake.

“T-Takatora?!” He cried out to her as a rush of fear suddenly ran through him the moment he saw an unfamiliar look on her face; a terrifying smile he had never seen before from her as she walked past him without even giving a glance. He was speechless as he scrambled to his feet and saw as she stood in front of the towering monster.

“Something...something is wrong...” Came an ominous thought he looked to see his broken body was shaking uncontrollably.

The feeling of dread was not his alone. Armadat who locked eyes with the girl immediately backed away and threw up its guard.

“Siht...siht lrig.” Came strange noises of foreboding as it raised its weapon.

“AAAHAAHAHAHAHAAAHHAAHAAAAAAA!!” An eerie laugh of madness flew out from Ryuuko’s mouth as her body began to crack and contort hideously, a revolting sound of bubbling coming from the side of her right arm.

Everyone watched in silence, not sure what to make of this bizarre turn of events. Nobody moved, as the tension in the air was filled heavily with a thick sense of malice that oozed from where she stood, choking all that looked her way.

Then in an instant, she appeared before Armadat. With barely even time to react, it raised its shield to an air-shattering sound of impact that came from the sudden clash.

CRASH

The colossal being was sent sliding back, hardly able to keep itself on the ground from the powerful blow as it fell to its knees. Smoke blew from its shield, cracks appearing on its defenses, as a massive imprint was left behind from where it was struck.

“Heheheh...HAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAAAHHHAAA!!!”

From Ryuuko came another psychotic sound of laughter as the sickening noise of bubbling intensified and bursting from her right arm was numerous whips of tentacles. Like solidified streams of blood, they thoroughly poured out of the stump of her arm and wrapped tightly around her entire body, forming an armor of flesh-like crimson leaving only the empty whiteness of her eyes and her mouth a murderous curved grin.

Letting out a deafening shriek, she launched herself at Armadat again at blazing speed, a trail of blood soaking the ground behind her. From where her foot touch, the foliage and vegetation of the world immediately wilted and dissolved into puddles of red.

As if almost reacting in panic, Armadat quickly posed itself from the oncoming attacks but was still thrown back as the blood-wrapped figure of Ryuuko was moving at uncanny speed, darting around its colossal body with ease. Like a wild animal, she latched on closely to its massive body, preventing Armadat from any wide range attacks or chance of backing away. Grabbing onto it and coming face to face the second head on its chest, the giant eye that was locked on to her saw the look of a frightening Cheshire-smile as it widen itself to a mouth full of dagger-like fangs and sank into the exposed eyeball.

CHOMP

A heavy roar of pain that shook the entire world came from Armadat as Ryuuko dug into its eye and cruelly tore it from its socket before she was finally thrown off. An alien liquid of light poured from its wound, as Armadat screeched and bellowed in agony and anger, all while the giant eye that had been ripped out was spat to the ground with utter spite.

The moment it touched the surface of wilted red that surrounded Ryuuko, it instantly disintegrating. Letting out another furious cry, not unlike a mix of laughter and rage, she once again rushed towards the blinded and dazed Armadat again with mindless contempt.

Watching from a distance, Kenjirou could not believe his eyes what was happening. Completely bewildered, he did not know what to make of this sudden turn of event nor the crazed beast-like creature that was previously the young girl that was his clubmate. He struggled to try to think of what to do before finally hearing the voice of Juntaro, snapping him back.

“Kenjirou! Kenjirou, you’ve got to come quick! It’s-it’s Takuya!!” Juntaro cried out to him from his phone.

“Kuh...what about Hideyoshi? He’s gone...” Kenjirou spat bitterly, gritting his teeth to the thought of his deceased friend.

“That’s the thing! I’m suddenly getting a reading from him! His cells...they’re crazy active!” Juntaro exclaimed.

“WHAT?!”

“I don’t know how but all of a sudden, the virus in his body just sprung back to life. His body is still shut down and in critical condition, but I think...I think there might be a chance! I think we might still be able to save him!”

“Are you serious?!” Kenjirou immediately forced himself back to his feet and as ran towards Takuya’s body. But just as he was about to go, he hesitantly turned back to the scene of battle between Ryuuko and the monster. “Takatora...what about her? Ugh...can we just leave her like this?”

“Kenjirou, we have bigger worries. If anything, this is good that she’s able to hold back that thing! Come on, we have to save Takuya right now!”

“Hmph...right.” Kenjirou hesitantly nodded his head as he turned away and rushed to where the body of his fallen clubmate laid.

-

“What’s the situation?” Kenjirou asked, as he carefully got down beside Takuya’s body.

“Deep puncture to his abdomen and various lacerations to his internal organs. His body has already went to cardiac arrest and most of his bodily function has been shut down.” Juntaro grimly told him as he pulled up screens showing information about Takuya’s body.

“Kuh...you said that we might have a chance. Isn’t this too serious?!”

“Perhaps, but don’t forget that we’re not normal humans. While the wound is deep, the placement of our internal organs are not arranged the same way as they usually are, as well as being much more durable than those of a human being.” Juntaro replied. “I’ve did a scan of Takuya’s internals and it seems that while he had been pierced, much of his innards have only suffered minor to medium rupture damage, nothing that the regenerative properties of the virus can’t fix. The problem however was that before, the virus in our body was somehow suppressed and thus the healing factor didn’t kick in on time.”

“Suppressed...but you said that his cells are active right now. Are you telling me that the virus, his body, is suddenly back to normal?” Kenjirou asked in surprise.

“Exactly! Haven’t you notice it for you as well? Kenjirou, your body is pretty messed up too, but it seems that much of your wounds have already healed. In fact, it’s healed much faster than normal!”

Kenjirou looked down at his hands. True, from the battle before, his arms which should’ve been broken, were now moving fine. It was as if in just a short amount of time, the shattered bones and torn flesh have already mended themselves.

“What could have possibly happened?” He thought to himself in astonishment.

“But then what is the problem? If the virus’ healing factor is indeed greater than usual, why is Takuya still like this?” Kenjirou demanded.

“The problem isn’t the piercing of his insides, but the fact that he is losing too much blood. The outer wound on his torso is too large and it doesn’t seem as if it’ll be able to be closed up by his cells alone. Right now, Takuya has lost about a total of 12% of his blood in a span of only 3 minutes since and counting. If we don’t do something quick, it will be irreversible, and he really will die!”

“12%?! What do we do then?!”

“We have to close up that hole in his stomach. If we can prevent further blood loss, it might be just enough for his healing factor to actively mend him.”

“Close up the hole, but how? We don’t have any medical equipment that can handle a wound of this magnitude. This isn’t something that could be solved by wrapping him in bandages alone.” Kenjirou growled.

“Yes, that’s why we’re going to have to do something drastic. Kenjirou, you have to take one of Takuya’s knives and perform immediate cauterization.”

“Cauterization?!”

“Luckily there isn’t any chance of infection, although even if there was it should not affect our bodies anyways, but right now it is our only option. By heating the metal of the knife at a high enough temperature, we can use it to sear the blood and his outer skin like we would with amputation. I would do it myself, but I don’t have the right tools to do an actual electrocautery, so our only option is the old fashion way with fire. Kenjirou, you still have one of my firebomb cellphones right?” Juntaro asked.

Quickly pulling out one of the red cellphones, Kenjirou nodded his head.

“Great! I can weakly set it off so it won’t cause an explosion but instead still be set ablaze enough that it will be at the exact temperature needed. Once that, you have to hold the knife to it and then run it through Takuya’s body as per my instructions.”

“Understood.” Kenjirou nodded as he placed the cellphone on the ground further away from them. The cellphone immediately ignited and created a small fire that he carefully placed the knife through.

“Alright, that should do! Now, follow me closely!” Juntaro instructed as Kenjirou took the heated blade towards Takuya’s body. Ripping off his bloodied clothes to reveal a large gaping hole in his stomach area, he carefully did as he was told.

PSSSSHH

The stomach retching sight of scorched flesh and blood caused Kenjirou to wince. Even though he could not smell the putrid odor, just looking at the gruesome scene before him was enough to make him want to turn away. But he did not reel back and instead, firmly followed Juntaro’s instructions as he carefully moved the knife through Takuya’s wound and steadily cauterized it to the best of his abilities.

“It’s not closing! The wound is still too big.” Kenjirou said in frustration as blood was still pouring from hole on Takuya’s gut.

“Crap! His skins been torn too wide. Just cauterizing it from blood and his remaining flesh alone might not enough. There’s got to be something...something that can be done to hold together that opening.”

“Okay...I understand.”

“Kenjirou? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!” Juntaro screamed in horror as the president suddenly took the knife to his left arm and tore off a chunk of his skin.

SPLART

“Uuugghh...” He clenched his teeth from his ghastly deed. Blood gushed out from his freshly torn wound and drenched his huge arm as he held a lump of his own skin in his hand. “You said that our bodies aren’t susceptible infections, so this is nothing to worry about.”

“You’re seriously going to graft your own skin on to his?! That’s insane.” Juntaro protested, retching at the disgusting deed.

“If I can save Hideyoshi, I’ll do whatever it takes. There is no way I’m going to let it end like this for him!”

“B-But...it’s not as simple as just tearing out a part of yourself and putting it on him! His body will reject it without a doubt!”

“So what?! You said it yourself that we only need to be able to close up this damn wound. Even if it is rejected in a few days or a few hours, as long as we can stop the bleeding and let his healing factor kick in, it should be enough!”

“...That...that is true. Alright, fine! But follow my lead closely! It’s not so easy as to just burn your own freakin’ skin onto his, so you have to do exactly as I say!” Juntaro nodded his head as he pulled out medical instructions from his screen and prepared to guide him through the gruesome process.

“Understood.” Kenjirou placed the pieces his flesh on Takuya’s body and once again heated the knife.

“Easy...easy...!! Almost....and over here...!” Juntaro carefully to instructed him. Kenjirou’s hands, while huge, were still able to perform with relative delicacy. While the thought that his friend might survive was giving him a surge of excitement and anticipation, he kept his emotion in check as he cautiously and meticulously performed the grotesque task with care.

“Hideyoshi...come on...you have to come back!” He gritted as he seared the pile of flesh together with the rest of Takuya’s body.

“Yes, Yes! Kenjirou, the wound is being closed! I’m also getting a life signal! It’s working!” Juntaro cried out in joy as his screen showed signs of life fluctuation once they were finally successful in sealing up his wounds. “But it’s really weak. Damn, come on Takuya. Hold out!”

“Will he get up?!”

“It’s hard to say. His body went into cardiac arrest moments after he was stabbed, likely from the shock. I’m going to have try and restart his heart by giving him a jolt with my electrical discharge.”

“Wait! Isn’t that dangerous? We just closed up his wounds and if you send a bolt of electricity through him right now, won’t it worsen his conditions.” Kenjirou protested.

“Ugh...yeah, there is that risk too. But there isn’t any other way to get his heart pumping. Unless...Kenjirou, can you perform CPR?” He asked.

“Huh? Yes, but would that work?”

“The important thing is to get his heart beating again. With his pulse, although weak, it means that his body is already trying to get back on track but without a proper flow he will not come out of this. If you can just steady his heart rate, I can administer a smaller, more concentrated shock that would limit the risk.” Juntaro explained to him. “It should just be enough to bring him back to life.”

“I understand.” Kenjirou nodded as he gently placed his giant hands on Takuya’s chest and began to apply pressure.

“Come on Hideyoshi! Get up! Get up!! Please!”

-

Floating high up in the air, Alma silently watched the scenes before them unfolded with disinterest. Letting out a sigh, they shook their head in disappointment.

“This is no good. Takatora Ryuuko; what a foolish girl you are to lose yourself like this. Right now, she is no different from the Anti-bodies, lashing out at anything and everything without thought or will. What’s more, even with this, she is no match for Armadat. Eventually her body will collapse, and her mind will be fully devoured by her true self.”

Furiously twirling their braid, Alma click their tongue in annoyance.

“Ahh, what a troublesome one you are, my chosen Eve. At this rate, even I won’t be able to help you and it will be a problem. Hmm...what should be done?” They pondered as they scratched their chin. “Hmm?”

“Come on Takuya! Dammit, come on! You have to fight!”

“Mitsuhide, what is happening?!? Why is his vitals suddenly dropping, you said he would be coming back to life.”

“I...I don’t know! This shouldn’t be happening. His heart has restarted but...the cells are once again becoming inactive?! What the hell-no, no, No!! How is this possible?!”

“WHAT!?!”

Alma watched in amusement the desperation of Kenjirou and Juntaro as they struggled to resuscitate their fallen comrade.

“Well, well. So, in her last moment of consciousness she counteracted Armadat’s hold on those boys? Too bad it was only for a moment. Hmm...I wonder, did she do it unknowingly? Or had she been aware of her actions? How amusing...” Alma chuckled as they crossed their arms.

“Hideyoshi...Hideyoshi...please get up. Don’t...don’t you leave me too...” Kenjirou pleaded as he tightly held the body of his friend in his giant arms.

“....“The friends of a friend is also your friends”, huh? Hmph...” Alma grumbly as they repeated the phrase that was spoken to them before, turning back to the battle between Armadat and Ryuuko.

Armadat was being held back considerably, with Ryuuko tearing chunks and pieces from it without allow any sort of proper counterattack, but it was still standing firm, as if waiting bidding its time and waiting for an opening.

“I wonder how much use they would be in helping you in this situation, Takatora Ryuuko.”

“Heh heh...very well. I too shall lend you a small hand on your desire to save your “friends”. This might proves quite interesting.” Alma giggled before going quiet again.

“...Armadat...sister...” They whispered softly, as a feeling of tightness came from their chest. There was no emotion on Alma’s face yet the tone of voice from them was of deep sorrow as they stared at the monstrous figure that was once someone they had called a friend. Letting out another weary sigh, they slowly floated down to the boys with a mischievous smile spread across their face.

=

“Where...where am I?”

Bubbles appeared from my mouth and nose as they floated upwards. I was in a deep sea of red, but somehow I was breathing normally. Even though my body was moving slowly, there was no feeling of water or wetness. It was not warm, yet it was not cold. Just nothingness as I continued to drop aimlessly undersea as if I was falling from the air.

Land...was there land? There did not seem to be any above or below me as I felt myself sinking deeper and deeper. There was only a crimson void that stretched as far as my eye could see.

“What is happening? Why am I here?” I pondered weakly as more bubbles escaped from my mouth. I could speak and hear, but I was not drowning. Everything was so quiet, like the world had gone silent.

The world...what of the world?

There was not seemed to be a perception of up or down, left or right, even as the bubbles that came from my mouth flew away.

Everything felt like a dream...yes, a dream. I was so sleepy, despite not feeling any sort of tiredness. I wonder if I close my eyes, would I go to sleep or would it just be darkness? Ah...I’m so confused.

Someone...anyone...please, tell me.

“Usurper...”

Suddenly came voice.

“Hello?” I meekly turned my head in search the sudden sound of another. Someone was calling me.

“Thief...” The voice came again.

“Is anyone there?” I called to it. Who was that? Where was it coming from? And why...why does it sound so familiar?

I flailed my arm and legs in a desperate attempt to swim but nothing happened. Instead I only continued to sink further.

“Please, if anyone is out there, help me!” I cried out, struggling to stay afloat.

“Give it back...”

“Huh?!”

“Give it back to me...” The voice got louder, as if it was close to me. I hastily looked around but only saw emptiness.

“What are you talking about?! Give you back what?!”

“Give back...what you’ve stolen...!”

The voice got louder, now almost a scream.

“Wha...who are you!? What are you talking about?!”

“Give it back...!”

A familiar shape of a humanoid figure suddenly appeared before me. They were floating as I was, empty slits of whites that seemed to be their eyes stared deeply into mine.

“You...you’re...” I gasped, large amounts of bubbles escaping from my mouth and floated away, as I saw its mouth pulled back to reveal a terrifying set of sharp teeth, stitched together with what seems to be veins that wrapped wildly around its body.

Everything...everything was black, like a mass of squirming darkness that wriggled and wreath uncontrollably even as they float there in place, except for one part; its right arm that was of human appearance.

As I looked upon its eerily familiar shape of that of a young girl, I quickly realized what, and more importantly who, the thing that floated alongside me was.

“This...this can’t be...!” I cried out in fear as I tried to back away but was instead only pulled closer. Its mouth began to move again as it continued to speak;

“Give it back...give me back my body!!” The dark figure of myself desperately demanded.