Rapture

Chapter 9

We made our way halfway to the mothership, the journey surprisingly peaceful. Sam, Hannah, and Juliette engaged in conversation, discussing their thoughts on the mothership.

"So, how long have you been with these people?" Hannah asked, her face filled with curiosity.

I focused on the road ahead, keeping vigilant as the chaos at the fleshling base had likely attracted the attention of other cryptids. Jets were no longer flying by, only a few fixed-wing drones surveying the city's situation.

"A few days. At first, I thought big bro over there was a bad guy," Sam replied. "But I was wrong. He turned out to be really nice."

Curiosity filled Hannah's eyes as she inquired further, "And how did they treat Sandra?"

"Well, Gustav made Sandra cry when she stole a rover from him," Sam explained. "But I think they've become friends now."

"Hmmm, big sis Sandra did try to mess with the rover," Sam said. "She thought it would work, but Gustav told her it wouldn't since it was new tech."

"Damn... Sandra really did that for my sake," Hannah muttered, her reaction indicating that she realized Sandra had to steal just to save her.

I wondered how Sam knew about Sandra's attempt with the rover. Had Gustav shared the details with her and Sandra while I was asleep? Gustav was usually secretive and rarely disclosed how his inventions worked. Everything in the mothership had been created after the Rapture, except for the mothership itself.

"Can you tell us more about the guy over there?" Juliette asked, her voice filled with curiosity. "What's his nam--"

"Alexander Ponderosa. I am originally from Parañaque near Manila," I interjected. "That's the only information you'll get."

"O-okay, sorry if we were talking about you," Juliette said, sounding embarrassed.

"I don't mind... Just ask me directly next time," I said, my eyes still on the road.

The trip back to the mothership was uneventful. The three of them seemed to have formed a special bond and were becoming more comfortable with each other. They shared stories about their lives and what had happened to them. I learned that Juliette had mana, and her healing powers were limited by the amount of mana she had. However, she could only replenish her mana when she rested, and after being captured, she didn't have much left.

As we turned a corner, the mothership came into view. The jets on the deck appeared to be undergoing maintenance, with occasional sparks flying from the welding work. The dispatch bay gate began to slide open, even though we were still a distance away from the ship.

When we reached the front, Sandra was already waiting in front of the camper. "OH MY GOD!" she yelled, but her voice was muffled by the camper's sound suppression. Hannah then stepped out of the camper.

Sandra and Hannah embraced tightly, both of them crying like babies. They moved to the side of the camper, so I drove the vehicle into the mothership. The wheels skidded slightly before finally entering the dispatch bay. I turned off the ignition.

Juliette offered her assistance to Sam with her guncase, concerned about the size and weight. However, Sam confidently declined the offer, stating that she had carried heavier objects before.

"But are you sure? It's much bigger than both of us," Juliette persisted, gesturing to the stark size difference.

Ignoring Juliette's concerns, Sam defiantly hoisted the gun case, which was twice her size, and proceeded to disembark from the camper. Juliette's attempts to help proved futile, as Sam displayed an unexpected level of independence and determination. It made me question whether I had underestimated her capabilities or if she had undergone a drastic transformation. It was remarkable to witness a seven-year-old girl accomplishing tasks that would challenge many teenagers.

Gustav came into view, addressing me with his usual brashness, "Just sitting on your ass there, huh? You look like a truck driver in his forties."

I smirked, "Your muffled voice reminds me of your old AI." I stood up from the driver's seat.

"I can't hear a damn thing from inside. Maybe I am getting old," Gustav said sarcastically.

Getting off the camper with Russ behind me, the two sisters were still talking, and Sam had already gone, probably to the armory to drop off the equipment. Gustav approached me, looking like a withered plant.

"You look gassed," I said.

"Now you noticed," Gustav said. "I taught Sandra about the AI of the jets. It took my heart and soul just to drill it into her head."

"That's why the sorties of those jets were weird," I said.

"Yeah, I wanted her to feel how to order the AI efficiently," Gustav snorted. "She got carried away, and the whole base was practically paralyzed."

"It took my heart and soul just to drill that information into her damn skull," Gustav feigned sadness.

"So, you saw what I saw?" I said, "She has an interest in technology."

"Nah, more like computers. If she were in the modern world," Gustav thought for a second, "Most likely she'd be an Egirl."

"So, what does the crate contain?" I asked, giving him a suspicious look but still smiling.

"You got me... I thought we should..." Gustav yawned, "Move closer to our goal."

"So, we're finally-"

"Hey, thanks for the rescue, gramps," Hannah said, interrupting me with a smile on her face.

"Gramps? I'm only in my damn forties," Gustav said, cracking up. "Anyway, where's that demon?"

I went back to the Camper and scooped up the sleeping beauty. She hadn't changed, still sleeping peacefully, legs twisted like pretzels.

Getting out of the Camper was met with gasps.

"Holy s**t, how is she even sleeping?" Sandra said, wide-eyed, looking at Venidith, "That must be painful."

"Demons usually hibernate after taking considerable damage," Gustav said, scratching his head, "How come she didn't take a bite out of you or try to possess you?"

"I don't know, honestly," I said, shrugging, "Although she hugged and pretty much clung to me after she met me."

"That's interesting," Gustav said, rubbing his chin, "Hey Sandra, can you get your sister settled?"

"Yeah, sure, c'mon Sis," Sandra said, tugging Hannah.

"But what about Venidith?" Hannah stood her ground.

"I'll be watching her, don't worry," Juliette said.

Hannah tried to say something but sighed and followed Sandra.

"Follow me to the sickbay," Gustav said, turning his back and walking down the hallway.

I sighed and followed Gustav, carrying Venidith in my arms, with Juliette closely behind.

Gustav opened the door, and we entered the sickbay. It was a pleasant and relaxing place. I gently placed Venidith on the table, which was designed as an operating table, with lights directed above it.

"Okay, what now?" I asked, looking at the half-naked and sleeping Venidith.

"Well, I remember this book... Some jackass sold it to me years ago," Gustav said, deep in thought. "I spent weeks reading it while I was serving in the Navy."

Gustav attempted to touch Venidith's chest but flinched. He sighed, "Lust demons usually gain power from being pleasured by a human."

He tried again, gently touching Venidith's chest. Nothing happened. Gustav sighed, "Sometimes I forget things, you know? Like there's probably a page that says something."

I carefully examined Venidith's body, noticing the cuts and bruises that covered her. Her legs were snapped from the shin and thighs, yet her porcelain skin stretched, giving them a twisted appearance like pretzels.

Gustav, lost in thought, suddenly widened his eyes. "Aha! Page 11! It says a demon can form a pact unknowingly with a human."

He paused, contemplating. "Without an agreement between the demon and human, as long as the demon feels intense passion towards the human..."

Gustav snorted, "It cannot gain power from sinners that directly affect the demon. Only the human it greatly admires can give it power."

"However, it can still receive power from other humans that commits a sin against other humans." Gustav said, yawning.

"So, Venidith made a pact with Alexander?" Juliette said, "It is basically marriage."

"Yeah bu-

Before Gustav said a word. I sighed and grabbed Venidith's chest... Also rubbing her under there... Fondling her chest vigorously and passionately. I remembered someone but I couldn't.

I stopped, backing away from the table. Juliette's face is red, hands on her mouth, "Th-that's I-I." She couldn't find the right words.

"Holy smokes, you really went all in with her," Gustav chuckled, his amusement evident. "Let's see if—"

In a shocking twist, Venidith's previously broken legs snapped back into place, straightening with an eerie speed. It happened in an instant, defying all logic and leaving us stunned. I couldn't even finish my exclamation of surprise when Venidith threw her arms up in the air and beamed with delight.

"The Princess is back!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy and triumph.

The sudden and miraculous recovery of Venidith's legs left us astounded, struggling to comprehend the extraordinary turn of events. It was as if a divine intervention had occurred, defying the laws of nature and restoring her mobility in a breathtaking display. The implications of this unexpected development filled the air with a sense of wonder and anticipation, as we tried to grasp the true extent of Venidith's powers and what it meant for our journey ahead.