Rapture

Chapter 8

We reached the gates just as another jet roared by overhead, followed by a deafening explosion that sent shockwaves through the air. The chaotic scene made it challenging for us to make our way out, as hordes of fleshlings relentlessly poured in. Despite the chaos, Hannah remained by my side, showing no signs of distress.

"I'll take this," Venidith declared, swiftly reaching out to grab my M16 from my hands.

Startled, I abruptly halted in my tracks, my gaze fixed on Venidith. "Damn it, demon, what are you doing?" I questioned, my voice laced with concern.

Venidith, seemingly unfazed by my reaction, flashed a confident smile. "Chill, I know how these things work. I've lived for thousands of years," she assured me, her aim steady as she fired off a precise shot that found its mark.

Hannah, ever the voice of reason, intervened, her tone stern yet commanding. "Venidith, behave and stop being a pain in the ass for people, would you?" she reprimanded. "Come on, let's keep moving."

With a heavy sigh, I adjusted my stance to compensate for the shift in weight caused by Venidith's presence. I instinctively placed my hand on her back to steady her, causing her to momentarily flinch but maintaining her focus. "So you like them," I quipped, a hint of amusement in my voice.

Venidith continued firing shots in rapid succession, the deafening noise echoing near my ear. Fortunately, the protective headgear and ear nozzles I wore mitigated the impact, reducing the intensity of the sound.

As I glanced up the hill, my attention was drawn to the intermittent flashes of light every few seconds. It was Sam, diligently engaging an unseen target.

Suddenly, Hannah's piercing scream jolted through the chaos. "s**t, look out!"

Before I could react, a powerful force struck me, sending me sprawling to the ground. Darkness enveloped my senses, the lingering echo of the impact reverberating through my head. Gradually, I regained consciousness, my vision blurry and disoriented. Through the haze, I saw Venidith standing over me, still clutching my M16 tightly.

"He--y,"

"Sh--t,"

I strained to focus my eyes, my gaze fixating on the goggles covering my face. Suddenly, a garbled message emanated from the earpiece of the goggles, barely audible amidst the chaos. "Don't use it," the automated voice warned.

"The Bas--"

"Jul-- can--- Yo---," I gasped, my voice barely audible as consciousness threatened to slip away once more. The message from the goggles was clear; there was something crucial about the basement.

A warm, comforting glow surrounded me, gradually dispelling the haze that clouded my vision and easing the persistent ringing in my ears. With a concerted effort, I managed to pry my heavy eyelids open. As the brilliant light enveloped me, a soothing sensation washed over my body, rejuvenating me from within.

Venidith, on the other hand, appeared to be in rough shape. Her legs contorted at an unnatural angle, a grim testament to the ordeal she had endured. I turned to her, concern etched on my face. "Are you alright?"

She mustered a faint smile despite her obvious pain. "Yeah, what happened?"

Surveying our surroundings, I noticed that the monstrous creature we had encountered earlier now lay torn in half. However, it had undergone a disturbing transformation, its flesh darkened, and the spikes protruding from its back enlarged.

Hannah provided an explanation, her voice tinged with worry. "You and Venidith were struck by a massive rock. You were on the brink of death, but Juliette intervened just in time."

Venidith interjected with a self-assured smirk. "Yeah, she kept you alive when you were about to be crushed in half. But thanks to my glorious power, that false demon met its demise."

I couldn't help but glance at Venidith's mangled legs. "But you're not in a better shape yourself," I pointed out, concerned for her well-being.

She brushed off my concern with a dismissive wave. "Don't mind it. It doesn't hu-" Before she could finish her sentence, Venidith toppled backward, collapsing onto the ground.

A sense of unease settled over us as Juliette spoke quietly, her voice laden with regret. "I-I can't heal her. My powers would do more harm than good. It would only lead to her demise instead of healing her."

The gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon us, the reality sinking in that Venidith's condition was dire and beyond Juliette's restorative abilities.

Juliette's remarkable healing abilities were a result of her being a Blessed One, gifted with powers that stood in stark contrast to Venidith's nature as an enemy of light. As Venidith lost consciousness, Hannah suggested that we lift her, taking hold of my M16 with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'm a reservist of the Philippine Army."

Nodding in acknowledgment, I carefully lifted Venidith, cradling her in my arms like a small child. Despite her imposing physique and generously endowed chest, her blonde hair reminded me of Sam. She wore tattered rags as her attire, barely providing any cover against the scorching sun or the chill of the night.

Letting out a sigh, I led the way toward the hill where Sam had positioned herself. Hannah gripped the M16 tightly, scanning the area for any approaching fleshlings, while Juliette stayed close behind, her presence offering a sense of reassurance.

Minutes later, we reached our destination, finding Sam already in the process of retrieving his equipment. Russ, the robotic companion, greeted us with a series of cheerful barks, providing a momentary sense of relief.

Sam's expression shifted to one of concern as she gasped, her voice laden with worry. "Oh no... We need to get her back to the base immediately."

Amidst the crackling of static from Russ' comms, Gustav's voice finally came through. "Okay, I've finally got this piece working."

"So, are we heading back?" I inquired, Venidith still sound asleep in my arms, her injured legs a pressing concern.

"Yeah, the survivors at the base have everything under control," Gustav affirmed. "We've done our part in assisting them."

As I surveyed the fleshling base, I noticed pockets of ongoing conflict near the other gate. It appeared that the enslaved individuals had managed to free their fellow captives from the chambers.

"Alright... We have an injured primordial demon here," I explained, gesturing towards Venidith. "Her legs are twisted like pretzels."

Gustav responded dismissively, his tone nonchalant. "Hmm... She'll be fine. Given the sin she represents, her regeneration will kick in if she's provided with the appropriate sustenance."

"What do you mean by that?" Hannah interjected, catching up with us and clearly perplexed by Gustav's remark.

Gustav shrugged casually, his gaze shifting from Hannah to Venidith. "Well, anyone who shares a close connection with this particular demon... they could engage in activities related to the sins she represents."

Hannah's disbelief was evident as she exclaimed, "So you're suggesting that someone should take advantage of her while she's asleep?"

Gustav smirked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Bingo! Or we could simply let her be. At this rate, she might sleep for thousands of years."

Realizing the gravity of the situation, I intervened. "We should discuss this matter further at the base." With determination, I led the way towards the camper where we had left our belongings.

Sam, attentive as ever, followed closely behind me, her eyes darting between me and Hannah, seemingly evaluating the situation with cautious curiosity. Russ, the faithful robotic companion, remained by our side, ever watchful.

"I think we shouldn't trust them," Hannah whispered to Juliette, her voice laced with suspicion.

"I-I think they're right," Juliette responded in a hushed tone, her usual nervousness evident. "Primordial demons derive their power from the sins surrounding them."

"Damn, what's with all this demon stuff?" Hannah muttered, her exhaustion palpable. "We can't do much about it."

As we reached the treeline, the camper stood undisturbed, a reliable sanctuary. I glanced at the radar dish, now functioning properly with a slow, steady spin. Stepping forward, I positioned myself in front of the door, and Russ's tentacles deftly opened it for us.

"Thanks, Russ," I expressed my gratitude before entering the camper.

Sam followed behind, gently placing her gun case on the floor beside her. She sank into a seat, letting out a sigh of weariness. "Wow, big brother," she remarked, her voice tired. "That was exhausting."

I nodded, understanding her sentiment. "Yeah, it really was," I replied, making my way to the back of the camper. "Here you go, take a seat and rest."

I gently laid Venidith on the bed, sighing as I realized that Gustav and I had some explaining to do. Hannah and Juliette entered the camper, choosing seats facing Sam.

Now that I had a chance to observe Juliette more closely, I noticed some distinctive features: her pointy eyes, blue irises, and light blonde hair. Could she be an elf?

"Juliette, are you an elf?" I inquired, making my way towards the driver's seat.

"Ye-yes... I was brought into this world," Juliette replied, her voice filled with uncertainty. "During what you humans call the Rapture."

Hannah furrowed her eyebrows. "What? They weren't just unique eye shapes?"

I wasn't sure if Hannah was genuinely unaware or if she simply hadn't grasped the concept of such creatures existing. Perhaps her concern for the two of them clouded her understanding of the reality they came from.

Suddenly, Russ's communications activated, and Sandra's voice came through, sounding worried. "Ate? Big sis? Are you there?" she asked anxiously.

Hannah jumped abruptly, "Sandra? Oh God... I'm so sorry I left you." Hannah began to sob. "I-I was trying to save those kids, and some living beef jerky took us."

"It's okay, ate. I really missed you!" Sandra's voice trembled with tears.

"I missed you too, bunso," Hannah managed to say, wiping away the tears that threatened to fall.

"You can trust them," Sandra reassured, her voice filled with conviction. "They're good people... Now I have to go... Bye."

Russ's communications shut off, and the robotic dog transformed into a ball to recharge near the power outlets.

"Okay, is everyone ready?" I asked, my fingers poised near the ignition.

"Yes, big bro!" Sam replied, a tear glistening in her brown eyes. Her hands still clutching the notebook, she had been emotionally moved by the conversation between the sisters.

"Yeah! Take us to where Sandra is!" Hannah exclaimed, her energy palpable.

"Ye-yes, please," Juliette added, her soft voice barely above a whisper.