bookpower 721. Blood Greases the Gears of War
721. Blood Greases the Gears of War
721. Blood Greases the Gears of War
Hours earlier –
“S-Slow down *Huff* *Puff* Ugh! I can’t run like you! Dammit, I just want to sleeeeeeeep!” A shorter Frost complained as she was dragged around by the hand of an even smaller Frost.
Snap followed them like a parent, constantly looming over them as they ran through the open doors of the Asclepein. They were deep within the heart of the City of Clubs, and they drew many eyes by its residents who questioned why a giant spider was allowed to roam freely.
Such questions were silenced by Liquidators, who pardoned them and gave stern reminders that the golden Anid was part of the Head. Faces of confusion and fear quickly turned into awe at the mention of the Head. But alas, their elation did not cloud their judgement enough to dare to step a foot closer to the sacred Asclepein.
“We don’t have to go so fast! S-Snap! I don’t have to be here too!” The Sleepy Frost complained as she was dragged to the checkpoint where a row of Mothers stood.
Only Healers were allowed into the Asclepein, but members of the Head were an exception.
“Oh~? Hello~”
“Children of the Head?”
“Aww~ Are you all lost~”
“Do you have business with us?”
An array of motherly voices assaulted the Sleepy Frost, destroying her fatigue in an instant.
“U-Uh, I um... I was – Er – Doing – Um...”
The Little Frost threw up an angry emoji before she slapped her back.
“W-What was I –!? I mean – W-We’re here to let you know that uh – War is happening. I think? Would you like to join us!?”
Spirals formed in her eyes. For whatever reason, the Sleepy Frost could not speak to people that she did not know. More than that, her eyes could not move away from their wholesome bosoms; an observation that the Mothers were too pure to even notice.
The Mothers were the crème of the Crop of the Healers, with physical appearances in their late twenties or thirties. They were a different breed from most Healers who tended to possess a far more youthful appearance.
Just like Frost, they were, so to speak, her type.
Normal Healers were present as well, most of which were trainees who had just recently received their Blessing. Seeing a giant Anid standing before them caused their eyes to swell with tears, with a few black-haired Healers curling their fists in preparation for a potential brawl.
However, a Mother approached Snap and, with its permission, allowed her to embrace it.
“Brrrr~”
“So soft~ Oh, what was it that you wanted?”
“W-War. Can you join us in war?”
The Little Frost made a disgruntled face, shaking her head wildly in an attempt to get the Sleepy Frost to word it better.
“I mean... Inflow Direct! W-We understand that Mothers have direct communications to the Donors and um – people with decision-making powers!”
The Mother smiled understandingly at her, kneeling down to cup her face gently. Steam seemed to blow out of the Sleepy Frost’s ears, further irritating the Little Frost.
“Didn’t we already send Infusions to Beholder Jury and Galia?” The Mother whispered. “Our Father is already on top of these things, thanks to his big sister~”
“S-So there... wasn’t a need for this?” She said, but she didn’t seem to be bothered by this at all. In fact, the Sleepy Frost was eternally thankful that she ended up being dragged along for the journey.
“Ahem.” A young figure made their attention known. It was a young woman with blonde hair and a sphere fitted to where her heart would be. She sat in a wheelchair, clutching at her chest in pain. “I would at least like to hear it. The Father gets all the messages and not us. I would pout and complain, but heart would explode~ I wish I had a family member so high up in the hierarchy of those blue strings~”
“Will you pack me an extra pair, hehe?”
Evergreen’s brows furrowed.
“Carpalis? You can’t be thinking about coming with us. Please don’t joke like that.” It was no secret that Carpalis wasn’t in any capacity to fight. “No Healers can help you if something goes wrong. As your Underboss –!”
“As my friend, I am deeply considering your advice.” Capralis corrected, despising it whenever Evergreen referred to her in such a way.
To Carpalis, they were both on equal footing. Nothing Evergreen said could change that.
“But you could lose your life if your Faustian Bargain breaks.”
“It would be a gift in disguise. Hehehe...”
Evergreen stood in front of Carpalis and starting into her golden pupils, trying to get read of this person she had devoted her life to. At times like these, Carpalis would still shoehorn a joke.
However, she allowed her gaze to meet with Evergreen’s emerald eyes, and she softly spoke.
“But... When I see the children of our home, and then think of those beyond our light, I ask myself if I am doing enough.”
“How aren’t you doing enough already? Is helping countless thousands not enough? Carpalis... You’re approaching your breaking point. I can see that. How many more souls can you hope to bear?”
“... Evergreen, does it bother you that I may die?”
“Carpalis!”
“Then I will simply try not to die. I just... can’t bear to stand the thought that there could be a soul blamed for being the way they were born. Both of us share that same scar.”
“...”
“I’m kidding.” Carpalis dryly hummed. “I shall remain and hold this place. But should something happen to you...”
She leaned in close to Evergreen’s face, staring deeply into her eyes.
“... Nothing is going to happen to me.” Evergreen smirked.
It was not until that Carpalis turned her back to her that her face flushed red.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the meeting place of the Donors, they discussed amongst themselves regarding the upcoming war. Hands were raised unanimously in favor of the war.
All but one person.
“Beholder E. What will you do? Your orders are absolute.” Liever, a terribly thin man afflicted with jaundice asked the overbearing presence within their hallowed chamber.
A machine vaguely in the shape of a man stood on the other side of a massive glass table. Mechanical whirls accompanied the bubbling of the vat, which contained a tiny piece of a brain.
This machine was Beholder E. After long minutes of deliberation, he finally answered with a deeply mechanical voice.
“Release one of our forbidden ones. Administrator: Seventeen – One: Qoph. They shall accompany me to Frontier. Assemble the Liquidators.
We are going to war.”