Orochi cratered down the vast chasm, his speed pushed to its limits as he neared the expansive stretch of lava below.
From above, it resembled a gaping wound in the abyss.
The two lifeforms are fleeing. It matters little. The Earth's depths won't save them from me!
With a grand impact, Orochi arrived at the stage of his resurrection. He spun his massive frame around in the lava, first ensuring the intruders hadn't desecrated his altar. Then he would catch up to them without issue.
However, that plan would never come to pass once the prophetic mural entered his vision.
"No… Who?" Orochi's mental state crumbled. "My mural… my…"
Orochi trudged through the magma, his movements slow and labored, until he reached the stairway he once believed led to his future. Each step up seemed more difficult than the last.
Everything he had endured and had planned for… a farce.
All along, he had been a sacrifice for the one who towered oh so high above the rest.
Finally, Orochi reached the summit of the stairs and continued forward until he stood directly before the mural.
What did he feel right now?
Repugnance, defiance!
Me? A sacrifice?
"Your portrayal will fall down before my feet today!" Orochi, still in his normal form, assailed the mural, deploying countless kicks and strikes, destroying every portion of the wall that had its image upon it. "This is your new future. Becoming the sacrifice I have destined you to become!"
¤ ¤ ¤
Doctor Kuseno stood at the entrance of his laboratory, a look of reminiscence tugging at his face.
Dr. Genus. To think you're still alive after all these years. Your theories and ideas never gained support from the scientific community. But look at you now. You can laugh at those who rejected you while they can only roll in their graves.
The reason he stood before the door was simple: Dr. Genus had video-called him out of the blue. At first, he hesitated to answer, thinking it might be 'The Organization.' But he quickly dismissed the idea. 'The Organization' wouldn't bother calling. They would assuredly send a squad of cyborgs to destroy him instead.
When he answered the call, he couldn't believe his eyes. Dr. Genus looked identical to the photos he had seen in the newspaper several decades ago, back when he himself was a young man!
Dr. Genus had vanished many years ago, so speaking with him today felt like a privilege. While Doctor Kuseno hadn't fully agreed with Dr. Genus' views in his earlier years, he hadn't dismissed them either. Now, as an old man, he would welcome the chance to trade notes and learn from Dr. Genus. Even if their fields of study differed, Dr. Genus' knowledge could prove invaluable in this uncertain future.
But this video call wasn't about exchanging research. Dr. Genus had called to ask a favor. Just like that, he found himself with a rare chance to build rapport with a scientist at the peak. The fact Dr. Genus could reach him directly also impressed him — Genos was the only one he'd ever shared that information with. Had Genos mentioned it to his master, who then passed it along? Perhaps it was time to update a few security credentials…
Regardless, he would do his best to complete this favor to the best of his ability.
In that instance, several loud bangs resounded from the double metal doors in front of him. "Hello, hello!" shouted a woman.
"Quit that! How can you be so rude?"
Doctor Kuseno reeled back. Were these newcomers trying to give this old man a heart attack?
"Just a second." He glanced at the screen embedded in the wall beside the door, lined with several touch-screen buttons beneath it. Pressing his thumb flat against the leftmost button, he scanned his fingerprint. With his other hand, he tapped the rightmost button, prompting it to project a holographic keyboard. He began typing his complex password.
Time passed…
"What kind of second is this? It's been three minutes!"
Several muffled female voices followed, clearly scolding the woman. It was the same one who had shouted minutes ago.
Doctor Kuseno breathed out and tapped 'enter' on the holographic keyboard, causing the monitor to unlock its full features. Among these was a camera and multiple biometric scanners that provided detailed information on the five women waiting outside, as he could see from the monitor.
After confirming they matched the individuals Dr. Genus had described, he unlocked the door. An electric buzz rang out as the intricate locks on the double metal doors disengaged.
When the doors parted, the four women entered, the frontmost one carrying the unconscious fifth woman.
"I'm Mosquito Girl!" She waved with her free hand. "And you must be Doctor Kuseno. I've never heard Dr. Genus praise anyone's intelligence like he did about you. You must be pretty smart."
Doctor Kuseno's brows raised. That name and appearance… It had to be her right? She didn't be appear to be a human. Was she a cyborg, a monster, or both?
The three other women glared at Mosquito Girl, causing her to shift uncomfortably before she spoke. "Um, I'm sorry about the yelling and the loud knocking…"
"It is of no concern. Follow me, if you would." Doctor Kuseno clasped his hands behind his back and led the way through his laboratory until he reached the area Genos frequented.
Stopping, he motioned toward the inclined surgical table. "Please place… Wavygyaza on the table."
When Doctor Kuseno saw her, a frown crossed his face. Her long blonde hair stood in stark contrast to her pallid skin, which almost matched the plain white shirt and pants she wore. He then reached out and touched the back of Wavygyaza's hand, causing his frown to deepen. His attention shifted to where her left leg should have been, inspecting the cybernetic connection points before he shook his head.
"Is she going to be okay?"
Doctor Kuseno turned and noticed the four women looking at him with concern. He faced the woman who had asked and said, "I will do my best. But I need to set up a certain set of equipment in order to run proper tests on her. You're Fubuki, right? My… grandson is also a hero."
From the brief descriptions Dr. Genus had provided, he recognized the two women behind Fubuki as Yuta and Suiko.
"Oh? What's his name?" Suiko asked, tilting her head.
"Genos."
Mosquito Girl to his right hopped. "What?! Dr. Genus never mentioned that!"
Fubuki, Suiko, and Yuta all wore surprised looks.
"You all know Genos?"
"Of course! He's our Caspian's disciple." Mosquito Girl proudly patted her chest.
Doctor Kuseno kept his countenance neutral as he drew several conclusions from this information, tucking them away in his mind for later contemplation, except for one.
Mosquito Girl… It was you. He dissipated the anger rising within him, recalling that Genos had forgiven her and acknowledged she had turned over a new leaf after the incident.
Fubuki's voice broke the silence. "Here's everything we could gather of hers." A large white box made of a plastic-like material followed by an intricate battle suit floated over, landing in front of the surgical table.
Doctor Kuseno glanced down at the box to his right, then at the armor. His eyes widened.
Stepping closer, he scrutinized every inch of the battle suit.
The battle suit's white armor glinted under the laboratory's light, its segmented chest plate sleek and flexible. Rounded pauldrons rested atop the shoulders that flowed into reinforced forearm guards embossed with intricate circular patterns. Down further fitted greaves and layered knee guards confirmed Doctor Kuseno's suspicion.
This is of your design. I am certain of it, Bofoi.
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