“Begin!”
Luce dashed forward, his fist slamming into 52’s chest. The crack was was a familiar nose but he didn’t cry out. The pain showed on his face as he sank to his knees. Arms bound behind his back he could barely keep himself from falling over entirely. Coughing roughly he shook as Luce stood over him.
“Now Subject 052. Begin healing.”
52 stared at the scientist speaking and glared. He refused and instead got another punch to the chest. He grit his teeth together hard, blood exploding behind his lips. He lurched forward and spit it onto the ground as he raised his head.
Luce crouched in front of him. “You should listen to their commands.”
“And you should have a mind of your own. You’re better than this.”
Luce glared and stood again. 52 fell to his side, his chest heaving and his eyes shut tightly. He felt his chest stinging and pulling at him. It itched in a way that he couldn’t scratch. Something beneath the skin. As the itch increased, his pain began to subside until it was gone entirely.
Face pressed against the cold floor he tried to move. Slowly pushing to his knees. He stared at his blood on the ground and then at the wall where the scientist were documenting things. Taking an itching breath he stood up slowly and turned his gaze to Luce again.
“You’re standing again.”
“I’ve been worse.” His body rippled and fizzled through the restraints. Pressing a hand against his chest he touched his ribcage testing it out. It was firm and no pain.
“As you can see, the testing done on Subject 052 has become quite extensive.” The scientist said glancing down at his clipboard before looking back at the man.
His green eyes met with the scientist and he glanced away hurriedly. “What is it that you’re saying?”
“W-we’re saying that with these test, he can heal any wound. Broken bones, torn ligaments, cuts, even lost limbs though doing so theoretically would take time. In fact save for a heart or head wound he can recover from anything.
“Is it an automatic function?”
“Yes. With the willpower he’s displayed he can stop it. However, I wouldn’t believe he could do it while unconscious.”
“And what are the cost of such healing?”
“P-pardon?”
“What does it sacrifice for healing like this?”
“Oh. Well outside of time and immense energy it cost his body he should be fine. We are still understanding what the means though.”
The man was quiet as his gaze went through the window and stared at the pair of them. ”Have them fight again. Knock it out and cause as much damage as possible. I want to see just how far its healing can be pushed.”
“U-understood. L-Luce! You and Subject 052 are to do battle. Fight until only one of you is conscious.”
Luce looked toward the source of the voice shocked. 52 however glared at the voice and then looked at Luce. He raised his arms his fingers flexing slowly. 52 watched him and glared as he took a step back,
“I’ll make this quick.” Luce told him.
“You can try.”
Luce stood over 52’s downed body. Chest heaving and heavily bruised he leaned down and picked him up by his hair. He didn’t react, his breath labored and slow. Both of his arms were broken and the way that his leg was bent so was his knee. He looked down at him and frowned. His hair had been a dark color before. Now he was noticing various grays. Not abundant but they were there.
He couldn’t tell if he was healing or not though he hoped that he was. They couldn’t afford losing 52. “Luce take 052 back to its cell. And then find the med bay and get yourself patched up.”
He nodded as he put 52 over his shoulder and walked out of the training room. As Luce watched he wondered just how he was making it through this. Surely his healing couldn’t be so powerful that he could heal all of this easily.
The hallway wasn’t wide and every time a group of guards came by they parted for him. They stood at attention each time and he gave them a nod. Though he didn’t care for them he respected what they did. If there were normal problems, they handled them. If there were problems like the last breech, they were fodder and they had to know it.
As he passed a few closed doors he counted off the numbers. 049, 050, 051. He stopped and looked at a guard. “Open this. My hands are full.” He told them. Nodding curtly they came forward and unlocked it. Nodding his thanks he walked into the room and then laid 52 across the floor.
He watched and saw that his leg had started to right itself. It was like watching grass gross, happening when he wasn’t paying attention but happening none the less. Frowning as he watched, he gave one more glance then turned.
“Why do you do what they tell you?”
He turned, glancing back at him. 52 was on the ground not moving an inch. Yet his eyes were barely open. “What are you asking me?” Luce asked.
“The Royals. What do they have on you? You’re strong. You’re decently smart. You could free lance and not work with these pieces of shit.”
“They have nothing on me. I choose to be here.”
“So you do it for what? The money?”
“I serve because I choose to. I am the blade of the Royal’s King.”
“Why does that sound made up?”
“Because you know nothing of us.” He said simply. “You know.” He hesitated and pressed a hand to his head. Grunting he shook his head and repeated himself. “You know nothing about us.”
52 was silent for a long moment after that. As Luce walked to the door he asked one more thing. “Have you ever thought of a life outside of the Royals?”
“For me, there is no life outside of the Royals.”
Leaving the room, he made his way toward the medical facility in the area. As he walked he took a moment and leaned against the wall. Coughing roughly he held onto his chest. Pain was resonating inside of him and he had to grit his teeth to work through it. Hiding it in front of their prisoner was fine but now he could wallow in it slightly. Pushing off the wall he continued to walk and grunted with each step.
As he walked into the room, the doctor stood up and chuckled softly. “Getting a little too rough with the experiments?”
“You could say something like that.” Going toward a small table he sat on the edge and winced again.
“And you’re not wearing your hat.”
“I’d rather not damage it in the fighting.” He said as he rubbed his back slowly.
The doctor walked over to him and ran his hands across his back slowly. “You’re over working yourself against that one. What is it about fighting that experiment that gets you so worked up?”
He shook his head slowly. “I don’t know. It just happens.” Leaning his head forward he took a slow shuddering breath.
“Would you like to take off the suit and shirt or should I?”
“I can manage that much.”
Grunting he shrugged off the suit jacket revealing a white dress shirt. There were splotches of red on the shirt around the back and lower stomach area. As he unbuttoned it he winced and then slid it off his back. He adjusted his breast binder and grunted. The doctor came forward and touched the various bruise marks across his back.
“Are you sure that you want to continue with this charade?”
“It’s not a charade doctor. It’s my life.”
“Not what I meant,” He looked at him before frowning. “This binder can only do so much. I know you’re serious about taking this to the next step. Whenever you are ready to take the procedure I have people who will take care of you. But these half measure aren’t good for you.”
“The King has not yet given me permission to do such a thing. He still has a use for Lucrecia.”
“And all the while Lucian continues to suffer.” The Doctor went to his cabinet. “I’m going to get you some pain killers. They should do the trick however I advise you spend some time resting. You’re young. You should take care of yourself. Both sets of advice I doubt you will take.”
The doctor returned putting some compress packs onto the bruises and tape to keep them in place. Luce chuckled at his words and put his shirt and jacket back on. “I will when I have free time again.”
As the final button was in place the doctor had returned with a quartet of pills and a cup of water. He took them and knocked them back before sipping the water.
“I’m surprised that hasn’t healed yet.”
Luce glanced down though he couldn’t see it. The scar on his face, the aftermath of the burn from one of 52’s friends. “Yes. I’m surprised that it lingers as well. I guess those wounds cause by an Enhance user linger longer. At least in their lasting consequences.”
“Perhaps you’re right. Be careful.”
As he got off the table he grunted before taking a hesitant step forward and then more confident ones. He walked down to the lab and pushed the door open. His black clothing stood out among all the white coats in the room. However, he walked straight through and into a back room where he knew that the King and the scientist would be.
As he stepped into the room he saw three men. A meager worker clutching his file folder. Information was scattered about on a table, which Luce assumed were the man’s findings. Standing were two men, twins. The same white skin, same greying brown hair, same piercing green eyes. One in a pinstripe suit while the other wore suspenders with a lab coat over his arm.
“These findings were promising. Up to a point.” The man in the suit said putting his hand against the papers and picking one up. “Rapid deterioration of the cells of the healer. To the point where their genetic makeup can begin to fall apart. Resulting in an early demise.”
“Yes, a rather unfortunate side effect. However, with this one we’ve made a step forward. 052 was just one of many. We can get others. Repeat what it took to make him and then modify things.”
He coughed and then looked at the scientist. “Well time is also not on my side and you know that.”
“I am very aware of our shared predicament.”
Both men turned to Luce as he entered. Luce put his hands behind his back and held onto them. “Sirs.”
The suited man turned and smiled. “Luce. It is good seeing you again. I was wondering if after the string of fights with 052 that you would be unfit for service.”
“I am the sword of the King. I am always ready when I am needed.”
“I wish my other Knight could be so reliable.” He coughed but frowned. “At least he gets results.”
Luce walked to the King’s side. “Are we leaving this place or is there more that you need done?”
“I would leave but I do believe that we are to have visitors soon.” The King said as he looked at his phone. Putting it to his ear he nodded. “Yes, intruders outside. Tracey? Hmph. I didn’t think he’d return here again. It’s been some five years now.”
Luce was somewhat startled. “What about Queen Evelyn. Is she alright?”
“I would assume so. She is upstairs awaiting your return. Ace’s quarrel is with me and you,” he motioned the other man. “Though I have no doubt that you will be able to defeat him. And put him down finally.”
The King walked forward, toward the door and Luce fell into step beside him. “I’m sure that you’ll be able to figure it out. The secret to our healing these bodies of ours.”
The scientist nodded and glared. “I will be using whatever means necessary. No matter how many of these experiments I’ll have to run through.”
As they left his voice already raised as he started to shout at the others in the room. The King chuckled softly at the sound. “What is it?” Luce asked.
“Mortality is something only weaker men must face. He and I, we fight it because we have the means to.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t know of such things though.”
“Of course not. It’s not your place to.”
“My place is keeping your enemies at bay.”
“Correct. A shame we gave him free will. If he’d been made like you, this would be much simpler.”
Luce nodded and turned around. “Be safe my King. This shouldn’t be long.”
“Wait. You might want this.” As Luce turned he was surprised to see the top hat in his hand. Luce nodded slowly and placed it on his head.
Luce sprinted down the hall as an alarm sounded. An explosion rocked through the facility and he was reminded of the inciting incident. Guards were rushing past him or running alongside. He could just barley hear through the communication system that they were under attack. It was a small amount of people. A few reports of masked individuals. “I will stop these intruders.”
Luce ran ahead of the guards and turned a corner. Entering a stairwell he glanced up. The door exploded outward and he hesitated. Jumping backwards against the railing ducked as gunfire hit his ears. Glancing at the guards he watched them as they tried to shoot them down.
There were only two coming in the front. Both female. One who was hiding behind a metal door while the other was running each bullet passing through her. He’d only seen something like it in 52. “Hold your fire.” He told them and ran forward.
He flipped forward and struck his leg out, kicking at the metal door. Leaning forward he jumped off the door and shoved the other into the wall. Her half black, half white mask reflected nothing of the emotion behind on her face.
Feint grunted and then slid through him, kicking him into the wall. “You. I remember you. You’re the one who attacked Phase.”
Grunting he grabbed her leg and then spun, throwing her against the door. The one behind the door stepped out and dashed forward. He recognized the wave pattern on her mask.
“You mean 52. Yes. I fought him.”
“Where is he?” Yumi asked.
“What makes you think that he is here?”
Head butting her roughly he jumped and kicked her away. Jumping over the pair of them he flexed his fingers slowly. He darted forward and his fingers struck three times at her arm. He then kicked her aside and jumped back to the middle of the hallway.
She tried to raise her hands but only one palm was glowing.
“What the fuck?”
Yumi tried again but only got one hand glowing. Luce ran forward and thrust his palm against her masked face throwing her backwards. “Yumi!”
“Don’t let your guard down Feint!”
He turned his attention to Feint and thrust his arm forward. She managed to block the first blow but not the quick jabs from his fingers. Each one slammed into her chest. She froze on impact coughing. She barely felt the following kick in the chest that sent her stumbling backwards.
Coughing and pressing her forehead against the wall. She couldn’t feel her own fingers and turned her gaze toward him she glared. “What the hell?”
He smirked before going after her again. He thrust his fingers forward and she attempted to shift through it. But she couldn’t make her chest go and narrowly avoided getting hit by his attack. Feint dropped and turned, swinging her legs into his chest.
The blow winded him and she continued the pressure. Punching him in the jaw she stepped forward and kneed him to the ground. Feeling was returning to her chest slowly, which helped matters. She grabbed the man and turned, shoving him into the wall.
“Yumi keep going! Find Ace!”
“You sure about that?”
“No but I can stall him.”
Luce kicked her off and jumped to his feet. Turning on his heel he kicked her in the side, feeling bone against his foot. She grunted but didn’t budge. Instead she ran forward. Luce turned on her instantly his fingers darting for her throat. They stopped in front of her face and Luce took a hard hit to the stomach.
Another blow hit his face and he stumbled backwards glaring. “What?”
“Sorry about that. Didn’t think you needed a hand Feint.” A newcomer materialized with an all black mask on his face.
“It’s fine. Just glad you threw in your two cents in.” She stood at his shoulder her hands raised. “Yumi get going! We can handle this.”
She looked at the two of them and then at Luce before glancing at the guards that were shirking away from the trio. “Alright. I’ll find him.”
She darted past them, over the shoulders of Luce. He tried to grab her but Shade kicked his hand away. Feint shoved her shoulder into his chest throwing him off balance. Both stood in his path. “You’re fighting us.”
Yumi charged through the guards, ignoring their shouts as she leaped over them. “Echo. Rogue. You guys make it in yet?” Yumi asked as she disappeared.
“I believe we have yes.” Echo said looking around and trying to get a feel for the people around her. “I’m working on getting my bearings.”
She ran her fingers against the wall and slowed as she rounded the corner. Waiting for a moment she went low and shot her leg out tripping one of the guards that came by. Rolling over him she shoved the second of the pair into the wall.
Sitting on him she put her hand on his head. “Now tell me your secrets.” The guard stiffened and then flinched away as her mind entered his. Finally he went still and she stood. “I know where Phase is. Rogue this way.”
Rogue took her hand and felt Echo drop images into his mind. After understanding them, they vanished. Together they dropped a floor below and then vanished once more. They appeared inside the cell and Phase was sitting up slightly against the wall. Echo gasped as she ran forward and raised Phase’s head. “What happened to you?”
He groaned, no words leaving his mouth. He managed to see her and nod before shutting his eyes again. She brushed fingers through his hair slowly lingering on the now more prominent white strands. She reached into his mind trying to read his thoughts but they were blank, like he wasn’t thinking.
“What’s wrong with him?” Rogue asked.
She shook her head. “I think he’s been drugged or something like it. We need to get him out of here.”
“Hand him over then. I’ll take him back home.”
He walked toward their downed leader, lifting him up. “I’ll be back.”
Before he could even vanish, he shouted as wind picked up and he was sent flying into the wall. Echo whirled around her eyes widening. “Ramon.”
“Bingo. Glad you know my name.” He said as he kicked open the door. “Though I don’t know you.”
“Echo.” She said and then moved to punch but hesitated. Darting around him she shoved her shoulder into his chest pushing him into the hallway. Rogue appeared beside her kicking Ramon’s legs from under him.
The Knight fell backwards, rolling across the ground and jumped to his feet. “Well I’m out numbered. That’s not good.”
“Rogue get Phase out of here. And before you argue about it we need our leader safe. I can handle this. Go!”
Rogue was silent but nodded. Backing up he went back into the room and picked up Phase. Slinging him over his shoulder he nodded. “I’ll be coming back once we’re safe.”
“Hopefully we’re done by then.”
She heard him vanish and then looked at Ramon. “Now Ramon, shall we settle this.”
“I’m not a fan of fighting girls. Wasn’t raised that way you know?”
“If that’s the case then this should be easy. Or better yet look the other way.”
“I would but I kinda need this job. So you know gotta at least try.”
“Of course. Appearances.” The ground crackled under her and she leaped instantly. Piercing the ceiling with her fingers she held herself up and watched the whips of electricity crackle against the ground.
She looked at him and tried to enter his mind. He looked at her and the moment their eyes met there was sudden feedback. She shouted and fell hitting the ground roughly.
“So you mess around with electric signals to read what goes on in my head huh? At least that’s the theory.”
Echo hissed holding her head standing slowly. “No more trying to do one of those.” She was mumbling to herself as she raised her hands and glared at her opponent.
She reached into her pouch and threw a sphere at him. He reacted, throwing his arms above his head. The sphere exploded and the hallway filled with light and sound. She darted in after the flashbang and threw a quick punch at his jaw. The blow lifted him off his feet her next one slamming him back into the ground.
The wind blasted her backwards but she kept her footing. “Jesus that was brigh. And loud. And shit that hurt! Major props for that but it won’t work a second time. I guarantee that.”
“Oh yeah? What makes you say that?”
“Just try it.” He darted forward and smirked as Echo reached for another bomb. But she wasn’t going to rise to his bait.
She stepped forward and forcibly entered his mind. He was thrown back but they both shouted in pain. With both their heads ringing they slumped against the wall groaning. Ramon’s body wasn’t responding to him as he tried to reach toward her. It was like the he’d been doing rounds of shots for hours straight. “Alright good move. I’m going to stay here. I’m gonna stay here and you go out and do your thing.”
Echo kept her fingers pressed against her head but she was standing again. If the wall wasn’t behind her she probably would have fallen over. She spoke into her mask this time. “Anyone hearing me? We found Phase. Rogue is getting him out.”
“Just me at the moment.” Darren said. “Everyone else is busy. I’ve got some eyes on Ace.” Darren said. “He’s going after the king.”
“Is that your way of saying go help him out?”
“Something like that.”
Getting her bearings and no longer wobbling she started running, “I’m on my way.”
The Harlequin Library 