Entry start.
It's been bugging me about the situation that I imposed onto Sis. She can't remember what I did to her. We somehow went back on track and investigated the trap area. It seemed it was conducted by inexpensive customized gas emitters and a trigger that snipped the wiring to the doors and activated the traps simultaneously when the RAcast dummy was tipped over in any way. I feel like a fool to have fallen for a cheap trick.
"Calai."
I looked over to Sis, seeing her kneeling where... Wait. That was where I--"Y-yes?"
"I believe our chance of annihilation was absolute. Yet, we somehow survived." She moved her hand from the location where my hands made contact to her cheeks. "I cannot comprehend what happened. It is most mysterious."
"Indeed." Yeah... Mysterious to you. "Just be glad we survived, okay?"
She glanced at me for a moment and nodded after some hesitation. "I wonder what would have happened to us if we did become annihilated. Will Daddy know what happened?"
"Oh, stop worrying about that hypothetical shi--stuff!" Sis looked at me again, driving me even more into a panic. "W-what?"
"You are hiding something," she said.
"O-oh! I am? I guess I am..."
She looked away and started glancing about for a direction to go to. "It does not matter. Secrets are mostly coercive, anyway."
Indeed. Wait... What does coercive mean? But anyway, Sis began heading to one direction and... well... I felt I should say something to our real savior.
When we came to an awkward part of the caves that had a tunnel that had lots of running water, I held my hands together and said, "Thank you for saving us."
"You firm believer, I wish to see you again."
My cheeks sizzled a little. "Just be sure to protect Sis too."
"Yes... And again, I am sorry for--"
"It's not your fault." I was shaking my head when I said that. "I wasn't clear about what I wanted, but I guess that we're in better terms now, right?"
"Yes. However, a haunting will happen in the water channel that you and your sister are heading to. Do talk about that one hero... What is it you call it?"
"Tyrell's Hero. Yes. I know about that. I'll talk to Sis about it." My eyes opened. Immediately, I noticed that Sis was looking at me. It was that look of "You better tell me this time, Lady" and the sort. I was not ready to confront her just yet... To mask my insecurity, I said as I came to her, "Why the scary look?"
"This is my usual face."
Yeah. Your face is scary enough to scare even children. I held my hands behind me and said, "So, if I recall correctly, this is a water channel that will lead into the restricted zones, or the mines if you should call it."
Sis folded her arms and said, "I assume you have been here before."
"Oh. No, I haven't." Wait a minute. How did I know about that anyway?
"Don't worry."
Oh. That's why. Well, in that case... "Do you remember Former-Principal Tyrell's Hero?" There we go. A different look on Sis's face. In fact, it makes me want to laugh by how her eyes gleam. "Well, I guess the light in your head finally shines."
"Continue, Calai."
Seriously, she took a step too close to me that I can see hair strands. I flicked of lock of my hair, being self-conscious about her seeing mine. I turned back to the water and said, "Well... numerous people and data claimed that there was an altered creature that lurked in these waters during the time of Tyrell's Hero's appearance. A scientist codenamed 'Mome' claimed that he accompanied a person who managed to fend off this creature by himself! Can't you believe that?" I turned back to her with such energy that even shocks myself. Seriously! I don't know what I'm saying! But now to say what I do know. "Not only that, this hero was the one who slayed a dragon that haunted the Central Dome relic!" I clapped my hands before my chin with a ridiculous smile on my face. Seriously, I don't know what information I'm going on about. "That Hunter must be magnificent. How I wish to kill that Hunter!"
Whoa, hey. I didn't want to say that.
"Sorry, again. I expressed myself on that part."
Seriously, that hero must be one heck of an ass to you.
"... Yes..."
Suddenly, Sis asked, "Do you know what kind of creature Professor Mome claimed to have seen?"
Huh. I don't really know that much about--"De Rol Le. It was a crustacean. It had a worm-like structure and was amphibious. It had a tough carapace and heavily-calcified head structure that looked like a massive dragon skull. It also had two antannae that extended from each side of its head. These were used to stab into its prey and leech energy from them. The tips of the antannae were strong enough to pierce through even military-class shields and armor. As a result of being stabbed by it, it ejects a type of infectious lubricant that infected its host to undergo mutations."
Whoa, that's De Rol Le? I just knew it was a crustacean.
"Yes. I believe you know something about it."
To seem as if I was talking myself, I said, "Though, there are cases of non-organics being infected as well. A hypothesis was that the non-organics that had bacterium on their shells were the ones mutating to the lubricant and then affecting the non-organic in that manner." Now to pretend to be interested. I laughed and spun like a giddy schoolgirl to face her. "Quite a creature, isn't it? And to believe that this creature actually lived in this very channel! Isn't it amazing?"
Sis looked up to me with a gesture of annoyance. "Yes."
Uh... From what I know about Organics, that's a look of "Yeah. Uh-huh. Shut up already." and it's not the best to have when done giving a lecture. It feels like it's a waste of time. In attempt to spice excitement, I said, "Can't you say that with more enthusiasm?"
"Yes."
Grr... This bitch... She's toying with me again. "Anyway, we'd be in trouble if we actually ran into that thing here. It's almost exciting just thinking about it!"
Indeed, it was a bit exciting. If I can somehow kill that thing, it'll prove to myself that I can protect Sis, that I can be of use to her. Yes, that thing she said about being useless... It stung like a Gi Gue's stinger up the ass and more.
Hm? What's that? "Oh, look! It's coming finally!" Yeah... uh... what is "it"?
It's a hovercraft of some sort. It gradually slowed down until it stopped in front of us. Whoa. It was like looking at the aftermath of a horror film. There were burn streaks, dents toward the sides of the craft, and puncture marks here and there. Man... Oh man...!
"Amazing!" I gleefully said as I felt along the surface of the flat hovercraft. The rumors... These are all proof that they all indeed happened. It had to be real! "This has got to be one of the crafts that De Rol Le terrorized! The rumors have got to be true. De Rol Le was said to have the ability to absorb either light or electricity and expel it as superheated photons from its long thorax or a concentrated beam from its oral cavity." But wait a minute... "Too bad, though. It's considered to be dead, though as we know, there is the artificial variant. Do you remember Barba Ray, Sis?"
Suddenly, something struck the hovercraft. Sis tumbled a little. I forgot. She's not an actual combat CAST like me. I got used to seeing her excel further than a normal Butler-type CAST that I forgot that her specializations are far too limited and that her capabilities are not as efficient as mine. I pushed her down onto the hovercraft. I stood up with myself bracing for impact. Then, lights went out.
"I knew it. De Rol Le was never eliminated."
"What...?" No way... I was just kidding that we should fight it! Sis... I turned to Sis and instructed, "Check your inventory." I was already rummaging through mine. "See if you got everything you need."
"Calai--?"
"Now!"
I'm sorry, Sis. I need to get serious here. I need you to focus on survival. You can do that at least, right? I got Twin Gatlings, Twin Assaults, a Sniper, a Handgun, and a Saber to my arsonal. What'll work best here? Sniper? But Gatling can kill it faster if it stayed still... No. Sniper...? Wait... A splash? I looked over to my side, looking over to Sis. Is she prepared? Then, something jumped over the hovercraft. I don't care! I'll just use what forms in my hands! Sis armed her Blaster whereas I had my Twin Assaults. Maybe it's best. I'll just overheat this thing and...
Wait a minute. The head. It's not like the usual one that was shown in the labs! It's the adult variant: Dal Ra Lie! No...! No, no, no! Please, help me!
"Give me some time."
Time? That's what I'll give! I began firing upon it, but the moment I started, something odd started to glow from its body. I looked over to my side to see Sis standing all stupid. No. Sis! Don't do this to me!
"Sis! Watch out!"
She snapped out of her trance the moment Dal Ra Lie fired barrages of light-type photons. I easily dodged around every shot but found Sis retreating. I can't do anything here... I'm... I'm so powerless! I watched Sis narrowly dodge the first barrage but no so with the second. She took damage to her knee, shattering it. Dal Ra Lie... You goddamn fucker!!!
I fired everything I could upon its head but it seemed it was barely even phasing it. However, bits of its armor were chipping off. Maybe if I did enough to its helmet, it'll start feeling pain. It jumped onto the side of the craft, making me tumble a little. If my footing was terrible, I would have fallen off the craft. Wait... Something...
Suddenly, it launched one of its antannae just over my shoulder. It narrowly missed Sis as she managed to dive out of the way. I turned my attention to its head and began firing. C'mon... C'mon! Look at me! It launched a second, evidently aiming for Sis. She stumbled out of the way but she was dangling off the edge of the craft! Sis! I broke into a dash toward her direction. If I go too fast, I'll end up tackling us both off the edge of the craft. If I go too slow, she'll be hit! I... I don't know if...!
Out of nowhere, something knicked my shoulder. Then, some long thing extended out and...! "Sis!!!"
No...! No! No!!! No, no!!! I tried pulling the antanna off Sis but it proved useless! Then, it lifted up. I lost my grip because of how slippery it was. Sis... Where's she...? Sis? On the tip, Sis dangled lifeless on its raised tip. As if that was not enough... A fourth struck hit her again, scrapping her torso. Material was left on the third antanna. The fourth then started excreting that liquid substance that stank so horribly. Sis... No...
I fell onto my knees in defeat. I knew I was strong but to have lost Sis just like this... I don't care anymore! "Are you there?"
"Yes. What is your will?"
"Sis... I failed... Sis...!" I cradled my head to the surface of the craft.
Suddenly, I heard a loud crack. That's got to be the sound of Sis mutating. De Rol Le was able to do that back then even with CASTs. How much more with Dal Ra Lie. I'll put her out of her misery. I'll... Wait... The sound of a cracking carapace? Dal Ra Lie gave a painful cry. I finally raised my head to find Sis upright with the antanna snapped apart and the needle still connected to her body. She looked down to it with little regard, laid her hand on one end, and ripped it out of her torso. Sis? Sis... Your wound is closing... You're still Sis, right?
She then walked toward Dal Ra Lie as it dangled on the side of the hovercraft. Dal Ra Lie launched another antanna but she stopped it with a fingertip. She flicked it and a massive destructive force broke the antanna off its head. Then, it tried to strike her simultaneously with the other two. She punched one straight on and then to the other. The two broke into particles... A-amazing...! She projected her arm back in front of Dal Ra Lie's face. Odd... There was a large collection of dark photons collecting to her fist... Then, she did a straight punch to its face. A loud crack resounded. Dal Ra Lie roared as it skidded across the surface of the water and hit the side of the water channel.
Suddenly, Sis started falling. I ran to her and caught her just in time before she fell overboard. A loud roar came from behind the craft. It's still alive? No way! I thought that would be enough to kill it for sure!
"Sis, snap out of it!" I patted her face continuously but her eyes remained closed. "Sis! What're you doing!? Get up!"
Sis abruptly gasped for her breath, making me drop her by accident. I thought she was going to attack me! She held a hand to her belly as she lifted herself upright. Sis... She's Sis, right? She continued feeling about her torso as if expecting something. Even I was surprised that she healed so fast.
Dal Ra Lie was gaining on us! It dove down, swam under the hovercraft and surfaced in front of the craft. I began firing upon its tail but it seemed my shots were not even phasing it. Then, it whipped its tail up. That can't be good...
"Sis! Incoming!"
Spikes launched from its tail toward the craft. I dove just under a few and they struck the hovercraft. It began to give off a clicking noise. I don't know what's happening but I won't risk whatever's going on! I did my usual fix-it shots, onto the spikes. Each shot punctured a hole where a stinky syrup oozed out. Holy shit...! It smelled like an Organic's excretions! It seemed Sis was doing the same as me. That must mean we're doing something right. Then, Dal Ra Lie fired another barrage of light photons. I can't do anything... I'll have to pull myself through and hope that Sis will evade somehow. I watched the photons' approach pattern and jumped into an opening in the barrage. I slid a little and began firing upon Dal Ra Lie's head.
Wait... Sis? She was next to me... She's safe. What a relief! We kept firing upon it as it tried to evade us but the head gear broke off at the process. Yes! There is improvement on this situation! It jumped over the hover craft and landed to the other side. Afterwards, it shot another light barrage. I saw Sis lead the charge and dive through. I copied her movements but took a little damage to my hip accessories. Sis... What's going on? This isn't like you.
We both began firing upon it but it slowed down until out of sight. Is it over? I dropped down onto my knees and groaned. Then, there was a sound of something crashing from behind the the hovercraft. I looked up to find Dal Ra Lie knocking off loose gravel from the ceiling. Seriously, this thing doesn't know when to quit! I moved aside and twirled to and fro to dodge incoming debris. Shit...! My right arm took a swinging electrical! It short-circuited from my shoulder down. Sis... Where are you? The lights flicked off and all I could see were the lights provided from the hovercraft. I looked around for a sign of something to go by. What? Another barrage of light photons? I can't keep this up! I slid under a narrow opening but saw Sis diving over me as if we were some kind of stunt duo. Sis, I don't know if I should be happy that you're competent or sad that I'm the one slowing us down.
Then, a light source concentrated behind the hovercraft. I soon realized that Dal Ra Lie was charging a concentrated beam! I only had time to roll. My movements were becoming sloppy. This can't be good. When I looked over to Dal Ra Lie, I saw it charging for another sweep shot! I only used the time to prepare for another movement. Dal Ra Lie then fired toward my direction. Shit... Shit!!! Due to panic, I dove to the side, only to realize I was diving off the edge of the hovercraft. I whipped my left arm out for something to grab onto. The moment I felt something, I grabbed it. It seemed what I was holding onto was a pipe from one of the fallen debris. My whole body was submerged underneath all the sewage. My arm holding onto the debris was the only one outside. Along with waste from the water channel splashing against me, I thought I heard a roar. Lights were coming on. I can't hold on much longer...! I have to be the one to protect Sis. I can do this. I don't need to call for her help!
"You fool! Call for her!"
"I..." I could feel my strength reaching its end. I can't keep this up any longer. With what strength I could muster, I pulled myself up and yelled, "Ugh... S-Sis...!"
Almost instantly, Sis came to my aid and grabbed my outstretched arm. She was heeving me back onto the craft all by herself with so much resistance pulling me back. How strong is she really? Sis... I don't care. All that matters is that you're alive.
After some time, I was kneeling on the surface of the craft, completely exhausted. The smell on me... Shit... I'm going to need a bath or something. I looked up to Sis and then over her shoulder. Dal Ra Lie... Where is it? I saw Altered Beast blood on the surface of the craft. Could it be?
"Sis!" Holy fucking shit! I couldn't help but hug Sis. It's over! "I can't believe it! You just took out Dal Ra Lie!"
"Huh?
I held a hand over her hands. "Dal Ra Lie! Dal Ra Lie! It's considered to be an adult variant of De Rol Le, and I can't believe...!" ... how useless I was... You're not supposed to be better that me, Sis! "I can't wait to kill you someday!"
"K-kill me?"
Suddenly, I realized I was pecking a kiss onto Sis's face. Oh no... No! I glanced up to her as I backed away and turned my back to her as I stood up. My right arm was operational again. Find something to say... C'mon...! "You're so serious. Can't you take it easy for a while?"
Again, I'm projecting myself onto Sis. I can't believe that my performance was terrible in comparison to Sis, and she's not even supposed to be a combat CAST! I don't want to admit she's better than me. I have to be the older sister. I'm supposed to be the one who takes care of her! I can't believe that I...
Suddenly, something came around me and pulled me back. I was bracing for another attack but soon realized the pattern of one of the arms around me. "Sis?" I asked in surprise.
"S-shut up. Forget what I'm doing."
Sis... I can't believe what's happening. Never again would I have thought that I would feel weak like this. Sis, you beat me this time. I promise it'll never happen again.
End entry.
Location is Ragol.
Scene is an underground water channel.
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