U.S.S.A HellField

Chapter 26 Anima ex machina

I sat up, only to see the smoke bellowing from the factory. It looked like it was being destroyed from the inside. Were they still fighting in there? Should I try to go back and help him? God, I was so tired.  "You falling asleep?"  Emily asked me, but with her helmet off. - "I wish I was in my bed right now. I'm so sore."  I groaned. - "Me too, it would be nice to sleep in a nice firm bed."  She chuckled as she groaned in pain. - "Firm? No, it has to be a soft mattress."  I said, laughing tiredly. - "Let's agree to disagree."  She chuckled. - "How're your legs? Do you need any medical attention?"  I asked her more seriously. She slipped down against the buggy with a pained groan. - "No, well, I guess you can help remove the armor on my legs."  I got up and walked over to help her out. She wore segmented leg armor that was similar to what Marines would usually wear, but black and slimmer. I undid the latches and carefully removed each one slowly, Emily was definitely in quite a bit of pain. - "You have anything for the pain?"  I asked. She got out a medical kit and opened it. - "Yeah, I've got everything I need for the pain and to help it heal."  She said breathily, getting out two injectors and jabbing them into several spots on each leg. I sat down next to her and waited for a few minutes to let the drugs kick in, we sat in silence just resting.

- "Okay, I think I'm good now, you can help me up."  She sighed. I got to my feet and helped her up carefully. Emily was standing but wobbly. - "Well I think it's doing its job."  I said assuredly. I felt and heard a loud boom come from the Flesh Forge. What was that? I walked to the ledge and saw something large in the lava, was it Damien? The Beast trudged through the thick lava, it barely impeded it as it made its way here. - "Oh shit!"  I said, barely able to contain my fear and anxiety. "He's here and in the lava."  I pointed it out to Emily. She walked over and stood in awe of the beast making his way to us. "Get in your car."  I hurried her. Emily hobbled to her vehicle while I readied my weapon to fight him when he got up here possibly. Minutes passed and he still didn't show up, I went and checked if he was still down there. The Beast was nowhere in sight, as if he was never there to begin with. But I couldn't be too sure he was gone.

The rock beneath my feet began to shake. I couldn't tell where it was coming from, but it was getting closer. I looked down only to meet the gaze of the beast's predatory eyes, the roar he let out seemed like one of recognition. He had latched himself to the base of the rock with his large metal claws and was quickly making his way up to me. If only I had some blood to regain my strength, but the shock of seeing him jolted some energy back into me. seconds later and he had leaped up over ten meters above the rock I stood on. He came crashing down, shaking the very ground we stood on. He was holding something, the lifeless body...remains of Vulrog gripped in his talons. He stood there, just staring at me. He did something very unexpected, he tore the head off with a twist and held out the head for me to take.

- "Take..."  He breathed heavily. I slowly took the Mechite head into my hands, he was an ugly robotic bastard. - "Damien? Are you in there?"  I asked, reaching out to his face, and softly caressing the elongated snout of his helmet. - "Yes...no...I'm not sure."  He seemed to struggle to say. - "Hey, it's okay, you did it. We don't have to worry about them anymore."  I said to him, trying to calm him down. I'm surprised he didn't attack me, even more so, that he was cognizant and in control of himself. A soft glow came from within Damien's chest, I couldn't fully describe its color but it felt so warm. I could feel a strong compulsion to touch the glowing center. As I raised my hand to touch it, a wisp of red and purple energy emanated from me and then into his chest.

Damien's body began shrinking down and returning to normal, it was equally as disturbing and fascinating seeing him return to normal. The blue-white glow of his eyes went out, and then his mouth began receding until it returned to just being a helmet. - "God dammit!"  He gasped as he fell to his knees. I wrapped my arms around him, not wanting to let him go. - "Are you alright, I didn't hurt you, did I?"  I asked, hugging him hard. He put his hand around my back and gripped my shoulder hard. - "Yeah, I'm fine. I don't know what you did, but I'm me again...for now."  He said, standing back up. I was so happy he was alright. I never want him to do that again. Ever.