Chapter 25 RED
The night in Central carried a different weight. It wasn't just the absence of the sun, but a dense sensation, as if the city itself were holding its breath. Streetlamps illuminated the cobblestone roads, casting long shadows that twisted between buildings of stone and steel. At that hour, Central did not sleep—it hid.
Kimblee walked with his hands in his pockets, his coat swaying with each step. His usual smile was there, faint but constant, as if the darkness felt familiar to him, even welcoming. He did not walk in a hurry. Hurry was for those who feared being late.
Beside him walked another man, tall, rigid in posture, with a military coat buttoned up to his neck. Vapor escaped his mouth with every exhale, even though the night was not especially cold.
Isaac McDougal, the Ice Alchemist.
Isaac watched Kimblee from the corner of his eye, his curiosity barely concealed. He had heard rumors—too many. Exaggerated stories, some said. Warnings, others claimed.
"I never thought I'd be assigned a night patrol with you," Isaac said, breaking the silence. "You're… famous."
Kimblee did not reply. His footsteps kept their calm, almost careless rhythm.
Isaac cleared his throat.
"They say your alchemy is… unstable. But effective."
Kimblee stopped abruptly. He turned his head just enough for his crimson gaze to pierce Isaac.
"What are you here for, government dog?" he asked without raising his voice. "To watch me, or to talk nonsense?"
Isaac let out a short laugh, more nervous than amused.
"To stand guard, same as you," he replied. "After all, we're military. Alchemy… alchemy should be used to help the people."
Kimblee resumed walking.
"How optimistic," he murmured. "I didn't expect that from someone with your eyes."
"My eyes?" Isaac asked.
"They still believe," Kimblee replied. "It shows."
They walked a few more blocks, the distant sounds of the city slowly fading. They entered a less traveled area, where the buildings looked older, more neglected. The air smelled of dampness and rust.
That was when they heard it.
A deep, wet sound, accompanied by an uneven dragging. Something was breathing… and not very well.
Isaac stopped short.
"Did you hear that?"
"Of course," Kimblee said, smiling.
From the shadows, the creature emerged.
It was enormous, disproportionate. A muscular body covered in dull scales, reptilian hind legs slamming violently into the ground, and an upper torso reminiscent of a grotesque bird, with incomplete, malformed wings covered in blackened feathers. Its neck was far too long, and its face… a mistake. Human eyes, filled with pain and confusion.
"A chimera…" Isaac whispered, pale. "But… it's incomplete."
The creature roared, a broken sound, as if its throat had never been meant to scream.
Isaac stepped back.
"I've never seen anything like this…"
Kimblee slowly brought his hands together.
"Perfect," he said with genuine enthusiasm. "Just what I was looking for."
Before Isaac could react, Kimblee clapped.
The explosion lit the street like a crimson lightning bolt. The impact hurled the chimera into a wall, sending stones and dust crashing down around it. The beast screamed—a sharp, piercing wail filled with pain.
But it did not fall.
With a clumsy yet powerful motion, it pushed itself up and began to run, dragging one of its legs, smashing everything in its path.
"That wasn't enough!" Isaac shouted.
Kimblee clicked his tongue.
"Faster than it looks."
He glanced at Isaac with disdain.
"Do something," he yelled. "After all, you're a government dog, aren't you?"
Isaac clenched his teeth.
"Shut up."
He thrust his hand toward a nearby puddle. The water responded instantly, rising like a liquid serpent before freezing into a sharp column of ice. He hurled it at the chimera.
The creature narrowly dodged; the column slammed into a wall, coating it in frost.
Isaac advanced, focused, creating more columns one after another, forming a ring of ice that forced the chimera to constantly change direction.
"Don't let it leave this area!" he shouted.
Kimblee was already moving.
He vanished into the shadows, circling the beast with light, almost dancing steps. The chimera whipped its head back and forth, unable to track both attacks.
Kimblee appeared behind it and clapped again.
Another explosion—this one more contained—aimed at one of the deformed wings. Flesh and feathers flew through the air. The chimera collapsed onto its side, slamming into the ground.
But it was still alive.
With a furious roar, it lunged forward, ignoring the pain, and charged straight at Kimblee.
Isaac shouted,
"Watch out!"
Kimblee did not move.
He stood still, watching the creature rush toward him, its claws raised, its hot, putrid breath washing over him.
He smiled.
(End of Chapter)