Chapter 26 Crimson Hibernation
Kimblee did not step back.
He remained still, motionless in the middle of the ruined street, with dust remnants still floating in the air. His feet were firmly planted on the cobblestones, his posture relaxed, almost careless. In front of him, the chimera breathed with difficulty, its battered body still driven by a primitive instinct that recognized neither pain nor reason. Its deformed eyes locked onto Kimblee with a mix of fury and confusion.
Kimblee slightly opened his arms, as if inviting the attack.
"Come on," he murmured. "Show me what else you can do."
The chimera answered with a harsh roar and lunged at him. Its claws closed around Kimblee's body with brutal force, lifting him off the ground. The air was knocked from Kimblee's lungs for a moment, but instead of screaming, he laughed.
A clear, genuine laugh.
"Is that all, demon?" he said, still trapped. "After all that noise… this is the best you've got?"
The chimera brought its jaws close to Kimblee's neck. The heat of its breath was nauseating, thick with a chemical, unnatural stench. Its fangs trembled, hesitant, as if some part of it still doubted.
That was when the air changed.
The ground cracked.
A sudden cold swept through the street like an invisible wave. Before the chimera could close its bite, a mass of ice erupted violently from the side and struck it head-on. The blow was precise, aimed at its torso and limbs.
"Now!" McDougal shouted.
The ice began to spread, climbing over the creature's body, wrapping around its limbs, its neck, its chest. The chimera tried to move, but its muscles stiffened rapidly. Its breathing slowed, becoming heavy and labored.
The cold did not destroy it.
It shut it down.
Being partially cold-blooded, the ice forced its body into a state of induced hibernation. Its eyes slowly closed, and its dead weight collapsed onto the ground with a dull thud.
Kimblee fell with it, rolling several meters before coming to a stop. He lay on his back for a few seconds, staring up at the night sky, still chuckling under his breath.
McDougal approached cautiously, keeping one hand extended in case he needed to form more ice.
"It got a good hold on you," he said. "That was reckless."
Kimblee lifted his head and looked at him.
"Reckless?" he replied. "It was entertaining."
McDougal shook his head and offered him a hand.
"Come on. Get up."
Kimblee accepted the help. As he stood, he brushed the dust from his coat and took a deep breath.
"I almost didn't make it, government dog," he said with a crooked smile.
McDougal let out a short laugh.
"Don't start," he replied. "If it weren't for me, you'd be headless right now."
"Details," Kimblee shot back.
They both laughed—brief, strange laughter born from exhaustion and adrenaline. The tension of the fight began to fade as they looked at the motionless body of the chimera, now completely encased in ice.
With the help of reinforcements, the creature was transported for study. The journey was silent, accompanied only by the metallic clink of chains and the crunch of ice scraping against the ground.
Headquarters
Back at headquarters, the chimera was handed over to the appropriate authorities. Scientists and officers surrounded it immediately, taking notes and carefully observing its deformed anatomy.
McDougal watched from a distance, frowning.
"This isn't normal," he finally said. "Someone did this on purpose. We should investigate who created that thing."
Kimblee shrugged.
"What for?" he replied. "My job is to protect Central City. I'm not a detective. I'm just a soldier."
McDougal looked at him, unconvinced.
"You might be right."
He let out a soft, almost resigned laugh.
"Still… something inside me tells me this isn't over."
Kimblee didn't answer. His smile remained intact, indifferent.
The chimera disappeared shortly after being handed over. Later, it was revealed that it had been a creation of the scientists from Laboratory 2. It had escaped because it possessed no consciousness at all: it was not a complete chimera.
And for that reason, it should never have existed.
(End of Chapter)