"I shouldn't have made so much noise." I shook my head, looking at the two Lickers and one Drain Deimos I'd killed.
I have to admit, it was a little amusing at first—when the Lickers' tongues lashed out from different directions and struck me at the same time. But neither of them could budge me an inch, and I didn't even need to exert myself to resist. I simply grabbed the tendrils wrapped around me and pulled… ripping the heads off both attackers. They'd driven their claws too deeply into the building walls.
The one on my left was even less fortunate. The wall beneath it had already been damaged—probably warped by an explosion. It had been "hot" here at the beginning of the outbreak. A chunk of masonry gave way along with the headless Licker, collapsing and crushing the poor creature beneath it.
Then the DD charged me—that insectoid monstrosity. Strange. If I remember the canon correctly, they were supposed to be confined to the laboratory complexes and construction site in Raccoon City. Looks like they'd already spread throughout the city.
Watching the Drain Deimos leap at me from seemingly nowhere—they love attacking from walls and rooftops—was almost entertaining. It landed on me, tried to pierce my skin, failed, and simply slid off. That didn't stop me from delivering a direct punch, crushing its face.
And it was precisely the image of these three martyrs that I was now contemplating, while absorbing their blood. Strange… I felt ravenous, despite the feast I'd had in the pit. Hearing my own voice, I tried to grimace. Yes, that's difficult to do when you're missing most of your facial muscles. And the voice… even a chain-smoking asthmatic laid low with a cold would sound better than this. Damn it. Nothing but frustration.
Lifting my head, I noted with surprise that the sun had long since risen. When Four Eyes and I split up, it had only just been dawn. I sighed involuntarily, registering at the edge of my awareness that instead of a proper breath, what came out sounded like the death rattle of someone on their last gasp. And how am I supposed to talk to people with a voice like this?
I urgently need samples of T-Veronica and Wesker's prototype virus. The first will grant me a stable human form and the ability to shift into another at will. As for the minor detail of enhanced, controlled psi abilities — I won't even mention it. The latter would make me truly alive again, while also strengthening me a little more.
As things stand, I suspect that of everything I've absorbed, only three viruses remain: the Progenitor strain from Trevor, and two variants of the G-virus—Birkin's and my own, which is anyone's guess at this point. What those three "titans of genetics" have molded me into… I'd rather not know.
Without a running start or any strain, I leapt onto a rooftop. Strength without brains—that saying fits disturbingly well. Landing smoothly, I headed toward the point where we'd split into two teams. I didn't know the direct route from here, but from there I knew both the direction and the approximate appearance of the building—the Umbrella emblem would serve as a landmark. Besides, traveling by rooftops is faster and safer, which means Yamata is most likely using the same path. As for how clearly I'll be able to see a lone figure moving along the same path as I do — best not to mention it at all.
Half a block before our rendezvous point, I spotted a dot approaching across the rooftops to my left and far ahead. Given the lack of lighting, the conclusion was obvious.
Changing course, I moved to intercept. Within half a minute, I came to a halt on the roof where the Four Eyes was about to land.
She met my expectations, landing before me — and even in mid flight she hurled a knife my way. Well, a slight hitch: she hadn't seen me in this form, and compared to my previous one I looked utterly different.
The knife struck my chest blade-first, harmlessly, and clattered to the floor at my feet. I raised my arms in a placating gesture, elbows bent.
"Stop, it's me!" And again—rasping, strained wheezing. Unintelligible to anyone but me, who knew what I'd said.
Damn it. How am I supposed to explain that I'm not just another abomination spawned by this cursed city? Hell, I'm not entirely convinced of that myself. And as for the Four Eyes, I'd rather not even speak.I still have to prove that I'm me… and explain where the ghouls and Kate went.
Ah, Kate… what were you thinking? Thank you for saving me, but how foolish it was. I should have sent her off with Yamata. But then I would've died there myself… a dilemma indeed.
"Cain, stop it! Don't shout in my head like that!" Yamata screamed, clutching her head.
What?!
"Aah! Nothing—just think quieter!" she collapsed to her knees, answering the question I hadn't voiced.
Damn mouse! Trevor had that Call—and that's basically telepathy, which I now seem to be using myself.
But how can one think more quietly?! All right, enough questions — the last thing I need is to boil my partner's brain. Focus… and try to think quieter… think quieter…
(End of Chapter)
P@treon: /SadRaven
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