Whoremunculi Pt 03

Chapter 5

The camp turns into utter chaos as the troops gather themselves and start to mount a defensive. Zeik stands his ears ringing from the blast as Casi comes to his side. She helps him stand as they nod to each other before heading north towards the sounds of battle. To his left Zeik already sees Beis tearring through soldiers, to his right Aben helps to pull people out of burning fire.

Faye and Twe run past them surging with energy as Twe leaps into the air and disappears into the darkness. The sound of thunder cracks as she lands somewhere up ahead and tears through whoever is out there.

Molle wakes slowly pushing rubble off of her as she stands. She looks around frantically only to see the area clear of people only a massive hole. She hears a loud rumble from the north so turns to head in that direction. She moves like lightning taking out enemy troop after enemy troop. They seem mindless and easily defeated but the sheer number of them almost seems overwhelming.

The battle is long and hard fought but soon the troops and Alchemists prevail. The sun starts to rise as the last of the enemy troops is felled. Faye starts the organization of tending to the wounded and injured. Reik works with the troops to secure the area to watch for any further attacks.

Molle pulls a soldier, "Where is Captain Zeb"

The soldier shrugs, "No one has seen him for hours..."

Molle freezes as she looks around, "No.....no......no."

She runs to the ruins of the fire pit and starts to look around, "Zeb!!! Zeb!!" she cries as she looks around. She flings debris left and right as tears stream down her face, "ZEEEEEEEEEEB!!"

Several soldiers show up, "Start here....form a perimeter and look around...."

They work methodically to search the rubble of the camp. In a short time a soldier is heard shouting, "I found him! He's here.....we need a healer!!!"

Molle moves like lightning through the camp towards the soldier. Under some rocks and debris Zeb lies looking severely injured and tired. "Zeb! Oh no!!!" she drops to her knees and pushes the rocks off of him easily. "ZeB! No no!!"

She places her hands on his chest as he weakly grabs her hand. She gathers energy and tries to push it into him but they will not take. He whispers to her, "I am not going to make it...I am too far gone..."

"Zeb, don't say that! I should have gotten here sooner!"

He reaches up to touch her face, "It was too late from the beginning..."

She falls onto his chest and sobs. Reik and Faye arrive, having been summoned to help heal. Faye orders, "Move.....we must help."

Molle looks up sobbing, "It is too late his body is beyond healing...."

Faye speaks sternly, "Does he still ive?"

Molle blinks, "Yes...but not for long."

Faye orders, "Bond him then."

Molle gasps, "Bond?? I ...I can't."

Faye orders again, "Bond him before it is too late!"

Reik motions and shouts, "Clear the area this is not for your eyes."

The troops pay their respect to their captain and fall back to help others still in need.

Molle looks down at her lifelong friend and is too stunned to speak. Faye pushes past her to clear debris off the captain. She pulls out a blade to tear his garments. Reik steps in to undo his shoes and helps to quickly remove his socks, pants and undergarments. They clear Zeb's body of any restraints making sure nothing is in the way. Reik stands and puts his hand on the chunk of wood sticking from Zeb's abdomen. He nods to Faye who snaps her fingers in Molle's face. "Molle!! Molle! Focus."

Molle blinks and looks into Faye's eyes, "I ...I can't."

"You either do this or you lose him forever."

Molle looks into Zeb's eyes as she holds his hands, "Old friend...."

Zeb coughs and squeezes her hand lightly, "I know....."

Molle cries, "You'll never be the same again..."

Zeb nods, "But I will still be alive....and with you."

Molle cries as she stands. Faye takes a step back, "Be ready!" she nods to Reik who yanks the wood out of Zeb who groans loudly. Blood starts to pour rapidly from the wound as Faye shouts "NOW!!!"

Molle reaches into behind her to pull out some items from a back pouch. She pushes energy through the seal before her. The energy is palpable swirling all around her. She looks down at her beloved friend, "Zeb....I offer you the chance to live. I offer you to be my bond and join with me now until the hour of my death. Will you join with me and become my Whoremunculi?"

Zeb rasps for air as he nods, "I will....."

A tear runs down her face as she whispers, "I am your bond as you are mine."

Energy crackles from her body through the seal. It sparks and surges over Zeb's body. Zeb lets go his final breath as he succumbs to the wounds he sustained. The energy crackles and races over his body. A glowing sphere starts to rise from his chest...the essence that is his soul his body turns grey and ashen. The energy crackles over the orb glowing in its intensity.

Molle sob speaks, "I return you to life. I breathe life through you, in you and for you."

The energy races again, sparking through his soul orb lifting his former body into the air. The seal sparks and splits over his body, attaching itself to his body healing his injuries and reanimating his frame. The ashen skin regains a soft tan tone as the energies breathe new life into his shell. The soul orb glows, pulsing over his body. It trembles as it starts to split into seven smaller orbs. The largest of which settles into his chest the others fixing themselves to his body.

The energy begins to fade and his naked body lowers to the ground as white garments form from the aether over his chest and genitals. His form touches the ground softly where it lays for several moments. Faye walks over to Molle to touch her shoulder with comfort, "Did it work?" Molle whispers.

Faye nods, "I think so...."

Zeb opens his eyes and sits up quickly, "Gaaaaaaaaaaasp"

"Zeb!" she cries but Reik and Faye hold her back.