The next day, both Ruby and Yuki were in one of the operating rooms. This was one of the bad case scenarios they were hoping to avoid, but until the Hero shows up, they can't very well make any moves just yet. Both girls were likely to be very weak when it came time to escape, but Judieth assured them that wouldn't be a problem.
"I'll have you out of here without anyone suspecting a thing." She said confidently when Ruby asked how she would get them out. "Plus, he won't have a choice in the matter."
Now strapped down on the table with a bunch of machines and tools around and connected to her. Ruby couldn't help but feel a little nervous. She was more worried about the girl on the table beside her in a similar situation. Silently wishing that at least Yuki would get out of this situation, alright.
'I really need the Hero to show up right now.' Even though Ruby has put what little faith she has in Judieth, she couldn't help but have a little doubt. After all, why would Judieth help them anyway. What's their motive? 'I have to admit, I may have been a little overzealous when I heard about an opportunity to escape.'
While Dr. Vancer and Sable got things ready. The silver hair girl turned her Crimson eyes towards the Demon next to her. Watching as her friend's chest rose in fell a little faster than usual as she laid strapped to the table. Watching the Pink Girl fidget made Ruby feel very helpless. She wanted nothing more than to comfort her at that moment.
Seemingly sensing Ruby staring at her, Yuki turned her head towards her. Staring at each other, they both gave a slow nod to the other, reassuring them that they were going to be alright. Yuki then gave the Crimson eyed girl a small smile before turning to stare at the ceiling, waiting for things to begin.
"Dr. Vancer... someone seemed to have forgotten to pack the monster anesthetics by mistake." Sable said, looking through some boxes. "We won't be able to sedate Twenty-four this way.
"That's not a problem. we'll just work while she's awake." Responded Dr. Vancer. "We'll just have to put extra restraints on her. Keep the moving to a minimum."
"How abo-"
"Just do it."
As the two men glared at each other, Ruby grimaced. Without the monster anesthetics, she was about to be awake for whatever they had planned for her today. She always hated when that happened. On top of that, this procedure was going to mess with her Mana-links. She was always heavily sedated whenever they poked and prodded with them. She heard that having your Mana-links messed with is one of the most painful, mind-numbing experiences for anyone to experience.
'I'm not that worried. I'm positive that it'll be the most painful thing I'll experience, but I'm sure I can handle it.' She thought to herself. 'I've been subjected to pain for most of my life. I just have to deal with a little bit more for a little longer. I can hang on till then.'
After reassuring herself, she noticed that Sable and Dr. Vancer were done with their glaring contest. With Sable giving Yuki a dose of strong but normal anesthetics. They then moved in between the two tables the girls were on and picked up some tool up to begin the procedure.
Hovering over Ruby with what looked like a handle with a hoop at the end and a hooked tool. Sable then whispered something to her before they started.
"I'm so sorry."
Before she could process the words, she just heard the procedure began. Ruby's entire body felt like she was frozen, on fire, crushed, and sliced, and many other sensations impossible to describe, all at once.
"AAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHH!"
Letting out a blood curdling scream. Ruby realized too late that she has greatly underestimated the pain she was going to be subjected to. She started Writhing around and pulling on the reinforced restraints. Pulling so hard, she started to draw blood from where the restraints were cutting into her skin.
Dr. Vancer watched in mild shock at this scene in front of him. He had never seen someone have their Mana-links forcefully messed with while awake. It was more horrific than he was expecting. Even to someone used to witnessing the suffering of others, this was too much.
Seemingly paying no mind to either of them, Sable expertly maneuvered their tools that seemed to phase through the right side of the screaming girl's chest. They then slowly pulled an ethereal Crimson strand of light from her. Carefully guiding the Strand of Mana from her body to Diamond shaped Crystal about 28cm long.
When the Mana-link connected with the Crystal, it proceeded to turn a Crimson color. Sable, then proceeded to do the same to Yuki. Even with strong anesthetic suppressing a lot of the pain, Yuki still experienced extreme agony. When Sable pulled the Purple ethereal strand of mana from Yuki and connected it to the Crystal, both of the girl's chests began to faintly glow.
____________________________________________
--Ruby's POV--
"AAAAAUUUUUGGGHHH"
The torment I was experiencing coursed through my body almost instantly. I was feeling every sensation at once. The agony of my situation was so great that it was like it was trying to pierce my soul. I pulled on the restraints in a vain attempt to try and escape from my situation. My arms pulled themselves from their sockets, and I bleed from the attempts.
Suddenly, I felt a part of me connect to something. It was a cold feeling. It wasn't unpleasant, but it wasn't pleasant either. What a strange sensation, the unbearable pain I was experiencing before was no longer there. It still hurts a lot, but I can handle this amount of pain.
I slowly opened my eyes and looked over to Yuki, my vision hazy from the pain. She had an agonized expression on her face, but it seemed like it wasn't as intense as mine was. That's good. I'm so tired, but I can't pass out. I refuse to pass out. Not here, not yet.
A moment later, Sable pulled a glowing purple strand from Yuki. It was a mesmerizing sight. I watch in slow motion as the person with the raven mask connected the strand of light to a crystal. I then noticed a Crimson strand of light already connected to the crystal coming from my body.
The moment the Amethyst, like Mana, connected with the Crystal, the two colors began to react to each other. They began to mingle and swirl around each other. In a weird but fascinating dance. Very quickly, the colors began mixed together in an entrancing display. Slowly connecting in places. My chest began to glow shortly after. I jumped slightly in surprise when that happened. But looking over at the Demon girl whose chest was also glowing, I fig-
(I'm scared.)
Without warning, I suddenly felt a wave of fear run through my body. It was weird it felt... foreign. Where was it coming from? My mind was muddled thanks to the pain earlier, but I should be able to-
(It hurts.' 'I'm scared.)
Another wave of fear and a sudden bout of pain coursed through me. These feelings are weak but growing stronger by the second. The source, what is the source of all this? I feel like I should know. This is so vexing.
I looked over at Sable, who placed the two tools down from earlier, which made me feel a sudden rush of relief. Weirdly enough, Yuki also made a sound that sounded like her relaxing a bit at almost the same time. Sable looked at both of us when that happened and nodded. They proceeded to then pick up two vials of some kind of liquid. They uncorked the vial and brought it towards me...
Wait.
"mmmgggghhh." Keeping my mouth shut, I protested when Sable tried to make me drink it.
"Don't make this harder for both of us, please." They said with a sigh. Then, they lowered their voice. "I don't want to force you. So just drink."
I glared in response. No offense, but I really didn't want to listen to someone who just put me through possibly the worst experience in my life. So no, I won't cooperate... wait, you can't hear this.
Seeing my glare seemed to be enough to get the point across, however. Sable just sighed and then proceeded to grab my face with one hand, attempting to open my mouth. The smell of damp earth and death invaded my nose when they did this.
"nnnnnngggghhhhh." Gritting my teeth, I did everything in my power to resist. Sadly, things didn't go according to plan. With my body weakened, I didn't put up much of a fight.
"Grr." Giving a literal growl of frustration when the surprisingly sweet and thick liquid entered my mouth. I swallowed unconsciously. The sweet taste gives me a feeling of nostalgia. But as I was feeling frustrated, Yuki also made dissatisfied angry noises.
(I'm scared. 'It hurts. 'I'll kill them.)
After drinking that liquid, the connection that was slowly getting stronger suddenly felt a bit clearer. Now I can tell it was coming from Yuki. I can feel her pain, fear, and now anger. On top of that, a bit of that glowing light from my chest seemed to have traveled down my Mana-link and was now inside the Crystal. Really, what is going on here?
Sable took the second vile and had Yuki drink the contents inside. The same thing that happened to me happened to her as well, with the light from her chest traveling up the Mana-link stand. The connection also grew stronger again. There are too many emotions to focus on. Anyway, that's not what I'm paying attention to.
A sharp gasp came from Yuki suddenly, her eyes briefly opening. At some point, she started facing me, so I was able to clearly tell that her left eye had turned a deep Crimson. Even a portion of her hair turned a Silvery White color. Just like me. I also noticed two small horns growing on her forehead. That's new. That must have something to do with her demon origins.
(I'm scared. 'It hurts. I'll kill them. Ruby, Ella.)
I can feel a change in my body as well. The teeth in my mouth are growing sharp and pointed. The nails on my hands were also growing sharp and claw-like. Since my hands were balled up, it started digging into my skin, which is how I was able to tell. Though going off of Yuki and how my feet feel a little weird suddenly, I can assume the same happened to my feet. Physical changes weren't the only thing that happened to me. Something in me was also changing, but I couldn't tell what that was.
"We're almost finished now. This is going to hurt again." Sable said to me. They then proceeded to grab some more tools from the table. Before I could see what they were, I found myself once again in pure agony.
____________________________
--General POV--
Sable carefully started splitting the stand of Ruby's Mana-link in two. One part was carefully removed from Ruby, taking care not to cause any real damage; having the strand be fully absorbed into the Crystal. The other half was gently and neatly put back into place in Ruby's body, careful not to cause any more damage. Repeating the same process with Yuki.
Sable then gave the girls a pill and another vial of liquid. Just as Sable grabbed a scalpel to make an incision on their chest, a loud explosion was heard somewhere in the facility. Then alarms started sounding all around them.
"DAMMIT!"
"Shit!"
Both Sable and Dr. Vancer cursed in frustration. Unhooking Ruby and Yuki Quickly Sable opened two Pods in the room, bringing out two of their strongest Undead fighters. Having the Undead carry the two girls, Sable grabbed the Crystal full of Red and Purple Mana with the weird light before turning to Dr. Vancer.
"Let me escape with them separately from you. They may want to take you alive, but they definitely want to kill Subject 24-C. You'll only slow me down."
"No! I need to make sure that these two are secure. You will take me with you."
"We don't have time to argue, we ne--"
Sable was cut off when one of the guards was tossed through the wall into the room. rolling for a bit before stopping in front of them. Through the dust, a man in his forties with a beard and cropped hair could be seen.
Sparkling gold and blue armor and cape adorned with ornate designs. The blade of the sword had a silver edge but was Royal blue in color. The whole sword glowed a beautiful, almost mythical blue. their face had scars, one of which went over an eye, which was now grey. The other eye was still a beautiful, deep brown color.
"The Hero." Dr. Vancer said in a small voice.