Before I did go under, I saw Death. Dressed in his long dark cloak, his skull gleaming under the hood, his scythe twitching. He doesn't have muscles on his face or skin to show expressions, but I could sense his mocking grin. He was amused by my desperation to live.
One day, after I topple the peaks, ascend to the oasis and cross paths with the elites, I'll repay Death ten fold the pain he's caused me. I'm going to kill him. I'll be the one laughing then.
***
I can feel a warm gentle hand resting on my cheek. The smell of damp sheets and lemon grass fills my nostrils. My body aches as I let out a croaky groan and my eyes flutter open.
A low hanging dim yellow light looms above my head and it accentuates the silhouette of a tall lanky figure that is sitting beside my bed.
Dior's beautiful face is studying my expression, her hand caressing my cheek. I look around me and notice no bed sheets, no wires attached to my arm, no IV bag.
They wouldn't be able to penetrate my skin regardless. My skin is in pristine condition. I'm guessing I just slept off my injuries and my enhanced body worked its miracle. I'm dressed in an all beige jumpsuit. The fabric feels soft against my coarse skin.
"Glad to see you're awake Tits. Did you dream about me?" Dior's sly smile follows her words.
"What... happened? Is everyone okay?"
"No, not everyone." A strange automated feminine voice erupts from outside of the room I'm in.
A short android with the same glowing godsblood embroidery all over her body enters the room. Her features a smaller and much more refined, less rigid. Cleaner and moving with a determined precision. She hovers over to me and I feel her commanding presence, the same one that Aziel had.
"I am sorry little one, Aziel has suffered a fatal blow and was dragged away by ghouls on the way here." She says in a comforting tone.
"Who... are you? Where are we?"
"I am Ariel, the protector and keeper of this orphan colony. You have successfully reached the Eastern quaderant. Our contracted wolf was lucky enough to find you guys in time to assist in killing the flock of ghouls you encountered. Dior and Aki carried you here. The children are safe now and getting acclimated to their new home. They told me all about the tribulations you guys had to go through. It must of have been very hard. You guys are very brave."
"Hey there champ. You healed up pretty quick huh? You looked like a mess when we first extracted ya." A deep sexy masculine voice erupts from the door. Great, another stranger.
A tall dark handsome figure enters into the lights periphery. His large shoulders and tapered back creates an upside down triangle and his thick thighs bulge under his black jumpsuit.
He looks to be in his mid twenties and a light scruffy beard trails his angular sharp jawline. An emblem of a golden wolf is stitched onto his right shoulder sleeve. His bronze skin is majestic and the marking of an owl is on the side of his head where his curly dark hair is shaved away to reveal it. It is the demon of Chance. Lucky bastard. He won the lottery.
"And who are you? You look too old to be alive in the coast. Did your demon just grant you a long lucky life?" I ask pointedly.
"Nah, I'm a wolf. Us wolves are contracted mercenary surfers who travel from coast to coast. We're seasoned veterans. The ghouls can't kill us, we're too wise for those dickhead divers and too cunning for the dumbass shepherds. Your welcome for saving your ass by the way. Looked like you were having trouble swimming."
I look away in embarrassment. He did save my ass. I was so stupid for thinking I could take on that horde on my own. No matter my incredulous power, that oasis would've crushed me. Those panthercrows were too smart for me to handle.
"Thanks... and I'm sorry for jumping the gun and making things worse." I turn to Dior for the apology.
She nods, and pats my cheek, a little too hard. Lowkey felt like a slap. I let it slide. I probably deserved it.
"So Aziel... he's gone... what about the twins? Aki? Panpun?"
"They're out exploring the burrow. You healthy enough to join us?" Dior offers me a hand up from the bed.
I take it and follow her out the door. I feel fine. No pain. No aches. It truly is amazing how fast I am able to heal. My lungs that were once filled with fluids have now been brought back to its original state. I let go of Dior's hand and try to absorb in as much of my surroundings as possible.
The same low hanging light is scattered throughout the corridors and large rooms that I pass by. It feels dim and cramped, but also cozy. We are underground, and the earthy smell of the cave's insides mix in with the lights lemon grass scent.
Ariel and the wolf follow behind me, describing what each room is used for and feeding me information about their burrow. The wolf's name is Benga. Apparently each orphan colony only needs two or three contractors and this one has two.
The other wolf has just arrived and is in the process of unloading their merchandise. The children here are very productive. In order to pay the wolves for their goods they need to make something worth trading and paying them for.
Small gardens are kept as well as work rooms for moding weapons and clothing. These children are diligent workers and have insane craftsmanship.
I'm impressed and a bit sullen about our kids not having the same opportunity. We didn't think to hire outside contractors. I doubt even seasoned veteran surfers would have signed up to work in the north though, we have the most treacherous territory littered with high tier ghouls.
A smoky smell with savory spices hits my nose and my stomach growls. It is wafting over from a large mess hall and I can hear a crowd gathering. We step into the room and the smell hits even harder. I haven't smelled anything so delicious since my moms cooking.
"Culinary arts is our burrows specialty. Many wolves that aren't even contracted stop by here to get a taste of our cooking. Help yourselves, I'm sure you are hungry." Ariel says.
I don't need her to tell me twice. I step up to the line of hungry children. They are all patiently waiting, drooling from the pungent scrumptious aroma. I see the twins ahead of me and wave at them.
Tia seems to be in a somber mood. Tito smiles and waves excitedly. They must be upset about Aziel. Wait no, Tia is looking at the food. She has made countless attempts at cooking back at our bubble orphan colony. I'm sure she's feeling a tinge of jealously right now.
I don't see Aki, but I Panpun is hard to miss. He is in his enlarged state and children flock around him, giggling and climbing up his tail. Dior slips into the line behind me and taps my shoulder, leaning in to whisper in my ear.
"Look behind you, to the left by the hall."
I do and notice a tall slender figure unpacking a large sack of ghoul meat and other utilities. Children are watching her with curious expressions has she brings out the goods and she smiles at them when they bring her a plate of food.
Her coat has the wolf emblem, and her long dark curly hair is tied up in a pony tail. Her round face turns to meet my gaze. It's Zara. How the fuck is a diver working as a wolf? Something is off about this, and its making my hunger subside. I need to go speak to her.