User:NeloAngelo/Redstuff/1-27

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Swallowtail - Nelo "Bom. Bom. Bom." Erk. This sensation again. As I wait outside of Sophie's office, my heart is beating heavily. And then, a familiar warmth emanating from the office, as if it's inviting me. What's going on behind that door?

Before I can ponder further, the door in Sophie's office suddenly slammed wide open, followed by Sophie rushing out. "Sophie! Wait-!" Red followed behind yelling her name, but Sophie ignored her pleas, and in an instant, she left the office.


 * Red: Hurry! We have to chase after her!
 * Nelo: What happened?
 * Red: I...don't know. But Sophie's not in a good condition! Irregular breathing, over-stimulation- Her body is hanging by a thread!
 * Nelo: Calm down. I'll chase after her. Notify Cylia to contact the Defense Squad.
 * Red: What!? What does Captain Jack have to do with-
 * Nelo: Red. You're a Shaman. I'm sure you noticed the symptoms by now.
 * Red: I-! No...
 * Nelo: We don't have much time to waste. ...I'm going.

I couldn't even wait for Red's response. Rushing out the office and following Sophie's trail, my heart ran even faster. As I entered the street, the crowds are in a state of disarray, each of them bearing a confused expression. Not one trace of Sophie. Such a fast movement. Is she really a just a Shaman!? Whatever- I have to cut through the crowds before they swarm into the office looking for answers. Rushing forward, I looked around to check for traces of Sophie. Paying attention to the crowd's focus, most of them are looking at the west direction. That must be where Sophie's headed. Without wasting another second, I quickened my pace, and rushed towards the direction.

As I rush towards Sophie, the crowd's comments began filling in: "Lady Shaman?" "What happened?" As I go deeper, and deeper, so does less and less people are present in. Eventually, I found myself in a construction site. Huh? This place is- the site where the Defense Squad held their own against the Grotesque infestation. Is Sophie trying to contain her damage by isolating herself to a low-population zone?

Going further and further, eventually, I reached to the ruins area where the reconstruction plan haven't take place. No human trace can be found...no...not found yet. Closing my sense, I began tracing possible heat emanated from the area. ... .... Got it! A body heat higher than any average human... Oh no.

Following the source of the heat, I eventually ended my search in a dilapidated building. Entering the area, the smell of foul iron greeted me- and a wounded Sophie. Scratch marks and bruises can be seen across her body. Did she stumble her way here? She was coughing incessantly. Blood drips can be seen just below her. As she noticed my presence, Sophie lifted her head, uncovered by veil. Beneath her fair orange fringe, lies a pair of red eyes, with lines of blood leaking forth.

"Who are *cough* you?" Sophie asked. Hurk. This sense of familiarity again. And that voice alteration...it's the same as Araya's.


 * Sophie: I said *cough* WHO ARE YOU!?
 * Nelo: Calm down...I'm Solvei. Red- Shaman Red's assistant.
 * Sophie: Solvei...? ....Red...? *cough* I don't...*cough*
 * Nelo: Hey...
 * Sophie: Who... I....?

This is bad. Sophie couldn't even make coherent sentences now. Does the degradation occur this fast? Shit. Now I remember, I don't even have the means of contacting Red. Sophie continue her coughing fits, what used to be blood drips coming out are now blood streams at gushes out with every cough.

"Ahhh....arghhh....ackkk" Sophie continued squirming, but there is nothing I can do to help her. No...there is one way. Kill her now and spare her the suffering down the road. But if I do so, I'll be charged with murder of a Shaman. Goddamnit, what's wrong with me!? I raised my hand, aiming a plume of compressed fire towards Sophie. But, before I could fire, Sophie let out one, last piercing scream that reverberated the entire building.

"AARRRGHHHHH!" With one last scream, streams of the Red Plague bursted out of Sophie's body. Without wasting anymore opportunities, I fired my plume of flame towards Sophie, but the streams of Red Plague quickly deflected the shot and spiralled around Sophie. The streams coiled and wrapped into one another, rapidly spinning into the shape of a sphere. Even without thermography, I can sense the immense heat emanating from it.

The sphere spiraled faster and faster, with each rotation expanding in size. And then- the sphere dispersed into a cloud of red.

Amidst the cloud of red, I hear a sound- A distorted cry of Sophie.