Caspian glanced at Tatsumaki, concern flickering across his face. He had originally planned to let her rest while he carried out the plan in his head. But no… he wouldn't risk even the slightest chance of her psychic powers failing. Considering the cavern's intense heat, he didn't know if her unprotected body could withstand it.
He moved closer, kneeling beside her, and gently tapped her shoulder while calling her name.
After a dozen tries, she stirred, her eyes blinking in confusion before clarity hit. She shot up, causing her dress to fall onto the aura sheet. "How could I pass out?! Where are we?"
"I'll explain later. First, I need to test something, and then we have to leave straight away."
Despite his words, his gaze lingered on the trail of his seed running down her inner thigh. "Forgetting something?."
Tatsumaki let out a cute gasp, her face flushing as her bra, panties, and dress flew back onto her body in an instant.
"What happened to your shoes?" Caspian asked, turning away as her attention shifted. Without waiting for an answer, he leapt off the aura sheet, plummeting toward the lake of fire below.
¤ ¤ ¤
Genos wandered the streets of Z-City's business district, the dismal weather doing little to distract him from the three matters circling his mind.
The least important, yet most aggravating matter, was his inability to test his new ultra-strong instant adhesive on that detestable ninja, Sonic, who refused to stay grounded for the most absurd reasons. It became even more frustrating when he learned Caspian seemed to hold a positive opinion of him. Should he reevaluate the ninja? Maybe a redeeming quality existed deep within him… impossible.
Sonic's interruption led to the second matter: his inability to discuss the details he'd uncovered with Doctor Kuseno. Genos had tried calling Caspian several times since ending his search for the ninja, but each call went straight to voicemail. He figured Caspian's phone must be dead or in an area with poor reception.
These two issues brought him to the third matter. Now alone, reflecting on his fight with Sonic and his training overall, Genos felt a trace of doubt about his master's advice for the first time.
Was his willpower truly increasing? Genos hated the thought that his master might have misled him. But he had to grow stronger. 'The Organization' was a force even Doctor Kuseno had warned him to avoid at his current strength. Doctor Kuseno also suggested Caspian might struggle against them. Add 'The Rampaging Cyborg' to the mix, and Genos feared his master would be overwhelmed. How would a stronger willpower help against foes who weren't Espers?
At that moment, panicked screams erupted from a four-way intersection down the street.
Genos, ripped from his cogitations, dashed forward, evading the streams of fleeing people.
Emergency sirens started blaring through the city.
Suddenly In front of him, cars, light poles, and people traveled through the air until they stopped above the center of the intersection.
He was too far, too slow, too powerless to stop what came next.
As if an enormous invisible foot had stomped down, everything fell at once. Cars crashed to the pavement with thunderous force, their roofs crushed like paper, windows bursting into glittering fragments. Light poles crumpled and snapped, reduced to the thickness of twigs.
The suspended people's screams resounded, desperate calls for help cut short as their bodies hit the ground with sickening thuds. Bones snapped audibly on impact, and the sound of shattering ribs and splintering limbs pierced Genos' ears. Some crumpled like rag dolls, their forms twisted and broken, while others burst open on the pavement, their insides spilling out in a sprawl of blood and viscera.
A sick churn twisted in Genos' gut, followed by a surge of self-directed fury. If he hadn't drifted off in his head, maybe he could've saved those families.
Whatever monster caused this, he would make them suffer. This was his greatest desire now.
As Genos reached the intersection, the scent hit him like a physical blow. The air hung thick with the metallic tang of blood, the acrid stench of gasoline, and the putrid, gagging odor of ruptured bowels.
He turned away, his jaw tightening as he fought to steady himself. His foot brushed against something soft, and he looked down. There, partially covered by a twisted piece of car frame, was a teddy bear matted in blood. One glassy eye stared up at him, cracked and dull, while the other was missing. The sight struck him with a sudden heaviness. He knelt and brushed his mechanical fingers against the bear's ruined form.
Again, again… Why?
He'd witnessed a similar massacre before and once more could not prevent it.
Four years ago, on a return trip home from town with his family, he had begged them to stop so he could run into his favorite bookstore. His loving parents gladly agreed. Excited, he hurried inside, only to find the store empty. Moments later, everything shook, followed by panicked screams and indescribable sounds.
The bookstore collapsed from some kind of attack. He somehow survived, regaining consciousness at some point. However, the injuries he sustained were severe. Unable to walk, he crawled through the small crevice that had once been the doorway. And desperately dragged himself down what remained of the bookstore's stone steps that had led up to the entrance.
As he looked ahead, he saw 'The Rampaging Cyborg' running off down the road, destroying everything in its path. The once peaceful town had turned into the site of an apocalypse.
Lying against the fractured concrete, he searched for his family's vehicle, finding it parked not far ahead. That was the moment his world shattered.
The vehicle, whole just minutes ago, sat torn to pieces
His blurry gaze met the dull eyes of his little sister. One of her hands was outstretched toward the bookstore, the other gripping the stuffed pink bunny she loved. The lower half of her body was gone.
He succumbed to the shock of the sight and lost consciousness, only to awaken in Doctor Kuseno's laboratory, which led him to where he was today.
Genos gritted his teeth, grabbed the teddy bear, and rose to his feet.
Through the dust and debris ahead, a silhouette floated toward him, clutching a struggling person by the skull.
He vowed to himself here and now that he would disunite this monster piece by piece.
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Hey hey people. I want to let you know that tomorrow, ten advanced chapters are going to be released over on *Patreon.*
I've also added an extended tag list in the synopsis for anyone interested. I would recommend checking it out.
Well, that's all. Thanks for reading and take care.