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For a few seconds, Stratos felt nothing. It...was almost soothing to him. The calm, almost eerie silence seem to give him peace. That is, until a sharp jolt of pain coming from somewhere immediately broke whatever trance he had.
"Mmmpfhhhg!"
Stratos, while usually under that trance of his, was only concerned with eating whoever dared cross his path, or rather, his flies. He didn't care much for talking - it was a waste of time for him, and his mouth.
But something was clearly wrong. He couldn't even force words from his mouth at that moment, instead produced what might only be described as a muffled scream.
"Urrrghhhh..." A groan managed to escape his lips, however.
He wasn't sure where he pain had come from, and it almost felt like there were...multiple sources at once. Stratos tried to remember. Remember what the hell happened to cause him this horrible condition of his. Nothing came to his mind, and he soon gave up.
But then, it came to him.
Gunvolt.
Memories flooded back to him...he remembered that time...in the Pharma Lab, or whatever they called it nowadays, and their fateful encounter. Gunvolt and someone else.
He tried to reason with them about his hunger. He tried to convince them, talk, shout, scream, do anything to get them to help his accursed hunger, or more importantly, feed him.
But all the azure boy did is draw his gun and afterwards, he never looked back.
"Is...he going to be okay?"
"He will, don't worry. Its just some temporary pain waking him up"
Stratos then threw his thoughts about the boy aside in the next moments, as he heard the voices. He never actually considered where he was right now. Just being alive is what mattered to him. Thankfully, he had the strength to open his eyes, so he meekly did, and took in his surroundings.
He was in....a lab of some sort? All he could see for him to make out it was a lab was all the wires and machinery everywhere. And also saw what looked like a...monitor? He squinted, and he managed to see some words and numbers:
'Resurrection: 37% complete'.
Apart from that, the only thing he could make out was the wires.
Lots of wires.
Hundreds of wires, even. Maybe that was just an exaggeration though.
And some were attached to him. They were...pumping some kind of fluid into him. It was...weird, at best. It looked almost like...blood? And some sort of strange purple fluid...
Was he bleeding? Stratos tried to sit up to examine his body, only for it to start hurting again, pain from numerous wounds flowing through him. He responded by laying down again.
It creeped even him out a little - how badly hurt was he? Well, he was on a operating bed, from the looks of it. But before more questions came to his head, someone walked over to him.
Someone who looked...intimidating to him, to put it in better terms.
"Ah, you're awake. Good to see you're at least OK Stratos."
The tone in his voice had almost no hints of concern about the half-corpse in front of him. Instead, it sounded calm. Eerily soothing, too. But Stratos only knew one voice that was truly soothing to him.
And this was not it.
Regardless, he shifted his gaze to see who it was.
It was a man clothed in purple, wearing a uniform that looked similar to his, yet different. From his appearance alone, one could tell he looked like someone of high importance.
"Relax. You're not in any danger yet."
Relax? How could he? The bubbling pain was one thing - it seemed to have eased a little, enough to get him to somewhat speak again. But the hunger? Oh, that was an entirely different plane of existence. It would never give him time to relax. Not even for a second.
"Nova, please...at least tell him why he's here and what condition he's in.."
Now that, right there, was a voice that Stratos could recognise far too easily. He immediately eased up a little hearing it. It was that relieving for his ears.
"Oh right, that. Thanks for reminding me."
With that, the man walked closer to Stratos, who was still trying to take in everything around him.
"Sorry for not telling you this Stratos" he muttered with that strange, calm voice of his "but I'm going to clarify what happened to you a while ago."
"So recently, that QUILL terrorist Gunvolt, if you've heard of him, has just killed you some time ago. Right now you've recently been resurrected by my subordinate, Elise."
"Your resurrection isn't yet complete, it just happened a few minutes ago. So you may still feel some pain here and there. Don't worry though, it'll pass."
It took a few seconds for him to take this in. He was...killed? If he was, then he probably wasn't even aware of it. His hunger never dies. It is just offed by some inconvenience. And he knows that all too well.
The man continued. "I suppose you're wondering why I'm here to tell you this. Since you don't know, that terrorist has recently destroyed my company's new toys. And now he's coming here. You, as well as my other Adepts, are our last hope of defending the Muse from those vermin. From now on, you are placed under my command to help defend Sumeargi."
Stratos really couldn't get why this was his problem. What the hell is this so-called 'Muse'? Why does it matter so much to him? And why is he just now being placed under his 'command'? A million thoughts crossed his mind at this, though he didn't take them all that seriously. But that last one seemed important. Maybe he was going to be useful to him somehow?
"But I'm rambled on long enough about this matter. I'm going to make sure the other revivals are going well. And to make sure we can finally get our peace I've waited so long for." After concluding his little speech, he then turned to the girl beside him. "Make sure you three bring back Jota, Viper and Carrera next."
"Yes sir." the girl replied. With that, he walked out of the room, which Stratos now realised, was actually rather spacious - if it weren't for those wires. The man stopped short for a second, before turning to Stratos again.
"Oh, where are my manners? I didn't even think of telling you who I am. My name is Nova, and I'm the one who planned your resurrection. Hopefully I won't be as a stranger to you once you understand everything that's going on."
With that, he walked out, this time out of a door to the room.
"Ah, there he goes. Now, hopefully this poor soul is OK.."
Stratos heard the voice again. That soothing voice he heard before, and now the source of that voice was now close in his presence. He could feel it. The person picked up a nearby chair and planted it next to his operating bed, and now Stratos clearly made out who it was.
It was her.
Elise.
Some time ago after his capture and deportation to the Pharma Lab, he meet the girl, when she occasionally wandered into his area. He didn't think of her much that time. Just some other Adept girl who was somewhat worried about him all the time. A very anxious one, to say the least.
That definitely changed over the course of time. Because not only did she offer to help him cope with his hunger, she was taking care of him too when no one else would. It bewildered him a little - a 17-year old who not only helped him better than any drug could (or S.E.E.D, for that matter) he started feeling a bit better over time because of her.
A 17-year old that took care of him.
A 17-year old who understood him.
Who understood that hunger of his.
Even if her timidness, meekness and those alters got in the way, that didn't stop her from trying to make him feel better. It was that determined resolve she had over everything else. Whether it was tending his wounds, or giving him something to eat, he was most certainly grateful for that. They spent more time together as a result, and Stratos even took some time to say thank you every now and again, and she would reply with a sweet smile or two.
That's why he was so relieved to hear her voice again. Because while the other Swordsmen did whatever concerned them - their duties, missions, etc. - she was there whenever he needed her most. He knew he could depend on her to at least survive. He knew he could trust her.
Looking at her, Stratos could see she was in her Glaived state. It was strange, actually - he never saw her in it during their times together. Maybe she was an officer now? Nonetheless, he remained silent as she spoke.
"Hey Stratos. Hopefully you're doing OK. S-sorry about bringing you here without your knowledge, but you're okay now, trust me."
Stratos really wanted to grin in that moment. No, not that feral grin on his face when he decides he wants to eat, a one that's beaming of reassurance. From her, no less. It was the timidness in her voice that eased him. He wanted to smile back at her. But for some reason, his mouth was no longer moving. He tried to, but to no avail. He was a bit perplexed as to why.
"A-Ah, your mouth... about that...some of your body parts and nerves were damaged from your battle with Gunvolt, including your jaw bones. But it's okay, I'll heal them for you.."
Wait...his mouth was injured?
Ok, that was definitely a problem. If he couldn't eat, then only God knows what he could do. He started to panic a little inside.
My mouth? What happened to my mouth?! I need it intact to sate...this hunger...!
Elise must've sensed his impending panic from his mouth being injured, because she slowly took one of his bandaged hands and held it between her hands, giving it a little squeeze.
"Don't worry, it's going to be OK...I promise..."
Stratos felt it...the softness of her hands against his skin... even with his arm bandages still on, it felt more than comforting to him, and somehow it made him relax.
He wanted to speak this time, to just force some words out. And alas, he managed to. "Your....hands...they're...so soft..."
Elise giggled. A soft, little giggle. Oh, how heart-warming it was. "Hehe, I know..." she giggled again. "But no one's ever complimented my touch before. Maybe because no one really interacts with me that much..."
"Well...they should y'know. You're...a nice person to get along with.."
Well, that was partially true. She didn't limit her kindness to just Stratos. Carrera, Merak, Jota, Nova...hell, even Viper was subjected to it (of all people). All of them had very different reactions to it, though Jota's and Nova's was probably the most promising.
"Thanks Stratos. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to say that you're nice to chat to too." "Heh..."
He laughed a little. This was the norm for Elise - being nice and all - but unless you were her, or any of his Adepts subordinates, then he wasn't really in the mood for words. He just wasn't talkative enough sometimes. But, as said before, that changed when she came along.
"Y'know, its kind of strange...I don't normally get the chance to chat with people like this.." Elise continued. "Normally the other Swordsmen have other things to do, and I can't say I blame them. We're just prisoners after all."
"And ever since I was bullied at school, I just wanted to give up on talking to people. They kept insisting I was a monster, a byword to them. Literally anything I did, I get scoffed at...it definitely wasn't fun..."
Stratos pondered for a moment. She was bullied? What for? Being another Adept? Because that sounded like the general excuse for their non-coexistence these days. Not that he cared about their opinions though.
"Even when I was roped over here, people barely even talked to me apart from the people that gave me orders...they were too busy doing other things. The only one that did was Nova. And even then, he still had to govern Sumeragi. Again, I'm not blaming anyone."
"Am I...the person you felt comfortable with the most?"
He felt his breath somewhat waver as he said that. Normally he didn't catch any sort of feelings for anything really, only satisfaction from getting to eat something. Or someone. But this was different, and he couldn't understand what it was yet. So he let the question hang in the air for a while.
Elise, while still cupping Stratos' hand in her palms, began to stroke it gently as she spoke.
"Yeah...it's weird...I've never expressed this sort of manner to anyone before..."
"Normally I'm just an envious person. Tired of being bullied because I have a Septima. Other people just get to live normal lives and all, and even then I'm afraid I'll still be subject to it. But after interacting with someone like you, it felt...reassuring somehow. I felt my social skills getting better as I helped you. And that made me feel like a better person as a whole" She smiled as she finished that last sentence. "
This is definitely a first for me - I've never been this socially confident before. Or ever, in fact. But I think you already know why"
Stratos beamed a little. There was just something inside of him that made him enjoy their chats together, or even her presence in general. It mended some of his psychological wounds. A lot of them, actually.
"That's nice...but...am I gonna get better so we can continue those?" He asked.
Elise emitted a small gasp. She'd somehow forgotten about his near-death condition a little because of their chat.
"A-aaah! Oh my, I completely forgot about that! S-sorry!" She blurted out, completely flushed.
"Heh, its ok..." He replied. He didn't mind the state of his body at that moment. Talking to Elise herself had eased him up a little. Or perhaps, a lot.
"H-here, let me heal you a little..."
She then gently let go of Stratos' arms, closed her eyes and focused, opening her palms. Eventually, a purple flash of light was emitted from them, softly flashing as Stratos was enveloped in a similar flash. Suddenly, as the light intensified, he felt a little stronger. He felt some of his skin and wounds mend back together painlessly.
Well, some pain was still there, but it was minimal at best, except for the more serious ones.
And in a little while, Stratos felt strong enough to at least move around a little. Most of his injuries were healed, including his mouth. Clasping his mouth carefully to make sure it was in top shape, he let out a giddy little laugh. Elise let the light from her palms fade away, and could only help but smile at such a cute reaction.
"Some of the major injuries make take a little bit more time. That's what all the tubes are attached to you for. Don't worry though, I'll make sure you in a good enough shape to help."
"Hehehehe, thanks a bunch!" Stratos attempted to get out of the operating bed, only to meet another sharp burst of pain from his chest. He immediately convulsed.
"Ack!....what in the...!"
"W-wait! Hold on a second!" Elise reacted quickly, helping Stratos gently lie back down. His body was still shuddering a little from the sudden pain.
"P-P-Painful...!" He managed to gasp. "
Y-you can't go just yet...you need to rest first, please..." she pleaded to him.
Stratos miserably sank back onto the bed. Well, so much for trying to forget about the pain. At least he had company.
"Dammit...well, what can I even do...?"
Elise moved up closer to him and cupped his chin in her right hand, stroking it. She spoke with that soothing tone in her voice again.
"Like I said, you should rest. The resurrection is only three quarters complete. You need to wait just a while longer to come back to full strength. Don't worry though, I'll stay here to accompany you." She smiled again.
She then got up and opened a sort of cabinet. Rummaging around inside, she pulled out some extra bandages and medicine. Returning to Stratos, she bandaged the rest of his wounds and gave him the medicine. "I don't know if we actually need these, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to use them, right?"
In return, he smiled back at her. Though, he still wondered about his other subordinates. That Nova did say that three other Swordsmen were also pending revival. And someone else too, like...
"Merak..." He muttered, thinking out loud.
"Oh, don't worry, Merak is alive and well again Stratos" Elise answered. "He's stationed way below here, down at Eridu. Though I still question why Nova would send him down there..."
"Wait....below...here? Does that mean we're on...?"
"Firmament? Yes, we are." Elise replied.
Well, that definitely was a surprise to him. But something Nova said earlier to him stuck in his head. Didn't he say that Gunvolt was coming back? Maybe him and the others' resurrections were a "last line of defence" sort of thing?
If it was, then he didn't really know what to say. All that effort, just to wait for the azure boy to bring it all down again? Would it not yield the same result?
Eh, he couldn't really care less. Besides, there were more important matters at hand for him.
And returning Elise's kindness was one of them.
"Uhm, Elise...?" He muttered.
"Yes?"
"Thank you...again...for bringing me back to life...I owe ya for giving me flies an extended lifespan." Elise giggled for a third time. "No problem Stratos."
"Though, to be honest" she sighed, "I guess I should've saw this coming, seeing as they wanted my power so badly and all, to undo death itself...well, they got what they wanted."
Stratos wandered off with his thoughts. At least he could get another chance to sink his teeth into the boy again. Who knows, maybe his hunger could be sated for good by this so-called 'terrorist'?
Well, it would have to wait for the time being until he was well again. For now, with the timid sweetheart by his side, he closed his eyes and drifted off into a slumber.
It took a few seconds for Elise to realise Stratos was asleep, because by the time she took a glance at him, he was fast asleep, snoring. She reached out with her hand and touched his forehead, feeling how warm it was, before stroking the side of his face, down to his chin. It was such a sweet sight to her, seeing him getting a good sleep.
"Goodnight, Stratos..." Elise then checked the nearby monitor: 90%. Progress on Stratos' revival was almost complete. Then her alters would move on to the others.
But they still had plenty of time before the QUILL agent struck next. Still, she was worried that they might die again, or outright fail. She eventually brushed aside her worries, because she still wanted to do her duty to look after them, as their unofficial caretaker, until the proper time comes to defend Sumeragi.
With that, she remained sat beside the sleeping beast. Wanting to make sure he remained safe. To protect him. Looking at the starry sky in view above and around her, she let her own mind wander.
Would Project Muse actually succeed? Will that Gunvolt ever be put down, perhaps for good? If so, then maybe, just maybe...
They could finally get the peace they were looking for.
They could finally get their freedom. They had a whole lifetime ahead of them if so.
It all rested on what happened next.