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The sun was blinding, it burnt his eyes. It was weird. He wasn't used to it yet. But, at the same time, this is something that people trapped within those Blackrock facilities didn't get to experience - he was lucky, in that sense. The streets were cramped, loud and overwhelming, very dissimilar to the suffocating empty rooms in Blackrock.
He was a known criminal now. He should be locked up, but lucky a group took him in quickly and helped him back up, but for a price - sworn allegiance.
It was a trap. They knew he could not refuse. He'd be caught again and caged. He'd be killed. Slaughtered. Mutilated. Maybe, even worse. So he agreed. What did he have to lose anyway?
He'd been quickly given new clothes, granting him a brand new, sophisticated appearance and a revolver and new profession to go along with it. It was hard to get used to - he had spent 22 years of his life isolated within the confines of that icy, bitter prison. It all changed so fast. He's here.
The heat at times is utterly unbearable, he still needs time to adapt.
He was given a task by the acolytes.
He was to lay low. He was to linger around Crossroads. To find recruits for the Church.
There were many factors that they listed that would make good acolytes, and they even provided descriptions of some residents of Crossroads that showed up often, that they had been keeping their eye on for a while, eager to find the right time to strike and take them in. He was even given photographs of some Inphernals, that he peered at quickly, before pocketing them.
They did not expect immediate or easy success in Medkit's task, but they wanted him to show promise, and possibly plant the seeds for even more to join them.
This wasn't a job Medkit was particularly happy doing - luring people into a false sense of safety, showing them to a holy place and then trapping them within a heinous cult, with many members sporting a very long list of crimes, with countless years they are supposed to be spending locked up in jail; but he couldn't judge. He was supposed to be jailed too.
This would be quick and easy. He was going to play it casual and be attentive. Don't draw too much attention, and make sure they don't pick up on anything that could clue into any ulterior motives.
It had been a lengthy walk from Lost Temple to Crossroads, but he had made it - Crossroads was a much happier place, and boasted a far lower temperature, that instantly made it a more comfortable to hang out and do work. It would be nice to live here. It's much more lively.
First, he would search around the streets, making sure he knew where everything important was and if he ran into anyone that was on the priority list on the way, even better. Slowly, Medkit was trotting across the pavement - he could hear the distant cheer and excitement from young demons playing a game together, the rumble of cars as they rolled screeched across the solid grey concrete, the repetitive noise of his shoes colliding with the floor.
This place was so much happier than the Church.
He was jealous of people who stayed here often. He wished he could stay longer.
He passed under an enormously tall broadcasting tower, admiring its height and beauty silently. Medkit searched about the area.
Like a gust of strong wind, a demon rushed passed his vision, pausing and staring away from him, appearing as if he was panting, in an attempt to catch his breath. Medkit brushed it off, however he quickly looked back. He pulled out one of the multiple pictures from his pocket.
Small, white wings. Knight helmet with a bright red plume. Brown scarf that looked like a cape. Wielding a sword.
It all matched. He had found someone that the Church desired. He wasn't going to let his prey leave. He crept over to him, taking note of the scars that littered his arms and the minor tears and stains in his clothing.
Briskly, Medkit tapped the boy's shoulder.
"Excuse me, can you help me, I appear to be lost." Medkit demanded. The swordsman turned around, sweat dripping on his face, slightly confused. When he internalised the question Medkit had asked, he smiled.
"Oh you're lost? Of course I'll help you! Just one sec!" The boy exclaimed excitedly, like he had been waiting his entire life to be asked this. He appeared to be quite young still, no older than 17. He promptly wiped the sweat off his brow and took in a few deep breaths. Medkit just stood there, staring at the boy, monotone and unmoved. "Hey, what's your name, sir?"
Ah. He did not want to have to give this random demon his name. But, if it made the demon trust him more then maybe he should.
"Medkit. My name is Medkit."
"Ah! So, you're a healer! That's so cool!" Sword responded, cheerfully. "My name is Sword, if you couldn't tell. It's really nice to meet you! I don't really get to talk to anyone, apart from my father and Rocket!"
"Yeah.. nice to meet you too." That phrase when it left his lips sounded fake and fabricated. Liar.
"Any place you want to look at first, Medkit?"
"Well, I would like to see the shops and markets that they have here, especially if they have a coffee shop." Medkit responded, noting how attentively Sword was listening to him.
"Oh, there is a coffee shop! Well, more specifically, a café that sells really, really good hot drinks! If you're new, you should try it!"
"Sure.. that I'd like to do that," Medkit replied, not expecting Sword to grab him by the wrist and start dragging him. It was sudden and shocked him a little. Though, it was endearing. He readjusted himself and peered forward at the boy who was pulling him along to somewhere he had never been to before. His wings flapped in a steady rhythm, fluttering joyfully, and his cape glided effortlessly behind him. He was so happy to be dragging this random stranger around.
It made Medkit frown.
Why did the Church want him? Why was this boy like this? Why did he not catch on to how suspicious Medkit was acting? A boy like this should not be anywhere near this corrupt cult. Why someone had so much to lose. Why someone who only radiated positivity and joy - why did they want to exterminate that? It made him sick to think about.
He needed to focus on his task; this boy was prey, the Church of the True Eye the predator. No other way to slice it. Medkit straightened back up and forced down the thoughts that were circulating through his mind about the utter kindness and passion that this Inphernal possessed.
This wasn't going to take long.
He could do it.
Medkit was brought sharply back into reality by Sword's voice. "Here it is!"
Huh. This looks... quite nice. He thought. Sword let go of Medkit's wrist, and indicated that Medkit go along with him into the building. He followed behind the swordsman through the front door; inside, there were many residents, all gleefully enjoying cups of coffee or tea and exquisite pastries and cakes. The environment was cheerful. Very different to when you wanted to get something to eat or drink in the Blackrock facilities - most of the time you just got tasteless slop that most likely had ingredients in it that were at least a decade old. The smell was pleasant, and, surprisingly, there was no queue.
Medkit did not realise he was holding his breath.
"Hey, are you doing alright?" Sword uttered, quieter than his normal speech.
"Uh, yes."
"What do you want to order? I feel like getting either a hot chocolate or a milkshake," Sword asserted.
"A black coffee would be fine." Medkit answered, peering at the teen. Medkit fumbled for his wallet and pulled out some cash. Sword looked at the money, but swiftly declined it.
"Hey, don't sweat it! I'd be happy to pay for you. It'd be easier that way," This melted Medkit's heart. Why was this demon like this.
"No. It's fine,"
"No, I swear! I'm paying!" Sword screamed. Wow. This boy would not take "no" for an answer. Medkit shut up, putting his money away, finding this quite amusing. Only a little.
"Do you.. want me to order for you?" Sword asked, wanting to ease the doctor's apprehensiveness.
"Uh, you.. don't have to do that, I can-"
"No, don't worry about it! If you want, you can still go up to the counter, but I can be the one doing all the talking!" He announced, gesturing to his heart. Medkit nodded, not sure what to say. He was helping him. Why was a boy so nice helping such a lowlife? Medkit wanted to run. He did not want to do this job anymore. This boy was going to be subjected to the Church's corrupt teachings and ideologies if he was caught.
"Thank.. you," He said, simply.
"No problem," Sword voiced. Medkit responded with a weak smile, which the swordsman noticed. Sword, with Medkit in tow, strolled toward the counter.
"Ah, greetings! What would you like to order?"
"Oh, please can I have a regular black coffee, and........ uh....." Sword conveyed, letting out a long pause, bouncing on his feet, his wings flapping mildly. "Hmm..... a regular hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows, take-away!"
"Okay, that will be 10 BUX," Sword slid the cash over the counter, and the cashier picked it up. "Thank you! Your order will be ready in a few minutes,"
Before long, they were being called to collect their drinks, which Sword did happily, handing it to Medkit, beaming. They walked out the building.
"Thank you for buying this for me, Sword," Medkit inserted, staring at him. He did not understand this boy. He was peculiar. He had met no one like him before. He did not know how he was so kind in a world that was so cruel and unforgiving, in a world so full of hate and plagued by endless suffering.
"No problem!" Sword voiced, sipping the hot drink.
"Why are... you helping me? You do not know who I am." Medkit needed to know. Sword was taken aback by the sudden question.
"Well... This just felt like the right thing to do, to help you, you know? I want to help people, even if I don't know them personally, I want to save people," How noble. How honourable. How disgusting.
That's it.
He was not going to let the Church get ahold of this child. Their hands would taint him, turn him into a husk that desired only blood, one that did not abide by morals or law, one that did not believe in things like honour or empathy. He would be strangled and sucked dry, leaving behind a wilting, shrivelled flower.
"Hehe, maybe it's a bit stupid,"
"No, no. It's not. It's really admirable, Sword."
"You think?!!" Sword screeched, clearly valuing his opinion.
"Yes,"
"Thank you!! Medki... Med!" Sword beamed, his tiny wings held high. "Yeah, that's your nickname! Med!" Wow. He had never had anyone he liked invent and call him a nickname before, it was heartwarming - though there aren't many people that he liked. Yes. He liked this demon. He was not leeching mercilessly off him like everyone else.
Medkit smiled again, glaring down at his dark coffee then up at Sword. Maybe, for once in his life, he had found someone. Or, someone had found him. Someone who wasn't going to hurt him. Or expect something from him. Or trap him. Or threaten him. He felt safe. A thing he had not felt in his entire existence.
"Where do you want to go next?"
"I don't really mind."
He held his breath.
That's when it hit him, like an earthquake.
This boy was going to die. He was not safe in this world. One way another, he was going to get hurt by this world and crushed by its cruelty.
Medkit could not save him.
And he for sure knew no one else would.