The Runner returned, arms full of what could generously be called "remains."
"Wow. You actually stacked 'em."
The Runner gently set down the broken armor plates, a shredded boot, and some unrecognizable things.
He pushed himself up painfully, leaning heavily against the bus wall.
"Alright, let's find a decent place to leave them. Somewhere the Eaters won't find them. The nest's still up there, and I can't finish this on my own. I have to follow the guild's rules. And I'm sure it's swarming with Eaters guarding their queen."
The Runner nodded and carefully picked up Lex's body again, cradling her. Johnquis grabbed what little he could, some pieces of broken armor and the scattered remnants of Randy and Mars shoving them together into a rough bundle.'
He staggered to his feet, his legs shaky as hell, and the Runner followed silently, carrying Lex.
Johnquis scanned the overturned bus and its surroundings. A narrow shaft of sunlight streamed through a broken side window near the bus's rear. It looked sheltered but visible enough.
"Over here."
The Runner followed, stepping carefully. When they reached the spot, Johnquis dropped the remnants onto a flat patch of concrete.
"Good enough. It's the least I can do for them. The Guild doesn't care if we die, they just let our corpses rot."
The Runner crouched, setting Lex gently beside the pile.
Johnquis wiped a grimy hand over his face and groaned.
"You know, I really hoped this day wouldn't end with me playing glorified corpse mover."
The Runner blinked, almost like it wanted to say something, but said nothing.
Johnquis gave it a tired half-smile.
"Thanks for the help. I'm heading to the Bloodpost before I pass out."
He started walking. The Runner followed.
He kept going. So did it.
He broke into a jog. The Runner jogged too.
"Don't tell me you're gonna follow me forever?"
The Runner gave a small nod.
"Oh god… what has my life turned into?"
He eyed the creature up and down.
"Uhm… if you're gonna follow me around, I better give you something to wear to hide some of that scary body. Everyone will freak out if they see you like that. I mean, it's better if no one sees you."
He grabbed a cape from the corpse and draped it over the Runner.
"I know you hate the sunlight. Slows your muscles down, right? This might help… a little."
He pointed at the Runner's legs.
"And one more thing. Walk like me, two legs, not four."
And together, they set off toward the Bloodpost.
The world around them was quiet. Ruined buildings half-swallowed by trees, vines crawling over old walls, broken roads cracked open with roots. They moved in silence, staying low. Johnquis did his best to keep the Runner hidden as they traveled.
Johnquis started speaking.
"You know… I've been alone ever since I became an Eater Blade. My sister rose through the ranks fast—faster than anyone. Everyone called her a prodigy. But she left me behind. Said I was too weak. Well… in this world, the strong rise and the weak get left behind."
He kicked a loose rock off the road.
"Since then, no squad ever wanted me. No one accepted me. I'm this close to losing my stars… and now," he looked at the cloaked Runner beside him, "I've got an Eater stuck with me. Following me. Probably forever."
He glanced sideways at the Runner, still cloaked and quiet beside him.
"I didn't think I'd make it out of that bus. Not alive, figured I'd die by your claws... but now my death walks beside me. Funny how that works, huh?"
He gave a bitter chuckle.
"I don't know what this chain really is… or what it's gonna cost me. But maybe just maybe. I finally got something that makes me useful."
He stopped walking, staring out at the distant outline of the Bloodpost.
"I'm not ready to die. Not yet. Not until I reunite with my sister. Not until she sees I wasn't weak."
He turned to the Runner.
"You stay here. Far enough from the sensor range. If they detect you, we're both screwed. Just wait for me, alright?"
The Runner gave him wide, almost innocent eyes like a puppy.
"Eh? I'm not leaving you for good. I promise. But no one can see you. Not here. Hide."
The Runner gave a small nod, then turned and disappeared behind the trees.
Johnquis took a breath and moved forward.
The Bloodpost came into view. Tall walls, reinforced gates, clean white lights shining from behind layers of bulletproof glass. It didn't match the broken world around it. Like it had survived something the rest of the world hadn't.
Johnquis stepped through the gate. He tapped his stone. The scanner lit green. Door slid open.
Inside, the first thing that hit him was the smell. Thick, metallic blood. The walls were smooth and mirrored, spotless. He could see his reflection everywhere. Bright white lights burned down from above, cold and clinical.
He kept walking. Unzipped his bloodstained bodysuit, and tossed it into a disposal chute. Another door slid open, and a fine mist sprayed across his bare skin. Cleansing him, sterilizing him. It left him cold and clean.
A massive pool of thick, still blood in front of him.
He stepped toward it, his body heavy, eyes half-lidded. He slid into the pool slowly, the moment it touched his skin, he exhaled.
Violet veins lit up beneath his skin. Glowing faintly under his arms, across his chest, up his throat. His eyes burned, then turned deep violet. Faint steam curled from his breath.
As he stood waist-deep in it, the sensation surged through his spine. Hot and alive. He scooped the blood into his hands and drank. His face eased with satisfaction. His heart throbbed. His whole body pulsed. Like every cell had been starving until now.
The surface rippled.
He blinked.
Across from him, in the pool, a small figure sat, half-submerged. She stared at him. Wet black hair clung to her face. Her small hands moved gently through the blood.
"Jiana...?"
His voice was barely a whisper.
She moved closer. The thick blood rippled as she approached.
Her hand reached for his chest. Her head tilted, a soft smile curling her lips.
she said,
"Brother, are you still hungry?"
His breath caught. The surface of the blood shivering around him.
He whispered,
"I... I want more, I want to eat more—"
Her fingers slid across his jaw, gentle.
"Succumb..."
She whispered, her voice deepening,
"Succumb to the taste of blood and—"
"HEY!"
A sharp voice broke the illusion.