Chapter 10 - Tiana Eily

(Warning; Extreme Content. Viewer Discretion Advised)

Abia

"Every woman and child, please line up single file!" A man shouted in a hushed tone. Tiana found herself among a group of civilians. They moved as a procession through the alleyways of Abia. "Men, gather around them, keep any weapon you may have at the ready." They urged the people to be silent, lest they be found.

When the red rain struck the city, mayhem and terror followed soon after. The Ku Yong Empire's Emergency Sirens sounded to the north. Despite the distance between Abia and the nearest Ku Yongi city, Tiana could hear them for a brief moment. That moment, short lived as it was, was the last moment she had in the world she knew before.

Screams and cries of agony erupted through Abia, as the rain touched the people. Tiana had little time to understand what was happening. Once she stepped outside, she stepped into a nightmare. On the streets men and women writhed on the ground. From their bodies Tiana heard loud cracks, as arms and legs twisted in unnatural directions.

People unaffected ran and screamed, or cried by their loved ones as they seemingly broke to pieces from the inside. Several raindrops landed upon Tiana's head, and in the exact moment when the first drop made contact with her skin, she became entirely new. She, however, would not notice the change in her body, as around her the world sunk into what she imagined would be anyone's worst nightmare.

Tiana tore her way towards the nearest door, her companion Eddie following closely behind her. From her peripherals she could see him attempting to sketch the scene around them as they ran. Crazy as things were, she could not help but smile at his professionalism.

The duo entered a storefront, the shelves inside filled with unhealthy foods and drinks. The citizens of Abia were scattered through the streets, seemingly dying, or dead. A roar no man or known beast could hope to muster drowned out the sounds of the citizen's panic. Then several more of a similar sound followed quickly after. Tiana peered out of the window to see what it was that had made such a unique and terrifying cry.

People she had witnessed moments before writhing and screaming in agony as their bones snapped were physically changing at a rapid pace. Muscles seemed build on too of one another from thin air. They grew to abnormal heights. A few here and there grew additional sets of arms, leaving them with six limbs.

Their teeth became elongated and sharpened, horns grew from their heads, and the whites of their eyes had become a deep and unappealing yellow. Almost immediately after the transformation of these people, began what Tiana would've titled in a live radio broadcast, 'the mutant massacre'.

Citizens, who just moments before wept as their loved ones broke apart on the street pavement, screamed as the very same people, now mutated and grotesque, tore them apart, limb from limb. Tiana watched in horror as blood and body parts flew in every direction. In the chaos, male and female mutants could be seen mating without shame. This was nearly as difficult for her to watch as the carnage.

Tiana found the scenery outside the safety of the storefront stomach churning. Still, so that she would remember every detail when time came to tell the world what had happened to her city, she watched intently. Eddie frantically scratched his pencil to paper, putting his artistic skill to excellent use. He put special detail into the appearance of the monsters outside.

Eddie finished a sketch, folded it and handed it to Tiana.

"Keep that with you."

Tiana took the drawing without question.

"We have to get out of the city until Abian forces can regain control." Eddie, cool headed as always, said. It somehow filled Tiana with relief to know he had a plan. "We're going to-"

Glass shattered near them, and Tiana and Eddie turned to find one of the hostile mutants towering above them. He was three meters tall, teeth jutting in every direction, save the two tusks that appeared to have grown from his cheeks. His beady red eyes followed even the slightest move Tiana made. Eddie did not seem to even concern him with his presence.

Tiana stared at the beast, who's belly stuck out past his feet, and an erection that would've perhaps been hidden had the monster been wearing any form of clothing. It quickly became apparent to Tiana why the mutant gave no acknowledgement of Eddie's presence.

The next moment happened so fast that Tiana might've missed it had she blinked. The mutant stepped forward, intent clear on face despite his disfigurement. Eddie dropped his sketchpad, scattering years of drawings onto the storefront floor, and put out his hands, attempting to stop the mutant from taking Tiana.

Eddie pushed his hands forward, thrusting forward with all the momentum he could build at such a short distance. From his hands came a burst of orange light. Tiana turned, shielding her eyes, and from behind her, she heard the roar of what she assumed and hoped was a mutant in pain.

Turning her head back, she saw a hole, the size of Eddie's fists burn in the monster's chest. As the mutant fell to the ground, Eddie stared, dumbfounded, at his hands. Then, excitedly he turned to Tiana and shouted, "Did you see that!?"

It may have been that his shout was ill-timed, or more likely, the mutant that had stumbled onto them was not alone. Whichever the reason, Eddie's head was swiftly taken from his shoulders with the swipe of an enormous disfigured hand that had come from the shadows behind him. The beginning of a smile that had formed on Eddie's face remained as his head flew across the storefront.

Tiana might've let out a terrified scream had fear not immobilized her completely. From the shadows stepped what was once a man. His head was bulbous, his teeth large and jagged. From his sides stuck out and extra pair of arm, and much like the last mutant who had come for her, he was hard to his purpose.

Tiana backed away from the mutant man, and slightly paralyzed from fear, she tripped over a shelf behind her. The mutant's face turned up, making his grizzly features even more so. Tiana realized this was the beast's grin. Finally she managed to conjure a scream that would be heard clear across the city of Abia.

All four of the mutant's hands rushed to his ears, in an effort to defend them from the deafening sound. He back away, stumbled , and toppled over, shouting incomprehensibly. Suddenly, as if he could no longer stand to take her screaming, the mutant lunged at Tiana, removing his hands from his ears. Tiana screamed again, much louder than she had the first time, and the mutant immediately dropped to the ground unconscious. From his ears and eyes flowed bright red blood mixed with a thick yellow substance Tiana assumed to be some kind of pus.

"Oh, gods." She muttered, shifting herself backwards away from mutated man. She could not tell whether or not he was dead, nor did she have any intention to check. Tiana's only thought was survival. With this thought, her body began to move.

Crawling across the storefront floor, Tiana landed near the back of the small grocery. To her dismay, it was here that she found Eddie's dismembered head. His eyes were still wide open, smile trapped on his face, conveying the surprise and joy he'd received in his final moments. She would've certainly wept for her friend and coworker, had shock not silenced her. Still, his death weighed heavily on her heart.

Glass shattered once again, this time outside the storefront walls. A terrified scream tore through the air. The grunts and howls of mutated beasts followed shortly thereafter. Quickly and quietly as she could, Tiana scrambled to her feet. Careful not to make noise, she crept towards an unbroken window, and peered outside.

She immediately regretted looking out the window. She would never forget the woman who made such a shrill sound. Especially after Tiana watched as she was thrown to the ground by an even larger mutant than the one that killed Eddie. The woman whimpered and cried as the mutant and a few others surrounded her.

Tiana was forced to place her hand over her mouth in order to keep from giving her position away, but she could not turn her eyes as the mutants ripped the woman's clothes from her, leaving her bare and exposed to the darkening street she'd found herself cornered on. Tiana watched, mortified, as the beasts took turns, forcing themselves inside her, none of them even the slightest bit gentle.

The woman fought, kicking and screaming, until she no longer had the will to do so. The mutants continued their assault on her, giving her no time or room for rest, even after her back snapped loudly, killing her instantly. The mutants did not seem to care about whether she was living or not. Several more turns were taken on her, even as she became a cadaver.

Revolted, Tiana doubled over, and hurled onto the storefront floor. Her insides and throat burned as her dinner and more bile than she thought her stomach could hold erupted from her mouth. As she wiped her mouth, her gaze returned to the mutants. Her only hope now, that they were too distracted with their dead plaything to notice her.

Much to her horror, the mutants had spent themselves out onto the cadaver, and each of them had their noses turned in the air, a new scent capturing their attention. The mutants, seemingly entranced, slowly turned, their eyes closed, and faced Tiana. The biggest of them, the same one who'd captured the woman who now laid naked and dead in the street, opened his eyes first. Through the window, the beast spotted Tiana. And immediately charged towards her.

Tiana did not scream, she made no attempt whatsoever to move. It seemed to her pointless to fight against these monsters. As the mutants closed in on the store, their eyes bloodshot and crazed, Tiana slid her tongue between her teeth, and prepared to bite down with all her might. Rather than endure what the woman before had, she was content to take her own life.

"Run!" a deep voice jolted her from her state of mind. Tiana's body jumped, causing her to nearly bite down on her tongue prematurely. Blood filled her mouth from the many puncture wounds she'd inflicted on her talking piece. She turned towards the voice, positioned outside one of the windows broken by the mutants who had come for her already.

The man the voice belonged to was not the hero any woman dreamed of. He was short, stout and in her eyes, ugly. But he looked strong. More importantly he was not afraid. The look in his eyes was that of a survivor. Tiana showed little reluctance. She scrambled to her feet once again, and ran to the stranger who's hand was held out for her to take.

Once he had her in hand, the stranger ran, towing her behind him, towards an alleyway across the street. Tiana's heart throbbed as she ran. She tried not to look back, all the while praying to whatever gods would listen that this would not be her final moment. Behind her, the mutants screamed and howled, like a pack of wolves in the night. They were drowned out however, the blood pounding in her ears.

No longer able to restrain herself, she turned her head. They were gaining on them, and they were doing so at a rapid pace. She was jerked by the arm by the stranger guiding her down the alley.

"Don't look!" he screamed at her. "We're almost there!!"

Tiana clamped her eyes shut, and screamed. Her scream one of anguish and fear.

I'm going to die. Deep within her heart she was sure that there was nothing for her after this. Suddenly the man guiding her by the hand took a sharp right turn back out into the streets, and ran straight towards a large brick building, painted blue and silver.

"Archers!" the man screamed at the top of his lungs.

Suddenly, he pulled Tiana forward forcing her from her feet. Before she could hit the ground the man spun around and dove, catching her in his arms, and landing on his back, cradling her body, and preventing her from receiving little more than a few bruises and scrapes.

Over her head, Tiana heard the -whoosh- and whistle of arrows cutting through the air. Beneath her, the man who'd come to her aide was panting heavily. Her own lungs heaved in pain as she attempted to muster air within them. Her limbs ached. Her body was drenched in sweat.

But she was alive. A hysterical laugher bubbled within her until she could not contain it. She laughed aloud, pounding her fist into the man's chest as she did so. Her ribs cried in pain as she continued to laugh, until eventually, her hysterical laughter dissolved into tears.

Her savior clung her close to him, as she cried tears out her sorrow and rage. In moments the city she called home was now a house a terror. Something worse than her worst fears had come alieve and taken over life as she knee it, and to her knowledge, there was no power, within her or otherwise that could stop it. There was no hope for life. Only fear of death and its inevitability.

The stranger kept her close to his chest, and though she did not know him, it was a comfort to her. Not enough to make her feel safe, but enough to quell her hysterics. Slowly, she'd begun to regain her composure.

She would only stand to her feet once the stranger could no longer lie on his back with her on top of him. Gently, he sat up, and assisting Tiana in the same task, he made his way to his feet. Ever carefully, the stranger wrapped his arm around her. And guided her towards the blue and silver brick house from which a volley of arrows was fired for her sake.

As they came to the entrance, six people, four men and two women cautiously walked out. The women stood in the back, each with a bow and arrow already knocked and prepared to draw. The men held spears in their hands, and in their waists were half swords, the traditional weapon of the Abian Military and police force. None of them gave Tiana a second look as she was ushered into the building past them.

"Hey! I've got another one here!" the stranger shouted once they'd walled inside. There were dozens of people crowding the entry room. Many of them were drenched in blood, sweat and rain. Children without parents were sat against a wall, the older ones comforting the young. Tiana saw few elderly. Those that were present were actively moving about the refugees, handing out blankets and assisting however they could.

"Damnit." The man cursed aloud when no one came to their aid. "Come on, you'll just have to tag along with me."

Every room Tiana passed by as she was ushered through the building was filled with civilians, making the space available to walk through limited. Every step pushed her against the body of another. The stranger accompanying her did his finest to avoid making contact with the surrounding people as he ushered her through a hallway, and into what seemed to be the only room not being used to house the people.

In the room stood a desk, two shelves lined with hundreds of leather bound books, and a small group of people gathered in front of a masculine man with several distinguishable scars that panned across his entire face.

"-effort is going well thus far. We've already managed to rescue several dozen civilians within the west district." A woman with silver hair addressed the man behind the desk.

"There are still seven teams patrolling the streets. Those who have returned have reported what they believe to be 'monsters' terrorizing any and everyone they cross paths with," reported a man, short in stature but clearly built to fight.

"Do we know what they are?" the scarred man asked his audience.

"No sir," it was the stranger who guided Tiana to safety who spoke. "However, I believe they are humans who have been mutated by the Nest."

"Mutated?" the silver haired woman asked aloud.

"Physically, they are no longer human," the man responded. "And it would seem that their minds have deteriorated. Their actions are base instinctual. Like animals."

The scar-faced man sat back into his chair, and folded his arms. He seemed to be contemplating something, though what it was Tiana could not know. His brow furrowed as he continued his thoughts. The silver haired woman, the stranger, and the rest of the room fell silent, giving him time to settle his thoughts.

"Can you tell me what these things look like, Austain?" The scarred man asked the stranger who'd brought Tiana to this place.

Austain. Tiana made sure to remember his name for when it came time to thank him for his bravery.

"Not exactly, sir." Austain replied. "I only barely managed to grab this woman."

Austain had suddenly put Tiana on the spot. A brief moment passed as Tiana searched her brain for anything she could say. When she came up empty, the silver haired woman saved her the embarrassment of an awkward silence.

"I know your face!" she suddenly exclaimed. Excitement appeared to tear through her body, ass she giddily jumped up upon her recognition. "You're the one who wrote that book!"

The silver haired women's statement vague as it was, sent a wave of expressions around the room, ranging from recognition to confusion. Tiana had indeed written and published a book, but,

"I'm better known for my journalism." She replied.

"Tiana Eily, yes?" the scarred man chimed in. Tiana's eyebrows rose as high as physically possible on her forehead. "I listen to your radio broadcasts," he continued warmly.

Every head in the room now faced her as Tiana's face turned a deeper shade of brown and her head lowered to the ground. She found herself pleased to know that there were people who paid her show any attention.

"Do you think you can describe the monsters Austain here rescued you from?" The silver haired woman asked Tiana.

Tiana began to open her mouth to speak, when she remembered the drawing Eddie had given her before his head was removed from his shoulders. From her waistband she pulled the picture out, unfolded it and took a look at it.

As she had expected, Eddie had managed to capture every detail that made the mutated beings so gruesome and terrifying. From their bulbous heads, to their browned tusks, to the bumps and lacerations that covered their faces, the drawing held it all.

Tiana handed the drawing to the silver haired woman. She took it, and examined it briefly before she froze in place.

"What is it?" the scarred man asked the silver haired woman.

"Dao Gin." The word was one foreign to Tiana. But to the rest present, it was enough to shift the atmosphere of the room. There were a few seconds of silence. Then suddenly, all at the once, the room burst into a bustle of words and movement.

"How?"

"I don't-!"

"In Abia? Ridiculous."

Of out those present, only Autain, Tiana, and the silver haired woman remained silent until the scarred bellowed over all of them.

"Pipe down and focus, imbeciles!" Everyone turned to the man, who was no longer sitting behind his desk. He now stood, hands on the desk and a vein of irritation threatening to burst from his forehead. The room stood quiet once again, and the group made themselves attentive for the stream of commands the scarred faced man seemed to be preparing in his mind.

"We need to contact the Faction King." The scarred man mumbled beneath his breath. "Ali," he turned to the silver haired woman.

"Sir," she responded.

"Reach out to every Lone Wolf Squadron on this hemisphere. Tell them we need food, water, weapons, and reinforcements. Anyone and anything they can send."

"Yes, Sir." Ali swiftly bowed and took her leave.

"Austain," the scarred man continued as Ali walked out the door.

"Sir."

"We need to evacuate Abia. I want everyone in the King's Hollow taken through the alleyway passage outside the city walls. We'll set up camp a few kilometers away, maintain a tight group and ensure that anyone who can fight has a sword or spear in their hands."

"Sir." Austain accepted his task, and followed behind Ali.

"The rest if you will accompany me, we will continue to search the city and find survivors."

"Yes, sir!" the remaining members of the group left the room, and began their mission.

"Thank you, Tiana." The scarred man said once the room was cleared.

"Thank my friend Eddie. He died to get you that picture."

"He will forever have my gratitude. Had I waited to send Ali out, or gone myself, it might've been too late to take the appropriate action."

'If only your gratitude could bring him back.'

"I would ask you to join Austain in the evacuation. I'm sure a person a well recognized as yourself could assist in getting the people to move."

"Yeah, sure." She wasn't sure how well recognized she'd be, but if she could help, she wanted to. She could not stand to see another suffer the fate of the woman in the street, or her friend who died smiling.

"Excuse me." There was much for her to process. The monsters that roamed the street, the sudden introduction to a militant group that she, a journalist and investigative reporter was not aware existed. She would've like to ask a thousand questions, Tiana had one question she needed answered before she departed. "Who are you people?"

"Ah, yes. I am Gregory Ocatcio, Lieute-" The scarred man paused. "No, I suppose now my title is General of the Rai Jin King's Faction . I know your stay won't be long, but welcome to King's Hollow."