The core shattered, its sharp fragments embedding into his skin, cutting, seeping and dissolving into his bloodstream.
And he felt something within his body. Something that changed.
A pulse of fire, almost tangible, washed over him.
The creature's body went limp. Its limbs fell slack, flames sputtering out like a doused campfire. The red glow of its core dimmed and died.
It was over. At last.
He fell backwards and onto his ass, breathing heavily. Pain rippled across his body, aching and stabbing. He was exhausted.
And yet...
Saeko was by his side in a flash, her katana poised and ready for anything. "Ty...?" Her eyes scanned the mutated zombie. She saw the shattered core, the heaving, sweating Tysone, and her expression softened. "You got him..."
Marin emerged from the truck, her face streaked with rain, a mix of disbelief and awe on her face. Takashi limped over, bruised but grinning. "Dude, what the fuck? That was crazy! We actually won? Against this guy??"
Shizuka had left the truck behind, a look of astonishment and worry on her pretty features. She was at his side in a heartbeat, hands fluttering over him as she inspected the gash on his chest.
"Sorry guys, I... I think I've accidentally absorbed the core." Tysone wheezed, feeling an unprecedented heaviness on his chest, as if there as an anvil atop his lungs.
Saeko merely shook her head, her smile never fading. "It doesn't matter, Ty. As long as you are safe."
Shizuka, on the other hand, merely groaned in frustration, muttering something about checking up on Tysone for any injuries and changes on his body. "Gosh you need to be more careful!"
Takashi, despite his own injuries, managed a crooked smile. "Well, shit." He sighed, a strange mix of exasperation, respect, and worry in his voice. "That was the most badass yet suicidal move I've seen in my whole life."
Tysone laughed, coughing, clutching his ribs with one arm.
It had been a harrowing battle, a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse through the rain-soaked streets against a mutant that had seemed untouchable. Now, in the aftermath of the fight, adrenaline faded, leaving them drained. Exhaustion set in like a weighted cloak. Still, Tysone felt a concerning heat all over his body.
Saeko helped him up; he barely managed to stand. And, the moment, her hands made full contact with his bare skin, her eyes widened. "Ty, you're warm." She bit her lip, staring him directly in his eyes. "And you're getting hotter." There was concern on her face, which was a rare sight in its own. Saeko, out of all of them, was the most adept in keeping her cool.
Tysone was so fucking tired and hurt, he could only smile and offer her a weak, half-shrug.
"Ty-Kyun, are you sure that you're okay?" Shizuka's eyes roved his form with her professional scrutiny.
Tysone swayed slightly on his feet. The world spun and he blinked to clear his vision. "I kind of want to rest..." He could feel his body heating up, as if he were running a high fever. His throat was parched. His mouth dry. And sweat poured from his body despite the cold, wet drizzle that fell from the dark sky.
Takashi grunted as he helped Tysone walk towards the vehicle. The young boy's movements were stiff and pained, but his determination was unshakable. Saeko also came to help, along with Marin and Shizuka. "I think..." Saeko began in an even tone. "We should stop here for today, we've all endured more than enough. And you're in no state to travel, let alone fight." She turned her attention to Shizuka, her gaze intense and commanding. "Sensei, please drive us back as fast as possible."
Shizuka nodded, her face tense but resolute. She moved to the front seat of the vehicle, preparing to take them away from any more danger.
Saeko rested Tysone's head on her lap, the motion causing a faint blush to tint her cheeks, although it was hardly noticeable. The movement caused her skirt to rise, revealing the creamy, soft skin of her thighs, now in contact with Tysone's cheek. She bit back a soft groan and gently pressed her hands against the feverish boy.
Takashi took up position in the passenger side, leaning back with a wince, clutching the tender spot on his chest. His bat lay beside him.
Marin was unscathed, therefore was tasked with keeping a keen eye outside.
"Saeko..." Tysone croaked. His eyes drifted up and locked into Saeko, and a goofy, lopsided smile spread on his face. "Damn, gurl. If this is the premium treatment I get after getting wounded, I'll make sure to get my ass kicked at every chance." He tried to joke.
Saeko rolled her eyes, a hint of amusement tugging at her lips. "Stop trying to play this cool, dumbass. You nearly died out there."
He coughed a couple of times before his eyes closed, a contented expression settling on his face. Saeko sighed, running a gentle hand over his cheek. "Sleep, Tysone." Her voice was a soft whisper, almost inaudible amidst the gentle rumble of the engine. "Once you're better, you'll get an earful from all of us."
Shit.
He could already imagine Saya, Mai, Shizuka, and Saeko all standing in front of him, hands on their hips and disapproving glares etched into their features. Not to mention the hellish amount of scolding he'd get.
Tysone huffed. Saeko lightly pinched his cheek.
Even so, sleep simply didn't come. His eyes closed, his mind drifted in and out. And yet he couldn't find his much desired rest. Tysone didn't speak or make a sound. In fact, he didn't make any attempts in communicating. But the soft and rhythmic rise and fall of Saeko's chest lulled him to some semblance of peace.
"Water..." He croaked out, eventually.
Marin snapped out of her vigilant watch, turning around with a concerned expression. She fished a bottle of water out of a bag and handed it to Saeko, who gently sat Tysone up.
His body still burned with heat.
The first drops of water that reached his mouth were heavenly, but it still wasn't enough. Tysone wanted to guzzle the entire fucking thing, and then maybe go through the same process with another two or three more. Saeko, seeing the way his lips trembled with eagerness, slowly tilted the bottle, allowing the water to flow into his mouth in a steady, controlled stream.
"You're still thirsty?" Marin asked once she saw Tysone smack his lips after he was done. Her question seemed rhetorical to Tysone. He had a literal furnace inside of him; he was dying. Well, not really.
Tysone gave her a dry, deadpan stare. Still, he closed his eyes, and focused on the rampaging heat inside him.
...
His body felt as if it was changing, adapting to something, yet he couldn't tell exactly what.
"Tysone, how are you?" He opened his eyes to stare at the woman who asked that.
Shizuka's pretty face was twisted with worry as she peered at him.
"Are we back?"
She nodded.
"Were there any difficulties along the way?"
She shook her head.
He sighed in relief. Saeko and Takashi each slumped one of his arms around their necks and hauled him up, carrying the majority of his weight.
Together, they maneuvered the short distance towards the house.
It was all a blur, from there to the next few minutes, as Tysone found himself laying in bed. His vision dark and blurry. The world spun.
He didn't understand what the fuck was happening to him. Was it because the zombie was a mutant? Was this another step in the evolution scale? Perhaps there were cores you simply couldn't and shouldn't consume.
It was a legit fear, because not all glitters is gold, or a benign core safe for consumption. The sheets underneath him were pregnated and damped by his sweat, as if the man had taken a bath. Saya sat by his side, holding his hand, just like he had done to her back when she first evolved. He was grateful for this. Her presence helped him in keeping calm.
"Is he okay?" Rei asked. Saya merely shrugged, eyes firmly set on him.
"I... I'm okay. Just tired. And hot..." He groaned, shifting his position, trying to find a more comfortable position. Tysone then took a deep breath. He could do nothing more than to let nature do its thing. Right now, he trusted his instincts. "Don't worry about it." He smiled weakly, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
The pain had turned numb and he'd stopped feeling much of anything anymore.
Tysone's voice grew quieter, his eyelids drooping with a mix of pain and fatigue. His eyes began to flutter closed as sleep started to take its toll. However, even then he continued to smile reassuringly. "It's alright... I'm going to rest... for now..." He whispered.
Everyone sat around him, watching as Tysone slowly fell into a deep slumber.
Mai placed a cool cloth on his forehead. Her brows were knit with worry, and she kept checking his temperature and making sure he was as comfortable as possible. Tysone wanted to reach out to squeeze her hand, to let her know it'd all work out, somehow, that he was going to be fine.
But it was as if the slightest movement was going to cost him all the energy he had left, leaving him utterly drained, so he decided against it. Mai seemed to understand, though. She offered him a tight-lipped smile, as if she, in some sort, could read him and his thoughts.
"Let him rest, everyone." Saya said, rising to her feet, yet making no motion to be the first one to leave.
"Let's make it the last time he plays the hero." Takashi muttered in response. "Otherwise we're going to end up having his heart fail at the age of thirty."
Author's Note:
If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead or support my work, you can check out my P@treon at [email protected]/LordCampione. But don't worry—all chapters will eventually be public. Just being here and reading means the world to me. Thank you for your time and support.