Chapter 28: The Reaper’s Gift

Rachel shot a look at the calculating military man, who seemed to be weighing the odds; nearly a hundred students and citizens had already been killed by the aliens while hundreds more were injured, either by other humans or self-inflicted. The question was, did he trust her after everything she’d demonstrated thus far?

"Huu-haaa... Ugh. If you can pull this off, I’m sure you’ll get your private meeting with Lt. Thompson... If anything, to identify how mad you are. You’ll take a radio that’s toggled on so we can listen."

"Just in case we fail. Haha." Rachel’s teeth flashed in an innocent smile, ears bowing a tad. "I’ll take that as a yes; the operation is on, girl," she said, making Scarlet groan and rub her face.

Rachel guided a nervous Scarlet to a sitting position as Selvaria joined them, likely wanting to be a part of the club, and they walked them through the process as the military listened; it wasn’t the time to hold such secrets, and besides, it gave her further validity.

It was a little surprising when the blood dome encircled the vamp-girl as she entered the trance-like state, protecting her and making Rachel a little jealous, but it had been a success. Settling beside the rippling liquid, she debated going under to check out her own Feats and changes after what Anthony said, yet, begrudgingly, decided she couldn’t take the chance of the aliens moving in while she was in the unprotected state—it would have to wait.

The Coast Guard handled most of the operation to destroy the smaller Crystals, and they prepared each one to be detonated at once in case those on the other side decided to rush through with an army.

Rachel’s head tilted to the side while listening to the aliens. They pointed or slid their fingers across the whiteboard on specific places, likely for emphasis, their soft actions giving her the impression they were puzzling through something. It wasn’t long until they were on the hunt again, alarming her; their target wasn’t the pool.

"I think they’re returning to the Crystals—they’re leaving the building?!"

Mateo swiftly called it in as Scarlet’s blood field fell, snatching all of their attention; Scarlet wore a small smile as the liquid flowed around her.

"I understand," she giggled, rising to her feet and holding out her hand for a sphere of crimson liquid to gather in her palm. "I get it... I’m that which reaps... Life’s twilight that eclipses champions slain."

"Scarlet?" Rachel asked; naturally, that kind of awakening would cause a few people to give her misgiving looks. "What did you learn? Did you upgrade your Feats?’

She blinked, blue eyes defocusing before looking up at her. "I did! Yeah, you helped me so much, Rachel. It’s so...different from what I thought. Thank you!"

Okay, could this sound less villain-like? Rachel internally groaned, seeing how everyone was fidgeting at her words.

"Hu-huh?" Her gut tightened as the girl’s blood drew her into a hug. "What’s up?"

When she pulled away, her irises glowed with ruby light. "I am the Blood Red Rose! Scarlet isn’t here to make me kill good people, and I shouldn’t hold down what’s inside of me... I just need to direct it... Like when you felt like everyone would die and ran ahead!"

"I’m not follow—"

Without warning, the shorter girl was enveloped in shadows, leaving everyone speechless and Rachel wondering if she’d made a horrible mistake; yet, the threads of misfortune were now entirely in her favor as they wrapped around the toad’s throats—the vespertine reaper had found her prey.

One by one, Rachel heard the rushing sands meet the laughing raven-haired girl as cutting air sounded; it all happened in less than thirty seconds as she transported herself through shadows to intercept and eviscerate the aliens, seemingly unable to hide from her fiendish eyes.

Mateo’s mouth was slack, looking to her for answers, yet Rachel didn’t know what else to tell him—he’d seen it for himself—she was going full-on reaper, talking about Blood Red Roses and being life’s twilight or something along those lines. Perhaps this was what the cult was afraid of: what Rachel’s influence would do in helping the girl.

"Scarlet’s...killing them all."

Radio rising to his mouth, Mateo yelled, "Execute operation—I repeat—execute operation!"

Lt. Thompson repeated the order, and Rachel’s ears drooped back as explosions sounded all around them; all five Crystals had been destroyed, reports flying in from the soldiers outside.

"Target neutralized!"

"Targets sending light into the sky!"

"Main Crystal shattered—the dome’s down—we’re back, boys!"

"Let’s go!"

"A tale to tell the kids, Boyd!"

"That’s what I’m sayin’!"

"Damn straight! Alien toads?"

"You didn’t even see one, Tony!"

"Shut the hell up and let me enjoy this!"

Cheers sounded all around campus, but Mateo’s focus was still on her with the tense Green Berets, wondering if Scarlet would become their next calamity.

"Well?"

Rachel shook her head. "Four down—she’s on the last one inside a building, but all the noise is making it hard to follow," she groaned, rubbing her head as a migraine formed; her body was already shot and didn’t want to move. "I think... Scarlet! Hehe. Hey... Y-You okay?"

* -- * -- *

[Level Up - Level 6]

[1 Stat Points Added; 2 Available]

[1 Feat Extension Added; 1 Available]

* -- * -- *

[1 Stat Modifier Point Available]

[1 Refinement Point Available]

[1 Branch Feat Point Available]

* -- * -- *

Utterly stunned by the sudden jump in EXP, Rachel blinked as dark mist collected to reveal the grinning girl, holding a scythe of crystal-like blood; gashes and cuts marred her skin, and her clothes were littered with the signs of an intense battle.

"Oh, yeah! I’ve never felt...better..."

Her sky-blue eyes returned before suddenly rolling back, making Rachel wince as she jumped forward to catch her; but her legs gave out, and she found herself on the ground, head spinning. The past hours seemed to take their toll all at once as she suddenly felt so much weaker, and it was getting worse.

Anthony appeared to have swept the girl off her feet, blood melting to crawl back into her body as he turned her away.

"Whoops! Hehe. Faceplant much?"

"Ugh...thanks for the support," Rachel grumbled, trying to collect herself.

"Anytime! Looks like our cute and creepy assassin is out for the count," he strained a laugh while examining the shimmering red light that shone through her wounds; they weren’t healing. "Uh... Is she going to be okay?"

"Probably?" Rachel theorized, shifting to her back with a groan. "Maybe she needs blood to restore herself?"

Selvaria leaned to the side to peer around the soldiers, tail swaying back and forth. "Spooky. I like her. We should all team—eh, you guys get those levels?"

Zoe cheered, jumping up and down with squeals of excitement. "Scarlet was on our side, or we wouldn’t be sharing her EXP! Confirmation!"

Rachel hadn’t even made that connection yet—she was fairly exhausted—but it did make sense. "Hehe. I guess so. I think I’m done for now. I hurt...everywhere."

Mateo let out a breath and chuckled. "Well... I guess we made it through the night," he said, pointing at the windows that showed faint orange light and the reason why she was feeling weaker as she traced a beam to her belly. "I’ll call the OIC and see what he wants us to do... Shit. What a night it was..."

Rachel dragged herself against the wall and out of the sunshine, mind winding down; she needed sleep and a lot of rest. One problem was the sun since she didn’t know the full effect it would have on her, and after a quick reflection test, she learned it only drained her [Lunar Pool].

Unfortunately, Scarlet’s skin started to blacken and burn under even the faintest light, prompting them to carry her further into the building. Rachel groaned like an old woman the entire way, much to Zoe and Selvaria’s concern, shooting worried glances at her, but she refused help out of principle, to which Zoe mumbled, ’She had no problems with Anthony carrying her in the woods,’ which Rachel ignored.

The vespertine reaper remained unconscious, though, making Rachel uneasy, and after several minutes, Mateo’s men informed them that Lt. Thompson wanted a word; finally, Rachel had her moment with someone in authority.

Two levels, and apparently, Level 5 is a big one... Can I make all my work bear fruit with this meeting? I have to if I’m going to survive this cult that is bound to come after me...and my family.

Countenance darkening, she proceeded to the room the military officer was using.