Epics of Noche 1, Anchor

EON CH 67

QUEST FOR CLUES.

1774, SEPTEMBER 27th TUESDAY 7:15pm.

Noche was motionless, still staring up at the rafters in the ceiling as her friends rushed around her. Cherries's eyes were wide with horror as Varen's mouth was left agape. The sight of Hectare's crumpled body outside the arena froze them both in their tracks. Mary ran down the bleachers and towards the group. Her eyes were large with fright.

"Noche! Bruh! What the fuck! I didn't know you were that strong," Mary said. "You made our fight look like child's tantrum. You head-butted a fucking knife!"

Mary grabbed Noche's left hand and Cherries flinched when he saw the wound.

"Fuck bruh... We need to treat this now!" Mary said.

"I can stitch up wounds. I've had a lot of practice doing it on myself," Cherries said. "I don't know how to create medicine."

"Leave that to me bruh. We'll need painkillers first."

"No."

Both Mary and Cherries flinched from Noche's lowered voice.

"No painkillers," Noche glared at them both. "I want to feel the pain."

Cherries eyes softened.

"But Noche-"

"Stop. I need to break out of this numbness," she said. "Sew me up raw."

Varen placed his hand on Cherries shoulder; Mary shook her head.

"First we have to wash off all that blood," Mary muttered. "Noche used up all her Drive, Cherries could you-"

The splash of water was followed up by a loud pop that came from inside Noche's chest. Mary turned to the blonde as she unflinchingly spat out a glob of blood; crimson leaked down her nose. Noche's arm was completely rinsed clean. Her voice was utterly calm and in control.

"Start sewing."

Mary didn't say anything, she didn't even blink. She simply stared at Noche as a suturing needle was created in her hand. Cherries took it and approached. He opened his mouth to say something, but the glare in Noche's left eye kept him quiet. The small pinhole that appeared in her eye felt oppressive. It was like PLC was staring him down again. It was a gaze of hate. He began to sew up the injured hand.

Noche turned her gaze to Hectare's unconscious form. A wave of fire lit up her shredded palm. Each stitch was a testament to her failure. Each tug a remainder of her weakness. Every puncture of the needle was a sledgehammer to the skull. The encroaching fire would have made a normal person contemplate removing the hand all together. The pain was overwhelming, but Noche didn't just endure the pain, she welcomed it.

Cherries's no longer held fear in his voice as he focused on his life-long craft. "Noche, the damage to your left hand is severe. You may not be able to use your left hand as good as before."

"That doesn't matter."

Cherries stopped mid-pull of the needle.

"Did... Did you hear me correctly?" He said. "You might have permanent damage to this hand."

"I heard you... What does it matter?" Noche said. "The only thing that's important is I lost."

Cherries blinked, lowered his eyes, and paused. After a moment of blankly staring at her hand, he finished stitching.

"Its done."

Noche raised her left hand and tightened it into a fist. The flare of a sun burned her palm.