Zayla Eternal

The Lucius Complex Escape!

Bodoku wobbled as he, Tidus and Seth cut their way through several clones to reach the stairs. Tidus looked at him and held his shoulder, "are you doing okay?" "Yes..." Seth glanced back, "there are more clones on the way". "I just needed a moment to catch my breath..." A bead of sweat ran down Bodoku's forehead, he wiped it away then kicked the door open and looked up. Tidus followed his gaze, "eleven floors..." "I hope you're ready", Bodoku mentioned, Tidus gave a nod. "I will defend the rear", Seth mentioned holding his dagger firm. Bodoku walked to him, "are you any good with a sword?" "I am". "Here use this for now", he handed him the huge sword. Seth swung it experimentally, "it will suffice". Bodoku smiled slightly then headed up the stairs.

Zayla blinked slowly, feeling pressure in her head she was trying to sort through all her thoughts. Her mother Zalia had been exposed to Z energy and some component that nobody could name, or find. She herself was also exposed as a baby in the womb forcing an early birth which killed both her, and her mother, but the mixture of Z energy and some sort of ghost chemical mixed with her DNA brought her back to life. Devari wanted this, his eyes probably lit up at the thought of having immortality... her father didn't know just how twisted and dark Devari was, maybe he did cause the accident that killed her. Then she was hidden away. "It's my fault, it's my fault my father died..." she muttered. Her ears perked up at the sound of clanging swords and shouting. She suddenly had hope and adorned a small, tired smile, "Bodoku..." She said aloud gaining the attention of the clones in the room, "you better run... who am I kidding... you wouldn't get far", she told them, "you're done for now".

Bodoku, Tidus and Seth had killed the clones protecting the stairs, they reached the eleventh floor and rushed through the door to find Hex standing there defending the room that Zayla was being held in. "Hex", Tidus growled, "you'll pay for what you did to Tanjiro". Hex seemed conflicted at the mention of his name, "I didn't want to kill him... but in order to bring Zayla here, it's what I had to do". "Don't give me that, there's always a choice, and you chose wrong, now... you'll pay". "Tidus", Bodoku put an arm out in front of him holding the skinny blade, "you two make sure there aren't anymore clones on this floor, I'll deal with Hex". Tidus looked at him seeing a fire in his eye, "If you lose to her-" "I won't". With a satisfied nod Tidus replied, "well alright then, let's go Seth". Seth glanced at Hex feeling a little conflicted himself, "I- I'm sorry you aren't special like me", he said then followed Tidus who said quietly, "that was a little harsh..." "I was just being honest, Zayla told me I am an individual, Hex is not". "Wait... Hex is a clone?" "You did not know. She is a clone, one mind like mine but she does not make decisions, master Devari does that for her". Tidus paused as they run into a few clones, "oh for- how many does this guy have anyway!"

Hex and Bodoku circled each other, "you let Seth take one of your swords, that was a mistake", she commented. Bodoku took a long, calming breath before he adopted a stance to protect him on all sides, "I'll only need one", he said lengthening his blade. Hex drew her red sword, "such ego, we'll see". They both rushed at each other, Hex swung her sword with anger, their weapons clashed a few times before Bodoku booted her in the stomach and slashed, cutting a thin line in her face from the top of her eyebrow to the bottom of her cheek. She stumbled back gritting her teeth, "Don't think you've won!" "Small victories", he shrugged then pointed to his bandaged eye, "I'm not much for revenge, but an eye for an eye seems fitting here". "GRRR!" She threw a fireball at him, her rolled towards her ducking under the flames and swept her legs, as she fell she cartwheeled then slashed upwards with her sword. Bodoku gasped not expecting her to react so quickly, he dodged back barely avoiding the strike as it cut the bandage from his face. He stepped back holding his eye as it was exposed to the light. Hex glared at him then gave a smug smile, "oops, are you hurt? I forgot I burned your face and made you half blind". Bodoku removed his hand turning his head to face her as he blinked a few times. The horrible burn that had been on his face not long ago, was nothing but a small scar under his eye, and his eye itself had healed but the brown coloring was now an ocean blue, "I-I can see", he stood with more determination than before, "I can see", he stated more clearly. Hex was shocked, but her anger overcame her surprise and disbelief, she sped towards him her sword ablaze with fire. Bodoku did nothing but prepare for her strike, now that he could see through both of his eyes he could see every angle of her attack, every move she would make, "it's over", he said. As she planted her feet in the floor before him he stabbed his blade through her foot and elbowed her chin snatching the sword from her grip, he swung it behind him stabbing it through her chest. After a few seconds he pulled the sword out, Hex fell onto her back as he retrieved his blade and looked down at her, "Tanjiro is alive", he decided to tell her as she stared back at him. "wha-? Then why...?" Bodoku glared down at her, "because you took what matters most to me". Hex's head lolled to the side. Bodoku placed her sword on the ground beside her, then raised his blade as Tidus and Seth jogged towards him, "we basically cleared this floor", Tidus mentioned only giving Hex a side glance. Seth frowned down at Hex then picked up her red sword, "I'll put this to better use", he held Bodoku's giant sword out to him. Bodoku took it with a nod and put it in the sheathe on his back, "I think she's just in this room ahead", Tidus mentioned. They rushed into the specimen lab to see Zayla strapped down, "my god..." Tidus muttered, "they're bleeding her dry!" Bodoku ran over to her and stroked her face, "Zayla, can you hear me? Open your eyes". Zayla slowly blinked at him, "Bodoku... trap..." she managed to say. Bodoku drew his huge sword as a clone dropped down at him from above, he slashed it in two then yelled, "ambush!" Seth and Tidus were already moving, taking down the three remaining clones. "The room is secure", Seth mentioned. "Good, watch the entrance", Bodoku ordered the two, he ran to a table taking rolls of bandages before returning to Zayla, "it's going to be alright, I've got you", he said taking all the needle tubes out and wrapping her wounds. She sat up looking up at his face, "my hero..." she muttered with a smile, Bodoku tensed with wide eyes unable to react as she pulled his face towards hers to kiss him on the lips. Tidus and Seth glanced back the former with embarrassment. "What is she doing?" Seth asked, "wait I've heard of this it's some sort of form of affection". "Hit the nail on the head..." Tidus replied with a sigh, "stay here..." he said making a slow approach towards the two locking lips. Zayla released Bodoku, they stared at each other for a brief moment before Zayla reacted, finally realizing what was happening, "aw maaaaan." she huffed. Bodoku gave a sympathetic smile, "come on, let's get you out of here". He went to lift her up but she playfully tapped his hands away, "I can walk!" Tidus joined them, "so uh..." Bodoku glanced at him, "she's a little out of it, loss of blood". "Uh yeah of course..." Zayla looked at him, "oh no, I have two heroes...? Do you need a kiss too?" "Well I uh-" "No. He doesn't", Bodoku said with a hard glare. "Right, no I'm good!" Tidus backed away. "I'll carry you", Bodoku said. "I said I'm fine". Bodoku sighed and waited for her to move, "are you going to get down then?" "You mean I'm not walking already?" Bodoku shook his head, lifting her up into his arms. "Whoa Bodoku I didn't know you were so strong... and your face", he grunted as she pulled at his cheeks, "your skin is so soft and glowing. So handsome!" "Zayla, please..." He moaned reaching the door. Seth looked at him, "there are several more obstacles to get past if we want to escape, Devari won't let her go without a fight, he may get involved himself". Bodoku gave a nod then looked at them both, "can I count on you to get us out?" Tidus pumped a fist, "you bet Bodoku", he grinned with determination drawing his sword, Bodoku pulled out his skinny blade, "use this as well, do you think you're ready for it?" Tidus smiled sheepishly as he took the blade, "I can't promise any flashy spinny moves like you can do, but I know the general technics thanks to you". Bodoku gave a nod then looked at Seth who put up a thumb, "I've seen this used as a gesture of trust", he said. Tidus and Bodoku glanced at each other then back at him, "it means 'okay' in most cases". "Then I have used it appropriately. I shall guarantee your escape", he drew the red blade spinning it in one hand then switched it to the other. "alright. Save it for the clones..." Tidus pouted slightly jealous. Zayla moaned tilting her head into Bodoku's chest as she fell asleep, Bodoku looked down at her with concern, "let's go". Tidus left first followed by Seth. Bodoku glanced back at the blood filled bags and gritted his teeth, he kicked a vial named 'flammable' onto the ground then scraped his blade in one quick slash across the ground kicking up sparks, it ignited the fluid, the flame quickly started to travel around the room, Bodoku rushed out. Tidus and Seth waved him over to the stairs, he joined them and followed them down.