Mechanical Animals: Resident Evil 4

22

Rose and Leon burst through some metal double doors and slammed them shut behind them. Leaning against them, they breathed heavily, trying to calm themselves in the aftermath of running through yet more ruins and avoiding being blown up by rocket launchers and torn apart by turret guns. It felt like by now humans were an endangered species on this side of Spain. Not only had they had to deal with rockets being shot at them and tripping over trigger lasers, they'd had to outrun those insects, and take down another pigman with a big gun attached to his arm as well. They were both thoroughly dead on their feet. It was never ending.

They'd finally entered the Sanctuary, however, so that was good news. There was no electricity in the entrance hall, but there were dozens of candles lit at the base of a statue depicting a woman with a hood on, her hands folded up in prayer. There were stairs on either side of her, and Leon and Rose took the same ones to move on. The place seemed to be built into the mountain, as the walls were rough and unsculpted. No real art hung on the walls, and it was honestly very underwhelming.

As they walked through the tunnel like hallway, more candles were sat on the ground, lighting the way with flickering light. "I can see Ashley," Rose whispered.

"Yeah," Leon breathed in relief. She was lying on a stone table directly under an elaborate chandelier made of wood and candles. She looked asleep, but with how quiet it was, Rose was comforted by being able to hear her breathing.

"She's okay," she relayed to Leon. "But weak. We should hurry."

Leon didn't question her, seeming to just accept that Rose would now be able to sense things he couldn't. It was just something else he'd have to file away for later. They ran forward and up the stairs to see Ashley lying on her back, black veins taking up the expanse of her face. Leon reached forward, but stopped like he'd hit a brick wall. Rose instantly became alert, looking from him, to all over the room, spotting Saddler walking up opposite of them. Leon's arm began to react, the veins darkening and clawing up his forearms.

"You've come, my child."

Rose lifted her gun and fired at him, the bullets piercing his chest. "What do you want?" She snarled, rounding the table to get between her friends and Saddler. The cult leader grunted, but only shot her a heated glare.

"I simply wish to share this gift with as many as possible. A humble wish, don't you think?" His white robed lackeys had also entered, taking up position on either side of the throne chair Saddler had been behind. Rose kept them in her sights, switching between the three of them with confidence. She still had a huge bone to pick with this guy, but she couldn't deny how she kept herself at a distance from Leon, and she hated herself for it.

Saddler noticed, too, and smirked at her. "You see, we are all connected through the holy body. And now your flesh and bones...your very thoughts, are already one with us." He sounded like a proud grandfather, but none of them were impressed. "Even you, agent Kidman, will share the glory of Las Plagas, once I get my hands on you."

"I thought I was being sold to the highest bidder," she snarled, this information being new to her.

"You've become more than a thorn in my side," Saddler answered. "Upsetting my flock, distracting my pawns. You are strong, and will make a viable bodyguard."

"Like hell," Rose spit, her glare being hot enough to melt metal.

"Bullshit," Leon grunted at the same time and Rose sent a quick look at him, feeling grateful for the backup, even if he was physically restrained by his own body. Saddlers grin melted off his face, and he began to pace around them, ignoring Rose's gun on him the whole time.

"Why do you reject serenity? When you need only accept the sacred gift? Like..." he raised his hand over Ashley's prone form. "She did." He pushed her head to face Leon, pushing him over the edge.