Terrors in Subnautica II; Humanity Reconstructed(Complete)

Part 3: Michael

Trigger Warning: Bodily harm, violence, and inferred of body mutilation(at the end)

The mission was going perfectly, until 26 seconds ago. We had thought we'd been so lucky to stumble into one of the enemies hidden safe houses, but it felt too easy from the start.

I should have known better, I should have said something.

Another thunderous rumble crashed through the tunnel, crumbling more of the ceiling. Coughing furiously, eyes burning and sticky with ash and ancient bone mist, I keep pushing my team forward.

"We're almost there!" Micheal yells back, using his strength to shift the floor beneath us and propelling us forward.

Another shockwave and the rest of the tunnel crumbles, dropping boulders from above. Thank fuck I have my reflexes. Shakily I hold the debris at bay as the remaining four run clear through the exit. My vision goes blurry from exhaustion and I feel my grip slipping away when I realize Michael hadn't cleared yet.

"Y/N!!"

I run back towards him without thinking as the boulders topple over us. It takes me several moments to realize I'm still alive when pain shoots through my entire body. Opening my eyes to see Michael safe beneath me, safe between the rocks I managed to push away.

"I've got you," I remind him, "I've always got you." I smile, trying to mask the jolting pain.

He nods, tears running down his anxiety ridden face. His mind running wild.

"What would I do without you?" He half heartedly chuckles.

I try to laugh with him, but the sharp edges piercing me from every angle make breathing difficult. Thankfully it shouldn't be long until the team comes to get us.

"Here let me help." He reaches out.

I feel the weight of the rocks lift ever so slightly, as he moves to stand before me.

"Reducing the pressure is the least I could do, since you're always taking hits for me." He mumbles.

"Hey, it's alr-

The rocks above us suddenly fly away condensing into sharp chunks as the enemy towers over, hands at the ready to release. I pull myself from the boulders to shield Michael when I hear and feel an explosion of spines at my back.

                                                                                         ~~

Bolting to my feet I nearly slam into the wall. Gasping for air I look around the room as the realization that it was just another nightmare settles in.

"Hey." Seán quietly mumbles, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Sorry, you can go back to sleep." I say, sitting back on the bed.

"Another nightmare?"

"Yeah. It was a memory this time."

He cocked his head to the side curiously, waiting for me to explain further.

"It was about an early mission I'd been sent on back when I was about twelve. It was one of the first where we weren't lead by an elder, and we stupidly fell right into a trap. It was the first mission I almost died in." I sigh.

Gently hugging my shoulders, he rests his head on mine. He always knows how to calm me down. We sit in silence for a few minutes before laying back down.

"I can't believe Michael's alive." I whisper.

"I'm sure he'll come back again. He didn't seem like the kind of guy to give up." Seán responds.